Chapter 253: The Heavens are Vast, My Dao Flourishes Day by Day

Dashun Imperial Palace, Unified Mind Hall.

Heaven and earth were resplendent. It was high noon. Brilliant golden sunlight spilled over this Spiritual Treasure hall, rippling with phantom colors and revealing one burly silhouette after another.

Without exception, they were all strongmen of exceptional quality. With square features and imposing expressions, they encircled the hall and spread outward across the entire Imperial Palace. Their presence replaced the original eunuchs, adding an indescribable sense of oppression to the already somber grounds.

The transfer of power was entirely without turmoil.

In a very short time, news spread across the realm that the Old Emperor, admitting his lack of virtue, had abdicated the throne to the new emperor. The civil and military officials maintained an eerie silence regarding the matter.

Such was the case in the secular mortal world.

The reaction among the extraordinary person cultivators was even more intense. The cultivators the Old Emperor could originally rally had been limited, at most, to the cultivation sects of Fangxian Dao.

However, as the new emperor ascended the throne and the news spread, the demonic path completely abandoned all its schemes. They had previously shown tendencies toward rebellion due to Turbid Earth and Darkened Heavens, only to be suppressed by Wang Ping. Though they had just begun to stir once more, they now rushed to the Capital at top speed solely to express their loyalty.

Such a grand occasion was truly unprecedented.

As for the new emperor's identity, whether his ascension complied with ancestral laws, whether he was even the Old Emperor's descendant, and where the original crown prince had gone... all of this was completely ignored.

Everything fell into place naturally.

So much so that in just one short month, the Unified Mind Hall replaced the Old Emperor's original Ninghui Hall to become the center of power for the imperial court and the entirety of Great Shun.

"Senior Brother Xianfu, your actions are truly clean and efficient."

Inside the main hall, Kunlun still retained the appearance of a child. With a Vajra Ring hanging around his neck, he wore a rather odd expression. "It's just that it might be a little rough..."

Finished speaking, Kunlun raised his gaze toward Xianfu. Standing at the very top of the vermilion steps with his hands resting behind his back, Xianfu leisurely observed the hall, radiating a noble air. Through the sight of a Dharma Eye, the surging national destiny gathered above his head, faintly manifesting into an all-encompassing talisman.

This was also what he couldn't understand.

The transfer of power had been simple, which was normal. Given the sheer gap in strength and status, a simple transition was only natural.

The problem was that not only had the transfer of power been effortless, but even the shift in imagery had been incredibly smooth. Xianfu had obtained the recognition of the national destiny with almost no resistance.

What was going on?

Right then, Xianfu seemed to sense something from the steps. He lowered his gaze, a smile touching his lips. "What is it, Junior Brother Kunlun? Do you have some doubts?"

Inside the Unified Mind Hall, there were no secrets.

Everyone's sea of consciousness was linked. Even the slightest fluctuation in thought would manifest as imagery within the hall, making goodwill or malice perfectly clear.

"I do have a few."

Kunlun saw no reason to hide it. "To tell the truth," he said frankly, "I originally thought Senior Brother would put on a show—for example, reincarnating into the direct bloodline of the imperial family."

"Or simply seizing the crown prince's body."

"I just didn't expect that you already shared karma with Great Shun... If not for that, Great Shun's national destiny would never have recognized you so easily."

Hearing this, Xianfu immediately smiled.

"So Senior Brother Gan didn't tell you? That makes sense. This matter is rather special. Unless I bring it up myself, those in the know wouldn't dare speak of it carelessly."

"Even so, it's not exactly a secret."

Xianfu raised his eyes to the sky, his tone relaxed. "Because my original body is currently still hanging at the entrance of Gongshun Grotto-Heaven, being used as a shield."

'Hm!?'

At these words, Kunlun instantly realized: 'At the entrance of Gongshun Grotto-Heaven... it's the True Monarch's Handwritten Manuscript held by Dashun Taizu, the Corpse Dissolution Immortal Shunhe! Xianfu's original body is that manuscript? So that's how it is! He is the spirit born from that True Monarch's Handwritten Manuscript, taken form after reincarnation!'

'In other words...'

"This Great Shun was prepared for me from the very beginning." Xianfu reached into his sleeve, retrieved an Imperial Edict, and presented it to Kunlun.

Kunlun looked down at it.

Just like Wang Ping's, this was an imperial conferment title named Heaven-Serving Fortune-Assisting Sincerity-Extending Might-Exerting Military Minister. Right now, it pulsed with a fine golden light.

"...Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Kunlun did not hesitate. He immediately accepted the Imperial Edict and crushed it in his hand, letting the golden light merge into his body. Just like Wang Ping, he had accepted Xianfu's conferment.

'He came completely prepared.'

'He didn't cross his tribulation blindly.'

Looking at Xianfu, Kunlun pondered, 'After the founding of Great Shun, the True Monarch's Handwritten Manuscript reincarnated... His arrival at the Eight Trigrams Furnace now is completely different from Kunyun!'

Kunyun had come to the Eight Trigrams Furnace because he was pushed by his life tribulation; he had no other choice.

However, Xianfu's arrival at the Eight Trigrams Furnace was clearly premeditated, a matter of things naturally falling into place. The person who laid out this scheme was highly likely a True Monarch!

'This is simply madness.'

'Involving a True Monarch in a life tribulation—how massive must that karma be? How huge of a wave will it stir up? Isn't he afraid of biting off more than he can chew!'

That being said, Kunlun merely lowered his eyelids and tried to calm his thoughts, doing his best not to trigger any imagery within the Unified Mind Hall. After all, Xianfu courting death like this would only benefit him. Although the two sides had agreed to cooperate, that alliance was currently superficial at best.

Xianfu, on the other hand, continued speaking with assurance:

"I am still short one State-Protecting Peer Prince."

"If that Martial Dao First Seat accepts the conferment, then I, as the sovereign lord, will have gathered my civil and military ministers. My successor's imagery and achievements will be brought to perfection."

"Speaking of which, I originally planned to give this conferment to Senior Brother Gan. However, that great cultivator sent word, having found a more suitable candidate for me."

Xianfu shook his head.

"The Martial Dao First Seat, the variable in the furnace... I understand that great cultivator's intentions. He simply wants to eliminate any variables in the scheme, but I cannot agree."

"Including our Junior Brother Dousheng."

At this point, Xianfu suddenly turned his head and looked at Kunlun. "Junior Brother, you are also someone who has crossed a life tribulation. What do you think destiny truly is?"

At this point, the conversation was no longer a simple idle chat.

It was a discussion of the Dao.

Therefore, Kunlun didn't answer casually. He considered the question seriously for a moment before replying in a deep voice, "To me, it is a difficult trial."

"Haha."

Xianfu chuckled, then shook his head. "No wonder you can't compare to Kunyun... But this is also a good thing. In the Immortal Gate, those who are excellent do not necessarily achieve greatness."

Kunlun remained unmoved. After all, he had come to terms with this fact long ago. He was born into an immortal clan, the bloodline descendant of a Corpse Dissolution Immortal. Yet in his cultivation, he was advancing neck-and-neck with Kunyun, a true transmission disciple who originated as a mere Mortal. On that point alone, his defeat was absolute.

"Every cultivator has their own unique understanding of destiny."

"I believe that so-called destiny is just that immortal seeking change. It appears to govern the world and anchor the future of all living beings, but in reality, it gives birth to variables."

"Every life tribulation holds infinite variables."

"Take Junior Brother Dousheng, for example. His master, that great cultivator, locked down his cultivation and Divine Powers. In the long run, this may not prove to be a wise move."

"You mean," Kunlun said in a low voice, "that he shouldn't have done it?"

"You misunderstand, Junior Brother."

Xianfu shook his head, his tone completely flat. "I mean that he should have directly killed Junior Brother Dousheng, because only death can end destiny."

"As long as a person's destiny hasn't completely perished, variables will always appear around them. They can never be fully locked down."

"At least, relying solely on that single great cultivator is not enough."

"Furthermore..."

As his voice trailed off, Xianfu's tone suddenly turned strange. He looked at Kunlun and spoke quietly, "Does Junior Brother know that, leaving my side out of it..."

"...two True Persons have already entered this Immortal-Brahma Sword Battle."

...

Great Shun, a remote village.

Wang Ping followed the gentle Weifeng surrounding him, flying the entire way before finally coming to a stop above this village. His gaze fell upon one of the thatched cottages below.

In his view was a woman with skin as pale and flawless as porcelain. Dressed in ordinary clothes, she lay on a pile of straw with a stalk of grass dangling from her mouth, gazing at the sea of clouds. Her line of sight met Wang Ping's perfectly. Smiling, she waved her hand, signaling him to lower his flight and come down.

'She's being this open about it?'

Wang Ping was astonished. He nervously checked his surroundings before circulating his magic power to conceal his aura, landing quietly in front of the cottage door.

"Relax, it's fine."

The woman chuckled. "If there were truly any risk, I wouldn't be seeing you right now... Speak. My intuition tells me you have at least three things to share."

Finished speaking, she even gestured for Wang Ping to lie down beside her on the straw.

"Master..."

This was Wang Ping's first time seeing the First Seat's true body rather than her ethereal Divine Intent. Even her voice was no longer hollow and distant, but crisp and pleasant to the ear.

"No need for formalities." The woman waved her hand.

Seeing this, Wang Ping didn't beat around the bush. He immediately brought out the State-Protecting Peer Prince conferment that Xianfu had given him earlier. "This is what the heavens have given to you, Master..."

The woman accepted the conferment and weighed it in her hand. She tilted her chin slightly, gesturing for Wang Ping to continue.

"The second matter is about the Celestial Immortals' Secretly Bestowed Ageless Longevity Scripture the heavens bestowed upon you. It holds great danger. Master, you must absolutely not cultivate it."

Wang Ping quickly explained the Human Yang Fire and the cultivation requirements for the Civilization-Manifesting Ultimate-Founding Qi, which demanded the creation and widespread teaching of an absolutely pure new method. While the Celestial Immortals' Secretly Bestowed Ageless Longevity Scripture could indeed extend one's lifespan, it would permanently sever any future opportunity to enter the Dao through the Qi Ingestion Method.

"That makes two things."

The woman patiently listened to Wang Ping's explanation. She remained silent for a long time, as if struggling with a difficult choice. Finally, she spoke softly:

"I gave the Celestial Immortals' Secretly Bestowed Ageless Longevity Scripture to you previously, didn't I?"

Wang Ping blinked in surprise, then nodded. "It is with this disciple..."

"Give it back to me."

"...Eh?"

Wang Ping froze. What did she mean? He had just explained that the scripture would cause immense harm, that using it was like drinking poison to quench thirst, yet she still wanted it back?

Was her intuition failing her?

Or... had the First Seat's lifespan dwindled so severely that even drinking poison to quench thirst was her only option? Had she run out of time to delay the inevitable?

Wang Ping's heart suddenly sank.

After a moment of silence, looking at the woman who was expectantly holding her hand out toward him, Wang Ping sighed helplessly. He retrieved the scripture text and handed it back.

"Mhm, very good."

However, the woman didn't even look at the Qi Ingestion Method. The moment she received it, she tucked it into her robes. Then, with a smooth kip-up, she hopped off the straw pile.

"For the foreseeable future, stop cultivating the immortal Dao... Follow me and walk through this world. Haven't you always wanted a Divine Armor? I will forge one for you with my own hands. Let this serve as a lesson for you to understand exactly how the Martial Dao I founded differs from the Qi Refining immortal paths in the heavens."

Crack!

As soon as she finished speaking, she crushed the State-Protecting Peer Prince conferment in her hand. Surging golden light burst forth and sank into her body.

Rumble!

Almost simultaneously, Wang Ping felt a stir in his heart. He raised his gaze, looking far into the distance toward the Capital of Great Shun. It looked as though a brilliant sun was slowly rising over the horizon.

Meanwhile, in the Capital, Xianfu also paced out of the Unified Mind Hall.

"The three great conferments are all perfected."

This Immortal Gate true transmission seemed to sense Wang Ping's gaze, just as he could see the First Seat who had just accepted his conferment. He threw a faint, sidelong glance toward the horizon and chuckled softly:

"The heavens are vast, my Dao flourishes day by day."

"Excellent."