Chapter 1665 Escaping a Great Calamity （2）
Sensing himself carefully and absorbing the latent memories of his Spirit Separation, Sun Hao’s belly trembled slightly, his navel-mouth seemingly twisting into a bitter smile.
Dark history!
Truly dark history! That unreliable Border Collie had caused his ignorant Spirit Separation to act so absurdly.
Though utterly dark, Sun Hao knew that without this dark history, his Body Refinement Cultivation wouldn’t have broken through so rapidly. If not for overflowing yang energy, he might never have balanced yin and yang to achieve the Ancient Gangzhan Body at the Body Unification Stage.
So the Yin-Yang Fusion Art could be used this way.
What a formidable auxiliary technique! Sensing carefully, Sun Hao realized that, aided by the Yin-Yang Fusion Art, his Qi Refining Cultivation had advanced significantly over the years. The Five-Element True Essence all rose from early Soul Division Stage to the initial stage of Mid-stage Soul Division.
This progression occurred without cultivation techniques—just the spontaneous overflow of Five-Element Sword Essence.
Following Lingtian Sword Sect’s methods, his Five-Element Sword Essence should now reach "Five Elements Return to Metal"—the ultimate pursuit of Sword Cultivators, where Metal-attuned Sword Essence forms at the Divine Separation Stage.
Yet before completing Five Elements Return to Metal, his Sword Essence had surged a major step forward under the drive of strange objects in his body and the Yin-Yang Fusion Art, directly reaching initial-stage Mid Soul Division.
Another unforeseen development.
After reaching Divine Separation Great Adept, Lifespan Vitality became immense, measured in tens of thousands of years. The step from Early to Mid Soul Division—though seemingly small—might take other cultivators millennia.
Though unsure how long he’d slept, it couldn’t be ten thousand years. Spirit Separation’s memories suggested at most two or three thousand...
"Two or three thousand only"—the thought stunned him.
Had so much time already passed?
Without noticing, did he now consider millennia "only"?
Different heights, different perspectives; different cultivation realms, entirely different worldviews.
One great calamity, one slumber—two or three millennia?
It felt like a nap. How were the Human Clan and Lingtian Sword Sect faring after all this time?
Standing atop Sacred Mountain, Sun Hao gazed down. He saw a mighty Barbarian Tribe flourishing below.
He saw his two consorts, tall and handsome, gazing up at him with adoration.
He also saw Border Collie amidst its harem, reveling in enthusiastic attentions. Sun Hao wondered: how hadn’t this excessively degenerate dog died from exhaustion?
He briefly considered silencing the dog to erase this dishonorable history. But the impulse faded. Though unreliable, Border Collie had remained loyal. Together, they braved the Ten Thousand Extinctions Ancient Graveyard; for ages, it served as his eyes. That companionship, that friendship—genuine. In Spirit Separation’s memories, its deepest trust belonged to He’er and Border Collie.
Fine—spared. But later, he’d need to reprimand it thoroughly, ensuring it never carelessly exposed his secrets.
Apart from lechery, Border Collie had few flaws. Hopefully, it wouldn’t blabber carelessly, forcing him to teach it a lesson. Recalling that grotesque scene where he’d "accommodated all ages and genders," Sun Hao shuddered in disgust—all Border Collie’s fault...
The strange entities within him had also changed significantly over the years—especially within Ten Thousand Extinctions Ancient Graveyard. Instinctively seeking resources benefiting them, he’d gathered immense quantities over vast time. Blind and deaf, Spirit Separation knew little; even now, Sun Hao remained unaware of his full haul.
But he sensed these inner entities had greatly advanced after absorbing resources. Most notably, their independent absorption of True Essence and autonomous cultivation speed and efficiency surged dramatically—likely why all Five-Element Sword Essences entered Mid Soul Division.
After brief reflection, Sun Hao understood: Spirit Separation acted only instinctively, often leaving entities near collapse. To survive, they struggled desperately to grow and protect themselves. Over time, this urgency spurred rapid advancement.
"Survive calamity, gain fortune"—the saying proved true. Sun Hao endured catastrophe, slept millennia, cultivated millennia, driven fiercely onward. The result was comprehensive inner growth.
But inspection revealed a comically frustrating fact: yang energy remained densely accumulated. Despite years of absurdity, it was far from neutralized. Likely, even restored to his true form, his physique would no longer resemble the past.
Perhaps this was fine. Dramatic size change and slight appearance alteration might ensure no one recognized him. Then, he could infiltrate and find his path to Middle Void.
Jodan’s lingering power unsettled Sun Hao. After millennia, he still hunted Sun Hao. Without Xingtian’s unique soul effect, he might have been captured immediately.
Sun Hao clearly sensed: even now, he remained utterly unmatched against Jodan.
Despite vast improvement, the sheer cultivation gap guaranteed no escape if confronted.
Stealth remained imperative.
Heavenly Tribulation ended with Jodan’s departure.
But his grudge against Jodan began now.
Standing atop lofty Sacred Mountain, Sun Hao gazed afar and silently swore: One day, I’ll ascend to Middle Void and, beneath Azure Heaven before Ten Thousand Races, avenge my beheading. Jodan, wait. I will come...
After standing tall for three days and nights, Sun Hao resumed normalcy. He continued presiding over Jianghe Tribe as the Headless Saint King.
All behaviors remained unchanged.
He still favored his two consorts. He still ventured out promptly, touring Barbarian Tribes and presiding over their absurd rite—the Flower Dog Festival.
Overactive yang energy truly required balancing. Things had gone too far anyway. Moreover, it had become Jianghe Tribe’s custom. Canceling it might unsettle everyone.
Compared to Human women, Barbarian maidens were undoubtedly rougher—in physique and temperament. Nearly every adult Barbarian woman yearned passionately for the Saint King.
Adorned males, steeped since childhood in this custom, revered the Saint King profoundly.
Once, Sun Hao witnessed something hilariously ridiculous. After simple marriage rites, a Barbarian groom’s first conjugal step involved standing rigidly straight beside his recumbent bride, saluting her private parts reverently while bellowing: "Saluting the land honored by the Saint King in battle!"
Sun Hao acknowledged defeat before such zeal.
Centuries flowed under Sun Hao’s conscious control. Under his directive, yang energy slowly neutralized further.
Tales of the Three Heads and Six Arms Divine Avatar gradually vanished from Jianghe Tribe Warriors’ chatter, fading from memory.
Now, Sun Hao quietly began his next steps: outward expansion and intelligence gathering.
Though Jianghe Tribe developed rapidly, its foundations remained shallow. Barbarians were crude peoples—few used writing; traditions rarely documented. Or perhaps Jianghe Barbarians simply lacked interest. Almost no historical records survived. Much knowledge passed orally. Sun Hao truly needed time to pinpoint his location, find escape routes from the Desolate Plains, and locate paths to Middle Void.
Jodan’s existence kept Sun Hao vigilant.
Where possible, Sun Hao avoided Human channels to Middle Void—they might leave Jodan traces. Since he’d emerged in the Barbarian Cave Tribe with a plausible identity, why not enter Middle Void as Jianghe’s Saint King?
Barbarians ranked among the top ten tribes inhabiting Lower Void. Yet unlike others who built fortress cities for the Lower Void Battlefield, they thrived directly amidst vast Wilderness—a rare people enduring permanently on Desolate Plains frontiers, forever battling Desolate Beasts on the frontline.