Born with immortal seed

Chapter 925: Judging Cause and Effect

Bai Zichen looked down on Tian Jianzi and the others, wanting the Heavenly Emperor to fall into eternal slumber and be freed from the shackles above his head.

They also feared his great power, so they did everything furtively, trying to put on a veneer of legitimacy, as if that would give them a way out and prevent the Heavenly Emperor from discovering them.

This is the best opportunity to deal with the Heavenly Emperor in millions of years, but then there's this variable.

If one cannot even seize such an opportunity, how can one talk about transcending the fusion stage and glimpsing the supreme Dao?

It was the name Wu Laogui that caught his attention.

"Could this person be the legendary Lord of the Underworld?"

Among the top forces in the Immortal Realm, the Underworld is the most mysterious. Many cultivators equate it with the mythical Underworld, which is the place where souls and reincarnations are governed after death.

The earth-shaking massacre in Lihentian was suspected to have the shadow of the Underworld, and Bai Zichen thought that the Heavenly Sword Pavilion and the Underworld were sworn enemies.

It seems otherwise; Tian Jianzi and the other party have a pretty good relationship.

"Old Ghost Wu is far older than us. No one knows how many times he has reincarnated or how many divine skills he has cultivated. He is a true ancient being... In the Three Realms, perhaps only the Buddha, whose body is spread throughout the three thousand worlds, can be considered equal in terms of experience."

Perhaps sensing his doubts, Tian Jianzi offered an additional explanation.

“The Underworld system is unique. The Lord of the Underworld has no direct superior-subordinate relationship with the judges of each region. Old Ghost Wu has already told me who made the move last time and severed that person’s authority in the underworld.”

"Was the Buddha also an ancient being?"

Since Tian Jianzi said so, Bai Zichen assumed that Old Ghost Wu had the ability to destroy the Five Virtues Longevity Peach Tree and stopped asking questions.

Although Wu Laogui is not among the five sons of the human race, as the master of the Underworld, his strength must be considerable.

He was quite interested in another term mentioned by Tian Jianzi, as his knowledge of human powerhouses was still very limited.

"Yes, and no..."

Tian Jianzi looked thoughtful, as if he was considering how to describe it.

"I have joined forces with him several times and am quite familiar with him, but I still cannot be sure whether the one who went to Tianyuan with me last time was the true body or the avatar."

"The Buddha has countless Sambhogakaya bodies. After attaining perfect enlightenment, he can enter the Buddha-land and achieve the state of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment."

"When the previous Buddha passed away and transformed into a rainbow body, one of the perfect reward bodies was chosen to succeed him as the Buddha."

“Each Buddha has all the memories of his predecessor, but whether they are the same person or not is not something outsiders can know.”

Bai Zichen thought to himself, "As expected, none of the top human experts are simple."

Both Buddha and Wu Laogui achieved a different kind of immortality to some extent.

"These ancient beings must have lived through the time of the Heavenly Emperor. Do they have any memories of the Heavenly Emperor before his enlightenment?"

Bai Zichen realized a crucial point and hurriedly asked a question.

"This is a taboo topic. No one will mention it. Even the title of 'Ancient One' was given by us, the younger generation, and they will not acknowledge it."

Tian Jianzi's expression was solemn, clearly indicating that he had once held the same idea.

"I'll leave the Five Virtues Longevity Peach Tree to you, senior. I'm heading to the Two Elements Immortal Realm... I didn't expect that there would be a disagreement between the Eternal Life Celestial Venerable and the Heavenly Emperor. I have a premonition that the Taiwei Blessed Land will yield significant gains."

The erased truth was uncovered little by little through his own exploration, and Bai Zichen felt a thrilling shiver run through his body.

Knowing full well that this process was extremely dangerous, they were dancing on the edge of the Heavenly Emperor's bottom line, where the slightest mistake would result in the annihilation of their soul and spirit.

The longer you delay, the smaller the chances will become.

Even Bai Zichen did not believe that his own cultivation growth rate could rival the time it took for the Heavenly Emperor to awaken.

"Thank you for your hard work, fellow Daoist... You left the Five Virtues Longevity Peach Tree, and have already become entangled in the karma of the Eternal Life Celestial Venerable. Do you need me to sever it?"

Upon hearing the destination, Tian Jianzi asked with concern.

Before the Heavenly Emperor falls into a deep sleep or truly awakens, the two are the most steadfast allies and companions on the great road.

"Severing cause and effect?"

Bai Zichen closed his eyes and calculated that the Five Virtues Longevity Peach Tree was planted by the Celestial Venerable of Longevity, and the Taiwei Blessed Land was the place where the Celestial Venerable of Longevity took a master and cultivated his Daoist path.

Tracing back through time in two different locations, it is highly likely that he became deeply entangled with the Celestial Venerable of Immortality, and the two were bound by a complex web of cause and effect.

The Celestial Venerable of Immortality is the only direct disciple of the Heavenly Emperor, so getting involved with him and incurring the Heavenly Emperor's mark would be troublesome.

"I humbly request that you, senior, grant me your assistance and allow me to witness your profound and wondrous abilities."

Severing the karmic ties with the Celestial Venerable of Immortality would be beneficial and harmless, so Bai Zichen nodded in agreement.

But his fingers were already secretly forming a hand seal, ready to unleash the "Flick of Time" technique at any moment; he would not entrust his safety to others.

"Fellow Daoist, you have great courage!"

Tian Jianzi patted the long sword in front of him, surprised that Bai Zichen accepted the proposal so easily.

Even if the number one swordsman in the Three Realms were to strike with his sword, and it was stated that there was no ill intent, how many people in the world would dare to accept such a blow?

The other members of the five human races might not have had this kind of magnanimity.

I don't know whether to call the other party arrogant or extremely confident in themselves.

I was inexplicably moved. Perhaps their seemingly futile efforts might actually have a chance of success?
The longsword sprang up, and dotted lines of varying thickness appeared all around it.

As soon as the strange phenomenon appeared, the space became illusory, all movements slowed down, and countless points of light spread to every corner of the world.

The points of light moved forward and backward, like a mighty river of light flowing on.

At first glance, the sword moves seemed unremarkable, but as the light gathered behind Bai Zichen, it illuminated his back, drawing inexplicable gazes. Everything became uncertain.

"Why is it empty?"

Tian Jianzi was shocked, as if he had witnessed an extremely unbelievable scene, causing even the number one swordsman in the Three Realms to lose his composure.

All living beings in the Three Realms are bound by cause and effect from the moment they are born.

More or less, light or heavy.

Even though Tianjianzi himself had severed his causal foundation, he still had several causal threads left uncut.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't bear the consequences of severing the connection.

This immortal foundation was something he had just obtained after advancing to the peak of the Integration Realm. It was precisely because of this technique that he was able to slay the extraterrestrial demon with a single sword strike in the Heavenly Abyss.

Stepping onto the path of destiny and elevating his sword intent were also the sources of his ambition.

He only took such initiative because he felt he had a chance to take another half step beyond the Integration Realm and pursue the highest dream in the hearts of countless cultivators.

Otherwise, if we were to discuss who least wants the Heavenly Emperor to return, he would never be at the top of the list.

"When my immortal foundation was not yet complete, I used my sword to illuminate my junior brother and was able to see the causal connections... Once this method is perfected, who in heaven and earth, except for a Mahayana True Immortal, can release their defensive state and make the attempt to sever causality fail?"

"Severing cause and effect... Is this your second immortal foundation, senior?"

Bai Zichen felt a gaze looking down from the highest point, seeing him completely from the inside out.

He suppressed the urge to activate the true meaning of time, and simply quietly experienced the wonders of others' immortal foundations, comparing them with his own Jade Dial and Night Lamp.

This is also a rare opportunity; no one will easily reveal their Immortal Foundation, which is the biggest trump card for every fusion.

This immortal foundation is especially remarkable, as it is said to be able to sever cause and effect. It is the most unpredictable immortal foundation that Bai Zichen has ever seen.

The Great Dao of Destiny is no less unpredictable than the Great Dao of Time. However, the Heavenly Emperor combined the Dao with Time, demonstrating to the Three Realms his great power to connect the past and present, reshape the past, and reverse the future.

If someone can align themselves with the Dao through destiny, they might also be able to manifest similar supernatural powers.

"My cultivation is still inadequate; please forgive my shortcomings, young friend..."

Tian Jianzi sheathed his sword, the strange phenomenon subsided, but a look of doubt remained between his brows.

He assumed the other party was a being undergoing tribulation that the Heavenly Emperor valued more, and therefore, given his current level, he couldn't yet discern the causal connections, indicating there was still enormous room for improvement.

Bai Zichen was still savoring the feeling from before, wondering if it was because Tian Jianzi's realm was not high enough, or if he was truly free from karma.

To be imbued with destiny and to sever cause and effect—this kind of swordsmanship is indeed extraordinary.

Aside from such a special case as him, no cultivator would dare to claim that they could be fearless of cause and effect and defy fate.

The higher one's cultivation level, the more important it is to pay attention to the causal relationships.

Otherwise, the cumulative effect of cause and effect could lead to serious consequences if someone were to make even the slightest move.

'The Heavenly Emperor merged with the Dao through time, but regarding the True Immortal Taiyi, all that is known is that he is the foremost in weapon crafting, formation making, and deduction throughout history… It seems no one has mentioned which Great Dao he merged with?'

Perhaps stimulated by the thought of severing karmic ties, Bai Zichen suddenly had this idea.

……

A fairyland overseas, a place I revisit.

With the abolition of the restrictions, the removal of the treasures, and the vigorous development of the outer seas by the human race, this place has clearly seen many waves of visitors over the past thousand years.

However, those who come after will likely be disappointed, as this seemingly celestial abode, full of opportunities, is now completely empty, and even the sword intent inheritance has been learned.

The young man in purple even saw some traces of human life, indicating that cultivators had once settled here.

However, they moved away later, which added a touch of human warmth to the immortal abode.

"The Azure Dragon's essence blood must be the work of the Heavenly Emperor. It must have been obtained during the great battle and brought to the mortal realm by Wuxin... The Azure Emperor's Longevity Sword technique appeared much later. I wonder how a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion learned it."

With a sweep of his Yin-Yang Eyes, Zhulong saw that the immortal mansion was in a state of disarray and ruin, with not a single item of value left behind.

None of the treasures that I missed back then because my cultivation level wasn't high enough were on full display.

The deepest part of the stone wall has collapsed to the ground. It was from there that I comprehended the complete version of the Azure Emperor's Longevity Sword.

"Below the Execution Platform, never forget this sword..."

Deeply buried memories surged into his mind, and the purple-clad youth recalled the Heartless Sword Immortal's instructions as if from another world.

After the sword demonstration on the stone wall ended, Wuxin solemnly gave this instruction.

But when Bai Zichen went to the Execution Platform, he completely forgot and ignored those words.

"Everyone remembers going to the Execution Platform to rescue Wuxin, so how could they forget this explanation... There is only one possibility: the Heavenly Emperor's will exerted an invisible influence, causing them to unconsciously forget this point."

The young man in purple felt a chill run down his spine; this power was terrifying.

As expected of the power of time that can capture time and reshape history, even in its dormant state, a fraction of its power is enough to strike Bai Zichen.

As the chosen one to undergo tribulation, can you truly fight against it and prevent it from waking up from its slumber?

If he hadn't descended to the mortal realm and returned to his old haunts, rekindling the memories of that day, these words would never have been uttered, no matter how long he remained in the Immortal Realm.

He regretted not being able to communicate with the original body immediately, so he swung his sword at the execution platform to see what would happen.

The fact that the Heavenly Emperor's will made him forget actually shows that the Azure Emperor's Longevity Sword could bring about unexpected reactions.

The purple-clad youth suppressed the urge to immediately return to the Immortal Realm. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to descend to the lower realm, and the gains he had made were far from what he had expected.

(End of this chapter)