The Great Void.
The [Shu Wang Chronicle Ancient Map] unfurled. Ink flowed within the Dao Diagram, bringing its myriad scenes to life. Those cast into it became actors on a stage, moving according to prescribed rules.
In the western sky, golden winds rolled. Wanjin looked displeased, but he dared not delay. He activated his divine ability, helping revive the Dao Diagram.
This treasure came from the White Paper Blessed Land. Its wonders were extraordinary: it could preserve a stretch of ancient history and capture time-light, rivaling spirit artifacts such as the [Heavenly Star Jade Tablet].
Looking toward Heavenly Tribulation Mountain, he saw that the body remaining in the cave abode had lost all vitality and was faintly beginning to crumble. The soul within had already perished.
These were precisely the signs of a failed breakthrough using the ancient method: the true spirit extinguished, the flesh decayed. The cultivator had lost his way while sensing the heaven of Great Luo. The Upper Firmament Sect practiced ancient methods, and such stories were common there. Failing to ascend, they fell from heaven to earth, dead beyond all doubt.
"Yin Guang, it seems your cultivation wasn't so impressive either. You misjudged him."
Wanjin felt more wistful than frustrated. Though Xu Xuan had only been at Foundation Establishment, Wanjin had watched him struggle all these years, cultivate sword intent, and turn to altar thunder.
He had thought Xu Xuan was someone born alongside the [Celestial Pivot]. Now, however, he seemed no different from his master, destined not to travel far.
"Poor fortune. No one else is to blame."
Dust-Sweeping had not even acted, nor had Lingjing employed any means. Clearly, Xu Xuan's fated opportunity had not yet arrived. Forcing a breakthrough had merely brought him death and the extinction of his Dao.
All these days