Living in the deep palace

The struggle between the old and new Heavenly Ways!

This was accompanied by the appearance of a Heavenly Decree that rebuked the Dragon Emperor of the East Sea.

The strings of the universe are already taut.

It was a terrifying, oppressive atmosphere, like the calm before a storm, with invisible dark clouds hanging over every star field.

All the ancient beings held their breath, knowing that an ultimate war that would sweep across the entire mythological era and determine the fate of countless future generations was like the Sword of Damocles hanging overhead, ready to fall at any moment.

however.

At the very heart of this storm, the ancient star Jianmu seemed to have transformed into a pristine paradise forgotten by time.

After defeating the dragon army, Su Chen did not choose to press his advantage or expand his power.

Standing atop the reborn Jianmu Divine Tree, he looked down upon the land below, a land ravaged by catastrophe, filled with both hope and uncertainty, and began an unprecedented... nationwide evangelism!
"It's time to let the new path spread throughout the starry sea."

"Fourteen star seas, I will take away all ownership of the Mythical Heavenly Dao bit by bit."

"after all."

"Strictly speaking..."

“I am the new Heavenly Dao! The complete Heavenly Dao! And he was merely a fallen Fifth Realm Immortal Ancestor.”

Next.

Su Chen used the Jianmu Divine Tree that spanned heaven and earth as his "dojo" and his own "Tao of the Original Self," which combined the source of "Primordial" and the principle of "Information," as his "doctrine." He opened the door to a brand new world to all the beings on this planet who harbored longings!
And before that.

Near Jianmu Star, the news that Feng Canyun of the New Path, with his second-realm cultivation, had nearly caused the fall of a supreme dragon king had spread throughout the entire world.

Not to mention, this new path of cultivation itself has many benefits.

It will be far, far more powerful than traditional immortal cultivation!
At this moment, the entire Jianmu Ancient Star was in an uproar, setting off an unprecedented cultivation frenzy!
A dying person, old and nearing death, felt a ripple in their parched spiritual sea the moment they heard the Daoist voice.
The innocent infant, crying for milk, in its mother's arms, experienced a wondrous resonance between its innate spiritual light and the Daoist principles of heaven and earth.

Whether one is a gifted cultivator, hailed as one in a million, or an ordinary person with blocked spiritual roots, condemned to never attain immortality, under the philosophy of "equality of all beings and the way of all things" in the "Way of the True Self," all acquired "differences" are infinitely smoothed out!

They no longer prayed to gods and Buddhas for blessings, but instead began to look inward and try to listen to the truest voice deep within their own souls.

They no longer fear the "demonic energy" that was once considered taboo and destructive, but instead learn to understand and harness this immense power that originates from the most primal desires of life.

They began to believe that their own "hands," rather than some vague destiny, were the only source of miracles and the definition of the future!

Feng Canyun, the living legend who personally created the myth of "a mortal slaying the dragon king," became Su Chen's "chief disciple."

same.

He is also the first generation leader of the new sect, under Su Chen, a white-robed Daoist master!
"The new path will save all living beings, allowing them to find new life in the sea of ​​suffering!"

"And this is the meaning of our mission."

He took Su Chen's place, walking among all living beings, using his most genuine understanding to explain the profound mystery of the "Way of the True Self" to all seekers of the Way.

The entire ancient star of Jianmu is undergoing an ultimate transformation—from soul to body, from individual to civilization—at an incredible speed that can be seen with the naked eye and can even be described as "wild growth"!
For a while.

The spread of the new path rapidly reached hundreds or even thousands of surrounding stars, nearly one-tenth of the star field in which it originated.

Even cultivators from other distant star regions travel great distances to seek the inheritance of the new path.

……

……

The central divine court, the Lingxiao Palace.

The Heavenly Dao of Myth sat quietly atop that cold, empty, supreme throne.

He is no longer angry; the tyrannical divine power that was once capable of burning the universe has now been completely subdued.

In His eyes, which were composed of pure "order" and "rules," there was only an absolute calmness that could freeze time.

He observes, like a highly sophisticated computing instrument, transforming every minute change that occurs on the ancient star Jianmu into an endless stream of data, which He then analyzes within His core will.

He is deconstructing, trying to find the core and essential logic of that new "way of the self".

He is searching for the most fatal flaw in the theoretical system of the thief of time... the systemic flaw!
Finally, after observing for a full forty-nine days, the first batch of newborns on the ancient star Jianmu were born amidst the Daoist rhythm of the "Way of the True Self".

When its innate "self-will" far surpassed that of any creature in the old era, the corners of the mythical Heavenly Dao's mouth slowly curled into a cold, emotionless arc.

"I see."

"The foundation of the 'Way of the True Self' lies in the 'heart' and in 'faith.' Its power stems from each individual's absolute affirmation of their 'self' and their absolute trust in you as their 'guide.'"

"As long as their 'hearts' remain unwavering, as long as they still hold absolute 'trust' in your ridiculous theory that 'everyone can become an immortal or a god,' then the collective will composed of these billions of 'selves' is invincible."

"but……"

The Heavenly Dao of Myth slowly rose from its throne, its majestic figure seemingly obscuring the light of the entire universe.

An invisible, unseen gray "virus," filled with the most vicious and chilling "curse" power, slowly emanated from His body like a void shadow.

"What if I exert influence and plant a seed called 'doubt' in their hearts?"

“If I let them see with their own eyes how powerless the ‘Tao’ they believe in is, and how hypocritical the ‘God’ they worship is, what then?”

"Thief of time..."

“You taught them what ‘self’ is, making them think they are the protagonist of the world.”

“Then, I will teach them…”

"What is 'despair'! Let them understand that before the absolute 'Heaven,' the so-called 'self' is nothing but a joke!"

"It's not difficult to dismantle your foundation!"

"It can be said."

"You are truly a genius, the only genius with the potential to reach the fifth realm that has been nurtured within my Immortal Aperture!"

"No wonder my future self would be defeated by you."

"hehe."

"What a pity, you've encountered me, a former Fifth Realm being!"

The next moment!
That invisible, gray "divine retribution virus," composed of the purest negative concepts and spiritual pollution, silently traversed endless time and space, like an unseen plague, and descended upon that seemingly vibrant... Jianmu Ancient Star!
……

……

Jianmu Ancient Star, Unyielding City.

The billions of beings who were sitting cross-legged under the Jianmu Divine Tree, comprehending the 'Way of the True Self', suddenly felt a jolt in their hearts!
An indescribable chill and unease, originating from the deepest part of my soul, surged into my heart without warning!

They opened their eyes in horror!

The sky, which had been perfectly clear and filled with the flow of Taoist energy, was suddenly shrouded in a thick, impenetrable layer of gray! It wasn't a cloud!

It was a more fundamental, apocalyptic atmosphere filled with the meaning of "decay," "decay," and "end"!
Under this gray sky, the thriving flowers, grasses and trees are losing their vitality and withering at a visible speed!
The light in the eyes of the birds and beasts running joyfully is quickly dimming and extinguishing!
Even their own Dao hearts, which were originally full of vitality and hope, are being eroded and polluted by an invisible force!
A cold, emotionless whisper, as if from the deepest hell, echoed wildly in their minds!

"give up."

"You are a cursed race, and your efforts are in vain."

"Your fate was already sealed; you will turn to dust."

"That so-called 'Taoist Master,' he can't save you. Look, when the end of the world comes, he won't even dare to show himself!"

"He's just a fraud, a false god who exploited your hopes to satisfy his own ambitions..."

"He, like you, is just the most insignificant and powerless speck of dust in this cold universe..."

"No! No! The Taoist Master has come to save us!"

Countless cultivators let out painful roars, frantically urging the "Path of the True Self" within their bodies, trying to use their newly established "self" will to resist the all-pervasive "demonic sound" erosion!

However, this is precisely the most insidious aspect of the plan!

The more they resisted, the more they pondered the question of "whether the Taoist master is a fraud," and the deeper the seed of "doubt" took root in their hearts!
"puff!"

Some cultivators whose Dao hearts were already unstable immediately spat out a mouthful of black, foul blood!

The clear and firm light in their eyes was instantly replaced by a murky, chaotic madness!

They actually... went mad!

after all.

This was a personal intervention by the Heavenly Dao of Mythology.

When a supreme being ascends to the highest heavens and personally deals with a group of ants, what can these ants possibly use to resist?

This is the overt strategy of the mythical Heavenly Way!
He did not confront Su Chen directly, but instead attacked the most vulnerable part of the hearts of the new Dao beings... "faith"!
Once faith collapses, everything built upon it will vanish into thin air!

Just as the flames of revolution ignited by Su Chen himself were about to be extinguished by the sudden "divine retribution virus"!
At this critical moment!
A calm voice, yet seemingly imbued with boundless calming power, emanated from the top of the Jianmu Divine Tree, resonating clearly in the hearts of every living being struggling in pain.

"Lift your head. Look at me."

It's Su Chen's voice!

All the creatures that were plunged into despair and chaos instinctively raised their heads!
They saw that the figure in white still stood quietly at the top of the world.

His face showed no panic or anger, only a calm as clear as the eternal blue sky.

It was as if the apocalyptic scene that could bring the world to its knees was nothing more than a gentle breeze in his eyes.

“I have said before that I am not your ‘god’.”

Su Chen's voice rang out slowly, clear and gentle.

“I am merely a guide. I led you to the path leading to ‘self’.”

"And the 'storm' before us..."

Su Chen's gaze swept over the faces below, filled with pain and confusion. "This is the first real 'trial' you will face after embarking on this path!"

"Heaven is testing you. It is using the most vicious language to test your newly awakened 'self' to see if it is truly as steadfast as you think."

"He wants you to return to ignorance, to continue to wallow in the sea of ​​suffering, and to become the fuel for his power!"

"So, tell me..."

Su Chen's voice suddenly rose in pitch! Like a morning bell and evening drum, it struck the soul of every living being!

Do you believe in yourselves?! Do you really want to continue wallowing in this sea of ​​suffering?

Believe in ourselves?

In an instant, all the cultivators who were troubled by the demonic sound were suddenly jolted!
They were stunned.

yes……

The core of the "Way of the True Self" is simply "believing in oneself," isn't it? The reason they are in pain, confused, and eroded by the seeds of "doubt" is ultimately because they subconsciously regard Su Chen as a new "god"!
They placed their hopes on Su Chen, not on themselves!

Therefore, when the Heavenly Dao begins to attack Su Chen and corrupt this god, their "faith" will waver!

"I see……"

Feng Canyun was the first to awaken from that momentous epiphany! He looked at the gray sky that still seemed to be spreading despair and decay, and smiled.

"Thank you, Master, for expounding the Dharma to us."

He slowly closed his eyes, no longer resisting the demonic sound invading his mind, but instead immersing all his mind in his eternal and indestructible "true self"!
"I am Feng Canyun."

"I will protect my own path!"

Om-!
A purer and more resolute will to "self" than ever before erupted from him!
The gray "divine punishment" power that had invaded his body was like ice and snow encountering the scorching sun, and was forcibly purified and dispelled by this pure "heart" power!

Once there's a first, there's a second, and a third!
"My destiny is in my own hands!"

"You think your mere inner demons can sway me?! Get lost!"

"I believe in myself!"

In an instant, the flames of resistance that had been waning on the entire Jianmu Ancient Star were reignited!
Moreover, it's burning even more fiercely than before! Burning even more intensely!
Because this time, they are no longer fighting for the sake of believing in "Su Chen"!

They are fighting for their beliefs... "themselves"!

This is the true "Way of the True Self," the unbreakable essence!
Central Divine Court.

For the first time, a hint of... astonishment appeared on the usually icy face of the Mythical Heavenly Dao, a face that was usually filled with an air of "knowing everything perfectly."

He miscalculated.

He never imagined that the thief who stole time would use such a radical method to break through His "divine punishment"!
He even used His spiritual virus, capable of polluting the entire universe, as a "whetstone" to hone his "believers"?!

"madman!"

"You are a complete madman!"

"You're actually liberating these guys, without even the slightest intention of setting an anchor in their hearts or extracting their essence. How could you do something so self-destructive?"

"What does this new Heavenly Dao intend to do?"

The Heavenly Dao of Mythology let out a silent roar of exasperation!

He seems to be gradually losing ground! (End of Chapter)