The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation began controlling the still violently raging energy within Ling Feng, compressing it into his Qihai acupoint.
If the energy continued to explode unchecked, only two outcomes were possible. For now, Ling Feng had reached the limit of the meridian gates he could open, so he might not be able to withstand the force, resulting in his body exploding.
The other possibility was that Ling Feng could withstand the force and ascend to the Transformation Realm. However, the sword embryo in his sea of mind would then backfire, which wasn't desirable.
So, it was time for the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation to suppress this energy.
Although the Nine-Mystical Creation Fruit contained terrifying energy, it was nothing significant in front of this mysterious ancient expert.
Under the guidance of the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation, the rampaging energy in Ling Feng's body began to calm down and was obediently compressed into his dantian and Qihai acupoint, being stored for future use.
Ling Feng slowly adjusted his true qi and was shocked by the number of meridian gates he had crazily opened.
He hadn't expected the Nine-Mystical Creation Fruit to be so powerful, enabling him to open over 30 meridian gates, all the way to eighty. This number was truly astonishing.
"Young one, congratulations! You've reached the third heavenly barrier, which is known as the limit of the Pulse Formation Realm!"
The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's voice gently drifted into his ears. Ling Feng then opened his eyes, stood up, and bowed deeply to the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation. "Thank you, Senior, for your assistance!"
"It was a small effort." The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation looked Ling Feng over with satisfaction, becoming increasingly pleased with his disciple.
"Senior, may I ask what the third heavenly barrier means?" Ling Feng, feeling uneasy under Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation's gaze, quickly changed the subject.
"The so-called third heavenly barrier is the bottleneck before eighty-one meridian gates. There are three limiting barriers in the Pulse Formation Realm. The first is at fifty meridian gates, which blocks most geniuses from breaking through."
The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation paused before continuing, "The second barrier is at sixty-four meridian gates, blocking ninety-nine percent of those who have crossed the first barrier. Only those who surpassed sixty-four meridian gates were considered top-tier geniuses in the near ancient times.
"The true monsters are those who can open more than eighty-one meridian gates. These individuals could become top geniuses in the near ancient times. Of course, the standards of this era have likely lowered significantly. You reaching eighty meridian gates has already exceeded my expectations."
Ling Feng took a deep breath, reflecting on this. After a while, he suddenly understood. "No wonder I felt that upon reaching eighty meridian gates, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't open the next one. Unless I immediately ascended to the Transformation Realm, my body couldn't handle it and felt like it was about to explode."
"The third heavenly barrier is not trivial. You're lucky to reach eighty meridian gates in one go. However, it's naive to think that the Nine-Mystical Creation Fruit alone could help you break through eighty-one meridian gates. What you lack now is not energy but understanding of the realm. Sharpen yourself and slowly refine the energy within you. Breaking through to eighty-one meridian gates won't be difficult,” the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation said slowly.
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior. I understand now." Ling Feng nodded.
"You've inherited my teachings; who else would I guide if not you?" The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation stroked his long beard, laughing heartily. He was clearly very pleased with Ling Feng.
"Well then, I can now implant the second and third Primordial Locks into your body. As for the fourth one, though you're already extraordinary, it's best to proceed step by step. Come find me again once you reach the Transformation Realm."
"Understood, Senior." Ling Feng nodded, and then curiously asked, "Senior, you mentioned that there are three major inheritances in this Dao Repository. I know the first inheritance is the Qi-Refining Primordial Locks. What are the other two inheritances?"
"Oh?" The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation squinted and smiled, "Why the rush? You'll find out once you have more than nine Primordial Locks and qualify to enter the second inheritance cave."
Ling Feng shook his head helplessly. This old man is indeed mysterious, making the inheritance itself seem so enigmatic.
If the second inheritance cave requires nine Primordial Locks to open, how many would the third inheritance cave require?
What incredible secrets are buried there?
"Hehe, you're getting a bit arrogant, aren't you? Don't think too far ahead. To be honest, I don't believe you have much chance of opening the third inheritance cave."
The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation squinted at Ling Feng, his expression calm and composed. "Because to open the third inheritance cave, you must have all eighteen Primordial Locks implanted in your body. By then, you'd likely already be at the Ancestral Realm."
"Ancestral Realm?" Ling Feng's eyes widened. "What is the Ancestral Realm?"
"It's a realm you cannot comprehend right now," the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation said before shifting the topic with a chuckle. "Alright, let me implant the second and third Primordial Locks for you. I imagine you're quite eager."
"Hehe." Ling Feng scratched the back of his head, knowing his eagerness had been completely seen through by Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation.
"Sit cross-legged and let me guide you." Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation waved his hand, and a long golden needle appeared in his palm. This was the Qi-Refining Primordial Lock.
Once the golden needle was embedded into the body, it would transform into a lock of true qi, suppressing and refining the true qi within the body.
"Kid, although you've experienced the first Heart Lock last time, don't say I didn't warn you. Surviving the first doesn't guarantee surviving the second. Don't relax even a bit, or your life might be at stake."
The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation seriously reminded Ling Feng.
"Don't worry, Senior. I have too many responsibilities and attachments. I won't die, I can't die!"
Ling Feng clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth. "Bring it on!"
"Good, you've got guts. As expected of my, the Tianbai Emperor’s, successor!"
The Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation laughed heartily and with a flip of his hand, the golden needle pierced Ling Feng's left shoulder, immediately transforming into a flow of true qi that sealed the meridians in his left arm.
In an instant, Ling Feng felt as if he had plunged into a state of suffocation. With a violent heartbeat, his body stiffened.
It was as if he had sunk to the bottom of the ocean, struggling desperately to find a sliver of vitality in the abyss.
As the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation had said, even though he had survived the first Heart Lock, every subsequent Primordial Lock would be no less challenging.
Both his body and spirit trembled violently as sweat mixed with blood flowed continuously. Ling Feng gritted his teeth, enduring the immense pain.
After a long period of time...
When Ling Feng's consciousness resurfaced, although the pain was still deeply ingrained, he had managed to pull through. However, he was now in so much pain that he didn't even want to move a finger.
The cultivation level he had gained from opening eighty meridian gates had been compressed by more than half, almost returning to the state of forty meridian gates.
But once the Qi-Refining Primordial Lock was fully activated, his power would surge. After fully adapting to the second Primordial Lock, he would become even stronger based on the foundation of eighty meridian gates.