Chapter 1247: Plainness

A golden sigil of pure rules, launched from the Heavenly Dao Envoy's hand, silently imprinted onto Han Wuxian's nearly unconscious brow.

"This is the 'Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal'. It seals your understanding of 'Reincarnation' and limits your ability of 'Returning to Void'. Within a hundred years, you may not cross the boundary again, nor disturb the order. After a hundred years, your conduct will be judged anew."

"If you defy it again, body and spirit will be annihilated, with no reincarnation."

As the words fell, the dazzling golden light that had shrouded the world receded like a tide, and the Heavenly Dao Envoy's vague figure faded with it, eventually vanishing completely from the heavens as if never having appeared.

Only the golden sigil imprinted on Han Wuxian's brow emitted a faint, undeniable pressure of rule, proving that everything just now was not an illusion.

The will of the Five Great Vehicles quietly withdrew, and the Lingxi realm dissipated.

Blood Sha Ancestor's projection let out a long sigh, wiped away a non‑existent cold sweat, and looked at the unconscious Han Wuxian, whose brow bore a golden seal, muttering curses mixed with a hint of admiration:

"Damn it… finally managed to keep this kid's life… Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal? A hundred years? Hey kid, what's coming up might be beyond you…"

He dared not delay; the projection wrapped around Han Wuxian, turned into a streak of blood light, and swiftly left the contentious area.

Forgotten Sand once again returned to its former deathly silence, though the air still seemed to retain the lingering echo of the previous thrilling Dao dispute and judgment.

Han Wuxian slowly awoke from a chaotic darkness. The instant his consciousness returned, an unprecedented sense of weakness and sluggishness flooded him like icy tide. He tried to sense his own Returning to Void Great Dao, but found that the power that had once obeyed his command now felt shackled by heavy chains, operating with extreme difficulty; what he could mobilize was less than a tenth. What weighed his heart even more was that the profound insights about "Reincarnation" and "New Life" he had grasped in the Eternal Silence Corridor had become hazy, as if behind a thick frosted glass—he could sense their existence but could no longer touch or employ them in the slightest.

He raised his hand to his brow; there, a faint golden mark composed of intricate rule runes gently warmed, exuding a cold, absolute pressure—the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal.

"A hundred years…" Han Wuxian muttered hoarsely. It was not only a temporal limit but also a cage on the Dao. The Heavenly Dao Palace, with its supreme authority, forcibly delineated the boundaries of his path, casting him back to the 'Prototype', even worse than before.

A rugged voice came from outside the cave dwelling: "Kid, if you're awake, stop playing dead! Come out and let this Ancestor see what kind of conduct the Heavenly Dao Old Man's seal has forced upon you!"

Han Wuxian took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil within, forced himself to stand, and stepped out of the cave dwelling. There, a blood‑shadow clone of Blood Sha Ancestor sat carefree on a blue stone, eyeing him curiously.

"Thank you for the senior's assistance," Han Wuxian clasped his hands, speaking sincerely. Had it not been for Blood Sha Ancestor and several other Great Vehicles applying pressure at the time, he might have been annihilated by the Heavenly Dao's judgment.

"Hey, cut the nonsense!" Blood Sha Ancestor waved his hand, staring at the golden seal on his brow, clicking his tongue in wonder, "Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal… haven't seen this thing in ages. You kid have some skill, managing to snatch a life back from that iron lump, and they only sentenced you to a 'hundred‑year confinement'."

He leaned in a bit, lowering his voice (though the clone had no real sound): "But kid, don't get too pleased yet. During these hundred years you'll be basically a 'useless person'. Old enemies you offended, factions coveting your Returning to Void Dao, and those hypocrites who dislike you could all come trouble you. This Ancestor can't guard you forever; you'll have to fend for yourself."

Han Wuxian nodded silently. He naturally understood the peril. Having lost most of his power and bearing the titles 'Rebel Daoist' and the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal, he now resembled a fragrant piece of fat meat exposed to a pack of wolves.

"The immediate priority is to clarify the detailed restrictions of this seal and find ways to restore or even enhance strength within those limits," Han Wuxian analyzed calmly. He had never considered giving up; the hundred‑year shackles might yet be a form of alternative honing.

Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, and hidden currents surged across all sides.

Just as Blood Sha Ancestor had anticipated, the news of Han Wuxian being marked with the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal spread through the upper echelons of the cultivation world like a winged beast. The resulting shock was even comparable to his slaying of Yan Buji.

Inside the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the Heavenly Mechanism Elder stroked his beard and sighed long: "Blessings hide disaster, disaster leans on blessings. Han junior's life being saved is truly fortunate. Yet these hundred years may be his most arduous period. Though we cannot openly protect him, we can watch from the shadows and subtly lend a hand when he truly faces danger, which is acceptable."

Deep within the Star Yanyan Palace, before the Star Yanyan Sovereign as the star‑river unfolded, his gaze was profound: "Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal… this is an excellent specimen for observing conflicts between Dao and order. Perhaps we can glimpse a sliver of possibility beyond the current framework… Send a command to covertly record all of Han Wuxian's movements within the hundred years, especially his methods of dealing with the seal and attempts at cultivation."

On Miao Yin Immortal Mountain, the zither's tone carried a hint of worry: "The Heavenly Dao Palace's action, while preserving order, also cuts off infinite possibilities. I only hope Daoist Han can endure these hundred years without sinking." She instructed her disciples that if they encounter Han Wuxian, they may, at discretion, provide some non‑fundamental conveniences.

In the Imperial Extreme Sect, Xuanyuan Ancestor issued an authoritative decree: "Han Wuxian has contributed to the world; though limited by the Heavenly Dao, my sect's disciples must not strike him when he falls. Should he encounter an unavoidable peril, they may, at discretion, intervene once to repay his karmic debt of slaying demons."

However, not all forces remain neutral or benevolent.

Some sects that had been suppressed by the Nether Dark Sect or had indirect conflicts with Han Wuxian began to stir.

Some reclusive ancient monsters developed a strong 'research' interest in the unique 'Returning to Void' Dao.

Even more, some believe that with the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal upon him, Han Wuxian is already fish on a cutting board, and perhaps they can extract from him secrets about Returning to Void, even the mysteries of opposing the Heavenly Dao's order…

Around the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Souls Mountain Range, some unidentified scouts have already begun to appear.

Inside the cave dwelling, Han Wuxian blocked external interference. He sat cross‑legged, his mind sinking inward, meticulously studying the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal. The seal was not a simple energy barrier but was rooted in his Dao foundation, tightly linked to his soul and will. It functioned like an extremely precise 'regulatory program', strictly limiting the 'nature' and 'quantity' of Dao power he could mobilize; should he attempt to breach the limit or touch the sealed 'Reincarnation' realm, the seal would instantly retaliate, causing mild soul‑pain or, in severe cases, directly triggering a 'judgment'.

"Forceful impact is absolutely impossible…" Han Wuxian quickly concluded. The seal embodied the Heavenly Dao's rule‑power; in his current state, a head‑on clash would lead only to death.

"Then… can we 'bypass' it? Or… within its rules, find a new path?" He recalled that his initial comprehension of Returning to Void had not been instantaneous. Now the Dao was limited, as if back at the starting point, yet this starting point was one reached after countless storms and deeper insights.

He ceased trying to mobilize the restricted, powerful Returning to Void force, and instead focused on the most fundamental, subtle layer. He recalled the initial thread of chaotic Returning to Void Qi he had first stirred, feeling its most primal sense of 'termination' and 'annihilation', attempting to discard later added variations and insights, returning it to its most plain state.