759 Half-Step Third Realm (Part 1)

In Feather Fire City, Xu Jingming had come into possession of three legacies. He had rapidly mastered the Heart Realm’s Nine Annihilation Stratagems and the Abyssal Void, but found cultivating his body with the Star Abyss Notes to be a daunting task.

I’ve devoted years to the Heart Realm lineage and neglected my body, so it’s only natural that my progress in the physical aspect is slow, he mused, unwilling to concede defeat.

Among the three aspects in the Heart Realm lineage, I have long achieved the Nine-leaf Black Lotus Realm with the Red Lotus Fire. But I can’t break through to the final level. To understand the Abyss Red Lotus Diagram, he thought, the legacy says I need to venture into the Abyss and observe the true Abyss Red Lotus.

I must admit, I have a knack for illusion, Xu Jingming conceded, recalling when he first entered the Eternal realm. Guided by the ordinary Three Threads of the Heart Realm and the Eight Directions Map’s illusory realm, he had managed to trap Asinus in an illusory world for a time.

The essence of the Abyssal Void legacy is constructing an illusory abyss, a technique that thrives in the realm of illusion. Since obtaining the Abyssal Void legacy, my mastery of illusions has grown by leaps and bounds, he confidently reflected. I’m a mere step away from the half-step third realm, and I have no doubt I’ll soon break through.

However, when it comes to psychic weapons… Xu Jingming’s brow furrowed in frustration. With the silver parchment’s spearmanship as my guide and the Nine Annihilation Stratagems as support, my proficiency in psychic weapons is unparalleled. Why can’t I break through?

For over 10,000 years, he had felt tantalizingly close to the threshold, yet unable to truly grasp it.

Suddenly, Xu Jingming looked up and, through a karmic connection, saw his family in the distance.

…

Aboard a spaceship, in one of the cabins, a massive transparent glass panel provided Mrs. Xu with a stunning view of the vibrant nebula outside. Seated before a drawing board, she watched the cosmic display while carefully painting.

Xu Jingming appeared silently in the cabin, standing to the side as he observed his mother’s work.

Her abilities had been enhanced to the limit of a low-dimensional lifeform, her observational and cognitive skills reaching Level 10. Combined with her years of practice in painting, the piece she was working on left even Xu Jingming amazed.

It’s beautiful, Xu Jingming thought, captivated by the scene.

He had seen the nebula in person countless times, but his mother’s rendition was breathtaking.

Mrs. Xu concentrated on her painting, occasionally glancing up before returning to her work. After more than an hour, she finally stepped back, satisfied. It was then that Xu Jingming ceased concealing his presence.

“Huh?” Mrs. Xu turned, her eyes lighting up with surprise. “How long have you been here, kid?”

“About an hour and a half,” he replied, grinning.

“How precious is your time, and yet you’ve spent an hour and a half watching me paint?” she teased, her eyes crinkling in delight.

He flattered her, “I’ve seen countless paintings, but yours, Mom, is the best I’ve ever come across.”

“Stop buttering me up.” She laughed, her gaze returning to the view outside. This spaceship had been custom-modified by her; unlike ordinary ships that used simulated views, she had replaced the glass with a completely transparent material, allowing for a clearer perspective of the cosmos.

“Mom, you used to paint in the virtual world, right? Why do you spend so much time in reality now?” Xu Jingming inquired.

“What’s virtual is ultimately virtual; it can’t compare to reality,” she answered.

Surprised, he asked, “Can you really tell the difference between the virtual world and the outside universe?”

The virtual world network, a legacy of the scientific lineage, boasted an incredibly high degree of replication. It was nearly impossible for even a Level 10 Origin lifeform to distinguish the difference based on the scenery alone.

“I’ve been painting all my life,” Mrs. Xu explained with a smile. “A few years ago, I painted in the virtual world, but I eventually realized that reality’s scenery… has a soul. The virtual world’s landscapes lack that.”

“A soul?” Xu Jingming pondered.

“A work with a soul is unique,” she said, looking at her painting. “My technique still needs refining. I want to be able to infuse my creations with a soul, but I have a long way to go.”

Xu Jingming couldn’t quite grasp the concept of a soul in the context of his mother’s art.

This wasn’t the Heart Realm’s mind and will; after all, the real scenery wasn’t alive, possessing no mind or will.

“Back when I was with your father, we traveled the world. He loved visiting various martial arts schools,” she reminisced, smiling. “In those days, money was tight, and I had to take on multiple jobs, painting constantly. The pressure was so intense that the mere sight of a drawing board made me feel ill, but I had no choice—I needed the income.”

Xu Jingming knew that his father hadn’t been particularly well-off back then.

“It was your grandfather who bought our old house and villa, allowing us to finally settle down in Mingyue City,” she continued. “I sometimes wonder how long it would’ve taken your father to save up for a house on his own.”

“But back then, it was quite common for parents to buy a house for their children,” Mrs. Xu said, glancing at the neighboring cabin. “Your father remains fixated on his Eight Extremities. He even went so far as to create a virtual game world, the Eight Extremities World, and offered a massive bounty for countless humans to learn and master the Eight Extremities.”

“Having a hobby is a good thing,” Xu Jingming agreed.

Mrs. Xu nodded. “Without financial concerns, painting remains a captivating pursuit. When inspiration strikes, I paint. If not, I simply put it aside.”

“Mom, what else do you do besides painting?” Xu Jingming inquired.

“Me? Oh, I have a multitude of hobbies.” Mrs. Xu’s enthusiasm bubbled over. “Earth boasts a vast array of delicacies, and there’s no shortage of gourmet dishes throughout the entire cosmic human race. As you may recall, I used to cook at home. I’ve always been passionate about cooking… I learned to prepare all sorts of delicious dishes. There’s a special satisfaction that comes from creating and savoring my own culinary masterpieces, which is unlike anything experienced when eating food prepared by others.”

“Additionally, I’ve founded an artists alliance. We often gather to paint together and even auction off some of our creations…” Mrs. Xu continued, as Xu Jingming listened with an indulgent smile.

…

Xu Jingming spent a long time chatting with his mother, careful not to disturb his father. His father was a martial arts fanatic, having reached Level 8 with the aid of the Evolutionary Guide. Even after becoming an Origin lifeform through external forces, he never abandoned his passion for the Eight Extremities.

Grandpa’s business keeps growing. Xu Jingming mused as he learned about his grandfather’s recent ventures. Over the past 30,000 years, his grandfather had founded a livestreaming company, which had become one of the top three entertainment businesses in the virtual world.

But his grandfather had set firm rules. Firstly, the company would focus solely on virtual world entertainment, avoiding any involvement in reality. Secondly, it would remain separate from the Xu family. Many within the family considered their ancestor too rigid, though none dared voice their concerns publicly.

Xu Jingming had observed the situation for more than 30,000 years. Both the Pearwood Group and my parents’ company have had their issues. In contrast, Grandpa’s company is the cleanest.

He had to concede that within the entire Xu family, his grandfather was a management prodigy. Others, including himself, Li Miaomiao, Xu Lixing, and his parents, paled in comparison when it came to company management.

Among the billions of people in the Xu family, very few could match his grandfather’s managerial prowess. This was due in part to his inherent talent and the fact that he was Xu Jingming’s grandfather.

“Grandson, I’m just having fun! Pursuing high-dimensional lifeform cultivation is the right path,” his grandpa would say jovially whenever he saw Xu Jingming.

…

Cosmic Human Academy of Sciences.

Li Miaomiao served as an assistant, working alongside five others under the tutelage of a renowned scholar to create high-dimensional weapons.

“Success,” Li Miaomiao and the other assistants said, their faces alight with joy.

“This is merely an ordinary high-dimensional weapon for some Origin lifeforms,” the great scholar calmly remarked with a smile. “It’s worthless trash in the face of high-dimensional lifeforms. But the fact that you can create it shows you’ve truly grasped the knowledge I’ve shared.”

Unbeknownst to them, Xu Jingming had already arrived, hidden from view.

This ordinary high-dimensional weapon served two purposes: to train the scholars of the scientific lineage with hands-on experience, and to allow Level 10 Origin lifeforms to sense high-dimensional powers more clearly.

“Everyone, you may return and rest,” the great scholar declared before turning and departing.

As Li Miaomiao and her fellow assistants dispersed, Xu Jingming called out, “Miaomiao.”

Startled, Li Miaomiao looked at her husband as the other assistants left without noticing him.

“Why are you here?” she asked with a smile.

“How has your time at the Academy of Sciences been?” Xu Jingming inquired.

“Having been elevated to a Level 10 Origin lifeform through external forces, my brain’s capacity allows me to easily be an assistant,” Li Miaomiao replied, grinning. “I haven’t disrupted the Academy’s operations.”

Xu Jingming was unconcerned.

The importance of the scientific lineage to the human race had diminished. Once focused on optimizing forbidden weapons, it had been replaced by Xu Jingming, capable of crushing the Five Demons Planet, as the core foundation of humanity.

Following the acquisition of the third-realm legacy, the dean and others abandoned the incomplete scientific lineage, concentrating on their legacies in hopes of reaching a half-step third realm someday.

Moreover, the incomplete scientific lineage acquired by the human race hadn’t produced a single high-dimensional lifeform throughout the years.

Although Feather Fire Mountain possessed a third-realm scientific legacy, it could only be learned once, and it couldn’t be passed on unless highly comprehended.

Xu Jingming and the others weren’t willing to be sidetracked for the time being.

Having Li Miaomiao, a Level 10 Origin lifeform, as an assistant at the Academy of Sciences was accepted without hesitation. They hoped Xu Jingming might provide resources for their Academy.

“I never knew you were so interested in science,” Xu Jingming said with a smile.

“I don’t like it,” Li Miaomiao admitted, gazing at her husband. “I want to delve deeper into high-dimensional powers.”

Xu Jingming was taken aback.

“Many of the Xu family’s children are nearing the end of their lives,” Li Miaomiao explained. “I can still live for quite some time, but there’s a 100,000-year limit for low-dimensional lifeforms like me. As for you, Jingming, you’re a high-dimensional lifeform.”

Li Miaomiao looked at her husband, her expression complex. “I want to understand high-dimensional powers from different angles, even entertaining the unlikely hope of mastering them and becoming a high-dimensional lifeform one day. I know the chances are slim.”

“But there’s no hope without trying. If you try, there’s always a possibility,” Li Miaomiao said, smiling. “For instance, didn’t I become a cosmic lifeform while concentrating on sword techniques?”

Xu Jingming tenderly embraced his wife.

Li Miaomiao remarked softly, “When I saw so many of my peers and descendants pass away, I couldn’t help but think of myself. I yearn for more time with you, which is why I delved into the study of high-dimensional powers. Yet, reason reminds me… it’s impossible for a low-dimensional lifeform like me to carry on once my time comes to an end.”