Chapter 379: The Letter

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, a high-pitched ringing sound echoed across the heavens and earth of Nan Chan Province, shattering the clouds and unleashing light!

Sacred qi surged from the east, churning the spiritual energy of the entire Lu Province like a rising tide!

A blazing, brilliant stream of fire spread across the sky and covered the earth, like an unimaginably vast net unfurling from above.

It seemed poised to engulf the whole of Lu Province, scorching it into a charred hell!

And as the first to bear the brunt, Rongcheng Rongcheng Duming's Water Fan Fan Dongtian stood in imminent peril; in an instant, the wind and clouds changed color!

The misty rosy clouds stretching for thousands of li were violently ignited, while the once vast blue sea turned into a boiling cauldron, radiating brilliant golden light.

It was as if a celestial sun sought to split open the heavy waters, forcibly bursting the enormous Fan Fan Dongtian apart from within and blasting it into dust!

This sudden calamity startled Lady Yue You, who had been closing his eyes in a feigned slumber within the sea; he jerked his body upright and cried out in alarm.

He shot out of the sea surface, frantically leaping high into the void sky, filled with shock and suspicion.

"Yu Shu! This..."

Lady Yue You turned his head to look toward the direction of the Golden Palace and Qi Lu, only to meet a pair of eyes that seemed to smile yet did not smile, showing no concern.

And in merely the span of a breath.

This superior-grade Fan Fan Dongtian could hardly bear the burden.

Like an egg squeezed tightly in a fist, sounds of "Crack!" continuously rang out within the void, rising and falling one after another...

But just as the Fan Fan Dongtian was about to crash down to the mortal world, several faint laughs suddenly rang out from the Xiantian Mo Zong.

Immediately, a stream of demonic qi, flowing generously, rushed up into the clouds; like a divine mountain pillar standing tall, it effortlessly parted the nine layers of clouds in silence, penetrated the gang qi layer of Xudu Heaven, and shot straight into the Hongmeng Universe.

That demonic qi surged massively, boundless and endless, containing an indescribable mighty force swirling within.

Its dark and gloomy appearance made one tremble with fear upon seeing it.

And almost at the very instant this demonic qi rose.

The other five demonic sects also erupted with magnificent light, vast as an immeasurable tidal wave, forming a mutually supporting formation and displaying a posture of reinforcement.

Once such a situation emerged, the brilliant stream of fire and smoke that had covered Nan Chan Province, with neither head nor tail in sight, was steadily held up and unable to descend.

The Water Fan Fan Dongtian of Rongcheng Rongcheng Duming, originally on the verge of shattering, returned to its former state, with water and clouds surging high and the sea and sky sharing the same color.

A scene of perfect tranquility and peace, as if nothing had ever happened...

"What a pity; the move was ultimately made too late. If I had acted when I first arrived in Xudu Heaven, perhaps I could have succeeded?

At that time, Teacher Shenwu Shenwu Shuhua would not necessarily have expended the sect's foundational strength just to preserve me.

As for Master Master Kongkong, the move he placed upon me back then was merely a spare piece on the board."

Chen Chen Yushu rose from his seat, lightly brushed his sleeves, looked up at the sky, and smiled, saying:

"However, in the battle eight hundred years ago, I successfully merged the qi fate of the Liu Sect; this is a great deed that even that Dao-Rebel Lu Lu Yusheng of those years failed to accomplish. Coupled with the full support of the Xiantianmo Sect..."

Chen Chen Yushu's gaze turned cold; after pausing for a moment, he spoke again, saying:

"Divine King...

Under such circumstances, how do you intend to kill me?"

Although this voice was calm and without much fluctuation, it carried a chilling intent to kill.

Hearing this, Lady Yue You, standing nearby, felt cold all over; his neck grew chilly, and an inexplicable sense of dread arose in his heart.

At this moment, the flame-stream and flowery smoke that obscured the sky and covered the earth shifted slightly, gathering from all directions toward the center, retracting together, and revealing the figure of Chen Yu from within the brightness.

He stood with his hands behind his back at the utmost beginning of the void sky, looking down upon the vast Lu Province beneath his feet, occupying a position of high ground.

His expression was cold and calm, showing neither sorrow nor joy, revealing nothing unusual.

"Such a display; it seems you have indeed successfully merged the fortune. Yet even so..."

Chen Yu swept his gaze across and saw that within the Fan Fan Dongtian, exactly six rings of brilliant divine light were circulating around Chen Chen Yushu's body, spinning left and returning right, suddenly dark and suddenly bright, like the wings of a cloud, like the shape of a mountain.

Its manner of shifting and circulating seemed as though his entire being was united with heaven and earth, his essence merged with yin and yang, his harmony aligned with the four seasons, and his brightness illuminating the sun and moon.

Awe-inspiring and majestic, profound and unfathomable!

Chen Yu shook his head slightly and said in a faint voice:

"You still have a human tribulation that has not been eliminated; even if you have successfully merged the fortune, what of it? This tribulation is a destined calamity, brought upon yourself; even the Liu Sect can hardly assist you in anything.

Once they make a move, it will only backfire, aggravating the tribulation fate within the unseen realms.

If this tribulation is not eliminated, even if you truly attain the fruit of a Celestial Immortal, you will ultimately be unable to escape the heavenly dao's tribulation punishment; rejoicing now is likely far too early."

"Human tribulation?"

Chen Chen Yushu let out a cold laugh and said:

"What human tribulation could stop me! Eight hundred years ago, that rebellious son Chen Xiangxian was already struck down by my palm, his flesh and body destroyed; I thoroughly and completely defeated him!

Even if another Chen Heng appears now, what of it?

Although I could patiently wait for his Mei Mei Gongxing to deepen and fight me at the same realm, alas, the Great Dao waits for no one; I only hope he does not meet a miserable doom and die halfway through.

If that happens, not only will Yu Yu Yuchen's painstaking efforts turn to flowing water, but your expectations will also come to naught."

Once these words were spoken, silence fell all around, and no further sounds arose.

The two gazed at each other from afar across the void, both wearing expressionless faces.

"It seems you have another plan regarding the matter of the human tribulation.

However, my coming today is because I was entrusted by someone to bring you a message."

Chen Yu glanced at him faintly.

He moved his lips slightly, transmitting a few words to Chen Chen Yushu via voice projection.

After speaking, without caring how Chen Chen Yushu would react, he took a single step forward and likewise departed from this region of Xudu Xudu Tianyu, vanishing into the void.

And at the same time his figure disappeared.

Within the Xiantian Mo Zong.

Several faint, ethereal qi mechanisms also slowly faded away, sinking into the depths of the earth's crust to fall into slumber once more, motionless.

"..."

At this moment.

Within the Rongcheng Rongcheng Duming Fan Fan Dongtian in the water.

After a rare moment of absent-mindedness, Chen Chen Yushu suddenly let out an inexplicable soft laugh.

He reined in the complex emotions in his heart, and his gaze turned cold once more, calm and waveless like an ancient well.

"Summon Lü Shu and Hou Daoxiang for me; I have letters to send. Tell them to drop whatever they are doing and deliver these personally!"

Chen Chen Yushu glanced at Brother Lady Yue You beside him and said lightly.

As for Brother Lady Yue You, he had been utterly bewildered by Chen Chen Yushu's rare state of absent-mindedness, his pupils contracting slightly, suspecting that he had fallen under some sort of illusion.

But upon Chen Chen Yushu's call, he quickly dispelled those myriad thoughts, his expression turning solemn.

At this moment, seeming to guess Chen Chen Yushu's intention, his heart gave a start; he hurriedly assented, moved his body, transformed into a streak of gray light, pierced through the barrier of the Fan Fan Dongtian, and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Heavenly Dao, Human Calamity..."

In merely the blink of an eye.

This Rongcheng Rongcheng Duming within the water was empty and desolate.

Looking out, one saw only the high blue sky, vast and obscure, resembling a flat mirror spanning the heavens, as if capable of reflecting the myriad phenomena of the universe.

The corner of Chen Chen Yushu's mouth lifted slightly in an inexplicable smile, and he thought secretly:

"Even if it is a Human Calamity, so what? Eight hundred years ago, I already won once.

This time... the victor will be me again!"

Time flowed away like water, and suddenly eight years had passed.

On this day, Chen Heng suddenly opened his eyes, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

At this moment, following his will, a golden light the size of a bean suddenly rose from the crown of his head, drifted into the void, expanded with the wind, and burst forth with brilliant radiance, resembling a sun wheel that illuminated the entire meditation chamber with dazzling splendor.

It was like the Star of Literature descending to the world, its blazing, molten-gold brilliance filling all directions above and below!

But if one were to look inward.

One would see that in the lower abdomen, whether it was the Dragon-Tiger Cauldron forged from the Five Essences or that mighty Qi Sea, both had now vanished without a trace, formless and invisible.

In their place was a pool of profound golden sea.

It coalesced into a mass, perfectly round inside and out, resembling a womb of creation born of heaven and earth.

From whatever angle one observed it, one could see the two qi of Yin and Yang entangling endlessly, embracing each other intimately, infinitely mysterious and containing supreme principles.

Golden fluid spreads, jade brilliance reflects the soul, Yin and Yang mix, dwelling together in the wondrous chamber.

The root of longevity grows beneath the two gates; preserving the spirit allows one to exhale clouds of myriad Daoist rosy mist.

True Qi gives birth to emptiness, spiritual truth shines brightly!

Thus, this was precisely the third layer of Cave-Mystic—the Innate Jin Gong Jing Zhi Jie!

After eight years of tempering, plus the assistance of the Yi Zhen Fa Zhi Jie, he had finally completed the step of "Condensing Mercury and Exploding the Cauldron," successfully cultivating to the Cave-Mystic Third Layer realm.

Henceforth, his Dao practice ascended another level; the volume of his True Qi had reached the point where it could advance no further, attaining the utmost extreme, while his combat power had likewise greatly increased by a whole tier, allowing him to employ Dao methods with even greater ease and freedom.

"All this hard work has finally borne fruit..."

Chen Heng sighed slightly, formed a hand seal, and that bean-sized golden light slowly sank back into his body; the dazzling strange phenomena filling the room instantly vanished without a trace, returning to their former state.

At this time, he reached into his sleeve and grasped the Golden Cicada.

With merely a thought, a strand of divine consciousness instantly detached from the present world and sank into the Yi Zhen Fa Zhi Jie.

【Maha Sheng Mi Jin Guang Ding】

【Name】: Chen Heng.

【Gong Fa】: Tai Su Yu Shen (Yuan Realm Third Layer), Innate Great Sun Divine Light (Great Completion), Sishan Dou Jue (Great Completion), Yin-Eroding Red Water (Great Completion), Zi Qing Shen Lei (Great Completion), Scattered Scenery Concealing Form Art (Great Completion), Master Zhou Yuan Secret Turtle Divination (Great Completion), Nine Palaces Guangying Xue Xuan Yi Guideline (Great Completion), Luo An Black Water (Medium Completion)...

【Dharma Treasures】: Abysmal Hell Sword (—), Dun Dun Jiesuo (Upper Grade Dharma Instrument), Moon Wheel Mirror (Upper Grade Dharma Instrument), Five Qi Peng Qian Kun Ring (Upper Grade Dharma Instrument), Spirit-Shifting Mirror (Medium Grade Dharma Instrument), Zhan Yan Fa Yu (Secret Treasure), Abyssal Void Demon-Subduing Sword Register (Secret Treasure), True Proclamation Heavenly Plate (Secret Treasure), Dragon-Trapping Nail (Secret Treasure)...

【Items】: Hunyuan Shenpu Pill, Gray River Water, Qing Sheng Pill,...

【True Scriptures】: Divine House Shenwu Shuhua Daojun Speaks on the Tai Shi Yuan Zhen Scripture, Zhongtian Dou Shu Tianwangshen Sect Jade Book, Five Elements Spirit Platform Secret Essential True Scripture, Fang Jun Phase Sword Explanation, Kong Que Book...

【Sword Dao】: Fifth Realm—Sword Qi Thunder Sound, Sword Light Differentiation.

【Dao Practice】: Cave-Mystic Third Layer—Innate Jin Gong Jing Zhi Jie (Mystic Central Great Void Natural Kaiyuan Scripture Register).

After sweeping his gaze over the Maha Golden Book in his hand once.

Chen Heng looked no further, merely watching it quietly transform into flowing rosy mist and vanish.

These eight years of bitter cultivation, day and night without cease, had clearly yielded immense results.

Now, not only had he reached the cultivation of Cave-Mystic Third Layer, walking to the extreme on the Cave-Mystic Realm, but his Dao methods and Xue Xuan Gong had also made significant progress.

The Kong Que Book was a gift from Kong Chong before his departure.

Although the meaning of this scripture was not complete, its records regarding the Dao of the Five Elements were of great benefit to Chen Heng's cultivation of the Five Old Celestial Officials Wulong Guan Da Shou Yin after forming his Jin Dan.

As for the book Fang Jun Phase Sword Explanation, it was written by Yu Yu Yuchen Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun Fang Junxiang, who had gone to serve as an official in the Ji Clan Dao Court, and recorded his insights on using and refining swords.

Since Yu Yu Shitong had little interest in the Sword Dao.

After concluding affairs in the State of Yu Yang, to reward Chen Heng's merits.

He specially gifted this Fang Jun Phase Sword Explanation, wishing to curry a great favor.

Chen Heng was originally only a layer of paper away from the Fifth Realm technique of "Sword Light Differentiation."

With just a bit more effort, he could completely pierce through, entering thereafter into a different layer of heaven and earth.

Since obtaining this Sword Interpretation, after closing himself off for cultivation for merely two short years, he had also completely mastered the Method of Sword Light Differentiation.

And with the aid of Fang Jun's Sword Interpretation and the Formless Lue Sword Cavern.

Although he still lacked quite a bit of proficiency regarding the Sixth Realm of the Sword Dao.

Compared to before his seclusion, however, he could now more or less see the path ahead clearly, having swept away many obstacles and delusions.

If progress continued at this rate.

He would likely realize the profound mysteries of the Sixth Realm while still in the Jin Dan realm, becoming a true Sixth Realm Great Sword Cultivator in name and reality!

Even looking across the entire Zhongyi Sword Sect.

To cultivate the Sixth Realm of the Sword Dao while still at the Jin Dan level would absolutely make one a peerless genius within the sect.

He would be granted the Three Fundamental Sword Classics of the Zhongyi Sword Sect and possess the qualification to compete for the position of Dao Son of the Zhongyi Sword Sect!

As for the Ten Realms of the Sword Dao and the Three Layers of Spell Momentum—

One must know that the Sixth Realm of the Sword Dao has already reached the pinnacle of "Executing Techniques."

It is only one layer away from the realm of "Wielding Laws."

If a sword cultivator of extraordinary talent reaches the Sixth Realm, even if they have not truly arrived at the realm of "Wielding Laws," they can still barely study the sword classics and practice those sword moves of terrifying power.

Chen Heng knew in his heart that if he wished to contend for the Yu Yu Yuchen Dao Son position, firmly establish his status within the sect, suppress the various cultivators, and grasp the great trend.

According to the sect's old precedents.

It required not only achieving a First Grade Elixir but also inevitably attending the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly.

There he would meet the heroes of the Bapailiu Sect and decide victory or defeat against them!

And if he could cultivate the Sixth Realm of the Sword Dao before the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly and refine one or two formidable sword moves to keep by his side.

Then his confidence in seizing first place at the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly would be that much greater...

At this moment, after a period of contemplation.

Chen Heng remained within the Yizhen Fa Zhi Jie for another half-day, fully adapting to his surged true qi.

He did not delay any further; turning his divine intent back to the present world, he chuckled softly, then walked out of the hall door.

Once Chen Heng returned and took his seat in the Zhudian.

Not long after, Tu Shan Ge voluntarily stepped forward to pay respects, recounting every matter, large and small, that had occurred during his seclusion, omitting no detail.

"You say that three years ago, an old Daoist entered the hall without reporting, leaving a letter on this desk, and if he had not intentionally caused a disturbance, you would not have known?"

Initially, Chen Heng's expression remained calm.

It was only after Tu Shan Ge spoke of this matter that his countenance shifted slightly, and he asked aloud.

"That old Daoist possessed high cultivation, coming and going without a trace; even the island's prohibitions could not hinder him in the least. He claimed to be from Yu Yu Yuchen, left only a letter, and insisted that the Master must read it upon exiting seclusion."

Tu Shan Ge spoke honestly, then respectfully presented a letter tied with a knotted cord.

Chen Heng merely opened it to take a look, his pupils contracting slightly, his facial expression inevitably becoming somewhat solemn.

"So that is how it is; finally, this day has arrived..."

He scanned the contents of the letter carefully, then tucked it into his sleeve, pondering silently.

After a while, once Tu Shan Ge had taken his leave, Chen Heng also lowered his eyes slightly and entered meditative cultivation once more.

Until three days later, at midnight during the hour of Zi.

He suddenly opened his eyes, merely flicked his sleeve, transformed into a streak of sword light, and in an instant shot up into the clouds, vanishing from his original spot...

Unity

(End of Chapter)