In the heavens, people become emperors by being bad.

Chapter 601 [Surrounded by Daoist wounds, his days are numbered]

"Whoever wakes up from a big dream first will know it in my life."

Lin Xian spoke leisurely, his aura ethereal, traversing the sea of ​​thunder like a Buddha suppressing the river of time, eternal and indestructible, his glazed golden body radiant, scattering billions of immortal lights, illuminating the dream universe.

The universe is contained in a dream. When we are awake, chaos is created and the universe is born. In dreams, all things are created from nothing.

At this moment, he seemed to have attained enlightenment, or perhaps he had performed a ritual to achieve it, refining the two realms and becoming the sole supreme being!

"We've won so much we're exhausted."

The Emperor's Shadow, standing on the Xuanhuang Cauldron, sighed. It seemed to be three secrets, but in fact there were nine. With Dian Xiaorun as the leader, many secret methods were derived, such as the Winning Character Secret, which was a method of self-encouragement, self-deception, and self-hypnosis to numb the Dao heart, thereby achieving sublimation and proving one's invincibility.

The secret of the character "典" gives rise to the secret of the character "赢", and the secret of the character "赢" is further sublimated into the secret of the character "麻".

Lin Xian transformed into the Three Pure Ones with a single breath, then took four steps in each of the four cardinal directions. With one finger pointing to the sky and the other to the earth, his countenance solemn and dignified, he declared, "I shall rule this world, I shall be the World Honored One!"

In this life, I traversed the universe, entered the Immortal Mountain, sat cross-legged under a peach tree, and discussed the Dao with the ancient emperor.

He once entered the Kunlun Mountains, the land of immortals, repaired the Immortal Cauldron, revived the dragon vein, and transcended the world, attracting many immortality elixirs to follow him.

He single-handedly fought against the three Heavenly Emperors, and even confronted those who were still alive. He created nine ultimate mysteries comparable to the Nine Secrets, and from one dream, he transformed into the Three Secrets, and from the Three Secrets, he gave birth to the Nine Divine Powers!
Every little detail, every legend, has forged unparalleled glory. Lin Xian is like an enlightened being, his aura spreading far and wide, filling the starry sky, just like the Amitabha Buddha Emperor of old reigning over the nine heavens and ten earths!
However, the figure wielding the Emperor's Sword sneered and asked in return, "Now that you have attained enlightenment, where is your Heavenly Heart Imprint?"

No one understands the Heavenly Heart Mark better than him. It is the symbol of an emperor. Without it, even someone as powerful as Gai Jiuyou is just a quasi-emperor.

Lin Xian's current state might fool the Great Sages of the lower realms, but for the Heavenly Tribulation, it's like a drop of ice.

Even without the official seal of Tianxin, it's still academic fraud!

Faced with the questioning, as if a demon were testing his Dao heart, Lin Xian remained calm and composed. He formed a perfect hand seal and smiled serenely, saying, "I have already performed a Dao sacrifice in my dream, so there is no trace of my attainment of Dao."

Good heavens, to attain enlightenment in a dream, and then to perform a ritual to achieve it—what difference does that make between achieving enlightenment and not achieving it?

Emperor Ye exclaimed, "Wow, as expected of Lord Lin, he can make a blank sheet of paper sound wonderful!"

If we follow this logic, those cultivators whose lifespan is about to end and who are preparing to pass away can also say that they have merged with the Dao, become one with the universe, and reached the realm where heaven and earth are one with them.

This is the art of language, precisely the kind of debate that Buddhism excels at.

Holding the Emperor Sword and with a thunder pool above his head, the Desolate Emperor said in a low voice, "I often dream that I kill three ancestors with one sword, but in reality, the number of ancestors is increasing, so this time there are only the two of us... It's all an illusion, an illusion after all."

"How can we know that dreams are not reality?"

Lin Xian's expression turned solemn as he countered, "Where is the dividing line between illusion and reality? The spiritual world is also a world. What I experience, what I am moved by, lives in my heart, and also lives in the hearts of all beings."

“The true spirit is not false, I am the only true one, and all falsehoods have been cut off.”

The Desolate Emperor spoke calmly. He had experienced countless reincarnations and possessed the Emperor's Law of Transformation, making him omnipresent in the timeline. He could transform all sentient beings, allowing his original self to cultivate, undergo Nirvana time and time again, and ultimately approach the Great Perfection.

This is the Immortal Emperor, a testament that lasts forever. The great battle is in the future, and enlightenment is achieved in the past. Quasi-Immortal Emperors can roam the river of time and achieve enlightenment at any point in time, at which point the timeline will collapse, becoming the True One.

There is only one true self. After becoming the Immortal Emperor, I am merely a projection of the true spirit in the long river of time.

"If we cut off the illusion, where will the truth remain?" Lin Xian said slowly. Without illusion, how can we see the truth? Once there is no comparison, the truth will also turn into nothingness, and we will no longer be able to distinguish between dreams and reality, and we will be completely lost.

Even a high-dimensional being with boundless supernatural powers and endless lifespan can fall into depression and automatically seek death if they lose sight of themselves and their Dao heart becomes clouded.

"After severing illusion, will reality also become falsehood? Is there such a thing?" The Desolate Emperor frowned. This was a question he had never considered before. His life had been too bitter. He had been constantly on the move, exhausted, and battling life-or-death enemies.

So-called depression and confusion are caused by being in a comfortable state and having idle thoughts.

The Desolate Emperor had too many things to do and no time to think about anything else.

"The Dao of Truth and Illusion reflects all the heavens?" Emperor Ye's eyes narrowed, and he pondered, "An emperor is a person of great power. If there is someone who has reached the ultimate perfection and whose Dao heart can contain all the heavens throughout the ages, then truth and illusion are both in one heart. To him, there is no difference between truth and illusion."

"Like a dead sea, unable to stir up any waves, it's terrifying."

The two exchanged a glance and couldn't help but think of the eerie plateau. Could it be that there really were such people and things behind the dark camp?

If so, how can it be cracked?

"The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind a bright mirror stand; constantly wipe it clean, lest it be covered with dust." Lin Xianfa spoke solemnly and powerfully: "Afflictions are Bodhi, Bodhi is afflictions; without afflictions, how can one attain Bodhi?"

The Xuanhuang Mother Qi Cauldron rose and fell, and the emperor's face darkened as he said, "Speak human language."

Whatever Buddhist teachings or nonsense, these are things that Master Lin excels at. He can often lead people into a ditch from which they can't get out.

"Since it's completely necrotic, why not revitalize it in parts? Only by revitalizing the whole thing, like a catfish stirring up the universe, can it be full of vitality and life."

Lin Xian's eyes were bright, and she said excitedly, "It's just like a dream. If it's peaceful and stable, it's hard to wake up. But if you apply external force to create a nightmare, it's easy to wake up."

"To leave an indelible mark, one must be obsessed, have memories, and be moved by something unforgettable. These are the fundamental ways to distinguish between reality and illusion."

"Those with higher cultivation can move mountains and overturn seas, seize stars and seize the moon, recreate the universe, and even reflect the heavens. They are omnipotent. The higher they are, the easier it is for them to transcend the mortal world and regard all living beings as ants, because what they do is too easy. Their divinity far surpasses that of humanity."

"To achieve a rich humanity, one must endure hardship and struggle, and have unattainable goals."

Lin Xian solemnly revealed the true meaning of this universe: "Only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one rise above others." Even if there is no hardship, one should still seek it out and endure it.

Why is the future of a Mortal Immortal so bright? Because those who achieve this level have endured countless hardships in the mortal world, experiencing the extraordinary life of nine lifetimes in reverse, far surpassing the ordinary longevity of a True Immortal.

A life that can be seen from the beginning is destined to be calm; only in a turbulent lake is it possible for a carp to leap over the dragon gate.

"Is this your excuse for sponging off your parents and children?" Di Ying demanded. Because he was afraid of losing his humanity, he suppressed his divinity, leaving behind indelible memories that were hard to forget.

Today, he also wants to leave an indelible mark on Lin Xian to help him cultivate.

The Xuanhuang Mother Qi Cauldron roared and rang. At the beginning of all things, chaos began to stir. Xuanhuang descended, forming thousands of streams, like waterfalls or divine chains of order, with an invisible Daoist charm that ignited immortal fire.

"How bitter!" Lin Xian muttered to himself, transforming into a stream of light and being sucked back into the cauldron. He endured the quasi-emperor tribulation with great difficulty, his primordial spirit burning again and again, his physical body shattering and reforming. The immortal fire manifested the vast world and the dream universe. It was not only the suffering of the physical body, but also the suffering of the heart.

It was as if the trials of the mortal world that I had experienced—birth, old age, sickness, death, not getting what I wanted, being with those I hated, being separated from those I loved, and the five aggregates—swept in like a tide.

It is unknown how much time has passed, but the starry sky has been burned to ashes, the void is shattered beyond recognition, and spatial storms are raging everywhere, astonishing the onlookers who are quasi-emperors.

These calamities were something even quasi-emperors had never seen before; they seemed to appear for the first time and were tailor-made for Lin Xian.

With a deafening roar, the heavenly tribulation exploded. The power of the Thunder Pool reached its limit and could no longer manifest. In the end, a blood-soaked figure fell, his body covered in Dao wounds, one fist imprint after another, as if he had been blasted away by a Great Perfection Holy Body.

"Besides manifesting the Emperor's Lightning, does the Heavenly Tribulation also include the Holy Body's Lightning?"

Ye Fan was slightly startled and stepped forward to search for Lin Xian, with Mingde Quasi-Emperor following closely behind.

The spatial storm could annihilate most of the Great Saints in the human world, but it was no match for the two Quasi-Emperors. Soon, this part of the starry sky was reconstructed, and Ye Fan also found the white-haired Lin Xian meditating on a meteorite.

"Such severe Dao injuries!"

Daoist Mingde looked at the quasi-emperor before him, whose three thousand black hairs had turned completely white and were casually draped over his shoulders, stained with droplets of blood that had not yet dried. He couldn't help but click his tongue and tentatively asked, "How are you, fellow Daoist? Do you wish to stay on my Gouchen Star for a while and take some great medicine?"

"Cough cough... I'm sorry to have made you laugh, fellow Daoist Gouchenxing. I was too eager for quick success and suffered a qi deviation, and now I am suffering from a great Dao injury." Lin Xian's face was pale, and he looked sickly. He sighed, "I'm afraid my days are numbered, and I will soon pass away."

"There is a great medicine in the world that can surely help you achieve Nirvana." Emperor Mingde offered words of advice, but his brows were furrowed. Although Lin Xian appeared to be only at the third level of the Quasi-Emperor realm, when he got close, he was like a prehistoric beast, making even Emperor Mingde, a fourth-level Quasi-Emperor, wary. His aura was too ethereal.

Ye Fan's expression was strange. These words sounded too familiar, as if he had heard them more than once.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Lin Xian sighed, then slowly stood up. Suddenly, he staggered, and the dignified Quasi-Emperor lost his balance. He hesitated to speak, and almost fell over.

"Has the Dao injury really reached this level?" Emperor Mingde asked, half surprised and half doubtful.

Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, looking at Lin Xian, and suddenly thought of another person—Gai Jiuyou!

Back then, this quasi-emperor deceived the people of Beidou and even the entire universe, making them believe that he only had the strength of a half-step quasi-emperor and was merely a supreme being in all realms. However, they never expected that once the old man unleashed his power, he would be worthy of being called a half-step emperor and could take the supreme beings of the forbidden zones down with him.

"Holy Lord, the heavenly tribulation has dissipated, and you have successfully transcended it. You shouldn't be so weak." Ye Fan tentatively asked, "Do you still have any strength left?"

"Alas, my Dao injury has relapsed, and I have to suppress it with all my might." Lin Xian shook his head and said helplessly, "I'm afraid I can only make a few moves. Each move will trigger my Dao injury, bringing me to the brink of Dao dissolution."

"Oh, really? I don't believe it!"

Ye Fan spoke casually, then suddenly made his move. His Heavenly Emperor Fist was unparalleled, and blazing immortal light shone down. He was like a Heavenly Emperor on a journey, inspecting the star field, suppressing all the heavens and myriad worlds, and reigning supreme over Gouchen.

That kind of demeanor, that kind of majesty, left Emperor Mingde speechless, as if he were witnessing a great emperor rising up.

Surprisingly, Ye Fan actually made a move against the legendary Holy Master of Tianxuan Forest.

"Could it be that the internal strife within the Heavenly Court has reached an irreconcilable point?" Emperor Mingde's expression changed as he hesitated, wondering whether he should take the opportunity to leave, lest he witness the Heavenly Court's mastermind and secrets and be silenced.

However, the next second, something even more surprising happened to Emperor Mingde: Lin Xian, who was covered in Dao injuries, actually stood up on his own. His figure was swaying precariously, and he used all his strength to take the blow.

Heavenly Emperor Fist vs. Earth-Suppressing Finger!
As if the universe were newly born, or like a galaxy exploding, a vast and expansive aura filled the heavens and earth, with wisps of primordial energy echoing around it.

Emperor Mingde looked grave. If he were in the center, he would most likely be injured and would not be able to leave so easily.

As the smoke dissipated, Ye Fan stood in the starry sky, sneered, and said, "Holy Lord, weren't there only a few more chances left to make a move?"

"I'm half-crippled, with only a little strength left to protect myself."

Lin Xian coughed up blood and staggered back, a crimson stain appearing at the corner of his mouth. His face was deathly pale. He sighed and said, "Is Emperor Ye really so heartless? The world will judge for itself. Fellow Daoist Gouchenxing is handsome and upright. He will never stand idly by."

Emperor Mingde was taken aback. When he realized that he was involved in the matter, his expression immediately turned awkward.

"Don't call me Emperor Ye!" Ye Fan shouted, triggering the Eight Forbidden Rules, his physical body becoming extremely powerful. He unleashed the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, declaring with a resounding voice, "I am Holy Lord Ye!"

"Alas, I never imagined you would be so heartless and ruthless, unable to allow a cripple like me to linger a few more days and make my final arrangements." Lin Xian, using the Xingzi Secret Technique, moved like a dragon soaring through the air, seemingly always a second faster than time, calmly dodging Ye Fan's killing move. Then, standing on the moral high ground, he condemned, "You have already fallen into the demonic path. If you want to kill me today, tomorrow you will probably refine the universe, devour all living beings, and fulfill your own desires."

"Fellow Daoist of Gouchen Star, join forces with me to slay this demon."

"Fellow Daoist Mingde, if you join forces with me, I am willing to acknowledge you as the leader of the Heavenly Court!" Ye Fan shouted.

"The Heavenly Court's leader?" Emperor Mingde was immediately shocked. That was the Heavenly Court!

The two Quasi-Emperors fought to the edge of the universe. Ye Fan's moves were merciless. His physical body, at the sixth level of Quasi-Emperor, shocked the world. With each slap, a galaxy appeared, making him incredibly powerful.

He scoffed at Lin Xian's words, thinking that it was impossible for Lord Lin to only have a few days left to live; he possessed more than one elixir of immortality.

Before the elixir of immortality, all talk of Dao injuries and impending death is a joke.

If it's true, this is a rare opportunity. He'll send Lin Xian on his way now and help him live a second life.

"My cultivation is not as good as before, but I cannot be humiliated."

Lin Xian coughed up holy blood, his voice strained as he said, "I still have one more chance for ultimate sublimation, cough cough... Would you like to use it on yourself?"

Ye Fan hesitated for a moment, narrowing his eyes. "Ultimate sublimation" was not a good phrase, and he hesitated for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he hadn't made a move earlier.

Seeing this, Lin Xian said in a deep voice, "Let's stop here and let bygones be bygones."

"Hahaha, Holy Lord, you jest! I was just teasing you. Do you think I'm the kind of person who would take advantage of a situation to harm someone?" Ye Fan's expression changed instantly. He stepped forward, took Lin Xian's hand, and asked her with great concern.
"Aren't you one too?" Lin Xian smiled slightly, seemingly having forgotten everything that had just happened, and was enjoying a pleasant time with Ye Fan.

Amidst their laughter, Emperor Mingde felt a pang of unease; the Heavenly Court was too complex for him to comprehend.

(End of this chapter)