Chapter 224: Myriad Heavens: In Zhetian, Refining Treasures to Become Emperor Chapter 224: Moral Heavenly Venerable

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Protagonist:

Jiang Xuan

Above the High Heavens, Jiang Xuan's gaze fell upon some monks who were cultivating.

Jiang Xuan's gaze landed on the Luohan Fist, a flash of brilliance flickering in his eyes, and he immediately set about improving it.

In the depths of his consciousness, an illusory little figure quietly emerged, like a cultivator of a microscopic world, performing deduction.

"Following the initial path of this technique, one must first undergo the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment period to build a solid foundation."

Jiang Xuan spoke, yet his thoughts had already drifted far, "Once Foundation Establishment reaches perfection, one enters the Meditation Qi Accumulation Realm; this stage mainly involves gathering True Qi. Coincidentally, it shares a similar subtlety with the martial arts mental methods of the Heavenly Dragon and the Fengyun World."

Jiang Xuan shook his head slightly, a smile curling his lips: "It's just that the strength of these first two realms is indeed rather lowly in those worlds where experts stand like forests. If compared to the Zhetian World, perhaps it only reaches the level of the Bitter Sea Realm."

However, he was also clear in his heart that although this cultivation system appears ordinary in the early stages, carrying a strong Jianghu atmosphere, its growth potential in the later stages can be called terrifying, with strength increasing explosively.

At this moment, the little figure in his heart had already rapidly crossed the Qi Accumulation stage, and following the path Jiang Xuan had meticulously deduced, began to assault the Innate Nine Apertures.

"Once the Nine Apertures are opened, one must attempt to coordinate one's own power with the power of the external Heaven and Earth; this fusion of the internal Heaven and Earth with the external Heaven and Earth is akin to the resonance between the human body's small universe and the external great universe, containing endless profound mysteries."

A moment later, Jiang Xuan waved his hand lightly, and the little figure in his heart dissipated into nothingness.

His current deduction only reached the Nine Apertures stage; although there were threads to follow for the subsequent Outer Scene Realm, the Dharma Body Realm was like a peak difficult to surpass, its profundities absolutely not easily fathomed.

However, the whereabouts of the Divine Skill Secret Manual would likely have to fall on this "fellow townsman" below.

……

The summit of the ethereal and lofty Thirty-Three Heavens.

Auspicious birds dance solemnly, spirit springs well up tranquilly, rare immortal grasses are seen everywhere, immortal flowers and spirit blossoms bloom all over, together clustering around a simple and unadorned palace.

Atop the palace, three large characters are inscribed upright.

Taishang Laojun Palace!

Jiang Xuan gazed at the Taishang Laojun Palace, his expression serious, complex emotions surging in his heart.

Through the Hongmeng Treasure Mirror, he knew his memories would not be tampered with or viewed, yet he never expected to find himself in such a situation.

Jiang Xuan stood at the gate of the Taishang Laojun Palace, his figure tall and straight, his expression solemn. He did not hesitate over whether to step through the palace gate; since he had been guided here, escape was clearly impractical, and moreover this was within his expectations.

"Old Lord, long time no see, have you been well?"

Jiang Xuan silently pondered in his heart, then his expression turned stern, feeling such a greeting was too casual; in this solemn place, facing the Heavenly Lord, it was truly improper.

Besides, is the Heavenly Lord very familiar with me?

"Heavenly Venerable, I heard your Alchemy Path cultivation has advanced further?"

Jiang Xuan stood quietly at the gate, his face calm, his expression solemn, yet deep in his heart it was truly difficult to remain undisturbed. The figure inside this palace is the Moral Heavenly Venerable, born already at the Other Shore Realm, and the most powerful, most mysterious top-tier existence among the Other Shore.

It was as if he, who had not yet become an immortal, suddenly faced an Immortal Emperor head-on, or even an existence more powerful than an Immortal Emperor, inspiring awe.

Jiang Xuan took a deep breath; since things had come to this, only by maintaining a heart of reverence and facing it calmly was the right path.

"Creak!"

The palace gate slowly opened from within, emitting a sound just like that of a mundane door.

A golden-robed child servant poked his head out from inside the gate, glanced at Jiang Xuan, then quickly looked left and right; seeing no one else around, he knew the person before him was likely the one the Grand Master had instructed to invite.

"This Master, please enter; the Grand Master has been waiting."

The golden-robed child servant spoke softly, his voice calm and measured.

This child servant still remembered the Grand Master's exact words: "Go invite that person outside in."

Although the Grand Master gave no further explanation, since it was someone the Grand Master specifically named to invite, naturally it was best to treat them with respect; this is also the basic cultivation of a Daoist child servant.

Jiang Xuan looked at the golden-robed child servant, his heart already roughly guessing his identity.

Golden Horn Great King!

For a moment, Jiang Xuan actually had a wondrous feeling of stepping into myth and legend, even though he himself was already in the midst of myth.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!"

Jiang Xuan cupped his fists toward Golden Horn in salute; the other party treated him with courtesy and addressed him as Master, so he naturally could not be arrogant. When Meng Qi achieved the Primordial Heavenly Venerable position and entered the Taishang Laojun Palace, he was quite respectful to these two child servants, addressing them as martial brothers.

Moreover, he remembered that in this world, Golden Horn and Silver Horn are legendary figures of great renown. Furthermore, the child servants under the Old Lord's seat — how could they be ordinary legendary characters?

"Not at all, not at all, Master, please follow me."

Golden Horn hurriedly waved his hand, turned sideways to open the gate fully, and led Jiang Xuan inside.

Jiang Xuan nodded slightly, following Golden Horn's steps, passing through layer upon layer of palace halls, arriving at a quiet room furnished with an alchemy furnace. Inside the room, an alchemy furnace sat atop a fire; the flames appeared to have no temperature, yet burned quietly, exuding a mysterious tranquility.

Inside the Quiet Room, a white-haired, gray-bearded old man in Daoist robes sat quietly in meditation before the alchemy furnace.

His eyes seemed half-closed, leisurely gazing at the alchemy furnace.

Eight Trigrams Furnace!

That alchemy furnace was absolutely identical to the Eight Trigrams Furnace Mark in the Hongmeng Treasure Mirror!

The old man had his back to Jiang Xuan; beside the furnace, a silver-robed child servant was fanning the flames unhurriedly, and beside the silver-robed child servant, another fan of identical style was placed neatly; previously the two child servants must have been fanning the fire here together.

Jiang Xuan's gaze fell on the Moral Heavenly Venerable's back, his heart struck as if by a spiritual rhinoceros.

Through this Daoist's figure, he saw the vast boundless myriad universes, layer upon layer of the Heavens and Worlds.

The Great Dao, from its ignorant stirring at the Primordial Beginning, all the way through the vigorous flourishing of myriad blossoms, then slowly marching toward its destined final destination.

Every minute change, every grand turning point, all like a flowing epic scroll.

From nothing to existence, and from existence back to nothing.

Moral Heavenly Venerable, the foundation of existence!

The sound of fanning the fire broke the tranquility inside the room, and also pulled Jiang Xuan back to reality.

He turned slightly, facing that lofty figure, and solemnly performed a Daoist salute, his voice steady and respectful: "Greetings, Heavenly Venerable!"

The Heavenly Venerable of Virtue seemed not to hear, still sitting quietly in meditation before the alchemy furnace, unmoving.

The two child servants, Golden Horn and Silver Horn, maintained an unhurried rhythm, fanning the furnace fire stroke by stroke; occasionally they could not suppress their curiosity, secretly lifting their eyelids to quickly glance at Jiang Xuan, then hurriedly lowering their heads again to continue their movements, as if afraid of being discovered in their little actions, their appearance carrying a few traces of childish innocence and naivety, which seemed rather subtle in this solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Eight hundred years drifting by, after the Journey to the West, this was the first time someone had come to the Taishang Laojun Palace.

"Crackle!"

A crisp sound shattered the room's tranquility; Jiang Xuan's gaze sharply focused. The originally peacefully burning flames suddenly surged and churned, scorching fire tongues rampaging with bared fangs and brandished claws.

"This is……"

Jiang Xuan stared fixedly at the alchemy furnace, a flash of light crossing his eyes.

In that instant, he seemed to see his own Eight Trigrams Furnace, all the various insights from his past cultivation, the Dao and the methods, all emerging before his eyes along the firelight within the furnace.

Those originally crackling flames suddenly underwent a strange transformation, turning into the convergent embodiment of the Great Dao.

In the void, a crack spontaneously appeared, pouring out vast Great Dao power like surging rivers, infusing into the flames, making them burn even more vigorously, the scorching light illuminating the entire space.

That alchemy furnace, at this moment, looked nothing like an ordinary alchemy furnace, but rather like a myriad-heavens world containing endless profound mysteries.

Under the fierce burning of the Great Dao Fire, it emitted "crack crack" sounds, its essence seemingly breaking through some shackles, continuously climbing and rising toward a higher dimension.

Jiang Xuan's gaze was deeply drawn in, his whole person immersed within.

In the wondrous scene of flames and alchemy furnace interweaving, he saw boundless universes, layer upon layer of heavens manifesting in succession.

That was the mysterious summons of the place near the Dao, the primal breath of boundless chaos, and even more the hazy outline of the True Realm.

Finally, all illusions returned to one; he saw himself transform into the Eight Trigrams Furnace, merging as one with the Ultimate Dao between heaven and earth.

Jiang Xuan stood quietly in place, unmoving, eyes fixed on the Eight Trigrams Furnace, immersed in insight.

The two child servants, Golden Horn and Silver Horn, perceived Jiang Xuan's unusual state, and could not help but feel doubt; after exchanging a glance, they cautiously stole a look at the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue, as if seeking some instruction, yet the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue still sat there quietly like an ancient statue.

"Grand Master, he is……"

Golden Horn asked in a low voice, his tone full of doubt and curiosity.

At this moment, the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue's head swayed slightly, nodding bit by bit; that appearance actually seemed as if he had been caught by a sleep bug.

Golden Horn and Silver Horn were extremely quick-witted; seeing the Grand Master in this state, they immediately understood tacitly, knowing the Grand Master currently had no interest in conversation. Thus the two tacitly closed their mouths, spoke no more, concentrated all their attention on the fans in their hands, and devotedly fanned the furnace fire; for a while, the room was left only with the "crackle" of burning flames and the slight wind sound of waving fans, quiet to an abnormal degree.

Unknown how much time had flowed by, Jiang Xuan only then slowly regained his senses from that profound realization.

"Marvelous!"

He stood in place, carefully savoring that mysterious feeling from just now, his heart increasingly feeling that this "Dao" was truly profound, marvelous beyond words, containing the world's ultimate principles and profound mysteries.

"Many thanks, Heavenly Venerable!"

Jiang Xuan performed a respectful salute toward the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue, sincerely expressing thanks.

He knew in his heart that if not for the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue intentionally assisting, relying on himself alone, wanting to comprehend such profound true meaning of the Dao from such a sacred alchemy furnace was simply a fantasy.

Although he indeed possessed outstanding talent, without a high person's guidance and enlightenment, wanting to reach such a realm was undoubtedly a fool's dream.

He had already known where the road lay!

The quiet room was completely silent; the flames' previous tumbling clamor had already vanished completely, leaving only the slight rhythmic sounds emitted when Golden Horn and Silver Horn waved their fans, further setting off a few degrees of tranquility and harmony.

The Heavenly Venerable of Virtue remained silent; Jiang Xuan was also somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to break this deadlock, and could only quietly gaze at the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue's back; that back seemed to possess an invisible power, letting Jiang Xuan's originally somewhat restless heart gradually settle down.

"I wonder what matter the Heavenly Venerable summoned me for this time?"

Jiang Xuan ultimately could not suppress the doubt in his heart, and took the initiative to ask.

He thought, the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue being this silent, he couldn't just keep waiting dryly like this, right?

Moreover, the Heavenly Venerable surely wouldn't be unfavorable to him, right? Although he thought this in his heart, facing such an unfathomable great power, Jiang Xuan's heart still couldn't help but feel some trepidation and unease.

"To see the young friend."

After a long while, the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue finally spoke in reply; that voice sounded just like an ordinary old man, without the slightest majestic oppression, yet also revealing an indescribable mystery and depth, making one unable to fathom the deep meaning behind his words.

Hearing this, Jiang Xuan was instantly at a loss, his heart full of confusion.

Merely to see him? Going to such great trouble to bring him to this Taishang Laojun Palace?

But after coming, treating him so indifferently?

This was completely different from what he had envisioned before stepping into this world. Arriving in the Generation's Most Honored's world at this specific time node, Jiang Xuan reckoned that almost all other things around him could hardly pose a substantive threat to him; the only thing that made him harbor apprehension and hesitation was this unfathomable Heavenly Venerable of Virtue before him.

This great power's every move and word seemed shrouded in a layer of mysterious mist, making it hard to spy his true intention and purpose; Jiang Xuan's heart involuntarily gave rise to a few points of vigilance and guard.

At that time, the lofty Heavenly Emperor had vanished without a trace; to him, any matter at present compared with it was not as important as hiding his tracks and "lingering on".

And the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue, this great figure of the Other Shore remaining in the world, his existence was like a towering mountain lying across Jiang Xuan's heart, making him hesitant and indecisive.

After a round of weighing, Jiang Xuan still decided to come.

He harbored in his heart a conjecture that seemed bold and risky, yet closely fit the actual situation.

In his view, for transcendent existences like the Three Pure Ones, what was most critical?

Undoubtedly, transcending this world's shackles and achieving that supreme Dao fruit was the top priority; all the rest compared to it were merely trivial branches and leaves.

The room's atmosphere again fell into a dead silence; he was pondering what could break this deadlock when the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue unexpectedly took the lead to break the silence and spoke.

"Non-action is not non-doing, following Heaven and responding to the times, taking nature as teacher, following the Dao, that is non-action."

"The non-acting one has the Dao added to the body, merges with the great trend, and nothing is unfavorable."

Not waiting for Jiang Xuan to respond, the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue spoke first, gentle and peaceful.

Hearing this, Jiang Xuan could not help but be slightly stunned, thoughts rushing in. He recalled his original intention for this visit, scenes related to Meng Qi flashed in his mind, and he also speculated on the intention of this most ancient existence before him.

"Heavenly Venerable, I have comprehended!"

After a long while, a smile bloomed on Jiang Xuan's face, brilliant and dazzling.

"Thanks to the Heavenly Venerable's guidance, Jiang Xuan is endlessly grateful!"

This thanks, Jiang Xuan smiled broadly, his words becoming smooth and natural.

"Heavenly Venerable, I know a method called Offering……" Jiang Xuan wanted to speak but stopped, attempting to repay the Heavenly Venerable of Virtue's grace of enlightenment.

"Do not mention it." (Chapter End)