Chapter 1648: Cheng Dao's Ambition
Chapter 1648: Cheng Dao's Ambition
"Become an immortal..."
"Why stop at becoming an immortal? If my guess is correct, should you truly walk this path to its end, you might find yourself not far from the Nameless Realm," Cheng Dao remarked, stroking his beard with a light, appreciative smile.
"Oh? Is that truly the case?" Rinsing Moon Bai asked, a little bemused.
Despite her extraordinary talent, she currently knew nothing about the concrete steps to ascension. This path of "Slaying Immortals to Prove the Dao" was merely a suggestion from the Immeasurable Wall.
But ever since Cheng Dao had appeared, the typically arrogant and insufferable Immeasurable Wall had fallen uncharacteristically silent, not daring to make the slightest stir.
Cheng Dao patiently explained to Rinsing Moon Bai, "An immortal is a person climbing a mountain; this mountain is the[Upper Mountain]. By gaining the power of the Upper Mountain, one attains the might of an immortal."
"However, that is not enough. One must still venture into the Infinite Sea to obtain the divine wonders of the[Infinite]. Only by possessing the power of both mountain and sea can one be considered a True Immortal."
"The Upper Mountain, the Infinite Sea..." Rinsing Moon Bai had, of course, heard of the Mountain and Sea before, but this was the first time she clearly understood the relationship between their power and True Immortals.
"It was precisely this question that led to the ascendance of the two Sage Lords, Lian Shan and Gui Hai!" Cheng Dao said with a sigh, slowly recounting the tales of the two Saints.
Lian Shan, the world's first immortal.
Gui Hai, who opened the way to the infinite spring.
The supreme divine powers of the Saints, the epic stories of them parting the heavens and splitting the earth, left Rinsing Moon Bai utterly captivated and yearning.
"We ordinary folk naturally lack the Saints' abilities to draw power directly from the Mountain and Sea. Thus, we must borrow the might of the two Saints."
"In the past, mortals had to undergo a baptism at the Ascension Platform after ascending to truly become True Immortals. Even beings within the Immortal World who sought to attain immortal status required a decree from the Immortal Emperor..."
Rinsing Moon Bai was beginning to understand. "So whether it's the baptism at the Ascension Platform or the decree from the Immortal Emperor, they are both just manifestations of the two Saints' authority? Doesn't that mean all True Immortals in the world stand on the shoulders of Sage Lords Lian Shan and Gui Hai to reach the Mountain and Sea? What if, one day, the two Saints were to fall..."
The word "fall" never left her lips, silenced by a gentle flick of Cheng Dao's finger.
"Only someone like you, who has yet to step onto the immortal path, would dare speak such words. The Sage Lords are watching from above; some things are better left unsaid. While the Saints themselves might not care, but..." Cheng Dao swept a light glance over Rinsing Moon Bai.
In that instant, an immense weight seemed to press down on her, and cold sweat beaded on Rinsing Moon Bai's forehead.
Her heart pounded with shock as she gained a preliminary understanding of the old man's power. She nodded repeatedly, indicating she had learned her lesson.
Cheng Dao's expression softened once more as he corrected Rinsing Moon Bai's earlier assumption. "The two Saints' aid is not, in fact, mandatory. It merely offers an easier path. If you truly possess unparalleled talent, you can, of course, climb the mountain and venture the sea on your own. However..."
"Without the protection of a Sage Lord, even if an ordinary person were to touch the Mountain and Sea itself, I fear they would not last long before being assimilated and devoured by it."
"As for your worries..." Cheng Dao chuckled. "The Saints are certainly far more thorough in their considerations than we could ever be."
He stopped there, not elaborating on how they were thorough.
Rinsing Moon Bai, ever tactful, did not press the matter.
Instead, she shifted the topic to the specific method of ascension. "If I may ask, Senior Cheng Dao, the Immortal World has long since collapsed, the Immortal Emperors are gone, and the Saints are nowhere to be seen. How are mortals like myself supposed to seek the Dao and find immortality now?"
"The simplest way..."
"I could just write an edict for you," Cheng Dao stated calmly, his tone matter-of-fact.
Such an answer was entirely unexpected, and Rinsing Moon Bai froze for a moment.
Then, she looked at Cheng Dao with a hint of disbelief.
Even though she had already estimated the old man's power to be profound, hearing him say something so audacious so casually still sent shockwaves through her heart.
"He can bestow the status of a True Immortal? Could it be that this man was once an Immortal Emperor of the Immortal World?"
"No wonder the Immeasurable Wall has become so meek, as if terrified of being discovered."
Such thoughts inevitably surfaced in Rinsing Moon Bai's mind.
And with them came a hidden worry.
"With such unimaginable power and status, why is he showing me special favor? Is it merely because of my talent? Or could it be related to my secret ability to endlessly reincarnate?"
If Rinsing Moon Bai were simply a person of exceptional talent, she would have no cause for such anxiety. But it was precisely because she harbored such a great secret that her mind was now in turmoil.
Though Cheng Dao couldn't read her thoughts completely, he sensed the chaos in her mind. However, he merely assumed she was shocked by his offer to grant her immortality and didn't think much else of it for the time being.
"This edict is for a single use. Consider it a private path connecting you to the Mountain and Sea. Your cultivation has long been sufficient; the moment the edict touches you, you will glimpse the phenomena of the Mountain and Sea and become an immortal on the spot! However, I would not recommend you choose this path."
Rinsing Moon Bai gathered herself and asked in a solemn voice, "Why is that? I hope Senior will enlighten me."
"Because with your talent... taking this path would be something of a waste. You are different from those common folk. You have the potential to walk a great, heaven-reaching Dao," Cheng Dao said, using the words "heaven-reaching Dao" instead of specifying a particular realm.
"Climbing the mountain and venturing into the sea holds great peril, but also great opportunity! In their day, Lian Shan and Gui Hai became Saints because of it. The protection of others can certainly get you through it without risk, but you would also lose the priceless chance to experience the Mountain and Sea for yourself. And that first glimpse, the first comprehension born from witnessing the Mountain and Sea, is the most crucial of all..."
"When I became an immortal, I observed the Mountain and Sea on my own, which is why my progress afterward was as swift as a thousand miles in a day," Cheng Dao declared with a hint of pride.
Rinsing Moon Bai was slightly taken aback, then gave a wry smile. "I may have some aptitude, but I know my own limits. I certainly cannot do as Senior did and experience the Mountain and Sea directly."
"Ah..." Cheng Dao waved his hand. "There's no need for false modesty. In truth, your talent is not much inferior to my own."
Rinsing Moon Bai was stunned.
"With our strength before becoming immortals, we definitely couldn't face the Mountain and Sea directly. But..."
Cheng Dao paused for effect before continuing slowly, "If you have a master to protect you, you can naturally ignore the risks."
This time, Rinsing Moon Bai was completely floored.
"A master to protect me?"
"Indeed! Unlike the protection of the two Saints, a master's protection doesn't block out the entire assault of the Mountain and Sea. Instead, they only filter out the parts that exceed your limits. This way, you can personally experience the Mountain and Sea without having to worry about your life."
"Furthermore, at that time, your master can offer guidance at critical moments. It won't affect the direction of your comprehension of the Great Dao of Mountain and Sea, but will simply clear the fog ahead. The efficiency of your comprehension will be hundreds of times greater than if you were to do it alone!" As he spoke of his own master, Cheng Dao's expression grew serious, and he slowly explained the profound benefits.
Ever since she had embarked on the path of cultivation, Rinsing Moon Bai had always been fumbling on her own, never having joined any sect or taken a master.
Hearing Cheng Dao describe the advantages of having a teacher, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.
At the same time, a thought stirred within her, and she faintly guessed the reason he was showing her such favor.
However, she didn't say it aloud, instead continuing to feign ignorance. "To have such a renowned master must be a heavenly blessing. But Senior may not know, I have always been alone since I began my cultivation..."
Cheng Dao's eyebrows twitched, the joy in his eyes growing more pronounced as he finally reached his point. "My master's name is[Shou Qiu]. It is by his grace that I have my cultivation today. Since I have learned the way of the master, I ought to carry it on through my actions and my will."
"Unfortunately, for various reasons, I am still trapped here, failing to live up to my master's expectations."
Cheng Dao stared intently at Rinsing Moon Bai. "In the past, to save Shuo Xinghai, I wove a Dao Net to bear the Dao Annihilation. This act was in accordance with the Dao my master taught, but over the long years, it has also become my shackles."
As he spoke, Cheng Dao waved his hand, and an image of the Shuo Xinghai Dao Net appeared before Rinsing Moon Bai.
Countless Dao strings crisscrossed, forming a mysterious, magnificent, and wondrous web.
As Cheng Dao continued, the image of the Dao Net magnified, revealing its depths.
Four figures, like prisoners, were suppressed within the net.
The aura emanating from each one made Rinsing Moon Bai's heart pound with dread.
"Nameless True Immortals."
Her expression growing grave, Rinsing Moon Bai's gaze fell upon the figure at the very center of the Dao Net.
Withered and gaunt.
If she wasn't mistaken, his features were identical to the Cheng Dao standing before her!
As if noticing the shock in her eyes, Cheng Dao admitted frankly, "That's right. That is me!"
"Back then, to convince the other immortals to create the Dao Net, I was the first to enter it. Although it protected this star sea for ten thousand years, however..."
"This Dao Net has also trapped me," Cheng Dao said, his expression turning somewhat peculiar.
Rinsing Moon Bai suddenly felt that her previous guess might have been wrong.
"All these years, I have thought long and hard, and I have come to understand the difference between my actions and my master's."
"The key to the Mountain and Sea lies outside, not here. As the saying goes, it is unrelated to the final outcome."
"That is why my master, who had repeatedly saved the Immortal World, resolutely departed after figuring this out, leaving only a Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing."
"My master used a shadow projection to help resist the Dao Annihilation. I, on the other hand, used my own body as the pillar... that is the greatest difference!"
Cheng Dao sighed. "Trapped here, how can I truly carry on my master's work and save the Mountain and Sea? Back then, I did not have the strength to transcend, yet I forced myself to do a transcendent's work. A grave error!"
"If, at that time, I had focused solely on my cultivation and ignored the affairs of the outside world, I might have already reached the transcendent realm by now."
"Although my master never said it explicitly, I could faintly sense his disappointment in me from our few communications."
After finishing his piece, Cheng Dao's gaze was scorching as he stared at Rinsing Moon Bai.
"I have long wished to extricate myself, but the mistake has already been made. If I were to forcibly flee, causing the Dao Net to collapse and this realm to fall, it would still run contrary to my Dao..."
"So, what Senior means is?" Rinsing Moon Bai asked cautiously.
"In the past, I scoured the star sea, seeking someone qualified to take my place guarding it. However, I found them all to be common folk, unfit for the task and unable to inherit my foundation. But now..."
"You are worthy!" Cheng Dao declared with conviction.
"I wonder, are you willing to share my burden?"
Rinsing Moon Bai hesitated, but before she could answer, the long-silent Immeasurable Wall suddenly transmitted a message to her mind.
It frantically warned, "Agree! Agree! If you say no, we'll both die!"
As if sensing the Immeasurable Wall's message, Cheng Dao glanced impassively toward its hiding place.
A chill ran down Rinsing Moon Bai's spine.
Though she possessed the ability of infinite rebirth, she was unwilling to casually throw her life away unless it was a desperate situation.
For now, she could only bite the bullet and agree. "How could I dare refuse what Senior has entrusted to me?"
"Excellent!" Cheng Dao laughed heartily, overjoyed at the prospect of shedding his shackles.
In an instant, his image transformed from that of a stooped old man into a sturdy and resolute middle-aged man.
"Rest assured, you are not doing this for nothing. You should know, countless people in this realm would beg for the chance to take my place," Cheng Dao explained, his mood excellent.
"Using one's body as a pillar to support against the Dao Annihilation. The core of the Dao Net's operation is the art my master created, the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing. It's just that my strength was limited back then, and a mere shadow projection was not enough to bear the weight of Dao Annihilation. Thus, I could only use my body instead."
"If you take my place, I will naturally teach you this technique of Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing. Although I am not qualified to accept disciples on my master's behalf, by obtaining this technique, you can be considered a quasi-member of the Shou Qiu lineage. When I report to my master in the future, you may not be without a chance to truly enter his tutelage."
Rinsing Moon Bai didn't hold out much hope for Cheng Dao's grand promises.
More importantly, she knew very little about who Shou Qiu Gong was or what he had done.
She only knew that he had once defended the Immortal World against a devastating Dao Annihilation tide.
So, she wasn't particularly excited.
"Presiding over the Dao Net has other benefits," Cheng Dao continued, waving his hand again. The image of a thousand Dao strings transformed from illusory to solid, as if they had truly entered the core of the Dao Net.
"Guarding the depths of the Dao Net, you can observe the Dao principles within it up close. You will not be affected in any way and can observe from a purely objective perspective. This experience is truly rare."
"You must understand, in a normal state of enlightenment, the Great Dao is chaotic and indistinct. Unless it is the very beginning of the world, the moment when the myriad Daos are born..."
"But thanks to the special nature of the Dao Net, the Daos within are all categorized and displayed like this. The closer to the core of the Dao Net, the closer you are to the fundamental nature of the Dao principles you see." He led Rinsing Moon Bai to his true body's side.
Cheng Dao pointed at the countless, clearly visible Dao strings around them and spoke slowly.
With Rinsing Moon Bai's comprehension, a single glance told her that Cheng Dao was speaking the truth.
The convenience for enlightenment here was a hundred times greater than in the outside world.
Although the Dao principles in the Dao Net were incomplete compared to the entire star sea, they were more than enough for her to study for a very long time.
"Not only that, but expanding this Dao Net also aligns perfectly with your method of Slaying Immortals to Prove the Dao!"
"Please enlighten me, Senior," Rinsing Moon Bai said with great respect.
"You should know that there are still some wandering True Immortals in this Shuo Xinghai. You can use the power of the Dao Net to defeat and suppress them one by one. While expanding the Dao Net, you will also be building your own foundation."
"When you have accumulated enough..."
Cheng Dao bowed slightly and, to her surprise, summoned forth an ethereal silhouette.
"I can lend you my master's protection to help you ascend to the immortal realm!"
Comments