Cao Ya was engrossed in enlightenment and missed Ye Fan's "ride" to the Five-Colored Altar, thus failing to reach Earth ahead of schedule.

However, he also gained something: his cultivation level jumped from the Saint of the fourth level of the Immortal Realm to the Great Saint level of the sixth level.

And we've even reached the fifth small step in the game!

In the universe of "Covering the Sky", the Immortal Platform Secret Realm is considered the most important place. The levels are: Immortal Half-Step Great Power, Immortal Second Great Power, Immortal Third Dao-Slaying King, Immortal Fourth Saint, Immortal Fifth Saint King, Immortal Sixth Great Saint, and then the Quasi-Emperor Realm of the Nine Heavens, and finally the Dao-Attaining Realm.

Having completed all nine small steps in the Legend of Sword and Fairy 6, Bento attempted to break through to the Quasi-Emperor level.

There are also nine small steps to becoming a Quasi-Emperor, known as the Nine Heavens. The highest peak is the one who is about to become a Daoist. If one can become a Daoist and merge with the Heavenly Heart Mark, then one becomes the Great Emperor of the present era. If one does not merge with the Heavenly Heart Mark, then one becomes a Daoist in another way, comparable to the Supreme Being of the Forbidden Zone, but slightly inferior to the Great Emperor of the present era.

Cao Ya thought to himself that, given several hundred years, with the insights gained from other Cao Yas, he might be able to attain the quasi-emperor level, but as an alternative path to enlightenment, he should basically forget about it.

It might take several thousand more years before it becomes possible!

I can't finish it myself, so I have to rely on others... Either we get a five-star player, or we get a five-star newcomer...

Of course, I can't just sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor; I must work hard... Becoming a quasi-emperor is ultimately a good thing... After all, I've acquired the title of "emperor," which grants me considerable divine power...

Cao Ya let out a breath, the thoughtful look in his eyes dissipating, replaced by a resolute expression.

After becoming a Great Sage, he felt that his progress was difficult and that there was little hope of advancement if he continued to stay here and cultivate diligently. Therefore, he decided to go out, travel around, explore, and see what it was like.

"However, the Big Dipper has too many secrets, and there are a lot of Supreme Beings in the Forbidden Zones. If I accidentally offend them, they will definitely kill me directly, just like the Supreme Being in the Forbidden Zone of the Primordial Ancient Mine did. I no longer have the Devouring Demon Jar to protect me!"

Cao Ya knew that although his cultivation had improved and his overall strength had increased, he was actually less confident without the Supreme Emperor Weapon in his hand.

Therefore, he decided to leave the Big Dipper and venture into the depths of the starry sky.

Although the Big Dipper is special, many who have attained enlightenment throughout history have not been born from the ancient star of the Big Dipper. Even those who were born from this star would leave the Big Dipper through various means after achieving success in their cultivation, and set off into the universe and starry sea with high spirits, fighting in all directions and broadening their horizons.

Many cultivators begin this journey from the second level of Immortal Realm Great Power to the third level of Immortal Realm Dao Slayer King, and those who start later, such as the fourth level of Immortal Realm Saint, will inevitably embark on their journey as well.

In comparison, Cao Ya had already reached the sixth level of the Immortal Realm, which was indeed much later.

"There are advantages and disadvantages! At least I'm strong enough, with an overall peak four-star combat power. If placed in the [Covering the Sky] universe, I would definitely be able to rival the most advanced Quasi-Emperor who is about to attain Dao! These are all beings who are just one step away from proving Dao!"

"Although I am still four small steps away from the sixth level of the Immortal Saints and the entire ninth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm before I can attain the Dao, this does not affect my combat strength at all. I am directly on par with those who are about to attain the Dao."

"If I were to set foot on the ancient starry road, I fear that all the geniuses, prodigies, and outstanding figures of the human race would be pulverized by my slap. The so-called golden age would vanish like bubbles in an instant."

"Fine, I won't bully anyone anymore. I won't go to the human race's ancient star road, lest people say I'm bullying the weak."

"Earth, that ancient planet, also has many mysteries, and... that's Earth! I want to go and see it!"

Cao Ya set his goal, but a problem immediately arose.

In this universe, he has never been to Earth—to be precise, he has never left the Big Dipper!

In short, he didn't know where the Earth was.

He also did not have a corresponding star map.

The size of the universe in 【Covering the Sky】, as a five-star world, is not as vast as the universe in a seven-star world, but it is still quite large. Billions of star systems are scattered throughout the universe, but ancient stars with life are very few.

If one possessed the strength of an unorthodox Daoist, one could roam freely throughout the six directions and eight wastelands without hindrance...

Hey, what are you thinking? If I don't have the ability, am I not going out? Not going out is even worse...

Cao Ya suddenly smiled, having thought of a plan.

Before he left this desolate mountain cave, he left some things in the cave. Those who are destined to find them may become saints if they are lucky. With a little more understanding, becoming a great saint is not entirely impossible.

The Big Dipper is vast. As the Burial Emperor Star, it has buried countless mythical celestial beings, ancient emperors, and ancient desolate emperors. As for those who have achieved enlightenment through alternative means, they are even more numerous.

This is also why the Big Dipper is known in the universe as the "Burial Emperor Star".

Perhaps in ancient times, it was called the "Burial Emperor Star"?

Of course, with Cao Ya's current strength, no matter how vast the Big Dipper constellation is, he can easily traverse the major regions of east, west, south, north, and center.

He stood in the Eastern Wilderness, took a step, and the space shifted, instantly arriving in the Central Plains.

At the gate of Qishi Mansion, Cao Ya released a slight aura, which startled the old mansion master, who immediately flew out to meet Cao Ya.

"Who do we have here? It's you. Your cultivation has improved again?!" The old manor master's eyes widened in surprise. In his perception, Cao Ya seemed to be non-existent; he could only see him directly with his own eyes.

But that fleeting, faint aura gave him a chilling feeling.

For a moment, he had the illusion that Gai Jiuyou had reappeared!

However, that's unlikely... Elder Gai was once a near-Daoist, and although he is now old, his understanding has become even more profound. If his blood and energy were more abundant, even if he couldn't become a Great Emperor, he could probably become a Daoist in a different way...

Could it be... a quasi-emperor?!

The old mansion master muttered to himself, somewhat surprised and uncertain.

The human saints above the Big Dipper know each other and have a good relationship because they are fighting together against the resurrected ancient races.

Cao Ya was well aware that Qishi Mansion, as the premier academy in Zhongzhou, had extensive connections, abundant resources, and pathways to the outside world.

Humans on the Big Dipper who want to enter the Ancient Star Road and participate in the trials to achieve enlightenment generally leave through the Qishi Mansion.

More than 200,000 years ago, during the era of the first incarnation of the Ruthless Great Emperor, the Devouring Heaven Great Emperor, Cao Ya had heard about the Qishi Mansion and even thought that after becoming a saint, he would visit the Qishi Mansion and travel to the outer realms.

As a result, it eventually fell into a deep sleep in Purple Mountain, and was not unearthed by Ye Fan and the Black Emperor until a few years ago.

More than 200,000 years later, the old plan has been realized, but it is hard not to feel a sense of relief for Cao Ya.

Cao Ya then explained his purpose.

“A star map? We certainly have that, but Earth…” The old manor lord frowned, pondered for a moment, and shook his head, saying, “I have seen this name in some ancient books, but the star map of Qishi Mansion does not record this ancient life-bearing star.”

Although Cao Ya was disappointed, he still took the star map from Qishi Mansion and prepared to set off.

Anyway, he's already strong enough. If the Supreme Being of the Forbidden Zone doesn't come out, who can he be afraid of?

At worst, one can travel through the universe and the stars; it's not such a bad thing.

"By the way, he might have it on him." Suddenly, the old manor lord spoke up.