Chapter 467 - 414: Divine Dao

When the light-cyan Escape Light touched the thick, profound, and invisible barrier of the Spirit Yong Great Realm, it was like a drop of water merging into the ocean, stirring a faint ripple.

This ripple was the Realm’s most basic form of "verification" for those entering and exiting.

The very instant Qi Yun’s figure was completely submerged within the Realm—

A vast, indifferent, and supreme "gaze"—one that seemed to blanket all of time and space within this Realm and see through to the karma of every living being—descended in utter silence.

It "scanned" him from head to toe, from his physical body to his very soul.

This gaze held no emotion, only pure, rule-based scrutiny.

It had to confirm if the one entering was a native of Spirit Yong.

Whether the origin of their soul was imprinted with this Realm’s unique "Realm Seal."

Whether their existence complied with the governing laws of this world.

The Gaze of Heaven’s Will!

The pressure felt like the entire world’s weight pressing down on him.

An ordinary Outer Realm celestial demon or stowaway would have long since been exposed under this gaze, triggering heavenly thunder and Earth Fire, even annihilation by the rules themselves.

However, within Qi Yun’s body, the physical form, aura, Magical Power fluctuations, and even the wisp of a "Realm Seal" deep within his soul that faintly resonated with Spirit Yong’s Celestial Dao—all of which were manifested by the Supreme Divine Technique [Primordial True Body] to be identical to the real "Zhou Zimo"—circulated perfectly, without a single flaw.

In fact, because Qi Yun’s own foundation was far superior to the original owner’s, this simulated "Zhou Zimo" was even better than the real one, possessing a purer, more condensed aura and a more vigorous, flourishing Life Force.

In the "gaze" of the Celestial Dao, he instead appeared to be an outstanding native Cultivator whose Cultivation had advanced and whose foundation was exceptionally stable.

The vast "gaze" lingered on Qi Yun for less than one hundred-millionth of an instant, then receded like the tide, vanishing without a trace.

The Celestial Dao’s attention shifted elsewhere.

*Phew...*

Feeling the omnipresent sensation of regulatory scrutiny completely disappear, Qi Yun remained inwardly calm, the only sign of his feelings a smile of complete control that touched the corners of his lips.

’Step one, Deceiving the Heavens, was a success.’

He lingered no longer. After getting his bearings, the light-cyan Escape Light suddenly accelerated, tearing through the clear and uniquely vibrant Celestial Vault of the Spirit Yong Realm as he sped toward the territory he remembered.

The mountains and rivers below receded at high speed, a landscape quite different from that of the Profound Yellow Origin Realm.

The mountains were more picturesque and wondrous. Specks of Spiritual Light dotted the forests, and one could faintly glimpse what appeared to be flood dragons frolicking in the rivers.

In the sky, Cultivators could be seen from time to time, riding various types of Flying Magical Artifacts.

Or Cultivators traveling to and fro on Spiritual Birds and Exotic Beasts.

It was a scene of flourishing cultivation.

What was more unique was that a faint halo, either gold or cyan, and varying from dense to thin, shrouded the skies above many famous mountains, great rivers, cities, and villages.

That was the manifestation of this Realm’s fundamental cultivation method: Incense and Wish Power.

Before long, a majestic and endless mountain range, filled with a myriad of magnificent sights, appeared ahead.

A thousand peaks vied for splendor, and ten thousand ravines hid the clouds.

Spiritual Springs and cascading waterfalls dotted the landscape, while auspicious beasts and rare birds would occasionally appear and disappear from view.

Deep within the mountain range, atop the main peak, a majestic and spectacular Divine Palace—seemingly forged from White Jade and Cyan Gold—was faintly visible, wreathed in clouds and rosy mists.

Its layered palaces and soaring, tooth-like eaves exuded a vast majesty and a profound, divine aura.

That was the seat of "Zhou Zimo’s" Divine Dao enterprise—the Thousand Peaks Divine Palace.

It ruled over one thousand, three hundred and sixty-five Spirit Peaks.

Its territory was vast, home to hundreds of millions of living beings.

Qi Yun’s Escape Light made no attempt at concealment, descending directly toward the massive plaza before the Divine Palace’s Main Hall.

The Escape Light faded, revealing his figure.

The very instant his feet touched the White Jade ground, which was inscribed with complex Divine Patterns—

DONG! DONG! DONG!

Three deep, resonant chimes rang out from the depths of the Divine Palace, the sound traveling for miles around, heralding the return of its master.

Immediately after, the two sections of the Giant Bronze Gate of the Main Hall—standing a hundred feet tall and carved with totems of a thousand mountains and myriad peaks—slowly swung inward.

Within the gates, two rows of figures were already standing in solemn formation.

The row on the left consisted of a dozen or so Subordinate Deities of varying strength, all clad in uniform, light-cyan Priest Robes. Most of them held ranks such as "Spirit Official" or "Wandering Deity" within the Spirit Yong cultivation system.

This was equivalent to the Qi Refining level in the Profound Yellow realm, and they were responsible for assisting in the management of the various divine affairs of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.

The row on the right consisted of several dozen more individuals—Divine Attendants, Warriors, Spirit Maidens, and the like—whose auras were more varied but all carried the pure scent of incense.

They were Low Tier Divine Dao Cultivators or Spirit Monsters who were attached to the Divine Palace and served the Mountain Venerable.

At this moment, regardless of whether they were Subordinate Deities or Divine Attendants, all wore solemn expressions, their eyes filled with awe and reverence.

Upon seeing the light-cyan figure standing in the center of the plaza with his hands clasped behind his back, his aura as profound as a still lake and as imposing as a mountain, everyone bowed in unison. Then, they knelt on one knee, heads bowed low. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, a clear sign of rigorous training.

A cry that could shake mountains surged forth like a tidal wave, echoing before the majestic Divine Palace, thick with pure faith and reverence:

"We respectfully welcome the Thousand Peaks Mountain Venerable—!"

The rolling sound waves caused the surrounding clouds to churn, and it seemed as if the peaks themselves echoed in response.

Qi Yun could clearly feel it. With that collective cry of worship, wisps of pure Incense and Wish Power, imbued with reverence and dependence, converged from the prayers of these Subordinate Deities, Divine Attendants, and even the countless living beings in the mountains beyond. This power flowed into his current "Divine Body" and into the "Divine Position" that was mystically linked to the mountain range.

It caused a faint, warm, yet majestic layer of pale gold divine light to emanate from his body.

This was the unique cultivation system of the Spirit Yong Great Realm—the Incense Fire God Path!

It did not emphasize personal ascetic cultivation and enlightenment, nor did it involve absorbing nature’s spiritual energy to temper one’s own body.

Instead, one condensed the faith and Wish Power of the masses to forge an Immortal Golden Body and accept a Divine Position bestowed by the Decree of Heaven and Earth.

The higher the Divine Position, the vaster the territory and the greater the number of believers. Consequently, the stronger the Divine Power, the closer the connection to the laws of Heaven and Earth, and the more immense the Power of Heaven and Earth one could command.

And the Zhou Zimo whom Qi Yun had subjected to Refinement held the divine title: Thousand Peaks Mountain Venerable.

His was a mid-level Divine Position, in charge of these one thousand, three hundred and sixty-five peaks, and he received the incense offerings of millions of living beings.

Qi Yun’s expression remained placid as he accepted their worship. He raised a hand slightly, and a gentle yet unquestionable wave of Divine Power washed over the plaza.

"Rise."

"Our thanks, Mountain Venerable!"

The crowd bowed once more before rising respectfully, standing in silent deference with their hands at their sides, awaiting his command.

"I have had some insights during my recent travels and must enter seclusion to cultivate for a time.

All affairs of the Divine Palace shall be temporarily handled in concert by the Left and Right Spirit Officials. I am not to be disturbed unless it is a matter of great urgency." Qi Yun’s voice was calm, yet it carried a mountain-like pressure—a dignity that came with his Divine Position.

"We shall obey the Mountain Venerable’s decree!" The two most powerful Subordinate Deities at the head of the left and right rows immediately bowed to accept the command.

Without another word, Qi Yun flicked his sleeve, and his figure transformed into a streak of golden light that shot directly into the depths of the Divine Palace.

He entered the core sanctum belonging to the "Thousand Peaks Mountain Venerable"—the Mountain Venerable’s Divine Palace.

Inside the Divine Palace, the space was vast. Carved beams and painted rafters adorned the hall in a display of exquisite beauty. The air was thick with the dense, pure energy of incense, as well as the Spiritual Mechanism of the mountains and Earth Veins.

In the center was a high dais, upon which sat an immense throne carved from a single, massive piece of "Mountain-Suppressing Jade."

On the wall behind the throne, a massive "Thousand Peaks Paying Homage Map" shimmered with light, seeming to be connected to the very fate of the real mountain range outside.

Qi Yun did not sit upon the throne that symbolized his authority.

He casually sat cross-legged on a Meditation Mat elsewhere in the Divine Palace.

His eyes gently closed, and his Heart and Spirit settled into complete tranquility.

His Divine Sense spread out silently, flowing like quicksilver across the floor.

First, he focused on fully merging with and perceiving this "Divine Body," along with the "Thousand Peaks Mountain Venerable" Divine Position that was hidden deep within the fabric of reality.

In an instant, countless streams of information flooded his mind:

the rhythmic pulse of the mountain’s Earth Veins; the rushing flow of the rivers’ vapor; the prayers of the myriad living beings in his territory (praying for favorable weather, for peace and health, for smooth cultivation...).

the fluctuations of incense power from his Subordinate Deities and Divine Attendants as they handled their duties; and, on an even higher level, the invisible yet tightly woven "Dharma Net" that was faintly connected to the Heaven and Earth Laws of the entire Spirit Yong Great Realm through his Divine Position...

The feeling of power was truly immense.

As long as he was within the territory of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, he could mobilize the power of the mountains and rivers with a single thought. He could call down sweet dew or trigger earthquakes. He could use Incense and Wish Power to unleash all manner of Divine Techniques, his might far exceeding that of a Profound Yellow Foundation Establishment Cultivator of an equivalent rank.

’But this power...’ Qi Yun mused, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

’You don’t cultivate yourself, but rely entirely on the will of heaven and the faith of the masses to prop you up...’ he thought. ’The power is immense, but it is like a tree without roots, or a river without a source.’

He could "see" that this Divine Power was inextricably linked to the mountain range beneath his feet and the incense of the masses.

If the mountain’s Earth Veins were damaged, the Divine Power would suffer. If the believers’ faith wavered or even collapsed, the Divine Position would become unstable, and the Golden Body would dim.

More importantly, the "Dharma Net" that was mystically connected to Heaven and Earth both granted authority to the Divine Position and served as a form of restraint and surveillance.

If the will of heaven was ever displeased, or if one violated a Celestial Law, the decreed Divine Position could be revoked.

At that point, this seemingly immense Divine Power would vanish in an instant, and one would revert to their original state, or even suffer a backlash.

’Your foundation is entirely dependent on external factors. It seems glorious, but in reality, it’s like walking on thin ice.’

’If faith collapses and the heavens revoke your title, you become a lamb to the slaughter, unable to withstand a single blow.’ Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes, a flash of understanding and faint detachment in their depths.

This Divine Dao System of Spirit Yong was convenient and offered rapid progress, and its upper limits did not seem low.

But its flaws were also glaringly obvious. To entrust one’s entire path to external factors and the will of heaven was not the way of the Grand Dao.

He shook his head gently, having seen through the pros and cons of this world’s unique Daoist lineage.

’However...’ After shaking his head, Qi Yun’s eyes held not disappointment, but a sharp, calculating glint.

’A system like this is actually perfect for my purposes!’

’Obvious flaws mean the loopholes in the rules are likely even bigger.’

’Dependent on faith and the will of heaven?’

’That gives me the perfect opportunity!’

He turned his palm over, and with a faint flash of light, a Scroll of an unidentifiable material—neither silk nor leather, neither gold nor jade—suddenly appeared in his hand.

The Scroll was entirely golden. Myriad patterns of Daoist Intent flowed across its surface, and countless, infinitesimally small Talismans seemed to be born and die within it, exuding a primordial, majestic, and Supreme aura—the aura of one who could enthrone gods and establish order in the universe.

The Gods Sealing List!

"This Realm has no True Monarch Level being presiding over it." Qi Yun’s fingertips brushed across the cold surface of the Scroll.

"As long as I can suppress the will of the heavens, my Gods Sealing List might be able to achieve its initial form through this opportunity!!"

A divine glint appeared in his eyes. With a flicker of his Heart Thought, the Magic Technique Panel materialized before him. A certain Magic’s name, pushed all the way to the bottom of the list by one Great Divine Technique after another, fell into his line of sight.

...