Immortal Dao is dead, I am the mastermind behind it all.

Inside the Yixin Pavilion, the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

Shen Moyan's thoughts drifted back to a long time ago, to those years in the martial arts world of Daqi.

A name emerged from the depths of his mind.

Clouds stretch far and wide!

That enigmatic leader of the demonic sect who left behind the "Complete Nature Preservation Technique" a thousand years ago before disappearing without a trace!

Shen Moyan had always believed that Yun Wangshu was from another dimension, who had wandered the world and, through a chance encounter, left behind his legacy.

However, at this moment, combined with what Linglong Zhenren said about the collection of Daoist essence in the subordinate planes and the nature of the Daoist transmission stele, it is clear that...

Yun Wangshu is very likely a cultivator from the Great World of Mountains and Seas!

A Purple Mansion Realm cultivator who carries out missions of the Heavenly Bureau, or rather, who independently travels to subordinate planes to collect Daoist essence.

Perhaps it was because Daqi was too poor and there was nothing to exploit, so they simply gave up.

The legacy he left behind—extraterrestrial artifacts, cognitive techniques, and ascension rituals—this set of ascension standards was not unfounded.

The celestial artifact contains the essence of Taoism; the Heavenly Demon Sword is the key to the vast world of mountains and seas.

Cognitive techniques are linked to cause and effect. He left behind the "Complete Nature Preservation Technique". After this technique was understood and integrated into the cognitive system of the Great Qi martial artists, the "Daoist Rhythm" of the native beings of this Great Qi plane became entangled in cause and effect.

Unfortunately, the Demonic Sect did not pass on that technique.

As for the ascension ceremony, it was the guiding principle. Following his instructions, Shen Moyan was able to "ascend" and break through the dimensional barrier...

But this is hardly the ascension to immortality.

This was a meticulously planned harvesting ceremony!

Those who ascend to immortality are naturally the best of the best at the pinnacle of their respective planes, carrying the fortune of that plane and imbued with the essence of the Dao.

After ascension, one can only become a ginseng root in the Purple Mansion Realm to nourish the Dao!

Shen Moyan felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head.

Linglong Zhenren seemed quite pleased with the ever-changing, startled expressions on Shen Moyan's face.

She secretly felt a sense of satisfaction telling these mind-blowing stories to the younger generation who had not yet truly integrated into the Holy Court.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, I have something to show you."

Seemingly driven by a desire to share, she waved her hand enthusiastically, like a child showing off a treasure.

Instantly, the space around Yixin Pavilion seemed to be expanded by an invisible force, with light and shadow flowing and floating orbs of light appearing.

Shen Moyan looked up and his eyes widened in surprise.

Each orb of light contains an item, emanating strange and varied auras.

These things are quite different from the Daoist charm commonly found in the realm of mountains and seas.

There are intricate and complex discs, which appear to be aircraft from some technologically advanced field.

The crystal staff, shimmering with elemental energy and magical light, appears to be a magical artifact from some magical faction.

There were also unknown beast bones brimming with life force, seemingly the remains of some strange beast, and even a strangely shaped statue radiating the power of faith...

"These are all special products I've collected over the past century from my travels across countless planes. They carry a wide variety of Daoist principles, most of which are not included in the 'database' of the Origin Preaching Stele, making them precious 'wild' samples."

"As soon as I take them out of Yixin Pavilion, their Daoist aura fluctuations will be immediately recorded by the Preaching Stele."

Linglong Zhenren generously shared these collections, which contained Daoist charm, with Shen Moyan.

"Your skill is truly remarkable," Shen Moyan complimented.

"Oh, it's just an empty reputation."

However, Linglong Zhenren scratched the back of her head like a child.

"Alright, then here's the question: since the Origin Preaching Stele has been influencing all cultivators, is there no way for them to break free from the Dao's obscuration?" Linglong Zhenren's lips curled slightly.

"Wouldn't it be enough to resonate with the Daoist principles found in other planes?" Shen Moyan replied.

"No... No, as long as cultivators are in the Mountain and Sea Realm, they will be affected by the Origin Preaching Stele, and the Dao essence of these items will also be absorbed by the Preaching Stele..."

As he spoke, Shen Moyan gradually fell silent.

This is a trap, a trap that is almost unsolvable.

If a cultivator wants to get rid of the influence of the Preaching Stele, he must go to the outer heavens, but to go to the outer heavens, he must go through the Heavenly Court.

After bringing the Daoist essence from beyond the realm back to the mountains and seas, the Origin Preaching Stele will naturally absorb the Daoist essence, and the whole process is incredibly smooth.

"That's right, that's exactly right."

Linglong Zhenren spoke coldly for the first time.

"It is virtually impossible to achieve a mutually beneficial relationship without the influence of the Origin Preaching Monument."

"I cannot guarantee the character of the being who erected the monument to preach, but there must be something fishy about such an unusual situation."

"If the Holy Court's system is so good, then why are there twenty-one immortal lineages?"

After he finished speaking, Shen Moyan fell into deep thought.

However, Master Linglong's gaze did not linger on these rare treasures for long.

Her fingertips finally touched two seemingly insignificant objects suspended in the center of the pavilion—

Those were two lanterns.

It wasn't some magical artifact or treasure; it was just an ordinary white paper lantern.

The frame was made of bamboo, and the surface was covered with white paper. The candle was not lit, so the light was dim.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, have you figured it out?" Linglong Zhenren smiled slyly.

Shen Moyan's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints.

From Xi Yi's perspective, these two lanterns...

It's exactly the same!

The Taoist aura emanating from these two lanterns was exactly the same, as if they were copied and pasted.

How is this possible?!

"All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, and their natures and characteristics are different. No two leaves in the world are exactly the same. This is one of the underlying rules that constitutes the myriad phenomena and the intertwining of cause and effect."

"Incredible, isn't it?" Linglong Zhenren's voice carried a fervent enthusiasm for discovering the truth.

She gently lifted the two lanterns, as if holding the most precious treasures in the world.

"I have traversed 211 planes with vastly different rules, witnessed the birth and death of stars, observed the rise and fall of civilizations, and even been attacked by the Heavenly Dao... This is the only set of creations I have found with absolutely identical Dao principles."

"No matter how large the 'database' of the Preaching Monument is, its underlying logic can only include different Daoist rhythms, because it is based on the 'differences' of all things to deduce, adapt, and generate the so-called best practice method."

"But it cannot understand or handle [absolute sameness]."

"Because of the existence of 'absolute sameness,' it means that the underlying logic of the Preaching Monument is wrong! Individual differences do not exist!" Shen Moyan understood what the other party was saying.

This is incredible.

This is like having someone in the world who is exactly like you, whose experiences, contacts, and thoughts are exactly the same as yours.

Why would such a thing happen?

Shen Moyan felt a chill run down his spine upon closer examination.

"Actually, it's quite a coincidence."

Linglong Zhenren casually chatted while playing with the two identical lanterns.

"I found these little gadgets on a piece of abandoned star debris at the edge of the Shattered Star Sea not long ago."

"It was quite strange at the time. Isn't the Four Seas the domain of the demon race? The Shattered Star Sea is usually very quiet, but that day there was a large-scale stellar disturbance."

"Many dormant ancient stars have briefly regained their light, and extinct life on those stars has come back to life, crackling and popping as if it were a festival..."

The demon race has occupied the four seas: the Vast Sea, the Shattered Star Sea, the Void Sea, and the Twilight Sea.

Contact the news that the two Mingdao beings had previously attacked the heartland of the demon race.

Is he not the Starry Sky Enlightenment God?

Shen Moyan wondered to himself.

"But its origin is not important."

"Most importantly, this conjecture has actually confirmed my long-held theory!"

"The ancient immortal path collapsed, and the spiritual energy became poisonous because of the Origin Preaching Stele!"

"The Daoist aura emanating from these two lanterns represents 'absolute similarity,' so with my control over Daoist aura, I can achieve 'replication'!"

"Although I don't know how spiritual energy can be poisonous, I do know how to use this Daoist principle to construct the Purple Mansion Domain."

"Within the Purple Mansion Domain, I can avoid poisonous spiritual energy and condense my Golden Core! Recreating the ancient immortal path!"

Linglong Zhenren spoke enthusiastically about her research.

"But this is just theory. Spiritual roots and spiritual veins are inherently in conflict. This may be an isolated case and does not mean..." Shen Moyan pondered as he looked at Linglong Zhenren's mad appearance.

"No, no, no, fellow Daoist, you underestimate me."

"Spiritual roots are not a problem; you can just use Daoist principles to cultivate them yourself."

"Moreover, not long ago, I transcended the Origin Preaching Monument!"

After speaking, Linglong Zhenren stood up, opened her arms in the pavilion, and her skirt swayed.

Her aura suddenly changed.

Suddenly, countless dazzling lights illuminated the entire Yixin Pavilion and even the surrounding illusory starry sky.

"Please open your eyes, Fellow Daoist Shen! Take another good look!"

From Xi Yi's perspective, the star trails that Shen Moyan had originally seen quickly collapsed.

What happened next was something he would never forget.

Apart from the seven stars in the center above Linglong Zhenren's head, all the stars in the sky revealed the same Daoist aura.

Each and every single point of light was her golden elixir.