Dao Mastery, Dao Hosting, Dao Sacrifice
No?
I don't believe you for a second!
Hongjun frowned slightly. Ling Xiao's reaction was too calm, as if he didn't realize how terrifying he was at all.
Where does this confidence come from?
He was somewhat angry. Ling Xiao's reaction was not what he expected. After years of dealing with him, Hongjun knew Ling Xiao's character well; he was full of bad intentions.
But.
Everything has changed, and he can no longer have any rivals.
"Whether it exists or not makes no difference; the outcome is already predetermined."
Hongjun said indifferently, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes, as he prepared to finish off Ling Xiao.
Just then, Ling Xiao spoke again.
"If I'm not mistaken, you haven't fully transformed the power of the Heavenly Dao yet; you haven't reached the true Heavenly Dao Realm!"
He spoke with a smile, a smile that carried a peculiar meaning and was quite intriguing.
"Heavenly Dao Realm... you could say that, but it's more than enough to deal with you."
Hongjun shook his head and sneered, then his eyes flashed, and a terrifying power burst forth, causing the sky to tilt.
He suddenly made a move, pressing down on Ling Xiao in a simple and unadorned manner, intending to completely erase him from the world.
Ling Xiao's eyes flickered, and he stood up, forming a hand seal. He mobilized the power of the Chaos Green Lotus, and the lotus leaves danced, transforming into an incomparably sharp divine sword, which slashed out.
"Boom..."
A deafening roar shook the very fabric of time and space; the sky shattered, and the azure ink painting was destroyed—the domain formed by the Chaos Green Lotus.
But the next moment, it was restored again, standing perfectly intact between heaven and earth, slowly blooming.
Hongjun's smile deepened, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He was slightly taken aback; the Chaos Green Lotus truly lived up to its reputation as Pangu's innate treasure, even though it was not yet mature.
It still possesses terrifying divine power.
Thinking of this, Hongjun glanced at the Chaos Green Lotus with satisfaction, this treasure could serve as his proof of the Dao.
Ling Xiao is not worthy of the Chaos Green Lotus at all.
"Indeed, it seems your progress comes from the Chaos Green Lotus; it is now much more powerful than before."
Hongjun smiled, his face full of admiration. That little test earlier had given him a better understanding of the situation.
"This is nothing to mention. Compared to you, the Dao Mastery of the Heavenly Dao who devours it, there is still a huge gap between us."
Ling Xiao spoke with a smile, appearing very humble, but his words surprised all the Sage, including Hongjun.
Upon hearing the words "Dao Mastery" once again, they were puzzled. What was this realm or something else? Why did both the Dao Ancestor and Ling Xiao mention it in turn?
"It seems you've deciphered the Jade Plate of Creation and learned some secrets." Hongjun chuckled, not showing excessive surprise, but his gaze towards Ling Xiao was cold, filled with a chilling killing intent.
Back then, Ling Xiao snatched away his large piece of the Jade Plate of Creation, leaving only a small fragment.
This also means that Ling Xiao knows many things that he also knew.
Ling Xiao remained calm, ignoring Hongjun's gaze, and slowly said:
"The Dao Mastery, also known as 'the Dao Hosting,' is as everyone knows. The path of cultivation changes after the Daluo Golden Immortal. One aspect is cultivating one's own Primordial Origin Great Luo."
"Secondly, the primordial spirit is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao, and one attains sainthood by relying on external forces."
"Above the Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal is the Zenith Heaven Taiji Golden Immortal."
"And for a Heavenly Dao Sage whose primordial spirit is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao, the only way to advance further is to devour the Heavenly Dao, turn it into the master, and attain the Heavenly Dao Realm."
"This realm is called the Dao Mastery, also known as the Dao Hosting, or... the Dao Sacrifice!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the world, and all the saints looked on in shock, exchanging bewildered glances.
This was the first time they had ever heard of such an operation. It turned out that these Heavenly Dao Sages were not without a future, but rather had to entrust their future to the Heavenly Dao.
This so-called entrusting one's Heavenly Dao signifies the Dao Ancestor's physical union with the Dao, or the entrusting of one's primordial spirit to the Heavenly Dao.
Only by turning the tables and devouring the Heavenly Dao can one advance further, break free of shackles, and become a Heavenly Dao Realm expert—what Ling Xiao and the Dao Ancestor call the Dao Mastery.
Upon realizing this, the saints were both surprised and delighted, but they quickly became dejected and felt despair.
Although it's a feasible path, it sounds no different from a dead end.
To succeed, one must first have a pure and justifiable Heavenly Dao, which is already unlikely to be achieved.
Why do such abnormal and demanding cultivation methods exist in the world?
Laozi, Zhun Ti, Haotian, and the others wore gloomy expressions, searching for hope amidst despair.
The Heavenly Dao is gone, and they will soon be gone too. They will no longer be Heavenly Dao Sage, nor will they be immortal.
When they fall from Sage to the mortal realm, even if they survive, they will suffer the consequences; their former enemies will surely retaliate.
Upon hearing Ling Xiao's words, Hongjun chuckled and said, "Isn't it a bit too late to know all this now?"
"This is an unacceptable, forbidden path, a dead end."
Ling Xiao's expression remained calm, but a strange glint flashed in his eyes. "Old Earthworm, you've taken the wrong path; you'll suffer the consequences."
Hongjun's gaze shifted slightly, but he said calmly, "And what do you know?"
"Why don't you give me that Jade Plate of Creation in your hand, and I'll tell you its secrets after I've figured them out?"
Ling Xiao smiled, then left the conversation a secret.
Hongjun's expression turned cold. "Your suggestion suits me perfectly. After you die, the Jade Plate of Creation you possess will naturally still belong to me."
Instantly, a vast aura burst forth, sweeping across the heavens and earth, enveloping the entire Primordial World in its oppressive force.
The next moment, Hongjun's aura continued to rise, like the Heavenly Dao, overwhelming the Four Seas and Eight Desolations.
He raised his hand and pointed, causing heaven and earth to resonate. Three thousand laws condensed between his fingers and palm, and he struck the Chaos Green Lotus.
"Buzz..."
A brilliant azure light burst forth, and countless Flower of the Great Dao bloomed, surging forth from the Chaos Green Lotus like a torrent.
Outside the surface, layers of blue barriers expand, like the walls of heaven and earth, the Earth Fetal Membrane, standing in an invincible position.
The defensive power of the Chaos Green Lotus is far superior to those magical treasures that are said to be invincible once unleashed.
Even Hongjun's powerful strike couldn't break through it.
Everything seemed peaceful within the Azure Lotus Domain.
Di Jun, Tai Yi, Ziwei, Yuanfeng, and Ao Zhan hid under the lotus leaves, watching in shock.
They were unaffected, but could sense the terror; if they went outside, Hongjun could crush them with a mere flick of his finger.
"Ling Xiao! Are you planning to stay holed up inside forever, too afraid to face me?"
Hongjun coldly retorted without expression, "The Chaos Green Lotus is far more resilient than imagined."
Ling Xiao sneered and said coldly, "If you can't even break the Chaos Green Lotus, then you're not worthy of my help."
"You wretched creature! Do you really think I can't do anything to you?" Hongjun said expressionlessly, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.
"Unless you can completely devour the Heavenly Dao and become a Heavenly Dao Realm expert, you won't be able to break my Chaos Green Lotus," Ling Xiao continued, adding fuel to the fire.
"Heh, you think I can't do it?"
Hongjun snorted coldly, his aura expanding continuously.