Chapter 537: The Endless Path of Cultivation, Entering the Unchanging Land

Chapter 537: The Endless Path of Cultivation, Entering the Unchanging Land

At a certain moment, Meng Chong had a moment of enlightenment, transcending the limitlessness of the Haotian and touching upon the limitless of all paths.

"Your disciple, Meng Chong, has comprehended a portion of the limitless of all paths, and your physical martial arts have broken through to the Creation Realm."

Li Xuan's face lit up with a brilliant smile as his physical martial arts also broke through to the Creation Realm, further enhancing his strength.

After Meng Chong had imprinted the limitless of all paths in his memory, Li Xuan began to guide Fang Hao in the mysterious martial arts of the Qimen, once again using the Grand Daoist's Golden Book to reveal its secrets.

The powerful and profound nature of the Qimen, with its formations and strategies based on the Grand Dao, captivated Fang Hao, drawing him into a state of profound insight.

"Your disciple, Fang Hao, has comprehended the mysteries of the Qimen Creation. Your Qimen martial arts have broken through to the Creation Realm."

Thus, the Qimen martial arts also reached the Creation Realm.

Four out of the five martial arts schools had now broken through to the Creation Realm.

"Our strength continues to grow, and there is no greater joy than this continuous progress."

Li Xuan's gentle smile shone with the aura of a Daoist ancestor as the Grand Daoist's Golden Book turned another page, revealing the mysteries of the Spirit Soul martial arts.

Similarly, Jiang Buling also comprehended the creation of the Spirit Soul, and the Spirit Soul martial arts broke through to the Creation Realm.

From this point on, all five martial arts schools had reached the Creation Realm.

As the disciples snapped out of their trances, Li Xuan did not stop teaching but continued to impart his knowledge.

At this stage of martial arts cultivation, it was no longer suitable to continue progressing through individual realms. Li Xuan had already figured out how to further strengthen his martial arts without the need for such incremental advancements.

"As I have said before, all martial arts paths ultimately lead to the same destination—walking the Grand Dao and practicing the Grand Dao."

As Li Xuan spoke, his expression turned solemn.

Xu Yan and the other four disciples quickly bowed respectfully, eager to listen to their master's teachings.

"I have always said that the path of martial arts is endless," Li Xuan continued. "Even for me, there is no one on the path of martial arts who can match my level. Yet, I have not reached the end, and perhaps I never will. I simply continue on my journey..."

Li Xuan's words carried a hint of melancholy.

"Master, you are too lonely," Xu Yan said, his heart filled with emotion. "Only you know what it's like to be invincible and lonely, to have no one to challenge you on the path of martial arts. When you look back, there isn't even anyone who can see your back, let alone match your strides."

Xu Yan could never truly understand the loneliness that his master felt, the solitude of being unmatched on the path of martial arts. No matter how hard he cultivated, he knew that his master would always be ahead of him on this path, and he would never be able to experience this unique sense of "loneliness and solitude."

"Master took me as your disciple not only because of our destined encounter but also because of your loneliness and boredom!" Xu Yan had come to understand his master's reason for descending into the mortal world to take on disciples.

It was simply to find some entertainment to alleviate boredom.

Xu Yan knew he could never truly comprehend his master's state of mind. On the path of martial arts, he couldn't even catch a glimpse of his master's back, so how could he ever hope to share the same sentiments?

But perhaps, one day, when he looked back and found no peers on the path, he might also experience a similar sentiment.

Such thoughts crossed Xu Yan's mind.

Li Xuan turned to face his five disciples, his expression solemn as he spoke in a deep voice, "The Primordial Heaven and Earth illuminates the Grand Dao. By understanding the Grand Dao, we walk the path of the Grand Dao, hence the name 'Primordial.'

"Beyond the Primordial is the path of cultivation. Walking the Grand Dao, with the Grand Dao beneath your feet and as your path, this is what it means to cultivate.

"The path of cultivation has no boundaries, no limits, and no end. How far you can go depends on your own insights and your ability to apply the Grand Dao.

"With every step you take, it is as if you have risen to a new realm. But the Grand Dao is infinite, stretching endlessly before you. When you embark on this path of cultivation, you will have completed your apprenticeship, and the journey ahead will be yours alone to navigate as you see fit."

Beyond the Primordial is the path of cultivation!

This was the path that Li Xuan had carefully contemplated and chosen for his disciples—an endless journey without boundaries, where they would simply continue walking forward.

Once his disciples stepped onto this path, every step they took would bring a hundredfold feedback, and he wouldn't have to rack his brains thinking about how to create new realms for them.

From now on, they would truly be able to grow stronger even while lying down, and he wouldn't have to waste his thoughts on creating new techniques for them to cultivate.

Li Xuan was confident that once they successfully entered the path of cultivation, his disciples, with their talent, would be able to explore martial arts on their own and continue walking the path.

They would truly be on their own.

And with that, his grand endeavor in martial arts would be complete, and his duty as a teacher would be fulfilled!

Of course, walking the path of cultivation was extremely difficult. Aside from successfully embarking on the path, one also had to understand how to step onto the Grand Dao and how to walk upon it.

The Primordial Realm was the foundation of the path of cultivation, a gateway that allowed one to catch a glimpse of the Grand Dao. However, seeing the Grand Dao did not guarantee that one could step onto it and walk its path.

Nevertheless, as long as one could see the Grand Dao and comprehend the method of cultivation, Li Xuan believed that he could break through and continue walking the path of cultivation, even without feedback from his disciples.

Li Xuan spoke solemnly, and with a wave of his hand, golden light filled the air as if the Grand Dao itself was manifesting. A figure strolled leisurely upon this path, taking step after step forward, yet there seemed to be no end in sight, no limit to the journey. This lone figure seemed to embody both solitude and a carefree joy, a rogue wandering without restraint.

Xu Yan and the other four disciples were deeply shaken, immersed in the vision of walking the Grand Dao, unable to snap out of their trance for a long while. This scene was deeply etched into their minds.

It was as if the foundations of walking the Dao and its profound mysteries were all presented in this vision, and as long as they could understand even a fraction of it, they would surely be able to walk the Grand Dao in the future.

Li Xuan retracted the vision of walking the Dao that was projected by the Grand Daoist's Golden Book, exhaled a deep breath, and sat back down in his chair. He had taught his disciples all that he could.

From now on, it was entirely up to them to ponder and comprehend.

"Walking the Dao...if one could truly step into this path, what would it be like? Would they transcend even the Unchanging Land?"

Li Xuan pondered in his heart.

The Unchanging Land, shrouded in mist and without boundaries—would one break through this land and create a new world, or is there another realm beyond its misty veil?

All of this was unknown.

Li Xuan felt that if he truly walked the Dao, he might as well explore this Unchanging Land and discover if it had any boundaries, and how it even existed.

However, these thoughts were still distant for him.

As his disciples remained immersed in their realizations, Li Xuan looked up towards the Vast Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao continued to strengthen slowly, with the heavens and earth gradually consuming the mist, transforming it into a corner of their realm.

This process was extremely slow, but as long as the overall strength of the heavens and earth continued to increase, the Heavenly Dao would also grow stronger, and the expansion of their realm would not cease.

"The Heavenly Dao...perhaps one day, it will replace the Unchanging mist?"

Li Xuan thought silently.

Turning his gaze to the Grand Daoist's Golden Book, Li Xuan wore a smile. After all, the Heavenly Dao was within the scope of the Grand Dao, and as the Heavenly Dao strengthened, his Heavenly Dao Seal also became more powerful.

The disciples were still engrossed in their insights, unable to snap out of it for the time being, so Li Xuan sat leisurely in his chair, waiting for them to regain their senses.

Outside the courtyard, Mu Zhu, the creature tasked with sweeping the leaves, was deeply shaken. Although he hadn't seen what was happening inside the courtyard, the faint golden light and the profound mysteries that defied comprehension far exceeded his understanding.

At this moment, Mu Zhu felt incredibly fortunate to still be alive and allowed to remain in this small courtyard, sweeping the fallen leaves.

"What a grand opportunity! What a blessing!"

This thought popped into his head and refused to leave. Mu Zhu felt more fortunate than ever to be able to sweep the grounds here.

"I am blessed by the Ancestral Dao!"

Mu Zhu's eyes even became moist with gratitude.

"To be able to sweep the grounds for the Ancestral Dao is a tremendous opportunity!"

Holding the heavy broom, Mu Zhu swept the ground slowly, his heart calm and peaceful. The agitation and restlessness he once felt seemed to have been swept away with the leaves.

He was like an old sage, sweeping with reverence and respect.

Shi Er also regained his senses and, seeing Mu Zhu's transformation, spoke, "If there comes a day when the Ancestral Dao lectures on the Dao, that will be an even greater opportunity for you!"

Mu Zhu's sweeping paused for a moment, and he revealed an expression of delight and anticipation.

"When will the Ancestral Dao lecture on the Dao? Can I listen too?" Mu Zhu asked eagerly.

Shi Er smiled and replied, "No one knows when the Ancestral Dao will lecture on the Dao, and as for whether you can listen or not, since you are already here, would they cover your ears to prevent you from hearing?

"To be here during the Ancestral Dao's lecture is fate, and where there is fate, you will naturally be able to listen."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhu nodded vigorously. He decided that he would diligently sweep the grounds and never leave, so that he could definitely seize the opportunity to listen to the Ancestral Dao's lecture!

Time passed, and Xu Yan emerged from his state of insight.

The figure walking upon the Grand Dao in his mind seemed to grow more distant and gradually faded away.

He was deeply shaken by this realization that all martial arts paths ultimately converged. In the end, they all walked upon the Grand Dao, with the Dao as their path, and the Dao was infinite and boundless.

Perhaps only a handful of cultivators had ever reached this step in their cultivation journey.

"I will definitely be able to step into the path of walking the Dao," Xu Yan thought with determination.

Currently, he had reached the perfect stage of the Heaven and Earth Realm, just one step away from the Establishing Dao Realm. By walking in the Unchanging Land and comprehending the unchanging mist, he believed he could accumulate more insights and establish his own Dao.

After establishing his Dao, he would then reach the Transformation Realm, and after that, the Primal Chaos Realm.

There were three more realms to go before he could walk the Dao.

Xu Yan also understood that these three realms became increasingly challenging to break through as one progressed, requiring longer periods of cultivation and accumulation.

"Master, how far have you walked the Dao?" Xu Yan asked curiously.

Li Xuan smiled mysteriously, "How far? I don't know. Looking back, there's no one in sight, and looking forward, there's no end in view. I just keep walking, and the scenery along the Grand Dao is captivating.

"Yes, disciple understands!" Xu Yan nodded reverently.

Li Xuan had imparted all that he could; from here on, the journey ahead was up to his disciples.

The Unchanging Land, shrouded in mist and without boundaries, undoubtedly held unknown dangers, especially with the presence of the Unchanging Temple, a formidable potential enemy. Furthermore, the strength of their opponent from the Unchanging Temple had likely increased significantly over the long years since the death of Tai Cang. Nonetheless, with his five martial arts schools at the Creation Realm, Li Xuan was confident in his ability to suppress them.

As his disciples were about to venture into the Unchanging Land, Li Xuan wanted to ensure their safety, as it was crucial to his martial arts endeavor and his own path to enlightenment. Thus, before their departure, he enhanced their life-saving talismans, confident that even the powerful opponent from the Unchanging Temple would not be able to harm his disciples.

Additionally, the Unchanging Land was vast and boundless, and it was easy to lose one's way and never find the path back. To prevent this, Li Xuan crafted sensing pearls, allowing his disciples to always locate the direction of the heavens and find their way back.

After bidding farewell to the crowd, Xu Yan, Meng Chong, Fang Hao, and Jiang Buling left the Green Lotus Sect, ready to embark on their journey into the Unchanging Land.

"Old Turtle, it's time to head to that great opportunity." Xu Yan said, gazing at the azure sea and addressing the Canghai Turtle.

"Now? It's very dangerous," the turtle replied, puzzled.

"My strength has already improved, and I can handle many dangers. Besides, when has the Unchanging Land ever been free of danger?" Xu Yan said nonchalantly.

Seeing Xu Yan's determination, the Canghai Turtle nodded. "Alright, I'll accompany you on this trip. But it's been a long time, and the great opportunity might not be in the same place. However, it shouldn't be difficult to find."

As he spoke, the Canghai Turtle rose from the azure sea, resembling a massive island taking to the skies.

After ascending, the turtle's colossal body began to shrink, and when it reached a size of about ten feet, Xu Yan, along with Meng Chong and the others, landed on its back.

"Let's go. You're familiar with the Unchanging Land, so you can guide us along the way!" Xu Yan said.

The Canghai Turtle was bewildered, feeling like they were treating him as a mount.

"I haven't pledged my allegiance yet!" the turtle wanted to throw the group off his back, but then he thought about how they were the true disciples of the Daoist ancestor, and he couldn't afford to offend them.

Moreover, did this mean that he was now also a disciple of the Daoist ancestor?

If so, he had hit the jackpot!

With this thought, the turtle no longer resisted and carried Xu Yan's group on his back as they ventured beyond the heavens.

"The Unchanging Land is boundless and ever-changing. Each region is unique, and it undergoes transformations over time. One can only understand the true nature of the Unchanging Land by experiencing it firsthand; words cannot do it justice," the Canghai Turtle began to introduce the Unchanging Land.

"Is that the Canghai Turtle?"

"Aren't those Sword God Xu Yan, Sky God Meng Chong, Qimen Fang Hao, and Spear Demon Jiang Buling? Are they heading to the Unchanging Land?"

Some of the World Masters noticed Xu Yan's group and expressed their surprise.

"They're probably going to the Unchanging Land for training. After all, they are the true disciples of that Daoist ancestor, so we can't judge them by common sense!"

"Indeed!"

The World Masters withdrew their gazes, filled with envy.

Boom!

Carrying Xu Yan and the others, the Canghai Turtle burst through the heavenly barrier and entered the Unchanging Land. Turning back, they could see the seven heavens, resplendent and vast, like a dazzling pearl amidst the misty expanse.

In that moment, they faintly understood why the Unchanging Temple wanted to devour the heavens. They also realized why the Unchanging Spirits yearned to enter the heavens—like a beacon of light in the darkness, the heavens attracted the beings shrouded in mist.

"There's only one of the seven heavens left now," Canghai Turtle sighed.

He looked up at the heavens where the Mingyu and Wumo used to reside, but there was no trace of them. The other heavens had also long since disappeared.

In the past, when one looked up, they could see seven distinct and magnificent jewels amidst the mist of the Unchanging Land.

Among them, Tai Cang was the most dazzling and enchanting, as well as the largest.

Now, Tai Cang was but a memory, replaced by the vastness of Dahuang. And with the presence of the Heavenly Dao, Dahuang shone even more brilliantly than Tai Cang ever did.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end