Heaven's Will

Ling Wufeng watched clearly!

How fierce was the mental impact that the jade disc erupted with just now!

Even he, if caught off guard, would have his soul shaken and his aura thrown into disarray for a moment. Yet the sect leader of Misty Gorge Mountain, merely at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, had his aura return to a state of calm condensation in an instant? And showed no signs of his Dao Heart being harmed?

This was simply... inconceivable!

"Sect Leader Chen... it's good that you are unharmed." He suppressed the turbulent waves within, his voice a fraction lower than usual.

Chen Qing acted as if he hadn't noticed. As he closed his eyes and concentrated, the lingering essence of the Samadhi True Fire continued to burn quietly in his Sea of Consciousness.

The fragmented information that had been refined floated like stars, being rapidly sorted and categorized.

"The Mystic Chess Academy truly lives up to its reputation as a great sect with a long heritage. The information within this replica is indeed all-encompassing, yet fragmented."

The contents of the jade disc, while having different focuses from Immortal Dynasty Anecdotes, did indeed center on the early years of the Immortal Dynasty. However, its focus was on trivial matters of customs and anecdotes of the vassals. Furthermore, it clearly recorded two great monuments of the First Origin Immortal Emperor—

First, he conquered the heavens and earth with his sword, and all races bowed their heads!

Second, he ascended to the heavens in a blaze of glory, leaving behind an eternal legacy!

This second event was directly related to Chen Qing.

Thus, he focused his mind, enveloped his spiritual sense with Supreme Harmony Qi once more, and probed into the replica of the jade disc.

This time, he was prepared. Although the surging, chaotic mental energy was still fierce, it could not advance half a step beyond the established boundary, all being burned outside his Sea of Consciousness by the Samadhi True Fire Talisman.

He discarded the trivialities of customs and vassal anecdotes, his spiritual sense directly targeting the key points before and after the Immortal Emperor's ascension.

Fragmented information poured in like a torrent, but most of it was useless—nothing more than how several ancient noble families stirred restlessly after the news of the ascension spread, how several regional governors secretly colluded, and how a certain prince gained the favor of a hidden old monster... all of it was about realigning allegiances and dividing interests.

But...

"The Jade Capital was in turmoil. Foreign demons colluded with traitors in the court, intending to commit great treason while the Emperor was in seclusion. Fortunately, the Regent Empress Dowager suppressed them with a newly refined treasure, instantly dispelling the demonic aura and executing the rebels..."

This record made his heart tighten. Did this not mean that the Empress, far from being weakened by the Immortal Emperor's seclusion, had instead seized the opportunity to forge a new national treasure, thereby establishing her authority! This would undoubtedly solidify her power!

A shadow of unease fell upon his heart.

While he was worrying, his spiritual sense swept over an extremely brief passage—

[...The Emperor stepped onto the Rainbow Bridge and ascended to the heavens in a blaze of glory. The Empress, having completed her task, retired to Taixu. The Mystic Bright Layman inherited the mandate of heaven, carrying on the Daoist tradition of the Immortal Dynasty, becoming the second ruler of the Immortal Dynasty.]

The Mystic Bright Layman!

Chen Qing's spiritual sense abruptly paused.

"The Mystic Bright Layman? The second ruler of the Immortal Dynasty?"

He had never heard this name before. In the known power structure of the Jade Capital, whether it was the First Prince, the Second Prince, or the sharp and prominent Sixth Prince, none of them corresponded to this title!

"A pseudonym? The Immortal Emperor had many descendants; it's hard to distinguish them for now. Perhaps I should investigate this title and invest early. However, this is all after the Immortal Emperor's ascension..."

Chen Qing suppressed his surging speculations.

"The most important thing right now is that the Immortal Emperor is still in 'seclusion,' and the Empress is regent, using her influence to suppress others. This is a life-or-death situation that brooks no delay! But I still need to consider how to break through this predicament..."

He took a deep breath and decisively withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade disc.

Starlight flowed like water. Chen Qing's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them.

"Sect Leader Chen," Ling Wufeng stood quietly by his side. Seeing him regain his senses, he said, "This item is dangerous, and the information is vast and disordered. Forcibly investigating it might harm your foundation. Perhaps..."

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Ling." Chen Qing interrupted him. "This item is of great use to me. Although I haven't fully grasped its wonders, it has resolved some doubts in my heart."

He paused, his tone turning solemn. "Please convey my thanks to Senior Mo for his generous gift. I will repay this kindness in the future. It is late today, and there are still secular matters at the sect. I will take my leave for now."

With that, without waiting for Ling Wufeng to say anything further, Chen Qing's aura subtly retracted. He lightly tapped his feet, and his body moved like wisps of smoke, soaring away. With a few leaps, he disappeared at the end of the mountain path.

Ling Wufeng gazed in the direction he had vanished, the cinnabar mark between his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with deeper doubt.

"Facing the mental impact of the Myriad Manifestations Star Disc replica... this person was able to recover so quickly, and moreover..."

"His aura is even more condensed than before."

An aged voice sounded from behind him.

Mo Huaiyong, his silver beard flowing, stood with his hands behind his back on the bluestone.

"Uncle-Master," Ling Wufeng cupped his fist in greeting, the cinnabar mark between his brows furrowed. "Why did you stop me just now? If that Chen Qing were injured by the Star Disc's mental energy..."

Mo Huaiyong stroked his beard and smiled. "Wufeng, do you know that my Senior Brother Hun has recently found a Mystic Light Dao Body?"

Ling Wufeng's pupils constricted.

Mo Huaiyong sighed. "The Qi Gazing Hall has already decided to pour half of its resources into him. If that happens, our lineage's position within the sect will be shaken."

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Wufeng understood his intention. "Uncle-Master, you wish to use Sect Leader Chen..."

"Precisely!" Mo Huaiyong flicked his sleeve. "Senior Brother Hun has the Mystic Light Dao Body, so are we inferior to him? That Chen Qing, facing the Star Disc's impact just now, not only was he unharmed but his aura even solidified by a third. Such a foundation, how can it be ordinary?"

He looked in the direction of Misty Gorge Mountain, his gaze deep.

"This child's destiny is peculiar. The Sea Abyss Temple is on the verge of destruction; this is heaven's will to sever his karma, a testament to his profound fortune! I suspect he also possesses some kind of Dao Body, which is why I stopped you earlier. I used the replica to test him first, so that when the person who verifies him arrives, I won't be completely unprepared."

"What is this Myriad Manifestations Star Disc, that it can record so many historical details? Perhaps next time we meet, I should ask about it. If it records much history, that would be of great use to me."

Chen Qing thought this as he returned to Misty Gorge Mountain.

The moonlight was just beginning to rise.

Fang Da'ao was still meditating in the courtyard, sweat beading on his forehead. Seeing Chen Qing return, he struggled to get up and bow, "Martial Uncle..."

"Sit," Chen Qing said, seeing the problem at a glance, "Your visualization isn't going smoothly?"

"This disciple is dull," Fang Da'ao said shamefully. "In that Mountain Sea Diagram, I can never grasp the surging waves. No matter how I visualize, I only feel the grandeur of the mountains, but the profound mystery of the sea eludes me."

Chen Qing reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, sending a wisp of Supreme Harmony Qi into him. He understood immediately.

"Logically, today was just the first trial, there's no need to rush. Your temperament is upright, which indeed makes it difficult to align with the sea's vastness," he withdrew his hand, pondering for a moment. "Never mind..."

Fang Da'ao thought his Martial Uncle was regretting something and was about to speak again when Chen Qing flicked his sleeve. A blank scroll from afar flew through the air and hovered before him.

"Watch closely."

He formed a brush with his fingers, the Five Elements Spiritual Light flowing and manifesting colors. With a single point in the air, ink flowed from his fingertips, spreading across the plain white paper.

The first stroke fell, and the mountain's form began to appear, peaks like swords pointing straight at the heavens.

The second stroke outlined, revealing subtle rock textures. Between the cliffs, it seemed as if a waterfall and spring could be heard, the tinkling sound of water faintly audible.

The third stroke was a dab of color, and clouds spontaneously formed. At the mountain's summit, a few wisps of flowing clouds coiled, like celestial ribbons fluttering.

As the final stroke was completed, the entire mountain peak suddenly emitted a faint, clear light.

The spiritual energy within the mountain gate actually flowed with it, transforming into wisps of mist that swirled around the scroll.

The mountain in the painting became increasingly solitary and transcendent, as if it were about to burst forth from the paper!

Fang Da'ao and Qu Xiaoyao's eyes widened, their mouths falling open unconsciously.

"Martial Uncle, this..." Fang Da'ao's face was filled with shock. "Is this not the method of an immortal?"

Qu Xiaoyao's apricot eyes shimmered with brilliance, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

"Huala—"

A soft sound came from the corner of the courtyard.

A Golden Silk Monkey fell from the old locust tree. It seemed unfazed by the pain, scrambling to its feet and widening its dark, round eyes. Then, it stood on its hind legs and repeatedly bowed towards the painting, as if encountering a divine object.

"This is the Great Mountain Diagram," Chen Qing said, standing with his hands behind his back. "It doesn't seek the sea's rhythm, but focuses solely on the mountain's momentum, emphasizing standing tall and unyielding, preferring to break rather than bend."

Fang Da'ao's breathing quickened. The solitary peak's momentum in the painting perfectly matched his temperament! He immediately sat down to visualize, his aura erupting like a sword drawn from its sheath, tearing through the air with a "chichichi" sharp sound.

Chen Qing nodded slightly.

This diagram was indeed the Great Mountain Diagram from the Great Mountain Heavenly Art. He had recalled and replicated it using his painting skills. Although it lacked the balance of yin and yang, it suited his upright nature even more.

Suddenly—

"Pipa!"

Fang Da'ao leaped up and threw a punch, his bones and muscles rumbling like a tiger's roar and a dragon's cry! A warm current surged in his dantian, and the bottleneck shattered with a crack!

As he retracted his fist, his knuckles trembled slightly, and his eyes shone with sharp light. "It's done!"

He felt his physical strength surge by more than thirty percent, and his dantian burned like fire. A wisp of pure internal energy had already taken shape! Fang Da'ao could hardly contain his excitement. "Martial Uncle, this new diagram is truly miraculous! Did you create it just now?"

Chen Qing shook his head. "This method was passed down from that Restoration Patriarch. Our sect's inheritance is meant to adapt to the individual."

Fang Da'ao's chest puffed out unconsciously upon hearing this, his eyes full of pride. "So that's how it is! Our sect's inheritance is truly incredible! All-encompassing!"

Chen Qing seized the opportunity. "Meditate on it well. Your First Realm is now complete. You must not slack off in the future. Remember, a mountain doesn't need to be tall; its spirit comes from its momentum."

"Yes!"

After Fang Da'ao left, Chen Qing stood alone in the courtyard.

The night breeze was cool. Qu Xiaoyao squatted under the corridor, resting her chin in her small hands, gazing wistfully at Fang Da'ao's departing back.

Chen Qing caught sight of her expression and said, "Don't worry. Once your foundation is solid, there will be suitable cultivation methods for you. Here, a new calligraphy copybook I bought."

"Understood, Martial Uncle. I will also work harder and strive to cultivate the methods passed down by the Restoration Patriarch as soon as possible!" The little girl nodded vigorously, then turned to practice her calligraphy, each stroke more serious than before.

Afterward, Chen Qing felt a premonition and looked towards the little monkey cautiously approaching from the corner. He shook his head and chuckled but did not drive it away.

"Everything in the world has its own destiny. The method to break through the predicament from my dream..."

The night breeze blew, and he took out the jade plate. Thinking of what Qu Xiaoyao had just said, he suddenly had a feeling and looked up at the starry sky.

"Restoration Patriarch..."

If what he saw in his dream was history, then the so-called "Restoration Patriarch" was himself.

He was a figure who went from nothing to something, from false to true.

"But now, that Patriarch is trapped in the treasure vault, unable to get out. The mountain is about to collapse, how can he possibly restore the sect? Hmm? This follow-up..."

At this thought, a flash of inspiration struck him!

"That's it!"

He paced to the ancient pine tree in the courtyard.

"I've been searching everywhere for a way to break through the predicament, but I've forgotten the fundamental point! Regardless of whether Chen Xu truly exists or was created by the Grand Void Dao Evolution Record, he is ultimately the founding ancestor of restoration that I established..."

The mountain wind suddenly picked up, and the pine trees rustled like waves.

"Since I can't find a reliable solution, why not create a method to break through the predicament myself?"

As the thought arose, he felt a sudden clarity.

Today's update is very late. I truly got home late, please forgive me