Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 88 Refining the Heart in the Mortal World
As Liang Yu wandered through the universe, those long-forgotten images began to resurface. Everything he thought he had forgotten began to become even more profound.

On that day, dozens of them met at the first level of the ultimate ancient road. Among them were Supreme Immortals, Brahma Warriors, Holy Spirits formed from innate essence, Void Beasts, and Golden Crow Clan prodigies...

It can be said that they were among the most outstanding people of that era.

After everyone entered the first level of the ultimate ancient road, before they got into a life-or-death struggle, Long Xiaotian loudly proclaimed, "Gentlemen, our meeting is fate. From today onward, we are enemies, and it will be difficult to laugh and joke with each other again. So, why don't we have a good drink today to settle this fate? Starting tomorrow, we can fight each other to the death, each according to destiny. What do you say?"

Ying Shenxiao was the first to stand up and agree, and after some hesitation, the others were also caught up in the atmosphere created by Long Xiaotian and readily agreed. Although Liang Yu didn't think it made any sense, he still joined in.

Afterwards, they drank and chatted happily, as if they were old friends reuniting.

After the party, everyone left, leaving only Liang Yu, Ying Shenxiao, and Long Xiaotian, who were relatively closer to each other.

Slightly tipsy, Long Xiaotian put his arm around the two men and said, "Ying Shenxiao, you're such a hypocrite. The Holy Maiden of the Light Clan is so enthusiastic towards you, and you don't even respond."

Ying Shenxiao, feeling very uncomfortable, pried his hand away and said, "Not everyone is like you, you lecherous dragon, still thinking about these things even now that you're here."

Long Xiaotian said loudly, "What do you know? I'm being romantic without being vulgar. After all, my lifelong dream is to establish friendships with all the fairies and goddesses in the universe, become confidants, and leave behind unforgettable memories. Aren't all of you the most outstanding fairies and goddesses in the universe? I'm not just doing this for myself, but also to create opportunities for you."

Then, ignoring their disdainful looks, he said, "Why are you looking at me like that? Everyone has their own ambitions. Ying Shenxiao, tell me, what are your dreams?"

After pondering for a moment, Ying Shenxiao said, "I hope for peace in the universe, and for the world to be free from darkness and turmoil."

Long Xiaotian lowered his head heavily and said, "Tch, this is really boring. Liang Yu, what about you?"

Liang Yu chuckled and said, "Me? I'm single-mindedly pursuing the Dao."

Long Xiaotian was in unbearable pain. He grabbed his hair and said, "This is even more boring. Is this still the mortal realm? You two didn't fall from the immortal realm, did you? Don't you have any mortal instincts?"

Liang Yu said with a smile, "Because we are noble, pure cultivators who have transcended vulgar interests, unlike you, a perverted dragon who thinks with your lower body."

Long Xiaotian downed his drink in one gulp and said, "Yes, yes, I was too vulgar. I can't compare to the two of you, who are so ethereal and lifelike."

“I saw that the Water Dragon Clan Saintess giving me flirtatious glances; perhaps a wonderful destiny awaits me. While it’s still early, I’m going to get a taste of the mortal world. You all stay here and continue to be noble, pure, and detached from vulgar tastes.”

Long Xiaotian departed gracefully, waving his hand and saying, "If I cannot attain enlightenment, I will certainly become a wandering rogue, leaving my legend throughout the universe. I will never settle down like an ordinary person, start a family, have children, enjoy my grandchildren, and live a peaceful old age. I want to be a dragon like the wind, elusive and unpredictable, forever on the road until death."

Liang Yu's thoughts returned to the present. The dragon who once hoped to be like the wind had ultimately become a guardian like a mountain, sheltering his people from the wind and rain and creating a future for them.

This unexpected change left him unsettled, and even his clear and tranquil Dao heart began to be covered with wisps of dust.

Liang Yu once thought these past memories were unimportant to him, but now it seems he underestimated their significance.

Perhaps it was because Liang Yu's background was unusual, or perhaps it was just his personality, but he never felt a sense of belonging to this world.

But now, he realized once again that people cannot escape being changed by the world. He thought he was playing with life, living a carefree life, but ultimately, he couldn't avoid connecting with this world and being influenced by it. He still inevitably invested his emotions in these people and things. Liang Yu's life was getting longer and longer; sooner or later, he would be untouched by time and achieve true immortality. But he would be immortal and unchanging, while everything he knew would not.

Nothing in this world is eternal. Sooner or later, when he looks around, he will only see unfamiliar people and unfamiliar things, completely cut off from the outside world, as if he were a lost soul. What is the point of such immortality?
Suddenly, a glint of light flashed in Liang Yu's eyes, and all his chaotic thoughts vanished.

"Is this the tribulation of immortality? It's terrifying. It seems we can't let our guard down even at this stage."

Just as Liang Yu was moved by this memory, his Dao heart was clouded, and he actually began to deny his own Dao, deny immortality, and deny becoming an immortal.

The laws within his body began to malfunction as a result. Although it was only for a moment, it still caused Liang Yu to suffer some minor Dao injuries.

But after this ordeal, Liang Yu's resolve became even stronger, leaving no room for error.

However, at this moment, Liang Yu finally began to understand why the Emperor Venerable was in danger when his Dao heart was disturbed by a similar flower during his attack on the Immortal Ascension Path.

After all, with the combat power of an Emperor-level Heavenly Emperor, the other Supreme Beings posed a negligible threat to him, and he shouldn't even have been injured.

It now seems that the Emperor at that time was probably like Liang Yu just now, with flaws in his Dao heart causing disorder in the laws within his body, thus giving the other party an opportunity to take advantage.

Furthermore, since the Emperor himself was likely caught in the constant tug-of-war between the two primordial spirits, the effect became even more pronounced.

Even the immortal emperor who had not yet attained enlightenment could launch a sneak attack on him with a blood-stained immortal bell, so one can imagine how bad his condition must have been.

After all, while the Undying Emperor was a true Celestial Phoenix, he hadn't yet attained enlightenment at that time. Even Ye Fan only achieved near-perfect Emperor strength after attaining enlightenment through an alternative method. The Undying Emperor, before attaining enlightenment, certainly didn't possess the strength of a Dao-proving being. On the other hand, a Heavenly Emperor-level combat power like the Emperor Venerable could easily kill even a Perfect Emperor in one or two moves.

Moreover, this also shows that the Chaotic Ancient Emperor is definitely not simple. After all, he was able to regain his strength and make a comeback even after his Dao Heart was shattered.

Moreover, it would be one thing if he could rebuild his Dao heart once, but for him to rise again so many times is truly outrageous. What's more, the Chaotic Ancient Emperor also lost his lover, his family, his master, and all his friends in the process…

The Chaotic Ancient Emperor, who forged his demonic embryo from a hundred defeats, is simply a benchmark in the field of Dao Heart.

After clearing his mind of distractions, Liang Yu finally understood the principle that the mortal world is like a prison, and also vaguely gained some understanding of the method of tempering the mind in the mortal world, the Great Dream of Eternity.

Perhaps this method is the path to cultivating one's Dao heart, to comprehend the unchanging amidst the vicissitudes of the mortal world, to comprehend the immortality amidst the passing of all things, and ultimately to achieve one's own rebirth.

Although it is somewhat dangerous, it is indeed a viable method for achieving longevity.

However, if we add the Great Dream of Eternity, then Liang Yu's path to immortality in the mortal world will basically be complete.

Suddenly, Liang Yu stopped, looked at the starry sky ahead, and said calmly, "Are you here to challenge me?"

(End of this chapter)