The Eternal Calamity of the Heaven-shading

Chapter 230 Ancient City on the Frontier
Chen Wu didn't mince words, saying, "Suppose there is a ship on the sea, built and driven by mortals, it would sink very quickly without maintenance."

"If someone maintains it, it can be replaced immediately if a plank is damaged or worn out. Over time, this ship can sail at sea for hundreds of years."

"Assuming this process takes long enough, eventually all the components on the ship will have to be replaced at least once."

"So here's the question: when all the components on the ship are replaced, is it still the same ship as before?"

"If so, then it no longer has any of the original wood; if not, then when did it begin to change?"

"Furthermore, if a new ship is built using the replaced old parts, what is the relationship between the two ships?"

At this moment, faced with Chen Wu's series of questions, Shi Hao looked blank and fell into deep thought.
"Ah this..."

Before he could recover, Chen Wu continued, "The same principle applies to cultivators themselves. Each of us is a ship sailing on the sea of ​​mortals. The process of cultivation is equivalent to the process of maintenance. By constantly replacing the old and damaged wood, we can prevent the ship from sinking. Furthermore, we can gradually upgrade the hull, giving it more and stronger functions, and one day it may even be able to fly away from the sea of ​​mortals. This is the principle behind the saying, 'Constantly wipe it clean, lest it be covered in dust.'"

"Time and space are continuous, and heaven and earth are eternal. The definition and structure of reincarnation are just similar to this. If you want to study it and become immortal in reincarnation, you have to consider whether the broken path caused by death is continued, so that the trajectory is reproduced. Otherwise, it will only be a similar flower, a ship that is both new and old. Even if you go to the extreme, it will still be similar, not the original person."

As he finished speaking, Shi Hao opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found himself speechless.

"You think I'm wrong, is that it?" Chen Wu smiled.

"What you just said, Brother Dao, was quite profound. I need some time to sort out my thoughts," Shi Hao frankly admitted.

"It's okay, it's just one perspective, it doesn't mean anything."

Chen Wu spoke softly, then changed the subject, "Are you going to the Forbidden City?"

"Yes!"

Shi Hao nodded. Although he was a little puzzled as to how the other party knew, he still answered truthfully, "I am going to that imperial city to find out how the ancient covenant was formed."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wu immediately understood.

If he had some doubts about the previous dream of the Immortal Ancient Era, he is now finally certain that he has truly arrived in the Chaotic Ancient Era.

Compared to Ye Qingxian, his arrival was perfectly timed, coinciding with the time when the Heavenly God Academy descended upon the three thousand provinces to recruit outstanding talents.

Shi Hao defeated the arrogant envoy from the Heavenly God Academy. In order to complete the test, he risked crossing the no-man's-land to reach the Borderland Imperial City, experiencing the Immortal Ancient Dream along the way.

Now that the timeframe has been set, Chen Wu's eyes narrowed, and he said, "I'll go with you. It's perfect timing; I also want to see that borderland imperial city."

"Brother Weiyang Ke, would you like to come with me?"

Shi Hao was a little surprised.

In his view, with Wei Yangke's strength, he might be a Supreme Being. A powerhouse of that level could easily overcome numerous obstacles and reach the Imperial City in one step, yet he was willing to condescend to be with him.

To be honest, if the other person hadn't looked so young and hadn't spoken with such a mature and arrogant manner, he would have already started calling him "senior".

On the other side, Chen Wu seemed to see through Shi Hao's thoughts and said bluntly, "I am not as powerful as you think. You will have to rely on yourself for most of this journey."

How could one not be affected when traversing through the ages? Even if it were still the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the laws of the Great Dao would be completely different.

In reality, he is now under considerable restrictions, and his original combat power, comparable to that of a peak True Immortal, is completely unleashed, as if it were a castle in the air.

This state is quite peculiar, just as the Immortal King Wuzhong commented—Chen Wu is now a flawless immortal seed that has become a spirit. Although he possesses boundless divine power and can even mobilize the power of the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, he must rely on a certain medium to release it.

As for what this medium is, Chen Wu needs to find out and determine it himself.

From man to heaven, and then from heaven back to man—this is a cyclical process. He has already traversed half of the era of "Covering the Sky," and the remaining journey must be undertaken in a completely unfamiliar environment.

……

In the end, Shi Hao agreed to Chen Wu's suggestion, and the two traveled together.

Along the way, Chen Wu noticed that his eyes were sore, clearly still saddened by the deaths of Huang Nu and the others, but he didn't say anything.

This kind of inner conflict can only be resolved by him on his own.

Moreover, with the Dao heart of the Desolate Heavenly Emperor, there's no way he would fall into such a trap and be unable to extricate himself.

Sure enough, after a brief period of sadness, Shi Hao turned his grief and indignation into motivation to move forward, and he passed through any threats along the way without any major incidents.

Chen Wu followed closely behind him, neither interfering nor meddling, but simply observing silently and planning his own path forward.

Two months later, the two encountered a group of people, all dressed in iron armor, riding ferocious beasts, with a gloomy aura. Among them were many experts at the Heavenly God Realm (i.e., Immortal Three-Slaying Dao).

Shi Hao decisively stepped forward to negotiate with them, while Chen Wu remained silent as usual.

Unexpectedly, during the negotiations, the other party suddenly attacked.

However, Shi Hao was no ordinary person. He had experienced too much, seen too many experts, and personally killed quite a few gods.

Without hesitation, hundreds of willow branches surged up from behind him, each one crystal clear and radiating golden light. He also held the Great Luo Immortal Sword in his right hand and swiftly killed all the troops and the heavenly gods who came to their aid.

After this battle, Shi Hao became noticeably more silent, perhaps realizing the critical situation at the border.

Several days later, after traversing countless mountains and rivers, the two finally entered a strange land.

From a great distance, they saw the colossal city on the horizon, magnificent and vast, imposing and awe-inspiring. It was so solemn, possessing an unparalleled grandeur.

Compared to Shi Hao, Chen Wu saw something on a higher level, something revealed at the level of the Great Dao Imprint, representing real scenes that had happened in the past, just like the dream of the Immortal Ancient Era, all of which surfaced in his mind.

After a moment of reflection, Shi Hao suddenly received a farewell message from Chen Wu.
"Brother Weiyangke, are you leaving?" He was somewhat surprised at this moment.

"Ok!"

Chen Wu nodded slightly, his pupils reflecting the bustling scene within the imperial city.

There, a quirky and incredibly beautiful woman was strolling leisurely among the crowd.

[The methods of "Intercepting Heaven" and "Mending Heaven"—I wonder if these two lineages can offer any help?]

After pondering for a moment, Chen Wu slowly said, "I've seen a very interesting person who might come in handy. Anyway, let's part ways here for now, and see you another day."

Upon hearing this, Shi Hao didn't stand on ceremony and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Very well, fellow Daoist, see you another day!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was shocked to find that Chen Wu had disappeared from the spot.

"Is this what it means to be limited in strength?"

Shi Hao scratched his head, realizing that even with his current level of cultivation, he couldn't find any trace left by the other party.

(End of this chapter)