Chapter 206: Laozi's Inheritance

Yang Zhu listened for a moment, then felt his mind and spirit become ethereal, and suddenly gained a bit of enlightenment.

He lifted his foot and entered the hall; as for how to pass the inheritance test, he didn't know, nor did he have any worry.

With his talent, physique, and Dao nature, he feared no test; even if Laozi himself appeared now, it wouldn't affect him in the slightest.

Yang Zhu's black hair flowed like a waterfall, his eyes deep; he walked step by step into the hall, during which a hazy purple qi drifted over and twined around him.

The purple qi seemed affectionate toward him, gathering more and more, softly encircling him as if protecting him.

"The old man riding an ox."

When he reached the deepest part of the main hall, there was a stone carving depicting an ox‑riding old man with crane‑white hair and a youthful face, possessing an immortal aura and Daoist bone structure.

Seated beneath the green ox, whose sturdy, mighty form resembled a demon king—though it should look ferocious and evil, under the old man it appeared far more dignified.

Staring at this scene, Yang Zhu unblinkingly sensed the Dao rhythm within the moment.

"Have I passed?"

Half a day later, Yang Zhu gathered his thoughts and unexpectedly found that every plant and tree of the Eight Scenes Palace was imprinted in his mind, down to the very patterns of its formations, not a detail missed.

"So that's how it is."

At that moment, Yang Zhu suddenly realized that the inheritance test had begun the instant he entered the ancient hall.

Only when one's Dao heart, Dao nature, and talent meet the standard can one reach this place.

If any of those aspects is too mediocre, then upon stepping into the ancient hall even a single step, an invisible pressure will descend, making even the slightest advance impossible.

Lightly, one is blasted out of the hall; heavily, bones break, flesh and soul are injured, and then one is blasted out.

The greater one's talent, the easier and more natural it becomes; moreover, those who receive the protection of the purple qi are the supreme choice.

And Yang Zhu was exactly such a person; he passed without even realizing it.

This is not a minor sect's examination; everything is profoundly deep and a return to simplicity, and one's qualification is known in an instant.

"Hummm…"

Suddenly, the Eight Scenes Palace trembled slightly, all its formations flashed, and a rosy glow shot up; the entire Taiqing Holy Realm, heaven and earth, was covered in profound runes.

Then the Void Realm sealed shut; the Taiqing Holy Realm, together with the Eight Scenes Palace inside it, slowly rose, entered the Void, and thus disappeared within the Xuandu Cave.

"Wuliang Tianzun, what is happening?"

The sudden change startled the few people waiting at the entrance of the Taiqing Holy Realm; they didn't know what had occurred.

"The Eight Scenes Palace is now under my control; you may find a place to cultivate the Dao, while I will go into seclusion for a time."

Yang Zhu walked out; this time the formation patterns did not appear, and everything was peaceful.

"After you finish your Dao contemplation, you may leave on your own."

He looked at the Big Black Dog and Duan De; given their natures, it would be hard for them to stay put here peacefully, as they constantly think of leaving.

"I…"

Yan Yixi opened his mouth, but didn't know how to speak, seeming a bit embarrassed.

"Say whatever you have; there's no problem." Yang Zhu looked at him, somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Yang, we have only just met, yet I have received such a great favor from you; I fear I cannot repay it."

To be able to cultivate and contemplate the Dao in the Eight Scenes Palace is enough to make any cultivator on Zi Wei dream of it, yearning for it intensely; this is undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity.

Yan Yixi knows that with his talent and strength, he would hardly ever get such an opportunity in this lifetime.

"Since we have become friends, there's no need to speak of this; moreover, your Dao contemplation here causes me no loss."

Yang Zhu is not a petty person; the Eight Scenes Palace is vast, spanning over a thousand li, so having one more person is no trouble.

"Then thank you; I will certainly keep this favor in mind."

Yan Yixi acts with suave grace and is not pretentious; he therefore stopped declining, clasped his fists in salute. Yang Zhu turned and returned to the main hall, sitting on a cushion carved from ancient wood.

Before long, the resonant chanting sounded again; in his stillness, Yang Zhu listened to the Dao and contemplated the Dao.

In his mind arose countless ancient characters, simple and natural, perfectly formed, each shining like a star.

The supreme arts and Shen Gong—One Qi Transforms into Three Purities, Taiqing One Qi Mixed Yuan Slash, and so on—appeared one after another, continually evolving into profound Dao principles.

Vaguely, Yang Zhu saw a majestic gate; the three large characters "Hangu Pass" were imposing and magnificent, giving an indescribable grandeur.

Then the purple qi came eastward, vast over three thousand li; an old man riding an ox leisurely enjoyed himself, his green ox slowly ambling westward step by step…

……

"Eh? Isn't this Xuandu Cave? How did the Taiqing Holy Realm disappear—could it be that Yin Tian De has returned from his tour?"

That day, a cultivator passed by, gazing at the empty Xuandu Cave, feeling utterly bewildered.

"There are battle traces here; a thousand‑li mountain range has been blasted through!"

When people quickly noticed the abnormality, several thousand li around had been smashed to ruin, obviously a heaven‑shaking battle had taken place.

"The other day, when I left the pass and passed through Xuandu Cave in a hurry, I saw Yin Tian Zhi struck down by a black‑clothed man."

Merely half a day later, a living fossil revealed this news.

"What? Yin Tian Zhi was killed…… Could it be that the Taiqing Holy Realm has been seized?"

"Killing Yin Tian Zhi and taking the Eight Scenes Palace means a deadly feud with Yin Tian De!"

A tremendous uproar swept through, shaking all directions, dropping many jaws in astonishment.

Yin Tian De and the Eight Scenes Palace, in Zi Wei, are like the midday sun—known to all, with even the great sects trying every means to curry favor.

Now that this has come to light, no one can remain calm; it is truly shocking and unbelievable.

In an instant, Lu Zhou boiled over, Zi Wei trembled! "I will surely tear you to pieces!"

The Golden Crow Sixth Prince Lu Ya, upon hearing the news, nearly went mad; his eyes flashed with cold lightning, his killing intent boundless.

"When my sworn brothers return, that will be your death…"

San Que Daoist, also a sworn brother of Yin Tian De, spoke up, stating his position.

On an unknown planet, an ordinary‑looking man suddenly froze, his face full of disbelief, then in an instant turned his gaze toward a distant sky.

There, that is precisely the direction of the Zi Wei Gu Xing Region.

Damn it, the sky has collapsed……

Yin Tian De's face was grim and terrifying; just moments ago, all his ties with the Eight Views Palace were severed.

With his wit, how could he not know what's going on?

Someone, during his patrol, not only passed the test but also successfully took control of the Eight Views Palace……

The Eight Views Palace is like an endless immortal trove, possessing infinite wonders, yet now it has slipped from his grasp—no one can remain calm!

Thinking of this, his heart turned cold halfway, his whole body froze in place, and all he wanted to do was curse……

"That person is who…… why did Heaven's Will send no sound transmission……"

He immediately set off, rushing back to Zi Wei at full speed, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

"Yin Tian De has returned, spewing harsh words, determined to drag that person out!"

Half a year later, the news of Yin Tian De's return spread like wildfire; everyone knew that Zi Wei was about to stir up a tremendous storm.

(End of chapter)