The Shackles of the Xuanhui Realm

This was also deduced from Zhang Qiudao's knowledge. Although the demon had tampered with her, he made no attempt to conceal the knowledge he had imparted, but instead provided detailed annotations and answered all questions. It was clear that he was indeed proud of his own learning and unwilling to give away any tainted knowledge to others.

He wasn't worried about the instructor seeing through his scheme and breaking his plan, since it was indeed difficult to fully understand the Nine Nether Profound Soul Treasure Record and the Heavenly Devil False Body True Understanding. Top-tier techniques weren't just empty words; currently, Yotsuya Miko hadn't even touched the edges of the Nine Nether Profound Soul Treasure Record, and his progress on the Heavenly Devil False Body True Understanding was minimal.

"That's true. That inner demon probably saw through it, but unfortunately it died too soon."

He shook his head, deciding not to think about the problem any further.

Even if she knew now, so what? The schemes of this Myriad Transformation Devil Venerable are not so easy to unravel.

"But what exactly does this old devil want from me? My eyes?"

The scene of meeting Zhang Qiudao came to mind again, and that sentence resurfaced in my mind.

"Well, I won't let you control me anymore. The Demonic Path fears the strong and shuns the weak, you said that yourself."

Chapter 273 The Shackles of the Xuanhui Realm

"Tea."

The old man raised his porcelain teacup, bowed to the black-haired girl in front of him, and drank the light tea.

"The tea from Meishouin can be considered a national tribute. In the past, the Great God Huiming Qiyue especially loved it. Our ancestors were favored by the chief god for their skill in cultivating fine tea, and thus the surname Meishouin -in was bestowed upon them."

Is it famous?

Yotsuya Miko picked up the cup of tea in front of her. A faint aroma filled the air, but the first sip was entirely bitter, with no sweetness whatsoever.

Bitterness is all there is, while the fragrance is negligible.

"Yes, her name Yayoi."

The old man readily agreed and placed the teacup on the low tea table.

"The meaning of Yayoi is the sprouting of plants in spring, a rare occurrence of new life. The Huiming Qiyue also signifies seeking life after death. Although she is a deity who holds the power of death, she is also alive and vibrant in the world like a human being, and thus she is born and dies suddenly."

"... Dead?"

"Yes, he lived for 436 years before dying, vanishing into the Candlelight Era."

He really is a Golden Core cultivator.

Yotsuya Miko took another small sip of tea. The extremely bitter Yayoi was just right for her, as it masked much of the bitterness.

"Even if they have a lifespan, are they still considered gods?"

"The divine is omnipotent; the wise are the discerning."

The old man remained calm in the face of such questioning.

"In that case, Lord Yotsuya can also be considered a divine being."

"It's quite unsettling to hear such words from the head of the Meishouin family."

Miko had put down his empty teacup, he did not deny the existence of such a false reputation.

She had already assessed the situation before arriving, knowing that the so-called Huiming Qiyue and Huori Jue were probably already dead. The strength of this world was still too low; it was estimated that they couldn't grant authority to Golden Core cultivators, granting them immortality.

If a Golden Core cultivator's life remains unchanged, then he will inevitably not live past five hundred years.

The cultivators of the Xuanhui Realm are indeed a pitiful bunch. Even those who reach the Golden Core stage only have a lifespan of four or five hundred years, and there is no such thing as taking control of one's life and death after the Golden Core is ingested.

Zhang Qiudao had the most thorough understanding of the spiritual energy in the Xuanhui Realm and knew why this result had occurred. He initially thought it was due to physical constitution, as demonic beasts lived long lives while human cultivators died young. He even created many body-refining techniques to verify his thoughts. This experiment did indeed confirm the relationship between lifespan and physical constitution, but it only extended lifespan slightly, not to the point of defying fate.

Body refinement is no easy feat. Countless people have died tragically at his hands due to the testing of cultivation techniques, with only meager results. He had spent countless years trying to make progress. Therefore, after many years of experimentation, he shifted his focus to the human soul, thus creating the prototype of the Nine Nether Profound Soul Treasure Record. Through this experiment, he proved the connection between the soul and lifespan.

Furthermore, they came to know the True Spirit and the causal relationship of the immortality of the Heavenly Demon.

In his later years of research, he finally created the Nine Nether Profound Soul Treasure Record, a cultivation technique. By practicing this technique, he strengthened his soul and gained a lifespan a thousand years longer than Enlightenment Cultivator at the same level. However, this thousand-year lifespan was his limit.

The Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhui Realm had long ago placed shackles on the True Spirit of the human race, defining the time limit for their demise. Even Enlightenment Cultivator had to abide by this rule. Therefore, among Enlightenment Cultivator throughout history, their lifespan was no more than 1,200 years, and very few could live past 1,500 Enlightenment Cultivator.

Otherwise, how could Enlightenment Cultivator, who can borrow the authority of heaven and earth and even exist for eternity after the destruction of the world, have such a short lifespan?

The so-called Enlightenment Realm turned into a joke because of his lifespan!

Enlightenment Cultivator are confined within the Xuanhui Realm. Once they leave the Xuanhui Realm, their lifespan will accelerate. The farther they are from the Xuanhui Realm, the more ephemeral their lifespan becomes. Otherwise, why would such powerful beings, who are capable of penetrating heaven and earth, remain in the Xuanhui Realm for so long instead of shattering the void?

Originally, the realm above Enlightenment Realm was to unite with the Dao. To unite with the Dao, one would need to shatter the void and seek a world with a higher limit. However, due to the accelerated loss of lifespan in the outside world, the possibility of shattering the void was cut off, thus severing the realm above Enlightenment Realm.

Locking up lifespan and cultivation level—this is why Zhang Qiudao bluntly stated the miserable plight of cultivators in this world and the injustice of heaven and earth.

So he finally became ruthless and attempted to annihilate all living beings in a realm in order to force the Heavenly Dao to unite with him.

The final result, naturally, was failure.

Yotsuya Miko didn't intend to say much about Zhang Qiudao's actions. Call it selfish or tragic, it was nothing more than a calculation between the two sides.

Even now, the scheming continues.

She looked up at the sky, and as if realizing that she knew about her scheme, the old demon revealed some of his previously hidden knowledge.

That is, knowledge about the Heavenly Mandate Holder and World Consciousness. Only now does she know about such a saying and the connection between Zhang Qiudao and the Heavenly Dao.

In the end, she was nothing more than a pitiful person.

Oh, so the so-called "Huiming Qiyue" and "Huori Jue refer to that as well.

"The old gentleman already knows why I've come, doesn't he?"

His thoughts returned, and his golden eyes revealed little emotion.

"Regarding the events of that dark era, I wish to borrow the books from the Meishouin family's collection. Of course, in return, the Meishouin family can make one request of me. Although there isn't much they can do, they do possess some abilities."

"Lord Yotsuya is too kind."

The old man picked up the purple clay teapot and poured a cup of tea for the distinguished guest before him.

He simply took the man's supposed "little bit of ability" as a joke.

The tragedy caused by the Wagen Family is something this country has not yet forgotten. The torrential rain that swept the entire nation not only shocked this small island country, but also put immense pressure on all the countries in the world. No one dares to attack this deity anymore, not even those countries that possess nuclear weapons.

Compared to natural disasters, the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons is ultimately far inferior.

Moreover, the person before us possesses both the ability to trigger natural disasters and the ability to tame them.

Satellites in space have recorded everything about active volcanoes, down to the last detail.

"If you are a god, how can you speak of weakness? You are welcome to consult the books in the Meishouin at any time; the Meishouin family will always be at your service."

He made a promise first, then paused, and only then did he get to make his own request.

"However, the Meishouin family is not without its difficulties in need of your assistance."

"Then please speak frankly."

Yotsuya Miko picked up her teacup and looked directly at the old man in front of her.

"What exactly is the request?"

Different from the ordinary, White Bird Snow Hidden: Zhang Qiudao Chapter - Annihilation of the Realm

Being able to see is a talent.

A talent that inspires envy, at least for some.

Zhang Qiudao never imagined that he would be hindered by Yin Qiliu talent, after all, he was already a genius that was rare in the Xuanhui Realm.

The dark gray lightning was channeled from the hazy sky into his body through the magic array, while beneath the array, the Five Elements Array Flags, buried deep in the soil, formed the Five Sha Spirit Seizing Array, which continuously drew spiritual energy from heaven and earth, converging around Zhang Qiudao.

The originally invisible spiritual energy, due to its sheer quantity, manifested multicolored hues around him, before turning into an ominous gray, like smog. It swirled around the white-haired, ashen-faced old man within the magic circle like a tornado.

Zhang Qiudao paid no attention to the externalized spiritual energy, focusing all his attention on resisting the Yin Lightning. Although he had drawn this Yin Lightning from the sky using the power of the magic array, it was extremely domineering and dangerous, precisely because his act of drawing it out disrespectfully of heaven and earth had angered the Heavenly Dao.

To anger, or rather to suppress.

"Success or failure, success or failure, success or failure."

He murmured, many images flashing through his mind, which then solidified into unwavering resolve.

"Today is the day I, Zhang Qiudao, attain enlightenment!"

"The Nether Tribulation Ten Thousand Souls Array, activate."

With a thought, he made a hand seal, and four small flags suddenly rose from the blood-red soil beneath him.

These small flags, the same color as the soil, emitted a crimson glow, surrounding the outer edge of the spiritual energy storm, absorbing spiritual energy, and then blazing with red light.

In an instant, translucent gray human figures inexplicably emerged from the surface of these blood-red flags. Their faces were distorted and blank, and they occupied large areas of land in a very short time.

They are Ghost Soul, or spirits.

The appearance of the ghosts made the sky even darker, and the thunder roared even more violently, deafening everyone. Yes, it was Zhang Qiudao's soul-refining and spirit-collecting that made the Heavenly Dao even more dissatisfied.

As he summoned these countless Ghost Soul, Zhang Qiudao once again made a hand seal.

"Disperse the Myriad Transformation Demonic Thought."

The spiritual energy storm emitted a teeth-grinding sound and exploded instantly, scattering a large amount of spiritual energy in all directions. The first to be hit were the Ghost Soul. When they came into contact with this infected spiritual energy, it was as if they had been thrown into strong acid. Their originally loose bodies were corroded completely, leaving only a faint "sizzling" sound or a scream.

The countless Ghost Soul that had been summoned were completely melted into this gray spiritual energy within a few breaths. But this was only the beginning.

"Scattering Soul Banner."

He took out the small, dark purple flag that he had nurtured with his own blood from his Purple Mansion, stroked its surface, and then threw it into the sky without hesitation, letting it withstand the continuous stream of Yin lightning.

"The demonic intent has dissipated."

Having finally had some time, Zhang Qiudao closed his eyes. In his perception, the spiritual energy infected by his mind had already spread throughout the entire Xuanhui Realm, and the whole world would be infected by this spiritual energy. At that time, it would be time for him to gather the Soul Body of all kinds.

"I've waited far too long for this moment."

He sat quietly, sensing the thirty-one Soul Body contained within his body, and sighed.

"I did not wish for this, but who knew that this seal of heaven and earth would be so cruel, making Enlightenment Realm a swan song. Even with a physique like mine that can accommodate all kinds of souls, it is difficult to make any further progress."

He was indeed exceptionally talented, achieving Foundation Establishment in five years, Core Formation in thirteen years, and Golden Core Formation in thirty-nine years. Even after reaching the Divine Transformation stage, he only took three hundred and forty-nine years to the Enlightenment Realm.

There have only been two Enlightenment Cultivator reached the age of 465 in the entire Xuanhui Realm. The difference is that the former is dead, while Zhang Qiudao is still alive.

Enlightenment Cultivator have a lifespan of only 1,200 years, and even the long-lived ones rarely exceed 1,500 years. Yet Zhang Qiudao has lived for 2,200 years, dominating the Xuanhui Realm for over a thousand years, but he still cannot escape the predetermined lifespan of this world.

Moreover, no one has achieved Enlightenment Realm since he Enlightenment Realm.

"Difficult, difficult, difficult. This world can only accommodate thirty-two Enlightenment Realm, but not even one above the Enlightenment Realm level?"

He composed himself slightly, looked at the small flag swaying precariously in the sky, and sighed again.

"Even with the Enlightenment Realm, it's still difficult to contend with the heavens and earth. This world is truly unfair to us cultivators."

All sorts of thoughts and words, in just a few breaths, the gray-tinged spiritual energy finally spread throughout the world. The creatures stained with the gray energy all lost their vitality, and their Soul Body detached from their mortal bodies, involuntarily heading towards Zhang Qiudao's direction.

Even powerful cultivators are no exception.

The most powerful elder of the Profound Sky Sect Supreme Elder sensed the grayish spiritual energy and understood the cause and effect. However, even if he understood, there was nothing he could do.

"The Myriad Transformation Devil Venerable, Zhang Qiudao, has finally arrived."

The gray dye easily penetrated through the layers of defenses covering his entire body, then infected his primordial spirit and corrupted his physical body.

"A cataclysmic calamity, truly a cataclysmic calamity. But, can you, the Myriad Transformation Devil Venerable, truly break through this world?"

He showed no fear whatsoever, for he had witnessed Zhang Qiudao kill the previous Supreme Elder of the Profound Sky Sect Enlightenment Realm and seize his Soul Body three hundred years ago, and he understood what this tyrannical demon was up to.

"None of your business."

The demonic thought that infected him merely replied with a faint sentence before devouring his True Spirit, causing this Soul Body, now at the level of a deity, to head towards its original form.

This scene played out in various sects, with reactions ranging from despair and cursing to indifference and liberation.

None of this affected Zhang Qiudao's actions. He simply looked out at the world, watching the mountains and rivers fall silent, and fell into a brief silence upon seeing this scene of world destruction.

"The way of the soul is to diminish what is lacking and replenish what is excessive."

He didn't feel any remorse. After all, if he had felt remorse and pity earlier, he wouldn't have committed such a disaster, and he wouldn't have entered the demonic sect in the first place.

For him, all his actions were never deviating from his original purpose—to seek the Great Dao.

Enlightenment Realm should not be the end.

Zhang Qiudao finally calmed down completely, and he made another hand seal.

"Myriad Transformation Demonic Thought, unified into one."

The four small flags suddenly burst open, and then, the Scattering Soul Banner had been blocking the Yin Lightning in the sky was struck by a bolt of Yin Lightning, splitting it in two.