Chapter 183 - 109: The Undying Cycle, Qi and Spirit Return to the Root

Chapter 183: Chapter 109: The Undying Cycle, Qi and Spirit Return to the Root

It was as if he had finally descended from the ethereal clouds into the mortal world, or perhaps returned from a spiritual journey. Xuzhuang’s form became completely solid, a sign that all his Magical Power and spiritual will had been drawn back into his body. A look of joy flashed across Meng Fusheng’s face, knowing that Xuzhuang had successfully split his three elements. But in the next moment, a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.

In the next moment, a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes. ’He’s just split his three elements. Logically, he should only have one-third of his Magical Power, and Junior Martial Uncle Xu isn’t concealing his aura. Why does he still seem as deep as an abyss, as vast as the sea to me?’

A thought popped into Meng Fusheng’s mind. ’Was my perception wrong? Did he not split his three elements at all, or... could it be that just one-third of his Magical Power is already this unfathomably deep?’

Before Meng Fusheng could figure it out, he heard Xuzhuang’s calm voice drift over. "Neither born nor extinguished, the three-by-three progresses. With all qi and all spirit, the Dao returns to its root. The Three-Element Elephant Body, each element responding wondrously... so that’s how it is."

The next moment, Xuzhuang’s abyss-like aura actually began to grow slowly once more. Meng Fusheng was greatly startled. He then saw Xuzhuang retract his aura, rise to his feet, and turn to say, "Nephew Meng, we shouldn’t linger here. Let’s leave now."

Meng Fusheng asked, "Junior Martial Uncle, have you already comprehended the wondrous response of the three elements?"

Xuzhuang smiled faintly and replied, "Indeed."

Meng Fusheng fell silent for a moment. No matter how he racked his brain, he couldn’t imagine how someone could comprehend the wondrous response of the three elements in such a short time. ’Could it be that Tai Su True Inheritance disciples like his master and junior martial uncle are truly this inhuman?’

Xuzhuang was, of course, unaware of his thoughts. In reality, he possessed three great true arts from Tai Su that, while from different streams, shared the same source. They mutually reinforced each other, constantly advancing his cultivation. This profound synergy shared a certain grand, unifying principle with the state of wondrous elemental response.

That was why Xuzhuang had comprehended the state of wondrous elemental response even before splitting his three elements. Otherwise, he might not have even chosen to study this Daoist art.

Xuzhuang’s current state felt quite peculiar. His foundation had always been different from others, able to freely generate True Qi, Magical Power, and Sword Qi. Now, with the three elements split and cycling wondrously, he was beginning to grasp the profound meaning behind the Daoist Scripture’s words: "Three by three is endless, six by six is infinite."

Seeing Meng Fusheng still in a daze, Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow and called out, "Nephew Meng?"

Meng Fusheng snapped out of it and hurriedly replied, "Yes, Junior Martial Uncle is right. Let’s leave now."

Xuzhuang nodded. He led Meng Fusheng to the center of the main hall, to the spot between three bronze pillars. He calmly formed a Magic Formula and casually pointed at one of the pillars.

RUMBLE! The three pillars shuddered slightly and began to slowly move along an arc. In just a moment, they had swapped positions. Another strange sound came from the dome above, which unexpectedly opened up, revealing a hazy panorama of colors behind it.

Xuzhuang’s brow twitched. He sensed that, through the multiple barriers, he could actually detect an aura from outside the Gravel World, and it seemed to be rapidly moving away.

Xuzhuang’s expression shifted. He said in a low voice, "Nephew Meng, don’t resist." Without waiting for a reply, he suddenly flared his Magical Power and unleashed the Five Elements Escape Skill. The two of them transformed into a brilliant rainbow and shot out through the dome.

—

In the lands untouched by the Celestial Waterfall Blessings, perhaps the only sound that broke the dead silence was the whistling wind.

In the past, even when fierce winds swept across the ten-mile expanse of yellow sand, not a single grain would have shifted. But today was different. With a single gust, waves of sand surged more than a hundred feet into the air, filling the sky with a yellow haze.

A Five-Colored Spiritual Light flashed across the desert, and the figures of Xuzhuang and Meng Fusheng suddenly materialized, not yet having steadied themselves.

Meng Fusheng stabilized himself and glanced around. Realizing where he was, a joyful expression appeared on his face. Xuzhuang, however, looked back, his gaze piercing deep into the ten miles of yellow sand.

Meng Fusheng followed his gaze, and his expression changed. He asked uncertainly, "This is..."

Xuzhuang nodded. With a casual flick of his finger, he sent a cloud of yellow sand blasting into the air. "The gravel space within has vanished."

Meng Fusheng asked, "Could it be that after we opened the exit to the Bronze Palace, it concealed itself on its own?"

"Perhaps," Xuzhuang mused. "That’s for the best. Otherwise, we would have had to deal with those Celestial Demons."

Meng Fusheng asked, confused, "Celestial Demons?"

"Oh?" Xuzhuang said. "It seems that before you entered the Bronze Palace, Nephew Meng, the vast Demon Sea wasn’t there yet..."

Xuzhuang looked up at the celestial time and said, "I’ve been away from Li Mountain for a while now. We can speak more on the way back to the sect."

Meng Fusheng readily agreed. Xuzhuang didn’t stand on ceremony and transformed into a streak of rainbow light, soaring into the sky. Meng Fusheng then formed a Magic Formula and gave chase in a beam of escape light.

The Celestial Waterfall Realm was by no means small, but the speed of a Nascent Soul’s escape technique was anything but ordinary. The ten-mile desert was also not in the deepest part of the barren lands. In just two hours, the pair had already flown into Yunlan Province and soon returned to the True Form Temple.

Looking down from atop the clouds, Meng Fusheng saw that dozens of palaces and temples had been built on the Celestial Waterfall Immortal Mountain. Below the mountainside, there were thousands of exquisite residences, and immortal abodes were neatly arranged throughout the mountains. Many young disciples in Daoist Robes rode on cranes, bustling between places like the Daoist Hall and the Library Pavilion. Others sat atop peaks, gazing at the waterfall to gather its qi...

Meng Fusheng was astonished. In his memory, the True Form Temple was still in a state of decline. How could it have undergone such a world-altering transformation in just a few decades? It was a scene of thriving prosperity. He couldn’t help but ask, "Junior Martial Uncle, this is..."

Xuzhuang, seeing that nothing in the temple had changed for him, nodded. Noticing Meng Fusheng’s surprise, he smiled faintly. "Don’t be anxious, Nephew. Let’s go into the sect first."

Meng Fusheng silently assented. The two descended from the clouds and entered the Hall of Councilors, but were surprised not to see Daoist Zhang. Xuzhuang called over a Daoist Child to ask, and the child quickly replied, "The Sect Leader is cultivating behind the hall. He instructed me to only call him if there is a matter of importance."

Xuzhuang was a bit surprised, but on second thought, he considered it a good thing that Daoist Zhang was diligently cultivating again. ’If he can set down his burdens in the future and return to Profound Yellow Cultivation, he might even be able to form a Nascent Soul and extend his life by a thousand years.’

He had a mind not to disturb him, but since he had brought Meng Fusheng back, it was unavoidable. He instructed the Daoist Child, "In that case, go and summon the Sect Leader."

The Daoist Child acknowledged the order and entered the rear hall. Before long, Daoist Zhang came rushing out. As soon as he saw the two people in the hall, he cried out, "Junior Martial Uncle Xu... Junior Brother Meng!"

When Meng Fusheng saw Daoist Zhang, his gaze trembled. In just a few decades, Daoist Zhang had aged a great deal. Perhaps he looked a little less weary since Xuzhuang’s arrival, but one look at his appearance was enough to tell how much effort he had poured into the sect over the past decades. A pang of sorrow struck Meng Fusheng’s heart.

Meng Fusheng flicked the hem of his robe, bowed deeply, and said, "Senior Brother, your little brother has returned."

A torrent of emotions washed over Daoist Zhang. He simply helped Meng Fusheng up and sighed, "It’s good that you’re back."

Seeing the deep bond between the two brothers, Xuzhuang casually stood by with his hands behind his back, watching. After the two had a proper chat to catch up, it finally dawned on them. Daoist Zhang bowed to Xuzhuang again and said gratefully, "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Xu..."

Xuzhuang waved his hand, cutting him off. "Enough. It was merely my duty." After thinking for a few moments, Xuzhuang continued, "I know you two brothers have much to say to each other now that you’re reunited. This is a good opportunity for you, Nephew Zhang, to tell Nephew Meng about the recent changes. I won’t be an eyesore here any longer."

Seeing Xuzhuang about to turn and leave, Daoist Zhang quickly said, "Junior Martial Uncle, please wait a moment."

Xuzhuang stopped. Daoist Zhang walked up quickly and said in a solemn voice, "Junior Martial Uncle, the phenomenon from your ascension to Nascent Soul swept across a hundred miles. News of it has already spread everywhere."

Xuzhuang was naturally aware of this and hadn’t intended to hide it anyway. He merely nodded at the words.

Daoist Zhang took a letter from his sleeve and handed it over. "After the news got out, Fellow Daoist Chao delivered this letter. He said it was written by his master, the Venerable Yang Bijie, who is also the current Sect Leader Long Xiang. It is for you, Junior Martial Uncle, to read personally."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang took the letter, opened it, and glanced over it. His eyes immediately narrowed.

Seeing Xuzhuang’s expression, Daoist Zhang quickly asked, "Junior Martial Uncle, what does the letter say?"

"They’re bringing up old matters, of course," Xuzhuang said with a small smile. He closed the letter, a thoughtful look in his eyes. After a long moment, he said, "This isn’t urgent. It can wait until after I return from the main sect."