Chapter 855
The Path to Transcendence
"What astonishing killing intent! No wonder it is the third most powerful killing formation in the world. Even after several eras have passed and only a broken part remains, the killing intent it has gathered has not diminished in the slightest."
Song Changsheng stood in mid-air, looking at the broken stone tablet in the center of the stele forest from afar, his shock beyond measure.
He was thousands of miles away from the stone tablet, with a formation barrier in between. Even so, he could still feel the pure killing intent contained within it. If he got closer, the killing intent he could feel would be at least ten times stronger than it is now, and even he would find it difficult to resist.
It's not hard to understand why He Yunxuan's Dao heart was damaged after just one glance at the [Third Killing Formation in the World] stone tablet.
Foundation Establishment cultivators are so young, and their Dao hearts are not that firm to begin with. Stimulated by that terrifying killing intent, it is already extremely difficult for them to save their lives. After all, that was a powerful killing formation that was said to be able to kill immortals.
Landing outside the array barrier, Song Changsheng only needed to glance at it to realize that what was in front of him was at least a fifth-order or even higher defensive array.
"I wonder if the waist token can open this barrier."
He channeled a wisp of magic power into the ivory-white jade tablet in his hand, and in an instant, the tablet transformed into a ray of silver light, tearing open a hole as tall as a person in the array barrier.
"really."
As he stepped inside, the crack behind him closed, and the moment he entered the Forest of Ten Thousand Array Steles, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.
It feels like you've suddenly moved from a familiar environment into a completely unfamiliar one; there's an indescribable, subtle feeling about it.
Besides the overwhelming killing intent emanating from the central "Third Killing Array in the World" stone tablet, he could clearly sense that this forest of tablets was also filled with an invisible but very familiar power.
It is neither spiritual energy nor the power of laws that should exist in a grotto-heaven; it is like a mysterious veil, waiting for people to unveil it.
"Could this be the Daoist essence of the array formation mentioned by Cheng Junhe in the ancient books?" Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow slightly.
In the primordial chaos, the entire world and even the entire universe were created based on the rules governing the operation of the Heavenly Dao. The growth of the Heavenly Dao required a vast space, and thus the universe as perceived by the masses was born. The Heavenly Dao believed that this world was too vast, so the sun, moon, stars, and various worlds appeared.
Heaven believed that these worlds were too desolate, so birds, beasts, flowers, insects, and fish came into being.
Therefore, everything in the world, including humans, demons, monsters, and all other races, is an additional product of the Heavenly Dao's use to complete its own operating rules.
People often use the term "Heavenly Mother" or some other name to describe the Way of Heaven, believing that she is the mother of all things.
However, this statement is actually wrong, and completely wrong. Apart from the rules, they are merely byproducts generated during the self-improvement process of the Heavenly Dao. Even if they were all discarded, it would have no impact on the Heavenly Dao.
Their disappearance might even be a good thing for the Heavenly Dao.
After all, their power expands rapidly, and there are always people breaking and challenging the rules, making them the most unstable product under the rules of the Heavenly Dao.
If possible, it's not impossible to use the power of Heaven to wipe them all out.
However, all things in the world are born in accordance with the rules. Even a drop of water in the ocean, an inconspicuous grain of sand in the desert, or even dust that is constantly rising and falling, all possess the "Taoist charm" bestowed by the rules of Heaven, only differing in strength.
Because everything is a product of rules, the Daoist essence is also unique; there will never be two identical Daoist essences in the world.
Theoretically speaking, you can easily find anything in the world with this unique Daoist charm, even a drop of water in the ocean or a grain of sand in the desert.
The same applies to formations. Each formation in the Myriad Formations Cave Heaven possesses a unique Daoist charm. As long as you capture it in the Myriad Formations Stele Forest, it can serve as a key to unlock the restrictions on the stele and comprehend the formations inscribed within.
Clearly, this is not a simple task. The area of this stele forest seems large, but the tens of thousands of stone tablets inside represent tens of thousands of array formations and Daoist principles, all of which fill this small space.
In addition to these, this space is also filled with the Daoist essence of a large number of other substances, which further increases its difficulty.
This was undoubtedly a considerable challenge for Song Changsheng, but it also sparked a great deal of interest in him.
The Myriad Array Cave Heaven is a secret realm used by the Array Dao Academy to train its disciples, but it is not a trial-type realm. Instead, it is a reward-type realm. Li Chengjun told him that whether they are students or instructors in the academy, they need to pay a large amount of contribution points to exchange for the ivory white jade token in his hand if they want to enter it.
Besides helping cultivators quickly comprehend and master the formations within, the greatest use of this grotto-heaven is actually to perceive and understand the Daoist principles, thereby strengthening oneself or utilizing the Daoist principles.
As mentioned earlier, all things in the world possess a unique Daoist essence, and there are also differences in strength.
The stronger the Daoist resonance, the deeper the connection with the Dao of Heaven, and correspondingly, the stronger the energy. Energy is not necessarily power; it encompasses many meanings.
Regardless of the meaning, the ultimate goal of all things in the world is to approach the Way of Heaven and then break free from the constraints of the rules of the Way of Heaven, which is the "transcendence" that everyone pursues.
Ascending to immortality means transcending the Heavenly Dao.
This is said to be the ultimate goal of all things in the world because, under the perfectly just and just operating rules of the Way of Heaven, all matter has the same opportunity.
Of the fifty heavenly cycles, forty-nine are used, and one is omitted.
This is the glimmer of hope and uncertainty left for all things in the world.
Even a blade of grass, when grown to its fullest potential, can still cut down the sun, moon, and stars.
Although there have been no such exaggerated cases in the history of the Purple Imperial Realm, there are examples of people becoming immortals in the mountains.
In its early days, the human race was merely food and slaves for all other races. However, after mastering the methods of cultivation, it rose to prominence in a very short time and is now the most powerful race in the world, occupying vast lands.
The myriad races of the past could only form a demon alliance to resist the expansion of the human race.
The reason why the human race was able to rise so quickly was entirely due to its physical structure, which was different from that of other races.
The human body, which appears weak in the eyes of all races, is the one that best aligns with the laws and principles of heaven and earth. By conforming to the Dao, cultivation naturally becomes faster and breakthroughs are easier.
It is precisely because of this unique advantage that the human race has been able to rise so rapidly.
This is the origin of the human body being called the "Dao Body," and it is also the sole reason why powerful beings of all races rush to transform into human form after reaching a certain level of cultivation. (See Chapter 23 of this volume for details)
If they could, they would definitely choose their original form rather than a human shape.
But the harsh reality tells them time and again that human form is the ultimate solution, a fundamental condition for "transcendence," which even a powerful dragon cannot change.
The smooth road to heaven has always been there, waiting for you to step on it and complete the journey to ascend to immortality and transcendence.
The demon race usually calls this path "transcendence," while the human race prefers to call it "immortality."
Everyone has divided this path into different stages, like small goals that inspire people to move forward. In the human race, this is called "realm".
However, history also tells everyone that not everyone can embark on that path or even complete it.
Most living beings in the world, as long as they have inherited knowledge from their predecessors, will know the existence of "Taoist Rhyme" and its importance.
As long as one continuously strengthens one's own Daoist essence, one can traverse that path to heaven.
Everyone understands the principle, but the reality is very cruel.
Because this path is a "survival of the fittest" system.
Take the human race as an example.
The mortals, who constituted the largest group, couldn't even sense any spiritual energy and were the first to be eliminated.
Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators could sense spiritual energy, but they couldn't perceive the existence of laws, thus becoming the second batch to be eliminated.
Purple Mansion and Golden Core cultivators can sense the laws and make them their own, but a chasm called "Nascent Soul" stands in their way.
Those outside this chasm have a clear understanding of the Dao, and even when breaking through to the Golden Core stage, they need to use spiritual treasures of heaven and earth to replenish their own Dao.
It seems they had access to and exploited it very early on.
Being able to use something is one thing; being able to control it is another.
The reason they are able to utilize this knowledge is because they stand on the shoulders of their predecessors. Their predecessors told them which spiritual objects possess powerful Daoist energy and which could be used as supplements, and the later generations simply followed their advice.
In reality, apart from a small number of cultivators with keen senses, most people cannot sense the existence of Daoist charm at all; they can only sense the spiritual energy in spiritual objects or something else.
In fact, many people confuse Daoist principles with laws, and some are even more wrong.
The power of laws is also part of the rules governing the operation of the Heavenly Dao, and it possesses its own unique Daoist charm, making it no different in essence from sand or wild beasts.
Cultivators begin to comprehend the laws from the Purple Mansion stage, and can fully master them by the Golden Core stage.
If you want to move forward and break through that insurmountable barrier, you must strengthen your own Daoist essence, just like you need to complete your own Five Elements Daoist essence to break through to the Golden Core stage.
However, there are vast differences between the two.
The Golden Core stage is like a small bottle; the Dao essence of the human body itself fills most of it, and the remaining gap can be filled with the Dao essence of a few spiritual objects. This is essentially a shortcut.
Without using spiritual objects to supplement the Daoist essence, one must comprehend the Daoist essence oneself. In the Purple Mansion realm, this is a privilege possessed by only a very small number of geniuses.
This is actually the "One Yuan Golden Elixir Dao," the ultimate sublimation, returning to simplicity and authenticity.
Ancient cultivators used this method to cultivate: refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, and refining spirit into emptiness. These three stages summarize the path to immortality.
Cultivators who cannot sense the Dao will forever remain at the first stage, roughly equivalent to the current Qi Refining stage to Purple Mansion stage.
Later, someone took a shortcut and used the Daoist essence of spiritual objects to complete this part, allowing these people to reach the Golden Core stage, which also raised the overall strength of the entire human race.
Reaching the Golden Core stage brings about earth-shattering changes in both strength and lifespan, marking the second major transformation in one's life after entering the Dao.
These two changes correspond to the entry points of the two stages of ancient cultivators: refining essence into qi and refining qi into spirit.
You should know that in the ancient era before this method existed, if you could have the strength of the Golden Core stage, you would have stepped into the second stage of cultivation, and your status would be almost comparable to that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch today.
But it becomes very difficult to take shortcuts at higher levels.
The Golden Core stage is just a small bottle, which can be filled with effort, but the Nascent Soul stage is a vast lake.
That's right, it went directly from a small bottle to a large lake.
This is something that can be achieved by refining spiritual objects; even sacred lands cannot afford such a method of creation.
Therefore, the most basic condition for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is being able to sense the Dao of Heaven and Earth and refine it to strengthen oneself.
Only by filling this "lake" can you break through to the Nascent Soul stage.
This is where talent comes in, which is the comprehension that major powers value highly, although the description isn't very accurate.
If you cultivate quickly before reaching the Golden Core stage, it's not because of true talent, but because there are many ways to "take shortcuts".
From the perspective of the ancients, the current Golden Core cultivators are actually only at the first stage, because most of them have entered the second stage by taking shortcuts. Their realm and strength are real, but their talent is not necessarily real.
Without the ability to comprehend the essence of Tao, one can never advance further.
This is also the dilemma that most Golden Core cultivators are facing: standing on the shoulders of their predecessors, they have reached a position that did not belong to them.
Many people, even those who reach the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage, will never be able to touch the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage in their entire lives; to be precise, that door will never appear before them. The Five Elements Golden Core Path has allowed many cultivators who should have remained in the first stage to take a shortcut, ultimately resulting in an imbalance in their cultivation structure.
If the cultivation system is re-divided into three stages, the current human cultivation world has a much larger population base in the first and second stages than in the ancient era, although the proportions are not significantly different.
According to this pattern, the number of powerful individuals currently in the third stage should be far higher than in the ancient era, given the larger population base.
But the fact is.
The third stage, which is the stage of Nascent Soul and above, has a higher overall number of powerful individuals than in the ancient era. However, this is due to the larger population base, and the proportion is several times different.
Golden Core cultivators are quite common; even in barren, remote regions, there can be several in a single cultivation world.
However, Nascent Soul True Monarchs are extremely rare, and the proportion is completely unbalanced.
The proportion of students in the Array Dao Academy is considered good compared to the rest of the human cultivation world.
Just like the Array Dao Academy, there are Golden Core cultivators everywhere, but so far, he has only seen and heard of a handful of Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
It doesn't matter to small forces, but it's different for large forces. Resources are limited, and they must accurately distinguish from among the many Golden Core cultivators which group has the potential to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, which is commonly referred to as Nascent Soul seeds.
In the Myriad Manifestations Palace, cultivators who reach the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage will automatically become protectors. However, only a handful of protectors can become Nascent Soul seeds. Treasures like the Earth Infant Spirit Fruit can only be used by them; others can't even dream of seeing it.
Giving it to them would be a complete waste.
Of course, the remaining ones will not be given up, as the saying goes, diligence can make up for lack of talent.
They cannot compare to those geniuses who are born with the ability to sense the Dao, but as long as they are instilled with the relevant concepts from a young age and receive targeted training, they can change this through hard work.
Therefore, within powerful forces with deep foundations, there is often a place that can both test whether a person can sense the Dao and help cultivators who cannot sense the Dao to improve.
Take the Myriad Array Cave Heaven as an example. Learning array formations is just the surface. Within the Myriad Array Stele Forest, there exists something like an "amplifier" that can enhance the Daoist aura of matter, effectively helping cultivators who cannot perceive the Daoist aura to gradually establish their perception.
Conversely, cultivators who could already vaguely sense the Dao of Heaven and Earth can further enhance their abilities in such an environment. The stronger their perception, the more they can capture the Dao of Heaven and Earth. Not only can they quickly fill that "great lake," but they can also enhance their supernatural powers and other additional surprises.
This is a "shortcut" method unique to powerful forces.
The Ten Thousand Array Cave Heaven of the Array Dao Academy is among the most elite.
If it didn't have such a magical effect, so many people wouldn't be scrambling to pay a large sum of contribution points to exchange for a pass.
If your only goal is to learn formations, there are countless formations available at the Star-Picking Tower. Why come here to suffer?
Given the contributions Song Changsheng made, he was not qualified to be included.
However, after careful consideration, True Lord Yingyue granted him this opportunity because he had taken the initiative to leave behind the legacy of Zhaixing Tower, and because his outstanding talent was indeed worth investing in.
However, this was not the only purpose of True Lord Yingyue; besides being an opportunity, it was also a test.
If Song Changsheng can sense the laws, it means he has the potential to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and further investment can be made depending on the situation. If not, this relationship will end the moment he leaves the Myriad Array Cave.
Song Changsheng had felt from the beginning that Yingyue Zhenjun's actions might have a deeper meaning, but he hadn't been able to guess it until he entered the Ten Thousand Array Stele Forest. Combining what Li Chengjun had told him on the way, he finally broke through that vague window paper.
"So... this is the Daoist essence of array formations. No wonder it felt so familiar."
He sensed the presence of laws and principles as soon as he entered this place, but he was puzzled because he had not yet formed a complete concept of them in his mind.
The reason he felt a sense of familiarity was not only because he was one of the lucky few with naturally keen senses, but also because the memory of Jade Lord Shu in his mind played a crucial role.
The importance of inheritance lies in this: disciples of forces that have produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs are born with this kind of inheritance and concept, and even if they do not have the conditions, they will try their best to find out.
Those cultivators with this talent can receive focused training from the beginning and have limited resources allocated in advance.
Ordinary Golden Core sects simply do not have the necessary conditions.
Often, the entire clan might dedicate its resources to nurturing a few Golden Core cultivators at the Great Perfection stage, only to find that none of them meet the basic requirements, let alone be able to help them achieve "enlightenment."
These people were ultimately trapped at the Golden Core stage, and they could not see where the door was until the day they passed away. The efforts of several generations of the entire clan were all in vain, which was simply a tragedy.
These people are hardworking enough and know where the right path is, but they are like travelers in a fog, unable to find the right direction.
If you're heading in the wrong direction, all your efforts will be in vain.
"If only the Song family could have a place like this..." Song Changsheng sighed inwardly.
After so many years of development in the cultivation world, the social hierarchy has become relatively fixed, leaving fewer and fewer opportunities and resources for those at the bottom.
He himself, and indeed the Song family, were very fortunate.
If he can break through to the Nascent Soul stage, he will have a chance to change the current situation of the Song family.
Before that, he needs to cherish this hard-won opportunity.
He cleared his mind of all distractions, closed his eyes, and began to carefully experience this world, so different from the outside world.
As he felt the atmosphere, he slowly walked towards the center of the Ten Thousand Array Stele Forest, never forgetting the true purpose of his trip.
At first, I only had a vague feeling, and I was a bit lost. It felt like it was everywhere, yet nowhere at all.
But gradually, it became clearer and clearer.
Only then did he truly grasp the wonder of the Forest of Ten Thousand Array Steles.
The Array Dao Academy deliberately used arrays to isolate the Myriad Array Stele Forest from the outside world, expelling spiritual energy and the power of laws as much as possible.
These two forces are the ones that Golden Core cultivators are most familiar with, and they are also the ones that most easily obscure the Daoist essence and cause confusion. Reducing them can significantly improve a cultivator's concentration.
Furthermore, Song Changsheng guessed that they used special methods, namely formations, to amplify the original Daoist essence of matter, making it easier to perceive.
However, as he moved, the killing intent emanating from the [Third Killing Formation Under Heaven] had a serious impact on him.
Logically, he should have stayed on the outer edge of the Ten Thousand Array Stele Forest, in the area least affected by the killing intent, for a while, and waited until he could gradually adapt and grasp the Daoist essence of a certain array before trying to move forward.
Most cultivators at the Array Dao Academy do this: they proceed steadily and gradually.
But Song Changsheng did not stop. He was an outsider and did not have much time. He was able to enter this time only because of the appreciation of True Monarch Yingyue. How long he could stay inside depended entirely on the rules of the Array Dao Academy or the mood of the administrators.
Therefore, he must make the most of every minute and second.
Most importantly, his purpose in this trip was not to enhance his perception of the Dao. As long as he mastered the method, he could improve on his own in the outside world. It would just be a little more arduous and require more effort.
His youth is his greatest asset, and his previous efforts have bought him plenty of time.
But if you miss the [Third Killing Formation in the World], then you've truly missed it.
There are four strongest killing formations in total. Currently, the only one whose exact location is known and which we have the opportunity to access is the incomplete [Third Killing Formation]. As a formation master, this is the most urgent matter at present.
"Such intense killing intent!"
As Song Changsheng drew closer, the killing intent around him intensified, as if countless knives were constantly piercing his heart.
If it were an ordinary cultivator, their Dao heart would have collapsed long ago under such intense killing intent.
His steps were firm, and he did not back down an inch.
To capture the Daoist essence of the [Third Killing Formation], one should naturally be as close to the stone tablet as possible. Gritting his teeth, Song Changsheng walked step by step to a position only an inch or two away from the stone tablet and sat down cross-legged with difficulty.
At such close range, the killing intent surged like the raging waves of a stormy sea, relentlessly assaulting his Dao heart.
Less than fifteen minutes after sitting down, bright red blood began to seep from the corner of Song Changsheng's mouth, but his body remained motionless, stubbornly holding on with difficulty.
In this short period of time, his Dao heart, which had been tempered and refined over many years, was unstable several times under the fierce impact of the killing intent. Fortunately, he stabilized it in the shortest possible time, preventing it from causing any disaster.
Actually, resisting killing intent is not the most difficult part. The most difficult part is to calmly perceive the Daoist rhythm of the surrounding formations while resisting killing intent, and accurately capture the part belonging to the "Third Killing Formation in the World" among tens of thousands of Daoist rhythms.
This is tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack, and in a turbulent one at that.
With the dual support of strong faith and a steadfast Dao heart, Song Changsheng actually persevered. Moreover, after several hours, he gradually shielded himself from the influence of the killing intent and began to try to capture the Dao charm emanating from the other stone tablets.
At the same time, directly above the Forest of Ten Thousand Steles, on a cloud invisible to the naked eye, two figures were quietly watching his every move.
If Song Changsheng could see it, he would recognize one of them as True Lord Yingyue.
"To choose to sense at such a close distance, this kid certainly dares to think that way," the middle-aged cultivator beside him said softly, his tone devoid of any emotion.
"If he didn't dare to think about it, he wouldn't have thought of engraving the [Third Killing Formation in the World] into his body."
"Heh, what a reckless little brat, isn't he afraid of being torn apart by that killing intent?"
At this moment, the middle-aged cultivator suddenly said with great interest, "Do you think he can capture the Dao essence of the [Third Killing Formation]? Apart from your grand-disciple, there hasn't been a single disciple in the palace who has been able to do this for a very long time."
After a moment's thought, True Monarch Yingyue said, "I believe he still has a considerable chance. Just based on the fact that he dared to get so close to the array monument, his chances of success can be increased by at least 30%."
"It seems you have a lot of confidence in him. Why don't we make a bet?"
"What are you gambling?"
"If this child can grasp the Daoist essence of the [Third Killing Formation], I will give you the ancient scroll you've always wanted; if not..."
Before he could finish explaining his terms, True Lord Yingyue readily accepted the bet.
The middle-aged cultivator frowned and said, "Are you that confident?"
"That's not entirely true, but since you've already brought out that ancient scroll as a wager, how high can my stake be?" True Monarch Yingyue glanced at him indifferently and said.
“That’s the Emperor’s own handwritten notes.”
"That's just a manuscript. If it weren't written by the Human Emperor, it wouldn't even qualify as a so-called bet."
The middle-aged cultivator snorted coldly upon hearing this, turned his back, and said, "You just don't understand its value."
Upon hearing his words, a meaningful smile appeared on the lips of True Monarch Yingyue…
……
P.S.: Fellow Daoists, thank you for your patience. Today's chapter is a long one of 7,000 words, mainly to lay the groundwork for later chapters. I still owe 9,000 words... (End of Chapter)