Chapter 602: Saving Someone by Taking the Roundabout Route

Chen Shi let out a sigh of relief and looked up. He saw the Eastern Prince examining the topographic map. His expression was as still as an ancient well, revealing neither joy nor anger, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“This First Immortal’s thoughts are as deep as a great abyss, impossible to fathom.”

Chen Shi thought silently, “However, this external Dao can indeed move him.”

For an immortal who pursued the true essence of the Great Dao, a Great Dao he had never seen before possessed an extraordinary allure.

The Eastern Prince studied it for a while, then returned the topographic map to Chen Shi and said, “Demonstrate that external Dao again.”

Chen Shi did as he was told and demonstrated it once more. He then explained Chu Xiangxiu’s cultivation theory again, saying, “This man was raised by the Earth God. No one taught him how to cultivate immortality, so he comprehended an immortal cultivation path from the Earth God’s divine path. He skipped the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, directly cultivating the divine path to achieve immortality.”

“A great talent, a truly great talent. Ordinary geniuses still have one horizontal stroke sealing them in, but a great talent is boundless. He is indeed worth saving.”

The Eastern Prince pondered for a moment before saying, “Your external Dao only has the appearance, not the substance. Even if it was personally taught by Chu Xiangxiu, without achieving Dao Unification in the Dark Sea, it would be impossible to master this Great Dao. To master this Great Dao, one truly needs this topographic map, travel to the Dark Sea, and unify with the Dao of heaven and earth before obtaining its true essence.”

Chen Shi did not speak, but joy rose in his heart.

“So you went to the Heavenly Prison to learn this Great Dao from Chu Xiangxiu, then had him draw the topographic map, using it to tempt me.”

The Eastern Prince looked at him with phoenix eyes that seemed to smile yet not smile. “You want to preserve his life. Chen Shi, do you know why I saved you?”

He had already asked this question once before. Hearing him bring it up again left Chen Shi somewhat confused.

The Eastern Prince raised his hand and pointed at Chen Shi’s chest, speaking with profound meaning. “Because there is also an external Dao within your body, and it has aroused my interest.”

Chen Shi’s mind was shaken to its core.

Chu Xiangxiu had also said that Chen Shi came from the Dark Sea and that there was an external Dao within his body as well.

The Eastern Prince’s words confirmed this!

Could it be that there truly was an external Dao inside his body, one he himself had never noticed?

Could it be that when he had used the Celestial True God to achieve Dao Unification back then, this external Dao had also influenced him and gone into hiding within his body?

And why had the Eastern Prince become interested in the external Dao within him?

The Eastern Prince said, “During the battle in which you killed the Regional Commander at the heavenly soldier camps, I saw the external Dao within your body. That was why I stepped forward to protect you.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and gazed outside the palace, his eyes deep and solemn. “The value of our immortal path lies in immortality, but immortality is also a trial. Every so often, a great calamity arrives, known as Opening the Calamity. One cycle lasts ten thousand and eight hundred years, and each cycle brings one Opening the Calamity. If you survive it, you can remain free and unfettered for another ten thousand and eight hundred years. Twelve cycles make one epoch, and each epoch brings one great calamity. During an epochal calamity, no one knows how many immortals will die. Immortals may appear to possess endless lifespans, but how many can truly survive an epochal calamity? The immortal path has remained closed and stagnant for far too long. It needs the external Dao to bring some change. Perhaps, when facing an epochal calamity, it may even provide us with a glimmer of hope.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Shi could not help but feel respect.

As expected of the First Immortal, such breadth of mind and bearing were far beyond what ordinary people could compare with.

The Eastern Prince said, “If one does not cultivate an external Dao, one may not necessarily survive the epochal calamity. How, then, could one speak of overthrowing the Celestial Court? Am I right, Celestial Soldier Chen?”

Chen Shi did not dare speak. He did not know which of the Eastern Prince’s words were true, which were false, and which were merely a trap.

The Eastern Prince could afford to say something wrong, but if Chen Shi said even one wrong sentence, he might lose his life!

“The Eastern Heavenly Palace is filled with deities monitoring the Eastern Prince, yet he still acts so recklessly. Is he truly not afraid of arousing the Great Celestial Venerable’s suspicions and losing his life?” Chen Shi thought secretly.

The Eastern Prince laughed. “You are still not bold enough. How boring. Take the topographic map and give it to King Li. Quite a few people in the Celestial Court are very interested in the external Dao of the Dark Sea. I imagine that before long, your heavenly soldier camps will be able to launch an expedition to the Dark Sea.”

Chen Shi was slightly stunned. “King Li is sending troops into the Dark Sea?”

The Eastern Prince said leisurely, “The Dark Sea is wonderful. We have to send troops there. To immortals, the Dark Sea is too vast and too dangerous. If one ventures in recklessly, one may never return. But the Dark Sea is also filled with temptation. More expansive lands for achieving Dao Unification, more earthly treasures and spiritual roots, and more resources, all without an owner. Every time a world is discovered in the Dark Sea, it is an opportunity to obtain a great fortune.”

He smiled faintly and said, “Moreover, the deities of the Celestial Court also need to spread their incense offerings farther away, allowing the Celestial Court’s new territories to gain believers of their own and increasing their divine power. Therefore, the worlds within the Dark Sea are an enormous temptation to both immortals and gods.”

Chen Shi’s heart tightened, and he suddenly thought of the Western Ox New Continent.

If the Celestial Court would set its sights on Chu Xiangxiu’s Dao Unification land for this reason, would it also set its sights on the Western Ox New Continent because of the external Dao within his body?

What would happen if they targeted the Western Ox New Continent?

He felt somewhat uneasy.

“The Dark Sea is extremely dangerous. Chu Xiangxiu marked so many perilous places on the topographic map, which shows just how dangerous that region is.”

The Eastern Prince spoke with profound meaning. “If King Li’s invasion is obstructed and the heavenly soldiers and generals suffer heavy casualties, what do you think will happen?”

Chen Shi immediately understood and said, “At that time, the Celestial Court will need a guide familiar with that place. It may even need that guide to possess a foothold in that Dark Sea world!”

He bowed deeply to the Eastern Prince. “Thanks to Your Highness’s guidance, I have finally seen the light through the clouds!”

The Eastern Prince laughed. “What did I do? I did not help you with anything. You caused this trouble yourself, so do not pin the blame on me.”

Chen Shi thanked him repeatedly before leaving the Eastern Heavenly Palace.

The Eastern Prince watched him leave with a smile on his face. “He is quite a decent person. For the sake of a criminal with whom he shared only a chance encounter, he would still do everything in his power to save him. No wonder the Great Celestial Venerable placed the Celestial Strategy on him.”

Everyone believed that Chen Shi’s backer was the Eastern Prince, but they did not know that the Great Celestial Venerable was also Chen Shi’s backer!

Others could not tell that the Celestial Strategy was on Chen Shi, but as someone who had personally participated in refining the Celestial Way magic treasure back then, the Eastern Prince was extremely familiar with Celestial Way magic treasures. Others could not detect the Celestial Way aura on Chen Shi, but he could sense it clearly.

“It is just that the little rebel does not know this yet.”

An expectant look appeared on the Eastern Prince’s face. He very much wanted to see how wonderful Chen Shi’s expression would be one day, after joining the rebel army and learning that his backer was actually the Jade Emperor.

Carrying Chu Xiangxiu’s topographic map, Chen Shi hurried excitedly to meet King Li. He presented the map and said, “Congratulations, Your Highness. Chu Xiangxiu confessed everything!”

King Li was bewildered. He did not know why Chen Shi had said that and asked in confusion, “What did he confess?”

He remembered that he had never ordered Chen Shi to interrogate Chu Xiangxiu. Besides, the Ministry of Justice had already interrogated him, and his death sentence had long since been decided.

“Your Highness, please look. This is the place where Chu Xiangxiu achieved Dao Unification!”

Chen Shi spread open the topographic map and spoke rapidly. “This place is called the Ni Li World. It lies in the Dark Sea, where the external Dao flourishes. The reason Chu Xiangxiu’s strength is so astonishing is precisely because it originates from there! Under my coercion and inducement, Chu Xiangxiu drew this map and marked the various dangers in that place!”

When King Li saw the topographic map, his mind trembled slightly. “The Ni Li World, where the external Dao flourishes? This should be a major world!”

His heartbeat involuntarily quickened several times.

Major worlds were extremely rare.

The Four Great Continents of the Earth Immortal Realm were all major worlds and could support many immortals.

A major world in the Dark Sea, however, would be an ownerless land. Within it were many incomparably precious earthly treasures and spiritual roots, along with all kinds of heavenly treasures and earthly treasures, rare beasts, and strange creatures!

More importantly, opening up a major world would provide a great deal more incense offerings, and that was also an enormous temptation to King Li.

Chen Shi nodded. “It is indeed the great Ni Li World.”

King Li suppressed his excitement and carefully examined the topographic map. The map marked the route from the Earth Immortal Realm, passing through the mysterious yellow sea and entering the Dark Sea, before searching for the Ni Li World within the sea.

At the same time, various dangerous and sinister places were marked within the Ni Li World.

King Li rolled up the topographic map and was about to leave.

Chen Shi hurriedly said, “Your Highness, Chu Xiangxiu is going to be executed soon!”

King Li stopped in his tracks. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “It took great effort to select an auspicious day... Very well. I will order someone to postpone Chu Xiangxiu’s execution date for now. Fellow Daoist Chen, there is nothing more for you to do here. Return to the Celestial Way Residence first.”

Chen Shi acknowledged the order and returned to the Celestial Way Residence.

King Li hurriedly departed with the topographic map.

Not long afterward, King Li mustered troops at the West Heaven Expanse. Leading one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, he was ordered to conquer the Dark Sea. The army set out, riding star rafts from the ferry crossing’s star gate and departing from the Celestial Court.

King Li had mobilized only elite forces. Chen Shi’s Fire Battalion was not among the elites, so he did not go with them.

“Just as the Eastern Prince predicted, the Celestial Court is desperate to obtain the Ni Li World!”

Chen Shi’s admiration for the Eastern Prince grew even stronger.

For the Celestial Court to send troops so quickly this time, it likely was not merely King Li’s idea. There were probably other major figures within the Celestial Court pushing things along from behind the scenes.

“If things unfold as the Eastern Prince predicted, King Li will suffer a crushing defeat in the Ni Li World. He will then have no choice but to release Chu Xiangxiu and the Earth God of Feng’an Commandery. The lives of that master and disciple will therefore be saved,” Chen Shi thought.

Sure enough, two months later, news of King Li’s crushing defeat in the Ni Li World arrived, sending shock waves throughout the court and the realm. Before long, a divine envoy arrived at the Heavenly Prison and instructed the prison wardens, “Chu Xiangxiu and the Earth God of Feng’an Commandery do not deserve death. By His Majesty’s decree, the Heavenly Prison is to release them both immediately!”

The prison wardens did not dare delay and hurriedly released them.

When Chu Xiangxiu and the Earth God of Feng’an Commandery walked out of the Heavenly Prison, their minds were still somewhat dazed. They felt as though they were dreaming.

Outside the Heavenly Prison, Chen Shi had already been waiting for a long time.

Behind him, Black Pot held a jade tray, and upon the tray was a jug of wine.

Looking at Chu Xiangxiu as he approached, Chen Shi smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Chu, I, Chen Shi, have finally managed to save you and your master without failing in my duty. Today, I have specially waited here to see you off.”