rán ér shì yì shí yí ， rú jīn tā zhǐ shèng xià yī lǚ fēn hún ér yǐ ， xiǎng yào huī fù xī rì de shí lì ， duì zhè tián xiǎo jiàn yǒu pǒ duō jiè zhòng zhī chù ， dào yě bù hǎo jiāng bǐ cǐ de guān xì ， nòng dé tài jiāng le 。
然而事易时移，如今他只剩下一缕分魂而已，想要恢复昔日的实力，对这田小剑有颇多借重之处，倒也不好将彼此的关系，弄得太僵了。
However, times change. Now that he was left with only a fragment of his soul, he had to rely on this Tian Xiaojian for much of his strength if he wanted to recover his former power. It wouldn't do to make their relationship too strained.
“ hǎo le ， jiàn ér ， nǐ yě bú yào shēng qì ， wèi fù yě jiù shì nà me yī shuō ér yǐ 。”
“好了，剑儿，你也不要生气，为父也就是那么一说而已。”
"Alright, Jian'er, don’t be angry. I just said it as a joke."
“ yì fù nín lǎo rén jiā yán zhòng le ， gāng cái jiàn ér yě duō yǒu mào fàn ， hái wàng nián lǎo rén jiā bú yào shēng qì 。”
“义父您老人家言重了，刚才剑儿也多有冒犯，还望年老人家不要生气。”
"Master, your words are too harsh. I also offended you earlier, so please forgive me," Tian Xiaojian replied sincerely.
tián xiǎo jiàn néng yǒu jīn rì de chéng jiù ， hé cháng bú shì cóng zhè wèi mó jiè zhī zhǔ de shǒu lǐ ， dé le xǔ duō hǎo chù ， tóng yàng bù xiǎng yǔ duì fāng sī pò liǎn pí ， gāng gāng de yán yǔ jiāo fēng ， bù guò shì hù xiāng shì tàn ér yǐ ， diǎn dào jí zhǐ ， guò yóu bù jí 。
田小剑能有今日的成就，何尝不是从这位魔界之主的手里，得了许多好处，同样不想与对方撕破脸皮，刚刚的言语交锋，不过是互相试探而已，点到即止，过犹不及。
Tian Xiaojian's achievements today were not without the benefits he received from this Demon Lord. He didn't want to break ties with him either. The recent exchange was merely a mutual probing; they both understood that it was enough for now.
liǎng rén yī pāi jí hé ， gāng gāng nà xiǎo xiǎo de bù yú kuài ， zì rán yě jiù pāo zhū nǎo hòu diào le 。
两人一拍即合，刚刚那小小的不愉快，自然也就抛诸脑后掉了。
The two quickly reached an understanding, and the minor discomfort between them was soon forgotten.
“ yì fù ， míng hé shén guǒ ， zhēn zài yīn sī dì fǔ ？” tián xiǎo jiàn yòu jiù shì chóng tí ， gāng cái de yí wèn ， duì fāng kě hái méi yǒu jiě huò 。
“义父，冥河神果，真在阴司地府？”田小剑又旧事重提，刚才的疑问，对方可还没有解惑。
"Master, is the Soul River Divine Fruit truly in the Netherworld?" Tian Xiaojian brought up this question again, as he had not received any answers earlier.
“ dāng rán shì zài yīn sī dì fǔ ， wèi fù kě shì mó jiè zhī zhǔ ， rú jīn suī rán zhǐ shèng xià yī lǚ hún pò ， dàn jì yì yǔ guò qù kě shì yī yàng de ， zhè xiū xiān jiè de sān dà shén guǒ de shēng zhǎng zhī chù ， yòu zěn me kě néng nòng cuò 。”
“当然是在阴司地府，为父可是魔界之主，如今虽然只剩下一缕魂魄，但记忆与过去可是一样的，这修仙界的三大神果的生长之处，又怎么可能弄错。”
"Why of course. As the Demon Lord, even though I am left with only a fragment of my soul now, my memories and past are intact. How could I possibly mistake the places where these three divine fruits grow in the cultivation world?"
“ xiū xiān jiè sān dà shén guǒ ？”
“修仙界三大神果？”
"Three divine fruits of the cultivation world?"
“ bù cuò ， míng hé shén guǒ ， guǎng hán dào guǒ ， hái yǒu pán táo shèng guǒ ， shì wèi xiū xiān jiè de sān dà shén guǒ 。” zhè wèi mó jiè zhī zhǔ de shēng yīn zhōng ， yě liú lù chū yī sī xiàng wǎng zhī sè ， xiǎn rán tā suǒ shuō de zhè sān zhǒng shén guǒ ， què shí shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě 。
“不错，冥河神果，广寒道果，还有蟠桃圣果，是为修仙界的三大神果。”这位魔界之主的声音中，也流露出一丝向往之色，显然他所说的这三种神果，确实是非同小可。
"Yes, the Soul River Divine Fruit, the Broad Cold Dao Fruit, and the Immortal Peach Sacred Fruit—these are the three divine fruits of the cultivation world," the Demon Lord said with a hint of longing. Clearly, he considered these three divine fruits to be extraordinary.
“ qí zhōng ， chú le míng hé shén guǒ shēng zhǎng zài yīn sī dì fǔ ， shèng xià de liǎng zhǒng bǎo wù ， dōu shì líng jiè zhī wù 。”
“其中，除了冥河神果生长在阴司地府，剩下的两种宝物，都是灵界之物。”
"Of these, the Soul River Divine Fruit grows in the Netherworld, while the other two treasures are spiritual realm artifacts."
dī chén de shēng yīn shuō dào zhè lǐ ， tàn le kǒu qì ：“ suī shuō sān dà jiè miàn de shí lì ， xiāng chà fǎng fú ， dàn jiù gè zhǒng tiān cái dì bǎo de shù liàng lái shuō ， háo wú yí wèn ， què shí shì líng jiè jū shǒu 。”
低沉的声音说到这里，叹了口气：“虽说三大界面的实力，相差仿佛，但就各种天材地宝的数量来说，毫无疑问，确实是灵界居首。”
The deep voice sighed: "Although the strength of the three realms differs, there's no doubt that the spiritual realm has the most heavenly and earthly treasures."
“ nà zhè sān dà líng guǒ ， yòu yǒu shén me yòng chǔ 。 yì fù nǐ ràng wǒ fèi jǐn bō zhé ， yě yào ràng wǒ lái yīn sī dì fǔ ？” tián xiǎo jiàn de shēng yīn chōng mǎn le yí huò ， zài zhè zhī qián ， duì fāng kě yì zhí shì jiāng tā méng zài gǔ lǐ de 。
“那这三大灵果，又有什么用处。义父你让我费尽波折，也要让我来阴司地府？”田小剑的声音充满了疑惑，在这之前，对方可一直是将他蒙在鼓里的。
"So what use do these divine fruits have? Why did you make me go through so much trouble to bring me here to the Netherworld?" Tian Xiaojian asked with confusion. He had been kept in the dark by his opponent before.
“ hēi ， dāng rán shì dà yǒu yòng chǔ ， jiàn ér ， nǐ jué de dù jié hòu qī de xiū shì shí lì rú hé ？”
“嘿，当然是大有用处，剑儿，你觉得渡劫后期的修士实力如何？”
"Ha, they are indeed of great use. Jian'er, how do you think the strength of a late-stage Golden Transformation cultivator is?"
“ dù jié hòu qī ？” tián xiǎo jiàn yī dāi ， bù míng bái duì fāng wèi hé tū rán wèn qǐ zhè ge wèn tí lái ， bù guò tā lüè yī chí yí 。 hái shì lǎo lǎo shí shí de kāi kǒu le ：“ dù jié hòu qī de cún zài ， zì rán shì qiáng dà yǐ jí ， hái ér suī rán bù céng yǔ zhè zhǒng cún zài jiāo shǒu guò ， dàn zì wèn bú shì qí duì shǒu 。”
“渡劫后期？”田小剑一呆，不明白对方为何突然问起这个问题来，不过他略一迟疑。还是老老实实的开口了：“渡劫后期的存在，自然是强大以极，孩儿虽然不曾与这种存在交手过，但自问不是其对手。”
"Late-stage Golden Transformation?" Tian Xiaojian was taken aback. He didn't understand why this question was suddenly brought up. However, he hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully: "Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are naturally extremely powerful. Although I have never fought such beings, I know that they would be beyond me."
tián xiǎo jiàn de shēng yīn ， tòu chū jǐ fēn xiàng wǎng zhī sè 。 tā rú jīn suī rán yǐ jīng shì dù jié zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， dàn jù lí hòu qī ， yī jiù shì fēi cháng yáo yuǎn de ， suí hòu liǎn shàng biàn lù chū le jī dòng zhī sè ：“ nán dào nà míng hé shén guǒ ， néng gòu bāng zhù wǒ jiāng hòu qī de píng jǐng tū pò ……”
田小剑的声音，透出几分向往之色。他如今虽然已经是渡劫中期的修仙者，但距离后期，依旧是非常遥远的，随后脸上便露出了激动之色：“难道那冥河神果，能够帮助我将后期的瓶颈突破……”
Tian Xiaojian's voice carried a hint of admiration. He had already reached the middle stage of Golden Transformation cultivation, but he was still far from the late stage. His face then showed excitement: "Could it be that the Soul River Divine Fruit can help me break through this late-stage bottleneck..."
“ hēng ， jǐn jǐn tū pò hòu qī píng jǐng ， nà yòu suàn dé le shén me 。”
“哼，仅仅突破后期瓶颈，那又算得了什么。”
"Humph, breaking through the late-stage bottleneck is nothing."
bù céng xiǎng 。 huàn lái de ， què shì mó jiè zhī zhǔ ， mǎn liǎn de bù xiè zhī sè 。
不曾想。换来的，却是魔界之主，满脸的不屑之色。
Unexpectedly, the Demon Lord's expression was filled with disdain.
tián xiǎo jiàn chēng mù jié shé ， duì fāng kǒu qì wèi miǎn yě tài dà le 。 lián tū pò dù jié hòu qī ， dōu bù fàng zài yǎn lǐ ， nà ……
田小剑瞠目结舌，对方口气未免也太大了。连突破渡劫后期，都不放在眼里，那……
Tian Xiaojian was speechless. The other party had spoken so confidently as if breaking through the late stage of Golden Transformation wasn't worth mentioning. But...
tā nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， nà dī chén de shēng yīn jiù zài cì chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
他脑海中念头尚未转过，那低沉的声音就再次传入耳朵。
Before his thoughts could fully form, the deep voice continued: "In my past life, I was the Demon Lord. Even now that I am left with only a fragment of my soul, helping you break through the late-stage bottleneck is nothing. However..."
“ lǎo fū qián shì 。 kě shì mó jiè zhī zhǔ ， jiù suàn rú jīn zhǐ shèng xià yī lǚ hún pò 。 dàn zhù nǐ tū pò dù jié hòu qī de píng jǐng yòu suàn dé le shén me ， zhǐ shì ……”
“老夫前世。可是魔界之主，就算如今只剩下一缕魂魄。但助你突破渡劫后期的瓶颈又算得了什么，只是……”
"However, what?" Tian Xiaojian became intensely interested.
“ zhǐ shì rú hé ？” tián xiǎo jiàn bù yóu de dà gǎn xìng qù qǐ lái le 。
“只是如何？”田小剑不由得大感兴趣起来了。
He knew that although he and this Demon Lord were mutually benefiting from each other, their interests aligned. Over these thousands of years, the other party had spared no effort to help him advance quickly. Although they occasionally argued, he never found the other party lying to him on major issues.
yào zhī dào ， tā yǔ zhè mó jiè zhī zhǔ ， suī rán shì hù xiāng lì yòng ， dàn bǐ cǐ jiān de lì yì ， què shí shì yí zhì de ， zhè jǐ qiān nián lái ， duì fāng wèi le ràng zì jǐ kuài sù jìn jí ， yě fèi jǐn le xīn lì ， suī rán ǒu ěr ， liǎng rén yě huì bàn zuǐ shàng jǐ jù ， dàn dà de wèn tí shàng ， duì fāng cóng wèi hū yōu guò zì jǐ 。
要知道，他与这魔界之主，虽然是互相利用，但彼此间的利益，确实是一致的，这几千年来，对方为了让自己快速晋级，也费尽了心力，虽然偶尔，两人也会拌嘴上几句，但大的问题上，对方从未忽悠过自己。
His words must have some basis; otherwise, he wouldn't be speaking so confidently.
tā zhè me shuō ， kěn dìng bú huì shì wú dì fàng shǐ ， ér shì yǒu zì jǐ de yī fān gēn jù 。
他这么说，肯定不会是无的放矢，而是有自己的一番根据。
"Master, please don’t keep me in suspense. Please explain what these three divine fruits are used for. I am listening intently."
“ yì fù ， nín jiù bú yào mài guān zi ， zhè sān dà shén guǒ ， jiū jìng yǒu shén me yòng tú ， hái qǐng xiáng shuō ， hái ér zài xǐ ěr gōng tīng zhe 。”
“义父，您就不要卖关子，这三大神果，究竟有什么用途，还请详说，孩儿在洗耳恭听着。”
Tian Xiaojian's eagerness was evident from his voice. He became more respectful as well: "A gift must come with a request."
tián xiǎo jiàn xīn yǎng nán náo ， shēng yīn yǔ qì ， yě bù yóu de gōng jìng le xiē ， lǐ xià yú rén bì yǒu suǒ qiú ， dà yuē jiù shì zhè ge dào lǐ 。
田小剑心痒难挠，声音语气，也不由得恭敬了些，礼下于人必有所求，大约就是这个道理。
The Demon Lord nodded: "Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are indeed top-tier existences in the Three Realms, but there is still a vast difference between them."
“ dù jié hòu qī ， què shí yǐ shì sān jiè zhī zhōng de dǐng jí cún zài ， kě hòu qī xiū shì zhī jiān ， shí lì qí shí yě tiān chā dì yuǎn 。”
“渡劫后期，确实已是三界之中的顶级存在，可后期修士之间，实力其实也天差地远。”
"Master means domains?" Tian Xiaojian’s insight was also commendable. He directly hit the nail on the head.
“ yì fù shì shuō lǐng yù ？” tián xiǎo jiàn de jiàn shí yě hěn bù sú ， yī jù huà jiù wèn dào diǎn zi shàng le 。
“义父是说领域？”田小剑的见识也很不俗，一句话就问到点子上了。
"Yes."
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
The Demon Lord nodded again: "Ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are naturally much stronger than those of other realms, but without mastering their domain, they cannot be considered true top-tier powerhouses."
mó jiè zhī zhǔ diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ pǔ tōng de dù jié hòu qī xiū shì ， xiāng duì yú qí tā jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， gù rán shì qiáng dé lí pǔ ， dàn zhǐ yào méi yǒu jiàng lǐng yù cān wù ， jiù suàn bù dé zhēn zhèng de dǐng jí qiáng zhě 。”
魔界之主点点头：“普通的渡劫后期修士，相对于其他境界的修仙者，固然是强得离谱，但只要没有将领域参悟，就算不得真正的顶级强者。”
Tian Xiaojian nodded in agreement. Even if he hadn't experienced it firsthand, he had heard about the difference between a domain master and an ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivator. Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators could manipulate heavenly laws at will.
tián xiǎo jiàn diǎn diǎn tóu ， méi chī guò zhū ròu ， zǒng jiàn guò zhū pǎo ， dù jié hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， suī néng gòu suí yì qū shǐ tiān dì fǎ zé 。
田小剑点点头，没吃过猪肉，总见过猪跑，渡劫后期的修仙者，虽能够随意驱使天地法则。
But domain masters could change these laws according to their own wishes.
dàn lǐng yù qiáng zhě ， què shì néng gòu àn zhào zì jǐ de xīn yì ， jiāng tiān dì fǎ zé yě gǎi biàn diào de 。
但领域强者，却是能够按照自己的心意，将天地法则也改变掉的。
The difference was not something that could be measured by reason. For instance, top-tier powerhouses like Daoist Nalei and Fairy Hundred Flowers could easily defeat ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators without any悬念. If they fully exerted themselves, the opponent might barely last half a cup of tea before collapsing. This clearly showed that domain masters were entirely different from ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators.
wǒ de lǐng yù wǒ zuò zhǔ ， yí gè jǐn jǐn shì qū shǐ ， lìng wài yí gè què néng gòu chuàng zào ， zhè zhōng jiān de chā jù ， kě jiù bù kě yǐ dào lǐ jì le 。
我的领域我做主，一个仅仅是驱使，另外一个却能够创造，这中间的差距，可就不可以道理计了。
Tian Xiaojian had cooperated with this Demon Lord for thousands of years and knew his temperament well. He wouldn't speak without reason. With these thoughts in mind, Tian Xiaojian's expression revealed intense excitement: "Could it be that the three divine fruits are related to domains?"
bǐ rú shuō nài lóng zhēn rén ， bǎi huā xiān zi zhè yàng de dǐng jí qiáng zhě ， duì shàng pǔ tōng de dù jié hòu qī ， gēn běn sī háo xuán niàn yě wú ， rú guǒ quán lì shī zhǎn de huà ， duì fāng kǒng pà zhī chēng bù liǎo xiǎo bàn zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， yóu cǐ kě jiàn ， lǐng yù qiáng zhě yǔ pǔ tōng de dù jié hòu qī ， nà shì wán quán bù yí yàng de ， shuō tiān chā dì yuǎn ， yě bù wèi guò 。
比如说鼐龙真人，百花仙子这样的顶级强者，对上普通的渡劫后期，根本丝毫悬念也无，如果全力施展的话，对方恐怕支撑不了小半盏茶的功夫，由此可见，领域强者与普通的渡劫后期，那是完全不一样的，说天差地远，也不为过。
"Yes."
ér tián xiǎo jiàn yǔ zhè wèi mó jiè zhī zhǔ kě hé zuò le shù qiān nián ， yú duì fāng de pí qì ， yòu qǐ huì bù qīng chǔ 。
而田小剑与这位魔界之主可合作了数千年，于对方的脾气，又岂会不清楚。
The voice of the Demon Lord also became more serious: "Jian'er, you have already reached the middle stage of Golden Transformation cultivation. Although you haven't yet reached the late stage, you should start preparing for it. Do you know why some later-stage cultivators can master their domain while others struggle no matter how hard they train?"
tā jì rán zhè me shuō ， jué bú huì wú dì fàng shǐ ， niàn jí zhì cǐ ， yǐ tián xiǎo jiàn de chéng fǔ ， liǎn shàng yě bù yóu de lù chū jī dòng yǐ jí de shén sè ：“ nán dào zhè sān dà shén guǒ ， jìng rán yǔ lǐng yù yǒu guān xì me 。”
他既然这么说，绝不会无的放矢，念及至此，以田小剑的城府，脸上也不由得露出激动以极的神色：“难道这三大神果，竟然与领域有关系么。”
"I don’t know."
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
Tian Xiaojian answered honestly and then continued: "This is likely related to one’s opportunities. Even without considering domains, the strength of cultivators at the same stage can vary greatly due to differences in cultivation methods and treasures."
nà wèi mó zú dà tǒng lǐng de shēng yīn ， yě bù yóu de zhèng zhòng qǐ lái le ：“ jiàn ér ， nǐ rú jīn yǐ shì dù jié zhōng qī ， suī rán hái méi dào hòu qī de chéng dù ， dàn duì yú hòu qī de yī xiē shì qíng ， yě yīng gāi wèi yǔ chóu móu le ， nǐ kě zhī dào ， tóng wèi hòu qī xiū xiān zhě ， wèi shén me yǒu de rén néng gòu jiàng lǐng yù cān wù ， yǒu de què wú lùn zěn me kǔ xiū ， yě wú fǎ chù mō dào me ？”
那位魔族大统领的声音，也不由得郑重起来了：“剑儿，你如今已是渡劫中期，虽然还没到后期的程度，但对于后期的一些事情，也应该未雨绸缪了，你可知道，同为后期修仙者，为什么有的人能够将领域参悟，有的却无论怎么苦修，也无法触摸到么？”
These words were not idle talk. The strength of any realm's cultivator varied.
“ hái ér bù xiǎo de 。”
“孩儿不晓得。”
Tracing back to their roots, it was largely due to cultivation methods. Some methods were difficult and complex with many bottlenecks but possessed immense power. Cultivators who practiced such methods were invariably individuals with great perseverance.
tián xiǎo jiàn lǎo shí de shuō ， suí hòu lüè yī sī suǒ ， yòu jiē zhe kāi kǒu le ：“ zhè yīng gāi yǔ jī yuán dà yǒu guān xì ， hái yǒu ， jí biàn bù kǎo lǜ lǐng yù de yīn shù ， tóng yī jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， yīn wèi suǒ xiū liàn de gōng fǎ bù tóng ， yǐ jí suǒ yōng yǒu de bǎo wù de chā yì ， shí lì yuán běn yě shì tiān chà dì bié dì 。”
田小剑老实的说，随后略一思索，又接着开口了：“这应该与机缘大有关系，还有，即便不考虑领域的因数，同一境界的修仙者，因为所修炼的功法不同，以及所拥有的宝物的差异，实力原本也是天差地别地。”
Such cultivators naturally far outperformed their peers in strength.
zhè huà kě bú shì hú yán luàn yǔ ， rèn hé yí gè jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， shí lì yuán běn jiù shì gè bù xiāng tóng de 。
这话可不是胡言乱语，任何一个境界的修仙者，实力原本就是各不相同的。
Similarly, some methods allowed for rapid progress with few bottlenecks but had limited power. While they advanced quickly, they often found themselves at the bottom of their peer group in terms of strength.
xún gēn jiū dǐ ， yǔ gōng fǎ dà yǒu guān xì ， yǒu de gōng fǎ jiān nán shēng sè ， píng jǐng jí duō ， dàn wēi lì què fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， xiū liàn zhè zhǒng gōng fǎ de ， wú yī bú shì yǒu dà yì lì de rén wù 。
寻根究底，与功法大有关系，有的功法艰难生涩，瓶颈极多，但威力却非同小可，修炼这种功法的，无一不是有大毅力的人物。
Tian Xiaojian's point was clear: in his view, late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators were more likely to master domains.
zhè lèi xiū xiān zhě ， shí lì zì rán shì yào yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò tóng bèi de 。
这类修仙者，实力自然是要远远胜过同辈的。
(To be continued)
However, times change. Now that he was left with only a fragment of his soul, he had to rely on this Tian Xiaojian for much of his strength if he wanted to recover his former power. It wouldn't do to make their relationship too strained.
"Alright, Jian'er, don’t be angry. I just said it as a joke."
"Master, your words are too harsh. I also offended you earlier, so please forgive me," Tian Xiaojian replied sincerely.
Tian Xiaojian's achievements today were not without the benefits he received from this Demon Lord. He didn't want to break ties with him either. The recent exchange was merely a mutual probing; they both understood that it was enough for now.
The two quickly reached an understanding, and the minor discomfort between them was soon forgotten.
"Master, is the Soul River Divine Fruit truly in the Netherworld?" Tian Xiaojian brought up this question again, as he had not received any answers earlier.
"Why of course. As the Demon Lord, even though I am left with only a fragment of my soul now, my memories and past are intact. How could I possibly mistake the places where these three divine fruits grow in the cultivation world?"
"Three divine fruits of the cultivation world?"
"Yes, the Soul River Divine Fruit, the Broad Cold Dao Fruit, and the Immortal Peach Sacred Fruit—these are the three divine fruits of the cultivation world," the Demon Lord said with a hint of longing. Clearly, he considered these three divine fruits to be extraordinary.
"Of these, the Soul River Divine Fruit grows in the Netherworld, while the other two treasures are spiritual realm artifacts."
The deep voice sighed: "Although the strength of the three realms differs, there's no doubt that the spiritual realm has the most heavenly and earthly treasures."
"So what use do these divine fruits have? Why did you make me go through so much trouble to bring me here to the Netherworld?" Tian Xiaojian asked with confusion. He had been kept in the dark by his opponent before.
"Ha, they are indeed of great use. Jian'er, how do you think the strength of a late-stage Golden Transformation cultivator is?"
"Late-stage Golden Transformation?" Tian Xiaojian was taken aback. He didn't understand why this question was suddenly brought up. However, he hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully: "Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are naturally extremely powerful. Although I have never fought such beings, I know that they would be beyond me."
Tian Xiaojian's voice carried a hint of admiration. He had already reached the middle stage of Golden Transformation cultivation, but he was still far from the late stage. His face then showed excitement: "Could it be that the Soul River Divine Fruit can help me break through this late-stage bottleneck..."
"Humph, breaking through the late-stage bottleneck is nothing."
Unexpectedly, the Demon Lord's expression was filled with disdain.
"What?"
Tian Xiaojian was speechless. The other party had spoken so confidently as if breaking through the late stage of Golden Transformation wasn't worth mentioning. But...
Before his thoughts could fully form, the deep voice continued: "In my past life, I was the Demon Lord. Even now that I am left with only a fragment of my soul, helping you break through the late-stage bottleneck is nothing. However..."
"However, what?" Tian Xiaojian became intensely interested.
He knew that although he and this Demon Lord were mutually benefiting from each other, their interests aligned. Over these thousands of years, the other party had spared no effort to help him advance quickly. Although they occasionally argued, he never found the other party lying to him on major issues.
His words must have some basis; otherwise, he wouldn't be speaking so confidently.
"Master, please don’t keep me in suspense. Please explain what these three divine fruits are used for. I am listening intently."
Tian Xiaojian's eagerness was evident from his voice. He became more respectful as well: "A gift must come with a request."
The Demon Lord nodded: "Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are indeed top-tier existences in the Three Realms, but there is still a vast difference between them."
"Master means domains?" Tian Xiaojian’s insight was also commendable. He directly hit the nail on the head.
"Yes."
The Demon Lord nodded again: "Ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators are naturally much stronger than those of other realms, but without mastering their domain, they cannot be considered true top-tier powerhouses."
Tian Xiaojian nodded in agreement. Even if he hadn't experienced it firsthand, he had heard about the difference between a domain master and an ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivator. Late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators could manipulate heavenly laws at will.
But domain masters could change these laws according to their own wishes.
The difference was not something that could be measured by reason. For instance, top-tier powerhouses like Daoist Nalei and Fairy Hundred Flowers could easily defeat ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators without any悬念. If they fully exerted themselves, the opponent might barely last half a cup of tea before collapsing. This clearly showed that domain masters were entirely different from ordinary late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators.
Tian Xiaojian had cooperated with this Demon Lord for thousands of years and knew his temperament well. He wouldn't speak without reason. With these thoughts in mind, Tian Xiaojian's expression revealed intense excitement: "Could it be that the three divine fruits are related to domains?"
"Yes."
The voice of the Demon Lord also became more serious: "Jian'er, you have already reached the middle stage of Golden Transformation cultivation. Although you haven't yet reached the late stage, you should start preparing for it. Do you know why some later-stage cultivators can master their domain while others struggle no matter how hard they train?"
"I don’t know."
Tian Xiaojian answered honestly and then continued: "This is likely related to one’s opportunities. Even without considering domains, the strength of cultivators at the same stage can vary greatly due to differences in cultivation methods and treasures."
These words were not idle talk. The strength of any realm's cultivator varied.
Tracing back to their roots, it was largely due to cultivation methods. Some methods were difficult and complex with many bottlenecks but possessed immense power. Cultivators who practiced such methods were invariably individuals with great perseverance.
Such cultivators naturally far outperformed their peers in strength.
Similarly, some methods allowed for rapid progress with few bottlenecks but had limited power. While they advanced quickly, they often found themselves at the bottom of their peer group in terms of strength.
Tian Xiaojian's point was clear: in his view, late-stage Golden Transformation cultivators were more likely to master domains.
(To be continued)