Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 542 The day the Blood Sea Condenses the Edge and Returns to the Dao, I Meet Dao Xuan atop Mount Tai (Seeking Rewards and Subscriptions!)

I don’t know if all the Welcoming Platforms are like this, but at least the Welcoming Platform of the Ghost Refining Fortress is more of a heavily guarded watchtower than a place for immortals to be received.

A vast platform made of pure white immortal jade floats in a dark and desolate void. All around are jagged black rock fortresses, from which faint sounds of fierce spirits howling and heavy iron grinding can be heard, casting a cold and oppressive atmosphere over the platform.

The thin, ethereal energy mixed with a faint aura of malevolence, when inhaled, brought little of the exhilaration of ascension; instead, a chilling sensation gradually crept into the bones.

"Now that you have set foot here, you have officially ascended to the Earthly Immortal Realm. Please sign this spiritual contract now."

As she spoke, the guide, Yun Hezi, raised her hand, and a group of low-level cultivators stepped forward and placed a jade table in front of Lu Cheng and the Xiao sisters, on which were written spiritual contracts.

The Xiao sisters and others naturally turned their attention to Lu Cheng, taking him as their leader.

Lu Cheng stepped forward and asked, "What does this mean?"

"You have achieved your immortal career by relying on the Welcoming Immortal Platform of this fortress, and you bear the cause and effect of this platform maintaining the void and guiding the beacons of the Dao. Therefore, you must settle this debt. This is the law of the Earthly Immortal Realm." Yun Hezi's voice was calm and even, as if he were reciting a law.

But after a brief pause, he added:
“You are lucky. The ghost disasters have just passed in recent years, so you won’t have to face them again for at least a thousand years. If you are lucky, you may be able to get through the entire term of service safely.”

While Yun Hezi was speaking, Lu Cheng had already read the spirit contract document in front of him several times.

He was naturally aware of this. There was indeed a rule in the Earthly Immortal Realm for various forces to build the Welcoming Immortal Platform. Otherwise, the Welcoming Immortal Platform itself was quite expensive, so why would various forces go to such lengths to build such a structure that would benefit others but harm themselves?

It's just that most of the cultivators who ascend from the lower realms have amazing potential and are skilled in combat, so the various forces in the Earthly Immortal Realm have no choice but to build them.

At the same time, without the guidance of the Welcoming Immortal Platform, cultivators in the lower realm can only ascend by cultivating their own magical power to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, or by finding an extremely rare rift between the two realms (which must be a connection between the mortal realm and the Earthly Immortal realm). In that case, the number of ascending cultivators will be reduced by more than 90%.

So overall, it's a mutually beneficial deal, but even in the Immortal Realm, the terms of the contract from the Ghost Refining Fortress are far too harsh.

"Judging from this contract, it seems that besides joining the Ghost Refining Fortress's Ghost Extermination Army, there are other ways to repay karma?"

Lu Cheng asked this question, which was naturally a pretense. Given his identity as an avatar in this world, Lu Cheng was certainly not ignorant of the Earthly Immortal Realm; in fact, he could be said to be extremely knowledgeable about it.

"Of course, one option is to offer three thousand top-grade spirit stones, which is equivalent to low-grade immortal jade, to buy out the karma here, and then you may leave." Yun Hezi said, holding up three fingers, three thousand top-grade spirit stones!
Even though Xiao Yuhong and the others were already top-tier cultivators in the mortal realm, this number was enough to make their pupils shrink. It was a terrifying number that could drain the wealth accumulated by a large sect over ten thousand years.

"If one is unable to pay, the cultivator who ascends from the lower realm must serve in the Ghost Refining Fortress for three thousand years. They must use their own magical power to maintain the operation of the Ghost Refining Fortress, suppress evil ghosts and calamities from other realms, and eliminate karma. After three thousand years, they can exchange their freedom for it."

His gaze finally landed on Lu Cheng's face, and he could tell that Lu Cheng was the leader of the cultivators present.

The eerie winds sweeping through the deathly silence seemed to be silently forcing a choice.

Lu Cheng's wives, concubines, and disciples were all filled with dread. The joy and bewilderment they felt upon first entering the Immortal Realm were dispelled by this cold reality.

Three thousand years of hard labor? How are we any different from prisoners!
Fortunately, once one cultivates to the primordial spirit realm, in the theory of the Earthly Immortal Realm, one's lifespan is infinite. From this perspective, serving for three thousand years does not seem unacceptable.

However, the Ghost Fortress? The Ghost Calamity? It seems that serving and guarding this place will involve facing many dangers.

"Well then, please wait two hours so we can discuss this further," Lu Cheng said after hearing Yun Hezi's words.

He knew that the contents of the spirit contracts at the welcoming altars of various forces differed, with most requiring a thousand top-grade spirit stones or a thousand years of service. In comparison, the requirements of the Ghost Refining Fortress were far too stringent.

Upon hearing this, Yun Hezi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but judging from the demeanor and magical power of the Taoist priest before him, he eventually nodded slowly.

"Very well, this matter is of great importance, so I will give you two hours. But once the time is up, the rules of the fortress will be followed, and I, this humble Taoist, cannot act out of personal favoritism." After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes, like an old monk in meditation, and no longer paid attention to the crowd.

For cultivators at this level, two hours pass in the blink of an eye.

"My lord, if we pool our spiritual treasures and magical artifacts, we can surely help you escape this calamity and regain your freedom."

After you leave, you can then devise a plan for us.

Xiao Yuhong stepped forward and spoke in a telepathic voice.

"Yes, Cheng'er, with your skills and magic, once you escape this calamity, it should be quick for you to redeem us."

Lady Baoxiang, who was standing nearby, also agreed.

“Junior sister, mistress, there’s no need for that. Actually, three thousand years ago, one of my avatars accidentally entered the Earth Immortal Realm through a spacetime rift. Over the past three thousand years, he has built up a foundation in the Earth Immortal Realm, so it wouldn’t be difficult for him to redeem our freedom.”

"what?"

Lu Cheng's words were too shocking. The ability to create an avatar was already an extraordinary supernatural power, and there were very few high-level cultivators in the entire mortal world who could cultivate it to such an extent.

Moreover, after leaving his original body and coming to the Immortal Realm to cultivate, he did not rebel for three thousand years.
Even with righteous cultivation methods, it would take far too long to cultivate an external avatar with a pure and righteous mind and little malevolence.

Since Lu Cheng had made that decision, everyone exchanged glances and didn't say anything more.

Time passed second by second, half an hour... an hour... the atmosphere on the Welcoming Immortal Platform grew increasingly heavy.

Although Yun Hezi had her eyes closed, the power of rules emanating from her body was quietly increasing, like an invisible rope gradually tightening.

Just over an hour and a half later—

Whoosh—buzz!

The deep, resonant rumble, imbued with powerful energy fluctuations, did not originate from the direction of the Ghost Refining Fortress, but rather pierced through the dead silence and turbulent spatial currents of that area, which should have been a forbidden zone for the Ghost Refining Fortress!

The sound was initially very faint, but in an instant it transformed into a torrent of thunderous force.

Boom!

The vast dark void seemed to be violently torn apart by an invisible force. A colossal creature that blotted out the sky smashed open the chaotic spatial rift, crushed the surrounding Yin Sha death aura, and appeared in the sight of all beings on the Welcoming Immortal Platform!

It was not some ancient behemoth, but a huge flying ship with a chilling metallic luster, hard and smooth lines, and full of the aesthetics of immortal weapon crafting and array formation.

On the ship's hull, countless runes flowed, and at the core of the bridge, a beam of ethereal light, solid as a tangible object, pierced through the darkness, like a lighthouse guiding someone.

The moment this colossal ship appeared, the immense pressure it released, the void-condensing power, and the supreme might to suppress evil spirits were like an invisible storm, fiercely washing away the gloomy atmosphere around the Refining Ghost Fortress's welcoming platform. The various alarms and strange noises that had been emanating from the depths of the fortress instantly disappeared, as if they had been subdued by this awe-inspiring majesty.

"This is the Taiqing Sect's escort airship?!"

Yun Hezi, who had been resting with her eyes closed and maintaining an arrogant demeanor, suddenly opened her eyes, and for the first time, an undisguised look of astonishment appeared on her usually indifferent and calm face!
The light from the whisk in his hand flickered slightly, and his own aura became somewhat unstable.

Taiqing Sect!
This is one of the most powerful and colossal beings in the Immortal Realm. How could they appear on the border of the Ghost Refining Fortress?
Moreover, this is such an imposing escort airship, of a level that is far beyond the reach of ordinary patrol airships patrolling the border!
The giant airship hovered outside the Welcoming Immortal Platform, its cold, smooth, and powerful metal bulkheads forming a stark and shocking contrast with the menacing black fortress of the Ghost Refining Fortress.

The bridge slowly opened a passage, and a figure, riding a dazzling beam of light, fell like a meteor, its speed as fast as lightning and its momentum as unstoppable!

The newcomer was a female cultivator dressed in the dark blue robes of a core disciple of the Taiqing Sect. She had a tall and straight figure, a clear and capable face, and sharp eyes like swords.

Her entire body was filled with pure and profound primordial spirit power, and its purity and refinement had clearly reached the late stage of the primordial spirit realm!

"Zhang Zhaodi, a disciple of Taiyue Peak of the Taiqing Sect, has come to welcome Master and fellow disciples by the decree of the Peak Master!" The clear and resonant female voice, like the clinking of gold and jade, echoed above the Welcoming Immortal Platform, reaching everyone's ears with unparalleled clarity.

She landed steadily, her gaze immediately passing over the slightly flustered Yun Hezi, and looked with utmost respect and fervor at the Daoist Lu Cheng, who stood with his hands behind his back. She bowed deeply.
"Disciple respectfully welcomes Master's arrival! Respectfully welcomes all fellow disciples, elders, and seniors to the Immortal Realm!"

The light of the "Mount Tai" talisman on the escorting airship behind her intensified, transforming into an invisible force field barrier that completely isolated the cold, malevolent energy.

Lu Cheng looked at Zhang Zhaodi before him, the disciple he had chosen back in the sect's outpost, who had been taken in and left behind her legacy. After three thousand years of trials in the Immortal Realm, she had already achieved such a remarkable presence. A faint warmth flickered in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.

Yun Hezi, standing to the side, had only a stiff and shocked expression on her face.

It turns out to be a cultivator from the Taiqing Sect, a fellow cultivator from the lower realm, who ascended to immortality?
How many tens of thousands of years has the Taiqing Sect been as one of the nine sects of the human race in the Earthly Immortal Realm? How can it still have its destiny passed down in the mortal realm?
As expected of the leader of the nine sects of the human race, although it has declined in recent years, its profound foundation is truly incredible and unimaginable.

Leaving behind a legacy in the mortal realm can replenish the fortune of the ancestors and even the original sects in the upper realm.

However, due to the separation between the two realms, such inherited forces cannot be passed down indefinitely. They will inevitably undergo the process of survival of the fittest and the metabolism of heaven and earth, eventually eliminating those ancient and stubborn forces. Even the ancestors and original sects of the upper realm cannot prevent such natural extinction in the course of history.

"Master...Master?" Xiao Yuhong and the others were also stunned upon hearing this. The cultivator in front of them, who possessed profound magical power and clearly held great authority, was actually their husband's (teacher's) disciple? When did their husband (teacher) achieve such accomplishments in the Earthly Immortal Realm?
Zhang Zhaodi straightened up, ignoring Yun Hezi's astonishment. With swift and decisive movements, she took out a talisman written in ancient seal script, made of a material that was neither gold nor jade, with a mysterious and clear light flowing throughout it!
"This is the decree of our clan!" Zhang Zhaodi held the edict, her voice solemn and dignified.
"Lord Lu Cheng is a true disciple of our Taiqing Sect. The Taiqing Sect will bear the consequences of this. This talisman is to atone for the karma!"

"Of course, that's how it is. Please proceed with the matter." What do the rules of the Refining Ghost Fortress matter in the face of the Taiqing Sect's glorious decree?
Yun Hezi cupped his hands in greeting and bowed deeply, saying, "Since you are true disciples of the Taiqing Sect, naturally... naturally you are exempt from all the official duties! You immortal envoys have had a long journey, please board the flying ship!"

Zhang Zhaodi said no more, turned to Lu Cheng and the others and said respectfully, "Master, everyone, please follow me onto the ship!"

The ethereal light descended from the protective flying ship, transforming into a smooth and polished staircase.

Lu Cheng remained calm. Led by Zhang Zhaodi, he took a step forward, and lotus flowers seemed to bloom beneath his feet, surrounded by ethereal breezes.

Xiao Yuhong, Xiao Yuxue, Xue Yuzhen, Yun Ling'er, Lin Qinghan, Miao Chuyun, Youming Daoren, and Baoxiang Madam followed closely behind.

As the last person stepped onto the bridge, the massive hatch closed silently.

The next moment, the escort airship emitted a deep and more oppressive hum, and its hull trembled slightly.

A blinding, ethereal light erupted from the ship's stern engine. This immortal war fortress, like a primordial beast, relentlessly crushed the void, rippling outwards and instantly tearing apart the gloomy, deathly aura surrounding the Welcoming Platform. It transformed into a dazzling stream of light that ripped through the dark universe and vanished into the distance.

Yun Hezi was left alone on the empty Yingxian Terrace, watching the light disappear rapidly into the deep sky, her expression shifting, and she remained silent for a long time.

The interior of the escorting airship was worlds apart from the eerie Ghost Fortress outside.

The space here is vast and almost self-contained, with a dome overhead that simulates the movement of stars in the sky, casting down soft and vibrant starlight.

The floor beneath my feet is made of warm, smooth jade, and walking on it feels wonderfully cozy under my feet.

The pure and rich spiritual energy transformed into misty clouds, flowing through the carved beams and painted rafters of the corridors. Taking a deep breath, one felt refreshed and invigorated.

The innermost cabin is decorated like a paradise, complete with a spiritual spring, exotic flowers, and a stone table imbued with Taoist charm.

The disciples inside the ship, all dressed in Taiqing Daoist robes, bowed respectfully upon seeing Lu Cheng and his group, their eyes filled with admiration and curiosity. They had already received instructions to treat these cultivators who had ascended from the lower realms with the highest level of respect!
Zhang Zhaodi personally led everyone to their seats, served them refreshing tea, and dismissed the other disciples. Only then did she let out a long sigh of relief, shedding the dignified demeanor of a disciple representing the sect's rules before the Welcoming Immortal Platform, and reverting to her proper role as a disciple. She once again respectfully bowed deeply to Lu Cheng.
"Disciple Zhang Zhaodi has lived up to Master's expectations and has been waiting for Master for a long time! Congratulations to Master and all fellow disciples for safely passing the Ascension Tribulation and arriving at the Earth Immortal realm! This ship is the 'Azure Phoenix' class core flying ship specially ordered by Peak Master Taiyue after he learned that Master was ascending today. It is capable of withstanding ordinary void storms and can return to the sect's territory in half a day."

Looking at his composed and capable disciple, who had grown into a capable Earth Immortal, Lu Cheng nodded and said, "You've worked hard. Three thousand years have passed, and your cultivation has improved significantly. Your Dao heart is steadfast. Very good." His tone carried a hint of satisfaction.

Xiao Yuhong and the others were filled with doubt.

My husband (teacher) ascended to heaven in just two hours. Not only did the disciples of the Taiqing Sect arrive at the perfect time, but even their flagship was specially dispatched by the peak master.
What's even more shocking is the information Zhang Zhaodi just revealed: Lu Cheng is the master of one of the peaks of the Taiqing Sect.
...

The Taiqing Sect's mountain gate, brimming with spiritual energy and surrounded by mountains, is a premier celestial paradise in this world.

The majestic Mount Taiyue, like a colossal pillar forged by ancient gods, is deeply rooted in the vast and boundless spiritual veins of this land.

The sea of ​​clouds surges around the mountainside, resembling a white jade belt, while the peaks are hidden in auspicious light and ethereal clouds. Occasionally, the clear and melodious cry of a crane pierces the sky, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.

The massive "Azure Phoenix" class escort airship slowly landed on a wide jade cloud platform at the summit, and the immortal runes flowing across the ship's hull gradually faded away.

The hatch opened silently, and a rich aura of immortal energy surged in like a tide. Its purity and abundance far surpassed that of the Ghost Refining Fortress, and even more so that it was incomparable to the lower realms.

Lu Cheng stepped forward first, followed by the Xiao sisters, Xue Yuzhen and Yun Ling'er, Lin Qinghan, Miao Chuyun, Youming Daoist, and Madam Baoxiang.

As soon as they landed, they felt their acupoints expand spontaneously, greedily absorbing the primordial energy permeating the air.

The lingering weariness from the long ascension through nine tribulations was instantly washed away, leaving his mind clear and serene.

However, before he could fully savor the surprise of his first arrival in the upper realm, an even more magnificent and profound pressure, which shared the same origin as Lu Cheng's original aura yet was subtly different, was already quietly waiting in the nearby spiritual realm, like a stabilizing force.

Three thousand years of waiting, all for this day.

Lu Cheng naturally knew who it was, so he gave a brief explanation to his master's wife and disciples, then moved away and entered the deepest part of the Spirit Peak.

After walking a hundred steps and traversing a thousand miles, in that void shrouded in a faint celestial glow, space rippled gently like water.

A figure emerged silently from within, dressed in the plain white Taoist robe of a core disciple of the Taiqing Sect. The robe was simple and unadorned, except for faint, dense talismans on the cuffs and collar.

His face was almost identical to Lu Cheng's original appearance, with the same handsome and profound features, and the same unfathomable eyes. However, his brows had an added touch of composure from experiencing three thousand years of trials and tribulations in the Earthly Immortal Realm, as well as... a fierce and ruthless killing intent that seemed to originate from an endless sea of ​​blood!
—The Earthly Immortal Realm, an Avatar Outside the Body! The original body of the Heavenly Dao Palace in the Tongxuan Realm of the lower realm, and this avatar who has been cultivating in seclusion on Taiyue Peak of the Taiqing Sect in the Earthly Immortal Realm for thousands of years, have finally overcome the obstacles of time, space and the barriers of heaven and earth, and returned to oneness in the core of this immortal cave!

No words are needed, no small talk is required.

All the planning, scheming, waiting, and sacrifices were perfectly fulfilled in that moment of eye contact, without a word.

"You've truly worked hard these past years, fellow Daoist." Lu Cheng's true form spoke calmly, his eyes gleaming, his voice low but sincere.

The avatar before him also smiled, a knowing smile playing on his lips, and replied, "Fellow Daoist, my path to enlightenment has come to an end. The rest is now in your hands."

The next moment, their eyes met.

The vast spiritual energy atop Mount Tai, along with the energy of all things in the surrounding void, was drawn and controlled by an invisible force.

Suddenly!

Lu Cheng's avatar moved.

His body suddenly radiated endless crimson light. This light was not evil, but rather carried a Daoist artistic conception of the beginning of heaven and earth, the return of all things to nothingness and the rebirth from chaos!
It seemed to connect to an endless realm, turning the entire summit of Mount Tai into a vast, crimson ocean!
That was the world of boundless blood.

“Buzz——!!!”

A sword cry, indescribably vast and sharp, suddenly exploded from the core of this crimson light. Its clear and resonant sound pierced through the universe, shaking the minds and spirits of all cultivators inside and outside Mount Tai.

The clouds swirling around the mountaintop were completely shattered and dispersed by the sound of the sword, revealing a clear blue sky and bright sunshine.

Even the "Azure Phoenix" airship, which was hovering in the air, trembled slightly in response to the sound of the sword, and defensive immortal runes lit up on the surface of the ship.

In the center of that dazzling, pure, and blindingly bright blood-red light, the avatar began to melt and deform!
His physical body, his magical power, the vast cultivation he had accumulated in the Immortal Realm over three thousand years, and even the spiritual Dao intent he inherently contained, all collapsed and condensed inward at this moment in a way that was beyond comprehension.

This is not a simple disappearance, but an ultimate leap in the form of life and the essence of power.

The crimson light transformed into a surging tide, roaring as it rushed into the sky, outlining a vast and magnificent sea of ​​blood!
Amidst the surging waves of blood, the ancient corpses of gods and demons, which have risen and fallen for millennia, appear and disappear, while newly born crimson lotuses sway and bloom between destruction and rebirth.

Above the sea, there are terrifying phenomena of the sun falling, the moon sinking, and stars collapsing. Below the sea, there is a profound sense of annihilation that even the deepest hell cannot compare to. Yet, within this boundless sea of ​​blood and malevolent energy, there is also a majestic and righteous sharpness that is enough to cleanse all evil spirits in the world and restore order to the universe!

This is the ultimate achievement forged by his external avatar through three thousand years of arduous cultivation on Mount Tai, refining the laws and principles of killing, destruction, rebirth, and annihilation, and forging them with great magical power and wisdom:
"Boundless Blood Sea Sword!"

The phantom of the vast sea of ​​blood suddenly contracted, as if it had been forcibly pressed into the ever-collapsed core of light and shadow by an invisible giant hand!

All power, laws, and Dao intent condensed to the extreme, transforming into a pure and ultimate crimson!
That crimson hue stretched and sculpted endlessly, eventually solidifying into a divine sword!
The sword was three feet and three inches long, its entire body was cast from blood jade, clear and flawless, yet it was as heavy as if it carried the weight of the entire Blood Sea World!

The sword is neither gold, jade, nor stone, but rather formed from the solidification of flowing liquid crimson clouds. Countless mysterious and unpredictable natural Dao patterns naturally grow on the sword, undulating and flowing like waves of a sea of ​​blood. Upon closer inspection, the fine ripples are actually countless miniature images of suns and stars, roars of gods and demons, and the blooming and withering of blood lotuses, appearing and disappearing in a continuous cycle!

The sword's edge appears blunt and unsharp, yet it silently carves eternal, pitch-black cracks into the surrounding space, which are then instantly mended by a sea of ​​blood.

Endless slaughter, destruction, rebirth, overwhelming heavenly might, and boundless blood sea power are bound together in this seemingly simple form, condensed into one, perfectly integrated!
As soon as this sword was drawn, an unusual phenomenon appeared in the sky above Mount Taiyue of the Taiqing Sect: the sun and moon shone together and the stars shone brightly. Beyond the nine heavens, a faint, ancient Daoist shout rang out, as if celebrating the birth of a divine artifact of the sect!

Even the seemingly solid void at the summit showed visible, minute ripples as the sword hovered.

This was Lu Cheng's long-awaited second natal flying sword, entirely formed from his avatar, carrying all the foundation, cultivation, and understanding of laws accumulated by the avatar in the Earthly Immortal Realm.

Having cultivated to the ninth level of the Primordial Spirit realm, all the potential of this external avatar has been exhausted. If one wants to advance further, one can only transform into the true self's natal flying sword, with the remaining spiritual essence serving as the spirit of the flying sword. Only in this way is there a sliver of possibility of truly gaining an independent life of one's own.

"Return to your place!" Lu Cheng shouted, his voice booming like thunder from the heavens.

Swish!
The divine sword containing boundless blood transformed into a blood-red rainbow whose trajectory could not be traced. Ignoring the distance in space, it instantly pierced into Lu Cheng's brow!
There was no earth-shattering collision, only a perfect harmony like water and milk blending together!

"Boom--!"

When the Boundless Blood Sea Divine Sword entered his body, Lu Cheng's aura was like an ancient volcano that had been dormant for countless years, suddenly erupting!

His body seemed to transform into a bridge connecting the chaos, and the boundless, pure, and unimaginably vast magical power, like a galaxy that had been dormant for billions of years bursting its banks, crashed down upon his limbs, bones, meridians, and acupoints.

This power was so pure, so profound, so perfectly integrated, as if it were an innate part of Lu Cheng's body.

At the same time, the fragments of various Great Dao Laws such as "Sea of ​​Blood," "Slaughter," "Destruction," "Annihilation," and "Rebirth" that his avatar had comprehended over three thousand years in the Earthly Immortal Realm, like a vast galaxy pouring down upon him, seamlessly merged into Lu Cheng's primordial spirit sea of ​​consciousness. They collided, merged, and complemented with the various Great Dao Laws such as "Mysterious Heaven Divine Art," "Demon Refining," "Mysterious Yellow," "Merit," and "Transformation" that he had cultivated and comprehended over ten thousand years in the Lower Realm!
Then, they were all simultaneously integrated into the system of the Great Dao of Innate Power.

Behind Daoist Lu Cheng, twenty-four blurry phantoms of gods and demons suddenly appeared in the void. They seemed to sense the integration of that enormous power and law, and thus became clearer and more solid than ever before!
These gods and demons roared, howled, and evolved earth-shattering power, forming a sacred domain around Lu City where gods and demons swirled and Daoist charm permeated!

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth at the summit of Mount Tai was completely stirred up, and a huge funnel of spiritual energy formed with Lu City as its center, frantically sucking up the immortal spiritual energy within a radius of a thousand miles.

Sensing the terrifying energy fluctuations of its master, the restrictive formation at the summit instantly lit up, with countless runes blooming like flowers, firmly anchoring the mountain's foundation and preventing it from being damaged or collapsing in this devastating tide of magical power.

Miao Chuyun, Youming Daoist, and even the newly promoted primordial spirits, including the Xiao Yuhong sisters, all felt like small boats in a storm before this vast yet pure surge of magical power. Their minds were turbulent, their magical power was difficult to control, and they involuntarily took several steps back, their faces filled with awe and shock.

They truly felt how boundless and powerful the magical energy surging within their husband (master) was, and how awe-inspiring his spiritual realm had reached!
Lu Cheng clearly felt that the solid barrier between the Nascent Soul stage and the Void Return stage, known as the "chasm between heaven and earth," was now groaning under the impact of the surging, almost out-of-control torrent of power within his body!
With just a little more mana, the twenty-four phantom images of gods and demons and the boundless blood sea sword intent could take a step forward and easily tear this barrier apart!

At that time, in an instant, one will return to the void!

This is an allure that could drive any Nascent Soul cultivator mad and make them abandon everything. Once one steps into the Void Returning stage, one truly touches upon the realm of high-level cultivators in the Earthly Immortal Realm, with an immeasurable lifespan (even Nascent Soul cultivators have to overcome mental and heavenly tribulations). Their supernatural powers and magical strength will undergo a qualitative leap, truly making them a giant in their own right, overlooking a world. As long as they don't provoke those powerful forces, they can truly roam freely in the Earthly Immortal Realm.

However, Lu Cheng's gaze was sharp as lightning, and he instantly looked inward at himself.

During the ascension tribulation, in order to protect everyone, he withstood the Annihilation Purple Heaven Divine Lightning, and his "Mysterious Heaven Twenty-Four Transformations" divine and demonic origin imprint was almost completely shattered.

At this moment, under the infusion of the vast magical power and laws of the Immortal Realm carried by his avatar, these broken imprints were forcibly glued together and partially repaired under the impact of the torrent of power. They were greedily absorbing the new energy and were faintly about to reassemble into twenty-four complete original Dharma forms containing the great power of ancient gods and demons.

However, it's still not enough!
"Unfortunately, my Xuan Tian Divine Skill was mostly destroyed by the Annihilation Purple Heaven Tribulation!"

"This shattering, though also an opportunity! The Ascension Tribulation destroyed everything, but it was also like a furnace, tempering away the last trace of impurities in the divine and demonic imprint that I had not yet grasped! If I were to forcefully break through to the Void Returning Realm now, and if the Void Returning Realm Tribulation were like the Ascension Tribulation, I would probably die under the lightning. It's better to wait a hundred years and relearn the true method of the Profound Heaven Divine Art, then I will be absolutely safe!"

As soon as this thought arose, the boiling core of power suddenly froze.

The terrifying aura that was about to break through the critical point and trigger the descent of the laws of heaven and earth was as if it were being held down by an invisible hand!

"Suppress!" Lu Cheng issued a decree, his mouth filled with the power of the Heavenly Mandate, to his own magical laws.

hum!
The surging magical power within his body, like a raging sea, was guided by the circulation method of the "Mysterious Heaven Divine Art." Like a dragon under an unparalleled seal, it let out a reluctant yet obedient roar, and finally slowly calmed down and solidified.

The origin of the "Boundless Blood Sea Sword," which contained boundless slaughter and the essence of a sea of ​​blood, trembled slightly within the Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit Space, emitting a sword cry that yearned for killing and battle, as if it were asking for a fight.

Lu Cheng gently stroked the sword from the depths of his primordial spirit, transmitting a soothing yet undeniable will:
"Hold back your sharpness for now, and when you have honed yourself to the highest peak, you will surely drink the blood of the enemy cultivators here and shake the world!"

As the sword's cry faded, the sea of ​​blood returned to calm and settled, hovering opposite the Heavenly Escape Five Elements Flying Sword, which was based on Yin Yang and the Five Elements and was formless yet capable of slaying all demons, in the Purple Mansion. The two, one visible and one hidden, formed a wondrous balance.

The twenty-four hastily joined divine and demonic origin imprints, under the guidance of Lu Cheng's powerful will, ceased their forced absorption of power and reorganization. They transformed back into a pile of law fragments, shimmering with dim light and covered in cracks, floating at the very core of the primordial spirit, awaiting true rebirth and tempering.

All the overflowing terrifying power instantly vanished completely, as if it had never existed.

The surging spiritual energy at the summit gradually subsided, and the strange phenomena of the sun, moon, and stars also disappeared. Only Lu Cheng stood quietly in the center of the jade cloud platform, his clothes fluttering, his aura as deep as the sea, and his appearance was like that of an ordinary mortal, with no trace of his imposing aura leaking out.

The breakthrough omen that had just caused the world to change color was like a mirage.

Outside the mountain, Miao Chuyun and the others felt the heavy pressure in their hearts suddenly disappear, and they breathed a long sigh of relief. Xue Yuzhen gently touched her chest, still shaken: "My husband..."

"Master chose to suppress his cultivation level." Miao Chuyun's eyes were filled with complex emotions, including shock, but even more so, heartfelt admiration.
"Master gave up the readily attainable Void Returning Venerable position! All for the sake of perfecting his own Dao foundation to true perfection!"

Deep within the sacred mountain of Mount Taiyue, Daoist Lu Cheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and gentle, devoid of the sharp, piercing edge he had displayed moments before.

“Zhaodi,” Lu Cheng said gently, his voice warm and soothing.

"The disciple is here."

A streak of light swiftly flew into the spiritual realm, where the beautiful female immortal bowed her head in worship.

“Lead us to the cave on Mount Tai to cultivate in seclusion, and at the same time arrange our living conditions.”

Zhang Zhaodi quickly bowed: "Yes! Master, please follow me!"

As one of the core peaks of the Taiqing Sect, Mount Taiyue possesses an unimaginably powerful geological formation. Zhang Zhaodi led the group to a secluded cave called "Nine Profound Truth Condensation Cave".

The cave dwelling is deep inside the mountain's spiritual veins, resembling a naturally formed, enormous palace, with star stones inlaid in the dome, projecting a soft, clear light.

Countless springs formed from pure liquid spiritual energy flow gently, emitting melodious tinkling sounds, and converge into a spiritual stream.

The cave was filled with rare and exotic flowers and herbs, with thousand-year-old lingzhi mushrooms and ten-thousand-year-old jade marrow readily available. The fragrance emanating from them was soothing to the mind and body, and even subtly improved one's cultivation. The purity and concentration of the immortal energy here was more than ten times greater than that in the previous flying ship!
"What a blessed land!" Even the somewhat picky Lady Baoxiang couldn't help but murmur her praise. Cultivating here, even in a single day, could be equivalent to a hundred days in the mortal realm!
Lu Cheng nodded in satisfaction and said to Zhang Zhaodi, "Zhaodi, go and arrange for the others to be settled first. I need to go into seclusion immediately."

"Disciple, obey."

This is a natural thing. Cultivators from the lower realm need to undergo heavenly tribulations to ascend to the upper realm. Even if they sign a contract in the Ghost Refining Fortress, they are allowed to recuperate and recover for the next few decades or hundreds of years.

There are even many advanced Dao techniques that can be learned, but since even the emperor does not send soldiers out to starve, no matter how strong the potential of cultivators who ascend from the lower realms is or how skilled they are in combat, what they have learned before is still ultimately different from the Dao technique system of the Earth Immortal Realm.

After arranging accommodations for everyone, Lu Cheng sat cross-legged in the Nine Profound Condensation Cave spiritual vein, entering a deep state of meditation without the slightest hesitation.

Instead of directly absorbing the massive amount of immortal spiritual energy here, he mobilized his own vast primordial spirit power and carefully guided the natal flying sword, which contained the essence of the boundless Blood Sea, to release a wisp of pure and unparalleled Blood Sea primordial power.

Lu Cheng carefully enveloped this magical power with his divine sense and slowly injected it into the fragments of laws that were floating in the core of his primordial spirit, which were shimmering with dim light.

"Buzz!"

The seemingly lifeless cluster of fragments, upon coming into contact with this extremely pure energy containing higher-level laws, was like parched earth receiving sweet rain, bursting forth with a faint yet tenacious light!
At the edges of the broken Dao marks between the fragments, wisps of golden light began to grow tenaciously and slowly connect like the veins of life!
A sudden realization dawned on Lu Cheng:

"The origin of this sword is formed from the foundation of the upper realm, and its power is closer to the Great Dao Laws of the Earthly Immortal Realm. Nourishing and tempering it with this power is far more suitable, efficient, and pure than hastily drawing external spiritual energy to repair it! Moreover, it contains the Dao of Blood Sea Destruction, Slaughter, and Annihilation, which is also a kind of tempering and completion for the power of the Xuan Tian Techniques and Gods and Demons!"

Time flowed in absolute silence.

Time has no bearing on the cave dwelling; only the eternal flow of spiritual energy and the faint Daoist chants that only Lu Cheng can perceive, emanating from the slow but steady self-repair of those fragments of laws nourished by the Blood Sea Flying Sword's origin.

One year...

Five years...

ten years……

century……

Lu Cheng sat serenely on the jade platform like an ancient stone statue. The golden light connecting the twenty-four fragments of divine and demonic origins around him grew increasingly tight, and the dim light gradually brightened, like twenty-four sparks about to ignite in the darkness.

The repair process was extremely slow, requiring painstaking effort, and every connection demanded a precise understanding of the laws. Every movement of the fragments affected his primordial spirit.

Yet his mind remained as still as a deep well, the unwavering resolve honed by a thousand years of cultivation revealing itself in its entirety. He was neither hasty nor impatient, nor did he seek quick success. Using his divine sense as a guide and the pure essence of the Blood Sea Sword as nourishment, he meticulously repaired the deep-seated cracks in the laws, reshaping and polishing the divine and demonic imprints shattered during his ascension tribulation, as if he were expertly restoring peerless treasures.

During this process, his understanding of the "Mysterious Heaven Divine Skill" deepened, and he gained a clearer understanding of the essence of the twenty-four divine and demonic primordial powers. Subtle flaws that he had not noticed before were also identified and corrected one by one in this rebirth-like restoration.

The Heavenly Escape Five Elements Flying Sword, which was dormant within the primordial spirit, was also quietly absorbing the essence of the Blood Sea Flying Sword Law in this tranquility. Its sword intent became more and more restrained, and its sharpness was concealed.

At the same time, a wisp of Lu Cheng Daoist's divine sense also branched out, like an invisible tentacle, penetrating into the vast spiritual veins of Mount Taiyue, sensing and analyzing the more stable, higher-level, and more profound and complex Heavenly Dao rules and the principles of the Five Elements in the Earthly Immortal Realm. This was crucial for him to correct his own cultivation system and for his future cultivation after breaking through to the Void Returning Realm.

"It turns out that the fundamental laws of each universe have subtle differences and variations. True cultivators hone their minds and bodies to explore the Great Dao. Whether they stand amidst the turbulent waves of the Nine Abyss or ascend to the clear streams of the Nine Heavens, it is as if a gentle breeze has passed by, leaving their clothes untouched and their clothes unstained."

Thus, all laws cannot invade any realm, and all evil cannot approach the ten directions. This is the realm of immortals who live as long as heaven and transcend the universe…

Lu Cheng continuously merged his insights from his external avatar in the Immortal Realm with his main body, integrating the Blood Sea Sword Intent, the Taiqing Dao Law, the foundation of the Heaven and Earth Dao Palace, and his own accumulated cultivation at a deeper and unprecedented level.

Although his cultivation level was suppressed, his techniques and foundation were undergoing a fundamental sublimation and transformation without anyone noticing. Although this progress was minimal, it was undeniably real.

(End of this chapter)