758 Mind World

Xu Jingming materialized outside the Hall of Legacy, still reeling from the unexpected encounter.

He called me over, just to send me away after a brief exchange? Xu Jingming was perplexed. A being from the third realm shouldn’t be that capricious. So what was the hidden agenda behind his actions?

Xu Jingming stood alone outside the hall, lost in thought.

Throughout the years, Thearch Dragon Island Lord, Ancient Tree World Lord, and North River Boat Master had all treated him with exceptional deference. The last third realm being, Lord Louye, had even gifted him a spear technique passed down from an Ultimate existence. And now, Feather Fire Lord—who countless high-dimensional lifeforms longed to meet but never could—had granted him a private audience…

All of this signaled to Xu Jingming that something extraordinary was afoot.

I’m too weak. Everything will become clear once I’m stronger. Xu Jingming frowned. When Feather Fire Lord saw me, he even advised against pursuing the Star Abyss Notes, claiming that my aptitude in this field is mediocre.

This suggestion left Xu Jingming disheartened. He had wanted to study the Star Abyss Notes because he aspired to create offspring with eternal lifespans.

Even Firstborn Realm high-dimensional lifeforms have a lifespan of just one Abyssal Era. Only ordinary third realm beings can bestow their spawn with eternal lifespans, Xu Jingming contemplated. And at the half-step third realm, merely a select few who excel in physical mastery have a chance of achieving this feat. As long as one’s knowledge of the Star Abyss Notes reaches a certain level, they can create eternal spawn using their blood.

Feather Fire Lord can see the future. Does he mean to imply that I won’t be able to use the Star Abyss Notes to create spawn?

Xu Jingming continued to ponder.

…

The meeting had given Xu Jingming plenty to consider. He lingered outside the legacy hall for over half a month until the dean finally emerged.

The dean grinned and remarked, “This clone of mine is only at the Firstborn realm. My processing speed is still far too slow.”

“You’re already much quicker than the others,” Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

“Did they borrow any treasures from you?” the dean inquired.

“Tower Master and Island Lord borrowed a few. They likely learned three legacies,” Xu Jingming confirmed.

“As I suspected.” The dean nodded.

He was the first human to attain the Eternal realm, and his ascent had been the most arduous! He had always advocated for gradual progress. Having grown up in more favorable environments, Eternal Tower Master and Spacetime Island Lord believed in seizing opportunities as they arose.

Five days later, Redmond emerged.

Three days after that, Tower Master and Island Lord followed suit.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s head back,” Xu Jingming suggested.

“It’s still too dangerous around here.” Redmond sighed.

Xu Jingming grinned and reassured them, “I’ll station a clone permanently in Feather Fire City. You’ll be able to purchase resources anytime in the future.”

“A trip like this isn’t easy. We can buy ordinary resources within our dominion.” The dean sighed. “If we truly need a critical resource, we can acquire it from Feather Fire City.”

Tower Master, Island Lord, and Redmond nodded in agreement. Having obtained Third Realm legacies and secured future access to valuable resources from Feather Fire City, they sensed their paths of cultivation widening, lifting their spirits.

“Let’s go.” Xu Jingming led them down the mountain, commencing their journey home.

******

Time marched on.

Having received the legacies from the distant Feather Fire City, the five high-dimensional human lifeforms dedicated themselves to their study. Three thousand years later, Redmond finally broke through, becoming another Eternal for the human race.

Six thousand years after obtaining the legacy, Xu Jingming established the fourth largest faction of the human race—Mind World. Immediately, numerous Origin lifeforms eagerly applied to join.

Human Origin lifeforms were well-connected. They were already aware that Wu Ming was the top human powerhouse, his strength rivaling a half-step third realm being. He stood at the pinnacle of the dominion.

…

In a flash, over 10,000 years had elapsed since their return from Feather Fire City.

Earth.

In a lavish residence, a white-haired elder reclined on his bed, his expression somber. Suddenly, he sensed something and immediately glanced up at the window.

He spotted two figures materializing outside.

The pair of young figures strode in without delay.

“Dad, Mom,” the white-haired elder greeted them, his voice subdued.

“Jin’an.” The newcomers were Xu Fangjin and his wife, Dodo’an. They couldn’t bear to look at their loved one before them. No matter his age, he remained their child.

“My 30,000-year lifespan is nearly over. I can sense that my body is incredibly weak. I doubt I’ll last more than a day or two.” The white-haired elder gazed at his parents with longing. “Dad, Mom, about that favor I asked of you…”

“We couldn’t meet him at all,” Xu Fangjin replied. “We visited Grandmother. She said that 30,000 years of life is already a blessing, so don’t hope for treasures to extend it.”

“Is Great-grandmother really that heartless?” the white-haired elder exclaimed anxiously. “I-I’m the eldest son of my generation in the Xu family. Can’t I extend my lifespan to 100,000 years?”

Xu Fangjin and his wife exchanged glances.

“It’s a rule set by Grandpa. No one can change it,” Dodo’an explained. “Besides, only your great-grandfather can produce such a rare treasure to extend one’s lifespan to 100,000 years. If he’s unwilling, there’s nothing anyone can do.”

“Why? Why? He’s an existence akin to a half-step Third Realm being, an unbeatable presence in the entire dominion. For him, it’s a trifle.” The white-haired elder’s eyes reddened. “Is he willing to just watch me die?”

“I’ve already begged.” Xu Fangjin shook his head. “It’s pointless.”

“He drew a line. Those inside the circle can extend their lifespans to 100,000 years, while those outside can only live for 30,000 years. Back then, the family refused to help my children become Origin lifeforms,” the white-haired elder muttered.

The resources available to his children’s generation were far inferior to his own; they lacked the privilege to become Origin lifeforms for free. If they desired to become Origin lifeforms? They had to find their own way.

Humans had always imposed stringent restrictions on using external forces to become an Origin lifeform. This was true for the three royal families as well as the Xu family.

“Back then, I could only watch my children age and die. Of my nine children, only three became Origin lifeforms. The other six perished.” The white-haired elder shook his head. “Now, Dad, Mom, you must watch me die first!”

Xu Fangjin and Dodo’an fell silent, their hearts aching.

“No one can change his mind,” the white-haired elder murmured.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Xu Fangjin inquired.

“I just want to live!” The white-haired elder gazed at Xu Fangjin.

Xu Fangjin fell silent.

“Leave. All of you, just leave,” the white-haired elder commanded.

Xu Fangjin and Dodo’an yearned to say more, but the white-haired elder had already shut his eyes. With no other choice, Xu Fangjin and his wife departed.

“Jin’an’s time is up.” The couple walked side by side, Dodo’an’s eyes brimming with tears. “Our five children are nearing the end of their lives. There’s nothing we can do.”

“You know I begged Grandpa, even kneeled before him,” Xu Fangjin said. “Grandpa argued that the Xu family’s children have already enjoyed too many resources. It would be one thing if they were his own children or grandchildren, but extending their lifespans by 30,000 or 100,000 years… A large number of them living that long would consume a vast amount of resources. That wouldn’t benefit the development of the entire Xu family or the human race.”

Indeed, as Xu Jingming’s great-grandson, Xu Jin’an easily obtained a wealth of resources and held a high status among humans.

If a few consecutive generations from his great-grandson’s lineage extended their lifespans by tens of thousands of years, hundreds would live longer lives, significantly impacting the human race.

“Only a select few close relatives can have their lifespans extended by 100,000 years. The rest aren’t eligible.” Xu Fangjin looked at his wife. “Fortunately, Dodo’an, you possess the talent to become a Level 10 Origin lifeform on your own.”

Back then, with the Xu family’s influence, both Xu Fangjin’s wife, Dodo’an Nonaeclipse, and Xu Biyun’s husband, Scarletjade Swordcrow, were considered geniuses. They relied on their own abilities to easily become Origin lifeforms.

Human resources had expanded considerably, and there were various legacies. Naturally, Dodo’an and Scarletjade Swordcrow reached Level 10.

As for Xu Fangjin and Xu Biyun, they used external forces to extend their lifespans to 100,000 years.

Due to the laws of the universe, the lifespan limit for low-dimensional lifeforms was 100,000 years! Want to live longer? Even Xu Jingming was powerless to change that.

He traded the Star Abyss Notes for his family.

“Huh?” As they walked, Xu Fangjin and Dodo’an suddenly halted, turning to gaze at the distant residence.

“Jin’an has passed,” Dodo’an whispered softly.

Xu Fangjin’s eyes welled up. This was the first time he had witnessed his children’s deaths. Moreover, all his children were nearing the end of their lives.

“Grandpa, what’s wrong with extending their lifespans to 100,000 years? What does it matter if only a few humans live longer?” Xu Fangjin’s heart ached.

…

Jin’an has passed away.

Xu Jingming sat at his desk, his brush hovering over the canvas.

Fangjin and Biyun begged me to extend their children’s lifespans to 100,000 years. Xu Jingming shook his head gently. He had only met his great-grandchildren a few times—a calculated decision.

The family could supply all kinds of resources for nurturing. If one were exceptional enough, Xu Jingming didn’t mind giving them a push.

For his great-grandchildren, lifespans of 30,000 years were sufficient. Xu Jingming had no interest in meddling with the following generations.

In a mere 30,000 years, the Xu family already rivals the three royal families. What more could you want? Xu Jingming was not only responsible for the Xu family but also for countless humans.

He knew he had to restrain the Xu family. If he indulged them, they would become utterly corrupt.

I’m still just short of the half-step third realm. Xu Jingming frowned. My accumulation is several times deeper than before my journey to Feather Fire City.

Psychic weapon, illusory realm, and Red Lotus Fire. These three paths feel like they could reach the half-step third realm at any moment, but they just haven’t. Xu Jingming looked at the painting before him. He was capturing the Ultimate existence’s spearmanship.

He was attempting to replicate it. This was also another way for him to comprehend it.

Feather Fire Lord is right. I do possess exceptional talent in the Heart Realm lineage, but my physical talent is significantly inferior, comparable to an ordinary high-dimensional lifeform. Xu Jingming reflected on his cultivation of more than 10,000 years and became convinced of this.