After the Great Dao Died

Emperor Daye’s tone was deeply sincere as he sought Chen Lingxi’s guidance.

Chen Lingxi’s eyes remained calm. A strand of his spiritual sense fell directly into Emperor Daye’s Sea of Consciousness.

It contained a vast amount of information. Emperor Daye stood on the scorching balcony, his Dark Dragon Robe fluttering gently in the rolling heat waves.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, the golden flames of his Delusion-Weaving Golden Eyes dancing wildly.

”Is this the sliver of survival you spoke of, Daoist Friend?” Emperor Daye asked.

Chen Lingxi slowly nodded, killing intent radiating from his gaze.

Emperor Daye fell silent for a long time, staring straight at Chen Lingxi.

Meeting that stare, Chen Lingxi’s expression did not change. He merely took a deep breath, looked up into the void, and said no more.

A long time passed.

Emperor Daye finally stood up and bowed to Chen Lingxi.

”From the very beginning, I have wanted to escape this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, to flee that True Monarch Melting Furnace. But thinking carefully about it...”

”Why should Weiji Grotto-Heaven... or even you and I, suffer this tribulation for nothing? All of this was brought upon us by that True Monarch and Great Sage Luoyuan. Since that is the case...”

Emperor Daye’s eyes flashed, his aura burning hot.

Chen Lingxi returned the bow.

”Daoist Friend, it remains unknown whether this matter will succeed or fail, but regardless, we must try.

”Please wait for my news.”

Emperor Daye thought for a moment, and suddenly another strand of spiritual sense dropped into Chen Lingxi’s mind.

Chen Lingxi furrowed his brow, bid farewell to Emperor Daye, and turned away. The Azure Cloud beneath his feet silently surged, transforming into a streak of lightning as he departed.

Emperor Daye watched the streak of lightning vanish into the sea of clouds, his Dark Dragon Robe snapping in the scorching heat waves.

He too took a deep breath. A seven-colored rainbow unfurled beneath his feet, carrying his figure into the sky. Stepping through the void, he also left the Volcano Immortal Pivot.

Standing atop the Azure Cloud, Chen Lingxi’s face was calm, but his heart churned endlessly like the sea of clouds below.

’Emperor Daye told me that the void turbulence on the complete Cauldron Vessel is about to fade away completely?’ he thought.

His thoughts surged. He did not return to Cuojin Mountain, but headed straight for the Ancestral Mountain.

Emperor Daye’s strand of spiritual sense contained the method to open the Ancestral Mountain. Arriving above it, Chen Lingxi gathered his Dao Origin to form a spiritual array, opening the Ancestral Mountain and entering its Immortal Pivot.

Within the small world of the Ancestral Mountain, the thick fog remained. He hovered there for only a moment before leaving.

’There is still the Storm Immortal Pivot and the Amber Immortal Pivot,’ he thought.

Chen Lingxi went straight to the Storm Immortal Pivot, then to the Amber Immortal Pivot, carrying out all matters according to his plan before finally heading to the Heavenly Gate Sea.

’Time to look at that complete Cauldron Vessel.’

Pondering this, Chen Lingxi traveled onward until he arrived in the sky above the Heavenly Gate Sea, then plunged into its waters.

The sea was pitch-black.

He had been here before, following Emperor Daye’s perspective from within the Absolute Perception Divine Chamber.

At that time, his cultivation was still shallow.

But today, he returned with a level of cultivation vastly different from before.

’In this deep sea hiding the complete Cauldron Vessel, there is still a restriction laid down by Emperor Daye.’

His thoughts flickering, Chen Lingxi stepped upon the surging waves. Lightning wreathed his body, isolating the crushing seawater three feet away from him.

With a flash of lightning in his eyes, he crashed toward the ocean floor, sinking all the way down until he finally reached the deep, dead silence of the seabed.

The Method of Qi Observation circulated in his eyes.

A towering concealment array, constructed entirely of pale golden Dao Origin, appeared in his vision.

At the core of the array was a wisp of incredibly pure Dao Origin, bearing Emperor Daye’s unique aura.

That aura was deep, ancient, and tyrannical, as if the emperor himself were sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the deep sea, personally standing guard.

’This is Emperor Daye’s handiwork. In the Dao of formations, Emperor Daye has likely reached a state of perfection.’

Chen Lingxi’s gaze burned. ’I wonder if, with my current cultivation, using Thunder Prison Heaven and the Return to Void Sword Pagoda, I can break this restriction.’

He pondered this in his heart.

Right at that moment, the array seemed to sense his arrival. The flawless, constantly flowing concealment array actually gave a slight tremble.

Immediately after, the countless roaming runes lit up simultaneously with a warm and bright golden light, as if they had sensed something.

The light was not blinding. Instead, it carried a hint of welcome, like subjects parting on their own accord to create a clear path for their returning sovereign.

”Hmm?”

Chen Lingxi raised an eyebrow, deeply surprised, but then he understood and bowed toward the great array.

’I suppose Emperor Daye knew I was coming here and chose not to use the array to block my path.’

’Emperor Daye likely assumes it was Great Sage Luoyuan’s river illusion that made me aware the complete Cauldron Vessel was hidden here.’

As he pondered, the array barrier silently dissipated before his eyes.

Chen Lingxi no longer hesitated and stepped through the passageway.

Then, he saw the complete Cauldron Vessel.

”The Dao-Capturing Ancient Tree...”

Chen Lingxi stood before the ancient tree, raising his head, his gaze burning bright.

At this moment, the ancient aura upon this profound Cauldron Vessel had grown even denser.

The primordial Dao rhyme exuded by the ancient tree was several times deeper and more profound than when he had seen it in the Absolute Perception Divine Chamber.

The entire tree resembled a divine artifact that had been sealed away in dust for aeons, now slowly awakening.

On its gnarled, dragon-like branches, the bronze leaves trembled gently, releasing an incredibly pure Cauldron Vessel Dao rhyme into the surroundings.

’Hmm? The Dao-Capturing Ancient Tree bore fruit again!’

Chen Lingxi looked up toward the highest point of the ancient tree.

There, a brand-new Dao-Absorbing Fruit had already grown. It was about the size of a fist and dark gold all over. The skin of the fruit was covered in profound patterns far more complex and ancient than the previous one.

The fruit was like a star embedded in the canopy, slowly rotating.

’Furthermore, the aura of the void turbulence on this complete Cauldron Vessel has grown increasingly thin. Because of this, the primordial Dao rhyme within the vessel is being stimulated more thoroughly and fiercely.’

Chen Lingxi pondered, knowing that this complete Cauldron Vessel was about to emerge into the world.

It would only take a little more time before this complete Cauldron Vessel completely washed away the mark of the void turbulence, seeing the light of day again and revealing its traces.

When that time came, not only this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, but even the figures of the Que Star Xi Family peering into this realm with Great Divine Abilities, and the various factions far away in the Great Xuanzhuo Realm glaring like a hungry tiger eyeing its prey through the Great Ferrying Array, would sense its existence immediately.

’Once the ownership of the Cauldron Vessel is decided, according to Daoist Shu Rong, the True Monarch of the Que Star Xi Family will refine this world.’

A greater sense of urgency gripped Chen Lingxi. He whispered secretly in his heart, ’I hope this Weiji Grotto-Heaven can still hold on until Absolute Perception reaches perfection again.’

He knew the time left for him was running out.

So, he no longer hesitated.

He took a step forward, the lightning around his body slowly retracting. He reached a hand out toward the Dao-Absorbing Fruit hanging on the branch and gave it a gentle pluck!

As if it had a spirit of its own, the Dao-Absorbing Fruit detached from the branch and fell into his palm.

’It is identical to the Dao-Absorbing Fruit I took before.’

Chen Lingxi stored the Dao-Absorbing Fruit in his Vast Void Pouch and left, flying straight toward Yuanjiang Prefecture.

—

Yuanjiang Prefecture!

It was currently the dead of night.

Most of the shops on both sides of the long street had their doors and windows shut tight.

Chen Lingxi walked through the familiar alleys, crossing several streets before arriving at Xuanhuo Temple.

He pushed the door open and entered, passing through the courtyard and main hall constructed of illusions, heading straight toward the side room in the backyard.

Inside the room, an oil lamp flickered. Its dim yellow halo fell onto the simple wooden bed and the young man lying upon it.

Liu Changle was still in a deep sleep. His face was peaceful and his breathing steady, like a youth immersed in a beautiful dream he was unwilling to wake from.

’I wonder if the increasingly decaying Dao Platform of the other Liu Changle has improved at all.’

Chen Lingxi pondered.

Wind blew in from outside the window from time to time, making the oil lamp’s flame sway and wobble. It cast their shadows on the wall, stretching and shrinking them, just like the old days when they had relied on each other in the reverse-facing room.

’Changle is still deep in his dreams, so the Liu Changle in the Great Xuan Turbid Realm must not be dead yet.’

’Perhaps this will be the last time Changle and I meet.’

Chen Lingxi let out a sigh and was just about to leave.

But right at that moment.

Whether it was a coincidence or Liu Changle had sensed something, the sleeping youth actually woke up.

Liu Changle’s eyelids twitched slightly, and then he slowly opened them.

He saw Chen Lingxi sitting on the edge of the bed. He was momentarily stunned, but soon a heartfelt smile surfaced on his sharp, defined face.

”Lingxi!” His voice carried a bit of joy. ”You came to see me again?”

Chen Lingxi smiled as well. He reached out and patted Liu Changle on the shoulder, not saying a word.

Liu Changle, however, seemed oblivious to his unusual demeanor.

Propping himself up on the bedboards, he sat up and rubbed his sleepy eyes. His gaze landed on Chen Lingxi, and he suddenly froze.

It was likely because he sensed the faint, abyssal aura exuding from Chen Lingxi’s body, which was worlds apart from the last time they had met.

Yet he didn’t ask further, merely giving a wide grin.

”Lingxi, I’m overjoyed that you could come see me.”

At this, he suddenly sighed, saying, ”Perhaps it won’t be long before we can’t see each other anymore.”

Chen Lingxi was slightly taken aback.

”Why is that?” he asked.

Liu Changle spoke softly.

”I had a dream. It was a very, very long dream.”

”I dreamed that I was standing on the peak of Sun Observation Peak. Beneath my feet was a churning sea of clouds, and above my head were three great suns.”

”But soon, that sea of clouds dispersed.

”I saw Huang Yuefeng’s men. I saw those rivals who used to be insufferably arrogant. I also saw...”

He paused, his voice suddenly dropping lower. ”I saw my martial nephews. They were all fleeing. Martial Nephew Cheng’s Qi Sea was shattered. Martial Nephew Zhu was demanded by name by an elite on the Dragon Transformation Immortal Roll. The sect master senior brother never came out of seclusion... he is likely already gone.”

He closed his eyes, his voice growing fainter. ”I wanted to protect them, but I was too weak. My Dao Platform shattered, my Profound Root withered. Even just standing there was incredibly difficult.”

Chen Lingxi listened quietly, lightning flickering faintly in his eyes, but he did not interrupt.

Liu Changle fell silent for a moment before suddenly opening his eyes and looking at Chen Lingxi.

The haze and absentmindedness from earlier were gone from his eyes, replaced by a strange, bright light.

”Then, the scenery of the Great Xuanzhuo Realm in the dream shattered.”

”I dreamed of a long river rolling in. I saw that I was no longer myself. I saw everything in the world submerged by the river, and then I saw my own flesh and blood melt away, turning into a drop of river water just the same.”

At this point, Liu Changle let out a bitter laugh.

He turned his head to look out the window at the courtyard shrouded in night, at the old locust trees rustling in the wind.

”I don’t think it was a dream,” he said softly.

Chen Lingxi remained silent, though his breathing grew somewhat hurried.

He knew that what Liu Changle described was no dream.

He also knew what that long river meant, and what ”turning into a drop of river water” truly meant.

’Whether Great Sage Luoyuan’s incarnation awakens, or his true body descends, or even if the True Monarch of the Que Star Xi Family refines this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, Liu Changle will vanish—just like the many living beings of this Weiji Grotto-Heaven.’

’Just like Emperor Daye and me.’

Chen Lingxi stayed silent like this for a long time before slowly speaking up, as if afraid of disturbing the last bit of warmth in the side room.

”There is always parting in this world, Changle. Perhaps one day, you and I will never be able to meet again.

”So, I came to say goodbye to you today.”

Hearing this, Liu Changle was briefly stunned, but then he broke into a wide grin.

He suddenly raised his hand and spoke in all seriousness.

”Lingxi, don’t say such depressing things.

”I know your cultivation has advanced greatly again. You still have plenty of good days ahead of you.

”Maybe those dreams don’t mean anything. One day, you might be able to go to the Great Xuanzhuo Realm. When my injuries heal, and when I cultivate the Great Divine Ability from my dream, I’ll take you to see Sun Observation Peak. The sea of clouds there is much prettier than the snowscapes of Yuanjiang Prefecture.”

Seeing him act like this, Chen Lingxi shook his head and laughed. The gloom that had built up in his heart for so long was actually diluted quite a bit by this smile.

Following his lead, he gently nodded.

Seeing Chen Lingxi nod, the smile on Liu Changle’s face grew even brighter.

However, that smile did not last long.

As if he had suddenly thought of something, the smile on Liu Changle’s face slowly receded.

He suddenly spoke out of nowhere.

”Lingxi, in this grotto-heaven, neither of us has brothers or family.

”Since we were slaves together in the reverse-facing room, I have long viewed you as my own flesh-and-blood brother.

”But in that other world, there are still many people I care about...”

He paused briefly, a glimmer of something bordering on pleading flashing through his deep eyes.

”If one day you can go to that vast Great World, to the territory of the Dragon-Revering Sect, please help me look after [Sun Observation Peak].”

Chen Lingxi’s heart trembled.

He then fell silent for a long time.

He lowered his head and thought about it, also feeling that his own path forward held little chance of survival.

’I’ve struggled bitterly in this Weiji Grotto-Heaven for so long. From a dying medicine slave, I’ve reached the Dao Foundation Realm. It looks infinitely glorious, but in truth, I am merely lingering on my last breath in the cracks between that True Monarch and Great Sage,’ he thought.

The shadow of the Realm-Refining Furnace constantly loomed over his head, and Great Sage Luoyuan’s incarnation slumbered deep within the Ancestral Mountain. If either of these two behemoths so much as twitched a finger, his body would be pulverized and his soul scattered.

He couldn’t even find a path to survival for himself; how could he dare to make such a promise?

Yet when he raised his head and met Liu Changle’s eyes, he inexplicably gave a solemn nod, agreeing to it.

He said, ”Alright.

”If that day comes, I will definitely go to Sun Observation Peak and look after them for you.”

Hearing this, Liu Changle seemed completely relieved.

He flashed a grin, reached out, and patted Chen Lingxi heavily on the shoulder.

”Then it’s a promise,” he laughed.

”You’re not allowed to back out.”

”I won’t.”