Living in the deep palace

Boom—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What appeared to be the vast "Taiyi Universe" was a boundless black hole!

Under the astonished gaze of Cang Daoren, he willingly swallowed Cang's "Azure Sword Qi," a power capable of annihilating countless ages!
"Um?!"

Cang Daoren's mind jolted!
He could clearly feel that his "Dao" seemed to have sunk into an endless quagmire after entering the other party's strange "universe"!

In that universe, his "Azure Sword Qi" remained unparalleled in its sharpness and domineering power!

It cleaved through the chaos and gave rise to earth, fire, water, and wind!
It severed the Milky Way and shattered the sun, moon, and stars!
But... it didn't work!

Because in that universe, "destruction" is only the "beginning"!
The stars he had just shattered a moment ago would be reassembled in the next moment by the endless power of "creation"!

The earth he cleaved open just moments before will, in the next moment, be reborn with new life in the "cycle" after the "end"!
His "Tao" is "One".

Yes, it is the pure "one" that has cultivated the "self" to its ultimate level!
But Su Chen's "Dao" is "ten thousand"!
Yes, the harmonious "ten thousand" perfectly encompasses "creation," "end," "order," and "chaos"!
Faced with Su Chen's self-contained and ever-evolving "Taiyi Universe," Cang Daoren's invincible "sharpness" lost its target for the first time!

He felt as if he were fighting against an entire "universe"!
His "Dao," though powerful, is merely one of the countless laws within this "universe"...

"Excellent! What a magnificent 'Primordial' Great Dao!"

An unprecedentedly dazzling divine light erupted from Cang Daoren's eyes!

Far from being discouraged, his fighting spirit grew even stronger!

"Since your 'universe' can encompass everything!"

"Then I will also evolve this sword of 'self' to its ultimate limit!"

"Let's see if it's your 'universe' that can completely grind down my 'sword'!"

"It is still my 'sword' that can completely... burst your 'universe'!"

"The Azure Sword Path—The Only One!"

boom--!!!!!!!!!!

Cang Daoren has pushed his Dao to its peak in this life!

The cyan sword energy that had been trapped in Su Chen's "Taiyi Universe" suddenly erupted at this moment!
It no longer destroys those constantly being born and dying stars!

It transformed into...light!

It transformed into the only eternal and absolute light within that "Taiyi Universe"!

It wants to use its "unique" will to forcibly replace Su Chen's "Primordial" core and become the new ruler of that universe!
In an instant, all the stars in Su Chen's "Taiyi Universe" paled in comparison!
All the laws were groaning in despair, overwhelmed!
That sword light of "self" that transcends everything almost completely assimilates his nascent universe!
however!
"Senior, your 'unique' is very strong."

"pity……"

"In my 'universe' there is no... 'only'."

Su-Chen's calm voice rang out again.

"Where there is light, there is darkness."

"Every beginning has an end."

"The Primordial Great Dao—Great Extinction!"

boom--!!!!!!!!!!!
Su Chen, too, pushed his own Great Dao to its limit!
His "Taiyi Universe," which should have been endlessly generating new life, suddenly stopped all "creation" at this moment!
At this moment, all the stars... faced death!
All the laws fell silent at this moment!
The entire universe seemed to be fast-forwarded in that instant!
Skipping over the countless billions of years of the long "process" in between! Directly arriving at the "end"!
The "absolute light" formed by Cang Daoren's "sole" will, after losing all objects it could "illuminate" and all laws it could "overcome," finally dimmed slowly in this "Great Annihilation" where all things returned to "nothingness."

I don't know how much time has passed; it might be a moment, or it might be ten thousand years.

When that last wisp of azure sword light completely dissipated into that "absolute nothingness".

Su Chen and Cang Daoren opened their eyes at the same time.

They simultaneously reclaimed their respective "Great Paths".

"puff!"

Cang Daoren suddenly spat out a mouthful of golden Dao blood, and for the first time, a trace of paleness appeared on his usually calm face.

Su Chen's face also turned slightly pale.

Clearly, this seemingly peaceful "battle of the Great Dao" has taken an enormous toll on both of them!
"Hahaha...cough cough..."

Cang Daoren wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then looked up at the sky and let out a hearty laugh!

He looked at Su Chen, his deep eyes filled with heartfelt admiration!

“Fellow Daoist Su, I cannot break your Dao.”

“I admire you! I admire you!”

Su Chen smiled slightly, shook his head, and said:
"The 'Dao' of the senior is so sharp and brilliant that I have never seen it before. If this place were not the 'end of time,' which coincides with the junior's 'Dao of ending,' it would be unknown who would win or lose in this debate."

He wasn't being modest when he said that.

Cang Daoren's "Dao" is a pure "Dao of attack and conquest," and its sharpness is enough to threaten the origin of his "Taiyi Universe"!

His "Dao" is the Dao of "defense" and "inclusivity". Although he is invincible, it is equally difficult to completely erase Cang Daoren's "unique" will!
In this debate, the two were evenly matched!

"A draw means I have lost."

Cang Daoren waved his hand nonchalantly, "Fellow Daoist, you have only just entered this realm and you have already fought me to such an extent. When you have completely evolved your 'Taiyi Universe' to perfection and become a giant among immortals, a Golden Immortal at the peak, I will no longer have any chance to be your opponent."

“My path is complete, while your path has only just begun.”

"Truly worthy of being the legendary Taiyi Golden Immortal..."

"No wonder Zuo Qingcang regretted it for the rest of his life. It is already wonderful that I was able to see his demeanor."

He looked at Su Chen with anticipation in his eyes, "Perhaps, in the future, fellow Daoist, you will really have the hope of glimpsing the scenery above the legendary 'Great Luo'."

When the topic turned to "above the Great Luo," Cang Daoren's gaze became distant and profound.

He seemed to pierce through endless time and space, gazing at the dark hole that had just appeared in the vast sea of ​​stars.

of course.

Both Su Chen and Cang Daoren knew that the so-called "Great Luo" realm was not the realm of those who had reached the top.

A Dao Venerable born from a vast star realm is actually like a so-called summiter in the vast star sea.

A realm beyond description, truly immortal.

The two realms are beyond words, the Mysterious Jade Immortal.

The three realms are beyond description; the Golden Immortal.

The fourth realm is beyond description, the Great Luo of Immortals.

Those who reach the summit can only be considered to be at the fourth and a half level of the Path of the Unspeakable, or half a step towards the fifth level.

Cang Daoren had never witnessed the true splendor of someone above the Great Luo realm, but he could vaguely guess that it was definitely a realm that transcended the entire vast star sea.

Back then, Zuo Qingcang was a peerless genius, the only Supreme Immortal Emperor among those who reached the pinnacle of the Ten Eras, supreme and far surpassing all other who reached the pinnacle.

But it's still only half a step into the fifth realm, nothing more.

In Cang Daoren's speculation, Zuo Qingcang's master, the white-robed youth who had vanished without a trace and remained guarding the end of time, might be the legendary Fifth Realm. No one knew what the Fifth Realm was.

Even the Taoist Cang didn't know.

But it is precisely because of this that it is even more captivating.

If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.

This is why, even knowing that discussing Dao with Su Chen would deplete his own essence and make it difficult to defeat him, Daoist Cang still made a reckless move, simply because he wanted to witness the splendor of this man who had the potential to reach the so-called Fifth Realm, the Taiyi Golden Immortal.

“Fellow Daoist Su, the filth has now dissipated and the door has been opened.”

"The 'cage' that has troubled us for countless eras has finally developed a crack."

"I'm going to go take a look outside that 'door'."

"I was afraid back then."

"From this moment on, my body and soul will perish!"

"This time, even if it all vanishes into thin air, I will still go and see the wonders of the unknown world outside."

Cang Daoren looked at Su Chen, a sincere invitation flashing in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to travel with me?"

He knew that the world outside the "door" was full of endless unknowns and dangers.

If they could join forces with a fellow practitioner like Su Chen, whose strength is unfathomable and whose Dao is perfectly integrated, their chances of exploring that unknown world would undoubtedly be much greater!

However, faced with his sincere invitation...

After pondering for a moment, Su Chen slowly shook his head.

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist."

His voice was calm and firm.

"However, I cannot leave for the time being."

"Why?" Cang Daoren asked, somewhat puzzled.

Su Chen slowly stood up from the chaotic lotus platform.

He turned around, his chaotic eyes also gazing towards the vast sea of ​​stars.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the barriers of time and space, revealing a terrifying hole that was constantly seeping into this universe with "the unknown" and "chaos".

I saw the countless beings living in this universe, who were falling into panic and despair because of the opening of the "door".

"because……"

“My ‘Tao’ was born here, and I shall…guard it here.”

"Now, the old 'Heavenly Way' has just collapsed, and the new 'order' has not yet been fully established."

“The external 'catastrophe' has already quietly descended.”

"If I leave now, what is the point of my newly attained status as a 'Taiyi Golden Immortal'?"

Although Su Chen's voice was calm, the heavy sense of responsibility that belonged to a "guardian" contained within it moved Cang Daoren deeply!
He gazed at Su Chen's not-so-tall, yet incredibly imposing figure at that moment, and finally let out a long breath.

For the first time, a look of heartfelt admiration appeared on his usually calm and composed face!

He finally understood why it was Su Chen, and not him, who successfully traversed the path of the "Taiyi Golden Immortal".

Because his "Tao" is "self-centered".

Su Chen's "Dao" belongs to "all living beings".

"Fellow Daoist Su..." Daoist Cang bowed to Su Chen in a gesture of respect between peers, "This old man has learned much from you."

"Then, I will wait patiently outside the door for your good news, fellow Daoist."

"Take care of yourself!"

Leaving these words behind, Cang Daoren lingered without further ado. His graceful figure transformed into a streak of azure sword light and vanished once more into the surging river of time.

He was going to prepare for his own expedition.

Su Chen, however, remained quietly standing at the "end of time".

……

……

The figure of Cang Daoren disappeared into the ceaseless river of time, leaving Su Chen alone standing silently above this eternally desolate Sea of ​​Time.

Although the pure "battle of the Great Dao" with Cang Daoren did not result in an absolute victory or defeat, it gave Su Chen an extremely clear understanding of his current strength.

"Taiyi Golden Immortal..."

He murmured softly, slowly opening his palm. In his palm, a miniature, chaotic universe, constantly evolving through cycles of birth and death, was slowly turning.

"Da Luo will not appear."

"In this universe, I shall be number one!"

This is not arrogance, but the most objective fact obtained after being verified at the most rigorous and highest level of the "Great Dao"!
He is now a truly unique being, standing above all other "immortal giants"!
Taiyi Golden Immortal, the strongest below the Great Luo Immortal level!
"However, Daoist Cang's condition is a bit strange. He doesn't seem like a true Golden Immortal at the peak of cultivation. His Great Dao..."

Su Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

During that close encounter with the "Great Dao" just now, he keenly sensed from the depths of the seemingly perfect and flawless "Great Dao of Cang" that Cang Daoren possessed a trace of the aura of "corruption of time" that was extremely similar to that of the "Monarch of Time"!

Although that aura was suppressed by Cang Daoren with his domineering and eternal "self" will, it was almost imperceptible.

However, Su Chen is now the "Heavenly Dao"!
Any "Great Way" operating before him will have all its secrets exposed!

"He is not a proper immortal cultivator."

"Or rather, he used to be, but now he is more like a special life form that lies between 'life' and 'death,' 'existence' and 'imprint'."

A bold guess surfaced in Su Chen's mind.

"He might have been an even more terrifying... Grand Luo Golden Immortal!"

"But in a certain era, for some reason, he perished. However, his extremely powerful 'self' will was unwilling to fall into silence, and forcibly merged his true spirit with this 'river of time' to some extent!"

"He has transformed into an alternative 'time-traveling spirit'!"

"One that still retains self-awareness and can control its own path... the ultimate, remnant of time!"

"They can even leave the river of time and travel through the vast sea of ​​stars!"

"Based on Cang Daoren's words, he should be a figure from the same era as Zuo Qingcang. He perished in the Battle of Heaven's Collapse back then, and woke up in the long river of time, becoming a being above the Lord of Time."

This conjecture, though shocking, perfectly explains everything!
This explains why Cang Daoren was able to ignore the long river of time that had long been imprisoned and easily travel between the vast sea of ​​stars and the end of time!
Because he is, in essence, part of this river! (End of Chapter)