Signing In for a Hundred Thousand Years, I Was Invincible the Moment I Emerged
Chapter 18: The Mortal World Unharmed, All Ages at Peace
The Mortal Realm, Azure Yang City.
The years flowed like the clear stream outside the city, neither hurried nor slow, through countless springs and autumns. Sunlight still spilled warmly over the flagstone streets. Vendors' cries rose and fell along the roadside, children's laughter drifted on the wind as they chased one another, and old people chatted beneath the ancient locust tree at the mouth of the alley. Cooking smoke rose from every rooftop, entwined with the faint warmth of mortal life.
This was where Lin Chen had signed in for a hundred thousand years, and the home to which he had finally returned.
The little courtyard looked just as it had back then: a bamboo chair, a stone table, plain tea. Nothing had changed. Lin Chen wore simple cloth garments rather than the white robes that symbolized the Supreme One of the myriad realms. He was like the most ordinary young man on this land, sitting at sunrise and resting at sunset. He drew in no Spiritual Qi, circulated no Dao power, and displayed no divine might. He concealed all his strength, which towered above the myriad realms, deep within his heart, living only as an ordinary mortal.
There was no thunder of myriad Daos, no worship from myriad realms, no powerful followers-only stability and tranquility within arm's reach.
To Lin Chen now, this was the best Dao, the truest realm, the most complete invincibility.
True invincibility had never meant that none dared offend him, that he swept across the eight wildernesses, or that his might cowed all ages. It meant a heart without contention, eyes that saw no enemies, a life free of disturbances, and years free of worry. True eternity did not mean living as long as heaven, crossing epochs, or remaining undying and imperishable. It meant tending a little courtyard, keeping company with its clear breeze, and finding a lifetime of peace of mind.
His fingertips brushed the grain of the stone table. It felt real and warm, just as it had through every day and night when he first arrived a hundred thousand years ago. Back then, he had known nothing of the road ahead, nothing of the pinnacle, nothing of how he would become a Supreme One who swept through the myriad realms. He had merely persisted in signing in day after day, tempering himself in the ordinary and holding fast through solitude.
Only now, after traversing the heavens, ascending beyond the Dao, and realizing his true self, did he finally understand that those hundred thousand ordinary years had been the most precious cultivation of his life.
A soft knock came from outside the courtyard.
Lin Chen raised his eyes, a gentle smile touching his lips.
Outside stood the Void Dao Lord, clad in black, his expression respectful to the utmost. His figure was tall and straight, yet he remained bowed, not daring to overstep in the slightest. Even now, as the supreme ruler governing the Primordial Myriad Realms, the Great World of Freedom, and the True Self Great World, before Lin Chen he remained the follower who had waited through the ages.
Throughout these years, the Void Dao Lord had never disturbed Lin Chen's mortal tranquility. He had only guarded the myriad realms in silence, clearing away every hidden danger that might disturb this Mortal Realm, ensuring that all beings beneath the heavens lived in peace, and that this little Azure Yang City forever retained the purest warmth of mortal life.
"Supreme One," the Void Dao Lord said softly, his voice filled with boundless respect. He dared not speak loudly, afraid of breaking the courtyard's tranquility.
Lin Chen raised a hand, signaling that he need not stand on ceremony. "No need for formalities. Come in and sit."
Only then did the Void Dao Lord cautiously enter the courtyard. He stood properly to one side, still not daring to sit. He could clearly sense that Lin Chen gave off not the slightest fluctuation of Dao resonance, not a trace of a Supreme One's presence. He seemed like a mortal with no cultivation whatsoever, yet the more this was so, the deeper the reverence in his heart became.
To draw the supreme Dao foundation of the True Self Boundless Realm into a mortal body, to hide power capable of overturning the myriad realms within an unmoving heart-such a realm had long surpassed all description. It was truly the Dao returning to its beginning, a return to truth and simplicity.
"Is all well in the myriad realms?" Lin Chen lifted the plain tea from the table and took a small sip, his tone as casual as neighbors chatting.
"Reporting to the Supreme One, all is well," the Void Dao Lord promptly replied, his tone respectful and steady. "Order prevails in the Primordial Myriad Realms. Mortal life flourishes in the Mortal Realm. The Cultivation Realm knows no more strife. The gods of the God Realm devote themselves to cultivation. The Great Emperors of the Emperor Realm each remain content in their place. The ancient beasts of chaos sleep peacefully. The realms of the Heavenly Domain live in harmony. The primordial source is stable. The Great World of Freedom evolves naturally. The Great Dao of the True Self flows throughout the myriad realms. All beings remain true to their hearts. There are no more campaigns of conquest, no more obsessions, no more calamities or unrest."
He paused, then continued, "Your subordinate has faithfully followed your wishes: not disturbing the mortal world, not controlling living beings, not establishing authority, only preserving peace. All beings in all realms live and work in contentment, their states of mind clear. They know your original intention and are grateful for your protection."
Lin Chen nodded slightly, a trace of relief flashing through his eyes.
This was the outcome he had wanted.
He had never wanted to become the ruler of the myriad realms, never wanted all beings to prostrate themselves in worship forever, never wanted to cow all ages with supreme divine might. From beginning to end, all he had sought was an unharmed mortal world, peace for all beings, tranquil years, and faithfulness to his original heart.
He had signed in for a hundred thousand years for this peace.
He had emerged invincible to protect this peace.
He had traversed the myriad realms, realized the Dao of his true self, and returned to the mortal world, still for this peace.
"Thank you for your efforts," Lin Chen said softly.
Those few words made the Void Dao Lord tremble, hot tears nearly spilling from his eyes.
He had waited through all ages and guarded the myriad realms, never seeking supreme authority or an unsurpassed realm, only a word of approval from the Supreme One, only the chance to protect the peace in the Supreme One's heart. To him, being able to follow Lin Chen and guard this age-spanning prosperity for the Supreme One was the fortune of his lifetime, the glory of ten thousand lives.
"Your subordinate has suffered no hardship. To ease your burdens and protect the peace of the myriad realms is my destiny, and my honor." The Void Dao Lord's voice trembled slightly, yet remained utterly resolute.
Lin Chen said nothing more, merely raising his eyes toward the horizon.
His gaze seemed unremarkable, yet it could easily pierce the Mortal Realm's clouds, the barriers of the heavens, the mists of chaos, the silence of the void, and the primordial source, reaching straight to the Ultimate Void and the Realm Beyond the Dao.
He could see children of the Mortal Realm running beneath the sunlight, their faces brimming with the purest smiles;
he could see cultivators of the Cultivation Realm abandoning their desire to compete and prevail, freely contemplating the Dao among green mountains and clear waters;
he could see the gods of the God Realm shedding their arrogance and entering the mortal world to experience the warmth and coldness of human life;
he could see the Great Emperors of the Emperor Realm laying down their authority, keeping their families company, and enjoying the happiness of family life;
he could see ancient beasts sleeping peacefully in the depths of chaos, no longer bloodthirsty or savage;
he could see the rulers of the Heavenly Domain's realms walking hand in hand, protecting their corner of heaven and earth together;
he could see the Creation Clan of the primordial expanse guarding the source, their hearts humble and reverent toward all beings;
he could see the beings of the Great World of Freedom living without restraint, following their hearts;
he could see the Great Dao of the True Self flowing through the myriad realms, allowing every being to remain true to their heart and find a peace of their own.
All realms were at peace, all beings content, all Daos harmonious, all ages tranquil.
This was the true essence of invincibility, the meaning of eternity, the ultimate end of the Great Dao.
"All cultivation in this world, in the end, seeks nothing more than peace of mind," Lin Chen murmured. His voice scattered with the wind, settling into the heart of every being in the myriad realms.
At that moment, all beings stopped what they were doing in unison. A warm and peaceful power welled up in their hearts. They did not know why, yet they felt utterly secure and serene, as though wrapped in the gentlest power, free of calamity and hardship, sorrow and suffering.
They knew this was the Supreme One's protection, the power of his original heart, the gift of the true self.
Within the courtyard, the Void Dao Lord stood silently, not daring to speak, only feeling with his heart this peace and serenity that spanned the myriad realms. He finally understood completely: the Supreme One's Dao had never resided above the nine heavens, at the pinnacle of the myriad realms, or in the Realm Beyond the Dao. It lay in the warmth of mortal life, in these leisurely years, in this original heart that had never changed.
No strength, however great, could equal an inch of peace of mind;
no realm, however lofty, could compare to an ordinary lifetime;
no fame, however glorious, could be traded for tranquil years.
After an unknown stretch of time, Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and looked at the Void Dao Lord. "With you guarding the myriad realms, I can rest easy. From now on, there is no need to come here to report. Peace in the mortal world is the best news."
"Your subordinate obeys!" The Void Dao Lord bowed, his tone utterly respectful.
He knew the Supreme One did not wish to be disturbed by mundane affairs or entangled in the matters of the myriad realms. He wished only to tend this little courtyard and live as an ordinary mortal. All he could do was guard forever beyond the myriad realms, severing every disturbance so that the Supreme One could forever enjoy this purest peace.
The Void Dao Lord did not linger. He bowed deeply once more, turned, and withdrew from the courtyard, gently closing the gate behind him.
His figure flashed, vanishing beyond the Mortal Realm's horizon. He returned to his post, continuing to silently protect this prosperity that spanned the ages, protecting the Supreme One's mortal years.
Tranquility returned to the little courtyard.
A clear breeze brushed past, carrying the faint fragrance of tea and flowers. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering dappled light and shadow over Lin Chen, warm and gentle.
Lin Chen slowly closed his eyes, no longer observing the myriad realms, no longer dwelling on the heavens, no longer contemplating the Great Dao, no longer thinking of invincibility.
He felt only the Mortal Realm's wind, its light, its warmth of everyday life, its stability.
Through a hundred thousand years of signing in, what he had preserved was this ordinary life;
when he emerged, what he had fought for was the strength to protect this ordinary life;
as he traversed the myriad realms, what he had sought was to spread this ordinary life throughout them;
upon returning to the mortal world, what he enjoyed was the peace of mind this ordinary life brought.
From the ordinary he came, to the ordinary he returned,
with his original heart he began, with his original heart he ended,
with signing in he started, with invincibility he protected.
This was Lin Chen's Dao, unique and unrivaled through all ages.
The years drifted on, and epochs turned.
Azure Yang City remained peaceful, the little courtyard remained tranquil, and Lin Chen remained the ordinary young man who sat quietly drinking tea.
No one knew that this ordinary young man living in a small city of the Mortal Realm was the Supreme One of the myriad realms who had signed in for a hundred thousand years, emerged invincible, traversed the myriad realms, realized the Dao of his true self, and returned to truth and simplicity.
Nor did anyone know that the peaceful years they possessed, the warmth of mortal life they enjoyed, and the original hearts and true selves they held fast to all rested upon a single thought of this ordinary young man.
He had left behind no mighty name, no miracles, no mark, yet he had left the most precious peace to all beings of the myriad realms, to the endless ages, and to his own original heart.
Some said the Supreme One had long since vanished into the Realm Beyond the Dao, never to return;
some said the Supreme One had become the source of the myriad Daos, present everywhere;
some said the Supreme One had returned to the Mortal Realm and become the most ordinary of men again;
some said the Supreme One had never left, that he was in every clear breeze, every wisp of cooking smoke, every measure of peace.
Whatever tales all beings told, Lin Chen remained in his little courtyard, keeping his plain tea and his original heart, unconcerned with worldly affairs, leaving the years undisturbed, neither attached to the pinnacle nor coveting renown.
His invincibility had long ceased to serve conquest; it served protection;
his eternity had long ceased to serve longevity; it served peace of mind;
his Great Dao had long ceased to serve seeking; it served a return to truth.
A hundred thousand years of signing in, his original heart unforgotten;
invincible upon emerging, his name fragrant through all ages;
his true self returned to mortal dust, the Great Dao unchanged;
amid the years of mortal life, peace and health year after year.
The plain tea on the stone table had cooled slightly. Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, still clear and limpid, untouched by a speck of dust, encumbered by nothing.
He looked toward the sunset beyond the courtyard. It dyed half the sky red, its beauty gentle and peaceful.
At the corners of his lips, a faint, warm, relieved smile rose.
The road ahead stretched far, the years ran long,
the myriad realms were unharmed, all ages at peace.
And he remained the young man who had signed in for a hundred thousand years, emerged invincible, and finally returned to the mortal world, preserving peace in his heart.
From then on, above heaven and below earth, within the Dao and beyond it, there was no more strife, no more disturbance, no more enemies, no more regrets.
Only because,
signing in for a hundred thousand years, he was invincible the moment he emerged.
His mortal heart was unharmed, and all ages were at peace.