Chapter 161: 225. Human Saint Hall, Longevity Manor, how can mere ants be spared (4.2K - Seeking Subscriptions)

Red Tower?

Zhang Daolu fell into deep thought upon hearing these two words.

He vaguely remembered that many, many years ago, when he had just begun cultivating the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers realm, he had once visualized a brilliant White Tower; it was precisely by visualizing that White Tower that he had been able to seize the mountains and rivers.

Nowadays, most people remained at the level of Mountain and River Lord, and only those at the level of Palace Master or Vice Palace Master had stepped into the True Spirit Realm; his own realm was already one step above the True Spirit Realm, an existence capable of forming a world of its own.

Yet even so, he had still never been able to find the trail of that White Tower.

But regarding what the White Tower was, he had some vague guesses.

The White Tower was the path leading to the true sun.

Therefore, he had made the judgment that "the Yin Sea and Yang Sky under the Reappearance World are illusions."

The so-called Yin-Yang Illusion Realm was nothing more than a projection cast by the Yin True Sea and the sun; it was the place closest to the Yin True Sea and the sun, but it was not the Yin True Sea or the sun themselves.

As for why he discovered this, it was because he had once explored a place "formerly named the Yin-Yang True Realm" together with his dao companion Long Xueling; as it turned out, perhaps due to good luck, at one moment, he discovered the outline of a brilliant White Tower within the Solar Vacuum—that White Tower was extremely, extremely high, so high that its peak could not be seen, and the further up one went, the more scorching it became.

Compared to that kind of scorching heat, the heat and light of the Solar Vacuum were almost negligible.

Hence, he made the inference that the mysterious Yin-Yang True Realm was nothing more than an illusion realm.

The White Tower was the path leading to the sun.

To verify this view, he and Long Xueling explored the Yin True Sea, and after experiencing several hundred years of time, they caught a distant glimpse of a Ghost Tower that looked like a reflection.

That Ghost Tower was situated on the surface of the Yin True Sea, with its tower top deep within the sea.

Compared to the icy cold of the tower top, the chill of the Yin True Sea was truly like a warm spring breeze.

"White Tower, Ghost Tower, Yin True Sea, sun"—perhaps this was the opportunity to go one step further.

Zhang Daolu and Long Xueling were both brilliant and talented individuals, so they naturally made their inferences based on this.

And the yang lives, while the yin dies.

The dead dissipate their yang energy, so they will gather a large amount of yin energy in a short time, subsequently heading toward the Yin True Sea to undergo reincarnation.

There is a Reincarnation Platform above the Yin True Sea; this point is known to almost every Mountain and River Lord.

However, even if you know it, you can never reach the Yin True Sea.

These are the rules of this world, and also the Dao of this world.

But the "Red Tower"... this is a mysterious power that has replaced the sun, is capable of manipulating the yin, has broken the existence of "death," and is an external, invading force that does not belong to this universe.

"The Distorted Sea?" Zhang Daolu's sword-like brows furrowed slightly.

Shi Feng struck while the iron was hot, saying: "Ascend the Red Tower, worship my Lord, and fear death no more."

Zhang Daolu suddenly laughed: "Since you do not fear death, then if I kill you now, what will happen to you?"

Shi Feng was stunned, but he stammered and said nothing.

Zhang Daolu said indifferently: "I will give you a chance to prove it. Your former nephew-in-sect Huang Taixuan is nearing the end of his lifespan; I will notify Palace Master Jing and let her agree to let Huang Taixuan come to find you and cultivate your 'Red Pagoda Visualization Method'."

What you said is not wrong; cultivators are indeed exhausted from running between one realm after another, fearing death, pursuing greater strength, and also pursuing longevity.

However, this old man has not yet become so desperate that he has lost his reason and been bewitched by your few words.

If your master truly has ability, then let us see it."

Having said this, the daoist with the bearing of an immortal waved his sleeves and turned to leave.

In fact, he had been thinking all along: since he and Long Xueling could both form a small world, then... how did the current world come to be? The high-end cultivation arts of the current world are all naturally formed.

But what is nature? The next day.

Xuanqing Palace.

Zhang Daolu found the Palace Master and Vice Palace Master in the main hall, explained his intentions, and clarified the "Red Pagoda Visualization Method."

Shi Feng used this method to bewitch him, but he exposed this method so that all seven great powers would know of it; in this way, the seven great powers would advance and retreat together.

If it were in the past, no one would have agreed to implement such an evil visualization method, but now... "New Mountain and River Lords are already extremely difficult to give birth to, and the old Mountain and River Lords have already begun to die," it was already time to fight with all one's might.

At this point, no Palace Master was still unable to grasp this point.

The seven great powers had already merged into one; although they were still called by their former names at this time, but... from the day of the merger, the seven great powers of Jianmu, Doujin, Lihuo, Tuzang, Xuanqing, Chan, and Longhu Chiyang had actually ceased to exist, and the name of the only remaining new power was—Human Saint Hall.

"Human" is because everyone felt they were already the batch of existences that had walked the furthest among the human race.

"Saint" is the expectation for the future.

After all, the "Creation of Humans Myth" that had been passed down from tens of millions of years ago was still circulating outside to this day.

The saint is lonely, dancing in the galaxy, creating ghosts and mortals.

Only by reaching that step is one a true saint.

At this time, Dao Lingkun said directly: "Let us follow Palace Master Zhang. Palace Master Jing, what do you think?"

Jing Shifei was somewhat distracted.

She knew that Song Cheng needed time to break through, but he had been gone for twenty years, so it was inevitable that her mind would be stirred, and all kinds of emotions followed one after another.

However, even so, she was not so distracted that she could not hear what the people around her were saying; at this moment, she replied appropriately: "Taixuan has always been thinking of this, so let him have his wish; let him visualize that method. Regardless of the outcome, it can be considered breaking new ground for our human race."

"Human race, human race..." Zhang Daolu smiled faintly and shook his head, then closed his eyes tightly and smiled bitterly again, "It really is the human race."

Dao Lingkun said: "I will not hide it from Palace Master Zhang, I have always felt that the current world is the end of the age of cultivation."

A thousand or ten thousand years of time is truly too short for the birth and destruction of a world, just like a drop in the ocean; my life is but a fleeting moment.

Since there is an end to the age of cultivation, there must have been a prosperous age.

In the prosperous age, I do not know what kind of scene it was... I often think that if someone as brilliant and talented as Palace Master Zhang were placed in the prosperous age of cultivation, their achievements would likely be much higher.

But ah... where are those great powers of the prosperous age now?"

He raised his hands slightly, looked up at the sky, and sighed: "Looking up at the galaxy, the brilliant prosperous age, where is it now?"

Jing Shifei's heart stirred slightly when she heard his words; a new thought suddenly arose in her heart: Could Song Cheng be a great power from that prosperous age? Having reached the True Spirit Realm, she knew that a difference of one level in realm was a difference between clouds and mud.

Zhang Daolu and Long Xueling were already able to open up independent small worlds, so anything above that, no matter how terrifying, would not surprise her.

Zhang Daolu seemed to have noticed Jing Shifei's abnormality and asked: "Palace Master Jing, you were moved by the sound; could it be that you have seen a great power?"

Jing Shifei slowly shook her head and said, "I am merely longing for that Saint who waved his hand across the galaxy and created all living beings."

Having said that, she added indifferently, "I will have Huang Taixuan come out now; Palace Master Zhang can take him away."

Before she had even finished speaking, Zhang Daolu interrupted her, his expression solemn as he said, "This time, we shall all go together."

Jing Shifei was stunned, then nodded, and said, "Give me one more month; I need to make a trip to the mortal world."

Zhang Daolu did not ask further, only saying, "Very well, go quickly and return quickly."

For the Reappearance World, it was nothing more than completing the integration of the seven great powers, nothing more than interrogating Shi Feng, and nothing more than solving the problem of an aging population.

But for the GreatRongDynasty—no, for the former GreatRongDynasty—it had already reached its end; the dynasty was now named Great Chu.

When Jing Shifei found An Chenyu, the latter was no longer in the canyon tent from before, but by a lakeside in the suburbs of the Imperial Capital. Great Chu had just been founded.

The new Heavenly Son, Zhao Qingci, had just ascended the throne.

And Yu Xiansheng was the number one meritorious official.

However, Yu Xiansheng, whom everyone had assumed would reach the pinnacle of officialdom, had instead requested to retire, and the Chu Emperor had granted it.

Now, Yu Xiansheng sat by the lakeside, fishing in that clear pool.

The sun hung high in the lake, making the ripples sparkle and dazzle; occasionally, a stubborn withered leaf would fall from a branch, creating ripples and breaking the shattered gold. Yu Xiansheng leaned against an old tree, watching the lake surface, appearing half-asleep and half-awake, as if in deep thought.

Jing Shifei did not hide her footsteps, though she had come here by possessing a nearby fisherman.

An Linyuan tried to block her, but Jing Shifei merely waved her hand gently, and a long wind softly pushed the former aside.

Pushed aside along with her were the leaves on the tree that had yet to fall.

For a moment, yellow leaves danced wildly, filling the sky.

Yu Xiansheng put down the fishing rod, stood up, turned his head, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Divine Mother."

Jing Shifei did not bother with formalities and asked urgently, "Have you seen Song Lang?"

An Chenyu shook her head and said, "I have not seen him for decades."

Immediately, she added, "How is Song Lang?"

Jing Shifei recounted the events in detail.

An Chenyu said, "My connection with the Canghai in the north has indeed been severed; it has been broken for twenty years."

Jing Shifei breathed a secret sigh of relief; what she feared most was that Song Cheng had suddenly abandoned her, but it now seemed that Song Cheng was likely just immersed in consolidating his realm and unable to break free.

After a moment of thought, she took two Ink Plum Tokens from her bosom—which appeared both real and illusory, and were incomparably profound—and handed them to An Chenyu, saying, "Calculating the time, Song Lang's two offspring should be close to completing their fusion. If they come to find you, you may give them these tokens. Once they enter the Reappearance World, they can use these tokens to come to Xuanqing Palace. Song Lang's offspring are my offspring; I will naturally teach them how to cultivate."

An Chenyu bowed and said, "Many thanks, Divine Mother."

Jing Shifei sighed softly, then visited Donghua Zhenren in the human world, but still heard no news of Song Cheng. Helpless, she had to return to the Reappearance World first to unite with the various True Spirit Realm experts to study the "Red Pagoda Visualization Method" together and observe the results of Huang Taixuan as a test subject.

At this time, in the suburbs of the Great Chu Imperial Capital, by the lakeside, luggage had already been packed onto a carriage. An Linyuan sat in the driver's seat, looking at her foster mother, who was walking over with her wide white sleeves hanging down.

Just across a patch of woods, the sounds of blades and slaughter could be heard not far away, with screams and curses ringing out incessantly.

A white shadow darted out from the woods, and An Linyuan's five fingers instantly gripped her blade. Before she could move, a black light shot out from behind the woods, heading straight for the white shadow.

The white shadow let out a sharp cry, and a phantom image a zhang tall expanded around her body; within the phantom, there was even the scent of lotus.

However, the black light shattered the phantom's True Spirit Qi with irresistible force.

The light revealed its form to be an arrow like a blade; it pierced through the back of the white shadow, its tail like a claw, hooking into her back, lifting her up, and nailing her fiercely into the mud not far from the carriage.

The white shadow was not yet dead; she raised her hand to reach out toward the white-robed gentleman, saying with pain and resentment, "Yu Xian... sheng..."

In an instant, many armored soldiers rushed over from behind. The fierce general in black armor at the lead saw the carriage, raised his hand abruptly, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yu Xiansheng, I am acting under imperial decree to capture a thief; I have disturbed you."

"It is of no consequence."

An Chenyu said indifferently, then continued walking toward the carriage.

"Yu Xian... sheng..." the white shadow was still calling out.

An Chenyu stopped in her tracks.

In an instant, everyone fell completely silent.

The black-armored general said respectfully, "Sir, this is the demoness Yiye Lian of the White Lotus Sect's Four Dharma Kings. The Heavenly Son has ordered me to kill her without exception; please do not make things difficult for me."

An Chenyu said, "She is already crippled; spare her life. I will give you a letter for the Heavenly Son so you can fulfill your duty."

The black-armored general fell silent, and someone behind him said, "General, why waste words? Just—"

Slap!!

Before the words were finished, the black-armored general slapped his subordinate away and said, "Yes, Sir!"

A moment later, the black-armored general left with the letter.

And on An Chenyu's carriage, there was now an extra demoness with bandages wrapped around her chest and abdomen, looking frail.

A few days later... Yiye Lian had recovered slightly and said angrily, "Why is Yu Xiansheng crossing the river and tearing down the bridge like this? If not for my White Lotus Sect, how could the Chu Emperor have conquered this land so easily? Now that he has just ascended the throne, he is thinking of exterminating us; why?"

An Chenyu looked at the angry demoness and smiled, "Silly girl, the White Lotus Sect has done all sorts of evil; how could the Heavenly Son tolerate you? Once you are dead, those dirty deeds and evil acts will naturally disappear along with you."

Yiye Lian remained silent, her pretty face lowered.

The bumpy carriage, the long journey.

Yu Xiansheng's words were sharp and hit the mark, making her understand instantly, and thus her eyes revealed a sense of bewilderment about the future.

She subconsciously glanced at Yu Xiansheng, and the gentleman's eyes also revealed bewilderment.

She truly could not understand what this gentleman, known as the "First Sage of Rong and Chu, destined to be remembered in history," was bewildered about.

An Chenyu was still using an illusion to appear as a man, so in the eyes of outsiders, she was still a refined gentleman.

In these years of chaotic warfare, she began to slowly discover some strange things: for instance... Yin and Yang would truly be scattered by the division and integration of the dynasty; once scattered, it was truly difficult for Ghosts to be produced.

However, there was one more point she had not understood: that in times of chaos, why would "madmen" always appear.

Her plans were flawless, but those "madmen" would always give her a huge surprise.

Just like now... she had calculated that the "Chu Emperor" would definitely give her face and would never come to chase her for the sake of a crippled White Lotus Sect Dharma King, because the Chu Emperor vaguely knew who she was.

But behind the carriage, the sound of dense, drum-like horse hooves had already begun to ring out.

The sound of hooves approached rapidly, rumbling like the sound of thunder.

These were the most elite cavalry of Great Chu—the Ascetic Cavalry.

The cavalry in the battalion practiced abstinence and asceticism, retaining only "killing intent"; they were the Chu Emperor's sharpest blade, and once unsheathed, they would not return to their scabbards without tasting blood.

Now, those Ascetic Cavalry were coming toward her.

Was this to kill her?

Why? Reappearance World.

A group of True Spirit Realm powerhouses led by Zhang Daolu and Long Xueling escorted Shi Feng to a strange "red manor" in Reappearance World.

The entrance gate of the manor still hung a plaque: Changsheng Villa.

And the four characters "Changsheng Villa" were as red as "fresh blood flowing from fair skin after a blade is plunged into the heart."

However, this was Reappearance World.

In a black-and-white ink-wash world, such an abundance of glaring red was truly eerie, chilling, and even made the observer feel somewhat dizzy and on the verge of madness.

Shi Feng curled his lips and said, "The jade slip is right here in this villa; who dares to accompany me to retrieve it?"

(End of this chapter)