Daode Tianzun's Red Dust Immortal Path

Daode Tianzun had not died. The moment he appeared, he killed a Perfected Sacred Spirit.

If another Dark Supreme had killed it, no one would have been so shocked.

But Daode Tianzun had not taken a self-severing slash, yet he was still alive. That left them utterly incredulous.

At first, they had thought Daode Tianzun was already dead.

They had even believed that Daode Tianzun had taken a self-severing slash as well and become a Dark Supreme.

None of them had expected Daode Tianzun to possess his own Longevity Method and survive.

At this moment, Netherworld Emperor Duan De was also awakened.

"How interesting. I never expected Daode Tianzun to have tried walking the road I once walked."

"Daode Tianzun actually underwent Corpse Spirit Awakening and attained the Dao as a Venerable."

Li Ming was also startled. The original text had clearly stated that Netherworld Emperor Duan De was the first person to undergo Corpse Spirit Awakening and attain the Dao as a Venerable once more.

The Corpse Emperor was the second.

But what had he just heard?

Daode Tianzun had actually undergone Corpse Spirit Awakening before even Tribulation Heavenly Venerable and attained the Dao as a Venerable again.

This news was truly unbelievable.

Across the ages, how could anyone capable of having a corpse awaken once more and attaining the Dao as a Venerable be simple?

The difficulty was no less than relying on one's own ability to live a new lifetime.

Above Daode Tianzun's head, the Black-Yellow Pagoda rose and fell. It truly was his Extreme Dao Weapon.

The appearance of this weapon clearly told everyone that he was the genuine Daode Tianzun of old.

Daode Tianzun was also one of the Nine Heavenly Venerables, and his strength was incomparably formidable.

Legend had it that his cultivation aptitude had not been particularly outstanding in his youth, and he had attained the Dao as a Venerable quite late. Yet his strength was mysteriously immense.

Moreover, he had freely passed his Dao Scripture on to many people.

Even now, the Dao Scripture remained the best scripture for the Human Race to build their foundations with.

The Sea of Bitterness section of the Dao Scripture in particular had been referenced by several Heavenly Venerables and Supremes.

Everyone believed that the profound Great Dao principles contained within the Dao Scripture had given them insight.

Even after attaining the Dao as a Venerable, they could still sense its wondrous mysteries.

Now, the surviving disciples of the Dao Gate were all incomparably excited upon seeing their patriarch alive once more.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

"May Patriarch enjoy boundless longevity!"

Daode Tianzun looked at them and nodded, saying nothing more.

His gaze turned toward the distance, toward the place where Sacred Spirits were born.

With a flicker of his figure, he arrived at that divine mountain.

He turned it into his Daoist grounds, into a forbidden zone belonging solely to him.

"I truly never expected Daode Tianzun to still be alive."

"His strength is astounding!"

"Daode is a decent fellow. At the very least, he never caused trouble for us Dark Supremes!"

"Indeed. He has a mild temperament and never offends people casually—except Sacred Spirits!"

"He has formed a grudge against those Sacred Spirits. The Sacred Spirits he suppressed are still unable to rest in peace even now."

"It feels like he is studying the secrets of Sacred Spirits!"

"It seems he has already glimpsed the mysteries of Sacred Spirits."

"Could he be planning to turn himself into a Sacred Spirit as well?"

"Is that even possible?"

The hearts of the many Dark Supremes churned with turbulent waves. Though they had countless speculations, they found them hard to believe.

Many Dark Supremes even wanted to imitate Daode Tianzun and attempt to transform into Sacred Spirits.

Yet almost no one had successfully transformed into a Sacred Spirit.

At least, they had never seen anyone succeed.

But a legend had always circulated throughout the universe: transforming into a Sacred Spirit could mend the missing cracks in one's Immortal Platform and allow one to become a flawless Dao attainer once more.

Many Dark Supremes were deeply tempted by this.

They believed that the method of transforming into a Sacred Spirit should also be a Longevity Method, but no one knew how to succeed.

If one could truly transform successfully and control the timing properly, one would undoubtedly play an astonishing role when the Road to Immortality opened.

It was not as though no one in history had explored this road, but they had all failed.

Everyone knew that Daode Tianzun might attempt to become a Sacred Spirit, yet no one believed he could succeed.

At this time, the experts of the Sacred Spirit Lineage all wore miserable expressions, as though they had lost their parents.

They wanted to join forces and attack Daode Tianzun, but they did not have the courage.

Daode Tianzun seemed to have a special method for dealing with Sacred Spirits, killing them instantly every time.

And after killing them, he did not let them go. Instead, he refined them into divine liquid and generously gifted it to peerless geniuses.

By now, no fewer than ten Perfected Sacred Spirits had died at Daode Tianzun's hands.

Li Ming and Netherworld Emperor Duan De both arrived at Daode Tianzun's residence, that mysterious black mountain where Sacred Spirits were born.

What surprised Li Ming was that, ever since parting with Boundless Heavenly Venerable, he had never found any trace of him again.

He did not know where Boundless Heavenly Venerable had hidden himself or what he was researching.

Even Netherworld Emperor Duan De's attainment of the Dao as a Venerable, with such enormous commotion, had failed to disturb Boundless Heavenly Venerable.

Daode Tianzun's reappearance had not disturbed Boundless Heavenly Venerable either.

When Li Ming and Netherworld Emperor Duan De arrived, they discovered that the place was already filled with purple qi. Countless strands of Primordial Chaos Purple Qi flowed with the aura of the Great Dao.

"Tribulation Heavenly Venerable!"

"Demon Venerable!"

"It has been a long time. I hope you have both been well!"

Daode Tianzun recognized Li Ming and Duan De at a glance and courteously invited them into the mountain.

"Fellow Daoist Daode Tianzun," Li Ming said politely.

"What brings you two here?"

"Naturally, we have come to discuss the mysteries of the Dao!"

At their level of cultivation, there was no need for empty pleasantries.

The three sat facing one another and discussed how to walk the Red Dust Immortal Path.

Judging from the descriptions of Ye Fan's era, both Netherworld Emperor Duan De and Daode Tianzun had walked the path of Corpse Spirit Awakening.

Unfortunately, Daode Tianzun ultimately failed, while Netherworld Emperor Duan De succeeded.

After Daode Tianzun's corpse awakened, half his body entered the Immortal Domain. It could be said that he was ruined; there was no trace of him again in the era of the Sacred Ruins.

Netherworld Emperor Duan De, meanwhile, remained one of the main supporting figures.

But in this era, Tribulation Heavenly Venerable was undoubtedly also someone walking the Red Dust Immortal Path.

He could be considered a fellow traveler on the path to becoming a Red Dust Immortal.

"To be honest, I did not wish to be so high-profile either. But those Perfected Sacred Spirits went too far, so I could only act helplessly," Daode Tianzun said with a smile.

He was an exceedingly low-key man, utterly indifferent to fame and gain.

He had never intended to reveal himself.

Yet in the end, he had still failed to restrain himself and acted to kill those Perfected Sacred Spirits.

He had not seen Li Ming and Tribulation Heavenly Venerable for many years. Meeting again in this era was quite a strange event.

After exchanging pleasantries, they began discussing the mysteries of the Dao.

This land where Sacred Spirits were born had now been completely refined by Daode Tianzun. It was permeated everywhere by Primordial Chaos Purple Qi and had become lush with vitality.

Grand Dao Heavenly Sound rumbled through the air, forming a strange field born from their discussion of the Dao.

Their cultivation was all profoundly deep, and each of their Great Daos was exceptionally unique. Anyone capable of reaching the level of a Heavenly Venerable was absolutely among the very greatest.

The three discussed the path of longevity, the Road to Immortality, and the Red Dust Immortal Path, verifying their understandings against one another.

Perhaps they found their discussion ordinary, but if it spread to the outside world, it would surely leave those Dark Supremes dumbstruck.

They were a group who firmly believed that Mortal-World Ascension was possible in this world.

Although no one had yet become an immortal through the mortal world in this world, their discussion had already reached an extraordinary depth.

They discussed all manner of legendary forbidden subjects.

Netherworld Emperor Duan De even provided the other two with some incomplete Chaotic Ancient Methods and Ancient Immortal Methods.

"Daode Tianzun, your current condition does not look good."

"You are steeped in the aura of old age. You have clearly entered your true twilight years."

Li Ming looked at Daode Tianzun and spoke seriously.

"But I can sense a strange transformation taking place in your body. It seems as if you are petrifying? Could it be that you intend to turn into a stone being and become a Sacred Spirit?"

Before coming here, Li Ming had not dared to be certain. But now that he was so close to Daode Tianzun, he could clearly sense subtle changes in Daode Tianzun's aura.

Something felt very wrong.

At first, he had thought that Daode Tianzun might bury himself in a coffin again, just as in the original text, and wait for Corpse Spirit Awakening.

He had not expected Daode Tianzun, after their previous discussion of the Dao, to gain such great inspiration that he would actually forge his own unique road.

Daode Tianzun nodded after hearing this.

He and Netherworld Emperor Duan De had both walked the same road of Corpse Spirit Awakening, the path of nine lifetimes of reincarnation.

The two still had much in common to discuss.

But from this point onward, they would part ways and walk different roads.

Daode Tianzun in particular had chosen a road that even Li Ming had never considered.

Li Ming knew that one could transform into a Sacred Spirit and live a new lifetime, but he had never imagined that Daode Tianzun would attempt this path.

He had thought Daode Tianzun would continue trying Corpse Spirit Awakening forever.

Daode Tianzun smiled and nodded. "Demon Venerable, your insight is truly sharp. I cannot hide it from you."

Netherworld Emperor Duan De said, "Fellow Daoist, your talent is truly astonishing. I thought you would walk the path of Corpse Spirit Awakening like me, undergoing nine lifetimes of reincarnation. I never expected you to open up a new path. It is truly admirable."

Daode Tianzun had not yet completely transformed into a Sacred Spirit, but he had clearly already begun down the path of Sacred Spirit transformation.

He intended to wear the skin of a Sacred Spirit and deceive Heaven into believing that he was a Sacred Spirit naturally born and nurtured by the world.

He would transform from a member of the Human Race into a Sacred Spirit naturally born and nurtured by the world, living a new lifetime.

"Indeed, I previously studied the Saint Spirit Method, but I could find no direction."

"Only after discussing the mysteries of the Dao with Demon Venerable last time did I gain inspiration and find a direction to pursue."

"Especially after killing several Perfected Sacred Spirits this time, my understanding of the Sacred Spirit Lineage has deepened even further."

"I have already made up my mind to attempt a Sacred Spirit transformation. If I fail, then I die!"

Daode Tianzun was an extremely generous person. He actually explained all his insights regarding the method of transforming into a Sacred Spirit without reservation.

Perhaps he also hoped Demon Venerable and Netherworld Venerable would help him fill in the gaps.

After all, there were truly very few people with whom one could exchange ideas on the Red Dust Immortal Path.

And there were even fewer who could speak with complete sincerity.

At least in his view, Demon Venerable and Netherworld Venerable were both worthy companions for discussing the mysteries of the Dao.

Demon Venerable in particular gave Daode Tianzun the feeling that he seemed to know something.

Thus, he explained his understanding of the Saint Spirit Method in as much detail as possible and described his insights into this Longevity Method.

"My special Longevity Method is not about becoming a true Sacred Spirit, but about using a special method to deceive Heaven's perception."

"The difficulty lies in making Heaven believe that I am a Sacred Spirit naturally born and nurtured by the world."

"Thus, I can cleanse away the deathly aura upon me, nurture vitality anew, become a Saint Spirit Immortal Embryo, and live a new lifetime."

"What I cultivate is the Natural Dao, and my aura naturally harmonizes with heaven and earth."

"From this perspective, I have an advantage in studying the Saint Spirit Method."

"Since discussing the mysteries of the Dao with Fellow Daoist Demon Venerable last time, I have been trying to combine the Natural Dao with the Saint Spirit Method. At last, I have gained some insight."

Li Ming nodded after hearing him.

Just as he had imagined, Daode Tianzun had indeed been inspired by him and comprehended his own Longevity Method.

After finishing, Daode Tianzun silently looked at Demon Venerable and Netherworld Venerable, hoping they could help him identify any flaws and make up for any omissions.

In truth, the best way to transform into a Sacred Spirit would naturally be to wait for Emperor Zun to appear and then seek his guidance.

Legend said that Emperor Zun had abandoned all his Great Daos and methods, transforming himself into a baby naturally born and nurtured by the world. The moment he was born, he reached the absolute pinnacle of Venerablehood, unmatched and unimaginably powerful.

This showed that Emperor Zun's method of transforming into a new lifetime was most likely the Saint Spirit Transformation Method.

If Daode Tianzun could survive until the era when Emperor Zun appeared, he would certainly gain something.

His chances of success would be higher.

But according to Li Ming's current calculations, Daode Tianzun would not be able to hold on until Emperor Zun truly appeared.

Whether Emperor Zun and Daode Tianzun had any connection in history was not explained in the original work.

Only after Li Ming asked Daode Tianzun did he receive a clear answer.

They had indeed never met directly, but they had interacted indirectly.

At the very least, Emperor Zun had obtained the Dao Scripture, as well as the Nine Secret Techniques created by Daode Tianzun, Nine Secrets: Shu.

Li Ming thought for a moment. Even Eternal Emperor of later generations had successfully transformed into a Sacred Spirit, so if Daode Tianzun attempted the same transformation, he should at least be stronger than Eternal Emperor.

When Eternal Emperor underwent his transformation, he was attacked by Ruthless Empress. Even so, after more than seven hundred thousand years, he still succeeded.

If Ruthless Empress had not attacked him then, perhaps Eternal Emperor could have succeeded in four or five hundred thousand years.

It was just that Eternal Emperor had a group of descendants who constantly dragged him down. That was truly helpless.

Based on later descriptions of Eternal Emperor, Li Ming made some deductions and shared them with Daode Tianzun.

That was, to truly transform himself into a Sacred Spirit and be born anew under the nurturing of heaven and earth.

When his life came to an end in the future, he could return to the origin and perhaps live a new lifetime once more.

In Li Ming's view, a successfully nurtured Sacred Spirit would reach the Great Perfection Realm, rather than truly stepping into the Ultimate Dao Realm.

At that point, they could completely seal themselves away and wait for the Road to Immortality to open.

When the Road to Immortality opened, they could directly attain the Dao and become a venerable, living out a true new lifetime.

This seemed to be a relatively safe and reliable way to wait for the Road to Immortality to open.

Of course, it also had weaknesses. If they encountered those unscrupulous Dark Supremes, Great Emperors, or Ancient Emperors before they had truly attained the Dao again, and were swallowed in a single bite, then they would have lived for nothing.

They might even encounter a Dark Supreme like Carefree Heavenly Venerable, who enjoyed possessing others. If they were possessed, that would be troublesome.

Overall, every method of transformation had its advantages.

A safer method would be for everyone to transform successfully together and support one another.

Li Ming once again explained the Natural Dao to Daode Tianzun.

Things like, "Man followed Earth, Earth followed Heaven, Heaven followed the Dao, and the Dao followed nature."

Every discussion of this subject brought new insights.

In fact, this was very similar to how Netherworld Venerable had created Source Arts.

Netherworld Venerable had likewise modeled himself after heaven and earth, extracting mysterious Source Art Runes from the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers, then continuously arranging and combining them into the Dao runes he needed.

The Dao was vague and elusive. Anyone who could explore it alone was no ordinary person.

They could all walk very far along the path of longevity.

Daode Tianzun was also deeply shocked by Li Ming's Dao.

Especially now that Li Ming possessed a flawless Chaotic Body, harmonizing with the myriad Daos of heaven and earth, he could resonate with almost any kind of Dao.

Whether it was Netherworld Venerable's Dao or Daode Tianzun's Dao, he could resonate with both.

"The Chaotic Body is truly profound and wondrous. If one could evolve a Chaotic Body, perhaps one could also live out a new lifetime," Daode Tianzun said.

Li Ming nodded. "You are absolutely right. Evolving into a true Chaotic Body really can allow one to live out a new lifetime."

"If you can transform into a Chaotic Body, you will one hundred percent be able to live out a new lifetime," Li Ming said with certainty.

After some thought, Li Ming removed part of his insights into the Chaotic Body before passing them on to Daode Tianzun and Netherworld Venerable.

There were far too many secrets involved in his transformation from an ordinary body into an incomplete Chaotic Body, and then into a perfect Chaotic Body. Naturally, he would never reveal them.

What he taught was only the secrets of the Perfect Chaotic Body.

He would not allow the two of them to examine his body.

As for how much they could comprehend, that depended on their fate.

Li Ming was no saint. Fellow Daoists were fellow Daoists, but some things still had to be kept distinct.

After thinking it over, Li Ming also told the two of them about the methods of transformation he had thought of.

Naturally, he only selected part of it.

As for the Red Dust Immortal Path, it was a line of thought, not a specific technique.

Li Ming hoped they could follow this line of thought to seek out their own methods of transformation, rather than trying to perfectly copy Ye Fan's method.

The greatest reason Ye Fan had been able to transform into a Red Dust Immortal in such a short time was naturally his own comprehension and talent.

Not everyone had Ye Fan's luck, allowing them to succeed in every transformation.

More people had spent far more time and still failed.

"Immortal Medicine contains the secrets of longevity within its body. The life essence it contains can allow us to easily live out a new lifetime."

"And the Nirvana of those Immortal Medicines likewise contains the secret of living out a new lifetime."

"If you cannot find any clue to living out a new lifetime in the future, perhaps you can try studying Immortal Medicine."

"Try killing them and forcing them into a state of Nirvana. That process of going from life to death, then from death to life, may allow you to comprehend a way to live out a new lifetime."

After thinking it over, Li Ming still offered the two of them some guidance.

As for how much they could comprehend, that would depend on their comprehension.