The Path to Another World

"I've finally crossed the first step of the thirteen stages of cultivation. This has kept me trapped for three whole years. Grandpa was right, this really is a great opportunity. Next is the embryonic breathing stage, which is reaching the innate realm. Only by breaking through the innate realm can one truly step onto the path of cultivation. It seems I still have a lot to do! The road ahead is long and arduous, and I will continue to explore. The task is heavy and the journey is far. If I want to return to Earth, there are still more than a dozen steps waiting for me! The path of cultivation is not so easy. I have only just grasped some of its mysteries. Don't be discouraged, let's cheer each other on!" Ye Fan replied to Tian Jun with a smile.

Not knowing how much longer they would have to travel in this vast space, Ye Fan spent the next few days consolidating his cultivation level. Having broken through from the Acquired Realm to the Innate Realm, his body was still somewhat unaccustomed to the sudden increase in power, like an infant suddenly inheriting a mountain of gold but unable to use it. In the path of cultivation, stagnation means regression; only by solidifying the foundation step by step can one go further. Three or four days passed before Ye Fan finally controlled the power within his body with ease. This was truly his own power, no longer like at the beginning, when he intended to pat Tian Jun on the shoulder but almost broke it…

"Come quick, come quick... Ye Fan, look what's that? It seems to be flying towards us!" Tian Jun suddenly woke Ye Fan, who was meditating, in a flustered manner. Ye Fan opened his eyes and casually glanced into the distance, then rolled his eyes at Tian Jun, who was as anxious as a monkey, and said disdainfully, "Hey Junzi, when are you ever going to calm down? Don't be so hasty! It's just a passing shooting star, what's the big deal!"

"No, look again, it's not just one, it's a whole swarm! My god, we've encountered a meteor shower! There are so many, at least hundreds! With such a dense bombardment, we're definitely going to be hit! The impact of a single meteor is no less than that of a cluster bomb, we're doomed!" Tian Jun said excitedly, pacing back and forth on the aircraft, thinking of a solution.

Hearing Tian Jun's words, Ye Fan immediately stood up, focusing his energy in his eyes. Points of white light emerged from them, clearly revealing objects hundreds of kilometers away. Seeing the scene before him, even the usually composed Ye Fan couldn't help but twitch his lips, feeling somewhat frustrated. Thousands of meteors formed a square formation, trailing long, fiery tails, and charged menacingly towards them. At their incredible speed, they would likely collide with them in a minute or two. Judging from their trajectories, unless something unexpected or miraculous happened, they would almost certainly hit them. The situation seemed truly dire. Ye Fan frowned, mentally considering all possible solutions, but ultimately rejected them one by one. The power of nature was beyond the power of ordinary human strength to resist! Could this be the ominous sign his grandfather had spoken of?

As the two were still desperately trying to find a solution, the meteor shower was already upon them, probably less than a hundred miles away. Helpless, they watched the swarming meteors approach, closed their eyes in despair, and quietly awaited their death. The leading meteor was already less than a mile away, the shockwave from its incredible speed tossing their clothes high into the air. They could almost smell their own hair burning. Ye Fan felt a surge of resentment; he had only just broken through to the next level, and now he was about to perish. Suddenly, a chill ran through his chest, clearing his somewhat hazy consciousness. Right, how could he forget his grandfather's words? Hadn't he given him a protective magic item? He said it could save his life in the most dangerous situations! His powerful body was already beginning to carbonize, and even his consciousness could vanish at any moment. Now was the time to use it! With his last ounce of strength, he ripped the bronze Bagua from his neck, not caring whether it would work or not. He bit his middle finger, smeared his heart's blood on the Bagua, and simultaneously channeled the last remaining bit of his Dao power into the Yin-Yang fish within the Bagua.

With a soft hum, the Yin-Yang Fish activated, instantly magnifying a hundredfold to block the meteor that was about to strike Ye Fan and his companion. The seemingly thin fish withstood the heavy blow, trembling only slightly. With a single, profound rotation, the immense force was dissipated, and everything returned to normal. Ye Fan, who had thought all hope was lost, gaped in astonishment, a flicker of hope rekindling in his eyes.

A sigh emanated from the bronze Bagua, and to Ye Fan's even greater surprise, a figure with an air of otherworldly grace stepped out. Dressed in ancient Taoist attire, with white hair and a youthful face, holding a whisk, he exuded an air of otherworldly refinement, though his features were somewhat blurred, seemingly not a physical entity. To Ye Fan's astonishment, the old Taoist casually waved his whisk, drawing in a rich surge of spiritual energy from the sky, directly channeling it into Ye Fan's withered body. Like a thirsty child, Ye Fan desperately drank in this sudden nectar, gradually nourishing his charred body. Within a few breaths, Ye Fan was restored to his peak condition. Ye Fan quickly scooped up the still unconscious Tian Jun and began treating his injuries. The old Taoist priest ignored them, focusing intently on the shooting stars flying everywhere outside. Occasionally, a stray meteor would stumble upon them, but the old Taoist remained unperturbed, casually flicking his whisk to send a debris the size of a small mountain flying several miles away. Ye Fan was astonished, secretly assessing the old Taoist's true strength. Of course, with his limited eyesight, he couldn't possibly discern the old Taoist's true power, as the highest level Ye Fan knew was only the Fusion Stage.

Tian Jun, with Ye Fan's help, slowly awoke. He was also protected by a magical artifact given to him by the old patriarch of the Tian family, so his injuries weren't too serious. The two stared in disbelief at the unfamiliar old Taoist priest performing all by himself. His hands moved like butterflies, creating countless afterimages. He would occasionally gather red and white crystals or dark ores from passing meteors, and some of them were even refined from mountains in an instant. The stones were piled up haphazardly on the ground, flashing with strange light, clearly not ordinary items.

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