Chapter 555: 554. Anticipating the Ultimate Truth

Chapter 555: 554. Anticipating the Ultimate Truth



The dazzling starlight above Dragon Tiger Mountain seemed to transform into a cosmic starry sky.

Although it was still daytime, the surrounding heavens and earth dimmed, as if shrouded by night.

In the center of this nocturnal realm, the stars shone with exceptional brilliance.

The starlight vaguely gathered above Dragon Tiger Mountain, forming a massive three-tiered altar, with an octagonal shape and a round upper tier.

At the top of the upper tier, the concentrated and dazzling starlight shot straight up, piercing through the night sky, resembling both a column of light and a celestial path.

The end of the celestial path disappeared into the firmament, its destination unknown.

Those on Dragon Tiger Mountain and the surrounding areas witnessing this magnificent sight suddenly understood.

Following Yuan Mo Bai and Chu Kun, the Celestial Master Manor produced another new Immortal from the Talisman School.

The current Celestial Master, the Three Caverns Three Heavens Master, Zhuo Baojie.

Within the ancestral court of Dragon Tiger Mountain, all disciples, regardless of cultivation level or seniority, bowed together towards the enormous three-tiered altar formed by the concentrated starlight.

After a while, the starlight dimmed, and the surrounding night sky also disappeared, revealing the day in the surrounding area.

Zhuo Baojie, from the outside, appeared no different from before. He wore the Celestial Master's robe, with the Celestial Master's sword and seal at his waist, and the Primordial Crown on his head, slowly walking out from the Celestial Master's Hall.

His eyes moved slightly, and his gaze immediately fell upon a separate mansion in the mountains.

His gaze seemed to penetrate the void, meeting Lei Jun's eyes.

Lei Jun smiled and nodded in greeting.

Zhuo Baojie thus calmed his mind, first greeting the other disciples in the manor, accepting their congratulations, and setting a time for the opening of the altar and teaching the Dao.

After the subsequent matters were generally decided and arranged, Zhuo Baojie specifically went to that cave mansion.

This place was very familiar to him.

It was the cave mansion where Lei Jun lived before he took up the position of the Celestial Master.

As Zhuo Baojie entered, he saw Lei Jun and his fellow disciple Feng Ting both smiling at him.

"Congratulations, Celestial Master, for your profound mystic ascension and longevity." Lei Jun said with a smile.

Beside him, Feng Ting smiled and performed a Daoist bow, "Congratulations, Senior Brother, for your profound mystic ascension and longevity."

Zhuo Baojie looked at the tall Daoist before him, still appearing like a young man, wearing a yellow brocade robe, and opened his mouth, but for a moment, he couldn't make a sound.

He bowed deeply to Lei Jun, and only then could he speak normally, "It's been nearly three decades since I followed my Master back to the mountain. Now, thinking back, it feels like a different life. I have achieved what I have today, all thanks to my Master's guidance."

Lei Jun raised his hand to support his senior disciple and invited him and Feng Ting to sit down, "A master can only guide you to the door; cultivation depends on the individual. Just like Hua Ting, who is a human genius, you, Hua Jie, are also a naturally gifted spirit seed among spiritual beasts.

If we were to speak of it, cultivating human Daoist methods may have even delayed your progress. If you had been taught by other spiritual beasts and followed their cultivation methods, you might have opened the Immortal Gate even earlier and achieved immortality."

Like Yuan Mo Bai, Zhuo Baojie, in the body of a spiritual beast, cultivated human Daoist methods, initially establishing his foundation, which took some time.

Zhuo Baojie, after returning to the mountain with Lei Jun for over a decade, was formally transmitted and accepted as a disciple during the winter of the year Lei Jun ascended to the Three Heavens.

During his cultivation, the master and disciple continuously deliberated and coordinated, also focusing on adjusting their cultivation progress, sometimes seeming fast and sometimes slow.

As Lei Jun said, if Zhuo Baojie had lived in the Celestial Sphere since childhood, like True Dragon Huaming, Phoenix Fengming, and Azure Crane Zhuyin, and received guidance and pointers from other spiritual beasts from a young age, he might have opened the Immortal Gate even faster.

However, Zhuo Baojie did not see it that way.

After the End of Han Dynasty Cataclysm, the Celestial Sphere was sealed for many years and did not return to the human realm.

Moreover, the Celestial Sphere's subsequent landing point was in the human realm of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, several decades after his youth.

If he hadn't met Lei Jun, during those decades, he could only slowly nurture his spiritual wisdom and cultivate on his own. Not to mention the speed of his cultivation progress, he might have even faced the possibility of an early demise due to encountering dangers. Even if everything went smoothly, it's uncertain if cultivating human Daoist methods would have been much faster in such circumstances.

"My achievements today are all thanks to my Master's guidance," Zhuo Baojie repeated sincerely.

As the three of them were chatting, someone suddenly rushed in:

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

The purple-robed female disciple entered, first straightened her expression, and bowed to Lei Jun, "Disciple pays respects to Master."

It was Lei Jun's second disciple, Han Xiao Fei, who had left the mountain for her journey.

After greeting her Master and third senior disciple, Feng Ting, she quickly lost her composure and looked at Zhuo Baojie with some annoyance:

"I rushed back to the mountain as fast as I could, but I was still a little late!"

Zhuo Baojie's expression remained unchanged, "Don't worry, I'll wait for you next time."

After Han Xiao Fei's annoyance passed, she quickly smiled again, "Regardless, congratulations, Senior Brother, for your profound mystic ascension and longevity."

As she spoke, her eyes began to dart around, sneakily glancing at Zhuo Baojie.

Lei Jun didn't need to look to know what his second disciple was thinking:

I wonder if that fur coat feels even better after ascending to immortality...

"Although Uncle Wang's situation is a bit special, he, along with Master and third senior uncle, have all ascended to the Immortal Realm, creating a wonderful tale."

Zhuo Baojie paid no heed to Han Xiao Fei's scrutiny, smiling at her and Feng Ting, "Let's give it a try, the three of us?"

As Han Xiao Fei quietly approached her senior brother, she said, "Although there's still some distance to go, I'm determined to open the Immortal Gate and witness the splendor of the Immortal Realm!"

Feng Ting smiled beside them, "I, the junior brother, am not as talented as you, senior brother and sister, but I will surely cultivate diligently, doing my best to keep up."

In the serene atmosphere, Lei Jun sits in a meditative pose, a faint smile on his face as he observes his three closest disciples. After a round of lighthearted conversation, Han Xiao Fei recalls something and asks, "Master, I remember you mentioning that the leader of the Huatian Dao, Kang Ming, has also been preparing for the Mystic Enlightenment and Ascension to Immortality. Has he succeeded in his cultivation?"

Lei Jun nods in affirmation, "Indeed."

Intrigued, Han Xiao Fei inquires further, "I've heard he possesses the dual sacred body constitution and simultaneously cultivates the Talisman and Alchemy Daoist traditions. So, in his quest for immortality, has he achieved the Mystic Tower or Primordial Spirit?"

Lei Jun explains, "Initially, he swiftly attained the first layer of the Five Qi Ascend to the Divine Realm in the Talisman tradition and the Bright Spirit Qi in the Alchemy tradition, mastering both lineages and reaching the Great Vehicle realm of the Ninth Heaven."

However, after that, he dedicated himself solely to the Talisman tradition, eventually achieving the Mystic Enlightenment Bridge and the Five Qi Ascend to the Divine Realm in its entirety. He then strived to transform into the Great Vehicle Dao Scene, aiming for the Mystic Tower and immortality.

Moreover, during this period, his dual sacred body constitution has been further refined into a Primordial Immortal Body through Posterior Heaven cultivation.

"He can now cultivate both Daoist traditions simultaneously," Han Xiao Fei remarks with surprise.

"If he ascends to immortality, will he remain in the human realm or depart for the Heavenly and Earthly realms?" she asks, her tone calm as she speaks of Kang Ming and the Huatian Dao.

Lei Jun's gaze remains peaceful as he looks into the distance, "It won't be long now."

His eyes turn northward.

In the northernmost wastelands of the human realm, another Talisman tradition sect stands tall.

The current leader has taken measures to conceal its presence, making it extremely discreet and difficult for outsiders to detect.

This is the Huatian Dao sect after its relocation through spatial displacement.

Recently, the sect has gathered many of its high-level elders, including Chen Ziyang and Xia Hou Po, who have come together with a mix of patience and excitement.

The sect leader, Kang Ming, has been in seclusion for some time.

Having already reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven, he is currently striving to break through to the immortal realm.

Xia Hou Po, being relatively younger, remains composed, while the older Chen Ziyang's emotions are a mix of complexity.

In the past, Kang Ming's ascension to immortality would have held significant importance for the Huatian Dao.

The Huatian Dao sect was created through a secret method by high-level elders, giving it an eight-hundred-year lifespan limit, just like the upper realm cultivators.

The current sect has a considerable amount of its lifespan remaining, with at least six hundred years left before reaching its limit.

However, if the Huatian Dao can produce an immortal, under his leadership, the sect's lifespan can be significantly extended, akin to the immortals.

The implications of this are far from trivial.

...It should have been a cause for celebration.

But as of today, it seems that all of this has lost its meaning.

The Dragon Tiger Mountain ancestral court has regained its former glory, as it was before the End of Han Cataclysm.

The previous Celestial Master, Xuan Xiao Zi, presided over the entire Daoist world.

The Huatian Dao has also undergone two cycles of returning to its roots and flowing back.

The human realm is peaceful, and everything seems to have settled into place.

Although there hasn't been an official announcement, there is an unspoken understanding among the various human realm factions, including the Huatian Dao.

Like the White Lotus Sect, they are not as openly active as other Daoist and Buddhist sacred sites, but they have also broken free from the early restrictions.

However, under Kang Ming's leadership, the Huatian Dao maintains a lower profile than the White Lotus Sect.

The Huatian Dao sect can now move through spatial displacement, but it remains secluded in the northernmost wastelands, refraining from large-scale expansion and accepting new disciples.

Including Chen Ziyang, they all follow Kang Ming's instructions, focusing on their personal cultivation.

Like a solitary snow plum in the wilderness, they bloom, survive, and silently approach their destined withering, isolated from the outside world.

Nevertheless, the prospect of Kang Ming's imminent ascension to immortality fills everyone with excitement.

Ascension to immortality is an arduous task.

Whether in the current Nine Heavens Ten Lands world, gradually entering a period of Daoist cultivation prosperity, or in the ancient times when the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humans thrived, ascension to immortality remains an achievement reserved for a select few.

Yet, this offers a glimmer of hope for the Huatian Dao.

Kang Ming's ascension is not as ostentatious as others.

When he reappears before the Huatian Dao disciples, they are momentarily stunned, their first reaction being disbelief that he has taken that final step.

However, as high-level elders, Xia Hou Po and Chen Ziyang quickly perceive the changes in their sect.

If this is the case, it means Kang Ming has succeeded!

"Congratulations, Master, on your Mystic Enlightenment and Ascension to Immortality. May you live long and prosper!" The Huatian Dao disciples regain their composure and offer their well-wishes to Kang Ming.

Kang Ming remains calm and announces that he will hold a sermon to address the doubts and questions of his fellow sect members.

"After this, I will leave the human realm."

Kang Ming continues, "However, I will return to the human realm annually to oversee the sect's affairs. I entrust the day-to-day management to all of you."

Master Lei Jun's words imply that he will not sever his ties with the Huatian Dao, even if he leaves the human realm and resides in the Heavenly and Earthly realms. He will continue to watch over the sect, keeping a low profile and concealing his identity.

Xia Hou Po takes a deep breath, realizing that even as an immortal, Master Lei Jun remains committed to being the guardian of the Huatian Dao.

As the current Celestial Master, Zhuo Baojie holds a sermon for the entire Dragon Tiger Mountain.

After the sermon, Lei Jun departs Dragon Tiger Mountain, heading to the Heavenly Realm and entering the Three Pure Ones Fairy Land in the Penglai Sea.

Currently, his master, Yuan Mo Bai, is in secluded meditation there.

With the younger generation growing up, the older generation of elders has begun to retire and focus on their cultivation.

Yuan Mo Bai, who had been stationed at Dragon Tiger Mountain, has been spending most of his time in the Penglai Sea of the Heavenly Realm since his ascension to immortality, except when he travels to other places.

"Hua Jie has finally taken this step." Yuan Mo Bai's face was filled with a warm smile, much more intense than usual.

Le Jun sat below him, also wearing a smile.

The news of the new Celestial Master's ascension to immortality spread, naturally attracting the attention of the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earth Great Thousand World.

For mortals, it was not only the emergence of a new Immortal from the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion's Talisman School lineage, but also the fact that Yuan Mo Bai, Le Jun, and Zhuo Baojie's three generations had all ascended to the immortal realm.

Since the End of the Han Dynasty Cataclysm, this was the first such occurrence in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earth Great Thousand World, naturally attracting congratulations from all directions and destined to leave a significant mark in history.

Yuan Mo Bai and Le Jun, master and disciple, who usually maintained a detached demeanor, were now filled with contentment because of this matter.

"Kang Ming has also ascended to the immortal realm."

Yuan Mo Bai heard another piece of news and nodded slightly.

Le Jun said, "He intends to enter the Earth Plane and temporarily reside between the mountains and seas."

6◇9◇Shu◇Ba

He would not interfere.

Yuan Mo Bai said, "In this Great Thousand World, the accumulation of merits has led to a surge of ascensions. The number of those who have ascended is gradually increasing, and the atmosphere is reminiscent of the time before the End of the Han Dynasty Cataclysm."

There was a massive number of Immortal Scholars, and as time continued to pass, there might be more Second Level and Third Level Immortal Spirits.

"Zhang Scholar and Shen Daoist are currently preparing for the Second Level Immortal Spirit." Le Jun spoke.

Yuan Mo Bai nodded repeatedly.

Shu Mountain's Shen Xi had been an Immortal Scholar for nearly eighty years. After his ascension, his Divine Light Immortal Body's wondrous effects were slightly weaker compared to before.

It wasn't that the Divine Light Immortal Body's wonders had faded, but the path to further ascension was inherently even longer.

However, since shedding the burden of the past, Shen Xi's mindset remained stable, diligently cultivating without rest.

During the time after Le Jun and the others, he was the first to ascend, and currently, he walked at the forefront of his fellow cultivators, continuously advancing towards the Second Level Immortal Spirit.

Yuan Mo Bai and Le Jun, master and disciple, were now accustomed to calling Zhang Wantong as Tianrui Scholar, and 'Zhang Scholar' generally referred to Zhang Hui.

Zhang Hui had become a Saint over sixty years ago.

He usually indulged in the beauty of nature, and after the Nine Heavens and Ten Earth Great Thousand World mostly calmed down, he spent most of his time traveling to places like the Scholar Forest World.

It seemed that the Ninefold Heaven's perfection and the Confucian accumulation of merits did not directly assist him, but his innate talent still progressed swiftly.

Although Shen Xi's ascension was later than Zhang Hui's, currently, both Zhang Hui and Shen Xi were Immortal Scholars at the forefront, closest to the Second Level Immortal Spirit.

In recent years, the two of them had started preparing for the final push towards higher realms.

"Master and Third Senior Brother have also diligently cultivated without rest these years." Le Jun smiled.

The Witch Sect's Zhao Qianran, the Dao Sect's Mu Chunyang, and the Confucian's Xiao Yu Men had entered the immortal realm earlier, but on the path to the Second Level Immortal Spirit, Le Jun currently had more faith in his master and senior brother's positions.

Yuan Mo Bai smiled and shook his head, "There's still a gap."

"Additionally, the White Lotus Sect's Venerable Hui Yin possesses a flawless wisdom root and comprehension that surpasses her peers. If she focuses on advancement, she can catch up to Zhang Scholar and Shen Daoist, but Venerable Hui Yin has her own plans." Le Jun continued.

Yuan Mo Bai nodded.

Not only had they heard about this from Wang Guiyuan, but during their meditation and discussions, they had also communicated with Venerable Hui Yin herself.

It wasn't that Venerable Hui Yin was slacking off or lacking in focus for advancement, nor was she unsuitable for cultivating to improve her cultivation.

It was just that she had chosen a different direction.

Previously, Hui Yin had cultivated the Buddhist Golden Body lineage, vowing to attain the Golden Body.

If she continued to cultivate this lineage, with her talent level and Buddhist abilities, in recent years, she would have the hope of attaining the Buddhist Golden Body's 'Great Vehicle' and becoming 'One with the Great'.

But after Venerable Hui Yin attained the Golden Body's 'Great Vehicle', in these years, she turned to cultivating other lineages of Buddhist Dharma.

Her previous cultivation in the Zen Martial Arts, Precepts, and Mudras lineages had all achieved the Buddhist Ninefold Heaven's Dharma Body. In the past few years, she had successfully attained the Buddhist Precepts lineage's Golden Body, cultivating a pure Extinction Karma.

In recent years, she was cultivating the Buddhist Zen Martial Arts lineage, preparing to attain the Buddhist Zen Martial Arts Golden Body.

As Wang Guiyuan went to the Demon World to save sentient beings, he did not delay Venerable Hui Yin's cultivation.

To some extent, this journey would be more beneficial to his subsequent cultivation.

And the Demon World compared to the past, had already greatly improved.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree directly escaped from the current Demon World.

Although the injured Demon Dragon Emperor had strong recovery abilities, if he couldn't find peace and was constantly pressured by Yan Ao Yun's relentless pursuit, his injuries would be difficult to heal.

In the end, it followed the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree's footsteps and fled from the Demon World.

Only the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva stubbornly resisted, persisting in the Demon World for a long time.

Among the three great demons, in terms of pure frontal killing power and destructive force, it surpassed the Demon Dragon Emperor.

Yan Ao Yun's step-by-step advancing strategy was precisely what played to the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva's strengths.

But since Yan Ao Yun dared to do this, it was because he had the confidence to surpass his opponent.

Although the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva resisted, in the end, it still had to withdraw from the Demon World.

If the Demon Dragon Emperor hadn't come to their rescue, the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva might have been directly suppressed to death in the Demon World, unable to escape.

Previously, the Demon Dragon Emperor was injured, and the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva did not take advantage of the situation.

Both sides acted out of mutual survival.

It was just that the three great demons who had brought long-lasting bloodshed and darkness to the Demon World were finally expelled from this Great Thousand World, one after the other.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree, the first to retreat, was among the three demons severely injured by Yan Ao Yun Ao Yun successfully injured all three demon monsters.

In the following period, Yun Ao Yun traveled between the Demon Realm and the Scholar Forest Great Thousand World, deterring the three demon monsters from attempting a comeback in the short term, leaving them to lick their wounds in the outer universe.

Yan Zi did not seek fame for his achievements and did not reveal himself extensively in the Demon Realm. After driving away the three demon monsters, he retreated behind the scenes, leaving the forefront to Wang Guiyuan, Hui Yin, and other Buddhist venerables and eminent monks.

Wang Guiyuan, Hui Yin, and the others did not disappoint, suppressing demons and subduing evil spirits on a large scale, sweeping away the remnants that had once followed the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva in the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

Although the former splendor of the Buddhist Pure Land Great Thousand World was still overshadowed by demonic winds and evil auras, a sign of the end of the Dharma Age finally emerged.

As time passed, with the continuous efforts of Wang Guiyuan and the other eminent Buddhist monks, this Great Thousand World held the hope of restoring peace in the future.

In the Scholar Forest Great Thousand World, Jiao Feiyang and other great scholars focused their attention more on the Demon Capital and the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

After successfully expelling the three demon monsters, Yun Ao Yun still traveled between the Demon Realm and the Scholar Forest Great Thousand World, but his attention shifted back to the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

Yan Zi did not lose himself in his success.

Although he achieved great success in purifying the Demon Realm, the problems in the Tai Yi Great Thousand World might be even more severe.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree, known for its frenzied chaos, was the first to flee among the three demon monsters, not out of fear but because the Tai Yi Witch Venerable controlled it, choosing to retreat and preserve its strength.

This preserved strength led to the Tai Yi Great Thousand World gaining reinforcement while the Demon Realm was swept clean.

Traveling between the Great Thousand Worlds was challenging, and even top-notch experts might get lost in the vast outer void.

However, the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree was closely related to the Tai Yi Witch Venerable, and it was the clearest signpost leading to the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

As expected, soon after, news spread that the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree had also appeared in the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

It dared not confront Yun Ao Yun directly through the Demon Capital to invade the Scholar Forest Great Thousand World.

But Yun Ao Yun's next move, entering the Tai Yi Great Thousand World, would be even more challenging.

The Tai Yi Witch Venerable's strength had always been formidable.

The tug-of-war over the Demon Capital and the Tai Yi Great Thousand World's gateway had been ongoing for years.

Xu Yuan Zhen remained enthusiastic about staying there.

Tang Xiaotang, in recent times, returned to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Great Thousand World, arriving at the Penglai Sea Sanbao Fairy Land.

She would impact the Immortal Realm's Third Level, also known as Mystic Microcosm, striving for the Mystic Bridge to Enlightenment, the ultimate truth of the Mystic Realm, and the Three Days Return to Purity.

"Hua Jie has also achieved the Mystic Microcosm and ascended to immortality. It's a cause for celebration!" Tang Xiaotang sighed. "Hua Wei, my junior fellow disciple, and Fei'er still need some time. Perhaps the child from the Void Sea will take this step faster."

Yuan Mo Bai smiled, "Steady progress is best."

Tang Xiaotang rubbed her palms, "Junior Uncle is right. But while progressing steadily, we must also strive for a breakthrough. On this trip, I aim to take a leap forward, Mystic Purple Microcosm, Three Days Return to Purity, and definitely surpass my senior fellow disciple!"

Lei Jun did not object, "The most suitable way is the best way."

Differences exist between individuals.

What suits others may not suit oneself.

People like Tang Xiaotang, Han Xiaofei, and An Buzheng have consistently advanced with vigor, constantly refining and improving, emphasizing a breakthrough with determination.

People like Wang Guiyuan, Yuan Mo Bai, Chu Kun, and Feng Ting, on the other hand, mostly embody the word 'steady.'

As for Lei Jun, Zhao Chanyang, Xu Yuan Zhen, Cheng Rongrong, and Chi Haifeng, they are relatively more 'unhurried'...

Tang Xiaotang's eyes suddenly narrowed, glancing at Lei Jun beside her, and she cleared her throat, "Lei Jun, you... how far are you from the ultimate truth?"

The Daoist Talisman School's custom was to achieve the Mystic Microcosm at the ninth level of the Cave Deity's Nine Heavens, and the Mystic Bridge to Enlightenment was formed at the completion of the fifth level.

This stage was also known as Penetrating the Mysteries through Divine Contemplation.

Which refers to the Immortal Realm's next level, also known as the Mystic Realm. Hence, it is called 'pushing open the immortal gate' to achieve the Mystic Microcosm.

The final stage of the Immortal Realm's Third Level, or the Mystic Realm's Third Level, is called the Three Days Return to Purity, also known as the Mystic Return to Purity.

Which refers to yet another level above, the legendary ultimate truth.

The Return to Purity is ultimately not the true ultimate truth.

The Daoist Talisman School cultivators have always followed the path of comprehending the mysteries of heaven and earth, constantly perfecting themselves through this process.

Upon reaching the ultimate truth, the divine palace is formed within the body, transforming into the Great Vehicle Dao Realm, then the Dao Realm transforms into the Three Days Mystic Barrier, gradually perfecting until the cultivator's body itself becomes like another true heaven and earth.

However, upon reaching the ultimate truth, the Dao Realm disappears, completely merging with the body.

What is transformed is called the Three Caverns Three Pure Realms.

Within it, the Jade Pure, Supreme Pure, and Upper Pure Three Qis flow, spiritual and pure, giving birth to heaven and establishing earth, their power immeasurable, originally the same as the Dao Qi, with profound meanings interconnected.

When facing external enemies, their methods are basically ineffective against the cultivator, who is ethereal and unfathomable, ever-changing like the great Dao.

Not only the Daoist Talisman School cultivators, but historically, there was also a Daoist Alchemy School's true ancestor who achieved the Refinement of Spirit and Return to the Divine. The situation was similar.

Upon reaching such a realm, the great Dao leads to the same destination, all methods unified, and even if there are still some differences, they are limited, almost like two sides of the same coin.

When Daoist cultivators reach this realm, they are customarily called Heaven Venerables.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end