Yuan Gong habitually ridiculed Duobao afterward, and casually explained to Tao Qian:
"The Spirit Marrow Crystal Mountain is a treasure of considerable fame from the Outer Realm, solidified from the purest Source Sea Divine Qi, requiring long years to form a single mountain."
"This item has many wondrous aspects, whether in refining treasures, refining techniques, or otherwise, it is a top-notch treasure."
"If it can be transformed into a lifeform, it's even more marvelous, having it by one's side would benefit even a cultivator of the Daoist Transformation Realm."
"Lad, you've struck it rich."
After hearing Master Yuan's transmission, Tao Qian understood the rarity of the gentle lady before him.
However, he did not regard her as a mere treasure, considering that she was the Ancestor Lady of Zhong Doudou and all the Crystal Demon Girls, Tao Qian directly perceived this "Spirit Marrow Lady" as a life, and an elder of his.
He promptly saluted, coupled with a clear and bright smile, replied:
"Lady, don't be too polite, however Dou Dou calls, Tao Qian will call likewise."
"I came to the Star Aperture indeed to retrieve my master's relics."
"Before his corpse disintegrated, he mentioned leaving the Divination Technique and the Ten Thousand Treasure Secret here, and since I have no commitments these few days, I came to take a look."
Spirit Marrow Lady, after all, possesses such an extraordinary dharma body, and also follows Duobao True Monarch in cultivation.
Though it's inconvenient for her to travel far, or even easily leave this Star Membrane Secret Realm, her Taoist power and mana are not ordinary.
Seeing Tao Qian's actions and hearing his sincere words, she immediately sensed this youth's genuineness.
This gentle lady carefully scrutinized Tao Qian for a while, then smiled and sighed:
"No wonder the Master often says, the Young Master is an anomaly."
"Although I was merely a dead object of the Crystal Mountain before attaining the Dao, I possessed some spirituality, able to sense all the greedy and possessive gazes directed at me from the Great Abyss, even after attaining the Dao, having a soul and true spirit, able to manifest a form, yet none treated me as an equal life, merely assuming me to be a rare treasure."
"To regard me as an equal life, and even as an elder—Young Master, you truly are the first."
"Even the Master often sighs before me that my incompatibility with his Ten Thousand Treasure Cliff, otherwise I too could merge into his Ten Thousand Treasure Dao Body."
With these words from the Spirit Marrow Lady, Tao Qian was uncertain how to respond.
However, relying on that last sentence, he could vaguely guess his master's Daoist Transformation Tribulation.
Could it be an obsession with treasures?
As Tao Qian contemplated, he saw the Spirit Marrow Lady extending a crystal-clear crystal stone hand, directly leading him towards the deepest part of the Secret Realm.
Amidst the calls of numerous Crystal Demon youngsters along the way, the Lady continued guiding while speaking:
"The two techniques left by the Master are quite perilous, hence both are stored within the Star Aperture."
"I lead the Crystal Demon clan to guard this Secret Path to prevent any accidents."
"Later, when the Young Master enters the Star Aperture, if unable to subdue those two techniques, don't force it, let go and leave it be."
"But since it's the Master's last wish, I imagine there shouldn't be much danger."
Hearing these statements, Tao Qian immediately displayed a curious expression.
He initially thought the two techniques left by his master were directly obtainable from the Spirit Marrow Lady.
Who would have thought?
It turns out, they're deep within the Star Aperture.
He was startled initially; hearing the Lady's words, could the techniques be released? Could they have become spirits?
With so many doubts, he missed the opportunity to ask Master Yuan for advice, shortly following the Spirit Marrow Lady through an extremely long Crystal Cave Secret Path.
Up ahead, strange divine light gradually appeared.
In a sudden moment of realization, as he stood at the end of the Secret Path, what unfolded before him was not only vast and open, but an unforgettable spectacle, catching him unaware in his gaze.
The Great Abyss Origin Sea?
It seemed as though the entire multicolored, bizarre starry sky was pulled down, blended into a small world, and then placed into a giant aperture, now just before Tao Qian, separated by only a Forbidden Technique gleam, almost within reach.
What was truly astonishing was, these star lights were actual entities, neither light nor mist, neither water nor air...just endlessly vast, permeating this small world.
"Is this the Star Aperture?"
"The territory considered incredibly important to cultivators of the Ultimate Happiness Realm, also the genuine foundation relied upon by all major sects?"
As doubts arose in Tao Qian's heart, Master Yuan timely transmitted a large bundle of thoughts and messages.
"The so-called Star Aperture can also be referred to as Source Field, Source Lake, Source Spring."
"Some are forcibly opened with Great Divine Power, while others form naturally."
"Their common feature is that these small spaces, small worlds are all connected to the Great Abyss Origin Sea, capable of drawing the purest, untainted Source Qi, with myriad applications."
Tao Qian subconsciously asked.
Master Yuan was originally unperturbed, but soon recalled something, involuntarily using a tone of envy:
"You lad have abundant fortunes and defy fate, the speed at which your Tao Heng cultivation level rises is incredibly fast, resulting in some 'costs', 'pain' failing to catch up to you."
"Cavernous Mystery Realm doesn't bother, only mentioning the Ultimate Happiness Realm, even after stepping in you must overcome [Clean Body], [Soul Cleansing], [Absorb Lifespan] to achieve perfection."
"Every minor stage is extremely painful, but they truly serve to alleviate one's burdens, to better handle the Daoist Transformation tribulations."
"The closer you get to your own Dao, the more perilous it becomes."
"Especially that [Absorb Lifespan] level, which involves borrowing lifespan from the Dao, how could there be no cost?"
"Ultimate Happiness Realm cultivators, at late stages, regardless of which Magic Veins or Great Lifebook Lifebound Scripture they practice, every so often they endure a nightmare tribulation known as 'Dao Nightmare', within which they comprehend their own Dao and risks, with mild cases losing Tao Heng and dropping levels, severe cases becoming mutated or perishing within...."