The Cowherd and the Manifestation of Dao and Virtue

"The younger generation is truly formidable..."

On the distant sand dunes.

Qin Zang's expression was filled with shock and complex emotions.

"Is this person truly... Yu Tunzhou?"

He had seen this boy in Twin Rivers Commandery about two years ago.

Back then, Yu Tunzhou could only handle Half-Step External Scenery, but two years later, he has shown a combat power that can crush Grandmaster!

Even though Xie Liyuan's Grandmaster realm was clearly not perfect and far inferior to his own, he was still Grandmaster!

Looking across the Central Plains, they are already among the strongest in terms of numbers!

"Breaking through the Dharma Domain with the physical body, without any Gang Qi, without any laws, without any outward manifestations, relying entirely on a brute and domineering physique..." Qin Zang murmured, "This kind of approach is something I've never seen before. Is this a special physique, or some kind of Dao Path?"

He had seen Ji Yaoyang of the royal family take action before. Even though the latter had used divine medicine to reshape his body and reach the Dharma Aspect, he had never had such an unreasonable and powerful physical body.

He also did not agree with Xie Liyuan's recent speculation about the bloodline of Immortals and Gods.

Those who possess this bloodline are invariably endowed with innate legal principles and extraordinary phenomena, their Divine Ability manifesting spontaneously with every gesture.

That thing is ultimately another facet of the laws and principles of heaven and earth.

But what Yu Tunzhou displayed was pure, ultimate physical strength—a formidable power stripped of all external appearances, supported solely by muscles, bones, and flesh.

He almost suspected that Yu Tunzhou was some kind of external martial arts technique, but where in the world could there be such an external martial arts technique that could allow a Divine Ability... No, this kid has already entered the External Scenery!

Is this a trip to the Heavenly Court?!

Qin Zang suddenly realized that Yu Tunzhou should have gone to the Heavenly Court; had it already returned?

Recalling the scene of hundreds of meteors falling from the sky not long ago, Qin Zang's expression turned solemn. Were those all powerful figures who had returned from the Heavenly Court?

"When chaos is about to begin, all sorts of monsters will emerge," he muttered to himself. "I just didn't expect that the first one to appear would be Yu Tunzhou."

Suddenly, Qin Zang's expression turned solemn. Yu Tunzhou was in the distance, glanced in his direction before looking away.

The Martial Intention force of that gaze sent a chill down his spine.

"Top five on the Earth Ranking..."

Qin Zang was shocked. In today's battle, Yu Tunzhou had not shown his full strength. Who knows... he really has the potential to rank among the top five on the Earth Ranking!

Thinking of those monsters at the top of the current Earth Ranking, who are only one step away from reaching the Dharma Aspect, Qin Zang took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

In this world, it seems only monsters can fight monsters.

This child, in particular... is beyond measure!

Yu Tunzhou turned back and came to Jin Moyuan's side, taking the initiative to suggest:

"Senior Jin, I plan to stay at the Jin Household for a period of time to cultivate in seclusion."

Jin Moyuan naturally understood the true meaning of "Yu Tunzhou." It meant that he was worried that the Jin Household would still face a counterattack from the Xie Household, and that he needed to stay in the Jin Household for a while.

But when he thought of Xie Liyuan's death and Xie Xiao's complete lack of resistance, his gaze became somewhat unfocused.

The younger generation is truly formidable.

He shook his head and smiled, "No matter how deep the Xie Household's foundation is, it can't withstand the loss of a Grandmaster. They can't send more people to the Western Desert in the short term, so you can go and do your work with peace of mind."

"Actually, it's two," Yu Tunzhou laughed. "Xie Lihuo, another Grandmaster of the Xie Household, has also died in the Heavenly Court."

Jin Moyuan was stunned for a moment, then looked intently at Yu Tunzhou and whispered, "Did you kill him too?"

"Not really." Yu Tunzhou thought for a moment.

Strictly speaking, Xie Lihuo committed suicide, as did all the other External Scenery experts who died in that tribulation; they all perished in the lightning tribulation.

Even if there is a cause and effect, it doesn't involve him.

Under heavenly lightning, there is no cause and effect.

Jin Moyuan looked at the young man before him, his heart filled with even deeper emotions.

In this Mortal Realm power and influence, there are probably very few people left who can make Yu Tunzhou down.

Now that chaos is about to erupt, it is a blessing for the entire Central Plains to have one more chivalrous and strong person in the world.

Where are you planning to go next?

"I plan to head towards Northern Plains," Yu Tunzhou said, his smile fading slightly. "The Xie Household has caused me trouble several times; it's only right that they return the favor."

"The Xie Household..." Jin Moyuan's expression was solemn. "After the Heavenly Court opened, the Xie Household immediately took action. Taking advantage of the departure of some of the External Scenery of Northern Plains, they seized most of Northern Plains Commandery in one fell swoop. Now, there is absolutely no question that they are the masters of Northern Plains."

"If you travel to the Northern Plains, be careful."

"Does the Xie Household already harbor ambitions to Central Plains of the Central Plains? Has the Great Yan failed to suppress them?"

"The Divine Capital's attitude is ambiguous; they haven't held morning court for months and haven't reacted to this matter at all, as if they're overwhelmed," Jin Moyuan sighed. "The Great Yan's fate is sealed; who will rule the Central Plains next remains to be seen."

"There's definitely no place for the Xie Household," Yu Tunzhou said confidently. He then asked, "Does the Xie Household currently have Dharma Aspect Master in charge?"

Now, no matter how many ordinary External Scenery there are, they are no different from Divine Ability Form Refinement to him.

Having cultivated the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art, one's physical body has reached such a level that it is no longer possible to fear group battles.

Today's battle has given him a preliminary understanding of his own physical strength.

"There is at least one, but this person hasn't made a move yet," Jin Moyuan said in a deep voice. "Over in Northern Plains, the Xie Household has been trying to lure Northern Dark Sea into making a move. If I'm not mistaken, the Xie Household has definitely already laid a trap, daring to scheme even against Dharma Aspect. When you go to Northern Plains, remember not to be reckless."

The Yu Tunzhou, and with Lu Ya as its backer, the Xie Household's strength was indeed unfathomable.

"Since you're heading to Northern Plains, if you have time, why not take a trip to the Northern Dark Sea?"

Jin Moyuan seemed to remember something and said,

"I recently contacted Northern Dark Sea, and a friend told me that the Azure Ox Huaiqing left behind suddenly began to speak, saying it wanted to go overseas."

"Azure Ox?" Yu Tunzhou asked in confusion, "Why would Master Lu leave behind a Azure Ox?"

"You forgot, before this guy entered Luofu Grotto-Heaven, he was just a nameless cowherd."

Jin Moyuan couldn't help but laugh, but this aggravated his injuries, and he coughed a few times.

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"When that guy came out of the cave, he found the Azure Ox waiting for him right where he had mistakenly entered the cave."

"Later, when he went to the Northern Dark Sea, he took that old Azure Ox with him. Although I never saw it, I heard that the old Azure Ox was not only long-lived but also extremely intelligent, quite extraordinary. After Huaiqing died, it did not leave but stayed in the Northern Dark Sea for a while."

"Not long ago, this Azure Ox suddenly spoke, saying that it was preparing to leave for overseas, which they couldn't persuade it to do, and it was quite a headache, after all, it was one of the few things Huaiqing wanted to leave behind in this world."

The Yu Tunzhou in astonishment.

Master Lu left behind the old Azure Ox he had raised in his youth, and now this old Azure Ox has gained sentience and traveled overseas?

What are you going to do?

Returning to the Demon Race, recognizing one's ancestors and returning to one's roots?

"... Fellow Daoist, what exactly does your Master Lu look like?"

Suddenly, a very cautious voice came from within the Huntian Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth.

Huntian always thought that I often heard the name Master Lu from Yu Tunzhou, but I never took it seriously. He was just a guide who wasn't even Immortals and Gods.

Xuandu is indeed nostalgic.

However, during this period of contact, it inexplicably sensed that something was amiss.

"What's wrong?" Yu Tunzhou asked.

"Fellow Daoist, don't you think he looks somewhat familiar?" Huntian carefully chose his words.

Yu Tunzhou was taken aback.

"Although this person's cultivation level is not high, he is proficient in alchemy, array patterns, and everything else. Now he also raises a Azure Ox. Fellow Daoist, don't you think this person looks somewhat familiar?" Huntian asked cautiously.

What do you want to say...?

Suddenly, Yu Tunzhou felt a tremendous shock, as if a bolt of lightning had struck his mind.

"What's wrong?" Jin Moyuan asked in a deep voice when he saw his expression suddenly change.

The Yu Tunzhou, but seemed not to hear it.

After a long while, he asked in a low voice within his Primordial Spirit Heaven and Earth:

"Is... that possible?"

Huntian's voice was also unusually cautious. "Under normal circumstances... that's impossible. Beings of that level generally cannot reincarnate. Even if they did reincarnate, they wouldn't die so early. They must have made plans and schemes long ago, and had powerful beings protecting them."

"But there are always exceptions. For example, in Buddhist School, there is the concept of the Three Bodies. The Transformation Body often manifests in the Mortal Realm, taking the form of ordinary people, birds, or beasts, with the intention of enlightening sentient beings. When the Transformation Body dies, it means that its karmic connection has ended."

"And this person is also said to be Dao Manifestation. This is different from reincarnation; it is the Dao manifesting in the Mortal Realm according to circumstances. The mysteries within are something we can only hear about, but have no chance to witness firsthand."

Under the moonlight.

On the cliff edge, a woman in a white dress stood, her skirt billowing like snow in the wind. Under the cool moonlight, her face appeared even more pristine, and her eyes were as clear Ruyu.

After an unknown amount of time, a very subtle ripple suddenly appeared in the Void behind her, as if someone had pushed open a door from the other side of the Void.

The ripples transitioned from illusion to reality.

A tall, middle-aged Daoist priest stepped out from the Void.

He was dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with a very faint lotus flower embroidered on the hem. His aura was as restrained as a deep abyss. He was none other than Qingxuzi, the Heavenly King Protector of the Incense-Smelling Cult.

"What's the situation?" His expression was unusually serious. "The situation at the Ascension Platform isn't good. No one expected the return to be like this. Yan Huifeng and Liaose have already gone to intercept those descending Immortals and Gods. Next, the Central Plains will be in complete chaos."

"Chaos is inevitable," An Ruyu said. "I request that the Dharma King immediately proceed to the Divine Capital and monitor the grotto where that Peerless Imperial Lord is hiding."

Qingxuzi's gaze sharpened. "You suspect this person is about to be born?"

Since High Antiquity times, only two overlords have emerged in this world.

One of them was the Peerless Imperial Lord unified the Central Plains four thousand years ago, destroyed countless lineages of Buddhism, caused heavy losses to both Daoism and Buddhism, and was even removed from the history books.

According to intelligence gathered by the Incense-Smelling Cult, this person is the last person since High Antiquity times to attain the Primordial Unity Dao Lord!

The fact that the Great Yan was able to hold the throne a thousand years ago was due to the machinations of this person.

This person was also involved in the reason why the Incense-Smelling Cult Sect fell out with the Great Yan Imperial Family back then.

Although he had long since retreated into a celestial realm and never returned to the mortal world, he was theoretically the most Divine Ability closest to the Mortal Realm. The Incense-Smelling Cult often discovered his moves in the Mortal Realm.

An Ruyu said softly, "Lu Daolin was able to open the Heavenly Court's gates and awaken the Zhou Heaven Star Battle Grand Formation, which must have been due to this person's guidance."

"There are seven Dao Lord -level beings in the Heavenly Court, among whom the Queen Mother of the West, the Great Emperor Ziwei, and the Great Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole have all been confirmed dead."

Qingxuzi's expression changed drastically. "Really?!"

"I saw their corpses." An Ruyu gazed towards the direction of the Divine Capital. "The great calamity to come will likely not erupt from various parts of the Central Plains, but will begin in the Divine Capital!"

Qingxuzi said in a deep voice, "You've already foreseen that the emperor is the source of the upcoming chaos in the Central Plains?"

"The Luo River Diagram cannot yet deduce beings at the Dao Lord level; they have all initially broken free from the threads of fate," An Ruyu said with a slight smile. "But for that person, the fastest way to quickly recover their power and regain Human Dao Fortune is..."

"Isn't the Human Dao Fortune in Ji Tianfang's hands?"

"The Old Wang has returned the Human Dao Fortune, and now this destiny has returned to the hands of the royal family."

Qingxuzi's expression turned slightly grim. "Doesn't that mean that once the royal family joins forces with that person, they will be unstoppable?"

"No," An Ruyu said leisurely. "The decline of the Great Yan is Predestination fate, something that all the great Divine Ability beings are happy to see happen, and even that emperor cannot stop it. Once the dynastic order collapses, the accumulated Human Dao Fortune will return to its illusion."

"... I understand," Qingxuzi said slowly. "I will head to the Divine Capital immediately."

"And what about you? Your trip to the Heavenly Court should have already been exposed."

"If all goes as expected, experts from the Central Plains should be coming to hunt me down soon," An Ruyu said with a light smile. "However, it won't be so easy for them to find me."

Qingxuzi said in a deep voice, "The Dao Lord's interference with fate can make the pursuit of you seem 'predestined.' As the one in charge of the Luo River Diagram, you should be well aware of the inviolability of fate."

"I know, so I'll stir up my destiny a little more. The Luo River Diagram alone isn't enough; I need to find something else." An Ruyu's lips curled into a smile.

"Are you going to look for Yu Tunzhou again?" Qingxuzi shook his head and said, "You'd better not be caught up in it."

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. I'm looking for the Three Rankings left behind by the Human Emperor," An Ruyu said with a smile.

Qingxuzi gave the woman before him a deep look, then turned and disappeared into the Void, leaving behind only a final warning:

"Of the twelve old mothers, eight have recently awakened. Among them, the ' Myriad Stars,' ' Queen Mother of the West,' and ' Void ' all wish to see you. You may decide for yourself whether to see them or not."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingxuzi vanished from the spot.

Only An Ruyu, dressed in a white dress, stood on the cliff edge in the moonlight.

She looked up at the sky, then at the direction of the Divine Capital.

Since High Antiquity, two overlords have emerged in the world: one is the emperor who reigned four thousand years ago, and the other is Lu Daolin, the Martial Ancestor carried on the legacy of the past and established the Martial Dao for the Mortal Realm a thousand years ago.

"So now the biggest mystery is--"

She murmured, her voice scattering in the wind.

Who exactly is Lu Daolin?

"Who is Lu Daolin?" Yu Tunzhou murmured. "If Master Lu is truly Dao Manifestation of Laojun's Dao, then what is the destiny he is destined to fulfill?"

"The arrival of Martial Dao?"

"But the Martial Dao were established a thousand years ago, while Master Lu only entered Luofu ninety years ago."

"But if it has nothing to do with Martial Dao, then why did he specifically enter Luofu Grotto-Heaven and get involved with Lu Daolin?"

Yu Tunzhou frowned, his doubts growing.

The possibility that Master Lu might be Dao Manifestation from Master Dao truly sent chills down his spine.

But if it's not true, then some of the details seem rather coincidental.

If this is true, then even more questions will arise, and the situation may even become more perplexing.

for example...

Who is qualified to be Dao Tianzun's "teacher"?

Yu Tunzhou suddenly realized something.

Master Lu once found the Azure Emperor's True Spirit Pool.

Whose reflection will he have in the pond?

Did he know his own identity?