The methods for achieving a Breakthrough are many, and they only indicate that it is almost certain to succeed—any path could lead to success, but that does not mean it will happen immediately.

The Imperial Realm is after all the most typical watershed of the two epochs, and it has become such a watershed primarily because it is the most difficult, thus forming a strategic pass in the division of epochs.

Even if it was considered by Ye Wuzong as "not truly eternal life to be kept undying by treasures," without breaking through this barrier, one cannot achieve an Undying Ghost state even with the protection of treasures, and would die early... Broadly speaking, achieving a breakthrough here could truly be said to be touching the door to eternal life, with a normal lifespan many times longer than that of ordinary Martial Artists. At least in terms of maintaining one's youth, it is hard to grow old.

Not to mention flying, the most representative of abilities. While it's true that some can fly before reaching the Imperial Realm, such as Ye Wuzong, or now Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling, generally speaking, the Imperial Realm is the basic requirement for flight, and anything before that can only be called levitating or soaring.

And control over and representation of certain rules... This is the dividing line between man and God Demon, without a doubt.

Zhao Changhe kept practicing the Galaxy Sword Intent over and over again within the Heavenly Book, while Yue Hongling was playing with the female Dragon Sparrow, both warming and stimulating her own Sword Spirit, and tempering her Supreme Sword Body. Three days later, Yue Hongling's treasured sword had already begun to condense and birth a spirit akin to that of an infant, and Zhao Changhe had still not achieved a Breakthrough.

It's worth mentioning that cultivating in the Spirit Clan, one truly has an abundance of resources and medicine, provided one is willing to consume some items that might seem a bit unnerving to the eye.

Not to mention, for Body Refining, this place is extremely suitable. Whether it's Zhao Changhe's qi and blood or Yue Hongling's Sword Bone, here they solidified once more, without lacking anything.

Unable to achieve a Breakthrough, Zhao Changhe was not discouraged, maintaining a serene mindset. The path was definitely correct, and continuing down it, there would certainly come a day of breakthrough. This was accumulation; he had always been moving too fast, what he lacked was such sedimentation.

Taking advantage of this time, he also strengthened his understanding of the Qi Veins Power, the power of cause and effect, and of life and death in regard to Yin Corpse, as well as understanding the Divine Axe Thunder. These elements didn't greatly aid in achieving a Breakthrough, yet they were extremely useful for the imminent battle—the power of life and death was for Jiuyou, and Divine Axe Thunder was the business of Longevity Heaven.

Time was frankly insufficient, he could only speak of gradual accumulation. With the Heavenly Book on hand, a lot of time could be saved. The repeated simulations within the Heavenly Book were far more efficient than practicing outside.

And... there was time to chat with Star River.

It's cute that the child is guileless, but isn't it also a bit troublesome...

"Little Star River... do you want something to eat?"

"My master, you're quite annoying."

"... No, I know Sword Spirits don't need to eat. I mean, do you want some fine minerals or treasures imbued with Spiritual Energy for you to absorb? That should be possible."

Star River turned away, presenting an uninterested back to him.

Zhao Changhe remembered Dragon Sparrow's comment, "Talking to her is like talking to a wall, she doesn't answer and just turns to show her butt to me. What's so great about that scrawny little butt..."

If his own child was so impolite, Zhao Changhe wondered if he would feel like spanking her, but alas, this was a Sword Spirit, who just acts this way. Whether it's the silly Dragon Sparrow or the guileless Star River, their nature probably couldn't be changed.

Zhao Changhe could only say, "Then, do you want to go out and play?"

"If the master is asking what I desire..."

"Yes, tell me..."

"It is for you not to annoy me."

"..."

"Or you could throw away that noisy and fierce knife."

Zhao Changhe left the sword embarrassingly. He wasn't sure if the comment about being noisy referred to the fierce knife or the master himself.

The blind man in the Void watched this "father-daughter" interaction with a crooked head, amused at Zhao Changhe's rare moment of chagrin and helplessness.

"Still no success?" Yue Hongling came up, handed Dragon Sparrow back to him, and sat aside to ask.

Zhao Changhe replied sullenly, "Tougher than a rock, just like talking to the night sky."

"It's like that with a Breakthrough. It's good enough you can talk to it, but can you expect a response? Don't rush; take your time."

"...I was talking about the Galaxy Sword."

Yue Hongling, caught between laughter and tears, said, "Is the Star River Sword more important to you than achieving a Breakthrough?"

"Of course it is. I can break through sooner or later, but a child's cuteness only lasts a year or two."

Star River: "..."

Yue Hongling bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushed a little. To any woman, Zhao Changhe's words seemed like he desired a child.

But in their current situation, who had the environment to birth and raise children... Not to mention, Yue Hongling knew they could not stay here more than two days. Zhao Changhe was waiting for Sisi to stabilize the Miao Region's regime and gather forces for deployment; then they would head north.

How long Sisi would take to unify the Miao Region was unknown, but theoretically, it didn't need much time. The previous "council system" had already shown a trend towards unity, and with a history of a dynasty in the background, converting into a kingdom already had a foundation, it wasn't starting from scratch.

Plus, Zhao Changhe brought an Imperial Decree before coming here, and with Sisi now the vassal King of Dali under the New Han Dynasty and personally endorsed by King Zhao, the sense of belonging and identification among the Han people of the Miao Region had changed. The sense of being rootless, which often made the Han army feel unsettled, had now completely disappeared.

There were no issues with the foundation of each tribe, and with military force in hand, the thousands of miles of the Miao Region were just an issue of sending out an edict, not requiring Sisi to campaign across the lands. The establishment of this Kingdom was a foregone conclusion.

Thinking this, he saw Sisi approaching with Wind Control, heading straight for their thatched hut.

The two stopped talking and looked up.

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