A journey of survival starting from Zhetian

Chapter 733 Zhenwu on the Verge of Death
Inside the Purple Cloud Palace.

Looking at the many fellow cultivators who had disappeared, and then at the hundreds of different laws of heaven and earth floating before his eyes, Jian Keng suddenly fell silent.

Dao Zun had high expectations for himself, hoping that he, as "Zhenwu," could successfully attain enlightenment and reach the other shore. He was well aware of this.

At the same time, he wanted to gain more, to lay the foundation for further progress in the future when he reached the other side of enlightenment.

This is a kind of greed, and also a thirst for the "Tao".

As a disciple of Xuanhuang Tianzun, whom Buddha now calls Daozun, he can leverage Daozun's influence. He has the Xuanhuang Daojing as a reference and Daozun's various explanations and annotations on the other shore realm. He already has a certain understanding of the cultivation of the other shore realm.

Simply put, the attainment of the other shore of perfect creation and enlightenment is based on one or more illusory paths, with other scattered insights or illusory paths at the level of perfect creation serving as "fuel" to sublimate one or more illusory Dao fruits that can be regarded as a certain aspect of "Dao".

The first step in the cultivation of those who have reached the other shore is to expand their understanding of the "Tao" from one aspect until they touch the "Tao" itself, and until they cultivate the rudimentary form of the Tao fruit.

To give an analogy, if we take the two illusory Great Daos of Chaos and Wuji as our foundation, and other insights as our fuel, and thus break free from the sea of ​​suffering and reach the other shore, condensing two illusory Dao fruits, then it means mastering two different aspects of the "Dao".

In comprehending other aspects of the "Tao," one has two different starting points, allowing for mutual reference and understanding from two different directions. This makes the speed of comprehension more than ten times faster than that of someone who possesses a virtual Tao fruit.

If one achieves perfect enlightenment and attains the other shore by sublimating the illusory Dao fruit through the Five Elements, and another achieves perfect enlightenment and attains the other shore by sublimating the illusory Dao fruit through the Fire Element, then the one who attains the other shore by sublimating the illusory Dao fruit through the Five Elements will be more than five times faster in terms of basic cultivation speed than the one who attains the other shore by sublimating the Fire Element.

Because the Five Elements Dao includes the Fire Element Dao, and also has four other aspects related to the Fire Element, after the Five Elements Dao is sublimated into the illusory Dao Fruit, its proportion in the aspects related to "Dao" will be greater than that of the Fire Element Dao.

If we exclude personal comprehension and future opportunities, the speed of cultivation before a person reaches the other shore and forms the initial form of the Dao fruit largely depends on their choices when they break free from the sea of ​​suffering, ascend to the other shore, and condense the illusory Dao fruit.

This is the Daoist Master's summary of the cultivation of the Other Shore Realm before the formation of the Dao Fruit.

Jian Keng doesn't know how the Buddha, who has now reached the weak other shore but has not yet possessed the illusory Dao fruit, views the cultivation of the other shore realm. However, he imagines that his explanation would be far inferior to Dao Zun's in terms of subtlety and accuracy.

In the future, the Daoist will open up all the heavens and myriad realms and establish a new era. If he were to prove his Dao to the other shore solely through the "Way of the Kitchen," Jian Keng would be more than 40% certain.

However, if he truly attains enlightenment in this way, his future cultivation in the Other Shore Realm will be in trouble.

"Compared to the illusory Dao of Tai Chi, life and death, Yin and Yang, the foundation of the Dao of the Kitchen is too weak. Even though I have now incorporated many mysteries into this 'acquired Dao,' it is still too weak compared to other illusory Daos. When it becomes an illusory Dao fruit in the future, one can imagine how thin the relevant part of the 'Dao' will be."

"If one merely escapes the sea of ​​suffering through the illusory path of 'kitchen stove' and is fortunate enough to reach the other shore in the future, it may take hundreds or even thousands of epochs to perfect the illusory Dao Fruit and cultivate it into its rudimentary form."

"But."

Jian Keng recalled what the Daoist Master had once said to him:

[The next era will exist, but in the next era, and the era after that, you will have no hope of attaining enlightenment.]
[Once this era ends, if you attempt to escape this sea of ​​suffering, you will surely perish.]
Jian Keng murmured to himself, "If I could have a few more epochs to gain a deeper understanding of the other illusory Daos, I would be more than 30% confident that I could condense more than two illusory Dao Fruits when I reach the other shore."

"If there is no possibility for me to attain enlightenment in the next three eras, then what about the fourth, fifth, or even tenth era?"

"From the beginning of creation to the end of the world, it is only one era. An era is an incredibly long period of time. After ten eras, there should be hope for success, right?"

For him, waiting ten epochs in the Creation Realm in exchange for attaining the other shore of enlightenment and not remaining at the illusory Dao Fruit stage for hundreds or even thousands of epochs was well worth it.

"But what exactly happened in the future that caused so many beings on the other shore to jointly resist my escape from the sea of ​​suffering and my ascent to the other shore? Even the Dao Venerable could not prevent me from encountering external tribulations when I attain the other shore. Was it because the Dao Venerable was unable to intervene at that point in time?"

"Or is there some other reason?"

Choosing to continue cultivating and accumulating strength in the realm of perfect creation will ensure one's safety. However, in the future, one may never be able to escape the sea of ​​suffering and reach the other shore. At least within three eras, any attempt will inevitably result in death.

Or perhaps, at the end of this era, one chooses to sacrifice future cultivation speed in order to immediately escape the sea of ​​suffering and attempt to reach the other shore before the final tribulation arrives.
For Jian Keng now, this choice is incredibly difficult; hesitation and indecision still linger in his eyes.

"Let's wait and see; it's not time to make a decision yet."

With a sigh, Jian Keng created a projection of himself, which remained in the [Zixiao Palace], continuing to observe the myriad paths of heaven and earth engraved there, accumulating his own inner strength.

Immediately afterwards, he turned and walked towards the gate of the Purple Cloud Palace.

Jian Keng wanted to return to the [Nine Heavens Realm], to continue his meditation and enlightenment in the depths of the Ninth Heaven using the power of the pseudo-Other Shore. At this time, it would always be good to comprehend more of the principles of the Dharma and cultivate some of the illusory Great Dao to the level of Creation Perfection.

One step forward, and the world changes.

Heavy, filthy demonic energy flowed down from all things, seeping into the Dao body and eroding the principles of law. It was a kind of depravity that even the most powerful beings of creation found terrifying, like a dark river crashing down from the heavens, striking the mind and shaking the primordial spirit.

Jian Keng wanted to mobilize his power as a pseudo-other shore, but strands of the colors of time silently fell from his body, shattering like fragments, scattering into streams of light, and turning into nothingness.

The pseudo-otherworld power bestowed upon him by the [Nine Heavens Realm] disappeared, replaced by an equally powerful and ferocious erosion, accompanied by endless madness.

Jian Keng's expression changed drastically, his face filled with disbelief.

"This is the [Nine Netherworld]!"

"And it's in the deepest part of the Nine Netherworld!"

In the brief moment that Jian Keng was pondering, a dark, silvery-gray luster appeared at his fingertips.

That was the erosion from the will of the Nine Netherworld. The consciousness of the Nine Netherworld wanted to completely corrupt this great master of creation and transform him into a demon of the Nine Netherworld, making him a part of this place near the Dao!

Before he could ponder the reason, a supernatural power from the "Xuanhuang Dao Jing" was recalled by Jian Keng, and he used it.

The power of Yin and Yang was invoked, and a misty aura rose behind him, forming an inverted phantom that resembled the "true self" through a method similar to the projection of another self.

Cause and effect gradually become disordered, fate begins to graft itself, and all connections are reversed.

The dark, silvery-gray light at Jian Keng's fingertips spontaneously detached from his physical body and merged into the form behind him that resembled his "true self".

"call"

This form did not stop moving. After absorbing the corruption from the will of the Nine Netherworld, it actively connected with the power of the [Nine Netherworld], opening its distorted maw and forcefully tearing at the demonic energy from all directions. Its hair turned from jet black to gray-white, its fingernails and toenails glowed with blood, covered with layers of sharp scales, and twisted scales grew irregularly on its body. Long, blood-red hairs emerged from the gaps between the scales, revealing an eeriness and an ominousness.

His brow suddenly ripped open, revealing a bloodthirsty demonic eye. His tongue grew three forks, moving slowly inside his mouth. His sharp teeth extended, protruding directly outside his mouth, and were dark in color.

Corruption, evil, misfortune, fear, and other auras that resonate with the evil spirits of the Nine Netherworlds emanate wantonly from this form, shaking the void and vibrating the laws of nature.

Jian Keng made a hand seal, which resembled the opening of the eyes of a demonic form. In an instant, the two completely overlapped, becoming one inside and out, yet distinct from one another.

His power was once again enhanced by the power of the near-path, and under the favor of the [Nine Netherworld], he once again possessed the power of the pseudo-other shore.

——【The Great Divine Power of the Heavenly Gang: Transformation from Fetal Form】

Jian Keng did not stop what he was doing; inspiration from the other side of the world was giving him a warning.

A small flag radiating the heavy Qi of Earth was raised and waved, causing golden lotuses to fall, forming a vast array of other shores that covered him.

His gaze turned to the void, looking at the terrifying demonic bodies hidden in the shadows. These were all pseudo-other shores created by great supernatural beings at the peak of creation, using the power of the [Nine Netherworld].

Jian Keng shouted loudly, "Fellow Daoist of the Nine Netherworlds, what brings you to this place by tricking me?"

He left the Purple Cloud Palace and should have immediately returned to the deepest part of the Nine Heavens Realm. His stepping into the Netherworld is completely abnormal.

There are very few beings in the world who can do such a thing. Even the Daoist Master, who is his own master, and the Buddha who has just become a weak being on the other shore, can do this. But they are all beings on the other shore, and they have no reason to do so.

All that remains is for the many pseudo-other shores that have taken advantage of the shortcut to scheme against him.

"As expected of the Dao Venerable's disciple, the inheritance he received and the supernatural powers he acquired can be described as seizing the creation of heaven and earth."

A hoarse voice echoed repeatedly, carrying a sinister smile.

Suddenly, an indescribable, anthropomorphic figure, nearly ten thousand feet tall, abruptly coalesced from nothingness.

He lowered his head, his six enormous, almost circular eyes staring intently at Jian Keng, a ferocious smile on his lips.

Without any warning, this indescribable entity stretched out its deformed hand, displaying six different intensities of curses, nightmares, illnesses, calamities, wars, and bloodlust, all of which were illusory Daos at the level of perfect creation. They were arranged and laid out before crashing down with a deafening roar.

"boom!"

Golden lotuses were corrupted, turning into poisonous gas, blood, and dreams, falling continuously. But then, golden lotuses bloomed from the void, radiating the vast essence of the Earth element, endless and boundless, without affecting the entire Other Shore in the slightest.

Jian Keng looked astonished and exclaimed, "You actually attacked me!"

"The Daoist Master has only just finished his sermon, and you know perfectly well that I am the Daoist Master's disciple, yet you still attack me!"

"What do you take the will of the other side of heaven for?! How dare you!"

The towering, indescribable creature, seemingly anthropomorphic, did not answer Jian Keng's question. Instead, it stretched out one deformed hand after another, slamming down from the sky.

A moment later, fifty-three strange and ominous pseudo-otherworldly auras descended, accompanied by a surge of terrifying demonic energy. They followed closely behind the anthropomorphic indescribable auras and simultaneously reached out towards Jian Keng, unleashing various terrifying supernatural powers.

In an instant, the Other Shore Array covering Jian Keng's body let out a mournful cry, and the golden lotuses withered one after another. The speed of regeneration could not keep up with the speed of defilement, which directly caused the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner to tremble violently, and cracks appeared on the surface of the banner.

"Boom!"

The Other Shore Array collapsed, countless laws were distorted, and fifty-four pseudo-Other Shore level demons wielded their divine weapons, blocking all future possibilities and severing Jian Keng's life force.

"boom!"

A deafening roar erupted once more, extending from the present moment to the past and future. Countless laws of heaven and earth were distorted and inverted, as if the Nine Netherworld, this near-path, had become a miniature world within their grasp, completely under their control.

"Ok?"

"They actually managed to escape!"

"As expected of the Daoist Master's disciple, Zhenwu's ability to survive is indeed formidable."

"Hey, impressive! To escape from the combined attack of fifty-four pseudo-Other Shores is a first in all the heavens and myriad worlds."

"."

The gazes of the fifty-four demons all turned toward the outer perimeter of the [Nine Netherworld], toward the boundary of this nearby shortcut.

Jian Keng's body was covered with terrifying and ferocious patterns, which were traces of nearly a thousand different illusory Daos. Such injuries were enough to shock many great supernatural beings, and they almost obliterated his original source of creation.

Jian Keng, his hands supporting the tattered Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, trembled slightly as he gazed at the fifty-four Netherworld Demons from afar.

"How dare you?!"

"They actually completely disregarded the Dao Venerable!"

"Aren't you afraid that in the Dao Venerable's rage, he will tear apart your authority in the Nine Netherworlds, causing you to fall to the false other shore and completely erase you?!"

A certain demon chuckled, his eyes filled with murderous intent and mockery, as if Jian Keng's question was utterly ridiculous.

A spear wreathed in terrifying demonic energy fell from the sky, piercing through the void of the Nine Netherworlds, shattering the laws of nature, and falling towards where Jian Keng was.

In an instant, Jian Keng's body was pierced through, blood blossomed, his pupils contracted violently, and the illusory Dao he had refined was constantly shattering.

A suffocating feeling of impending death arose suddenly.

(End of this chapter)