Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 45 Plan
"In our world, to become an immortal, one must either cultivate diligently in an environment where one can live forever, or one needs to undergo repeated transformations and rebirths to achieve immortality in the mortal world."

"The method of becoming an immortal by transforming through lifetimes in the mortal realm, as you have done, is too difficult. The vast majority of those who have attained the Dao cannot accomplish it."

"But if one is looking for an environment where one can achieve immortality, then the Immortal Realm is undoubtedly the place to be. However, the path to immortality only opens at specific times and in specific places."

"In this way, a considerable number of those who seek enlightenment will sever their own lives in order to achieve immortality and become immortals, placing their hopes on the path to immortality. As long as they sever their own lives, there is a significant probability that they will launch a dark upheaval to prolong their lives. After all, the bottom line is broken step by step."

"If we cannot solve this problem, we can eradicate the existing forbidden zones, but we cannot prevent the emergence of forbidden zones in future generations."

"Unless we exist forever, preventing future generations from turning this place into a forbidden zone. But sooner or later we will leave this world and enter the Immortal Realm."

Seeing that Liang Yu seemed to have already planned ahead, Lingbao Tianzun asked, "Fellow Daoist seems to have a way to resolve this matter. May I ask what method it is?"

Liang Yu said, "Fellow Daoist, do you know that there is another strange world between our universe and the Immortal Realm?"

Lingbao Tianzun nodded and said, "I once attempted to ascend to immortality, but at the wrong time, and thus failed. During the process, I unexpectedly glimpsed what seemed to be a vast world outside the universe. I wonder if what you are referring to is this world?"

Liang Yu said, "That's right. This realm is the method I use to completely resolve the problem of the forbidden zones. This is also the second major matter for which I need your assistance."

Lingbao Tianzun asked, "What secrets does this world hold?"

Liang Yu said, "This strange world contains a small amount of longevity substances, which can greatly extend our lifespan. In this world, even without metamorphosis and rebirth, we can continuously improve and become stronger by relying on the extended lifespan. In the end, we may not necessarily be weaker than those who metamorphose into immortals in the mortal world."

Of course, that's the theory, but the actual effect still depends on the person. The Great Emperor Wushi, who cultivated in the strange world, was no weaker than Ye Fan and Ruthless Man, who transformed in the mortal world. However, the Undying Emperor first underwent Nirvana in the mortal world and then entered the strange world to cultivate, but the result was somewhat weaker.

Lingbao Tianzun was somewhat surprised: "Then this realm is simply a weakened version of the Immortal Realm for us. Do you intend for future Dao-proving individuals to enter this realm before their old age?"

Liang Yu said, "Yes, those who attain enlightenment in later generations can achieve immortality and even have the potential to become immortals as long as they ascend to this world. In this way, there will be no fertile ground for the birth of self-severing supreme beings in the mortal realm. Moreover, those who can attain enlightenment are all geniuses of their generation, and it would be a pity for them to simply pass away."

Lingbao Tianzun pondered for a moment and said, "This method must be very difficult, otherwise you wouldn't need the help of others."

Liang Yu smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you truly have discerning eyes. Although this world is closer to our realm than the Immortal Realm, it requires strength far exceeding that of ordinary Dao Proving cultivators to enter. To establish an entrance that can exist for a long time and is accessible to ordinary Dao Proving cultivators is probably as difficult as ascending to heaven. But with your help, Fellow Daoist, this matter may not be impossible."

Judging from the Emperor, the Great Emperor Wushi, and the Undying Emperor who entered the strange world, it would require Heavenly Emperor-level combat power to directly break into it.

Even Ye Fan, who eventually became a mortal immortal, had to personally open the passage to keep it open until everyone from the Heavenly Court could safely enter.

To establish a permanent, long-term passage, even a single Mortal Immortal would be insufficient. Therefore, Liang Yu needs to recruit several individuals with the potential to become Mortal Immortals to collaborate with him. Furthermore, this also allows him to gather candidates who have ventured into the Immortal Realm from the strange world.

Lingbao Tianzun said, "Fellow Daoist, your concern for humanity and your far-sighted plans are admirable."

Liang Yu shook his head with a wry smile: "No, Fellow Daoist Lingbao thinks too highly of me. In the future, we will definitely enter the Immortal Realm, and perhaps we will encounter this dark force there, or even the culprit that caused the damage to the Immortal Realm. Therefore, we need helpers, and they can't be too weak. These Dao Proving cultivators just happen to meet this condition. So, to some extent, I am using them as pawns in what I am doing."

Lingbao Tianzun said, “Fellow Daoist is truly insightful, having considered even these matters. Regardless of the motives, this is an immense act of merit. As for those who have attained enlightenment, if you do not assist them, they will most likely perish; if they become immortals under your plan, they will eventually confront these dark forces. Therefore, you have already done more than enough, and I will naturally cooperate fully.” “However, it seems you know how to enter the Immortal Realm?”

Liang Yu said, "Apart from those paths to immortality that open at specific times and places, to enter the Immortal Realm, you need to enter this strange world first, and then you can enter."

Lingbao Tianzun said, "I see. Then why don't you directly enter this realm to cultivate?"

Liang Yu said, "Firstly, once you enter this world, it's almost impossible to return to the mortal realm; secondly, entering the Immortal Realm from this world requires more than one person's strength; and thirdly, the transformations I undergo in the mortal realm may greatly benefit my future. I want to become an immortal, and I want to become the strongest immortal."

Lingbao Tianzun exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist, your ambition is commendable. However, I, Lingbao, am no less capable than anyone else. In that case, I will also persist in this method and become the strongest immortal."

Liang Yu smiled and said, "Since you say so, let us encourage each other."

Liang Yu was about to take his leave, but then he suddenly remembered the supreme beings in the forbidden zone, so he stopped and asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you know about the Harmony Flower?"

Lingbao Tianzun was about to fall asleep when he heard this and said, "I have heard of it, but I have never seen it."

Liang Yu sighed, "Among those who have severed their own supreme beings, there are some who are worth saving, such as fellow Daoists Xiaoyao, Changsheng, and Jiemie. If we have the ability, I still hope to lend them a hand."

Upon hearing Liang Yu's proposal to repair the Sendai with the Dao-Merging Flower and then send it into the strange world, Lingbao Tianzun was somewhat skeptical. In his view, a self-severed Supreme Being was essentially useless; why bother saving him? It would be better to use that time to cultivate a few new Dao Provers.

However, he still felt a subtle emotion regarding the three Celestial Venerables who were on par with him mentioned by Liang Yu.

Lingbao Tianzun cleared his mind of distractions and said, "I can confirm that this flower appeared very early. Perhaps our early Daoist friends would know more details. For example, Daode Tianzun, Dujie Tianzun..."

Liang Yu said, "If it's not in your destiny, don't force it. This thing is something you can only encounter by chance, so let it be. As for those fellow Daoists who have committed suicide, I just want to lend a hand if I can, but if the conditions don't allow it, then I'll have to give up."

Lingbao Tianzun passed on to Liang Yu both the method of transforming into a Holy Spirit, which he had deduced and restored, and the method of metamorphosis derived from it. In turn, Liang Yu passed on some of the methods he knew to Lingbao Tianzun.

Lingbao Tianzun said, "Fellow Daoist, there is plenty of time in the future, and we will meet again."

Liang Yu waved his hand: "When we meet again, I may surpass you. Fellow Daoist Lingbao, don't be surprised."

Lingbao Tianzun laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Wuji, you have great spirit. However, catching up with me won't be so easy."

Liang Yu's figure gradually disappeared on the horizon.

Lingbao Tianzun's primordial spirit sank into the Immortal Platform and merged with the immortal embryo being conceived within, entering a profound transformation.

The Zhuxian Sword Formation, which had returned to its original owner, was also fully restored, evolving into countless array patterns to protect the immortal embryo.

(End of this chapter)