Chapter 972 - 696: Two Lineages Encircle and Suppress

Chen Sheng pondered inwardly:

"Cultivating the ’Annihilation Body’ has wasted more than a decade; otherwise, I should have condensed the second Divine Technique long ago."

"Spending Brahma Skill in advance to exchange for the Cultivation Techniques of the Void and Hidden meridians is quite normal."

"There are plenty of Arhats who hit a dead end and choose to try other routes; what if there’s a talent for one of them?"

He raised his eyes to gaze at the two sources of Divine Techniques floating in his Dantian.

With a gentle thought, the two kindred Divine Techniques were instantly drawn to each other, complementing and merging, forming into one in an instant.

"This path of cultivating Divine Techniques is indeed profound."

"Both are forces derived from the Laws of the Golden Position, blending and harmonizing, an effect far surpassing the sum of one plus one."

"According to the orthodox cultivation division in the Spirit Realm, my current foundation already compares to the Third Step of Unity Cultivators."

"Once I completely condense the third Innate Divine Technique, blending the three Laws comprehensively, I can touch the true source of the Great Dao and my cultivation will directly reach the Crossing the Tribulation level!"

Such a realm leap is a complete and thorough transformation in essence.

"In the Profound Sect of this realm, those in the late-stage Purple Mansion are honored as Great True Masters."

"In the Spirit Mountain Buddhist Sect, such cultivation already surpasses ordinary Arhats and may be called the Bodhisattva Fruit Position."

He slightly raised his head, eyes clear and transparent:

"However, even achieving Four Methods Perfection is still worlds apart from a true Five Declines Daoist Monarch!"

"Just like previously, seeking the gold of Great Compassion Radiance Bodhisattva. He cultivated for three lifetimes, achieving Four Methods Perfection..."

"Yet when I glimpsed his foundational cultivation, it was just about the same as my Three Declines, perhaps even slightly inferior..."

"Seeking gold!!"

"A step to the heavens!!"

"Not to mention, there are Buddhas obstructing the path, it’s not easy!!"

With this thought, Chen Sheng’s gaze turned cold.

Over the past twenty years, the Void Sun lineage seems to have entered a golden age.

After Great Compassion Radiance Bodhisattva, successively three Bodhisattvas achieved Four Methods Perfection, accumulating sufficient momentum to initiate the gold-seeking ritual.

"All crowded together!!"

"Of course, on the surface, it’s decisively drawing from the experiences of previous Bodhisattvas."

"Others would assume it’s the blessing of the Void Sun lineage."

"In reality though, it’s all baiting!!"

Chen Sheng lightly shook his head.

Each time these Bodhisattvas were about to fail in condensing the Gold Attribute, they’d produce a Treasure.

[Heavenly Quadriga Red Radiance Wheel]

[Morning Breaking Evil Sword]

These Treasures, like veteran actors, appeared again and again, followed by failure in seeking gold and the appearance of Buddhas.

"[Heavenly Quadriga Red Radiance Wheel] belongs to Fangri, [Morning Breaking Evil Sword] belongs to Xuri."

"The appearances are made by Fangri’s [True Buddha of the Eastern Star Sun and Fate], and Xuri’s [Western Extreme Radiant Unobstructed Buddha]."

"It’s entirely the besiege against Void Sun by these two lineages!"

"These Bodhisattvas mistakenly believed gaining the Gold Attribute meant they could aspire to seeking gold and proving the Dao."

"In reality, they’re merely pieces on someone else’s chessboard, destined for inevitable demise."

He perceived the truth, growing more disheartened!

He finally understood this was to conceal the truth of Gold Position’s transformation.

"If the Bodhisattvas knew the truth, they’d all choose reincarnation and cultivation. Who would assault the Gold Position?"

Chen Sheng shook his head, knowing little about the Golden Position.

He didn’t understand what the transformation signified, nor what goals frequent assaults aimed at achieving.

"But this batch of Void Sun Bodhisattvas is entirely expendable! The consumables for the two lineages of Buddhas to fulfill their purposes!!"

He was also somewhat curious:

"I just wonder why there’s no appearance of the [Stardri] lineage’s Buddhas."

"Clearly, those most recently succeeding in proving the Dao belong to this lineage’s [South Pole Red Sky Burning Heaven Maitreya]."

"Before, during dimensional visions, there indeed was someone on it?"

...

Dragon-Slaying Immortal City.

On the west side rests a Spirit Mountain designated for cultivation, housing numerous cultivation caves.

"Fellow Daoist Chu has finally returned!"

An elder with a red nose smilingly clasps hands in greeting.

Chu Zheng also chuckled lightly:

"It’s been several days apart, Brother Li, you’re increasingly radiant."

The elder helplessly shook his head:

"Still, lately funds have been tight and no chance to indulge in a gentle retreat."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zheng’s smile waned, deeming such fleeting pleasures never worthy of his pursuits.

"You all chat at ease; I’ll head back first."

He bowed and bade farewell, walking steadily towards his secluded cultivation cave.

The red-nosed elder watched his departing figure, eyes brimming with envy.

Both shared the Sixth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation.

Ten years ago, the elder had already achieved this realm; Chu Zheng back then barely reached the fourth layer.

In just ten fleeting years, Chu Zheng rapidly progressed, firmly reaching his level.

Moreover, he secured the prime position guarding the Scripture Pavilion, even difficult for many cultivators in late-stage Qi Refining to contend.

The elder sighed softly:

"With patrons supporting, the cultivation journey indeed progresses smoothly and effortlessly."

...

Chu Zheng crossed into his serene cave, waved his hand.

Several dark array banners flew through the air, neatly arranging, instantly setting complex Restrictions, isolating his entire cave.

He sat cross-legged on a mat, his body gradually surrounded by strands of tranquil Dao Rhyme.

Accompanied by calm heart meditation, clouds naturally emerged within the cave, misty white fog slowly billowing, partly shrouding his figure in ethereal depths.

He gently held a warm jade bottle, his posture ethereal and refined, as though an isolated Banished Immortal, detached from mortal boundaries.

The next instant.

His figure gradually faded, the world silent, with only depths of a frigid pool standing calmly, clear and cool, gentle water trickling with a distant, melodious sound.

Underflow surged beneath, unfathomably deep!

As water faintly swayed, an enormous Flood Dragon’s faint shadow emerged, its scales indistinctly visible, its massive body coiling, dormant at the pool’s bottom, silently awaiting a day to soar.

This was his meticulously cultivated [Abyssal Water] Dao Foundation—[Flood Dragon at the Pool’s Bottom].

Chu Zheng’s Heart Spirit returned, his eyes flashing with brilliance:

"The Dao Foundation is complete."

"This Immortal City, I should leave now!"

He felt threads of reluctance in his heart, once he plotted secretly upon first entering Dragon-Slaying Immortal City, planning to settle there in peace after avenging his great hatred, establishing a lineage and passing down his bloodline, living out his days calmly.

Yet the Celestial Book contained supreme secrets far beyond his initial expectations.

In these years, with the Celestial Book’s guidance, he’s acquired numerous opportunities, his cultivation realm and horizons transforming at an astonishing pace.

As of now, he’s grown to become the Dao Foundation Great Power he once gazed up at.

His former enemies, slain by a raise of his hand.

"Though the Immortal City is serene and peaceful, ultimately its breadth is narrow, unfit to contain my lofty ambitions."

"With the Celestial Book’s guidance, Golden Core, Dao Embryo, perhaps can be sought!!"

Chu Zheng contemplated deeply, according to the secrets recorded in the Celestial Book, an ancient Immortal Mansion will emerge next year.

Within the Immortal Mansion, conceals the Golden Core opportunity.

"The time approaches; I should set out early, quietly plan and scheme."