The yellow-robed youth appeared a year or two younger than Xu Ying. His sudden appearance in the twenty-eighth layer of the void startled Xu Ying at first, but Xu Ying quickly composed himself and inquired, "Could Your Excellency be the Tianjing Dao Venerable?"
The yellow-robed youth nodded slowly. "Fellow Daoist Xu, your progress in cultivating the Dao methods of the void has been extraordinarily rapid. To set foot in the twenty-eighth layer of the void in such a short time shows truly formidable talent."
Xu Ying offered a humble deflection, smiling. "Dao Venerable, being here in the void—could it be that you, too, are cultivating the Dao of the Void?"
The Tianjing Dao Venerable shook his head. "I am still waiting for the Grand Dao tide to surge before I can recover my peak state; I have no leisure to cultivate the Dao of the Void. Besides, every field has its specialization, and I possess little aptitude for the void."
Although he claimed to have little aptitude, he had reached the twenty-eighth layer of the void all by himself, proving that his attainment in the Dao of the Void was by no means weak.
"The void does exist, but it is not among the highest Grand Daos in the Chaos Sea," the Tianjing Dao Venerable said. "Back then, when I traveled the Chaos Sea by ship, I encountered an eccentric from beyond the sea who claimed that beyond the sea lay a Great Void, vast and boundless. That is where the Grand Dao of the Void truly flourishes. Within the Chaos Sea, however, because the Grand Dao of the Void is weak, it is nearly impossible to cultivate it to the point of verifying, attaining, and securing the Dao. In all these years, Fellow Daoist Yuxu is the only person I have met who could cultivate the void to Dao attainment."
Xu Ying had originally attached great importance to the Grand Dao of the Void, believing it to be a Grand Dao not inferior to the Nine Innate Daos. Hearing this, he felt a brief flicker of disappointment, but quickly rallied his spirits.
"If the Grand Dao of the Void is not strong in the Chaos Sea, then I'll just go beyond the sea to see for myself!" Xu Ying said with a smile. "If one seeks the Dao in this life, why settle for a single corner of existence?"
The Tianjing Dao Venerable's eyes lit up, and he praised, "Well said! If one seeks the Dao in this life, why settle for a single corner? However, as to where the Great Void actually lies, even I am not entirely clear. This Chaos Sea is vast and boundless, without up or down, left or right, past or future. It harbors countless universes, beyond reckoning. If one wishes to step beyond the Chaos Sea, I fear even the Dao Master realm is not enough."
Xu Ying's heart stirred, and he inquired, "Does the Dao Venerable mean that by surpassing the Dao Master realm, it can be done? Could there be a realm above the Dao Master realm?"
The Tianjing Dao Venerable hesitated for a moment before saying, "When I traveled the Chaos Sea, I saw an entity suspected of having surpassed the Dao Master realm. That person stood at the end of the Grand Dao; one who cultivates the same Grand Dao may see him."
Xu Ying was slightly taken aback. "Cultivate that Dao, and one may see that person?"
The Tianjing Dao Venerable said, "If you cultivate the same Grand Dao as him, upon exploring the ultimate realm of this Grand Dao, you will hazily glimpse that person towering at the end of the Grand Dao, surrounded by a boundless, primordial expanse where the Grand Dao originates. His Dao is profound and weighty, wondrous and arcane. No matter what framework is used to interpret this Grand Dao, all are merely practices within his Dao, and all who walk this Dao are but hurried travelers along his path. And he stands at the very end of that path."
Xu Ying was dazed. What kind of realm was this? Standing at the end of the Grand Dao, amid boundless primordial origins, where the immeasurable universes of the Chaos Sea were all branches of his Grand Dao, and the myriad sentient beings cultivating this Dao were mere travelers upon his path—it was simply too exalted, too distant.
Xu Ying felt completely unable to imagine what level such a realm truly occupied.
"Yet why have I never seen anyone at the end of the path?" Xu Ying asked.
The yellow robes of the Tianjing Dao Venerable rustled softly as he offered a gentle smile. "Your realm has not yet reached that level. You are still traveling along the middle of the road, where thick mists blanket what lies ahead, preventing you from seeing the end of the Grand Dao."
Xu Ying felt a surge of regret. He cultivated numerous Grand Daos and longed to see what manner of peerless existences stood at the ends of those paths.
"If I can cultivate every single Grand Dao to the point where I can see them, I will be able to witness their splendor," he thought to himself.
Gradually, they felt the erosion of the void pressing upon them, as though a peculiar force lurked within it, seeking to dissolve, disintegrate, and tear apart their fleshly bodies.
This force was exceedingly difficult to resist and pervasive, seeping into everything. Even the other Grand Daos they practiced felt as though they were being dissolved, disintegrated, and torn apart—an intensely uncomfortable sensation.
Xu Ying channeled his void divine ability to erect a Void Dao Platform on the spot. Only after the two ascended the platform did they breathe a sigh of relief. Xu Ying smiled and said, "Although physical matter cannot exist in the void, the primordial spirit can. We could forge the void into a world composed of primordial spirits."
The Tianjing Dao Venerable's heart stirred, and he smiled. "Perhaps you might give it a try, Fellow Daoist Xu; you may well reap some rewards. Fellow Daoist Xu, in my view, if you wish to achieve great things in the Dao of the Void, aside from traveling to the Great Void beyond the Chaos Sea, you should also begin with cave abysses."
Xu Ying promptly asked for instruction.
The Tianjing Dao Venerable said, "We practitioners open cave abysses and rely on them to cultivate the truth and uphold the Grand Dao. But where does the power within a cave abyss come from? What are the immortal mountains within a cave abyss forged from? Where does the spiritual energy upon those immortal mountains originate? How do the Grand Daos inside the cave take form? Why is it that, by passing through a cave abyss, one can bypass the Chaos Sea and enter other universes?"
Xu Ying suddenly recalled that when he had opened a cave abyss for the first time, he had opened it right within the void.
The immortal mountains, spiritual energy, and Dao scenery within a cave abyss were all products of one's own cultivation, yet their source of energy came from the void!
For the Tianjing Dao Venerable to suggest studying the Grand Dao of the Void through cave abysses was truly ingenious! Xu Ying felt greatly invigorated and committed this method to memory.
The two sat upon the Void Dao Platform, discussing various Grand Dao arts and methods. The more they talked, the more harmonious their exchange became. Xu Ying felt as though he had met the most kindred spirit of his entire life; not even his beloved, Yuan Weiyang, had ever been in such perfect accord with him! As he discussed the nine Daos—such as Chaos, Primordial Chaos, Wuji, and Taiyi—with the Tianjing Dao Venerable, Xu Ying felt immensely delighted. The Tianjing Dao Venerable possessed masterly proficiency in every single Grand Dao, capable of discussing their profound subtleties and resolving thorny questions alongside him.
Xu Ying felt his own cultivation surging by leaps and bounds during this time. Surprised and overjoyed, he smiled and said, "Dao Venerable, discussing the Dao with you for so long has resolved many difficulties I encountered in my cultivation. Let us discuss the Dao again next time."
The Tianjing Dao Venerable chuckled. "I, too, have benefited immensely. Fellow Daoist Xu, take care."
He rose and departed, leaving the void.
Xu Ying watched him leave, his heart swelling with emotion. Suddenly, he said, "Lord Bell, I think I have met a true soulmate."
The big bell flew out from his Martial Dao Cave Abyss and said lazily, "Ah Ying, do you think it's possible that everything he discussed all this time was just the Grand Daos you cultivate, and his actual goal was simply to guide you?"
Xu Ying's eyes went wide, his face flushing red. "I solved many difficulties for him too!"
The big bell replied, "Could it be that he was guiding you to discover difficulties you hadn't noticed, leading you to unravel those perplexities yourself?"
After a moment, Xu Ying slumped dejectedly. "You're right. Everything we discussed was indeed the Nine Innate Daos, yet I haven't the faintest idea what Dao methods he cultivates. He was the one guiding my cultivation."
He felt a touch crestfallen. For a time, he had genuinely viewed the Dao Venerable as an equal, a kindred spirit and soulmate. Who would have guessed that the other was simply so far above him that Xu Ying had misread the situation entirely?
The big bell flew beyond the Void Dao Platform, but suddenly began chiming and tolling uncontrollably as the void's power acted upon it, threatening to expand its form against its will.
Frightened, it quickly flew back and cried in alarm, "Ah Ying, this void isn't afraid of the ripples on my surface! It can even dissolve the ripples!"
Xu Ying was astonished.
The ripples on the bell's surface were branded by the tolling of bells from the Chaos Sea. Even an Immortal who laid eyes on them would dissolve into chaotic qi. Yet the void actually possessed the power to dissolve such an imprint, proving that the Dao of the Void might well counter Chaos!
After the Tianjing Dao Venerable's guidance over this period, Xu Ying's cultivation had increased substantially. In particular, having comprehended Dao Lord Hunyuan's Chaos Mahayana Dao Attainment Formula, his attainment in the Dao of Chaos was higher than ever before.
He directed his gaze to the big bell's surface, gazing at the rippling textures, while faint mists of chaos leaked from his eyes, drifting away gently.
Xu Ying closed his eyes, thoroughly pleased. *My attainment in the Dao of Chaos has advanced by leaps and bounds as well. Examining the patterns on Lord Bell's surface is no longer nearly as dangerous.*
He left the void, returned to reality, and went once more to meet Dao Ancestor Yuxu, bringing up the idea of forging a primordial spirit world in the void to facilitate communication and travel.
Dao Ancestor Yuxu was greatly tempted upon hearing this. He laughed and said, "Currently, only you and I cultivate the void. With our numbers so sparse, who knows when we could ever finish opening it."
Xu Ying replied, "A primordial spirit void is meant merely as a convenient place for us people of the Three Realms to communicate; it needn't be overly large."
And so, the two had their primordial spirits depart their bodies and slip into the void, venturing deep into the layered expanse. Traversing the void in primordial spirit form was impossible without considerable attainment, but both were exceptionally accomplished, quickly arriving at the twenty-eighth layer. Dao Ancestor Yuxu could enter all thirty-six layers, whereas Xu Ying had currently cultivated only to the twenty-eighth.
Therefore, the two used the platform on the twenty-eighth layer as their foundation, mobilizing their divine consciousness to channel the Grand Dao of the Void and open a world within the void!
This world was not very large, equivalent only to a world of the heavens, and was named the Void Realm. The two then shaped an immortal palace within this world, with palaces large and small interspersed, their covered bridges arching like flying rainbows.
Neither of them employed creation from the void, for matter could hardly exist in the void, and even creations forged from the void could not endure.
They merely mobilized energy through visualization to construct the various architectures. Over the course of another month or so, they reinforced these immortal palaces and laid down a void traction formation before returning to their physical bodies. Xu Ying and Dao Ancestor Yuxu then each refined several jade pendants. Activating a pendant served as the trigger for the void traction formation, pulling the primordial spirit of whoever activated it straight into the Void Realm.
Xu Ying refined a few extra Void Pendants and distributed them to Xuhuang, Taiyi, Taiqing, and the others. Each tested theirs, and whenever anyone activated a pendant, their primordial spirit ascended into the Void Realm—immensely convenient.
When they wished for their primordial spirits to return, a single thought brought them descending from the void with incredible speed!
"Having this Void Realm is indeed far more convenient!"
Xuhuang asked Xu Ying for several more Void Pendants, remarking, "I have many Dao bodies, so give me a few extra. This item will surely be of great use in the future!"
Zhuo Daochun also stepped forward to ask for one, inquiring, "Can this still be used on the other shore?"
Xu Ying hesitated, then shook his head. "I cannot say. I will test it once I return to the other shore."
After all, the other shore and Tianjing were two separate universes, and he did not know whether the voids of the two universes were connected.
Suddenly, realization struck him, and he asked, "Where is my master, Taiyi?"
Xuhuang said, "Taiyi left long ago with Dao Master Hua, returning to the other shore."
*Oh no!*
*Could Master Taiyi think I chose to stay behind and throw in my lot with you bunch of rebels?*
Xu Ying immediately rose to take his leave of everyone, saying, "I must head back quickly lest there be any misunderstanding."
The crowd looked at one another in bemusement.
Just as Xu Ying was about to leave, something suddenly occurred to him, and he said, "It has been a long time since any of you visited the Three Realms, hasn't it? I shall leave you a few ships so you can return to take a look." With that, he brought out several emerald rock multi-decked vessels. He had re-refined these vessels using the new Dao patterns; if they encountered the principle scripts of the other shore, substitution would take place, inflicting tremendous destruction upon the other shore.
Zhuo Daochun said warmly, "Dao Ancestor Xu, allow me to see you off."
Xu Ying nodded with a smile.
"Surging by leaps and bounds, advancing at breakneck speed!" Xuhuang remarked.
The others nodded in agreement.
Over these days, with their guidance, Zhuo Daochun was far from what he once was. Furthermore, the revival of the Tianjing Dao Venerable, who also gave him pointers in cultivation, had caused his progress to soar even faster.
Yuqing chuckled. "Back then, Zhuo Daochun was defeated at Dao Ancestor Xu's hands. Ever since Dao Ancestor Xu arrived in Tianjing this time, Zhuo Daochun has been bustling about enthusiastically, yet his eyes have been fixed firmly on Dao Ancestor Xu, as if terrified Dao Ancestor Xu might slip away. I suspect Zhuo Daochun's motives are not entirely innocent; this escort is surely his attempt to defeat Dao Ancestor Xu and reclaim his face."
Taiqing said, "This encounter is bound to be a fierce clash between dragon and tiger."
Xuhuang hesitated, tempted to say that Zhuo Daochun had no chance of winning. Yet considering that Zhuo Daochun had received guidance from so many masters and made astonishing progress, it seemed inconceivable that he would be no match for Xu Ying.
*And yet, for some reason, I can't help feeling that Dao Ancestor Xu has improved even more,* Xuhuang mused silently.
Zhuo Daochun escorted him all the way, gradually leaving the heartlands of Tianjing and arriving at the border.
Xu Ying smiled. "Junior Brother Zhuo, you've already cultivated your Grand Dao of Taiyi to Immortality? Congratulations, congratulations."
Zhuo Daochun was astounded, then grinned. "You noticed? The Dao Venerable observed the Three Realms' new Dao patterns and gained enlightenment, modifying the principle scripts on the foundation of those new Dao patterns. What I cultivate now are the new principle scripts, and through them I achieved Immortality."
Xu Ying said sincerely, "You broke through to Immortality, yet I am still faltering at the eighth layer of the Dao Realm—truly shameful. Junior Brother Zhuo, I have recently created an art that takes the Martial Dao as its bedrock, encompassing nine Grand Daos: six at Immortality and two at Supreme."
His body trembled faintly as he activated the Martial Dao Cave Abyss within him. Instantly, an immense, boundless aura erupted from his body, the Grand Daos profound as an abyss, an ocean, a mountain! As his cultivation technique circulated, the surrounding landscape of Tianjing suddenly shifted dramatically, as though they had stepped into a magnificent, surging Hongyuan.
"I take the Martial Dao Cave Abyss as the Hongyuan and the physical body as the universe, using the acquired to unify the innate, achieving the unification of ten Daos: Chaos, Primordial Chaos, Wuji, Samsara, Karma, Calamitous Destiny, Slaughter, and the Void!"
Xu Ying sighed and shook his head. "Alas, I still have not attained the Dao. I truly envy you, Junior Brother, cultivating with such purity and attaining the Dao with such ease..."
Witnessing this, Zhuo Daochun was shaken to the depths of his soul. Any competitive urge he had harbored vanished in an instant.
*Why on earth would I compete with a freak?* he muttered inwardly.
"Dao Ancestor Xu, what is this art of yours called?" Zhuo Daochun asked.
Xu Ying's expression shifted slightly. He hemmed and hawed for a long time, stammering and completely unable to get the words out.
Chapter 804