Xianye

Chapter 471 Lu Village
The atmosphere was awkward, and no one spoke for a moment.

After a moment of silence, the skeleton suddenly looked up at the sky and sighed, then wiped its face with its hand, and flesh and blood instantly grew back.

After a burst of light, a middle-aged Taoist priest appeared, dressed in a gray cloth robe, with a thin face and three long, flowing beards under his chin.

"Never mind, it's not the first time I've been seen like this, as long as I don't tell anyone."

Don't take these stories seriously, and don't overthink them...

The gray-robed Taoist patted his chest, then immediately became serious and said:
"My name is Lu Zhuang. I was once the lord of this Lu Wang Realm, commanding three million soldiers and sixteen great ghost generals. I roamed the void, ruled the four extremes, and was also honored as 'Shenglong Zhentong Feijun'."

Because I was unfortunately subdued by the God King Chen Yu, all those bird generals scattered, leaving me alone trapped in this Lu Wang Realm, guarding the gate and entertaining myself..."

The first half of his words were full of vigor and ambition, with a heroic and generous spirit pressing down like a mountain, overwhelming and unbearable!

The second half, however, took a sharp turn for the worse, with even the voice sounding weak and listless, as if resigned to its fate.

"It's been so long since anyone from the Void Emperor Heaven has come to this Realm of Death. It seems I'll have some company these next few days." The gray-robed Daoist Lu Zhuang listlessly stretched out his hand and then nodded his head at Chen Heng.

Afterwards, Chen Heng took out the talisman and asked Lu Zhuang to verify it. Once Lu Zhuang confirmed it was correct, he made a hand seal and summoned a dark, gloomy cloud about the size of an acre.

As he led Chen Heng toward the flying palace in the due east direction, he also introduced the various differences between this place and the heavens of the mortal world.

The heavens of the living world, the netherworld of the dead—

This harmony of opposites, yin and yang, forms a boundless and limitless universe.

In contrast to the vastness and immensity of the mortal realm, the nine hells, nine springs, and eight hundred underworlds of the netherworld are equally boundless and unfathomable.

According to ancient legends, after the ancient sages created the Nine Springs, they went to regulate the purity and impurity of the present world and govern the countless changes of birth and death that followed.

The Nine Hells of the Underworld and the Great World of Eight Hundred Underworld Divisions were both continuously conceived and generated from the Nine Springs through countless eons of reincarnation.

Countless days and months have passed, and things have changed, before we finally achieved the situation we have today.

It can be said that every moment, a new underworld is gradually condensing in the depths of the Nine Springs, slowly floating into the void, until it finally takes shape.

Every moment, the Underworld is constantly being worn down and destroyed, until it finally collapses completely under the calamity of Yang Jiu Bai Liu, sinking into the depths of the Nine Springs, becoming the nourishment and foundation for the new Underworld.

Circulation, endless cycle, always in a loop—

Apart from the netherworld, there is nothing immortal in the underworld.

Even the Nine Hells, which are born with a nature that is in harmony with the Nine Springs and whose status is equivalent to the Sixteen Great Heavens of the mortal world, cannot escape future ruin, let alone all other things.

This Luwang Realm is one of the eight hundred Yin Divisions Great Worlds.

The eight hundred gods of the underworld and the three hundred gods of the mortal world are both figurative numbers; in reality, their numbers are difficult to count.

The eight hundred underworlds vary in size; the smaller ones are barely comparable to the Yang world, while the larger ones can rival the earth and even the heavens.

Based on Lu Zhuang's words, Chen Heng pondered for a moment and concluded that although the Lu Wang Realm was larger than the ordinary Yang World and slightly stronger than the Xi Ping Land that Chen Heng had visited, it was still inferior to those powerful lands.

At this moment, Chen Heng asked about the ancient well, and Lu Zhuang pursed his lips and said helplessly:

"Logically speaking, whether one is descending from the mortal world to the underworld or going from the underworld to the mortal world, the Iron Mountain is an inevitable route."

This is a celestial law established by the emperors of the Daoist court, and it cannot be changed.

In the vast universe, there are nine Iron Mountain Ranges. Deep within each Iron Mountain Range reside great figures such as immortals, Buddhas, and saints, as well as the Obsidian Heavenly Lord and the Ten Killing Generals, each wielding the Heavenly Lock and leading a million Yin Generals and ghost soldiers to patrol day and night.

Such a net of earth and sky is so difficult for ordinary people to break through. If someone were to trespass without permission, the evil karma, resentment, wind, and thunder of the beings within the Iron Enclosure Mountain would be enough to give the intruder a good beating.

This was the state of affairs when the Dao Court still existed. As for what happened after the Dao Court collapsed…

Lu Zhuang shook his head, his meaning clear.

After the collapse of the Dao Court, even prestigious positions such as Heavenly Venerable and Prison Lord were held by those with strong armies and powerful troops.

If the law is not upheld, then Iron Mountain will naturally not escape this fate either.

Today, three of the nine Iron Mountain ranges have been destroyed by war, and six others have been seized by various powerful figures.

Since ordinary gates are not applicable, if one wishes to travel between the Yin and Yang worlds again, one must either honestly go to the remaining six Iron Enclosure Mountains and pay the money and goods.

Alternatively, they could use great magical power to break through the void and force their way through.

What Chen Yuzhi did was precisely the latter.

He first refined the entire Luwang Realm, and then took the central soil of the Luwang Realm, which corresponded to the constellations above and the nine palaces below, to cast an ancient well. Not only could he enter and exit freely, but others could also pass through it if permitted.

In fact, most giants do the same thing.

The collapse of the Dao Court's Heavenly Laws actually freed them from a layer of constraints, allowing them to unleash their full power.

As they spoke, Lu Zhuang led Chen Heng to a towering, magnificent palace, surrounded by fierce winds and auspicious clouds.

It is unknown whether this Lu Wang Realm was refined by Chen Yu with great supernatural powers, or something else.

Although there was no sunlight or starlight to illuminate the place, and it was mostly pitch black, Chen Heng did not feel too out of place. He only felt a chilling atmosphere, and after circulating his magic power a few times, the strange feeling subsided somewhat.

"Initially, this realm of the dead was inhabited by some yakshas, ​​celestial demons, and rakshasas, and I was never short of servants."

Later, the people of the Void Emperor Heaven re-refined the 'Hun Tiandi Dongyi' here, causing unbearable disturbance to all living beings. They then built large ships to cross the sky and migrated elsewhere, leaving me alone in the end.

Seemingly sensing Chen Heng's confusion, Lu Zhuang pushed aside the heavy palace barriers and began to explain:
"As for the so-called underworld, you have some cultivation, so you can resist this yin wind and evil energy. But when you cultivate the Netherworld True Water later, hehe!"

Lu Zhuang suddenly chuckled twice. Before them, the two had arrived at the end of the palace, where a smooth stone wall, hundreds of feet in size, stood, its surface so shiny it could reflect a person's image.

"What is this?" Chen Heng asked.

Lu Zhuang lazily sat down on the ground and pointed ahead, saying:

"If you wish to cultivate the Netherworld True Water, you should first gather pure Yin. The best way is to refine the water of the Nine Springs into your body. This Realm of the Dead is near the Nether Spring. You can pass through this wall and go directly to the Nether Spring."

After saying this, Lu Zhuang rummaged in his sleeve for a while, then pulled out a thick stack of jade books and handed them to Chen Heng, saying:
"This is a cultivation manual about the Netherworld True Water. You can take it and read it yourself. As for..."

Lu Zhuang paused at this point, then continued:
"You are a first-grade Golden Core cultivator with flawless Dao nature. It should not be difficult for you to cultivate this True Water. Let's leave it at that for now. If anything changes, come and call me."

Lu Zhuang yawned, drooped his eyelids, leaned back, and soon began to snore.

Chen Heng remained calm, first taking the top scroll of jade books and carefully flipping through it, comparing each page to verify what he had learned.

After examining it for three or four days, Chen Heng gently put down the last scroll of jade book, then moved to the hundred-foot-high stone wall and decisively touched it.

In an instant, a burst of spiritual light shot out from it, pulling Chen Heng inside, and he disappeared from the wall.

"..."

At this moment, Lu Zhuang's snoring stopped abruptly.

He rubbed his eyelids, glanced at the stone wall with interest, and a hint of consideration flashed in his eyes.

Immeasurable, indescribable—

When the aura around him faded, Chen Heng opened his vision and realized that he had landed on a huge hexagonal flying tower.

From the foot of the tower, one can see a murky, deep pool of water, its origin and destination unknown, as if the entire world is reduced to this dark color.

Against the backdrop of the vast, dark water, this thousand-foot-tall flying tower appears as small as a mustard seed.

Although separated by the boundless void, the occasional splashes of water were like monstrous waves to Chen Heng, threatening to engulf and crush the flying tower beneath him at any moment. According to the Taoist scriptures, the Nine Springs of the Underworld encircle the Nine Hells like ribbons, stacked layer upon layer like tower stones from top to bottom.

The spring he is currently in should be on the sixth level of the underworld, with the Yin Spring above and the Lower Spring below.

With Chen Heng's current level of cultivation, he couldn't even see the Nether Spring Prison that was surrounded by the Nether Spring, let alone the Yin Spring or the Lower Spring.

After silently reflecting on his thoughts and composing himself, Chen Heng reached out and turned the wheel-shaped mechanism. With a "click," the thousand-foot-tall flying tower was filled with pure energy, and the bright pearl at the top of the tower, across the boundless void, drew a stream of secluded spring water from afar.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the flying tower, the chilling and extremely sinister aura still sent shivers down one's spine.

Chen Heng released the restriction and first let a thousand drops in. The three streams of water on his body sensed this aura and, without any deliberate activation, pounced on it like tigers fighting for food, quickly swallowing it clean.

He examined his mind and found that the three streams of water seemed to have grown stronger.

But what followed was a sensation as if a thick layer of frost was spreading across the body, and countless illusions immediately arose in the mind: a mysterious maiden circling a cauldron, ghosts and gods holding a pearl, thunder and lightning, tigers and wolves dancing in the sky...

Although it is known that this is an illusion, if one does not practice the combined method at this time, and only tries to expel it with a single divine will or other secret method, one will only sink deeper and deeper.

If too much of the spring water is absorbed, the illusory scene will turn into reality and take people's lives!

Following the instructions of the combined practice method, Chen Heng channeled the white water of death and blocked it at the Guanyuan acupoint.

After several dozen breaths, the jade light on his body rippled as he was struck, and the illusions came to life, each revealing a ferocious appearance as they attacked.

But after a few more breaths, everything in front of me suddenly disappeared without a sound, and a clear scene reappeared before my eyes.

After taking a few rounds of breathing exercises, Chen Heng resumed his actions as usual.

Then, when the illusion reappears, he will continuously unleash his magical power to shake his soul.

Depending on the amount of spring water absorbed each time and the cumulative number of times, the methods of dissolving the stagnation recorded in the combined refining method also vary.

He repeated this nearly a hundred times until he had absorbed no less than 100,000 drops of the Nether Spring Water. At this moment, Chen Heng felt a sense of "fullness" in both his body and spirit.

Knowing that he had reached his limit, he sent a divine thought to the flying tower.

In an instant, a radiant light enveloped him, and Chen Heng reappeared in front of the stone wall, causing Lu Zhuang, who was bored to the side, to stand up and click his tongue.

"Logically speaking, even a first-grade Golden Core cultivator would find it difficult to consume ten thousand drops of Nether Spring Water in a single day. It seems you are no ordinary person..."

Lu Zhuang sized up Chen Heng and said:
"Boy, I haven't asked your name yet?"

"I am Chen Heng from the Jade Emperor Sect. Greetings, Senior."

"Yu Chen? The immortal sect founded by that great immortal who broke through prisons and subdued evil in the East?"

Lu Zhuang was genuinely surprised:
"After the collapse of the ancient world, Yu Chen should have taken root in Xu Du Tian. How could Xu Huang Tian be related to Yu Chen? Wait, you also have the surname Chen. What is your relationship with the Chen God King sitting on my head?"

Seeing that Chen Heng only smiled, Lu Zhuang did not press the matter, and clapped his hands, saying:

"It's not easy for a stranger to come here. Since you've finished your cultivation and have nothing else to do, how about having a few drinks with me?"

Chen Heng, of course, would not go against his wishes, and nodded in agreement:
"I have some fine wine and dishes here that my retainers have presented as tribute. I hope you will not find them offensive, senior."

"Good, good! I have neither wine nor meat here, this is perfect!"

Lu Zhuang beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly, and eagerly led Chen Heng to a side hall.

For the next two months, Chen Heng continued to follow the established procedures.

First, they went through the stone wall to the flying tower to collect water from the secluded spring. After reaching their limit, they returned to the Lu Wang Realm to listen to Lu Zhuang talk about everything under the sun.

As they spent time together, his friendship with Lu Zhuang grew stronger day by day.

This skeleton was a natural and straightforward person; otherwise, he wouldn't have challenged Chen Yu to a duel to save everyone's lives. Even after being defeated, he kept his promise and has been guarding the desolate and lonely Lu Wang Realm ever since.

He was served fine wine and meat every day, and could also talk about the past and present with him.

Lu Zhuang had already developed a great liking for Chen Heng, and was not far from considering him a close friend.

On one occasion, after returning from the Flying Tower, during a banquet, the topic of the ancient Dao Court casting the "Earthly Palace Golden Seal" came up, and the vastness of the Dao Court's book collection was mentioned.

Lu Zhuang chuckled and shook his head:

"Hundreds of great paths, trillions of supernatural powers—"

If we're talking about sheer quantity, even if all the sects of the mortal world were combined into one place, they still wouldn't compare to the Dao Court's collection. Take the Void Emperor Heaven for example, have you ever heard of the Void Danger Divine Sand?

Upon hearing this familiar name, Chen Heng's heart skipped a beat.

Lu Zhuang continued:
"Legend has it that before the God-King attained enlightenment, he obtained a page of the Earthly Palace Golden Chapter, and that page contained the method for refining the Void and Dangerous Divine Sand..."

After explaining the uses of the Void and Dangerous Divine Sand to Chen Heng, Lu Zhuang sighed deeply:
"Although the Void and Dangerous Divine Sand is a secret and profound method of the Earth Immortal Temple, under the Heavenly Law of the Dao Court, no matter how unwilling the people of the Earth Immortal Temple are, they still have to obediently hand over the method of refining the divine sand to Mei Gongxing and the others."

Although the ancient Dao Court has long since collapsed and the succeeding Zhengxu Dao Court is not as good as before, it is still bigger than a horse even though it is a dead camel.

Given the richness of Zhengxu Daoting's book collection, although I haven't seen it with my own eyes and therefore dare not make a definitive statement, it is undoubtedly among the top three in the world!

In my opinion, if you want to successfully cultivate to the highest level in the future, you should try to go to the Zhengxu Daoting.

The saying goes, "Learning the Way is like crossing the sea; without a raft, one cannot cross." This precious raft is the collection of wisdom from various scriptures and sages of the past… The foundation of cultivation lies in studying the scriptures; this is no empty statement!

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but ponder it.

Lu Zhuang's words demonstrate his profound understanding of legal principles and his focus on the crucial points.

If one wishes to solidify the foundation of the Great Dao and broaden one's horizons, the vast collection of books in the Zhengxu Dao Court is undoubtedly the best choice.

Moreover, it was a colossal entity that had once dominated the universe for countless epochs; even after its death, it remained powerful.

Besides the martial arts techniques and supernatural abilities recorded, there must be other rare treasures and rare items, a collection that none of the eight sects and six schools have ever had before!

"Unfortunately, it is now difficult to borrow the books from the Zhengxu Daoting. Although the Eight Sects and Six Schools did not openly raise the banner of 'rebellion against Heaven' back then, they never hesitated to make their own moves behind the scenes."

Furthermore, since the forced abdication of the Celestial Venerable Xudu, the Eight Sects and Six Schools have likely become unruly 'powerful vassals' in the eyes of the Zhengxu Dao Court, making them difficult to control. The relationship between the two sides fluctuates depending on the changing circumstances, making it hard to draw a conclusion. Chen Heng thought to himself.

Initially, the eight sects and six factions of the Zhengxu Daoting managed to maintain a relatively harmonious relationship with the latter due to the latter's overtures.

For example, my own teacher Tongxuan and several other virtuous people, such as Xuanming Wuxian Daojun of the Innate Demon Sect, had all gone to the True Void Heaven and held a position in the True Void Dao Court for a period of time, which was to be a celestial official in the present world.

But ever since Yang Yin, the Great Immortal of the Nine Truths Sect, suddenly flew into a rage and left, fighting his way through the South Heavenly Gate and returning to Xudu Heaven, even the many Heavenly Officials and Star Lords who rushed to the scene were unable to stop him.

Since then, the eight sects and six factions have become increasingly hostile to the Zhengxu Dao Court, and have long since stopped paying tribute and no longer respect the official calendar.

I heard that the Zhengxu Daoting was furious about this matter back then and wanted to invite the Fire Dragon Master, Duke Shangluo and other ancient giants to raise an army to attack Xudutian. Later, perhaps he was dissuaded, or perhaps he was afraid that the situation would get out of control, so he reluctantly put it aside.

Regardless of the circumstances, it is an undeniable fact that the two sides have largely severed all contact at present.

After pondering it over, Chen Heng put his mind at ease and continued chatting with Lu Zheng.

A few days later.

Inside the flying tower.

As the last drop of Nether Spring Water entered his body, Chen Heng felt a strange sensation. He shook his body, and three streams of water immediately leaped out from behind him!

(End of this chapter)