Chapter 18-Mixing Holes and Absorbing Power—Embarking on the Extraordinary Path

The surrounding nations could not sit idly by after witnessing the rapid rise of the Tang Kingdom. The annexation of Chen Kingdom had significantly bolstered Tang's national strength, making it an unprecedented threat to neighboring states.

Spies were swiftly dispatched to infiltrate Tang, seeking to uncover the secret behind its sudden surge in power and the swift destruction of Chen Kingdom.

"Have you found out? How did the Tang Kingdom annihilate Chen Kingdom so effortlessly?" one intelligence officer demanded.

"Of course. It is said that an ancient god emerged from the forbidden lands of the divine and personally destroyed Chen Kingdom," a spy replied in a hushed tone.

"What nonsense is this? Ancient gods? The so-called gods vanished long ago; they don't exist anymore! Where did you even get this ridiculous information?" The intelligence officer scoffed, refusing to believe such an absurd claim.

To him, the idea of ancient gods was nothing more than folklore. He suspected the spy had been misled or had simply lost his mind to believe in such baseless rumors.

"I swear it's true! The evidence is overwhelming. Entire cities in Chen Kingdom have been obliterated by divine punishment. One city was frozen in an instant, causing millions of casualties."

"And that's not all. To combat drought and famine, the Tang Kingdom performed grand sacrifices to the ancient gods. In response, massive grains of divine rice fell from the sky, each one as large as a boulder. The entire population of Chang'an bore witness to this miracle."

Multiple spies swore by their accounts, insisting they had personally seen these divine occurrences. Many admitted that, in the face of such overwhelming power, they had nearly dropped to their knees in devotion.

"It's all true? Then this means the Tang Kingdom is under the protection of an ancient god…" The intelligence officer's expression turned grim.

Though Tang lacked conventional world artifacts, it had obtained something far more terrifying—the favor of the ancient gods.

"A nation shielded by divine power… Who would dare challenge it?"

"Exactly. I strongly advise against any military action against Tang. If we provoke the gods, our fate may mirror that of Chen Kingdom."

"The might of the ancient gods is immeasurable. Their gaze alone is like the sun and the moon, and a mere strand of their hair could obliterate us. This is no power mere mortals can contend with."

"If world artifacts grant extraordinary strength, then divine power surpasses them all."

A tense silence followed. The spies, who had once sought Tang's weaknesses, now feared its divine backing. None of them wished to stand against a power beyond human comprehension.

"Report this to the higher-ups immediately. The fate of our kingdom now rests in their hands. We are merely messengers." The intelligence officer ordered, understanding that decisions of such magnitude were beyond his station.

Similar reports quickly spread throughout neighboring nations. The legend of Tang Kingdom's divine protector spread like wildfire, and soon, powerful nations across the region took notice.

---

Meanwhile, On Earth, Xia Chuan pondered his next step.

"How should I proceed with my cultivation?" he mused.

Having settled affairs in the miniature world, he turned his focus to his personal growth. To him, cultivation was paramount. Only by stepping onto the path of transcendence could he attain true power and extend his lifespan.

For the time being, he set aside matters of the miniature world to focus on his own evolution.

"Master," the Book of Wisdom spoke, "through my analysis, I have determined that the physiological structures of beings in your world and those in the miniature world are remarkably similar. Thus, their cultivation methods should be equally applicable to you."

"Is that so?" Xia Chuan's eyes lit up. "That's fortunate. If their techniques are usable, which one would be the most suitable for me?"

His greatest fear had been that the cultivation techniques offered to him would prove ineffective. If that were the case, his efforts would have been in vain.

"Master, your believers have sacrificed a total of 1.07 million cultivation techniques. After careful analysis, I have identified the one best suited for your physique."

The Book of Wisdom continued, "This technique ranks among the top-tier cultivation arts, capable of unlocking the full potential of the human body. However, it is also one of the most challenging to master. That said, with my assistance, you will grasp it with ease."

Xia Chuan felt a surge of excitement. The Book of Wisdom was not just a guide—it was the ultimate mentor, capable of selecting the most optimal path to power.

"However," the Book cautioned, "your current environment lacks sufficient spiritual energy. It is not suitable for foundational cultivation."

Xia Chuan frowned. "If that's the case, where should I go to train?"

"Master, you should seek out sacred mountains and rivers, locations where spiritual energy naturally gathers. Remote places with few inhabitants would be ideal for your practice," the Book advised solemnly.

"In that case, I'll head to White Dragon Mountain." Xia Chuan decided without hesitation. It was time to take his first step toward true transcendence.