Chapter 162: Origins

Earth Abyss, Golden Drum Cave.

Before a large crimson cauldron, round on the outside and square within, Chen Heng separated dozens of strands of Tai Shi Yuan Zhen Fei Kong, slowly circling them around the great cauldron.

When the two made contact, they occasionally emitted sharp, hissing sounds, like water splashed onto blazing charcoal; smoke and light surged up violently, and the noise erupted loudly.

In his palm, he loosely held a hu of red cinnabar sand, each grain the size of a chicken egg, its color bright and lustrous.

When shaken, one could faintly perceive what seemed to be a pool of dim crystalline liquid hidden within the sand grains, churning ceaselessly on its own.

This sandy ore was precisely a primary ingredient for refining the Red Lead Great Ring Pill.

Under Cui Cui Jingzhong's guidance, Chen Heng was slowly peeling away the outer layer of the sandy ore to extract the true medicinal root within and refine it into the cauldron.

But at this moment.

Upon hearing the shouts from outside the Danfangdadian.

Not only did Cui Cui Jingzhong, standing nearby, first freeze in surprise, then immediately break into a joyful expression.

Even Chen Heng's eyes flashed with light, and he immediately rose from his meditation cushion.

"Junior Brother, we have finally ushered in this day; wonderful! wonderful! His Excellency Chen Yuanshu possesses a humble and gentle nature; you need not be overly restrained, just act as you normally would."

Cui Cui Jingzhong patted his belly and laughed:

"Was that Master Qiao Ting's voice just now outside the hall? I didn't expect her to come personally to summon us; that is quite rare.

You should quickly exit the hall; do not keep Master Qiao Ting waiting too long, lest she loses her temper again."

Chen Heng nodded in agreement, adjusted his clothes and cap, and strode toward the exit of the Danfangdadian.

After passing through the restrictive barriers sealing the doors and traversing past two soaring pillars supporting the gate.

He saw only a beautiful woman with skin like jade snow standing coldly at the foot of the steps.

Her brows were filled with impatience, within which a trace of imperceptible anxiety briefly flickered before being instantly concealed.

"How dare you make us wait so long? Were you deaf just now! This is a summons from His Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun!"

When she heard the footsteps approaching from afar.

Master Qiao Ting knitted her delicate, beautiful brows, about to speak a reprimand, but the instant she turned her head, she froze slightly.

Atop the long stone steps.

What entered her sight was a tall and straight figure.

He wore a cold, sky-blue Daoist robe and a lotus crown; standing against the light like a lone pine among rocks, the contours of his face were blurred.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, noble lady."

He walked down the steps step by step; as the halo of light dispersed, his features gradually became clear.

His demeanor was entirely solemn and deeply tranquil, his sleeves swaying gently.

In an instant.

Master Qiao Ting was slightly stunned, a momentary Xiao Daze appearing in her gaze.

"Please, noble lady, lead me to see His Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun."

He performed a bow with joined hands and said.

"..."

Master Qiao Ting brushed back a few stray hairs by her temple that had been stirred by the wind, her eyelashes fluttering slowly.

A moment later.

Without speaking a single word, she turned and walked away.

Along the path remained that secluded scenery of golden roofs adorned with jewels, shaded by pines and cypresses.

Many servants and maids along the way, upon seeing Master Qiao Ting, all knelt to pay their respects, their attitudes respectful.

But when they saw that beside Master Qiao Ting there was actually a strange man.

Although they were all surprised, none dared to show it on their faces, only letting a hint of contemplation flash in their eyes.

Very soon.

The two arrived at the highest point of the terrain, where stood a vast palace, simple in style yet quite peculiar.

The great yellow pus ghost god, sealed within the golden drum, seeing a stranger arrive, became even more frenzied and uneasy; Xiong Xiong firelight shot from its eyes, it spat out turbid mist, and its fangs appeared ferocious!

Indeed, no matter how much disturbance it caused within the golden drum, shaking heaven and earth, not a single sound could leak out into the present world...

Chen Heng glanced at it briefly, then looked no more, continuing to walk forward.

But at this time.

Just as he was about to enter the palace.

Master Qiao Ting suddenly stopped, saying in a light voice:

"Go down yourself; the barrier has opened, and there will be a strongman inside to guide your way."

"Thank you."

Chen Heng nodded upon hearing this.

"Do not forget... do not forget what I previously told you..."

Master Qiao Ting's gaze flashed.

Only after a moment did she speak slowly.

"Noble lady, rest assured; this Daoist is not a fickle petty person."

Chen Heng smiled, waved his sleeve, strode forward, and stepped across the hall's threshold.

Boom—

It was as if passing through an invisible curtain, entering a realm entirely different from the one before.

His vision suddenly plunged into darkness.

Not only did the spiritual energy become extremely dim and obscure, but the true qi within his body vanished completely, and even his blood and vitality disappeared entirely, like a candle burned to ash.

For a moment.

His body felt empty and void, a vast nothingness, his mind in chaos...

Only after several dozen breaths had passed did it inexplicably return to its original state.

This hall contained no miscellaneous ornaments; in the central position stood only a landscape screen.

Seeing Chen Heng look toward it, the object immediately swayed slightly, rippling like a lake's surface, and soon a majestic warrior clad in mottled yellow robes, wearing dragon-head boots, and carrying two golden melon hammers on his back leaped out from within.

After manifesting, this Golden Melon Warrior spoke no further words; he bowed once to Chen Heng, then opened a hidden door, gestured for him to follow, and led him downward.

Passing through twenty-four layers of winding corridors and crossing an unknown number of cave gates, they finally reached the very bottom layer of this palace.

Having brought Chen Heng to this place, the Golden Melon Warrior smiled and said:

"Honored guest, please wait a moment; I hold no imperial decree and dare not linger, lest I defile the qi; thus, I shall first return to the Daojun Fu Yu Realm."

Having spoken.

He arched his spine, daring not to make any excessive sound.

Then, tiptoeing, he retreated and vanished from sight.

Chen Heng fixed his gaze and observed; although this layer of the great hall was boundlessly vast, it was also exceedingly desolate and cold, with sparse signs of life.

In the central position of the hall existed a subterranean pit the size of a house, surrounded on all sides by railings erected from blue-gold stone, encircling the pit completely, giving one a sense of great antiquity and primal wildness.

A thought stirred in his heart; he walked to the railing and gazed down into the pit.

It was as if the earth's axis shook secretly and the heavenly gates drummed and surged!

Beneath the pit, nothing could be seen but yin currents and turbid tides raging and churning, viciously spinning, nearly assuming a form of boundless infinity!

The momentum was immense, terrifying to the extreme!

Yet it seemed captured by a tremendous power of creation; no matter how it churned and leaped, it could not burst forth from this pit, able only to spin futilely below.

No one knew how many tens of thousands of zhang deep this pit extended beneath; it was as if it led straight to the true Netherworld Yellow Springs, the subterranean realm of yin...

With Chen Heng's current vision, he was far from able to see through it.

Merely glancing for a short while, he already felt his mind and spirit captured by the turbid tides and yin currents, his breathing becoming rough and obstructed.

"Is it within this pit that His Excellency Chen Yuanshu secludes himself to cultivate? The depth of magical power wielded by a master of great divine abilities is truly terrifying and awe-inspiring."

He could not help but sigh with emotion in his heart, then lowered his hands and waited for a long time, yet no call emerged from within the pit.

Thus, he found a spot in the corner of the hall, sat upon the ground, closed his eyes to regulate his breath, and began pondering the alchemical methods taught by Cui Cui Jingzhong.

Because this layer of the great hall was near the turbid tides and yin currents within the pit, it was originally exceedingly bitter-cold and damp; splashing water into the air would instantly turn it to ice.

Not to mention mortal beings.

Even ordinary cultivators would find it difficult to resist, unable to endure the pain that pierced bone and flesh...

But due to having cultivated True Qi and the Tai Su Yu Shen, although Chen Heng felt slightly damp and cold, it was not beyond his endurance.

As his mind sank into immersion, he soon ceased to notice it...

Then, after an unknown amount of time.

He, who was concentrating with single-minded focus, suddenly felt a strange sword qi emerge within his body, darting up and down through his meridians, as if following some mysterious true rhythm in its wandering movements.

"What is this?"

Chen Heng was slightly startled in his heart and was just about to open his eyes.

When suddenly a voice sounded in his brain: "Do not panic; seeing that you are but a step away from the second realm—Sword Intent Taking Form—I have come to lend a humble hand to assist you."

"Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun?"

That voice smiled gently and said:

"Observe the form of that sword qi, watch how it wanders between your meridians, and then use a strand of True Qi to capture it. If you can seize it, then you ought to achieve the realm of 'Sword Intent Taking Form'."

Having finished speaking.

The voice in his brain vanished without a trace, never sounding again.

Chen Heng steadied his mind and spirit, took a deep breath, and concentrated to carefully examine that strand of sword qi within his body for a long while, gaining a slight realization.

He felt it twisting and coiling in the shape of a coiled dragon.

Sometimes large, sometimes small; sometimes thick, sometimes thin; sometimes hidden, sometimes appearing; sometimes bright, sometimes extinguished—

When it moved with sound.

It was like a golden snake snapping lightning from the depths of a pool, thunderclaps roaring with a booming crash.

When it was silent.

It was just like Bai Shui without waves where giant turtles lie dormant, or Qingshan freshly bathed as furrowed brows relax...

After watching that sword qi circulate several times within his body, displaying all its forms and transformations completely.

He only then slightly shook his Qi Sea, drew out a strand of True Qi, and struck toward it with the momentum of an owl pouncing on a rabbit!

The two sides chased each other for several dozen exchanges.

That strand of sword qi was entirely like a slippery loach; every time it was about to be enveloped by the True Qi, at the critical moment.

It would always manage to spot a tiny opening and flee far away.

"These transformations... so that is how it is?"

After expending several dozen strands of True Qi in attempts to capture it, suddenly, while observing the traces left behind as the sword qi traveled.

Reflecting the two against each other, a spark of inspiration ignited in Chen Heng.

He simply let go of all spiritual intent in his body, no longer deliberately obsessed, and followed only that thread of inspiration arising from the obscure void, allowing the True Qi to act on its own.

This time, the sword qi's dodging became much more arduous; although in the end it still narrowly avoided capture by a hair's breadth, Chen Heng did not mind.

He already felt he had found the correct path forward.

As for the actual capture, it was merely a matter of time; he simply lacked a bit more Ku Gong...

Soon, within less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The sword qi and true qi suddenly shifted, colliding with each other in a place of sheer coincidence.

This collision.

Was like throwing a pot of boiling oil into a furnace fire; instantly, flames erupted with great intensity!

Meanwhile, Chen Heng's mind suffered a booming shock, akin to a light tap on a jade chime.

In an instant, he achieved profound enlightenment; his spirit became clear and bright, as if all dust had scattered to reveal pure light.

He opened his eyes, raised a hand, and pointed a finger, shooting forth a sharp and keen sword qi, five or six feet in length, radiating a cold, grim gleam.

Its speed was as swift as Lei Ting, its sharpness unbearable!

"Sword qi; since I can emit sword qi... the second realm of the Sword Dao—Sword Intent Taking Form—has finally been achieved."

With this single thrust of the sword.

It was exactly the same sensation as when he had split through the final bolt of Lesser Pure Yang Lightning.

Chen Heng restrained the impulsive desire to summon the Green Rhythm Sword and practice for a while, merely bowing toward the earth cave and saying:

"I thank the True Lord for his compassion in fulfilling this poor Daoist's cultivation!"

"Heaven aids those who aid themselves."

Within the earth cave.

In the boundless depths.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi, seated upon a jade platform with his body bound by four nine-colored dragon-shackling chains, smiled faintly and said:

"If you were not already just one step away from completing your sword qi, even if I wished to assist you, I fear it would not have been so easy."

"Chen Heng."

He said:

"I know the grievances in your heart, the confusion regarding your origins that you have harbored for so long. Others dare not speak of it or inform you, fearing they might offend Chen Chen Yushu and the Xiantianmo Sect, thereby incurring the hostility of that Demonic Master, but I do not care.

This time.

Let me resolve these doubts for you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng's gaze sharpened.

Even with his cultivation in calming the breath, upon hearing these words, he could not help but feel his emotions surge, unable to conceal his joy!

Tai Shi Yuan Zhen, Dou Lu, Brother Lady Yue You, Xiantianmo Sect, Lesser Pure Yang Lightning...

The mystery surrounding the origins of this physical shell was like dense clouds and thick fog.

Ever since he had stepped onto the path of cultivating qi.

It had always hung over his crown, obstructing his Dao path, preventing him from seeing clearly what lay ahead.

Every step forward was filled with panic and confusion, requiring immense deliberation before he could place his foot.

He feared that a single misstep would lead to a fate of eternal damnation from which there was no return!

When Patriarch Ancestor Fu Can departed, that had been the moment he was closest to learning the origins of this shell.

But whether due to external obstruction or because Patriarch Ancestor Fu Can had other concerns.

In the end, his words remained unfinished...

Yet all these things would finally receive an answer today!

Chen Heng clenched his ten fingers tightly within his wide sleeves.

A moment later.

He slightly lowered his eyelids, shielding the surging brilliance in his eyes, and performed a solemn kowtow with joined hands, saying:

"I beg the True Lord to not spare his instruction!"

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi spoke slowly:

"Chen Heng, you are in truth of illustrious noble lineage; your great-great-grandfather, Chen Chen Qianzheng, inherited his father's title and served as one of the thirteen Great Spirit Officials under the rule of the Demon-Slaying Earth Lord.

Later, the old Earth Lord passed away, his sons fought over the succession, and chaos erupted into armed conflict.

Your great-great-grandfather backed the wrong horse; nearly his entire clan was exterminated by the new Earth Lord of Demon-Slaying Earth, leaving only your great-grandfather alive, who was spirited away by a family servant from Demon-Slaying Earth to study the Dao at the Shenxiao Sect in Zhu Zhu Jingtian.

After your great-grandfather cultivated the Dao Fruit of Returning to Void in the Immortal Dao, he killed his way back to Demon-Slaying Earth, executed that Earth Lord, and, with the support of his sect, dominated the terrestrial lands alone, becoming the new Earth Lord.

However, he held this supreme position for only two thousand years before the Void Emperor Heaven and Zhu Zhu Jingtian erupted into war.

The Void Emperor Heaven achieved a total victory; the Shenxiao Sect was exterminated to the last member, your great-grandfather died a miserable death, and consequently, Demon-Slaying Earth was struck casually by the God King of Void Emperor Heaven, shattered into fine dust.

After that.

Came your grandfather, Chen Yu.

Because he was far away in the Third Reincarnation Heaven visiting friends at the time, he fortunately escaped this calamity..."

Speaking to this point.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi's voice became slightly more Heavy and solemn, and he sighed:

"Your grandfather, Chen Yu, was truly a genius of unparalleled brilliance, supreme within the universe; few in the world could surpass him!

With his clan exterminated and under a wanted order issued by the Void Emperor Heaven, he actually cultivated the Supreme Divine Dao Fruit, and leading a host of generals including the Great Sage Torch Dragon, he attacked and broke into the Void Emperor Heaven.

Thereafter, he destroyed countless divine kingdoms and occupied seas and lands.

After giving birth to your father, Chen Chen Yushu.

He single-handedly expelled the old God King of the Void Emperor Heaven, causing all the gods to acknowledge him as their master; he was titled 'The Red Essence Who Smelts Ten Thousand Fortunes, the God King,' unifying the entire realm of Tian Quan Jing with majestic dignity!"

Chen Heng's pupils flashed, and he remained silent.

"Next, came your father, Chen Chen Yushu.

Although it is unknown why he was expelled by your grandfather back then, leading him to wander miserably until he arrived at Xudu Heaven, the emergence of this person was indeed a harbinger of a catastrophic demonic disaster..."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi seemed to pause imperceptibly before speaking again, his voice indifferent:

"He was once taken in by the Dou Shu Sect and even became a disciple of Daoist Lord Shuwu of the Divine House.

Before Chen Chen Yushu betrayed the sect and defected to the Xiantianmo Sect.

Zhi Zhi Jie, he, and I.

Were close friends who spoke of everything and could entrust each other with life and death."

……

……