Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 521: Advancement of All Elements

Amid the intense treasure hunt raging across the Nine Extreme Treasure Star, a monumental shift capable of rewriting history was unfolding deep within the Miluo Dao Court!

Securing the funds from the collective loan, Zhuyuan Great Emperor stepped into the Heavenly Dao Platform, dedicating himself to cultivation and pushing for his breakthrough.

He selected a profoundly hidden path: the Sacrificial Dao Principle!

Breaking through this principle offers two distinct approaches. One involves offering sacrifices to some other entity to achieve advancement. The other entails receiving sacrifices from others, granting personal gains in return.

The first method carries clear strengths and weaknesses. Its strength lies in tapping into external power to shatter personal barriers. Yet the drawback is subjugation to another's control, and should the recipient prove unable to assist, the sacrifice proves futile.

In the midst of his breakthrough effort, Zhuyuan Great Emperor paused briefly before deciding to offer sacrifice to Su Yuan, seeking to draw upon Su Yuan's might for success.

As Zhuyuan expended numerous Dao Yan Crystals and invoked sacrificial Daoist arts to link with Su Yuan, the latter felt profound shock. Their shared karmic ties made such a sacrifice feasible.

Zhuyuan Great Emperor presented his allegiance as the offering, yearning for Su Yuan's gracious gift.

Through the influence of the Sacrificial Dao Principle, Su Yuan possessed the option to impart a fragment of his core essence to Zhuyuan Great Emperor, aiding his ascent to the Dao Venerable stage.

This falls under unconventional advancement techniques, shunned by traditional Dao Venerables. The road ahead remains perilously tight, forcing Zhuyuan Great Emperor to forge his own way post-breakthrough.

Far from rejecting it, Su Yuan willingly shared a minor portion of his essence with Zhuyuan Great Emperor.

The rite of sacrifice between them concluded triumphantly.

Immersed in profound meditation, Zhuyuan Great Emperor abruptly sensed a grand, boundless, awe-inspiring presence invading the core of his soul.

This silhouette appeared perched at the edge of the Voidless, its stature beyond measure, its shape hazy. All he could discern was the entity's palm, cradling a swirling Chaos!

Innumerable God Realm Seas emerged and faded within that Chaos, brimming with boundless Chaos Dao Intent.

Upon beholding that Chaos, a torrent of boundless insight surged straight into the heart of his True Spirit, harmonizing with his very origin!

Suddenly, it felt as though the Sacrificial Dao Principle unveiled every mystery to him. A mere grasp away, and he could claim it at once.

And claim it he did!

Thus!

Boom!

The full forty tiers of celestial halls in the Miluo Dao Court quaked all at once.

Numerous Dao Venerables were startled, detecting the upheavals in the voidless realm.

Even more turned their gazes toward the Heavenly Dao Platform.

"Someone's advancing to Dao Venerable!"

"Yet another breakthrough?"

"Who could it be?"

"Eh? What kind of Dao Principle is that? Never encountered it before?"

In an instant, chatter erupted everywhere.

Just then, shimmering golden banners stretched across the heavens over the whole Dao Court, impossible to overlook!

[Announcement: Heartfelt congratulations to the promotion of our Dao Court disciple, Dao Venerable Zhuyuan, who has grasped the Sacrificial Dao Principle and earned a seat on the Elder Council. Dao Venerable Zhuyuan marks the inaugural crowdfunding Dao Principle breakthrough from the Crowdfunding Hall. Investors in Dao Venerable Zhuyuan's ascent will enjoy a fivefold payout. This payout shall be issued right away by the Dao Court acting on their behalf. All investors, kindly head to the Crowdfunding Hall to claim resources and contribution points.]

The sight left everyone in stunned silence.

It marked the debut of such lavish, showy fanfare from the Dao Court for a Dao Venerable's rise. It came off as rather showboating and undignified for such a lofty figure.

Yet Gu Qingzhu orchestrated it precisely that way. Publicizing the Crowdfunding Hall's success was essential to foster support for his overhaul.

Within the Dao Venerable Pavilion, various Dao Venerables regarded the event with bemusement.

"The Sacrificial Dao Principle? Far too niche. It's hardly a conventional route! Prospects seem limited down the line," one remarked with a shake of the head.

Nevertheless, a Dao Venerable Elder of the Miluo Clan countered, "Chaos holds the power to spawn countless Dao Principles. Thus, the Sacrificial Dao Principle counts among the Chaos Dao Principles. Down the road, a path to the Great Dao of Chaos still beckons."

Dao Venerable Tuota nodded in concurrence, "For this fresh Elder, if breakthrough to Dao Venerable seemed impossible before, even a truncated Dao path afterward isn't so terrible."

Another eyed Song Cai's projection curiously and inquired, "Junior Brother Song, any insight into Dao Venerable Zhuyuan's potential?"

Song Cai replied steadily, "This disciple lingered at the pinnacle of the Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal realm across endless epochs. Eventually, a fortunate turn elevated him to the Dao Yan Realm. Prior to the Heavenly Dao Platform, he'd barely touched the early Dao Yan Realm. It appears he burned through resources to hit the Dao Yan peak before daring the breakthrough!"

"Aptitude that dismal?" a Dao Venerable arched a brow.

"Utterly dismal," confirmed an avatar of Yin Xing.

At those words, glances darted around the group.

Dao Venerable Ji Bai chuckled deeply, "Niche Dao Principles aren't always a curse. By matching one's talents to such paths, odds of reaching Dao Venerable rise considerably! Rivalry stays milder too."

"Well put!"

Dao Venerables mulled over the idea one by one.

"Looks like Acting Manager Gu's strategies pack real punch. Small wonder the Dao Lord handed him the Dao Court's reins."

At last, a few started viewing Acting Manager Gu Qingzhu with genuine regard.

Prior to this, he'd been utterly ignored!

Observing from afar, Gu Qingzhu directed the Guardian Spirit, "This falls short still. Quietly allocate an additional batch of resources to Taiyi, Jinmao, Suiyue, and Xuanqing!"

Guardian Spirit Little Star protested, "Lord Qingzhu, that violates protocol!"

Gu Qingzhu responded evenly, "Resources can always be replenished. We need to seize the momentum and reshape every disciple's cultivation outlook. That's how our Dao Court spawns more Dao Venerables! It benefits the Dao Court immensely! The Miluo Dao Lord placed the Dao Court under my charge, trusting in my judgment. Rest easy!"

Guardian Spirit Little Star wavered, "I must inform the Miluo Dao Lord."

"By all means, inform him!" Gu Qingzhu exhaled. Full autonomy eluded him yet.

Before long, Guardian Spirit Little Star forwarded the request to the Miluo Dao Lord.

To his surprise, the Miluo Dao Lord deigned to reply.

[Leave it all to Gu Qingzhu. Should he cause major trouble, have Su Yuan patch it up.]

This directive reached not just the Guardian Spirit, but Su Yuan as well.

Su Yuan could only react with exasperation. Why drag him into it!

With the response in hand, the Guardian Spirit paused in shock.

Then he informed Gu Qingzhu, "The Dao Lord approves!"

Gu Qingzhu beamed at once, "Splendid! Pull up the treasury's stock of resources suited for obscure Dao Principles. I'll review and pick fitting ones to aid their breakthroughs too!"

Guardian Spirit Little Star sensed Gu Qingzhu's fervor bordering on recklessness. This risked depleting the reserves entirely!

Perplexed, he wondered why the Miluo Dao Lord indulged such extravagance. His focus soon zeroed in on the pivotal player—Su Yuan.