A smile played on Zhangsun Shenghai's face as he asked, "Junior Brother Xu, you've only just returned in such a hurry, and now you're heading out again? Where might you be going?"
Xu Ying chuckled and laughed. "I just saw Eldest Senior Brother returning from outside as well. Where had you gone, Senior Brother?"
He scrutinized Zhangsun Shenghai. Looking straight at him, he looked like that black-masked thief; looking at him sideways, he still looked like that black-masked thief. From left or right, he looked like a thief every which way.
Zhangsun Shenghai said in surprise, "I've been in She'an Palace the entire time and haven't stepped out once. Many junior brothers and sisters can testify to that. When did you see me returning from outside, Junior Brother?"
For a moment, Xu Ying could not be entirely certain whether that masked man had been him. Puzzled, he said, "Could I have mistaken someone else for you? Where are you headed, Eldest Senior Brother?"
Zhangsun Shenghai replied, "I came precisely to find you. Junior Brother, I recently came into possession of an incomplete stone stele that lacks a crucial part. I heard that you possess another stele, so I came to see if they might form a complete whole."
Xu Ying stared at him with wide eyes.
Zhangsun Shenghai looked back at him with a warm smile, his eyes like two gentle springs.
Xu Ying assumed a solemn expression and said, "Indeed, I happen to have an ancestral stone stele here. It's also incomplete. Passed down from my ancestors to my generation, we've never been able to find the other half."
Xu Ying brought out his half of the stele, and Zhangsun Shenghai produced his as well. The two pushed them together.
Xu Ying gasped in astonishment. "It really is the exact same stele! Look, Senior Brother, there's even text carved on it!"
Zhangsun Shenghai was equally astounded. "It's actually written in the principle script of our other shore! It appears to be a cultivation technique!"
Xu Ying leaned in close to decipher the words carefully. "The technique recorded here seems to be called the *Scripture of Karmic Golden Wheel Calamity Transcendence*. Senior Brother, to think we share such serendipity to obtain this technique—our ancestors must have accumulated immense virtue!"
Zhangsun Shenghai sighed with emotion as well. "A family that accumulates good deeds will surely have an abundance of blessings. The ancients truly did not deceive us."
The two immediately set about studying the *Scripture of Karmic Golden Wheel Calamity Transcendence*. This technique was none other than what Dao Lord Hong cultivated. Dao Lord Hong had not been the creator of the Karmic Golden Wheel; its true creator was an inhabitant of the Heaven Realm. In the battle that exterminated the Heaven Realm, Dao Lord Hong had seized this stele, thereby becoming a powerhouse of the Great Dao of Karma on the other shore.
Practicing this technique required descending into the mortal world to undergo temperings, discerning cause and effect, and forging a karmic golden wheel. Tens of thousands of karmic threads would wind around the golden wheel while the practitioner remained entirely untouched, attaining transcendence.
Xu Ying and Zhangsun Shenghai each comprehended their portions, then came together to discuss and cross-examine them. Each discovered that the other possessed an extraordinary level of comprehension, unlike anything they had ever encountered before, leaving both of them inwardly shaken.
Even so, with two great experts pondering it together, the profound mysteries of the *Scripture of Karmic Golden Wheel Calamity Transcendence* took less than half a year to decipher, yielding immense gains for both.
Back then, when Grand Dao Lord Xuhuang had delivered the *Hunyuan Cave Abyss Calamity Dispelling Scripture*, it had taken ten full years—pooling the collective wisdom of the entire Earth Immortal Realm—to comprehend the method.
Just as Xu Ying was about to cultivate the Karmic Golden Wheel, news arrived that Grand Dao Lord Taiyi had concluded his secluded cultivation and summoned him.
Xu Ying had no choice but to set aside his cultivation of the Great Dao of Karma for the moment and head to Yaoguang Hall to see Grand Dao Lord Taiyi.
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi sat atop a glazed jade platform, bathed in divine luminescence. The radiance behind his head was dazzlingly bright, obscuring his facial features.
"Xu Ying, my injuries have healed. Recite the *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm* to me," Taiyi commanded.
Xu Ying replied, "Yes, Master."
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi furrowed his brow slightly, finding that word *Master* somewhat grating on the ears.
Xu Ying recited the *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm* word for word, without the slightest omission or alteration.
The Xuanhuang Dao Realm was a technique at the level of a Grand Dao Master. It required tempering a cave abyss into a Great Dao world. Once such a Great Dao world was achieved, it became as clear and luminous as colored glass, reflecting every Great Dao between heaven and earth within it. In the eyes of a Grand Dao Master, all Dao methods held no secrets whatsoever.
However, this technique was transcribed in principle script.
Principle script was a kind of Dao language. When Xu Ying recited it, there were areas where his own comprehension fell short; constrained by his cultivation, he struggled to convey its precise meanings accurately.
He recited it from beginning to end. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi frowned slightly, yet he also understood that it was virtually impossible for Xu Ying to reproduce the technique in its pristine entirety. To truly recite it without a single flaw, only Xuanhuang revived could achieve such a feat.
Having finished his recitation, Xu Ying stepped back to the side.
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi closed his eyes and quietly contemplated.
Xu Ying glanced at him and thought, *The paths to attuning with the Dao in the Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm and the Hundong Indestructible Scripture are entirely different; they pursue two diametrically opposed routes.*
The *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm* attained the Dao by forging a Dao realm, whereas the *Hundong Indestructible Scripture* attained the Dao by forging a primal chaos cavity.
A Dao realm and a primal chaos cavity were fundamentally distinct.
In all previous realms, everyone cultivated cave abysses without difference. Yet once reaching the realm of Grand Dao Master, one had to cultivate differences to attain it.
Comprehending the *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm* was exceedingly difficult. Although Xu Ying had a foundation in the *Hundong Indestructible Scripture*, he had no desire to invest excessive time in this art.
On the contrary, he was far more interested in an art like the Karmic Golden Wheel, even though it was vastly inferior to the *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm*.
His eyes flickered as he thought, *If Grand Dao Lord Taiyi comprehends the Xuanhuang Dao Realm, it might take him far less time than it would take me, but it will certainly not take less than ten years!*
Back then, Dao Zongyuan, the Grand Dao Master of the Yuan Realm, had spent ten years explaining the *Hundong Indestructible Scripture* thoroughly to Xu Ying. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's attainment in the Dao was certainly not on par with Dao Zongyuan's, so Xu Ying was certain it would take him longer than a decade.
At that moment, Grand Dao Lord Taiyi opened his eyes and said, "Xu Ying, you may leave. I am going to enter seclusion once more."
Xu Ying bowed and acknowledged, "If anything arises while Master is in seclusion, how should it be handled?"
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi replied, "During this seclusion, external affairs are entrusted to Dao Lord Jiu Seng, and internal affairs to Zhangsun Shenghai."
Xu Ying said with feigned difficulty, "Master, since entering your tutelage, this disciple has yet to receive your teachings."
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi said, "Whatever you wish to learn, let Jiu Seng and Shenghai teach you."
Xu Ying asked, "Once Master comprehends the Xuanhuang Dao Realm, could you impart it to this disciple?"
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's gaze fell upon him. Xu Ying felt a faint trace of killing intent within that look, though it was somehow suppressed.
"In the future, I will pass it to you." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi waved his hand.
Xu Ying exited Yaoguang Hall, thinking to himself, *So stingy. He's not even as generous as Junior Brother Zhuo Daochun. Back then, Zhuo Daochun at least imparted a line of Taiyi's true teachings to Imperial Son Mingxi.*
Even so, he harbored no real desire for Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's arts. As for the Great Dao of Taiyi, he had already cultivated it to an extremely high realm, and since he had no wish to attain immortality through it, practicing Taiyi's methods further offered him little benefit.
*Better to cultivate the Karmic Golden Wheel first. This technique requires an excursion into the mortal world to undergo temperings before one can comprehend the karmic golden wheel. How should I go about this tempering?*
While Xu Ying was pondering, a terrifying divine sense suddenly rippled faintly through Daoji Heaven, jolting space and time. Yet he heard no sound at all. *A divine sense conversation among Immortals! This Immortal's divine sense is immense and ancient. While his cultivation may fall short of a Grand Dao Lord, it isn't far behind. He is definitely a top-tier powerhouse among Dao Lords!*
A heavy weight settled on his heart; the other shore simply possessed too many such formidable figures.
That terrifying divine sense swiftly transmitted its message, notifying all the Immortals. A moment later, Dao Lord Jiu Seng's voice carried through She'an Palace via divine sense, resounding clearly in everyone's ears:
"Dao Lord Ji Hong has sent word! The scouts have returned. While searching for the location of the Three Realms, they discovered a new universe instead! After marking its position, the scouts rushed back!"
At these words, an uproar erupted.
The disciples under Taiyi's banner grew wildly excited, clamoring among themselves.
Xu Ying walked out of his residence and looked outside. Seeing the disciples so ecstatic, he muttered under his breath, "Isn't discovering a new universe in the Chaos Sea a normal occurrence? Why make such a fuss?"
Just then, Zhangsun Shenghai's voice sounded from behind him: "Discovering a new universe means new territory. This new territory has not been cleansed by the Emerald Rock and is still brimming with vitality. At such a time, the various Immortals must send people out—known as wilderness clearers—to scour the new land. Those responsible for the clearing enter that universe first and can plunder countless treasures. That is why everyone hopes to become a wilderness clearer."
Xu Ying was taken aback. "Treasures? The other shore is so wealthy, plundering the fortunes of thousands of universes. What need does it have for more treasures?"
Zhangsun Shenghai stepped beside him, gazing out over the vast She'an Palace with a gentle smile. "The other shore is indeed exceedingly rich, with Dao phenomena everywhere. But at the same time, the other shore is utterly impoverished. The ones who are wealthy are the Immortals, True Kings, Dao Lords, and Grand Dao Lords. What does that have to do with the disciples of the Immortals, or the people living deep underground?"
Xu Ying fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "The other shore is merely a larger Yuanshou."
Dao Lord Jiu Seng's voice boomed again in a grave tone: "The new universe requires wilderness clearers, and our Taiyi lineage must also dispatch our own. This time, our lineage has a quota of one hundred slots. The Immortals each take five, and the remainder will be distributed among the other fellow disciples!"
A chorus of cheers broke out.
Jiu Seng, True King Yuquan, True King Zongyi, and the other Immortals needed slots for their own disciples. After these Immortals divided their share, fifty slots remained for the likes of Xu Ying.
A short while later, Dao Lord Jiu Seng approached Xu Ying and Zhangsun Shenghai from behind. "Junior brothers, each of you has been granted a slot."
Xu Ying and Zhangsun Shenghai voiced their gratitude.
Dao Lord Jiu Seng smiled and said, "One of you is the foremost figure among our peers, and the other is second. During this expedition to the new universe, you must take good care of your junior brothers and sisters."
Xu Ying and Zhangsun Shenghai agreed.
Then, Dao Lord Jiu Seng transmitted via divine sense: "Shenghai, once you arrive in the new universe, strike mercilessly and eliminate Xu Ying at once."
Zhangsun Shenghai showed no reaction on the surface, answering via divine sense ripple, "Why is that?"
Dao Lord Jiu Seng replied, "This boy is from the Three Realms, and no good person comes from the Three Realms. First there was Tongtian, then Haoyi, and then scoundrels like Xuhuang. Xu Ying has already transmitted the *Scripture of Xuanhuang Dao Realm*, so he is no longer of any use. Getting rid of him in the new universe will leave no trace, and it will prevent a Grand Dao Master's technique from falling into outside hands."
Zhangsun Shenghai asked, "Does Master know of this?"
Dao Lord Jiu Seng said, "Master is in seclusion and knows nothing of it. Rest assured, I take full responsibility for this matter. If anything goes wrong, I will bear it!"
Zhangsun Shenghai said, "With Senior Brother's word, I can strike without hesitation."
Dao Lord Jiu Seng let out a sigh of relief. After offering a few encouraging words to the two of them, he smiled and said aloud, "Once you arrive in the new universe, you must support each other. We cannot have internal strife within the sect for outsiders to laugh at."
With that, he turned and left.
Once Dao Lord Jiu Seng was gone, Zhangsun Shenghai transmitted to Xu Ying, "Senior Brother Jiu Seng instructed me to kill you as soon as we enter the new universe."
Xu Ying was slightly taken aback. "Is this Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's idea?"
Zhangsun Shenghai shook his head. "Probably not. It is likely Jiu Seng's own idea. He is fiercely loyal to Master, and toward someone like you, who bears a rebellious bone in the back of his head, he would naturally want nothing more than to eradicate you quickly."
Xu Ying reached back to touch the nape of his neck and grumbled indignantly, "I've felt it myself; I don't have a rebellious bone at all! Eldest Senior Brother, when we reach the new universe, will you make a move?"
Xu Ying felt a sudden chill in his heart and immediately took his leave.
A few days later, at the Chaos Sea ferry, the Immortals, True Kings, Dao Lords, and Grand Dao Lords gathered their chosen disciples—some dispatching as few as five, others as many as a hundred.
By this time, emerald rock multi-decked vessels were prepared at the docks, ready to set sail at any moment.
Xu Ying glanced around and noticed that not a single figure of the Immortal realm had boarded. He thought to himself, *Are the powerhouses of the other shore so confident that they let their disciples venture into a new universe alone? Do they not fear that supreme powerhouses might preside over the new universe and slaughter every one of these disciples?*
He immediately understood. *They are afraid, which is precisely why they send their disciples as wilderness clearers! If supreme powerhouses truly dwell in the new universe, it will be the disciples who die, not them! And even if the disciples obtain treasures from the new universe, should the masters become covetous and demand them, which disciple would dare refuse?*
Yet the wilderness clearers gathered here felt not the slightest sense of being exploited. Instead, they were brimming with excitement and anticipation for the expedition.
After all, resources on the other shore were heavily monopolized. This was one of their few chances to distinguish themselves and rise above the rest!
Xu Ying, Zhangsun Shenghai, and the other disciples of Taiyi boarded an emerald rock multi-decked vessel, while the others boarded their respective ships. Ahead of them was a flagship crewed by scouts, leading the way.
With a command, the emerald rock multi-decked vessels set sail one after another, plunging into the Chaos Sea on an expedition toward another universe!
Standing at the prow, Xu Ying felt a surge of turbulent emotions welling up within him.
*Wilderness clearing*—what an elegant phrase.
Yet this so-called clearing of the wilderness was nothing more than using blades and fire to eradicate the weeds upon the untamed land!
The new universe was the wasteland, and the weeds were its native inhabitants!
*Then where do I stand?* Xu Ying wondered silently.
*Do I clear the wilderness alongside them, or stand idly by? What if what they discovered is not a new universe, but the Three Realms?*
He pondered for a moment, then turned back to look at the excited martial brothers and sisters aboard the ship, letting out a soft sigh.
*For the sake of my Dao brother, once we arrive at the new universe, I will have no choice but to send these fellow brothers on their way first.*
Chapter 755