Chapter 408: Returning to One

In year 57, Han Wuyou advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

In year 58, the ten-year period came to an end. The Myriad Immortals Alliance dispatched a group of black-robed cultivators to begin purging all unaligned rogue cultivators across the land. Rogue cultivators nationwide rose up in resistance but collapsed at the first touch. While this was partly due to the rogue cultivators' genuinely weak combat abilities, the combat prowess displayed by the black-robed cultivators in this battle was truly not to be underestimated. Although their individual power wasn't exceedingly high, most being at the Nascent Soul realm, their practical combat effectiveness was terrifying. They could simultaneously engage over a dozen cultivators of the same realm without being at a disadvantage. Furthermore, their attacks were ruthless, and they never left any survivors. No matter where rogue cultivators hid, the black-robed cultivators could always precisely locate them, leaving them nowhere to escape. For a time, countless rivers of blood flowed across the land.

After managing to repel a group of black-robed cultivators, the people from the Li Realm, following discussions, ultimately decided to join the Myriad Immortals Alliance. After practicing the secret technique "Hand Covering the Sky," which they had found in the ruins of the Celestial Mechanism Sect, and with Shuofeng's arrangements, they successfully passed the trial of the White Jade Heart-Questioning Platform. They temporarily lay low within the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

In year 60, all hostilities ceased. Within the Myriad Immortals Alliance's territory, no rogue cultivators remained.

In year 61, the Myriad Immortals Alliance issued a decree, stating that everyone was responsible for maintaining the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array. All cultivators within the alliance were required to cultivate a technique called "Mending Heaven Record." While cultivating this technique did not increase one's own cultivation level, it would generate corresponding "Heaven-Bestowed Points" in the Sky Profound Mirror, based on the progress made. Similar to contribution points, Heaven-Bestowed Points could be exchanged for various cultivation methods and resources. Consequently, despite some complaints, most cultivators reluctantly began practicing the "Mending Heaven Record" as required.

In year 63, Han Wuyou advanced to the Core Formation stage. In the same year, during a period of secluded meditation and enlightenment, he comprehended the "Celestial Physician Immortal Scripture" from a formation-breaking jade plate.

In year 65, a rumor circulated that an additional layer of obstruction seemed to have appeared between heaven and earth, causing a small portion of the cultivation obtained by cultivators to inexplicably vanish instead of fully accruing to themselves. The rumor spread for a short while before being suppressed. The people from the Li Realm held a secret meeting. After exchanging and verifying information, they confirmed the truth of the rumor. Xiao Heng instructed everyone not to spread the word. The day after the meeting, the people from the Li Realm received a visit from a group of black-robed cultivators who issued a warning.

In year 69, the Council of Five Elders suddenly launched a surprise attack on Bahuang Province. This time, they seemed to have discovered a method to temporarily shield themselves from the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array's detection. They advanced with irresistible force, capturing most of Bahuang Province's territory within a single day. At this critical moment, thousands upon thousands of black-robed cultivators descended, engaging in a bloody slaughter with the Council of Five Elders. While the elite forces of the Council of Five Elders were generally stronger than the black-robed cultivators, the black-robed cultivators fought fearlessly, and their numbers seemed endless. As one group fell, another quickly replaced them. In the end, suffering heavy casualties, the Council of Five Elders was forced to retreat. After this battle, cultivators across the land learned the identity of these black-robed cultivators: Sky Technicians.

In year 71, more information about the Sky Technicians was revealed. Unlike the current cultivation system, Sky Technicians did not need to cultivate; they only needed to gain the recognition of the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array. With this authority, they could harness the energy covered by the Spirit-Locking Array for combat. Currently, the highest-ranking Sky Technicians possessed combat power equivalent to Nascent Soul cultivators.

In year 72, a strange incident caused a sensation across the land. During a skirmish, Tang Fangzheng, a Core Formation cultivator, accidentally caused the deaths of hundreds of mortals in Chilong City. One of these mortals, named Shi Qing, miraculously survived, but his entire family tragically perished. Shi Qing was overwhelmed by grief and indignation. In despair, he pleaded to the heavens. For unknown reasons, he gained the recognition of the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array and became a Sky Technician. In an instant, he acquired Nascent Soul-level combat power and brutally killed his enemy, Tang Fangzheng, on the spot. A cultivator's century of arduous practice was seemingly no match for a mortal's single plea. Cultivators across the land were filled with unease and panic.

In year 75, Sky Technicians with power equivalent to Soul Transformation cultivators emerged. Concurrently, cultivators noticed their own cultivation progress becoming increasingly sluggish.

In year 80, the Myriad Immortals Alliance uncovered a major plot to destroy the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array. Hundreds of cultivators were executed.

In year 85, Han Wuyou comprehended a technique called "Myriad Forms of the Melting Pot" from the "Celestial Physician Immortal Scripture." After thoroughly reading the "Celestial Physician Immortal Scripture" and examining the countless diverse creatures described within, he vaguely realized that all living beings shared a common essence. The heavens and earth were like a grand furnace, melting down beings that were perhaps originally one into the myriad forms of the world. Practicing this technique allowed for free transformation among these myriad forms. By mastering the physiological structures, one could transform into plants or beasts. Ordinary cultivators would find it difficult to distinguish between the true and the false. Han Wuyou was overjoyed and advanced to the mid-Core Formation stage.

In year 86, the number of Sky Technicians continued to grow steadily.

In year 90, a strange celestial phenomenon occurred. Blood rained in various provinces, and cries of anguish resounded throughout heaven and earth. This continued for several months without ceasing.

In year 91, a Sky Technician with Dao Integration level cultivation took action, suppressing all individuals involved in a plot to subvert the Spirit-Locking Array.

In year 101, the Myriad Immortals Alliance established clear quota requirements for cultivators practicing the "Mending Heaven Record."

In year 139, Han Wuyou received a secret message from Xiao Heng. After arriving at an underground base thirty thousand zhang deep, Han Wuyou learned that in recent years, an organization called "Fuxian" had gathered a large number of like-minded cultivators under the banner of overthrowing the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array. Concurrently, Han Wuyou learned an even more shocking piece of news: Over the past century, countless cultivators had mysteriously disappeared, with no trace of them alive or dead. Numerous pieces of evidence indicated the Myriad Immortals Alliance was responsible. Han Wuyou learned an upgraded version of the "Hand Covering the Sky" technique, which allowed him to interfere with the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array's surveillance within a certain range.

In year 150, news spread that the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Council of Five Elders were about to merge. The world was shaken.

In year 159, the Xuanhuang Realm was unified. The Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Council of Five Elders were collectively renamed the Heaven Alliance. A group of Sky Technicians began traveling to the former territory of the Council of Five Elders to construct the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array.

In year 160, Han Wuyou advanced to the late Core Formation stage.

In year 163, during the construction of the Spirit-Locking Array, Fuxian attempted to ambush and assassinate array masters to obtain the array's structural blueprints. However, their attempt failed, and seventy-eight individuals perished. Subsequently, the Heaven Alliance launched a furious purge. Many innocent cultivators met tragic ends. Fuxian completely went into hiding.

In year 171, the construction of the Spirit-Locking Array was completed across the entire Xuanhuang Realm. From then on, the sky constantly appeared green. The Xuanhuang Realm entered a period of nearly a hundred years of peace. The number of Sky Technicians steadily increased, while the cultivation speed of cultivators became progressively slower. Moreover, their overall numbers gradually decreased year by year. Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the Xuanhuang Realm, undercurrents surged.

In year 260, Han Wuyou advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

In year 263, a "Proclamation to All Cultivators" spread throughout the Xuanhuang Realm overnight, definitively signaling the beginning of the war between cultivators and the Spirit-Locking Array.