Chapter 3226 Countdown to the Moment of Victory and Defeat

Lin Xun listened attentively, occasionally asking questions. Chen Xi patiently answered them one by one. The latter also had some mysteries that he had touched but was unable to penetrate, and he also brought them up to discuss with Lin Xun. This allowed both of them to gain from each other.

Several days had flown by like this. Through the discussion, Chen Xi had an understanding of Lin Xun's current dao knowledge and skills, the quality of which made him sigh in awe. At the end of it, he couldn't help but look forward to what Lin Xun would gain when he studied the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders.

“Senior, I intend to return to the Hidden Domain right away and begin to sense the mysteries in the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders.”

Today, Lin Xun made a decision which stunned Chen Xi briefly. The latter then agreed with a smile and handed a sword-shaped jade slip to him. “In this are some of the insights left by that swordsman. They don’t deviate much from what we have been discussing in the last few days, but ponder it still on your own, and maybe you will get something new.”

Lin Xun accepted it with both hands and cupped his fist in thanks.

Wasting no time, Chen Xi personally led Lin Xun out. Watching as the latter disappeared at the exit of Hongling Domain, he raised his brows and fell into thought.

“Grandfather, why did Lin Xun leave?” Chen Linkong hurriedly came over.

Chen Xi glanced at him. “Didn't I tell you not to leave your place?”

Chen Linkong became sheepish. “I saw Lin Xun was leaving and I thought I should say goodbye.”

“Let’s go back.” Chen Xi walked back to his residence.

“Grandfather, you still haven't answered my question.” Chen Linkong caught up to him. “Doesn't Lin Xun know it's safest to sense the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders’ energy from the Hongling Domain? At least with you here, he'll have someone strong to defuse unexpected situations that might arise.”

“He probably has other ideas,” Chen Xi casually said.

“Other ideas?” Chen Linkong was not stupid. After brief thinking, his brows slightly furrowed. “Is he being wary of us?”

“Wary?” Chen Xi laughed, “Not to that degree, and you should not overthink it. By the way, what do you think of Bodhi as a person?”

Chen Linkong pondered for a while before he answered, “His wisdom and vigor are rare to find anywhere, and even his attainments in the path of cultivation are superior to mine. If he hadn't left his dao manifestation in the Heavenly Cycle Dao Laws during his time in the Mortal Transformation Zone, his achievements would be far greater today.”

At the mention of this matter, Chen Linkong couldn't help but lament. When Bodhi had been in the Mortal Transformation Zone, he had had the opportunity to place his dao manifestation above its Heavenly Cycle Dao Laws.

Should he have done that, what he would have obtained at the ninefold gates of the Realm of All Spirits would not be a Chaos Dao Fruit, but a primal chaos origin! This, coupled with his intelligence and capability, would have allowed him to transcend from the peak Immeasurable Realm after he arrived at the Realm of All Mysteries.

However, Bodhi had decided otherwise that year! It was only now that Chen Linkong realized that Bodhi had left his dao manifestation in the first sky zone’s Heavenly Cycle Dao Laws for Lin Xun’s sake.

One day as a teacher meant forever as a father. Bodhi had once said that since Lin Xun had joined Fangchun Mountain, he had never received any guidance or teaching from him. Perhaps he felt bad because of this and left his dao manifestation there to give Lin Xun an unconventional lesson?

However, had Lin Xun ever noticed this? Had he ever realized what kind of effort and price Bodhi had paid for him? Just as Chen Linkong was drifting in thoughts, Chen Xi's voice rang in his ears, “What about the golden cicada, what do you think of this character?”

“The golden cicada?” A stunned Chen Linkong took a moment to reply, “He is simply outstanding. For all the time I have known him, I have never seen him use his full power. It always looks as though he can solve every problem with ease. From time to time, it makes me wonder how powerful his dao truly is.”

Saying that, he smiled, “Bodhi once said that the golden cicada's dao is above Heaven. In my opinion, his dao is unfathomable.”

“For a golden cicada who wanders through epochs to receive these kinds of high praises from both you and Bodhi, he probably is one of great abilities.” Chen Xi nodded. “It's a pity that he’s been lying low in the Hidden Domain since he got to the Realm of All Mysteries, so I haven't gotten a chance to meet him.”

Chen Linkong shook his head. “No, I have, several times, invited him to be our guest at Hongling Domain but he politely declined every time, so there's that.”

“Who on the path of dao doesn't have some strange quirks? So be it, let's stop talking about him,” Chen Xi said and glanced at Chen Linkong. “Why are you still following me? Go back to cultivating!”

“Erk...” Chen Linkong said, “Grandfather, Lin Xun is about to study the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders. Now that this game is approaching the most crucial juncture, how can I sit still and cultivate?”

Chen Xi shook his head but did not say anything more. He turned and walked into his hut. To this, Chen Linkong laughed aloud in what seemed to be relief.

......

As Lin Xun was on his way back to the Hidden Domain, Alpha Origin's voice suddenly came out from the Taihun Domain, “Fellow Daoist, between Chen Xi and I, who do you think is better in terms of our understanding of the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders?”

“Is having to win in everything that important to you?” Lin Xun mocked.

“No, I was curious what kind of evaluation I would get from you.” Alpha Origin chortled. “But I suddenly don't anymore. Since you regard Chen Xi as a friend, it's only natural that you think he is better than me.”

“Since you already know, why even ask in the first place?” Lin Xun raised a brow.

“I just like you so much that I couldn't help myself, hahaha.” Alpha Origin’s laughter echoed in the vast expanse for a long time before it faded.

Lin Xun shook his head and entered the Hidden Domain.

“How was the harvest?” Bodhi and the golden cicada immediately welcomed him back.

“Bountiful.” Lin Xun said, “Master, I'm planning to go into seclusion and study the aura of the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders. It will take a while.”

“Good.” Bodhi nodded.

“While you do so, Little Friend, don't rush it and just follow your heart,” the golden cicada advised in a warm voice.

Lin Xun nodded.

From this day onwards, Lin Xun entered a meditation session in the Hidden Domain.

He sat alone by the cliff, reviewing all the bits and pieces of his cultivation life since he had been a teenager and combing through what he had gained on the great path.

The battles, the trials and tribulations, and the ups and downs of life he had experienced all played out in his mind. He captured the underlying mechanisms in them, deduced the cause and effect, and summarized the results. He was combing through his past to deeper comprehend and solidify his path.

One month later, Lin Xun did another combing process. This time, though, he used the cultivation realms as the key outline. Based on it, he analyzed and summarized his state of mind, primordial spirit, dao body, and will.

Each summarization gave him a different feeling and understanding of the path he sought from the first time.

Time passed, day after day. On the cliff side, Lin Xun sat motionless like a stone, his aura completely silent, as if he had disappeared from the world.

Until one day, he suddenly opened his eyes, and then, that seemingly lifeless figure gained a touch of something indescribable. Even the chaos qi that permeated this dimly lit world gained a bright layer of vitality.

A mysterious power surged through the entire Hidden Domain and converged towards Lin Xun, cheering and jumping around him. The mountains, rivers, and everything resonated with his breathing, creating a strange rhythm.

Lin Xun’s entirety, however, felt utterly hollow. There was no energy, no power to be sensed, and not even a trace of might existed. At this moment, he was like a mass of chaos, inexplicable and indescribable.

This arcane phenomenon first startled Bodhi and the golden cicada who were in the Hidden Domain. They exchanged a glance before looking at the distant Lin Xun.

“Great chaos, completely empty...” the golden cicada murmured, his face aglow with an indescribable look. “Our little friend’s dao is utterly impenetrable...”

“How fortunate I am to have such a disciple.” Bodhi's heart was filled with joy.

“Master, Senior Golden Cicada.” On the cliff, Lin Xun got up and gazed at them with a smile. “I will officially begin perceiving the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders now. As I have made preparations, you don't have to worry about me if a life or death battle occurs.”

Bodhi smilingly nodded. “Very good.”

The golden cicada clasped his fist.

With that, Lin Xun looked up at the heavenly dome. His shell was hollow, but his spirit rose up like a tornado. It penetrated the sky, left the Hidden Domain, pierced through all the chaos qi of the Realm of All Mysteries, and flew the way to the endless depths...

Somewhere deep underground of the Taihun Domain, a violent clash of chains resounded.

Alpha Origin let out an expectant laugh. “It's finally time. I'd like to see what kind of change will hit the Forbidden Land of Myriad Wonders due to the arrival of this variable...”

The black crow on the bare branch also felt a flutter of emotions, mumbling, “Finally time to decide the winner. I've been waiting for this far too long...”

Not far away, Ape Ancestor, who was sitting cross-legged, slightly raised his head and looked into the horizon. His face was indifferent, but in the depths of his eyes, a flame was dancing excitedly. He removed the dual swords on his back and put his hands together.

Clang!

The dao swords, one black and one white, actually merged, transforming into a sword that had the color of chaos.

“Chen Xi, do you know? I, too, have been waiting for this day for a long time...” murmured Ape Ancestor.

In the Hongling Domain, Chen Linkong abruptly looked up and said, “Grandfather, it's starting!”

From the hut, Chen Xi's clear voice rang out, “The time for the showdown is approaching indeed, but...it's barely begun. Let us watch on with patience.”

There was a hint of anticipation in his voice.

At this moment, even the respective founders of the four great ancestral courts Yuan Chu, Xu Yin, Tian Wu, and Shi, as well as the nine Heavenly Mandate Dao Lords of Alpha Origin Nine Departments all felt an inkling. They trembled at the realization that this game was reaching the point to decide a winner!