Lord Shenxiu-Chapter 500: Dissolution of the Corpse (Extra - for 400 monthly tickets)
Chapter 500: Chapter 500: Dissolution of the Corpse (Extra Chapter for 400 monthly tickets)
"The Second Level is the trial of the body and mind, profoundly mysterious, hard to fathom..."
The "Nine Steps to Immortality Examination" became more fragmented towards the end because there was very little information available about the Dharma Body and the disintegration of the Immortal body.
However, even one or two key terms were already worth more than their weight in gold.
"The Second Level, body and mind? The trial of the body probably signifies complete control over the immortal transformation, to thoroughly master the Dharma Body... At this point, one can solidify the Primordial Spirit Dharma Image into reality and ascend to a Dharma Body True Monarch without any further barriers..."
"But alas, while the immortal body is easy to control, the contamination of the spirit is unavoidable, hence there is another trial for the mind, a test of the Dao Heart? Once this step is surpassed, perhaps one will reach the pinnacle of the Dharma Body and can attempt ascension to immortality?"
Zhong Shenxiu silently speculated.
As for the last description about the disintegration of the Immortal body, the "Nine Steps to Immortality Examination" only left behind one term to describe it—’one death’!
This did not exceed Zhong Shenxiu’s expectations.
After all, for the disintegration of the Immortal body, disintegration or ’corpse dissolution’ implies dying once is quite normal.
"But this may mean that cultivators who have gone through the Second Level trials are helpless against the contamination of the Heavenly Dao, accumulating over time, ultimately having no choice but to die once... Or perhaps, ascend to a completely new form of life through death?"
Zhong Shenxiu’s expression became solemn.
The ancient method of achieving immortality through the Five Immortals was promising, but it was unattainable under the natural laws here.
It seemed he too had to embark on this path of disintegration to become an Immortal.
And ’one death’ represented a real and absolute death!
’An ordinary Dharma Body True Monarch, although mightily powerful, would truly die after death... There’s no coming back to life, that trial is quite formidable.’
Zhong Shenxiu’s expression changed, and then he looked somewhat peculiar: ’But I possess the Nine Death Rebirth Divine Power, which does not belong to this world, and it has now been thoroughly refined into my Primordial Spirit. Even if my Primordial Spirit shatters, I can resurrect nine times!’
’Perhaps... For other Dharma Body True Monarchs who have braved all manners of tribulations but dare not die once to ascend as disintegrated Immortals, this checkpoint is incredibly terrifying. But for me, could it be a gateway, easily punctured with one jab?’
Upon having this thought, his expression became a bit sinister.
Thinking about that Ancient Martial World and the Great Da Mo behind the Stone Buddha Temple, the sense of incongruity intensified.
’Of course, there’s also the possibility that the ’one death’ required for ascension is an absolute death, the kind not even the Nine Death Rebirth Power can revive from...’
Zhong Shenxiu stroked his chin, suddenly wondering if his Resurrection Divine Power could be used.
To become a Dharma Body True Monarch, pass the Second Level, then publicly demand death, and immediately die only to resurrect, ascending to a disintegrated Immortal in one breath.
The cultivators of this world, what would their expressions be?
He had the feeling this could contribute a significant number of Heavenly Show Points...
"No, no, that’s wrong. This book is but a Loose Cultivator’s testimony heard through rumors, lacking any method of cultivation and perhaps full of errors. It cannot be fully trusted!"
Zhong Shenxiu reminded himself, then immediately delved back into the endless ocean of knowledge.
With the status of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect and its long-standing history, how rich and varied must its collection of books be?
Zhong Shenxiu even had the sentiment that an ordinary person couldn’t finish reading even a fraction of it in a lifetime.
...
Time flies.
The day of the fifteenth of July was drawing near.
In Changluo Imperial City, even the common folk could sense the looming, tumultuous atmosphere akin to the calm before a storm.
Three Years of Chengtian, on the fifteenth of July.
Within an unnamed desolate mountain, a certain cave dwelling blasted open.
The true form of Zhong Shenxiu stood tall and proud, brimming with divine energy, and even the Spiritual Treasures behind him had regained their vitality.
"The fifteenth of July, is it?"
His gaze shifted slightly, looking towards the location of the Heavenly Altar within Changluo.
The Emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven in a series of intricate rituals.
Long before, preparations had begun for the construction of the sacrificial platform, which was ninety-nine zhang in length and width and nine zhang and nine chi tall, appearing as if carved from pure white jade.
Because it was ’Heaven’ that was being worshiped, not a tile was placed overhead, emphasizing the sacrifice to the open sky, known as ’exposed sacrifice’!
The entire Heavenly Altar was divided into nine levels, with a set of divine positions on each level and only one main position on the highest level for sacrificing to the ’God of Heaven,’ draped with pure purple brocade to form the divine tent.
The second level featured a green and purple divine tent, for the local deities.
The third level had a pure green divine tent, for the Yin and Yang Masters.
The fourth level featured a golden green divine tent, for the deities of the four seasons, four directions, sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, wind, thunder...
...
Each level was filled with a massive array of jade, silk, ritual vessels, along with cows, sheep, pigs, fruits, wine, and other offerings, amounting to a total of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine items.
On both sides of the Heavenly Altar, there was a substantial orchestra with a variety of musical instruments like chimes and bells, with over five hundred court musicians alone.
Such a large group, along with the required sacrificial animals and various Spiritual Objects, could clearly not be prepared in just one or two days.
In terms of planning, Emperor Yan Han had been preparing for an entire three years!
And the ritual of offering sacrifices to Heaven had also been underway for a month.
By July fifteenth, the auspicious time had arrived, and the ceremony officially began!
...
At this time, the sky had not yet brightened for three days, and it was still early morning.
But Zhong Shenxiu had already faintly felt a tremendous amount of scrutiny from the sky, from the ground, from the dark depths, from unknown places, converging on Changluo.
Just before sunrise, seven periods before the hour, the great bell of Chengtian Hall tolled, and the old emperor set out.
As the Second Yan Han Empire was an Immortal Dynasty, there were all sorts of Cultivators protecting the vicinity of the Emperor’s carriage. Even the weather was manipulated by a designated person, with True Monarch Zhang presiding over the Luotian Grand Sacrifice, ensuring the day would be fine and sunny, without the slightest hint of bad weather.
Outside the Heavenly Altar, countless Sky-Hanging Lamps ascended, piercing through the dimness.
Of course, in this realm, they were not called Kongming lanterns but Sky-Hanging Lamps, illuminating every direction.
After the arrival of the Emperor’s carriage, sounds of drumming and music rose from around the Heavenly Altar, and thick sticks of incense burned in the huge bronze cauldrons, their wisps of blue smoke curling up to the heavens.
The grand court orchestra started to play ’The Chapter of Beginning Peace,’ and the old emperor, unassisted, donned in the Twelve Chapter Crown Robe, ascended the Heavenly Altar, step by step.
His expression was grave, his face flushed with an unnatural ruddiness, clearly having prepared extensively for this day, even consuming secret medicine.
This effectively supported the old Emperor’s body, enabling him, dragging his aged frame, to reach the Emperor’s position on the Heavenly Altar and unfurl the prayer:
"I, the chief administrator of mountains and rivers, the ruler of Yan Han, humbly offer Heaven this prayer: With my feeble virtues and meager form..."
The old emperor’s voice was clear and measured, reciting the prayer at a steady pace and performing the rites of thrice kneeling and ninefold kowtow.
In truth, the rituals, the offerings, and the prayer texts were not important.
What mattered most was the old emperor, in his capacity as the ruler of the Yan Han Immortal Dynasty, kneeling to Heaven, symbolizing submission.
From this moment onward, the Immortal Emperor abdicated his throne to become the Heavenly Child!
This signified that the Heavenly Dao now completely dominated over the Yan Han Human Dao.
Countless learned individuals and Cultivators, gazing upon this scene from afar, wept uncontrollably.
"Our clan’s vitality is gone..."
"Yan Han is extinguished..."
"The great imperial lineage is severed forever!"
On the streets of Changluo, previously under strict martial law, a disheveled old beggar, seemingly disoriented, suddenly climbed onto the city gate tower and wept bitterly.
The countenances of countless armored guards shifted instantly!
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