When Sir Inkwell saw that Xu Qing didn’t take advantage of the moment to escape, his heart sank.10

The little punk is too cautious. Well, fine. I’ll have to resort to Plan B!3

Snorting coldly in his heart, the old Paintedfolk continued working on the painting.3

Xu Qing directed the replenishment from the golden crow toward his tenth heavenly palace, causing rumbling to echo within his sea of consciousness as the palace rapidly materialized.1

After reaching the five-flame level in Foundation Establishment, I didn’t plan to add any more life lamps. I thought my limit was going to be eight palaces. Of the ten heavenly palaces I now have, three are made from life lamps. And now, I’m working on my seventh heavenly palace, which is one of the original group of eight. After I complete it, I’ll only be one palace away from being in the great circle of Gold Core! [1]30

As Xu Qing contemplated those details, the replenishment from the golden crow surged, and time passed. When Sir Inkwell was about seventy percent finished painting the god body, and as the sun’s remains withered up, Xu Qing’s tenth heavenly palace was more than half complete.2

It won’t be long now.3

Xu Qing felt keen anticipation. He was really looking...5