After the Great Dao Died

”The Reverse Generation Ruler.”

”With this Cauldron Vessel fragment, one can reverse their age by ten years. It is a life-extending treasure.”

Chen Lingxi held the broken half of the ruler, but no joy showed on his face. Instead, his brow furrowed.

He was now a Dao Foundation cultivator.

With his current cultivation base, he had at least one hundred and fifty years of lifespan remaining.

Furthermore, he was currently residing on Slumbering Deer Peak, where spiritual energy was dense and spiritual herbs were inexhaustible. If he simply sought a stable life free from disasters and tribulations, living to two hundred was far from impossible.

”Why would the Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall give me a life-extending Cauldron Vessel fragment?” He placed the broken ruler back into the jade box and pondered for a moment.

”Perhaps the Hall Master simply wanted to form a good karmic tie and gave it away on a whim,” he suddenly muttered to himself.

That reasoning felt a bit far-fetched.

Unable to come up with any other explanation for the time being, he simply tucked the matter away in his mind. He removed the sealing talismans, accepted the three gifts, and drank a few cups of tea with Yuan Lingyu.

When the tea had grown half-cold, Yuan Lingyu stood up and took her leave.

Chen Lingxi walked her to the cave entrance. Outside the water curtain, the sky had already turned completely dark, leaving only scattered specks of spiritual light illuminating the edges of the waterfall.

The mountain wind brushed past the curtain of water, creating a faint, rhythmic sound like a weaving loom.

He returned to the cave and sat down on his meditation cushion.

”Let’s take a look at that Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy first.”

He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and sank his consciousness into his Dao.

Previously, within the Dragon Transformation Immortal Roll, that streak of golden spiritual energy hadn’t immediately embedded itself into his Dao. Instead, it had hung quietly in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness.

Now, as his focus settled, the spiritual energy seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, drifting over from the depths of his Sea of Consciousness to land within his Dragon-Stripping Dao.

The spiritual energy entered his Dao!

Chen Lingxi felt his Dao—which sat as heavy and deep as an abyss—suddenly surge with a layer of golden light, spreading upwards from its very foundation.

The golden light was incredibly dense, washing over his Dao thread by thread!

In an instant!

His Dao radiated light!

Chen Lingxi felt the previously dim areas of his Sea of Consciousness suddenly illuminate!

It was as if a lamp had been lit, casting its glow over all the critical bottlenecks and profound secrets he had previously failed to comprehend.

”This Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy is truly profound. It has elevated my innate talent by an immeasurable amount.”

Chen Lingxi immediately resumed cultivating the [Heavenly Statute Edict]!

When he cultivated that method before, he had felt that every word was like a pearl and every sentence like gold, but a thick fog had obscured its true profundity.

Now, however, the dense fog in his mind had become much more transparent. The wondrous text and talismanic characters that had once seemed like an indecipherable heavenly script finally started to make sense.

”This spiritual energy is vastly different from the Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy of the Weiji Grotto-Heaven.

”The Dragon-Revering Sect’s spiritual energy elevates a cultivator’s talent and comprehension. It is like birthing another spiritual aperture; cultivating with it yields twice the result with half the effort!”

He cultivated in this state for over two hours before slowly opening his eyes.

”With this spiritual energy, my progress in comprehending the Heavenly Statute Edict will be much faster,” he muttered to himself.

”Furthermore, my Dao Origin cultivation will also speed up significantly.”

Chen Lingxi felt a surge of pleasant surprise.

Over the next few days, following the customs of Slumbering Deer Peak, Chen Lingxi went to formally meet the three Hall Masters who had sent him congratulatory gifts.

The Law Enforcement Hall’s dojo was solemn and quiet. An unsharpened sword hung in the hall, its aura completely restrained.

The Hall Master himself was a man of few words, a cultivator past middle age. Upon seeing Chen Lingxi, he offered a few brief remarks, telling him that if he encountered any difficulties while cultivating on the peak in the future, he could come speak with him.

The Opportunity Seeking Hall’s dojo was located on the northern side of Slumbering Deer Peak, situated above a patch of spiritual fields.

The Hall Master was a middle-aged female cultivator with a gentle face. Her aura wasn’t particularly overwhelming, but she naturally exuded a wondrous, archaic presence.

She was easygoing and casually remarked, ”That type of spiritual soil is quite precious. I saw that you have already planted green bamboo in front of your cave dwelling.”

She discussed the bamboo’s growth trends, ultimately advising, ”The Sharp-Net Green Bamboo requires you to water it with root-protecting water and slowly nourish it with Azure Heavenly Spiritual Fire. Then, it will naturally display its extraordinary qualities and reveal a sliver of its sharp edge.”

”I have both the Azure Heavenly Spiritual Fire and the root-protecting water here. Take some back with you when you leave.”

Chen Lingxi carefully memorized every word the Hall Master said.

As for the Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall who had sent him the Reverse Generation Ruler, Chen Lingxi didn’t get to see him.

According to the cultivators in the Dharma Transmission Hall, the Hall Master had gone out some time ago to search for a divine ability spiritual item and had yet to return.

Chen Lingxi could only bow in respect, leave a message, and return to the Water Curtain Cave.

During these three days, he also took the opportunity to reorganize his current foundation and resources.

The Return to Void Sword Pagoda had reached the sixth layer, and the sword shadows within the pagoda had already accumulated an extraordinary burst of sword qi.

Thanks to the Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy, Chen Lingxi had gained new insights into the Jade Tiger Rebellious Sea Sword Light.

Then there was the second layer of the True Edict of Approaching the Dao, Palace Building, as well as the Dragon Transformation Mystic Mechanism brought about by that azure-gold dragon aspect.

Additionally, he had the Sword-Grinding Stone, the Sharp-Net Green Bamboo currently being nourished in the soil, the fragment of the Reverse Generation Ruler whose exact use remained unknown, and the many treasures he had brought out from the Weiji Grotto-Heaven.

’This Dragon-Revering Sect is truly a great faction. The opportunities here are genuinely abundant.’

Chen Lingxi sighed in his heart. Sitting alone in the deepest part of the Water Curtain Cave, he withdrew his divine sense back into his Sea of Consciousness, immersing himself in the Heavenly Statute Edict method to peacefully comprehend it.

This session of comprehension lasted for three months.

Over those three months, the phantom projection of the divine deer that hung high in the boundless void above underwent a change. The flowing rosy light upon its antlers shifted from the pale hue of early spring to the brilliant vibrancy of midsummer.

The spiritual herbs in the mountains grew vigorously, and the water level of the waterfall in front of the cave rose and fell several times.

Then, on the last day of the month, the tranquility of Slumbering Deer Peak was suddenly shattered by a resounding boom.

The noise erupted from the vast expanse of the firmament that arched over the Dragon-Revering Sect’s Two Hundred Peaks!

The disciples across the Dragon-Revering peaks—whether they were in secluded meditation or simply walking among the mountains—simultaneously raised their heads to gaze at the distant sky.

The two immortal visitors from the Great Encompassing Heaven had remained in the Dragon-Revering Main Sect for the past three months. Everyone from top to bottom had gradually grown accustomed to the presence of their immortal carriage, yet no one had seen the two of them make any moves.

But today was different.

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Chen Lingxi opened his eyes as the faint golden halo surrounding his body slowly retracted. Exhaling a breath of impure qi, he stood up, parted the curtain of water, and stepped out of his cave dwelling to look up into the void.

Up above, he saw one of the two immortal visitors from the Great Encompassing Heaven—the dignified Crown Prince of the Dragon Palace with a profound aura, Chan Zhaofu—floating high in the sky.

Compared to when Chen Lingxi had seen him three months prior, Chan Zhaofu now seemed to possess an even more indescribable bearing.

His snow-white brocade robe fluttered in the void despite the lack of wind. Faint golden patterns sparkled on the fabric, echoing the golden radiance of the ancient true dragon statue in the distance.

At this moment, a hint of joy flickered in his eyes. Standing in the center of the void with his eyes slightly downcast, he slowly raised his right hand. With a flip of his palm, he flicked a finger toward the sky.

When that finger fell, it did not produce any earth-shattering waves of qi.

Yet, the instant that finger fell, the sky above Slumbering Deer Peak suddenly transformed.

A faint layer of purple qi slowly rose across the firmament.

The purple qi churned, unfurling layer after layer of thin violet mist. Starting from the main peak of the Dragon-Revering Main Sect, it spread outward in all directions. Before long, it had blanketed the rivers and mountains for a hundred thousand li around.

Standing at the summit of Slumbering Deer Peak, Chen Lingxi froze for a moment.

First, he sensed the faint dao resonance seeping out from the purple qi. A split second later, a voice rang out within his Sea of Consciousness. The voice simultaneously echoed in the minds of every cultivator on Slumbering Deer Peak, as well as the hundreds and thousands of figures scattered across the Dragon-Revering Sect’s Two Hundred Peaks!

Even those in secluded meditation heard it!

The voice boomed like a massive bell!

[The Great Encompassing Heaven hangs high above the Nine Quarters! The affinities and opportunities of the Dao gather within the Nine Quarters! Starting from this day forth... the affinities and opportunities of the Dao gather within the Nine Quarters!]

Standing by the cliff, Chen Lingxi felt the entirety of Slumbering Deer Peak—and even the very world surrounding the Dragon-Revering Sect—tremble the moment that message descended!

The sky full of purple qi slowly began to dissipate!

The three massive suns reappeared in the firmament, and the sea of clouds resumed its churning.

As the sunlight cast down, the mountains and rivers looked the same as always!

It was as if nothing had changed at all.

Yet Chen Lingxi deeply felt...

From this moment on, something between heaven and earth had been permanently altered!

Countless streams of divine sense instantly swept back and forth across Slumbering Deer Peak!

”The immortal spoke! The Great Encompassing Heaven hangs high above the Nine Quarters!”

”Gather within the Nine Quarters? Could it be...”

Voices of discussion erupted in the void, swiftly spreading among the disciples and growing louder by the second.

Chen Lingxi stood by the cliff. His expression didn’t change, but he sank his divine sense into his Divine Chamber!

His Vision Roaming divine ability quietly activated!

A few breaths of time passed before Chen Lingxi awakened from using Vision Roaming on Chan Zhaofu.

”The Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing Mirror,” he muttered to himself.

”Chan Zhaofu was talking to the other Crown Prince!”

”The Great Encompassing Heaven has deployed the Cauldron Vessel [Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing Mirror] in the Dragon-Revering Sect.”

”But what exactly is Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing? Is it the item Junior Martial Sister Lingyu mentioned?”

”If I don’t understand it now, there’s no rush. I’ll just investigate it during my daily Vision Roaming.”

Chen Lingxi shook his head and returned to his cave dwelling.

More than ten days passed. Chen Lingxi used Vision Roaming every day and finally gained some insight.

That Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing Mirror hung high above the Nine Quarters, illuminating every corner of the region.

The Land of Nine Quarters spanned a massive territory.

There was Ehai, whose orthodox lineages focused on raging flames and metal; the Southern Heaven Region, renowned worldwide for its sharp and murderous combat; the Under-Dao Academy, possessing gentle spiritual energy and long-standing dao methods; and the Thunder Pool, excelling in sword dao and lightning arts. There were also countless other sects, immortal clans, dynasties, island chains, and secret realms whose names he hadn’t even heard of yet.

Every single faction, clan, and sect fiercely guarded their own heaven and earth, profound dao secrets, and opportunities.

There was little interaction or communication between them. In fact, they would frequently go to war with one another over a single spiritual vein, a magical artifact, or a rare spiritual material.

But now, using the Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing Mirror Cauldron Vessel, the Great Encompassing Heaven had suspended a massive ”connection” over the Nine Quarters.

From today onward, the opportunities discovered by the many sects, immortal clans, dynasties, and loose cultivators within the Land of Nine Quarters would all be mutually connected in one place through the Heaven-Observing Mirror and the synchronous wonders of the Dao Profound Spirit Tablet.

The opportunities that once belonged exclusively to a single sect or clan—secrets that outsiders could scarcely catch a glimpse of—would henceforth belong to the entire Nine Quarters.

They only needed to wait for the Great Encompassing Heaven-Observing Mirror to randomly connect these profound mysteries.

However, corresponding with this was brutal competition.

From now on, the favored geniuses of the Nine Quarters would no longer just compete within their own individual sects. Instead, they would have to share, race, and battle against a wider, further, and stronger array of peers in the same realm across the entire world of the Nine Quarters.

Driven by these opportunities, conflicts would only grow more intense.

”Just how powerful is the Great Encompassing Heaven? This wondrous Cauldron Vessel is essentially plundering the foundations of many profound sects, yet none of these profound sects or immortal clans are putting up any resistance...” Chen Lingxi murmured.

”It seems the landscape of the Nine Quarters is bound to undergo a drastic change.”

After a moment of thought, he returned to his cave dwelling to resume his cultivation.

Up on Slumbering Deer Peak, there was movement within the six halls as well.

According to what Yuan Lingyu later told him, with the Heaven-Observing Mirror hanging high, the main sect had sent down several transmissions. Orders were issued to all Two Hundred Peaks, commanding the disciples of each peak to double down on their cultivation and prepare their training rations for the coming months.

For the next three months, Slumbering Deer Peak was vastly different from before.

The elders no longer secluded themselves in their own dojos to cultivate as they usually did.

Instead, they all took action. Some gathered resources from within the peak, some took inventory of their affiliated subordinate mountains, and others called forth the peak’s more talented disciples one by one to test their skills in spars.

Even someone like Yuan Lingyu, who usually paid no attention to worldly affairs, was called in for questioning by True Person Xiangshu a few times over these past few months.

Chen Lingxi, however, remained in secluded meditation inside the Water Curtain Cave.

He used the Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy to slowly comprehend the Heavenly Statute Edict method, all while leaving a sliver of divine sense outside to keep an eye on the activity across Slumbering Deer Peak.

The Heavenly Statute Edict method was indeed vastly different from how it had been three months ago.

The Celestial Ranking Spiritual Energy had essentially opened window after window for him into the method. The bottlenecks that he couldn’t understand or break through in the past were still strenuous, but they had become much simpler to handle.

Occasionally, when he closed his eyes, he could even vaguely glimpse an unfathomably profound power of the ”Heavenly Statute” in his Sea of Consciousness. It looked like an incredibly thin, pale thread hanging in the depths of his Dao, glowing faintly.

”This is something the past me could have never possessed,” he whispered.

”It won’t be long now until I successfully cultivate this divine ability.”