Chapter 1307
Taking the World as the Practice Ground
The two figures transformed into two long streaks of blue and purple, sweeping across the sky above Qingyang City.
In the blink of an eye, they had reached a hundred miles away.
The earth beneath my feet receded rapidly, and on the vast plain, paths crisscrossed, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.
Villages and towns dot the green chessboard like chess pieces.
The rising smoke from the chimneys filled the air with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
"This Emperor Taxian is indeed a capable ruler, and this Great Yun Dynasty is truly a pure land."
As Ye Yang flew on his sword, gazing at the peaceful and prosperous scene below, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
He saw monks performing magic to summon clouds and rain in the fields, nourishing the parched farmland.
They also saw imperial soldiers patrolling the roads, escorting caravans and civilians.
A wondrous and harmonious symbiotic relationship has formed between cultivators and mortals, with each depending on the other and protecting the other.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal stood with his hands behind his back atop the sword light, his expression serene.
"Ren Taxian, though he attained enlightenment in the body of a mortal, possessed a breadth of vision and foresight that was difficult for ordinary people to reach. He did not simply pursue the transcendence of his own Great Dao, but regarded the entire Great Cycle Realm as his own Dao field."
“Using the dynasty’s fortune as a guide to educate all living beings, such a feat is extremely rare, even in the vast universe.”
"Take the world as your sacred ground..."
Ye Yang muttered to himself, shocked.
This has transcended the scope of ordinary cultivators; it is more like the behavior of a saint.
Legend has it that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in ancient mythology once vowed that he would not become a Buddha until hell was emptied.
It seems to share a similar path with this person's spiritual practice.
The two traveled eastward, and the closer they got to the heart of the imperial capital, the richer the spiritual energy between heaven and earth became.
The towns below are also growing larger and larger.
On the road, there were not only ordinary carriages, but also cultivators riding various spirit beasts and magical artifacts, creating a prosperous and thriving scene of a great world of cultivation.
About half a day later.
A colossal city, so majestic it was beyond imagination, finally appeared on the horizon.
That city resembled an ancient behemoth lying prostrate on the earth.
The city walls soared into the clouds, constructed entirely of an unknown bluish-black boulder, and inscribed with countless mysterious runes.
Under the sunlight, the runes flowed, emitting a faint golden glow.
A vast and powerful imperial dragon aura soared into the sky, condensing into a faint, five-clawed golden dragon phantom above the city, overlooking all living beings.
Even though they were hundreds of miles apart, Ye Yang could feel the overwhelming weight and majesty emanating from the man.
It was as if the entire fortune of the world had converged here.
Compared to this colossal city, any city he had ever seen before seemed as insignificant as dust.
"This is Shangjing, the capital of the Great Yun Realm."
The two concealed their escape light and slowly landed on the wide official road of the capital city.
Following the flow of people, we walked towards the massive city gate.
The prosperity of the capital city far exceeded Ye Yang's imagination.
The streets were paved with smooth bluestone slabs and were wide enough to accommodate dozens of horse-drawn carriages side by side.
The streets are lined with magnificent buildings, carved beams and painted rafters, shops, and bustling crowds.
The magical artifact shops and elixir shops run by cultivators are interspersed with the restaurants, teahouses, and cloth shops run by ordinary people, yet they are clearly separated and do not interfere with each other.
There were many monks walking on the street, and ordinary people would respectfully give way and bow when they saw them.
There was no fear on his face, as if he had always been used to it.
The atmosphere here is more complex and more powerful than in Qingyang City.
Ye Yang scanned the area with his divine sense and discovered that among the cultivators coming and going on the street, there were countless cultivators at the martial arts realm.
There are even quite a few at the True Person Realm.
Even experts at the Nascent Soul Dao Realm can be seen occasionally, all of whom have a restrained aura and a calm expression.
The two continued on their way to the palace.
They had just arrived at the gate of Suzaku Avenue.
A gentle yet slightly high-pitched voice suddenly rang out beside the two of them.
"You two have come from afar. His Majesty has been waiting in the palace for a long time. Please come with us."
Ye Yang felt a chill and abruptly turned his head away.
There stood an old eunuch dressed in a dark red python robe, with a white face, no beard, and his hair neatly combed.
He stood quietly beside them, a humble and respectful smile on his face.
He appeared silently, as if he had been standing there the whole time.
This old eunuch appeared ordinary, but his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, as if he could see into people's hearts.
He was several times more terrifying than the alien general in the Refinement Realm whom we encountered in Qingyang City.
"This person is Eunuch Qin, the Grand Eunuch of the Grand Canal."
The voice of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal rang out in Ye Yang's mind at just the right moment.
"He is a naturally castrated man, born without emotions or desires, making him most suitable for cultivating the Lotus Sutra, the imperial palace's secret manual. Don't underestimate him just because he's a eunuch now; his cultivation level has probably already reached the peak of the Void Refining Realm, making him one of Ren Taxian's most capable assistants."
Ye Yang was deeply shaken.
A eunuch is inherently flawed in five aspects and lacking in three.
In other words, he is an incomplete person, whose spiritual practice is inherently limited.
But this person actually possesses such terrifying strength!
He observed Qin Gonggong discreetly, noticing the man's gentle smile and respectful demeanor.
If it weren't for the reminder from the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, no one would have been able to connect this seemingly ordinary old eunuch with a top-tier expert who could command respect in the region.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal nodded slightly to Eunuch Qin, his expression calm.
"Thank you for coming to greet me personally, Steward Qin."
"You two are too kind. It is our family's honor to be able to serve His Majesty and you."
"If His Majesty knew that the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal and Dao Ancestor Ye had come together, he would surely be overjoyed."
Eunuch Qin smiled even more humbly, bowed slightly, and made a "please" gesture.
"The palace is a forbidden area, and it is inconvenient to fly. Please, seniors, follow me on foot into the palace."
Having said that, he turned around and led the way at a leisurely pace.
Ye Yang and the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal exchanged a glance and followed.
Walk through the bustling streets.
A palace city, even more magnificent and imposing than the capital city itself, appeared before their eyes.
The Forbidden City!
The palace walls are hundreds of feet high, and are entirely reddish-gold in color, shining brightly in the sunlight, as if they were cast from divine gold.
The palace was heavily fortified with restrictions.
The imperial dragon aura was more than ten times denser than that outside the city, transforming into tangible golden clouds that lingered and did not dissipate.
If an ordinary cultivator were to trespass, he would likely be crushed into dust the moment he approached the palace walls by the vast imperial aura.
Eunuch Qin took out a token.
With a gentle sway in front of the palace gate, the seemingly indestructible barrier silently opened a door.
Upon entering the palace, the view suddenly opened up before my eyes.
Pavilions and towers, carved railings and jade steps, exotic flowers and rare plants are everywhere.
The air was filled with an intense, almost palpable spiritual energy.
Taking a deep breath makes one feel as if their cultivation has improved slightly.
However, hidden within this seemingly peaceful palace complex are countless powerful auras.
Ye Yang could sense it in the shadows of the palace.
It hides countless eyes, and the owner of each pair of eyes is incredibly powerful.
This is the true core of the Great Yun Dynasty, a place teeming with experts and hidden talents.
Eunuch Qin led the two through numerous palaces, finally arriving before a magnificent hall called the "Hall of Supreme Harmony." The hall was entirely constructed of white jade, with nine enormous golden pillars supporting its roof.
The square in front of the palace is paved with white jade, smooth as a mirror, and large enough to accommodate 100,000 people.
However, at this moment, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was empty and silent.
"His Majesty is currently handling some important matters and will arrive shortly. Please wait here for a moment, seniors."
Eunuch Qin led the two to the front of the hall and bowed again.
He then quietly retreated to the side, standing with his hands at his sides, like a lifeless sculpture.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal didn't seem to care. He simply stood with his hands behind his back, calmly gazing at the empty hall, as if waiting for something.
Ye Yang released his divine sense, wanting to explore the inner palace, but found that his divine sense was like a mud ox sinking into the sea.
The area around the main hall was completely neutralized by an invisible and gentle force, making it impossible to probe very far.
He was taken aback.
This imperial palace is actually an incomparably powerful Dao artifact.
The other party directly refined this vast imperial palace, and even the capital city, into their own Dao artifact.
Ye Yang let out a breath.
Just then, a barely perceptible ripple appeared in the space in front of the main hall.
It was like a pebble being thrown into a calm lake.
The next moment, a figure appeared out of thin air on the dragon throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in a simple dragon robe, with an ordinary, even somewhat plain, face.
Only his eyes were as deep as the starry sky.
It seems to contain the profound truth of the birth and death of the universe and the eternal cycle of reincarnation.
He sat there quietly, without any aura emanating from him, just like an ordinary mortal.
However, the moment Ye Yang's eyes met his, he felt an indescribable pressure.
powerful!
This is the strongest person Ye Yang has ever seen in his life!
Just like the transcendent sword intent and Daoist charm surrounding the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
But the Emperor Taxian before them seemed to have merged with this world and the Great Dao itself, returning to simplicity and authenticity, revealing nothing.
"Fellow Daoist Qinglian, it's been many years, but you still retain your charm."
Emperor Ren Taxian spoke, his voice gentle and calm.
Yet, it seemed to possess some strange magic, instantly calming Ye Yang's agitated mind.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting to the figure on the dragon throne.
"Fellow Daoist Ta Xian, you flatter me. Compared with your achievements in creating this great era of cultivation, what is my meager cultivation?"
"Fellow Daoist, you've come not to reminisce with me, have you?"
Ren Taxian shifted his gaze from the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal to the hideous head Ye Yang was holding, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"I am already aware of what happened in Qingyang City. Thank you, fellow Daoist, for slaying this evil spirit for my Great Yun Dynasty."
Ye Yang's heart stirred, and he stepped forward, offering up the head of the alien general.
"Junior Ye Yang greets Emperor Ta Xian. This fiend led his followers to invade the borders of our Great Yun, slaughtering soldiers and civilians. Junior and senior happened to be there and took action to kill him. His head is here, and I have come to present it to Your Majesty."
"No need for such formalities."
Ren Taxian slightly raised her hand, and a gentle force lifted Ye Yang up.
He glanced at the head, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his calm eyes.
"The evil forces from beyond the heavens have never given up their desire to destroy us. These past years have been tough on the soldiers on the frontier."
With a flick of his finger, the head turned to ashes and vanished into the air.
"Speak, Fellow Daoist Qinglian, what brings you here today?"
Ren Taxian's gaze returned to Qinglian Sword Immortal.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal stopped being polite and got straight to the point.
"This young friend and I intend to venture into the depths of the Boundary Sea to find the place where the Thunder Emperor True Dragon fell."
"However, the spatial barriers within that Boundary Sea are chaotic and fraught with danger. I need to borrow your 'Boundary-Breaking Talisman' to accurately locate myself, break through the barriers, and reach my destination."
"Thunderous True Dragon..."
Upon hearing this, Ren Taxian's deep eyes flickered with emotion. He pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“I see. The Thunderous True Dragon is a true spirit, and the place where it fell is indeed extraordinary. Very well, the Boundary-Breaking Talisman is just an external item. Since you asked, I will lend it to you.”
As he finished speaking, he opened his palm, revealing a piece of jade carved entirely from a chaotic color.
The talisman, covered with golden divine patterns, floated quietly in his palm.
As soon as the talisman appeared, the surrounding void began to distort slightly.
A terrifying aura that could shatter all laws and traverse all heavens spread out.
Ye Yang only glanced at it, but he felt as if his primordial spirit was about to be torn apart by the spatial laws contained in the talisman.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist."
With a wave of his hand, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal summoned the Boundary-Breaking Talisman, which transformed into a stream of light and flew into his hand.
"The Boundary Sea is dangerous; even fellow Daoists must be extra careful."
"Pregnancy is a reminder," Ren Ta Xian reminded her.
"That area not only contains ancient restrictions and ferocious beasts, but also many evil forces from beyond the heavens. The changes in Qingyang City may just be the beginning."
"I see."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal put away the Boundary-Breaking Talisman and nodded solemnly.
"After this matter is settled, I will come to the capital again to discuss it in detail with you, fellow Daoist."
"Ok, I will wait for you."
Ren Taxian nodded slightly.
The next moment, his figure vanished from the dragon throne as silently as when he appeared, as if he had never been there at all.
Silence returned to the main hall once more.
"Let's go."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal said something to Ye Yang, and the two turned around and, led by Eunuch Qin, who had reappeared outside the palace gate at some unknown time, left the majestic palace.
……
After leaving the capital city, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal unleashed the Boundary-Breaking Talisman.
He poured his immense Dao power into it, and the chaotic-colored talisman immediately shone with golden light. The divine patterns on the talisman seemed to come alive, transforming into streaks of golden lightning that intertwined in the air.
"Hey!"
With a deafening roar like tearing silk, a huge gash was ripped open in the void ahead!
On the other side of the rift lies endless darkness and chaos, from which violent spatial turbulence and chaotic energy surge forth, exuding an aura of annihilation.
"Stay close to me."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal gave a word of advice, then flashed into the spatial rift.
Ye Yang followed closely behind, and the two transformed into two streaks of light.
They vanished instantly from the world of the Great Fortune Realm.
As you travel through the spatial passage, you are surrounded by bizarre and wonderful sights, with countless phantom images of worlds flashing past your eyes like a carousel.
The power of the boundary-breaking talisman formed a solid barrier, completely isolating the violent energy from the outside world.
After an unknown amount of time, the view suddenly opened up before me.
A vast, ancient, and chaotic aura swept over us.
The two had already arrived outside the legendary boundary river.
Looking out, a "great river" whose breadth cannot be described in words stretches across the endless void.
The river was not filled with water, but with a viscous, chaotic liquid that shimmered with starlight. Occasionally, enormous phantoms would flash across the surface, creating towering waves.
Each of those phantoms exuded a terrifying aura that sent chills down one's spine; they were all colossal beasts whose size rivaled that of stars!
Ye Yang even saw a giant turtle, as large as a continent, slowly rising from the bottom of the river. On its back grew ancient mountains and forests!
"This is the boundary river."
"Immortal Azure Lotus" said solemnly. (End of Chapter)