Lu Changsheng stared intently at the Heart Monument. Soon, it stopped trembling, and the white light gradually faded. Everyone clearly saw the heart scale displayed on it.

"Seven... Seventy-eight?"

"Senior Brother Lu's heart scale has reached seventy-eight?! How long has it even been? Last time he tested, it was only sixty-three, right?"

"His heart scale jumped by fifteen marks... Could it be he raised his heart force by perfecting a Domain?"

"Most likely. After the last test, he gained another perfected Domain. I remember before that, his heart scale was forty-eight, which is also a fifteen-point jump."

"So each perfected Domain gives fifteen points? If I could perfect a few, wouldn't I hit one hundred?"

"So that's it... Perfecting a Domain boosts the heart force this much..."

Many disciples were astonished. A heart scale of seventy-eight was not especially high, merely the mark of a typical genius. And in the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, such geniuses were far from rare.

"My heart scale's already at eighty-seven. If I focus on Domains and manage to perfect even one in this lifetime, that extra fifteen might just push me to one hundred!"

In that moment, many disciples made up their minds. Never before had they felt such resolve. No one had ever laid it out so plainly that perfecting a Domain could raise heart force by fifteen points. With a clear number before them, they finally had a direction to strive toward. And when it came from someone known to dominate an entire generation, there was no room for doubt.

They were convinced Lu Changsheng's path was the right one, even though he had not explained a thing to anyone. It did not matter. Others would believe and follow him. Naturally, Lu Changsheng would not spend his time guiding others in their cultivation. It was his reputation alone, and every move he made, that spoke for him instead.

Raising one's heart force. This new path was illuminated for all to see.

Seventy-eight, huh? Just like I thought. Pushing the Sense Domain to Perfection did boost my heart force.

Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction. A heart scale of seventy-eight was already quite good. He still had the Wave Domain and Storm Domain left to elevate to Perfection. Once he achieved that, his heart scale would likely be at one hundred.

Lu Changsheng turned to leave, but rushed to him and bowed before asking, "Senior Brother Lu, does perfecting a Domain really increase heart force by fifteen?"

All eyes turned toward him.

"You guys didn't know?" Lu Changsheng was slightly surprised. The sect had such a long history, and someone should have perfected the Domain before. But those figures had all been Divine Treasury martial artists. As for those in the Divine Fortification Realm, none had ever perfected a Domain. In that sense, he was the first to show the way. Still, he did not see this as some precious secret or revelation. Anyone paying close attention to his situation could have figured it out.

"Yes," he said with a nod. "Comprehending a Domain is like understanding heaven and earth. It may not seem like much at first, but once it's perfected, it greatly enhances your heart force."

The entire Transmission Hall erupted. The atmosphere was now filled with excitement, amazement, and a trace of hope. Lu Changsheng himself had confirmed the correlation between perfecting a Domain and raising the heart force.

Previously, most Divine Fortification martial artists relied on life-and-death combat to raise their heart force. It was the most direct and effective method but also the most dangerous, as one misstep meant death.

As for comprehending heaven and earth, that idea was too vague. Without sufficient insight, most could not grasp anything at all. Tempering the heart through worldly experience was even more difficult and far less certain.

But now that Lu Changsheng gave everyone confirmation, they had a clear goal: focus on Domains and perfect them. Once perfected, the heart force would naturally improve. Calling this the opening of a new path was no exaggeration.

From this point on, the entire Ancient Region would likely follow this trend. Even those lacking talent could make up for it with time. Whether they spent ten years or multiple decades to refine a single Domain, their heart force would eventually rise. And with extra methods, perhaps reaching a hundred was entirely possible.

"Perfecting a Domain definitely boosts your heart force. Just look at Senior Brother Lu. Every time he perfects one, he gains fifteen points. They say he has four Domains. If all of them reach Perfection, that's sixty points right there. Add in other methods, and reaching one hundred doesn't seem that hard."

"This is basically a shortcut to one hundred!"

"And don't forget how he materializes his Domain. He managed it at just sixty-three... Maybe I can too..."

Hope was rekindled for many disciples.

Lu Changsheng said nothing more and walked out. In truth, he understood the issue clearly. It was never about the method but comprehension. If perfecting a Domain could strengthen the heart force so greatly, why had no one in the Ancient Region discovered it all these years?

The answer was simple: it was far from easy. Perfecting a Domain demanded exceptional Perception. Without it, no amount of time could make up the difference, and relying on persistence alone to reach Perfection was nothing more than wishful thinking.

At that moment, a voice reached his ears. "Lu Changsheng."

"Greetings, Elder!" Lu Changsheng greeted as he saw an Enforcement Hall Elder before him.

Each hall's elders wore distinct attires and were easy to recognize. The one before him belonged to the Enforcement Hall. That hall dealt specifically with disciplining disciples, and few held any fondness for its elders. Lu Changsheng frowned slightly. He had not violated any sect rules, so why had they come for him?

"You are a true inheritor scion of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. Since the Northern and Ancient Region Heavenly Sects are one, you are likewise a true inheritor scion here. Wu Qingyi broke the rules and attempted to kill you. The Enforcement Hall reviewed the incident and decided to wipe out the Wu Clan. Thirteen elders have been sent out, and it's already done."

What?

The words fell like a thunderclap. Lu Changsheng was slightly surprised, and the surrounding disciples were even more shocked.

"Wait... The Wu Clan got wiped out?"

"Wu Qingyi's clan? That's a martial clan, and they had five Divine Treasury martial artists."

"You mean for. Wu Qingyi was already dead."

"Even with four, that's still a proper martial clan. Since when did our Ancient Region Heavenly Sect protect people this fiercely?"

"Fiercely? This is more than that. Senior Brother Lu's clearly under their full protection now. Anyone who breaks the rules to go after him again is just courting death!"

"Exactly. Wiping out the Wu Clan isn't the point. It's a warning to Xu Haotian of the Yellow Heavenly Sect. If he makes another move against Senior Brother Lu, our sect won't hesitate to break the rules and kill him too!"

The crowd broke into heated discussion.

Everyone knew Wu Qingyi had come for Lu Changsheng on the orders of Xu Haotian, a true inheritor of the Yellow Heavenly Sect, one of the very top among them. Since Xu Haotian had not acted personally, there was still room to maneuver, and the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect would not move against him without cause.

However, if Xu Haotian made another move, or sent someone else again on his behalf, he would be crossing the line. At that point, the sect would show no mercy. Even if it meant falling out with the Yellow Heavenly Sect, they would strike him down. Otherwise, how could they maintain their standing in the Ancient Region?

"Thank you, Elder!" Lu Changsheng bowed respectfully. Knowing that he was under the sect's protection reassured him. He had been acting alone, dealing with everything himself. But now, with the sect standing behind him, things felt different. Now, he had proper support.

The Enforcement Hall Elder nodded. In truth, this matter did not warrant a Divine Treasury Elder personally delivering the message, but he had come under the direct instruction of the hall master. They wanted Lu Changsheng to know that he had the sect's full support. Such treatment was reserved for true inheritors, not merely a true inheritor scion.

It was obvious that Lu Changsheng's feat of slaying a Divine Treasury martial artist had already caught the attention of the sect's upper ranks. A prodigy like his was rare even in the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect. In terms of potential, Lu Changsheng might even surpass Xu Haotian. Naturally, the sect would protect him.

Before long, the Enforcement Hall elder departed, and Lu Changsheng returned to his courtyard.

They even sent Enforcement Hall elders to wipe out the Wu Clan... It seems like the other forces in the Ancient Region should know how important I am now. There shouldn't be any more Divine Treasury experts coming after me. I'll rest a few more days until my heart force fully recovers.

In the battle of the Golden Swamp, Lu Changsheng had completely depleted his heart force. Although his perfecting his Sense Domain was equivalent to three days of rest, it still was not enough for full recovery. He needed a few more days. Without heart force, he could not materialize his Domain, and that left him in a vulnerable state.

And so, Lu Changsheng remained in his courtyard, quietly focusing on restoring his strength.