Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 461 - 408: 【Root】, 【Tree】, 【Fruit】
According to the path of cultivation in the Dao Body Realm, the more times one undergoes The Path of Parasitism, the stronger one becomes. However, The Path of Parasitism is an extremely dangerous process. During the process of merging with the Dao, it is highly possible to be assimilated by the Dao in reverse. Not only might one fail to complete The Path of Parasitism, but one might also be controlled by the Dao, becoming a Dao slave who has lost their self and wanders the world. Therefore, in addition to The Path of Parasitism, the most important aspect of a Dao Expert’s cultivation path is Soul Cultivation. This is because the Divine Soul Realm not only relates to the Primordial Spirit Realm; a strong Divine Soul can also better maintain one’s self, preventing reverse assimilation by the Dao and preserving one’s individuality.
Quietly summarizing the cultivation path of the Dao Body Realm, Qi Xiu’s thoughts shifted. Suddenly, behind him, appeared a young Daoist, transcendent and detached. He held a Jade Ruyi, his eyes seeming to bear all the profound mysteries of the world, divine light swirling behind his head, and he was draped in a seventy-two-colored robe.
This apparition was the manifestation of his entire cultivation, the exclusive power of the Dao Body Realm—the Hunyuan Daoist!
The Daoist Spirit! It is the exclusive power of the Dao Body Realm. Formed from the spiritual embryo coalescing with the mechanisms of the Dao and evolving, it records all the Daoist practices of a Dao Expert. In a sense, the Daoist Spirit is the Dao Expert’s second avatar. Compared to the Dao Expert himself, the Daoist Spirit is not a body of flesh and blood but a confluence of Dao-achieving power, in harmony with Heaven and Earth, and capable of invoking even more vast and potent Power of Heaven and Earth. It can enhance the power of techniques and methods manifold, akin to a mighty amplifier. Therefore, the Daoist Spirit has always been a primary method for Dao Experts.
If the Dao Body Realm is likened to a great tree, the Dao Expert himself is the tree’s roots, drawing nourishment from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. The Daoist Spirit, on the other hand, is the main trunk of this tree, braving storms and darkness, thunder, and lightning. As for The Path of Parasitism, it is like the branches of this tree; each successful Path of Parasitism is akin to bearing a fruit. When the fruit falls, it merges into the roots, strengthening the trunk. In this way, a virtuous, unceasing cycle is formed. The more times one undergoes The Path of Parasitism, the stronger the Dao Expert himself becomes. And as the Dao Expert grows stronger, the Daoist Spirit, which records his Daoist practice, also becomes more perfected.
When I have time, I must consult my Master. His combat prowess is extraordinary; I wonder how many times he has undergone The Path of Parasitism.
Having roughly clarified the cultivation path in the Dao Body Realm, Qi Xiu waved his hand gently, dispersing the Daoist Spirit manifestation before him.
According to my prior understanding, manifesting the Daoist Spirit is a very demanding process for a Dao Expert. The might of the Daoist Spirit is so great that it can pluck stars, seize moons, burn rivers, and boil seas. Mobilizing such immense power also requires the Dao Expert’s support; this process not only consumes Dao Yuan, unique to the Dao Body Realm, but also Divine Soul Force. This is another significance of being the ’Root.’ The Daoist Spirit only avoids consuming the Dao Expert’s power when utilizing the power gained from The Path of Parasitism. That is also why Dao Experts with more instances of The Path of Parasitism are stronger in combat.
However, this is not much of an issue for me. The "Immortal Scripture of Myriad Laws and Primordial Unity," achieved through an Extreme Breakthrough from "The Secret of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture," inherits that True Scripture’s characteristics of profound cultivation, unparalleled in the world. My Innate Primeval Breath embodies the cyclical transformations of the cosmos and the perfect wholeness of the innate. All the myriad Qis of Heaven and Earth can be used by me. In terms of the Divine Soul, I cultivate [Yama’s Golden Chapter]; with ten thousand souls bowing in worship, I have an unending source of Divine Soul Force. If necessary, I could even maintain the Daoist Spirit indefinitely. However, doing so would be somewhat too ostentatious and would likely attract unnecessary trouble.
Having dispersed the Daoist Spirit, Qi Xiu slightly lifted his head, only to discover that bright daylight already streamed through the window.
I merely pondered the Divine Marvels of the Dao Body Realm for a short while, and the night passed in the blink of an eye.
No wonder some Dao Experts seclude themselves for hundreds of years. Once they delve into contemplating the Dao, time seems to lose all meaning.
With a sigh, Qi Xiu got up, ready to head to the Hall of Myriad Laws. It had been nearly ten days since he returned to Yunti Peak, and the matter mentioned by the Sect Master should not be delayed too long. Moreover, he himself was very curious.
I wonder which "old acquaintance" is waiting for me inside the Hall of Myriad Laws.
「 」
「In a secret location within the Tianyuan Main Realm.」
Numerous star clusters, like brilliant pearls, were strung together by invisible silken threads, forming a magnificent celestial river. This river spanned the boundaries of time and space, seemingly connecting the very edges of Heaven and Earth. Massive, stalwart figures, their forms ethereal and mysterious, stood atop this river, each emitting an aura of terrifying power capable of shaking Heaven and Earth.
"Have you ascertained the details?" a towering figure slowly asked. He was enveloped in boundless natural essence, vibrant with verdant life, a Tree of Eternal Life faintly emerging above his head. His voice was deep and resonant; though he spoke merely five words, they shook the river below into a boiling turbulence, even causing the star clusters to tremble.
"How could we investigate? That sword flew too swiftly. We can only roughly infer that it must have fallen into the Southern Ming Wasteland. Trying to find it will not be easy." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"Don’t be too pessimistic. Falling into the Southern Ming Wasteland is still better than it falling into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. That sword’s sudden appearance likely means the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are stirring restlessly again. In my opinion, the one orchestrating this from behind the scenes cannot be allowed to live."
"Are you suggesting... we request the use of the Godslayer Platform?"
"In the past hundred years, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains have tested us several times, their reach extending almost to our very faces. If we continue to tolerate this, I fear they will soon launch an eastern expedition and declare war on us directly."
"To deploy the Godslayer Platform, we need the Zhao Family’s approval. However, the current Emperor of the Zhao Family seems to have a strong mind of his own. Activating the Godslayer Platform might not be so easy."
"Difficult or not, we must try. The Outer Realm has also been quite restless lately, not to mention the incident in Huihuai and the traces left from the disaster in Dianchuan Province. We must prepare for the possibility of collusion between the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and the Outer Realm."
A brief silence fell upon the towering figures after this statement. Collusion between the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and the Outer Realm—this was the last thing they wished to see, yet it was a possibility they had to confront head-on. After all, the previous sudden attack from the Outer Realm, coupled with the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains almost openly inviting an Outer Realm Evil God in Dianchuan Province, had all but explicitly revealed the ambiguous ties between these two forces. If this were true, the current situation for the Human Race would become dire beyond measure. Without early preparations, they might face the peril of annihilation.
"Let’s begin by having someone communicate with the Zhao Family about this. They have been the Emperors of the Human Race for over a thousand years; this notion of only wanting to reap benefits without contributing must be dispelled as soon as possible. Also, has the being who intercepted that sword been found?"
"There’s a clue. We can be certain that the figure was not from the True Dragon Clan."
"Not from the True Dragon Clan?"
At the mention of the True Dragon Clan, all the towering figures present focused their attention. The former Lord of Ten Thousand Realms, the Heaven and Earth main character. Although they had vanished for countless eons, the mere mention was still enough to make even beings like them pay heed.
"With such intense Dragon Power, how could it not be from the True Dragon Clan?"
"Possessing Dragon Power does not necessarily mean one is a True Dragon. Some retainers of the True Dragon Clan, having been nourished by Dragon Energy for extended periods, can gradually cultivate genuine Dragon Power themselves."
"Retainers? That’s even less likely. Even True Dragons cannot live for so long, let alone their..." Mid-sentence, the eyes of the towering figure who was speaking suddenly flashed with a profound, sharp light.
"A god?!"
"Precisely. The True Dragon Clan, as the former Heaven and Earth main character, also possessed the ability to confer godhood. Only by becoming gods could they achieve longevity comparable to Heaven and Earth, surviving these endless ages. But why would such a god want to help us?"
"The reason for this can likely only be known by finding that god. However, before that, we must swiftly recover that sword. Otherwise, if it falls into the hands of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"The Southern Ming Wasteland is the Central Ancient Battlefield, a Life Forbidden Zone. Moreover, we cannot be certain the sword will remain there. If it continues to move, sending people to the Southern Ming Wasteland would mean squandering our forces in vain, wouldn’t it?"
"Regardless, we must try. If you all still wish to protect your own interests, then we shall follow the old rules."
At the mention of the ’old rules,’ a gleam appeared in the eyes of the many towering existences present, and the vague outlines of their faces slowly curved into faint smiles.
"Very well, let’s proceed with the old rules."
