Chapter 409: The Towering World-Suppressing Dharma

Three months later, in the Xiaoming Great Marsh, on Changli Island.

Inside the quiet chamber, Chen Heng suddenly opened his eyes, formed a hand seal, and with a single boom, the five thick clouds of vital energy hovering above his head instantly converged into the center, condensing into a single Five Elements True Seed that was crystalline inside and out, flawless and perfect.

He took the True Seed in his hand and gazed at it intently for a moment.

When he released it again, the object suddenly transformed into a strand of shimmering essential qi that surged upward, struck his face, and completely merged into his body, no longer distinguishing between self and object.

"What is called generation and overcoming through transformation, the mutual aid of the Five Elements: water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, and finally metal generates water..."

"Once this technique is activated, it can separate the internal and external into two distinct realms; it possesses the great capability to collapse mountains and destroy continents, truly worthy of being a treasured collection in the Five Elders Xiangong's vault, sufficient to serve as my method of protecting the Dao!"

Chen Heng contemplated it carefully once more, then reined in the surging qi within his body, chuckled lightly, and spoke.

It had been three months since the True Disciple Grand Ceremony at Zhou Xingdian.

During this period, apart from visiting Master Master Tongxuan to seek guidance on his Daoist cultivation, Chen Heng had not rushed to make many arrangements within the sect, but had instead carefully selected several divine abilities for practice.

One must know that divine abilities are not comparable to Daoist arts.

Such Deng Dao Fa have largely already penetrated the divine and entered the intent, secretly aligning with the Dao of the universe's operation; not only is their power extremely vast, but their cultivation difficulty is drastically increased compared to Daoist arts.

The gap between the two is truly immeasurable!

In this celestial universe of the Immortal Dao, even for those of the True Person rank, forging a common divine ability for personal protection is by no means an easy matter.

Even if everything goes smoothly, it would take at least several years of Ku Gong, consuming no small amount of heart's blood.

However, Chen Heng has now achieved a First Grade Great Dan, with enhanced bones and marrow and a flawless Dao nature.

Even looking across the vast Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect, he deserves the title of "Dao Seed."

After three months of cultivation, although he is still far from being able to refine the mysterious divine ability of the Five Elders Celestial Official Wulong Guan Da Shou Yin to his complete satisfaction, he has nonetheless figured out some of its principles, enough to use for self-protection and killing enemies.

With this achievement.

He recalled back to his time at Daojun Fu Yu.

Because of a single innate Great Sun Divine Light, he did not know how many hundreds or thousands of times he had died in Yizhen Fa Zhi Jie; rotted bellies and pierced intestines had already become a familiar sight.

For a moment, Chen Heng could not help but sigh with emotion, shaking his head slightly.

Now that Chen Heng was eager to test the power of this Wulong Guan Da Shou Yin, he waved his sleeve, opened the quiet chamber's restrictions, and shifted his body to the skies above the clouds.

Then, as his magic power surged, a beam of five-colored radiance swept out from behind his head!

Boom!

With a thunderous crash like a collapsing bolt of lightning, the five-colored radiance grew with the wind, and in an instant transformed into a Five Elements great hand dozens of zhang in size, encircling the void and emitting brilliant divine light that illuminated the scenes below the clouds.

It was like a five-colored sun hanging in the sky, majestic and awe-inspiring, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at it!

Everyone on Changli Island was startled by this scene and began discussing it clamorously.

Tu Shan Ge craned his neck to look up, seeing that the great hand above the clouds blended all colors into one, naturally exuding a mighty and vigorous spirit.

The giant five fingers merely spread out casually, and the azure waves below, which had been rushing and churning, suddenly froze, firmly locked in place, unable to move even a fraction.

Then the great hand exerted force and pressed down; the surging might violently smashed the vacuum, layers of air currents exploded, and the seawater abruptly parted!

Immediately, an extremely magnificent vortex eye was blasted into existence out of thin air, rumbling as it churned up countless turbid waves that struck the sky, filling the view with nothing but murkiness!

"With such a divine ability... let alone a person, even if a Zhongshan of black iron stood before it, it would be smashed into pieces!"

Tu Shan Ge widened his eyes in great shock.

High above in the clouds, after launching this strike, Chen Heng saw that although his magic power had suffered some loss, it was no major issue.

He nodded slightly and was just about to rotate his divine intent again.

When suddenly, not far behind him, an old laughing voice rang out, saying:

"The Five Elders Celestial Official Wulong Guan Da Shou Yin; this divine ability can indeed be counted among the proud techniques of the Five Elders Xiangong, but the magic power of a Jin Dan or Primordial Spirit still finds it difficult to truly unleash its full power; during the ancient battle against Heaven, this divine ability created quite a stir when wielded by the master of that Xiangong."

Chen Heng turned to look and saw on a distant cloud peak an old Daoist standing with his hands behind his back, smiling as he looked over.

Seeing this, he immediately withdrew his magic power, stepped forward to perform a respectful bow, and addressed him as Master.

"There is no need for such formalities between us; back then, when Pan Pan Yangzi sought protection, he offered our sect quite a few relics from the Five Elders Xiangong, including the 'Essential True Scripture of the Five Elements Spirit Platform,' yet this particular divine ability was missing; that you have managed to cultivate it shows you possess some fortune."

Master Master Tongxuan waved his hand as he spoke, adding nothing more.

With a slight gesture, he descended from the clouds and went straight into the inner hall to take his seat.

Seeing this, Chen Heng followed on foot, while the crowd of servants below, who had long been stunned, finally woke as if from a dream and, led by Tu Shan Ge, hurriedly served tea and burned incense, standing in attendance outside the hall.

"Good, very good; the magic power in your body is pure and condensed, polished exceedingly well, and you have already penetrated several key nodes... Continuing at this pace, the coming Dan Yuan Grand Assembly will be the moment you shake the Nine Provinces and shine with brilliance!"

After routinely guiding Chen Heng in his cultivation for a while, Master Master Tongxuan slowly lifted the tea cup from the table, touched it to his lips, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Without Master's painstaking guidance, this disciple would not have attained today's level of Daoist practice."

Chen Heng rose from his seat, stood respectfully with his hands clasped, and spoke.

"These words are too humble; it has only been three months since the True Disciple Grand Ceremony passed, and you alone spent the majority of that time in seclusion pondering divine abilities; under such circumstances, how many times could I possibly guide you?" Master Master Tongxuan said dismissively.

Chen Heng was about to speak again, but Master Master Tongxuan chuckled and cut him off; although he had returned to his seat, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion.

Since Chen Heng had entered the sect, Master Master Tongxuan's guidance toward him could be described as wholehearted and exhaustive.

From Gong Fa and divine abilities to worldly affairs and even some ancient secrets of heaven and earth...

Whenever Chen Heng had questions, Master Master Tongxuan would resolve his doubts, explaining everything clearly one by one.

And with Master Master Tongxuan's status as a Dao Lord, he would summon Chen Heng every few days to personally guide his cultivation.

If news of this were to spread, it would surely cause the various True Persons of Yu Yu Yuchen to cast sidelong glances, burning with envy and jealousy.

One must know that True Person Huo Mi, who had gifted Chen Heng the cinnabar on that day, was the youngest disciple of Shan Xiao Jian and held a status within the sect that was far from ordinary.

Yet even with his identity, he could not listen to Patriarch Shan Xiao Jian's teachings at any given moment.

When encountering difficulties or uncertainties during cultivation, he could mostly only send letters to inquire, unable to ask for instruction face-to-face; if he wished to enter his own master's Dao field, he would first have to send a message requesting permission.

Otherwise, entering without a summons and being blocked by the mountain-guarding divine generals would be a minor loss of face; being scolded by one's own master would be the greater disaster.

How could it compare to Chen Heng, for whom coming and going from Master Master Tongxuan's Dao field had become a familiar path, with all sorts of secret and restricted areas open for him to enter and exit at will.

As for the old ape guarding the mountain, far from attempting to block him, he felt that even his flattery and fawning were still insufficient.

Although Huo Mi was merely a registered disciple of Ancestor Shan Xiao Jian, and registered disciples ultimately could not compare to personal disciples, with a layer of separation between them.

Yet for a disciple to receive such immense favor from Master Master Tongxuan, with absolutely no defenses raised between them.

Among the successive ruling ancestors of Yu Yu Yuchen, this was likely exceedingly rare, truly making him an outlier...

"If Master wished to see this disciple, a single talisman edict would suffice; why then make a special trip here?"

At this moment, Chen Heng spoke to ask.

Upon hearing this, Master Tongxuan flicked his finger, and two beams of bright light soared out.

Chen Heng extended his hand to support them in mid-air, then swept his sleeve to wipe away the radiance, revealing two jade boxes, one purple and one white, hanging silently before him.

At Master Tongxuan's gesture, Chen Heng first lifted the lid of the purple box.

As his gaze fell upon it, the first thing to meet his eyes was precisely a Daoist scripture, crystal clear throughout, emitting an auspicious light.

"Purple Pure Divine Thunder?"

Chen Heng scanned the four large characters on the book cover, his eyes flickering with movement, and in his heart, he understood.

But when he opened the second jade box and saw clearly the object within.

His expression could not help but become solemn, and for a moment, he was speechless.

"The Purple Pure Divine Thunder you currently cultivate is only the upper volume; this thunder method is the proud creation of Hong Ran of Dazhidian. Only when the upper and lower volumes are combined can it be classified as a true divine ability. Furthermore, when Hong Ran was researching and creating the Purple Pure Divine Thunder back then, he received considerable guidance from me.

In other words, this thunder method also contains the blood and sweat of I, Master Tongxuan. If I privately transmit it to you, bypassing the procedures of the Dao Record Hall, it does not count as breaking the sect's rules."

Master Tongxuan spoke:

"Moreover, your talent in the Sword Dao is outstanding. Although I do not cultivate the Sword Dao myself, finding a superior sword scripture for my own disciple is no difficult task... You are also aware of this 'Northern Star Transformation and Demon-Subduing Sword Scripture'; it was created after Junior Brother Ancestor Weiling attained the Dao, condensing his life's blood and sweat. Its killing power is formidable, fully sufficient for use in Sword Dao cultivation."

The Purple Pure Divine Thunder needed no further mention.

Along with the Broad Sage True Thunder, the Northern Dipper Forceful Thunder, and the Western Profound Azure Nether Thunder, it was known as the "Four Thunders of Yu Yu Yuchen."

These four thunders all took the "Tai Yi Divine Thunder" as the foundation of their creation, possessing the great capability to collapse mountains and destroy continents, capable of shaking the heavens and earth, and subduing ten thousand demons!

As for the "Northern Star Transformation and Demon-Subduing Sword Scripture"—

The Daoist scripture states:

The Northern Star hangs its image in the sky while myriad stars arch toward it; it is the pivot of creation and transformation, the sovereign of humans and gods, proclaiming authority across the three realms and governing all spirits. It possesses the merit of reversing death and injecting life, and the power to eliminate disasters and transcend calamities.

From emperors above to commoners below, though noble and humble follow different paths, their fate and portion bear no difference—

When Chen Heng attended lectures under Master Tongxuan, he had also heard Master Tongxuan speak of this sword scripture.

Even Master Tongxuan highly praised the Dao of life and death transformations within it, considering it a rare and superior sword scripture.

And as the saying goes, "The Southern Dipper records life, the Northern Dipper records death"; this sword scripture elucidates the Dao of life and death to an extremely profound and marvelous realm.

Every move and stance harbors the true intent of killing and slaughtering; it opens the Heavenly Gate and splits the Earthly Door, causing wind and thunder to clash, and yin and yang to rise and fall!

At this, after a moment of silence, Chen Heng straightened his countenance and sighed.

He bowed deeply before Master Tongxuan, whose face held a smile:

"This disciple has received such deep affection from Master; how can I possibly bear it!"

Since achieving the Elixir and returning to Yu Yu Yuchen, and after becoming familiar with the Old Ape guarding the mountain and the Taotie Zhou Ji, Chen Heng had also learned many inside details.

In the past, his ability to escape disaster and find life in both the Earth Abyss and the East Sea was inseparable from Master Tongxuan's efforts behind the scenes.

Not to mention the various preferential treatments and deep affection received after entering Master Tongxuan's gate; speaking solely of the Abi Sword.

Back when competing for the position of one of the Ten Great Disciples at Qi Yun Mountain, the fragment of Abi he obtained from Zhou Ji ultimately originated from Master Tongxuan's hand.

And after the True Disciple Grand Ceremony, Master Tongxuan had gifted another fragment.

Just these two fragments of Abi were worth more than countless heavenly and earthly rare treasures.

Not to mention adding to that the current "Purple Pure Divine Thunder" and "Northern Star Transformation and Demon-Subduing Sword Scripture"...

"You are my disciple; this is only what is right and proper. As for the Purple Pure Divine Thunder, let it be, but the Northern Star Sword Scripture is truly Ancestor Weiling's life's blood. He currently has no personal disciples, and his few registered disciples lack the root nature to receive transmission, so this sword scripture has ironically benefited us, master and disciple.

Later, you must personally visit Qing Ri Island to pay respects to Ancestor Weiling; do not lose propriety." Master Tongxuan stepped forward to help Chen Heng up, saying.

"This disciple understands." Chen Heng nodded.

"Divine abilities are methods to protect the Dao, while cultivation base is the root of establishing oneself... My original intention was for you to follow me in quiet cultivation within the mountains, but given the current situation, even if we wish for stillness, we cannot achieve it. To become a Dao Son, one must always win the conviction of the masses."

Master Tongxuan looked Chen Heng over and instructed:

"When you are outside, you must usually be extra cautious in your actions; if you lose your life, then no amount of merit or glorious achievements will be of use. Remember, the downfall of Ji Fa Kai in Chong Yu Tian years ago serves as a warning from the past!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng smiled and nodded in agreement.

Speaking to this point.

He also understood Master Tongxuan's intention.

On this trip to Chang Li Island, besides handing over the thunder method and sword scripture, this teacher also wished to give instructions once more before departure, reminding Chen Heng not to be greedy for merit and rush forward recklessly, only to end in a miserable fate.

To become a Dao Son, one must not only suppress the various cultivators, generally achieving invincibility against peers, but also establish great merit for the sect.

This has been an iron rule of Yu Yu Yuchen since the sect's founding.

Both of these are indispensable; no one can be an exception.

The former is easier to discuss.

Chen Heng has now achieved the Elixir at First Grade; in the eyes of the various true cultivators of Yu Yu Yuchen, he only needs to polish his divine abilities and Dao conduct well, and surely, at the upcoming Elixir Yuan Grand Assembly, he will shine brilliantly.

Even to defeat the talents of the Nine Provinces in one go, seize the top spot, and become a champion of the Elixir Yuan like Jun Yao or Chen Chen Yushu... such feats, he has a great possibility of accomplishing; it is by no means an empty boast.

Only the latter, regarding merit.

For the current Chen Heng, this is somewhat troublesome.

Since entering the Lower Courtyard, he has always rushed to the forefront.

The speed of his rise, even looking at the Ten Great Chief Disciples throughout Yu Yu Yuchen's history, can be called extraordinary; few can compare to him!

However, precisely because his momentum rose too quickly, when speaking of establishing merit for the sect, apart from contributing a heterodox immortal Dao scripture called the "Great Purification True Art" and recapturing Yu Yang, thereby expanding Yu Yu Yuchen's territory by two kingdoms, Chen Heng has had no other actions.

Although the "Great Purification True Art" is a marvelous scripture, it ultimately belongs to the heterodox path and is not part of the orthodox immortal family, and furthermore, this merit was shared equally between Shen Cheng and him.

As for retaking Yu Yang and further expanding the territories of two nations...

Whether Yu Yang, Danpu, or Zhongqu, these are ultimately merely small border states with limited land and spiritual energy, hardly counting as great merit.

Although these two types of actions earned Chen Heng some Dao Merit in the Gongdedian.

Yet given the amount of Dao Merit he currently possesses, exchanging it for a powerful magical treasure, some Dao soldiers and divine generals, or Dharma coins and land would be acceptable enough.

But to claim this could propel Chen Heng to the position of Dao Son would undoubtedly be a fool's dream.

It is like trying to fill the vastness of the Eastern Sea with a tiny piece of wood—still far from sufficient.

Under such circumstances, there is still considerable time before the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly.

Naturally, Chen Heng also intended to go to the Gongdedian to accept postings from the list, selecting several missions to complete in order to bolster his own Dao Merit, a matter he had already discussed with Master Master Tongxuan.

While bitter cultivation within the sect certainly allows one to heed Master Master Tongxuan's teachings, live in peace without worry, and conveniently network with Elder Yu Yu Yuchen and the Profound Truths of the Eight Sects to broaden one's connections.

Yet how many matters in this world can truly be accomplished solely through bitter cultivation and making friends?

Whether it is aspiring to attain the Immortal Career in the future, or contending with Chen Chen Yushu to completely extricate himself from the chessboard and become the one who holds the chess pieces.

The position of Dao Son is of paramount importance to Chen Heng.

It is something he is determined to obtain and will never yield to another!

Just as Master Master Tongxuan had said.

In such a situation, even if he wished to remain still, he could not afford to be still!

Only by striving vigorously ahead and practicing the Dao without slack can he break through the current barriers, behold a brand new world, and henceforth transcend into freedom!

At this moment, as if perceiving Chen Heng's resolve, Master Master Tongxuan could not help but smile slightly and said:

"Disciple, I have come here today specifically not only to grant you some protective divine powers and urge you to be cautious, but also to inform you of one matter."

"Master, please speak."

"During this expedition of yours beyond the mountains, aside from completing the missions listed in the Gongdedian, you should also make a trip to Xu Huang Tian to pay respects to that Great Divine King."

"Indeed so," Chen Heng nodded upon hearing this.

The pattern wherein the Eight Sects and Six Clans of Xudu Tian dominate the cosmos and suppress all other Daos has become so rigid that there is scarcely any room for maneuver or change; thus, if he wishes to expand territory and sweep away demonic dust and evil miasma, he can only do so beyond the heavens.

Only beyond the heavens, freed from various invisible shackles, can he conveniently unleash his capabilities to earn Dao Merit, for the bulk of the Dao Merit within the Merit Courtyard is also largely related to the Tian Wai Shi Zhi Jie.

Besides this, Chen Heng also remembered the words Chen Yu had personally conveyed to him through a clone that visited Yu Yu Yuchen.

You Ming Zhen Shui is implicitly the chief among the Seven Great Divine Waters, and Chen Yu had promised that after Chen Heng forms his elixir, should he travel to Xu Huang Tian, he would be gifted the method for jointly refining Wang Wang Bai Shui and San Zi Shui.

Given such conditions, with the two combining together.

The Tian Wai Shi Zhi Jie had thus become a place he simply must visit...

In the Great Thousand World, amidst ten thousand heavens and ten thousand Daos, countless as grains of sand, since entering the path of cultivation, Chen Heng had only circulated within Xudu Tian and had never yet witnessed the scenery of lands beyond the domains.

But now, having cultivated to the Jin Dan realm and taken his place as a True Person, he possesses at least some capacity for self-preservation.

Regarding the lands beyond the domains.

He felt a certain longing in his heart.

"According to sect rules, those who achieve Elixir Achieves First Grade may choose one method from the Shi Wu Zheng Fa for cultivation; since you already possess the 'Xue Xuan Zhong Tai Wu Zi Ran Kai Yuan Jing Lu' and lack no root method, the Three Scriptures and Five Classics naturally need not be mentioned, leaving only the Ba Gong and Nine Books..."

Master Master Tongxuan stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, then continued speaking:

"Previously you consulted this old man, asking how exactly you should choose among the Ba Gong and Nine Books?"

This matter concerns much; at that time I did not give you an answer, but after discussing with several Daoist brothers, and considering that you intend to go to Xu Huang Tian to seek You Ming Zhen Shui.

After careful consideration, among the Ba Gong and Nine Books, there is one method that aligns most perfectly with your current situation.

If, after obtaining You Ming Zhen Shui, you also cultivate this method to completion, then at the future Dan Yuan Grand Assembly, even if someone else has also achieved Elixir Achieves First Grade and fortunately cultivated their own sect's supreme great divine power, they will absolutely be unable to contend with you and are destined to fall short of you!"

"May I ask what this method is?" Chen Heng, lost in thought with a vague answer already forming in his mind, still voiced the question.

"Naturally, it is my Yu Yu Yuchen's majestic world-suppressing method, the number one killing and punishing divine power across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas—"

Master Master Tongxuan, wearing an expression of emotion, waved his sleeve and declared in a deep voice:

"Tai Yi Shen Lei!"