Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 898: The Fruit of Ten Thousand Dharmas
Amidst the vast expanse of clouds, the mirror-like light, like swords and peaks, pierces obliquely into the sky.

And it did not stop. Just as the mirror light was about to break through the boundary, a misty purple aura suddenly rose from the mountain peak and coiled around the mirror light three times like a swimming dragon.

Wherever the purple aura passed, the mirror-like light melted away inch by inch, eventually turning into stardust and scattering into the clouds.

The mirror-like light gradually dissipated, and the sea of ​​clouds reformed, but everything that had just happened was undeniably real...

The bronze bells on the eaves were still trembling, and the lingering Daoist charm remained on Fu Yuanzi's fingertips in his flowing sleeves.

This immortal, who had ruled the grotto-heaven for over ten thousand years, now had his white hair moving without wind and his beard trembling slightly, clearly shocked by the commotion his disciple had caused.

Two Dao Fruits? When has the Floating Cloud Realm ever heard of two Dao Fruits?

Fu Yuanzi's expression gradually became solemn. At first, he thought that this disciple had inherited the ancient fortune, but now it seems that he had misjudged the chessboard of heaven and earth.

To reach a level that is difficult for ordinary people to attain is to have already transcended the predetermined fate of cause and effect and reincarnation, rather than being like...
He suddenly stopped thinking, and a gentle breeze swept by, scattering apricot blossoms all over the courtyard.

Fu Yuanzi remained silent for a moment, and then for the first time extended his divine sense to probe into the Qingping Cave. Inside, Chen Mu's seated figure seemed to be shrouded in a layer of chaotic mist in his eyes.

He frowned slightly, and with a thought, his mind probed deep into the Purple Mansion like a gossamer thread.

He then saw the Water Cauldron sitting in the center of the Purple Mansion, beneath which was a vast ocean of magical power. With each ripple, an astonishing spiritual energy would emanate, its purity and profundity leaving even him speechless with admiration.

However, this can ultimately be explained, but what about that ancient silver mirror hanging above the cauldron...?

Fu Yuanzi's pupils suddenly contracted, for he too saw the beautiful water lily in the mirror world.

“True water transforms into lotus, forming three thousand lotus seeds. This is the ultimate method, indeed the supreme fruit of the Dao. But… why is there a symbiotic phenomenon?”

“Strange…truly strange…”

Fu Yuanzi's withered face showed a strange expression. After withdrawing his divine sense that had been probing into Chen Mu's purple mansion, he lingered on him for a long time.

This body, which had just formed the True Monarch realm, appeared transparent, but was shrouded in a mist that even he, with his more than 20,000 years of cultivation, could not see through.

He gazed at the young man who was still in meditation, raising and lowering his withered hand several times.

In the end, he only managed to summon a wisp of innate purple energy through a hand seal, enveloping the disciple in a hazy, radiant glow.

Everyone has secrets, and he was no exception.

"That's fine."

The old Taoist priest lowered his eyes and sighed softly. Prayer flags fluttered under the eaves, obscuring the dim and unclear light in his eyes.

Since Heaven bestowed such a disciple with this destiny, perhaps it was to quell his obsession with becoming a wandering immortal plagued by endless calamities.

"However, your master has no other intentions, but others may have different ideas. In the future, you will still need to travel to the Nine Capitals, and I will have to think of a way to help you..."

Fu Yuanzi muttered to himself, then turned and went back to his room, pondering his disciple's future...

The sound of logging echoed again from the back mountain, the dull thud of bronze axes cleaving through tree rings startling a flock of noisy crows...

Inside the Qingping Cave, Chen Mu gradually calmed his mind.

He naturally sensed that his master had intervened to stop the strange phenomenon in the mirror, and he had anticipated the subsequent investigation.

However, this is only human nature. Anyone who sees such an unusual situation would inevitably want to investigate, but it wouldn't cause him to harbor any suspicion.

Moreover, he did not believe that his master could discover the innate Ren water, because after the innate Ren water was hidden in the mirror world, its energy seemed to have escaped into another dimension.

If it weren't for the fact that his spiritual imprint could still sense the origin of the water lotus, even he himself would have thought it was just an ordinary phenomenon of the Dao fruit.

This was an unexpected surprise. Although the second fruit was equally astonishing, it ultimately saved him from the hidden danger of exposing his innate Ren water. In the long run, this change was more beneficial than harmful.

With this in mind, Chen Mu composed himself and began to carefully examine the second fruit.

Dao Fruit is the concrete manifestation of the Great Dao by cultivators, like a cauldron of water that can control all waters, which is the sublimation of the natal Dao method "Spiritual Pivot Pure Source True Water".

The ancient silver mirror before us, imbued with the aura of innate Ren water, though nourished by water, must ultimately trace back to the origin of the Dao.

This is worth discussing: from what method did this fruit of the Way originate?

Chen Mu stared at the silvery halo flowing across the mirror, his thoughts flickering like stars.

Of the Daoist techniques he has mastered, only a few can produce Dao fruits. Observing the interplay of reality and illusion contained in this mirror, the answer has already emerged like a green peak in the mist.

A few breaths later, Chen Mu's eyes flashed, as he recalled the thought of the ultimate law that arose in him after receiving the true revelation from Lu Yingling of the Black and White Dao Palace.

"Could it be the 'Primordial Purity and Formlessness Jade Clarity Technique'?"

The Way of Formlessness, the Subtle Realm of Jade Purity.

"Could this technique of obliterating the seed of the Dao be the foundation of this Dao fruit?"

Chen Mu was startled, and in an instant, several speculations arose in his mind.

This method pursues the unity of all things, the natural way, and the union of the innate Ren water transforming into a lotus...

In a moment of inspiration, he suddenly made a hand seal and drew in a wisp of the original energy of the "Taiyin Yi Lei Tian Ji Technique," which had been obliterated by this method, and slowly transferred it into the surface of the silver mirror.

The instant the silver lightning disappeared into the mirror, a long roar of a dragon suddenly echoed throughout the entire mirror world.

As soon as the slender lightning bolt entered the water, it transformed into a ten-foot-long silver dragon, stirring up the Mirror Sea and finally coiling around the delicate water lily.

The next moment, the silver-faced ancient mirror trembled violently, with muffled thunder rumbling within and astonishing pressure spreading outwards.

Chen Mu stared intently at the changes in the ancient mirror.

Then, the world within the mirror changed color, and silver lightning snaked upwards along the stem of the water lily. Wherever it passed, the branches, leaves, and flowers all transformed into lightning-patterned jade pieces, condensing into a translucent texture like silver foil.

Moreover, the lightning threads on it undulated and slowly gathered, eventually causing the water lily to bear the Dao Fruit of Silver Lightning!
In an instant, Chen Mu felt his spiritual energy suddenly boil over. His water-attribute true essence, cultivated for hundreds of years, under the influence of the lightning patterns, underwent a transformation. The spiritual power, which was originally as gentle as a deep pool, now turned into a thunderbolt, surging and roaring through his limbs and bones.

If someone were to pay attention at this moment, they would see that Chen Mu was surrounded by lightning, his hair was almost silver, and although his eyebrows and eyes had not changed, they suddenly became bright and sharp. From a distance, he looked like a reincarnation of the Thunder Lord!
Chen Mu's pupils contracted slightly. He stood up and with a casual wave of his hand, thousands of silver rays gathered into lightning. Every movement and pause revealed his identity as a True Monarch of the Thunder Attribute.

The problem is, he is clearly a Water-elemental True Lord...

Chen Mu's mind stirred slightly, and the illusory image of his Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit suddenly appeared, dispelling all the lightning that lingered on the silver-patterned ancient mirror.

As ripples spread across the mirror's surface, a sword mark, concealing the aura of battle, was captured within the mirror's world.

This is the primordial energy of the "Twelve Dragon Sparrow Immortal-Slaying Demon Blade".

Just like the aura of silver thunder, this wisp of origin was drawn to the water lotus as soon as it entered this realm.

The instant the knife mark touched the lotus petals, golden light burst forth like the sun, and the entire water lily transformed into a gilded color at a speed visible to the naked eye.

At the same time, thousands of golden threads burst forth from the center of the lotus platform, instantly condensing into a crimson gold Dao Fruit with a dragon-bird holding a blade.

The sharp golden light spread outwards, causing the stone wall to be riddled with holes in an instant. Even the cold jade bed beneath him seemed unable to withstand the sharp aura emanating from him, and silently broke in two.

At this moment, Chen Mu was surrounded by golden energy, his eyebrows were like knives, and his eyes shone with a sharp golden light that was sure to captivate people!

Just now he was in the form of the Thunder Element True Lord, but now he has become the form of the Metal Element True Lord.

Chen Mu continued, drawing in another wisp of divine sword energy and channeling it into the world within the mirror. This was the Six Ding Dispelling Calamity Sword, which, likewise, had its Dao seed extinguished by the "Tai Su Wu Xiang Yu Qing Jue". In the blink of an eye, the golden light within the mirror dissipated like the receding tide, replaced by countless flowing sword shadows.

The metallic aura between Chen Mu's brows and eyes vanished, replaced by a warm, jade-like hue. The sword wheel behind his head shone with a clear light, and even the air seemed to clear up wherever his gaze fell...

……

Chen Mu suddenly froze, staring at the silver-faced ancient mirror for a long time without moving.

All Dao techniques that have had their Dao seeds destroyed by the "Tai Su Wu Xiang Yu Qing Jue" can draw upon the original Qi to merge into the flower in the mirror, thereby causing it to bear this brand-new Dao fruit.

Although water has no fixed form, the innate Ren water was able to transform all kinds of Taoist magic into flower shadows in the mirror, which still made his back go numb.

Moreover, he currently only possesses three to five Dao Fruits; if he truly gathers all three thousand Great Daos as he predicted…

Even with its limitations, and the ability to transform itself not being comparable to that of a true master who is proficient in a particular path, the sheer number of variations is enough to make up for this deficiency.

"I never imagined that the conjecture about the ultimate law from back then would actually come true at this moment."

"Although there are some deviations, and it is also influenced by the innate Ren water, it is not transformed from the original true water. It can be used for offering in the future, so why should we worry about the water method not being prosperous?"

"After all, the fundamental method of the Tai Su Wu Xiang Yu Qing Jue is still the Ling Shu Qing Yuan Zhen Shui. The more Dao techniques and Dao fruits I master, the more condensed and solid the water cauldron becomes..."

Only now did he realize that, due to the innate Ren water, he had already pushed the Tai Su Technique in an unpredictable direction.

Even the ancients who created this method could never replicate such a path that manifests all the laws and results.

A howling wind rose outside the cave, scattering the changing celestial phenomena.

This path to heaven, which uses all methods to nourish true water, is quietly extending with each opening and closing of the water lily in the mirror...

……

A gentle breeze swept by, and the dampness dissipated.

Chen Mu sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing for a while, and his mind was filled with light again.

He lowered his eyes and looked inward at his dantian, suddenly recalling the mystery of "breaking through the mysterious gate" that his master Fu Yuanzi had mentioned that day.

Now that he has achieved his breakthrough, I wonder what he should do next?
Just as he was about to ponder this, he suddenly saw ripples appear on the cave's protective barrier, and a wisp of innate purple energy broke through the air and landed steadily on the stone table.

Chen Mu looked up and saw three jade bottles with ice patterns gleaming on the table.

At the same time, Fu Yuanzi's Daoist voice resounded from his spiritual platform: "The Xuan Dan does not win by medicinal power once it enters the body, but depends on the entanglement of cause and effect."

"Your joining my sect is the cause, my bestowal of the Mystic Elixir is the effect, and now that you have consumed this elixir, you have sown a new seed..."

"Use your primordial spirit to examine the surrounding void as I wish. Can you see the three thousand causal lines?"

"Once the cause and effect between us are clear, let us borrow the power of the Nine Revolutions of the Profound Elixir to temper our souls and sever the causal thread that leads directly to this place..."

The Daoist sound echoed like a morning bell. Chen Mu focused his mind and observed carefully, and indeed saw three thousand silver threads appearing in the void around him, as fine as a glimmer of light.

However... his master's words were concise and to the point, pointing directly to the Great Dao of Cause and Effect, but since it was his first time encountering it, he still had some questions.

"The power of cause and effect is elusive and uncertain; how can it be severed?"

"Furthermore, wouldn't severing the cause and effect create unnecessary trouble?"

At this moment, the jade slip left by Senior Sister Murong came in handy. The explanation in it about using the power of cause and effect to break through the barrier made Chen Mu suddenly realize the truth.

"To sever the cause without causing the effect, and to continue the effect without being entangled in the cause... So there's such a secret..."

Severing cause and effect does not require severing the connection between them. By following the steps recorded above, this great power can be used to break through the barrier.

However, it's easier said than done.

This requires first understanding the fundamental principles and comprehending the origins and causes of things. Only in this way can one find the path of cause and effect, thereby drawing a response from heaven and earth.

Now that he has grasped the truth, he needs to understand the origins and causes of his existence.

Thinking of this, Chen Mu smiled freely, cast aside his distracting thoughts, closed his eyes and meditated, his mind slowly sinking into tranquility...

……

The Azure Palace stands atop the Cangming Peak.

The Taoist priest led Li and Liu back to this place. The copper bells on the eaves jingled in the clouds, but could not dispel the gloom between Li Bing's brows.

Liu Tianchi thought to himself that Senior Brother Li had lost his composure, so how could he let his own disappointment spoil the joy of his master, Brother Changsheng Dao's breakthrough?

He shook his head slightly and coughed lightly, as if to remind him.

Before Li Bing could wake up, the Immortal Daoist waved his hand and said, "It's alright."

The pine smoke curling from the table reflected the starlight in his eyes.

As fellow practitioners of Taoism, how could we not understand the suffering of having no way to seek the Tao?
Startled by this sound, Li Bing bowed repeatedly with a look of shame, saying, "Brother Changsheng, please forgive me. I lost my composure."

The Immortal Changsheng didn't say much, only asking, "Now that Brother Lingyuan is in seclusion, what are Junior Brother Li's plans?"

Li Bing's eyes flickered between light and shadow, his mind racing, yet his throat felt dry, and he couldn't utter a coherent sentence.

Seeing his appearance, the Immortal Changsheng said again, "If Junior Brother Li has no other way, I do have a method that we can try."

Li Bing's heart skipped a beat, and he cried out urgently, "Please teach me, fellow Daoist!"

Liu Tianchi was also quite surprised. Just now, Brother Changsheng had already made it clear that he could not help with this matter. How come he has come up with a solution now?

The Immortal Daoist remained unmoved and said in a deep voice, "I can take you to meet True Lord Liang of Xuanxing Palace. You can explain the situation clearly, and True Lord Liang may be willing to make an exception..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Tianchi frowned and said in a low voice, "Going without Brother Lingyuan's consent, this presumptuous act might backfire. Not only will we not get a spot, but we could also damage our relationship with Brother Lingyuan..."

The two claimed to have a good connection, but that would only count if Chen Mu himself acknowledged it. Such a rash move was indeed too impetuous and impolite.

The Immortal Changsheng did not explain, but nodded and said, "That is indeed the case. It is up to Junior Brother Li to decide what to do next."

The hall fell silent for a moment, and Li Bing remained silent.

In fact, he knew that his good relationship with Brother Chen was only established through Brother Changsheng and Junior Brother Liu. Otherwise, with his status and strength, how could he possibly be associated with Brother Chen?
I was planning to quit while I was ahead and try to secure a spot in the secret realm, but alas...

"Should we take the risk and give it a try?"

Li Bing suddenly glanced at Liu Tianchi. A golden light suddenly broke through the sea of ​​clouds, igniting a spark in his eyes: "Thank you for thinking of me, Brother Changsheng. I am willing to go."

He considered himself a celestial being like Brother Chen, and probably wished nothing more than to end all good karma and sever all ties...

"it is good!"

Without another word, the Immortal Changsheng swept up the two of them with a flick of his sleeves and flew towards the Xuanxing Palace on a cloud...

……

(End of this chapter)