Chapter 445

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

"The Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion indeed existed in Nan Yu Lingzhou countless years ago; its power far surpassed that of the Wanxiang Sect at its peak. Back then, as the overlord of Linzhou, let alone dominating Lingzhou, even the surrounding continents held it in awe and dared not provoke it."

"Under its command were countless heaven-chosen disciples, formidable sect elders, many Huashen Adults, and several Void Refinement cultivators."

The Black Tortoise pondered, recalling this information, its tone filled with sighs.

"Back then, the Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion was at its peak, but unfortunately, for some unknown reason later on, it provoked the Meng Yao Holy Land, triggering a war between the two sides."

"So while the Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion's power was formidable, in terms of foundation, compared to a Holy Land, it still fell far short, and the final outcome was predictable."

"In that battle, heaven collapsed and earth split, the land rose and fell, the Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion was shattered, and the Holy Land bled. After paying a certain price, its disciples either died or fled, and thus the Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion ceased to exist, sinking into the ages, becoming a taboo existence that no one dared mention."

"From this, it's not a problem that Lord Han Cheng claims to be a cultivator of the Qi Yi Shen Jian Pavilion; such a possibility does exist." The Black Tortoise pondered, thought for a moment, and spoke thus.

"However, one must not have the heart to harm others, but one must not lack the heart to guard against others. I always feel that this Lord Han Cheng gives me a strange feeling. Our vigilance toward you, though it cannot be shown, must still be guarded against. One must be cautious when alone."

Yu Zhangsheng slightly furrowed his brow, recalling Lord Han Cheng's demeanor, and nodded.

Moonlight entered the house, and people fell into a deep sleep.

………

………

The next day, dawn broke. When the first ray of morning sunlight fell upon this small city, dispelling the night's silence, the entire Han Cheng came alive once more, full of vitality and prosperity.

Within the courtyard of the Chengzhu Fu, Lord Han Cheng and Yu Zhangsheng and the other two had already risen early.

"Today, I will first tell you some basic knowledge of Dao patterns. Since you wish to inscribe Dao patterns above the Golden Core, then some common knowledge, you should know."

Lord Han Cheng's clear voice, like a phoenix tree wind chime, rang and echoed in the courtyard, falling into the ears of Changsheng and the others, instantly shaking their hearts and minds, dispelling the last trace of drowsiness.

"Dao patterns are profoundly mysterious, constituting the fundamental source of all things in heaven and earth, evolving everything. Although their underlying fundamental essence is the same, all things differ and have variations, so Dao patterns will also have some differences and directions."

Lord Han Cheng's voice, like a trickle of flowing water, slowly flowed in the hearts and minds of the three, neither slow nor fast, just right.

"To be precise, this difference can also be considered a characteristic of Dao patterns. For example, spiritual Qi is something every cultivator must possess. It is precisely because spiritual Qi is constantly drawn in that the most basic cultivation base is formed."

Lord Han Cheng pondered, organized his words in his mind, then looked up and continued: "And spiritual Qi itself has no attributes; it merely nourishes all things and living beings. But when it is in different mediums, it is endowed with different characteristics. For example, in water, spiritual Qi takes on the characteristics of water: damp, vast, gentle, tough—each different."

"In volcanic magma, spiritual Qi takes on the characteristics of fire: violent, scorching hot, possessing a sense of power and destruction. In the forest, spiritual Qi leans more toward recovery and healing... and so on. But no matter what kind of spiritual Qi, its most fundamental essence does not change. It is merely some changes in nature based on individual differences."

Lord Han Cheng's explanation was easy to understand, and Yu Zhangsheng and the others all looked eager to learn, absorbing knowledge like parched land meeting sweet rain, nodding vigorously upon hearing it.

This appearance also gave Lord Han Cheng more desire to confide. He paused, took a sip of tea, cleared his throat slightly, and continued: "The same principle applies to Dao patterns. In this world, Dao patterns are everywhere, the foundation supporting all existence here. Breaking down Dao patterns into basic factors is what is commonly seen yet profoundly mysterious both outside and here: Dao Rhyme."

Lord Han Cheng paused slightly, thought for a moment, and continued: "Dao Rhyme is the most basic existence at the time of heaven and earth's creation, a derivative of the Great Dao. As long as rules exist, Dao Rhyme exists. Dao Rhyme is the most basic substance that directly triggers the power of heaven and earth, difficult to perceive, difficult to touch."

"Similar to spiritual Qi, Dao Rhyme plays a crucial role for cultivators or any living being. As long as one is in heaven and earth, one naturally carries some Dao Rhyme, only differing in amount. And those born with more Dao Rhyme are what people commonly call the Dao-Affinity Constitution, blessed by the Great Dao, gradually walking a smooth path."

When Lord Han Cheng spoke here, he paused again, glanced at Li Minghan and Meng Wen'an, finally settling on Yu Zhangsheng. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded meaningfully at him, smiling: "For example, the concentration of Dao Rhyme on you is extraordinary; your constitution should also be remarkable."

Yu Zhangsheng was stunned, then scratched his head, simply clasped his hands in a bow, smiled, and said nothing more.

But in his heart, he was thoughtful.

"I indeed seem to be some kind of Spirit-Link Dao Body or something," Yu Zhangsheng muttered in his heart. Regarding this, he didn't care too much, just shook his head and continued to listen attentively to Lord Han Cheng's lecture.

But he heard Lord Han Cheng continue: "Spiritual Qi is the foundation of cultivating one's cultivation base, while Dao Rhyme is the foundation of stepping onto the Great Dao. The former allows cultivators to be extraordinary, possessing powerful physiques, amazing divine abilities, and energy that can destroy heaven and earth."

"But the latter concerns the cultivator's life level—how to perceive heaven and earth, borrow the power of heaven and earth, and expand the cultivator's potential. The two are different: one is on the surface, the other at the source. The latter is more precious."

"And for cultivators, in the later stages, one can no longer simply pile up spiritual Qi to improve. To further advance one's realm and raise one's life level, one must comprehend the laws of heaven and earth and step onto the Great Dao. And Dao Rhyme is the foundation of everything. Its rarity for cultivators is extremely precious."

Lord Han Cheng paused, his tone carrying some regret, and sighed: "Unfortunately, the living beings in the Wu Dao Tower already have Dao patterns as their life level itself. So, unlike you outsiders, although they use Dao patterns, they can no longer step onto the path of immortality..." Yu Zhangsheng, Meng Wu'an, and Li Minghan looked at each other without speaking.

After Lord Han Cheng vented a bit of frustration, he pondered, looked up at the three of Yu Zhangsheng, smiled slightly, and explained: "In any case, the function of Dao Rhyme, you will deeply understand in a moment. And Dao patterns are the collection of Dao Rhyme. When the concentration of the former reaches a certain degree, it triggers the gathering of the power of heaven and earth, thus transforming into patterns."

"These patterns are profoundly mysterious and possess all the effects of Dao Rhyme. And they take root and sprout within the bodies of living beings in the Wu Dao Realm. The cultivation system of living beings in the Wu Dao Realm is also based on Dao patterns."

Lord Han Cheng said, looking at the half-understanding eyes of Yu Zhangsheng and the other two. He was silent for a moment, lightly pursed his lips, and with a wave of his hand, revealed the fair wrist beneath his sleeve. A point of light flashed, and his entire arm became slightly transparent, like crystal, clear and translucent, directly revealing the bones within.

Yu Zhangsheng and the other two stared with wide eyes, instantly stunned. They could only feel a mysterious aura surrounding Lord Han Cheng's transparent arm.

But they saw Lord Han Cheng's complexion turn rosy, a flash of unnatural color. His other hand lightly drew across the exposed arm. Instantly, like the finishing touch of a dragon's eyes, five illusory patterns slowly appeared on the clear, translucent bones, like stars in the sky, flashing with faint light, yet causing people to marvel, unable to extricate themselves.

Of these five patterns, only a part was revealed at this moment. More of them followed the arm, like blood vessels, spreading deep into Lord Han Cheng's flesh and blood. Their colors were also different, and they slightly writhed and rose and fall, truly strange, as if possessing some kind of magic. Just looking at them once, Meng Wu'an and Li Minghan instantly had infatuated eyes. The instinctive desire from their life level caught them off guard, leaving them stunned, with dazed expressions.

But Yu Zhangsheng narrowed his eyes and said softly: "Dao patterns... and five of them. These five Dao patterns are connected by you and your source."

These patterns were not unfamiliar to Yu Zhangsheng. They were exactly the Dao patterns he had previously felt on other living beings in this Wu Dao Realm when using the Wanling Jue to trace back to the source.

However, compared to those ordinary things, the Dao patterns displayed by Lord Han Cheng at this moment were obviously more powerful, longer, greater in number, and differed in aura.

Obviously, this was why Lord Han Cheng's power was so formidable.

Lord Han Cheng panted slightly. After a while, under the gaze of the three, he waved his hand. His arm returned to normal, and the Dao patterns were concealed again. Lord Han Cheng pursed his lips, coughed lightly, and said softly:

"What I just showed you is my Dao pattern. I said before that in the Wu Dao Realm, unlike the outside world, the living beings born here have their path of immortality severed. We do not cultivate the path of immortality, only Dao patterns."

"Dao patterns are the foundation of existence for living beings in the Wu Dao Realm. However, most living beings' original source Dao patterns are very small at first, with only one. Later, they can supplement their own Dao patterns through their unique comprehension of this Wu Dao Realm, strengthen their Dao patterns to change their power, and can use Dao patterns as a medium to display all kinds of inconceivable divine abilities..."

"As for what you felt, our Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian cultivation base is merely because the spiritual Qi here is too lush. As long as living beings grow naturally, they can basically reach this Qi Refining Jiu Chong Tian. What they cultivate at the root is still Dao patterns. And I now have the power of five patterns, which is already considered not bad in this region."

Lord Han Cheng's words were like a lightning bolt flashing through the minds of the three. Yu Zhangsheng and the others suddenly realized, and some points they didn't understand were instantly known.

"I see, so it's like that, no wonder." Meng Wu'an sighed with emotion.

Lord Han Cheng nodded slightly, parted his small lips, and continued explaining:

"Dao Rhyme forms Dao patterns. Dao Rhyme is all the same, but between Dao patterns, it's like spiritual Qi having different characteristics under different environments. Dao patterns in different living beings will also undergo some mysterious changes, being endowed with different characteristics, forming differences..."

"For example, the Dao patterns in flowers, grass, and trees can lean toward life, while the Rhinestone Ox you encountered before leans toward power. In the body of a Spirit Rabbit, it leans toward speed... and so on. The essence is the same, but the attributes differ."

Yu Zhangsheng and the other three listened quietly, maintaining focused expressions, occasionally thinking. Lord Han Cheng continued to speak incessantly.

"Besides, you have also come into contact with array patterns, right? To some extent, Dao patterns and array patterns have the wonder of different tunes with the same goal. However, array patterns, based on arrays, after providing energy, display various divine abilities. But for Dao patterns, its array is this heaven and earth, and it can directly trigger the power of heaven and earth, displaying all kinds of inconceivable power..."

"And yesterday, to save you, the petrifying power I displayed was inscribing a Dao pattern related to petrification onto the feather arrow shot out temporarily, then using my own Dao pattern to pull, triggering the explosion of the Dao pattern on it, gathering the power of heaven and earth, and exploding with petrifying power. This method, although seemingly the same as the divine abilities and spells of you cultivators, is actually more advanced. In essence, it is completely different and impossible to guard against."

The Lord of Han Cheng spoke softly, his spiritual eyes flickering with phosphorescent light, possessing myriad charms; a glance, a smile, could hook the soul. The words he spoke also provoked Yu Zhangsheng's contemplation.

"And perhaps, when you entered, you also noticed that the city walls guarding this city, including my City Lord's Mansion, have all been engraved by me with Dao patterns on them, transforming into protective power. This kind of post-natal engraving of Dao patterns does not possess spirituality; it is merely one-time use, and after erupting once, it will disappear. This is also one of the systems of this world."

After the Lord of Han Cheng finished speaking, Yu Zhangsheng opened his mouth to ask: "If that is so, then I wonder, can we learn this kind of method?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Han Cheng glanced at Yu Zhangsheng, lightly shook his head, then nodded. Amidst Yu Zhangsheng's doubtful gaze, he pondered briefly:

"In the future, if you also grasp Dao patterns, then naturally you can. However, you can only achieve this within the Wu Dao Jie."

"Being able to hook the power of Heaven and Earth through Dao patterns, transforming it into divine abilities — this is due to the nature of the Wu Dao Jie, which is Dao patterns themselves. Therefore, Dao patterns have a very high degree of activity towards the power of Heaven and Earth."

"And even if you learned this method, once you leave the Wu Dao Jie, in the Wai Jie, you would also find it difficult to deploy it. There, the laws of Heaven and Earth are stable, and the origin is also completely different from here. So, do not devote too much energy to researching this method of Dao pattern application. You only need to be able to engrave Dao patterns on your Golden Core Three Flowers, and that already counts as success." (Chapter End)