Chapter 881 - 609: The Daoist Monarch Falls

Time flows like a river.

On this day, Antarctic Immortal Mansion, Pan Wu Hall.

All is silent, four colossal pillars support the heavens, and upon one pillar, there is carved a jade sculpture of a Fu Xi beast.

Dragon head and turtle body, its scales are finely detailed, glistening white like warm suet jade, eyes closed and head bowed, ancient Dao Rhyme integrated naturally with the pillar.

Buzz——

A mournful Dao sound echoes in the depths of the Immortal Mansion.

Crack——

The jade eyes suddenly shatter, two pieces of broken jade fall and shatter into fragments in the sky.

The "jade sculpture" abruptly opens its eyes, divine light pierces the heavens, its majesty causes the Grand Array to ripple intensely.

Clatter——

The jade layer crumbles and scatters, the jade layer crumbles and scatters——

The dragon body coils, the text and Dao naturally form, its scales and armor all Innate star patterns, head and tail drape with Dao radiance, untouched by mortal blood and flesh.

Child of Nine Dragons, true body of Fu Xi.

It is none other than—the battle form of Lei Lin Mason.

Dragon eyes fixate on the fleeting resonance of a message in the void, dragon throat resounds with a deep voice:

"Something major has happened."

With a single thought, in the depths of Eight Treasures Palace, another form suddenly awakens, Spirit Light surges, transforming into a stream of light piercing the void.

...

Eight Treasures Palace.

Chen Sheng slowly opens his eyes, sighing softly:

"Another old friend has passed away."

At his current realm, those who could be called old friends were all Daoist Monarchs who mastered the Innate Great Dao.

"Kong Fang Daoist Monarch failed to overcome the three declines, his will withered, annihilated on the spot!"

Kong Fang Daoist Monarch, leader of the Antarctic Immortal Mansion, at the peak of two declines, blessed by the techniques of the Immortal Mountain, yet ultimately could not surpass the decline of will, perishing along with the Dao.

Chen Sheng sighed lightly:

"The Great Dao is merciless, decline tribulations are hard to pass."

"Endless years of cultivation, all turned to naught, how unfortunate."

He rose, the void slightly collapsing, Dao Principle of blood converging.

"Well then, it’s time to make a journey."

With a step forward, his figure silently dissipates.

...

Antarctic Immortal Mansion, heaven and earth mourn together.

Auspicious clouds are dyed with frost, celestial music turns mournful, pure white shrouds this palace.

Screech——

Screech——

Screech——

Nine sorrowful cries echo through the nine heavens, the souls of nine Dharma Masters combust in sacrifice, soulfire dyes the firmament crimson.

In the forefront stand the three Daoist Monarchs of Antarctic Immortal Mansion.

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch seems to be an embodiment of boundless azure, at the azure core, faintly visible is a miniature star river, silently swirling, coming into being and fading away in cold blue...

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch’s body is an embodiment of the universal laws, overhead hover visions of three thousand worlds, within are countless stars birthing and dying, world illusions floating and sinking...

Chen Sheng wears a lotus crown, donned in a pale yellow Daoist robe, just stands silently, the light of the sun, moon, and stars distorted into a blood-red halo in his presence or wherever he goes.

Below, nearly two hundred Dharma Masters stand solemnly with bowed heads, expressing grief, not daring to speak.

The Immortal Mountain descended upon the world for dozens of Primordial Assemblies, with opportunities spread across the heavens, the Immortal Mansion’s cultivation techniques widely opened, greatly lowering the threshold for Dharma Masters, leading to a surge in their numbers.

Yet even so, between a Dharma Master and a Daoist Monarch, there still stands an insurmountable chasm.

"Beiji Immortal Mansion, Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming arrives——"

The void tears open with deep blue Dao marks, chilling aura freezes time and space, a cold light escapes, transforming into a Bai Mei Daoist.

"Emperor Immortal Mansion, Daoist Monarch Jiu Long arrives——"

Golden light flourishes, dragon aura surges into the sky.

Daoist Monarch Jiu Long treads on light, under a crown of purple and gold, the imperial Dao aura crushes all beneath, only a trace of sorrow remains on his indifferent brow.

In an instant, incarnations of all Emperor, Beiji, and Antarctic lineages’ Daoist Monarchs descend, arrayed on either side, all restraining their grandeur, expressions solemn.

Daoist Monarch Heaven-Burning, surrounded by red light blazing through the sky, flames coalesce into the form of a walking sun, distorting and melting the surrounding void.

Daoist Monarch You Ming hides within shadows, having no fixed visage, only cold and deep eyes, the darkness around him capable of consuming all light and energy.

Daoist Monarch Qing He is enveloped in gentle white light, his white Daoist body as transparent as glazed glass, dispelling all spiteful energy in his path.

...

Though the Emperor, Beiji, and Antarctic lineages have long parted ways, each upholding their own Dao traditions and guarding their own territories, the Grand Emperor Realm serves as the hub for the three lineages, where they are connected as kin, with bonds unbroken.

In times past, while each Daoist Monarch pursued their own path, they would often validate each other’s insights and support one another.

If one day, among the three lineages, another Mahayana Venerable were to emerge, then the reunification of the three lineages and the restructuring of the Grand Emperor’s glory would not be a mere fantasy.

Chen Sheng’s gaze lightly sweeps across the scene, stars subtly shifting in his eyes, myriad paths swirling, capturing the aura of each Daoist Monarch present.

Among the Daoist Monarchs of the three lineages, most are of one-decline cultivation, with only two at the level of two declines.

Among them, Daoist Monarch Jiu Long, with the highest seniority and cultivation, is nearly equal to Kong Fang Daoist Monarch, already at the peak of two declines.

"Salute!"

In an instant, the entire Antarctic Immortal Mansion fell into complete silence.

All Daoist Monarchs and Dharma Masters bowed in unison, their voices echoing between heaven and earth:

"Farewell to Kong Fang Daoist Monarch, returning to the Annihilation Great Dao!"

Sound waves surged like tides, layers upon layers, grief permeating the heavens, spreading throughout the entire Antarctic Immortal Mansion.

...

The mournful sounds gradually dissipated, each Daoist Monarch collected their sorrow, transforming and vanishing into the void, returning to their own domains.

The silhouettes of the Emperor Dao and Beiji Lineages faded into the distance.

Only Chen Sheng, Cangyuan Daoist Monarch, and Wan Huan Daoist Monarch remained.

"Let’s go, Fellow Daoist Kong Fang is gone, we three should also gather."

The three moved deeper into the Immortal Mansion—Clear Profound Hall.

Within the hall, incense smoke curled softly.

On the Jade Desk, three cups of immortal tea, steam wafting.

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch’s voice was low and calm, yet still carried regret:

"Old friend Kong Fang, ultimately failed to overcome that obstacle, he diligently cultivated for our South Pole Lineage for three hundred Primordial Assemblies."

"Now that he’s gone, the burden of the Immortal Mansion falls on us three, becoming even heavier."

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch raised his tea cup, speaking with melancholy:

"Indeed, with the Immortal Mountain Technique’s support, we thought we could progress further... Who knew the decline of will is ultimately the life-and-death tribulation of Daoist Monarchs."

Chen Sheng looked at the light and shadow flickering within the tea cup, his voice as faint as the silent night:

"The Great Dao is impermanent, the decline tribulation is hard to defy, Fellow Daoist Kong Fang merely took a step ahead."

The three were silent for a moment.

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch slightly shifted the conversation, discussing the situation within the Immortal Mansion over the years, with a somewhat complicated tone:

"These years, the Immortal Mountain descended into the world, opportunities abound, the number of Dharma Masters within the mansion has surged rapidly, nearly two hundred, appearing prosperous."

"Yet, hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface."

"Hidden dangers?"

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch’s brows slightly furrowed, as the Universe Dao Rhyme condensed:

"You mean the quality of the Dharma Masters?"

"Exactly."

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch nodded, lightly tapping the Jade Desk with his fingertips:

"The four steps of the Dharma Master—most Dharma Masters within the mansion currently haven’t even completed the second step, and they’ve already fallen prematurely."

Chen Sheng slowly raised his eyes, blood-colored light faintly flashed in them, his tone calm yet revealing reality:

"All forced up by opportunities, lacking in talent, ultimately cannot go far."

"Forcing it is futile."

"Lowering the threshold for the Immortal Mountain cannot overcome the shackles of talent."

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch nodded:

"Among two hundred Dharma Masters, those who can ultimately cultivate to the fourth step and achieve Dao Unity, less than one in ten."

"Compared to before the Immortal Mountain appeared, it is not much stronger."

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch shook his head:

"Even so, there are still a few promising seedlings in the mansion worth noting."

He quickly mentioned two names, both have cultivated to the fourth step and have the potential to become Daoist Monarchs!

Cangyuan Daoist Monarch nodded slightly:

"I also have an impression of these two, indeed rare, nurture them well, don’t let them fall halfway."

Saying this, he raised his eyes to look at Chen Sheng, his tone slowing down, carrying regret:

"Speaking of seedlings... it reminds me of Hall Master Qin under Fellow Daoist Pan Wu."

"What a pity..."

The words halted.

Chen Sheng listened, his expression unchanged, yet hid a faint wistfulness:

"Such is fate, cannot be forced."

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch timely redirected the topic, his tone carried more sentiment:

"Let’s not speak of regrets."

"Instead, Fellow Daoist Pan Wu’s follower You Ming Daoist (Ray Lin Mason)"

"Their cultivation progress is also rapid, I previously observed the phenomenon, already achieved third step perfection, not far from the fourth step?"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly:

"That young man has good talent, also daring and adventurous, having obtained some opportunities, his cultivation speed is indeed swift."

Wan Huan Daoist Monarch also nodded:

"You Ming Daoist’s talent is inherently excellent, and with Fellow Daoist Pan Wu’s guidance."

"This achievement is also normal."

Chen Sheng picked up the tea cup and took a light sip:

"The Dao path is long, whether he can achieve Daoist Monarch still depends on himself."