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Chapter 1030: Sitting in Oblivion

Chapter 1030: Sitting in Oblivion

Fang Xi's Nascent Soul body transformed into a streak of escaping light, moving with incredible speed.

Even so, it took him three days and nights to reach the center of this continent.

The reason he could confirm it took three days and nights came from the divine mountain high in the sky!

For six hours, it was like the Solar Star, enveloped in boundless Great Sun True Fire; then for another six hours, its light was reined in, resembling the Lunar Star, giving birth to infinite Lunar True Water. It was truly profound.

At the center of the continent stood towering jade steles, resembling mountain peaks.

Over a thousand steles stretched in an unbroken chain, forming a mountain range known as the 'Thousand Stele Mountain'!

And the array spirit had long ago issued a warning: "Those who damage a single blade of grass or tree in Thousand Stele Mountain shall die!"

Thus, while sword duels were common outside, within the Thousand Stele Mountain, it was much more peaceful.

"Vast as a sea of smoke. . ."

He gazed at the numerous hill-like steles, a little dumbfounded.

It was a volume of reading that even True Immortals would find terrifying.

He didn't even know which stele to begin with.

"This Thousand Stele Mountain doesn't even record Elder Thousand Sword's cultivation techniques; what it records is only the ultimate sword dao realm of 'Sword-Births-Heaven-and-Earth'!"

"However, it is not complete; there are many errors and conjectures. . ."

"He widely accepted disciples, perhaps not without the expectation that one or two peerless sword dao geniuses would emerge to completely perfect this sword array, thereby making 'Sword-Births-Heaven-and-Earth' truly complete. . ."

As for Elder Thousand Sword's intention to use these disciples, Fang Xi felt no anxiety; instead, he felt a sense of ease.

There is no such thing as unprovoked kindness in this world.

Especially for Immortals, who are immortal and undying, there is no inherent need to pass on their mantle.

Elder Thousand Sword's wide acceptance of disciples naturally had its own purpose.

"Disciples, Daoist lineages. . . these are actually forms of spiritual and belief-based longevity. Compared to the bloodline-based longevity of families, they aren't much more advanced. . ."

"But for Immortals, even Ghost Immortals or God Immortals. . . since they are already undying, why would they pursue the false longevity of bloodline or spirit?"

"Therefore, most Immortals are indifferent. . ."

Fang Xi's heart was equally like iron. Even accepting Fang Xian was merely a matter of karmic coincidence.

He harbored no expectations of any future repayment, acting entirely according to his own will.

Whoosh!

Just then, a figure swept past.

His brows were like swords, and his aura was incredibly sharp, emitting scorching sword qi. From afar, he resembled a rising great sun approaching!

"Great Sun Sword Intent!"

"Path-severing Dao Child!"

Upon seeing this, Fang Xi couldn't help but feel a chill.

He hadn't expected that any Immortal he casually encountered would be a Dao Child on the fourth step of the four Dao Monarch stages, someone who could achieve 'Merging with the Dao' at any moment!

Moreover, he was a sword cultivator!

Subtly, he even surpassed Zi Yin Dao Zi!

"This person feels so familiar, but I don't know who it is. Fellow Daoist, might you enlighten me?"

Just then, another voice rang out nearby.

Fang Xi's heart tightened.

With the keenness of his current Nascent Soul, to be approached so closely clearly meant the newcomer was also extraordinary.

He turned around and saw a female sword Immortal.

This female sword Immortal was quite tall, actually a head taller than him. She wore a pristine white swordsman's robe, appearing spotless. Her features weren't exceptionally beautiful, but together, they created a very comfortable sensation.

Especially her large, sparkling eyes, as pure as crystal, utterly free of impurities, made Fang Xi think of a newborn fawn.

At this moment, a hint of confusion rested on her face.

"This isn't the tempered heart of one who has experienced the mundane world's trials; she's truly like a blank slate, yet her aura is terrifying. The four Dao Monarch stages are True Immortal, Jade Platform, Sitting in Oblivion, and Path-Severing. . . she's at least Jade Platform or above!"

Fang Xi gave her a brief appraisal and came to a conclusion.

He was equally speechless regarding this woman's question. Shouldn't he be the one asking others?

How did it turn into someone else asking him?

"This person, I don't know either. . . may I ask how to address you, fellow Daoist?"

He gave a slight bow, asking courteously.

"My name is Luo. . . Luo. . ."

The female sword Immortal rubbed her forehead, a wry smile on her face. "I only remember my surname is Luo; I've forgotten what my name is. . ."

"Master!"

Just then, from the icy-white longsword at her waist, a clear chime suddenly rang out, and a tender girl's voice emerged: "Your name is 'Luo Mi'! The one who just flew past was Dao Child 'Wu Xing Kong'. . ."

"Sword spirit?"

Fang Xi's heart stirred. Immortal flying swords naturally possessed artifact spirits.

However, he disliked artifact spirits being too clever. He generally chose those with the most honest and upright spiritual intelligence. Even if an original artifact spirit was cunning and quirky, he would refine it into the desired form.

This sword spirit, however, was different; it was very lively and could even remind its master, much like a sister.

Luo Mi suddenly remembered and apologized to Fang Xi: "I wish to achieve 'Merging with the Dao,' but I was too eager for success when my Dao Seed entered the Jade Platform stage. The Seven Declines of Taiyi were exceptionally fierce. To avoid being Dao-corrupted into a monster, I could only seek the help of a Dao Monarch who had achieved 'Merging with the Dao' through the 'Law of Oblivion. ' They used a secret technique to illuminate my Jade Platform, completely erasing the declines and the Dao corruption. . . but I've also been affected, sometimes forgetting too much. . . please forgive me, fellow Daoist!"

"So, fellow Daoist has already reached the third step of Merging with the Dao, truly admirable."

Fang Xi sighed with emotion.

What he marveled at even more was this female sword Immortal's powerful background; she even had a specialized method to deal with the third step of Merging with the Dao.

"Using oblivion to counteract Dao-corruption declines?"

"While it's not impossible, it must have omitted many crucial details. Finding a 'Law of Oblivion' Dao Monarch willing to act is just the most basic part; it likely requires cooperation with many treasures to be cast. . ."

Even Fang Xi had to admit that Immortals from major powers indeed held an advantage when it came to Merging with the Dao.

"If one doesn't sever the Dao and enlighten oneself, one remains merely an Immortal."

Luo Mi seemed a bit dispirited. "This step is where no external force can take effect; we can only rely on ourselves. . . If I can't become a Dao Monarch, I fear this ailment of mine will only worsen, until I completely forget who I am."

"Master, Ling'er will remind you."

At this moment, the sword spirit of the icy-white sword spoke again.

Witnessing this scene, Fang Xi felt utterly speechless.

"If not for this sword spirit constantly reminding her, would this female sword Immortal have been sold off. . ."

He thought with some amusement, though he naturally knew this was impossible.

Even if an Immortal forgot everything, a 'seven-aperture exquisite heart' would still be able to discern good from evil, preventing them from suffering any great losses.

"But this method, it always feels a bit like a demonic path. . ."

"A practitioner of 'Sitting in Oblivion' lets their limbs fall idle, casts aside intelligence, separates from form and knowledge, and merges with the Great Void. . . Internally, they are unaware of their own body; externally, they perceive no heaven or earth. Then, vast and boundless, they embody change and comprehend all things. . ."

"If it were a Heavenly Immortal's Nascent Soul, they could smoothly overcome most disasters. . ."

"Of course, achieving this is too difficult, so one can compensate with secret techniques and treasures; this is also the choice for most Earth Immortals and Human Immortals striving for Merging with the Dao. . ."

Simply put, when the orthodox path doesn't work, one takes a shortcut.

However, the advantage of mortal methods lies in the fact that no matter what means are employed, as long as one ultimately breaks through a major realm, the divine abilities and magic power will be the same.

"Mhm, mhm. . . Ling'er is so good!"

Luo Mi had just praised her sword spirit a couple of times when her expression suddenly turned blank: ". . . Where were we just now?"

"Her forgetfulness, is it really this severe?"

Fang Xi was truly speechless and then spoke: ". . . We were discussing where to begin viewing the Thousand Stele Mountain."

"Oh, yes, yes, yes, we were talking about that!"

Luo Mi suddenly realized. "So you're here to ask for directions? This Thousand Stele Mountain encompasses everything. Even a random stele is enough for us to study for tens of thousands of years. . . Moreover, entering the mountain from different paths yields different results."

"Currently, only three mountain paths are most highly regarded, representing three sequences for comprehending the Thousand Stele Mountain. They were all insights gained by Immortals who once became Dao Monarchs and were accepted as official disciples by Elder Thousand Sword. One of them begins from 'Jia Mao Thirteen', followed by 'Yi Chen Six', 'Ding Zi Twelve'. . ."

"The second path starts from 'Xin Shen Six' and goes to 'Gui Chou Eight'. . ."

"The third path. . ."

She pointed out the details, then added: "But I feel that these paths already explored by predecessors may not necessarily suit us. . . One must understand that a Dao Monarch's 'Path-severing' involves severing the impurities of the Great Dao, becoming uniquely oneself. . . Therefore, a path suitable for a Dao Monarch might not be suitable for us."

"I've meditated outside the steles for many years, and I feel that starting with 'Bing Ding Four' is best. . . and after that, it's. . ."

Luo Mi had just spoken halfway when a hint of confusion again appeared on her face: "Wait, where was I just now?"

"We were discussing the mountain entry routes. Many thanks for your guidance, Miss Luo. . ."

Fang Xi politely cupped his hands, when he suddenly heard a sword chime.

He smiled faintly, knowing that the spiritual flying sword was already growing displeased with him. He immediately waved a hand: "I am Fang Xi. Many thanks for Miss Luo's teachings. The mountains are high and the roads are long; we shall meet again!"

Luo Mi watched Fang Xi's departing back, then suddenly bit her lip: "Ling'er. . . who did I just see? Was someone discussing the Dao with me?"

"Oh, my Master, you almost suffered a great loss. . ."

Ling'er, now transformed into a streak of light, taking the form of a little girl with a ponytail, cried out: "That person just asked for directions, and it would have been fine if you'd only told him about ordinary paths, but you actually revealed Dao Monarch paths. . . Even the Dao Monarch paths would have been okay, but Master, you almost exposed your entire background! The Thousand Stele Mountain's sword dao encompasses everything, but following your chosen path, he would definitely discover that you cultivate the 'Emotionless Sword Dao'!"

"Emotionless Sword? !"

Luo Mi furrowed her beautiful willow-like brows, only relaxing them after a long moment, her large, sparkling eyes filled with confusion: "Right. . . I cultivate the Emotionless Sword. The Emotionless Sword. . . how is it performed? I've forgotten. . ."

Hearing this, the sword spirit felt utterly speechless.

Her own mistress was precisely because she had once cultivated the 'Emotionless Sword Dao' and still harbored attachments, which was why she was stuck in 'Sitting in Oblivion,' unable to advance an inch.

To break through, she could only take an unconventional path, using secret arts to forget many things.

But this method of oblivion, combined with the Emotionless Sword Dao, while causing her mistress to advance by leaps and bounds, seemed to make her mind increasingly sluggish. . .