The Last Sentinel

A surge of spiritual energy erupted and converged.

Strands of wispy, thread-like spiritual energy appeared out of thin air, densely packed, spreading and swirling in all directions.

The white silk ribbons flowed, and if one focused intently to analyze them, one would be astonished to see that inside the ribbons were scientific formulas and physical laws familiar to everyone.

Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2!

Euler's formula (e^{ipi}+1=0)!

Newton's First Law of Universal Gravitation (F=Gfrac{Mm}{r^2})!

Newton's Second Law (F=ma)!

Ohm's Law (U=IR)!

Joule's law (Q=I^2Rt)...

Strands of laws spiraled and wrapped around Qi Tian's body.

Equations collided, symbols intertwined, and countless laws of the Dao roared and surged. Streams of light exploded and dissolved beside him, and the air vibrated with fine ripples. The barren mountains and rocks around him were swept by the aftershocks of the Dao laws, the stone skin peeled off inch by inch, and the broken stones floated in mid-air before slowly sinking.

Qi Tian lowered his eyes, his fingertips trembling slightly.

He could clearly sense that these were not borrowed principles, but were derived directly from the depths of his soul.

Before them, a dark stone tablet stained with mottled blood suddenly took shape.

A deep rumble reverberated across the land, and the surface of the monument flowed with its own unique Daoist charm—vast and sharp, not inheriting from any sage of the past or present. It was a completely new path of high-dimensional cultivation that Qi Tian had carved out himself.

Unlike the previous single-directional, vertical ascents of spiritual realms, the [Invincible Path] is a martial arts path that adapts to the X, Y, and Z axes. Just like Ye Feng's [Ancient Ones Before Us], even if the X and Y axes cannot resonate, as long as the Z-axis timeline achieves resonance, it can transcend countless ages and spacetime to complete the transmission of the Dao.

The surrounding white mist slowly swirled, enveloping the thatched pavilion not far away.

The eaves of the pavilion are mottled with decaying wood, and a few strands of withered grass hang down. The figure of the old Taoist priest inside the pavilion gradually solidifies, turning from ethereal to tangible.

The old Taoist priest gazed towards Qi Tian, ​​a flicker of emotion crossing his cloudy eyes. His aged voice, tinged with genuine amazement, echoed through the mist: "Has the outside world developed to this level?"

"Write out the most basic code of the Great Dao Laws and spread it."

"No embellishment or disguise whatsoever."

"However, this is also good. We can directly face the laws of the Great Dao. Those who understand them can proceed, and those who don't understand them don't need to waste time. They can choose another path."

"That could be considered a solution."

The white mist slowly dissipated.

Inside the thatched pavilion, the entire scene was revealed.

The old Taoist priest was hunched over, his clothes were tattered and torn in many places, and covered with dust and grime. His disheveled hair was like withered grass, and his face was deeply lined with wrinkles and covered with a thick layer of ash. From a distance, he looked like a destitute old man who had wandered into the mountains.

The wind swept past the corner of the pavilion, fluttering the hem of his tattered clothes.

But as he slowly raised his eyes, the moment his eyelids opened, that murky, aged exterior shattered. A clear light surged and flowed in his eyes, as if containing mountains, rivers, the sun, and the moon, and a ethereal, otherworldly aura overflowed from the depths of his eyes. Beneath his disheveled appearance, a naturally innate Daoist spirit was faintly revealed; the contrast between his inner and outer appearance was breathtaking.

Qi Tian felt a slight chill, suppressing the shock surging within him. He calmed the boiling light of laws surrounding him, slowly rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Senior."

The old Taoist priest made no formalities, pointed to the large three-legged cauldron in the pavilion, and said simply, "Please accept it!"

The spiritual water in the cauldron rippled with a faint glow, and a refreshing spiritual energy wafted towards us.

Qi Tian suppressed his many questions, disregarded formalities, quickly stepped forward, bent down, reached out, scooped up the spiritual water from the cauldron, and drank it down in large gulps.

The refreshing elixir slid down my throat, and a warm, comforting power spread through my limbs and bones, repairing the hidden injuries within my body.

The old Taoist priest stood behind him with his hands behind his back, his white beard sparse, watching quietly with a calm expression.

Qi Tian drank, his throat bobbing, when suddenly he stopped.

His fingertips were still damp with the spiritual water, his pupils contracted slightly, and his back quietly tensed.

"Why aren't you drinking anymore?" The old Taoist priest slowly stepped forward, his gaze falling on him. "Are you full so quickly?"

Qi Tian pointed to the mouth of the cauldron, his voice slightly strained: "This...this isn't me!"

The old Taoist priest stepped forward and looked down at the mouth of the cauldron.

The water inside the three-legged cauldron was clear and sparkling, with gentle ripples and a reflection of the sky floating on the surface.

But the reflection was not his original appearance; it was a bizarre and grotesque face.

With a ripple, the silhouette of a half-human, half-monkey appeared in the shimmering water.

The left brow bone is prominent, representing half of a complete human face; the right brow bone has no eyebrows, replaced by a sharp and striking golden brow.

His left cheekbone was normal, but his right cheekbone had sharp angles. His eyes were long and narrow, with a faint reddish-gold light flowing through them, exuding an arrogant and eerie aura.

The bridge of the nose is in the middle, like a dividing line. The left half still resembles a mortal. The right half has fine monkey hair growing on both sides of the nose, thin lips, and a slightly protruding jawline unique to apes.

The human and demonic features are blended together on the same face, which not only does not conflict, but also creates a strange yet harmonious sense of unity.

Qi Tian stared at his reflection in the water, his breathing becoming soft, a turbulent feeling churning within him. He had never seen such a sight before, yet as he gazed upon it, a strange, familiar stirring arose within him.

The old Taoist priest bent down, picked up a gourd ladle that was placed to the side, and handed it over: "Cover half your face, and let's take another look!"

Qi Tian reached out and took the rough gourd ladle, his fingertips touching the dry wood grain of the ladle. He held his breath and raised his hand to cover his human face.

The next instant, the half of the human face reflected in the water, which was obscured, transformed into the appearance of an ape, and the entire face became completely monkey-like.

His heart skipped a beat, and he turned the gourd over to cover half of the monkey's reflection.

In the blink of an eye, the half-monkey hair and ape-like outline disappeared, revealing a human face again.

Qi Tian lowered his head, examining the simple gourd ladle in his hand. His brows furrowed, and he asked in a low voice, "Is this a magic weapon?"

"This is just an ordinary water ladle." The old Taoist shook his head slightly. "It's not some kind of magic weapon. The reason it has changed like this is simply because you have seen your true nature."

Qi Tian slowly put down the gourd ladle, his gaze fixed on the shimmering water in the cauldron, his Adam's apple bobbing: "My true form is that monkey?"

"No." The old Taoist shook his head gently, his tone solemn. "That monkey is gone. It did not reincarnate, nor does it exist in the cycle of rebirth. It transcends the Three Realms and is not within the Five Elements! You are not its reincarnated form."

Qi Tian frowned, his mind filled with doubt: "Then what is my true form?"

The old Taoist priest remained silent for a moment, gazing at the dilapidated landscape of Flower Fruit Mountain in the distance, before slowly speaking: "It is because you so desperately wanted to become that monkey that half of your face manifests as half of that monkey's face."

Qi Tian flicked his fingers, a look of realization flashing in his eyes, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly: "I understand, I'm probably a thought entity from Final Fantasy, something like Kadanju."

The old Taoist tilted his head slightly, looking bewildered: "I don't understand what you're saying, but I can tell you. Continue to refine and cultivate your true form, and you will be able to attract the will of the Great Sage lingering near the ruins of Flower Fruit Mountain. At that time, you will have the opportunity to comprehend one of the Great Sage's divine abilities, and even control this sealed grotto-heaven secret realm."

Qi Tian's eyes lit up as he looked at the devastated mountains and forests around him, littered with boulders and withered ancient trees: "Wasn't this once-beautiful place already ruined?"

"No." The old Taoist looked around, the wind blowing his tattered robes. "On the surface, the spiritual veins are broken, the immortal source is blocked, and all things are dead and lifeless. But the Great Dao is fifty, and one has escaped, leaving behind a sliver of uncertainty. As long as enough fortune is absorbed, this place can be revived."

Qi Tian's eyes shone brightly, a surge of heat ignited in his chest, and he couldn't help but smile: "This is truly great news!"

"There's more bad news." The old Taoist's tone suddenly changed, pouring cold water on the situation. "The revival is a two-way street. When this place awakens, the imprint of the Heavenly Court's former power will also revive. The Lingxiao Heavenly Court army that crushed Flower Fruit Mountain back then will return with a vengeance."

Qi Tian blinked, somewhat surprised: "The Heavenly Court... it's still there?"

"They're gone," the old Taoist shook his head. "But the descendants of those celestial immortals are still alive, and the inheritors of the bloodline of those former celestial officials still live in the world."

Qi Tian's expression hardened, and he instantly recalled the secrets he had heard in the past: "I know a little about this. The Four Heavenly Kings families, and the descendant of a celestial official, Mo Lijie!"

The old Taoist priest slowly nodded: "That's why I said you shouldn't be too happy yet. Resurrection is a double-edged sword. The moment you summon the Great Sage's will, those remnants of the old Heavenly Court will sense the Great Sage's awakening. This place will soon become a completely new battlefield."

Qi Tian showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with pride, his fighting spirit burning fiercely within him: "What I want is battle! What I want is a battlefield! Let's turn Flower Fruit Mountain into a massive, single-player cultivation instance, open it up to those mad dog cultivators from my hometown. For every person we send in, the myriad realms will have to deploy their forces, unleashing an endless barrage of attacks right here on Flower Fruit Mountain, focusing on a frenzied war of attrition!"

The old Taoist priest gazed at the young man's spirited appearance, his expression dazed. He looked out into the distance and softly asked, "May I ask, since the Tang Dynasty, what year is it tonight?"

Qi Tian laughed, his eyes brimming with confidence in the new era: "After the Tang Dynasty, and through several dynasties, we have now entered a new era where everyone is like a dragon! We no longer call each other 'fellow Daoists,' we call each other 'comrades'! Sharing the same aspirations, we are called comrades!"

The old Taoist priest was quite shocked and couldn't utter a single word.