Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 526 The Milky Way Fades, Azure Heaven and Yellow Springs

The stars rotate, casting a soft, clear light that falls upon the wheel of reincarnation.

Perhaps it was Zheng Fa's psychological effect, but when he looked at the Wheel of Reincarnation, he felt that the runes on the wheel were flickering and devouring the starlight.

The twinkling of those stars seemed more like fear.

Seeing that he was gazing at the Wheel of Reincarnation, Venerable Tianhe reached out and handed the treasure to Zheng Fa.

Without a word, the Wheel of Reincarnation speaks volumes.

Zheng Fa didn't say anything, he just took the compass.

Venerable Tianhe stepped past Zheng Fa, walked to the railing, and gazed down at the Xuanwei Realm.

As they ascended and descended the steps, the Tianhe disciples remained silent, instead looking back at their homeland together with their sect leader.

It seemed like a farewell.

Aren't you disappointed?

It is unknown how much time passed before Venerable Tianhe turned around and asked Zheng Fa.

"disappointment?"

"All that my Tianhe Sect has accumulated over an era is the Reincarnation Disc. You cannot use it yet."

It really doesn't work.

The Wheel of Reincarnation is incomplete; it can only unleash its power when it falls into the hands of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor and is combined with the Book of Life and Death.

Zheng Fa is a courier.

As for the wealth accumulated by the Tianhe Sect, he certainly coveted it, but to forge a treasure like the Reincarnation Disc and change the rules of heaven and earth would be extremely difficult.

Even if the Tianhe Sect had accumulated enough resources over an entire era, it probably wouldn't be enough. Otherwise, Venerable Tianhe wouldn't have used himself to refine treasures—who wouldn't want to live?

“This disciple has already obtained the Heavenly River Law,” Zheng Fa replied after thinking for a moment. “Moreover, the subtle changes in the rules brought about by this treasure have already benefited me.”

The fact that Dao Guo can die is especially useful to Zheng Fa.

After all, he has now truly inherited the Heavenly River Law. If the various Great Dao Fruits are still united as one, then Zheng Fa really cannot find a way to break the deadlock.

The Heavenly River Venerable altered the rules of heaven and earth, which gave him some room to maneuver.

"Whether it's beneficial to you or not is not necessarily true. Even I am not certain about the subtle changes in Xuanwei."

"Ok?"

"The emergence of reincarnation is a major event for all the heavens and myriad realms, and even more so for Xuanwei." Venerable Tianhe said solemnly, "According to my calculations, those worlds created by ancient Golden Immortals will merge with Xuanwei."

"Fusion?"

“They perished before, but their spirits remain, so they still float in the chaos. However, once reincarnation is formed, that is not necessarily the case.”

Zheng Fa looked up at the stars in the chaos: "Does the Venerable One mean that reincarnation will cause the worlds created by these deceased Golden Immortals to manifest in the Mysterious Subtle?"

"That's it."

As the creator of the Reincarnation Disc, Venerable Tianhe's words are naturally truthful.

This is also a good thing for Xuanwei, as it can enhance Xuanwei's foundation.

This won't do you any harm, will it?
Seemingly sensing his confusion, Venerable Tianhe added:
"Not only that, the restriction that the Heavenly Membrane places on Golden Immortals will also soon become ineffective."

"how so?"

"Reincarnation connects all the heavens and worlds, and naturally becomes a passage to the profound mystery, not to mention the impact of the expansion of the profound mystery world."

Zheng Fa frowned slightly.

"So, the Golden Immortals or Ancient Immortals of the Four Sects will enter the Profound Subtle Realm earlier?"

Venerable Tianhe nodded gently.

It's hard to say whether this is a win or a loss.

The expansion of the Xuanwei world has many benefits, the simplest of which is to help enhance the foundation of Xuanwei.

However, the struggles between the various forces in Xuanwei will likely become increasingly fierce in the future.

Between the four sects, between the immortal sects and the demon ancestor, and even the ancient immortals...

They were not only vying for new territory but also fighting to the death, so naturally they would no longer hold back.

Zheng Fa thought about it and felt it was all a mess.

Such a chaotic era has probably never appeared in the Xuanwei era.

For Zheng Fa, it's also difficult to judge whether it's good or bad:
It's good that Daoguo beats out a dog's brain.

However, the strength of the Nine Mountains Realm is indeed still lacking, and it is difficult for them to remain unscathed in such a chaotic world.

Thinking of this, Zheng Fa looked at Chaos again and asked Venerable Tianhe, "Venerable, do you know how many Golden Immortals have existed in Xuanwei throughout history?"

"I don't know, but judging from the observations from this observatory, there are at least a hundred."

That's it.

The number of Golden Immortals was too explosive. Zheng Fa felt that he should drag the Nine Mountains Realm along and seek refuge in the Netherworld of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

"However, not many are still alive; I think there are fewer than forty."

Ugh?
"Among the four sects, the most Golden Immortals probably number less than two fingers' worth," Venerable Tianhe chuckled and said. "Those Ancient Immortals were all failures."

That's right.

Judging from Lu Yao's path to enlightenment, Haori Mountain's resources were almost depleted, and they only managed to cultivate three Golden Immortals.

The Supreme Dao and Leiyin Temple are older, but there shouldn't be a significant difference between them—the Xuanwei Realm only has so many resources.

Of course, these people can attain enlightenment through the myriad worlds.

But the number should not be too large.

"There are so many stars..."

Zheng Fa looked at the countless stars in the chaos and was very puzzled.

“It should be a remnant of the First Era…” Venerable Tianhe pointed to the holes, “Most of the stars are dead, and don’t even have any spiritual energy.”

The First Era and such are things that Zheng Fa is completely incapable of exploring right now.

If Venerable Tianhe's estimate of the number of Golden Immortals is correct, then it's not so frightening after all.

Zheng Fa suddenly remembered that Tang Lingwu had discovered some data when she was researching the Divine Name Talisman:

Although there are thousands of divine name sub-symbols, the symbols corresponding to about ten divine name sub-symbols account for as much as 80% of all the symbols.

Judging from the sheer number of names, these dozen or so divine talismans likely correspond to Golden Immortals.

If we also include the Golden Immortals they didn't discover or those who hid themselves, the number roughly matches the number of Golden Immortals mentioned by Venerable Tianhe.

"What about Taiyi?"

"As far as I know, there are only two Taiyi: the Supreme Daoist Venerable and the Thunder Sound Buddha."

"Lu Yao was born to attain the Taiyi Dao, but his ambition was too great."

"As for Yaochi, I don't know much about the jellyfish."

This is probably why the four sects were able to dominate the Xuanwei Sect.

With the addition of the Tianhe Sect, all five sects have the potential to cultivate a Taiyi.

Lu Yao wanted to achieve the Great Luo realm, but then he was struck by a sword from Venerable Tianhe.

The Heavenly River Venerable transformed into the Wheel of Reincarnation.

He had heard of Daoist Master Zheng Fa before, but this was the first time he had ever heard of the title "Thunder Sound Buddha".

"Venerable One, when did the Buddha of Thunder Sound attain enlightenment?"

“The Buddha’s origins are unfathomable.” Venerable Tianhe frowned. “I don’t know when he attained enlightenment.”

"Leiyin Temple seems to have existed since the Chaotic Era. I've even heard that Leiyin Temple is older than the Supreme Dao. I suspect that the cultivation methods of the Divine Path are related to Leiyin Temple."

Shinto law?
To be honest, Leiyin Temple is indeed the most adept at managing incense offerings among all the Xuanwei Sects.

Even the changes in the Flower Fairy of Yaochi were difficult to fathom.

If Leiyin Temple is related to Shinto magic, then it makes more sense.

The teachings of Leiyin Temple also seem to differ from the mainstream of Xuanwei—the Dharma form is neither a Yang spirit nor a Dharma body, and it is quite unconventional.

Seeing Zheng Fa fall silent, Venerable Tianhe looked at him and smiled again, "Aren't you disappointed?"

Zheng Fa knew what those words meant.

The future situation in Xuanwei is far from optimistic.

Even if the number of Golden Immortals is conservatively estimated based on the Divine Name Talisman, it is less than twenty, so the Nine Mountains Sect is still under great pressure.

Zheng Fa's current strength, at most, is that of a True Immortal.

Zheng Fa let out a soft sigh: "It's still better than what you did back then, Venerable One." If all else fails, he can really rely on the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor for protection, unlike Venerable Tianhe, who becomes an enemy of the world the moment he shows his face, and has to shoulder everything on his own.

Even this small bit of good fortune was left to him by Venerable Tianhe.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor is unpredictable and has experienced too many conspiracies and tricks. He is by no means an easy person to deal with. If it weren't for the Yin-Yang Fish Jade Pendant in his mind and the Wheel of Reincarnation in his hand, how could he be so presumptuous in front of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor... Now he doesn't even send back any spiritual messages.

Venerable Tianhe chuckled softly, then looked down at Xuanwei.

"My path has been completed; let the next generation follow."

Zheng Fa silently clasped his hands in greeting.

"A disciple of the Heavenly River!"

"exist!"

Ten thousand swords rose again, their dazzling light surpassing the starlight of the sky.

Tens of thousands of Heavenly River disciples merged with the sword light and surged into the Wheel of Reincarnation.

Just like hundreds of thousands of years ago when they followed Venerable Tianhe on his expedition, they remained silent and pressed forward without hesitation.

Even if this is their final act.

Zheng Fa heard the last words of Venerable Tianhe:

"This observatory is for you."

A beam of light from the sundial shone into Zheng Fa's forehead, and a spell appeared in his mind's eye that opened the membrane between heaven and earth, leading to this place.

At the same time, several new carvings appeared on the surrounding jade railings.

It is a scene of the Heavenly River disciples feasting and listening to the Dao.

His face was among them.

Zheng Fa lowered his head and looked at the Reincarnation Disc in his hand. He saw that it was getting brighter and brighter, and the runes on it were profound and complex, densely packed. He knew that this was the last time Venerable Tianhe was refining a treasure.

The sword light faded, leaving only a sense of melancholy.

He stood on the observatory, looking up at the holes.

Zheng Fa had been curious about why there were only a few dozen holes, but now he understood that each hole roughly corresponded to one Golden Immortal.

He looked at each of the stars one by one.

These golden immortals hang high in the vast blue sky day and night, above the heads of all living beings, and are worshipped by them.

But the person who should be at the top is not among them, but will fall into the underworld.

Zheng Fa stretched out his finger and carefully ran it across the faces of the Tianhe disciples, then looked up and surveyed his surroundings.

The vast chaos resembled his and the future of the Nine Mountains Realm, gloomy and uncertain. Only the Heaven-Reaching Sword and the Star-Gazing Platform could bring him and the entire Xuanwei a glimmer of light.

What Venerable Tianhe might have wanted to leave him was this ideal that tore through the darkness and guided the way forward.

Composing himself, Zheng Fa looked at the Jade Tablet of Creation.

Many people sent me spiritual messages.

There were some from Senior Sister Zhang and her group, but even more from the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

He had previously turned off video calls with the Nine Mountains Realm—mainly out of respect for Venerable Tianhe.

I'm keeping a close eye on the live stream; the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor is still holding on.

However, the Demon Ancestor's spiritual messages are very secretive:

Zheng Fa was shocked by the secret revealed by Venerable Tianhe, but he didn't know how to respond, so he simply ignored it.

The Demon Ancestor's tone grew increasingly agitated, indicating he was getting impatient.

He put the Reincarnation Disc into his sleeve, glanced back at the Star Gazing Platform, and leaped into the air, transforming into a rainbow as he plummeted straight towards Xuanwei.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor probably can't wait any longer.

……

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was indeed very anxious.

Having suffered greatly in the past, he was naturally suspicious and didn't trust Zheng Fa much.

Seeing that Zheng Fa had stopped replying to messages, they were naturally even more afraid that he wouldn't come back.

If he hadn't been able to vaguely sense the location of the Nine Netherworld Edict and knew that Zheng Fa was always outside the heavens, he wouldn't have been able to suppress the unease in his heart.

But he still wasn't feeling well.

The incense offerings to Xizhou were plentiful, and Lu Yao was not stingy at all.

However, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor lacked this foundation and was constantly preoccupied with Zheng Fa, thus becoming distracted and exhausted.

On the other hand, Lu Yao saw that the mysterious person who could control the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation was not making a move for a long time. Although he did not understand why, he calmed his mind and focused on dealing with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

With one side gaining and the other losing, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was finding it increasingly difficult to cope.

He thought for a moment, then transmitted his voice to Sect Leader Yan, saying, "Come here."

Taking advantage of the fog, Sect Leader Yan sneaked up to the side of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

There was a hint of worry on his face at that moment.

After all, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that the Demon Ancestor isn't in a good state right now.

"Go and give Lu Yao a sword."

Sect Leader Yan paused, seemingly speechless, and after a long while, finally said, "This disciple's cultivation is low..."

“I know you are lowly,” the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor said bluntly. “Go scare him, all four of you together.”

"..."

He knew, of course, that even if all four of them were combined, they wouldn't have the power of Zheng Fa wielding the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

But what he wanted was to distract Lu Yao and relieve some of the pressure.

Sect Leader Yan seemed to understand as well.

With a swift movement, he disappeared into the mist.

Lu Yao's chanting of Buddhist scriptures was as loud as a great bell, resounding throughout the underworld.

He lowered his eyes, seemingly concentrating on chanting scriptures to convert the Nine Netherworld Demon Ancestor.

Ni Chang Yuanjun and the others hid to one side, searching for a way out while observing the changes in the battle situation.

In the underworld, the fog suddenly surged like waves.

Four sword shadows pierced through layers of void, condensing into a single sword aura that slashed towards Lu Yao.

This scene seemed familiar, causing all the cultivators present to hold their breath in anticipation.

Lu Yao laughed heartily: "I've been waiting for you, benefactor, for a long time!"

Having said that, the compassion on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a fierce expression, his palm so large it covered half the sky, as he charged towards the sword energy.

Everyone could see that although Lu Yao seemed to be focused on dealing with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, he was actually keeping something in mind and had been preparing for the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

Their palms clashed, but there was not a sound.

The sword energy was like paper, shattering at the slightest touch, no longer possessing its previous sharpness.

Lu Yao's giant palm swept across the sky with a whooshing sound, yet it encountered no obstacle whatsoever.

His face froze for a moment, and then a little color appeared on the golden Buddha's face.

"idiot!"

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor laughed loudly, and while taking the time to adjust his breathing, he also seized the opportunity to curse.

Lu Yao quickly calmed down and laughed instead, "I think you, Benefactor Jiuyou, are the one who has reached the end of your rope, otherwise why would you resort to such a petty trick?"

The smile on the face of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor gradually faded.

"Among those four sword strikes, it seems the same benefactor from before wasn't among them?" Lu Yao said unhurriedly. "Was his cultivation insufficient? Or was he not even here?"

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor's face turned cold, but Lu Yao's tone became increasingly confident:

"Judging from what I just saw, even if this person were still alive, he wouldn't be stronger than that previous sword strike."

"This sword strike actually allowed me to figure out the true nature of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation."

"Nine Netherworld Benefactor, how much longer can you hold on?"

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor remained silent for a long time, seemingly speechless.

After all, even the sudden sword strike earlier had failed to inflict fatal damage on Lu Yao.

“Benefactor Jiuyou, you and Benefactor Tianhe do not understand how a few minor techniques can possibly withstand this overwhelming force.”

(End of this chapter)