Chapter 443

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

Within the not-large city, there was a bustling prosperity, with vendors' cries rising and falling without end, crowds pressing together, and voices clamoring; yet among the throng, the figure of Lord Han stood like stars surrounding the moon, becoming the focus of the crowd, very eye-catching.

Whether they were street vendors or wealthy merchants in fine clothes, they all cast respectful and admiring gazes. No matter how noisy or crowded the situation was, when Lord Han passed through his residence, a path automatically cleared, and the clamor paused for a moment.

It could be seen that Lord Han had great prestige within this city.

And under such circumstances, Yu Zhangsheng and the others became increasingly respectful in expression, their attitude as humble as possible.

As for these, Lord Han's complexion remained normal, continuing to speak lightly while walking: "You shouldn't think I'm threatening you, these are all words from my heart; you just need to know, after all, with your current strength indeed being lowly, there are not a few who can threaten you in this Wu Dao Jie."

"Lord Han's words are extremely correct; we keep them in mind."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded and agreed while speaking, his thoughts becoming active at the same time, a glint of dark light flashing in his eyes.

"This Lord Han himself is only at the Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian cultivation base, including the strongest person around me feeling no more than Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian, but judging from Lord Han's strength displayed in the battle with Xishi Pomegranate Group just now, her strength definitely isn't as simple as it appears on the surface, truly inconceivable."

"Plus what we've seen and heard along the way, it has given me many guesses, perhaps..."

Yu Zhangsheng pondered in his heart, but on the surface remained unmoved, merely glancing lightly at Lord Han without saying anything more.

Combining Lord Han's earlier words "before you comprehend the essence of this world," plus his many insights along the way, it was indeed thought-provoking, causing Yu Zhangsheng to have some ideas in his heart; roughly somewhat vague, but as long as verified one by one, they could come true.

The group of four walked and stopped, and not long after, in the time of two incense sticks, they arrived before a magnificent courtyard and stopped.

The building was carved with dragons and painted with phoenixes, entirely made of unknown spirit wood, presenting yellow-red colors, covering a considerable area; on the high plaque, "Chengzhu Fu" was written in dragon-flying-phoenix-dancing calligraphy.

Through the courtyard walls, one could see pavilions and towers standing in rows, extremely exquisite, with faint sounds of flowing water from high mountains and streams drifting out; the entire courtyard was enveloped by mysterious runes, spreading to the point where the spirit qi reached an astonishing level.

This was Lord Han's residence.

Beside the residence's main gate stood two rows of guards wearing armor and standing ready, their cold spears planted on the ground, spear tips emitting glints of cold light; the eyes beneath their armor contained sternness and killing intent, but upon seeing Lord Han, they couldn't hide their excitement, bowing their heads and saluting with a unified respectful greeting.

Lord Han nodded slightly, his expression gentle, and under the escort of the guards, walked into the residence.

Meanwhile, the guards on both sides, while respectful in expression, looked at Yu Zhangsheng and the others with a hint of scrutiny and vigilance; for this, Yu Zhangsheng and the others chose to ignore it.

Thus, under the escort of the attendants, the four entered the Grand Hall; upon Lord Han's nod, attendants had already prepared spirit tea, a fresh fragrance instantly spreading throughout the Grand Hall, refreshing the mind and spirit.

"Sit."

Lord Han glanced at Yu Zhangsheng and the other two, nodding and speaking lightly.

"Thank you, Lord Han."

Yu Zhangsheng and the other two maintained a humble attitude, clasped their fists and bowed, then took their seats.

"You need not be restrained; I know you have many doubts, but rest assured here, there is no danger. If I meant you harm, there would be no need for such trouble."

Lord Han rubbed the teacup, speaking slowly and unhurriedly, his bearing dignified with a touch of elegance, his tone indifferent yet carrying an undeniable meaning.

"We four brothers have come to this place; regarding this Wu Dao Jie, there are indeed many things we don't understand. If there was any rudeness just now, please forgive us, Lord Han."

Yu Zhangsheng and the other two exchanged glances, finally speaking with clasped fists in a tone carrying a hint of apology; after speaking, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did you get in? Although I'm not very clear, I suppose you've also guessed along the way; I am also encountering outsider living beings for the first time in this Wu Dao Jie."

Lord Han nodded, his gaze carrying an indescribable depth, speaking lightly: "I suppose you've also discovered that, constrained by the rules of this world, everyone's cultivation here is at most Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian, and cannot continue to break through upward."

"Yes, please enlighten us, Lord Han."

Yu Zhangsheng and the others respected this matter; in their hearts, they roughly understood some of it, only not understanding some details.

"But this does not mean this world poses no threat to you; in fact, there are still some powerful living beings who, in their eyes, see you and ants as not much different."

Lord Han frowned, his complexion showing a hint of solemnity, speaking with a serious expression.

"The root cause is that the essence of this world is completely different from the outside world; for the living beings of this world, as long as there are no accidents, under such a rich spirit qi environment, they can naturally cultivate to Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian."

"However, due to the restrictions of the rules, the path to immortality is limited; without accidents, this is the limit; thus, the path we walk is different from the outside way, but another direction."

Lord Han spoke slowly and unhurriedly; while speaking, he lightly raised the teacup in his hand and took a sip of tea; the rising mist of the tea water obscured his eyebrows and eyes, making it impossible to see what kind of emotion was in those beautiful eyes that seemed to have autumn water flowing within them.

"Another direction?" Li Minghan and Meng Wu'an were both stunned, while Yu Zhangsheng was thoughtful; suddenly meeting Lord Han's gaze, he spoke: "It is Dao Wen, right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lord Han's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, looking at Yu Zhangsheng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes; he looked deeply at Yu Zhangsheng, and on his face as white as mutton-fat jade, a hint of interest appeared, smiling lightly as he said: "Not bad, it is indeed Dao Wen; it seems you have sensed it. We do not cultivate the immortal path, only speak of Dao Wen."

Lord Han's tone carried a hint of praise as he said: "I observe that you have often been lost in thought along the way; you must have some insights and guesses."

"What you think is not wrong; one point in which this world is completely different from the outside world is that the source of this world, everything that composes this world, is Dao Wen."

"What is Dao Wen? Carrying the Dao rhyme of heaven and earth, evolving the creation of all things, that is Dao Wen; you count all the living beings and all things you see on the road as evolved from Dao Wen; Dao Wen is the foundation of this world and also the fundamental source; this is a world belonging to Dao Wen."

Lord Han's words left Li Minghan and Meng Wen'an stunned, but not too surprised; these guesses Yu Zhangsheng had discussed with them along the way, but now being personally confirmed by Lord Han made the two even more surprised about Changsheng's side.

"Dao Wen is extremely profound; I won't elaborate too much on the specifics; I suppose you all know something. Actually, being able to create a world with Dao Wen, looking at the entire cultivation world, only Holy Lands have such foundation; using this world as an opportunity for their own disciples to cultivate is immeasurable."

Lord Han's gaze was leisurely, his tone emotional, speaking slowly.

Dao Wen is profound, but for cultivators, its greatest use is to draw near the Dao; and drawing near the Dao often has great use for a cultivator's advancement, not only in advancing from Golden Core to Sub-Talisman realm, but even in later advancements, it still has great use.

And turning the Dao Wen of a world into one's own treasure—indeed only Holy Lands have such courage.

"You few, if no accidents occur, your cultivation should be Golden Core? Then carving Dao Wen onto your Golden Core or above the Three Flowers would be your greatest opportunity on this trip; normally, when cultivation reaches Golden Core Peak, one condenses the Three Flowers, then nurtures the Three Flowers, accumulates foundation, and waits for the right timing to gather the power of heaven and earth; the Three Flowers bloom, condensing the Sub-Talisman Gate, thus advancing to Sub-Talisman."

Lord Han said, pondering for a moment, as if recalling, deeply exhaling a breath of turbid qi; he glanced at the three, taking in their expressions, and spoke lightly: "And this process, for ordinary cultivators, takes at least thirty years; but if you successfully carve the corresponding Dao Wen onto the Three Flowers, then it will greatly shorten this process for you."

"This is also one of the main reasons why disciples of Holy Lands, with the same talent, can advance much faster than cultivators of ordinary sects. Therefore, Sub-Talisman cultivators under a hundred years old cannot be found even a few in Nan Yu Wuzhou; but in Holy Lands, they are everywhere."

"There are many shortcuts for cultivators to advance from Golden Core to Sub-Talisman; Dao Wen is just one path; different Holy Lands have different advancement methods that can let their own disciples greatly shorten this process. But undoubtedly, among many methods, Dao Wen advancement is also one of the top methods."

"Besides greatly shortening the time for you to nurture the Three Flowers, Dao Wen advancement can also let you almost smoothly and easily pass through the barrier of drawing the power of heaven and earth's Dao rhyme to condense the Sub-Talisman Gate."

"And this should also be your purpose for adventuring into this Wu Dao Jie? Right?"

When Lord Han's words fell, whether Meng Wu'an or Li Minghan, they all exchanged glances, silent for a moment; their hurried breathing betrayed what they were thinking, yet they all looked at Yu Zhangsheng without prior agreement.

Yu Zhangsheng was silent for a while; after a long while, meeting Lord Han's gaze that seemed able to see through people's hearts, he clasped his fists and spoke respectfully: "Lord Han's discernment is clear; to be honest, we are shallow in knowledge and don't know some information, but now it has all been pointed out one by one; thank you, Lord Han."

Lord Han smiled lightly; his gaze carried a hint of pride and a transcendent air of being in control; he smiled lightly with his pipe, his red lips slightly pursed: "And now, the Holy Land has changed, the Wu Dao Ta has collapsed, and you are not cultivators of the Holy Land, so..."

Han Cheng's tone paused, his gaze suddenly turning sharp, seizing the soul; with deep meaning he said: "Then if I haven't guessed wrong, in your hands, with your Wuzhou Sect's insight, there is no corresponding Wu Dao method to inscribe Dao patterns upon your Golden Core Three Flowers, correct?"

The Wu Dao Ta originally belongs to a Holy Land Treasure; to avoid accidents, naturally corresponding methods are also needed to utilize it, and now although the Wu Dao Ta has met with an accident, the Wu Dao method, Yu Changsheng and the others do not know.

As for Huangpu Wushuang and the others, behind them there is the shadow of a Holy Land standing in support; naturally they would not worry because of this.

As expected, once Han Cheng's words were spoken, Yu Changsheng and the others' gazes instantly turned cold, looking at Han Cheng, waiting for what follows while respectfully saying:

"Indeed so; I wonder how Han Cheng puts it?"

Yu Changsheng probed with a word, a trace of sharp light flashing in his gaze.

Han Cheng pursed his lips, his bearing leisurely, slowly sipping a mouthful of tea again; the crisp sound slowly rippled out once more: "Having said so much, I can also tell you some more information. The Wu Dao Jie is both real and illusory, but everything that exists must have an origin. The earliest Wu Dao Jie was not like now; it was a stretch of dead silence, without any existence of living beings."

Yu Changsheng frowned, blinking his eyes. Li Minghan seemed to half-understand; Meng Wu'an was silent, not speaking.

"Please, Han Cheng, then the current scene, how did it come to be?"

Yu Changsheng took a deep breath, his tone carrying doubt as he spoke.

"The Wu Dao Ta seizes Heaven and Earth's creation, contains Ten Thousand Worlds' Dao patterns; naturally it is profound. Many functions, even I am not clear on, do not understand. Inside the earliest Wu Dao Ta was a stretch of chaos; only later when Dao patterns existed did it become as if there were some changes. All living beings were born later."

"Including all the population in the city as well as Heaven and Earth's flowers, grasses, and trees; not a few are those who in some number of years past fell into the Wu Dao Ta due to various accidents, from then on entangling Karma; bodies destroyed, yet Shenjue were taken in by the Wu Dao Ta, and under the moisture of the Tower's Dao, managed to survive, slowly evolving into this world's myriad things, achieving transformation of Life Level."

"Even I am no exception; however, ultimately compared to Outside living beings, the essence is different, and moreover they are postnatally created. Among these living beings, some, in the long years, have been thoroughly assimilated and forgotten the matters before entering the Tower; some still retain residual consciousness and memory."

"However none can completely serve as a true independent individual, to the extent that even I have forgotten many things; for example, before entering the Wu Dao Ta, I was called... what name?"

Han Cheng spoke slowly, extending his palm, carefully looking at it again and again; his eyes revealed a trace of pain, and also a fleeting look of bewilderment. (Chapter End)