Chapter 502: Returning to Canglan Island, Standing on the Path

Chapter 502: Returning to Canglan Island, Standing on the Path

In the Grand Unity Realm, near where the Earth Shadow Realm had fallen, small stone cottages had sprung up, each housing a solitary martial artist in intense cultivation.

Numerous battles had erupted as cultivators vied for the most advantageous spots to enhance their training. Only the most formidable of the Immortal Exalted, the pinnacle of their realm, could claim a place here, and even then, only the cream of the crop.

Closest to the fallen Earth Shadow Realm, only those at the Heaven Fusion Realm could hold their ground. It was an opportunity none wanted to miss, and so every martial artist honed their skills, eager to reap the benefits of the changing heavens and earth.

Those who had been stuck at the Immortal Exalted Realm for eons glared with unwavering determination, hoping to seize this chance to break free from their shackles.

Missing this opportunity would mean an unknown future, as it was anyone's guess when such favorable conditions would present themselves again for a breakthrough to the Heaven Fusion Realm.

Even with access to the Path Domain, one's talent might not be enough to break through. Only by seizing the opportunities presented by the shifting heavens could they improve their odds.

In front of one of the stone cottages, a fierce battle raged.

Two martial artists, both at the pinnacle of the Immortal Exalted Realm, fought fiercely for dominance over this spot.

The other cultivators paid no heed, and no one dared to intervene.

As for the Immortal Exalted from powerful factions, they had already staked their claims, and none would dare challenge them.

Moreover, these exalted beings had the backing of Heaven Fusion Realm experts.

After all, the first to break through to the Heaven Fusion Realm were the Immortal Exalted from those formidable factions.

Boom!

Battles weren't limited to this one spot, and the combatants were either powerful figures from minor factions or solitary cultivators.

Dong!

Suddenly, an overwhelmingly mighty aura surged forth from within the Earth Shadow Realm, causing all the cultivators in seclusion to snap their eyes open and step out of their cottages.

Even the fighters paused, their faces draining of color as they hastily retreated, their gazes shifting toward the Earth Shadow Realm.

A figure emerged from within.

His aura was indescribably powerful, akin to a god of the heavens and earth, shaking the very fabric of the world and stirring the celestial energies.

The laws of the universe entwined around him, and his divine might filled the air.

He was a God Honored Realm expert!

At that moment, everyone's breath caught in their throats as they realized who they were facing—a legendary figure from the tales.

The God Honored cultivator who had emerged from the Earth Shadow Realm swept his gaze over the assembled martial artists, causing them to hastily avert their eyes, not daring to meet his stare.

"Everyone, scram!" The God Honored cultivator's voice was cold and commanding.

Hearing this, the Immortal Exalted cultivators quickly retreated and fled into the distance.

However, those Heaven Fusion Realm experts closest to the Earth Shadow Realm didn't move, their brows furrowed in mild displeasure.

"Did you not hear me?" The God Honored cultivator's eyes turned cold, and his oppressive aura bore down on them.

Kacha!

The faces of the Heaven Fusion Realm cultivators turned red as they struggled under the immense pressure, their bodies trembling as if a mountain had been set upon them. They were on the verge of kneeling.

Just then, several more formidable auras emerged from within the Earth Shadow Realm.

A cold voice rang out, "By what right do you strut around and act arrogantly in our Grand Unity Realm?"

"And who are you to point fingers at my Great Flame Dynasty's vassals?"

Hearing these voices, the cultivators from the Grand Unity Sect breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, their sect's powerful experts had arrived!

The martial artists from the Great Flame Dynasty also relaxed.

Who among those who dared remain in the face of a God Honored cultivator's rebuke didn't have powerful backers in the Path Domain?

This God Honored cultivator before them clearly lacked such connections, which was why they dared to stand their ground.

The God Honored cultivator's expression shifted several times, and he quickly retracted his oppressive aura, letting out an awkward laugh. "I was merely curious about the will of the martial artists from the God Realm, so I decided to test it out. As expected of cultivators from the Great Realms, you are indeed extraordinary."

After his hasty explanation, he slinked away and found an empty stone cottage to hide in. He was just a cultivator seeking a breakthrough, after all.

One by one, figures emerged from the Earth Shadow Realm, each exuding an incredibly powerful aura—every one of them a God Honored Realm cultivator.

Soon after, some Heaven Fusion Realm experts also stepped out.

With the arrival of the God Honored cultivators, they began to seek out their respective affiliated sects, learning about the situation in the God Realm and making preparations.

Most of these God Honored experts had come with specific tasks in mind.

Some God Honored cultivators, upon entering the God Realm, didn't linger near the Earth Shadow Realm but instead departed immediately.

"Things are about to get lively," Li Xuan remarked as he glanced up at the location of the Grand Unity Realm. One after another, God Honored cultivators were descending, and it wouldn't be long before the Supreme Realm experts made their appearance as well.

It was truly going to be a spectacle, and among these powerful beings were those who had come specifically for Xu Yan.

Moreover, the True Dragon Clan was also preparing to enter the God Realm to avenge their previous humiliation and restore their clan's dignity.

He had thoroughly comprehended the mysteries of the Grand Unity Realm, improved his various divine abilities, and cultivated several powerful new ones.

His Dragon Subduing Palm had also undergone a tremendous enhancement, reaching the level of a divine ability.

As for the True Dragon Fury, this divine ability had become even more formidable, with the Yin-Yang Undying Sword's defense and everlasting vitality strengthening further.

With Xu Yan's current foundation, coupled with the priceless treasure of the Primordial Turtle Shell in his possession, even if he encountered a Supreme Realm expert, he could safely retreat even if he was outmatched.

It would not be easy for a Supreme Realm warrior to break through Xu Yan's defense.

"Master, I wish to visit Canglan Island," Xu Yan said respectfully.

Having traveled from the Inner Realm to the Spirit Realm and now to the Godly Realm, Xu Yan had not seen his parents in a long time and missed them dearly.

"Mhm, go ahead," Li Xuan nodded.

"You don't have to worry about the safety of the Great Wilderness. Tianzi, that little friend of yours, will take care of Canglan Island."

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Yan replied joyfully.

Looking up toward the direction of the Grand Unity Realm, Xu Yan's heart was filled with anticipation. He longed to venture into the Path Domain and make his mark.

However, before that, he needed to return to see his parents and offer them guidance in their cultivation.

"Young Master Xu, it's been a long time since we've been back to the Inner Realm as well. We would also like to go," Du Yu'ying and Yun Miao said, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Alright, then let's go back together," Xu Yan agreed with a nod.

The two women had already reached the Immortal Realm and cultivated divine abilities, making their strength far surpass that of ordinary Immortals.

Moreover, due to their cultivation of divine abilities, their martial arts had evolved to differ somewhat from the Grand Tang martial arts.

With Xu Yan's current strength, he could easily traverse the space between realms without needing to rely on the Divine Bridge to descend upon the Spirit Realm and then return to Canglan Island.

In a single step, Xu Yan, along with the two women, crossed the space between realms, leaving the Godly Realm and arriving in the Spirit Realm.

Scanning his surroundings, Xu Yan noticed some changes in the Spirit Realm and sensed that it was now vastly different from when he had first arrived.

The laws of heaven and earth had transformed, and above them loomed the supreme rules of the Path.

"The Path," Xu Yan murmured thoughtfully.

"The Spirit Realm feels unusual," Du Yu'ying frowned. "Compared to the Godly Realm, there's a sense of overwhelming heavenly might here."

"That's because the Spirit Realm now contains the Path, giving it a more complete form of heaven and earth," Xu Yan explained.

"Heaven and earth have become stronger due to the Path, and warriors who comprehend the Path will find their cultivation potential limitless. Even Realm Lords can forge a path forward by understanding the Path."

"As for you two, cultivating the Grand Tang martial arts, can also comprehend the Path, making it easier to reach the Realm Lord stage."

"From now on, cultivation will emphasize insight. If one's insight is exceptional enough to grasp the mysteries of the Path, they will surely encounter great opportunities."

"The Path?" Du Yu'ying echoed.

"It's what Master instructed, to perfect the heavens and earth," Xu Yan said as he led the two women forward.

In the next moment, the trio vanished from their location.

On Canglan Island, the figures of Xu Yan and his companions reappeared. The island had transformed from a small speck in the ocean to a majestic sanctuary of the Great Wilderness.

"Tianzi?" Xu Yan called out, spotting a young man in a purple robe, beaming at him.

"It's me!" Tianzi replied, looking at Xu Yan with a sense of admiration. "You're the senior disciple of the Daoist ancestor. It's no wonder; your accomplishments are truly remarkable."

Xu Yan's return to Canglan Island brought great joy to Xu Junhe and his wife. The island soon buzzed with activity as they celebrated his homecoming.

Xu Yan's mother held Du Yu'ying and Yun Miao's hands, her affection for them growing by the moment.

Meanwhile, Xu Yan and Tianzi faced each other in a game of chess.

"You're the first one to play chess with me since I became the Path," Tianzi said with a smile.

"Your Path is supreme in the eyes of other warriors, but it has no hold over me. My path is not the same as yours," Xu Yan replied with a nonchalant smile.

"That's true," Tianzi nodded.

Although Tianzi was more powerful than Xu Yan in terms of cultivation, Xu Yan's path of cultivation was independent of his.

The five disciples of the Daoist ancestor, each cultivated a martial art that was distinct from Tianzi's Path, or at least, it was only one aspect of the Path that the Daoist ancestor had imparted to them.

"Grand Tang has passed away, and now it is the Great Wilderness. These heavens and earth belong to the Great Wilderness, and I am the Path of the Great Wilderness, responsible for their operation and strength."

"The underworld and the Witch Demon realms still exist, and they both seek to invade the Great Wilderness. Since that is the case, as the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness, you can annex these two worlds and rapidly enhance our realm."

A smile played on Xu Yan's face as he replied, "I've been thinking along those lines as well."

Tianzi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Although the Underworld and Witch Demon realms are probably in ruins, merging them into the Great Wilderness will still provide us with a boost. Moreover, the masters of those small realms will have no future unless they cultivate the Heavenly Dao. They must recognize that."

"Xu Yan, help me think of new titles for the masters of these realms, be they the Overlords or the rulers of these small worlds."

"That's for you to decide. It's your realm now," Xu Yan said, placing a piece on the board and standing up. "You lose!"

Tianzi stared at the chessboard, his eyes wide with disbelief. He, the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, had lost a game of chess?!

Xu Yan strolled through the Great Wilderness and eventually arrived at the small mountain village where he had first met his master. He marveled at the twists of fate that had led him to such an extraordinary mentor.

After spending a month on Canglan Island, Xu Yan imparted his knowledge and guidance to his parents, as well as the other residents of the island, helping them improve their martial arts cultivation.

Only those with a close connection to Xu Yan or those who were carefully selected elites from the Great Wilderness were allowed to reside on the sacred island.

Among these elites were heaven-defying talents from the Spirit Realm, now a part of the Great Wilderness.

The name of Sword God Xu Yan resounded throughout the Great Wilderness, striking awe into the hearts of all heaven-defying talents. He was a pinnacle they aspired to reach, a model of martial arts mastery they hoped to emulate.

A month later, Xu Yan prepared to return to the Godly Realm.

However, Du Yu'ying and Yun Miao had no plans to accompany him back just yet. They chose to remain on Canglan Island for a while longer, keeping Xu Yan's parents company.

"Master, I have returned!" Xu Yan greeted Li Xuan respectfully.

"Mhm," Li Xuan nodded.

Holding the jade scepter in his hand, Li Xuan ascended into the clouds, gazing down upon the Godly Realm. Xu Yan followed closely behind him.

"Disciple, what do you make of this Godly Realm?" Li Xuan asked, gesturing at the mountains, rivers, and myriad beings below.

Xu Yan pondered for a moment before answering, "It's brimming with vitality, and all things flourish here."

Li Xuan nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the realm is vibrant and full of life. Countless beings dwell within it, unraveling the mysteries of the universe. But from where do these heavens and earth, these myriad beings, draw their essence?"

Xu Yan was taken aback by the question.

Li Xuan raised his hand, and the laws of the universe converged, forming a mass of energy that seemed to hold the secrets of creation. "By establishing the Dao of the universe, the heavens and earth gain their essence, and all things are born..."

Li Xuan proceeded to explain the intricacies of the Dao Establishment Realm, with Xu Yan listening intently. Although Xu Yan had already comprehended the mysteries of this realm, he remained captivated by his master's words.

Once one perfected the Heavenly Dao Realm, they could begin to establish their own Dao, marking the breakthrough to the Dao Establishment Realm.

Those who established the Dao transcended the heavens and earth!

"However, establishing the Dao is just the beginning," Li Xuan continued. "By comprehending the infinite Grand Dao that is shrouded in mystery, one can gain enlightenment. But how does one perceive this Grand Dao when the heavens are empty and void? How does one grasp the true meaning of the Grand Dao and attain its blessings?"

Xu Yan listened with growing excitement, realizing that his master was about to impart the cultivation methods for realms beyond the Dao Establishment Realm.

"Taicang's downfall was due to his failure to understand his own Dao," Li Xuan explained. "His realm existed outside himself, and while countless beings thrived within it, he was oblivious to the workings of creation. He lacked a connection to the infinite Grand Dao, and thus, he could not grasp its true meaning or attain its blessings."

"Today, I shall impart to you the cultivation methods for realms beyond the Dao Establishment Realm," Li Xuan said solemnly.

"Yes, Master!" Xu Yan replied, his heart pounding with anticipation and excitement. What could lie beyond the Dao Establishment Realm? It was surely a realm even more profound and challenging to comprehend.

However, Xu Yan was confident that he could unravel its mysteries, and it wouldn't take him long. With his current achievements in the Heavenly Dao Realm and his understanding of the Dao Establishment Realm, he was no longer the naive youth who had first embarked on the martial path.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end