Attaining the Dao Through Space-Time

Xu Ying sat in the carriage, his eyes flickering as he watched the phenomenon of the ouroboros in the sky, exchanging idle banter with Dao Master Luo as they probed each other. Suspecting that Dao Master Luo cultivated the Great Dao of Space-Time, Xu Ying said, "...Since the process isn't important, an entity who cultivates the Great Dao of Space-Time could alter the past and erase someone from the timeline." Dao Master Luo laughed in exasperation and slapped the low table. "Sheer nonsense!" Just as Xu Ying was about to speak, Tianchengzi's voice came from outside. "Dao Friend Xu's words are not nonsense at all." The Dao Master, his hair sticking straight up like strands of iron wire, stepped into the carriage. Hearing this, Dao Master Luo grew annoyed as well. "Tianchengzi, if the past could be changed, wouldn't that mean an entity who mastered the Great Dao of Space-Time could return to the past, kill whoever they wished, and shape history however they pleased? If so, wouldn't they be invincible? Yet the Dao Venerable stated that the Great Dao of Space-Time is merely a relatively advanced Dao, far inferior to the Nine Innate Daos!" Xu Ying was about to speak when Tianchengzi cut in ahead of him. "What I refer to as space-time reincarnation takes the birth and annihilation of a cosmic Hongyuan as a single year, with one cycle of reincarnation per year. Unless one has cultivated the Great Dao of Space-Time to the level of comprehending reincarnation through space-time, and from reincarnation comprehending a reincarnation year, one cannot alter the timeline." Xu Ying stared, rendered speechless, thinking to himself, *This man speaks my very mind.* Dao Master Luo frowned. "The other shore has yet to face annihilation, so where would a reincarnation year come from? Tianchengzi, you've gone mad cultivating your Great Dao of Space-Time!" Xu Ying perked up and wanted to join in, but before he could open his mouth, Tianchengzi continued, "Even if one comprehends the Great Dao of Reincarnation and attains the Dao through reincarnation, one still cannot casually return to the past to kill people. That involves the immense karma of space-time. Only by attaining the Dao through karma can one erase anyone whose existence is unnecessary from the timeline." Hearing this, Xu Ying felt immense admiration. *What he says is completely identical to what I was thinking! Could this Tianchengzi be a genius like me?* Tianchengzi bowed slightly to Xu Ying. "Tianchengzi of Longxing Temple greets Dao Friend Ying." Admiring his attainments, Xu Ying did not dare be discourteous and returned the salute. "Brother Tianchengzi's exposition on karma and reincarnation is the most formidable and profound I have ever encountered. Truly admirable." He felt heartfelt respect for Tianchengzi, thinking the man's insights were so profound that among everyone he had met, perhaps only the Dao Venerable surpassed him. Tianchengzi's cheek twitched. His insights on karma and reincarnation were merely repeating what Xu Ying had told him previously, with nothing original of his own. In truth, reverse-engineering the Great Dao of Reincarnation from the Great Dao of Space-Time over these years was already an astonishing achievement. However, deriving karma backward from reincarnation was simply asking too much of him. Even working backward from space-time to reincarnation proved tremendously taxing, and he had yet to cultivate the Great Dao of Reincarnation to the level of a Dao Master. The three arrived at Qionghua Island. Dao Master Luo intended to lead Xu Ying and Tianchengzi to meet Dao Master Hua, but when he looked back, he found both of them had vanished into thin air. Surprised, he thought, *Where did they go? I was hoping to recruit them into our fold.* Not dwelling on it, he hurried off to find Dao Master Hua and said, "Dao Brother, I met Tianchengzi today. The man has become quite eccentric, babbling about how cultivating the Great Dao of Space-Time can change the past. There was also someone surnamed Ying named Xu whose strength was unfathomable—I couldn't gauge his depth at all." Dao Master Hua was astonished. "Such a thing happened? If we can bring those two over, it would greatly benefit our grand undertaking!" Dao Master Luo replied, "Unfortunately, once we stepped onto the island, they vanished without a trace." Dao Master Hua pondered for a moment, then said, "Let us search for more comrades while looking for them to prevent any unforeseen accidents. We are about to stage a monumental uprising. If they can become our comrades, so much the better. If not, we can only eliminate them in advance." Dao Master Luo agreed. Elsewhere, Grand Dao Lord Shenmo said to his younger self, "If I told you that I am you from the future, would you believe me?" "Grandson, I'm your grandfather." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi had also found his younger self and said, "I have come from the future." — Tianchengzi led Xu Ying to Tianxin Pavilion on Qionghua Island, dispersed the people inside, sealed the surrounding heaven and earth, and asked, "Dao Friend Ying, do you not remember the previous cycle?" Xu Ying looked blank. Tianchengzi laid out the entire truth. "Dao Friend Ying, you have already reincarnated eight hundred and fifteen times. This is the eight hundred and sixteenth." Hearing this, Xu Ying was horrified. "Do you have proof?" Tianchengzi said, "Did the words I spoke in the carriage sound familiar? Those were the exact words you spoke to me during the last space-time reincarnation cycle." Xu Ying was thoroughly stunned, yet found it completely natural, thinking, *I thought Tianchengzi possessed attainments comparable to mine, but it turns out those were my own words. I truly am remarkable.* Tianchengzi continued, "The turbulence of space-time smooths out any altered space-time. Such is the inherent nature of the Great Dao of Space-Time." Xu Ying's heart stirred. "Just like making an oath to the Chaos Master: he may not even know who swore the oath, nor does he care about its contents. But whenever someone violates the oath and causes ripples in his Great Dao of Chaos, his Dao will automatically smooth them out." Tianchengzi nodded. "Dao Friend Ying once said you possessed a method to rescue me from this space-time cycle. You also said that following your method would allow us to alter history! Surely you wouldn't deceive me, Dao Friend?" Xu Ying paced back and forth in the pavilion, lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "Altering history is indeed feasible, but it requires that karma, reincarnation, and the Great Dao of Space-Time subsumed within reincarnation all be cultivated to an exceptionally profound realm." Tianchengzi showed a look of hope. "Both your Great Dao of Reincarnation and Great Dao of Karma have reached the Immortal realm! You can return to the past and kill people! Help me kill a few individuals." Xu Ying said awkwardly, "I am not yet a Dao Master, so I'm afraid I cannot help you. Besides, my attainments in the Great Dao of Space-Time are not as high as I boasted." Tianchengzi's expression was indifferent. "I can teach you the Great Dao of Space-Time." Xu Ying was greatly tempted and said, "I also have the Great Dao of Wuji, which I have yet to cultivate to the Immortal realm..." Tianchengzi remained expressionless. "Do you think I understand Wuji?" Xu Ying had no choice but to let it drop, thinking, *His attainments in the Great Dao of Reincarnation are inferior to mine, let alone Wuji. Ah well, I might as well learn his Great Dao of Space-Time first.* Tianchengzi immediately imparted the profound mysteries of the Great Dao of Space-Time to him. As a Master of the Great Dao, his techniques were at the Dao Master level—profound and often obscure. Even though Xu Ying had already cultivated the Nine Innate Daos, he found it difficult to grasp. Tianchengzi answered every query thoroughly, leaving nothing unexplained. Suddenly, terrified screams echoed outside Tianxin Pavilion: "Taiyi is killing people!" Xu Ying was startled. Setting his cultivation aside, he pushed open the window to look out, only to see utter chaos across Qionghua Island. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi was on a murderous rampage, slaughtering the other shore's experts who had gathered for the assembly, quickly turning the ground into rivers of blood. Xu Ying looked up at the sky. The ouroboros was devouring itself at an even faster pace. As the ouroboros vanished, the turbulence of time surged forth, collapsing and reconstructing space-time. Tianchengzi said solemnly, "Xu Ying, rest assured, I will definitely find you." — Xu Ying flew out of the void, altered his appearance, and took in the bizarre spectacle beyond the heavens—the sight of Tianjing. *Tianjing ran aground? Wait, this scene feels somewhat familiar... and that ouroboros, it seems I've seen it somewhere before? This is a technique of space-time reincarnation...* As this thought crossed his mind, a voice came from behind him: "Brother, Dao Friend Hua is gathering all cultivators on Qionghua Island to discuss the great calamity!" Before Dao Master Luo could finish, Xu Ying spoke as if guided by an uncanny instinct: "Since you have survived until now, Dao Friend, your cultivation must be extraordinary. Why not travel together in your carriage?" Dao Master Luo was stunned. Sizing Xu Ying up, he immediately drove his carriage away, thinking, *A lunatic!* Xu Ying flashed forward, caught up to the carriage, stepped inside, and took a seat. Dao Master Luo's eyes glinted, and he was about to teach him a lesson when Xu Ying shook his head. "Your surname is Luo, and your given name is Shizong. Your Fengya Pagoda has not yet reached its peak. Striking at me will only invite suffering upon yourself." Dao Master Luo's expression changed abruptly. "Just who are you, sir? Why do you know so much about me?" Xu Ying said, "Luo Shizong, ever since Dao Friend Hua returned from Tianjing and the calamity erupted, he has been deeply despondent. Calling us together this time is most likely to deal with the calamity." Dao Master Luo asked tremulously, "Are you a Tianjing person? You've mastered profound arts and came here to kill us and sabotage our grand plan!" Xu Ying held his head, racking his brains, feeling an overwhelming sense of deja vu. Trembling with fear, Dao Master Luo abruptly abandoned the carriage and fled for his life. No sooner had he left than Tianchengzi arrived. Xu Ying's gaze fell upon Tianchengzi, and he immediately said, "Have you come to teach me the mysteries of the Great Dao of Space-Time so that I can break this space-time cycle and rescue you? You are Tianchengzi?" Tianchengzi was astonished. "You remember the previous reincarnation?" Xu Ying shook his head. "I only have a vague sense of deja vu. I haven't truly recalled the past." Tianchengzi was deeply moved. He had only taught his technique to Xu Ying once, and due to limited time, he hadn't even finished teaching it. Yet based on that alone, Xu Ying had grasped some of the mysteries of the Great Dao of Space-Time, allowing him to retain a portion of his memories across the space-time cycle! Such innate talent was terrifyingly formidable! *He cultivates the Great Dao of Reincarnation and has brought it to the Immortal realm. Reincarnation subsumes space-time, which is why his cultivation advances at such a horrifying rate,* Tianchengzi thought to himself. The two rode the carriage toward Qionghua Island. Because Tianchengzi was imparting the Great Dao of Space-Time to Xu Ying along the way, their pace was somewhat slow. By the time they reached Qionghua Island, the island was already in turmoil. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi was on a slaughtering spree, seizing Dao Master Lin's spear and piercing Lin's forehead with a single thrust, then catching up to Dao Master Hua and hacking off both of his legs! Tianchengzi said, "Dao Friend Ying, the turbulence of the Great Dao of Space-Time is coming to repair everything here." "I know." Xu Ying's gaze fell upon the rampaging Grand Dao Lord Taiyi. "In the next reincarnation, you don't need to look for me, Dao Brother. Just find Taiyi and wound him severely so he cannot run around slaughtering everyone. I will come find you on Qionghua Island myself." Tianchengzi looked at his face and asked, "Do you think you can resist the space-time turbulence and preserve your memories?" Before Xu Ying could answer, the ouroboros had completely devoured itself. The turbulence of space-time came roaring in, wiping away the altered history and returning to the space-time of the past to begin anew. Figures plummeted from the sky one after another. Because Xu Ying had to evade the pursuit of Grand Dao Lord Shenmo, he ran at the very forefront. Yet while he was still falling, fragments of memory suddenly flooded his mind, and Xu Ying understood everything in an instant. Without breaking his stride, he headed straight for Qionghua Island. Shortly after arriving on Qionghua Island, he saw Tianchengzi arrive at Tianxin Pavilion, covered in wounds. Xu Ying was astonished. "You were injured by Grand Dao Lord Taiyi?" Tianchengzi said, "I was already gravely injured from having my Dao origin damaged by Dao Master Hua, who proved his Dao through strength. Taiyi's cultivation is already very close to a Dao Master, only half a step away. With my strength depleted and his at its peak, I could only inflict mutual injuries on him." Xu Ying asked, "Taiyi didn't die, did he?" Tianchengzi shook his head. "He didn't die, but he was heavily wounded. Within this space-time cycle, we do not belong to this era, so even across a reset, our injuries will not heal. Furthermore, if outsiders like us die in the space-time cycle, we die for real." Xu Ying's heart chilled. The two resumed studying the Great Dao of Space-Time. With Xu Ying's foundation in the Great Dao of Reincarnation, his mastery over the Great Dao of Space-Time advanced by leaps and bounds, falling naturally into place. Meanwhile, Hua, Lin, and Luo led dozens of experts in an ambush against those who remained loyal to the Tianjing Dao Venerable and refused to storm Tianjing. Shouts of slaughter instantly filled the air. Suddenly, someone cried out in joy, "I killed Dao Master Hua! I got the old bastard's head! From now on, I'll be the old bastard!" The speaker was none other than one of the other shore's Immortals swept into this space-time loop. "Merely injuring Taiyi still isn't enough." Tianchengzi sighed and looked up, only to see the turbulence of space-time surging forth once more. As another cycle struck, Tianchengzi immediately went to seek out Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, risking the flare-up of the Dao injuries left by Dao Master Hua to battle him. Fortunately, Taiyi had also been heavily injured in the previous cycle, his wounds even worse than Tianchengzi's. Taiyi was completely baffled. After entering Longxing Temple, he had found himself heavily wounded, only for his old acquaintance Tianchengzi to charge over, beat him thoroughly, and walk away. "What sort of affliction has gotten into Tianchengzi?" Taiyi shook his head. Still possessing some strength to spare, Tianchengzi immediately sought out the man who had assassinated Dao Master Hua, pummeling him until he spewed blood incessantly for half a day. He returned to Tianxin Pavilion, where Xu Ying had already been waiting for a long time. Xu Ying focused on his cultivation, yet before long, someone else assassinated Dao Master Lin, triggering the space-time turbulence to correct the errors in the timeline. This repeated time and again, and Xu Ying's attainments in the Great Dao of Space-Time grew ever higher. When another cycle arrived and Tianchengzi found Xu Ying, he felt that although Xu Ying stood right before him, he seemed to exist outside of space-time itself. "You have mastered the Great Dao of Space-Time." Tianchengzi marveled in sincere admiration. "Dao Friend, can you now kill someone and change history?" "It is worth a try," Xu Ying said calmly. "Allow me first to unify space-time, reincarnation, and karma."