Chapter 570: Despair on the Path of Cultivation

Chapter 570: Despair on the Path of Cultivation

Shadow was taken aback.

The Unique Palace coming to see him?

How absurd!

The Unique Palace, devoid of self-awareness, resides in the Seven Heavens.

Ordinary beings avoid it at all costs, fearing they might be assimilated into anomalous spirits.

Yet, this person actually wanted the Unique Palace to come and see him.

"This is beyond my capabilities," Shadow shook his head.

"Does this Immortal Palace have a deep connection with the Unique Palace?" Qi Yuan asked. "If I destroy this Immortal Palace, will the Unique Palace agree to see me?"

The Unique Palace is a Fourth Layer Solar Deity, lacking self-awareness, much like the Black Heaven.

However, since the Grand Radiant Palace managed to connect with the Unique Palace and wield the Phoenix Transformation, it suggests that there might be entities within the Unique Palace similar to those in the Black Sky Black Ground.

Shadow remained silent, unsure how to respond.

After much contemplation, he finally said, "The Immortal Palace is a Domain Master Artifact, and ordinary people... find it difficult to destroy."

"Without trying, how would you know?" Qi Yuan said with a mysterious smile.

The Immortal Palace is a Domain Master Artifact, but it is a common one, far inferior to the Human Enlightenment forged from the primal rules of the universe.

He extended a finger and pointed at the sky.

"Make it... pregnant!"

Chaos energy spread.

Qi Yuan's aura became mysterious and eerie.

Shadow's eyes widened, bewildered.

What is this Ten Thousand Sun Venerable doing?

And pregnant?

What does that mean?

As a spirit bound to the Immortal Palace, Shadow suddenly clutched his stomach.

"What have you done to me?"

He looked at Qi Yuan, a sense of dread growing in his heart.

"I suddenly felt that destruction is not as fulfilling as creation, so... I decided to try and make the Immortal Palace pregnant.

If the Immortal Palace is pregnant, the Unique Palace, as its guardian, will surely come to check, right?

After all, no dowry has been given, and no wedding feast has been arranged," Qi Yuan said earnestly.

Shadow felt like crying but had no tears. "You're mad, you're completely mad!"

He couldn't understand how his pregnancy had anything to do with the Unique Palace seeing Qi Yuan.

Of course, it's normal that his logic couldn't match Qi Yuan's.

"Don't be like that, I'm a man... I don't want to be pregnant!"

"So what if you're pregnant? I have a friend who lays eggs!

Are you discriminating against him? If you keep this up, he might not let you eat his eggs!"

"No, it's just that... why would the Unique Palace want to see you!" Shadow clutched his stomach, utterly baffled.

At that moment, Qi Yuan looked up, a smile in his eyes. "It seems the Unique Palace still cares about you, hasn't it come?"

As Qi Yuan's voice faded, Shadow stiffened, a special aura descending upon him.

"Rules, All Things, Heaven Opening... this level of power is enough to rouse me and see you."

Shadow's strength was not great, and he couldn't discern that Qi Yuan's previous move displayed Heaven-Creating Realm power.

But this move had awakened and descended upon him.

"I never expected that after so many years, there would still be someone in the Immortal World capable of breaking the boundaries and reaching the Heaven-Creating Realm," the new Shadow sighed.

Since the Sword of Future Severance, the limit of the Immortal World was the Second Layer Solar Deity.

To reach higher realms, one had to open the Seven Heavens of the Immortal World.

But there are always exceptions in this world.

He had seen many such exceptions.

But reaching the Heaven-Creating Realm was something he had never seen before.

Moreover... the other party seemed to be a Heaven-Creating Realm, yet not quite.

To reach the Heaven-Creating Realm, one must fuse with the will of the Immortal Dao and master the rules of all things.

But the other party's Dao seemed not to be the will of the Immortal Dao.

Only an outsider... could explain this.

An outsider's Heaven-Creating Realm had somehow entered the confines of the Immortal World, leaving him profoundly moved.

"Who are you?" Qi Yuan asked.

"I am Nameless, the Sword Guardian of the Unique Palace," Nameless replied.

"Hey, what's going on with your Unique Palace?" Qi Yuan asked directly. "Helping the Grand Radiant Palace to target me, right?"

The Sword Guardian Nameless looked puzzled, then a flood of information surged into his mind, and he smiled.

"The one from the Grand Radiant Palace just got lucky, barely obtaining the Sole Token and thus wielding the Phoenix Transformation," Nameless replied.

He had been in a constant state of sleep.

If not for sensing Qi Yuan's aura, he wouldn't have awakened.

After all, every being that breaks the boundaries is worth his support.

Nameless continued, "You and I are not enemies."

"Can the Phoenix Transformation be ended? After all, the cultivation world already has a bad reputation. Adding the Phoenix Transformation just leads to more fighting and killing, which is not good," Qi Yuan said, always concerned about the cultivation world's atmosphere as a paragon of justice and law.

"The Phoenix Transformation... its beginning and end are not within my control; they are determined by my master," the Sword Guardian Nameless replied.

"You have a master?"

"Yes... he is the Unique Palace," the Sword Guardian Nameless said, his voice filled with reverence.

"Perhaps, you know his other name," the Sword Guardian Nameless looked at Qi Yuan and slowly said, "Bright Sovereign."

"The Bright Sovereign who severed the future with a sword?" Qi Yuan was surprised.

At the Supreme Reason Sect, Qi Yuan had inquired about many things.

According to the Supreme Reason Sect, the original Immortal World had nine heavens.

However, at that time, a breathtakingly powerful figure named Bright Sovereign appeared, severing the future of the Immortal World with a single sword strike.

Qi Yuan was quite astonished back then.

To sever the future with a single sword strike—how powerful must one be?

Even the current Qi Yuan would find it difficult to sever the future with a sword.

Bright Sovereign's sword severed the future, and thus, the Immortal World no longer had nine heavens.

"Why did Bright Sovereign sever the future?" Qi Yuan asked.

This was also a question.

Because, according to Qi Yuan's knowledge, most universes have a future.

Only the Immortal World and the world where the Gluttonyless Mother once resided have no future.

"You already know the path of the Fourth Layer Solar Deity. Do you know the path of the Fifth Layer Solar Deity?"

"Swordkeeper Wuming inquired.

"The fifth layer is the Dao Lord, the master of a single path," Qi Yuan replied.

"In the fourth layer of the Yang Shen Realm, one will lose their True Spirit and become nameless."

Even if there's a slim chance of revival, it would be a rebirth.

For when one steps into the fourth layer, it signifies the annihilation of the True Spirit.

Qi Yuan had no intention of taking this path.

Instead, he is now exploring a different route, bypassing the fourth layer and directly entering the fifth.

If successful, he can incorporate this into his own Yang Shen cultivation path.

"The pinnacle of the Yang Shen Realm is the fifth layer, the master of a single path."

At this, Swordkeeper Wuming's expression turned reverent.

"The Dao Lord's power is such that with a single thought, they can control the birth and death of a universe, even multiple universes.

Within their path, they are invincible.

But..."

Swordkeeper Wuming paused, his eyes filled with desolation.

"Once a Dao Lord achieves their path, time within their domain comes to a halt, and then... it begins... an infinite cycle."

"The day of their achievement is also the start of the cycle, and everything in the world... becomes frozen in time!"

Swordkeeper Wuming's expression turned grim.

This implied that in the world where a Dao Lord achieves their path, time reaches its end and will not advance further.

Time will enter a cycle, endlessly looping from the beginning to the day of achievement.

Within this cycle, there may be changes and variations due to the Dao Lord's intervention.

But... everything has an end.

When time reaches the day of the Dao Lord's achievement, the next cycle begins.

If someone had made an appointment to meet on the day before the Dao Lord's achievement, perhaps they would keep their promise every time, but never actually meet.

"The end of the cultivation journey is like this, it's truly laughable!" Swordkeeper Wuming's face showed frustration.

Such a Dao Lord is indeed formidable and unmatched.

One might even say that they hold the lives of all beings in their hands.

Many would aspire to become such a Dao Lord.

But there are also cultivators who are unwilling to settle for this fate.

Qi Yuan fell silent, "So this is the end of the cultivation journey."

He imagined the Dao Lord before their achievement.

If they hadn't become a Dao Lord, there would be no Cosmic River Mother.

Close friends who died in battle or aging relatives couldn't be resurrected.

Even as he watched, his loved ones would age, their divine hearts collapsing.

Loneliness and loss.

If he became a Dao Lord, everything would be frozen in time.

Children who never grow up, trees that never bloom, rivers that never reach the sea...

"Isn't that despairing?" Swordkeeper Wuming asked, his voice filled with emotion.

"Indeed... for the Dao Lord, it's fine, but for others, it's despair."

"In the Immortal World, there is a Dao Lord." At this point, Swordkeeper Wuming) revealed a shocking reality.

"A Dao Lord in the Immortal World?" Even Qi Yuan felt startled.

A Dao Lord in the Immortal World implied that one day, time would reach the Dao Lord's achievement, and then... an infinite cycle would begin.

"Don't worry, that Dao Lord... no longer exists," Swordkeeper Wuming said.

These words were like a thunderclap.

It was as if an invincible Dao Lord of the present age had fallen.

"Although the Dao Lord is gone, the world continues toward the future and will initiate the next cycle.

My master, the Bright Sovereign, accidentally entered the Immortal World and couldn't bear to witness this.

So, he chose to enter the fourth layer of the Yang Shen Realm, and at that moment, he reached the pinnacle, severing the future of the Immortal World."

Swordkeeper Wuming's face showed reverence as he spoke.

"Since then, the Immortal World has no future, and no Yang Shen can have a future body."

"The Bright Sovereign is truly remarkable," Qi Yuan admired. "He came from the outside world but was willing to sacrifice his True Spirit to sever the future of the Immortal World."

This indicated that the Bright Sovereign, in the Heaven-Creating Realm, had reached the limit.

He might have had the chance to bypass the fourth layer and directly enter the fifth.

But he chose to enter the fourth layer, and at that moment, he reached the pinnacle, severing the future of the Immortal World.

"The Phoenix Transformation will reshape the nine heavens of the Immortal World, thus recreating its future." Swordkeeper Wuming explained.

"Do you know about the Deviant Dao Fruit?" Swordkeeper Wuming asked.

"I've heard of it but never seen it."

The Purple Origin Ancestor was injured by this Deviant Dao Fruit.

"As the saying goes, when a whale falls, all things are born. The Deviant Dao Fruit is the embodiment of the rules understood by that Dao Lord."

"How did that Dao Lord die?" Qi Yuan was curious.

Logically, a Dao Lord should be the pinnacle of cultivation.

No one could kill such a being.

Swordkeeper Wuming shook his head, "I don't know, perhaps... only my master knows."

Qi Yuan pondered.

Generally, the lifespan of a Yang Shen is virtually endless. But an infinite lifespan doesn't guarantee survival.

Even if the world is destroyed, the Yang Shen remains.

However, if they encounter the end of an epoch, the withering of all things, and the collapse of the universe, they can only perish, except for the Domain Masters who can hide within the rules of the universe.

(End)

Even after becoming a Domain Master and transcending the universe, there is still a possibility of demise due to the collapse of the rules after an incredibly long existence, such as a billion epochs.

"Cultivation is just too difficult. Even though I'm a Yin Deity now, with an endless lifespan, I may have witnessed the destruction of the universe countless times, and then died."

"If I were to reach the fourth layer of the Yang Deity, I would die instantly. As for the fifth layer, it's even more hopeless."

"I'm so frustrated with my Immortal cultivation that I feel like I've caught the Jade Jade Syndrome."

Qi Yuan was speaking the truth.

When he thought of the words of the Sword Guardian, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unwarranted worry.

"I've been reading the online novel 'The Sword Guardian' on the internet, and I've been checking the forums for any updates on the latest chapters!"

How will the future unfold? Cultivation is so challenging! The Sword Guardian remained silent for a moment.

Indeed, those who have lived for an extended period often have some mental issues.

This Ten Thousand Sun Venerable, who has likely witnessed the destruction of the universe thousands of times, is probably an ancient monster with mental problems.

However, he eventually spoke, "Since you possess the strength of a Domain Master, I'll give you this Bright Sovereign Token."

The Sword Guardian handed over a Bright Sovereign Token to Qi Yuan.

"My master has reached the fourth layer of the Yang Deity and transformed into the Unique Palace.

After experiencing countless eons, the Unique Palace is about to enter the final stage of the fourth layer of the Yang Deity converge, becoming an Odd Treasure.

My master once said that if he were to become an Odd Treasure, it wouldn't be impossible for a person from the future to take control.

But I hope that the person from the future can take charge of the Unique Palace, travel to the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal World, and seal the Dao Fruit of the Immortal World's Dao Lord.

Otherwise, if the Dao Fruit is completely exposed, there may never be another Immortal Dao in this world.

I've given out seven Bright Sovereign Tokens, including this one. I hope that in the future, you'll have the opportunity to take charge of the Unique Palace."

The Sword Guardian continued to speak at length.

Qi Yuan took the intimate moment, saying, "It's perfect timing; my family still needs a house, and the Unique Palace seems just right."

The Sword Guardian remained silent.

The other six individuals who possessed the Bright Sovereign Tokens, to varying degrees, also seemed to have some mental issues.

"By the way, I still have a question. Why would one die upon leaving the Immortal World?"

Qi Yuan recalled the Primordial Ancestor of the Black Demon Abyss and other rumors.

Any living being that leaves the Immortal World will instantly perish.

The Sword Guardian shook his head, "I can't answer that question either."

"Perhaps..." Qi Yuan sighed, "There are still many unknowns in the Immortal World that I'm unaware of. Cultivation is just too difficult."

Qi Yuan's words were filled with emotion.

Qi Tan Bazaar.

Godless had a puzzled look on his face.

"Strange, why hasn't Radiant Light appeared for several days in a row?"

He had promised to help Lotus Mei gather enough Radiant Light to enter the late stage of the Purple Mansion.

But during this time, there had been no sign of Radiant Light.

No wonder Godless was surprised.

"Could it be... related to the changes in the Immortal Palace?" Lotus Mei speculated.

Not long ago, after parting ways with Godless's friend, a mysterious powerhouse suddenly appeared and opened the Immortal Palace.

Then, a Yang Deity powerhouse flew out from within.

The Qi Tan Bazaar was bustling with activity for a while.

However, the Yang Deities didn't linger and quickly left.

The Qi Tan Bazaar finally returned to its usual tranquility.

But now, after so many days, Radiant Light hadn't appeared again, leaving this group of Purple Mansion cultivators disappointed and anxious.

"Maybe," Godless replied.

Just then, a sad voice echoed.

Amidst the sadness, there was a hint of despair.

"Cultivation is just too difficult, Godless. Join me for ten pounds of alcohol, and I'll drown my sorrows!"

As the words fell, the handsome Qi Yuan appeared, filled with sorrow.

But now, his face was clouded with worry, and he didn't seem very happy.

Godless said, "Brother Qi, you never drink alcohol."

Qi Yuan paused for a moment, "Sigh, I'm so sad that I forgot. Fine, I'll drink juice instead, and we'll drink together."

Qi Yuan spoke, and a bottle of juice appeared in his hand, which he drank in one gulp.

Beside him, Godless also poured wine into his mouth.

"What troubles your heart, fellow cultivator?" Lotus Mei asked curiously.

The Qi Yuan they knew was carefree, but now he seemed different.

"Cultivation is just too difficult. Despair is everywhere.

Even if I cultivate to the fifth layer of the Yang Deity, I'll still face despair.

If I don't reach the fifth layer, I might die. Even if my family members enter the third layer of the Yang Deity with my help, there's still a chance that the rules will collapse, leading to their demise.

And those who don't cultivate diligently might die in the second layer of the Yang Deity."

Qi Yuan spoke with utmost seriousness.

After chatting with the Sword Guardian, the more he learned about the end of cultivation, the more despair he felt.

"Sigh, look, I'm so worried that I've grown white hair."

Qi Yuan spoke, plucking out a white hair.

Of course, this hair was dyed by him to match his current mood and express his sorrowful emotions.

Although he was deeply concerned about the future, his appetite remained hearty, and his hair was still black, so he had to dye one hair white.

Beside him, Lotus Mei heard Qi Yuan's words and froze.

What did she just hear?

The fifth layer of the Yang Deity?

And what was this about the third layer of the Yang Deity?

Was this guy for real?

Did he have a screw loose?

Lotus Mei was speechless.

This silence was akin to a person from Earth suddenly worrying about becoming the president of a beautiful country and having numerous troubles.

If Lotus Mei were closer to Qi Yuan, she would have slapped him already.

Godless, on the other hand, remained calm, comforting Qi Yuan with a furrowed brow, "Brother Qi, there will be a way."

He understood that Qi Yuan's concerns might involve certain secrets.

It was just that Qi Yuan's current strength was too weak for him to empathize.

"I hope so. Cultivating the Yang Deity is so difficult. How can I cultivate the Yang Deity?

What kind of Yang Deity is the true Yang Deity?

"Qi Yuan sipped on a slightly sweet fruit juice, his face filled with worry."

Lotus Mei, standing beside him, shot Qi Yuan a disapproving glance. Just a moment ago, he was talking about breaking through to the fifth layer of Yang Deity, and now he's rambling about how to break through to Yang Deity. What nonsense!"

"Life's hardships are like an unending river, flowing towards the eastern sea..." Qi Yuan began to plagiarize and paraphrase again.

Considering how heartbroken he seemed, the original author would probably not blame him.

If they did blame him, then... when I'm feeling sad, killing someone and covering their mouth shouldn't be a problem, right?

"Everyone has their difficulties in life, it's normal," Lotus Mei said, though it was unclear if she was trying to comfort Qi Yuan.

"Sigh, you're right. If I destroy the world and kill everyone, will these troubles disappear?" Qi Yuan muttered to himself.

Lotus Mei let out a soft laugh.

At that moment, Godless's expression turned serious. "Brother Qi, don't think like that!"

He was well aware of Qi Yuan's terrifying abilities.

If Qi Yuan's thoughts truly went astray, the Immortal World might face a genuine catastrophe.

Just then, a haughty voice echoed through the air. "All your troubles stem from having too few spirit stones and a poor background." A young master, clearly from a wealthy and spoiled background, strode over, his demeanor arrogant and condescending.

Lotus Mei's expression tightened as she recognized the newcomer.

It was Qi Tan, the young master of the Qi family, the most powerful clan in Qishan City.

The Qi family had an ancestor who was a Yang Deity in the Biluo Heaven.

Qi Tan, backed by his family's power, was known for his arrogance and lecherous behavior. He stood in a dimly lit room, with Qi Yuan and Lotus Mei on one side, and Qi Tan on the other. Qi Yuan's face displayed disgust, while Lotus Mei's hand instinctively covered her chest, her beauty slightly diminished by her concern. Qi Tan, with a disdainful look, approached Qi Yuan, his eyes gleaming with desire.

"This is a true beauty, with a hint of sorrow and a touch of intoxication in her brows. It evokes compassion and admiration. As for you, little beauty, aren't you troubled by many worries? Follow Qi Tan..." Qi Tan said, reaching out to touch Qi Yuan.]



Qi Yuan froze for a moment, his face contorting in disgust. "Damn, who do you think you are, and who do I think I am, to dare flirt with me?" Qi Yuan couldn't help but curse.

After so many years, he never expected to encounter a small-time bully looking for trouble.

After saying this, Qi Yuan immediately regretted it. He discreetly glanced around, relieved that Horned Sister was not present.

Otherwise, she would surely point out his hypocrisy, asking how he could claim to believe in equality while still judging people by their status.

Qi Tan, standing nearby, was also stunned by Qi Yuan's strong reaction. "Hmph, who can't pretend to be better than others? In Qishan City, I never thought someone would dare speak to me like this!" Qi Tan exuded confidence and arrogance.

His companion, a Yin Deity, scrutinized Qi Yuan, ready to act if Qi Yuan made any sudden moves.

"Hmph, who can't put on a show? In the future, this city will be renamed... 'Qi Tan, the Spoiled Young Master, Slain by Qi Yuan's Blade'! This will give you the qualification to be remembered for a thousand years!" Qi Yuan said calmly.

On Blue Star, Qi Yuan had watched countless TV dramas and read novels about dragon kings, security emperors, and domineering CEOs falling in love with peerless beauties.

Pretending to be superior was a common theme.

While it might seem demeaning to put on a show in front of a small-time bully, everyone was equal.

Moreover, Qi Yuan was currently troubled by his breakthrough to the fifth layer of Yang Deity, and killing a small-time bully would help maintain the integrity of the Immortal World.

"You have some nerve!" Qi Tan's anger surged.

Beside them, Lotus Mei's face was filled with worry, her mind racing for a solution to this predicament.

The onlookers watched with keen interest, ready to gossip and speculate about Qi Yuan's impending misfortune.

"I..."

"This..."

These bystanders, eager to discuss the situation privately, were about to express their astonishment at Qi Yuan's impending fate.

Suddenly, they realized they couldn't speak or transmit their thoughts.

They were naturally unaware that Qi Yuan had silenced them to avoid their mocking comments.

Everyone looked bewildered, some in shock and others staring blankly at Qi Yuan.

"Look who's here," Qi Yuan said, casually reaching into the air.

In an instant, an old man appeared, falling from the sky. The old man was filled with terror and confusion, having been in seclusion when a hand suddenly grabbed and held him.

"This is..." Qi Tan's eyes widened in shock.

This was... the Ancestral Patriarch! He had seen the statue of the Ancestral Patriarch!

But how could the Yang Deity Ancestral Patriarch suddenly appear? However, in the next moment, something even more shocking happened.

Slap!

The handsome young man in front of them had just slapped the face of the Yang Deity Ancestral Patriarch.

The Yang Deity Patriarch's face now bore a bright red handprint.

Qi Tan was bewildered, a mix of fear and shock on his face.

Qi Yuan, with a calm expression, said, "See that? That's what I call putting on a show!"

Qi Tan seemed to understand something.

As Qi Tan's words fell, his body shattered into pieces.

The Yang Deity Patriarch, trembling, stared at Qi Yuan in terror, unable to speak.

Lotus Mei, her eyes wide, couldn't believe what she was seeing.

What just happened?

The onlookers remained silenced, unable to speak, but their eyes revealed their shock, and they gasped in disbelief.

At that moment, Qi Yuan looked at the old man, a faint smile on his face. "How about renaming Qishan City... 'Qi Tan, the Spoiled Young Master, Slain by Qi Yuan's Blade'? Do you have any objections? Feel free to speak up, I'm always open to suggestions."

Qi Yuan was always open to suggestions, but he had a tendency to resort to violence.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end