Chapter 931 - 655: The Second Son

If Chen Sheng wanted to cultivate, he would have long since used his identity and status to collect various cultivation knowledge and found a way to embark on the path of cultivation.

How could he have lived in vain for a hundred years?

Only to wish in vain as he faced death?

"Ultimately, he doesn’t truly want to cultivate, he just fears death and can’t bear to leave worldly riches."

"Does he have even a trace of a cultivator’s ambition?"

Chen Sheng’s thoughts shifted, he lightly furrowed his brow, gazing up at the sky, and mused to himself:

"However, this dimension indeed has some differences!"

Upon his arrival, he attempted to sense and invoke the power of the Taiyin Great Dao of this world’s dimension.

With his current realm, he was only a step away from comprehending the Innate Taiyin to become a top-tier Daoist Monarch.

If he could invoke the Great Dao power of this world, even without power being augmented, just a mere touch could propel him to soar to the heavens.

A small spiritual aperture could be forged with a mere raise of his hand.

Then, he could smoothly enter the cultivation path of this world, fulfilling his lingering obsession.

However, Chen Sheng had not anticipated.

In this dimension, he couldn’t sense the Taiyin Great Dao at all.

Let alone invoke the power of the Great Dao.

He exhausted all means, yet there was no response whatsoever!!

Chen Sheng slightly furrowed his brow.

He had experienced two dimensions, the Immortal Mountain dimension where his true form dwelled, and the Vast Continent where martial arts were cultivated.

Even though the cultivation methods differed, the Innate Great Dao was interconnected, just in different expressions.

But in this particular world, the power of the Great Dao was completely cut off, as if shielded entirely by an invisible hand.

Chen Sheng speculated in his heart:

"Could it be...this dimension does not cultivate the Great Dao?"

"Or perhaps the cultivation path of this world holds other mysteries?"

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, he shook his head, realizing he knew very little about the cultivation of this world.

He had only heard that the cultivators of Great Feather Grotto Heaven practiced cultivation, divided into inhalation, energy introduction, qi refining, and similar to the Immortal Dao, he subconsciously considered it the same path and translated it into Immortal Dao.

"Now looking at it, it seems that I took it for granted."

If he could sense the Great Dao, with his Daoist Monarch’s techniques, using the Great Dao as a medium, not to mention opening a spiritual aperture, even creating a small grotto heaven within his body would not be difficult.

Yet now, this path is completely inaccessible.

"It’s somewhat troublesome."

Chen Sheng lightly shook his head, thinking to himself:

"Forget it."

"First preserve life, and then talk about others, step by step."

This body is too old, its life essence is near exhaustion, primordial qi dried up, if not for his descent, it would have long since perished.

At present, it’s merely hanging on by a thread.

Chen Sheng slowly closed his eyes:

"First, stabilize vitality using the martial arts method of qi and blood."

He took a deep breath, inhaled, exhaled, with rhythm steady as an ancient bell.

The qi and blood within, dormant for years, nearly withered, was gently stirred by a special rhythm, circulating slowly, rhythm spontaneously arising, like a river surging secretly.

His outward appearance remained wrinkled and hair white, but primordial qi within subtly invigorated.

Chen Sheng mused internally:

"Martial arts cultivate qi and blood, cultivate the mind, cultivate one’s own foundation, in the early stages, its applicability indeed surpasses that of the Immortal Dao."

"Next, additional medicinal strength from outside is needed to replenish my primordial qi, living another decade or two won’t be an issue."

"Having this time as a buffer, I can find a way to fulfill the past self’s cultivation obsession."

He opened his eyes, deciding on the path ahead.

Next, one must unravel what the cultivation of this world truly entails, and what exactly is a spiritual aperture and why the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is completely ineffective here.

...

Two days later.

The mountains were shrouded in mist, the gate of Mountain City wide open.

Two dust-covered figures hurriedly entered the city on the mountain path.

Zhaxi had brought people to wait by the city gate early on, promptly stepping forward upon sighting the arrivals, bowing respectfully as he spoke:

"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle?"

The arrivals were indeed Chen Sheng’s third son Ah Shu and fourth son Pu Zan in this life.

Both were white-haired, their clothes stained with travel dust, fatigue from the journey evident in their expressions, their steps somewhat unsteady.

Each held command over a major prefecture, governing a region, a considerable distance from this place.

Previously, Zhaxi had sent riders with urgent news, saying their old father was gravely ill and nearing death, the two dared not delay for a moment, immediately casting aside all affairs, rushing day and night, rode tirelessly to the Mountain City, the journey originally intended to send their old father off for the last time.

Upon approaching, the hot-tempered and impatient Third Uncle Ah Shu frowned immediately, glaring at Zhaxi, his voice rising sharply, fueled by anger:

"Zhaxi! What are you up to?!"

"Fourth Uncle and I received word from afar that your grandfather was no longer with us!"

"Both of us old men hurried day and night, on the road without even a chance for a break!"

As he spoke, he slammed his thigh heavily, exasperated and furious:

"Finally reach the main city, only to find out the old man is safe and sound, not at all in serious condition?"

"Are you deliberately playing a joke on us two old fools?"

"I’m over eighty, how can I take such night-and-day travel and weariness?"

Ah Shu’s face flushed, the exhaustion of travel coupled with the shock surged his anger, unrestrained.

Beside him, Pu Zan remained much steadier, exhibiting no obvious anger, his brows slightly knotted, his gaze shifting over Zhaxi’s face, with deep skepticism lurking in his eyes.

He was far craftier than his third brother, well-versed in political maneuvering, upon hearing the news of his father’s "death and resurrection", his first instinct was not anger but sensing the peculiarity and intrigue in the matter.

The family’s High Priest had always been cautious, judging life and death with accuracy, how could they err so easily?

Zhaxi had always revered and safeguarded their father, how could he transmit false news of death without reason?

Surely, there was more than just a simple scare at play.

Zhaxi maintained a calm demeanor, not showing the slightest panic, he bowed respectfully to the two, speaking with courtesy and honesty:

"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, forgive me, earlier grandfather indeed fell into unconsciousness, the High Priest’s examination led to the conclusion of being beyond help, out of urgency did I send the message with riders."

"Unexpectedly, grandfather’s luck pulled him through, enduring past it, I did not anticipate causing you two Uncles to run in vain, enduring such travel exhaustion."

"Pulled through?"

Pu Zan spoke, his voice deep and resonant:

"Zhaxi, it’s not that Fourth Uncle doesn’t believe you, but this matter is too peculiar, I must see our father in person to confirm he’s unharmed, only then can I rest easy."

His words sounded gentle, but their underlying tone was firm and insistent, holding persistent suspicion, not letting Zhaxi’s words dispel his doubts.

Upon hearing, Ah Shu’s initial anger dissipated considerably, furrowing his brows while looking at Zhaxi, suspicion also forming:

"Could it be our nephew truly dares to recklessly hide the news of our father’s passing, using deceit against our brother duo?"