This chapter includes visual illustration and cinematic scene.
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When Heaven and Earth first judged, and Primordial Chaos (Sumeru) was divided, regulations arose accordingly. Their vastness is boundless, like a galaxy suspended upside down, eternally crowning the universe; they give birth to ten thousand things as spring rain nourishing a hundred flowers, and fix all laws like a golden rope binding all phenomena; they govern the cycle of all manifestations, determine the order of prosperity and decline, regulate the balance of Yin and Yang, and turn the mechanisms of the four seasons. One thought may create, and one thought may destroy—the world calls it the Heavenly Dao.
After countless eons of changing eras, under the obscure revelations of the Heavenly Dao, a new kind of Dao Cultivator gradually appeared in the world. They integrated themselves into Heaven and Earth, breathing in the essence of the sun and moon, and perceiving the spirits of all things; they abandoned the mortal world, pursued true meaning, and walked along the traces of the Heavenly Dao only to glimpse the principles of the Grand Dao. In the eyes of worldly people, this was no longer the path of the mundane, so they were called by the people of the world—Qi Cultivators.
After enduring ten thousand tribulations of wind and frost, finally, in one era, a uniquely endowed inheritor appeared among the Qi Cultivators. His natural talent surpassed both ancient and modern times; having cultivated bitterly for ten thousand years, he broke all shackles and constraints, crossed past countless fellow Cultivators, and stepped into the Third Step of Cultivation, managing to touch the deeper laws of the Grand Dao, titled—Nine-Nirvana Grand Heavenly Venerable.
Above the nine heavens, there is a palace named the Tianming Divine Illumination Palace, suspended at the peak of the sea of clouds, like a crown dropped into the mortal world by a god. The palace buildings are towering and majestic, with glazed golden tiles flowing with the light of molten gold; upon the flying eaves, Primordial Divine Beasts are lifelike, as if they might spread their wings into the nine heavens at any moment.
Around the main hall, twelve giant pillars reaching the sky stand tall, with coiled dragons and circling phoenixes, and Spirit Inscriptions flowing, where the sound of the Grand Dao vaguely echoes. Before the hall is a white jade long bridge; beneath the bridge is not water, but flowing starlight. Bits of brilliance flit like fireflies, and like the Milky Way reflected. In the distance, several pavilions are suspended in the air, scattered among the clouds, with wind chimes clear and melodious, their syllables seeming to hide the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth. The entire divine palace is shrouded in a layer of ethereal rosy light, within which the laws of Heaven and Earth return to their places of their own accord. Charms and runes flicker within the glow; they are Ancient-Era Prohibitions, guarding the sanctuary. Those standing within look down upon the Three Realms and look up at the galaxy, and a sense of awe and insignificance naturally rises in their hearts—man is like a grain of sand, and the Heavenly Dao is infinite. This place is the ancient palace that carries the Grand Dao Inheritance—the Tianming Divine Illumination Palace.
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Inside the main hall, it is as broad as a plain. The floor is paved with spiritual jade, crystal clear as a mirror, reflecting the trajectories of the stars in the dome. Six elders are lined on both sides, three on the left and three on the right, all in plain robes with crane-white hair, their auras hidden and deep, like diving dragons in a deep abyss, or mountains standing still. Their backs are to the center of the hall, their faces invisible, yet their upright figures manifest supreme pressure. Above the center of the hall, a figure sits cross-legged in the void. Title: Nine-Nirvana Grand Heavenly Venerable—Dongfang Wanming.
His white hair is like a waterfall, flowing with the condensed light of years. His stature is as high as the sky; even while sitting cross-legged, one must look up to glimpse his silhouette. His dark robe is adorned with stars, echoing the star map on the dome from afar. His face is shrouded in clear light, making his true appearance indistinguishable, leaving only an aura that is transcendent and aloof, reigning over all living beings. His hands form mudras, spiritual light flows, and with every breath, the Spirit Qi rises and falls like tides; the entire hall seems to breathe with him.
"You all are my followers." The voice is not high, yet it is like a great bell shaking the heavens, with an unquestionable intent within its old age.
"Since I received the Grand Dao Inheritance and followed the laws to cultivate the Dao, you have followed me through long years." The words are calm, but the six elders' figures tremble slightly. Hundreds of thousands of years are ten thousand tribulations to mortals, but to them, it is a witness of sharing an endless cultivation journey.
"Ten thousand years ago, my cultivation had already reached the Peak of Nirvanic Clarity, and the first tribulation was successfully endured." Dongfang Wanming's voice is without ripples, "However, after ten thousand years of meditation, I ultimately failed to cross the remaining eight tribulations." The hall is silent, only the sound of starlight flowing like a faint hum.
"Through endless years of meditation, I have realized a method that can break this limit and step into the Fourth Step of Cultivation, the later path of enlightenment."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Divine Souls of the six elders were all shaken. The Fourth Step of Cultivation! Since ancient times, it has been nothing but a legend; it is an existence that reigns above all laws and can directly face the Heavenly Dao. No one in history has reached it, and the few who knew of it are all as silent as cicadas in winter.
"However—" Dongfang Wanming's tone shifted slightly as he said slowly, "This method has its drawbacks. Although I hold heavenly authority, it is ultimately not infinite. My Lifespan is more than half exhausted. To seek a glimmer of Fortuitous Opportunity to break the Nine Cauldrons of the Infinite Absolute, I must divide into Eight Avatars, using my Source Power as the stake, to Traversing Mountains and Seas and testify the Grand Dao."
Having said that, he raised his mudra, light and shadow flickered between his fingers, and runes overflowed like a flowing spring, weaving into a surging spiritual river surrounding his body.
"Nine Cycles Return to Heaven, Ten Thousand Laws Converge; The Dao Scatters in Spirit Wandering, Reshaping Heaven and Earth Anew!"
The voice of the law was majestic and deep; as soon as the syllables were uttered, the Grand Dao roared! The Tianming Divine Illumination Palace shook, the sea of clouds churned, and the starlight bridge swayed. The star map on the dome suddenly brightened, and the light of ten thousand stars shot down together, all converging on Dongfang Wanming. His figure rose like a heavenly pillar, his Meridian Acupoints were ignited in order, the stars moved according to his body, and energy surged and transformed. Suddenly, divine light erupted—dazzling and hard to look at! The colors of Heaven and Earth seemed to be erased in an instant, but that light was not monochromatic; it was the source of all phenomena in Heaven and Earth. In the light, nine clusters of Source Power were divided from within his body. Eight clusters were secondary, arranged in eight directions, and one cluster was in the center, being his Original Nascent Spirit (True Self).
The eight clusters were varied in form, shrouded in mist, and brimming with life. The Black Soul was like night, able to swallow all brilliance; the remaining seven clusters flowed with seven colors—Crimson Fire, Orange Earth, Yellow, Green Leaf, Cyan Mist, Blue Water, and Purple Thunder, all containing the Grand Dao source.
"Go!"
He gave a command, and the sound shook the nine heavens.
The eight colored light clusters immediately turned into rainbows, broke through the void, and rushed in eight directions—the Crimson Fire entered the western volcanoes; the Orange Earth traveled to the northern wilderness; the Golden Light rose into the Ninth Heaven Gang-Wind Layer; the Green Leaf vanished into the southern bamboo forest; the Cyan Mist fell into an eastern mortal city; the Blue Water sank into the endless deep sea; the Purple Thunder split the Primordial Chaos (Sumeru) and entered an unopened secret realm; the Black Soul fell into the Netherworld Ravine, but for an instant, even the Heavenly Dao failed to capture its trajectory.
The eight rays of brilliance streaked across the sky, their trailing flames as long as a heavenly river. The celestial phenomena were slightly disturbed, and the starlight trembled. All the powerful experts felt something in their hearts, looked toward the Tianming Divine Illumination Palace, and showed expressions of surprise and doubt.
Although the six elders did not turn back, their Divine Sense had already perceived everything, and their hearts were filled with unspeakable shock.
The Nine-Cycle Primordial Heaven Skill! To actually use this technique to divide the Source Power and cultivate for eight more lives—what kind of courage is this!
The brilliance dissipated, and the hall returned to silence. Only that cluster of Source Power in the center remained, its light slightly dimmed. Dongfang Wanming's figure appeared slightly tired, and his voice rose again, deep and firm,"Traversing the Dao for a hundred thousand, eight origins converge, I return, Nirvanic Dust and Void-Convergence Realm..."
To save time and his Lifespan, he must immediately enter the Vault of the Dao to wait in stillness for the eight lives to become one. His words gradually faded, and his figure slowly vanished into the void, finally disappearing within the Vault of the Dao. The entrance gradually narrowed, and although no one noticed, a flicker of hesitation flashed and vanished, following Dongfang Wanming, and together they turned into stardust and scattered.
——Suddenly.
"Clang——!!!"
A bell tolled, rising from the ground! It boomed and echoed from the depths of the universe, as if responding to the vibration of the Grand Dao! Clear, long, carrying urgency and warning, it vibrated through the Tianming Divine Illumination Palace, penetrated layers of boundary walls, and went straight into the mind! The six elders turned around at the same time! Under their blurred faces, the aura of shock swept like a storm. One of them spoke out of turn, exclaiming in a trembling voice.
"Could it be——!"
The sound of the bell gradually slowed, but the aftertaste did not disperse, seeming to echo repeatedly between Heaven and Earth.
The mountains are silent, and the sea of clouds is without ripples, as if everything that just happened was only a very light breath of Heaven and Earth. No one remembers the vibration of that moment, and no one notices that some fixed trajectories have quietly shifted.
The years will still flow as usual, mortals will still be born, grow old, fall ill, and die, and the path of cultivation will remain suspended like the heavens as before. But from this moment on, some choices have already secretly planted the seeds of Fate; some destinies are no longer as clear as recorded in old books.
As the sound of the bell fell, the world returned to silence.
And the true change has already quietly set off when no one noticed.
——(End of Prologue)