บท 5: 1290-1291
Chapter 1290 The Shadow of the Path to Immortality
"The Way of Strife..." The Holy Emperor pondered, sensing the surging energy on Tianyang's remains. After a long while, he exhaled deeply. "The Dao may lead to immortality, yet it does not resonate with me." Without a hint of regret in his tone, the Holy Emperor stepped out of his armor state and returned the remains to Tianyang, advising, "The Way of Strife, now vacant, makes these resonating remains an invaluable treasure for you. Reflect deeply upon them. Though the path of immortality is obscure nowadays, the very existence of resonance signifies the Dao's presence. Given time, you might truly reach the realm of a true immortal!"
The One Absolute Daoist of the Du'e Sect watched enviously as Tianyang stored the remains, then retracted his elongated eyeballs back into the void. "Such a pity, such a pity..." he sighed, eliciting Tianyang's displeasure with his demeanor. Shaking his head and chuckling, the One Absolute Daoist mused, "I merely lament that the Du'e Sect missed an opportunity. 'When one attains the Dao, even their pets ascend to heaven.' If the great Holy Emperor were to comprehend these lingering thoughts, perhaps one day, he might truly grasp the Dao, benefiting us all."
"As for you..."
"Perhaps that day will come. But it's likely the Du'e Sect will not see it."
His words barely concealed a pessimistic view of Tianyang's potential for immortality. Yet, Tianyang was not angered by the Du'e Sect's provocation this time; instead, he sensed the unyielding spirit within his bones, reminiscent of his human days. Perhaps due to his current puppet form, despite many attempts, Tianyang could not reignite his inner fervor.
"The life of Tianyang, second to none," he proclaimed, though it felt different from before.
Silence fell upon the grand hall of the Holy Emperor, but it was soon broken by the Wanxian Alliance's movements below. A group of solemn cultivators in black appeared at the boundary of the moonlight in Tianquan state. They paid their respects to the Mirror Master above, then solemnly prepared their techniques and spells against the unbroken Moonlight Starlight Formation, as if gearing up for a total assault.
Their spells were indeed unleashed, but the corresponding actions seemed frozen in time, suspended in mid-air. Purple spears like thunder, twisted spatial rifts, and endless yellow talismans...
All were activated, then converged into one spot, awaiting the moment a breach appeared in the Moonlight Starlight Formation to explode collectively.
The black-clad cultivators of the Wanxian Alliance took turns, transforming their inner strength into spells, gathering them.
Hours passed, and shifts of cultivators came and went.
The amassed spells at the formation's boundary reached an almost terrifying extent.
The Holy Emperor's expression turned solemn.
Undoubtedly, this paused orb of convergence, if exploded on the surface of the Xuanhuang realm, could easily devastate several states.
"I'll go," Tianyang volunteered to tackle this hazard but was stopped by Li Ping.
"Wait a bit longer, I have a plan," Li Ping said gravely.
Tianyang nodded, not insisting.
Half a day passed, and the collective might of thousands of strikes had been infused.
The condensed orb was now even more dazzling than the moon above.
Even the Mirror Master seemed to harbor some apprehension.
Releasing an ancient bronze mirror from his forehead, he enveloped himself, the nine Disassociation Discs, and other secondary entity illusions within its protection.
The Disassociation Discs, deciphering the formation, quickly produced feedback.
Strands of colored threads occasionally flew towards Lu Xichan.
Upon her contemplation of these threads, she trembled slightly, displaying a mesmerized expression.
Sharing her insights with the assembly of formation masters, they too marveled, no longer despairing at the sight of the Moonlight Starlight Formation.
Under Lu Xichan's leadership, the formation masters began to decipher the formation.
The moonlight, once tangible like silver silk, began to blur under external forces.
The Holy Emperor sensed the Wanxian Alliance's formation masters nibbling at the Moonlight Starlight Formation's foundation like little bugs.
Indeed, Li Ping could adjust the formation further.
And he was confident that the speed of the twenty-eight Disassociation Discs' combined decryption would not match his rate of changing the formation. Unless the Wanxian Alliance had other special methods, he could simply use the formation to trap the opposition for a lifetime.
But...
His goal was never just to trap them.
The arrangements outside the Xuanhuang realm told him that the starry sea was stirring.
The power of the starry sea's revival and the struggle of the remaining immortal force were about to officially begin.
The ever-stationary Holy Emperor slowly rose.
With a single thought, his majestic figure was projected onto the X
uanhuang realm's sky.
As if in cooperation, the brilliance of the Holy Dynasty of Daqi dimmed slightly, ceding the stage to the Holy Emperor.
The moment Li Ping's image appeared, soldiers of the Wanxian Alliance, battling across various states, were instantly invigorated, their blood boiling with battle spirit.
They cried in unison: "Welcome, Holy Emperor!"
The roar, echoing across the Xuanhuang realm's lands for a long time, left the Wanxian Alliance's captured and besieged cultivators somewhat fearful. In their minds, legends about the Wanxian Alliance's law-transmitting Heavenly Sovereign involuntarily surfaced.
"Where is the Heavenly Sovereign now, at this moment?"
Those Wanxian Alliance cultivators still fighting desperately were stunned upon witnessing this all-encompassing figure, pondering the celestial laws and immortality imparted in the past.
"The law was passed down, spreading enlightenment to all beings, creating a grand era of cultivation lasting thousands of years."
"Yet the method of transmission, by defying the heavens, disrespects the world that nurtures cultivators, akin to slaying one's parents."
"It is not the true path."
...
The voice of the Holy Emperor echoed throughout the Xuanhuang realm.
Blessed by the natural laws of the Xuanhuang heaven, it clearly reached every living soul.
Initially, the Wanxian Alliance's cultivators were puzzled about the Holy Emperor's intentions.
But upon hearing the words "not the true path," their expressions drastically changed.
The Mirror Master guarding the Disassociation Discs darkened.
Central Four States saw constant flashes of light, indicating the Wanxian Alliance's upper echelons, now provoked, had taken action.
To slander the law-transmitting Heavenly Sovereign was to slander the entire Wanxian Alliance.
It was to undermine the legitimacy and foundation of the Wanxian Alliance's rule.
For the Wanxian Alliance's upper echelons, the consequences of this action were even more severe than losing territories in other states.
After all, lost territories could be reclaimed.
But once people's hearts changed...
"Break the formation! Do it now!" Lu Xichan heard the angry roar of the law-transmitter Ren in her ears.
The Wanxian Alliance's formation masters, silent as cicadas in winter, began to desperately attempt to break the formation.
However, as they worked on the formation, they couldn't help but listen secretly to the voice from the high heavens.
Accompanied by numerous divine phenomena appearing in the sky, they drifted towards every corner of the Xuanhuang realm.
"I, too, have a method that does not rely on the power of heaven and earth, yet can tread the path of immortality."
"It is to build the foundation with me, the Mixed Yuan Golden Pill, the physical body of the Nascent Soul, the mind of the God of Thought..."
"Merging with the Dao of the Starry Sea..."
"Calling the Dao for Eternal Life!"
The words of the Holy Emperor, like a bolt from the blue, resounded between heaven and earth of the Xuanhuang realm.
Capturing the attention of all cultivators.
After all, just by the sound of it, the Holy Emperor's method seemed much stronger than the method of transmission.
Furthermore, the appearance of auspicious clouds and flashes of golden light between heaven and earth further mesmerized the cultivators.
The last time a supreme being lectured in the Xuanhuang realm was thousands of years ago, by the law-transmitting Immortal Venerate.
After the method of transmission was verified by the world, the Immortal Venerate of the merging realm, who taught the method, became the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign of the eternal realm.
If this new method proves viable, doesn't it mean that the Xuanhuang realm will witness the emergence of another peerless powerhouse capable of rivaling the law-transmitting Heavenly Sovereign?
Those bandits with unknown pasts may face the Wanxian Alliance's retribution in the future.
But if they follow this Holy Emperor...
A peculiar atmosphere began to circulate among the Wanxian Alliance's cultivators.
The Holy Emperor's teaching continued.
"The first step on the path to immortality is to build the foundation with me."
"Using the wonders of heaven and earth, one can establish a foundation. Why? The rare treasures of the world manifest the laws."
"Yet, the most wondrous of all is not an object, but the spirit."
"To build the foundation with me is to lay down the countless principles of the world!"
...
What was originally an exceedingly profound method of building the foundation with oneself, became easy to understand as explained by the Holy Emperor.
At this moment, in the Xuanhuang realm, even those who had not yet embarked on the path of cultivation could vaguely grasp the concept.
Not to mention those Wanxian Alliance cultivators who had already gone through the method of transmission!
The new method proposed by the Holy Emperor, indeed, built upon the foundation of the method of transmission, breaking free from constraints and undergoing a transformation.
Cultivators who practiced the method of transmission found it exceedingly familiar.
Just by listening, they felt numerous acknowledgments of "Indeed, that makes sense," "Certainly feasible," "Brilliant," and so on.
Some cultivators, who were at the peak of Qi refining and struggled to breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm due to the lack of rare treasures, suddenly had an epiphany.
As if enlightened, they excitedly exclaimed: "Why bother seeking rare treasures when the Holy Emperor is right, I myself am the treasure!"
"Foundation Establishment! Foundation Establishment!"
They began to meditate on the spot.
The method of building the foundation with oneself, though not easy in practice, saw the largest number of Qi refining cultivators in the vast Xuanhuang realm.
With such a vast base, even a small probability, when multiplied, results in thousands!
As the Holy Emperor lectured, only reaching the midway point of the Mixed Yuan Golden Pill, the Xuanhuang realm began to see new cultivators born of this method of building the foundation with oneself!
Their breakthroughs differed entirely from those who practiced the method of transmission.
After the new method cultivators' breakthroughs, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth crazily surged into their bodies as if they were the chosen ones favored by the Dao of heaven.
Some even witnessed auspicious light falling beside them during their breakthrough.
Within the auspicious light were various rare treasures, as if gifts from heaven and earth.
The disparity in heaven and earth's attitude was too great, causing envy among other cultivators.
Cultivators of the Golden Core stage and above might have some reservations.
But for those in the Qi refining and Foundation Establishment stages, starting over held no burden.
After all, even if they couldn't practice the new method proposed by the Holy Emperor, as long as the rare treasures for foundation establishment still existed, they could always start anew.
After abandoning their previous cultivation, they temporarily stored the rare treasures and devotedly practiced the method of building the foundation with oneself.
The number of Qi refining and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators in the Xuanhuang realm far exceeded the total number of cultivators at higher stages.
Even if one in ten of these people chose the Holy Emperor's new method.
It would be a tremendous blow to the law-transmitting Heavenly Sovereign and the Wanxian Alliance.
Apart from the law-transmitter Ren, the other law-transmitters also finally became restless.
Because within the headquarters of the Wanxian Alliance, the feasibility of this method of building the foundation with oneself had been empirically proven.
If they let the Holy Emperor continue lecturing...
The Wanxian Alliance's high-level cultivators couldn't help but shiver.
In the Wanxian Alliance's dark prison.
In the space where thousands of heinous bandits were detained, at its deepest part.
A figure, seemingly reduced to bones, with limbs spread in a cross, was nailed in the void.
Upon closer inspection, each bone seemed to endure incessant burning flames, thunderous strikes, and voracious insects...
The indescribable agony was routine for the figure, who appeared calm.
Or rather, his skull-like face could no longer express any emotion.
At this moment, he slightly raised his head, enduring countless sufferings.
His pitch-black eye sockets, through layers of space in the dark prison, looked towards the sky of the Xuanhuang realm.
"Building the foundation with me..."
"Building the foundation with me..."
A black flame, like a serpent, emerged from the void.
Heading straight towards him, it pierced his chest in an instant.
The black flame passed through his heart, yet some remained at the wound, burning the figure's remaining flesh, bones, and even soul.
Even with the figure's tolerance, he couldn't help but groan.
"Building the foundation with me, building the foundation with me..."
But he kept muttering, and tiny stars seemed to light up in his pitch-black eye sockets.
For a long time, besides agony, no other sensation had appeared in his heart.
But now, he vaguely saw a glimmer of hope.
A hope for escape.
How long had he been detained?
In the dark prison devoid of sunlight, he had almost forgotten the concept of time.
But judging by the injuries on his body, it must have been at least five hundred years.
After being captured and detained here, he had abandoned any thoughts of escape.
After all, his abilities had been completely drained by the Wanxian Alliance.
Even if he could miraculously escape from this place, it would be difficult to find his way back under the Wanxian Alliance's pursuit.
But now, through this voice reaching the depths of the dark prison, perhaps he could truly escape from here.
"Every bit of pain is built on my body."
"It is [I] who feels it."
"The source of my pain is 'I' myself."
"I am the foundation..."
Golden specks of light began to shimmer as the figure spoke, seemingly emerging from the only remains of his bones that had been concealed until this desperate attempt brought them forth. Amidst the creaking sounds, the golden light, akin to flames, seemed to bake the bones. The bones dissolved like wax candles and then, upon solidification, reformed into a slightly smaller but normally proportioned body.
The surrounding enchantments detected the figure's unusual movements, unleashing continuous punishment upon him. Yet, the figure, long accustomed to such treatment, even absorbed these punitive measures as energy to refine his new body. Under the illumination of the golden light, the figure shrank further, eventually becoming the size of an adult's palm.
Emerging from what were once his bones, he mused, "To think that building the foundation with 'I' would revert me to my initial form when I first started cultivating. Indeed, this is an exquisitely profound method! Even after being delayed within these walls for over five hundred years, if I could take this method back, it would not be in vain."
Transforming into a beam of golden light, the tiny figure flew directly out of the deepest recesses of the dark prison, ignoring all restraints along the way. Even the prison guards of the Wanxian Alliance's dark prison failed to notice this escaping streak of golden light.
Once above ground, the tiny figure gazed up at the image of the Holy Emperor in the sky. "Indeed, extraordinary individuals emerge from desperate situations. After five hundred years, such a person has appeared in the world again..."
"Mixing the Yuan Golden Pill."
The tiny figure listened intently for a long while, his brows locked in concentration. "Strange. Have I been imprisoned too long, becoming dull? No matter, I'll jot it down for now. There'll be plenty of people to study it once I'm out."
...
Unbeknownst to the Holy Emperor, he had quietly gained an audience from beyond the high walls. At this moment, his preaching had reached the final stage of "Singing the Dao for Eternal Life."
"Beyond the Xuanhuang, atop the starry sea, lies the path to immortality."
"When true immortals fall, the Dao becomes void."
"By reversing the Dao's shadow and singing the Dao's true intent, one may glimpse the realm of eternal life..."
The Holy Emperor lectured solemnly.
These profoundly mystical words even enlightened the Xuanhuang heaven itself.
The winds of the world stilled.
Throughout the vast Xuanhuang realm, no sound was heard apart from the Holy Emperor's preaching, including the Wanxian Alliance cultivators who had been eager to break through the Moonlight Starlight Formation.
At that moment, they were all stunned, somewhat bewilderedly listening to the Holy Emperor's words.
The higher one's realm and strength, the more profound the impact in their hearts.
In the Wanxian Alliance's Treasury Museum, awaiting the final battle between the Wanxian Alliance and the Holy Dynasty to seize the opportunity to detonate the Golden Tree and retrieve Mr. Bai's skull, Xu Ke and Yin Shangren felt the ground beneath them begin to tremble.
From a slight tremor to a violent shake.
"This is..." Xu Ke was slightly startled.
He realized that the tremor wasn't just confined to their location within the Treasury Museum. The source of the shaking was the space itself where the museum was located!
As the shaking intensified, the originally star-like, somewhat dim Wanxian Alliance headquarters gradually lit up with twinkling stars.
"Is the Wanxian Alliance headquarters within the Heavenly Mystery Mirror? Is this a breakthrough for the mirror?" Yin Shangren's face flashed with surprise, uncertain whether this anomaly was a blessing or a curse for them.
Within the space of Yanfa Jue.
Li Fan, the original body, also sensed the slight tremor from outside.
The three guarding Dao integrations became somewhat tense.
After all, such an occurrence hadn't happened in hundreds of years.
Zhang Xu and Hua Yueye guarded in front of Yanfa Jue, while Li Fan stood at the entrance of the space.
Thankfully, the Elder of the Law Protection Hall quickly transmitted a message assuring them that all was well, allowing them to relax.
"If my guess is correct, it should be the Holy Emperor's avatar coming through," Li Fan pondered to himself.
At that moment, he sensed Yanfa Jue's little loli waking up from her deep sleep, attempting to contact him through her fabricated persona.
With a thought, he took control of the fabricated persona.
"Wow, something big has happened outside!" The little loli made an exaggerated expression.
"It's such a pity you're stuck in here and couldn't see it!" Yanfa Jue looked at Li Fan with eyes full of regret.
"Can you see the outside world?"
Li Fan looked at the little loli, somewhat skeptical.
Yanfa Jue huffed and placed her hands on her hips: "Of course not."
"But someone told me! What, you don't believe it?"
"How about this, if you beg me, your grandma, I'll tell you about the big events happening outside!" The little loli said with great flair.
Seeing Li Fan unmoved and still pondering something, she tempted him further: "Aren't you at the Dao integration realm now? Knowing what's happening outside would definitely be a huge help to you! Even for me, after listening, my deduction speed has increased a lot..." Yanfa Jue said with a serious tone.
"Was it the Heavenly Mystery Mirror that secretly told you about the outside world?" Li Fan suddenly asked.
Yanfa Jue's expression froze, then she waved her hands: "Hahaha, how could that be!"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes: "The tremor from outside just now..."
"A breakthrough for the Heavenly Mystery Mirror? How could that be? There hasn't been a measurement of heaven and earth by the Wanxian Alliance in this era..."
"Even Yanfa Jue has gained something."
"Could it really be caused by the Holy Emperor's preaching?"
Li Fan was somewhat uncertain.
His two avatars outside had indeed witnessed the Holy Emperor's preaching.
But he had long known that this was a narrative concocted by the Holy Emperor to undermine the foundation of the transmission method.
Apart from the chapter on building the foundation with oneself, the rest were fabricated and impractical, so he hadn't paid much attention.
But now, seeing the performance of Yanfa Jue and the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, it seemed that the Holy Emperor's preaching...
Actually had some substance.
Watching Yanfa Jue in front of him still showing off, trying to make him beg, Li Fan snorted coldly and recited the content of the Holy Emperor's preaching.
Yanfa Jue was shocked: "Did Brother Heavenly Mystery Mirror tell you too?"
Li Fan snorted coldly, offering no answer.
The little loli became dispirited, like a frostbitten eggplant.
"So boring!"
"I'm going to sleep!"
"Wait!" Li Fan called out to her.
Yanfa Jue looked at Li Fan warily.
"It's understandable that the Holy Emperor's new method is useful to us cultivators."
"But it also enlightened you, Yanfa Jue?" Li Fan's face showed doubt.
Yanfa Jue rolled her eyes at Li Fan: "Didn't you hear? Beyond the Xuanhuang, atop the starry sea, lies the path to immortality."
"When true immortals fall, the Dao becomes void."
"By reversing the Dao's shadow and singing the Dao's true intent..."
Yanfa Jue's eyes widened: "Take me as an example, Yanfa Jue, I am the embodiment of the Xuanhuang realm's laws."
"And the laws of Yanfa in the Xuanhuang realm are the projection of the path to immortality above the starry sea..."
"That means, in achieving resonance with the Dao, we have a natural advantage."
Yanfa Jue couldn't help but feel proud: "This is something you cultivators can only dream of!"
"You want to resonate with the Dao, but first, you need to find its traces, right? The path to immortality is elusive and fleeting. Even if you manage to catch a glimpse, maintaining that connection is extremely difficult!"
Seeing Li Fan's solemn expression, the little loli became even more smug.
Then, suddenly remembering something, she looked cautious: "Don't even think about stealing it from me, okay? Honestly, even if you forcibly borrow my understanding of the Yanfa Dao, it won't be of any use."
"Why?" Li Fan asked.
"Remember that character I showed you? Thinking about it now, it's like a painting that depicts the path to immortality for others to view."
"It's not the actual path to immortality, just a painting, so even ordinary cultivators can perceive it."
"But we are the projection of the path to immortality. You are not me, so how could you 'ascend' and see the Dao itself?"
Yanfa Jue spoke slowly, sentence by sentence.
It seemed expressing this idea was quite challenging for her.
"The Dao is void..."
"True immortal seal characters, inscribing the Dao of immortality..."
Li Fan pondered.
All past visions related to the power of immortality rapidly surfaced in his mind, quickly cycling through.
Eventually, four words subtly emerged.
"Eternal Reminiscence?"
Li Fan felt a bit uncertain in his heart.
"Not the projection of the path to immortality, but the resonance of the Dao."
"Singing the Dao for Eternal Life, so that's what it means."
"The Holy Emperor actually discovered the existence of Eternal Reminiscence?"
Tianyang's figure flashed through
Li Fan's mind.
"Hmm, perhaps it should be this way."
After all, it was his own avatar, and even though the connection had been severed, Li Fan quickly speculated the possible truth based on scattered clues.
"Interesting. It seems that the Holy Emperor, after merging the blood of Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanba, has a higher comprehension than I expected."
"After all, my own comprehension has always been extraordinary..."
Li Fan once again carefully reviewed the previously overlooked incomplete new method.
"If Eternal Reminiscence is the resonance of the Dao, then why is 'Huanzhen' so voracious every time it senses Eternal Reminiscence? Does it indicate that what 'Huanzhen' truly needs is the path to immortality?"
"To replenish 'Huanzhen's' ability..."
Li Fan rapidly pondered in his mind.
...
Outside the Xuanhuang realm, the Holy Dynasty's preaching was nearing its end.
Regardless of affiliation, all beings who listened bowed their heads slightly, showing astonishment at the Holy Emperor's generosity.
After all, such profound teachings were something they would never have had the chance to hear in their lifetimes.
But now, the Holy Emperor was sharing it with them selflessly.
Even many cultivators, overwhelmed with gratitude, wept bitterly and knelt continuously, becoming the most loyal followers of the Holy Emperor.
At the moonlight boundary of the Wanxian Alliance's four states, the formation masters woke from the shock of the Holy Emperor's preaching.
They looked towards Lu Xichan in private.
"Continue breaking the formation!" Despite receiving the other's favor, Lu Xichan, as the chief of the Strategy Formation Hall, would not err on this principle.
She ordered coldly.
"No need." The voice of the law-transmitter behind her made her freeze on the spot.
"The Heavenly Sovereign has returned." The law-transmitter Ren looked towards the sky, his eyes filled with fervor.
Chapter 1291: Teaching the Dharma to Fight the Holy Emperor
"The Heavenly Sovereign has returned."
Upon hearing these words, Lu Xichan and the formation masters present felt a moment of shock, followed inevitably by a surge of intense fear that made them bow their heads, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. This was the overwhelming oppressive force of the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign, who had dominated Xuanhuang for thousands of years and founded the Wanxian Alliance.
As the law-transmitter Ren spoke, the Emperor's talismans adhered to the massive stone statues of the Wanxian Alliance fluttered without wind, threatening to be blown away at any moment. The stone statues, suppressed under the talismans, seemed to come to life, trembling slightly. The Emperor's talismans and the stone statues emitted purple-golden and white lights, respectively, clashing continuously.
In the Xuanhuang realm, the skies changed color.
The Emperor seemed to sense something amidst his preaching, glancing upwards inadvertently, though his discourse on the Dao continued unabated, albeit slightly quickened.
Some Wanxian Alliance cultivators guessed what was happening, their faces turning pale and their bodies shivering in fear, no longer able to focus on the Emperor's words.
"The principles of the Dao evolve over time. The method of transmission does not accommodate Xuanhuang. Now that I have attained the Dao, let's see how it changes..."
Finally, the Emperor's preaching reached its climax. His gaze shifted from the beings below to a figure in the outer space of Xuanhuang, nodding slightly before vanishing into the sky.
With the Emperor's protection gone, various phenomena descended upon the Xuanhuang realm. Dark clouds formed out of nowhere, covering the moonlight transformed by the Great Start Dynasty. Birds and beasts, startled, fled back to their nests, while plants and trees were torn apart in the growing storm.
Lightning cracked, followed by a torrential downpour. The Xuanhuang realm seemed to approach an apocalyptic state.
Though the Law Transmitter's true form had not yet arrived, all beings were already trembling under his shadow.
Those Wanxian Alliance cultivators, swayed by the Emperor's preaching, suddenly felt as if doused with cold water, chastising themselves for even contemplating the Emperor's... no, these rebels' victory against the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign.
Without the Emperor's protection, bizarre events swiftly unfolded across the Xuanhuang realm. Dark clouds spontaneously formed, gradually obscuring the luminous moon manifested by the Great Qi Dynasty. The natural world reacted violently; birds and beasts, having ventured out to listen to the Emperor's teachings, fled in disarray, hurrying back to their shelters. Even the flora, subjected to increasingly violent winds, were torn asunder.
Then, thunder roared, and a deluge descended from the heavens.
Winds, rain, and thunder merged into a chaotic orchestra, transforming the entire Xuanhuang realm into a scene reminiscent of the apocalypse.
The presence of the Law Transmitter, although yet to physically arrive, cast a shadow of dread over all creatures. Those cultivators of the Wanxian Alliance, whose faith had wavered under the Emperor's sermons, suddenly found their doubts washed away by a metaphorical bucket of cold water, their minds snapped back to reality.
"What was I thinking? That's the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign, the one who has dominated the Xuanhuang realm for millennia! How could I ever fantasize that the Saint... no, these bandits could triumph?"
"The Emperor may be powerful, but he stands no chance against the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign. Damn, I must forget this new method quickly."
"Heavenly Sovereign above, please forgive my momentary lapse..."
"The Heavenly Sovereign will set everything right!"
The formidable presence of the Law Transmitter instilled fear in the hearts of the Wanxian Alliance cultivators.
Even the soldiers of the Holy Dynasty, despite the vast difference in realms, experienced a moment of fear. However, their resolve quickly hardened. They recalled the Emperor's words before their departure, and someone shouted towards the heavens, "The Holy Dynasty shall prevail, the Emperor shall win!"
What started as scattered cries soon ignited like wildfire, spreading uncontrollably. Without any explicit command, all soldiers of the Holy Dynasty, as if united by a single spirit, cried out in unison.
Their voices grew louder, transforming from shouts to roars, and from roars to howls.
The sound of the Great Qi soldiers, like tumultuous waves, spread throughout the Xuanhuang realm.
As if in response to their calls, the moonlight burst forth with a purple-gold radiance, piercing through the enveloping dark clouds.
The tumultuous weather of the Xuanhuang realm began to subside under the thunderous rallying cries.
Hearing the distant voices, the law-transmitter Ren sneered, "A futile struggle."
As if on cue with his words, portals appeared in the central four states of the Wanx
ian Alliance, and vast arrays of flying vessels emerged, quickly filling the skies of the four states.
At the forefront of these vessels stood a law-transmitter.
The law-transmitters gazed towards the sky, bowing slightly to the figure of the Heavenly Sovereign in the outer space.
Lu Xichan, observing this scene, marveled inwardly at the hidden might of the Wanxian Alliance. "These must be the forces from the personal realms of the law-transmitters. With the Heavenly Sovereign's emergence, they no longer hide in the shadows."
"The aura emanating from those vessels suggests the presence of Dao-Integrating cultivators."
"The hidden strength of the Wanxian Alliance is indeed formidable..."
As Lu Xichan pondered, a voice laden with scorn resounded from above, "After deploying the Disassociation Disc and nineteen Heavenly Mystery Sub-bodies for so long, you've yet to break through a mere formation."
"The Strategy Formation Hall has truly declined. If Lu Xia knew, she would be furious enough to rise from the grave."
Hearing her master's name and the mockery, Lu Xichan felt a surge of anger but recognized the speaker as one of the law-transmitters, Dou. Despite her rage, she dared not show any disrespect and meekly replied, "I am incapable."
"Step aside," came the languid command from law-transmitter Dou. A group of children descended from the celestial vessels.
After paying their respects to the guardian of the Disassociation Disc and receiving the formation data analyzed so far, they commenced the breaking of the formation.
These thirty-six children, expressionless and with eyes void of any emotion, embodied a remarkable presence. Their ability to interact with and influence formations suggested they possessed a unique constitution – possibly the Formation Spirit Holy Body, a rarity even in centuries. This constitution, akin to the spirit within magical treasures, endowed them with a natural affinity and profound understanding of formations, enabling them to merge with and significantly enhance a formation's power.
As Lu Xichan witnessed this, she couldn't help but recall the term "Formation Spirit Holy Body" – a physique so special it seemed as if their very bodies were made of natural formations. They not only possessed an innate sensitivity and affinity for various formations but could also merge their essence with a formation, significantly amplifying its power, much like how a spirit enhances a magical treasure.
Such individuals were exceedingly rare, appearing perhaps once in a hundred years. Lu Xichan's master, Lu Xia, had longed to find a disciple with this constitution to pass on her legacy, but alas, she passed away without fulfilling this wish, leaving her knowledge to Lu Xichan instead.
To her astonishment, today she witnessed not one but over thirty individuals with this constitution!
As Lu Xichan looked up at the sky, observing the figures standing atop the dense array of flying vessels, a chill ran down her spine. "What else are these law-transmitters hiding?"
The law-transmitter Ren, upon learning the progress of the formation breaking, couldn't help but flash a hint of murderous intent. The Wanxian Alliance's disgraceful state this time was bound to invite the Heavenly Sovereign's wrath.
Resolved to vent his anger on the troublemakers before facing punishment, he motioned for the previously halted black-clothed cultivators, who had been congregating their techniques due to the Emperor's preaching, to resume their actions.
Additionally, several cultivators in green robes, wielding whisk brooms and talismans, descended silently from the celestial vessels. Their movements with the whisk brooms and talismans manipulated the accumulated energy within the light orb, crafting it into fearsome, awe-inspiring deities.
The emergence of these energy deities, exuding formidable might that even a Dao-Integrating cultivator like Lu Xichan found genuinely terrifying, signaled the Wanxian Alliance's prepared counterattack.
Outside the Bright Moonlight Starlight Formation, the soldiers of the Holy Dynasty were also bracing for an imminent clash with the Wanxian Alliance forces.
The battlefield's supreme commander, Sun Erlang, was issuing orders methodically through the Emperor's Celestial Network, adjusting troop deployments as needed.
"Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, hold your positions and do not act rashly. Continue overseeing the suppression formation's construction. Remember, completing the formation on time is a significant achievement!"
"For cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above, I have made the following adjustments."
The brighter stars in the celestial sea shifted and reorganized under Sun Erlang's will.
"Avoid direct confrontation with the Wanxian Alliance; extend the battle line to every corner of their territory."
"We don't need to breach the Wanxian Alliance headquarters; our goal is to await the Emperor's victorious return from the celestial sea!"
Sun Erlang's voice was resolute.
The Great Qi soldiers roared in response, their morale lifted high. After energizing the troops, Sun Erlang continued to fine-tune their
assignments, watching the scene within the Bright Moonlight Starlight Formation and making final adjustments.
Simultaneously, he connected with the quietly standing Dark Gold Punishment Puppet.
"Finally, a chance to stretch my muscles."
Beneath Sun Erlang's calm gaze, a fierce desire for battle emerged.
Three hours later.
The Bright Moonlight Starlight Formation, which had steadfastly sealed the four states of the Wanxian Alliance for seven days, was finally breached.
In an instant, the pent-up wrath of the Wanxian Alliance cultivators erupted through the opening.
Condensed techniques and manifestations of divine beings, along with countless magical treasures, burst forth in a blinding display.
The terrifying energy, capable of devastating multiple states of the Wanxian Alliance, eagerly sought targets for its fury.
However, what awaited the Wanxian Alliance's long-prepared counterstrike was but an ordinary dark door.
As the dark door opened, all forms of violent attacks were devoured by it, like a deep-sea leviathan opening its gaping maw, leaving not a trace of energy for the Wanxian Alliance.
After consuming the accumulated explosive energy, the dark door vanished as silently as it had appeared, leaving the Wanxian Alliance's forces stunned.
"The Abyssal Sea?" law-transmitter Ren's expression changed slightly, recognizing a familiar aura from the door.
Just as he had suspected, the energy absorbed into the Abyssal Sea merely formed another accumulation cloud deep within, without causing any other disturbances.
"It seems, the recent anomalies in the Abyssal Sea were also related to these rebels."
With old and new grievances piling up, law-transmitter Ren's anger reached its peak.
The thirty-six Dao children continued their work, determined to fully breach the Bright Moonlight Starlight Formation.
Other cultivators under the law-transmitters' command began emerging from the breach, ready to sweep through and eradicate the "bandits" across the states.
However, Ren's plans hit a snag right at the first state.
The entire state was eerily deserted.
It seemed as if the rebels had completely withdrawn, even emptying the celestial cities of their inhabitants.
"Escaped?" Ren was puzzled and uncertain.
As the Wanxian Alliance cultivators wandered aimlessly, weapons drawn and bewildered, flashes of light ignited from various corners of the state, hurtling towards them at breakneck speed.
The silver radiance, seemingly blessed with a special enhancement, moved several times faster than their previous flight, reaching them in the blink of an eye.
"Hmm? What is this...?"
"Patrolling Arrows?!"
Some law-transmitters recognized the impending objects, their faces turning pale in shock.
The next moment…
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of violent explosions echoed through the heavens.
…
Meanwhile, in the outer space of Xuanhuang, within the darkest depths of the celestial sea, the figure rushing back to Xuanhuang faced a similar ordeal.
However, the ambush here was not mere Patrolling Arrows but the dispersed remnants of true immortals throughout the celestial sea.
The Emperor, Li Ping, was not one to insist on a fair fight against the Law Transmitter; victory was his only desire.
Utilizing the "great wind" stirring in the celestial sea, he manipulated the remnants of true immortal forces, altering their positions with formations to create traps of sorts.
The path back home, trodden countless times by the Law Transmitter, was now a trap set by the Emperor.
Caught off guard, the figure struggled against the remnants of true immortal forces, its presence flickering and distorting, appearing somewhat disheveled.
The Emperor watched from afar, the silhouette eerily reminiscent of the towering stone statues found across Xuanhuang.
Undoubtedly, this was the Law Transmitter.
Despite the assault, the figure's expression remained as unchanging as the statues on the ground.
The Emperor did not wait for the Law Transmitter to recover from the surprise attack.
The celestial shadow of the Holy Dynasty, along with swirling starlight, suddenly manifested behind him.
"Heaven's mandate lies with me…"
"The ultimate Dao is with me…"
"The future is with me!"
The fortune accumulated by the Holy Dynasty surged towards him, supported by the devout prayers of countless citizens, soldiers, and remnants of the ancient races, echoing through space and time like celestial music around the Emperor.
In the dark celestial sea, a tempest formed around the Emperor, pushing back the darkness and brightening the stars.
At this moment, the Emperor seemed to be the center of the entire dark celestial sea.
Infinite realms, endless voids, countless stars...
All revolved around the Emperor.
All beings in Xuanhuang felt a connection at this moment, instinctively looking up to the sky. Beyond the heavy clouds, they saw the brilliant vortex of starlight illuminating the night-like world.
And at the center of those swirling stars stood the majestic figure of the Emperor, his starlight robe dancing with the galaxy.
Dazzling, never ce
asing to shine!
"Dao annihilates…"
"Dao births!"
With the Emperor's figure engulfed by the Law Transmitter's massive palm, a boundless light of Xuanhuang burst forth from beneath.
At that moment, all beings in Xuanhuang felt the ground beneath them shake violently. The clouds in the sky dispersed, and some keen-eyed cultivators noticed lines missing from the world as if the pillar of heaven had cracked.
The sky of Xuanhuang seemed to fall a little.
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