Chapter 492: I Gave You a Chance, But You Didn’t Seize It
Chen Shi’s spirits lifted. Although that slash had an element of catching the opponent off guard, and although it had relied on the help of Empress Earth’s avatar, it had still managed to gouge out one of the Celestial Venerable’s eyes.
This proved that even the Celestial Venerable of Despair Slope was human. He could be wounded. He could bleed!
If the Celestial Venerable hadn’t been injured at all, *that* would have been true despair.
"The Fog Moon is incredibly powerful. It can interfere with life and death, using its vast demonic energy to resurrect the dead."
As his excitement subsided, Chen Shi pondered, "When the Fog Moon Night erupts, the mist almost completely covers the Ten Thousand Mountains. Maybe we can estimate the Celestial Venerable’s cultivation level based on the range of that fog."
Zhong Wuwang’s eyes lit up. The Fog Moon was probably a strange kind of Ghost and God Domain. And a Ghost and God Domain was also a kind of Dao power field. Based on its coverage range, they should be able to deduce the realm of cultivation!
"However, the Celestial Venerable has definitely already reached Dao Unification. His realm is the Immortal Realm. But we have no idea how many sub-realms exist within the Immortal Realm."
Zhong Wuwang said, "So, even if we know the coverage range of the Fog Moon, we can’t calculate his exact realm."
Chen Shi laughed. "Your Despair Slope might not be able to, but my Yellow Earth Slope can. My lady! My lady!"
Little Duan Immortal walked over with an icy expression. She glanced at Zhong Wuwang, then whispered reproachfully, "There’s an outsider present. Keep your voice down! Why are you soaking in the spring too? Any hope for Senior Wu Qi?"
She carefully examined Wu Qi’s skeletal remains. The Water of the Dao Spring was indeed effective. The shamanic ritual markings on Wu Qi’s bones were gradually becoming clearer. The glue-like substance between the bones was slowly dissolving, but the connections between them were becoming tighter.
Chen Shi said, "This spring water is excellent. Soaking in it feels great. You should come in and try it."
Little Duan hesitated. "With an outsider here, how can I bathe with you? Besides, this cauldron isn’t big enough for the three of us!"
Chen Shi picked up Wu Qi’s skeleton and tossed it out of the cauldron.
Little Duan glared at him, then put Wu Qi’s skeleton back into the cauldron. She fumed, "He was the greatest shaman of my Great Shang! When he wakes up, he’ll sacrifice you like a Qiang tribesman!"
Chen Shi asked, "My lady, if a Dao Field were large enough to cover the Ten Thousand Mountains, what cultivation realm would that be?"
Little Duan Immortal said, "The Great Ascension Realm: a Dao Field of a thousand miles. The Tribulation Crossing Realm: a Dao Field of three thousand miles. The Ascension Realm: a Dao Field of ten thousand miles. When a cultivator achieves Dao Unification and ascends, they are called a Celestial Immortal. Their Dao Field transforms into a Dao Realm. One Dao Realm is one world. The Celestial Immortal Realm is a small world. That was my former realm. Even a small Dao Realm world spans thirty thousand miles, with sun and moon in place and vast starry skies."
Zhong Wuwang’s heart stirred. He said, "The Celestial Way Immortals of my Despair Slope are mostly at this realm too. I’ve seen the Dao Realms of a few Celestial Way Immortals before. They are vast, spanning thirty thousand miles, like a paradise."
Chen Shi shook his head. "Thirty thousand miles is vast, but the Ten Thousand Mountains stretch across more than thirty thousand miles. What about the next realm?"
Little Duan said, "The next realm is the True Immortal Realm. One refines the small Dao Realm world into a large Dao Realm world, called a 'Heaven'. The first Heaven is the Tai Huang Huang Zeng Heaven, spanning one hundred thousand miles."
Chen Shi shook his head again. "Still not enough to cover the Ten Thousand Mountains. What about the next realm?"
Little Duan Immortal continued, "Cultivating to the Seventh Heaven, that’s the next realm, the Golden Immortal Realm. The Seventh Heaven is the Xu Wu Yue Heng Heaven, spanning three hundred thousand miles, vast and boundless. After the Golden Immortal Realm, there is the Tai Yi Golden Immortal Realm. I have never heard what the grotto-heaven of a Tai Yi Golden Immortal is like. Great Shang has long since declined. Since fleeing to the New Continent, no one has ever managed to cultivate to the Tai Yi Golden Immortal Realm."
Chen Shi’s heart trembled. "So, the Celestial Venerable’s cultivation level is most likely somewhere between Golden Immortal and Tai Yi Golden Immortal!"
A heavy weight settled in his heart.
The remnants of Great Shang had arrived in Western Ox New Continent, operated for over three hundred thousand years, rebuilt the Black Bird Celestial Court, commanded countless ancestral spirits, delved into immortal techniques, and integrated shamanic methods. If even they couldn’t deal with the Celestial Venerable, could he and his allies really kill him?
"And what about Empress Earth? Does she possess power that can rival a Tai Yi Golden Immortal?" Chen Shi wondered.
Probably not.
If Empress Earth’s avatar had possessed such power, she wouldn’t have needed to hide from the Celestial Venerable over six thousand years ago.
"What about adding Wu Qi?"
Chen Shi’s gaze fell on Wu Qi, who was still in the cauldron. Wu Qi was undoubtedly a powerful being. He had fought the Celestial Venerable’s true body to a mutual near-death. He had created the Immortal Art of Immortality, a peerless feat. His cultivation before death was probably at the Golden Immortal level.
But for now, Wu Qi was just a skeleton. No one knew when he would recover his flesh and Primordial Spirit, or when he would restore his cultivation and power.
"Chen Shi, how much have you comprehended of the Immortal Art of Immortality these past days?"
Zhong Wuwang’s eyes flickered as he watched the shamanic ritual markings on Wu Qi’s bones. He probed, "You, me, and Yang Bi—all three of us have obtained the Immortal Art of Immortality. With our wisdom, we’ve surely all gained some insights. But as for who has understood more, and who has understood better... that’s hard to say."
Chen Shi suppressed his uneasy feelings. "I’ve been busy with my External Incarnation crossing tribulation these days, and I’ve neglected this matter. I’m afraid my understanding isn’t as good as yours."
Zhong Wuwang smiled faintly. "I think so too. I heard a saying from Yang Bi. Let me share it with you, as mutual encouragement."
He clasped his hands behind his back, looking at ease. "All power reverts to the self."
Chen Shi was utterly stunned.
Seeing Chen Shi’s shocked expression, Zhong Wuwang felt a hint of pride. He said, "The meaning of this saying is that if you are not strong yourself, relying on others will never allow you to win. For us cultivators, only by gathering all kinds of power into ourselves can we be sure of victory!"
A faint, smug smile played on his lips. "This saying from Yang Bi is an insight he gained from his defeat at my hands. Chen Shi, do not lead yourself astray."
Chen Shi said earnestly, "I am enlightened. Thank you for your instruction."
Zhong Wuwang, feeling he had gotten the better of him, showed a look of delight. "I also have a question. In your opinion, how can one become an immortal under the new method?"
Chen Shi was silent for a moment, then said, "Under the old method, becoming an immortal involved either crossing the tribulation to become an immortal through the Primordial Spirit, or ascending to become an immortal through the physical body. These two paths require either the tempering of heavenly lightning, or immortal qi and immortal light, to achieve Dao Unification and ascend. Therefore, I believe the new method should also follow these two paths."
Zhong Wuwang shook his head. "I have never been able to sense the heavenly tribulation. I cannot cross it."
Chen Shi’s heart stirred. He said, "The new method possesses the Divine Embryo, which is bestowed by the True God. The True God covers all of Western Ox New Continent, acting as the Celestial Way of this land. Why would the Celestial Way send down tribulation upon itself? Therefore, the new method absolutely has no heavenly tribulation."
Zhong Wuwang was dumbfounded. He murmured, "So, you mean one must discard the Divine Embryo in order to attract tribulation and ascend?"
Chen Shi sat up in the cauldron, speaking persuasively. "It must be so. Er Niu, you are already at the Great Ascension Realm Great Perfection. Your junior brothers and sisters in Despair Slope look up to you, but they also gossip about you behind your back."
He used the Demonic Sound from the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art, sounding like Zhong Wuwang’s inner demon, subtly ensnaring him.
Zhong Wuwang muttered, "What do they gossip about?"
Chen Shi’s voice rang in his mind, drilling into his thoughts like a brand, etching itself into his consciousness.
"They say the reason you are stronger than them, the reason your comprehension is higher, the reason you have your current achievements, the reason you are so high and mighty... is because you have the Innate Dao Embryo. Without the Innate Dao Embryo, you would be nothing special. They also say that if they had an Innate Dao Embryo, they would have done even better than you."
Chen Shi’s voice was like an incantation, drilling into Zhong Wuwang’s Dao Heart, digging deeper and deeper.
"Er Niu, are you willing to be ridiculed, to be dismissed? Is your value only defined by the Innate Dao Embryo? Prove them wrong! Show them that without the Innate Dao Embryo, you are still the senior disciple of Despair Slope! You still have astonishing comprehension! You are still stronger than them! You are still valued!"
"What are you waiting for, Er Niu? Cut off the Dao Embryo! Cross the heavenly tribulation! Become the first immortal of the new method! Become the Immortal Ancestor of Western Ox New Continent! Be the Patriarch venerated for ten thousand generations!"
Zhong Wuwang’s face flickered between shades of uncertainty. Trembling, he raised his hand, ready to slash away his Innate Dao Embryo. Suddenly, the Dao Embryo blazed with brilliant light, a deafening heavenly sound ringing out, sweeping away Chen Shi’s Demonic Sound.
Zhong Wuwang immediately snapped back to his senses. Face flushed with anger, he stared at Chen Shi. "You wanted to control me, to make me cut off my Innate Dao Embryo?"
Chen Shi soaked lazily in the Dao Spring. "I’m just helping you. Cut off the Innate Dao Embryo, and you can create a new realm—the 'Dao Embryo Severance Realm.' Then you can blaze the trail for the Tribulation Crossing and Ascension realms of the new method. From then on, your contribution to the new method would surpass even the True King’s!"
Zhong Wuwang’s face was a storm of shifting emotions. Chen Shi’s idea actually seemed feasible!
If cutting off the Divine Embryo really allowed one to cross tribulation, he *could* indeed create a Dao Embryo Severance Realm!
If he could add a Dao Embryo Severance Realm to the new method, his achievements would truly stand alongside the True King’s!
But if he cut off his Innate Dao Embryo, his power would plummet. And if Chen Shi took back the Dao Embryo, Chen Shi’s strength would skyrocket!
With such a shift in power, killing him would be effortless for Chen Shi.
Suddenly, Zhong Wuwang smiled. "If I cut off my Innate Dao Embryo, how could I suppress the demonic energy of heaven and earth? Severing the Dao Embryo to achieve Dao Unification would mean I’d be corrupted and transformed into a Calamity. Chen Shi, your intentions are malicious. You tried to use this method to ambush me!"
Chen Shi laughed heartily. "You caught me. I really can’t fool you."
Zhong Wuwang’s expression turned serious. "For now, we are allies. I have no ill intentions toward you. I suggest you don’t scheme against me either. The Celestial Venerable’s power is great, his strength even greater. You and I must cooperate sincerely! Once I become an immortal, I will definitely cut off this Innate Dao Embryo and return it to you!"
Chen Shi lay back in the cauldron, saying lazily, "No need to return it. I have my own hands."
Zhong Wuwang raised an eyebrow.
Chen Shi said, "You promised to take me into Despair Slope. Are you ready?"
Zhong Wuwang’s heart tightened. He shook his head. "Give me a few more days."
He stood up to take his leave. Chen Shi remained lying in the cauldron, not seeing him off.
Zhong Wuwang rode away in his carriage.
Chen Shi lay in the cauldron, eyes flickering. After a moment, he suddenly called out, "Where are my disciples?"
Long You the Freeholder, Shao Niangniang, Mu Daozi, and Pei the Freeholder had each received boons from Empress Earth and were in seclusion comprehending them. Only Shao Niangniang happened to awaken. Hearing the summons, she came over, smiling. "What instructions does little master have?"
Chen Shi said, "I have realized how to cross the tribulation and ascend with the new method. I’ll teach it to you today, so you can become the Immortal Ancestor of the new method."
Shao Niangniang was skeptical. "Master, if you really have a method to ascend and become an immortal, why don’t you do it yourself?"
Chen Shi replied irritably, "I haven’t even reached the Great Ascension Realm yet, so I can’t. Are you going to learn or not? If not, go call Long You the Freeholder!"
"I’ll learn, I’ll learn!" Shao Niangniang quickly said with a flattering smile.
Chen Shi said, "If you cut off your Divine Embryo, you will be able to sense your tribulation. Just cross it."
Shao Niangniang was stunned. She stammered, "Is it really that simple to cross tribulation?"
Chen Shi laughed. "It’s exactly that simple. You have learned my Yin-Yang Purgation, which can suppress demonic energy. If you cut off your Divine Embryo, you won’t be controlled by demonic energy after crossing the tribulation. Cultivating an immortal Primordial Spirit and an immortal body will also be within reach. If you go a step further and cultivate a Yin-Yang Dao Field, you can achieve Dao Unification without turning into a Calamity!"
Shao Niangniang was overjoyed and surprised.
Originally, she had only become Chen Shi’s disciple to take advantage of him—to learn his techniques without owing him a favor. But after joining his school, she was immediately sent to guard the Empress Temple, ready to go to war with Despair Slope at any moment.
She had harbored some resentment, but after receiving Chen Shi’s guidance, that resentment vanished completely.
Shao Niangniang immediately wanted to cut off her Divine Embryo. Chen Shi waved his hand. "Go a bit farther from Huangpo Village, so you don’t disturb the villagers."
Shao Niangniang acknowledged and flew to a mountain peak on Qianyang Mountain. She summoned her miniature shrine, revealed her Divine Embryo, and without a second thought, slashed down with her Sword of Wisdom!
Her Divine Embryo was severed. The next moment, Shao Niangniang suddenly sensed her tribulation in the void. The heavenly tribulation materialized in response.
Chen Shi, soaking in the Water of the Dao Spring, murmured to himself, "Er Niu, I gave you a chance, but you didn’t take it. You can’t blame me for this."
He suddenly sat up in the cauldron. On the surface of his skin, strange shamanic ritual markings slowly began to emerge. They swirled beneath his skin, exactly the same as the markings on Wu Qi’s skeleton lying opposite him!
As the markings swirled on Wu Qi’s bones, the markings on Chen Shi’s skin swirled in tandem.
By imitating the Immortal Art of Immortality, he was comprehending its mysteries, transforming it into a true immortal technique!
Far away, in the Tianlu carriage, Zhong Wuwang was hurrying toward Tiandao City. Suddenly, he sensed something. He opened the carriage window and looked behind him.
In the Qianyang Mountain range, an enormous tribulation cloud was rapidly taking shape.
Blades of Yang Lightning crisscrossed beneath the thundercloud, displaying the might of the immortal way.
Zhong Wuwang was momentarily dazed.
Chen Shi had taught him the method of crossing tribulation and ascending with the new method, but he hadn’t followed it. Yet, in just a short time, someone had already followed Chen Shi’s method—cutting off their Divine Embryo to cross the tribulation!
"I couldn’t do it... I couldn’t do it..."
He muttered under his breath, feeling lost and dejected.
"If I cut off my Innate Dao Embryo, I will definitely be corrupted by demonic energy and turn into a Calamity!"
He didn’t have a Yin-Yang Dao Field.
He stopped his carriage, staring at the tribulation cloud, his mind a whirlwind of emotion.
This was the first tribulation crossing in the history of the new method.
"I can’t be the Immortal Ancestor of the new method anymore. But I can become the most powerful immortal under the new method."
Zhong Wuwang’s expression hardened with resolve. "I won’t cut off my Divine Embryo. I can still become an immortal!"