Chapter 369: True Spirit Reincarnation, Severing Heaven and Earth

Chapter 369: True Spirit Reincarnation, Severing Heaven and Earth

For a moment.

Luo Yan even forgot her Master, stepping out of the pavilion to confirm that what remained inside was just a Dao Trace.

Celestial Kings, who touch the essence of the Great Dao, can occasionally leave Dao Traces in the world during special states, lasting thousands or even tens of thousands of years without fading. These traces are etched with the unique Dao Rhythms of their creators.

"This is... a Sword Mark?"

Luo Yan saw several seemingly chaotic slashes on the pavilion's pillars.

But there was no need to guess who had left them.

Luo Yan's mind focused, and just as she was about to examine them closely, she suddenly felt her body tense, taking several steps back. Her Qi Aura reached its peak, as if facing a formidable enemy!

Yun Jinghe looked puzzled. What was going on?

In Luo Yan's eyes, a mighty and overwhelming aura surged from the chaotic slashes on the pillars, as if someone had struck her with a single, powerful blow!

This strike contained boundless true meanings, myriad phenomena, as if the universe's vastness, the primordial chaos, the stars of all the heavens, and the past and present were all encapsulated within it!

The vastness and inclusiveness of the imagery were overwhelming. Just the impact of the Blade Intent alone made Luo Yan feel as if her mind was being sucked in, unable to break free.

Her body swayed, and she let out a muffled groan before finally shaking off the influence of the Blade Intent.

"This is his Sword Mark?!"

Luo Yan was shocked. Just a left-behind Sword Mark nearly damaged her mental state. After twenty years, this person had indeed reached an unfathomable realm!

At that moment.

A middle-aged man wearing a Daoist headdress walked out from the depths of the courtyard, holding an infant in his arms. The baby had a fair and beautiful face like a porcelain doll, with big, black eyes that twinkled cutely.

"Senior White Deer", Yun Jinghe greeted.

The man walking over was none other than Daoist White Deer of the Dragon Tiger Daochang. He nodded slightly, looking at Luo Yan and then at the Sword Mark, but said nothing. He went straight to the point:

"Are you Senior Luo Yan from Xinzhai Palace?"

By seniority, Luo Yan, as a High Cultivation Disciple, was almost on par with the founding patriarchs of the various families in the Federation.

Luo Yan gazed at the infant in Daoist White Deer's arms, lost in thought, and forgot to respond. The latter tilted his head and looked at her.

White Deer was not surprised; this scene had happened before.

The True Spirits of the various predecessors had been nurtured in Ji Shizun's Inner World until they were recently fully reborn.

Suddenly.

The infant in White Deer's arms seemed startled and let out a cry.

Luo Yan snapped out of her daze, exclaiming in surprise, and hurriedly took the infant from Daoist White Deer, stuttering:

"This... this is Master's reincarnation?!"

Master, being a Heavenly Venerable, had an immortal True Spirit. How could he be completely reborn as an infant?!

Daoist White Deer smiled and said, "This is indeed Senior High Cultivator's reincarnation, no doubt about it."

Luo Yan's hands didn't know where to go, and she took a deep breath, asking, "Does Master still retain his past memories?"

"Of course."

Daoist White Deer nodded and explained,

"During this reincarnation, the various predecessors' True Spirits have been purified in the True Spirit Pool and blessed by the Great Universe. They all have Innate Bodies and are currently in the Innate Fetal Breath stage, yet to solve the Fetal Mystery."

"Once this period passes and their condition stabilizes, they will recover their memories, and their growth rate will experience a significant leap."

Hearing this, Luo Yan let out a sigh of relief and felt an overwhelming joy.

Innate Bodies and past memories...

Luo Yan knew very well that although Master was originally a Heavenly Venerable, his early Dao foundation had limited him from advancing further. This reincarnation might allow him to surpass his previous self!

Looking at the infant version of Master, who yawned and seemed a bit sleepy, Luo Yan blinked and used her mental strength to soothe him. She had never imagined she would see this side of Master.

At Daoist White Deer's invitation, the two of them entered and took their seats.

"We aren't the earliest to arrive, right?" Yun Jinghe asked.

Daoist White Deer nodded and said, "The Skysoaring Hall and the Heavenly Sword Arena have already sent people to take two of the predecessors away."

Yun Jinghe's expression was strange. "The Skysoaring Hall took Senior Qing Yi? What about Senior Pan Zhou?"

The Skysoaring Hall was one of the current True Emperor Daochang supporting the Federation, and one of the few places with a True Emperor still present, a genuine True Emperor Daochang.

However, the issue was that among the predecessors who sacrificed themselves twenty years ago, Qing Yi and Feng Zhouzi were a couple, and the latter had once joined the Heavenly Dao Gate.

"Of course, the Heavenly Dao Gate took him."

Daoist White Deer could guess what Yun Jinghe was thinking and smiled faintly.

Yun Jinghe sighed, realizing that these two still had many obstacles to overcome if they wanted to be together.

Luo Yan resisted the urge to pinch the sleeping Master's cheeks and asked,

"Does Little Mister Ji have the rank of Celestial King?"

From her perspective, Ji Jingqiu was a descendant of He Donghuang and Mù Shìtiān, making them of the same generation.

But in the generation from ten thousand years ago, the seven generals were already above the level of the hundred lineage Grandmasters, and many people were under their command. So she called him Little Mister.

It was a complicated relationship, and everyone had their own way of addressing each other based on their personal connections.

Daoist White Deer shook his head. "Little Mister Ji has not yet reached the Grandmaster realm."

Luo Yan unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

This person had not yet achieved the shocking feat of becoming a Celestial King in just twenty years.

But soon, she recalled what she had seen in the pavilion and said solemnly,

"He must be close, though. I saw the Dao Trace and Sword Mark that Little Mister Ji left in the pavilion."

Not yet reaching the rank of Heavenly King, but already leaving a Dao Trace, this could only mean that Ji Jingqiu's Illusory Great Dao has already surpassed the ordinary Heaven King Threshold.

However, for some unknown reason, he has yet to cross this threshold.

But this situation is not uncommon, after all, this step has a profound impact on Martial Practitioners, directly relating to their future Heavenly Venerable Position.

The key to breaking through to Heavenly Venerable lies in two things: one is Seated Oblivion, and the other is evolving one's Illusory Great Dao into a True Great Dao, gaining the recognition of heaven and earth.

White Deer Daoist nodded, then shook his head, making Luo Yan puzzled.

"By all logic, it shouldn't be far off, but only Ji Shizun himself knows the specifics", White Deer sighed. "We can no longer see through his realm."

"May I have the honor of meeting Young Master Ji?" Luo Yan asked solemnly. "This time, my senior brother repeatedly instructed me to convey a message to Young Master Ji."

After saying this, to prevent him from not taking it seriously, she added:

"This matter concerns Daluotian!"

Upon hearing this, not only did White Deer, but Yun Jinghe also focused his gaze.

Over the past twenty years, if all events were to be ranked, the appearance of Daluotian would certainly be in the top three.

This is a world jointly opened by the Five Pillars, currently only open to those at the rank of Heavenly King and above.

White Deer Daoist shook his head.

"On the day when the true spirits of the senior predecessors were fully nurtured, he left. This matter had bound him for many years, otherwise, he would have left several years ago."

Hearing that Ji Jingqiu had already left, Luo Yan frowned, suddenly realizing:

"But isn't this world his Inner World? Since he has already left, what is the situation with this world?"

The Inner World is one of the foundations of a Martial Practitioner's path and a source of power. Unless one dies, it is unheard of for someone to separate their Inner World and leave it in the outside world.

This not only weakens oneself but also leaves a target for others to attack.

"This is one of the mysteries of Ji Shizun's Inner World." White Deer Daoist said. "The Dharma Realm Ji Shizun has achieved is called the One True Dharma Realm. Strictly speaking, most of Donghuang Heaven can be considered his Inner World."

He did not describe the specifics of its mysteries to the two of them, only giving a brief explanation, which they both understood.

Luo Yan was inwardly stunned. This person has indeed achieved the Heavenly King's Dharmadhatu. Combined with the Illusory Great Dao he has opened, the two together would likely allow him to break through to Heavenly King immediately.

"Is this Donghuang Heaven Young Master Ji's Path Convergence Place?"

Luo Yan suddenly asked.

Heavenly Kings merging their Dharma Realm with a world is the fastest recognized method of cultivation across all realms.

Only by nurturing a world can a Heavenly King ensure the continued expansion and proliferation of their Inner World.

During this stage, the more life forms that proliferate within the Inner World, the more complete the world rules become, bringing it closer to a real world, thereby promoting the growth of the Martial Practitioner's Daoic power, making the Illusory Great Dao approach reality.

Transitioning from the illusory to the real, in a certain sense, is the essence of the Heavenly King realm.

White Deer Daoist shook his head. "The path Ji Shizun is taking has already surpassed our understanding, and we are not clear about the specific details."

Luo Yan sighed regretfully, not pressing further, but feeling somewhat disappointed that she ultimately did not meet him this time.

She composed herself and relayed her senior brother's instructions, hoping that White Deer Daoist would quickly convey the message to him:

"Two of the Five Pillars have truly returned. According to the old agreement, the five divine systems are about to pass a bill concerning the future direction of the great universe and the positioning of Daluotian."

Luo Yan paused, speaking solemnly.

"It is said that someone within the five divine systems has proposed the suggestion of Severing Heaven and Earth, to completely sever the entanglement of the Misty Sea!"

"And this 'heaven' refers to Daluotian."

"Once this bill is passed, Daluotian will completely replace the position of the great universe, and the eleven Ascension Platforms will become the only passage between Daluotian and the various realms in the future!"

"Therefore, the most important part of this bill is the ownership of the eleven Ascension Platforms. As the lord of Donghuang Heaven, Young Master Ji will be approached by representatives of the five divine systems for a discussion. Please have him prepare and absolutely do not agree!"

"Why should he not agree?" White Deer Daoist asked, his brows furrowed.

Luo Yan spoke slowly, word by word. "Daluotian is far from sufficient to support all the races of the great universe."

Yun Jinghe's expression changed abruptly, realizing the crux of the matter.

White Deer Daoist pondered and asked, "From where did your senior brother obtain this information? Is it accurate?"

The Inflamed Glory Federation is backed by dozens of True Saint Daochang and ten sects, yet no similar news has come through.

And Xinzhai Palace currently has only two Heavenly Kings in residence.

Luo Yan also understood the key points and said earnestly:

"My senior brother had a favor with someone in the five divine systems in his early years, before the 'heavenly changes,' when the Five Pillars had no signs of returning, it was a favor in the snow."

"This message comes from that person. According to my senior brother's meaning, this message is likely being conveyed to Young Master Ji by some people within the five divine systems through him."

Yun Jinghe frowned. From the news that had trickled in over the years, the five divine systems were not a unified whole, and internal conflicts were not small.

They are trying to draw Brother Ji into the situation, even using him as a vanguard?

White Deer Daoist thought for a moment and said, "Ji Shizun has achieved the Cause and Effect Great Dao. According to his words, even if it's a Heavenly Venerable, if he doesn't want to meet them now, he won't."

Luo Yan's pupils contracted sharply.

The implication is that even if a Heavenly Venerable wants to meet him, it would be difficult to find him?

What kind of Great Dao has this person opened?!

...

...

Ji Anquan slowly put down his brush. The words on the paper were what Brother Ji left for him before he left—

If one forgets all emotions and extinguishes love and hate, wouldn’t they be like wood and stone? Freedom is not the life of a withered tree or dead ashes.

A handsome young man stood nearby, ready with ink and brush, his eyes filled with curiosity, but he did not dare to disturb his venerable senior.

He came from Xuanji Heaven, named Mo Naihe, whose talent was so high that he was immediately designated as the current Dao Child upon joining the sect, seen as a future founder who could open new paths.

It was for this reason that the founding ancestor sent him here to cultivate under Ji Anquan.

Over the years, Mo Naihe had personally witnessed how Ji Anquan navigated the complex web of relationships among various Great Dao fields and sects, achieving a delicate balance that made the Yanhuang Federation one of the eleven extraordinary centers in the vast universe.

Even the founding ancestor of Xuanji Heaven stepping into the True Saint realm was suspected to be related to him.

To this day, Mo Naihe still did not know what agreement Ji Anquan had reached with the founding ancestor.

He only knew that after the founding ancestor reached the True Saint realm, he overruled all objections, took on disciples in place of his master, and admitted Ji Anquan into the sect, placing him in a high seniority, second only to himself.

Even now, Mo Naihe had to address him as venerable senior.

"Seated Oblivion..."

Ji Anquan sighed softly.

Ten years ago, when he reached Heavenly Man Perfection, he met Brother Ji. At that time, Brother Ji probably guessed that his cultivation had encountered a setback.

Or rather, he had to face the same choice his ancestor once faced, a fork in the road.

Ji Anquan walked to the window and looked down at the so-called "prosperous era."

Beneath him was a black city, entirely built with levitating stones. Under the sunlight, it gleamed darkly, like a grand celestial city pressing down on the mortal world.

In front of him, a massive World Tree stretched into the void, towering ten thousand feet high, its canopy like an umbrella, supporting the sky and connecting various celestial paths, emitting boundless essence.

This was the tree seed that Ji Jingqiu had obtained from the Cyan lineage in his early years, now grown to ten thousand feet tall.

Countless beings of various races used this World Tree to travel the celestial paths, coming and going.

Not far away, heavenly palaces and great cities were built around this World Tree, stretching for thousands of miles.

In the distance, palace complexes, floating immortal mountains, steel forests, and floating cities...

The title of an extraordinary center in the vast universe made this place a convergence point for various civilizations.

What once seemed unrealistic for the federation has now become reality.

But only people like Ji Anquan knew that all this was still like a castle in the air. The federation’s foundation was too shallow, and it had mostly relied on external forces to reach its current status.

Though it appeared prosperous, it stood with the support of dozens of dao fields and sects, and few truly shared the same heart.

"Anquan."

A calm voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Have you made your decision? Will you ignite your divinity to become a deity, or continue to stay, until you break through Seated Oblivion and advance to the Seventh Realm?"

The questioner was the Xuanji True Saint.

Ji Anquan fell silent for a moment, then finally made up his mind and said:

"The latter."

"Good! With your resolve, you might truly have a chance to match your ancestor in the future!" the Xuanji True Saint praised, "But Sitting in Oblivion is Hard to Grasp, you must be mentally prepared. This stage has blocked countless Celestial Kings, and many have failed to break through for thousands of years."

Ji Anquan said softly, "If I follow the same path as my ancestor, there will be no hope of victory."

Mù Shìtiān gave Ji Jingqiu a thousand years.

And Ji Tianxing also left a nearly impossible task for this descendant who was closest to him—

Defeat him once.

"Your ancestor hasn’t been very quiet lately", the Xuanji True Saint said calmly. "Not long ago, he and Taiyi jointly intercepted the return of the Divine Lord of the Taoyou Divine System, forcing the latter to delay their return by a hundred years."

Ji Anquan’s eyes turned deep. "The five divine systems are not benevolent. The later they return, the better."

The Xuanji True Saint warned, "The Taoyou Divine System will not let it go. They can’t find Ji Tianxing, so they will hold you accountable. You must be prepared."

"Let them come. With the Divine Lord of Taoyou not returned, what can a single Taoyou Divine System do to our Yanhuang Federation?" Ji Anquan said calmly.

Suddenly, he laughed. "As long as the facade is big enough, even if it’s hollow inside, the shell is enough to intimidate."

The Xuanji True Saint chuckled, understanding his intentions, and then left.

"How many Celestial Kings have entered Donghuang Heaven recently?"

Ji Anquan asked Mo Naihe.

The latter replied, "According to our surveillance, six have entered, and our Celestial Kings have already taken action."

"Only six?" Ji Anquan was somewhat surprised. "It seems it’s not the Taoyou Divine System acting, but purely targeting Brother Ji?"

Thinking of the departed Ji Jingqiu, Ji Anquan shook his head slightly.

"No wonder the past twenty years have been tumultuous, but Brother Ji only found it noisy."

"Send orders to Senior Brother Gu’s side, telling them not to act and to let them go to the place where Brother Ji has been cultivating in seclusion these years."

Ji Anquan gave the order casually.

"Hmm, I feel that Brother Ji’s seclusion place can be opened to the public, with admission fees..."

Thinking of the several Sword Marks in that courtyard, Mo Naihe swallowed hard, feeling a chill.

In twenty years, the transformation he achieved was beyond the expectations of many.

According to his senior’s words, facing those Sword Marks was no different from facing Ji Jingqiu himself!

Newly ascended Celestial Kings in the past twenty years?

Mo Naihe shook his head inwardly.

Following Ji Anquan, he knew that over these twenty years, the person had not been thinking about how to break through to the Celestial King realm, but how to transcend the realm and fight, breaking the eternal Realm Limit.

Chapter end