The Azure Emperor Holds Dominion over All Spirits

Eastern Heavenly Gate.

A rift tore through Liaokong, forming an unstable portal of light.

Feng Xu stepped out from behind the door, took a deep breath, and looked around, his mind reeling.

It actually worked!

In the Divine Capital, there truly is an ancient Ascension Platform that leads directly to the Heavenly Court!

And the one who found this passage was none other than Lu Daolin...

Feng Xu's gaze fell on the figure in the wide robe and sleeves ahead.

The man stood with his hands behind his back, his back to him, gazing deeper into the ruins of the Heavenly Court.

Feng Xu knew very well who this person was.

The records about this person in the secret files of the Gold-Wielding Guard filled an entire hidden chamber.

Lu Daolin enlightenment a thousand years ago, when the Great Yan Kingdom had been established for over a hundred years and the world was at peace.

Lu Daolin born into the Aristocratic Clan in Jiangnan. From a young age, he lived a life of luxury with many servants. He showed great talent for cultivation from childhood and entered the Daoist School at the age of twelve. At that time, the immortal Immortal Dao had long been in decline and the Martial Dao had not yet been established. The power of the immortals and Immortals and Gods in the Central Plains was only the foundation of each family, and the strongest on the surface was only at the Peak External Scenery.

After Lu Daolin joined the Daoist School, he surprisingly entered the External Scenery before he even reached adulthood, amidst the decline of the Immortal Dao, attracting worldwide attention.

Some people felt extremely sorry for him, believing that he was born in the wrong era;

Some believe that he might be able to break down the barriers between immortals and mortals in this Age of Dharma Decline.

But no one expected the change to happen so quickly.

That year, the Crown Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty traveled south and encountered a Aristocratic Clan on the way. The Crown Prince lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at her from afar, and fell in love at first sight.

After that, an imperial decree was issued, bestowing a marriage upon them, and they entered the palace.

This was almost the beginning of everything.

Because that Aristocratic Clan was Lu Daolin's childhood playmate.

During the years he went into the mountains to cultivate Daoism, the young girl often carried a food box up the mountain, bringing new tea in spring and warm wine in winter. The moss on the stone steps of the mountain gate became familiar with the hem of her skirt.

However, on her way home one day, she was instantly captivated by the Crown Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Feng Xu searched through dozens of old files in the secret chamber of the Gold-Wielding Guard, but still couldn't piece together the whole story of that old incident.

Was it a chance encounter?

Or was this a premeditated scheme by the royal family to suppress them?

Or was it a scheme orchestrated by certain powerful Aristocratic Clan or sects?

Either one is possible.

Having witnessed the sordid thoughts of both the imperial court and the underworld over the years, Feng Xu was even more convinced that someone was secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes.

The purpose was nothing more than to guide Lu Daolin to "make a mistake".

In that era, too many people did not want to see another unrestrained and lawless Immortals and Gods emerge in the Mortal Realm.

As for the final outcome, Feng Xu only knew the general outline. It was beyond his initial expectations. Lu Daolin the Divine Capital alone, but left safely in the end because the Aristocratic Clan who had been betrayed by her Lineage chose to perish together with the Crown Prince of Great Yan.

In the end, the woman's Aristocratic Clan was exterminated by the royal family.

Lu Daolin, who had entered the Divine Capital but "accomplished nothing," was someone the royal family wanted to touch, but they had no suitable reason to do so.

It was after that that Lu Daolin from Daoism to Buddhism, and then ultimately broke away from Buddhist School, bringing together all cultivation systems from High Antiquity onward. He proposed the method of mutual reference between nature and life, opening up a new path in the Mortal Realm, which he named the Martial Dao.

now.

Feng Xu watched Lu Daolin figure, his gaze deep and thoughtful, as he recalled a secret...

The reason Lu Huaiqing joined the Gold-Wielding Guard was not only due to the Old Wang's arrangement, but also because it was his own wish.

He himself, following behind Lu Huaiqing, pieced together a hidden secret from various records within the Gold-Wielding Guard.

After entering the Divine Capital that year, Lu Daolin disappeared for a period of time. It was during this time that the woman may have mistakenly believed that Lu Daolin had been secretly captured and killed. In the end, under the joint pressure from the royal family and her Lineage, she chose to die with the crown prince.

No one knows where Lu Daolin went during the time he disappeared after entering the Divine Capital.

All that is known is that after that, Lu Daolin never set foot in the Divine Capital again.

Even after he pioneered Martial Dao, entered the realm of Immortals and Gods, and became the number one in the Mortal Realm, he never set foot in the Divine Capital again.

Therefore, according to historical records, he was not a devoted lover, but a fickle one.

Until recently, Lu Daolin re- Divine Capital, intending to fight the Old Wang.

However, this battle also did not take place. Under Lu Daolin's leadership, he and the Old Wang disappeared for some time.

Upon reappearing, the Old Wang immediately issued an order to the Gold-Wielding Guard, informing all families and sects throughout the land that they should jointly explore the Heavenly Court.

Where did Lu Daolin take the Old Wang during this time?

How did Lu Daolin learn that the Ascension Platform was hidden in the Divine Capital?

"Xiao Feng, now that we've confirmed the passage is unobstructed, let's go back."

A gentle yet authoritative voice interrupted Feng Xu's aimless thoughts.

The Old Wang spoke with a faint smile.

Feng Xu looked up and saw that Lu Daolin had already stepped over the broken gate of the Eastern Heavenly Gate and was heading into the depths of the ruins.

Ji Tianfang stood with his hands behind his back beneath the gate, and laughed, "You can't get involved in what's to come, and neither can we take care of you."

Feng Xu's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked up at the gap in the mist at the end of the sky, a startling thought emerging within him.

He was about to speak when the Old Wang interrupted him.

"I only came to check if the old road was still passable, but I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise." Ji Tianfang laughed heartily, "A living, yet incomplete, great Divine Ability being—such a talent for practice can probably only be found in the Heavenly Court these days."

Feng Xu felt a chill run down his spine.

These two are really planning to challenge that terrifying Immortals and Gods?!

At that very moment, Feng Xu's body and mind were both frozen in a moment of absolute stillness, as if he were an insect that had fallen into amber.

One's body is not one's own, and one's mind is not one's own.

Even having the thought of it is a luxury.

The next moment.

A surge of Martial Intention rose from the depths of the ruins!

It started as a single line, but quickly spread like wildfire.

Like the ancient sky collapsing, like a vast ocean hanging upside down, it surges forth, overwhelming and pressing down.

Under such pressure, Feng Xu, who had already reached the Grandmaster for many years, felt like a flickering lamp in the wind. He couldn't even muster the thought of resisting, let alone fight back.

Like ants gazing up at the sky.

Like dust peeking at the sun.

All that remains is despair.

This is Lu Daolin, the number one Martial Ancestor in the world a thousand years ago?!

"Go."

The Old Wang smiled faintly, and with a wave of his hand, tossed Feng Xu back into the house.

One last look.

Feng Xu saw in the distance the figure that rose from the ground, seemingly growing infinitely taller, carrying the entire sky on its back.

It's like a deity descending from the Mortal Realm to the Heavenly Court court.

Feng Xu staggered backward from the doorway.

"Grown ups!"

Suddenly, he heard many worried and alarmed cries from his subordinates.

Feng Xu steadied himself and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

As he stepped out from behind the door, his suppressed Qi and Blood, and his Primordial Spirit, gradually recovered as if thawing.

Immediately after recovering, Feng Xu issued a stern order:

"Immediately send people to observe the Tantai Household, the Xiao Household, and... the Imperial Palace!"

"You must monitor the movements of all three parties at all times, and notify me immediately of any unusual activity!"

The many Gold-Wielding Guard around him looked at each other in bewilderment. Those who could stay here were all core members, or at least at the Half-Step External Scenery.

But at this moment, they dared not agree to the first episode.

Because in addition to the Tantai Household and the Xiao Household, the imperial palace was also being monitored!

After catching his breath, Feng Xu said in a deep voice, "You can go ahead. If anything happens, I, Feng Xu, will take full responsibility!"

One of them suddenly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sir, are you also... going to seek refuge with another family?"

Feng Xu's gaze swept coldly over them, but he didn't bother to dwell on the word "also," and said in a deep voice, "Enough with the nonsense. Mobilize all personnel. Tonight, you must monitor the movements of all three parties closely. I need to know which side is communicating with the entity behind the scenes tonight!"

Under his firm stance, the group of Gold-Wielding Guard bowed silently, accepted their orders, and left.

Feng Xu took a deep breath and remained standing guard by the gate, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Divine Capital.

After so many years of investigation, Gold-Wielding Guard had naturally discovered that the Xiao Household and the Tantai Household were suspected of having some kind of backing.

As for the royal family...

Feng Xu chose to believe Lu Huaiqing from back then.

To confirm who exactly the person who appeared in the Heavenly Court just now was, we'll have to see which of these three families makes a move first!

Lu Daolin walked under the broken pillars of the Eastern Heavenly Gate, each step he took seemed to trample the entire world under his feet.

When I was young, I always felt that the world was too big.

It's so vast that you couldn't walk the entire length of a single Jiangnan Circuit.

As he stood on the stone bridge, he watched the river flow eastward, with mountains upon mountains and rivers upon rivers, and it seemed that even a lifetime would not be enough to complete the journey with those around him.

When I was young, I felt the world was too small.

Even after searching through all the classic texts of Daoist School, one cannot find a path to Immortals and Gods.

The seemingly vast Central Plains could not contain the spirit of a young man like him.

Later, having witnessed the depths of human nature, the true faces of Immortals and Gods, and the fragility of human life, I finally understood that the world seems small because of its many twists and turns, and even more so because of those who deserve to die but refuse to...

There are too many.

Lu Daolin looked into the distance.

He encountered many enemies throughout his life.

But not every enemy deserves to be remembered by him.

The person in front of us is clearly the latter.

At this moment, a familiar aura surged in like a tide, carrying with it the same majesty and fury that belonged to the Emperor as always.

Lu Daolin slowly stepped forward to greet him.

His mind was free of any distracting thoughts, always clear as a mirror, untouched by any dust.

Even murderous intent was regarded as a distracting thought and completely eliminated by him.

The desire to kill is a distracting thought, hatred is a distracting thought, and all the past grudges and entanglements are distracting thoughts that need to be eradicated.

All that remained was a pure, burning passion and a heart yearning for the truth.

This moment.

The sound of his heartbeat alone stirred up waves of Martial Intention that resonated with the heavens and earth.

Lu Daolin no longer suppressed or hid, allowing his peak aura, which had been dormant for a thousand years, to unfold without reservation.

His wide robe billowed, and his large sleeves fluttered.

The immense energy surged forth, sweeping in all directions like a tangible force. The Heavenly Court ruins beneath their feet suddenly sank and plummeted, groaning under the immense pressure of the energy.

It was as if this Heavenly Court, which once reigned high above the heavens, could no longer bear the weight of Martial Dao in the Mortal Realm.

Lu Daolin a step forward.

Then it rose from the ground and soared straight into the azure sky.

The sound was like thunder in winter, booming and reverberating endlessly throughout the world!

This is the first time that Martial Dao in the Mortal Realm have knocked on the gates of the Heavenly Court in a dignified and upright manner.

The enormous figure that had already forcibly entered half of the body suddenly looked over, its gaze sharp and cold, locking onto the figure whose aura was infinitely close to that of Primordial Unity being. For the first time, a look of deep concentration appeared in its eyes:

"It's you?"

"A Mortal Realm mortal, a mere imposter tainted by the karma of Haotian, dares to overstep the majesty of Heaven!"

His voice boomed across the sky like the morning bell and evening drum, carrying the chilling aura of endless warfare.

The next moment.

The majestic divine figure overlooking all living beings exploded with golden ripples amidst a deafening roar that surpassed all previous winter thunderclaps.

The divine physiognomist staggered back half a step.

Boundless Martial Intention spread out from Lu Daolin's body, along with his surging Qi and Blood.

With the pinnacle of the Mortal Realm power, without reservation and with complete abandon, they carved out a world belonging to "humanity" in this once divine land.

The first in the Mortal Realm a thousand years ago?

Lu Daolin with his head touching the sky and his feet planted on the ground, his expression ferocious.

This punch is called [Opening the Dao]!

I, Lu Daolin, will become the number one person on the Great Dao for all eternity!

Yu Tunzhou, carrying Lu Di into the Eastern Ultimate Wondrous Majesty Palace, was completely unaware of what was happening outside.

The gate was closed, shutting out all the noise from the outside world.

He led Lu Di into the hall and found that the interior was far less grand and solemn than it appeared from the outside; it was only the size of a room.

The only thing in the room that could be considered a furnishing was the pool of water in the very center.

The pool was not large, only about ten feet in circumference. The edge of the pool seemed to be carved from a single piece of bluestone. The water was not deep, and the water was clear and still, like a polished ancient mirror.

There is no spring, no overflow; it sits quietly on the jade platform in the center of the palace, as if it has been there since the beginning of time.

"Is this the end of the journey?"

Yu Tunzhou paused a few feet from the edge of the pond, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Fellow Heavenly Dao Hun Tian, do you recognize this item?"

Huntian stared at the still pool of water for a long time, then hesitated and said, "The Eastern Ultimate Wondrous Majesty Palace is the Daoist temple of the Azure Emperor. The main hall should be the Taiyi Salvation from Suffering Hall, with subordinate departments such as the Nine Netherworlds Relief from Suffering and the Changsheng and Salvation of the World... How come there's only one pool like this?"

It muttered, "Back then, the Azure Emperor was known as the foremost among wood elements, saving all beings from suffering. Could this pool of water be some kind of divine water that governs healing and even resurrection? If so, fellow Daoist, you have a good chance of surviving the tribulation."

Yu Tunzhou's gaze, however, had already fallen upon the Lu Di.

From the moment he stepped into the palace, the latter seemed somewhat dazed, his gaze fixed on the pool, as if drawn by something, involuntarily looking over there.

"Brother Yu..."

Lu Di suddenly spoke, whispering, "There seems to be something in the pool calling to me."

As he spoke, he slowly moved his feet, seemingly unable to resist the temptation, and slowly approached the pool.

Yu Tunzhou did not stop him, his expression serious, thinking to himself, "Just as I thought."

Just then, a faint light suddenly appeared in the center of the pool.

Call out!

The golden light suddenly transformed into a thin line, shooting with unparalleled precision towards Lu Di's brow, disappearing in a flash.

Even Yu Tunzhou couldn't stop it!

He quickly went to the Lu Di and checked on his condition.

"That's... True Spirit?!"

Huntian's voice suddenly rose, filled with undisguised shock.

"This... this could be the legendary True Spirit Pool?! Why would such a divine object be in the Azure Emperor's Daoist temple... wait... that's it! The Azure Emperor Dominion all spirits! This spirit is the essence of the True Spirit?!"

Yu Tunzhou a beat, and he suddenly remembered—

Haotian Dominion all heavens.

Houtu Dominion all lands.

Purple Forbidden Enclosure) Dominion all the stars.

Gouchen Dominion all the gods.

The Changsheng Dominion all things can also be called the Ten Thousand Thunders.

Besides that--

And there is the Azure Emperor Dominion all spirits.

Even Yu Tunzhou was shaken.

Could the myriad spirits mentioned here actually refer to "True Spirit"?

Huntian suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist, the Secret Method I taught you before for verifying True Spirit can be tested here."

Previously, Yu Tunzhou had always had doubts about the return of the True Spirit to Huntian provided Secret Method, he had never tried it because he had always stayed in the Buddhist Kingdom and the Grotto Heaven.

"This is the perfect place to test the waters!"

"The Azure Emperor Dominion all spirits. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the legendary True Spirit Pool. It's said that a certain Sect Master Sage created it after a great upheaval in the world, and it can be used to find a person's countless True Spirit without missing a single one."

Huntian seemed particularly interested.

In the great upheaval of that time, even though a being like it had long since attained the "Primordial Unity" state and should theoretically be without flaws, it could not guarantee that there would be no "omissions" among the various realms that it had spontaneously evolved and created.

If he remembers correctly, something similar happened back then.

A certain Divine Ability being, who should have been in Primordial Unity with the universe, suffered an unexpected accident. His True Spirit scattered and split into the lower realm. This was discovered by an enemy force using celestial divination techniques. After secretly searching for it, the enemy devoted all its efforts to nurturing that True Spirit clone.

In the crucial battle that followed, the opposing forces propelled that True Spirit avatar to ascend, creating a critical moment of conflict between the True Spirit. This caused the great Divine Ability being, who had already severed all past and future and whose theory was flawless, to develop a fatal flaw, losing his perfect perfection. Thus, the opposing forces seized the opportunity and killed him on the spot!

That battle also made all the powerful Divine Ability people in the world fear it like a tiger, and they tried every means to find their own lost True Spirit.

The Secret Method it possessed was also created after that.

No matter what method one uses, nothing can compare to this "True Spirit Pool".

This True Spirit Pool not only originated from the hand of a certain Sect Master Sage, but also exists due to the special nature of the Heavenly Court.

Heaven, Earth, Man.

The Central Plains, at its core, is the Mortal Realm realm within the myriad worlds.

The Yellow Springs and Nine Netherworlds are the core of the Underworld in all realms.

The Immortal Realm is the core of the Heavenly Realm among all realms.

The Heavenly Court was built on the foundation of the Immortal Realm, and theoretically, it can travel to any lower realm.

After confirming that there was nothing unusual about the Lu Di and that the man had simply fallen into a deep sleep, Yu Tunzhou laid him down and went to the True Spirit Pool.

"With this True Spirit Pool here, one only needs to activate the magic method to reflect oneself in the pool water."

Huntian opened his mouth, urging Yu Tunzhou to try.

Without hesitation, Yu Tunzhou arrived at the pool, looked down, and began to practice the magic taught to him by Huntian.

The pool water was initially as clear as a mirror, reflecting his figure perfectly.

As the method was activated, ripples spread across the originally still water surface, shattering his reflection. Only after the water surface stabilized again did his different appearance gradually emerge.

"This is..."

Yu Tunzhou's gaze was fixed on the water's surface.

In a quiet and secluded space, a figure that seemed to be asleep sat cross-legged, as if the entire universe was contained within its body.

This is inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace!

That figure was none other than the Daoist incarnation of Grand Dharma Master Xuandu!