Western Desert, Mount Sumeru.
Countless rays of Buddha's light rise from the mountain, illuminating the boundless sea of sand, attempting to cleanse the world of its impurities.
The grand chanting of Buddhist hymns never ceases day and night, like the tides, wave after wave washing over the golden cliffs and ancient temples.
Yet there always seems to be some invisible disturbance, like grains of sand settling in the heart, difficult to completely purify.
Beneath an ancient sal tree, dappled shadows fall upon the face of an old ape, etched with the deep lines of time.
He held a string of warm, smooth prayer beads in his hand, his fingers moving slowly and steadily, each bead gliding by as if grinding through a piece of time.
His eyes, which were originally calm and insightful, now gazed eastward, piercing through endless mountains and rivers, and falling upon the land called the Eastern Wasteland.
A faint trace of solemnity, like an undercurrent beneath the surface of water, flickered deep within his eyes.
" Amitabha Buddha."
A Buddhist chant, deep and resonant, seemed to echo the distant winds and clouds.
"With a heaven-defying physique, inheriting the lineage of the Great Emperor, and wielding the Emperor Weapon of slaughter, this child has appeared out of nowhere. Whether it is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen."
What earth-shattering waves will be stirred up in this golden age of rising kings and emerging imperial stars, and how many galaxies will be stained with blood?
The sound of the prayer beads turning, subtle and continuous, intertwined with the vast chanting, yet it conveyed an indescribable sense of loneliness and foreboding.
Eastern Wasteland, the Jade Pool Holy Land.
What was once a pristine paradise, shrouded in ethereal beauty and serene tranquility, is now the eye of a storm, the focus of attention across the entire Big Dipper Star Domain.
Outside the massive white jade gate, a grand and bustling scene unfolds.
Every day, even every hour, powerful cultivators descend in various flying magical artifacts.
Ancient chariots rolled across the sky, leaving deep tracks and exuding an aura of savagery;
A magnificent flying boat cuts through the clouds, casting down countless auspicious rays, revealing its extraordinary origins;
The majestic divine chariot, pulled by a mythical beast, jingled with clear bells, echoing above the Jade Pool.
They come from Great Saint in the Eastern Wasteland, ancient Desolate Ancient Family that dominate their respective regions, ancient dynasties with profound foundations in the Central Continent, and even some reclusive sects that have long since transcended worldly affairs and are shrouded in mystery.
They all dispatched figures who were influential enough to shake the region.
They were either elderly men with white hair and beards, and eyes as deep as the starry sky.
Or perhaps a middle-aged emperor with a dignified and imposing presence.
They all brought generous gifts, arriving in an endless stream.
In name only, it was to congratulate Li Qingshan, the Jade Pool Holy Son, on obtaining the inheritance of the Great Emperor Wushi, and to bless Jade Pool.
But behind every smiling face lies deep investigation and calculation.
They wanted to ascertain what kind of power the young man, now revered as the " Eastern Exalt," had gained upon returning from Purple Mountain with the Beginningless Bell and the Imperial Scripture.
What is his attitude towards the current state of Big Dipper?
Will he become an ally, or his most fearsome enemy?
A complex odor filled the air.
There was the refreshing medicinal fragrance emanating from thousand-year-old medicinal herbs, and the unique sandalwood or cool fragrance carried by cultivators of ancient sects.
Furthermore, some powerful individuals inadvertently exude an aura that is either scorching or chilling.
These scents, mixed with the natural fragrance of plants and the spiritual energy of the pure land within Jade Pool, create a subtle yet tense atmosphere, as if a single Mars could ignite it.
Inside the main hall, celestial light was hazy, and Dao patterns were faintly visible.
The Queen Mother of the West sat regally on the jade throne at the head of the table, dressed in flowing palace attire, exuding elegance and nobility, her face maintaining the same calm and majesty that had remained unchanged for millennia.
She was surrounded by a soft, ethereal glow, like moonlight enveloping her; her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness, clearly reaching the ears of every visitor.
"Many thanks to all fellow Daoists for your kindness in coming from afar. Your presence here at Jade Pool is truly an honor."
Her gaze swept steadily over the familiar and unfamiliar faces below, taking in the gleam in their eyes.
"However, the Holy Son returned from Purple Mountain with great gains, and deeply felt the vastness and boundlessness of the Dao Fruit of the Great Emperor Wushi."
To live up to the Emperor's favor and to honor the legacy, he has ventured deep into the secret realm for secluded cultivation.
I'm focused on processing what I've learned and it's really inconvenient for me to meet with guests. I hope you'll understand.
She had repeated this line countless times.
Every time she spoke, she could clearly feel the fleeting disappointment in the eyes of those old foxes below.
A deeper sense of apprehension, and a hint of fear that was tried hard to hide but could not be completely erased.
That was an instinctive tremor at the name of the Great Emperor Wushi, and an unknown fear of the heaven-defying physique of the " Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo ".
It also stems from a deep unease about the possibility that Jade Pool might one day rise above all other powers.
Inside the Jade Pool, there appears to be perfect order, but undercurrents are surging beneath the surface.
The young disciples walked lightly on their feet as they strolled among the covered bridges, waterside pavilions, and lush forests.
They subconsciously lowered their voices during the conversation, as if afraid of disturbing something.
But the excitement, pride, and anticipation that almost overflowed in their eyes could not be concealed.
Their gazes would involuntarily, with utmost reverence, fall upon the deepest part of the sacred land, a secret realm now shrouded in chaotic currents and where laws were subtly revealed.
"Your Highness, he... he really did it!"
A young female disciple, dressed in a pale yellow dress, her cheeks flushed with excitement, whispered to her companion beside her, her voice trembling.
" The Great Emperor Wushi! He was an unparalleled being who suppressed an entire era!"
Her companion, equally mesmerized, gazed in the direction of the secret realm and murmured:
"Yes, from now on, Your Highness, you will surely lead us to unprecedented glory!"
"The idea of two emperors from one family is probably not unfounded."
Deep within the sacred land Immortal Pool Secret Realm.
This place seemed to be separated from the hustle and bustle outside the mountain gate, and even the excitement inside the Jade Pool, as if they were two separate worlds.
The dense, ethereal mist flowed and churned slowly, like a milky-white ocean.
The essence of heaven and earth had become so concentrated that it had liquefied and gathered into an irregularly shaped Immortal Pool, displaying a vibrant color that intertwined milky white with seven-colored rays of light.
In the pond, several divine lotuses, which have grown for countless millennia, stand quietly, their leaves as green as jade, their blossoms radiating various colors of light.
As it sways gently, it inhales and exhales vast amounts of life essence and fragments of the Great Dao.
A complex fragrance permeated the air, the unique and elegant lotus scent of the divine lotus, mixed with the pure and ultimate life force of liquid spiritual energy.
One breath and you feel incredibly comfortable throughout your body, as if your very soul has been cleansed.
Li Qingshan then sat cross-legged on a natural bluestone beside the Immortal Pool.
He was dressed in dark robes, the color of which was deep and somber, creating a striking contrast with the colorful, flowing sunset glow and the milky, misty ethereal fog around him.
His figure remained as upright as a mountain, his face was handsome, and he looked incredibly young.
However, he no longer possessed any of his former sharpness or brilliance; all his aura had been completely concealed.
Like the unfathomable waters of this Immortal Pool, calm and still, yet containing boundless depths.
Only when he occasionally opens his eyes will a terrifying vision flash deep within them: the beginning of chaos, the collapse and reorganization of the starry sky.
That gaze was calm to the point of indifference, as if it stood above eternity, looking down upon the cycle of life and the myriad forms of humanity.
The Beginningless Bell floated silently above his head.
It no longer manifests earth-shattering phenomena, but instinctively inhales and exhales wisps of the most primordial chaotic energy.
The patterns on the bell wall, which bear the Dao and Law of the Great Emperor of Eternity, moved with Li Qingshan's breath and with the inherent Dao rhythm of this secret realm.
Its light flickers, yet it resonates harmoniously.
The Queen Mother of the West stood not far away with a figure shrouded in a soft, holy glow, whose features were obscured.
Even the Queen Mother of the West, a Holy Lord at the peak of the Second Heaven of the Immortal Platform, was now standing before this Holy Son who had undergone a complete transformation.
I also felt an invisible sense of pressure originating from the essence of life and the level of the Great Dao.
This was not something Li Qingshan did intentionally. Just as tiny insects cannot look directly at the Sun's brilliance, and fish in shallow water cannot comprehend the vastness of the Kun Peng.
The Queen Mother of the West subconsciously took a deep breath, and the rich, boundless life essence surged into her lungs, nourishing her holy body, but it was difficult to calm the ripples that were spreading in her heart.
There was joy, anticipation, and a vision for the future of Jade Pool.
But more than anything, it was a natural sense of awe that she herself had not yet fully understood.
She looked at the figure on the bluestone that seemed to be one with the universe, and finally spoke.
The sound was exceptionally clear in this utterly tranquil secluded place, even carrying a hint of caution that it itself was unaware of:
" Qingshan, the matter of Purple Mountain is settled. You bear an unparalleled inheritance and wield Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon. What are your plans for the future?"
Li Qingshan did not answer immediately.
His gaze fell upon the ever-changing, unpredictable, ethereal mist above the Immortal Pool.
His gaze was distant, as if piercing through layers of mist, staring at the intangible yet ever-flowing river of fate.
A deeper silence fell over the secret realm.
Only the Immortal Pool's spiritual liquid gently rippled, lapping against the soil and bluestone on the shore, producing a subtle and rhythmic "gurgling" sound.
And the enormous leaves of those divine lotuses, rubbing against each other as the spiritual liquid flowed, made a barely audible rustling sound, like an ancient whisper.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a peculiar weight, as if each word bore the imprint of the Dao:
The path to immortality is long and arduous, fraught with peril.
He paused, his long, slender fingers unconsciously tracing the cold, rough surface of the bluestone beneath him, feeling its solid, ancient texture, before continuing,
" The Wushi Scripture is profound and vast, exhausting the mysteries of heaven and earth, and its influence has shaken the ages."
However, it is merely a path paved by predecessors, a beacon guiding the way.
"Buzz!!!"
Above his head, the silent, Beginningless Bell seemed to be stirred by some kind of will contained in those words, and trembled slightly.
The clear, resonant sound of the bell did not travel through the air, but resounded directly into the very depths of the souls of all living beings present, cleansing away distracting thoughts and clarifying their Dao hearts.
A peaceful, ancient thought, carrying the weight of countless ages and a subtle hint of approval, then spread out:
"There is only one great path, but countless routes."
The Wushi Scripture is the path walked by the Great Emperor; it is both a beacon and a barrier for you.
Those who come after must observe its light, follow its traces, discern its shadow, and understand its limitations, in order to forge their own unique path and truly see their own "self."
"What does Senior Western Emperor Pagoda think?"
Li Qingshan's gaze shifted to the figure that was always shrouded in a soft, holy light.
The deity of the Western Emperor Pagoda fell silent for a moment, then a gentle yet dignified female voice rang out.
Like a celestial spring dripping onto a jade plate, clear yet containing immense power:
"What Fellow Daoist Zhong said points directly to the fundamental principles of the Great Dao."
Although the Imperial Scripture is powerful and its power is boundless, it is ultimately the Dao of the Western Emperor and the Great Emperor Wushi, their ultimate interpretation of the laws of heaven and earth.
Qingshan, you possess Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, a supreme foundation rarely seen throughout the ages. You share the same origin as the Great Emperor Wushi, making your cultivation of his scriptures twice as effective with half the effort. This is truly an extraordinary opportunity.
However, fortune may be fraught with misfortune. This constitution can also make you unknowingly be enveloped and assimilated by the incomparably powerful Dao traces of the ancient Great Emperor.
They pursued perfect resemblance in form, neglecting the cultivation of their own Divine Marrow.
This is a major taboo in cultivation, concerning the pinnacle of your future spiritual path.
Her tone abruptly shifted, becoming more solemn than ever before, and the surrounding holy light seemed to shrink and condense accordingly.
"However, in my opinion, now may not be the best time to delve into the distinction between form and spirit and to refine one's own path."
The Purple Mountain stirred with unusual activity, the Emperor Bell recognized its master, Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo reappeared in the world. Such earth-shattering news contained supreme Daoist principles and Cause and Effect.
It would be impossible to hide from those ancient beings who lurked deep within the Life Forbidden Zone, having severed themselves and slumbered for millennia.
The chaotic light flowing around the Beginningless Bell slightly condensed, and a chilling, bone-chilling killing intent suddenly seeped into its intent.
It was as if everyone had been pulled back to that glorious era when he faced Dark Turmoil alone, and the Emperor Bell tolled throughout the heavens:
They already knew this.
In the past, when the Great Emperor attained enlightenment, he swept across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, ruling the universe alone. All forbidden zones fell silent in fear, daring not to emerge into the world.
Even the mysterious and unpredictable Underworld was forced to flee far away, avoiding its sharp edge.
Now that my aura has reappeared and my ancestral body has descended upon the world, how can those withered bones in their tombs, who rely on devouring the life essence of all living beings to prolong their lives, sleep peacefully?
It's likely that they've already awakened from their slumber and turned their gaze upon this place.
The divine light emanating from the Western Emperor Pagoda rippled, appearing solemn and heavy.
"Good.
Their current inaction is not out of fear of your current strength, nor is it due to complete apprehension of the power of the Emperor Weapon.
Firstly, the opportunity to open the Road to Immortality has not yet arrived, and they are unwilling to expend too much energy at this time and alert the enemy.
Secondly,
She paused slightly, her voice carrying a chilling undertone that revealed a cruel truth.
They might be happy to see this happen, viewing you as a promising new growth opportunity.
When your Sacred Body Dao Embryo are fully formed, and your Qi, blood, and Dao Fruit reach their peak and are at their most vigorous, then I will reap the rewards with thunder!
This is to replenish their long-dried and decaying imperial blood, or to serve as crucial resources for their quest for the distant Road to Immortality!
Her voice grew increasingly low, as if carrying the weight of eternal sorrow:
" The Road to Immortality has begun, and according to various calculations, there are approximately two hundred years remaining."
For those supreme beings who have waited endless years and are willing to instigate Dark Turmoil to prolong their lives, this is the sole objective, one that cannot be compromised.
They would never allow a new Great Emperor to emerge in this world, especially one who became emperor with Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo.
It is highly likely that the might of the Wu Shi Emperor will be restored, and it may even be capable of blocking their path.
They absolutely do not want to, and will never allow themselves to, experience the fear and oppression that the Great Emperor Wushi inflicted upon them a second time!
A hint of helplessness lingered in Western Emperor Pagoda's thoughts.
"Throughout history, even the fastest person to attain enlightenment, as powerful as the Great Emperor Wushi, still spent five hundred years."
In their view, no matter how much you grow in two hundred years, it will be difficult to reach the Emperor Realm.
Time was on their side, which is why they were so confident and detached, calmly waiting for the "fruits" to ripen.
The secret realm fell into a deathly silence once again.
The mist in the Immortal Pool seemed to freeze, and the lotus leaves stopped swaying.
Only the invisible will of the two supreme deities and the immense aura surrounding Li Qingshan, which was extremely restrained yet seemed to contain the power to Heaven-Opening, were silently intertwining and colliding.
Li Qingshan listened quietly to the analysis of the two supreme deities, his face showing no surprise or fear, as if he had already known all of this.
In the depths of his eyes, the image of chaos being created and stars revolving reappeared, even more swiftly and profoundly.
It was as if a myriad of future possibilities were contemplated in an instant, a journey of blood and fire, a test of life and death.
He raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing across the cold, rough surface of the Beginningless Bell, feeling the immense imperial might within it, enough to shake the heavens, and the unyielding fighting spirit that would last for eternity.
Then, he looked up at the Western Emperor Pagoda, its gentle yet firm, sacred radiance having protected Jade Pool for countless years.
Finally, a very faint smile slowly curved the corners of his lips.
"If they want to raise dragons, they must be prepared to be devoured by them."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute certainty.
Two hundred years?
That's enough.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Queen Mother of the West, the Western Emperor Pagoda, and finally settling on the Beginningless Bell. Each word, clear and powerful, was imprinted on the Void:
"With a lighthouse guiding the way ahead and Emperor Weapon by my side, the path I walk is my own!"
"If the Forbidden Zone Supreme attacks, if any rival in the world blocks our path, it will be nothing more than..."
"With my blood, I will ignite my path, and forge my imperial road!"
"Let this golden age tremble because of me, let it shine because of me!"
"Let all those adversaries, those eternal enemies, become stepping stones for me to reach the pinnacle!"
"Thump,"
The Beginningless Bell emitted a low, long hum, no longer clear and melodious.
Yet it carried a profound and stirring quality, as if from the primordial era, with chaotic energy surging and turbulent around the bell.
It seems to be responding to this lofty ambition, and also to reminiscing about the iron-blooded years of following the emperor in conquests and suppressing turmoil.
The Western Emperor Pagoda shimmered with holy light, its body trembling slightly in the soft glow, resonating even more deeply with this Jade Pool Pure Land.
The Queen Mother of the West stood still, gazing at the figure in black robes on the blue stone. She felt an indescribable, overwhelming aura, as if it could crush the eternal blue sky, rising silently from that figure.
Although it was not deliberately unleashed, it already made her, the Holy Lord who ruled over Great Saint, feel her mind waver and her Dao heart shake.
She understood completely that the Holy Son's path was destined to be paved with blood and fire, and built upon bones and praise.
He will defy fate, contend with destiny, and fight against the most terrifying and ancient adversary throughout history!