Born with immortal seed

Chapter 915 A two-pronged approach
"No one says you are a being undergoing tribulation, but when the time is right, you will be one."

Tian Jianzi conjured a tea set with his bare hands, and a spring from Wuyuan Mountain gushed out, filling two teacups.

With a gentle push forward, one of the cups came directly to Bai Zichen, filling the air with the aroma of tea.

"Your words seem to have a hidden meaning; perhaps you should speak frankly."

Bai Zichen was taken aback; this was different from what Wu Kuangtu had revealed.

He got straight to the point, wanting to see how Tian Jianzi would respond.

Unexpectedly, Tian Jianzi's answer was even more blunt, revealing information that sent chills down one's spine.

The so-called "life-altering body" is not predetermined at birth or by one's destiny.

Rather, they possessed the necessary basic qualities and were chosen by some unseen force to become the incarnation of the Heavenly Emperor undergoing tribulation.

This person existed first, then the body that underwent tribulations.

"To put it bluntly, whether you're on my side or not is irrelevant... Without the identity of a Tribulation-Experienced Body, even with combat power comparable to the late-stage Integration Realm, how can you help the Heavenly Sword Pavilion surpass other factions and catch up with the Dao Court in this era of great contention?"

Tian Jianzi took a sip and said with a smile.

"And if one has already undergone tribulation, how can one still expect to have a clear mind and follow one's own desires?"

“My junior brother in my previous life may not have been as talented as you, but he wasn’t far behind. Yet, he was noticed by the Heavenly Emperor and still lost his way, taking our treasures and paving the way for you without looking back.”

"He died again beneath the Execution Platform, his last bit of value squeezed out of him..."

Finally, Tian Jianzi showed signs of emotional fluctuation, his gaze becoming complex.

"The Heartless Sword Immortal is indeed our junior brother!"

A powerful being who has reached the fusion stage can reincarnate for 129,600 years, making it difficult to determine their generation directly from their age.

However, judging from these words, it turns out that the Heartless Sword Immortal is also a being undergoing tribulation.

Despite his shock, Bai Zichen remained cautious and asked, "Senior, aren't you afraid of arousing your suspicion by directly mentioning my name?"

"If even the sleeping Heavenly Emperor can sense the sword formation set up by the ancestors of this sect, then I will just obediently offer my neck for slaughter."

Only now did Tian Jianzi reveal some of his heroic spirit and show the prowess of the five sons of the human race.

At the same time, it also revealed his attitude towards the Heavenly Emperor.

How many cultivators who reach the pinnacle of humanity would willingly have such a sharp sword hanging over their heads, their lives hanging in the balance?

Once one reaches the late stage of the Fusion Realm, one can basically live freely and unrestrained. As long as one has no desires, even the Five Sons of the Human Race cannot be summoned at will.

When the Heavenly Emperor descends to earth, everyone is bound by shackles.

"However, what you said seems to be wrong. I just came from the Execution Platform and saw the remnant of the Heartless Sword Immortal... He chanted 'Slay me!' several times before completely disappearing into thin air."

Bai Zichen did not hide anything; when facing the Heavenly Emperor, the two were on the same side, which was absolutely sincere and without any impurities.

Regardless of tradition, morality, or human nature, it is a choice that will inevitably be made.

"Junior brother actually broke free from the influence and escaped the fate of the body undergoing tribulation."

Tian Jianzi's gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if he had traveled through ten thousand years and seen the past when the two of them practiced swords side by side in their previous life.

"Not only that, it seems that he foresaw his imminent death upon returning to the Immortal Realm while he was in the lower realm, and left a will asking someone to retrieve him from the Execution Platform, which led to this trip."

Bai Zichen still felt that something was amiss. Combining the evidence, he realized that the Heartless Sword Immortal had not only realized that he was being dominated by a will after advancing to the Fusion stage, but had already made the decision long ago.

"In my opinion, the Heartless Sword Immortal began plotting to shed his tribulation body when he descended to the mortal realm, and thus attempted to sever his life by taking advantage of the fierce aura of the Execution Platform..."

"After doing all this, I realized that none of these actions could change the essence of the matter, so I simply gave up the idea of ​​reincarnation."

Tian Jianzi remained silent throughout, and after a long while, he spoke, saying, "He is the proudest of all, how could he allow himself to become someone else's puppet for life? He would rather die than be a broken jade."

Unbeknownst to them, the chessboard spun, leaving only two empty figures; Yao Xing had been transported to several worlds.

"In terms of talent, I am on par with Wuxin. He has the advantage of youth and potential, and has more possibilities... With the Heavenly Emperor's insight, he will surely foresee the arrival of the Sword Dao era. His dormant will chooses a body to undergo tribulation, which is also in accordance with the operation of the Heavenly Dao."

This feeling was clearly not something that had just sprouted; it had been hidden deep in his heart, with no one to confide in.

Even the closest fellow disciples and the most intimate allies may have completely opposite inclinations on such matters.

It's not uncommon for cultivators whose life force was exhausted and whose lifespan was nearing its end to sacrifice those around them in an attempt to communicate with the Heavenly Emperor and defy fate.

On the contrary, Bai Zichen, whom I just met, has unlimited potential and would never be willing to become a trial-body.

What appears to be an irreconcilable conflict between Zhan Bao and others is merely a minor detail to Tian Jianzi.

"It can be said that without my junior brother, the one chosen by the Heavenly Emperor to undergo tribulation would most likely be me."

"I'm glad you said all this. It seems the Heavenly Emperor's injuries are more severe than I thought... Even with the Supreme Pure Sword Box, His control over His Tribulation Body is still too weak."

Tian Jianzi slightly raised his eyebrows and stared straight ahead.

"Speak, what is your true purpose? I also want to see how your state of mind has changed since you became a candidate for the Tribulation Body."

"I came to Tianjian Mountain for two things. After hearing about the past of Wuxin Sword Immortal from the senior, I don't need to ask about the first thing."

Bai Zichen's expression turned solemn and serious. The illogical behavior of the Heartless Sword Immortal in the lower realm had been given the best explanation.

The difference lies in the difficulty of distinguishing between those driven by the will of those who have undergone tribulations and those that come from their true nature.

"Only the second thing remains: I wish to join forces with my senior to resist the Heavenly Emperor."

"Haha, my choice is truly unexpected!"

Tian Jianzi burst into laughter, tears welling up in his eyes.

“I have seen people give up on themselves, neglect their cultivation, and keep their realm at a low level, so that He naturally looks down on this body.”

"There are also those who are brave and diligent, who put aside their concerns and use all sorts of forbidden methods, just to reach a realm beyond perfect integration, in order to resist His will."

"Or remain calm and still, regarding it as a bubble, and continue your spiritual practice."

"There have been several instances where my junior brother was so resolute and courageous that he would rather die than compromise his integrity."

"They're the first to decide to confront the problem head-on as soon as they noticed it."

The laughter wasn't entirely sarcastic or mocking; it also contained a deep sense of self-mockery.

This fearless attitude towards the Heavenly Emperor is something he has never possessed before.

Deep within the heart of this number one sword immortal of the Earthly Immortal Realm lies a fear that even he himself must conceal, lest the Heavenly Emperor return one day.

The question is whether to submit to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion or to establish one's own independent power.

Aside from the resentment they dared not bring up, they didn't even dare to discuss that name once they left the top of Tianjian Mountain.

“I have seen the remnant soul of a senior from the same era as the Heavenly Emperor. He was a powerful figure on par with the Primordial Demon God. According to him, the Heavenly Emperor intercepted a period of time, so no information about his personal growth or that senior has been passed down, all to ensure the stability of his Dao Fruit… A Mahayana True Immortal may indeed be omnipotent, able to reverse cause and effect and transcend everything. But to be injured to this extent, he may not be without flaws.”

Bai Zichen leaned forward, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

Unlike the native cultivators of the Earthly Immortal Realm, the impressions of the Heavenly Emperor of ascended cultivators all come from the descriptions of others. They will not immediately look up to him with awe, and any thought of resistance is considered a rebellious act.

Even if he claims that his mysterious Dao body and smooth cultivation are due to the Heavenly Emperor's arrangement, don't expect him to be grateful and offer up his body.

They will do everything in their power to teach the Heavenly Emperor a harsh lesson.

Moreover, according to Tian Jianzi, only those who demonstrate sufficient talent will be chosen by the Heavenly Emperor's will.

Rather, it is the achievement that comes from becoming a being who has undergone tribulations.

It is highly likely that even the will of the Heavenly Emperor would be moved by the talent he possesses.

Although it is unknown which person or what day they were born, they still sent Wuxin to the mortal realm to make preparations well in advance.

Using one being to pave the way for another shows the difference in importance placed on the Heavenly Emperor's will.

"So that's how it is. No wonder that despite all the efforts, that piece of history was fragmented and couldn't be pieced together at all... I thought it was because the Daoist court was restricting its dissemination, but it turns out they simply removed the relevant sections. The power of Mahayana is beyond imagination; we are still too insignificant in front of Him."

Tian Jianzi suddenly realized that the five sons of the human race had never stopped secretly testing the Heavenly Emperor, in their own different ways.

"What do you want me to do? No matter how weak the Heavenly Emperor is, you can't find His whereabouts and can't target him. Even if all the strong people in the world join forces, they can't just shoot at the void, can they?"

"Help me descend to the mortal realm. Since the Heartless Sword Immortal has broken through the illusion, it is very likely that he left behind clues in the Hidden Dragon Realm that I overlooked at the time."

Bai Zichen did not hesitate and stated his purpose directly.

Returning to the lower realm is not something that can be accomplished by one person alone. In addition to expending a huge amount of spiritual resources, it also requires secret techniques and descent formations.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have descended to the mortal realm to encounter an ascended cultivator, a feat comparable to the legend of meeting an immortal or a god.

"You are already a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. What method could allow you to pass through the descent passage? It would only stimulate the world's origin, destroying both of you... You have a low-level avatar, do you think you can get away with it?"

Tian Jianzi immediately realized a way to circumvent this ironclad rule.

"Have you thought this through? Once you descend to another realm, there are all sorts of uncertainties. Even if there's only a one in a billion chance of dying... If you lose your avatar or soul while crossing realms, you can't get it back. And if you're truly missing a piece of your origin..."

"If you were already so powerful before you ascended, there's no reason for you to become timid and hesitant once you reach a higher level."

Instead of worrying and waiting for the Heavenly Emperor to return in anxiety and helplessness, it is better to fight with all our might.

Other powerful individuals might still have a chance to survive, but regardless of whether Bai Zichen is a being undergoing tribulation, his desire to walk the Great Dao of Time means that as long as the Heavenly Emperor exists, the obstacles he will encounter will increase the further he goes.

Time has its master; let alone achieving Mahayana enlightenment, even the attainment of perfect union is a luxury.

This was something he couldn't accept no matter what, so he simply took a two-pronged approach: exploring the Hidden Dragon Realm on one hand, and contacting helpers in the Earthly Immortal Realm on the other.

"At the same time, I also ask you to find out the locations and artifacts related to the Heavenly Emperor. As soon as there is definite news, I will go there myself to borrow the river of time to go back to the past and glimpse the hidden time."

Bai Zichen was inspired by his experience at the Execution Platform. This special existence, combined with his immortal foundation, allowed him to view the passage of time from a higher dimension.

Witness scenes that would not normally appear in the river of time, and have the opportunity to see what the Heavenly Emperor wants to conceal.

(End of this chapter)