Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1183, The Heavenly Dao Dragon

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

“I’m now a Tier-6, Seventh Order. My physical body has almost achieved sanctification, transforming into a complete Great World… Within this world, all things circulate, and the Heavenly Dao is being nurtured… At every moment, this Great World breathes in the vast energies of the cosmos, and even nourishes my body…” Yu Zi u murmured to himself, as he recalled his understanding of his Tenth Realm.

If things continue as they were, once he perfected the Seventh Order, he would be able to battle Half-Step Eternals.

He then would be the strongest under Eternals.

However, there was a prerequisite: the operation of the Tenth Realm required greater insight, and more Spiritual Energy.

In short, resources were what forged the strength of his Tenth Realm. Only with abundant resources could Yu Zi Yu continue to progress.

More importantly, it would be a bottomless pit.

*Hooooo…* Yu Zi Yu exhaled a long, deep breath. However, he was not worried too much about it.

Now that the Demon Court was swallowing up galaxies left and right, the resources they plundered were more than enough for his current needs.

Not to mention, he had also seized one of the greatest legacies of the Elemental Clan: the Well of Elements.

The vast Spiritual Energy breathed in and out by that well would become the greatest source of nourishment for his Tenth Realm.

Were it not for the concern that the Well of Elements might disrupt the natural development of the Tenth Realm, Yu Zi Yu might have just placed it right in his Tenth Realm.

However, for now, that was out of the question.

The Tenth Realm was still immature. Any foreign force rushing in would negatively affect its growth.

He had to wait until the Tenth Realm had birthed its own civilization, developed an independent power system. It was only then could it withstand external interference.

In simple terms, Yu Zi Yu was cultivating the Tenth Realm as if it were the universe itself.

Just like the real universe, where Spiritual Energy had resurged and transcendental systems had begun to take shape.

The Tenth Realm was only at its beginning.

If it could grow to match even a fraction of the current cosmos, then Yu Zi Yu’s strength might one day shatter the shackles of Eternity.

Of course, that was just a fantasy for now.

How could something born in the universe surpass the universe itself?

Unless… a power not belonging to this cosmos were to pour in.

“As for the cultivation and refinement of my physical body, there’s no longer a need to exert much effort. Everything has fallen into place. I only need to proceed step by step.”

A faint surge of joy filled his heart, as he came to realization.

What he truly needed now was comprehension of Principles.

Only by bearing complete Principles could his current strength undergo a qualitative transformation.

As for his progress with Principles…

“My Purple Dragon Form is currently in a state of enlightenment, under the guidance of the Supreme Principle, Infinity. It’s gradually evolving, there is no need to worry about the Principle of Infinity.

Meanwhile, my True Body is focusing on Time. The other Principles, like Vitality and Lightning, can be set aside for now. Also, my Void Elf Form is simultaneously cultivating the Principle of Space…

Space and Time, once merged into Spacetime, that shall be the path of my true form, standing upon the shore of the River of Fate, watching the world drift by…” As he muttered to himself, Yu Zi Yu’s eyes could not help but flicker.

Because at that moment, he thought of Azure Dragon, his primary root which had evolved into a Dragon and achieved sanctification, becoming Azure Dragon.

And under Yu Zi Yu’s arrangement, Azure Dragon had become the Heavenly Dao of the Nine Realms, ruling over their operation, comprehending the mysteries of creation.

[However, now, what path lay ahead for Azure Dragon? Should it continue as before, governing the Nine Realms, or perhaps…] With that thought, Yu Zi Yu fell into deep contemplation.

Anzuiel had once said, “Azure Dragon possesses a Divine Body… and after merging with the Heavenly Dao, it became the Heavenly Dao Dragon. Such an existence is essentially identical in nature to the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, the very essence of the Heavenly Dao of the Starry Sky…”

And what did that mean? It didn’t need any further explanations.

Just recalling Anzuiel’s meaningful tone when he had said it was more than enough to give Yu Zi Yu a clear idea: Azure Dragon still harbored secrets he had yet to glimpse.

And such a grand secret was likely beyond words. It could only be hinted at, briefly and indirectly.

“Its essence is the same as that of the universe’s Heavenly Dao…” murmuring softly, Yu Zi Yu once again fell into deep thought.

[If the Heavenly Dao is considered a form of life, then Azure Dragon will be a member of that race, one worthy of being called a genius among them. Then, the strongest among this group would surely be the Consciousness of Cosmic Source itself.]

[The universe has the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, and the Nine Realms carry the Azure Dragon. Small Worlds have the Heavenly Dao of Small Worlds. Great Worlds have the Heavenly Dao of Great Worlds. The Universe has the Heavenly Dao of the Universe. If I follow this line of thought, then what truly sets Azure Dragon apart from the rest?  The so-called ‘great secret’ must lie in the uniqueness of Azure Dragon. Only if something is special will it be different. And if it’s different, then it will have a hidden, unknown side.]

As these thoughts echoed in his mind, Yu Zi Yu’s thinking continued to expand outward.

*Boooom…* Suddenly, a thunderous ring erupted in his mind, as Yu Zi Yu voluntarily entered a state of epiphany, beginning to deduce the future path of Azure Dragon.

Even Anzuiel dared not speak openly about it, that said enough about how terrifying it truly was.

However, it also meant that Azure Dragon held a destiny uniquely its own, one of great fortune.

And that fortune might very well rival that of the Purple Dragon Form’s Supreme Principle, Infinity, or even the Tenth Realm of Yu Zi Yu’s True Body.

Only such a possibility could explain why Anzuiel was so visibly shaken the first time he saw Azure Dragon.

That shock… was not something a being who had lived across several eras should ever display lightly.

It was as though he had witnessed something utterly inconceivable, his face full of disbelief.

“Just what secret… is Azure Dragon hiding from me?” As he murmured, Yu Zi Yu’s awareness began to blur.

Faintly, it seemed to merge with the very fabric of Heaven and Earth, the vast and boundless world.

[Even the Nine Realms, the nine Small Worlds strung together, are a creation too grand for ordinary beings to ever reach. Then what of the universe? A world of stars, how vast and sublime must it be?] Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck. Yu Zi Yu seemed to realize something, and a gleam flickered deep within his eyes.

“Why did the previous Era end so abruptly? Wasn’t it because the First Immortal of the Human Clan led the Heavenly Court, alongside the Five Eternals and hundreds of Sovereigns, to launch the War to Steal the Heavens? And what was that war? To replace the Heavenly Dao with Mortal flesh, to become the embodiment of the Dao, and thereby rule the world… Just like how Azure Dragon became the Heavenly Dao of the Nine Realms…” Whispering one thought after another, a rare excitement began to show on Yu Zi Yu’s face.

“And if that’s the case… even living beings can seize the Dao and replace it, then what of Azure Dragon, who is itself a living embodiment of the Dao? It doesn’t need to seize it. It can steal, silently, secretly… Even if it only manages to steal one part in a billion of that great fortune, it can bring a fundamental transformation. And that… may just be the greatest secret of the Dragons of the Heavenly Dao.”

[The One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, why is it hailed as the number one Divine Ability of the Daoist Sect? Is it not because, when cultivated to the utmost perfection, it follows the principle of the three giving birth to all things, evolves the gateway to myriad wonders, break Tribulations and merges with the Dao, and then mysteriously steals great fortune and grand opportunities?]

[It allows one to steal great fortune and opportunities! Steal, but from whom? And what kind of fortune or opportunity is so precious that even an Eternal would attempt to steal it?] Just by contemplating briefly, Yu Zi Yu had already thought of the Consciousness of Cosmic Source.

[After all, only the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, only the Heavenly Dao that stands above all beings, would be worthy of an Eternal’s attention. And now, the Heavenly Dao Dragon, as a member of the Heavenly Dao Clan, would naturally find it much easier than other living creatures to steal such a fate, that was for sure.]

[Other lifeforms would either have to master the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones to its peak, or step into the Realm of Eternity and then ignite the War to Seize the Heavens…]

[Both paths have extremely high thresholds, ones that are beyond ordinary people’s imagination. However, if a lifeform such as the Heavenly Dao Dragon can directly steal the great fortune of the Consciousness of Cosmic Source, then Anzuiel’s shock would be understandable, because beings like the Heavenly Dao Dragon should not exist in this world, much less possess consciousness of their own.]

[The Heavenly Dao is supposed to be merely a mechanism of law and regulation, yet Azure Dragon is within my control. Where there is control, there is selfish desire. And with selfish desire, even stealing the fortune of the Consciousness of Cosmic Source becomes a real possibility. And this possibility, may very well become Azure Dragon’s opportunity to attain the Dao.]

As his understanding deepened, Yu Zi Yu immediately began to consider the future of Azure Dragon.

If this truly was the case… then this Azure Dragon Form of Yu Zi Yu may become another of his hidden trump cards.

*Hooooo…* Exhaling a long, deep breath,  Yu Zi Yu’s consciousness instantly returned to his Azure Dragon Form.

*Booooom…* A sudden deafening ring shook Yu Zi Yu’s mind..

In that moment, he seemed to transform into a boundless Dragon, coiling around the entire Nine Realms.

*Whoooosh…* A single breeze suddenly blew across the Nine Realms. It was merely Azure Dragon’s casual breath.

*Boooom, boooom, boooom…* Clouds roiled from the horizon. Lightning, thick as barrels, struck the ground.

However, all of this was nothing more than an expression of Azure Dragon’s momentary anger.

Yu Zi Yu could even bring the sun, moon, and stars of the Nine Realms to a standstill.

This was Azure Dragon’s true power within the Nine Realms.

Omnipotent and yet, not without limits.

Within the Nine Realms, all could be seen as extensions of Azure Dragon, and thus, as manifestations of Yu Zi Yu’s will.

This was why the Heavenly Dao must not possess emotion, because now, with Yu Zi Yu’s consciousness descending into it, Azure Dragon had gained self-awareness, and for the Nine Realms, this was a disaster.

The laws that governed their operation had been disrupted.

While it could be considered as a display of Yu Zi Yu’s power, in the long run, it was detrimental to the Nine Realms’ development.

From this, one could imagine how terrifying the Consciousness of Cosmic Source would become, if it ever gained consciousness.

At that point, it would perhaps become an existence that surpassed the Eternals, a supreme entity standing tall through the ages.

However, was that even possible? Absolutely not!

The Consciousness of Cosmic Source obeyed only one thing, Principles.

It was the embodiment of the Principles.

Balance was its only truth.

“What I must do… is use Azure Dragon to actively steal the great fortune of the Heavenly Dao of the Cosmos. Even if I were to seize just a billionth of it, it would be enough for me to attain the Dao,” a soft murmur escaped him, and Yu Zi Yu’s eyes flickered uncontrollably with light.

[However, how should I steal it? And by what means? Should I send Azure Dragon into the vast starry expanse, and have it merge with the cosmos? But, if I did that, then Azure Dragon would likely be assimilated by the world, and within a span of a single breath. It would become a part of Heavenly Dao, and I would lose all control over Azure Dragon.]

At this realization set in, Yu Zi Yu immediately dismissed the idea.

That path was untenable.

At least, not in such a direct manner.

Just then, as if struck by some thought, Yu Zi Yu suddenly sprang into action. “Anzuiel… do you know anything about the Heavenly Dao Clan?”

A sudden, vast voice echoed across Heaven and Earth yet remained unheard by any outsider.

All that could be seen was a vast Azure Dragon’s silhouette, coiling through the skies like a world-shading phantom.

And yet, none could behold it save for one, Anzuiel, the Aritfact Spirit of the Sixteen Holy Wings.

“Hmm!?” A soft sound of surprise escaped Anzuiel emerged into the world, locking eyes with Yu Zi Yu’s Azure Dragon Form.

However, Anzuiel’s expression was full of astonishment.

He was surprised that the Heavenly Dao Dragon had initiated conversion.

After all, he had remained within the Nine Realms for over 80 years, and had even used the realm’s Quintessence to recover himself.

Even then, this Heavenly Dao Dragon had never spoken a single word to him.

But despite his surprise, Anzuiel put on a faint smile and replied, “The Heavenly Dao Clan… is exceedingly rare. Very rare. In fact, beings like you are scarcely seen even once in an entire era. However, the one who was truly famous among all races was a certain Heavenly Dao Spirit, who managed to become a Half-Step Eternal, almost becoming a supreme entity… It walked the path of the Human Dao. Using the power of incense and worship from Myriad Races to resist assimilation by the world, he comprehended the Grand Dao, and reached the Half-Step Eternal Realm.”

His words may be simple, but his expression was surely not, a profoundly grave and solemn expression had blanketed Anzuiel’s face.

In fact, if one looked closely, they would see a golden radiance rising around him.

And if one looked closely, one would see a golden radiance rising around him.

The hazy holy light around him seemed to be resisting some unseen force. Even his form grew faint and blurred.

The secrets of Heaven could not be revealed haphazardly.

If one divulged too much, there were consequences to pay.

Still, considering this Heavenly Dao Dragon was the companion of the one he had taken a liking to, Anzuiel didn’t mind revealing a bit of Heaven’s secrets.

He considered a kind of compensation for borrowing the Quintessence of the Nine Realms to heal himself, for he never owed debts to anyone.