The three realms of Immortals and Gods, and the five paths of Heaven, Earth, Human, Ghost and God
For ten years, the Southern Extreme Heaven was occupied by extraterrestrial invaders. Led by the Northern Plains Xie Household, various forces slaughtered all living beings and extracted the bloodline of Immortals and Gods, causing the entire world to be devastated.
The arrival of the Yu Tunzhou, in accordance with the principles of heaven and earth, perfectly aligned with the will of heaven and earth, and thus carried and guided the coming of the Final Tribulation...
This guidance during the Final Tribulation alone, and the supplementation of his own Dao Path, have already made the trip worthwhile.
If the situation hadn't been so tense that he had no time to linger, he would have completed his exploration of the Tribulation Fruit immediately.
At this moment, Yu Tunzhou sat cross-legged atop the mountain, his mind focused inward.
The original Limitless Gang Qi was formless, colorless, and without appearance, but now it was tinged with a very faint gray-black color—that was Calamity Qi.
After merging with the calamity energy, the Limitless Gang Qi truly possesses the calamity energy attribute of "assimil all things and return to nothingness".
This makes the concept of "unity of heaven and earth" more than just empty words.
The previous "Wuji" was the initial state of yin and yang chaos, while the "Wuji" after the Final Tribulation is the ultimate state where all things end and return to nothingness.
Unfortunately, it's not possible to test the extent to which the Calamity Qi attribute suppresses the Gang Qi of other martial artists for the time being.
However, judging from his experience in the Southern Extreme Heaven, the calamity energy has a very deep suppression of karma, almost like using karma as fuel.
Those with deeper karma are more strongly restrained by the force of calamity.
The calamity energy affected not only his Gang Qi, but also his Inner Heaven and Earth.
When he rose up to face the calamity, the calamity's energy poured into his Inner Heaven and Earth, permeating it for a long time.
At this moment, Yu Tunzhou could clearly feel that even though the calamity had receded, the Daoist charm of the Final Tribulation of the world still lingered in his Inner Scenery Heaven and Earth.
"Growth and decay..."
The Yu Tunzhou and muttered to itself.
"This is the complete cycle of heaven and earth. My Inner View already contains seven scenes, full of vitality and self-generating, corresponding to 'birth' and 'growth,' but it was still lacking 'decline' and 'death.' Now, those have been completed all at once..."
"Yes, it begins with the Wuji and ultimately returns to the Wuji. This is the ultimate point of the Eight Sceneries returning to oneness— the Primordial Chaos."
"This journey through the Final Tribulation was truly unexpected, yet it was a great opportunity on my Dao Path, yielding remarkable gains."
Yu Tunzhou felt a surge of emotion. This Final Tribulation, which resonated with heaven and earth, was like a timely rain, filling in a long-missing piece of his Dao Path.
After sorting out his Inner Heaven and Earth, he turned to look at the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo.
At the top of the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo, a fruit that resembled a speck of chaos hung quietly, swaying gently from time to time, as if it might ripen and fall at any moment.
This is the [Tribulation Fruit] that has aroused the covetous desires of countless Immortals and Gods from beyond the heavens.
At this moment, Yu Tunzhou gazed quietly at the Tribulation Fruit, feeling a sense that it was something to be admired from afar but not to be touched.
Huntian was initially worried that it would become the Tribulation Fruit itself, and its future would be unpredictable. However, in the end, it was the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo that exerted its power, continuously absorbing the tribulation energy and the Dao essence of the Final Tribulation tribulation from heaven and earth, and condensing this Tribulation Fruit on the branch.
As the end of a world descending into chaos, it also represents a new beginning.
Its most direct function is that it can create and evolve its own little world.
If Yu Tunzhou is willing, it can be cultivated as a blessed land or celestial paradise in the future.
"This thing can serve as the foundation for Earth Immortal," Huntian remarked, casting a glance his way.
Upon discovering that Yu Tunzhou had begun researching the Tribulation Fruit, he immediately put the matter of the Eastern Emperor Bell out of his mind.
"Of the five paths—Heaven, Earth Immortal, Humanity, Ghosts, and Gods—the path of the Earthly Immortals lies in preserving one's physical form in the world, Changsheng and enduring vision, and remaining free and at ease without leaving the mortal realm."
Huntian sighed with emotion.
"The most difficult part of this path is choosing the place to unite with the Dao. If one can lay a foundation with the source of heaven and earth, such as the Tribulation Fruit, at the very beginning of uniting with the Dao, one's future achievements will be limitless, and the position of Golden Immortal —that is, the peak of Immortals and Gods —will be a sure thing."
"Golden Immortal?" Yu Tunzhou's heart skipped a beat. "What is the division of realms into Immortals and Gods? Heaven, Earth, Humanity, Ghosts, and Gods seem to be different extensions of the same path?"
"Heaven, Earth, Humanity, Ghosts, and Gods are the five paths to Immortal Dao, not realms." Huntian, already used to Yu Tunzhou's "forgetfulness," patiently explained, "Those who initially enter the Immortals and Gods are called Half-Immortal, or False Immortal. Once they gain a firm foothold, that is, reach the middle stage, they can be called True Immortal. The final peak of Immortals and Gods is the Golden Immortal."
Half-Immortal, True Immortal, Golden Immortal.
Yu Tunzhou nodded. Compared to the Immortal Dao, the Martial Dao is more roughly divided into three realms: the early, middle, and late stages of the Dharma Aspect.
Because almost everyone who enters the Dharma Aspect has forged their own path, some of whom have drawn inspiration from the Immortal Dao, blending the best of both paths, and ultimately creating a path that is neither entirely correct nor entirely correct.
To his slight surprise, the peak of the Immortals and Gods was already the Golden Immortal?
Is this Golden Immortal preceded by "Luo"?
He had heard Huntian mention before that above Immortals and Gods was Primordial Unity, also known as Primordial Unity Dao Lord.
Yu Tunzhou suddenly asked in confusion, "There are five paths: Heaven, Earth, Man, Ghost, and God. Which path do Demon Race take to become immortals?"
"All five paths exist, but the third one is the most important," Huntian said with a sneer. "In the early Primordial Era, it was all about gods, demons, ghosts, and spirits. Only the Human Emperor won that battle."
Yu Tunzhou almost laughed out loud. Lairu. Whoever wins, holds the power of discourse.
He nodded and did not press for further details about the division of the five roads.
The path he is on is the Martial Dao. Perhaps he can Immortal Dao as a reference when he reaches the Dharma Aspect, but it is too early for that now.
"Besides serving as the foundation for Earth Immortal, what else can this Tribulation Fruit do?" Yu Tunzhou added, "If it's something that's within reach, I can do it right now."
Huntian scratched his head with his wings, looking somewhat troubled.
"This Tribulation Fruit has countless uses; it can even guide a region towards its Final Tribulation. For example, if you encounter a powerful Divine Ability who is arrogant and thinks they have a high level of cultivation, and they try to suppress you by taking you into their Inner Heaven and Earth, this Tribulation Fruit alone can be used to severely undermine them!"
But speaking of now...
"Fellow Daoist, you should focus on your cultivation."
Huntian's words are euphemistic, but concise and to the point.
Yu Tunzhou was slightly disappointed, but he could accept it, since the creature's rank far exceeded his current level.
However, it was not entirely useless. The Tribulation Fruit hung at the top of his Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo, and the Daoist rhyme within it was subtly changing his Limitless Gang Qi, making the meaning of [All Things Return to Emptiness] within it increasingly intense.
"It seems we'll have to keep this as a backup plan for now," Yu Tunzhou said slowly. "Hopefully, we won't need it in the future."
"What are your plans next, fellow Daoist?" Huntian asked, his spirits slightly lifted. "Those two Human Race are quite arrogant, daring to say that Lingxiao and Jade Pool will both open in two months. If Jade Pool really does open, I know a secret passage leading from Jade Pool to the Peach of Immortality Garden!"
"If you could obtain a single Peach of Immortality immortality, you could break through to the third level of profound cultivation, forge the eighth level of wondrous scenery, create a perfect Inner Heaven and Earth, and then break through to the External Scenery —you should be able to accomplish it all in one go!"
"Oh?!"
The Yu Tunzhou was a moving sight.
"The Great Sage even knows about such a secret passage?"
He thought to himself, a Demon Race Great Sage Huntian shouldn't be qualified to attend the Peach of Immortality Assembly in Heavenly Court, let alone enter the Peach of Immortality Garden. This secret passage...
Could it be that the Brother Monkey told it?
"This was told to me by one of my sworn brothers," Huntian said smugly, then added with a touch of melancholy, "Back then, the seven of us brothers made a pact to meet at the Peach of Immortality Garden, but the Demon Emperor Niangniang discovered it beforehand and forbade us from going. In the end, we couldn't keep our appointment. Thinking about it now, it's truly a regret..."
It really is the Brother Monkey...
The secret passage leading to the boat was like Yu Tunzhou.
He pondered for a moment and said, "My primary task now is to push my cultivation to the Divine Ability Perfection. Two months of painstaking effort should be more than enough."
"Furthermore, I plan to make another trip to the Western Desert to see if I can find the entrance to the secret realm of the Eight Sceneries Palace."
"As for cultivation, that should be enough for the journey."
"That Eight Sceneries Palace? Logically speaking, what you sensed using the method of Nether Passage is the true location of Xuandu Heaven, which is where you and I arrived when we traveled back to the Primordial Era last time. I wonder what the situation is with the Eight Sceneries Palace in that secret place in the Western Desert."
Huntian pondered for a moment, then, as if remembering something, said...
"By the way, the Lingxiao and the Jade Pool will both open in two months. I wonder if Laojun will also appear at his Daoist temple in Heavenly Court."
"The Tushita Palace?" Yu Tunzhou nodded. "There's always hope for the future."
The following morning.
The wind was fierce on the mountaintop.
Under the eager and expectant gazes of the Lu Di, Yu Tunzhou taught him his boxing techniques.
The punch was thrown out, initially very slowly, as if pushing a mountain, even the wind passing through the cliff seemed to be frozen.
Immediately afterwards, the clouds above the entire mountain peak seemed to be stirred by an invisible hand, slowly rotating and converging in his direction, gradually forming Taiji symbol.
Within the Fist Intent, there is growth and development.
Like the spring thunder awakening the insects, grasses and trees breaking through the soil, all things sprouting and budding—this is "life."
Within the Fist Intent, there is also flourishing.
Like a torrential summer rain, a hundred rivers surging, and flowers blooming in profusion, this is "long".
Then, the punch suddenly stopped.
The fierce wind on the mountaintop suddenly stopped, and the entire cloud formation seemed to have been drained of all its vitality. The swirling motion did not stop, but it exuded a heavy twilight atmosphere, and a grayness gradually spread, like the chill of autumn, solemn and desolate.
This is "decline".
When the final punch is delivered.
Boom!
A thunderous roar seemed to erupt from the silence.
The clouds suddenly collapsed, and the Taiji vortex disintegrated from the center, scattering in all directions.
This is "extinction".
Clouds gathering signify life; clouds dispersing signify death.
Between gathering and parting, a cycle begins.
When the sea of clouds dispersed, the wind on the mountaintop stopped, and all was quiet, only the clear, bright sunlight fell on our shoulders.
Yu Tunzhou stands still, his fists slowly hanging down at his sides.
This set of boxing techniques is not just an introductory stance performed for Lu Di; it is also his new understanding after inheriting the Final Tribulation, which integrates the four principles of birth, growth, decay, and extinction into one.
"How is it?" Yu Tunzhou turned around and asked, "Is there anything you don't understand?"
Lu Di blurted out, "What a magnificent style of boxing!"
Yu Tunzhou laughed and said, "Is there anything you don't understand?"
Lu Di said apologetically, "Perhaps Master Yu will need you to demonstrate again."
"It's alright," Yu Tunzhou said nonchalantly. "I'll just play a little slower this time."
He took another step and demonstrated his boxing technique to Lu Di.
Lu Di stood behind Yu Tunzhou with burning eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Yu Tunzhou's every move.
After the drill ended, Yu Tunzhou had Lu Di try out a set of moves.
Since yesterday, he had been curious: as one of the scattered True Spirit of the Supreme Emperor Haotian, what kind of astonishing talent would Lu Di possess in martial arts?
Once Lu Di's boxing techniques were unleashed, Yu Tunzhou fell into deep thought.
As he gradually corrected Lu Di's fighting style, he felt that Lu Di might not be suited for Martial Dao...
Yes.
Haotian was originally the ruler of all the immortals Dominion the heavens, so he should have followed the Immortal Dao!
Finally, Yu Tunzhou personally disassembled and trained Lu Di, spending a whole day to ensure that Lu Di firmly memorized the postures of this Taijiquan.
He even passed on the "Spark Instruction" from the Human Emperor's lineage.
Haotian's True Spirit cultivated the Spark Instruction of the Human Emperor...
Hey.
Yu Tunzhou watched the clumsy yet earnest and meticulous figure practicing his boxing on Lu Di and nodded to himself.
He had already tested it before.
Although Lu Di is physically disabled and quite old, he has an extremely strong will, perhaps a trait forged by the tragedy of his family's massacre in his childhood and ten years of solitary life in the snowy mountains.
On the path of martial arts, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you go, but your determination to learn martial arts must be unwavering.
Moreover, his boxing style doesn't care about speed.
There are different ways to walk fast.
There are ways to walk slowly.
Gazing at Lu Di's figure, Yu Tunzhou suddenly spoke, "Lu Di, in your eyes, what is Martial Dao?"
Lu Di stopped his fist technique, stood there stunned, and couldn't answer for a moment.
What is Martial Dao?
Yu Tunzhou didn't seem prepared to wait for Lu Di's answer; he reached out, clenched his fist, and placed it in front of Lu Di.
"This is the origin of Martial Dao."
"A martial artist does not seek the mercy of gods or Buddhas, nor does he ask the heavens and earth to open their eyes. Even if millions oppose him, he will go forth; even if the heavens and earth abandon him, he will not abandon himself!"
Lu Di remained stunned for a long time.
The hand extended in front of him had distinct knuckles and a smooth, jade- Ruyu, yet it seemed to conceal a soaring spirit capable of pacifying mountains and rivers.
The moment the fist is clenched, all the scattered thoughts and emotions are condensed into the True Intention within the fist.
At that moment, he seemed to see a figure stretching across the heavens and earth, lawless and unrestrained, vividly clear to the extreme—
And this is what a martial artist is!
"Keep practicing your boxing!"
The sound of Yu Tunzhou echoed from the mountaintop.
Three years later.
Within this grotto, the scene of one person teaching boxing and another learning boxing was once again revealed.
Yu Tunzhou stayed in the cave for another day.
After visiting the Daoist and Buddhist garrisons, he entrusted the Lu Di to the two of them for their care.
The Buddhist Dharma Master Xuanzang readily agreed. The Vajra Chan Temple owed Yu Tunzhou a great deal for his recent trip to the Buddhist kingdom, so he naturally wouldn't refuse such a small favor.
The Daoist guard stationed there, a Daoist from the True Martial Sect, also did not refuse or decline the offer.
After arranging everything, Yu Tunzhou gathered the Martial Fortune of the entire world, leaving a portion of it on Lu Di sufficient to lay the foundation for martial arts. He then left Luofu Grotto-Heaven carrying with him all the Martial Fortune.
According to what Lu Daolin, even if he doesn't intend to refine this Martial Fortune, he needs to deal with it as soon as possible.
Yu Tunzhou didn't intend to refine it himself, but it would be a pity to let it scatter throughout the world, since it would be an immense fortuitous opportunity for most martial artists.
He pondered that during his trip to the Western Desert, he should have the opportunity to visit Senior Jin Moyuan.
We'll see when the time comes.
Watching his departing figure, Dharma Master Xuanzang and Daoist Xuanyin remained silent.
After a moment, the Daoist Xuanyin looked at the Dharma Master Xuanzang with a puzzled expression. "Is there still a need for you and me to stay and guard this place?"
The two of them, representing Daoism and Buddhism respectively, were stationed at Luofu Grotto-Heaven, their main duties being to supervise the Martial Ancestor and maintain fairness in the struggle for Martial Fortune.
But now the Martial Ancestor has broken free of his seal.
The last remaining Martial Fortune was taken away by Yu Tunzhou.
Then this Luofu Grotto-Heaven...
Dharma Master Xuanzang clasped his hands together, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Fellow Daoist, are you about to return to the sect?"
Seeing the bald monk's delighted expression, the Daoist Xuanyin finally realized that Luofu Grotto-Heaven was truly Buddhist School pure land. If he left, wouldn't that mean the Daoist School had abandoned this place?
He glanced at him sideways and said, "If you, this bald monk, aren't moving, why should I?"
Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and went back to the Daoist temple.
Dharma Master Xuanzang's smile remained unchanged. He chanted a Buddhist prayer and turned to look at Lu Di was still practicing his boxing.
This young man has caught the eye of Yu Tunzhou; who knows if, many years later, another "Yu Tunzhou" will emerge in the martial arts world.
This time, when leaving Luofu Grotto-Heaven, Yu Tunzhou, just like when he traveled with Old Mo last time, took the waterway.
He used a small boat as a propeller and sailed downstream. Soon he would enter the waterways of the Coming Dragon River.
During the journey, he began to sort out the trivial matters of his trip to Southern Extreme Heaven.
For example, the fragments of Xie Xiaoran's Primordial Spirit in the Southern Extreme Heaven.
In the end, he broke through Xie Xiaoran's Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth and captured the memories from a large number of Primordial Spirit fragments, all of which were recent.
Upon hearing this, Yu Tunzhou's brow twitched.
The Xie Household actually managed to hire two experts from the Underworld to hunt them down in Luofu!
And the location is right outside Luofu Grotto-Heaven!
The Yu Tunzhou, drifting out of the cave along the river, solemnly looked in all directions, quickly scanning the surrounding area with its [Heavenly Hearing and Earthly Perception], but found no suspicious figures.
Did they wait too long, lose patience, and then leave?
He continued sorting through Xie Xiaoran's memories when a thought suddenly struck him.
Xie Heyu...
Could this person be the Xie Household member I dealt with in the Buddhist Kingdom?
He suddenly recalled his experience in the Buddhist kingdom.
Yes!
When Xie Heyu was spying on him from afar, he had two other companions with him. But when they sensed his gaze, the other two decisively retreated, leaving Xie Heyu alone in the same spot, where he was then caught up.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shake his head. Xie Heyu was a weakling, yet he dared to lead a team to hunt him down. Most importantly, he had no self-awareness whatsoever. Even his companions ran away immediately, but he stood there stupidly.
In addition, the Underworld assassin, who has long been famous in the martial arts world, has good eyesight and knows how to assess the situation.
"The Xie Household..."
Yu Tunzhou murmured, his mind calm.
The Northern Plains Xie Household Northern Plains number one Aristocratic Clan in Beiyuan. In the Central Plains, they are one of the few families that can rival the Four Great Households of the Divine Capital of the capital. Their foundation is even no weaker than the ancestral homes of Daoism and Buddhism. They have existed for thousands of years and have dealings with many forces.
This trip to Southern Extreme Heaven further reveals that the Xie Household's influence in the Northern Plains may only be the tip of the iceberg. Their true strength is far more complex than what is seen in the Central Plains, and they have been laying the groundwork for many years in the "lower realm".
Behind the Xie Household stands an unknown master of supernatural Divine Ability.
It has no shortage of strength, heritage, and prestige.
But why...?
Why do they have to come looking for trouble with him?
Yu Tunzhou sighed.
Two External Scenery the Xie Household have died at his hands.
There's no need to mention anything else.
The Southern Extreme Heaven expedition alone resulted in countless deaths and injuries.
Thanks to his own ruthless elimination of the Xie Household, they may not be fully aware of his actions.
But Yu Tunzhou wasn't prepared for things to just end like that.
In Xie Xiaoran's memory, the Xie Household wanted to capture him mainly because they wanted to use him to restrain Northern Dark Sea.
Therefore, this group will never give up just because of one failure.
Yu Tunzhou suddenly let out a cold laugh.
In Xie Xiaoran's memory, the Xie Household also had a presence in the Western Desert.
The root cause lies in the fact that the Northern Dark Sea Faction bypassed the Northern Plains and opened up a supply route in the Western Desert, while the Xie Household planned to cut off this route and eliminate the Northern Dark Sea Faction's escape route.
Now that they know about it, this trip will naturally be an opportunity to completely sever the Xie Household's reach into the Western Desert.
Looking across the world now, what is there to fear except for the top twenty Grandmaster on the Earth Ranking and the Dharma Aspect masters on the Heaven Ranking?
Today, the world is vast, and we can go anywhere!
now.
The mist slowly dissipated ahead, and the first sound was the splashing of a large ship breaking through the water, mixed with the roar of the surging waves crashing against the shore, drifting over with the sound of the strong wind on the river.
He truly left the area of Luofu Grotto-Heaven and stepped into the Coming Dragon River.
As the fog dissipated, the view ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a giant, ornately decorated flower boat slowly sailing in the middle of the river. The sounds of string and wind instruments mingled with laughter and chatter, drifting far away on the river breeze, creating a lively scene.
"Look! There's a master swordsman on the river!"
Someone spotted the Yu Tunzhou that had suddenly appeared on the river. With a cry of surprise, the guests on the boat crowded to the side of the ship, craning their necks to look at the river, and shouts of surprise rose and fell.
"To walk on waves—such lightness skill is at least the mark of a master of the Chain Forming Realm!"
"Bullshit! Who in the Chain Forming Realm can walk on water for so long? This is clearly a master in the Divine Ability Realm!"
"You know nothing! The Dharma Master Jiese' from a few years ago crossed the river on a single reed!"
"... The person on the river looks somewhat familiar. I feel like I just saw him in a portrait recently—"
The conversation abruptly ended there.
Immediately afterward, someone cried out, their voice filled with disbelief:
That person is... Yu Tunzhou!
"Latest rankings: Yu Tunzhou tops the Dragon and Tiger Ranking List and ranks fifty-first on the Earth Ranking!"
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
The entire flower boat seemed to be held down for a moment by an invisible hand, and then it exploded with a bang.
Countless gazes fell upon the river, where a figure glided across the waves, clothes fluttering in the breeze, moving with unhurried grace, exuding a sharp aura that commanded respect.
Yu Tunzhou looked up at the noisy crowd on the boat.
Just like years ago, he boarded Old Mo's boat, left the Luofu Grotto-Heaven where he had been confined for many years, and looked up to see the vast world outside.
At that time, the river flowed mightily, the sky and earth stretched out before him, and ahead lay a world he had never set foot in before.
And now—
Thinking of this, Yu Tunzhou suddenly burst into laughter.
The laughter was clear and loud, like thunder, overpowering the waves on the river and causing the water to tremble slightly.
He stomped his foot heavily!
Boom!
The river water surged and churned, as if stirred by a dragon, with white waves shooting hundreds of feet high.
A strong wind swept across the river, startling everyone on board.
The Yu Tunzhou had already taken advantage of the momentum Fuyao, as if it were a rainbow rising from the heart of the river and heading straight to the sky.
As the sound of the waves faded into the distance, the flower boat gradually became a black dot, the landscape was picturesque, and the mighty Coming Dragon River eight thousand miles, eventually turned into a winding white line.
He stood against the wind, his sleeves fluttering.
They went from being people on a ship to being people in the heavens.
What I saw back then was the world of the Old Mo.
Today, returning to this familiar place, I find that his name Yu Tunzhou, is now widely known throughout the martial world.
Today and today.
Who in the world doesn't know you?