Living in the deep palace

Time flies, and a full hundred years have passed since Su Chen rebuilt the Taiyi Dao Palace and reshaped the starry sky.

This century has been the most glorious and brilliant century since the cosmos was liberated from five million years of darkness and oppression.

Nourished by the Jianmu axis that Su Chen transformed into the "New Sun," and under the immortal seed sown by Su Chen's "Great Luo Preaching," the spiritual energy concentration of the entire universe reached an unprecedented peak.

Geniuses are emerging like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

The former "Lu Cheng," the first boy to awaken his spiritual root, is now a "Nascent Soul True Monarch" who commands respect across a star field and is hailed as the "Son of the New Path."

Gu Chenzi, the last true immortal, under the guidance of Su Chen's "Life" law and bathed in the Great Dao for a hundred years, miraculously reshaped his Dao foundation and broke through the shackles of true immortal thirty years ago, becoming the "Mysterious Jade Immortal".

He became the most prominent expert in the Taiyi Dao Palace, apart from Su Chen and the twenty Venerables, and was revered by millions of cultivators.

The twenty fourth-realm Venerables, including the Dragon Emperor of the East Sea and the Heavenly Venerable of Ten Thousand Jun, were also influenced by Su Chen's Daoist charm of "order" and "Jianmu". Their true Daos were becoming more and more perfect, and they showed signs of touching a higher level.

Everything is moving in the best possible direction.

The starry sky has truly transformed from an "evil spirit pasture" into a "sacred land of immortals".

The creator of all this, Su Chen, the Dao Ancestor of Taiyi Dao Palace, encountered his own "calamity" at this time.

……

Taiyi Daotai, at the center of the universe.

This is the location of the Jianmu axis, the core of the "New Sun," and the source of the "Great Dao" of the entire celestial star sea.

Su Chen has been sitting cross-legged here for a hundred years without moving.

His aura as a "late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal" had reached its peak. The immense source energy brought by the "Heavenly Calamity" had already been completely refined by him.

His current power is more than ten times stronger than when he killed Tian'e a hundred years ago.
However, he was still a "late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal".

He got stuck.

After breaking through to the Great Luo Immortal realm, his cultivation progressed too quickly, so encountering a bottleneck was normal. However, Su Chen hadn't expected that it would hold him back for so long.

“【Wu】…”

Su Chen slowly opened his eyes. In his chaotic Dao Eyes, which were blue on the left and gold on the right, a trace of the Dao Heart that had remained unchanged for ten thousand years flashed through his mind... a sense of unease that was hard to suppress.

His ten fundamental laws—life, death, emptiness, tomb, spirit, advantage, armor, power, speed—have all been perfected.

The only crucial element, the Law of Desolation, has remained unreconstituted since he self-destructed to kill the incarnation of the Underworld Lotus Saint Lord.

【芜】

It represents "end", "negation" and "the return of all things to nothingness".

It was the most domineering law, closest to the concept of "fifth realm," that he comprehended from the remains of the "holy son" of the "mythical era."

Without it, Su Chen's "Ten Great Origins of the Great Luo" would not be complete.

Without perfection, one cannot reach the "Perfect Great Luo Golden Immortal" level.

Without perfection, one cannot fully comprehend the mysteries of the "fifth realm" within the "lotus petals."

"I was wrong," Su Chen murmured to himself.

He originally thought that devouring the "Evil Spirit Path" of the fourth realm of "Heavenly Calamity" would be enough to make up for his losses.

But he was wrong.

The Dao of "Heavenly Calamity" is "pollution," "parasitism," and "chaos"—the "evil."

His "desolation" is the "end" under "order".

No matter how much "nourishment" he consumes, it only makes his "building tree" grow stronger and his "life" and "order" more powerful.

However, the law of 【芜】 cannot be completed by “devouring”.

"I reshaped the starry sea with [life], and established new laws with [order]..."

"This universe, under my will, is teeming with life and perfectly ordered."

"But because of this... this sea of ​​stars... no longer has the soil for 'barrenness'."

Su Chen smiled bitterly.

He, the "Dao Ancestor" who recreated the starry sea, was trapped on his path by the "perfect world" he himself created.

He dealt with Tian'e.

However, the “Nether Lotus Saint Lord”, this “terrifying external enemy” and this true “Fifth Realm”, has been eyeing the “Ruins Domain” for a full hundred years!

If it weren't for the "Jianmu·Cangqiong·Guardian Dao Array" he set up, the will of the fifth realm would probably have already infiltrated it.

"Can't wait any longer."

“I legislate based on ‘order’ but forget that ‘the Way’ is inherently a combination of ‘disorder’ and ‘order’.”

“I control the life of the Jianmu tree, but I have forgotten that all things also have their cycles of flourishing and decay.”

Su Chen slowly stood up.

A thin layer of "Dao dust" had accumulated on his body, which had been sitting cross-legged for a hundred years.

That's not ash; that's the weariness of the "Great Way."

"I am the ancestor of the Dao, sitting high on the Dao platform for a hundred years, looking down upon all living beings."

"But I forgot... I, Su Chen, was once one of the 'living beings'."

"In the Star Sea World, there exists the Path of Immortals in the Mortal World. Without cultivating immortal techniques, one can hone one's character and refine one's mind amidst the mortal realm, still reaching the Three Realms beyond words. Perhaps I too can break through this bottleneck by refining my character..."

At this moment, the knot in his heart turned into a decisive action.

“My ‘Wu’ is not in the heavens, not on the Dao Platform, and not under the threat of the ‘Nether Lotus’.”

"it……"

"One should live in the mortal world."

"I wish to... enter the mortal world, refine my heart, and seek the Dao."

As Su Chen took a step forward, the supreme power of the "Great Luo Golden Immortal" receded like a tide.

His "Taiyi Taoist robe" transformed into a simple blue shirt.

His "Chaotic Dao Eyes," with their "left blue and right gold" pattern, also transformed into a mortal-like pitch black, only appearing exceptionally profound.

His cultivation level of "late-stage Great Luo" was forcibly "legislated" by him using "order and authority"—

"seal up!"

An invisible shackle fell upon his "Tao".

At this moment, he appeared to be a mere mortal, devoid of any aura or even spiritual root.

And so, he stepped out of the "Taiyi Daotai".

Silently.

Neither Gu Chenzi nor the twenty Venerables were disturbed.

This "creator god" of the "sky and starry sea," the "ancestor of the immortal path," drifted like a speck of dust towards the place he created with his own hands...

The boundless mortal world.

On this day, the supreme Dao Ancestor of the Star Sea, the one who reached the pinnacle of the Immortal Path, left the Taiyi Dao Palace and stepped back into the mortal world in an avatar.

……

……

The "Tian Shu Star Region" is located three thousand miles away from the "Taiyi Daotai" star system. It was one of the first star regions to be bathed in "holy light" during the "seven-day miracle" of "spiritual rain" that Su Chen preached a hundred years ago.

"New Fire Ancient City".

The most renowned city in the Tian Shu Star Region, a melting pot of "mortal cultivators".

The term "mortal cultivation" refers to the coexistence of ordinary people and cultivators.

The century-long revival of immortality has not led to the extinction of "mortals".

Su Chen's "Great Dao" is that "all humans can cultivate immortality," not that "humans must cultivate immortality."

There are always those who have no spiritual roots or are unwilling to engage in ascetic practices; they still live a life of working at sunrise and resting at sunset.

Their offspring, if they are found to have "spiritual roots," will be sent to the "Taoist Academy" in the city and rise to great heights.

Therefore, "New Fire Ancient City" reached its peak of prosperity.

Immortal arts and mortal affairs intertwine at this moment.

The cultivators set up "magical artifact pavilions" and "elixirs shops" in the city.

Ordinary people run restaurants, inns, and spirit beast carriage shops.

There were even cultivators who used "fire control techniques" to sell "immortal-style roasted meat" on the street, drawing cheers from mortal children.

Su Chen entered this "New Fire Ancient City" at dusk.

He has been wandering among the stars for three months in the form of a "mortal".

He saw the newly born stars, and he also saw the "dead star field" that had been ravaged by the "Heavenly Calamity" for five million years and still could not recover.

He witnessed the fervent worship of "immortals" by mortals. He also saw the first generation of cultivators gradually forming a new "class".

The knot in his heart remained untied.

On the contrary, the more he "saw," the more he felt that this "new world" seemed to be heading towards a "deformity" that he did not want to see.

"so perfect."

"It's been so...smooth sailing."

Su Chen walked on the street paved with bluestone slabs.

The streets are lined with towering "spirit wood buildings" that seem to reach into the clouds.

In the air, Foundation Establishment cultivators flying on swords occasionally swept by, drawing envious glances from the mortals on the ground.

In the center of the city, a tall white jade tower pierces the sky, with the words "Taiyi" inscribed on its top.

That was the "Transmission Hall" of the "Taiyi Dao Palace" located here.

Su Chen entered a restaurant called "Red Dust Inn".

This is the most well-informed place in the city.

"Waiter, a pot of tea and a few side dishes."

Su Chen found a corner by the window and sat down. His "ordinary" aura went unnoticed by anyone.

The restaurant was bustling with noise.

There were ordinary merchants and also sword-wielding cultivators.

And the focus of their discussion was only three points.

First, the lofty and unapproachable "Taiyi Dao Palace".

Second, Lu Chengzhenjun, the number one genius in the Tian Shu Star Region, is known as "Little Daoist Lord".

Thirdly, tomorrow will be the centennial celebration of the "New Fire Academy" held here.

"Have you heard? Tomorrow is the grand celebration of the Taoist academy, and 'True Lord Lu Cheng'... no! 'Ancestor Lu Cheng'! He might be there in person!"

"What?! Ancestor Lu is coming? That's a Nascent Soul True Monarch! A true terrestrial immortal!"

"That's right! Ancestor Lu was among the first group to awaken after listening to the 'Dao Ancestor' preach a hundred years ago! His Dao is the purest!"

Su Chen picked up his teacup, a flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes.

“Lu Cheng…”

He remembered the name.

A hundred years ago, he swept his divine sense over the first boy to awaken his spiritual root.

A century has passed, and he has already reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Not bad.

"Hmph, it's not certain whether Old Ancestor Lu will come or not. But I know that at tomorrow's 'Genius Banquet,' Young Master Feng from the City Lord's Mansion will likely shine brightly!"

"Oh? You mean 'Wind and Thunder Sword' Feng Shaoyu?"

"Exactly! Young Master Feng is only ninety-eight years old this year, and he has already reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage! He is only one step away from becoming a Nascent Soul! He was even favored by the Mysterious Immortal Gu Chenzi of the Taiyi Dao Palace, who personally praised him as the 'Heavenly Pivot Pearl'!"

"Tsk tsk, Golden Core Perfection... The Feng family is about to produce a dragon!"

Su Chen listened quietly.

Feng Shaoyu? Gu Chenzi?
While he, the "Taoist Ancestor," is here, they are discussing and praising the "Mysterious Immortal."

It's interesting.

Just then, the restaurant door was kicked open from the outside with a loud bang.

"Shopkeeper! Get out here right now!"

An arrogant and domineering voice rang out.

A group of young cultivators dressed in brocade robes and with long swords at their waists escorted a handsome young man in white robes with an arrogant air about him as he entered.

The young man in white exuded a powerful aura, clearly indicating that he had reached the "Great Perfection of the Golden Core" stage.

Wherever he went, the mortal diners all retreated in fear, lest they offend the "immortal master".

Those cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage also rose and respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Young Master Feng!"

The newcomer was none other than Feng Shaoyu, the "Wind and Thunder Sword".

"Young Master Feng, your...your esteemed presence is an honor to our humble establishment!" The shopkeeper, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, scrambled out of the shop.

"Enough with the nonsense!" Feng Shaoyu kicked over a table and said coldly.
"I'm going to win the 'Golden Pride Banquet' tomorrow! Tonight, I've booked the entire 'Red Dust Inn'!"

"This..." The shopkeeper's face turned pale. "Young Master Feng, this...this is against the rules, the guests are all..."

"Rules?" Feng Shaoyu laughed, and he suddenly released the pressure of a "Golden Core Perfection" master!

"In this newly established ancient city of Xinhuo! My word, Feng Shaoyu's word, is the rule!"

"boom--!"

A terrifying pressure swept through the entire restaurant!
Those mortals were immediately forced to their knees, blood gushing from their mouths and noses!

Those diners in the "Qi Refining" and "Foundation Establishment" stages were also pale-faced and swaying precariously!

"Young Master Feng... have mercy! Have mercy!"

"I'll wait...I'll leave right now! I'll leave right now!"

The diners dared not linger any longer and scrambled towards the door.

Feng Shaoyu laughed triumphantly: "Hahaha! A bunch of ants!"

The restaurant was emptied in an instant, with half of it gone.

Only Feng Shaoyu and his gang of lackeys remained.

No.

one left.

In that corner by the window.

A seemingly ordinary person, dressed in a blue robe and devoid of any life force, continued to drink tea as if nothing was amiss.

He seemed oblivious to the terrifying pressure of the "Golden Core Perfection" level.

Or perhaps, the oppressive aura, upon reaching three feet in front of him, vanished silently, like spring snow meeting the sun…

It melted.

"Ok?"

Feng Shaoyu's laughter stopped abruptly.

His arrogant gaze suddenly locked onto Su Chen.

"mortal?"

He was stunned.

How dare a mortal ignore his "golden core pressure"?
This is impossible!

unless……

"Are you deaf or blind?" Feng Shaoyu's face darkened.

"Didn't you hear me say I booked the whole place?"

Su Chen slowly put down his teacup.

He didn't look at Feng Shaoyu.

Instead, he glanced at the innkeeper kneeling on the ground, trembling, and the diners fleeing in panic at the door.

A hint of disappointment flashed in his deep, calm eyes.

Is this the immortal path he "recreated"?

Is this the human race he "protects"?

A hundred years ago, under the oppression of "evil spirits," humanity lived like livestock.

A century later, the "evil spirit" disappeared.

Yet they knelt under the oppression of their "kind."

Although "Tian'e" died.

But the "calamity" in the hearts of humans seems to be...

It never disappeared.

Although I know that decay will inevitably follow prosperity, this decay has happened far too quickly—only a hundred years have passed. (End of Chapter)