If meeting the requirements meant mastering five types of rules, then it all made sense.

The challenge of passing through all the rule caves was likely designed to help her achieve this.

And as she reflected, it became clear: the first condition for advancing her Dao Body to its final stage was to master five types of rules, and she had done just that by passing through those caves!

Then there was the mention of choosing one of these as her primary Dao path and cultivating it to the highest level—clearly, this was referring to fire.

As everything seemed to align perfectly, Qin Ruqing cautiously asked to confirm, “So, is it because I passed through all the rule caves that I met the requirements?”

The Dao Sovereign of Floating Life stroked his beard and said, “Indeed.”

“Goodness, it really is…”

Qin Ruqing blinked, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Isn’t this all a little too coincidental?”

To be a bit self-indulgent, it almost felt like the rule cave challenges were designed just for her.

To her surprise, the Dao Sovereign actually smiled and said, “You’re not wrong; it was indeed related to you. I created those rule cave challenges precisely because of you.”

“And it was also because of you that the current inheritance trials were set in motion.”

Calmly dropping this bombshell, the Dao Sovereign flicked his hand, and an item from Qin Ruqing’s pouch flew out and hovered before her.

It was the scroll she had received from the mysterious powerful figure in the City of Sin!

The Dao Sovereign explained, “This scroll contains a special restriction and is something only a disciple of my origin can possess. The fact that he gave you the map means he believed you to be the Dao Ancestor’s successor, and so he came to relay this message to me.”

“Of course,” the Dao Sovereign Fusheng continued, “I have already fallen. Now, I am but a remnant soul with some consciousness. The restriction on this scroll was designed to awaken me.”

Qin Ruqing was bombarded with so much information all at once that she didn’t know how to react.

So, the six rule cave challenges really were designed just for her!

They were meant to ensure she completed the prerequisites for advancing her Dao Physique.

It turned out that the entire inheritance selection process was triggered because of her!

It was all due to the scroll she had brought, which had awakened this Dao Sovereign.

No wonder things had felt off after she entered the Immortal Tomb.

The inheritance selection had started unexpectedly, nothing like the Fifth Family had described.

And when she first entered the Void Realm Battlefield, she had sensed some strange fluctuation around her, which disappeared after a moment.

Looking back, that fluctuation was likely the scroll’s restriction being activated, marking the moment the Dao Sovereign was awakened!

Piecing everything together, Qin Ruqing let out a bitter smile and candidly admitted, “Dao Sovereign, I’m just relieved I chose to accept the Qinglian Inheritance earlier.”

With everything that had happened, it didn’t seem like she would have been allowed to study any other Dao lineage.

Seeing the delicate features of Qin Ruqing scrunched up in frustration, the Dao Sovereign’s expression softened, a faint trace of amusement crossing his mind.

This child truly was clever.

“I haven’t yet told you the remaining two conditions,” the Dao Sovereign said.

Qin Ruqing immediately composed herself, sitting attentively.

The Dao Sovereign then spoke slowly, “The second condition for advancing your Dao Physique is to refine at least two types of Heavenly Fire.”

“The third condition: to integrate three drops of essence blood from a great figure in the Heavenly Realm.”

…

…

When the Dao Sovereign finished speaking, a terrifying silence fell over the space.

Qin Ruqing swayed, nearly collapsing to the ground.

“Refine at least two types of Heavenly Fire.”

“Integrate three drops of essence blood from a great figure in the Heavenly Realm.”

When Qin Ruqing heard the Dao Sovereign nonchalantly list these conditions, she really wanted to shout out, “I can’t do this!”

Setting aside the Heavenly Fire, which was already an incredibly rare and powerful elemental substance, its volatile nature made it nearly impossible to coexist with another.

Just finding one was like a miracle, but refining at least two?

That seemed almost impossible.

And the last condition was even more absurd.

“The essence blood of a great figure in the Heavenly Realm.” Qin Ruqing knew about the Trancending Realm and Saint Realm Stages, but she had never even heard of the Martial Realm! Moreover, the term “Heavenly Realm” carried the connotation of being close to the heavens, a term that cultivators were naturally reverent of.

How could such a title be used lightly?

She even speculated that this might be a realm reached only after ascension.

Unable to hold back, she asked, “Dao Sovereign, setting aside the matter of refining two types of Heavenly Fire, what exactly is the Heavenly Realm? This junior has truly never heard of it.”

Her expression showed a hint of embarrassment.

Speaking with such a powerful existence today made her feel overly ignorant.

However, the Dao Sovereign was understanding and replied gently, “It’s normal that you haven’t heard of it.”

“Because even in my prime, I never reached the Heavenly Realm.” There was a touch of melancholy in his voice.

“The only ones who have reached this realm were the Dao Ancestor and the first generation of his disciples.”

“If I had reached this realm back then, that war wouldn’t have been so disastrous. It wouldn’t have led to…” The Dao Sovereign Fusheng stopped himself from saying more.

At that moment, the surrounding mist obscured his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

Qin Ruqing noticed the pause in his voice.

She didn’t know much about ancient history, nor did she have the right to judge it.

Her focus was more on things that directly concerned her, like this Heavenly Realm.

She had already guessed that the Heavenly Realm might be a stage reached only after ascension, but the reality was even more shocking.

—So far, only the Dao Ancestor and his first disciple had ever reached this realm, not even the Dao Sovereign himself!

Was choosing the Azure Lutos Inheritance really just a death wish?

In this age where even ascension was nearly impossible, where could she possibly find a great figure from the Heavenly Realm to give her three drops of essence blood?

Throwing caution to the wind, Qin Ruqing let out a bitter smile and said, “Dao Sovereign, after listening to you for so long, it feels like you’re subtly suggesting that this junior should pack up and go home.”

The mist cleared, revealing the Dao Sovereign’s face again.

A gentle smile played on his lips as he raised a hand and said, “Do not worry.”

“The three drops of essence blood from the Heavenly Realm, as well as the other Heavenly Fire, have already been prepared for you.”

Qin Ruqing had previously refined a type of Heavenly Fire, the Golden Mist Soul Fire.

If she were to obtain another type, along with the three drops of essence blood from the Heavenly Realm…

Qin Ruqing’s heart began to race with excitement.

If this were true, all the conditions for advancing her Dao Physique would be met!

Indeed, her earlier choice had been the right one!

The Dao Sovereign had bestowed upon her the title of the Dao Ancestor’s successor, wanting her to bear the burden of saving the world in his stead.

Yes, it was an incredible honor, and Qin Ruqing had the ambition to take on this responsibility.

—But there had to be some practicality involved, right?

Compared to the current generation of geniuses, she was indeed quite outstanding, but when placed against the grand task of “saving the world,” her achievements seemed woefully inadequate.

Such a task should be left to those in the Trancending stage, or even those who had ascended, before one could even dare to consider it.

Fusheng and another Yue Ming, who had not revealed himself, hoped that she would go to the Sixth Domain to seek the Dao Ancestor’s legacy.

But they couldn’t just send the only heir to her death for nothing!

So, giving her some resources to quickly enhance her strength was the right solution.

Qin Ruqing had already sensed something when Dao Sovereign Fusheng offered her two choices.

If she chose the Qinglian legacy, he and the other Dao Sovereign would guide her.

If she chose another celestial legacy, this guidance would no longer be available.

Clearly, the word “guidance” had significant implications even at that time.

Qin Ruqing had always had a beast-like instinct for understanding advantages and disadvantages.

Although she hadn’t anticipated the advancement of the Dao Physique at the time, she instinctively felt that she should choose Qinglian(Azure Lutos).

There was no other path to take!

Looking back now, Qin Ruqing was only thankful that she had taken the enormous risk and stuck to that decision.

It was indeed the right choice!

As Qin Ruqing fell silent, Dao Sovereign Fusheng raised his hand, and a ball of purple light appeared in his palm, crackling with electric currents and carrying the aura of wind and thunder.

Qin Ruqing’s eyes narrowed, and she instinctively said, “This is… Purple Lightning Thundercloud Fire!”

Fusheng was a bit surprised that Qin Ruqing could instantly identify the name of this heavenly fire.

After all, Purple Lightning Thundercloud Fire was rare, even among heavenly fires.

“It seems you know about it.”