Chapter 585: The Landlord of Dao Ruins
Chen Shi thought to himself, "Could it be that King Li is actually afraid of that existence in the palace? Could that existence in the palace be the Empress of Earth?"
The place where the Empress of Earth resided was called the Hall of Great Virtue and Brightness, which should count as being in the palace.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I have just achieved Dao Unification and my realm is not yet stable," Chen Shi tactfully declined. "It is not suitable for me to change my Dao Unification location at this moment."
King Li glanced at him and smiled, "Immortal Chen, you are still at the Celestial Immortal Realm, are you not? At the Celestial Immortal Realm, Dao Unification covers ten thousand li. At the True Immortal Realm, you forge a Dao Realm great world, and the first layer of heaven alone unifies one hundred thousand li. When you achieved Dao Unification in the West Heaven Expanse at the Celestial Immortal Realm, where will you go to unify the Dao when you cultivate to True Immortal?"
Chen Shi tested the waters, "Naturally, I will still unify the Dao in the West Heaven Expanse."
King Li shook his head, "Last time you unified the Dao in the West Heaven Expanse and became an immortal, claiming ten thousand li of territory. Not executing you on the spot was already an act of leniency beyond the law. If you unify one hundred thousand li in the West Heaven Expanse, I would say you will definitely take a trip to the Immortal Execution Platform."
He changed his tone, speaking persuasively, "Even if I let you unify the Dao as a True Immortal in the West Heaven Expanse, what about when you reach Gold Immortal? Would you still unify the Dao in the West Heaven Expanse?"
Chen Shi showed an expression of anticipation.
King Li suppressed the urge to send him to the Immortal Execution Platform and spoke earnestly, "The territory of the West Heaven Expanse is enough for Dao Unification at the Gold Immortal Realm, but if you go higher, there is still the Tai Yi Golden Immortal. When you cultivate to Tai Yi Golden Immortal, where will you go to unify the Dao? At that time, the entire West Heaven Expanse won't be enough for your Dao Unification. If you expand further outward, that would be the Western Heavenly Gate! Do you expect the Jade Emperor to give up a place for you?"
Chen Shi hesitated, "The Jade Emperor probably wouldn't agree..."
King Li laughed in anger, "You truly intend to make the Jade Emperor give up territory? How many heads do you have? If you give up this Dao Unification land, I won't let you suffer a loss. I will give you another treasured land instead. You unified ten thousand li in the West Heaven Expanse, but I can give you ten times the compensation! One hundred thousand li of Dao Unification land is enough for you to cultivate to True Immortal."
Chen Shi said hesitantly, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Majesty. I have just achieved Dao Unification, and I don't know how many years it will be before I can hope to cultivate to True Immortal, let alone dare to aspire to Gold Immortal or Tai Yi Golden Immortal. Keeping this Dao Unification land in the West Heaven Expanse is more than enough for me."
He had already made up his mind.
To unify the Dao in the Celestial Court—speaking of such a matter would be impressive and awe-inspiring, absolutely unprecedented in the world.
Moreover, unifying the Dao in the Celestial Court came with many benefits. First, the Dao force between heaven and earth was abundant here, greatly enhancing an immortal's strength. Second, since this was the Celestial Court, even if others wanted to destroy his Dao Realm, they wouldn't know where to start, unless they attacked the Celestial Court itself.
Even if King Li offered a True Immortal Dao Unification land, let alone that, even a Gold Immortal Dao Unification land wouldn't be enough to make Chen Shi agree to the exchange!
King Li was silent for a moment, then said, "A True Immortal Dao Unification land is indeed a bit small. When you cultivate to True Immortal, you will need to seek out a Gold Immortal Dao Unification land. How about this—I have a good place, also in the Earth Immortal Realm. It has abundant spiritual energy, treasures of heaven and earth, spanning a million li or more. If you unify the Dao there, it will be enough for you to cultivate to Tai Yi Golden Immortal, and you will never need to worry about Dao Unification land again."
Chen Shi was not moved by his previous conditions, but this time the offer made his heart stir.
"This place is called Dao Ruins," King Li said with a gentle expression. "If you are willing, I will exchange Dao Ruins for this ten thousand li of the West Heaven Expanse... Guards! Come, have Immortal Chen put his seal on the deed!"
Two divine generals approached, flanking Chen Shi from left and right.
Chen Shi smiled, "Your Majesty, about the one in the palace..."
King Li ordered the Registrar to step forward and draft the land deed, using the Dao Ruins deed to exchange for Chen Shi's West Heaven Expanse Dao Realm. His expression grew even more amiable as he smiled, "The one in the palace—I do not fear her in the slightest, I simply wish to avoid trouble. Today, whether Immortal Chen likes it or not, you will put your seal on the deed. As long as I don't kill you, the one in the palace won't turn against me over such a trivial matter."
The Registrar finished drafting the land deed, and one divine general grabbed Chen Shi's hand to press his seal upon it.
Chen Shi quickly said, "I know how to write! I can do it myself!"
But the divine general had already pressed his hand down and completed the seal.
Chen Shi rubbed his hand bones as King Li had already snatched up the land deed, blowing on the ink to dry it, looking very satisfied. He said, "Now the West Heaven Expanse is finally complete... Someone, escort Immortal Chen to Dao Ruins to unify the Dao!"
The two divine generals lifted Chen Shi up, preparing to fly off, when King Li said, "Use my carriage to take him there. Don't let anything happen on the way. After he unifies the Dao, you two return. Don't die there."
Chen Shi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Your Majesty, is Dao Ruins dangerous?"
"Not dangerous, not dangerous at all... Take my golden mace with you. If you encounter danger, raise this mace and it will protect your lives!"
King Li fetched the golden mace, which was even taller than Chen Shi, and stuffed it into his arms, urging, "The carriage is here. Go quickly and return quickly."
Before Chen Shi could even speak, he saw rolling fire clouds surging toward them. Above the fire clouds, banners fluttered in the wind. Within them sat a treasured carriage adorned with all sorts of flags. The fire clouds were the strange phenomenon emitted by its mounts, the bi fang birds.
The two divine generals flanked Chen Shi from left and right, lifting him into the air and stuffing him into the treasured carriage. Six bi fang birds immediately spread their wings, dragging the carriage as it sped away.
The two divine generals sat on the carriage shafts, one on each side, as if afraid Chen Shi might run.
This bi fang carriage soon left the West Heaven Expanse, traveling down along the Heavenly River into the distance.
King Li watched the bi fang carriage recede into the distance and quietly let out a sigh of relief. He murmured softly, "This hot potato has finally been sent off. Every year, many heavenly soldiers and generals die over this Dao Ruins. Now it's finally not my problem anymore... Why does that one in the palace favor this newly ascended little immortal so much?"
He was thoroughly puzzled.
"Your Majesty, Chen Shi is also a heavenly soldier from the Demon-Refining Well at Wash Immortal Valley," one divine general said. "Could he be involved with Wu Guanyun and Zhang Xian? Those Demon-Refining Cauldrons in the well are clearly all empty! If Chen Shi is also one of Wu Guanyun's accomplices..."
King Li waved it off dismissively, smiling, "If he's valued by the one in the palace, what does it matter even if he is involved?"
That divine general was greatly perplexed.
King Li's thoughts drifted leisurely as he silently mused to himself, "The one in the palace indulges Wu Guanyun and the other rebels, using their hands to destroy the Celestial Strategy. A clever move—building the plank road in the open while secretly crossing at Chencang. She might fool everyone else, but not me. The Celestial Court may appear to have lost the Celestial Strategy, greatly reducing its grip on immortals, but isn't this just a game of letting them run only to catch them later? Was the Celestial Strategy truly destroyed?"
Chen Shi sat in the bi fang carriage. The carriage moved faster and faster, streaking past like flowing light. Suddenly, the waves of the Heavenly River rolled violently, and a massive surge rose into the air. The bi fang carriage passed between the waves, and he saw the spray scatter across the sky. Each water droplet transformed into a star, rapidly growing larger as they flew away.
The bi fang carriage wove between these stars like a rocket in the starry sky. When it flew out of this star field, it returned to the Heavenly River.
Chen Shi looked back and saw the star field behind him falling back down, transforming into a wave over the Heavenly River before splashing back into the water.
On both banks of the Heavenly River were the Celestial Court's naval forces. Banners filled the sky, forming enormous, impenetrable barriers that stretched three thousand li thick—all manifested from the banner surfaces.
Heavenly soldiers guarded this place, all of them immortals, and their numbers were not much fewer than those under King Li's command.
When the naval forces saw King Li's carriage approaching from afar, they withdrew their banner barriers and allowed the carriage to pass through.
"The strength of the Celestial Court is truly unfathomable," Chen Shi couldn't help but admire.
The bi fang carriage continued its journey, leaving the Heavenly River and heading northwest.
Earlier, he could still see fairy mountains, immortal palaces, and celestial towers, but gradually the surroundings grew more desolate and barren. Chen Shi felt a sense of wrongness rising in his heart.
The bi fang carriage remained extremely fast, but it seemed even these six incredibly powerful bi fang birds were somewhat afraid of this place. As they flew, they flapped their wings to emit more divine flames, guarding against the surroundings.
The two divine generals driving the carriage also stood up, each raising their divine artifacts—one a heavenly canopy covered in scriptures, the other a golden bell covered in Buddhas.
Seeing how seriously they took this, Chen Shi also grew solemn. He peered outside and saw dismal yin winds in this place, howling winds forming black clouds that swept through, even uprooting mountain peaks in their path. There was also a strange demonic aura that invaded heaven and earth, corrupting the immortal path.
Beyond that, he sensed a demonic energy similar to the primordial insect, and a demonic miasma similar to the sea monsters.
But what was even stranger was a decaying aura, like the withered remnants left behind by the corruption of the Great Dao.
Suddenly, one divine general swung his heavenly canopy. Instantly, countless Sanskrit characters flew through the air, swirling around the bi fang carriage, emitting a profound and resonant sound that blocked the surge of yin wind and black clouds.
All around them was pitch darkness, so dark they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces. Even when Chen Shi focused his gaze and swept his eyes in every direction, he couldn't see through it.
Just as the scripture canopy was about to be blown apart by the yin wind, the other divine general raised his hand and activated the golden bell. The Buddhas on the bell's surface materialized, taking their seats around the perimeter, suppressing the yin wind and black clouds.
Even so, from time to time, enormous cyan-black arms reached into the area protected by the Buddhas, grabbing toward the treasured carriage.
Whenever this happened, the six bi fang birds and the two divine generals would each strike out, exchanging several blows with whatever was in the yin wind before driving it back.
Chen Shi watched with his heart pounding in his chest. The reason those cyan-black arms appeared that color was because the blood within them had congealed!
These arms were the arms of corpses!
Just then, a mournful bird cry rang out. One bi fang bird was caught by something in the yin wind, its reins snapping as it was dragged into the darkness.
The remaining five bi fang birds grew even more tense. They actually transformed into human forms, becoming five young maidens dressed in colorful garments. Each opened her mouth and spat out her entire body of flame immortal essence, condensing it into a sharp sword as they stared nervously into the yin wind.
"They're demon immortals!"
Chen Shi finally saw the origins of these bi fang birds—they were bi fang that had cultivated to immortality!
Their realms were far higher than Chen Shi's. Each summoned her own Dao Realm, their cultivation profound and mighty. They had already cultivated the True Immortal Realm to the fifth and sixth Dao Realm levels, and different Dao manifestations appeared within their realms.
Unfortunately, one of the demon immortals had been snatched away by the corpse in the yin wind. She was likely already in grave danger.
From within the yin wind came the sounds of chewing and bones crunching. Whatever was in the darkness did not continue its attack.
After the wind had passed, the two divine generals each breathed a sigh of relief and put away their magic treasures. The five bi fang maidens transformed back into their true forms and pulled the bi fang carriage out of that stretch of yin wind.
They showed little sorrow, as if such things had long become routine for them.
"Immortal Chen, we have arrived at the outskirts of Dao Ruins. This place is perilous. Please raise His Majesty's golden mace at once!" one divine general called to Chen Shi inside the carriage.
Chen Shi immediately raised King Li's golden mace into the air. The mace expanded layer upon layer, quickly growing to several thousand zhang tall, standing tall above the treasured carriage. It radiated brilliant golden light with boundless divine power, shattering all the strange auras around them.
The golden mace was divided into twenty-eight segments, each with six faces, and every face was carved with the Buddhas of the Three Ages. As the mace emitted golden light, one after another the Buddhas of the Three Ages sat within the radiance. Buddha Light surged vast and mighty, illuminating heaven and earth, making this place suddenly seem much more normal.
Under the protection of the golden mace, the bi fang carriage ventured deep into Dao Ruins.
Chen Shi looked around. He saw mountains upon mountains, vast and silent, utterly devoid of human presence. It was desolate beyond measure, clearly a place where no one had set foot for a long time.
"This is the spot!" The two divine generals were extremely tense and ordered the bi fang maidens to stop the carriage.
Cold sweat beaded on both their foreheads. Wiping their brows, they said, "Immortal Chen, please raise the land deed."
Chen Shi did as instructed and raised the land deed.
The land deed floated in the air, its paper radiating brilliant light. In the sky, it transformed into divine script characters several zhang in size.
Proclaiming to the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth, and all living spirits:
"Boundless Heaven and Infinite Dao, great virtue carries all things. The Four Sovereigns manifest their signs, and the Eight Extremes rest in peace. Now, in accordance with the decree of the Vast Heaven and the covenant of the Earth Spirit, this deed commands the settlement of the terrestrial domains, and the boundaries are hereby fixed. Let it be known that the mortal Chen Shi, holding a heart of righteousness and integrity, receiving the mandate in accordance with the times, reverently honoring the order of the Three Powers, and steadfastly maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang—from this day forward, all mountains and rivers, grasses and trees, cities and fields within these lands shall fall under the governance of the Chen clan. Let all spirits bear witness, and let ghosts and gods alike obey. The August Heaven above observes all with perfect clarity; the Empress of Earth below shall eternally guard this domain. Those who defy shall be smitten; those who submit shall flourish!"
"Urgent as the law commands!"
Chen Shi looked up, captivated, as the countless words in the sky imprinted themselves upon the mountains and rivers, into heaven and earth, gradually fading away.
What followed was a sensation similar to the Mountains and Rivers Map of Western Ox New Continent, flooding into his mind. It was as if this land, these mountains and rivers, the grass and trees, the living beings—all had become his subjects.
This land deed had actually made him the master of this Dao Ruins!
"Immortal Chen, hurry and unify the Dao!" the two divine generals urged.
Chen Shi steadied himself, stepped down from the bi fang carriage, and attempted to release his Dao Unification of the West Heaven Expanse. He silently focused his mind, activating the Realm of Emptiness manifested from his Dao Field. His vast ten-thousand-li Dao Domain unfolded in all directions, connecting with the ancient and primeval Great Dao of this land, mutually confirming each other.
Amid the mountains and rivers, an ancient, primordial aura seemed to be stirred by his Dao Unification. Radiant light emerged from the mountains and rivers, suffusing the sky.
"Dao Unification complete!"
The two divine generals grew even more tense. Together they lifted Chen Shi and placed him back into the bi fang carriage.
The five bi fang maidens immediately manifested their true forms, pulling the carriage as they spread their wings and soared, whistling through the air as they sped away.
Chen Shi looked back and saw that the place where he had unified the Dao was radiating brilliant light through the sky—even more intense than the Great Dao Phenomena stirred by his Dao Unification in the West Heaven Expanse!
"Is this really my Dao Realm now?"
He felt as if today's experiences were like a dream. In an instant, he had gone from being a nobody heavenly soldier named Little Chen to becoming Landlord Chen, a wealthy proprietor of a million-li Dao Ruins in the Earth Immortal Realm. What an incredibly marvelous twist of fate.
"This trip was too rushed. When I have free time, I will come here and inspect my territory!"