After the Great Dao Died

In the void, a sea of clouds churned.

Billowing astral winds swept down, causing Chen Lingxi’s Myriad Marvels Dharmic Robe to snap and flutter.

Chen Lingxi sat cross-legged atop the Heavenly Boat, a spirit stone glowing faintly in his palm.

Chen Lingxi circulated the Six Qi True Method, refining the spiritual energy within the stone to replenish his own spiritual qi.

’When it comes to combat power, these two martial cultivators at the Entering Profound Realm fall far short of Xiao Zhushan.’

’They are even much weaker than Zhang Mozhu.’

’Within the Entering Profound Realm, their vitality and cultivation can hardly be considered strong.’

Chen Lingxi pondered, ’My current combat power far exceeds that of an ordinary Qi Circulation 9th Floor cultivator. After all, I have numerous methods at my disposal.’

’If I use the Delayed Light Flying Dagger at just the right moment, I should be able to fight Xiao Zhushan. If my timing is off, I’d likely still lose to him.’

’But if I were to face Zhang Mozhu, I could probably defeat him even without the Delayed Light Flying Dagger.’’Still, who exactly is controlling these two Undying Willow Puppets?’

Chen Lingxi frowned in deep thought. ’The Undying Willow is currently in Liujie Alley. Thinking back, I didn’t obtain that Undying Willow Branch because I sacrificed a Cauldron Vessel.’

’Rather... the Undying Willow gifted it to me for some unknown reason.’

At this thought, a flash of insight suddenly struck him.

’My only connection with this Undying Willow Cauldron Vessel is likely from when I was young, when Xi Yu and I planted it together.’

’The Undying Willow probably gifted me the Undying Willow Branch because of that past connection.’

’So... Xi Yu...’

Chen Lingxi’s eyes flickered; he already had a faint guess.

’Xi Yu is a genius of the Que Star Xi Family. According to Xi Yuan, she reached the Eighth Floor a long time ago and then went into seclusion to break through.’

’Without a doubt, she must have already stepped onto the Qi Circulation 9th Floor by now.’

’I just don’t know exactly how strong this genius of the Que Star Xi Family really is.’

Chen Lingxi thought of Xi Yuan, whose formidable cultivation was undeniable.

At that time, he had already formed a spiritual aperture and wielded the Delayed Light Flying Dagger. Even so, he and the deeply resourceful Lin Suri had to join forces to defeat Xi Yuan. This proved just how extraordinary the combat power of figures from exalted sects and great factions truly was.

And Xi Yu was an outstanding talent even among them.

’That’s fine. My ambition is to seek eternal life in the Greater World.’

’Who knows how many exalted sects and great factions exist within the Great Xuanzhuo Realm?’

’If I can’t even defeat Xi Yu of the Que Star Xi Family when we’re at the same realm, how can I even speak of seeking immortality?’

Sitting upright on the Heavenly Boat, Chen Lingxi’s Dao heart was incredibly resolute.

If other itinerant cultivators or disciples of minor sects in the Great Xuanzhuo Realm heard his ambitions, they would undoubtedly laugh at his overconfidence.

Seeking the Dao! Seeking the Dao!

The struggle for the Great Dao had always been cruel.

Exalted sects and great factions possessed profound legacies, various divine abilities, and all kinds of treasures.

They lacked nothing when it came to cultivation resources, from medicinal pills to wondrous qi.

In contrast, ordinary cultivators could only struggle bitterly and practice mediocre methods. Even their spiritual treasures could never compare to those wielded by disciples of great sects and noble clans. Because of this, back when Chen Lingxi was on the Qi Circulation 5th Floor, he had been able to effortlessly sweep away the two 5th Floor cultivators in the coffin with overwhelming force.

This proved that even among cultivators in the same realm, the gap in strength could be massive.

Yet Chen Lingxi was, strictly speaking, just an itinerant cultivator without a formal master. The divine abilities and methods he practiced were quite a mixed bag. Harboring the ambition to surpass the geniuses of great clans would only make others laugh at him for not knowing his place.

But Chen Lingxi was completely oblivious to this.

At his waist, the Thunder Radiance Treasure Sword glimmered, arcs of lightning flashing across it from time to time.

’The Thunder Radiance Treasure Sword is extremely sharp. The Six Qi True Method once mentioned that magical artifacts, spiritual artifacts, and even the legendary true artifacts and profound artifacts of the Great Xuanzhuo Realm are all divided into different grades.’

’It just didn’t elaborate on them in detail.’

’I wonder what grade this Thunder Radiance Longsword and my Delayed Light Flying Dagger actually belong to.’

Chen Lingxi ran a hand over the longsword, and a strand of Thunder-Concealing Sword Qi immediately drifted out.

’The Thunder-Concealing Sword Scripture is truly extraordinary. The Thunder-Wielding Heavenly King Sword is already incredibly profound, wielding immense power.’

’But if the Thunder-Concealing Sword Scripture is cultivated to the Subtle Realm, I can execute the Twelve Chimes of the Heavenly Drum, which will be even stronger.’

’It seems the mastery realm of divine abilities and spells is also crucial. Without the talent of my spiritual aperture, and without Profound Qi, I couldn’t possibly cultivate the Thunder-Concealing Sword Scripture to the Subtle Realm, much less easily defeat those two Entering Profound cultivators.’ A hint of anticipation flashed through Chen Lingxi’s eyes.

’This Thunder-Concealing Sword Scripture is so profound. If the Twelve Chimes of the Heavenly Drum at the Subtle Realm are already this tyrannical, how terrifyingly strong will it be when I cultivate it to the Sublime state and form the Jade Tiger Rebellious Sea Sword Light?’

Unfortunately, there were four mastery realms for spells and divine abilities.

Initial Sensation, Subtle, Sublime, and Profound Mystery...

The gap between each realm was immense, and the difficulty of comprehending them increased exponentially.

Relying on the talent of his spiritual aperture and the Profound Qi, Chen Lingxi could deduce most of his methods to the Subtle Realm, but there was still a massive gap before he could reach the Wondrous State.

The Dragon Roar Technique was the sole exception. He had touched upon the Sublime realm, yet he still had not completely broken through.

As he pondered, Chen Lingxi flew straight toward Yuanjiang Prefecture.

Yuanjiang Prefecture was located in the capital region, just a few hundred li away from the Capital.

In the past, the reason Chen Lingxi had fled Yuanjiang Prefecture for the Nanju Twelve Mountains was to evade the experts of the imperial palace and prevent the King of the East from pursuing him personally.

Now, however, Chen Lingxi understood that the King of the East was currently locked in a standoff with Xiao Changlv and couldn’t easily pull away.

That was why, during his Absolute Perception, the King of the East had only come to kill him when he stepped into Qinghua Province. As for the experts in the palace, there was even less need to worry.

’Emperor Daye told Marquis Ziyi to wait until I stepped onto the Qi Circulation Tenth Floor.’

Chen Lingxi’s gaze was calm. ’I don’t know what exactly they are plotting, but at the very least, while I am on the Qi Circulation 9th Floor, the Imperial Court’s experts don’t seem like they will make a move against me.’

’Which means I have to seize this opportunity to deepen my foundation. Otherwise, the moment I break through, disaster will definitely strike.’

How could he improve his foundation and combat power even faster?

The first thing that came to mind was naturally that Killing Power Cauldron Vessel Fragment beneath the Zhuzhao River.

’Killing Power Cauldron Vessels are said to be extremely rare, and their fragments are naturally just as precious.’

’A cultivator of the Upper Three Floors wielding a Killing Power Cauldron Vessel Fragment can instill dread in someone at the Heaven-Facing Three Floors.’

’From this alone, one can see that a Killing Power Cauldron Vessel Fragment is undeniably extraordinary.’

As his thoughts reached this point, he recalled the eerie cluster of palaces within the imperial palace, and the terrifying Cauldron Vessel power wielded by Emperor Daye.

’Emperor Daye has collected the corpses of so many reincarnators and has now set his sights on me. For me, this is a crisis where my life hangs by a thread.’

’If I want to survive this calamity, I must fight for the opportunity of the Killing Power Cauldron Vessel.’ With these thoughts in mind, the Heavenly Boat soared above the clouds, heading straight for Yuanjiang Prefecture.

At the Zhuzhao Riverbank.

The Method of Qi Observation swirled in Chen Lingxi’s eyes as he gazed into the river water.

Within the depths of the river, streaks of an ancient, primordial aura were brewing. This aura was completely different from that of the Time Candle or the ordinary Cauldron Vessels in the Crown Prince’s Beast-Fighting Palace.

It brimmed with a fierce killing intent that chilled the soul.

Chen Lingxi looked closely and vaguely made out a glimmer of light bobbing up and down among the riverbed sands.

’This glimmer of light doesn’t look like much, but the many experts will have to wait for it to fade before they can vie for the Killing Power Cauldron Vessel.’

Chen Lingxi knew in his heart that this light was most likely the so-called turbulent void currents.

When he used Vision Roaming, he had heard Lin Suri and Chao Feiye mention these turbulent void currents.

Without needing to think too hard, Chen Lingxi could roughly guess the cause and effect.

When a mighty expert fell, or when a Cauldron Vessel’s master intentionally shattered it, the fragments would scatter across the myriad worlds.

Whether it was a complete Cauldron Vessel or just fragments, they all had to pass through those so-called turbulent void currents. ’These turbulent void currents must contain incredibly terrifying power.’

’That’s why everyone must wait for the currents to completely dissipate before the experts can fight over the Cauldron Vessel.’

’This is what it means for a Cauldron Vessel to be born into the world.’

Chen Lingxi examined it closely. That glimmer of light flickered intermittently, growing dim then bright again; it seemed it would dissipate before long.

A slight smile tugged at the corners of Chen Lingxi’s mouth.

’I’ll just wait around here and see if I can fish in troubled waters.’

’However, the only ones capable of competing with me for this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel should be the numerous experts from the Imperial Court.’

Then he thought of Xi Yu again.

’Since Xi Yu has already emerged from seclusion, and even sent those two Undying Willow Puppets to kill me...’

’It’s probably because her place of seclusion isn’t nearby, while those two Undying Willow Puppets happened to be in the vicinity.’

’If that’s the case, Xi Yu will likely come to vie for this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel as well.’

’And to kill me along the way.’ Having scouted the Zhuzhao River, Chen Lingxi then headed to the King of the East’s Traveling Palace.

Ever since another murder had occurred here, this palace had been thoroughly abandoned.

Now, weeds ran rampant through the King of the East’s Traveling Palace, and the once-resplendent halls were covered in thick layers of dust.

Chen Lingxi stepped into the palace. With a flick of his sleeve, the Heaven-Seizing Seal technique circulated, plundering the surrounding spiritual rhythm.

The massive hand seal kicked up a gust of fierce wind, blowing the dust out of the main hall.

Chen Lingxi sat upright on the throne in the main hall. He was just about to close his eyes and breathe, continuing his cultivation.

Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly. He reached out a hand, and a Jade Precept Book appeared in his grasp.

At this moment, the Jade Precept Book was flashing with a continuous light.

Although the book was closed, the aura of its spiritual light let Chen Lingxi know exactly who he had signed this particular Jade Precept Book with.

’Wu Mohe?’

Chen Lingxi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had once signed a Jade Precept Book with Wu Mohe. Wu Mohe had exchanged three medicinal pills for Chen Lingxi’s promise to act on his behalf one time. Relying on those three pills, Chen Lingxi had successfully broken through to the Qi Circulation 4th Floor. To him, that boost had been nothing short of massive.

But for the past two years, this Jade Precept Book had remained completely dormant, which meant Wu Mohe had never called upon him to fulfill his end of the bargain.

Yet today, right here in Yuanjiang Prefecture, the Jade Precept Book began to flash with spiritual light, as if calling out to Chen Lingxi.

A faint sense of foreboding suddenly welled up in Chen Lingxi’s heart.

He thought for a moment before slowly opening the Jade Precept Book.

The spiritual light within the book abruptly drifted out, transforming into a screen of light before coalescing into a human figure.

The figure was tall and broad, clad in a long gray-blue robe. His facial features were blurred, yet his aura felt like a sheathed, razor-sharp sword. The occasional divine light flashing in his eyes proved that this man’s divine sense was extremely profound.

It was Wu Mohe.

Wu Mohe had manifested through the spiritual light of the Jade Precept Book to meet with Chen Lingxi.

Right now, Chen Lingxi sat atop the King of the East’s throne, while Wu Mohe’s avatar of spiritual light drifted in midair.

The two of them locked eyes.

A few breaths of time passed. Wu Mohe suddenly bowed in greeting to Chen Lingxi and said, ”I never expected that what was merely a casual gesture back then would lead me to cross paths with such an extraordinary figure.”

”I have received news that the Ancestral Mountain Maternal Qi fell into your hands, Daoist Friend.”

”Seeing how deep and condensed your aura is now, brimming with spiritual qi and with lightning flashing in your eyes, your foundation must already be transcendent!”

He paused slightly after saying this.

”The last time we met was also here in the King of the East’s Traveling Palace. I presume you were injured back then? That must be why you needed my Qi-Gathering Pills.”

”It seems I, Wu Mohe, took great advantage of you, managing to sign a Jade Precept Book with you for a mere three pills.”

Wu Mohe spoke slowly, and Chen Lingxi listened quietly.

He could faintly sense that even though this was just an avatar of spiritual light from the Jade Precept Book, Wu Mohe still emanated an extremely heavy and imposing presence.

This presence was even stronger than Xi Yuan’s.

’This Wu Mohe is exceptionally skilled in alchemy, and looking at him today, his cultivation is also incredibly profound. I just don’t know what realm he is at.’

Chen Lingxi marveled inwardly, but he stood up and returned Wu Mohe’s bow.

”Daoist Friend, those Qi-Gathering Pills were of immense help to me back then. Have you come today to ask me to fulfill our agreement?”

The light and shadows swirled around Wu Mohe’s form as he nodded with a smile. ”Exactly so. I activated the Jade Precept Book today precisely because I want you to act on my behalf this one time, Daoist Friend.”

Chen Lingxi’s expression didn’t change. ”I am listening.”

A smile touched the corners of Wu Mohe’s mouth. ”Daoist Friend, with your cultivation, you should already be aware that a Killing Power Cauldron Vessel Fragment is about to emerge beneath the Zhuzhao River.”

’As expected...’

Chen Lingxi felt somewhat helpless, but he ultimately could only nod slowly.

Wu Mohe raised his head. Beneath the blurry mist obscuring his face, a faint smile was visible.

”The reason I sought you out today, Daoist Friend, is exactly for that Killing Power Cauldron Vessel.”

”I ask that you assist me in fighting for this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel!”

Chen Lingxi’s face remained calm, his eyes betraying no emotion as he asked instead, ”Daoist Friend Mohe, do you know the origins of this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel?”

”I do not.” Wu Mohe retracted his smile and shook his head. ”However, even within the Greater World, Killing Power Cauldron Vessels are extremely rare. Only one in a hundred ordinary Cauldron Vessels is a Killing Power Cauldron Vessel.

”Although what lies in the Zhuzhao River is merely a fragment, its killing power surges within it, and an aura of fierce slaughter spills out in all directions. If a cultivator can obtain this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel Fragment, their chances of securing a complete Cauldron Vessel in the future will undoubtedly increase significantly.”

Chen Lingxi’s expression finally shifted. A hint of a smile appeared on his lips as his gaze landed on Wu Mohe. ”I still remember the Jade Precept Book you and I signed.

”It clearly states that I, Chen Lingxi, must act on your behalf one time, Daoist Friend Mohe.”

”With the words of a Jade Precept binding them, what cultivator under the heavens would dare defy it?”

At this point, his tone suddenly changed. ”But just as you said, the Killing Power Cauldron Vessel is incredibly precious. The number of people coming to vie for it will certainly not be small.”

”Daoist Friend Mohe, you want to snatch this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel so you can subsequently claim the complete Cauldron Vessel within this Grotto-Heaven.”

”But... I, Chen Lingxi, have exactly the same idea!”

He spoke without the slightest hesitation, his tone utterly frank. ”Daoist Friend, although I am bound by the Jade Precept Book, you don’t honestly think that simply by acting on your behalf once, I would yield this Killing Power Cauldron Vessel to you freely, do you?”