Chapter 163

Since Chen Chen Yushu joined the Dou Shu Sect, he rose step by step within the sect, was granted the Zhong Tian Dou Shu, and claimed victory at the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly.

Then came how he secretly used the "Liu Huan Ren Jing" to refine humans into human puppets, stirring up wind and clouds.

He completely drained the fate numbers of two fellow female disciples, turned around for a final struggle, and betrayed his sect and abandoned the Dao under the guidance of the Xiantian Mo Zong.

Finally, he studied the Fang Shu, defeated his own son Chen Chen Xiangxian, truly aligned with the rising momentum of the Modaoliu Sect, becoming a towering master of the demonic path and a destined Dao Lord figure of the future...

Having finished speaking.

No one knew how much time had passed.

The scene was already so silent that the drop of a needle could be heard, utterly soundless.

Chen Heng's expression shifted several times, his eyes flickering between dim and bright.

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

But just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly fell silent, only clenching the ten fingers within his sleeves slowly tighter.

Rarely, a wave of confused bewilderment arose in his heart.

At the same time, an inexplicable, unquenchable surge of perverse anger welled up in his chest, rushing and growing like a wild fire burning through a mountain, making one's mind dizzy and thoughts chaotic.

After a long while.

He finally suppressed all complex emotions, slowly relaxed his hands, and said:

"So that is how it is... After Chen Chen Yushu was forced into the Fan Fan Dongtian, he studied the Fang Shu and used his avatars to extend his bloodline, all to avoid that Pure Yang Lei Zhi Jie? The reason Brother Lady Yue You sought me out is likely due to this as well."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi spoke up: "The Three Pure Yang Calamities, once triggered, present a thousand difficulties and ten thousand hardships, with only a slim chance of survival; indeed, before establishing an immortal career, this is the greatest calamity for a cultivator. Countless brilliant and outstanding figures across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas have perished and seen their Dao extinguished before this calamity.

And although Chen Chen Yushu's 'Liu Huan Ren Jing' is Master Master Kongkong's proud masterpiece, exceedingly miraculous.

It also invites heavenly disdain and provokes heavenly strikes, making his Pure Yang Lei Zhi Jie even more fierce and violent; even a Dao Lord cannot underestimate it, far surpassing the Lei Zhi Jie we face."

Chen Heng's eyes flashed, and he asked: "Then the Fang Shu he studied—"

"That scroll of Fang Shu was already sealed away as a forbidden technique and Xie Gong during the era when the Dao Court ruled the world; this method requires an object as a catalyst, specifically a blood descendant of the caster, to facilitate its execution, dividing the calamity upon the caster onto numerous offspring.

The reason you encountered the Minor Pure Yang Lightning when breaking through to Foundation Establishment is entirely due to this."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi said in a light tone:

"As for the so-called catalyst, speaking to this point, you should already have a guess in your heart."

"Tai Shi Yuan Zhen..."

Chen Heng sighed lightly.

That scroll of Fang Shu was truly clever and treacherous.

The higher the cultivation of the offspring, the more calamity they can share, and the more they can add strength to Chen Chen Yushu.

And Tai Shi Yuan Zhen—

Was originally requested by the Shenwu Shenwu Shuhua Dao Lord from the Ancestor of Calamity Immortals specifically for Chen Chen Yushu's sake; it is a first-rate Hun Qi Fa method in the universe!

If one's talent is dull.

Failing to cultivate "Tai Shi Yuan Zhen" is one thing, resulting merely in an ordinary and mediocre life.

But the benefit, naturally, is avoiding the subsequent schemes and calculations.

However, if one possesses Dao nature.

Upon seeing such a supreme Miao Fa as Tai Shi Yuan Zhen.

And without a true master of great supernatural powers nearby to point out the dangers and benefits.

One will inevitably find it hard to resist the itch in their heart, racking their brains to find a way to begin practicing it.

If one manages to enter the door, since Tai Shi Yuan Zhen possesses the mysterious function of refining one's aptitude and root bones, for those who already possess Dao nature, it is like adding wings to a tiger!

Yet they do not realize.

The sweetness tasted today.

Is entirely the bitter fruit that must be repaid with hardship in days to come!

Within several hundred years.

Countless outstanding offspring of Chen Chen Yushu have already perished under the Minor Pure Yang Lightning, their bodies dead and souls extinguished, leaving not even bones behind.

And if not for touching the threshold of "Sword Intent Transforming into Shape" at the critical moment between life and death.

Chen Heng would likely have been unable to escape that disaster as well, reduced to shattered bones and crushed flesh under the Lei Zhi Jie...

Thinking of this.

His eyes darkened, and unable to suppress his doubt in his heart, he bowed toward the underground cave and asked earnestly:

"Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun, there is one matter I still do not understand: since the Fang Shu is already complete and even a Heavenly Immortal cannot alter it, meaning our cultivation progress is destined to share the calamity for Chen Chen Yushu.

Then why did he still order Brother Lady Yue You and others to act, tirelessly over the years, bringing all the offspring back to the Xiantian Mo Zong?

Could it be that because the Fangda Sect has abundant resources for cultivation, making it convenient for him to elevate his offspring's cultivation and divide his own calamity, that he specifically acted this way?"

After a moment.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi finally said: "This is one reason; there is another.

Those who can survive the Minor Pure Yang Lei Zhi Jie are all talents chosen from ten thousand; I know well that Chen Chen Yushu is wildly ambitious. Even in his early years before he had achieved the Dao, he rashly attempted to swallow the world alone with his own strength and counter-attack back to the Xu Huang Tian.

Now that he has aligned with the rising momentum and fate of the Modaoliu Sect, he naturally desires to plant agents and foster wings; those offspring who have survived the Minor Pure Yang Lei Zhi Jie are his best aids."

Chen Heng frowned, then suddenly something stirred in his heart, and he said:

"Using offspring as aids... Does the meaning within these words imply that Chen Chen Yushu can stop the Minor Pure Yang Lightning and reclaim that calamity?"

"You are indeed clever; I have not yet spoken to this point, yet you have already guessed correctly."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi smiled faintly and said:

"Correct, it is exactly so. Although the Minor Pure Yang Lightning is not comparable to the true lightning calamity Chen Chen Yushu faces, it is equally terrifying and fierce; as cultivation advances, its power also grows accordingly.

Such as Chen Ying, Chen Chan, and others.

The reason they threw themselves under Chen Chen Yushu's banner, acting as his tiger's claws, was precisely because he could withdraw this calamity at will.

Chen Heng nodded slightly, his heart now fully comprehending the matter.

In that case.

It was hardly surprising...

Chen Chen Yushu needed manpower to serve him, hoping to eventually consolidate the power of the Six Sects and counterattack back to the Xu Huang Tian.

And offspring whose life and death rested entirely in his hands were undoubtedly the perfect choice for such henchmen!

After all, if the calamity could be withdrawn, it could also be released!

With such a threat hanging over them, there was no fear they would not devote their utmost effort.

"Acts like withdrawing the calamity to recruit them as henchmen are honors reserved for only a handful of outstanding talents like Chen Ying."

At this moment.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi's voice arose again, faint and calm, stating:

"The reason he seeks to gather his offspring into the Xiantianmo Sect is that if an offspring fails to transcend the Lesser Pure Yang Lightning, the bifurcated calamity cannot be dispelled and will return to his own body... Thus, Chen Chen Yushu devised another method."

"May I ask what method this is?"

"Cannibalism."

"Cannibalism?"

"For those whose Dao nature is unmanifested and whose aptitude is mediocre, Chen Chen Yushu will not bother to withdraw the calamity from their bodies.

Since such people cannot transcend the Lesser Pure Yang Lightning, they cannot dispel the calamity.

Given Chen Chen Yushu's temperament, he naturally would not waste even a drop; rather than watching them turn to ash under the Lei Zhi Jie and gain nothing, it is better to make full use of them."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi's voice drifted over slowly:

"They all cultivate the Tai Shi Yuan Zhen, created from his own flesh and blood.

If they are refined into pills and consumed, depending on the strength of the consumed offspring's cultivation, although much will be lost and it cannot compare to transcending the Lesser Pure Yang Lightning, it can still dispel some of the calamity. Do you understand now?"

Though this voice remained calm.

Chen Heng heard the tale of wind and blood lurking behind it.

The reason Brother Lady Yue You wanted to bring him back to the Xiantianmo Sect was surely based on this very intention.

If, in Chen Chen Yushu's eyes, he possessed an outstanding Dao nature and was willing to submit humbly and beg for mercy.

Then Chen Heng, like Chen Ying, could be recruited as a henchman.

But if his aptitude was unremarkable and he was unwilling to submit.

Then surely, after being captured by Brother Lady Yue You and brought back to the Xiantianmo Sect.

It would only be a matter of time before he became food for Chen Chen Yushu's belly...

"This body, this lineage..."

Chen Heng sighed inwardly, his heart sinking slightly.

Although he had vaguely suspected this before, the true trouble of the situation far exceeded his expectations.

His predecessor's biological father was actually a great Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun destined to unite with the Dao, who clearly harbored not a shred of goodwill toward his blood descendants.

To face such a figure before even achieving the Dao was truly no fortunate affair...

"Troublesome... Although I am not the Chen Heng from Xu Du Tian, I have occupied this body and cultivated the Tai Shi Yuan Zhen; with my Dao Foundation established, I have already formed a connection with that scroll of arcane arts.

Based on True Lord Master Qiao's words just now.

Under such circumstances, whether I abolish my cultivation, change my Qi-refining technique, or abandon my current body to directly switch to cultivating the Godly Path or Ghostly Path, I still cannot escape the calamity..."

Chen Heng lowered his eyelids, furrowed his brows, his expression becoming slightly complex.

Then.

Before he could delve deeper into thought.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi spoke again:

"Since matters have come to this, regret is useless. The Tai Shi Yuan Zhen was created by the Fuchan Fuchan Laozu; looking across the universe, few can rival it. Your current Dao Foundation is no inferior to the true geniuses of the Bapailiu Sect.

Throughout your cultivation journey, surely there were times you relied on it to survive?"

Hearing this, Chen Heng nodded.

Because he cultivated the Tai Shi Yuan Zhen.

Even at the Qi Refining realm, the depth of his prenatal breathing could compare to that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.

On several occasions.

It was indeed because of the Tai Shi Yuan Zhen.

That he was able to seize fortune and turn danger into safety.

Had he not cultivated this method.

Chen Heng feared he would not even have the chance to stand in Jin Gu Cave today; he would have long since become a pile of forgotten rotten bones, let alone any of the subsequent events...

"Every drink and every bite is predestined, all having a cause. Why can today's fruit not be overturned to become tomorrow's cause?

Only when you are not anxious about gain nor sorrowful over loss do you embody the true nature of us Dao cultivators."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi smiled faintly, his originally plain voice softening slightly, and said:

"Having said all this, regarding your own path ahead and where to go, have you made up your mind?"

"I beg True Lord to instruct me!"

Chen Heng understood the implication in Master Qiao Qiao Yubi's words, bowed deeply, and said.

With a great enemy at hand.

Even if Brother Lady Yue You suffered a setback this time, the loss was merely a spiritual avatar; for a primordial divine monster like him, it was insignificant, nothing more than a single hair from nine oxen, and he would roll back anytime.

And Chen Chen Yushu holds a high position within the Xiantianmo Sect, deeply trusted by several Dao Lords, wielding great power, and even secretly bearing the honorable title of Demon Master; naturally, he lacks neither claws nor wings.

If he still acted like a lone cultivator now, without a great power behind him to offer shelter.

Even if he managed by every means to escape beyond the heavens of Xu Capital.

He would still be easily captured by Chen Chen Yushu's minions and dragged back to the Xiantianmo Sect.

Only by finding a great power to serve as his protector!

Could he address the most urgent task at hand!

However, standing before him now.

Immortal gates like the Bapailiu Sect, inherited since ancient times, all held themselves aloof with strict sect rules, not to mention that Chen Chen Yushu bore grudges against most of these sects.

Wanting to join them.

Was likely an impossible task...

At this moment.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi's voice arrived, saying:

"By common reason, your best choice would be to seek refuge with that Divine King under Xu Huang Tian. Your grandfather's prestige is currently at its peak, revered by ten thousand gods; had the Zhongtian Dou Shu Sect not intervened back then, Chen Chen Yushu would have long been captured and slain by Zhulong Dasheng, so how could today's demonic calamity exist?

However, ever since Chen Chen Yushu fled Xu Huang Tian.

Your grandfather has paid no heed to any of his affairs; previously, one of your brothers traveled far across the universe, and after enduring countless hardships to reach Xu Huang Tian, he was rejected at the gate, finally ending in helpless failure.

The lesson from predecessors is recent; this path is absolutely no longer viable."

Chen Heng remained silent, his expression thoughtful.

"As for the Bapailiu Sect, the Modaoliu Sect needs no further mention—they will certainly never tolerate you, and as for the Xuanmen Eight Sects..."

On the Jade Platform.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi sighed and said:

"Although Lady Yue You is a foolish clown, one thing he said is not wrong: just as people love a house and even its crows, so too do they hate what remains associated with it.

In years past, when Chen Chen Yushu refined human puppets using the 'Huanren Sutra,' he already deeply offended the Nine Provinces and Four Seas.

The principles of human sentiment cannot be ignored.

Even though you are also a victim, most of them would still find it hard to tolerate you, wishing nothing more than to slay you along with him to console the spirits of the dead.

Added to this are those unwilling to get involved without cause, too lazy to confront Chen Chen Yushu, and those within various sects who have their own internal rules and hidden circumstances...

Among the Xuanmen Eight Sects, those capable of serving as your backing are truly few and far between.

If you were not Chen Chen Yushu's son, I might swallow my pride and possibly secure your entry into a lower branch of the Chiming Sect or the Yu Yuchen Sect, but since you bear such a relation to Chen Chen Yushu, the matter has inexplicably gained endless obstacles; as an outsider, I shall speak no more of it."

Chen Heng's eyes flashed, and he sighed: "It seems this disciple is currently facing an uphill battle."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi suddenly said:

"Take out that beast-headed token which I ordered Ding Xian to gift you."

Chen Heng did as instructed.

As soon as the beast-headed token was produced, it transformed into a streak of light and flew of its own accord into the boundless abyss below.

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi caught it, gently wiped away the thick outer disguise with a single stroke, restoring it to its original appearance, and then tossed it back to Chen Heng.

Immediately, celestial music erupted in the air, brilliant and radiant, illuminating this entire hall with majestic splendor, crystal clear and translucent.

When Chen Heng reached out to catch it again.

He saw that the originally heavy and ferocious beast-headed token had transformed into a round, exquisite jade pendant, carved with seven holes and patterned with a lotus flower, auspicious clouds descending upon it, capable of shielding the colors of the five lights.

Merely holding it in hand, one could feel spiritual energy overflowing from it, making one feel refreshed in spirit and comfortable in senses.

"Since matters have come to this, I can offer you three paths to choose from."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi stated.

"I beg the Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun for instruction."

Chen Heng set down the jade pendant, immediately straightened his demeanor, and spoke solemnly.

"The first path is to wait quietly for the right moment, awaiting people from the Yuluo Immortal Mansion to protect you.

Both Chen Chen Runzi and Master Master Yuanji are heroes of this age; they must have already calculated your situation and should be arriving soon to provide support.

If you gain the protection of these two and can enter the Yuluo Immortal Mansion to hide, you will be safe for a time, yet although this path is comfortable, it makes achieving the Great Dao difficult.

The Yuluo Immortal Mansion harbors certain hidden complications that are greatly unfavorable for cultivation."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi spoke, his voice unhurried:

"The second path is to marry into the Master Qiao family of Mishan and wed Master Qiao Ting.

The jade pendant in your hand was left behind by Master Qiao Zhijie before his death; if you marry into the Master Qiao clan of Mishan, and with me stepping forward to support you, even if some within the Master Qiao family are dissatisfied, they will have to grit their teeth and agree, serving as the power behind you to help resist Chen Chen Yushu to some extent, though within such interactions, humiliation will inevitably arise.

As for the third path...

This road is the most difficult and dangerous.

But equally, if you can succeed, it will undoubtedly be a single step to heaven."

Master Qiao Qiao Yubi paused at this point.

Before speaking again:

"Chen Heng, do you dare to risk danger and make a journey to Qiaoming Gorge?

If Ruo Shi Gong.

Even though you have just turned sixteen, I can report to the Sect Master, and with a thirty percent chance, secure your entry into the Zhongyi Sword Sect to study the Dao!"