After the Great Dao Died

Under-Dao Academy possessed an extraordinary foundation, counting even Golden Core True Monarchs among its ranks.

The Chi Soul Master of the Pool Soul Courtyard, one of the Six Courts of the Academy, was also a Golden Portal cultivator, holding the title of True Person.

Who knew how many cultivation methods for Great Divine Abilities the Under-Dao Academy had collected.

Naturally, ordinary Great Divine Abilities wouldn’t be valued so highly by the Under-Dao Academy.

Instead, the Fuxuan Court was a Great Divine Ability that the Martial Aunt in Red considered extremely precious, prompting her to emphasize it.

Chen Lingxi listened in silence, quite curious about the Fuxuan Court Great Divine Ability.

Remaining on Cuojin Mountain, he used Vision Roaming on Lin Suri and Emperor Daye.

Emperor Daye had remained deep in the Imperial Palace for a long time, still studying those cultivator corpses, though it was unknown what he hoped to glean from them.

Through Vision Roaming on Lin Suri, Chen Lingxi finally learned the names of those Under-Dao Academy experts.

Lin Suri’s Martial Aunt in Red was named Chi Jianshu, bearing the title Daoist Shu Rong.

Lin Suri’s senior brother—tall, handsome, and brimming with spiritual qi—was named Jiang Xiu.

Of the two women, one was elegant and the other heroic; they were Wei Qingran and Shen Wanqing.

Although these three Under-Dao Academy disciples were merely projection avatars, their cultivation was already at the Twelfth Floor of Qi Circulation, and their every movement seemed to breed profound mysteries.

Daoist Shu Rong, however, didn’t seem to have fully projected over yet; she remained nothing more than a phantom shadow.

Over the past ten-odd days, the three Under-Dao Academy disciples—Jiang Xiu, Wei Qingran, and Shen Wanqing—had been continuously constructing an array.

It was called the Heaven-Fishing Grand Array.

This array was profoundly mystical. Its purpose was to lock onto this grotto-heaven’s coordinates within the turbulent void, allowing the Chi Soul Master to use some wondrous method or artifact to cast a line and fish that Immortal Slough out of the grotto-heaven.

When Chen Lingxi first learned of this array’s wondrous use, he had harbored some hope, wondering if the Heaven-Fishing Grand Array could fish cultivators out of the grotto-heaven.

Later, after listening to the Under-Dao Academy disciples converse, he realized the Heaven-Fishing Grand Array couldn’t fish up living people, leaving him inevitably disappointed.

’Now these Under-Dao Academy members are also targeting the Immortal Slough... Without this Immortal Slough, how am I supposed to try and awaken Great Sage Luoyuan’s incarnation?’ Chen Lingxi pondered with a frown.

He remained seated in the King of the East’s Traveling Palace on Cuojin Mountain, cultivating while using Vision Roaming on those two.

Until over ten days passed.

When Chen Lingxi used Vision Roaming on Emperor Daye, the scene was finally no longer pitch-black.

Emperor Daye had awoken from his meditative breathing and was putting away the Mirror Listening Treasure.

Chen Lingxi felt a pang of regret.

’If only I had used Vision Roaming a quarter-hour or two earlier. I wonder what exactly Emperor Daye was doing with the Mirror Listening Treasure?’

As Chen Lingxi pondered, he saw what Emperor Daye was seeing.

Threads of spiritual qi were continuously winding around that small mirror.

Following Emperor Daye’s gaze, Chen Lingxi saw that all these spiritual qi threads stretched into a palace far in the distance.

Chen Lingxi slightly raised his eyebrows...

He had seen this palace before in the Host Star Stone illusion.

This palace was none other than Imperial Consort Chun’s residence.

Chen Lingxi’s eyes flickered. After observing for a moment, he realized that every thread of spiritual qi originated from the flower arrangements in Imperial Consort Chun’s palace.

He suddenly seemed to understand.

’It’s as if these flower arrangements are nourishing this Mirror Listening Cauldron Vessel Fragment,’ Chen Lingxi thought, his mind racing.

Ordinary Cauldron Vessel Fragments couldn’t be used indefinitely.

The Time Candle, for example, would turn to ashes and spiritual light after being used a few times, dissipating into the void.

When ordinary cultivators used Cauldron Vessel Fragments, if their cultivation was low and their divine sense weak, they would invite a cauldron calamity. They would develop a greedy obsession for the fragment, fail to guard their Dao heart, and sink into ruin.

Yet Emperor Daye had already used this Mirror Listening Cauldron Vessel Fragment countless times.

Originally, hundreds of noble families in Great Li had their homes raided and their clans exterminated because of this Cauldron Vessel Fragment.

Many of those seeking truth and inquiring about the cauldrons had also been tracked down by this Cauldron Vessel Fragment, dragged into the Imperial Palace by Emperor Daye, and turned into the corpses resting on those sandalwood tables.

’So, these flower arrangements aren’t actually Imperial Consort Chun’s hobby.’

’It is highly likely that Emperor Daye is using these flower arrangements to enhance the power of the Mirror Listening Cauldron Vessel Fragment and evade the cauldron calamity.’

As his thoughts reached this point, Chen Lingxi unexpectedly felt a hint of admiration for Emperor Daye.

’This Emperor Daye has a profound foundation, and his methods seem truly inexhaustible.’

’But I wonder if that treasure he once mentioned to me is real.’

During his previous Absolute Perception Deduction, Emperor Daye had deceived Chen Lingxi using the Jade Precept Book of Qi Circulation, and at that time, he had mentioned a treasure.

With this treasure, one could completely erase their traces, like a drop of water falling into the ocean. Even a True Monarch of the Que Star Xi Family wouldn’t be able to track them down.

’If this treasure exists, I might be lucky enough to get it. If I can truly step into the Great Xuanzhuo Realm one day, it would also make me much safer.’

Chen Lingxi was just pondering this.

Emperor Daye put away the Mirror Listening Cauldron Vessel and seemed about to close his eyes and resume his breathing exercises.

But at this moment, a sudden change occurred!

Emperor Daye suddenly frowned, the two clusters of firelight dancing in his aged eyes surging violently.

Dao Origin surged around his body, causing his dragon robes to flap with a sharp, cracking sound.

Emperor Daye... stood up at this moment and looked far into the distance.

Using Vision Roaming on Emperor Daye, Chen Lingxi naturally knew what was happening.

The elderly Emperor Daye, looking as if he had one foot in the grave, gazed into the distant void. Two beams of spiritual light shot from his eyes, flying out of the Imperial Palace, out of the bustling Capital, all the way to the skies above Changhe Province.

Chen Lingxi was no stranger to this Changhe Province.

He had been to Changhe Province before when using Vision Roaming on Lin Suri.

That Immortal Slough... was right beneath that rolling river.

The place where these numerous rivers converged!

Three figures hidden in the void were looking down at the quietly flowing river water.

It was midwinter. Thick scarlet clouds covered the sky, the bitter north wind howled, gloomy mist hung heavy, and heavy snow blanketed the earth.

As the river flowed on, the three figures in the mist simply gazed down at it.

At the same time, abundant spiritual qi permeated from the three of them, similarly constructing an array here.

Chen Lingxi slightly raised his eyebrows.

He naturally recognized these three; they were none other than the Under-Dao Academy disciples Jiang Xiu, Wei Qingran, and Shen Wanqing.

At this moment, they were hiding their tracks and quietly setting up an array, likely to completely refine the spiritual qi threads on the Immortal Slough.

’They’re quite cautious...’ Chen Lingxi thought to himself. ’Three cultivators at the Twelfth Floor of Qi Circulation—their combat prowess must be immensely powerful.’

’If a few arrogant ones had come, they would probably have just followed the spiritual qi threads on the Immortal Slough straight to the Imperial Palace to find their source.’

’But these three Academy disciples, despite their extraordinary strength, are still hiding their tracks and setting up an array, wanting to quietly take the Immortal Slough away.’

’However, they still underestimated the master of this array!’

It was just as Chen Lingxi thought!

A smile appeared on Emperor Daye’s aged face, which was full of wrinkles and age spots.

Shaking his head gently, he slowly stood up from the dragon throne.

He took a single step forward.

It was exactly as Chen Lingxi had seen during his Absolute Perception Deduction.

Surging Dao Origin erupted from Emperor Daye’s body. With this step, his hunched frame became incredibly straight, and he even grew one chi and several cun taller!

At the same time, waves of profound aura blossomed from Emperor Daye.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and the sparse white hair on his head abruptly turned pitch-black, instantly becoming incredibly thick.

Wearing his imperial crown, the bright yellow dragon robes on his body now seemed perfectly tailored for him.

In a mere instant, Emperor Daye’s aura became terrifying to the extreme.

Using Vision Roaming on Emperor Daye, Chen Lingxi could clearly sense just how incredibly heavy and profound the Dao Origin on the emperor’s body was.

’Emperor Daye cultivated the Age-Dial Reversal Divine Ability, and he didn’t even rely on divine ability spiritual items! Yet he is actually this powerful...’ Chen Lingxi sighed with emotion.

The three Under-Dao Academy disciples outside the Capital clearly sensed this terrifying aura as well.

Jiang Xiu, who had been carving runes, suddenly looked up, an expression of utter astonishment on his face!

”Dao Origin!” Wei Qingran said urgently beside him. ”There’s actually a Dao Foundation cultivator in this grotto-heaven?”

Spiritual light flickered in Zhao Wanqing’s eyes as she likely gazed far toward the direction shrouded by the Dao Origin.

”This grotto-heaven is located deep within the turbulent void.

”If a powerful expert were to enter with their true body, the turbulent void would inevitably cling to them, tracking their flesh, blood, and Dao Platform.

”They would likely face certain death.”

”Could it be a Dao Foundation cultivator who practices an [Extra-Dao Law]?”

Jiang Xiu furrowed his brows tightly. ”An Extra-Dao Law is not so easily cultivated. If one’s Dao Origin is insufficient, it’s highly likely they’ll be swallowed by the turbulent void.

”Why would a Dao Foundation cultivator from the Great Xuanzhuo Realm take such a risk to come here?”

The group communicated via divine sense.

Zhao Wanqing, however, took a deep breath. ”That Dao Foundation expert is heading this way!”

”Flee!” Jiang Xiu ordered without the slightest hesitation.

Their half-constructed array dissipated on the spot. In an instant, the three cultivators at the Twelfth Floor of Qi Circulation either summoned clouds or unleashed escape lights!

They fled straight toward that snowy mountain.

However...

It seemed a bit too late!

In the distant void, Emperor Daye arrived, walking on air with his hands clasped behind his back.

His aura was like the sun at high noon; every trace of old age had completely vanished.

The profound Dao Origin behind him formed a circular halo. Waves of light pulsed from within it, making it look like a blazing sun.

He was strolling leisurely in a quiet courtyard, yet his speed had reached the absolute limit.

He easily closed the distance of dozens of li.

Stepping forward, he stood atop the clouds, gazing distantly at the two escape lights and single cloud far away.

The next moment, Emperor Daye extended his hand, his five fingers loosely closing into a fist.

Chen Lingxi’s pupils shrank.

The Heaven-Seizing Seal!

Chen Lingxi could be said to be proficient in this spell. His Heaven-Seizing Seal had long since entered the Wondrous State; casting it with his current cultivation could instantly plunder all the spiritual essence within hundreds of zhang of the void, displaying extraordinary power.

But right now, as Emperor Daye made his move and similarly activated the Heaven-Seizing Seal, it was unknown just how profoundly the emperor grasped this spell and divine ability.

Chen Lingxi clearly saw... as Emperor Daye clenched his fist, all the spiritual essence generated by heaven and earth within a radius of over ten li of the sea of clouds was completely plundered in that instant.

The boundless sea of clouds swirled into whirlpools.

The whirlpools spun violently, transforming into a massive hand seal.

It crashed down toward the three people fleeing in the distance.

Chen Lingxi’s Vision Roaming shattered at this exact moment.

With his current cultivation, he couldn’t maintain Vision Roaming on Emperor Daye for too long.

’The projection avatars of those three Under-Dao Academy cultivators couldn’t have dissipated just like that, could they?’ Suppressing the pain in his mind, Chen Lingxi’s eyes flickered as he used Vision Roaming on Lin Suri again.

He saw Lin Suri standing at the peak of that snowy mountain, frowning tightly as he looked into the distance.

Behind him, the red figure of Daoist Shu Rong flickered faintly.

Although she was Lin Suri’s Martial Aunt, she didn’t show the slightest sign of old age, looking like a woman in her twenties.

She spread her large sleeves, and the two red sleeves acted like two heaven-reaching magical treasures, rippling with crimson light as they unfurled and stretched outward!

They extended for hundreds of li in a single sweep.

It was as if heaven and earth were entirely blanketed by these red sleeves.

Within the red sleeves, Dao Origin also shone brilliantly, with an aura of profound mystery rising and falling within.

Chen Lingxi watched in silence.

After several breaths of time, the two red sleeves rolled back, revealing two figures.

They were none other than Jiang Xiu and Wei Qingran.

Zhao Wanqing, however, was not in the red sleeves.

’Did her projection dissipate?’ The terrifying palm strike from Emperor Daye still lingered in Chen Lingxi’s mind.

”To think there is actually a Dao Foundation cultivator entrenched in this realm!”

Daoist Shu Rong looked down at the pale-faced Jiang Xiu and Wei Qingran.

She then raised her head, spiritual light shining from her eyes as she looked toward the distant river.

The clouds above the river had completely dispersed, and Emperor Daye’s location could no longer be seen.

However, Emperor Daye had made his move today.

That river seemed to have become a forbidden zone.

Even the members of the Under-Dao Academy didn’t dare to step foot there lightly.

”This person’s cultivation is extraordinary. I’m afraid he has already reached Early Dao Foundation Perfection. Once the opportunity arrives, he only needs a divine ability spiritual item and a Great Divine Ability to plant a second Profound Root and reach the Dao Foundation Middle Stage!” Wei Qingran said, circulating her spiritual qi to restore her projection avatar.

”Furthermore, his mastery over that divine ability has likely already entered the Wondrous State! Even in the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, if my true body were to fight him, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to defeat him without using my precious magical treasure,” Daoist Shu Rong said, her eyes flickering.

Jiang Xiu couldn’t help but furrow his brows. ”I thought quietly coming to this Qi-Depleted Grotto-Heaven to retrieve this Immortal Slough would be as easy as reaching into a bag.

”I never imagined that a genuine Dao Foundation cultivator was actually hiding in this grotto-heaven!”

Lin Suri gently shook his head.

”It’s fine,” Lin Suri said. ”Martial Aunt Shu Rong’s projection avatar is about to be completed. By then, we should still be able to get this Immortal Slough.”

Jiang Xiu and Wei Qingran slowly nodded.

The figure in red behind Lin Suri said, ”Since that’s the case, let’s hold off for now.

”You three, do not go near the Immortal Slough’s location.

”Everything... will wait until I fully project over.”

The Vision Roaming shattered, leaving Chen Lingxi deep in thought.

The next day, Chen Lingxi continued to use Vision Roaming on Emperor Daye.

He saw Emperor Daye sitting on the dragon throne with his eyes closed in cultivation, his aura sluggish.

Or perhaps...

He was healing his injuries!

A faint smile couldn’t help but appear on Chen Lingxi’s face.

’Just as I expected, Emperor Daye forcibly cultivated the Age-Dial Reversal Divine Ability, preventing him from maintaining his peak state at all times.’

’After every move he makes, he has to heal for a long time.’

’Especially this time... He suppressed three cultivators at the Twelfth Floor of Qi Circulation with a single palm strike and even destroyed one of their projection avatars. He’ll definitely need to heal for quite a while.’

Chen Lingxi withdrew from Vision Roaming and slowly opened his eyes.

’I’ll use this opportunity to step into the Qi Circulation Tenth Floor realm and cultivate to perfection. I’ll see if I can find a chance to reach the Eleventh Floor.’