Covering the Sky: A Guide to Proving the Dao Without Cheats

Recalling all this, Luo Heng couldn't help but sigh.

At that time, he also wanted to eat a few more sacred fruits, which were the elixir of immortality! Even if he didn't take Ye Fan's, it wouldn't be difficult to get two from Pang Bo.

But in the end, Luo Heng gave up on the idea.

Even back in the bronze coffin, he had already planned his future path. Having transmigrated into the world of "Covering the Sky," without any special advantages, his only asset was his understanding of the plot.

With the enhanced memory from the Bodhi leaf, Luo Heng has already planned a path to becoming a Great Emperor, and he is even somewhat confident that he can become a Mortal Immortal.

Compared to that, the few immortality pills were insignificant. Therefore, he ultimately did not touch Pang Bo's share of the immortal fruit.

He was genuinely afraid that these few sacred fruits would cause some kind of butterfly effect, preventing Ye Fan and Pang Bo from joining the Lingxu Cave Heaven, and causing the subsequent plot to go awry. In that case, he would really be too heartbroken to even cry.

……

With these thoughts in mind, Luo Heng followed the Holy Maiden of Yaochi around the street corner. What came into view was a wide ancient street, but there were few pedestrians and it seemed rather quiet.

Along both sides of the road, ancient trees rise from the ground, their trunks requiring more than a dozen people to encircle them, their branches and leaves blocking out the sun, giving the place a somewhat eerie feel.

Looking into the distance, the Tianxuan Stone Archway comes into view. It was once an extremely grand structure, covering a vast area, but now it appears desolate. Wild grasses grow rampant, and old trees grow wildly and unruly, almost completely obscuring the building.

Seeing this, Luo Heng was also surprised by the desolate and dilapidated scene, but he didn't say anything. He simply continued to follow behind the Holy Maiden of Yaochi. Unconsciously, he recalled his previous experiences.

……

Later, Luo Heng left the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land with Ye Fan and his group. That is, until he met Weiwei from the Spirit Void Cave.

Subsequently, several low-level cultivation forces in the Eastern Wilderness began to vie for them.

Because Luo Heng and his group had just emerged from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, their Bitter Seas had been activated, making them all capable of cultivation. While such physiques might seem unremarkable to powerful forces, they were considered exceptional talents by smaller powers like Lingxu Cave Heaven.

However, watching the Elder of Lingxu Cave Heaven leave with a satisfied smile after examining him, Luo Heng sighed inwardly. He realized he indeed didn't have any special physique.

"No, the mortal body is the strongest." After giving himself a pep talk, Luo Heng was full of fighting spirit again.

After that, he and Pang Bo joined the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven, while Ye Fan was found to have the Ancient Sacred Body.

The elders of Lingxu Cave Heaven then explained the Ancient Sacred Body to everyone. Simply put, in the past universe, the Ancient Sacred Body was a top-tier physique, belonging to the T1 level. However, in the post-Ancient Era, the world underwent drastic changes, making the path of cultivating the Sacred Body extremely difficult.

This was only what the elders of Lingxu Cave Heaven said. Luo Heng, who had read the original work, knew much more. For example, when the Ancient Sacred Body cultivated to the Four Extremes Secret Realm, it would encounter an incomparably terrifying heavenly punishment.

Even more terrifying is that the Holy Body lineage was cursed by powerful figures from the Underworld using the celestial artifact, the Heaven-Reaching Nether Treasure. In their later years, they would exhibit ominous signs, such as growing strange golden hair all over their bodies.

In fact, many people have a misconception. They believe that the tribulation Ye Fan faced at the Fourth Extreme Realm was also caused by the curse of the underworld, but this is not the case. This tribulation is a punishment from the laws of heaven and earth after the great changes in the world.

The curse of the underworld is merely misfortune in old age, with golden hair growing on the body, just like the Great Accomplished Holy Body in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land.

However, Ye Fan later studied the "Source Heaven Book." The Source Technique lineage was also cursed by the Underworld, but those of the Source Technique lineage are characterized by red hair, which often leads to confusion. This is also why some people jokingly say that the great master Chen Dong grew seven-colored hair in his later years.

Afterwards, Ye Fan, who was rejected by several cultivation sects, was taken away by the people of Lingxu Cave Heaven at the request of Pang Bo and Luo Heng.

Ye Fan was naturally very moved. Having just arrived in this world of cultivation, he was told that his physique might prevent him from cultivating, which was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.

However, he pretended to be nonchalant so as not to worry his friends. Fortunately, his good brother Pang Bo and his new friend Luo Heng had not forgotten him.

After entering the Lingxu Cave Heaven, Luo Heng retrieved the Bodhi Seed from Ye Fan. With the Bodhi Seed's blessing on his comprehension, he mastered the incomplete chapter of the Daoist scripture's Wheel Sea Scroll in just a few days.

It's worth noting that in the original story, Ye Fan and Pang Bo spent more than half a month mastering it.

A few days later, he was able to break through to the Bitter Sea Realm.

Luo Heng devoted himself to cultivation in the Lingxu Cave Heaven for several months until he successfully entered the Life Spring Realm. His divine power surged, and he was able to cast spells. He immediately found Ye Fan, handed him the Bodhi Seed, and told him that he was about to do something that might be dangerous. He left the Bodhi Seed with him for the time being.

There's nothing we can do about it. Like I said, Luo Heng doesn't dare change the plot right now, so the Bodhi Seed will have to be temporarily handed over to Ye Fan.

But once he completed his plan, the plot wouldn't matter anymore. So he didn't say he'd give it to Ye Fan, he just said he'd put it aside for now.

Afterwards, Luo Heng immediately sought out Elder Wu Qingfeng, hoping the elder could take him to the nearest Yaochi Holy Land stronghold. Although Elder Wu Qingfeng was surprised by his request, he agreed due to his easygoing nature.

Luo Heng originally had a Plan B: if there wasn't a Yaochi Holy Land base nearby, he could wait until the Azure Emperor's Tomb opened. At that time, the Yaochi Holy Land would send people, and he could intercept them and ask for help on the spot. Fortunately, there was indeed a Yaochi Holy Land base outside the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. What kind of place is the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land? It's no secret to those top powers. If they don't arrange for people to guard such a place, they're practically asking for trouble.

Upon arriving at the Yaochi Holy Land's stronghold, Luo Heng directly told the Yaochi disciples that he had mistakenly entered the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land and was fortunately rescued by a mysterious person. That mysterious person entrusted Luo Heng to deliver a message to a saint in the Northern Divine City. He then explained that his strength was too weak and he lacked a source, making it impossible for him to travel to the Northern Divine City; therefore, he wished to borrow the domain gate of the Yaochi Holy Land.

Upon hearing this, the disciples of Yaochi became solemn. They immediately arranged for Luo Heng to stay, and then contacted the Yaochi Holy Land in the Northern Region through a secret technique.

When the news reached the Northern Region, the Western Queen Mother inquired about it. After confirming that Luo Heng had indeed entered and exited the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, she quickly granted his request.

For a supreme power like Yaochi, such a price is insignificant; but if they could truly befriend a sage through this, the gains would be immeasurable.

Yaochi Holy Land is a top-tier power in the entire Big Dipper Star system, and even in the entire "Covering the Sky" universe. Such powers are revered as supreme forces. They are all legacies left behind by Emperor-level powerhouses, possessing profound foundations.

The ultimate imperial weapon is the foundation of these ultimate forces; it is the continuation of the Great Emperor's life. In the early and middle stages of the world of Shrouding the Heavens, it was like a nuclear bomb, possessing the power to destroy the world. Most of the time, the ultimate imperial weapon is mainly used for deterrence, and none of the parties will use it lightly.

In this world of "Covering the Sky," the resources for longevity are extremely scarce. Even if a cultivator overcomes countless hardships and dangers to reach the pinnacle of humanity—the Great Emperor realm—their lifespan is only a little over ten thousand years.

Moreover, a Great Emperor must merge with the Heavenly Heart Imprint to suppress all other paths with his own. This results in a situation where, once a Great Emperor attains enlightenment, it is difficult for others to attain the Great Emperor status for more than ten thousand years afterward.

Therefore, there has been a legend since ancient times that the great emperors never met each other.

At this time, the cultivation path was extremely difficult, as it was in the later stages of the Great Dao suppression by the last Great Emperor after the Ancient Era, the Azure Emperor. The strongest beings on the surface across the entire Big Dipper Star were only at the level of a Second-Rank Immortal.

That is why the disciples of Yaochi treated the news of a sage with such caution.

It is important to know that the cultivation system in the world of Shrouding the Heavens is divided into five major realms: the Sea of ​​Wheels, the Dao Palace, the Four Extremes, the Dragon Transformation, and the Immortal Platform.

Each secret realm is further divided into several smaller realms. Taking the Sendai Secret Realm as an example, it includes half-step Immortal Great Power, second-level Immortal Great Power, third-level Immortal Dao Slayer King, fourth-level Immortal Saint, fifth-level Immortal Saint King, and sixth-level Immortal Great Saint.

Afterwards, if one can rebuild the five great secret realms to make them perfect, one will reach the Quasi-Emperor realm; if the five great secret realms are combined into one, one will reach the Great Emperor realm.

In the original story, the old madman appeared at the Tai Xuan Sect, and just because he was suspected to be a saint, he attracted a large number of people from holy land forces to come and pay their respects. This shows the importance of saints in the Big Dipper.

Therefore, when Luo Heng crossed the domain gate and arrived at the Northern Divine City, he was slightly surprised to see several graceful young women standing in front of him, but he quickly came to terms with it.

The women before me were like fairies in a painting, beautiful and ethereal. The one standing at the very front seemed to be surrounded by moonlight, like a fairy flower just beginning to bloom with dew. Her silhouette was ethereal in the hazy light and shadow, giving people a sense of perfect perfection.

Her figure was graceful and slender, enveloped in a gentle, clear light. In a trance, she seemed to stand in the Moon Palace, holy and distant, making one feel that she could never be touched.

—She was none other than the contemporary Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land.

Such unparalleled beauty and charm left Luo Heng, who was already accustomed to seeing Earth's celebrities, photoshopped beauties online, and even virtual AI beauties, speechless with genuine amazement.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, are you new to the Divine City?" The Holy Maiden of Yaochi smiled gently. "Where does that ancient sage reside? I can guide you."

Coming to his senses, Luo Heng quickly bowed respectfully and replied, "Tianxuan Stone Workshop."

Upon hearing this, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi was slightly taken aback and somewhat surprised. However, she quickly regained her composure. Legends about the Tianxuan Holy Land surfaced in her mind.

Legend has it that at its peak, the Tianxuan Holy Land mobilized its entire strength to attack the Immortal Ascension Path in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, resulting in near annihilation. However, it is not entirely impossible that one or two powerful figures might have miraculously survived and remained hidden until now.

Then I thought of the legend of Tianxuan Stone Archway, which is said to be where sad cries can be heard every full moon night.

For many years, various holy lands have sent powerful figures to investigate, but each time they have come up empty-handed and have never been able to find out the reason. Now, it seems that all of this may be related to the saint that Luo Heng is looking for.

With that thought in mind, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi smiled gently again and said, "In that case, Fellow Daoist Luo, I will lead the way for you."

Then, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi led Luo Heng and several beautiful Yaochi fairies toward the Tianxuan Stone Workshop.

……

Recalling this moment, Luo Heng stopped and looked at the mottled "Tianxuan Stone Archway" plaque in front of him.

At this moment, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi spoke up: "Fellow Daoist Luo borrowing the domain gate is not a big deal, and the Yaochi Holy Land does not wish to make any demands on this matter."

However, the ancient sages have not appeared in the world for thousands of years. If it is convenient for you, fellow Daoist… could you please introduce me to Yaochi afterward? Of course, if the sages do not wish to meet, Yaochi would not dare to force them.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Heng felt greatly relieved. He secretly praised the Jade Pool Holy Land, saying that they were indeed meticulous in their work—first, they handled things beautifully, then they made their request tactfully, and even their words were spoken in a way that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

He thought for a moment and realized that the Holy Maiden of Yaochi had deliberately chosen to say these words in front of the Tianxuan Stone Archway. If there was indeed a saint present, then these words were tantamount to stating her intentions face to face.

In this way, Yaochi's attitude was clearly stated, and the pressure on him to make his subsequent introduction was also reduced. It was indeed a very thoughtful approach.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful and tactful Holy Maiden of Yaochi before him, Luo Heng only had two words in his mind: "I want to talk." But then he felt that he couldn't repay kindness with enmity, so he gave up the idea.

He couldn't help but think to himself that if he weren't a man, he would really like to join the Yaochi Holy Land directly.

A thought suddenly popped into Luo Heng's mind: if he told her that he was actually "psychologically female," would he be able to make an exception and join the Yaochi Holy Land? While his mind was racing with these thoughts, he remained outwardly serious and solemnly nodded to the Yaochi Holy Maiden in response:

"Rest assured, Holy Maiden, I will certainly convey your message."

Seeing the Holy Maiden of Yaochi nod slightly, Luo Heng turned his gaze to the desolate and dilapidated stone archway in front of him, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

"There are still over 200 years until the Dark Turmoil. Although Ye Fan did quite well in the original story, now that I've come to this world, I have to give it a try. Let's see if I can acquire Emperor-level combat power within these 200 years and quell the future Dark Turmoil!"

Thinking this, he took a deep breath and resolutely stepped into the stone archway. The Holy Maiden of Yaochi and her accompanying disciples stood quietly outside the door, watching his figure gradually disappear into the depths of the wild grass.