Chapter 897 - 624: Returning to the Peak

Time flows quietly.

In the blink of an eye, another ten Primordial Assemblies have passed.

The clouds and mist around the Zhang Clan Ancestral Land still linger as usual.

On the Cloud Platform, Chen Sheng sits quietly like a mountain, surrounded by Taiyin Dao Rhyme, which has long been gentle as water.

This day, Zhang Changyan comes to pay his respects as scheduled, bowing:

"Ancestor, I’m here today to say goodbye."

Chen Sheng opens his eyes, his gaze falling upon him:

"Hmm?"

Zhang Changyan takes a deep breath, his tone calm and resolute:

"I want to leave the ancestral land, travel through the Grand Thousand Worlds, and see the scenery beyond this realm."

Chen Sheng nods slightly, already understanding.

Among the three Void Refining Fifteenth Tribulation clansmen he guided years ago, only Zhang Changyan managed to break through to Dharma Master and took the first step into Integration.

But precisely because the foundation was weak, after a forced breakthrough, his potential was completely exhausted, and there is no more possibility of advancement in this life.

After ten Primordial Assemblies, his lifespan has also reached the end.

He spent his life guarding the Zhang Clan Ancestral Land, overseeing clan affairs, and hardly ever traveled.

Unlike those cultivators who roam everywhere, ultimately longing for fallen leaves to return to the roots.

He is just the opposite; he only wants to see the world beyond the Grand Thousand in his final moments.

"Granted."

Chen Sheng’s tone is calm, without any obstruction, "The beauty of the world, follow your heart wherever it leads."

Zhang Changyan feels a warmth in his heart, bowing once again:

"Thank you, Ancestor, for granting my wish."

He pauses, then speaks softly:

"After I leave, someone else will take over clan affairs. The Zhang Clan is no longer what it was."

Chen Sheng nods slightly.

This life is drastically different from the last.

In the last life, he was devoted to cultivation, and apart from a few disciples, he cared little for the Pan Wu lineage, focusing only on the Great Dao.

This life, his talent has transformed, his progress surpasses the past, adding a bit of leisure to his mind.

Moreover, intentionally wanting to carve a path different from the previous life, thus distinguishing between ’Zhang Xingdao’ and ’Pan Wu Daoist.’

He has since guided many clan juniors, occasionally bestowing enlightenment treasures and cultivation resources.

By today, the Zhang Clan has long since changed.

Aside from Zhang Changyan, who is about to embark on a journey, the clan now has two more Dharma Masters, and its foundation is several times more robust than when he first returned.

Chen Sheng says lightly:

"You can go without concern; there’s no need to worry about the clan."

"I understand."

Zhang Changyan bows deeply, takes one last look at the ancestral land he has guarded all his life, turns and walks away, his figure gradually disappearing at the end of the Cloud Sea.

Once he leaves, the Cloud Platform returns to silence.

Chen Sheng slowly closes his eyes, his Heart Spirit focused within his Vast Cold Realm.

With the foundation of experience from the previous life, his cultivation this life has been smooth and uninterrupted, quickly establishing a cultivation system dedicated to explaining the innate Taiyin Great Dao.

Moreover, with his talent fully completed and Dao Foundation perfected, he no longer needs to rely on the path of repeated epoch restarts, transforming quantitative change into qualitative change, as he did in the past.

...

Another ten thousand years.

Vast Cold Realm.

Overseeing a world without law, the spiritual Qi is thin.

As far as the eye can see, there is cracked earth and desolate desert, the wind howling, carrying yellow sand.

All that’s left between heaven and earth is a silent desolation, even the sunlight is obscured by the gray sky, appearing gloomy and oppressive.

In a secluded valley.

Two figures are locked in a deadly fight, their clothes torn beyond recognition, revealing the twisted flesh beneath, with wounds grotesque and terrifying.

The cultivator on the left has a face full of pockmarks, a twisted and fierce look, tightly gripping an Iron Sword, its blade still stained with fresh blood.

He suddenly steps forward, the cracked ground beneath his feet responding by shattering, with veins popping in his arms.

Sss—!

The Iron Sword tears through the air with a sharp whistle, directly stabbing towards the opponent’s heart, its speed leaving only a blur.

"Li the Third, I was the first to find this Qi Condensing Grass!"

"Hand it over, or I’ll cripple your cultivation today, cut off your limbs, make you wish for death!"

The cultivator referred to as Li the Third is thin like a dried twig, with prominent cheekbones and deep-set eyes.

His gaze is fierce like a starving wolf, even though he’s close to despair, he doesn’t retreat in the slightest.

"Wang Mazi, you’re talking nonsense!"

"I’ve guarded this area for over ten years, this Qi Condensing Grass is naturally mine!"

"Want to rob it? Either you die or I perish!"

Clang—!!

The clash of swords suddenly erupts with a piercing shriek, numbing their arms and forcing them to retreat several steps.

They are Qi Refining Cultivators of this small realm, spending their lives tirelessly struggling for a breath of spiritual Qi, a stalk of Spirit Grass.

Despite its low level, the Qi Condensing Grass they desperately fight for is their only hope for extending their lives by a few years.

Wang Mazi’s eyes gleam with ruthlessness, his Sword Momentum grows increasingly vicious, every move deadly, the sharp Iron Sword already cutting through Li the Third’s clothes, the cold point slipping past his skin, an inch away from his chest.

Just at this critical moment.

Buzz—————!!

The heavens change abruptly.

The previously dull and murky sky, which never sees sun or moon, is swallowed instantly by a pure, sacred moonlight.

Endless Taiyin light, like a celestial river suspended upside down, pours down.

In an instant, the light covers the entire land, dispelling the desolation and deathly silence between heaven and earth, even the howling sandstorms quietly subside.

The two people trembled all over, as if struck by lightning, their movements frozen abruptly.

They slowly raised their heads, stiffly gazing at the sudden moonlit sky, eyes full of shock and confusion.

And the next moment, an even more frightening scene continued to unfold.

Wherever the moonlight passed—

Wilted weeds instantly sprouted and expanded leaves, transforming into spirit-filled Spirit Grass, exuding a faint fresh fragrance;

The unremarkable ordinary stones beside the road quietly shed their dusty shells, revealing the warm and translucent Spirit Jade inside, glistening with brilliance;

Under the cracked and arid riverbed, a thunderous roar emerged, the Spiritual Spring gushed out, accompanied by curling white mist, spreading far and wide.

Gurgle—

Gurgle—

The Spiritual Spring flowed gently, the Spiritual Qi dense enough to almost form water streams, spreading along the ravines, nourishing the barren earth, even the air’s spiritual aroma became more intense.

In just a moment, the originally desolate, barren, lifeless land transformed into a human paradise full of Spiritual Qi, with celestial herbs everywhere.

"This... this is..."

Li the Third trembled all over, lips quivering, eyes full of incredulity, voice hoarse to the point of being barely audible:

"Could it be... the legendary Emperor’s Essence?!"

Wang Mazi also completely forgot the struggle, eyes firmly fixated on the abundant Spiritual Objects and flowing Spiritual Spring, then suddenly raised his eyes towards the sky.

He astonishingly found that deep within the moonlight, a towering moonlit laurel suspended in the air, its branches extended, filling the sky, leaves like creamy jade, flowing with endless light.

Petals as white as snow drifted down, carrying an intoxicating Taiyin fragrance, permeating heaven and earth.

Rustle—

Rustle—

Petals danced and fell to the ground, transforming into points of Spirit Light, nourishing the earth.

At the peak of the moonlit laurel, a blurred figure sat there, surrounded by countless splendid Taiyin Divine patterns, intertwining into a giant light net, sacred and unviewable, unprofanable.

A pressure emanating from deep within the soul quietly descended, intangible, yet causing heaven and earth to bow, making all spirits feel compelled to submit.

Buzz—!

An ancient, vast, inherently Dao rhythmic voice bypassed the ears, directly imprinting into the depths of their Divine Souls, as if echoing from the birth of the universe.

A revered title endlessly echoed in their minds, unable to be erased, engraved into the marrow.

[Taiyin Primordial Monarch]

Li the Third shuddered, legs weakening, unable to hold out any longer.

Thud—!

He heavily knelt to the ground, forehead pressed tightly to the earth, his voice choked, nearly mad, yet every word imbued with extreme devotion:

"Tai... Taiyin Primordial Monarch!"

"It’s the Taiyin Primordial Monarch descending!"

"In the ancient texts of our Sect, I’ve seen, in the First Era, the Monarch attained Dao, established the Eternal Celestial Court, governed all realms, wielding the Taiyin Great Dao!"

"In the Second Era, the Monarch spread the Dao across realms, protecting all beings, leaving the supreme Dao lineage, saving countless cultivators!"

"In the Third Era, the Monarch created heaven and earth, redefined universal order, becoming the lord of the Ten Directions Universe, overseeing ninety million Small Realms!"

"Our pitifully end-time Small Realm... is but a trivial corner under the Monarch’s command!"

"Legend says, each era’s end, when creatures suffer, is the time the Monarch descends to save all life!"

"I always thought that was a tale made up by ancient people... it’s true! It has all come true!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi felt awakened as if by a heavenly shock.

He gazed at the figure sitting atop the moonlit laurel, stunned for a long time.

Thud—!

He too followed suit, kneeling to the ground, head deeply bowed, softly mumbling the sacred title.

At this moment, both completely forgot their prior fight, forgot the Qi Condensing Grass they had battled to death over.

In front of the abundant Spiritual Spring and celestial herbs, the patch of withered grass was but a drop in the ocean.

In the valley.

Two tiny figures knelt on the ground, under the enveloping endless moonlight, appear especially humble yet indescribably devout:

"Taiyin Primordial Monarch..."

"Taiyin Primordial Monarch..."

And this scene, is not only playing out in this one valley.

Simultaneously, across countless Small Realms under the jurisdiction of the Grand Cold Realm, identical scenarios are happening in sync—

In desolate valleys, bustling cultivator cities, remote deep mountain ancient temples, dark sea demon lairs...

Innumerable souls kneeling on the ground, respectfully bowing towards that sacred figure atop the sky.

Voices rise and fall, one wave higher than the last, resounding across every Small Realm, echoing through heaven and earth:

"Taiyin Primordial Monarch!"

"Taiyin Primordial Monarch!"

"Taiyin Primordial Monarch!"

...

At the peak of the moonlit laurel.

The Taiyin Primordial Monarch who sits eternally, overseeing the heavens, slowly opened their eyes.

In their pupils, moonlight flows, seemingly holding the mysteries of the entire Taiyin universe, their gaze encompasses the ninety million Small Realms.

The branches and leaves of the moonlit laurel freely extend, light flows incessantly over the ninety million Small Realms, nourishing every inch of land.

Chen Sheng’s heart murmured:

"Ten Primordial Assemblies have passed."

"Transforming into the World Sword Mountain, comprehending the Tao of Taiyin, the true self presides over the Grand Cold Realm, deduces the Taiyin cultivation system, gradually completes it through layers..."

"Twice nurturing my own Dao, Dao practice fulfilled."

"Coupled with past life’s firsthand experience of tribulations, now the first three declines for me—can be shattered with a snap!"