Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 616 Equality of Things
In the main hall.

The originally cramped palace rapidly expanded, merging with the vast and endless Thunder Swamp. Dark clouds churned, and purple lightning soared, with two figures facing off above faintly visible.

"His sword intent was absorbed."

Xu Xuan slashed through the surging purple light with his sword, pushing his supernatural powers to the limit, and repeatedly escaped the oppressive thunderous swamp by using the wondrous effect of [Riding Without Blame].

The Thunder Ring slowly rotated. The dragon corpse did not go all out, but used the wonder of the [Return to the Dao Pivot] to block the sword intent. However, the thunder and lightning it casually unleashed were already difficult to deal with.

Thunder is inherently illusory, existing only as a single sound and breath. In the past, the Heavenly Dragon Lord Huo wrote a treatise entitled "Thunder Illusory," refuting any attempts to add further interpretations to thunder. Now, this dragon corpse perfectly embodies the ultimate theory of sound and breath.

A flash of deep purple lightning streaked across the sky, followed by deafening thunder that shook the heavens and earth and could be heard for miles around. Xu Xuan, like a lone boat, drifted aimlessly in this vast swamp.

In terms of supernatural powers alone, I am no match for him.

Xu Xuan turned his sword around, took a deep breath, and focused his gaze on the ring of lightning that had appeared on the dragon corpse. This was the mystical phenomenon formed by the [Return to the Dao Pivot], which is called the [Qiwu Dao Pivot] in the "Fengxu Return to the Dao Method".

For some reason, after actually witnessing this supernatural power, he thought of another inheritance—[Feng Xuan].

Specializing in swordsmanship actually shares similarities with the ancient immortal path. There is no fixed formula; one only uses sword intent and sword qi to define life and nature, unlike the Golden Elixir method which divides immortal foundations and supernatural powers.

For example, Fengxuan Sword Dao's "Free and Easy Wandering" is actually more like a general outline, which can form a state similar to the Immortal Foundation in the inner world during the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, once you break through to higher levels, there are no specific realm divisions anymore, and the so-called "Free and Easy Wandering" is different from supernatural powers.

Even at the Purple Mansion stage, one can comprehend this path without affecting one's own supernatural cultivation. It's like practicing an external art; as long as one can continue on this path, it may not be inferior to someone who specializes in this one.

Once one cultivates sword intent and ranks below the sword lineage, they are essentially the same as those who specialize in this path, only they are more pure and go further.

Such a mysterious human form is essentially no different from someone who specializes in the [Jiefa] sword lineage, except that it is not pure enough and has not gone far enough in the sword lineage.

The profound mysteries manifested by the [Return to the Dao Pivot] are quite similar to some of the discussions in Fengxuan Sword Dao. Even the blue stone sword carving in Xu Xuan's inner vision faintly radiates light.

"Why?"

Xu Xuan's gaze gradually darkened. Fengxuan First Palace was established in ancient times, even during the reign of many deities. At that time, the Immortal Nanhua was already in the Xuan position, and his disciples were all famous figures. Even the later Great Sage Kunpeng was under his tutelage.

【Return to the Dao Pivot】As a supernatural power that originated from the ancient saint of Lei Ze and was subsequently elucidated, it must be a manifestation of the ancient saint's experiences. Could this be the cause and effect between the ancient saint of Lei Ze and that immortal of Nan Hua?

Xu Xuan gently twisted the blade of his sword, a secret conjecture arising within him: if the sword intent in the human body is inherited from the Thunder Palace sword lineage and belongs to the [Calamity Law], then it possesses such supreme and wondrous power.

But is the sword intent cultivated from a dragon's body truly without any foundation?
The sound of a dragon's roar came, and the dragon corpse rose into the clouds, revealing its true form. The already decayed and broken dragon body was filled with powerful lightning, and it came down with the might of heaven.

Purple lightning condensed into a celestial ring, slowly rotating, with a hollow center, causing the sword in Xu Xuan's hand to hum softly. Pure energy surged and rose within his body, landing on the blue stone sword carving that originally bore the Taiqing Stele.

Above it, more characters appeared: "That which has no equal is called the pivot of the Way. The pivot begins to find its center, thus responding to the infinite."

The celestial dragon above swooped down, but Xu Xuan summoned the New Year Peach Talisman to contain the lightning and neutralize the killing intent. This ancient spiritual treasure of the forbidden wood gave him a brief moment to react.

"Sword intent... can be further improved."

As the pressure from above intensified, Xu Xuan swung his sword again, first attempting to imitate the divine power's intent with his sword, namely the Way of Equality of All Things, but he struggled to grasp anything.

"No, we must continue to evolve. Simply imitating supernatural powers will not constitute sword intent."

He set up his Thunder Chariot and, using his supernatural powers, constantly shifted his position as the celestial dragon attacked.

The surrounding thunderous swamps were getting closer and closer. As the lightning ring descended, his escape speed instantly stopped between fast and slow, as if he were still. [Cheng Wujiu] was still operating, seemingly unaware of this strange phenomenon.

Boom!

The dragon claw, as large as a small mountain, extended out, and purple lightning, as bright as the sun, rose from it. With a single strike, it shattered the peach talisman hanging in the air and then sent Xu Xuan flying into the thunder swamp.

Even without his life, he still couldn't defeat this ancient dragon corpse with his supernatural powers and physical body alone, especially with his sword intent being suppressed.

"Even if one imitates the [Qi Wu Dao Shu] to make changes, it will be difficult to break this supernatural power. Moreover, it is impossible to imitate it at all. One should go in another direction."

Thunder roared and crashed down around him, its continuous rumble echoing in his mind, yet Xu Xuan's eyes remained clear, and he gradually found his direction.

Qi Heng.

Returning to the core of the Way, eliminating opposition, is the constant principle, and one should possess extraordinary talent to respond!
If the supernatural powers displayed by this dragon corpse are a gateway, then the sword intent in Xu Xuan's hand is the prototype of a key. Now he needs to continuously forge this key so that it can open this gateway.

The single volume of "Qi Heng Xia Lun" is already unfathomably profound. Apart from its effects of transformation and supernatural powers, it is more of an exposition of the mysteries of the Dao.

The mystery is the transformation of Yin and Yang, and the elucidation of the Five Virtues. In the discourse of the Fengxuan Sword Dao, it is also the transformation of being carefree and equal with all things, forgetting both self and things, which is the highest interpretation of seeking the Dao.

Xu Xuanxin had an epiphany, and he drew his sword again. The sword intent above Lieque began to undergo a profound change, and a vast and boundless artistic conception spread around it, like a great swamp overflowing.

'My sword is wondrous.'

The originally powerful and mighty sword intent reached its limit, but instead of starting the next cycle, it broke free and underwent some indescribable qualitative change.

Dark, swirling clouds rolled endlessly, and a massive dragon head emerged, gazing down. A thunderous ring of light slowly rotated between its horns. At that moment, Xu Xuan drew his sword with a stroke of exquisite artistry, like the final splash of ink by a master painter.

The celestial ring is suddenly broken, and the pivot of the Dao is no longer visible.

The swirling thunderous swamp around it rapidly shrank, and the dragon corpse let out a long roar, with purple lightning rising around it and thunder booming, finally beginning to transform into the Dao.

All the strange phenomena quickly dissipated, and a drop of crystal-clear purple blood emerged from it, condensing into the shape of a dragon and merging into Xu Xuan's body. This caused his aura to change abruptly, and his scales turned from dark gray to deep purple, faintly possessing some of the aura of the Ye Guang Dragon.

If I had to put it into words, it's somewhat like the First Sea Dragon King, a combination of two bloodlines.

The Thunderclap Divine Power within his body became more harmonious and unrestrained, and certain hidden innate divine powers quietly began to operate, raising his physical body to another level. A more powerful blood energy surged continuously within his body.

'In terms of physical strength alone, only cultivators specializing in Blood Qi, Earth, or Metal can surpass me.'

Xu Xuan was shocked. The advancement of his physical body was secondary. More importantly, he had acquired some characteristics of the Ye Guang Dragon species. His bloodline had changed, and he was more compatible with thunder. There was even a faint sense of a profound destiny descending.

If we consider himself in terms of the "Extinction of Fate," then the current fortune of his dragon body has reached an extremely terrifying level, which is difficult to compare with even the third level of Bodhi in the Buddhist path. Perhaps only those with the direct blood of the Golden Core or the first disciple of a True Monarch can be compared with him.

The waters of the ancient Leize, which had been scattered and flowing, began to rapidly condense as if summoned, converging into a small purple swamp that accumulated in the center of the main hall, with bursts of purple light erupting from it.

'Its rank is higher than any other Thunder Spirit I've ever seen before.'

Xu Xuan's heart stirred. This purple swamp was not only the water of the ancient Thunder Swamp, but also absorbed most of the strange phenomena left behind by the fallen dragon seed. All of them were purified within it, making it a rare and precious spiritual object of thunder in the world.

He put away the swamp and brought it into his inner vision. He felt that the divine power of the Thunder Swamp seemed to have broken through some kind of limitation. The swamp began to change with divine light, becoming more perfect.

'I haven't even fully mastered this divine ability yet. No, I've completed it.' Xu ​​Xuan realized that the most crucial divine ability of Gu Zhenlei should be [Thunderous Swamp], but with the change of power, its rank has dropped, and it is no longer as wondrous as before.

Even so, as a divine power possessing both physical and spiritual aspects, the wondrous uses of [Thunderous Swamp] are still of the highest caliber, and even form the foundation for cultivating other divine powers.

It can be said that for a cultivator who has mastered the Thunderclap Technique for the first time, it will be of considerable benefit.

Now, Xu Xuan has further improved this divine ability on this basis, and there are even signs of returning to antiquity. Perhaps new wonderful uses will emerge. That sacred aura is too mysterious. It is the only one he has ever seen in his life.

'The path of Ancient Thunder Swamp, who knows what changes it will undergo.'

A faint rumble of thunder came from behind. Xu Xuan turned around and saw that the altar was empty and covered in dust. The purple jade dragon statue that had been there was nowhere to be seen, and there was nothing unusual about it.

His heart stirred slightly, and he bowed to the empty platform. No matter what, this palace was related to the former Tianhuo Dragon Lord, and he should respect it both morally and logically.

Having finished exploring the main hall, Xu Xuan turned his gaze to a side hall. He sensed something amiss with his internal supernatural powers and pointed to the side.

Upon entering, a hazy purple light emanates from within, followed by a broken cauldron, half-hidden in dust. The cauldron is carved with images of the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, stars, thunder, and marshes, with a circular hole shrouded in chaotic energy in the center.

A familiar aura arose within him, extremely captivating. The Book of Fulfilling Apertures within his body sensed it, and the chaotic energy dissipated.

'This is a treasure of primordial energy!'

There was a saying in the Nine Azure Heavens that there might be something of primordial chaos within the Heavenly Leaf. Xu Xuan was still half-believing and half-doubting, but now that he had actually seen it, he could hardly suppress the excitement in his heart.

Lei Ze used a drum, and Su Hun made a tripod.

This broken cauldron is purplish-gray in color, with a texture like gold and bronze. Its interior is hazy, making it difficult to see clearly, but upon closer inspection, it must be an extremely rare spiritual artifact, connected to both primordial energy and thunder.

Xu Xuan stepped forward, reached out and gripped it, exerting a little force. It wasn't as heavy as he had imagined; instead, it was extremely light, with almost no weight coming from the cauldron.

The tripod was engraved with bird-and-insect seal script, which he carefully deciphered, and found to read: "A divine being carved a hole, but ultimately it did not possess a heart."

'Let's call you "Juxin Ding" (具心鼎).'

As soon as he had a thought, a hazy light began to emanate from the broken cauldron, as if in response.

At this moment, a fierce aura came from outside the Dao Palace, and Bo Chang's shouts could be faintly heard. A dragon aura originating from the East Sea rushed in and blasted open the originally tightly closed door.

Xu Xuan put away the cauldron, transformed into purple lightning, and flew out. He saw a white iron chariot parked outside the Dao Palace. The six-eyed sorcerer on the chariot was slightly taken aback when he saw Xu Xuan.

The golden lightning dimmed, blood flowed, and black tide surged around Bo Chang, indicating serious injuries. This caused Xu Xuan's face to gradually turn ashen.

He stepped forward and first helped the demon king under his command to his feet. He used the righteous sound of thunder to generate energy, repair the injury, and allow the other party to gradually recover.

"Kings."

Bo Chang regained consciousness, immediately bowed, his face filled with shame, and said only:
"Your humble servant is incompetent—"

"Chu Hai".

Xu Xuan stood up, his gaze cold. He hadn't intended to have much contact with this dragon seed, but since the other party had offered himself up, he wouldn't back down.

“The Dragon King of the Netherworld has broken the rules. The legacy of Ye Guang should be shared by all the dragons. It is not good for you to send someone to take it all for yourself.”

The ghost on the seat spoke, his tone solemn. Although his master was arrogant, he was just a servant and dared not disrespect a Purple Palace Dragon King.

If he hadn't known Chu Hai's temper, he would have advised his master long ago. He was making enemies every day and should also consider the situation of his own servants. Now, even the demons dared not go ashore, fearing that the immortals he had offended would find out and immediately surround and kill him.

Now they're causing trouble for Mu Youdu again. Will they still be able to go to the South China Sea in the future?

However, he swallowed these words and dared not say another. At this moment, he turned his gaze to the injured Tengshe, with a sense of shared pity.

"I'm sorry, fellow Daoist."

"Chu Hai, you did this."

Xu Xuan rode the wind and rose up, level with the white iron chariot. Then, a black tide surged out, and a demon with a dragon's head and a human body stepped out, its aura surging like a tide.

'This is... the divine power of the Immortal Path, the method of Chou Xi. How did he cultivate it?'

Having fought the Han Shui Sword Immortal in the past, Xu Xuan was already extremely familiar with this supernatural power. Now, he even had some guesses. If what Tian Tuo had seen in the past was true, then Chu Hai was very likely seeking the position of honor between the Han and Ren waters.

'Perfect, let's test him on Dai Longting.'

Xu Xuan's gaze was deep and he waited quietly for Chu Hai to speak, but then he heard the white dragon say slowly:
"He dared to block my path, and I haven't killed him yet, which is already out of respect for Nanming. Mu Youdu, when you see me, you should treat him with the respect due to an elder. I and Guangze are of the same generation!"

Chu Hailong glanced at the Thunder Void Palace with his spiritual sense, but found nothing. However, an extremely dangerous aura emanated from the palace.

"You took something from the side hall?"

Xu Xuan raised his hand, and the broken cauldron manifested, from which chaotic energy emerged, bursting forth and changing, merging yin and yang, making Chu Hai's eyes grow increasingly hostile.

"It is indeed a weapon of primordial chaos; you cannot handle this."

The black tide surged, and the pressure was immense; there was a hint of threat in Chu Hai's words.

"If you want it, you can come and get it yourself."

Xu Xuan lightly touched the neck, and purple light flowed as Lieque was unsheathed. He had made further progress in his sword intent, so it was a good time to test his sword against his opponent.

"So brave."

Chu Hai raised his hand, and a crescent-shaped halberd radiating Yin energy appeared, which he firmly grasped. The white iron chariot, harnessing water and fire and cutting through the autumn shadows, came over, and the Dragon King stepped onto the chariot.

'That lone calamity is far inferior to this dragon's offspring.'

The black tide surged again, colliding with the vast thunderous swamp, causing the entire Thunder Void Palace to tremble and shake, forcing distant divine powers to retreat.

The demon stood to the side, incantations gathering in his hands. Just as he was about to make his move, a loud shout rang out.

"Don't interfere! I want to personally assess the current dragon offspring of the Southern Sea! He Gui, you kill that Teng Snake for me first!"

The six-eyed demon sighed and looked down at Bo Chang, its last trace of pity gone. Incantations, like insects, covered its hands.

'The king's command is difficult to disobey.'

(End of this chapter)