Covering the Sky: The Years I Was the Empress's Strictest Master

However, this is precisely the contradiction in the situation...

He pondered,

Should we try to shackle those crimson marks deep within our souls, leaving only the wisdom of our first incarnation to gradually awaken and open up to our future selves in the next life?

Or perhaps the existence of the Soul Beads of All Causes can be concealed directly within one's innate wisdom and perception.

This move would both preserve one's individuality and, to some extent, rid oneself of the influence that the Soul Orb had on one from the very beginning of one's life.

Stepping out of his comfort zone allowed him to gain some insights, entirely through his own diligent self-cultivation.

When the time comes for the next life's end, break free from the "confinement" that the Soul Bead has placed on one's mind to some extent.

This allowed him to gain a true understanding of the meaning of life and death, to go from zero to one, and to achieve a reversal of fortune.

Of course, he wouldn't truly trap himself in his own web. He would use the miraculous power of the Soul Pearl to leave a passively triggered "program" in his past life's imprint, so that when his true end comes, he can spontaneously disintegrate...

However, just as Tan Lin was pondering the feasibility of this matter, as well as the trade-offs between its future benefits and his own growth,

Just as he was about to activate the Soul Pearl and begin his unknown next life,

Swish!

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind.

As the final moments approached, he ceased to confine himself and began to look back on the past, recalling his previous life in the secret realm of the Xuan Ancient Clan, within the realm within a realm.

As he lay dying, he witnessed the ancient tea tree undergo a "rebirth" from a withered branch, regaining its vitality.

He hadn't forgotten that scene, but the process he had observed back then was incomplete, too short, and abruptly ended just as that withered branch began to show a glimmer of life.

Previously, when he performed Nirvana, he mainly focused on the realization of the extinction of his consciousness after several lifetimes of "reincarnation" and his rebirth.

"Very well, let's try this method one last time. It's almost over anyway, and we've suffered no losses..."

Tan Lin's thoughts raced.

hum...

Then, he closed his eyes again in the light source and began again.

But life is truly unpredictable; you may plant flowers with care, but they may not bloom, while willows planted unintentionally may thrive.

When he changed his approach and tried again,

The entire process of Nirvana was remarkably smooth.

Perhaps there was some insight he had already gained from experiencing it once, but in this process, he gradually came to understand it better.

Using the insights gained from past "reincarnations" as a means to achieve this kind of rebirth through reversal is inherently unacceptable.

Although both ultimately result in the birth of new life, they are fundamentally different.

The two started from different points. What he needs to do now is not to start a new cycle of reincarnation, but to build upon the foundation of this life...

Sizzle... Sizzle...

The heightened consciousness caused the remaining life-giving substances in the body to be consumed at a visible rate, with the constant threat of depletion.

In response, after everything was on track, Tan Lin decisively went back to "sleep".

period,

Mixed with the rich, scattered golden-red particles from the Ancestral Abyss, the faint aura of immortality emanating from the "gateway" projection of the stele on the path to immortality behind was completely gathered by the light source.

Over a long period of time, these particles, which share the same origin as the Immortal Golden Body, or were originally formed from the blood and sweat of more than one Great Completion Golden Body from countless ages ago, have re-condensed into blood essence in this place.

This created a prototype of Tan Lin's body, somewhere between reality and illusion.

It is unclear when exactly, but the process of Nirvana, after entering the final stage, began to change from being smooth sailing at the beginning to becoming incredibly slow and full of uncertainty.

Because the section of withered branch from the ancient tea tree that I observed in my previous life was inherently short-lived and incomplete.

The relative impact of this method and its insights will gradually become apparent after trying it.

In the light source, Tan Lin's condition fluctuated; sometimes his outline became clearer, and the white portion of his black and white Daoist aura grew stronger.

Sometimes the light dimmed, as if it might disappear completely at any moment.

The special atmosphere permeating the entire Crimson Cloud River was also changing because of the changes he was trying to make.

The outward manifestation of the Daoist principles of "death," "end," and "annihilation" clashes fiercely with the inner meaning of "rebirth," resulting in a slight "leakage" due to a failure to perfectly conceal these aspects.

As a result, over the years, the once barren mountains and rivers have become lush and verdant once more.

During this period, a very few creatures that accidentally wandered into this place may have been lucky, or perhaps due to other factors,

In short, surprisingly, aside from vegetation, some living beings were able to "survive" in the Chixia River area.

Yes, they can only move within the Crimson River area, excluding the Abyss.

These creatures that survived by chance, if they intend to return to the outside world, once they leave this place and break free from the trace of inexplicable Daoist energy within that special field,

Life, like a punctured balloon, vanishes completely, and from showing signs of aging to death, it all happens in the blink of an eye.

Roar……

In the mountains and forests, a ferocious beast resembling a saber-toothed tiger watched the fate of the creatures that had stepped out of the area, and let out a hesitant roar.

It was undoubtedly different from ordinary beasts, possessing some intelligence. In the end, it suppressed its restlessness to go out and chose to live here.

The year 1421 of the Devouring Heaven Calendar

Decades later, Chi Xuan, the founder of the Tianxuan Holy Land, visited this place several times.

Unfortunately, each time I came, I could only stay for a short while and was never able to see Tan Lin when he was sober.

Deep within the Crimson Abyss,

Between the two supreme monuments, the frequency of the "flickering" light from the hazy source seemed to have reached a critical point on a certain day of that year.

Inside the light source, the silhouette of the seated figure was much more solid than what Chi Xuan had seen several years ago!

Although it was still blurry due to the dim light, the shape of a man could be vaguely discerned.

If you stand right next to the light source, you can even feel a faint, yet real, heartbeat-like pulse, as if it is gradually synchronizing with the "pulse" of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist Stele in front of you.

The Soul Pearl of All Causes floated quietly deep within Tan Lin's soul, slowly rotating, occasionally emitting a ray of light that nourished his soul consciousness.

Within the vortex of the Soul Bead, the five remaining deep crimson light spots, like five miniature crimson stars, revolve around the nebula-like core of the Soul Bead at their respective markings.

hum...

At this time,

His eyes were always tightly closed, and his handsome features, like an eternal sculpture, trembled very slightly with his eyelashes!

Then,

A much clearer wave of "will" emanated from the core of the light source.

This consciousness was still weak, but it carried a hint of understanding and peace.

"This person failed to achieve Nirvana through the Soul Pearl Reincarnation Method, so that's how it is..."

A subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation of "thought" drifted through the chaotic space of Dao principles:

"My 'death' is both the result and the cause... When all beings think of my 'death,' I am close to 'nothingness'..."

The power of the Soul Pearl allows one to escape through death and find something from nothingness...

But none of that matters anymore…

That sudden realization, like the first ray of light piercing through chaos, illuminated Tan Lin's long-dormant thoughts.

Now, he has truly embarked on a process of living towards death and being reborn in the afterlife!

Although it cannot be achieved overnight, the possibility of success can already be seen.

Moreover, in his slumber of consciousness, he was no longer passively and unconsciously undergoing nirvana.

Instead, a faint, proactive "guidance" and "control" began to emerge.

Tan Lin estimated that if everything went smoothly, he would be able to complete his rebirth in two or three years at most.

Thinking of this,

He adjusted his cross-legged posture very slowly.

In an instant, a more condensed and restrained vitality and Daoist charm began to slowly emerge, forming a new and more harmonious dynamic balance with the special field permeating the outside world.

The "gloom" of Chixia River seems to have become even deeper and more stable as a result.

After regaining consciousness for a brief moment and pondering some questions, Tan Lin used the fireflies and the power of his soul bead to check the anchor points at the ends of several causal threads. His consciousness then sank back into a state of confusion.

However, before that, a complex emotion flashed across his eyes.

When he woke up this time, he knew that the person who should have had a bright and cheerful life had come to see him again.

……

Time flows like water, quietly passing by.

Half a year has passed silently.

Chixia River, a forbidden land whose danger level has gradually risen to be comparable to the ancestral temple of the Holy Spirit in the Southern Ridge in the eyes of the heroes of the Five Regions of the Big Dipper,

During these six months of changes, it has once again come into the view of Beidou and even some powerful entities outside the region.

The initial changes were subtle and inconspicuous.

However, some cultivators skilled in aura observation and pupil techniques, upon observing the Crimson Cloud River from afar, were horrified to discover the "twilight aura" field that enveloped the vast mountains and rivers, causing all things to wither.

Although its coverage area has not expanded significantly, its "concentration" and "properties" seem to have undergone some subtle changes that are difficult to describe.

In some of the originally gloomy and lifeless "dullness", a strange halo of light, interwoven with extremely faint and fleeting ink and white, will occasionally appear.

When this halo appears, the "accelerated aging" effect in that area will be strangely weakened, and there may even be a brief sign of a return to life.

Although this sign was faint and fleeting,

But for those who are paying close attention to this restricted area, it was nothing short of a thunderbolt.

Then, even more shocking news came out.

With little time left to live, and resigned to certain death, the old demon ventured into the outer reaches of the Crimson Cloud River, hoping to use the mysterious pressure of its energy field to seek a breakthrough.

A supreme sage on the verge of death, after venturing hundreds of miles into the forbidden zone, did not turn into bones as quickly as his predecessors, but miraculously survived for several days!

Although he ultimately failed to escape and passed away inside,

However, the natal demon talisman he carried with him, which was intertwined with his life, transmitted a fragmented image and information in the last moment before his demise.

The image was blurry and intermittent, but it was enough to cause a huge uproar among the Beidou community!

In the interplay of light and shadow, the old demon staggered forward in a strange area filled with a unique Daoist aura.

He was aging much more slowly than the rest of the restricted area, and he muttered to himself, his words filled with unbelievable ecstasy and bewilderment:

"There is light deep within... ink and pure white... invincible fist intent? Immortal?... I feel... my Dao is loosening... there is... a great secret here!"

Defying the heavens... a glimmer of life...

The news shocked the world!

Such a change has actually occurred in the Crimson Cloud River?

The pervasive aura of "aging" there seemed to have changed, and might even contain something that could lead to "enlightenment."

"Loosening the bottleneck" may even touch the secret of longevity?

For a time, undercurrents surged in the five regions of Beidou.

Major powers and even some ancient sects have all turned their attention to that ominous land in the Southern Region.

Many old monsters whose lifespans were nearing their end, or powerful individuals who had been stuck at a bottleneck for many years without making any progress, began to have their minds active.

"Could it be... that some kind of heaven-defying destiny is being nurtured deep within this ominous forbidden land?"

"Immortals? Could it be related to the legendary path to immortality?"

"In the past, Tan Lin, a Great Accomplished Holy Body, rose to prominence here. The ancestral lineage of this lineage is unfathomable. Before that, it is said that two Great Accomplished Holy Bodies successively blocked the turmoil in this place, and even slaughtered no less than one Great Accomplished Holy Spirit..."

"This place definitely hides a shocking secret!"

"Danger and opportunity coexist!"

If we can withstand that field and enter that strange aura region, perhaps we can truly glimpse a glimmer of hope, or even a chance to break through!