Chapter 802: Chapter 526: Eternal Immortal’s Sketchbook
Everyone departed the Ancient Origin Realm aboard the Aurora Palace.
Along the way.
Lufang gave a succinct account of the experiences he underwent after being exiled to the Great Wilderness. After hearing it, Lu Chenzhou felt a natural surge of admiration in his heart. To be cast far from homeland and kin, cultivating and seeking a way out in such a land of despair for more than thirty years—this is a supreme test of one’s will.
Lufang said, "That I was able to find everyone is thanks to you as well. Because of this matter, I established a force in the Mystic Sky Realm named [Myriad Thunder Hall]. Not long ago, one of our members accidentally stumbled upon a great battle between some Heavenly Realm experts; who would have thought that among them was the Senior Yaochi Immortal."
Yaochi Immortal nibbled on a fruit, saying, "When Chenzhou and the others were transmitted out of the Xia Realm, I was in the Spirit Phoenix Realm. There I befriended a Spirit Phoenix Clan leader. After hearing I was going to rescue the geniuses of Xia Realm, she allowed me to enter the ancestral land of the Spirit Phoenix Clan, where I obtained the [Divine Phoenix Immortal Armor] as my recognized artifact. Led by their clan chief, I was transmitted from the Spirit Phoenix Realm to the Mystic Sky Realm. The Mystic Sky Realm is a great world at the hub. While following a map to search for the Transmission Array to the Kun Gu Realm, I accidentally ran into [Shadow Spear], one of the Eight Kings of the Shadow Kill Clan. I thought to eliminate him on the way, so we fought, but he still managed to escape. But by chance, I encountered people from Myriad Thunder Hall, and thus learned that their Hall Master was the missing Lufang."
Lu Chenzhou smiled and said, "In the unseen threads of fate, those of my Da Xia find connections in the Three Thousand Worlds. Speaking of which, this Mystic Sky Realm does seem rather special."
The Father Lifting Fruit needed for the [Mountain Moving Scripture] is also over there.
Lufang said, "Once things are settled here, I still have to return to the Mystic Sky Realm. With my battle strength, I can’t do much in the Xia Realm. Currently, I hold some influence in Mystic Sky Realm; it would be better to keep developing there. The Grand Curtain will shatter sooner or later, and the Xia Realm will need a group of allies able to deliver rapid support across the Three Thousand Worlds—it is vital to open up the transmission channels."
The Eternal Immortal, who had been resting his mind, suddenly opened his eyes and said:
"Daoist Lufang, you have done a great service. This set of your [Eight Trigrams FormationProfound Heaven Demon Suppression Array] is no less important to our Xia Realm than having an Eighth Realm Expert. This time, for so many Daoists to overcome the strong with the weak and suppress a Demon Saint, the array merits immense credit. Just focus on developing your power in Mystic Sky Realm; I will dispatch a group of Grandmasters and Heavenly Kings to assist you. Considering the Shadow Kill Clan has also invaded Mystic Sky Realm, I’ll have Ye Xiaoyao from Jiangnan Wu University head over to aid you."
In the days when Lu Chenzhou and the others were roaming outside, the development of the Xia Realm had not stagnated either. The Gentleman Sword achieved Breakthrough Seven, and now stands in stable realm in Xia Realm. Hanu, one of the Four Quasi-Emperors of Po Suo, has advanced to Seventh Realm and is honored as "Emperor Hanu."
Lufang gave his thanks.
"Thank you, Chairman."
The Eternal Immortal said:
"The whole Xia Realm owes you tremendous gratitude. The array methods, Daoist Soldiers, Spiritual Weapons, as well as the Nine Apertures Exquisite Grass and other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures you contributed to the council rival half the value of the treasure vault. Enough said—if you ever need help, bring it up at any time. Your family, as well as your teachers and friends, the council has sent experts to protect them in secret ever since your disappearance. Your daughter is already a Grandmaster now. As for your teacher Gong Jiu, we will strive to help him break through Sixth to become a Heavenly King."
Lufang’s gaze grew emotional.
Time passes so quickly.
With the promise of humanity’s foremost expert, he could now act boldly in the Mystic Sky Realm, with nothing to worry about at home.
Lu Chenzhou remembered something.
"By the way, that group of Great Xia Martial Dao Family members who evacuated to the Mystic Sky Realm back then—did you ever come across them, Daoist Lufang?"
Lufang said, "I took them in. Unexpectedly, these people actually abandoned our civilization—truly disappointing."
The Eternal Immortal said, "Such people cannot be entrusted with important duties; if they could escape once, they could do it again. Also, the organizers of the evacuation faction among them must be brought back to the Xia Realm for trial—we must not allow even the suggestion of fleeing to go unpunished."
Lufang nodded.
Lu Chenzhou asked, "Chairman, did you break through the Eighth Realm long ago—back when the Xuankong Daoist achieved Breakthrough Seven?"
The Eternal Immortal smiled, "Yes."
Lu Chenzhou had suspected as much—that the uproar during Xuankong Daoist’s Breakthrough Seven was somewhat excessive. Just as he thought.
The Eternal Immortal said, "My own Breakthrough Eighth was far from smooth. At the time, I could only say I had one foot in the Eighth Realm, but some mishap occurred, and I nearly perished, dao destroyed. Perhaps my fate was not yet exhausted, and in the end, I was able to recover. I truly set foot fully into the Eighth Realm only three years ago, but I had no wish to reveal myself to the world.
After entering the Eighth Realm, I was able to initially control Martial Arts Peak, preventing any sudden rises, so the world did not know if these years I had truly set foot into the Eighth Realm or not. This
serves to leave the Forbidden Zone uncertain in their calculations.
But your business really took us by surprise.
I foresaw that the Witch, to have you killed, might send a Demon Saint, so I left the Xia Realm. After meeting Lufang, I placed the array he brought here to enable a siege by the Seventh Realms.
Originally, I did not intend to act myself and expose my presence, but Fire Saint King had left a hidden move. I had no choice but to intervene. I suspect that the Witch had long guessed I’d left the Xia Realm.
The Grand Curtain’s rules do not affect only the Demon Race—those of us at Da Xia Heavenly Realm level, if we leave, cannot return. Only when the rules weaken and shatter can we get back to Xia Realm."
Lu Chenzhou understood in his heart.
"So, Chairman, you finally had no choice but to act; had you refrained, the Forbidden Zone would not have known whether you had left the Xia Realm. Because of your possible presence, they would hesitate to act recklessly."
The Eternal Immortal nodded: "Now that the Witch knows I am not in the Xia Realm, they may change the whole order of battle. When you return, Chenzhou, you’ll face plenty of challenges. From here on, it’s up to you young ones. We will continue to seek opportunities in the Three Thousand Worlds and see if we can kill a few more Demon Saints in the Forbidden Zone.
With the Grand Curtain’s protection, we have little to offer in Xia Realm, so we might as well travel the Three Thousand Worlds, to seek some fortunes—breakthrough Eight to Nine Realms.
If our Xia Realm gains a world-suppressing Great Power, we can seize much initiative. Even should the gods revive, if we cannot defeat them, at least we can resort to guerrilla tactics, retreat and fight as needed.
Without a Great Power, once the Forbidden Zone revives in full, even a single Demigod could flatten Xia Realm to the ground."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
This was, after all, a world where might is concentrated in individuals—if they were to win this war, then in a sense, the path is simple: as long as, before the gods revive, someone emerges to dominate an era, sweep the universe as an invincible existence.
Yet humanity relies for existence on civilization.
The birth of the strong must be rooted in fertile soil—no backward civilization will suddenly produce a machine-like deity from the heavens.
With Evil Gods circling and crises upon crises, a weak civilization cannot shield a strong one until they grow to maturity.
The Eternal Immortal said, "This time, to have killed the Black Mountain Demon Saint, you are all due immense credit. I, the Eternal Immortal, have little to offer, but this [Eternal Immortal’s Sketchbook] contains some of my own cultivation insights—my journey and experimental process in breaking through Seventh and Eighth Realms are all within it. Of course, after the Heavenly Realm, each person’s path is unique, there is no fixed answer—take my experience as reference only; the path of the Eternal Immortal may not necessarily be right for you all."
One after another, Jade Scrolls floated before everyone.
Whether Seventh Realm, or Sixth Realm like Lu Chenzhou and Lufang, all were stirred and breathing rapidly.
This was firsthand data on breaking through to the Eighth Realm.
Especially for Yaochi Immortal, Hui Kong Abbot, and others already at End Realm Cultivation—they were not far at all from Breakthrough Eighth.
These were all priceless treasures.
Though Lu Chenzhou was only Sixth Realm for now, he advanced rapidly—he too needed to think ahead and prepare for Breakthrough Eighth.
"Thank you, Chairman."
"Chairman is invincible!"
"This notebook is worth as much as ten Supreme Treasures to Da Xia. We are grateful for your selfless contribution, Chairman!"
The Heavenly Realms gave their sincere thanks.
In the Great Wilderness, or among certain civilizations, martial arts were not lightly passed down—many feared that successors would threaten their position. This kind of firsthand Dao Pioneering insight, they regarded even a tattered broom as precious.
The Eternal Immortal specifically instructed:
"Reading rights to this notebook are limited to the Heavenly Realm; for Sixth Realms like Chenzhou or Lufang, whose loyalty is absolute, it is permitted. Those below the Sixth Realm have no need to comprehend it.
I am concerned that traitors of the Human Clan may relay this to the Evil God—the Witch is extremely cunning, and may be able to deduce methods to restrain our Great Xia Martial Arts if given this record. We must be on our guard."
All expressed their understanding.
The Witch was truly difficult to deal with.
The exile of Lu Chenzhou to the Three Thousand Worlds must also have been the Witch’s trickery—none of the other Evil Gods could pull this off.
The Eternal Immortal said, "This slaying of a Demon Saint is a first in the Three Thousand Worlds. As you all travel through them, be sure to spread news of this deed. Of course, you needn’t mention battle details, lest it reveal our trump cards. With this successful precedent, I believe more civilizations and races will join the war against the Forbidden Zone."
Xuanwu Daoist said: "Rest assured, over the years we have befriended many Heavenly Realm peers, all leaders of their spheres; with some effort, we can spread the word far and wide."
The Eternal Immortal looked at Lu Chenzhou: "When spreading word, say only that Da Xia has a Sixth Realm genius who took part throughout the campaign to slay the Demon Saint—no details or names. Treasures such as Aurora Palace, many at the Heavenly Realm will covet; we must beware the greedy and foolish. Chenzhou, do keep secrecy yourself... but I expect the Forbidden Zone will try every method to publicize your possession of the Aurora Palace. Before then, make haste in returning to the Xia Realm."
Lu Chenzhou nodded.
The Aurora Palace—this was the most precious treasure he owned. Other spiritual weapons and treasures weren’t even worth a fraction of it.
With good preparation, it can hunt Demon Saints.
This treasure’s intrinsic value needs no explanation.
It is the strongest tier beneath Supreme Treasure.
Yaochi Immortal smiled, "Lu Chenzhou’s performance this time was clear to us all. Without the Aurora Palace, our plan to lure and kill the Demon Saint wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."
Bai Feng clapped and smiled.
"As the chief of Myriad Phenomena Dao, you are indeed worthy of your name."
The other Seventh Realm experts all nodded.
Hui Kong Abbot said:
"Indeed, without Young Friend Lu, it would have been very difficult for us to slay the Demon Saint. When we return to Xia Realm, let the Northern Guardian King reward you handsomely—you cannot neglect a meritorious hero."
Lu Chenzhou gave a slight smile.
"You all flatter me. In the face of the fate of civilization, all these are what I ought to do. In the current situation, without civilization as home, none can survive alone in this world."
"Such great awareness!"
"Far better than many old fellows."
"Indeed, it infuriates me. Who would have thought even Wei couldn’t fend off the Evil God’s corruption—his Dao Heart compromised, and he betrayed civilization. Back in the day, I was the one who promoted him, too."
Nanshan Sword was ashamed beyond measure.
After hearing of the evacuation faction, he wanted nothing more than to immediately return to the Xia Realm and chop the Northern Guardian King Wei to death himself.