Start from a baby to become a Taoist

Chapter 443 The Fourth Space Trial Completed
Section 451, Fourth Space Trial Completed

It has completely absorbed, digested, and fused all the rewards from the twelve trials of the Fourth Space—those core law fragments known as "Primitive True Meaning Fragments" and "Primordial Undying Body."

His body was no longer the flesh and blood of the once proud young Xu Ran.

It has become a completely new entity.

The skin had a faint gray metallic sheen, and the muscle lines were smooth and tough, as if it were forged from the oldest star steel.

The bones resonated deeply, each one containing the power to shatter mountains and split seas.

The way energy circulates within the body has completely changed. It is no longer the spiritual power or true essence that cultivators are familiar with, but a purer, colder, and more corrosive gray origin.

He stood there, not breathing, not having a heartbeat, not showing any signs of life that a human being should have.

However, the pressure he exuded was more terrifying than that of any expert in the Dao Inquiry Realm or even higher.

It was a suppression originating from the very essence of life, an aura that transcended the existing laws of the universe.

[The Fourth Space Trial is complete.]

[Container rating: Perfect.]

[Opening the Fifth Space.]

The cold, mechanical voice rang out again. This time, it no longer echoed in the space, but rang out directly in the depths of Xu Ran's "consciousness," like a brand, irresistible.

As soon as he finished speaking, the gray light spots surrounding Xu Ran quickly converged, forming a huge, rotating gray vortex at his feet.

Deep within the vortex lies an even denser and deeper darkness, as if leading to the oldest and most hidden abyss in the universe.

Xu Ran's body, as if drawn by an invisible force, slowly sank into the vortex.

The mark between his eyebrows shone brightly, as if it were cheering and anticipating.

What awaits him in the Fifth Space?
Is it an even more extreme form of power refinement?

Is it a more distorted baptism of laws?

Or perhaps... a deeper level of "calibration"?
……

Southern celestial universe, a battlefield of falling stars.

Yu Kong carefully navigated between the shattered earth and collapsed buildings.

Every inch of this land is fraught with danger. The remaining fragments of laws are like sharp blades, the ubiquitous spatial rifts are like gaping maws ready to devour people, and there are also terrifying beings left over from the ancient war.
They might be powerful demonic beasts, resentful spirits, or twisted and mutated plants, all harboring merciless hostility towards intruders.

But Yu Kong is no longer the naive boy who first entered the battlefield of Tianyun.

His experiences in the core area, especially the resonance with the dark gold armor and his initial understanding of the will to "protect," greatly enhanced his state of mind and Daoist aura.

He no longer strives to become stronger; his cultivation now has a deeper purpose.

guard.

These two words are deeply imprinted on his soul.

As he walked through the ruins, he no longer merely remained vigilant about the dangers around him; he began to try to "feel" the former glory and tragedy of this land.

He could feel the remaining life force weeping, the collapsing laws wailing, and the departed heroes whispering.

He picked up a broken stone tablet with ancient characters that were now blurred and indistinct.

He tried to understand and restore that long-forgotten history.

He had a vague feeling that the Heavenly Meteor Battlefield might not just be an ancient battlefield; it might have some intricate connection with the "guardian" will represented by the dark gold armor and the "darkness" mentioned in the shattered information.

His cultivation was steadily improving, and his understanding of the Dao was constantly deepening.

The feeling of being on the verge of victory grew stronger, but he suppressed it. He knew that what he lacked was not power, but an opportunity to integrate all his insights and truly take shape in his path of "guardianship".

"Protecting is not just about protecting the weak, but also about fighting against darkness. It's about preventing tragedy from repeating itself."

He stood before a collapsed temple, looking at the kneeling statues, as if he could hear the prayers of ancient beings.

Suddenly, he felt a cold and malicious aura coming from deep underground.

It was an aura completely different from the deathly aura of the Heavenly Meteor Battlefield itself; it was purer and more corrosive.

He immediately became alert, his figure blending into the surrounding shadows like a shadow.

The ground began to tremble, and cracks spread out like a spider web.

Gray mist seeped from the cracks, carrying a nauseating stench.

A figure slowly emerged from the ground.

It was a humanoid creature, its entire body covered in a layer of gray keratin, with sharp bone spurs at its joints.

Its face was blurred, with only two gray, hollow holes emitting a faint glow serving as its eyes.

Its aura wasn't particularly strong, around the early stages of the Dao Inquiry realm, but it carried a chillingly malevolent feeling.

“Heh heh, fresh prey.” The creature let out a piercing laugh, the sound like the scraping of metal.

Yu Kong's pupils contracted slightly.

The aura of this creature was somewhat similar to some residual evil fluctuations he sensed in the core area, but it was more solid and more targeted.

"What are you?" Yu Kong's voice was low, but it carried a hint of sharpness that was hard to detect.

"I am the awakened one." The gray creature grinned, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "A great will is awakening. We will cleanse all filth."

"Filthy?" Yu Kong frowned, a sense of unease flashing through his mind.

"Yes. All weak, useless, and unassimilable beings are filth that needs to be cleansed," the gray creature said, its figure flashing as it rushed into the air like a ghost!
It is extremely fast, and its attack methods are bizarre and deadly. The bone spurs at its joints are like sharp blades, and each swing brings a wave that tears through space.

I narrowly escaped by flying through the air, feeling a chill in my heart.

This is not a simple demonic beast; its attacks contain a special law power that can erode his spiritual power and mind.

He no longer concealed himself, retreating with lightning speed while simultaneously forming hand seals. Spiritual runes flew out, constructing a simple defensive array in the air. Bang! Bang!

The gray creature's attack struck the formation with a dull thud. The formation trembled violently, and its light rapidly dimmed.

"Useless, weak laws cannot stop great power," the gray creature mocked, its attacks becoming even more ferocious.

Yu Kong knew the formation wouldn't hold for long; he needed to counterattack. The image of that dark gold armor flashed through his mind, along with the word "guardian."

guard!

It's not about passive defense, it's about taking the initiative!

It is to protect everything that we cherish in our hearts, and even when facing the most powerful enemy, we must show our sharpness!
"drink!"

Yu Kong let out a low shout, no longer retreating, but instead taking a step forward!
He exuded a calm yet sharp aura, completely different from before.

He didn't use any fancy spells or powerful magical artifacts. He simply clenched his fist, gathered all his strength, and then unleashed a punch!
This punch, simple and unadorned, contained an indescribable artistic conception. It was a trace of Dao he had sensed in his core, combined with his will to "protect," transforming into the purest sharpness!
boom!
Yu Kong's fist collided violently with the gray creature's bone spikes!
The expected excruciating pain did not come. Yu Kong only felt a powerful recoil, but the corrosive power of the law was instantly torn apart by the sharpness contained in his fist!

"How is this possible?!" the gray creature exclaimed in surprise, its bone spikes actually showing fine cracks under Yu Kong's fist!
Yu Kong's eyes were icy cold as he pressed his advantage!
His body was like a cheetah, agile and swift. His fists, palms, elbows, and knees were all transformed into the most effective weapons.

Each attack carried a unique sharpness, aimed directly at the gray creature's vitals!
The gray creature panicked, never expecting that this seemingly weak cultivator could unleash such terrifying power and artistic conception.

It tried to create distance, attempting to unleash even more powerful gray energy.

But Yu Kong gave it no chance! His movements were like a ghost, always staying close to the gray creature, preventing it from launching ranged attacks.

"To protect is to never retreat!"

Yu Kong murmured to himself, his attacks growing ever more fierce and fearless!

He infused that protective will into every attack; his fists seemed to transform into the strongest shield and the sharpest spear!

Click!

With a crisp sound, one of the gray creature's arms was severed by Yu Kong's hand chop! There was no blood at the cut, only the gray keratin layer cracking.

"Ah!" the gray creature roared in pain.

Without pausing, Yu Kong turned and unleashed a whip kick, striking the gray creature squarely in the waist!
boom!
The gray creature flew out like a rag doll, crashing into the distant ruins and kicking up a cloud of dust.

It struggled to stand up, but its body was already cracked in several places, and a gray aura kept emanating from the cracks.

"You...you're not an ordinary cultivator!" The gray creature pointed at Yu Kong with its only remaining finger, its voice filled with fear. "You...you have that aura of a vile guardian on you!"

protector?
Yu Kong's heart stirred; he thought of that dark gold armor.

"Do you know them?" Yu Kong asked.

"You know them?" The gray creature let out a shrill laugh. "Of course I know them! They're those hypocritical bastards! They prevented the arrival of the Great One! They sealed us here!"

"A seal?" Yu Kong's expression grew even more serious. It seemed that the Heavenly Meteor Battlefield was not only a battlefield, but also a vast sealed area!

"Yes! But the seal is loosening! The great will has awakened! We have been awakened! Soon... soon all the filth will be cleansed! This universe... will be reborn!" the gray creature screamed hysterically.

newborn?

Is eliminating all weak and useless beings what we call rebirth? What a twisted concept!

A strong anger rose in Yu Kong's heart.

He thought of the destruction of the Backing Mountain Sect, the possible misfortune that might befall Xu Ran, and Xu Qinghan's grief. Could all of this be related to this so-called "great being"?
"You are the culprits behind all of this!" Yu Kong's voice was as cold as ice, carrying a chilling killing intent.

"The mastermind?" the gray creature sneered. "We are merely carrying out a great will! You weak beings simply do not understand the true meaning of the universe! Power is the only thing!"

"Bullshit!" Yu Kong could no longer tolerate it. Without hesitation, he shot out like an arrow!

A protective aura suddenly erupted from him!

"To protect!"

He roared and punched the gray creature! This punch contained all his power, all his anger, and all his will to protect!

boom!
The gray creature didn't even have time to dodge before it was hit squarely by the punch! Its body exploded in mid-air, turning into countless gray specks of light.

The light dissipated, leaving only a more intense gray lingering in the air.

Yu Kong stood there, breathing heavily. He had paid a heavy price to kill this gray creature.

His spiritual energy was almost exhausted, and his clothes were torn by the previous attack, revealing many wounds.

But his eyes were brighter than ever before.

He felt it. That feeling of being on the verge of scoring was gone, replaced by a feeling of exhilaration that coursed through his entire body!
In the battle just now, under that extreme pressure and driven by his will to protect, he finally merged all his previous insights and Daoist principles with his own flesh, blood, soul, and power!
His understanding of the Dao is no longer just a perception, but has truly become a part of him!

"This is my way of protecting!"

Yu Kong murmured to himself, then sat down cross-legged and began to recover his spiritual power.

He knew that he had already touched the threshold of the mid-stage of the Dao Inquiry realm, and had even crossed more than halfway. But breakthroughs in cultivation were no longer his only pursuit.

He looked at the spot where the gray creature had vanished, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Awakened One. Great Will. Cleanse the Seal of Impurity."

These fragmented pieces of information, strung together in his mind, though still blurry, gave him a glimpse into a broader and more dangerous cosmic landscape.

What that dark gold armor protects might be the key to preventing the descent of this "great being"! And the Heavenly Meteor Battlefield is that crucial sealing place!

He must become stronger! He must understand all of this! He must fulfill his promise to that armor!
He believed that Xu Ran and Xu Qinghan might also have been caught up in this massive storm. He had to find them and protect them!
Yu Kong clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit and determination to protect.

He knew his journey was long and arduous. But he also knew he was no longer alone. That heavy will to protect had been passed down to him!
……

In the southern celestial universe, there is an ancient star hidden deep within a nebula.

This place was once a desolate land, but in the last ten thousand years, it has gradually gathered countless powerful cultivators. They come from different sects and different races, but they all share the same goal—to find the legendary "Heart of the Stars".

The Heart of the Stars is said to be the condensed essence of this ancient star, containing powerful energy and laws. Obtaining it is enough to make a sect rise and a cultivator reach the pinnacle.

(End of this chapter)