Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 956 The Universe in the Palm of Your Hand
The main hall was deathly silent, except for the sound of Liu Lin helping Liu Yan stagger away, and the rustling of scattering gravel.

The air was thick with the scorching heat of the aftermath of the thunder and fire, which mingled with the still-lingering domineering pressure emanating from Zhong Zhenjun, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

The red-robed Taoist stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharp as lightning, slowly scanning the entire scene, fully enjoying the imposing authority he had established with thunderous methods.

Wherever that gaze fell, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, a mixture of awe and apprehension, and instinctively moved aside.

However, when his gaze swept over Chen Mu's seat, which he was "most concerned" about at the moment, he saw that the other party remained calm and composed throughout, neither dodging nor avoiding his gaze, and calmly met his eyes.

Those eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless pool, and there was even a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips.

The red-robed Taoist's heart stirred, and his face suddenly darkened.

He was riding high on his victory, dominating the entire arena, yet this person acted with such an air of superiority. Did he perhaps want to challenge him to a duel?
"Humph!"

A cold snort suddenly broke the silence, the voice booming like a bell, carrying the arrogance of a victor and a hint of deliberate provocation: "Fellow Daoist Chen!"

The red-robed Taoist's lips curled into a cold smile: "I apologize for the farce just now, Fellow Daoist Chen. It was nothing more than some low-class tricks that I easily debunked. It may have disturbed your enjoyment and spoiled Abbot Tao's banquet."

He then changed the subject, pointing directly at Chen Mu: "However... Fellow Daoist Chen, as a true disciple of the Biluo Chaosheng Pavilion, has a noble status and his Daoist techniques are naturally profound."

"Just now, I, Zhong, showed off a little skill, just to offer a starting point. Today's grand gathering cannot be without Fellow Daoist Chen's amazing abilities. Why not take this opportunity to demonstrate a bit, so that we fellow Daoists present can broaden our horizons and witness the supreme mysteries of the True Immortal lineage?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "true immortal lineage" and "supreme mystery" to the extreme, ostensibly as praise, but in reality, it was a form of flattery to kill, and even coercion.

His intention was obvious: no matter how high your status is, Chen Mu, if you can't produce methods far superior to Zhong's, then the title of "true disciple" today is nothing but empty words!

He even secretly hoped that Chen Mu would "make a fool of himself" like Liu Lin and his servant, so that he could step on him again and completely solidify his unshakeable dominant position in this discussion.

In an instant, all eyes in the hall were fixed on Chen Mu, like needles and thorns.

It was a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, excitement, worry, and even schadenfreude... a whole host of emotions.

Fu Danian frowned, about to speak, but was stopped by a look from Tao Fengbian beside him.

The meeting to discuss the Dao is of great importance. How could Tao Fengbian allow Zhong Zhenjun to control the world alone?
Looking around the entire scene, if there was anyone who could slightly overshadow Zhong Zhenjun, it would probably only be this plain-robed Taoist from the lineage of True Immortals...

Having grasped his senior brother's deeper meaning, Fu Danian suppressed the agitation in his heart and instead transmitted his voice to Chen Mu, his tone filled with concern: "Does Fellow Daoist Chen have a solution? If you find it difficult, I, Fu, can immediately speak up and mediate."

These are indeed heartfelt words. Chen Mu was the right person he had invited to help him. How could he sit idly by and watch him fall into a passive position?
Xu Rong and the others held their breath, their eyes fixed on Chen Mu, wondering how he would deal with this aggressive situation.

Despite Zhong Zhenjun's almost open provocation and the pressure of everyone's gaze, Chen Mu remained seated calmly and composed.

He even leisurely picked up his wine glass, raised it to Fu Danian to indicate that it was alright, took a small sip of the fine wine, and then put down the glass, looking up at the aggressive Zhong Zhenjun.

"Zhong Zhenjun, you flatter me."

Chen Mu's voice was clear and calm, like a mountain spring, instantly dispelling the remaining heat and hostility in the room.

"Just now, True Lord used the Crimson Sun Burning Thunder Fire to break through illusion and reveal the truth. His insight into the Dao of illusion and reality has indeed reached a sublime level. I admire him."

He first affirmed Zhong Zhenjun's "insight," which eased Zhong Zhenjun's expression slightly, but then he changed the subject:
"Since the True Lord is so well-versed in the distinction between reality and illusion, then I, Chen, will also make a fool of myself today and show off my little skill in the art of 'distinguishing between reality and illusion,' as a way to exchange ideas and verify with the True Lord. I invite all fellow Daoists to appreciate it."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was stunned.

The Way of Illusion and Reality? Zhong Zhenjun just exposed Liu Lin and his servant's "illusionary arts" in the most violent way, and Chen Mu is going to demonstrate the Way of Illusion and Reality again? Is this going to be a head-on confrontation?
A glint flashed in Zhong Zhenjun's eyes, and his cold smile deepened: "Oh? Fellow Daoist Chen also wishes to demonstrate the Dao of Illusion and Reality? Then I, Zhong, will listen attentively and wait with bated breath!"

He was certain that no matter what illusions Chen Mu used, they would not escape his discerning eyes.

Chen Mu said no more, only slightly raised the corners of his lips, revealing a faint smile.

His trip to lend his support was not merely a formality. The causal forces involved were almost intertwined with his own path of cultivation, so how could he easily back down?
Since this person intends to use him as a stepping stone to fame, let's see if he really has the ability to do so.

Chen Mu slowly raised his right hand, without making any hand seals or chanting any incantations. He simply spread his five fingers slightly, his palm facing upwards as if supporting a void.

There was neither the extraordinary phenomenon of Liu Yan "turning stone into gold" nor the earth-shattering display of thunder and fire by Zhong Zhenjun.

However, the moment he opened his palm, an indescribable sense of "emptiness" and "encompassing" spread out.

The noise inside the hall ceased instantly, as if even the light gently converged on his palm.

A gentle breeze suddenly swept across the stage, causing the apricot-yellow flags of Fusheng Temple to flutter in the wind. However, no one in the audience paid any attention to any other commotion; they all stared intently ahead, motionless.

It was unclear when, but a faint light quietly appeared in Chen Mu's palm. It was not dazzling, but it contained a profound meaning.

The faint light quickly spread and stabilized, transforming into a crystal-clear water mirror, about a foot in diameter, as if polished from the purest crystal, which floated quietly in his palm.

And within the water mirror, a scene was unfolding!

The mirror first showed the magnificent scene from a moment ago when Liu Yan turned stone into gold, radiating golden light.

The dazzling golden light and luxurious gold and stone were clearly visible, even more so than what I had seen with my own eyes at the time!
Everyone's eyes flickered, but before they could carefully distinguish the truth from the falsehood, the scene instantly changed, showing Zhong Zhenjun suddenly launching an attack, the Crimson Sun Burning Void Thunder and Fire crashing down, the Golden Jade Illusion turning to ashes, shattering rocks flying, and Liu Yan coughing up blood and becoming weak and miserable.

Three breaths later, the scene changed again, this time showing the real-time view of Wanfu Terrace.

The seating arrangement in the upper and middle halls, the carved railings and painted beams on the roof, even... the proud figure of Zhong Zhenjun, Fu Danian's worried eyes, Tao Fengbian's thoughtful expression, Xu Rong's tense look, and the lingering fear and awe on the faces of every guest.

All these details are synchronized with the reality before our eyes at this moment, but as everyone watches through a layer of clear water of time, they can't help but feel a strange sense of alienation.

"This……"

The crowd was filled with doubt and uncertainty. Not only could they not distinguish between truth and falsehood, they were also completely baffled as to what mysteries lay hidden within.

Zhong Zhenjun frowned, a similar confusion welling up within him. He knew perfectly well that the scene in Chen Mu's palm could not possibly be real, yet he felt a strange, eerie sensation, as if the reflection in the mirror was his true self.

But how could that be? I am clearly standing right here, how could I be trapped in that tiny mirror?
His expression grew increasingly solemn, and quietly, the sect's secret treasure, the "Eye of Ceremonies," was once again in his palm.

"With this treasure in hand, I will surely be able to see through all illusions and delusion!"

As the crimson threads snaked into his eyes, his gaze sharpened again, as if imbued with immense weight, pressing down heavily on the suspended water mirror.

At the same time, Chen Mu looked at Zhong Zhenjun, whose eyes were glowing with an eerie crimson, and smiled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He extended his slender fingers and gently touched the miniature light and shadow representing Zhong Zhenjun in the scene in his palm.

"Please look, Lord Zhong..."

Chen Mu's voice was clear and pure, without the slightest impurity: "Of all the scenes here, which is real? Which is an illusion?"

The moment the fingertips touched it, the red-robed figure in the scene seemed to suddenly awaken and raise its head.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the boundary between illusion and reality, carrying a heart-palpitating penetrating power, directly "stabbing" at the real red-robed Taoist!

Despite the slightly hazy lighting, the "eye contact across the distance" that flashed by was enough to strike Zhong Zhenjun in the real world like a heavy blow. He subconsciously swayed slightly, took a half step back, and his expression changed instantly.

This scene drew a collective gasp from the crowd—Zhong Zhenjun… was actually startled by the illusion and retreated?
Chen Mu withdrew his finger and said leisurely, "Illusion can be mistaken for reality, and reality can also be illusion. What you fellow Daoists see in your hearts, is it the scene here, or the image in your own hearts?"

These words are profound and mysterious, directly addressing people's perception of "truth".

As he finished speaking, the image in the water mirror shifted again, finally settling on Zhong Zhenjun, but not on him at this moment.

In the mirror, Zhong Zhenjun was in a world of crimson flames, fully controlling the Burning Void Thunderfire, a smug grin on his face.

However, at the edge of the image in the mirror, a faint, almost imperceptible gray-black aura was quietly emanating from between his brows, silently merging into the crimson lightning and fire.

The people in the central hall looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

They clearly sensed the chilling and ominous aura emanating from that wisp of gray-black energy. What was Chen Mu's intention in revealing it so openly? Was it merely to disgust them?

Just then, Chen Muqing's clear voice rang out, as if expounding the ultimate truth of heaven and earth: "What True Lord Zhong just broke was the illusion of 'gold and jade on the outside'. This is the real breaking the illusory, and its fierceness is unparalleled. I admire it greatly."

"However, the way of illusion and reality is not merely about appearances."

His gaze swept across the image frozen in the mirror, and the wisp of gray-black aura was magnified slightly. Although still subtle, it was enough for any cultivator with profound skills to clearly perceive it.

"The Great Way operates through the balance of Yin and Yang. The blazing sun burns away the void with thunder and fire, possessing ultimate Yang and strength, destroying illusions. This is the righteous path, but excessive strength leads to breakage, and excess leads to..."

He paused slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the mirror, staring directly at Zhong Zhenjun, whose expression had suddenly changed, "...then one is easily tainted by inner demons and malevolent energy, moving from reality to illusion, destroying one's own foundation without realizing it."

"This is a sign of 'extreme rigidity breeds violence,' a return from reality to emptiness."

"What is shown in the mirror is not an illusion, but the 'real imprint' left between heaven and earth by the flow of Zhong Zhenjun's own energy and the fluctuation of his thoughts when he used thunder and fire, which is reflected and shown by this mirror."

After speaking, he smiled calmly, and with a flick of his wide sleeves, the clear water mirror vanished silently like a dreamlike bubble.

"This is the 'Moon in the Water' technique of my Azure Tide Pavilion. It can observe the traces of the past, reflect the appearance of the present world, and also... subtly observe the flow of Qi and the changes in the reality and illusion of thoughts."

He stood up and bowed to the crowd, saying, "My humble skills are nothing but a joke, please forgive me..."

……

Dead silence! Utter dead silence!

If Zhong Zhenjun's destruction of Liu Lin's illusion brought a domineering and devastating physical shock, then Chen Mu's nonchalant "universe in the palm of his hand" was nothing short of a soul-shaking impact that pointed directly to the origin of the Great Dao and penetrated the subtleties of the human heart!

Zhong Zhenjun was struck dumb. The arrogance and sneer on his face froze instantly, turning into disbelief and... a trace of panic at being seen through.

He stared intently at the spot where the water mirror had just floated in Chen Mu's palm, then subconsciously raised his hand, his fingertips trembling as he touched his brow.

He wasn't entirely unaware of the wisp of gray-black aura reflected in the mirror; it was just that for a long time, he had been numbed and obscured by the unparalleled pleasure brought by the supremely yang and powerful thunder and fire.

At this moment, Chen Mu exposed him in public, and every word he uttered felt like a knife being plunged into his heart!

His supposedly superior ability to break through illusions appeared crude and laughable in the face of the opponent's ability to discern the origins of things and reflect the reality of thoughts.

In an instant, his face turned from flushed to ashen, then from ashen to deathly pale. His aura surged violently, the disorder far exceeding that of Liu Yan, who had been injured earlier. He swayed precariously, barely able to stand...

Tao Fengbian and Fu Danian, who were in the main hall, were also shocked. This was no ordinary "illusory path"! This was an unparalleled supernatural power that pointed directly to the origin of the Great Dao and could perceive the Qi and thoughts!
The immense weight carried by the five characters "碧落潮生阁" (Bìluò cháoshēng Gé) only truly became, at this moment, heavy and oppressive, imprinted deep in their hearts.

Compared to Zhong Zhenjun, whose mindset was in turmoil, and Tao and Fu, who had a broader perspective, the feelings of the other cultivators in the hall were more superficial and direct, and their astonishment remained at the level of whether it was an "illusion".

However, simplicity is not the same as falsehood; on the contrary, it appears more real because it is intuitive.

If they had previously only felt awe and reverence for the True Immortal lineage, now they truly felt the astonishing difference in their foundational knowledge.

Chen Mu's methods have exceeded their understanding of "magic" and are almost a manifestation of "Tao". They are silent and subtle, yet they reach the deepest part of people's hearts, truly deserving of the name "immortal arts".

For a moment, everyone's gaze towards Chen Mu was filled with pure, awe-inspiring reverence, as if looking up at a towering mountain...

After bowing, Chen Mu simply flicked his sleeves and sat down again, his expression remaining calm and composed, as if the astonishing feat he had just displayed was nothing more than casually brushing away a wisp of dust from his sleeve...

……

(End of this chapter)