Tianxuan Star, Qiong Mie Palace!

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged inside the hall, a rotating domain of cosmic finality condensed above his head, at times evolving into the grandeur of galaxy life and death, at times collapsing into the intricacies of dust particles.

At the heart of the domain, a cloud of celebration steamed, falling with billions of auspicious energies, enveloping the silhouettes of four disciples below.

"The Dao can be talked about, but not the eternal Dao; names can be named, but not the eternal name..."

"The ’Dao’ seen by ordinary people may be the solidity of mountains and rivers, or the flow of rivers and streams... All these are merely manifestations of the Dao..."

Chen Sheng’s voice fell on the ears of Qi Yuan and the others, making them all enthralled, constantly sighing in their hearts:

"Master truly possesses profound enlightenment of the Dao, indeed worthy of being the number one Daoist in Yun State, the foremost seed of Integration!"

"Being accepted as a disciple under Master’s mentorship is truly a fortune beyond measure!"

...

When it comes to the ability to lecture and transmit the Dao, Chen Sheng has never been weak; even in his years at minor levels, he was able to speak with eloquent wisdom, echoing his name as a Master far and wide.

Now having ascended to the Void Refining realm, his cultivation has reached mastery, and the profundity of his teachings surpasses those ancient Great Powers who have lived for millennia, observing the shifting galaxies.

The reason lies in the countless Small Thousand Worlds Chen Sheng’s Yin Soul harvested in his cultivation journey, having observed too many remnants of Dao principles and possessing an incomparable foundation.

Simultaneously, Chen Sheng anchors everything upon the "Dao of Finality," commanding all; in the end, all ways converge!

Like a thousand-jin anchor stabilizing seas and rivers, regardless of how tides of Dao come crashing, he can discern their origin and trace their paths.

Because he holds the myriad ways clear in his heart, facing Qi Yuan, Gu Ye, and the other disciples, he can teach according to their individual merits, turning ignorance into gold, and even casual guidance aligns with their Taoist paths, revealing supreme truths.

Just like a spring breeze that encourages blooming!

At this moment, Chen Sheng flicked his finger, and a strand of azure emerged from the domain of finality.

The azure wove and transformed into a sturdy pine tree, then a flowing stream, meandering forward, and swiftly into a blazing fire that scorched the void...

The four locked their eyes on the strand of azure, their Divine Souls quivering with its transformations.

"The strength of a pine is not due to its wood nature, but truly the Dao of ’Existence’; the gentleness of a stream is not due to its water nature, but truly the Dao of ’Movement’; the fierceness of fire is not due to its flame nature, but truly the Dao of ’Destruction’..."

"All Daos share the same origin, ultimately returning to their source, rooted in ’Beginning’ and ’End’; the beginning is the sprouting of Dao; the end is the culmination of Dao..."

Qi Yuan suddenly raised his head, a flash of enlightenment appearing in his eyes, instinctively speaking: "Master’s meaning, could it be ’End’ is not destruction, but the sedimentation of Dao?"

A hint of approval flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes: "Qi Yuan, you are teachable."

After saying this, he flicked his fingertip lightly, causing the cloud of celebration in the domain of finality to instantly fall a pillar of violet-gold light.

Within the light pillar, a cycle of a Grotto Heaven’s life and death appeared.

From the gathering of initial Spiritual Qi, to the formation of mountains and rivers, the proliferation of life, and then the depletion of celestial energy, returning to the void...

At the moment the world collapsed, an extremely pure Dao Rhyme escaped from it, merging into the domain of finality.

Gu Ye held his breath, immersing his Divine Soul within, his body spontaneously emanating dots of golden brilliance.

Suddenly, his form trembled, his surrounding Dao Rhyme violently surged, faintly hinting at a breakthrough.

He quickly gathered his Heart Spirit, respectfully bowing his head: "Thank you, Master, for your guidance, your disciple has gained newfound clarity!"

Chen Sheng’s gaze briefly dwelled on Qi Yuan and Gu Ye, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

As their Dao Rhyme circulated, they faintly managed to keep pace with his lecture, their talent and understanding slightly outperforming even Venerable Wuyue,

Do not underestimate Venerable Wuyue, for he managed to rank among the top hundred in the state competition, and cultivated into the three calamities realm before his millennium mark, with a high probability of achieving Great Power status in the future.

Though presently shallow in cultivation, his two disciples have already shown talent for becoming top-tier Great Powers.

...

Among the four, Chen Qingyun knew his relationship with Master through his father, understanding he had entered through connections, yet his heart remained resolute:

"For a time, I may not compare with others, but it doesn’t mean forever one cannot compare."

"Previously, I was conceited, unaware of the height and depth of the heavens, wasting time; henceforth I must diligently cultivate, never disgracing Master’s reputation!"

Beside him, Zhang Hongdao was still unsure why he succeeded in apprenticeship, feeling somewhat anxious.

Despite being from a minor Divinity Transformation family, and the tribe’s unparalleled genius in millennia, showered in familial resources, upon stepping into the outside world, he discovered the vastness of heaven and earth.

In preliminary rounds of selection, he witnessed many talents’ brilliance firsthand, realizing his own insignificance!

"I thought to gain Master’s advice even once was a luxury, how could... how could I truly become a disciple?"

Amid his unrest, a gentle yet deeply resonant voice suddenly echoed in his consciousness, like a spring cleaning his mind of dust:

"Hongdao, look up at this pine."

Zhang Hongdao trembled and immediately looked up.

He saw a pine tree rooted in a cleft, its branches robust, despite weathering the elements still standing tall, its new leaves glowing with vigor under the dawn’s light.

Just as he puzzled, the voice spoke again:

"The pine grows in stone crevices, not as flamboyant as greenhouse orchids, yet it withstands frost and snow, why? Because its roots are deep, its heart steady."

"I choose disciples not by origin, but by character and potential."

"Your emergence among thousands of cultivators, wasn’t luck, but your tenacity even in dire straits, never underestimate yourself!"

Listening to this, Zhang Hongdao gradually felt his mind uplifted and cleared; he bowed deeply to Chen Sheng, his spine straight, voice strong:

"Thank you, Master, for the guidance! Your disciple understands! From now on, your disciple will devote himself to cultivation, proving his worth through strength, never disappointing Master’s favor!"

Chen Sheng looked at him resolutely, with a slight smile in his heart.

Zhang Hongdao’s disposition is fairly steady, but just steady, not as outstanding as he claimed. It must be a benevolent lie!

Meanwhile, he pondered silently:

Qingyun knows shame and courage, Hongdao is also considered steady and resilient. Although the two are not natural-born geniuses, their comprehension speed is slightly slow, yet they have good aptitude.

With me providing guidance on the side, achieving Void Refining is merely a matter of time. As for how far they can go after that, it will depend on their future opportunities and disposition.

Thinking this way, Chen Sheng raised his hand and waved, four Jade Tokens flew into the air and landed in front of the four disciples. The Jade Tokens were engraved with complex runes, faintly flowing with Spiritual Qi.

"These are Transmission Jade Tokens, containing my early cultivation insights and basic cultivation technique annotations. Study them well when you return."

"This concludes today’s teaching; you may disperse."

"We obey the Master’s command!"

The four responded in unison, their voices loud, and gradually dispersed.

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and continued cultivating,

The completion of the third Chapter is already in the introductory phase. Next, it will naturally be perfected in cultivation, gradually refining the secret techniques above it, so as to truly possess the combat power of the Tenth Tribulation.

...

Time flies, fifty years pass in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the entire Jiuyang Realm was enveloped in the halo of festivities—the once-in-a-century Empire Festival had arrived on schedule.

Ever since thousands of years ago when Chen Sheng descended upon this realm under the name of Great Sun Emperor, blessing this world, the Empire Festival became the grandest celebration in Jiuyang Realm.

From the shores of the Flaming Sea in the far north to the peaks of the Snow Ridge in the extreme south, billions of beings, whether on foot or riding artifacts, all converged towards the Great Sun Holy City.

The Holy City is located at the heart of Jiuyang, wholly cast from Nine Suns Divine Jade!

Bathed in daylight, it is resplendent as the scorching sun, more so now wrapped in billions of miles of rosy light, this is the headquarters of the Great Sun Divine Sect.

Above the heavens—the Great Sun Divine Hall.

Cultivating Chen Sheng also felt the fluctuations in the fortunes of this realm, slowly opened his eyes, lowered them, and gazed upon the varied states of the mortal world.

Immortal Sect disciples hovered in the air on swords, their expressions devout, while the common folk knelt and kowtowed, burning incense in prayer.

Even the spirit monsters and demon cultivators in the mountain forests worshipped the Great Sun, eyes full of awe.

Chen Sheng chuckled lightly:

"It’s a pity the foundation of this world is too poor, otherwise practicing the Dao of Imperial Fate here would be unique!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

...

"Summon the four great protector Fire Spirits."

Chen Sheng’s will penetrated the Palace’s layers of restrictions, reaching deep into the Fire Spirit Hall within the Palace.

The next moment, four streams of crimson light shot out from the hall, transforming into four deities clad in flame battle armor in front of him.

They are the Innate Fire Spirits born from Jiuyang Realm’s Origin Volcano, enlightened by Chen Sheng years ago, becoming the guardian deities of the Great Sun Palace.

The four Fire Spirits kneeled on one knee: "Subordinates pay respects to the Emperor!"

Chen Sheng slightly raised his chin, his gaze sweeping over the anticipating masses below:

"Today, during the Emperor Festival, this Emperor rejoices with all beings. As you patrol the heavens, retrieve the Celestial Fire Lava from the depths of the Origin Volcano to bless the world."

The four Fire Spirits responded respectfully: "Emperor benevolence!"

The Celestial Fire Lava nurtured in the outskirts of Jiuyang Realm’s Origin Volcano, is abundant in quantity, yet carries the aura of the Power of Origin.

To Chen Sheng, this is a commonplace item easily harvested, but for low-level cultivators and ordinary creatures, it’s a rare treasure.

Cultivators who consume it can cleanse their marrow and tendons, refining cultivation.

Commonfolk who obtain it may prolong their lifespan, immune to all illnesses.

Those with fated opportunities among spirit monsters in the forests might even open spiritual wisdom, embarking on the path of cultivation!

...

The four Fire Spirits dared not delay for a moment, their figures flickered, transforming into four giant Great Sun Gold Wheels suspended above the Palace.

As the Gold Wheels turned, crimson light filled the heavens and earth, countless crystalline fire beads fell from the Gold Wheels—those were the Celestial Fire Lava.

As it descends to the mortal realm, it automatically branches into billions of light points, neither scorching plants nor injuring mortals, showcasing deep mysticism.

"The Emperor has bestowed divine objects!"

"How can we ever repay such grace?"

Some immediately burst into tears!

Cultivators sat cross-legged, inducing the Power of Origin within the fire beads into their Dantian, only to feel their meridians widen instantly, with cultivation bottlenecks vaguely loosening.

Common folk simply felt a warmth spreading from the heart to their limbs and bones, old ailments miraculously dissipating in an instant.

"We kneel in gratitude for the Emperor’s grace! May the Emperor’s blessings endure forever, may Dao Rhyme be everlasting!"

Billions of beings knelt in unison, and the overwhelming sound of gratitude echoed throughout Jiuyang Realm.

Chen Sheng quietly watched this scene, his expression still indifferent.

Before long, the four Fire Spirits completed their heavenly patrol, returning to human form, standing by his side, congratulating as they gazed at the grand spectacle below.