Chapter 62

Xiang Weiyuan stood before a vast, deep-blue hall, gazing up at the three large characters above the gate: Wan Xiang Hall.

Wan Xiang Hall rose a hundred zhang tall, entirely deep blue, its material unknown, appearing crystalline and faintly translucent, like a single, naturally formed jade gem—no seam of brick or stone could be seen. Standing before the hall, Xiang Weiyuan felt an indescribable sense of antiquity wash over him, as if ten thousand years of history lay bare before his eyes.

“This hall contains every Dao foundation ever recorded in Tai Chu Palace, along with many from other sects. Go inside and take a look.”

Zhang Sheng stepped into the hall first; Xiang Weiyuan followed. As soon as they crossed the threshold, a river of stars rose from the floor and stretched across the ceiling, its countless brilliant stars all different Dao foundations.

Xiang Weiyuan had long known there were millions of Dao foundations in the world, but seeing them all laid out before him, the awe, the grandeur, the overwhelming impact from heaven, earth, past, and future—words failed to capture it.

This was the Immortal Path!

Only after great effort did Xiang Weiyuan shake off his shock and attempt to extend his spiritual sense toward the nearest star.

【Chopping Iron Horse Blade: Earth Grade, Low Tier. Blades are instruments of slaughter, worthy of Earth Grade. This foundation enhances weapon control, granting heaviness, resilience, and piercing power—long blades are especially effective. Evaluation: The blade’s form is crude, its texture rough; the cultivator clearly lacks aesthetic discernment, hence the downgrade.】

As Xiang Weiyuan’s consciousness touched the star, he saw a rugged long blade, narrow at both ends and thick in the middle—undoubtedly unbalanced. Yet Dao foundations inevitably carry impurities; imperfections on the Immortal Path are normal.

Xiang Weiyuan then spotted a star glowing with peach-colored light and touched it with his spiritual sense:

【Red Bean Satchel: Human Grade, Low Tier. This foundation eases longing; within one day, it allows three queries of the beloved’s location, with a margin of error of one zhang. Evaluation: …】

Xiang Weiyuan was astonished—could such a Dao foundation truly exist? He glanced sideways.

【Mirage Steed: Formed from mirage mist, travels eighty li per day.】

【Style Makeup: Human Grade, High Tier. This foundation allows the cultivator to alter their appearance at will. Evaluation: It possesses the power to transform heaven and earth, turn demon into immortal—especially potent against those with weak will. Had it not been so difficult to form a Dharma Form, it could have been ranked Celestial Grade.】

Xiang Weiyuan found himself utterly absorbed; he had never imagined Human Grade foundations could be so fascinating—it was like opening a whole new world. By contrast, Earth Grade foundations were dull and formulaic; staring at them too long induced sleep.

Just as he was engrossed, Zhang Sheng slapped him on the head. “Stop gawking at useless ones—look up!”

Reluctantly, Xiang Weiyuan tore his gaze away and followed Zhang Sheng’s pointing finger upward. High above, at the apex of the star river, brilliant stars gradually emerged

In a short while, over three hundred new brilliant stars appeared at the summit of the Star River, stretching across the heavens.

Wei Yuan reached out to touch one of the stars and saw within it an ancient bell.

【Morning-Dusk Bell: Heaven-Class Mid-Rank; capable of suppressing fortune and awakening divine insight to expel demons. Comment: As the saying goes, morning drum and evening bell—when this bell rings, it causes inner demons to recede, proving miraculously effective for breakthroughs and enlightenment.】

Zhang Sheng said: “These are all Heaven-Class Dao Bases, totaling three hundred seventeen. Without a True Immortal’s permission, ordinary disciples can only see Earth-Class and Human-Class Dao Bases. But you are my disciple, so naturally you may see them all. The Wanxiang Hall holds over eighteen thousand types of Dao Bases, yet only three hundred are Heaven-Class.”

Wei Yuan looked through them one by one, then suddenly spotted a green immortal sword:

【Immortal Sword Qing Si Yu: Heaven-Class Upper Rank; capable of eroding Dao Bases. Comment: Those struck by it will surely be wounded—it is too sinister, too weak. Hence, it does not qualify as an Immortal Base.】

Wei Yuan blurted out: “Master! Someone is insulting you!”

Zhang Sheng snorted. “A single Qing Si Yu? Naturally it doesn’t qualify as an Immortal Base. But I have two other immortal swords, each alone worthy of Immortal Base status. As for the one who wrote that comment—he has long held a grudge against my Tianqing Hall. Ignore him for now. When I achieve Yu Jing, I shall rewrite history and demote his Dao Base to Earth-Class.”

“Where are your other two immortal swords?” Wei Yuan hurriedly looked around.

He was deeply curious about Zhang Sheng’s Dao Bases; rumors about them were always extraordinary. As a young man, he had long wished to see them for himself.

Zhang Sheng swept his wide sleeve, and dozens of massive stars emerged from the core of the Star River, slowly revolving around a central darkness, forming a single radiant orb that dimmed even the Heaven-Class Dao Bases.

【Immortal Sword Da Ri】、【Seven Marvels Linglong Treasure Tree】、【Nine-Tier Demon-Suppressing Tower】、【Immortal Sword Zhan Xu】、【Immortal Sword Li Shang】… 【Ye Tan You Lan】…

Forty-odd new Immortal Bases had appeared, mostly swords—eight in total. This was no surprise; even the founding ancestor of Taichu Palace had four immortal swords, all Immortal Bases. Taichu Palace has always valued combat, so generations of disciples have cultivated many immortal swords. For instance, the Da Ri Bao Jian Shu cultivates only immortal swords—besides the Immortal Base Da Ri, it also includes one Heaven-Class and three Earth-Class swords. Even those who fail to attain an Immortal Base may still cultivate Earth-Class or Heaven-Class flying swords.

To Wei Yuan, each Immortal Base was a path to immortality.

After examining all the Immortal Bases, Wei Yuan suddenly felt the very center of the Star River was not mere darkness—it seemed to be gestating something.

He pointed at the core and asked: “Is there an Immortal Base there too?”

Zhang Sheng replied coolly: “Those gestating at the core are near-perfect Dao Bases, capable of dominating even among Immortal Bases. Naturally, there is a place there for me.”

He glanced at Wei Yuan again. “Perhaps there is one for you too.”

Wei Yuan sighed inwardly but dared not entertain such thoughts. He had spent ten years refining his body to completion, nearly crushing his confidence and edge. He did not even know what kind of Dao Base he would forge—yet even with this vast quantity of elixirs poured in, a Heaven-Class Dao Base might still fall short.

Together, master and disciple had spent thirteen years. Wei Yuan knew his master’s inexplicable confidence: wherever there was a ranking, especially at the heart of the Dao Base River, there must be a place for him—and if space remained, Wei Yuan could claim a small corner.

Yet Wei Yuan suddenly remembered: hadn’t Zhang Sheng already forged his Dao Base? Then why would there still be a place for him at the river’s heart?

With this doubt, Wei Yuan naturally asked. Zhang Sheng had been waiting for this question a long time, and immediately declared loudly: “Who said a forged Dao Base cannot change?”

Wei Yuan was stunned—this defied all common sense!

Zhang Sheng noticed Wei Yuan’s expression and felt satisfied, his face softening. He cleared his throat and said: “Actually, your cohort has done quite well—two unprecedented Dao Bases have emerged. One is Bao Yun’s Seven Marvels Treasure Tree, ranking among the top of Immortal Bases. The other is Yan Ming’s Unleaking Golden Toad, a top-tier Heaven-Class, just one step short of becoming an Immortal Base.”

“Unleaking Golden Toad?” Wei Yuan’s ears perked up at the word “toad.”

Zhang Sheng tapped a finger, and a star in the Star River blazed brightly—inside sat a tiny golden toad, its back bearing a jade plate.

【Unleaking Golden Toad: Heaven-Class Upper Rank; gathers spiritual wealth within a hundred li radius and spontaneously nurtures Immortal materials. Comment: This is truly the foundation of a lineage lasting a thousand years!】

Yan Ming… Wei Yuan recalled the dark-skinned boy from the Eastern Sea. This Dao Base could generate wealth without moving—utterly invincible.

Wei Yuan remembered how he had once intended to befriend Yan Ming, but had forgotten it amid his cultivation. He could only sigh inwardly: it is easy to know, hard to do—the sages never lied.

After viewing the Dao Bases, Zhang Sheng led Wei Yuan to the incense altar in the hall and said: “Drip three drops of your blood into the cauldron. The Wanxiang Hall will record your Primordial Spirit’s aura. When you forge your Dao Base, a place will appear here for you.”

Wei Yuan extended his hand into the bronze cauldron atop the incense table and let three drops of blood fall from his fingertip. The blood droplets rolled like pink pearls across the cauldron’s base, then vanished.

After leaving his blood, Wei Yuan wished to view the Human-Class Dao Bases again, but Zhang Sheng pulled him away. Outside the hall, Wei Yuan clenched his teeth and finally voiced the worry long buried in his heart: “Master, what if my Dao Base is only Heaven-Class?”

Zhang Sheng’s gaze sharpened like a sword, glaring fiercely at Wei Yuan. “How dare you?”

Wei Yuan groaned inwardly—was this even a matter of daring?

The sword-like gleam faded from Zhang Sheng’s eyes. “Dao Bases cannot be forced—let fate decide. If yours is not even Heaven-Class, but only Earth-Class, it doesn’t matter. I’ll simply purge the sect and slay you, my rebellious disciple.”

He spoke as casually as if discussing meals or drinking water.

With that, Zhang Sheng summoned his flying sword. “Come with me—there is another matter to discuss.”

Wei Yuan obediently stepped onto the flying sword, not daring to utter a word. That remark had not been a joke—the more serious he was, the more casually he spoke.

(End of Chapter)