Above the Great Dao

Chapter 1236 577: Heavenly Dao Seal_2

Xiao Dululu said, "No matter what, I am also the master of a sect in Mangzhou, admired by the world, and praised as a genius by countless elder and peer cultivators."

He laughed heartily and drank deeply from the jug.

Another Heavenly Soldier named Dai Qingxi was touched by his words, lamenting, "I have been considered a genius from an early age, rarely encountering setbacks, and I've been deemed the favored of Frost Heaven Continent. I also held myself in high esteem, believing that after ascending to the Earth Immortal Realm, I would rise smoothly and freely roam the vast world. But unexpectedly…"

He shook his head, his eyes reddening.

The other Heavenly Soldiers shared the same sentiment. In the Lower Realm, were they not all extraordinary talents, regarded as unparalleled prodigies and invincible figures? Who would've thought that upon ascending to the Heavenly Court, they would become mere Heavenly Soldiers?

Every one of them was a genius, but with all geniuses gathered together, none were geniuses anymore.

What disheartened them more was that, just like foot soldiers, these geniuses in the Earth Immortal Realm were often the first to be sent into danger, with a high chance of injury or death.

"I am the True King who ruled over the West Bull New Continent."

Chen Shi laughed and said, "Yet upon arriving in the Earth Immortal Realm, am I not still made a foot soldier? I was even nearly sent to the Immortal Slaying Stage."

Bai Fangfang, drunk and staggering, stood up laughing heartily, "Ascension, ascension! The world's heroes are all caught in my net!"

Everyone, half-sobered by her words, hastily advised, "Fairy Bai, be cautious, be cautious!"

Bai Fangfang realized her slip of the tongue and immediately restrained herself, sitting down again.

Chen Shi shifted the topic, saying, "While I was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, I felt the sky and earth shake outside, so frightful! Later, I heard people say that a Great Demon invaded the Heavenly Court and destroyed the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy. Is this true?"

"It is indeed true."

The always silent Heavenly Mechanism Scholar Zhong Lin suddenly spoke, "That Great Demon was extremely terrifying, breaking into the Heavenly Court from some unknown place, heading straight for the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy. That formidable Great Demon decimated numerous Immortal Palaces and Immortal Halls, leaving many renowned Immortals and Divine beings severely wounded. Several commanders from our Heavenly Soldier Guard went to support and suffered heavy casualties. The losses at the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy were even greater. Half of the Heavenly Mechanism Scholars from the Heavenly Mechanism Mansion perished."

He paused and said, "I went there to see the aftermath. It was indeed a Great Demon that attacked, with Demon Path Cultivation as domineering as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, causing tremendous destruction."

Xiao Dululu said, "Who else but a Great Demon could catch the Heavenly Court off guard with such savagery?"

Zhong Lin hesitated, not responding.

He had examined all traces left by the attack and confirmed it was indeed a Great Demon; it was impossible for anyone to disguise themselves as a Great Demon so convincingly.

Chen Shi's eyes flickered, inwardly contemplating, "Zhong Lin's words implied something else. He might have once suspected the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy wasn't destroyed by a Great Demon, thus he went to investigate. Why would he have such suspicions? Did he think someone within the Heavenly Court destroyed the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy for some purpose?"

He fell into deep thought, recalling Lady Houtu had repeatedly mentioned the intensifying conflict between Immortals and Divine beings in the Earth Immortal Realm. Divine beings believed Immortals acted lawlessly, while Immortals thought Divine beings were too controlling. Could this have been an act by Immortals to indulge a Great Demon into attacking the Heavenly Court and destroying the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy?

"The benefits of destroying the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy are numerous," he pondered silently.

Without the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy, once a cultivator reaches Harmonization and achieves the Immortal Realm, it would be unknown to others. Immortal ascension would no longer be controlled by the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy. Additionally, the Heavenly Court would lose a Heavenly Dao Treasure, weakening its power.

"This is most likely orchestrated by an Immortal, using the Great Demon to attack the Heavenly Court, targeting the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy!"

Chen Shi mused, "The Heavenly Mechanism Strategy must have sensed impending danger. During my Harmonization, it took the opportunity to imprint the Heavenly Dao Patterns into my consciousness. In that case... am I not embodying the Heavenly Dao? Wait, if this is discovered by outsiders, I could be in great danger!"

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Court, he noticed its peculiar circumstances: all newly ascended Immortals worked for Haotian Heavenly Court, with Immortals and Divine beings appearing harmonious. Yet, in every conflict, the Heavenly Soldiers suffered great losses, raising suspicions.

Could the Divine beings be consciously depleting the Immortal's forces?

At that moment, Chen Shi sensed someone's gaze fall upon him. He looked up and met Zhong Lin's eyes.

Zhong Lin withdrew his gaze.

Chen Shi glanced at the Black Pot, showing a questioning look.

The Black Pot shook its head.

Chen Shi raised an eyebrow, bewildered: "This Zhong Lin, even the Black Pot doesn't know his background!"

The Heavenly Soldiers who came to celebrate Chen Shi's release weren't closely acquainted with him; they were friends of the Black Pot, here out of respect for it.

The Black Pot had naturally already investigated these Immortals' backgrounds, but it surprised Chen Shi that even the Black Pot hadn't discovered Zhong Lin's origins.

After the feast, everyone returned to the Heavenly Dao Residence.

Zhong Lin also took his leave.

Upon returning to his Heavenly Dao Residence, he found numerous stern-faced strangers in the courtyard, all wearing wide robes with long sleeves, their hands and feet concealed within, invisible.

Behind each of them floated an upright script, arranged vertically, glowing with light. The complex text comprised Heavenly Dao Patterns, explaining the mysteries of the Heavenly Mechanism.

Zhong Lin was startled, hurriedly bowing, "Zhong Lin pays respects to the Daoist Brothers!"

Though he was also a Heavenly Mechanism Scholar, he had joined for a short time and had not yet become a True Immortal, ranking much lower than these Heavenly Mechanism Scholars. Yet despite his lower cultivation level, his comprehension of the Heavenly Dao was extraordinary, and his interpretations of the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy were highly accurate, earning the high regard of senior scholars.

"Zhong Lin, with the Heavenly Mechanism Mansion attacked and so many Heavenly Mechanism Scholars slain, the Heavenly Court needs to rebuild the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy. We need our Heavenly Mechanism Scholars to submit our comprehended Heavenly Dao Patterns."

One Heavenly Mechanism Scholar handed him a Jade Scroll, saying, "You must also submit the Heavenly Dao Patterns you've learned and understood."

Zhong Lin received the Jade Scroll with both hands, saying, "Zhong Lin understands."

"Are you still searching for that ascended Golden Immortal?"

Another Heavenly Mechanism Scholar advised earnestly, "It's a time of troubles; the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy is destroyed, and the Heavenly Mechanism Mansion is in need of talent to investigate whether this was an accident or deliberate. Your return could provide another strength."

Zhong Lin replied, "With the Daoist Brothers here, I have no part to play. Though searching for the Golden Immortal is minor, I only seek to see it through."

Seeing this, the Heavenly Mechanism Scholars ceased their persuasion.

"The Heavenly Court forbids Harmonization; what about the Harmonized Heavenly Soldier?" another scholar queried.

Zhong Lin bowed and said, "I do not know either."

The Heavenly Mechanism Scholars did not pursue the matter further.

Zhong Lin imprinted the Heavenly Dao Patterns he learned and understood onto the Jade Scroll and handed it to them. The Heavenly Mechanism Scholars departed.

"With more than half of the Heavenly Mechanism Mansion's scholars dead or injured, the remaining Heavenly Mechanism Scholars hold only a fraction of the complete Dao Patterns. It's difficult for the Heavenly Court to restore the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy."

He shook his head silently, recalling Chen Shi, bewildered, "Why does he carry the aura of the Heavenly Dao? Furthermore, after a stint in the Heavenly Prison, his Heavenly Dao aura is even more intense; it's very peculiar."

Chen Shi and the others hadn't settled for long before a mission was announced. The commander of the Gengzi Guard ordered the mobilization of all Heavenly Soldier Camps from the twelve divisions to search for the source of the Great Demon, to prevent a second attack.

Chen Shi's Fire Camp was included.

After Yin Fenglou's death, a new general was assigned to the Fire Camp, named Zhang Xian, who held Chen Shi in high regard.

Everyone deployed their spells and left the Heavenly Court under Zhang Xian's lead. In the distance, other Heavenly Soldier Camps flew out, scattering to presumably search different directions.

It was their first time leaving the Heavenly Court and truly entering the Earth Immortal Realm, leading them to curiously observe their surroundings.

The Earth Immortal Realm was full of Immortal Mountains and Holy Lands, clouds housed Dragons, mountains hosted Phoenixes, Qilin rested by the waters, and Vermilion Birds roosted on volcanoes, truly a wonder to behold.

Zhang Xian said, "Fire Camp is tasked with searching Huanxian Valley, rumored to be where the Three Pure Ones first subdued demons, leaving the aura of the ancestral Immortals."

"Did the Three Pure Ancestors really leave the Earth Immortal Realm?" Chen Shi inquired.