Li Ming and Netherworld Venerable still had relatively ample lifespans, but Daode Tianzun truly could not hold on much longer.
Now, Daode Tianzun could not wait to establish this special connection. The two silently nodded and did not stop him.
The Nirvana of Immortal Medicine was a long process.
Daode Tianzun's current state happened to align with the state of Immortal Medicine teetering between life and death.
If it truly succeeded, it would also be a great Fortune opportunity for the two personally observing it.
After nodding, Li Ming and Netherworld Venerable took the initiative to place the three Immortal Medicines undergoing Nirvana into Daode Tianzun's Bitter Sea.
The aura there was sufficient for those Immortal Medicines to undergo Nirvana.
Ordinary Divine Spring Water might not have qualified, but Daode Tianzun's Life Spring Divine Liquid certainly did.
After the three Immortal Medicines undergoing Nirvana entered Daode Tianzun's body, an endless stream of Heavenly Venerable Life Spring Divine Liquid flowed into the seeds.
In just over a hundred years, the three seeds regained their vitality.
They began to grow.
They quickly grew from the size of an infant's fist to the size of an ordinary fist.
They began to take root. Their roots grew thicker and stronger, and they began to emit a sacred aura.
The vitality of the three seeds became increasingly rich.
Once their stems had grown to a certain extent, they began to sprout.
The Flat Peach grew two leaves, the True Dragon Elixir grew one leaf, and the White Tiger Divine Medicine grew two leaves.
Yes, the leaves they grew were related to their original forms.
The True Dragon Elixir had only nine golden leaves, so it grew an odd number of leaves.
The other two divine medicines had even-numbered leaves that grew in opposing pairs, so they grew two leaves.
Once the leaves emerged, green misty radiance, golden misty radiance, and white misty radiance flowed through Daode Tianzun's Bitter Sea.
Their stems, roots, and leaves gradually grew larger, sprouting more and more leaves.
White Tiger imprints appeared upon the leaves of the White Tiger Divine Medicine.
Golden Dragon imprints appeared upon the leaves of the True Dragon Elixir.
A mysterious Flat Peach imprint appeared upon the Flat Peach Divine Medicine.
Those imprints were all Innate Dao diagrams formed from Grand Dao Runes, exuding an unfathomably mysterious aura.
Daode Tianzun could observe every change in the Immortal Medicines.
He also allowed Li Ming and Netherworld Venerable to carefully observe the changes within his Bitter Sea.
The three Immortal Medicines emitted three dazzlingly brilliant mists of different colors.
They contained an incomparably dense life aura.
It allowed Daode Tianzun's aged shell to continue comprehending for a longer time.
The Immortal Medicines absorbed more and more Life Spring Divine Liquid, and they grew increasingly lush.
The life aura they emitted became increasingly dense.
Immortal Medicine required four to five thousand years to mature. Could Daode Tianzun endure until then?
Li Ming and Netherworld Emperor Duan De silently watched every change in the Immortal Medicines.
At the same time, they were observing Daode Tianzun's changes.
Daode Tianzun had stopped petrifying. He had begun placing all his bets on the transformation of the Immortal Medicines.
Daode Tianzun continuously explained the Dao Scripture to the hazy consciousness within the Immortal Medicines. That invisible connection brought him tremendous gains.
He vaguely began to grasp the mysteries of longevity.
Although Daode Tianzun was drawing ever closer to death, he was already confident that he could obtain new life from the brink of death and live out a new Lifetime.
He captured traces of life's trajectories and kneaded them into his Primordial Spirit and body.
In the blink of an eye, four thousand years passed. Daode Tianzun had actually maintained a state of Undying and imperishable existence and survived.
He stood only a step away from transforming into new life, yet also only a step away from death.
Li Ming and Netherworld Emperor Duan De also benefited greatly from observing the process.
Netherworld Emperor Duan De sighed. "Immortal Medicine truly lives up to its name. I never expected it to contain such mysteries."
"I once obtained Immortal Medicine before, yet I never considered using it this way. What a pity."
After thinking for a moment, Li Ming said, "Fellow Daoist, the method you devised of Corpse Spirit Awakening and attaining Enlightenment as Supreme once more is already astounding enough."
"I was able to think of this method because I noticed this point. In truth, I am also very interested in your Nine-Lifetime Reincarnation Seal Unification Method."
"From this perspective, Fellow Daoist's Grand Dao path is groundbreaking."
No matter what method one used to walk the Red Dust Immortal Path, as long as one succeeded, one was a genius.
If one failed, one was a fool.
Although Netherworld Emperor Duan De spent an exceptionally long time, he had ultimately walked the Red Dust Immortal Path successfully.
In the original work, among Emperor Zun, Undying Heavenly Emperor, Ye Fan, Beginningless Emperor, Ruthless Empress, and Netherworld Emperor Duan De, Netherworld Emperor Duan De had spent the longest time, and the Red Dust Immortal he achieved seemed to be the weakest.
But a Red Dust Immortal was still a Red Dust Immortal.
It truly allowed one to live long and see far in this world.
Li Ming acknowledged that much.
As for the method of observing and deducing Immortal Medicine Nirvana to live out a new Lifetime, it was one thing if one did not know about it. But once one's thoughts turned in that direction, one would always gain something.
It was just that not every Immortal Medicine was suitable for this Nirvana Method.
After all, some Immortal Medicines had transformed from Longevity Immortal Medicine. Once they died, they were truly dead.
They could not undergo Nirvana anew like those Immortal Medicines that had transformed from Immortal Kings.
Moreover, every Immortal Medicine was so precious. Probably few Supremes or Heavenly Venerables could bring themselves to torment Immortal Medicine so ruthlessly.
Only someone like Li Ming could be so extravagant as to take out three Immortal Medicines and push them to the brink of death.
This was an enormous Fortune opportunity.
Li Ming could be considered to have shared it with Netherworld Emperor Duan De and Daode Tianzun.
Previously, they simply had not thought of it, which was why they had wasted this Fortune opportunity.
If Li Ming had not read the original work, he probably would not have thought of it either.
Some things were truly like a sheet of window paper. Once pierced through, everything became clear.
Li Ming looked at Netherworld Emperor Duan De and said, "How much did Netherworld Venerable gain this time? Can you use this to live out a new Lifetime?"
"Since you were able to live out a new Lifetime while in a Corpse Spirit Awakening state, this Lifetime of yours may be exceptionally powerful."
"Perhaps the next time Corpse Spirit Awakening occurs, you will become even stronger."
Hearing Li Ming's words, Netherworld Emperor Duan De nodded, then shook his head.
"I think I truly can try using this method to live out a new Lifetime."
"However, I think I still need more experiments."
"If Daode Tianzun can successfully undergo Nirvana, then it will prove that my deduction was correct." Netherworld Venerable looked at Daode Tianzun.
The three Immortal Medicines that had undergone Nirvana seemed to have erased all their memories and souls, severing their connection to the past.
They became muddleheaded once more, like newborn infants.
At this moment, they flourished within Daode Tianzun's body.
They were drawing increasingly close to maturity.
Daode Tianzun was now at death's door, constantly wavering between Undying existence and extinction.
When those three Immortal Medicines matured, they might finally learn whether Daode Tianzun was truly dead or alive.
By sharing this Longevity Method with Daode Tianzun and Netherworld Emperor Duan De, he could be considered to have repaid the karmic debt of the Dao Scripture and the karmic debt of the Source Heaven Book.
At least, that was what Li Ming believed.
Daode Tianzun abandoned his plan to use the Sacred Spirit Method to live out a new Lifetime. He wanted to rely on the Immortal Medicine Nirvana Method to live out a new Lifetime, like someone smashing the cooking pots and sinking the boats, staking everything on a single throw.
Perhaps only someone as free and unrestrained as Daode Tianzun would have the courage to do this.
If it had been those Dark Supremes, they would probably rather slash themselves than risk using such an uncertain method.
More than five thousand years passed silently.
The three Immortal Medicines all matured after their Nirvana.
Daode Tianzun personally witnessed the Nirvana process of the Immortal Medicines, from life to death, then from death to life.
Although Daode Tianzun's blood and vitality were now weak, his body heavy with the aura of twilight, and his aged shell nearly rotten, he still had not completely died. He continued an extreme tug-of-war between Undying existence and extinction.
More than a hundred years passed. Daode Tianzun grew even more decayed, truly reaching the point where his oil had run dry and his lamp was about to go out.
Li Ming and Netherworld Emperor Duan De did not leave. They continued watching silently, protecting Daode Tianzun's path while also observing the great Fortune opportunity of Daode Tianzun truly returning from death.
Netherworld Emperor Duan De still looked like a plump middle-aged Daoist priest. He remained young, still at his peak, and had not yet entered his later years.
At this moment, his eyes shone as he carefully watched Daode Tianzun's changes.
Daode Tianzun's Primordial Spirit was about to fall into extinction, and the blood and vitality throughout his body had dried up. This was true old age.
If he could not make that ultimate leap, he would truly die completely.
Rumble!
The entire Nine Heavens and Ten Lands shook, while the Myriad Dao of Heaven and Earth wailed.
People discovered that the Grand Dao of the entire world seemed about to collapse, as a deathly aura of twilight swept across the whole world.
Many living beings watched the strange changes in the world, utterly unable to understand them.
But the sacred lands and aristocratic clans possessing the inheritances of Supremes and Heavenly Venerables knew what had happened.
"Is someone who attained Enlightenment about to die?"
"Which Supreme could it be?"
"This Grand Dao aura feels like Daode Tianzun's!"
"Is Daode Tianzun going to die?"
"He already used Immortal Medicine. The fact that he survived until now is a miracle."
"Yes. It is said that he never slashed himself, yet he actually lived until now. What method did he use to survive this long?"
Some awakened Dark Supremes sensed Daode Tianzun's aura and found it strange. What state was Daode Tianzun in?
They did not know that Daode Tianzun had undergone Corpse Spirit Awakening and attained Enlightenment as Supreme once more.
If they learned that Daode Tianzun had undergone Corpse Spirit Awakening and attained Enlightenment as Supreme again, they would likely be so shocked that they could not sleep.
No one knew what method Daode Tianzun had used back then to deceive heaven and conceal the truth, actually fooling even the Dark Supremes.
Now, whenever a Supreme expert faced death, the entire world produced the phenomenon of Sky Cry. It seemed to be a perfectly normal occurrence.
It was not only when a Great Emperor of that era was nearing death that such phenomena appeared.
For example, when Ye Fan transformed in the past, the Grand Dao nearly collapsed several times.
Other Great Emperors had already appeared by then.
This showed that even if one was not the Great Emperor of the current era, as long as one had once attained Enlightenment, one would trigger heavenly phenomena upon death. Seeing such phenomena, everyone knew that Daode Tianzun was about to die.
This situation continued for more than a hundred years. Daode Tianzun actually transformed into a Flat Peach Seed.
It began wildly drawing in the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, devouring the Divine Spring Water of the Sacred Spirit Mountains.
Its roots, stems, and leaves were verdant as jade, seemingly carved from emerald, while green radiance covered the heavens and earth.
Li Ming and Netherworld Venerable watched with shining eyes. Seeing Daode Tianzun on the verge of successfully undergoing Nirvana, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
This fellow Daoist was finally about to succeed.
After sensing Daode Tianzun's aura, the Flat Peach Divine Medicine immediately emitted an emerald-green radiance, linking its aura with the seed Daode Tianzun had become.
Daode Tianzun's aged shell was filled with deathly qi, yet it now turned into drifting ashes that fell to the ground, as though becoming the finest nourishment.
After receiving this nourishment, the entire Flat Peach Seed seemed to be reborn.
It emitted incomparably dazzling brilliance and endless vitality.
The Flat Peach Seed took root and sprouted, transforming into an infant-like Daode Tianzun.
The newborn Daode Tianzun was brimming with vitality and youthful vigor.
With every breath, he grew another measure.
After only a few breaths, he had become a young man.
An incomparably powerful life force swept across the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
Daode Tianzun's unique Grand Dao, which had nearly collapsed, reappeared and became stable once more.
"Daode Tianzun actually lived out a new Lifetime!"
"Daode Tianzun has come back to life!"
All living beings of heaven and earth were stunned, crying out in shock.
The news swept through the entire universe.
All living beings of heaven and earth erupted into uproar.
As for the Dark Supremes within the Life Forbidden Zones, they watched the wondrous spectacle of time in the universe with envious eyes.
They watched Daode Tianzun's figure manifest in various places.
Some were so envious their eyes turned red, wishing that they were the ones who had lived out a new Lifetime.
Daode Tianzun had entered his peak state. Both his lifespan and strength had increased enormously.
"What method did Daode Tianzun use to live out a new Lifetime?"
"This man's strength is truly inconceivable."
"Daode Tianzun has never been an enemy of us Dark Supremes. Perhaps we can speak with him."
"Daode Tianzun of this Lifetime is simply too powerful. I can sense his life force surging dramatically."
The world remained in an uproar for a long time before gradually quieting down.
After Daode Tianzun's figure manifested, it soon disappeared.
No one found him or paid him a visit.
Within the black Sacred Spirit Mountains.
Li Ming congratulated Daode Tianzun. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on living out a new Lifetime!"
Duan De said, "Fellow Daoist, you have actually opened such a path in the Dao of Corpse Spirit Awakening. It has greatly inspired me."
"It seemed I could also use this method to transform and live out a new Lifetime."
"If I could transform several more times, then my path of nine lifetimes of Red Dust Immortal reincarnation might proceed more smoothly and take less time."
Daode Tianzun nodded after hearing this. "Many thanks to the Demon Venerable for granting me this fortunate opportunity. Without your Immortal Medicine, I could never have lived out a new Lifetime so smoothly."
"The Red Dust Immortal Path is illusory and uncertain. It is truly far too difficult."
"It is rare to find fellow travelers on the Red Dust Immortal Path. I hope we can meet again in later generations and achieve Mortal-World Ascension together."
Daode Tianzun had never expected to encounter such a fortunate opportunity.
He had originally planned to take a risk and transform into a Sacred Spirit, or undergo Corpse Spirit Awakening.
Yet he had unexpectedly truly lived out a new Lifetime.
Li Ming said this was the cause and effect of obtaining the Dao Scripture back then.
This made Daode Tianzun feel that when he had passed the Dao Scripture on to so many members of the Human Race, he had unknowingly formed a good karmic bond. He had never expected to reap its reward today.
Beyond the Natural Dao, Daode Tianzun suddenly felt that perhaps he could also study the Cause-and-Effect Dao.
To continue along the Red Dust Immortal Path, every step was a struggle at the limit, every step a desperate gamble, a transcendence beyond all limits.
The slightest mistake would mean dying upon the Red Dust Immortal Path.
Not everyone could live on from one Lifetime to the next.
"You two fellow Daoists, you have both heard of the Underworld, haven't you?" Netherworld Emperor Duan De said. "That is also quite a good place. Why not come with me to my Underworld and ponder the Dao for a while? Perhaps you may gain some insight."
Li Ming and Daode Tianzun now both had ample lifespan. Netherworld Venerable had originally been considering where to bury himself in the next Lifetime for Corpse Spirit Awakening, but after obtaining this method of transformation, he was no longer in a hurry.
Because he was confident that he, too, could use this method to live out a new Lifetime.
So, he simply invited the two of them courteously to visit his Underworld and cultivate and comprehend the Dao for a time.
Ordinary people would never receive such an invitation.
The Underworld was his territory. Without an invitation, ordinary people simply would not dare go there.
Even the Dark Supremes did not dare go.
In the original text, Prison-Suppressing Emperor had wielded the Tongtian Nether Treasure to ambush Emperor Zun.
This indicated that Prison-Suppressing Emperor should currently be the Prison-Suppressing Supreme, and had likely long since been subdued by Netherworld Emperor Duan De.
As for that Corpse Emperor, he had probably not yet attained Emperor Enlightenment. Perhaps Netherworld Venerable had only recently dug him out.
Li Ming was also deeply interested in the Underworld. Since Netherworld Venerable had extended the invitation, Li Ming immediately called on Daode Tianzun to go take a look together.
Three Golden Light Avenues streaked across the sky, extending into the depths of the cosmos.
The three Heavenly Venerables traveling together shook the universe.
Wherever they passed, the Grand Dao Heavenly Sound rumbled, and phantoms of Immortal Spirits circled around them, making for an imposing spectacle.
Countless people watched the strange phenomenon streaking through the sky, their faces filled with envy.
"A true man should be like this!"
The Divine Light Avenue crossed the heavens. The three Heavenly Venerables had ample time, so they did not travel in haste.
Instead, it was as though they were touring the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
The Divine Light Avenue passed through one life-bearing planet after another, while the auras of the three Supremes spread throughout the entire world.
It was a rare sight: three Heavenly Venerables brimming with vitality traveling together. Along the way, divine lights occasionally flashed as people waited respectfully at the side, merely to glimpse the faces of the three Heavenly Venerables.
Those who dared come to pay their respects were all peerless prodigies or strongest experts from the great sacred lands, aristocratic families, or powerful races of the universe.
At the very least, they had reached the Saint Realm, with some even at the Quasi-Emperor realm.
Besides the Human Race's experts, the great powerful races among all living beings of heaven and earth also waited respectfully by the roadside, prostrating themselves reverently along the route the group had to take.
The three Heavenly Venerables traveling together created an immense spectacle that shook the Myriad Heavens and Domains.
The three did not deliberately put on airs.
Li Ming and Netherworld Venerable merely gazed calmly at the crowd, while Daode Tianzun kindly offered them words of encouragement.
"This old Daoist has always traveled quietly. I have never had such a grand procession. There is no need for such formality or such a fuss. Go do whatever you should be doing."
Daode Tianzun's voice was not loud, yet it contained the Grand Dao Heavenly Sound. To everyone's ears, it was like divine instruction.
Before you continue