Other Shore of the Martial Dao

Xu Ying was taken aback. "The Daoist Sect Ancestral Court? Brother Daoist, dare I ask what relation the Daoist Sect Ancestral Court has to the Ancestral Court?" Only now did he notice a gleaming silver bangle encircling the Daoist's arm, and his heart stirred. The last time he came here to harvest Taiqing Qi to cultivate his primordial spirit, he had seen this very silver bangle. Back then, terrified of its tremendous might, he had not dared to touch it, taking only the Taiqing Qi encompassed within the bangle. *How did this bangle end up in this strange Daoist's hands?* he wondered. The treasure's power was simply too terrifying. Even the Little Celestial Venerable had not dared covet it. If this Daoist had forcibly claimed it, that meant his strength far exceeded that of the Little Celestial Venerable! Yet did such a powerful being truly exist in the Ancestral Court? The Daoist smiled. "The so-called Ancestral Court is the central court where ancestors are venerated. The court where the human race originated is called the Human Dao Ancestral Court, while the court where the Daoist sect originated is called the Daoist Sect Ancestral Court. Tushita Palace of Lihen Heaven was the Daoist Sect Ancestral Court of ancient times. In those days, our Daoist sect's ancestral masters preached the Dao and passed down techniques right here." Xu Ying's expression shifted slightly. "Then the Ancestral Court is..." Leading the way forward, the Daoist smiled and said, "The Human Dao Ancestral Court." Xu Ying felt a jolt in his soul. "You mean to say the Ancestral Court is actually the ancestral court where the human race originated? But why was it destroyed? Why did the Heavenly Dao of this place fall into ruin and collapse as well?" The strange Daoist shook his head. "That is beyond what I know. Fellow Daoist Xu, this way please. Since you have come to my Daoist Sect Ancestral Court, as a guest you should defer to the host. May I trouble you to offer a stick of incense to our Daoist Sect Ancestral Court's Dao Ancestor?" Xu Ying agreed and followed him to the main hall of Tushita Palace. Looking up, he saw the words "Taiqing Hall" inscribed upon the grand hall. *Taiqing Hall? One Qi Transforming into Three Purities manifests three Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirits, one of which is the Taiqing Daode Heavenly Venerable. Is there some connection between Taiqing Hall and the Taiqing Daode Heavenly Venerable? And this place seems to be called Lihen Realm Taiqing Heaven as well.* With these thoughts in mind, Xu Ying followed the Daoist into Taiqing Hall. Enshrined within Taiqing Hall was an old immortal with the hair of a crane and the complexion of a youth, wearing a Daoist crown, with delicate, handsome features, slender eyes, and a long beard. He sat aboard a wooden boat, and behind him immortal qi grew into a forest, transforming into willow trees. Xu Ying looked at the old immortal's features, then turned to look at the strange Daoist beside him, finding to his surprise that the two bore a striking resemblance. "This old one is not the Dao Ancestor, but rather the Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit of the Dao Revelation Ground. If Fellow Daoist Xu does not mind, you may address me as Daoist Taiqing," the Daoist said as he brought over incense. "The Dao Ancestor is no longer in this world. Fellow Daoist Xu, please offer incense." Xu Ying took the incense, offered it before the Dao Ancestor's statue, and stepped back. He then asked, "Brother Daoist, you say you are a Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit. The One Qi Transforming into Three Purities you imparted to me manifests three Purities that are all Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirits. In that case, are you the primordial spirit of heaven and earth, or someone else's primordial spirit?" Daoist Taiqing smiled. "Both." Xu Ying froze. Daoist Taiqing chuckled. "I am the Dao Ancestor's Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, and also the Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit of the Dao Revelation Ground. When the Dao Ancestor joined with the Dao, I merged with heaven and earth, thereby becoming the primordial spirit of that world. The living beings of the Ancestral Court worship me at the Dao Revelation Ground to seek wisdom and enlightenment in the Great Dao. I receive their incense and harmonize with heaven and earth, making me no different from that realm's primordial spirit." Xu Ying grew pensive. While Daoist Taiqing seemed to be speaking of his own origins, he was actually guiding him on how to cultivate a Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit. A Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit was somewhat similar to a primordial god, yet also distinct. Primordial gods were born from people's incense and prayers, merging with heaven and earth; thus, they naturally followed the Heavenly Dao, harmonizing heaven and humanity and condensing Heavenly Dao runes. A Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, on the other hand, was the transformed primordial spirit of an immortal or god of great achievement. Such an entity cultivated their primordial spirit in the manner of a primordial god, aligning with heaven and earth and uniting with the Great Dao, thereby forming a Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit. Xu Ying's cultivation of One Qi Transforming into Three Purities produced Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirits, but he had never truly understood what the art meant. He had only been able to cultivate the divine power because of the fortuitous opportunity of joining with the Dao at the Dao Revelation Ground. Only now did he truly understand Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirits, deepening his comprehension of One Qi Transforming into Three Purities. *One Qi Transforming into Three Purities—three great Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirits. By harmonizing these three great primordial spirits with the Great Dao of heaven and earth, they feed back into oneself, yielding twice the results with half the effort during cultivation,* Xu Ying thought to himself. *Moreover, when a primordial spirit merges with heaven and earth to become a Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, it is equivalent to wielding the power of a whole world's Great Dao for my own use. The enhancement to the primordial spirit is simply immense. This is the true potential of One Qi Transforming into Three Purities!* At this thought, he bowed in gratitude to Daoist Taiqing. Daoist Taiqing smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xu, why thank me? You helped me escape the suppression of the Immortal Realm. You gifted me a peach, and I repay you with fine jade—this is simply good karma." Xu Ying sought his advice. "Brother Daoist, I cultivated the Six Secret Depositories of the Human Body, opened all six depositories, established cave-heavens, and fished for immortal medicine from the other shores. Now, because my cave-heavens were destroyed and my six secret depositories broken, my strength has been severely crippled. Could Brother Daoist teach me how to resolve this?" Daoist Taiqing shook his head. "I cannot teach you." Before Xu Ying could ask further, Daoist Taiqing smiled and said, "In my era, there was no other shore, let alone any cultivation methods for the other shore. I have no way to instruct you. Fellow Daoist Xu, you yourself are a grandmaster of the Nuo method; why must you seek answers from others? If you cannot resolve it yourself, how could anyone else teach you?" "I am a grandmaster of the Nuo method?" Xu Ying murmured. Daoist Taiqing smiled. "You possessed the ancestral method of the six secret depositories, and on that foundation created the six great immortal palaces to refine immortal medicine and bless the world. If that is not a grandmaster, what is? Tushita Palace of Lihen Heaven is the Dao Ancestor's dojo, permeating with his imprint. Back then, when you comprehended Tushita Palace here, you gained profound insights. You might as well stay here for a few days; perhaps you will gain further enlightenments." Xu Ying expressed his thanks. Daoist Taiqing removed the silver bangle from his arm and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Xu, this treasure was used by the Dao Ancestor for self-defense. Your cultivation and strength are not what they once were—do you need this treasure to protect yourself?" Xu Ying was deeply tempted, but ultimately refused, saying, "Brother Daoist, with three Immortal King treasures at my disposal, protecting myself is not difficult. You had best keep this snare to yourself." Daoist Taiqing had no choice but to let the matter rest. Xu Ying sat down in Tushita Palace to meditate, sensing the Great Dao of this shattered realm and capturing the imprints left behind by the Dao Ancestor. Daoist Taiqing exited Tushita Palace. Penglai sat just outside the palace gates, so the Daoist walked straight up the mountain to Mituo Temple. Shenpo ordered a host of immortal herbs to serve tea and water, treating him with hospitable warmth. Xu Ying's weed from the grave was among the odd-job workers, suffering indignities and repeatedly bullied by the other immortal herbs. "Did you fail to give your snare away, Fellow Daoist?" Shenpo asked with sparkling eyes, glancing at the Diamond Bangle on his arm with a smile. Daoist Taiqing sighed. "I've offered it three times now, and he still won't take it." He felt utterly helpless. When Xu Ying came to the ruins of Tushita Palace in his first life to comprehend the site, it had been offered once. Back then, the Diamond Bangle had surfaced, revealing its supreme treasure might. In those days, Xu Ying was the premier troublemaker of the Ancestral Court, looting treasures, digging graves, swindling, and deceiving everywhere he went. Yet when the Diamond Bangle was presented to him on a silver platter, he had surprisingly refused to touch it! The second time was recently, when Xu Ying visited the ruins of Tushita Palace again, taking only the Taiqing Qi and not daring to touch the Diamond Bangle. Just now, he had offered it yet again, and Xu Ying had once more resolutely declined. Three attempts, all rejected—Daoist Taiqing could only feel exasperated. Shenpo chuckled. "It's so glaringly a snare, who would dare take it? If someone accepts it, who could bear the karma of the Dao Ancestor? Any one of the Dao Ancestor's enemies could crush them to death!" Daoist Taiqing nodded. "That is true enough." Shenpo smiled. "Therefore, supreme treasures must not be taken lightly. Brother Daoist, is there still any hope for the Human Dao Ancestral Court to rise again?" Daoist Taiqing's eyes flickered. "Within the Human Dao Ancestral Court, there is not only the Daoist Sect Ancestral Court, but also the Demon Race Ancestral Court, Heavenly Dao Ancestral Court, Golden Immortal Ancestral Court, Shangqing Ancestral Court, and Ziwei Ancestral Court. This place must rise once more." He paused before continuing, "Back then, the human race originated here and spread throughout the heavens and myriad realms. Kunlun served as the ancestral land connecting the myriad realms; visitors from all worlds traveled to Kunlun to cross the Divine Bridge and return to the Ancestral Court. The Xu family of Kunlun was responsible for guarding this passageway. As Kunlun's guardians, the Xu family linked the Ancestral Court to the heavens and myriad realms... The scion of the Xu family..." His gaze turned profound, and he murmured, "He may very well be the key to the Ancestral Court's resurgence!" Shenpo could not help but ask, "Brother Daoist, who could possibly shoulder such a burden?" Daoist Taiqing sighed. "Even if he cannot bear it, he must. He is already the tallest among us!" Shenpo nodded silently. The Ancestral Court had countless experts, but when it came to towering stature and potential, Xu Ying was indeed the tallest and held the greatest promise. "Can he restore his six secret depositories here in Tushita Palace of Lihen Heaven?" she could not help asking. "If he fails, I fear this tallest one will be no taller than a man whose legs have been snapped!" Daoist Taiqing hesitated, then shook his head. "If the Dao Ancestor were still here, he could certainly help him restore the six secret depositories. But the Dao Ancestor is no longer here... Fortunately, the Great Dao imprints he left behind remain, and perhaps they can help him." "Perhaps?" Shenpo glared at him. "Only 'perhaps'?" "To even have a 'perhaps' is already extraordinary." Daoist Taiqing took off the Diamond Bangle and asked, "Do you want this snare?" Shenpo was sorely tempted, but quickly regained her senses and shook her head. "No! Go find someone foolish enough; maybe you can trick them into risking their life for you!" Daoist Taiqing had no choice but to put the bangle away and walk out of the temple. Just then, he noticed a large serpent coiled atop one of the immortal mountains of the Penglai Fairy Realm, breathing in and out toward the sky. The yin and yang qi behind its head were exceptionally conspicuous. Daoist Taiqing's heart stirred. He tossed the Diamond Bangle into the air; with a clang, the silver bangle landed right in front of Yuan Qi and rolled twice. Hearing the sound, Yuan Qi looked at the bangle, then glanced up at the sky, astonished. "Did an immortal weapon fall from the Immortal Realm?" He poked the silver bangle with the tip of his tail, and the Diamond Bangle instantly slipped onto it. Yuan Qi was startled. He hurriedly circulated his vital qi in an attempt to pull the bangle off, but upon absorbing his vital qi, the Diamond Bangle whooshed and expanded, merging with the yin and yang qi behind his head to form a Taiji diagram within the snare! Yuan Qi was both surprised and delighted. "An immortal weapon fallen from the heavens—it shares destiny with me!" He immediately refined the Diamond Bangle and slipped it back onto his tail tip, wearing it like an oversized ring. Seeing this, Daoist Taiqing smiled. "Good, good! We shall meet in your dreams!" Yuan Qi continued his cultivation, drifting unconsciously into slumber. In his dream, Daoist Taiqing walked toward him, instructing him on how to refine this treasure, unleash its power, and so forth. When Yuan Qi woke up, he marveled at the experience. Refining the treasure according to what he had learned in the dream, the silver bangle indeed grew steadily more powerful and responsive to his will! Inside Tushita Palace, Xu Ying's meditation deepened unconsciously. Centering his mind on the Great One, he gradually sensed the broken Great Dao of Lihen Heaven and touched the various imprints left behind by the Dao Ancestor. Whenever he did, waves of profound Dao sounds echoed in his ears—the imprints left behind when the Dao Ancestor had preached the Dao and passed down techniques here in antiquity. Unfortunately, Lihen Heaven was shattered, and the Dao Ancestor's imprints had grown incomplete as well. He could only scavenge for pearls in the sea, searching for useful fragments among those fractured imprints. Whenever he emerged from meditation, he would practice the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art in Tushita Palace, honing his Martial Dao cave-heaven in an effort to reach the Other Shore of the Martial Dao through this ancient combat method. Because the Six Secret Depositories of the Human Body could not be restored directly, he sought to start from the Martial Dao, searching for a way to perfect the Other Shore of the Martial Dao. The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art was the martial dao of an ancient era. Perhaps through this technique, he could open the Other Shore of the Martial Dao and bring it to completion. However, he also knew that his chances of perfecting the Other Shore of the Martial Dao were minuscule; after all, his attainments in the martial dao were far inferior to those of Martial Dao Great Emperor Chen Luo. Even so, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art offered him a glimmer of hope. Martial Dao Great Emperor Chen Luo had opened more than half of the Other Shore of the Martial Dao. If Xu Ying could open the remainder, he could draw analogies from the process and understand how to repair his Six Secret Depositories of the Human Body. In the Taichu World, Commoner Martial Emperor Chen Luo, Wu Tianzun, and the others cultivated day and night. Wu Tianzun, Zhai Wuxian, and their companions had each opened Martial Dao cave-heavens to connect to the other shore, strengthening the martial dao in an attempt to fully open the Other Shore of the Martial Dao. However, they had not matched the achievements of Martial Emperor Chen Luo. For all their formidable skill, the Other Shore of the Martial Dao remained incomplete. Everyone redoubled their bitter training, striving to reach the Martial Dao Ascension stage and accomplish this grand feat. On this day, as they cultivated the martial dao intensely, profound Dao sounds suddenly echoed in their ears. Involuntarily, half of a Martial Dao cave-heaven emerged behind each of them! The Dao sounds resonated from within the Martial Dao cave-heavens, deafening as the essence of the martial dao blended into the sound, expounding the spirit of human will triumphing over heaven, defying oppressive power, and daring to resist. Wu Tianzun and the others were filled with shock and uncertainty. Accompanied by the resonant martial dao sounds, the Martial Dao cave-heavens they had opened gradually grew toward completion, no longer remaining half-formed! Zhai Wuxian came to a realization and cried out in astonishment, "The Other Shore of the Martial Dao has been completely opened!" Wu Tianzun said in shock, "Who could have opened the Other Shore of the Martial Dao? Apart from us, is there anyone else in this world proficient in the martial dao? Could it be..." Xu Ying's face surfaced in his mind, but he immediately shook his head. "That brat is a fine hand at cultivating the Extreme Intent Self-Mastery Art, but there's no way he could have opened the Other Shore of the Martial Dao!" As everyone exchanged guesses, Commoner Martial Emperor Chen Luo walked over and said, "Let us go to the Other Shore of the Martial Dao and see. Then we will know who opened it." He slashed through the air; space trembled, and a Divine Bridge miraculously materialized. The crowd followed him. Wu Tianzun shouldered the Five-Colored Immortal Mountain and strove to keep pace, heading toward the Other Shore of the Martial Dao. Upon arriving at the other shore, they indeed found someone already standing there. "This humble one is the Ancestral Court's Little Celestial Venerable. Greetings, fellow Daoists." The newcomer was a scholar in white holding a celestial halberd. Having just opened the Other Shore of the Martial Dao, he spoke with great humility to Martial Emperor Chen Luo and the others. "While cultivating my mysterious art, I suddenly sensed another other shore in the void, though it was incomplete. I came here and opened this other shore, and I apologize for disturbing you all." Martial Emperor Chen Luo and the others were both shocked and overjoyed. Meanwhile, within Tushita Palace, Xu Ying was hard at work practicing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art when he suddenly sensed that the Other Shore of the Martial Dao had been fully opened by someone. With his keen perception, he instantly realized the person who had opened it was the Little Celestial Venerable, and he could not help but feel utterly deflated. "'Teach the apprentice, starve the master!' It's true after all!"