Chapter 299: Resentful of the Lowly Heavens, Bestowed with the Dao Name [Wu Tian]

Chapter 299: Resentful of the Lowly Heavens, Bestowed with the Dao Name [Wu Tian]



Tiansheng Lake.

Suspended in the boundless void above a colorful lake were thousands upon thousands of floating islands.

These islands surrounded the central sacred mountain like stars paying homage to the moon.

Here, at the heart of Tiansheng Lake, was the sacred mountain, the ancestral land.

Though called a sacred mountain, it was no different from a small world. Only true disciples who had transcended the Tianren realm were qualified to reside here for an extended period and establish their own Daoist practice.

Below the Tianren realm, cultivators practiced on the surrounding floating islands. Only a small number of top-tier Xin Xiang cultivators were qualified to enter the sacred mountain early for cultivation.

This place was a waterside pavilion, surrounded by corridors and pavilions. Clouds drifted by, and the spiritual lake was clear. Lotus leaves grew lush, almost encroaching upon the surrounding corridors. The pond was filled with thousand-petaled lotuses in full bloom, their layers of petals resembling the elegant skirts of noble ladies.

In the center of the lake, a Tian Yao plant was cultivated, its medicinal power permeating the air, invigorating those who inhaled it.

Someone's expression changed, carefully choosing their words as they spoke in a low voice, "Is there really a 'Tian Qiu Zi'?"

Wasn't there someone pretending to be a disciple of Tiansheng Lake?

How could they have actually found one?

Even the Heavenly Sovereign's intervention couldn't unravel the cause and effect, and for this period, there had been no news or traces to follow.

Other forces felt that Tiansheng Lake was being overly cautious, making it difficult for them to express their grievances.

Some even speculated that Tian Qiu Zi was actually a Shen Jin cultivated by other practice grounds and sects, deliberately pretending to be a disciple of Tiansheng Lake to spite them. Otherwise, why would several Heavenly Sovereigns have searched in vain?

"What are you saying, fellow Daoist?" A Daoist spoke calmly, "Tian Qiu Zi is our sect's Kunpengzi. Since the incident with the fragments of the universe, he has been in closed-door cultivation within the sect, comprehending the Great Dao. He will soon emerge from seclusion to challenge Fang Shou Bai."

The person who spoke earlier was speechless. Recently, a message had indeed been spreading, claiming that their Tiansheng Lake's Shen Jin disciple was about to break through his seclusion.

Mentioning Fang Shou Bai, several people in the room frowned and looked up at the mountain gate, saying coldly,

"Fang Shou Bai of the Yin Yang Dao Gong, I don't know if this child is stubborn or if he's following the orders of the Yin Yang Dao Gong, but he insists on opposing our Tiansheng Lake!"

Everyone narrowed their eyes, for this person was quite persistent. He was determined to challenge their Tiansheng Lake's Shen Jin. Previously, some in the sect even believed that Tian Qiu Zi was Fang Shou Bai in disguise.

"Hey, he's a Shen Jin, how can he not be arrogant? Even the one in the Grand Universe has gone completely mad." Someone ridiculed.

"He dares to say that 'even the will of the Heavenly Sovereign Ancestor doesn't carry as much weight as his words.' This child is indeed unyielding and reckless in his youth." A Daoist sighed.

"But isn't what he said true?" Someone shook their head, "In the Grand Universe, it will be the world of Shen Jin. Even among True Holy Daoist Grounds, if there is no Shen Jin to preside, in the next ten years, they will all have to bow down!"

Suddenly, a slightly overweight Daoist slapped the railing heavily, saying with resentment,

"That scoundrel Han Yang, he's truly hateful! And his disciple Tian Qingzi is even more infuriating. Not only is he skilled in acting, but he also disguises his spiritual fluctuations to be exceptionally clean. Last time, he even deceived me!"

The others exchanged glances.

Someone cautiously asked, "Does Brother Han Yin mean that Tian Qiu Zi is from Han Yang's lineage?"

"Um, Brother Han Yang is here." Someone nearby reminded.

The plump Daoist Han Yin immediately smiled, patted his belly, and laughed as he walked forward, "Brother Han Yang, congratulations, congratulations!"

The other Daoists couldn't help but smile at this scene.

Before Han Yang could speak, a clear voice tore through the clouds, "—Fang Shou Bai of the Yin Yang Dao Gong, wishes to challenge fellow Daoist Tian Qiu Zi. Please do not hold back your teachings!"

Everyone frowned or scowled, none of them pleased.

In the distant caves and practice grounds, some even cursed out loud.

"What an arrogant young man! Wait a few more days, and see if he still has the audacity to be so brazen!"

Some also whispered their concerns, "I wonder how strong the one from our sect really is. If he's ultimately no match..."

Han Yin looked at Han Yang, his eyes full of anticipation, "Brother Han Yang, please trouble you to introduce me to him in the future."

Han Yang's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled, "I will if there's an opportunity."

These words were undoubtedly a signal, and even those who had heard rumors before were still moved by this confirmation.

"I wonder, when will our sect's Kunpengzi come out of seclusion?" A Daoist cautiously asked.

"He has already emerged from seclusion." Han Yang didn't hide it, speaking frankly.

It was coming out of seclusion, not returning.

"He's already out of seclusion?"

Everyone was astonished, and those who were seated stood up simultaneously.

"May I ask Brother Han Yang, where is he now?"

Before seeing this person and hearing from the Ancestral Master, no one knew how to address him, so they could only refer to him as "that person" or "Kunpengzi."

Han Yang and the others kept them in suspense, smiling and saying that they would know soon.

The gazes of anticipation from the crowd swept past, and Han Yin, the junior disciple, looked on with a mournful gaze, seemingly full of resentment. Han Yang couldn't help but shiver.

In reality...

He was also shocked beyond words!

He never expected that Tian Qingzi, after two consecutive trips outside, had actually brought back that "Tian Qiuzi" a month ago!

It was a shame that Han Yang had previously interrogated Tian Qingzi relentlessly, yet couldn't extract a single answer!

As his master, Han Yang sighed, wondering why he hadn't realized it earlier—this guy's mouth was truly as tight as a clam!

Just then, a grand bell tolled, resonating like the sound of a great bell, purifying souls and cleansing the world. Its power reverberated through heaven and earth, echoing across the sacred mountain and countless floating islands.

"This is..."

"The Bell of the Dao? Another fellow disciple is attempting the Tong Tian Tu?"

"Hmm... Does this mean we'll have another Tian Wang?"

In an instant, countless disciples of Tiansheng Lake stirred, their gazes turning towards the sacred mountain.

The disciples of Tiansheng Lake had a comprehensive and intuitive reference for their status, potential, and strength—

It was the location of their cultivated Dao on the sacred mountain.

The higher their position, the more invisible privileges they enjoyed, such as the colorful lake below, which belonged to the "Wonders of the Multiverse."

As the foundation for the longevity of this Dao field, spanning tens of millions of years, the essence of this colorful lake was an energy vortex formed by the spontaneous condensation of high-energy matter during the collapse of a large universe in an instant.

In terms of the purity and vastness of energy alone, it was akin to the bodies of several "Whale Falls" Saints, endlessly nurturing the beings above.

Ordinary Tian Wangs didn't have the qualifications to refine energy from it. Only Tian Zun-level warriors or those who utilized the special channels left by the two Ancestral Masters could refine various primordial energies from it, tempering their inner heavens and earth.

To access these special channels, one had to either become a Tian Wang or pass the trials of the Tong Tian Tu, proving their potential to transcend to the Tian Wang realm, before being granted permission to cultivate in the higher realms.

As the majestic bell rang, a miraculous scene appeared. A staircase with 999 steps descended from the peak, and someone began climbing from the foot of the mountain.

With the discerning eyes of the onlookers, they could see that it was a young man, excessively youthful, with martial intent and energy flowing from his body, endlessly rising like a mighty river or a true dragon traversing the waters, unrestrained and without inhibition!

"That is..." Someone stood up abruptly, their eyes gleaming, having already guessed the identity of the climber, dispelling the previous complexity in an instant.

Tiansheng Lake had six Dao lineages, and they could only support six Tian Wangs. At its root, this was because the number of world planes they occupied was limited.

No matter how much was said, it all boiled down to three words: "Can't afford it."

With one more person passing through the Tong Tian Tu, there was hope for a breakthrough in the Tian Ren realm, which wasn't good news for them. It meant another competitor on the path to Tian Wang.

But...

The significance of this person was entirely different!

He didn't represent an early reservation for a Tian Wang position, but an advantage! An advantage for Tiansheng Lake to seize in the grand universe!

Its value was immeasurable, perhaps equivalent to countless Tian Wang positions!

"Reaching the 333rd step of the 999-step Tong Tian Tu grants the foundation of a Tian Wang. Doubling that increases the chances by 30%. As for reaching the 999th step... throughout the generations, only those who open the Dao can achieve it!"

Without a single mistake, the first verse, the first line, the first word, the first character, the first stroke, the first glance!

"Could it be that our sect has a Kunpengzi? Was he really in seclusion before, and upon emerging, he found the path to the Dao in the Xin Xiang Realm and is now here to test his foundation?"

"He's creating a stir! It seems this person is indeed a Shen Jin, truly our Tiansheng Lake's Kunpeng!"

"Wow, the Ancestral Masters have hidden him well! I really thought this Tian Qiuzi was a disguised disciple of another sect!"

"Dong—"

The second bell rang, and the crowd's discussion abruptly halted. Only then did they realize that in such a short time, Tian Qiuzi had already reached the 333rd step!

He strode forward, ignoring the countless gazes on his back, his figure carefree and unburdened, as if the 333rd step's trial didn't even cause his footsteps to falter for a moment!

After stepping past the 333rd step, his figure remained unchanged, still striding forward.

Everyone who had personally experienced this Tong Tian Tu knew exactly what this signified.

"Founding the Dao! This person has undoubtedly founded the Dao! Founding the Dao in the Xin Xiang Realm, he truly lives up to being the Shen Jin of this era!"

"Our sect truly has a Kunpengzi! Hey, with the Dao founded in the Xin Xiang Realm, even if Fang Shou Bai is formidable, our side can still stand undefeated in this battle!"

"400 steps... 500 steps..."

"He's already reached 600! Six hundred and fifty!"

At this moment, the figure paused for a moment, seemingly encountering an obstacle, causing everyone's hearts to skip a beat.

At the moment they thought Tian Qiuzi would pause, the figure took a mighty step forward, unfettered and with a martial intent so powerful it seemed to hang like a heavenly waterfall, resonating with the very heavens and earth!

The overwhelming aura filled the world, carrying an invincible dominance as if suppressing everything in its path, an unparalleled arrogance!

At this moment, just witnessing the distant figure's back, countless martial artists felt their hearts pounding and spirits soaring as they sensed the extraordinary martial intent.

"Such martial intent... How can it be so domineering?!"

"Madness! This is the Shen Jin? His Xin Xiang Jing, the 666th step of the Tong Tian Road, and yet he's not even slowed down by half a step?!"

The third bell rang out thunderously!

On the Tong Tian Road, the figure crossed the 666th step with ease, still maintaining a relaxed and carefree demeanor. The martial intent around him soared into the sky, majestic and overwhelming, causing even Tianren to pale in comparison.

"To cultivate such domineering and unruly martial intent, how could this child have been unknown before?!" someone wondered aloud.

"It's only natural that the two Ancestral Masters personally instructed him!"

"In terms of martial faith and invincible demeanor, our Tian Sheng Lake's Tian Qiuzi is no less impressive than the Grand Universe's Ji Jingqiu!"

"Did you notice that even when he entered the last 330 layers, he didn't slow down at all, but instead, he's getting faster and faster!"

As the figure ascended, the Tong Tian Road was almost at its end, and when he reached the final step, he still moved with unhindered ease. Under the watchful eyes of countless Tian Sheng Lake martial artists, the figure's martial intent, which had left countless Tianren in awe, suddenly vanished without a trace.

It was as if he had returned to simplicity, refined and pure.

From the distance of the Tong Tian Road, they couldn't discern the meaning behind this, but they witnessed him crossing the 999th step with near composure, even smoother than the 666th step.

For a moment, silence enveloped the scene.

In the sky, the cloud sea surged and pressed down slowly, and the will of heaven descended. Even those who had already attained Tianren unity or the Tian Wang felt a heavy sense of oppression!

The so-called will of heaven also depended on which "heaven" it was! From within the cloud sea, a colossal head emerged, its eyes like blazing suns, and with each breath, it controlled the birth and death of thunder. Gradually, its entire body was revealed, its chest bare, and its aura was unrestrained and boisterous. It laughed loudly and asked,

"Tian Qiuzi, the two Ancestral Masters ask you, is there any difficulty in climbing the 999 steps of the Tong Tian Road?"

The young man on the stone steps stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and unperturbed, and replied with four words,

"It's nothing much."

The giant in the sky burst into laughter, his voice like thunder,

"Then why not climb one more step?!"

Countless Tianren were shocked. Reaching the 999th step was already akin to walking the path of the heavens. Tian Qiuzi, with his Xin Xiang Jing, had reached this step, indicating that his understanding of the path was extraordinary and must have touched upon the fundamental Great Dao at its source. But to take one more step...

The figure on the stone steps didn't hesitate, taking a stride forward, but it was as if he encountered countless obstacles, from the blue sky, from all directions in the void, and from the will of heaven's Great Dao.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of madness, and as he raised his hand towards the sun and moon, he unleashed a palm strike that turned heaven and earth upside down, manifesting the Wan Xiang Zhong Mo! With this strike, he broke free from the constraints of space, standing atop the clouds, soaring through the blue sky, and only lamenting the lowly heavens.

"What a magnificent Wan Xiang Zhong Mo! Truly worthy of being from the Kunpeng lineage!"

A voice of authority resounded from the sky,

"The Ancestral Master has spoken. Tian Qiuzi, having found the foundation of his path in the Xin Xiang Jing, has opened up the divine skill Wan Xiang Zhong Mo. His talent is astonishing, and he is now listed as a second-generation disciple, bestowed with the Dao name 'Wu Tian', and shall receive the same treatment as a Tian Wang!"

In an instant, countless disciples and Tianren had various reactions, some elated, others stunned. Some gasped in disbelief, while others furrowed their brows in shock, their expressions filled with awe, and some with shifting gazes, unsure of how to react.

The Dao name Wu Tian?

Why would it be Wu Tian?!

Compared to this Dao name, the subsequent Tian Wang treatment seemed insignificant!

"Who gave him this Dao name?" someone whispered, their voice trembling.

The implications behind this Dao name were too profound for them to ignore.

The reason for their concern was that one of the two Saints of Tian Sheng Lake had the Dao name 'Wu Fa'!

Their immediate priority was to determine which of the two Saints had bestowed this Dao name, as the underlying meaning differed greatly.

However, at this moment, they had no time for further contemplation.

As these words echoed across the sacred mountain, spreading throughout the surrounding myriad floating islands, they transformed into a grand heavenly proclamation, resounding sequentially across the various worlds under Tian Sheng Lake's command, announcing it to the world.

Countless disciples, Tianren, Tian Wang, and even the Tian Wang guarding the great realms, all had to look up and gaze towards the ancestral land.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end