Projection of the Heavens: I prove my immortality through slaughter.

All around the arena of life and death was utterly silent, as if time itself had frozen.

The wind was the only moving thing here. It swept over the last wisp of ashes left after Zhao Song's annihilation at the edge of the arena, and it also stirred Lin Xuan's slightly loose blue robe, making the hem flutter and rustle.

A hundred miles away, the vast, empty sky and the shockingly huge crater were like silent marks left by the Dao of Heaven, deeply burning the pupils and minds of every cultivator present. The shocking aftershocks were far more impactful on their Dao hearts than any thunderclap.

With a wave of his hand, he shatters mountains; with a single finger, he annihilates those at the Foundation Establishment stage!

This is beyond the scope of words like "genius" or "monster"; it is the appearance of a banished immortal descending to earth, and the power of gods and demons bringing down punishment!

Countless gazes, as if drawn by an invisible force, converged intently on the tall, azure figure in the center of the arena. Past doubts, mockery, and even subtle resentment melted away like spring snow, leaving only primal awe and a chilling reverence that ran deep in their bones.

Those who had clashed with Lin Xuan in the past, or who harbored sinister intentions, were especially pale-faced, their inner shirts soaked with cold sweat, their heads bowed, barely daring to breathe, for fear of attracting the slightest attention from that evil star.

On the high platform, the elders, who were usually stoic and composed, were now silent, their eyes fixed on the young man on the stage with complex and unfathomable expressions.

They have cultivated for hundreds of years, experienced countless vicissitudes, and witnessed the rise and fall of numerous geniuses, yet never has anyone been able to unleash such terrifying power, capable of changing the world and approaching the level of the Dao, at the mere Qi Refining stage! This child has already transcended the limitations, is no ordinary person, and is beyond the comprehension of any sect.

Elder Mo Yuan slowly rose from his seat, his black Daoist robe fluttering without wind. He took a step forward, as if supported by clear clouds, and in an instant, he stood silently on the arena, facing Lin Xuan, his aura as deep as the sea.

"Disciple Lin Xuan greets Master." Lin Xuan bowed, performing the disciple's salute. His voice was calm and soothing, without the fatigue one would expect after a fierce battle, nor the arrogance that comes with a great achievement. He was as calm as if he had just brushed a speck of dust off his clothes.

Mo Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on the traces of the mountain range that had been erased a hundred miles away, a barely perceptible ripple passing through its depths, before returning to Lin Xuan. His gentle eyes held a mixture of inquiry and a hint of seriousness: "You... have you reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Though the sound was soft, it reached the ears of everyone present clearly, instantly gripping the attention of all listeners. This was also the biggest question swirling in their minds.

The attack that had just stirred up stars and shattered mountains and rivers was far beyond the realm of Qi Refining, approaching the mid-to-late stage of Foundation Establishment, and even faintly touching the edge of Golden Core! However, Lin Xuan's spiritual energy circulated smoothly around him, and his Daoist aura was naturally formed, yet he did not seem to have fully stepped into that mysterious gate that marked the leap of life.

Lin Xuan shook his head frankly, without hiding anything: "Reporting to Master, my cultivation is indeed still at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining. It was only by chance that I touched the Foundation Establishment barrier, and I just used all my strength to attack, almost exhausting the foundation I had accumulated over the past few days. I was lucky that I did not damage my foundation, but... I have not truly broken through that threshold."

Qi Refining Level Nine!

These four simple words, like four bolts of divine thunder from the heavens, once again resounded in everyone's minds! Could someone merely at the ninth level of Qi Refining truly unleash such overwhelming power, defying all expectations and defying higher realms? What would it be like if he truly established his foundation, condensed his Dao foundation, liquefied his spiritual energy, and underwent another transformation of his divine consciousness? No one dared to delve deeper, feeling that the boundaries of their imagination seemed utterly pale and powerless at this moment.

A flicker of realization flashed in Mo Yuan's eyes, "As expected," before turning into a long sigh, a sigh tinged with both emotion and relief: "Your path is no longer confined by the ordinary Qingyun path, nor can it be measured by the common sense of this world. The solidity of your foundation is like the initial condensation of a star core; the purity of your spiritual power surpasses the autumn waters of a cold pool; the resilience of your divine sense is comparable to that of an ancient cultivator who has weathered many storms; and what is even more remarkable is your comprehension of the 'Dao.' The true meaning of life and death contained within that single finger has already begun to take shape in the form of the Great Dao, far surpassing ordinary spells and supernatural powers."

He paused slightly, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through illusion, looking directly into Lin Xuan's deep eyes, which seemed to contain the vastness of the ancient starry sky. His voice softened, carrying an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of expectation: "Lin Xuan, are you willing to formally become my disciple, inherit the orthodox Daoist teachings of Qingyun, and one day... take charge of the Daoist lineage of Xianyun Peak?"

Formal apprenticeship! Inheriting the lineage!

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp of astonishment erupted from the audience! This was an unparalleled opportunity that countless disciples dreamed of but could never attain! It meant becoming Elder Mo Yuan's sole successor, instantly elevating his status to a position of unparalleled power, granting him access to resources at will, and even the potential to contend for the supreme position of Sect Master! The future was limitless!

Countless gazes instantly turned intensely fervent, a mixture of envy, jealousy, and longing...

However, faced with this temptation that could drive any young cultivator mad, Lin Xuan remained as calm as ever. He slowly shook his head again, his gaze passing over Mo Yuan's shoulder, over the dark mass of people below, over the towering peaks of Qingyun Mountain, and into the boundless, high blue sky. His vision seemed to have pierced through the barrier of the sect's grand formation and reached the cold and vast depths of the universe.

"Master's kindness is deeply appreciated by your disciple." Lin Xuan's voice was clear and steady, yet it carried a resolute determination, as if breaking free of shackles and forging ahead without hesitation. "However, the path I seek lies in the boundless starry sky, in the mysteries of the myriad realms, in the ultimate exploration of life and power, and in transcending all established barriers. The Qingyun Sect has bestowed upon me the grace of teaching and protecting my path; it is the foundation upon which I stand. However, it is not the end of my path. My heart yearns for the vastness of the starry sea; I cannot remain content in the world of a single peak or sect for long."

He withdrew his gaze, which seemed to pierce through the starry sky, and looked again at Mo Yuan, whose expression was complex. He bowed deeply, his manners impeccable, yet his resolve was as firm as a rock: "Please forgive your disciple, Master... for not being able to comply."

They rejected me again!

He refused again without hesitation! He refused the immense honor of becoming a disciple of a Golden Core Elder and inheriting the lineage of a peak—an honor that would bring glory to his family and benefit future generations!

The audience below the stage had lost the ability to be shocked. They felt that Lin Xuan's thoughts and actions were beyond reason, as if he came from another dimension.

Mo Yuan watched him quietly, his eyes showing little surprise, but rather a slow, knowing smile. He had long seen that this young man's ambitions were lofty, like a roc spreading its wings, aiming for the vast universe, and could not be confined by the mere pond of the Qingyun Sect. Forcing him to stay would only damage his wings and stifle his potential.

"Very well." Mo Yuan gently flicked his sleeves, his demeanor carefree. "Since our paths diverge, I will not force you to walk together. Ultimately, you must walk and forge your own path. Your status as a disciple of Xianyun Peak will remain reserved for you. This sect will always be your support. If you ever feel weary on your journey through the starry sea, or wish to find a quiet place to reflect, the gates of Qingyun Sect and Xianyun Peak will always be open, awaiting your arrival."

This is the greatest understanding, tolerance, and care a teacher can offer.

"Disciple... thanks Master!" A warm current flowed through Lin Xuan's heart, and he bowed deeply again, this time with even greater solemnity than before.

The karma between the sects has now been resolved. Deep within his soul, the last trace of dust that had settled due to the original owner's grudges and past humiliations seemed to have been completely swept away by this earth-shattering battle and his mentor's understanding, leaving him crystal clear and perfectly harmonious.

He stood in the center of the arena, feeling the spiritual power within his body, which, though slightly depleted due to the extreme explosion, was circulating more and more smoothly and freely, faintly resonating with the stars in the heavens; feeling his Dao heart, tempered and indestructible, without any hindrance, a sense of ease, of breaking free from all constraints and attaining great freedom and liberation, permeated his entire body.

When your thoughts are clear, your mind will be enlightened!

In this world, in this sect, worldly ties are severed, and all attachments are gone.

His gaze once again involuntarily turned to the vast sky. Deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, the two silent black tokens emitted a barely perceptible yet incredibly clear tremor, conveying a yearning and call that transcended eternity. The ancient starry road, the projections of the heavens, the endless civilizations, the diverse laws, and the ultimate mysteries awaiting exploration—all unfolded before his eyes like a magnificent scroll.

it's time.

He took one last look at the sect's landscape that had witnessed his rise and transformation, at the elders on the high platform with their varied expressions, and at the countless faces below the platform filled with awe and complex emotions.

No further words were needed. With a slight thought, a cyan flying sword obtained from the Blood Refining Secret Realm and already fully refined with his mind and spirit appeared out of thin air, hovering in front of him, its blade flowing with a faint starlight.

He took a step forward, his figure as steady as a rock, landing on the sword. His green robe billowed violently in the suddenly accelerating airflow, fluttering loudly!

"Take care, Master. Farewell, everyone... Until we meet again."

The clear voice still echoed in the air when the cyan flying sword transformed into a dazzling stream of light that tore through the sky, shooting upwards like a shooting star! Its speed far surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, and in the blink of an eye, it had already pierced through the thick protective array of the Azure Cloud Sect, disappearing into the azure horizon and resolutely heading towards the cold and magnificent endless starry sky!

He actually left the sect so decisively and embarked on the ancient starry road that belonged only to him, full of unknowns and challenges!

Everyone instinctively tilted their heads back, their gazes following the long-vanished streak of light, unable to look away for a long time. Only the mournful sound of the wind remained in the world.

Everything that happened today, each and every one of it, seems like a dream, yet it is undeniably etched into the depths of everyone's memory. The reversal of Qi cultivation to establish a foundation, the flattening of mountains with a wave of the hand, the repeated rejections of elders' offers of recruitment and inheritance of the lineage, and finally, the departure from the sect, heading straight into the Star Sea… any one of these events is enough to become a legendary chapter passed down through generations!

They knew clearly in their hearts that an unprecedented legend was emerging from the soil of the Qingyun Sect today, and would also take flight from the skies of the Qingyun Sect. His future, his story, was destined to be written in the vast and mysterious sea of ​​stars.

Elder Mo Yuan stood alone at the edge of the empty arena, gazing at the horizon where Lin Xuan had disappeared. He stroked his beard for a long time, his gaze piercing through the clouds, as if he could see the young man's figure forging ahead through the sea of ​​stars. Finally, all his emotions turned into a soft sigh containing endless meaning, and his figure slowly faded away, as if merging into the world.

The North Slope Herb Garden remains remote and quiet, with simple stone houses and lush medicinal herbs.

However, the young man who once lay low, endured hardship, and honed his skills here, eventually making a name for himself in the sect, has already embarked on his own journey, carrying his own path and dreams.

The starry sky is endless and boundless; the journey is long, but it begins with a single step.

Volume One, "Seeking the Dao in the Mortal World," is complete.