Chapter 265: Mistaken in Comprehending the Dao, Myths Cannot Continue

Eons have sunk.

Heaven and earth are dim and ashen.

The sun and moon have no light.

Even the candlelight has lost the light it ought to have.

This is terrifying.

It is also astonishing.

People are silent; even the ancient tribes have never seen such a sight—it is too terrifying.

Heaven and earth are utterly silent.

All light has vanished; even the aura of the powerful is extinguished at this moment.

Everyone senses this unprecedented pressure.

The great age seems to be sinking; everything seems to be about to be obliterated, buried in the flow of time.

"What on earth is happening?"

"The East Sea Dragon King is somewhat astonished; he gazes at the firmament, but everything is dim, even the East Sea Dragon Palace has had its light extinguished."

"He wants to release his own magical power, but finds it has no effect at all."

"This is very strange."

"It truly feels like an illusion of the apocalypse approaching."

"Is it because of Gu Jin Nian?"

"The will of an ancient human king arises; he poses the question, asking whether this terrifying sight is related to Gu Jin Nian."

"Divine clan, you who know heaven and earth, can you sense whether this is related to Gu Jin Nian?"

"The voice of the human king sounds, raising the question, full of curiosity."

"Not clear."

"But it is possible."

"The ancient gods speak up; they dare not be completely certain, but the facts may indeed be so—this sudden aberration leaves them truly at a loss for words."

"This really is somewhat strange."

"Within the Divine Mountain."

"The divine goddess gazes toward the direction of the Kirin Pavilion; she sees nothing, yet she faintly feels an indescribable strangeness."

"Pan Mountain, Heaven Qi Mountain—likewise."

"Even on West Zhou Mountain, a pair of bright eyes slowly open, gazing at Gu Jin Nian."

"Between heaven and earth, only her gaze is bright."

"Inside the Kirin Pavilion."

"Su Wenjing, and all the Kirin Heavenly Pride, each intensely excited, believe this is the omen brought by Gu Jin Nian."

"Terrifying to the heavens."

"Good!"

"I said it—Jin Nian cannot possibly lose here."

"Su Wenjing's breathing becomes hurried; he is a sage, yet at this moment he finds it hard to stay calm."

"For the past three months, the Kirin Pavilion has fallen into utter desolation; clearly Gu Jin Nian is the one who should establish the heart of heaven and earth, yet the Sever Heaven Palace has seized this age's fortune, making him unwilling, though as a sage he ought not to be so."

"But he still is unwilling."

"It is genuine unwillingness."

"Now, Gu Jin Nian has acted; he has finally acted, and as soon as he does, such a terrifying omen appears."

"This omen, Su Wenjing feels, surpasses everything, surpasses all he has done before."

"Da Xia Dynasty."

"Emperor Yongsheng gazes at this scene, he excitedly clenches his fists; as a relative of Gu Jin Nian, how could he tolerate the arrogance of the Sever Heaven Sect these past days? But now all is well, all is fine, Gu Jin Nian will again shock ancient and modern times."

"Indeed worthy of being my nephew, just like me."

"Hahahaha!"

"Emperor Yongsheng is overjoyed."

"Central Province Dynasty."

"The Emperor of Central Province gazes at this scene, also letting out a long sigh; this period has been too oppressive."

"Now, at last, he can vent his resentment."

"This is good."

"However, the Emperor of Central Province is even more curious: over such a long time, what exactly has Gu Jin Nian been comprehending?"

"This is not only his curiosity; in fact, everyone is curious, curious about what Dao Gu Jin Nian has been comprehending."

"Inside the Sever Heaven Sect."

"Chang Yun Tian and the others have grim expressions; they had prepared for Gu Jin Nian to produce a peerless scripture, but they truly were not prepared for this."

"Is this not too terrifying? Heaven and earth sinking?"

"Sun and moon without light?"

"It affects every person of the age."

"Like an apocalypse."

"Such a sight, I fear even the ancient tribes cannot achieve."

"Such an omen, I fear we will lose."

"Someone speaks up, unable to refrain from sighing, after all this omen is indeed terrifying and astonishing."

Losing? That's impossible—you're overestimating Gu Jin Nian. Sure, such a phenomenon might be rare throughout history, but so what? Even a peerless scripture—what then? Without heaven's pride, it's ultimately useless.

Chang Yun Tian spoke up, he did not think he would lose.

Of course, the Kirin Pavilion would inevitably become the greatest threat to the Sever Heaven Sect; this was already within his expectations.

Hearing this, everyone felt somewhat relieved.

Indeed.

In the current great world struggle, what is being contested is fortune; cultivating all kinds of heaven's pride, while the Sever Heaven Sect has seized the initiative—Jian Jiu Tian, Tai Hao, Ming Hao, Zhou Yun, Lin Wan—these peerless geniuses are all present.

Under these circumstances, even if Gu Jin Nian were to produce a peerless scripture, its significance would be minor.

Because such a scripture grows strong against the strong and weak against the weak.

Therefore, in their view, Gu Jin Nian will ultimately lose, with no chance to win.

Of course, it's just that he won't lose so badly.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Also just then, the heaven-shaking thunder sounded, breaking everyone's train of thought and leaving the world truly astonished.

This heaven-shaking thunder sounded as if it wanted to destroy the world.

It caused extreme unease.

At this moment.

A raging wind swept across the great world, a chill came, making everyone feel an unprecedented fear from the depths of their souls.

It inspired dread and fear.

What on earth is happening?

Because they felt this was not just a phenomenon but perhaps a true doomsday disaster.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

A terrifying muffled sound rose, as if a peerless powerhouse were destroying the world—not an imagined phenomenon.

This is too strange.

"Could it be not a phenomenon but actually inviting danger?"

Someone couldn't help but speak up, thinking this was not a phenomenon.

"It's very possible; with the great world struggle appearing, it's too strange—there might indeed be some danger."

"Yeah, such a phenomenon has never been seen before."

"Terrifying."

"It causes deep fear."

Some voices sounded.

It made people feel an unprecedented fear.

Such talk grew more and more, causing panic and making people tremble with fear.

Even the ancient clans began to doubt, thinking this was not caused by Gu Jin Nian's phenomenon.

But just then.

Gu Jin Nian's voice suddenly sounded.

"Dao!"

"The Dao that can be spoken."

"The eternal Dao."

An ancient voice sounded, penetrating heaven and earth.

The voice was ancient, and it was filled with an ineffable Dao rhythm.

This is the Classic of the Way and Virtue.

At this moment, Gu Jin Nian had already comprehended the meaning of this scripture.

What is the Dao? The Dao.

It cannot be grasped.

It cannot be seen through.

It cannot be comprehended.

It is nothingness, yet it truly exists in this world; all things must follow its meaning, and its meaning comes from all things.

It is both a material and a spiritual presence in the world.

The Dao cannot be spoken of, nor fully understood.

Because everyone's inner Dao is different.

Now, Gu Jin Nian has expounded the Classic of the Way and Virtue; it is not merely this scripture in simple form—it also contains his essence, energy, and spirit.

The voice sounded.

Heaven and earth trembled.

A blinding light burst forth from within Gu Jin Nian, splitting the heavens and piercing the endless darkness.

His voice shook heaven and earth, reaching every ear.

The world listened to his voice, and inexplicably felt an indescribable sensation.

Boom boom boom.

Heaven and earth seemed to reopen; wind, thunder, earth, and fire converged at this moment, and people looked up.

Above the firmament, it was further evolving the great world's scene, as if reconstructing a world anew.

All manner of things were born, the universe was born, living beings were born—the origin of all things lies within.

People opened their mouths wide, really not expecting that this phenomenon would be so terrifying, the origin of all things is within it.

Whoosh! Whoosh! The raging wind swept across the entire world; inside the Qilin Pavilion, everyone was blown by this terrible wind, their faces looked somewhat bad, and their eyes were filled with shock.

East Sea Dragon Palace.

The East Sea Dragon King's throat seemed to be blocked, he stared blankly at all this, gradually uttering a few words.

"Heaven and Earth True Scripture."

"It is the Heaven and Earth True Scripture."

"This is impossible."

"He is not even twenty years old, how could he write such a scripture, even with the great world's fortune supporting him, it is impossible to write such a scripture."

The East Sea Dragon King's face turned extremely pale, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He could not imagine that Gu Jin Nian would actually write such a scripture.

"Big brother, what is the Heaven and Earth True Scripture?"

The North Sea Dragon King spoke up, asking.

"Only a scripture that truly transcends heaven and earth, expounding the truth of heaven and earth, is the Heaven and Earth True Scripture."

"Such a scripture has never existed in ancient or modern times."

"Perhaps each era has only one such scripture."

"Since the mythical era, the appearance of one Heaven and Earth True Scripture has led to the evolution of many myths."

"Such a scripture is hard to find throughout the ages."

"Gu Jin Nian ought to be a Heaven's Mandate Saint."

The East Sea Dragon King's words were simple, yet his face was full of bitterness; it is obvious he truly feels bitter, he really did not expect that Gu Jin Nian could write the Heaven and Earth True Scripture, this is simply a crushing blow.

"It's just a scripture, after all; how much can writing it well really change?"

The South Sea Dragon King was somewhat dissatisfied; he did not believe a scripture could accomplish anything.

Yet the East Sea Dragon King shook his head bitterly.

"Wrong, wrong, you are thinking too simply."

"The Heaven and Earth True Scripture is different; this scripture has the function of enlightening all things, it can open people's apertures and increase wisdom, it can improve people's physiques, it can increase fortune, and it can also defy heaven and change fate."

"In short, a Heaven and Earth True Scripture can be said to be omnipotent; Gu Jin Nian's scripture emerging can directly defy heaven and change fate, for the Qilin Pavilion's heavenly pride, altering destiny."

"We lost."

"This struggle, we are very likely to lose."

The East Sea Dragon King understood the meaning of the Heaven and Earth True Scripture; his face was extremely bitter, he truly did not know what to say.

The other three Dragon Kings, hearing this, fell silent one after another; they also did not expect such a result.

This is indeed somewhat unbearable.

"Then"

The North Sea Dragon King still wanted to say something, but the East Sea Dragon King's voice sounded directly, cutting off his speech.

"Don't chatter, listen carefully to this scripture; it will also be beneficial to us."

The East Sea Dragon King spoke, he said it decisively.

Such a voice left the three Dragon Kings completely stunned; although the East Sea Dragon King said this scripture is rare throughout history, they still felt a hint of contempt inside.

But when their elder brother said such words, they could no longer hold back.

Beneficial to them? Is this scripture really that terrifying? They are the four Dragon Kings, kings of the sea clan, about to transform into true dragons, experts of the Eightfold Heaven Peak; what concept is it that it could benefit them? At their level, scriptures and treasures actually have little meaning; what they need is a kind of acknowledgment, acknowledgment between heaven and earth, obtaining which allows them to break through the final step.

In other words, their strength is infinitely close to the Eighth Realm.

Now, obtaining benefit from a single scripture is truly terrifying, leaving them utterly shocked.

The three great Dragon Kings fell completely silent.

They became silent to the utmost.

But unlike the sea clan, the divine clan has been turned upside down.

"Heaven and Earth True Scripture."

"How could Gu Jin Nian write the Heaven and Earth True Scripture?"

"Can he even suddenly comprehend such a scripture?"

The entire divine clan has already been in an uproar; they are the divine clan, born divine spirits, feeling heaven and earth; in other words, every divine clan expert is born able to receive heaven and earth's fortune, which is also why the divine clan's numbers are few.

But likewise, they understand even more clearly what the Heaven and Earth True Scripture means.

For the divine clan, heavenly treasures and earthly riches, Daoist scriptures and antiques mean little; but this thing, containing the truth of heaven and earth, is what they most desire.

"No matter what, we must obtain the true scripture's imprint, so we can trade with Gu Jin Nian."

Finally, a terrifying will sounded, giving an answer; this is the aura of the divine clan's supreme expert, which was also stirred at this moment.

The far northern lands.

The demon clan, up and down, was silent as the grave; the great demon gods, how could they not know what the Heaven and Earth True Scripture means? They remained silent and still.

"Indeed, Gu Jin Nian has truly turned the tables from a desperate situation."

"Gu Jin Nian is indeed somewhat terrifying."

Some voices sounded; they did not know what to say, only able to express lament.

"Don't chatter, listen carefully to the Heaven and Earth True Scripture." However, the terrifying will descended, causing the demon clan, up and down, to listen attentively to this scripture.

In contrast to the demon clan's silence.

The ancient human clan, however, appeared extremely oppressed.

They were vying for the great world's fortune, so their investment cost was too great; now that Gu Jin Nian has written the Heaven and Earth True Scripture, this is no longer a desperate turnaround, but a crushing blow.

The Shangju Saint remained silent, and several other sect leader experts also fell silent.

The nine human kings were silent, not knowing what to say.

They could only silently watch this heaven-and-earth phenomenon, unable to utter a word, so quiet it was almost unreal.

They lost this struggle.

And judging by the looks of it, they are bound to suffer a crushing defeat.

All the heavenly treasures and earthly riches they had poured in will go to waste.

But the most terrifying thing isn't that; it's the fortune of the great era—they now desire nothing but the fortune of the great era, everything else can still be talked about.

"The Heaven-Earth True Scripture."

"How did Gu Jin Nian manage to have such a sudden epiphany?"

"At this very moment, even a supreme sage could not help but bitterly speak; it's truly beyond imagination that Gu Jin Nian could compose such a scripture."

"What should we do now?"

A king spoke up, not knowing what to say, and could only ask this.

They also didn't know what to say, truly unsure how to deal with the future situation.

Gu Jin Nian's composition of the Heaven-Earth True Scripture surpassed everyone's imagination; the advantage of the Celestial Sealing Palace was utterly erased at this moment.

Even the resources previously invested are insignificant; the most terrifying part is that they will be unable to obtain the fortune of the great era, and without that fortune they cannot fully restore the ancient heavenly court.

This is exactly what they worry about most and least want to see.

"We can only make other plans."

A king sighed, gazing at Gu Jin Nian, his eyes filled with bitterness.

And the Qilin Pavilion.

Gu Jin Nian's chanting of the scripture continued.

But unlike before, previously Gu Jin Nian's chanting of scriptures was merely reciting them from memory and then explaining their meaning.

But now it's different; Gu Jin Nian has fully comprehended every character.

In other words, before it was mere recitation; now it is true chanting.

He pours his understanding and vital essence into it, transmitting it to the great era.

"Name."

"Can be named."

"Exceedingly nameable."

The grand sound reaches people's ears, cleansing the spirits of all things in heaven and earth.

The primordial universe, above the firmament, evolves into a splendid great era.

All things are born, races distinguished; ultimately myriad clans stand tall, also possessing astonishing and extraordinary immortality, eventually flourishing then declining.

Accompanied by Gu Jin Nian's chanting of the scripture.

In an inexplicable moment, countless people seemed to grasp something.

"Nameless."

"The beginning of heaven and earth."

"Having a name."

"The mother of all things."

"Therefore, constantly being without desire, to observe its subtlety; constantly having desire, to observe its boundaries."

"These two arise together yet differ in name; both are called the Mysterious, the Mysterious within the Mysterious, the gateway to myriad wonders."

And as the first chapter is chanted forth.

In an instant, each character just spoken by Gu Jin Nian transformed into a great sun, shining upon the firmament, illuminating the glory of myriad ages.

At this moment, a mark appeared between heaven and earth.

This is the True Principle Mark.

Among the divine race, countless divine powerhouses were shaken; their gazes fixed upon this mark, even the goddess could not restrain herself at this moment.

"True Principle Mark!"

The goddess was astonished; this is something the divine race has long dreamed of obtaining—obtaining it would be acknowledged by the Great Dao, gaining fortune's enhancement, improving constitution, with endless benefits.

Such a mark surpasses all heavenly treasures and earthly riches.

But many of the great era, upon hearing this scripture, fell into deep contemplation.

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao."

"The name that can be named is not the eternal name."

"Nameless, the beginning of heaven and earth."

"Having a name, the mother of all things."

Such scripture contains boundless Dao wisdom, which ordinary people cannot comprehend; but Gu Jin Nian has partially understood it, and he transmits his understanding outward, so all beings of the great era can comprehend its principles.

However, to truly comprehend the True Principle, one must possess this mark.

Boom.

As Gu Jin Nian's first chapter of chanting ends.

This True Principle Mark entered the body of the wooden-sword youth.

Everyone turned their gaze toward him.

Terrifying sword qi spread from around the wooden-sword youth; his eyes, covered by white cloth, still burst forth with peerless radiance, like two divine swords, extremely fearsome.

It is frightening.

"This sword qi is even stronger than that of Sword Nine Heavens!"

"Indeed, it surpasses the sword intent of Sword Nine Heavens,"

"How can this true principle imprint condense such terrifying sword qi?"

The people were shocked, looking at him and saying such.

However, at this moment, behind the wooden sword youth, a ten-thousand-zhang golden sword radiance appeared; this sword radiance was terrifying beyond compare, rending heaven and earth.

It made people feel shocked, also giving the sensation of an unparalleled sword god.

"Great Dao sword qi."

At this moment, someone let out a cry of alarm, looking at him and couldn't help but exclaim.

Great Dao sword qi?

People looked over.

The sword qi behind the wooden sword youth surrounded the Great Dao aura, with sun, moon, and stars, evolving all of heaven and earth.

This is very terrifying.

It leaves people in awe.

Such sword qi caused the entire Divine Continent to boil, trembling incessantly.

In a distant place.

Jian Jiutian swallowed saliva, he felt that his sword intent was about to clash again, which made him very unhappy, giving him a feeling of being suppressed.

It's not even that.

Boom.

Heavenly thunder exploded, various runic Dao scriptures gathered together, forming a sword seal that entered the youth's wooden sword.

Like a divine sword of the Great Dao.

Not only that.

His physical body also underwent complete transformation, as strands of sword qi entered his flesh, causing him to begin ultimate sublimation.

Boom.

The aura of the seventh realm spread out, breaking through the seventh realm.

Soon, the aura of the wooden sword youth also kept rising.

First heaven.

Second heaven.

Third heaven.

Fourth heaven.

He had truly reached the peak of the fourth heaven; in just a thought, he broke through to the fourth heaven, and it seemed likely he would reach the fifth heaven.

Breaking the shackles.

But just then, a ray of light released from Gu Jin Nian's body, suppressing the wooden sword youth, preventing him from breaking through to the fifth heaven.

This is very strange; in everyone's view, the wooden sword youth was bound to break through to the fifth heaven, so why did Gu Jin Nian suddenly intervene to suppress him?

"Using one's own sword intent to break through the fifth heaven, relying on external force, ultimately cannot reach the ultimate."

Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded.

He was still comprehending the Great Dao, while also observing this world; noticing that the wooden sword youth might break through, he immediately intervened, worried that the youth would rely on external force to raise his realm rather than his own comprehension.

Between the fourth and fifth heavens lies a great watershed; if not carefully comprehended, the result will ultimately be bad.

"Thank you, Master Jin Nian, for imparting the Dharma; student Mu Yun has understood."

The wooden sword youth opened his mouth and also spoke his own name.

People envied it; the divine race envied it most; such an imprint, actually bestowed upon a disciple, in their view, this is truly a waste of heavenly treasures.

But soon.

The sound of chanting scriptures rose; Gu Jin Nian did not stop, but continued to expound the Dao De Jing.

"All under heaven know beauty as beauty, thus there is ugliness; all know goodness as goodness, thus there is not-good."

"Being and non-being produce each other; difficulty and ease complement each other; length and shortness contrast; height and depth fill each other; sound and voice harmonize; front and back follow each other."

"Constancy. Thus the sage handles affairs through non-action and practices the teaching of wordlessness."

"All things arise but do not claim; they are born but do not possess; they act but do not rely; they accomplish but do not dwell. Only by not dwelling does one not depart."

The ancient scriptures, like rounds of divine light, burst forth from Gu Jin Nian's body, illuminating heaven and earth, piercing through all ancient darkness, shocking and astonishing people.

Each character.

Each like a peerless article, transforming into a great sun that dispels eternal darkness.

The ancient tribes fell silent one by one; they were not shocked, but mainly were comprehending.

East Sea Dragon Palace, the East Sea Dragon King listened to this Great Dao sound, feeling profound shock, unbelievable, a shock from this scripture.

Each character contains boundless principles; his inner qi at this moment even rose further.

Yes.

Rise further.

The three dragon kings widened their eyes, some unable to believe.

This is the East Sea Dragon King after all.

The chief of the sea race.

Such an existence hardly could improve its realm further; yet unexpectedly, at this moment, a passage of scripture gave him a sense of advancement.

Even a trace is remarkable.

Seeing this scene, the remaining three dragon kings no longer dared to be careless; they listened attentively to such scripture.

They wanted to comprehend, thereby elevating themselves.

Gu Jin Nian's scripture.

Convey the Great World.

His voice can be heard everywhere.

Magnificent and divine.

The heavens blaze with Holy Punishment's Light, yin and yang alternate, the cosmos and stars revolve, and the entire Great World trembles.

Beyond the Great World, look outward.

Ancient stars one by one release an unparalleled aura at this moment, Holy Punishment's Light, erupting with incomparable brilliance.

And at this very moment.

A long river appears before Gu Jin Nian; this river is the Time River, spanning past and present, with all things within it.

Silhouettes appear within the river, each figure a being that once shone throughout a lifetime.

The golden river shakes heaven and earth.

Ancient scriptures thunder, deafening the ears.

All things are silent, and everyone listens to Gu Jin Nian reciting the scriptures.

Boom.

The second True Truth Seal appears, embedding into a person at Qilin Pavilion.

Wu Man.

He hails from the Southern Barbarians, practices the martial path, and passed the Nine-layer Divine Pagoda trial.

Now, as this seal merges into his body.

In an instant, Wu Man's flesh shatters, blood mist spreads, but it quickly reassembles.

Thousands of times back and forth, finally his flesh radiates myriad holy lights, his aura more terrifying than a true dragon.

Roar.

The dragon's roar shakes heaven and earth, the vast space shatters on the spot, and Wu Man's aura instantly reaches the Seventh Realm.

And in the blink of an eye, he breaks through to the Four Heavens.

Gu Jin Nian still intervenes, suppressing his realm, preventing him from breaking into the Fifth Realm.

Everyone in the Great World envies.

Especially the strong of the Heaven-Cutting Sect, each one eyes burning with envy.

Although the Heaven-Cutting Sect can also let people break into the Fifth Realm, its methods are overly simple and direct.

It is akin to pulling seedlings to hasten growth.

If not for the peerless Heaven's Pride, one would fear being unable to bear it.

But Gu Jin Nian's case is different; this is a method approved by Heaven and Earth, not forced growth, and it also bestows auspicious qi, making his future boundless.

When compared, how could one not be envious?

Earlier they thought the Heaven-Cutting Sect had already won.

But now they fully understand what Gu Jin Nian's scripture signifies.

"Impossible."

"Defying Heaven and altering fate—Gu Jin Nian, is this defying Heaven and altering fate?"

Inside the Heaven-Cutting Palace, a peerless strongman speaks, looking at Gu Jin Nian in disbelief.

This method exceeds their imagination.

They originally thought that even if Gu Jin Nian produced a peerless scripture, it would have little effect, since geniuses were already here.

But they did not expect Gu Jin Nian to start creating geniuses outright.

Defying Heaven and altering fate for others.

Such a method is truly terrifying.

Inside the palace.

Chang Yun Tian's expression turns sour; she cannot stay calm nor regain composure.

He lost this battle again.

"No need to be overly sorrowful."

"Even so, the Heaven-Cutting Sect still has the peerless Heaven's Pride."

"Fear them not."

At this moment, Guang Yuan Buddha speaks, aiming to steady the troops' morale.

But just as his words fall.

Gu Jin Nian's chanting rises again.

(End of chapter)