Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

Time flies like a stream, and two years have passed.

The little one is now three and a half years old. He runs like a little whirlwind and always puffs out his little chest when he talks, calling himself a "big kid".

Of course, he still needs that jar of fragrant animal milk every day, which is his main food.

Occasionally, he would "add something" to the animal milk that Shi Yunfeng made for Xiaobudian. The animal milk he modified was naturally extraordinary.

The animal milk used was all taken from the cubs of exotic beasts with pure bloodlines, and the added "ingredients" were even more precious, such as crystal-clear jade marrow fruits or spiritual herbs that flowed with rosy light. These were rare medicinal herbs in the Great Wilderness, but for Li Chenzhou, they were just something to pick casually.

Two years is enough time for many things to settle down and for many lives to sprout and grow.

The ancient willow's single branch grew ever greener and more lustrous, absorbing the sunlight day and night as if it were breathing. The willow spirit remained serene, but Li Chenzhou could feel that its vitality was growing stronger day by day.

The chanting inside the Gate of Eternal Life never stopped. From the initial innocent babbling to now being able to follow Li Chenzhou word by word and recite some of the ancient scriptures, the little one was still the one listening most attentively. His eyes often flashed with a thoughtful light that was not commensurate with his age.

The children of Shicun have grown taller, and their muscles and bones have become stronger through the medicinal baths and listening to the sounds of Taoism.

They would still climb onto the roof and tear off tiles, chase chickens and dogs, but after running around like crazy, they would spontaneously gather in the open space outside the Gate of Eternal Life, practice the moves that the famous Li Chenzhou had casually pointed out, or argue about a few words of "reasoning" that they had heard yesterday but only half understood.

Li Chenzhou remained the same; time seemed to have left no trace on him.

He often sat under the willow tree, holding the little one in his arms, gazing at the churning clouds deep in the wilderness, the two of them sharing a jar of warm animal milk. Sometimes, the willow branches would droop gently without any wind, brushing against the little one's soft hair, like the gentle caress of an elder.

Shi Yunfeng occasionally glanced at Li Chenzhou; he was no longer worried, but instead felt gratitude and trust.

Shi Linhu and his men's arrows became increasingly sharp. When they went hunting in the mountains, they could vaguely sense a "avoidance" from the depths of the forest. They didn't know if it was just their imagination, or if the willow tree, or the person under the willow tree, had changed something invisibly.

Two years is but a fleeting moment in the vast wilderness, but for Shicun, it represents a major transformation.

And the little one has also acquired his own name in the past two years.

One day, Shi Yunfeng called the child to his side, his rough hand stroking the top of his head, his voice gentle yet solemn: "Child, you should have a proper name now. When your parents brought you here, they said your name was Shi Hao."

"Hao" is like the vast sky and the far-reaching sunlight.

This name had existed since the day he was sent to Stone Village, but at that time, his fate was uncertain and his future was bleak, so Shi Yunfeng kept it deep in his heart and never uttered it.

Now, the child's eyes are full of life, and his body is growing stronger every day. It's time for this name to shine on his destiny once again.

"Shi Hao..." The little one blinked and repeated it once, then suddenly grinned and nodded vigorously.

The vastness and catchiness of the syllables made him happy.

The villagers also changed their way of addressing him, from "little one" to "Hao'er". Li Chenzhou stood not far away, listening to the name being gently called out, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.

Shi Hao.

The future Desolate Emperor, who will rule the ages, is at this moment just a child who loves to drink beast milk, gets into trouble, and laughs happily when he hears his own name.

The mystery of time settles quietly at this moment. New green willow branches, children's names, everything is silently growing along a predetermined, yet seemingly different, trajectory.

As dawn broke through, the thin mist lingered.

Li Chenzhou pushed open the door and came to an open space in the village.

The place was already bustling with noise.

A group of teenagers were shouting and showing off their strength. Stone blocks, reclining oxen, and heavy cauldrons were all tools for them to practice their strength. Several boys who were only seven or eight years old were able to lift the heavy bronze cauldrons one after another. With a "thud," the cauldrons landed on the ground, stirring up fine dust and drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.

The adults stood around, grinning from ear to ear.

To be able to move a thousand pounds at such a young age is a feat they never dared to dream of when they were young. Now, seeing their own son do it, the excitement and pride they felt was even greater than their own breakthrough in cultivation.

The moment Li Chenzhou appeared, the room fell silent.

"Mr. Li!"

The crowd called out in unison, and regardless of age, all eyes were on him, filled with respect, not fear.

Two years have passed, and Li Chenzhou has completely integrated into Shicun Village.

He was no longer the mysterious "outsider".

The animal milk he brewed nourished the youngest lives, the ancient history and principles he told seeped into the hearts of children, and the directions he pointed out made hunters feel at ease when they went into the mountains.

This young man from an unknown distance has embedded himself in Shicun through his daily peace and giving.

Today, the villagers regard him as a teacher and as family.

Li Chenzhou nodded to the crowd. He looked at the children in the arena, panting but with bright eyes, and at the expectations in the eyes of their parents behind them.

The morning light casts a golden glow over the village.

Vigorous blood and hearty laughter filled the air—a simple yet vibrant scene.

This place is one of his final resting places.

The morning light in the open space grew brighter and brighter. One bronze cauldron after another was swung up and then dropped, making a dull thud on the ground and raising a fine dust, which had a rough yet vigorous vitality.

This is the result of the Eternal Life Sect disciples' cultivation over the past two years.

These children, no more than six or seven years old, were able to shake a cauldron weighing a thousand catties with their bare physical strength, without using any bone script techniques. This was an astonishing sight in the many villages of the Great Wilderness.

The villagers of Shicun sighed in their hearts: This was all thanks to Mr. Li's good fortune. His words of wisdom and his guidance on stance training, day after day, reshaped the bones and muscles of these children. In their eyes, Li Chenzhou was not only a teacher, but also a guide who led their children to a wider world.

They trusted Li Chenzhou completely.

Li Chenzhou nodded to the crowd and walked to Shi Yunfeng and several white-haired elders.

"They are all promising talents."

He looked at the panting but excited kids in the field and praised them gently.

"It's all thanks to your meticulous guidance, sir."

Shi Yunfeng replied with a smile, his wrinkles smoothing out considerably.

"Their inherent qualities are extraordinary." Li Chenzhou shook his head, his gaze deep.

His guidance was certainly crucial, but the bloodline of Stone Village does indeed possess hidden talents. If we examine it closely, almost everyone in the village, young and old, male and female, has the aptitude for cultivation.

Even the most ordinary person, if they have a complete lineage, sufficient resources, and can devote themselves to cultivation without distraction, it is not entirely impossible for them to reach the Blood Transformation Realm before entering old age.

This expectation, however, has become the lifelong dream of countless people.

However, reality is cold.

The traditions of Shicun Village have long been fragmented and lost. In this wilderness, the so-called cultivation resources often mean risking one's life. As for cultivating diligently, that is a luxury. Every young man toils in the mountains and forests for a living, dealing with ferocious beasts. No one knows whether they will be able to return alive from the next hunt.

The village has a large population, but there are very few clan elders.

Compared to a born supreme being like Shi Hao, the difference between those who only reached the Blood Transformation stage near their twilight years is enormous.

But in this world, there are far more people whose innate talents are dormant, who never manage to open the door to cultivation in their entire lives. They never even have the chance to feel the surge of qi and blood or witness the shimmering of runes, and they grow and die silently like weeds.

The vast wilderness has always been like this.

Ultimately, they are descendants of the Seven Kings of the Borderlands. Even after countless generations of dilution and the thinning of royal blood, the potential hidden deep within their bloodline has never been completely severed.

For Li Chenzhou, teaching according to aptitude and guiding such promising students is not difficult.

"Little one, what are you doing peeking around there?"

Li Chenzhou easily spotted the small figure crouching down through the gaps in the crowd. "Come out, let's see your recent cultivation progress."

This sound immediately drew everyone's attention.

"what?"

A child of about eight or nine years old suddenly wrinkled his nose, sniffed closer, and then shouted, "Little one, why do you smell like milk? Did you steal some animal milk again?"

The little boy's face flushed bright red, and he tried to shrink back, his ears turning red with embarrassment. He always carried a faint scent of milk, how could he hide it from his playmates whom he spent every day with?

"No, no, I didn't!"

He stiffened his neck, but his voice remained soft and sweet, "I'm three years old, I haven't drunk it for a long time!"

"Hahahaha—" Good-natured laughter suddenly erupted in the open space. The adults looked at the shy yet stubborn little child with loving eyes.

Everyone knows that this little guy drinks several cans of animal milk every day without fail.

Li Chenzhou shook his head and chuckled. He walked over, reached out and lifted the light little body out of the crowd, placing it in front of the heavy cauldron.

"Go, lift it up and let me see." He said in a normal tone. He had to let this little guy show off too. Otherwise, how could he, the "Great Master of Immortality," demonstrate his remarkable achievements?

Author Wei Gongyang is waiting for you with "Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Eternal Life".

The little guy is still quite small, and the cauldron is almost taller than him.

Undeterred, he nimbly crawled under the cauldron, his small body sinking slightly as he took a deep breath.

"Whoosh!"

The thousand-pound bronze cauldron rose up in response, and he steadily lifted it above his head, its legs pointing towards the sky.

The room fell silent for a moment, followed by a collective gasp of astonishment.

A three-year-old child can lift a thousand pounds!

What incredible strength and potential this holds!

However, this is not the end.

"Change to the two-thousand-pound one," Li Chenzhou's voice rang out again, calm and undisturbed.

The little boy put down the bronze cauldron and, as instructed, walked towards the larger bronze cauldron beside it. Under countless breathless gazes, he bent down again and exerted his strength—

The cauldron swayed slightly, then steadily lifted off the ground!

Before the crowd could even gasp in surprise, Li Chenzhou pointed to the last and largest bronze cauldron, which weighed a full three thousand jin and could only be lifted by the village's most valiant warrior.

"Try this."

The little boy looked up at the giant cauldron. His bright eyes showed no fear, only curiosity and eagerness. He walked to the cauldron and this time he did not crawl under it. Instead, he took a very steady stance and placed his small hands against the cold belly of the cauldron.

"rise!"

With a clear, childish shout, his little face tensed, and his seemingly delicate muscles and bones suddenly burst forth with astonishing strength. The bronze cauldron hummed and slowly lifted off the ground, one inch, two inches... until it was finally lifted high above his head.

The shadow cast by the cauldron completely enveloped him; his small figure stood in the shadow, yet seemed to contain the power to support the heavens and the earth.

The open space was completely silent.

All eyes were on the shortest figure, who, like a delicate porcelain doll, was steadily lifting the three-thousand-pound bronze cauldron above his head.

The scene was extremely discordant, its impact like crashing waves, shaking everyone to their core.

This doesn't look like a human child at all.

It is clearly a dormant, humanoid ancient pure-blooded ferocious beast cub!

"Drinking animal milk every day... can one have such divine power?" A skinny, monkey-like child stared wide-eyed, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

These words seemed to puncture something, and the little one slammed down the giant cauldron with a thud, his face flushed red, and he quickly hid behind Li Chenzhou and several clan elders, only managing a weak yet stubborn protest: "I, I haven't drunk milk for a long time!"

"Hahahaha—"

The atmosphere was instantly brightened by laughter, and a joyful mood filled the air.

After the initial shock, everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the composed Mr. Li in white. Recalling the other children's extraordinary performances, the answer became clear to everyone:

Everything changed starting with this gentleman.

"Little one," Li Chenzhou stroked the fluffy little head, "from now on, you will be a glorious member of the Eternal Life Sect."

"Yes!" The little guy nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling. "I'm the eldest disciple of the Eternal Life Sect now! I'm a big kid!" It was as if he was announcing another important milestone in his growth.

Then, he ran to the stove, picked up the earthenware pot, and gulped down several mouthfuls of animal milk before lifting the cauldron. It had taken a lot of effort, and he desperately needed the animal milk to soothe him.

"Uncle Li," he looked up at his milk-stained face and asked curiously, "Are you a cultivator?"

"Why do you ask that?" Li Chenzhou picked him up, casually wiped the milk stains from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and then mischievously wiped them back onto his face.

"Because Uncle Li knows so many things," the little one thought seriously, "and he can even bring out those... really delicious things!"

The "delicious food" he mentioned was naturally the high-grade precious medicine True Blood that Li Chenzhou occasionally mixed into beast milk or medicinal baths.

"That's right," Li Chenzhou nodded, "I am indeed a cultivator."

"Then Uncle Li must be a very, very powerful cultivator!" The little guy's eyes lit up even more.

"Sigh..." Li Chenzhou sighed softly, a trace of sorrow appearing between his brows. "In Shi Village, it might be considered acceptable, but if we were to go outside, those whose cultivation far surpasses mine would be as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. The path of cultivation is endless, and I am currently only taking my first steps."

His expression grew increasingly gloomy as he continued, "I've never been particularly talented since I was a child. After years of hard work, in terms of cultivation level, I'm only one level above you now. Perhaps in a few more years, with your talent, little one, you'll easily surpass Uncle Li."

The realm of ants, the realm of fellow Daoists, the realm of seniors.

In his eyes, the little one was like an ant, indeed a level above him.

Upon hearing this, the little one stretched out his soft little hand and gently pressed it on Li Chenzhou's brow, trying to smooth away that trace of "sorrow".

"Uncle Li, don't worry!" His little face was full of seriousness. "When I become a cultivator in the future, a really, really powerful cultivator, I'll definitely find you lots and lots of delicious food!"

"Good boy," Li Chenzhou said with a look of "gratification," stroking his hair. "Uncle Li didn't spoil you for nothing."

He thought to himself: With his current strength, let alone his peers, even those twelve or thirteen-year-old kids would probably have a hard time withstanding his casual blow. As for those teenagers, although they are stronger, they are no longer considered beginner cultivators.

In this desolate village, it is common for young men to marry and have children at the age of fifteen or sixteen.

It seems that the title of "Eldest Disciple of the Eternal Life Sect" will firmly fall on Little Dot's head, and it is foreseeable that this position will be "occupied" by him for a long time, just like Hong Yi did back then.

It can truly be said that she reached her peak right from her debut.

The little boy nestled his head against Li Chenzhou's neck, his eyes darting around as he pondered: "Uncle Li is so old, yet he's only one realm higher than me... Based on the cultivation knowledge I've been taught, Uncle Li's talent is probably really not that great."

From now on, I will definitely protect Uncle Li well!

He silently made a vow in his heart.

This vow, he only regretted long afterward, when he had endured many hardships and truly understood the insurmountable chasm between different realms:

You said you were only one realm higher than me, but why did you sigh that you were only one level higher than me when I broke through to the Blood Transformation Realm? When I entered the Cave Heaven Realm, you shook your head and said you were barely one step ahead. When I dominated the formation, you still looked worried and said that your talent was limited and you were only slightly better than me.

You said you were only one realm higher than me, but why did you sigh that you were only one level higher than me when I broke through to the Blood Transformation Realm? When I entered the Cave Heaven Realm, you shook your head and said you were barely one step ahead. When I dominated the formation, you still looked worried and said that your talent was limited and you were only slightly better than me.

So, you're "not" talented, but you're always just one step ahead of me?

fraud!

You big liar!

"Little one—!" a loud shout came from outside, "Come out and play!"

It was the children's leaders of Shicun who were calling out.

In this village, children always travel in large groups, forming a formidable force.

Two years ago, the little guy could only toddle at the back of the line, and he would be so tired that he would sit down and pant after running for a while. Now, his strength surpasses that of all the children, his status has risen sharply, and he is very powerful.

The only issue was that he was "not weaned," which repeatedly became a handle for his companions to criticize his "authority." In addition, he had an extraordinary passion for chasing birds. From the earliest five-colored bird to the later exotic bird with fiery red feathers, they were all his "relentless pursuits."

In the past two years, although Li Chenzhou has provided systematic instruction, he has never suppressed the children's natural instincts.

Play freely when it's time to have fun, and let loose when it's time to be wild.

The little one's daily routine consists of studying, drinking milk, chasing sparrows, walking the dog, digging holes... he does it all.

Hearing the call, the little one squirmed in Li Chenzhou's arms and landed lightly with a "thump".

"Uncle Li, I'm going out to play!" Before the words were even finished, the little figure had already darted out the door like an arrow.

"Wow! Little one, you've been stealing animal milk again! There's still some on your face!"

"No! I didn't drink it, Uncle Li drank it!"

"Hahaha, what a load of bull! How could Mr. Li drink milk! You're even framing him! Be careful, he might spank you!"

"Shame on you! Three-year-old still breastfeeding, chasing sparrows, little Hao Hao!"

"You...you're slandering me out of thin air!"

Amidst the clamor and laughter, a group of children sped away like the wind, leaving behind only a trail of dust and the lingering echoes of their joy. Adults they encountered couldn't help but smile as they watched these vibrant little ones.

As their children become more and more successful, and life becomes visibly more comfortable, everyone in Shicun truly feels a solid and warm happiness growing within them.

This situation is truly becoming more and more promising.

Li Chenzhou listened to the fading childish words, a slight smile playing on his lips. Indeed, who would believe that the highly respected Mr. Li, as described by the villagers of Shi Village, had once "tasted" the little one's specially supplied animal milk?

Nonsense! Anyone who dares to slander like this is making an enemy of the entire Stone Village!

Just then, a red shadow darted in through the window and landed lightly on the stone table. It was the little red sparrow. It tilted its head and looked at Li Chenzhou with its intelligent eyes, as if it were trying to convey something.

"Something wrong?" Li Chenzhou glanced at it, then turned around and put away the little one's milk can.

Interestingly, he once had the idea of ​​"kicking over the milk can", but when he actually faced those big, bright, expectant eyes, that "mischievous idea" vanished instantly.

Enough, that would be too "cruel".

"Thump, thump, thump."

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the wooden door.

Li Chenzhou raised an eyebrow; today was certainly lively.