Heavenly Emperor, Late Divine Ability Stage!

Upon hearing Qin Yong's words, Yu Tunzhou was somewhat taken aback.

What's the situation in the Divine Capital lately?

"Weren't those two old fogies supposed to have a fight? Well, after the fight, they became friends through the conflict and formed an elderly supergroup, ready to join forces to explore the Heavenly Court?"

Before he went to the Eastern Wilderness, he had heard that after the Martial Ancestor Lu Daolin born, he visited the Dharma Aspect of the time one after another, which was equivalent to fighting his way through.

As for the outcome of the battle, no one knows, but all parties in the martial arts world are certain that Martial Ancestor!

After the incident in the Eastern Wilderness, he learned from Huang Tian that the Martial Ancestor was already on his way to the Divine Capital.

This battle between the two can almost be described as a clash between the strongest people of their time—the number one Martial Dao a thousand years ago versus the top-ranked person on the Heaven Ranking a thousand years later.

The outcome of the battle determines the fate of the entire world!

If it weren't for the uncertainty of the specific date and the fact that Master Xuanku had entrusted him to return to the cave to look after Yi Er Dingguang, he would have been eager to rush to the Divine Capital to witness this once-in-a-millennium showdown.

But they've barely left the Buddhist kingdom, and now rumors are spreading that these two are about to join forces to raid the Heavenly Court?

What earth-shattering changes have occurred in Divine Capital during this period?

At this moment, it wasn't just Yu Tunzhou was taken aback; Qin Yong's lips twitched as well.

Two old men...

"This battle didn't happen." Qin Yong composed himself and said, "It's said that the Martial Ancestor should have entered the Divine Capital long ago, but the Mortal Realm haven't clashed yet. What they discussed or what deals they made during that time is unknown to outsiders, and even their whereabouts can't be traced."

"The news about jointly exploring the Heavenly Court came from within the Gold-Wielding Guard. The Gold-Wielding Guard is currently contacting the parties that possess Heavenly Court Fragment."

"Unsurprisingly, you'll receive the news soon."

Yu Tunzhou's eyes flickered; the two didn't fight?

These two old guys combined have probably eaten more salt than all the other Dharma Aspect on the Heaven Ranking combined.

What was supposed to be a battle that the world was watching turned out to be anything but a bloody one. Instead, they all started spreading rumors of a joint expedition to the Heavenly Court. It's easy to guess that something was being plotted behind the scenes.

After years of silence, and regarded as a dead end by all forces, the ruins of the Heavenly Court are about to be reopened?

He couldn't help but recall that a few months ago, after he left the Dragon Gate and the South Sea Dragon Palace, the Heavenly Court Fragment responded, marking the appearance of ruins in the world.

At that time, he had just been wielding the Vajra Bracelet in the Dragon Gate, and had swiftly killed several Immortals and Gods, one of whom was suspected to be an incarnation of the Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole.

No sooner had the Immortals and Gods incarnations been destroyed than strange phenomena occurred at the Heavenly Court ruins.

Nobody would believe that this wasn't a trap designed to lure him in.

It was this experience that confirmed to him that there must be surviving deities deep within the Heavenly Court, secretly controlling Heavenly Court remains.

All told, Yu Tunzhou has entered the Heavenly Court Fragment only a handful of times, but each time he's encountered something, especially his entry into the Thunder Ministry ruins—

A furious roar suddenly descended from the heavens, echoing repeatedly and shaking the entire Divine Thunder Jade Mansion!

The contents of that story are still chilling to this day.

Dao and Virtue is dead!

Thinking of this, Yu Tunzhou fell silent.

Today, his understanding of "Dao and Virtue" no longer stops at the level of "Heavenly Lord of Dao and Virtue".

For example, the "Redefining Dao and Virtue" that I heard about not long ago in the Eastern Wilderness, if placed here and combined with the decline of the Immortal Dao, could be interpreted as "the order of the Immortal Dao has collapsed."

Of course, the worst outcome is still...

"What did Master Lu discover during his exploration of the Heavenly Court?" Yu Tunzhou asked. "And what did he leave behind?"

Qin Yong remained silent for a moment before whispering:

"I don't know either. The times we explored the Heavenly Court together, we gained very little, and every step forward was fraught with difficulties. Later, Huaiqing explored alone, and although we don't know what he found, we could tell from his occasional reactions that he had discovered some truly astonishing clues."

"As for what he left behind... I asked him about it during our last meeting, but he remained silent."

"Now that I think about it carefully, he may have revealed it to us from the very beginning—his lifelong search for the Heavenly Court was never for Cultivation Method weapons, but for the legendary Lord of the Heavenly Court."

Yu Tunzhou's expression was solemn as he uttered two words: "Haotian?"

Qin Yong's expression changed drastically. "He mentioned it to you?!"

Yu Tunzhou shook his head. "Master Lu has never discussed the secrets of the Heavenly Court with me."

"Did you learn of this name from somewhere else?" Qin Yong's expression was filled with surprise and suspicion for the first time. He warned in a deep voice, "This name has long been taboo. It has been completely erased from High Antiquity classics and official historical records. You must not mention it casually in the future. You must use a title like 'Lord of Heavenly Court,' or you may bring misfortune upon yourself!"

"Huaiqing... serves as a cautionary tale!"

Yu Tunzhou frowned and looked at Qin Yong, equally surprised and suspicious.

The name of the legendary Heavenly Emperor, who reigns supreme in the Nine Heavens and Dominion the Three Realms, has become an unspeakable taboo?

This was the first time he had heard of it.

"If I'm not mistaken, among the Four Great Households of the Divine Capital, the Xiao Household and the Tantai Household are suspected to be backed by the Great Emperor Ziwei and the Great Emperor Gouchen, respectively. These two names can still be mentioned by the world, but the true ruler of the Heavenly Court has become a taboo?"

Yu Tunzhou asked in confusion, "Did Master Lu encounter misfortune in the past because he uttered His name?"

Qin Yong exhaled a breath of turbid air and said in a low voice, "The severance of Huaiqing's path to Dharma Aspect is at least half related to this matter. This was also a trap set by various families for Huaiqing back then, causing him to come into contact with the taboos of the Immortals and Gods level while still in the Divine Ability Realm."

Three thousand years ago, a Immortals and Gods from the True Martial Sect disappeared without a trace after trespassing into a mortal realm connected to that person.

"Eight hundred years ago, a powerful Dharma Aspect from a prestigious Aristocratic Clan, while searching for the relics and inheritance left behind, suddenly vanished without a trace. He was never seen again, neither alive nor dead. And not long after, his entire Aristocratic Clan was wiped out!"

"The earliest related cases can be traced back to High Antiquity times. These were all discovered by Huaiqing, and they are the root cause of why that person was listed as taboo."

Qin Yong looked at Yu Tunzhou and said with utmost seriousness, "I suspect that what Huaiqing left behind is most likely related to that Heavenly Court Lord! If you want to take it, be extremely careful and do not recklessly violate any taboos!"

Yu Tunzhou nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Qin."

"I am currently residing at the Qingyang Sword Sect. If you need anything, you can come to me or have someone send a message to the Qingyang Sword Sect," Qin Yong said, then warned again, "Your strength is now sufficient to participate in the affairs of the world, but remember not to be complacent or arrogant, thinking that the world is so vast that you can go anywhere. When it comes to places like the Heavenly Court Ruins, even Dharma Aspect must proceed with extreme caution. The slightest carelessness could lead to your death and the dissipation of your cultivation."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Qin!"

Yu Tunzhou never expected that this person would actually be in charge of the Qingyang Sword Sect. He had seen the projection of that Sword Immortal Qingyang in the Buddhist Kingdom.

It is rumored that she herself has already gone overseas with the immortal sword to seek an opportunity to break through her cultivation level. Is Qin Yong guarding the sect in her place?

These people clearly have a good relationship.

Qin Yong nodded and left, his figure disappearing into the mountain wind in a flash.

He came here on the behalf of a friend's dying wish, to remind Yu Tunzhou, whom Lu Huaiqing had chosen, and also to see if the boy was as rumored.

Having fulfilled his promise, he departed without lingering.

After seeing Qin Yong off, Yu Tunzhou stood there in contemplation for a moment. He hadn't expected that this matter would involve the Supreme Emperor Haotian, whose very name was already a taboo.

He thought for a moment, then casually asked Huntian, wanting to see if this former Great Sage of the Demon Race knew anything about it.

Unexpectedly, the Huntian sound that followed was unusually serious, carrying a strange sense of dread!

"Fellow Daoist... there's something I need to discuss with you beforehand."

Yu Tunzhou looked towards the Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth and saw that Huntian's expression was full of solemnity and vigilance, and he even looked around uncomfortably. The feathers all over his body stood up, as if someone was spying on him from the side.

Do you remember what Rahula said to you last?

Yu Tunzhou was startled, then remembered.

[If you intend to contend for the position of "Heavenly Emperor" in the future... you might as well establish a firm foothold in the Nine Heavens as soon as possible.]

These were the last words Rahula left before he departed.

Although he was puzzled at the time, he didn't pay too much attention to it, assuming that Rahula had misunderstood because he saw the Heavenly Court Fragment on his wrist.

"Is the Dao Path, fellow Daoist, one of the ' Outer Dao of No Self Under Heaven '?"

"Indeed." Yu Tunzhou's doubts grew. "What does this have to do with my Dao Path?"

Huntian was silent for a moment, then said, "Not long ago, I discovered that I was missing some of my memories. I initially thought it was due to a fragment of my Primordial Spirit, but I gradually realized that it was a part that I had severed from myself in the past."

"Fellow Daoist, there is a problem with your Dao Path!"

"I once felt that the Dao Path seemed somewhat familiar, but I couldn't quite place its origin."

Huntian said in a low voice,

"During this time, my Primordial Spirit recovered considerably, and I attempted to trace back my severed memories, only to discover... that everything pointed to the name ' Haotian.'"

"I tried to go deeper, but was ultimately warned by the seal I had set up in the past, making it difficult to go any further."

"Based on the above alone, I can deduce part of the truth. Fellow Daoist's Dao Path... may be related to that Heavenly Emperor!"

Yu Tunzhou's gaze sharpened.

Is the Dao Path related to the Supreme Emperor Haotian?

Huntian said seriously, "Some things cannot be avoided. Even though I severed my memories, I still encountered them today. I explored them because of you, so I don't recommend that you run away."

"Furthermore, although I severed some of my memories, I still retained the essence. If I remember correctly, the one who was initially appointed as the Dao Venerable Emperor by the Heavenly Emperor Venerable, after the Dao Venerable disappeared, received the support of Laojun and Buddha, which allowed him to continue to hold the position of the Lord of Heavenly Court."

In an instant, countless thoughts surged through Yu Tunzhou's mind.

Huntian said in a deep voice, "If what that person just said really involves the Heavenly Court and Haotian, then we must obtain it first!"

Yu Tunzhou remained silent, lost in thought, reviewing what he had heard that day.

Qin Yong's words had already surprised him greatly, but Huntian's sudden revelation pulled him from an outsider into the game.

One's own Dao Path...

He recalled that day in the Eight Sceneries Palace when he had asked Laojun whether he should practice Taiji or Wuji, and the latter had given him a hint—

[The road ahead of you is neither my path nor the path of the Yuanshi; there is no need to worry.]

This gave him a jolt.

The previously scattered clues were now beginning to connect, giving rise to many speculations in his mind.

He didn't speak, but fell into a long silence.

Huntian also fell silent. It was temporarily unable to break through the memory seal it had placed upon itself to retrieve the memory of its self-inflicted severance, and even if it could...

It wouldn't dare do that now!

Some memories, once recalled, might trigger great terror!

The thoughts and perceptions of others, especially those of certain supreme beings, serve as [anchor points]!

I don't know how much time passed.

Yu Tunzhou a deep breath, and all his worries, doubts, and other emotions vanished, leaving him clear-headed and lucid.

After achieving Mingxin, he knew very well what he sought: nothing more than --

Martial Dao!

Today's worries will only be self-inflicted once I reach the pinnacle of Martial Dao.

"It seems we need to process the coordinates that Master Lu provided."

Yu Tunzhou simply set his next goals.

Then, he glanced at the growth of the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo.

With the blessing of the Three Rankings fortune, his overall growth is quite astonishing. After digesting the fortune accumulated after entering the Buddhist Kingdom, he expects that reaching the Late Divine Ability Stage should not be far off.

About a month?

Yu Tunzhou suppressed the restless thoughts in his mind, moved to the edge of the cliff, sat cross-legged, and immersed himself in meditation.

At worst, we can ask the Three Rankings for a future boost in fortune.

According to Qin Yong, the various groups will discuss exploring the Heavenly Court ruins, which is expected to take place in three months.

There is still plenty of time, enough for him to cultivate to the Late Divine Ability Stage, and then go to the coordinates sealed by Master Lu to retrieve what he left behind.

For the next month or so, Yu Tunzhou did not leave Luofu, but stayed there quietly, focusing on his cultivation and ignoring the various disturbances and changes outside the cave.

Each of the guards kept glancing up at the mountain peak, wondering what this person was really planning.

Until this day.

Yu Tunzhou cross-legged on the cliff, his aura subdued, appearing at first glance like an ordinary person, with no discernible depth.

In Dantian.

The Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo stood tall and graceful. Nourished day and night by the Qi, it had grown even stronger than before, with a straight stem and a lustrous body, showing signs of sprouting branches and leaves.

At that very moment, the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo suddenly burst forth with clear light, its branches and leaves unfurling, scattering Daoist principles and laws, resonating with heaven and earth.

The originally subdued energy began to dissipate, sometimes surging over the mountain peaks like a tide, stirring up the sea of clouds, and sometimes receding like the tide, gathering in a small space, rising and falling repeatedly.

This process repeated countless times until the vast expanse of energy suddenly receded, flowing back into the meridians and Dantian like rivers flowing into the sea. At this moment, the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo within the Dantian also trembled violently, its roots growing wildly and plunging into the deeper Void.

With a crisp, invisible sound, the barrier between the Middle Divine Ability Stage shattered!

As soon as the realm was broken, the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo suddenly grew taller, with the top of the embryo showing signs of budding and about to bloom, and the Inner Heaven and Earth trembled violently as a result.

Yu Tunzhou separated a Primordial Spirit and sank into the Inner Scenery Heaven and Earth supported by the five wonders. He saw Kunlun Mountain rising thousands of feet high, the vast ocean surging with waves hundreds of feet high, the Radiance of Moon and Sun brightly, and the Star River Descending into the World flickering uncertainly.

The five wonders resonated simultaneously at the moment of his breakthrough!

A vibrant, new life force surged through my limbs and bones.

Yu Tunzhou slowly opened his eyes.

Late Divine Ability Stage.

It has only been four months since I first entered the Divine Ability Realm.

In the past, after Kou Ziling manifested his Dao Path, it took him a year to break through to the External Scenery Realm, while Yan Huifeng of the Nanhua Sect took a year and a half...

In terms of speed of breaking through realms alone, he is definitely superior to the other two.

I wonder if this timeframe would break records across the entire Central Plains.

He wasn't particularly affected by this.

Given his talent, foundation, and all the experiences and gains he has made along the way, it is only natural that he has achieved such results, and there is no need for him to be complacent.

Yu Tunzhou closed his eyes again. As he entered the Late Divine Ability Stage, the laws that the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo could bear also expanded.

And this was the moment he had been waiting for—the legal leeway provided by the growth of the Dao Sprout was enough for him to create two more wondrous sights!

He had been mentally preparing for the extraordinary sight he was about to create for over a month.

Without the slightest hesitation, Yu Tunzhou, taking advantage of his recent breakthrough to the Late Divine Ability Stage Movement Method laws, directly sank his Primordial Spirit into his Inner View.

The fifth wonder is called [Star River Descending into the World], which corresponds to the constellations among the Eight Sceneries. Although it has the form, it lacks some of the vitality of life.

Now, he wants to infuse this Star River Descending into the World Map with flowing vitality, so that even without the reflection of the [River Diagram], it can still be like a real starry sky.

Strands of Limitless Gang Qi, like golden needles threading through the stars, wove into the depths of the Milky Way, creating intricate star trails among the celestial bodies.

Within the Inner Heaven and Earth, the once silent Myriad Stars began to move slowly.

At first, it moved as slowly as a tortoise, almost imperceptible;

As the Limitless Gang Qi continued to be inscribed and developed, the star trails became interconnected, and the phenomenon of the stars shifting and changing gradually became clear.

The stars seemed to be drawn together by gravity, pulling and circling each other to form layer upon layer of star charts that slowly swirl in the Void, serene and grand.

The pervasive starlight was ethereal and dreamlike, carrying a sense of illusion and haziness. Yu Tunzhou, guided by his Primordial Spirit, Yu Tunzhou the starlight like threads, weaving it into a net, gradually condensing it into a bizarre and fantastical starry realm.

This is [Yaoguang Ensnaring Illusion], the sixth wonder.

It is like a self-operating star array, with each star flowing along a mysterious trajectory, and each rotation affecting the circulation of energy within the Inner Heaven and Earth, endlessly generating life and possessing infinite wonders.

When the sixth scene was completely set, Yu Tunzhou felt as if his Inner Heaven and Earth had gained another layer of "breathing".

The stars shift and the energy flows, like the breath of heaven and earth, long and continuous.

Without pausing for a moment, he continued to sketch the outline of the seventh scene.

The Water Mist and Rosy Clouds and clouds that swirled within the Inner Heaven and Earth gathered towards the eastern shore of the vast ocean. The thin, gauze-like misty haze grew thicker and thicker, gradually forming a cloud abyss. The clouds surged like waves, reflecting the clear light of the Radiance of Moon and Sun and the Yaoguang Ensnaring Illusion starlight, and slowly condensing into a faint neon color.

When the first ray of rainbow light appeared at the end of the sea of clouds, it was as if a seven-colored bridge spanned the clouds and stretched across the sky, like a ribbon, and the misty aura of creation spread out along the rainbow.

Wherever it went, ancient trees grew wildly, crimson lingzhi mushrooms sprouted from the cracks in the rocks, and even the mountains took on a jade-like hue.

The vitality of the entire Inner Heaven and Earth suddenly surged, as if the world had just been created, with creation spreading everywhere, and the vitality between heaven and earth was abundant.

At the same time, the transformation of the Inner View begins to nourish the physical body, and a vigorous and energetic life force explodes within the body!

Within his body, invisible energy channels connected various acupoints, generating life force, linking them together, and circulating endlessly, causing his body's self-healing ability to increase exponentially.

This is the seventh wonder, [Cloud and Rainbow Abyss].

As the two scenes settled in succession, a tremendous resonance suddenly erupted within the Inner Heaven and Earth.

As the aftershocks subsided, the Kunlun Mountains, the vast ocean, the misty haze, the sun and moon, the Milky Way, the star trails, the rainbow abyss...

The seven scenes blend seamlessly into one, with the flow of energy completely unimpeded, resembling a true microcosm.

Yu Tunzhou closed his eyes, quietly sensing the location of the [Eight Sceneries Palace] in the the Unseen.

Seven of the Eight Sceneries have now been completed, with only the final one, [Concentrated Splendor and Divine Beauty], remaining.

Once Eight Sceneries are complete, he will be able to cultivate the ability to Nether Passage, open the gates of the Xuandu Heaven, and borrow a portion of Heavenly Dao power for support.

At that time, even without Dharma Domain, it will be able to easily resist the suppression of the Great Dao principles of Dharma Domain.

Thinking of this, Yu Tunzhou suddenly realized that once he truly reached the External Scenery Fourth Layer...

His strength and methods will be even greater than in the Buddhist Kingdom!