Dao Integration

"It is Yaoguang." Zhen Xuanyuan dared not show the slightest negligence and immediately said, "The one undergoing Dao Integration is our Heavenly Dao Sect's newly appointed sect master, Yaoguang." After speaking, he quickly added, "His Dao protector is Dao Lord Penglai." "Yaoguang?" Dao Lord Juntian was startled. The new sect master of the Heavenly Dao Sect who had replaced Zong Wenxian? "Him?" Dao Lord Qingya also looked surprised. As a Dao Lord of the Golden Crow Sect, he had obviously gathered information about Yaoguang through other channels. "Yaoguang... I have heard of him. Xuandu once sent word to me, speaking very highly of Yaoguang's talent. I never imagined he would reach the step of Dao Integration so quickly." Dao Lord Taiwei also commented. However... Compared to Yaoguang, who was currently attempting Dao Integration, what drew her greatest attention was his Dao protector—Dao Lord Penglai. Reflecting briefly, she soon connected the dots: "So that great battle that erupted on Beihai Star just now—Penglai was protecting Yaoguang to let him integrate with the Dao smoothly, and she slew another Void Dao Lord who ambushed him? If my judgment of that Void Dao Lord's aura wasn't mistaken, it was Wujin, wasn't it? Dao Lord Wujin has fallen? Becoming the first sacrifice to Yaoguang's mortal tribulation of Dao Integration?" "Yes, that is indeed what happened," Zhen Xuanyuan hurriedly replied. "However, Dao Lord Penglai did not slay Dao Lord Wujin merely to offer a sacrifice for his Dao Integration. Sect Master Yaoguang set out to welcome Dao Lord Juntian back to the sect, but was ambushed by Dao Lord Wujin the moment he stepped outside. Only then did he urgently summon Dao Lord Penglai, and together they succeeded in cornering and slaying Dao Lord Wujin." Hearing this, Dao Lord Juntian could not help frowning. If that was truly the case... Dao Lord Wujin truly had not placed him in his eyes in the slightest. Good riddance. "If my information is correct, this is the second Void Dao Lord slain by Dao Lord Penglai in recent times, isn't it? And both Void Dao Lords' falls were connected to young friend Yaoguang?" Dao Lord Danding remarked, unable to hold back a sigh of wonder. "This Dao Lord Penglai's fierce renown is truly awe-inspiring. A few years ago, when she first became a Dao Lord, she overpowered the Tianhai Sword Pavilion and Demon Saint Yulin, earning the reverence of being called the foremost Dao Lord of the Northern Sea. We of the older generation didn't take it too seriously back then, but seeing this now... her title as the foremost Dao Lord is well-deserved indeed." Hearing this, the other Dao Lords felt a faint qualm about a "junior" like Dao Lord Penglai enjoying such immense prestige. Yet the slaying of Dao Lord Yuanxu was such a momentous event that the leaders of their respective factions had already reported it to them long ago. With Dao Lord Yuanxu's fate as a warning, and now having virtually witnessed Dao Lord Wujin's slaying with their own eyes... Against such a fearsome figure, who would dare deny her face? And with such a formidable Dao Lord acting as Yaoguang's Dao protector... It was no wonder he dared to stage a breakthrough right on Beihai Star, before the eyes of nearly a score of Dao Lords. The questions and answers between the Dao Lords and Zhen Xuanyuan were not concealed. This information was likewise overheard by the many True Monarchs below. Upon hearing that the one attempting Dao Integration was actually the second-ranked figure on the Dao Lord Candidate List—the very Yaoguang they had so ardently yearned to challenge—True Monarch Wusheng, True Monarch Nichang, True Monarch Yingfeng, True Monarch Jingmo, and the others all wore expressions of shock. Even True Monarch Tianxiao showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Dao Integration? Yaoguang is actually undergoing Dao Integration?!" "How can it be so fast? Wasn't it said that he only advanced to Void Shattering a little over a century ago? Attempting the Dao Integration realm after barely a hundred years? What kind of joke is this?" "Could that Yaoguang think that just because he made it to the top three of the Dao Lord Candidate List, he's guaranteed to succeed in Dao Integration? If Dao Integration were that simple, Dao Lords with their 129,600-year lifespans wouldn't be so rare." The True Monarchs lowered the fluctuations of their divine senses, murmuring among themselves. Quite a few even wore expressions of schadenfreude, waiting to hear the news that Yaoguang had failed and perished from his hasty Dao Integration. Even figures like True Monarch Tianxiao and True Monarch Wusheng, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Void Shattering realm, secretly shook their heads, skeptical that Yaoguang could so easily step into the Dao Integration realm. After all... The leap from Void Shattering to Dao Integration was simply too difficult. However... "If I recall correctly, Yaoguang has only cultivated for two hundred years. To qualify to attempt Dao Integration in just two hundred years—such talent and brilliance are extraordinarily rare in all the history of Beihai Star. If he truly takes this step further... a two-hundred-year-old Dao Lord would without doubt make history on Beihai Star. While one cannot say there will never be a successor, he would rightfully have no predecessor," True Monarch Wusheng remarked with feeling. "How could that be possible?! Dao Integration is the most difficult hurdle in any cultivator's life! Looking back from Foundation Establishment upward, which trial is harder than Dao Integration?" True Monarch Yingfeng scoffed in dissent. "Even in the Heavenly Fire realm, which is hailed as having a nine-out-of-ten mortality rate, if someone fails, they can at least explain why. Moreover, if a Golden Core or even Constant Light cultivator were to attempt the Heavenly Fire realm again, while they might not guarantee repeating their previous success, they would at least have ample certainty. But what about Dao Integration?" He spoke with absolute conviction: "Every Dao Lord, beyond possessing a foundation so deep it borders on perfection, must possess unstoppable momentum, an unyielding conviction, and the favor of destiny. Only when one unites great perseverance, great resolve, great wisdom, and great fortune in a single body can one truly enter the Dao Integration realm! Even if existing Dao Lords were forced to do it over again, their chances wouldn't be much higher than starting anew! A Void Shattering cultivator who has practiced for merely two hundred years wants to integrate with the Dao? I'd sooner believe Dao Integration doesn't depend on talent, willpower, or bitter cultivation, but on taking roll call—whoever gets called, gets through!" "Do not measure peerless geniuses by your own yardstick. Dao Lord Penglai is the prime example," True Monarch Wusheng said. "Dao Lord Penglai is merely an exception! How can an anomaly prove the rule?" True Monarch Yingfeng retorted. "Besides, as formidable as Dao Lord Penglai is, even she couldn't become a Dao Lord in two hundred years, could she?" Hearing this, True Monarch Wusheng argued no further. Debating who was right or wrong was meaningless anyway. Besides... One could never persuade someone who only chose to believe what they wanted to believe. The Dao Lords paid no heed to the disputes among the True Monarchs below. Upon learning that the one undergoing Dao Integration was their Heavenly Dao Sect's sect master, Dao Lord Juntian naturally spoke up at the opportune moment: "Fellow Daoists, since it is a member of my Heavenly Dao Sect who is integrating with the Dao, please grant me face and do not draw close to disturb him. Juntian expresses his gratitude here." Dao Lord Danding, Dao Lord Qingya, and the others smiled, glancing toward Dao Lord Taiwei. Dao Lord Taiwei let out a wry chuckle. "Why are you looking at me? We of the Ten Immortal Sects share common roots and stand together. If someone from the Ten Immortal Sects achieves Dao Integration, it bolsters our collective foundation. I certainly won't play the villain." For one thing, she did not believe Yaoguang could step into the Dao Integration realm so easily. Even if he truly succeeded... For him to grow to the point of contending for a quota to the Gate of the Immortal Realm would take at least twenty or thirty thousand years. By that time, she would either have entered the Gate of the Immortal Realm already or have declined in strength due to advanced age, losing her qualification to continue the Dao Contention. "Thank you, Dao Lord. If Yaoguang successfully completes his Dao Integration, I will surely have him prepare a lavish gift and personally thank you for your magnanimity," Dao Lord Juntian said, cupping his hands. "Fellow Daoist is too courteous," Dao Lord Taiwei said, glancing toward Beihai Star with a smile. "Even if I truly wished to do something, I wouldn't dare act rashly before a supreme figure like Dao Lord Penglai. After all, I have no desire to follow in the footsteps of Dao Lord Yuanxu and Dao Lord Wujin." With that, she waved her hand. "Fellow Daoist, go ahead and protect your sect's newly advanced Void Shattering cultivator. Pay us no mind; we will simply watch from the sidelines." "No matter. Revealing my presence here should give pause to anyone with ill intentions. Sensing my aura, they will weigh the consequences of offending two Dao Lords at once," Dao Lord Juntian said. Dao Lord Taiwei glanced at him with a smile, saying nothing more. Dao Lord Juntian's staying here was, to varying degrees, an attempt to borrow the prestige of the other Dao Lords present. The deterrent of five Dao Lords was clearly on a different level than that of just one. Still, just as Dao Lord Taiwei had said, the Ten Immortal Sects shared common interests and were natural allies. If Juntian merely borrowed their presence to deter petty scoundrels... They wouldn't object. However, if it truly escalated into an all-out battle among Dao Lords, they might not step in to help. Yet if Juntian and Penglai gained a clear upper hand and were willing to offer some benefits, the onlookers wouldn't mind doing them a favor and forming a goodwill bond. ... Yaoguang's attempt at Dao Integration continued. The tremendous commotion swept across Beihai Star, prompting one Dao Lord after another to probe toward this direction with their divine senses. Most Dao Lords tactfully refrained from rushing close to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. The only ones who hurried over were Demon Venerable Black Moon, Demon Saint Yulin, and God Venerable Radiance. Though the three Dao Integration experts were itching to act, the precedents of Dao Lord Yuanxu and Dao Lord Wujin were right before them. Relying on just the three of them, they lacked sufficient confidence. Before long, Dao Lord Jimie and Demon Saint Kunpeng also arrived on the scene. For a moment, the five Dao Integration experts were visibly stirring, eager to make a move. Just then, Dao Lord Dihui of the Taiyi Immortal Sect arrived as well, accompanied by Sect Master True Monarch Taiyuan. The moment he reached the area, this Dao Lord immediately broadcast his divine sense to the surroundings: "The Taiyi Immortal Sect and the Heavenly Dao Sect have signed a mutual defense pact. Whoever strikes at Sect Master Yaoguang at this moment makes an enemy of my Taiyi Immortal Sect." At these words, Demon Venerable Black Moon, Demon Saint Yulin, Demon Saint Kunpeng, and Dao Lord Jimie, who had been on the verge of moving, stiffened slightly. At the same time, Dao Lord Qingya of the Golden Crow Sect seemed to receive a message. He stirred his aura, locking onto God Venerable Radiance. This stance clearly signaled that while he would not interfere with other Dao Integration experts, if God Venerable Radiance took action, he would never sit idly by. Instantly, the balance shifted to four against five. Moreover, Yaoguang's side possessed Dao Lord Penglai... Carrying the terrifying renown of having just slain two great Dao Lords, Yuanxu and Wujin, she made Void Dao Integration figures like Dao Lord Jimie and Demon Saint Kunpeng hesitant to act recklessly. Both sides entered a deadlock. "Jimie, send word quickly and summon more Void Dao Lords here," Demon Venerable Black Moon transmitted. "Void Dao Lords master exquisite void power; they all return a bit later than other Dao Lords. In this period, only seven Void Dao Lords have returned to Beihai Star. Yuanxu and Wujin have already fallen, two belong to the Ten Immortal Sects, and then there's Kunpeng and me... The only one left we can contact is Dao Lord Liujie, but he hasn't replied to my message... Clearly, he's intimidated by Dao Lord Penglai's might and doesn't want to get involved..." Dao Lord Jimie's expression was grim. "Therefore, we can only wait... As long as we wait ten or twenty years, the number of Void Dao Lords drawn here will surely exceed double digits. When that time comes, whoever dares stand against such momentum will be crushed to dust, and Dao Lord Penglai will be no exception!" Hearing this, though Demon Venerable Black Moon wished nothing more than to make Dao Lord Penglai join Yaoguang in death right away, he had no choice but to suppress the killing intent in his heart. Just as more and more Dao Lords turned their attention toward this domain, suddenly... The aura on Yaoguang began to fade. And as his presence dissipated, the power of the Grand Dao of the Void began to manifest and surge within him... When this manifestation reached a certain pinnacle... An aura that also belonged to Yaoguang—yet was utterly distinct from before—swept forth with the force of the void. As though possessing a life of its own, it erupted, sweeping over the entirety of Beihai Star and continuing outward, undiminished, toward the farther reaches of the starry expanse. This transformation was so swift it could only be described as tempestuous. It left everyone stunned at once: the fully vigilant Dao Lord Penglai, Dao Lord Dihui, and Dao Lord Juntian; the conflicted Dao Lord Taiwei; the covetous Demon Saint Yulin, God Venerable Radiance, and Demon Venerable Black Moon; and Dao Lord Jimie and Demon Saint Kunpeng, who were still awaiting the arrival of more Void Dao Lords. As they repeatedly verified what these radiating ripples signified... Every Dao Integration powerhouse—whether present at the scene or watching from afar—erupted into an absolute uproar.