The Sword Dao, an Eternal Night! Lu Changsheng's Second Great Dao, the Eternal Sword Dao Shakes the World!

*Whoosh.* Lu Changsheng traversed space and emerged outside. He gazed far off toward the distant Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone, feeling the terrifying figure and overwhelming aura lingering in the void. A heavenly demon! So this was a heavenly demon! The might of a heavenly demon was truly terrifying! By a hair's breadth, he had nearly thrown his life away inside the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. While Lu Changsheng had narrowly escaped, all the other practitioners remaining in the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone had perished. "Fellow Daoist Huang Tian..." Lu Changsheng thought of Great Saint Huang Tian. If Great Saint Huang Tian had not evacuated the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone in time, his death was practically certain. After all, not everyone possessed an artifact like the Black Light Pagoda that could shuttle through space. Lu Changsheng stared at the distant Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone with lingering dread. The Dark Domain was truly perilous. Figures at the level of source lifeforms took action at the drop of a hat. Heavenly demons, Emperors, and the like came to blows far too often. How could it compare to chaos? In chaos, many source lifeforms were elusive, showing neither head nor tail. They might not intervene even once in ten thousand epochs. The source lifeforms in chaos truly stood aloof from worldly strife, practically never making a move. By contrast, this Dark Domain was perilous in the extreme. At the slightest provocation, Emperors and heavenly demons would strike personally. They showed no regard for martial decorum whatsoever. Of course, the reason this heavenly demon had personally intervened was likely sheer, unbridled fury. It had probably been driven into a corner and forced to make a desperate attempt at breaking through its realm. Fortunately, it had succeeded in ascending to heavenly demon status. Otherwise, the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone would have been reduced to ashes, wiped from existence entirely. Thus, it was only natural for this heavenly demon to strike out in wrath. Even from far away, Lu Changsheng could see that after eradicating the practitioners inside the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone, the heavenly demon did not halt. Instead, it reached out a colossal palm. The gigantic hand blotted out the sky and sun, appearing directly above the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Then, it slammed violently down upon the sect. *Rumble, rumble, rumble!* The Dao Comprehension Holy Sect immediately activated its grand formation. It was, after all, an Emperor's legacy. A sacred ground that had once given birth to an Emperor possessed a grand formation that, upon activating, forcefully weathered the heavenly demon's colossal palm. The heavenly demon's true body even manifested, cloaking the entire firmament. Its terrifying aura made hearts palpitate with dread. Lu Changsheng retreated time and again, not daring to linger too close lest he be caught in the collateral damage. The heavenly demon's true body unleashed a frenzied onslaught against the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Yet the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect remained rock-steady and unmoved. Evidently, this was the true foundation of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Even an Emperor could not easily breach the gates of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. "Hmph." "Henceforth, any practitioner from the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect who steps into the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone shall be executed without mercy!" The heavenly demon snorted coldly, then retreated into the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. Everything returned to calm once more. Yet the practitioners of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect broke into a cold sweat. Fortunately, the Emperor of the past had left behind such a formidable defensive array to withstand the onslaught of a heavenly demon. Otherwise, had the formation broken, the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect would likely have been pulverized into oblivion. At this moment, facing a heavenly demon, all of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect's soaring ambitions were thoroughly extinguished, wiped out without a trace. They no longer entertained thoughts of territorial expansion. To survive and preserve their ancestral legacy was already their greatest fortune. Indeed, as long as the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone existed, the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect could forget about expanding; they could only hunker down meekly in their corner. Such was the might of a heavenly demon! Single-handedly, it had beaten the dignified Dao Comprehension Holy Sect into complete submission. Lu Changsheng glanced at the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect, then back at the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. On the surface, both sides appeared to have settled their dispute, but in reality? No one knew what would happen down the road. "Time to head back." Lu Changsheng dared not linger any longer. Taking another year's journey, he returned to Tianyu City. Within Tianyu City, Lu Changsheng took stock of his gains from this expedition. He had obtained a total of one hundred and one wisps of Dark Domain origin power. This was his greatest harvest. Next were the Dao Comprehension Points from the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. During his years in the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone, Lu Changsheng had slain many demons, earning one hundred and ten thousand Dao Comprehension Points. One hundred thousand Dao Comprehension Points were enough to enter the Dao Comprehension Pool once. Yet given the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect's current predicament, would they still honor their promise? Lu Changsheng was somewhat concerned. Then again, a sect of that stature could hardly renege on its debt, could it? Nevertheless, Lu Changsheng had no intention of visiting the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect for the time being. He had no obsession with the Dao Comprehension Pool anyway. Instead, he was far more interested in what else those Dao Comprehension Points could be exchanged for. In any case, he still needed to refine the Dark Domain origin power. Better to wait and see how the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect fared over the next few years. He had the Dao Comprehension Token in hand regardless. As long as the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect survived, there would always be an opportunity to make the sect honor those hundred and ten thousand points. With that, Lu Changsheng settled into his cave dwelling and began refining the Dark Domain origin power. One year, three years, five years, eight years... Lu Changsheng had already grown thoroughly accustomed to refining Dark Domain origin power. In eight years and four months, Lu Changsheng finished refining exactly one hundred wisps of Dark Domain origin power. At this moment, Lu Changsheng's Illusory Realm progress reached 100% once more. If he wanted to advance further, he had to undertake his second world reopening. However, reopening the world carried risks. Substantial risks, in fact. Lu Changsheng had to minimize those risks. "I still must reconstruct more Great Dao powers to make the Illusory Realm even sturdier." Lu Changsheng made up his mind. Great Dao powers! He had to reconstruct Great Dao powers. Last time, Lu Changsheng had reconstructed over a dozen Great Dao powers, granting the Illusory Realm immense stability and allowing him to successfully reopen the world. This time, if Lu Changsheng wanted to ensure that reopening the world would proceed without danger, he also had to reconstruct Great Dao powers. However, all the Great Dao powers Lu Changsheng reconstructed were simulations. He had encountered many Great Saints in the Sunset Forbidden Zone previously. There were still many Great Dao powers he had not yet reconstructed. There was no rush on that front. Thus, Lu Changsheng began carefully recalling the Great Dao powers of the Great Saints he had met. Day after day slipped by. Reconstructing Great Dao powers could be simple or complex, depending on the strength of the Great Dao being reconstructed. Typically, reconstructing a single Great Dao took anywhere from one to ten years. One Dao, two Daos, three Daos, four Daos... As time flowed on, Lu Changsheng reconstructed Great Daos one after another. Yet when Lu Changsheng reconstructed twelve Great Daos, he did not feel the Illusory Realm become unshakably solid as it had previously. In other words, twelve Great Daos were insufficient for Lu Changsheng to reopen the Illusory Realm a second time. This was not difficult to understand. After all, Lu Changsheng's Illusory Realm was much stronger now. To reopen it once more, it would have to withstand a far greater impact. Consequently, the Great Dao powers required had to be correspondingly stronger. A mere twelve Great Daos could not guarantee one-hundred-percent protection against the shockwaves unleashed by the Illusory Realm's "explosion." Therefore, he had to continue reconstructing Great Dao powers. Lu Changsheng did not hesitate. He had harvested impressions of numerous Great Dao powers in the Sunset Forbidden Zone, so he could simulate plenty of them. He had no lack of raw material. Thirteen Daos, fourteen Daos, fifteen Daos, sixteen Daos... When the number of reconstructed Great Daos reached twenty, Lu Changsheng finally stopped. At this juncture, twenty reconstructed Great Daos reinforced the Illusory Realm into absolute stability. With an Illusory Realm so solid, Lu Changsheng naturally sensed through the unseen bonds of intuition that everything was in order. There would be no problem this time. Even with a world reopening, the current resilience of the Illusory Realm was sufficient to eliminate all danger. "*Phew...*" Lu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. Reconstructing twenty Great Daos had taken him a full century, averaging roughly five years per Great Dao. Yet feeling the current stability of the Illusory Realm, Lu Changsheng was thoroughly pleased. "Begin." Lu Changsheng summoned his resolve and reopened the world! *Hum.* With a single thought from Lu Changsheng, his Illusory Realm began to collapse. The immense Illusory Realm collapsed once more into a single "singularity." That process took one year. Then came the explosion. *Boom!* The collapsed singularity detonated. A vast, sweeping shockwave surged outward in all directions. Such was reopening the world. Yet as this was already his second time, Lu Changsheng was thoroughly practiced. He felt not a shred of panic, remaining completely composed as he waited in silence. Time trickled by. The detonation process took a very long time. In truth, this extended explosion was the very essence of reopening the world. Ten years, thirty years, fifty years, eighty years, a hundred years... After a century had elapsed, the explosion concluded. Lu Changsheng's Illusory Realm manifested anew. Compared to his first reopening, this new Illusory Realm had surged ten-fold, a hundred-fold in scale once again. The Illusory Realm's power elevated once more, attaining an unfathomable height. "There is still one wisp of Dark Domain origin power left. Better refine it first." Lu Changsheng noticed the remaining wisp of Dark Domain origin power. He spent a month refining it. Afterward, Lu Changsheng pulled up his attribute panel to inspect his status. **Host:** Lu Changsheng **Comprehension:** Top-Tier Comprehension **World Master:** 1% (Second Reopening) **Chaos Lifeform:** 76% (Initial Formation) On the attribute panel, Lu Changsheng had indeed achieved his second world reopening. It was equivalent to two life leaps, or a two-Dao Great Saint. Moreover, he was a two-Dao Great Saint with an overwhelmingly profound foundation and rock-solid cultivation, capable of fighting well above his realm! With Lu Changsheng's current strength, even without relying on the Black Light Pagoda, he could slay a three-Dao Great Saint. Only now had Lu Changsheng's personal combat prowess caught up to that of the Black Light Pagoda. Aside from being unable to shuttle through space on his own, his intrinsic battle strength was no longer weaker than the artifact. "With my second world reopening complete, equivalent to a two-Dao Great Saint, I must simulate a second Great Dao." "What kind of Great Dao should I simulate this time?" Lu Changsheng sank into deep contemplation. His experiences in the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone had shown him that the choice of Great Dao was of paramount importance. His strength was too immense, allowing him to fight above his realm. Therefore, there had to be a plausible justification. What was the reason he could battle across realms? Naturally, it was because his Great Dao power was extraordinarily potent. Thus, to make it believable, he could not choose an ordinary Great Dao to simulate. He had to simulate an exceptionally formidable Great Dao. "My first Great Dao was the Thunder-Fire Dao, whose might could only be considered passable." "For the second Great Dao, I choose the Eternal Sword Dao!" "The Sword Dao governs slaughter and offense, ranking among the foremost Daos in the Dark Domain. Yet even among Sword Daos, there are tiers of mastery. The Eternal Sword Dao spans all eternity, truly reigning supreme as the paramount Sword Dao!" Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up. The next moment, Lu Changsheng began simulating the Eternal Sword Dao. *Rumble, rumble, rumble!* The tranquil Tianyu City was stirred into an uproar once again. Some unknown phenomenon unfolded in the void, causing the entire sky to tremble. Many practitioners raised their heads toward the heavens. Vaguely, they sensed a razor-sharp sword intent. This sword intent pierced through the void and traversed the expanse of history, as though an ancient deity had awakened. Shock seized countless hearts. A Sword Dao! This was an awe-inspiring, terrifying Sword Dao. "Who is it? Who has comprehended a Great Dao now?" "This Great Dao is a Sword Dao, but what kind of Sword Dao could be so horrifying?" "The Sword Dao is a path of pure slaughter. There are countless varieties of Sword Dao, but one this formidable is simply unimaginable." "I have witnessed eighty, if not a hundred, Sword Daos in my lifetime, yet not a single one can hold a candle to this!" "Wait... isn't that the Thunder-Fire Dao alongside it? Could it be Great Saint Lu Changsheng?" "It truly is Great Saint Lu Changsheng! To think he has comprehended a second Great Dao so quickly... Unbelievable..." "I heard Great Saint Lu Changsheng and Great Saint Huang Tian both ventured into the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. While Great Saint Huang Tian perished, Great Saint Lu Changsheng returned alive. Now it seems he must have gained some profound epiphany inside the forbidden zone." The practitioners of Tianyu City were already well acquainted with the figure named Lu Changsheng. In particular, the Thunder-Fire Dao had become his signature hallmark. Yet now, Lu Changsheng had actually comprehended a second Great Dao. The entirety of Tianyu City was thrown into a massive commotion. *Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.* Figure after figure materialized in the void. Confronting the power of the Great Dao hanging in the sky, each of them felt a chill deep within their souls. These figures were all Great Saints! Even the Great Saints felt lingering dread. The appearance of this Great Dao filled them with deep unease. "May I ask, Great Saint Changsheng, what Sword Dao have you comprehended?" Among them, the city lord of Tianyu City, Great Saint Tianyu, personally spoke. Great Saint Tianyu was a three-Dao Great Saint of illustrious renown, merely a single step away from becoming a four-Dao Great Saint. Once one became a four-Dao Great Saint, one ranked among the true powerhouses across the vast Dark Domain. Consequently, the moment the city lord of Tianyu City spoke, the other Great Saints held their tongues, their eyes fixed intently upon the Sword Dao spanning the void. "Mm?" Lu Changsheng looked up at the figures gathered in the sky, his gaze settling particularly on Great Saint Tianyu. Three Great Daos flickered faintly around the city lord, radiating a potent aura. Lu Changsheng stepped out of his cave dwelling, appearing instantly in the void. The terrifying Sword Dao stretched across the heavens, emanating an awe-inspiring sword intent. Step by step, Lu Changsheng walked before Great Saint Tianyu and the others. "Fellow Daoist Tianyu, this is the Eternal Sword Dao!" "Throughout the ages, the Sword Dao was like an endless night; only my Sword Dao pierces the eternal ages to reign supreme as the paramount Sword Dao!" Lu Changsheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His voice reverberated throughout Tianyu City, audible to every ear. In an instant, countless practitioners were struck dumb with shock, their blood surging with agitation. The Eternal Sword Dao? Piercing the eternal ages, the paramount Sword Dao? Arrogant! This was utterly, unimaginably arrogant! There were so many Great Saints across the vast Dark Domain, and so many varieties of Sword Dao. Who dared boast that theirs was the number one Sword Dao? Moreover, Lu Changsheng had named it the Eternal Sword Dao. The name alone sounded brazen beyond belief. Yet why did it make one's blood boil with excitement? The Eternal Sword Dao. *The Sword Dao was like an endless night.* What towering ambition! What magnificent aspiration! Now it hung manifest before their very eyes, suspended high above their heads. "Heh, what grand spirit!" "However, for Fellow Daoist Lu to call this Eternal Sword Dao the number one Sword Dao strikes me as far too presumptuous." At this moment, a discordant voice rang out. "Mm?" "Why does Great Saint Qingsuo speak thus? Could it be that Great Saint Qingsuo wishes to spar with me?" Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew of this Great Saint Qingsuo; he was also a two-Dao Great Saint. They had never had any dealings, yet here the man was, speaking out of turn. What was he playing at? Still, Lu Changsheng had deliberately intended to maintain a high profile. If Great Saint Qingsuo delivered himself to his doorstep, Lu Changsheng would not hold back. "Spar..." A sharp glint flickered across Great Saint Qingsuo's eyes. In truth, the reason Great Saint Qingsuo had spoken was quite simple. He practiced a Sword Dao as well! In fact, the very first Dao he had condensed was a Sword Dao. With Lu Changsheng bandying about claims of the "paramount Sword Dao," Great Saint Qingsuo naturally felt irked. Yet feeling the crushing presence of Lu Changsheng's Eternal Sword Dao, he was forced to admit that its overwhelming pressure was far beyond his ability to withstand. Even though they were both two-Dao Great Saints, if they truly fought, Great Saint Qingsuo would undoubtedly lose! On that point, Great Saint Qingsuo had self-awareness. "Hmph." Great Saint Qingsuo fell silent. A spar? Out of the question. He had no desire to humiliate himself. Seeing Great Saint Qingsuo fall quiet, Lu Changsheng knew the man had backed down. This was only natural. Though they were Great Saints, none would trade blows without good cause. There was no need for it. "Great Saint Tianyu, I still need to consolidate my cultivation, so please excuse me for not entertaining you all further." With that, Lu Changsheng retracted the Eternal Sword Dao and returned to his cave dwelling. The void returned to tranquility. Yet Tianyu City remained in an uproar. "What an Eternal Sword Dao! Even if it is not truly the paramount Sword Dao under heaven, it is surely among the rarest of Sword Daos in this world," Great Saint Tianyu remarked in admiration. As for Lu Changsheng's arrogance, he paid it no mind. It was only natural. Had he condensed an existence like the Eternal Sword Dao, he would have been even more haughty. In the Dark Domain, no practitioner kept a low profile. Everyone fought tooth and nail whenever there was something to contest. Contesting fame, contesting resources, contesting karmic fortune. Without contending, how could one advance further? Lu Changsheng returned to his cave dwelling. The clamor outside had no bearing on him whatsoever. However, the news that he had condensed the "Eternal Sword Dao" and declared it the number one Sword Dao would undoubtedly spread beyond Tianyu City. Perhaps in the eyes of many Great Saints, he would become synonymous with overbearing arrogance. But so what? Lu Changsheng did not care. He had his reasons for adopting a high profile. In the Dark Domain, practitioners had to be prominent. The more gifted a prodigy was, the more prominent they needed to be. "I wonder how the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect is faring?" Lu Changsheng murmured softly to himself. It was not that he truly cared for the sect's well-being. Mainly, he still held over a hundred thousand Dao Comprehension Points. If those points were not exchanged for resources, they were mere meaningless numbers, entirely useless. If the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect collapsed, where could he go to redeem them? Lu Changsheng stayed in his cave dwelling for some time longer before venturing out to converse with a few familiar Great Saints and inquire about the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. The confrontation between the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect and the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone was the center of wide attention, and many factions kept abreast of the news. Ever since the birth of a heavenly demon in the forbidden zone, the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect had maintained an exceptionally low profile. They had obediently retracted their forces, no longer daring to dispatch disciples into the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. Meanwhile, that heavenly demon seemed to have rested its forces as well, tacitly agreeing to divide their spheres of influence with the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Both sides appeared to have returned to their previous equilibrium. Yet this time, the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone clearly held the upper hand, exerting suffocating pressure over the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Nonetheless, relations between them had at least eased, settling toward peace. Lu Changsheng felt thoroughly relieved. Since the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect still stood and had stabilized, his hundred thousand-odd points would not go to waste. To be precise, he held one hundred and ten thousand Dao Comprehension Points. Yet did he truly want to exchange them for a chance to enter the Dao Comprehension Pool? That offered him little actual benefit. "Never mind, I'll go have a look at the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect." Lu Changsheng prepared to head over to the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. He could also see what the sect had to say. After all, it remained uncertain whether the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect would still honor the debt. While a grand sacred sect would not necessarily renege, Lu Changsheng would not feel at ease until he confirmed it in person. Thus, Lu Changsheng departed Tianyu City once more and journeyed toward the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. A year later, Lu Changsheng arrived at the sect. Gazing at the familiar mountain peak and familiar palaces in the distance, Lu Changsheng could not help but feel a pang of sentiment. Over two centuries had passed since he had returned to Tianyu City. Returning to the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect now, compared to the lively bustle of two hundred years ago, the sect was conspicuously desolate. After all, the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect now lived under the looming threat of the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone. With a heavenly demon watching them, no one could say when it might strike against the sect again. Under such circumstances, who dared visit the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect? Even the disciples seeking entry into the sect had dwindled dramatically. *Whoosh.* Lu Changsheng arrived before the mountain gate of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect and presented his Dao Comprehension Token. Upon seeing the token, the sect disciple wore a peculiar expression, but nonetheless guided Lu Changsheng inside the mountain gates. This time, the sect master of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect received him personally. After all, Lu Changsheng's Dao Comprehension Token held a staggering hundred and ten thousand Dao Comprehension Points. This was enough to apply for an entry into the Dao Comprehension Pool, so it naturally alerted the sect master. Soon, Lu Changsheng met the sect master of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect, along with several elders. The sect master spoke directly: "Great Saint Changsheng of Tianyu City, not long ago you mastered a second Great Dao in Tianyu City, hailing it as the Eternal Sword Dao and proclaiming it the paramount Sword Dao!" "When I received word of this, I was quite astonished. I originally thought you had no connection to our Dao Comprehension Holy Sect, yet to my surprise, Great Saint Changsheng had accepted a Dao Comprehension Token and even survived that catastrophe in the Heavenly Demon Forbidden Zone two hundred years ago." "It truly astounds me." "Fellow Daoist Lu has earned one hundred and ten thousand Dao Comprehension Points. Our Dao Comprehension Holy Sect's stance is unequivocal: we shall honor our original promise. Does Fellow Daoist Lu wish to enter the Dao Comprehension Pool?" The other party had investigated Lu Changsheng thoroughly. This was only natural. These were details Lu Changsheng had deliberately disseminated, not state secrets. No matter how much the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect had retracted its reach, it remained a dignified sacred sect; how could it be ignorant of such news regarding Lu Changsheng? "Enter the Dao Comprehension Pool?" Lu Changsheng shook his head. "I have no desire to enter the Dao Comprehension Pool for the moment. Aside from granting entry to the pool, what else can these hundred and ten thousand Dao Comprehension Points be exchanged for?" Lu Changsheng's primary purpose in coming to the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect was to see what alternatives were available for redemption. In any case, he would not enter the Dao Comprehension Pool. "Refused?" Lu Changsheng's words left the sect master and elders momentarily stunned. They found it somewhat incredible, wondering if their ears had deceived them. Lu Changsheng had actually refused? Who could possibly refuse an opportunity to enter the Dao Comprehension Pool? Even high-ranking Great Saints yearned for a turn in the pool. Though the Dao Comprehension Pool could only be used once, that single experience was extraordinarily efficacious. Yet Lu Changsheng had indeed turned it down. Unaware of what Lu Changsheng was thinking, the sect master could only explain: "Dao Comprehension Points can be exchanged for any resource in our sect. Aside from certain core cultivation methods and secret arts that cannot be imparted to outsiders, everything else is permissible..." As the sect master introduced their offerings, Lu Changsheng gradually grasped something of the sect's profound foundation. It truly lived up to its reputation as a sacred sect. Its heritage was remarkably deep. Any random treasure taken out would drive countless Great Saints into a frenzy. Yet these resources that could drive Great Saints mad were entirely tasteless to Lu Changsheng, lacking the slightest allure. He was neither a genuine Dark Domain lifeform nor a practitioner of the Dark Domain's native paths. Even if these precious resources were given to him, he could not utilize them for his cultivation. What value did they hold for him? Thus, Lu Changsheng repeatedly shook his head, eventually sinking into deep thought. The grand hall suddenly grew quiet. The sect master felt a touch of displeasure. He could naturally tell that Lu Changsheng was unsatisfied. Yet among the items the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect had presented, which one was not exceedingly precious? With so many rare resources offered, including access to the Dao Comprehension Pool, Lu Changsheng remained dissatisfied. What in the world did Lu Changsheng want? Nevertheless, the sect master neither questioned nor hurried him. He still possessed that much patience and poise. Since Lu Changsheng was unsatisfied and the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect genuinely intended to fulfill its pledge, he would simply allow Lu Changsheng time to deliberate. "Fellow Daoist Lu, why not stay as a guest in our sect for a few days?" "You may take your time to consider matters. When you have decided what you wish to exchange for, it will not be too late to inform us," the sect master proposed. This was according Lu Changsheng a great deal of face. Whether an ordinary cultivator would receive such courtesy was questionable. Perhaps it was out of respect for Lu Changsheng's "Eternal Sword Dao." Or perhaps the remarkable speed with which Lu Changsheng had condensed a second Great Dao made the sect eager to forge a favorable bond. The Dao Comprehension Holy Sect was not what it once was; its circumstances were precarious. At such a juncture, forging a good relationship wherever possible was paramount. They absolutely could not afford further complications. After considering the offer, Lu Changsheng nodded. "Then I shall trouble the Sect Master." He accepted the sect's hospitality. At a time like this, he certainly would not rush into a careless decision. Staying in the sect for a while might indeed allow him to find something that piqued his interest. Thus, Lu Changsheng took up residence within the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect. Lu Changsheng was also fairly curious about the Dao Comprehension Pool. Though he would not enter it himself, there was no harm in taking a look. The entire sect treated Lu Changsheng with great importance. Aside from top-secret restricted areas, Lu Changsheng was permitted to visit and observe most locations. The Dao Comprehension Pool, for instance. While crucial, it was not classified as a forbidden secret ground. Lu Changsheng was naturally allowed to enter and observe. He watched as a disciple entered the Dao Comprehension Pool. Shortly after, the disciple appeared to gain sudden epiphanies, mastering various secret arts one by one or achieving deep insights. It was just as Lu Changsheng had surmised. The Dao Comprehension Pool truly could enhance comprehension, but for Lu Changsheng, it was completely useless. In the days that followed, Lu Changsheng strolled through various parts of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect, observing everything. A month later, Lu Changsheng arrived at a very peculiar location within the sect. "The Great Dao Stele?" Lu Changsheng looked at the towering stone monument reaching into the clouds before him, densely etched with countless markings. There were palm prints, sword gouges, lightning brands, and more. Every single mark represented a Great Dao. These were the traces of the Great Dao left upon the monument by Great Saints throughout the history of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect, carved by the power of their respective Daos. Densely clustered, were there not perhaps over a thousand marks? This also demonstrated that over a thousand Great Saints had been born in the history of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect! This number alone was ample proof of the sect's immense heritage. Disciples of the Dao Comprehension Holy Sect could observe and gain enlightenment from the Great Dao Stele. With countless marks of the Great Dao interweaving, occasional disciples would achieve epiphanies, comprehending a Dao and condensing the power of the Great Dao. Yet such disciples were ultimately a rare few. Attaining the Great Dao merely by sitting beneath a stone stele? Such individuals existed only in legends, countable on one's fingers. Practically speaking, very few disciples came to the Great Dao Stele seeking comprehension. Yet Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up with brilliant light. Wasn't this Great Dao Stele precisely what he needed? Lu Changsheng could already foresee that if he wished to reopen his world a third, fourth, fifth, or even more times in the future, he would have to reconstruct numerous Great Daos to stabilize his Illusory Realm. Perhaps several hundred Great Daos. Perhaps even several thousand. Where could he possibly go to find that many Great Daos to simulate? Didn't this Great Dao Stele before him bear over a thousand kinds of Great Daos right now? If he could memorize them all, he could simulate them at his leisure later on. *This* was the true fortune Lu Changsheng sought.