After the Great Dao Died

Dressed in red, Chi Jianshu sat across from Chen Lingxi.

Her true body’s cultivation was already at Dao Foundation Perfection. Having mastered four Great Divine Abilities, she was only one step away from becoming a Golden Palace True Person.

With such cultivation, even in the incredibly vast Land of Nine Palaces within the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, where powerful experts were numerous, she was considered a true high-level cultivator.

Yet she did not underestimate Chen Lingxi in the slightest.

Chen Lingxi possessed extraordinary talent and numerous serendipities. Even here in the Weiji Grotto-Heaven, a land devoid of qi, his cultivation speed was astonishing.

From a mere mortal to reaching the Dao Foundation, forging a Plundering Dragon Dao Platform as deep as an abyss and planting the Thunder Prison Profound Root within it—even among the Noble Sect Immortal Gates of the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, such achievements would be considered breathtakingly brilliant.

Furthermore, before even forming a Dao Platform, he had slain Daoist Huotuo—a cultivator who already possessed one—in Nanche Prefecture City. After achieving his Dao Foundation, he had defeated a Dao Foundation genius like Bai Lingze of the Yutai Bai Family atop Ancestral Mountain. Even Chi Jianshu herself might not have been capable of such battle feats when her cultivation was that low.

Now, Chen Lingxi was asking her which was more precious: an Immortal Slough or a Realm Essence.

Chi Jianshu did not know why he was asking this, but she answered him anyway.

Starlight faintly flickered in her deep eyes, and her voice was as clear as water.

”The Realm Essence formed by refining a Grotto-Heaven with the Realm-Refining Furnace is naturally extremely precious. Even for a Golden Portal cultivator, it is an unimaginable supreme treasure.

”If a single Realm Essence were to flow into the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, it would inevitably unleash a storm of blood and wind.

”Who knows how many cultivators at Dao Foundation Perfection, trapped in bottlenecks and unable to break through, would gamble their entire fortunes and lives for such a Realm Essence.

”Because it represents a shortcut to the Golden Portal, one completely devoid of any drawbacks. It is a true grand serendipity.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on Chen Lingxi for a moment, before continuing.

”The Immortal Slough is much the same... but different Immortal Sloughs vary wildly from one another.

”An Immortal Slough is the mortal remains of an immortal. Some Immortal Sloughs contain unimaginable power, enough to split heaven and earth.

”Meanwhile, other Immortal Sloughs lost within various Grotto-Heavens possess endless wondrous uses, but they cannot be compared to a Realm Essence.”

”The remains of an immortal?”

Chen Lingxi raised an eyebrow.

’An immortal... does that mean someone who has achieved immortality? What realm is that? Could it be above Nascent Soul Mystic Monarch?’

But on second thought, he felt it was unlikely.

’Never mind a Nascent Soul Mystic Monarch! Even a True Lord is unfathomably powerful.’

’If it were truly the skeleton of a True Lord, it would probably be even more precious than that Realm Essence.’

’It seems the immortal Daoist Shu Rong is speaking of must hold some other secret.’

He thought this to himself, then asked aloud.

”But what about the Immortal Slough of the Weiji Grotto-Heaven in Ying Xian’s hands?”

Chi Jianshu replied.

”This Immortal Slough is naturally incredibly precious, but since it can be contained within this Qi-Depleted Grotto-Heaven, it proves that it isn’t too powerful.

”If you want to compare it to a Realm Essence, it still falls somewhat short.

”A Realm Essence is formed by using an entire primordial Grotto-Heaven as firewood, a Realm-Refining Furnace as the Cauldron Vessel, and the power of a True Lord as the furnace fire. Only after expending an immense amount of painstaking effort can a single one be forged.

”The purity of the Dao rhyme and the boundless spiritual energy contained within it are not something an ordinary Immortal Slough can match.”

Chen Lingxi felt somewhat disappointed.

He lowered his eyelids, lightning faintly dancing in his deep eyes, and remained silent for several breaths.

Chi Jianshu observed his reaction, a trace of doubt involuntarily rising in her heart.

’Chen Lingxi has always been steady and composed. Even when facing a powerful enemy like Bai Lingze, he never revealed such an expression. Why is he disappointed today over a comparison between an Immortal Slough and a Realm Essence?’

Sitting to the side, Lin Suri also took in Chen Lingxi’s change in expression.

He asked.

”Daoist Brother, why do you suddenly ask about this?”

Chen Lingxi raised his head and looked at Chi Jianshu.

He remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words, before slowly speaking.

”It is a foregone conclusion that the True Lord of the Que Star Xi Family will refine this Weiji Grotto-Heaven. He intends to refine everything originally within this Grotto-Heaven, leaving me in a situation of certain death.

”But I... happen to know the location of another Immortal Slough, so I wanted to ask you, Senior...

”If I use this Immortal Slough to trade with the Que Star Xi Family, I wonder if I can exchange it for a chance of survival.”

The moment these words came out, the hall abruptly plunged into silence.

Daoist Shu Rong’s expression shifted instantly.

The starlight in her deep eyes suddenly condensed as she jerked her head up, her gaze falling on Chen Lingxi like lightning.

”Are you saying there is still another Immortal Slough within this Grotto-Heaven?”

Chen Lingxi nodded, his expression candid.

Daoist Shu Rong took a deep breath, her burning gaze fixed on Chen Lingxi.

What kind of object was an Immortal Slough?

The reason the Pool Soul Courtyard of the Under-Dao Academy had paid such a massive price to project them here was precisely for that Immortal Slough held by Emperor Daye, Ying Xian.

If there was actually a second Immortal Slough within this Grotto-Heaven, it would mean an extraordinary serendipity appearing out of nowhere for her Pool Soul Courtyard.

Daoist Shu Rong fell silent for a few breaths, weighing her words before finally speaking.

”Chen Lingxi, do you know why the Que Star Xi Family paid such a massive price to project a figure like Zhao Duanxuan into this Weiji Grotto-Heaven?”

Chen Lingxi replied.

”Naturally, to fight for that Immortal Slough, or that complete Cauldron Vessel.”

Daoist Shu Rong shook her head.

”It is not to fight for them... but to ensure that the Immortal Slough or complete Cauldron Vessel is not taken by us cultivators of the other profound sects and immortal clans of the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, who would then extract them to the Great Xuanzhuo Realm.

”This is because... the Cauldron Vessel Realm-Refining Furnace possesses its own wondrous uses!

”Whether it is an Immortal Slough or a Cauldron Vessel, as long as it remains within this Grotto-Heaven, the True Lord of the Que Star Xi Family will naturally be able to sense its location when he refines this realm. He can then pluck it out, claiming it for the Que Star Xi Family.”

Chen Lingxi’s expression shifted slightly.

Daoist Shu Rong continued.

”So, Chen Lingxi... your information regarding the Immortal Slough is worthless to the Que Star Xi Family.

”They only need to sit quietly and wait, waiting for the True Lord to make his move and refine this realm.”

Hearing Chi Jianshu’s words, a look of disappointment finally surfaced on Chen Lingxi’s face.

After a long time, Chen Lingxi finally restrained his expression and asked.

”Then what is this True Lord of the Que Star Xi Family waiting for right now? Why hasn’t he refined this Grotto-Heaven yet?”

Daoist Shu Rong said.

”This Qi-Depleted Grotto-Heaven was later bestowed upon the Que Star Xi Family by the Mystic Monarch of the Nine Quarters. It’s just that... in order to acquire this Grotto-Heaven, the Que Star Xi Family promised the Mystic Monarch that the complete Cauldron Vessel within it would be open for the numerous profound sect factions of the Land of Nine Palaces to contest over.

”Precisely because of this, there were those numerous reincarnating seekers of truth. Later, when the Immortal Slough emerged, it led to us being projected here.

”And now... True Monarch Xi is naturally waiting for that complete Cauldron Vessel to appear and find an owner.

”After that happens, he will make his move and refine this realm.”

Chen Lingxi’s expression did not change, but he harbored many doubts.

He had personally witnessed True Monarch Xi strike within the Absolute Perception Divine Chamber. Those emotionless, impassive eyes had hung above the firmament, and as the Realm-Refining Furnace spun, it had incinerated the entire Grotto-Heaven.

At that time, the True Monarch had not cared at all about who the Cauldron Vessel belonged to.

’During the Absolute Perception before the last, Great Sage Luoyuan’s incarnation descended, and True Monarch Xi immediately used the Realm-Refining Furnace to refine this realm. He never waited for any Cauldron Vessel to appear.’

’True Monarch Xi also mentioned the Immortal Capital, and the path for souls to return... It was as if this True Monarch was specifically waiting for the Great Sage’s incarnation to descend.’

’Thinking about it this way, the rules set by that Mystic Monarch seem like they can be defied...’

’Moreover, the Weiji Grotto-Heaven is no ordinary Qi-Depleted Grotto-Heaven. It still holds many secrets.’

’Just what exactly are that True Lord of the Que Star Xi Family, or that Mystic Monarch of the Nine Quarters, plotting?’

Pondering this inwardly, he nonetheless let a dejected look show on his face as he spoke to Daoist Shu Rong and Lin Suri.

”In that case, even if I tell the Que Star Xi Family the secret of the Immortal Slough, I still won’t be able to exchange it for even a sliver of a chance at survival.”

Lin Suri pursed his lips, his expression solemn.

Looking at Chen Lingxi’s face full of dejection, an indescribably complex emotion surged within him.

’Daoist Brother Chen and I have been friends for a long time. From the struggle over the Ancestral Mountain Mother Qi to the Battle of Cauldron Seizing, and then the great calamity in Nanche Prefecture City, this man has repeatedly saved my life and shown me immense kindness.’

’Now, Daoist Brother Chen is trapped in this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, facing imminent death, yet he is still struggling bitterly for that one chance of survival...’

Reaching this point in his thoughts, Lin Suri suddenly stood up, bowed to Daoist Shu Rong, and spoke.

”Martial Aunt! The Immortal Slough that has already revealed its traces is held in the hands of Ying Xian.

”Within this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, we are already incapable of transferring stronger cultivation bases. Trying to fight for the Immortal Slough in Ying Xian’s hands is simply too difficult!

”Right now, Daoist Brother Chen still knows the secret of another Immortal Slough. Why don’t we...”

Hearing Lin Suri’s words, a sharp light abruptly shot from Daoist Shu Rong’s eyes.

She took a deep breath, suddenly standing up as she spoke.

”If Daoist Friend Chen is only seeking a chance at survival, why don’t you return first and wait peacefully? I will contact the Academy right away, report this to the Chi Soul Master, and perhaps even... escalate the matter to the Dao Teacher!

”Let’s see if this Immortal Slough can exchange for a chance of survival for you, Daoist Friend.”