Xianye

Chapter 473 Gathering
Crimson smoke curls around the banners, feather fans wave their fragrance—

This time, the palace servants led Chen Heng into a magnificent and solemn palace. Along the long imperial road in front of the gate, red-armored generals holding spears and halberds stood solemnly in a circle. With the canopy held high and the green canopy fluttering, there was an awe-inspiring majesty.

Each of these divine generals possessed an unfathomable and powerful aura, and each led a towering fire lion covered in bluish-gray scales. The fire lions had bright and intelligent eyes, and it was clear at a glance that they were great demons who had gained wisdom, and were by no means ordinary, powerful, or ferocious beasts.

On the tops of some of them, strange phenomena of wisps of smoke and mist appeared, rising into the air and swirling around each other, making it even more wondrous.

"The Great Crimson Heavenly Guard..."

Chen Heng glanced at it and thought to himself.

Through the jade pendant that Yinggu had handed him earlier, Chen Heng had witnessed firsthand the bravery of Chen Yu's personal guards.

In a true life-or-death struggle, if three to five people join forces, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would likely find it difficult to escape such a situation and would be slowly worn down to death; even a Primordial Spirit would be hard to escape.

These are just ordinary Great Crimson Heavenly Guards. The leaders of the Heavenly Guards, especially Fu Que who appeared in Nianyu, are even more powerful and seem to be born for combat.

With a single thrust of his halberd, the old monkey behind Chen Yushu had to exert all its strength to defend itself. Even with its extraordinary skills, it struggled to cope and was nearly cleaved in two.

If it weren't for the intervention of Xuanming Wuxian Daojun of the Innate Demon Sect, Chen Yushu might have already been captured by Fu Que and taken back to Xuhuangtian, and the old monkey would have been beheaded by the Heavenly Guards long ago. There would have been no trouble today.

At this moment, only a short while after the palace servant went inside to announce his arrival, he bowed and returned.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Chen Heng was led step by step toward the palace until he finally stepped over the threshold.

Suddenly, a great light shone forth, and for a moment, one could see the sky filled with bright, clear flowers, and auspicious clouds shining down upon people.

When Chen Heng looked around, he found himself in a spacious hall. Beneath his feet, billowing smoke rose like a river, reaching up to his knees, and a strange fragrance filled the air. The bronze pillars around him seemed like towering trees, creating a magnificent and imposing scene.

Chen Yu sat on the highest golden throne, surrounded by crimson clouds and golden light, his aura unassailable, his face indistinct.

Beneath him were several jade platforms, upon which sat cross-legged those who had attained the highest level of enlightenment and held supreme authority. Various strange phenomena also arose, like clouds hanging from the sky.

Upon seeing Chen Heng enter, all of them turned to look at him, their expressions varying.

"The Monk Zhihun, the Great Sage Zhulong, Lord Chenghuang, Duke Xian, Miao Yishanren, Chen Shoushi..."

Chen Heng had seen the faces of these people on the jade platform in the Nianyu. Although he was meeting some of them for the first time in the real world, they were not too unfamiliar to him.

Today, for some unknown reason, almost half of the leaders of the Void Emperor Heaven have gathered in this hall, making the scene quite different!
After Chen Heng bowed in greeting, Chen Yu, seated high on the golden throne, said nothing more, glanced around, and went straight to the point:

"You have already mastered the Netherworld True Water?"

"Exactly."

At the signal from the wise monk, Chen Heng immediately made a hand seal, and a stream of Netherworld True Water surged out from behind him. The water was as black as ink, without a trace of light, and flowed turbulently.

"Oh, you've achieved a minor success? Although limited by your cultivation level, your comprehension of the techniques is already quite sufficient. I imagine that after achieving the Nascent Soul stage, with a few more years of refinement, you'll reach another level."

Upon seeing this, the monk Zhihun's eyes lit up, and he smiled and praised him.

Because the foundation of the three streams is solid, they are all highly skilled.

When he leaped with a resounding thud using the combined training method, the Netherworld True Water naturally reached the minor completion stage, not the entry stage.

When he mastered this water technique, he witnessed a scene of "extraordinary flowers falling and ghosts and gods playing music," which means that his understanding of true water was already quite advanced. However, due to his limited cultivation level, he has only reached the minor completion stage and has not yet been able to enter the intermediate completion stage.

"The elixir is of the highest grade; its Dao nature is truly flawless. It's just a pity..."

After praising the scroll of the Treatise on the Departure of Fire that he had previously entrusted to the monk Zhihun to pass on to Chen Heng, Master Xian sighed with regret and his expression suddenly became somewhat silent.

Achieving the highest grade of elixir is a rare and sublime achievement in the entire universe.

In the past, some people in the Void Emperor Heaven had also attained this state.

It was even the man who personally taught Chen Ziding how to exchange souls and eliminate spirits, how to absorb the five essences, and how to condense innate gold and mercury.

Xian Gong remembered that when Chen Ziding achieved the highest rank in Dan, he and Cheng Huangjun took out all the fine wines that had been treasured in the treasury for many years. Even the palace officials got a share. The group got very drunk and did not go to court for several days.

One is a divine decree talisman from the divine path, and the other is a first-grade golden elixir from the immortal path.

At that time, everyone, including Xian Gong, believed that the future of the Xuhuangtian should be like a blazing furnace, boiling and refining the earth and scorching all directions!
But who could have imagined...

"Yu Shu, is this really what you wanted?"

Xian Gong lowered his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

On another jade platform, Chen Shoushi, wearing a talisman at his waist and a lotus crown on his head, couldn't help but feel a bit complicated.

Fortunately, he was always quite shrewd, and from beginning to end, he showed no unusual expression.

Not to mention that, perhaps because of Chen Heng, Chen Qingyang and the two most promising candidates to seize the Void Emperor Cauldron were sent to Ququan Heaven to guard against the Corpse-Binding Sect, and the other even went to the outer world to search for rare treasures. For a time, they were both hopeless in their chance to become the rulers of the country.

Several months earlier, Chen Shouzhi had also heard about Chen Zhan's attempt to outsmart Chen Zhan backfired and resulted in him being humiliated.

In other words, although Chen Heng and Chen Shoushi had only met for the first time today, the latter probably already had a prejudice against him.

"The Void Emperor's Cauldron is a destiny that is best obtained, but it is not surprising if one cannot, it is just a young upstart..."

Thinking of this, even someone as capable as Chen Shoushi couldn't help but feel somewhat helpless:
"It's one thing for my descendants to be inferior to Yu Shu's offspring, but how come even Chen Qingyang is superior to me in this matter? This unfilial son is stubborn and unruly, and all attempts at instruction have failed!"

However, the Great Sage Zhulong, dressed in a black robe with cloud patterns, with an ancient and imposing appearance, long beard, and full cheeks, showed a strange expression.

This high-ranking official of the divine dynasty, who resembled a burly general in the mortal world, placed his hands on his knees and looked Chen Heng up and down several times with a slightly scrutinizing gaze. His aura was majestic and imposing, and unfathomable.

The monk Zhihun had a smile on his face, seemingly in a good mood.

Cheng Huangjun nodded slightly, while Miao Yishanren seemed to be deep in thought...

While those on the jade platform were preoccupied with their own thoughts, Chen Yu's voice rang out again from afar, descending from above, saying:
“I made a promise with your master Tongxuan to teach you how to cultivate the Netherworld True Water. Now that you have mastered the water technique, it can be considered that you have kept your promise.”

Chen Heng, you have the courage to come to the Void Emperor Heaven alone to seek the method of joint cultivation, and you have successfully cultivated the True Water, without letting those old monsters laugh at you outside, thus not tarnishing my reputation as the master of the method.

"If that's the case, you may ask me for a favor."

Upon hearing this, not only was Chen Heng, the person involved, surprised, but he also couldn't help but look up.

The Great Sage Zhulong and the Yellow Emperor were greatly surprised. After a moment of thought, their expressions instantly became somewhat amused.

"Amitabha."

The monk Zhihun clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer, his eyes filled with an inscrutable expression.

"Reporting to the God King, regarding this matter..." Chen Heng pondered for a long time upon hearing this, remaining silent for a moment.

Seemingly sensing his reluctance, Chen Yu, this time seemingly refusing to allow Chen Heng a refusal, spoke in a calm voice:
"I have long heard that those who have no desires still have great desires; having no desires is actually having great desires."

Your refusal today, is it because you fear I have ulterior motives, or that you are afraid I cannot give you what you want, or perhaps you desire something greater? Your refusal today is not due to a lack of desire, but rather because your heart is set on the divine artifacts of the heavens, and you wish to glimpse the destiny of the Void Emperor's Cauldron.

These were truly hurtful words, and Chen Heng was moved upon hearing them, knowing that he could no longer refuse this time.

The monk Zhihun chuckled softly and chimed in from the side:
"Has the Great Harmony Immortal not heard that when an elder bestows a gift, a younger person dares not refuse it?"

"While your Jade Palace is indeed a powerful immortal sect, our dynasty has accumulated some wealth since its founding. Please don't stand on ceremony; this small reward won't cripple the Void Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Ru Chenghuangjun, Xian Gong, and several others echoed his sentiments and nodded in agreement.

After a moment's thought, Chen Heng realized that since things had come to this point, further refusal would seem overly pretentious and suggest ulterior motives.

He immediately abandoned any hesitation, gracefully performed a bow, and said:
"In that case, I thank the God King for his kindness. Although the Dan Yuan Assembly in Xudu Heaven is still several decades away, I fear that time will pass quickly and I cannot wait any longer. I wish to request a fine immortal cave to cultivate in seclusion. I hope the God King will grant my request."

"A celestial grotto-heaven? It seems you are aiming to perfect your current Golden Core stage two cultivation." Chen Yu said.

……

……

Immortal grottoes are treasures that cultivators use to condense the Nine Truths and attain the Profound Spirit. They cannot be opened by those who have not achieved a certain level of cultivation, and are extremely rare and wondrous.

The cave heaven has many wonderful uses, but the greatest one is that it is created by the great power of cultivators and forms a small world outside of all other worlds.

Not only can living beings and products evolve on their own by the owner of the grotto-heaven, but even the flow of time is different from that of the real world.

Throughout Chen Heng's cultivation journey, the grotto-heaven has indeed provided him with considerable assistance.

Just as cultivation levels differ, various immortal grotto-heavens also vary in quality, with different rates of time flow within them.

The highest-grade grotto-heavens are not only full of spiritual energy and can regulate the five elements and yin and yang on their own, but also exist in the mortal world for one day, and in the grotto-heavens for ten days, eight days, and so on.

Examples include the "Hongze Longevity and Exorcism Cave Heaven" that Chen Heng borrowed in the East Sea Dragon Palace and the "Tianshi Kaide Town Cave Heaven" opened by Chen Xiangxian.

However, lower-grade grotto-heavens, such as the "Flowing Fire and Great Transformation Grotto-heaven" of Crane Cry Mountain, have a time flow of only "one day in the real world, three days in the grotto-heaven," which is far inferior.

As for why Chen Yu only mentioned the second level of the Golden Core realm after Chen Heng proposed using the cave for cultivation, but did not mention the cultivation of the "inner landscape" for the third level of the Golden Core realm, there was also a reason for this.

Cultivating in a grotto-heaven is certainly good; one can often spend five or even ten days cultivating there, while in the mortal world, it is only a day's work.

If one encounters a fortuitous opportunity or a stroke of good fortune, one will naturally be able to distance oneself from others and gain an advantage.

However, this thing is ultimately created by human hands. Even if it is a supreme grotto-heaven, it is still not the natural world. It contains the grotto-heaven master's profound understanding of the Great Dao, and is truly the grotto-heaven master's private property.

In the end, the cultivators of this world who seek the Dao are still observing the way of Heaven, acting in accordance with Heaven, discerning the subtle and mysterious, and illuminating the vast and boundless, ultimately cultivating a body that is long-lived and free.

It's alright when you're at a lower level, and there are no obstacles to cultivating in the grotto-heaven; on the contrary, it's a lucky opportunity.

However, once one's cultivation level is raised, it becomes largely useless to use the time advantage of the grotto-heaven to elevate one's cultivation.

Because the Dao of the cave master is ultimately not the natural Dao of heaven and earth, no matter what, it cannot bypass this layer.

Moreover, this kind of obstacle is not only encountered in the cultivation of Taoist practice, but also in the comprehension of those supreme supernatural powers.

In orthodox immortal cultivation, the "Nine Gradual Returns" of the second level of the Golden Core stage is roughly the final realm where one can benefit from the cave heaven.

As for the subsequent three realms of inner cultivation, and even the primordial spirit and the return to emptiness, they are difficult to apply to cultivation in the cave heaven...

At this moment, the wise monk shook his head with a smile and said:

"You're being too polite, Master. What's the big deal about borrowing a cave for cultivation? Even if His Majesty didn't agree, I, a monk, could do you this favor. Why don't you think about it some more?"

Just as Chen Heng was about to speak, Chen Yu nodded slightly and said:

"Just as Zhihun said, wait until you come out of the cave and come to see me again. It won't be too late to bring it up then."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Zhihun, who immediately understood and a golden Buddhist light rose from behind his head, illuminating the layers of void.

A moment later, a young monk with red lips and white teeth, holding a seven-jeweled golden banner, and looking exactly like the young Zhihun Monk, emerged from the light with a grin, grabbed Chen Heng, and led him out of the hall:
"Let's go, let's go! I'll lead you to that grotto."

Before Chen Heng could respond, the young monk moved his feet, and the two figures disappeared from the hall.

Suddenly, the world turned upside down, and all around seemed to be filled with light, so bright that one could not look directly at it.

When their vision suddenly opened again, they saw clouds stretching across the sky and sunlight shining brightly. The two of them stood in a small stone pavilion, and they had actually entered the cave world.

"Could it be the power of divine speed?" Chen Heng asked, looking at the incarnation of the monk Zhihun beside him.

"No, this is the Golden Light Great Escape. Although it has some merit, it is not as wonderful as the Divine Foot Transformation. Among the Six Divine Transformations in Buddhism, I mainly cultivate the power of past lives, not the Divine Foot Transformation."

The monk Zhihun shook his head, gave him a meaningful look, and without saying anything more, pointed forward and said:

"This is the 'Plain Yellow Extending Void Gathering Grotto Heaven,' a superior grade. True people can cultivate here in peace. If you have any orders, the mountain gods and water spirits in the grotto heaven will all obey your command. This monk is off!"

After saying that, the person disappeared in the blink of an eye, coming and going in a hurry.

"For the highest quality, ten days here would be equivalent to one day in the modern world?"

Chen Heng pondered to himself, then strolled out of the stone pavilion, rising with the wind. Before him, the water shimmered, the mountain peaks lofty, and in the far distance, earth energy rose and intersected with the clouds above, resembling a startled snake dancing, a magnificent sight.

After standing there for a while, he found a hilltop and climbed down to it.

Thinking about what just happened is pointless, so there's no need to dwell on it.

Chen Heng originally planned to return to Xiaoming Great Swamp through the boundary gate after cultivating True Water, enter the sect's cave for quiet cultivation, and then travel around after achieving perfect cultivation, until the Dan Yuan Conference was held.

This saves us the trouble and hassle of traveling around right now.

The right thing to do is to advance the practice as soon as possible!

Just as Chen Heng was pondering this, in the Zhuling Palace...

Chen Yu, seated on the golden throne, accepted the talisman presented by Miao Yishan. After glancing at it, the conversation shifted to the Corpse-Binding Sect at Ququan, where they discussed how to deal with this demonic sect.

However, when Cheng Huangjun casually mentioned the Corpse-Binding Sect's Daoist disciple, Zhihun suddenly smiled and said meaningfully:
"If we're talking about innate talent, wasn't the one in the hall just now extraordinary? Putting aside his innate talent, just looking at how he could befriend Lu Zhuang is quite interesting."

(End of this chapter)