The ‘Míngtí’ Ancestor’s indifferent voice continued to sound,
“The Venerable Realm cultivates and severs the Dao, all stemming from karma and obsession.”
“Sometimes, letting go of certain things allows one to go further.”
Chen Jiuyang’s mind churned with thoughts, and he asked, “Ancestor, if I do not sever my Dao and continue on this path, even if I reach the peak of the Venerable Realm, I will not be able to break through to the Emperor Realm?”
The ‘Míngtí’ Ancestor replied, “If you do not sever your karma and fulfill your obsession, how can your ‘Dao’ be formed? Naturally, you cannot break through to the Emperor Realm.”
Chen Jiuyang fell silent.
He finally understood why, in the illusory deductions of the Creation Heavenly Mechanism Jade Tablet, he was unable to break through to the Emperor Realm despite possessing two laws.
Firstly, his obsession was his family, and his beloved was in the Lesser Immortal Realm.
Secondly, the karma of the mortal world obstructed him, more so than a heart demon, it was a Dao obstruction.
Chen Jiuyang asked again, “Ancestor, is there a third way?”
The ‘Míngtí’ Ancestor said, “The path of the Human Emperor has been extremely difficult since ancient times. In a great era, only one person can walk this path. If you can find the successor of the previous generation’s Human Emperor path, perhaps they would know.”
“Among the three thousand Great Daos, only the path of the Human Emperor is the most secret. For countless years, no one has known its true secrets.”
Chen Jiuyang’s heart trembled. The successor of the previous generation’s Human Emperor path, wasn't that in the Crippled Old Village? To seek out the armless old sword emperor?
“The advice I can give you is to return to simplicity and nature, so that you can condense your Dao and advance to the Emperor Realm as quickly as possible.”
The ‘Míngtí’ Ancestor’s voice faded, and then his terrifying figure slowly floated into the dark clouds, falling into slumber.
The painting then slowly closed.
Although the ‘Míngtí’ Ancestor did not impart any divine abilities to him, he had shown him three paths.
One was to transform the martial Dao into the immortal Dao, advance to Dao Integration, and slumber in the forbidden area.
The other was to cripple his primordial Dao and pure Yang body, and then walk another path.
The third was to find the successor of the previous generation’s Human Emperor path.
Chen Jiuyang’s emotions surged, and he decided to visit the Crippled Old Village first.
The thick fog dispersed.
Below were two hundred and fifty thousand True Demon Sect disciples and elders, each looking at him with reverence.
Within the True Demon Sect, he was the supreme sovereign.
“I will be in long-term seclusion from now on. Elders of all halls and disciples, cultivate diligently. Disperse.”
Chen Jiuyang soared up from the Myriad Races Blood Seat.
Returning to the Sect Master’s Hall, the ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor’s figure appeared, “The time has come. We are going to the Lesser Immortal Realm.”
“Ancestor, before we go to the Lesser Immortal Realm, please take me outside the Crippled Old Village. I have an important matter to attend to in the forbidden area of the Crippled Old Village,” Chen Jiuyang said.
“Alright. Until you advance to the Emperor Dao, I will be your guardian,” the ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor stated.
Then, the ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor waved his hand, tearing through space, and took Chen Jiuyang into it.
The next moment, Chen Jiuyang found himself outside the Crippled Old Village, a thousand miles away.
A calm, silent, and boundless forest, a churning, wide river.
“Go. I will wait for you here,” the ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor said.
“Yes.”
Chen Jiuyang took a step, crossing the river and entering the forest within the forbidden area of the Crippled Old Village.
“Swish!”
An unfathomable, immense terror descended. The boundless darkness that devoured all things was about to strike.
Chen Jiuyang immediately soared, heading towards the Crippled Old Village in his memory.
…
The forbidden area of the Crippled Old Village.
Scattered villages were situated, with neat farmhouses. Every household raised poultry, appearing like an ordinary, remote, and backward countryside.
Tall, sinister stone statues stood around the village.
The armless middle-aged man was reading an ancient stone slab book. Suddenly, his expression shifted slightly. He looked towards the direction outside the village, then stood up, slowly walked to the village entrance, and asked,
“Why have you come?”
Chen Jiuyang respectfully cupped his fists and bowed, “Greetings, senior. I had no choice but to come and see you today.”
“What is the matter?” the armless old sword emperor asked.
Chen Jiuyang explained the various difficulties he had encountered recently.
The armless old sword emperor smiled and said, “All those who walk the path of the Human Emperor must go through this period. Otherwise, do you think the forbidden area of the Crippled Old Village exists as it does?”
“All things are moved by the heart.”
“Whether it is karma or obsession, you must trace it back to the very first thought in your heart.”
“If you cannot understand it, cannot walk through it, then even if you pay a great price to step into the Emperor Dao, you will ultimately have no hope of reaching the Imperial Road.”
“I chose the rules of the sword Dao back then. Each Human Emperor path successor’s choice is different, but most only grasp the direction of their Dao when their lamp is nearly extinguished.”
“You must face your karma and obsession, and transform them into your Dao power, rather than karmic resistance. Only then can you ascend to higher vistas.”
Chen Jiuyang fell into silence.
He had never carefully examined his karma and obsession.
Transforming karma and obsession into his own Dao power.
His mind went blank.
He asked, “Senior, how can I transform karma and obsession into my own Dao power?”
The armless old sword emperor said, “As the master of a sect, you should be very clear.”
“Why do aloof and powerful beings take mortals as disciples? Firstly, to repay karma. Secondly, this karma will aid them in the future.”
The armless old sword emperor’s words instantly enlightened Chen Jiuyang, opening his mind.
“Do what is right, and wait patiently.”
Numerous thoughts surged into Chen Jiuyang’s mind.
After a long while, Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists and bowed, “Thank you, senior, for your guidance.”
“It’s nothing. Knowing is one thing, doing is another. You have just entered the Venerable Realm; you are only at the beginning of the Human Emperor’s path.”
Knowing is one thing, doing is another. Believing is one thing, obtaining is another.
Karma cycles, what is done and what is received.
The old sword emperor believed in the sword, acted with the sword, trusted the sword, and obtained the sword Dao, continuing to walk forward.
But Chen Jiuyang, throughout his journey, due to his abundant luck, had gained many benefits. Even his primordial Dao was a fusion of the many inheritances he had received.
He knew too many things.
Being too diverse, he lost his way.
This was likely why the Pure Yang Medical Immortal, after having a heart demon, chose to return to Earth to propagate his lineage, and eventually passed away alone, without tampering with any of the inheritances.
He believed that everything he did would benefit his descendants in the future and help them, so his heart demon did not stir; he sat in meditation and passed away peacefully.
If the heart demon were to riot, would I still be myself then?
The higher one climbs, the more one must understand.
What Chen Jiuyang believes in, what he can do, and what he can obtain.
This might require some time to ascertain.
After thanking the armless old sword emperor again, Chen Jiuyang left the Crippled Old Village.
“Senior, we can go to the Lesser Immortal Realm now,” Chen Jiuyang said to the ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor.
The ‘Sleepless’ Ancestor slowly nodded, “We will go to the Lesser Immortal Realm via the Sacred Sect’s teleportation array.”
Chen Jiuyang’s expression immediately stiffened, “The Sacred Sect has a teleportation array that can directly go to the Lesser Immortal Realm?”
“Naturally. The Sacred Sect was once a dominant force in the Lesser Immortal Realm.”