https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-714-Re-Entering-the-Gate-of-Wonders/13274714/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-716-A-Fragmented-Corner-of-Space-and-Time/13274717/
Chapter 715: The Lord of Wuxiang City
Chapter 715: The Lord of Wuxiang City
Wuxiang City.
Chen Mu rode on a cloud of light, hovering in the air with Chen Yue and Chen Yao by his side.
As a Void Sovereign, he moved freely within the Source Realm, unaffected by the chaotic void. However, he didn't actively resist, and by a twist of fate, he found himself entering the Source Realm once again, accompanied by Chen Yue and Chen Yao, arriving first at Wuxiang City.
"This is Wuxiang City, interconnected with the Wuxiang River and Wuxiang Mountain, forming a trinity."
To the current Chen Mu, Wuxiang City held no secrets; he could clearly perceive the structure of the entire region, with the city lord towering over the void, the Wuxiang River flooding with creation, and Wuxiang Mountain transforming through the passage of time.
These three distinct regions each embodied one of the three Primordial Dao origins.
The Wuxiang River was almost connected to the River of Creation, imbuing its waters with supreme power. Those below the level of Sovereigns could not withstand it, and any sentient beings who fell into it would instantly be obliterated, leaving no trace of their cause and effect, or their myriad forms.
Consequently, not only would those who fell into the Wuxiang River perish, but even the memories others had of them would vanish, erasing all traces of their existence.
"What a marvel of the universe," Chen Yue marveled, standing beside Chen Mu, observing the magnificent city and the vast river stretching in all directions. Her eyes shone with a radiant light.
Protected by Chen Mu, she stood calmly beneath the rules of Wuxiang City, observing the structure of this realm. This structure was beyond anything she had encountered in her previous explorations of secret realms.
The Dao rules were almost directly manifested, surpassing even the structure of the ninth layer of the void.
Within this region, even Nine Heavens Deus would likely face immense suppression. Even if they could shake the void here, they might only manage to tear a dozen or so zhang, falling far short of the heaven-reaching power they could exhibit in the external universe.
The universe was created through transformation, and cause and effect flowed in an endless cycle.
"I can't see through it," Chen Yao said, furrowing her brows as she observed the heavens and Wuxiang City.
At her current level, she couldn't comprehend the structure of Wuxiang City. The 'mortals' within the city seemed ordinary yet extraordinary. Though they were flesh and blood, they lived seemingly normal lives under the immense pressure of the Dao rules in Wuxiang City, which was a baffling phenomenon.
"Don't you understand?" Chen Mu looked down upon Wuxiang City, gazing at the familiar scenery and the countless mortals walking in the streets. He smiled slightly and said, "The cycle of cause and effect, unchanging, is the essence of creation. These people in the city appear to be flesh and blood, ordinary mortals, but they are sentient beings manifested under the special rules of this realm."
"Furthermore, if you think they are merely ordinary mortals, you're mistaken. They are not ordinary mortals of this place, or perhaps they weren't ordinary before..."
Chen Mu's eyes shone with clarity. At this point, he had not only comprehended the Void Dao but also mastered the Creation Dao. In his eyes, the transformations of cause and effect in the world were clearly visible.
Wuxiang City's surface rules seemed simple, but its internal rules were also extraordinary.
The ordinary people living in Wuxiang City appeared mundane, but they had all once been Divine Lords who fell into the Wuxiang River or deities who perished within the Source Realm.
These sentient beings died within the Source Realm, and the power of creation washed away their memories and will, erasing all traces of their existence. It was as if they had reincarnated, becoming ordinary mortals and falling into Wuxiang City.
Indeed, the principle of 'unchanging' was at work!
Absolute death never truly existed; death was merely the transformation of sentient beings from one form to another. This was particularly evident in Wuxiang City. The previous Chen Mu couldn't understand these principles, but now he had glimpsed their essence.
"So, this is how it is," Chen Yue and Chen Yao were both astonished by Chen Mu's explanation.
At their current level, they hadn't yet understood the creation of all things and the true subtleties of the 'unchanging' principle. Hearing Chen Mu reveal the essence of Wuxiang City, they were momentarily stunned, gazing at the countless mortals walking in the city.
These 'ordinary mortals' with flesh and blood had once been Divine Lords who fell into the Wuxiang River?
"Even in the vast universe, where Divine Lords are countless, there shouldn't be so many who reached the Nine Heavens, entered the Source Realm, and coincidentally fell into the Wuxiang River," Chen Yao said, looking at the nearly countless sentient beings in the city.
Chen Mu glanced at her with a subtle expression and said, "The principle of 'unchanging' is not limited to the cycle of the universe. The universe has gone through countless iterations, and the Source Realm has shattered and reformed countless times. The Divine Lords who perished here couldn't leave their mark in the Primordial River, so in the present, their pasts are untraceable. It's not wrong to say they have perished, nor is it wrong to say they have reappeared in another form."
"To leave an indelible mark in the Primordial River, only a Great Daoist can achieve such a feat."
Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, Chen Yue was momentarily stunned, whispering, "So that's how it is."
The Wuxiang City, though vast, was still insignificant compared to a single empty realm, let alone a void domain. However, as a special domain within the Source Realm, it was governed by fundamental rules, and every inch of it exuded the subtleties of the Dao of Creation.
Just as Chen Mu stood tall in the heavens, gazing down upon the entire Wuxiang City, scanning through the familiar sights within the city, a gaze suddenly shot out from the central City Lord's Mansion, reaching up towards him in the sky.
Chen Mu happened to look down at that moment.
He saw a figure, clad in dignified and luxurious robes, standing tall on the jade steps before the mansion. Their gaze was fixed on the direction where Chen Mu was, and they locked eyes with him across the distance.
"Chen, my friend, you are most courteous," the Wuxiang City Lord said, bowing slightly towards Chen Mu from afar.
"City Lord," Chen Mu nodded slightly in response, returning the gesture.
The City Lord smiled faintly upon seeing this and took the initiative to invite them in, "You are a guest from afar, and I have failed to welcome you properly. But Chen, my friend, since you have traveled through Wuxiang City before, you are not an outsider."
Chen Mu smiled and said, "If not for unforeseen circumstances, Wuxiang City might have been the place of my enlightenment. Even though I encountered some setbacks, the insights I gained in my final journey were still obtained within Wuxiang City."
After saying this, Chen Mu turned to Chen Yue and Chen Yao, "Let's go. The City Lord has invited us, follow me."
Chen Yue and Chen Yao exchanged glances, both nodding silently, and followed behind Chen Mu. Although they were new to Wuxiang City, they had previously heard Chen Mu talk about the city and knew that the City Lord possessed a Supreme Power comparable to that of a Great Daoist.
Of course, all of this was merely a facade.
Some believed that the Wuxiang City Lord was a manifestation of rule consciousness, capable of harnessing a portion of the power of the Dao, thus equaling a Great Daoist. However, for Chen Mu, who had already attained the level of a Sovereign, he could clearly see through the true nature of the Wuxiang City Lord.
The City Lord was not a manifestation of the rules, but a real sentient being. In the distant and ancient past, he might have once been an ordinary being within Wuxiang City, but eventually, he had comprehended and integrated the will of the Source Realm, becoming the ruler of Wuxiang City.
It wasn't wrong to say that he was comparable to a Sovereign.
However, a more accurate description would be that the Wuxiang City Lord was a 'Pseudo-Great Daoist.'
He was bound by the rules of the Source Realm and couldn't leave this place or Wuxiang City. He could only be the ruler of Wuxiang City, and it was only within the city that he possessed the Supreme Power comparable to that of a Great Daoist.
"These two are Chen's family, born in the current era and enlightened in the current era. The path of the Dao is not a solitary journey. It's truly enviable that they can pursue the Dao together, leaving no regrets, protecting what's in their hearts, and having the heavens and all things follow their will," the City Lord said, his gaze falling on Chen Yue and Chen Yao who followed Chen Mu.
Within the City Lord's mansion, the Wuxiang City Lord took the initiative to welcome Chen Mu and the other two, and his gaze once again fell upon Chen Yue and Chen Yao, who followed Chen Mu. With a hint of admiration in his tone, he said, "The path to enlightenment is often lonely. But you seek the Dao, first to leave no regrets, second to protect what's in your heart, and third to have the heavens and all things follow your will. Along the way, there are countless sights and trials, but in the end, there will be fruit."
"Hahaha!" The Wuxiang City Lord laughed heartily and then sighed, "Alas, I don't know who I was in my past lives, nor do I know what lies beyond this life. I was born to rule this city and have strived to transcend, but ultimately, I am unable to break free."
As an existence comparable to a Great Daoist, the Wuxiang City Lord also knew everything in the world. He knew that he had once been a Divine Lord who had fallen within the Source Realm, but he couldn't remember how ancient that time was, nor could he trace the cause and effect to find his past lives.
Every time the universe perished, he would perish with the Source Realm.
But each time the universe was reborn, he would also reappear with the Source Realm.
However, upon reappearing, he would no longer possess any memories or past experiences. Although he was born as the Wuxiang City Lord, wielding the Supreme Power comparable to that of a Sovereign, he was restricted in every way.
The City Lord led Chen Mu into the courtyard and ordered the servants to serve spiritual tea.
Chen Mu gently lifted the teacup, took a sip, and then carefully examined the Wuxiang City Lord. Shaking his head, he said, "Although the City Lord has attained the Dao, the influence of the Source Realm is too strong. The path of creation he has attained is mixed with the rules of the Source Realm, so he cannot achieve true freedom. He will perish and reappear with the Source Realm."
"If the City Lord wishes to completely break free from the constraints of the Source Realm, he must, like other beings, set aside the interference of the Source Realm's rules and re-attain the Dao of Creation through his own abilities to gain true liberation."
For Chen Mu, it was apparent at a glance, that the Wuxiang City Lord's true nature was not his own.
The commonfolk within Wuxiang City, like the countless beings in the Source Realm, also have the potential to attain enlightenment. If they could comprehend the complete Creation Way, they would be able to escape the Sea of Suffering and, from within the Dao, find their past selves and memories, reappearing in the world.
However, achieving this is as difficult as ascending to the heavens, even more challenging than the countless Nine Heavens Deus in the outside world. Countless eons have passed before a figure like the Wuxiang City Lord emerged.
The Wuxiang City Lord's attainment of the Dao is intertwined with the consciousness of the Source Realm's rules, or perhaps his enlightenment relied on the power of the Source Realm. As a result, he is not a complete Daoist Lord, constrained by the Source Realm.
With each universe's annihilation, he would once again be plunged into reincarnation.
"I understand what you mean, but within the Source Realm, all beings are bound by its consciousness, shaped by its rules. How difficult it is to break free from its constraints," sighed the Wuxiang City Lord.
Although he, like the Daoist Lord, is immortal, this immortality is merely a 'pseudo-immortality.' The Daoist Lord, after enduring countless eons, would be gradually eroded by the Dao if he doesn't achieve a breakthrough. The Wuxiang City Lord, on the other hand, experiences more intense erosion with each universal annihilation, erasing all his past.
"Seeking the Dao is difficult, asking about the Dao is difficult, but attaining the Dao is even more challenging."
Chen Mu took a sip of tea, his eyes gleaming with a faint light, and said, "But the Dao always offers a glimmer of hope. By practicing unity, enduring the trials, one will eventually have the opportunity to attain the Dao. There's no need to be so despondent, City Lord."
As Chen Mu's eyes shone with a light called 'confidence,' it seemed that nothing in the world could shake his belief. The Wuxiang City Lord also raised his teacup and took a sip, sighing, "Your will is as sharp as a sword, and your belief is as bright as a ray of light. Attaining enlightenment is not by chance."
Upon hearing the Wuxiang City Lord's words, Chen Yue and Chen Yao, who were standing beside Chen Mu, looked at him with dazzling light in their eyes.
Of course!
Chen Mu's rise from insignificance to astonish and surpass the world was a testament to his extraordinary talents and abilities. In their eyes, he was almost invincible, and he was their pride. It was no coincidence that he became a Daoist Lord!
At this moment, Chen Mu merely smiled at the Wuxiang City Lord's praise, not feeling the need to be modest. In the past, he was humble, but now, as a Daoist Lord, he is one of the most supreme and exalted beings in the world, and there is no need for modesty. All praise can be accepted with ease.
"In my opinion, if you seek liberation, and wish to break free from the fruits of your current existence, it's best to let go and start anew in the next life."
After a brief pause, Chen Mu offered his suggestion.
The Wuxiang City Lord is different from Chen Mu. He attained the position of a Daoist Lord through his own pure power and complete comprehension of the Primordial Dao, following the most orthodox path to enlightenment. On the other hand, the Wuxiang City Lord relied on the rules of the Source Realm, using external forces, and thus faced significant limitations. Although he attained the position of a Lord, he felt squeezed in between a crack, unable to advance or retreat.
With the Wuxiang City Lord's current realm and power, he could forcibly break the rules of the Source Realm. However, since his enlightenment relied on the rules of the Source Realm, forcibly breaking those rules would also shatter his attained position.
In the end, he could only send a wisp of his true spirit into the Primordial River, to reincarnate in the next universe's creation.
By doing so, he would lose all his power, his position as the Wuxiang Lord, and even his memories might not survive the reincarnation. If he fails to regain the position of a Lord in his next life, he would once again sink into the Sea of Suffering.
But if he could, in his reincarnated body, attain the position of a Daoist Lord through his own abilities in the outside universe, he would instantly become a complete Daoist Lord. All his past, memories, and experiences would be recovered one by one.
"Start anew in the next life?"
The Wuxiang City Lord fell into deep thought upon hearing Chen Mu's words.
He was well aware of this method, but he couldn't make up his mind. Although he would also be annihilated with each universal annihilation, in the next universe's creation, he would still be the Wuxiang City Lord, retaining his position as a Lord, just one step away from liberation.
However, if he were to give up everything and start anew, there would be no turning back. Failure would mean returning to being a common being, lost and forgotten in the Sea of Suffering.
Seeing the Wuxiang City Lord deep in thought, Chen Mu didn't disturb him. Instead, he quietly finished his cup of spiritual tea and then stood up, saying, "Piercing through chaos, holding the starfire, shattering the jade sky to grasp the moon's brilliance... City Lord, I bid you farewell."
After saying this,
Chen Mu, along with Chen Yue and Chen Yao, turned and left, leaving the Wuxiang City Lord standing there, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the heavens, his eyes filled with a flickering, uncertain light.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
