After the Great Dao Died

Atop Slumbering Deer Peak, sunlight shone in all directions.

High in the void, three great suns cast a scorching brilliance. Their light cascaded over the phantom image of the divine deer, bathing ten thousand li of land in golden, rosy hues and transforming the realm into a veritable fairyland.

Yuan Lingyu stared with bright, expressive eyes, a hint of worry lingering in her gaze as she watched Chen Lingxi.

Chen Lingxi stood up and let out a long breath.

”Do you feel any better, Senior Brother?” Yuan Lingyu stepped closer and scrutinized him carefully. After a moment’s thought, she hurriedly retrieved a wooden box from the Vast Void Pouch at her waist.

The wooden box overflowed with a refreshing fragrance and was wreathed in spiritual light, looking quite extraordinary.

”Senior Brother, keep this Life-Nurturing Pill with you. If the lightning ever goes out of control again, you can take it and spare yourself such intense agony.”

Yuan Lingyu opened the box, her tone filled with concern.

Chen Lingxi immediately saw a dark medicinal pill exuding an astonishing fragrance. Faint runes swirled around it, and layers upon layers of hand seals constantly surfaced on its exterior.

He didn’t need to think twice; this was undoubtedly a highly precious pill of astonishing grade.

During the Absolute Perception Deduction, Yuan Lingyu had also offered him this pill. At that time, Chen Lingxi had been rather ignorant and refused to accept it.

But now, having come to Slumbering Deer Peak in reality and knowing his arrival here was entirely due to True Person Xiangshu’s Fate-Evolving Purple Cloud Cauldron Vessel, he felt no burden in his heart.

He gave a slight nod. ”Since that’s the case, I thank you, Junior Martial Sister Lingyu.”

Chen Lingxi took the wooden box holding the pill and stored it in his Vast Void Pouch.

A hint of pleasant surprise flashed in Yuan Lingyu’s eyes. She glanced left and right. ”Senior Brother, your cave dwelling has already been destroyed by the Thunder Prison’s lightning.

”I happened to have some free time these past few days, so I found you a new cave dwelling.

”Although it cannot compare to this Wondrous Void Mansion, it possesses its own Fourth Profound spirit vein. Combined with the dense spiritual energy of Slumbering Deer Peak, it should be more than enough for your daily cultivation.”

Riding the clouds and mist, the two of them crossed several peaks before arriving in front of a towering mountain.

The mountain was quite lofty. Amidst jagged rocks, lush vegetation covered the slopes, and a dense canopy of thriving trees could be faintly seen.

Following the direction Yuan Lingyu pointed, Chen Lingxi spotted a bubbling clear spring. At its end, a majestic waterfall cascaded down, its surging momentum spanning perhaps a thousand zhang.

The new cave dwelling was located right there, by the waterfall.

It looked just like a Water Curtain Cave.

Chen Lingxi and Yuan Lingyu passed through the waterfall and stepped inside, only to find that she had long since organized the place perfectly.

There was a bed and a meditation cushion, as well as several night-spirit stones emitting a clear radiance that lit up the entire cave.

The stone walls inside had been polished by Yuan Lingyu using a divine ability. They were smooth enough to reflect light, without a single speck of dust.

Daylight from beyond the waterfall filtered in, making the space feel rather elegant and cozy.

”You’ve put a lot of thought into this, Junior Martial Sister.”

Chen Lingxi stood inside the cave dwelling, his dark robes making his figure seem slightly frail.

He turned around and bowed to Yuan Lingyu, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Yuan Lingyu wore a white gauze dress, her long hair draped down her back. Her fair face carried a warm smile.

She tilted her head and waved a hand at Chen Lingxi. ”Senior Brother, I didn’t go through all this trouble for nothing.”

Chen Lingxi asked, ”What do you want, Junior Martial Sister?”

Yuan Lingyu tilted her head back and laughed. ”Senior Brother, my Rain Estate is a hundred li away, and the other senior brothers and sisters have cave dwellings quite far from mine.

”In the future, if I encounter any bottlenecks in my cultivation, I will have to ask you to guide me.”

Chen Lingxi nodded calmly, agreeing to her request.

Yuan Lingyu thought for a moment, then made a quick trip to her own cave dwelling and returned with two spiritual plants.

”Of these two spiritual plants, one is called the Filth-Expelling Spirit Grass, and the other is the Qi-Drawing Crimson Herb.

”Placing them in the cave will add a bit of vitality, cleanse away impurities, and draw in fresh spiritual energy.

”They aren’t anything precious, but they are quite practical.”

Yuan Lingyu ensured everything in the cave was perfectly arranged before finally taking her leave.

Chen Lingxi walked her out of the cave dwelling, his gaze gradually growing calm.

He looked inward at himself.

Many remnants of out-of-control lightning lingered on his Plundering Dragon Dao Platform. His Profound Root treasure tree and Wondrous Fruit both appeared somewhat withered and lethargic.

’My Golden Portal master really put on a full act.’

Chen Lingxi mused inwardly as he closed his eyes to heal his injuries.

He circulated the Dragon-Stripping Dao-Transforming One Qi True Incantation, continuously refining the surrounding spiritual energy.

In an instant, he felt the surrounding spiritual energy become incredibly dense, like a surging river. By merely circulating the true incantation, it was like a true dragon drawing water—the spiritual energy cascaded in, plunging directly into his Dao Platform.

Chen Lingxi’s eyes lit up.

’Cultivating here is no worse than my daily cultivation with the Immortal Slough.’

The Immortal Slough was unimaginably precious. It could attract the covetous eyes of a True Person, and make profound sects with Golden Core True Monarchs birth greedy desires.

However, Chen Lingxi’s cultivation was too weak.

In his hands, the Immortal Slough was no different from a mere stalk of spirit grass.

He could only rely on the meager traces of spiritual energy contained within the Immortal Slough to cultivate. He was entirely incapable of unleashing its true might.

Take the Under-Dao Academy, for example. If they had the Immortal Slough, they could rely on the Academy’s Cauldron Vessel and profound secret arts to forge a Nine-Transformation Precious Body of unmatched wondrousness.

Or take Emperor Daye, Ying Xian!

Who knew where he acquired that Mountains and Rivers Great Array, but using the Volcano Immortal Pivot as a foundation and the Immortal Slough as a core, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, granting him an extraordinarily profound foundation.

But for Chen Lingxi, although the Immortal Slough could be considered an inexhaustible panacea, he was far from being able to tap into its intrinsic value.

’It’s fine. Here in the Great Xuanzhuo Realm’s Dragon-Revering Sect, my cultivation is far from profound.

’Those stronger than me are countless, and there are numerous wondrous Great Divine Abilities and profound Dao Cauldron Vessels.

’If I am careless, it’s highly likely I will fall prey to a Cauldron Vessel’s mighty power, exposing the root of my foundation.’

’In the past, without the Immortal Slough, my cultivation progress would have inevitably slowed.

’But now, situated on Slumbering Deer Peak with such dense spiritual energy, I won’t need to rely on the Immortal Slough for a short while. I just need to keep it well hidden.’

Amidst his thoughts, Chen Lingxi cast his mind into the Divine Chamber.

Within the cloud mist of the Divine Chamber’s void, the Immortal Slough floated peacefully.

’With the Immortal Slough stored inside the Divine Chamber, even a True Person, or perhaps even a True Lord or Great Sage, shouldn’t be able to see through it.

’As long as I don’t take it out on my own accord, no one in the world will know I possess the Immortal Slough.’

Putting his mind at ease, Chen Lingxi kept his eyes closed and continued to cultivate and heal.

Two days passed in a flash. Chen Lingxi exited the cave dwelling and stood atop the peak. The sunlight of the three great suns shone upon him, casting three distinct shadows.

Right at that moment, Yuan Lingyu arrived to deliver a message.

Chen Lingxi made another trip to the main hall of Slumbering Deer Peak, arriving beneath the phantom image of the divine deer to meet True Person Xiangshu.

It played out exactly as it had during the Absolute Perception Deduction.

True Person Xiangshu’s gaze was gentle, his expression kind yet his words carrying profound weight. Following that, he bestowed a Great Divine Ability Spiritual Wall and a Divine Ability Wondrous Object.

During the entire process, Chen Lingxi observed carefully, yet he couldn’t detect the slightest hint of malicious intent from True Person Xiangshu.

He could only conclude that this True Person’s scheming ran unfathomably deep. After that, he took his leave.

On the way back, he encountered Shen Xiu’an again.

A Sword Talisman hovered in the air, overflowing with sword light and shining brilliantly.

Intense sword qi brewed within it, radiating incredibly astonishing killing power.

Even though Chen Lingxi had already seen this Sword Talisman during his Absolute Perception Deduction, seeing it again now still left him marveling at the terrifying combat strength of his Eldest Senior Brother, Shen Xiu’an.

’This man’s cultivation is likely at Dao Foundation Perfection.

’By practicing a Sword Dao Great Divine Ability, in terms of sheer killing power, he is vastly stronger than any Dao Foundation cultivator I have ever seen.’

Chen Lingxi felt wary, but he still accepted the Sword Talisman.

During the deduction... Absolute Perception had shattered at this exact moment, and Chen Lingxi had returned to reality.

But here in reality, time continued its quiet flow.

Chen Lingxi and Shen Xiu’an walked shoulder to shoulder among the clouds.

Shen Xiu’an spoke softly, ”Ever since you joined our Slumbering Deer Peak, you have never once ventured out.

”The other six inner peaks outside of Slumbering Deer Peak, and even the numerous superior peaks, aren’t aware that our Slumbering Deer Peak has a disciple like you.

”Zhi Ling.

”Your talent is extraordinary, and you practice the incredibly difficult Thunder Prison Heaven Great Divine Ability. Your killing power goes without saying.

”With such a foundation, staying cooped up in the sect and building a chariot behind closed doors will only be to your detriment.”

Having said that, Shen Xiu’an frowned slightly.

”The seven inner peaks of the Dragon-Revering Sect are not a monolith. Especially now, with recent unforeseen changes in the sect, the rules have quietly shifted.

”From now on, the allocation of many medicinal pills and cultivation resources in the Dragon-Revering Sect must be fought for.

”Our Slumbering Deer Peak has had two martial uncles pass away in succession, and your four senior brothers and sisters have consecutively fallen... As a result, our peak’s strength has drastically plummeted, making us the weakest among the seven inner peaks.

”You must strive harder and climb the Dragon Transformation Immortal Roll as soon as possible.”

Chen Lingxi gave a light nod.

Right then, Shen Xiu’an flicked his finger, and a Spirit Crystal instantly hovered in the air.

”This is an Immortal Reverence Stone,” Shen Xiu’an said. ”Since a mishap occurred in your cultivation, use this stone to nourish your Dao Platform and Profound Root.

”It won’t even take a month for your injuries to completely heal.”

Having said that, before Chen Lingxi could even reply, a beam of sword light suddenly flashed beneath Shen Xiu’an’s feet. This refined-looking yet incredibly cold sword cultivator transformed into an aurora, piercing through the heavenly clouds and vanishing without a trace.

Only Chen Lingxi and the Immortal Reverence Stone remained.

Chen Lingxi was slightly taken aback.

This Senior Brother Shen was genuinely quite concerned about him.

’What a pity... All of this is merely because of the Cauldron Vessel.’

Shaking his head slightly, Chen Lingxi collected the Immortal Reverence Stone and returned to his Water Curtain Cave.

Time slipped quietly by.

A month’s time passed in a hurry.

On this day, Chen Lingxi opened his eyes. The Immortal Reverence Stone gifted to him by Shen Xiu’an still hung in the air, glowing with brilliant light.

Chen Lingxi’s Dao Platform and Profound Root were fully recovered. Even the Dao Origin flowing within the Plundering Dragon Dao Platform had deepened quite a bit.

Chen Lingxi nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, a stream of divine sense suddenly flowed in from beyond the waterfall.

”Senior Brother!”

Without a second thought, Chen Lingxi knew the visitor was his Junior Martial Sister, Yuan Lingyu.

Over the past month, Yuan Lingyu had taken extremely good care of him. Seeing that his dark robes were worn out, she had even personally descended the mountain, visited several cities under Slumbering Deer Peak’s jurisdiction, and sewn several brocade cultivator robes for him.

He was wearing one of them right now.

Chen Lingxi already possessed an extraordinary appearance; his former dark robes had only served to mask his brilliance.

The magnificent brocade robes he now wore had a profound black base lined with golden patterns, looking just like a grand sun rising into a moonless night.

It suited Chen Lingxi’s aura perfectly.

Hearing Yuan Lingyu’s arrival, a faint smile appeared on Chen Lingxi’s lips.

With a sweep of his sleeve, a dense wave of Dao Origin instantly surged forth. It morphed into the Heaven-Seizing Seal divine ability, forming two massive hand seals that swept across the air.

Immediately, the waterfall acted like a curtain, pulled aside by him to reveal a passage.

Yuan Lingyu didn’t come in. Instead, she said, ”Senior Brother, come with me to the main peak’s Heaven Nurturing Hall.

”Today is the time of the Dragon-Revering Main Sect’s [Cauldron Manifestation].”

’Cauldron Manifestation?’

Chen Lingxi’s eyes flickered.

Within the Fate-Deducing Purple Haze, the memories woven by those numerous Cauldron Vessels came swarming in.

The so-called Cauldron Manifestation, as the name implied, was the manifestation of the Dragon-Revering Main Sect’s Cauldron Vessel.

The Dragon-Revering Main Sect possessed a Cauldron Vessel named the [Dao Profound Spirit Tablet]!

This Cauldron Vessel was extraordinarily remarkable; it could observe countless profound Dao spiritual opportunities and wondrous serendipities across a vast region.

Every three years, the Dragon-Revering Main Sect would activate the Dao Profound Spirit Tablet and display the opportunities observed by this Cauldron Vessel across the Dragon-Revering Sect’s two hundred peaks, categorized by their level of preciousness!

The lower peaks could see ordinary opportunities.

The superior peaks could see remarkable opportunities.

The opportunities visible to the inner peaks naturally went without saying; they were bound to be incredibly profound and valuable.

And today was the once-in-three-years moment of the Cauldron Manifestation.

Piqued with interest, Chen Lingxi stepped out of the cave dwelling and rode the clouds alongside Yuan Lingyu, heading toward the massive phantom image of the divine deer.

Beneath the phantom of the divine deer lay numerous suspended halls.

One hall, in particular, resembled crystal, sparkling brilliantly and overflowing with extravagance.

Chen Lingxi set foot into the precious hall.

Right in the center of the hall, he saw spiritual light interlacing and manifesting into a spirit stele.

In front of this spiritual light, a woman with a precious cauldron floating above her head was looking down, watching intently.

”Senior Martial Sister Yan Shu,” Yuan Lingyu and Chen Lingxi said, bowing together.

Among the seven inner peaks of the Dragon-Revering Sect, Slumbering Deer Peak was currently the weakest, possessing only six disciples at Dao Foundation Perfection.

Of those six, three were taught by Slumbering Deer Peak’s two former elders.

Regrettably, for reasons unknown, both of these elders had already passed away in meditation.

And this Senior Martial Sister Yan Shu was a disciple under one of those elders.

This Senior Martial Sister Yan Shu wore her cloud-like hair in a loose bun, casually pinned with a simple silver hairpin. Her appearance was austere; her eyebrows were as faint as smoke, her lips as thin as paper, and her face was so pale it was almost transparent.

At this moment, upon seeing Yuan Lingyu and Chen Lingxi, this senior sister merely gave a slight nod before turning her gaze back to the spiritual light.

Right at that moment.

In the distant sky, numerous streaks of spiritual light and cloud mist suddenly appeared, continuously converging in this direction.

Chen Lingxi glanced up, his pupils shrinking slightly.

He had heard on several occasions that Slumbering Deer Peak was the weakest inner peak of the Dragon-Revering Sect, but seeing it today...

Up in the void, there were no less than a hundred streaks of profound light and origin qi.

And atop each streak of profound light and cloud mist stood a Dao Foundation cultivator.

The vast majority of these Dao Foundation cultivators were figures at the Early Dao Foundation stage, though experts of the Second Profound and Third Profound could also be seen among them.

As these experts landed inside the hall, they first bowed to Yan Shu, Chen Lingxi, and Yuan Lingyu.

Chen Lingxi and Yuan Lingyu possessed weak cultivation.

However, as direct disciples of the peak master, their status was naturally transcendent.

’No wonder the Dragon-Revering Sect is capable of ruling over a territory of tens of millions of li, becoming a colossal entity in the Nine Quarters Realm!

’With such a foundation, they are far more tyrannical than the Under-Dao Academy, or even cultivation factions like the Que Star Xi Family and the Yutai Bai Family.’

Chen Lingxi’s eyes burned fiercely.

’In the Nine Quarters Realm, the only ones capable of being mentioned in the same breath as the Dragon-Revering Sect are likely the Southern Heaven Region and the Ehai.’

While Chen Lingxi was deep in thought, he saw another burst of light arrive in an instant from afar.

Woven within it were crisscrossing sword qi and a sharp, terrifyingly deadly killing intent.

It was none other than Eldest Senior Brother, Shen Xiu’an.