The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1445 743: Mythic Stratification, Genesis of Change (Part 2)

"The second one is the Heavenly Immortal, corresponding to Dao levels twelve to fifteen. Once reaching this realm, one becomes a mighty figure in the Dharma Realm, like the Nine Heavens Responding Element Universal Transformation Celestial Venerable and the Ten Hall Yama, all are such..."

"Beyond that is the Daluo, Dao levels fifteen to eighteen, capable of creating a separate Grotto Heaven within the Dharma Realm. Many Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals are sheltered under their command; they are the true rulers of the Dharma Realm..."

"As for the Netherworld and the Heavenly Court, there are several beings, such as maids and Spiritual Officials in the Heavenly Court, Evil Ghosts and demons in the Netherworld, and Feitian in the Pure Land of the Buddha Realm. They cannot descend into the mortal world; perhaps their existence is related to Human World faith..."

Listening to the words of Immortal Master Erlang, the previous scenes suddenly flashed through Li Yan's mind.

From the void, the Dharma Realm appeared like tree-like glowing spots, the empty spaces segregated—could those be the Daluo openings?

He wished to ask, but Immortal Master Erlang apparently did not consider it important, continuing solemnly, "This is the general situation of the Dharma Realm, not difficult to find out, but constrained by the `Heavenly Rules` from being disclosed."

"But I discovered something even more important!"

Upon speaking, he tilted his body and flew swiftly into the void.

Li Yan's gaze followed closely, and the surrounding scenery quickly receded.

Soon, they arrived beside a deep fault of a canyon.

Looking down, darkness deepened, with faint white mist rising.

The rocks on both sides were exposed clearly, ferocious and desolate.

Li Yan frowned slightly, looking at Immortal Master Erlang.

This canyon was indeed grand, but he couldn't understand why they had come here?

Immortal Master Erlang wasted no words, directly guiding his gaze, leaping into the canyon.

The vision dropped rapidly, and Li Yan finally noticed the anomaly!

The rocks on both sides of the canyon did not exist in isolation but were layered and compressed.

Is this... sedimentary rock?

Just as Li Yan was puzzled, Immortal Master Erlang finally stopped at a certain place.

And Li Yan, his eyes widened slightly, somewhat unbelievable.

In those broken and twisted sedimentary layers, vaguely visible were colossal divine statue sculptures, fragments of shattered altars, and even giant beast skeletons embedded and solidified within the minerals.

Everything had lost its luster and spiritual charm, like weathered rocks.

Moreover, they were things Li Yan had never seen before!

A conjecture emerged in Li Yan's mind, and he looked at Immortal Master Erlang.

Immortal Master Erlang made no concealment, continuing solemnly, "The Daluo Legal Realm may have been destroyed more than once, and it is related to the Human World's passions and beliefs, which is also the reason for the creation of the `Heavenly Rules`."

"I have seen the revered Shen Shu and Yu Lei, due to time, they have fallen into slumber, and their skin turned to rock. Taodu Mountain is nearly abandoned because of this, and yin criminals are all cast into the Eighteen Layers of Hell."

"There are also rumors that the Overseas Divine Realm is bordering the Netherworld, perhaps related to the opening of the seas..."

"People of the Heavenly Court avoid discussing this, the chaos of Jianmu likely arose from this reason!"

So that's how it is!

After hearing the analysis from Immortal Master Erlang, many mists in Li Yan's brain instantly cleared.

No wonder the Jianmu Demon could wreak such havoc, with people in the Dharma Realm aiding it.

If it concerns the future of the Daluo Legal Realm, there must be differing stances.

At this moment, Immortal Master Erlang slightly frowned, looking at the distance, and said solemnly, "Someone is coming, this time here, I need you to help with something."

"It's rumored that the Taishan Lord will soon be replaced. You may go to Taishan to investigate the reason, if there's a chance, help me obtain this position for dealing with the future great catastrophe..."

Before he finished speaking, Li Yan's sight was enveloped in white mist.

Upon opening his eyes again, he was already in the inn.

This time entering the Legal Realm lasted at least several hours, and the outside sky was already dark.

Li Yan felt weak all over, struggling to get up, his vision darkening, nearly falling.

Spending so long in the Daluo Legal Realm, even with the aid of Immortal Master Erlang, his Divine Soul was considerably depleted.

But Li Yan paid no mind, heading to the luggage trunk, pulling out an item and placing it in the palm.

Black like glass, precisely the "coal spirit" from trilobites turning into it.

He had previously wondered how this thing was born.

But the journey to the Daluo Legal Realm gave him some ideas.

This realm has Astra Bane Qi, perhaps even more ancient than the mythological era,

only those ancient times have faded, transformed into the "mythological stratum" seen previously, and even the Immortal Gods of today's Legal Realm will inevitably face the same fate.

Could those behind Jianmu be the ones unwilling to fade away?

And then there's the commission from Immortal Master Erlang.

What happened at Taishan...

.........

Once again, it was early morning, and the skies over the Capital were heavily clouded.

The air was so heavy it seemed as though it could be wrung out.

Overnight, those mighty leaders of the Mystical Sect: Heavenly Master Zhang from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Qiu Changchun from Zhongnan, Wang Miaoyin from Emei, Yu Chanzi from Wudang, and Chen Kongzi from Qingcheng—

had all quietly entered the city!

Their lodging places were closely "protected" by the Captain Bureau.

Despite Zhao Wujiong's numerous attempts along the way to obstruct and delay, ultimately he could not prevent these masters, who held significant treasures and were well-versed in mysteries, from gathering in the Imperial City.

In the depths of the Imperial City, an intricately decorated side hall was shrouded in an invisible air of tension.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan's face appeared somewhat pale, with fury deep in his eyes.

Zhao Wujiong stood by attentively, his breath steady as a deep well, and his occasional glances sharp as a hawk's, sweeping over the few daoist-like masters below, failing to conceal their solemn demeanor.

The content of their confidential discussion was unknown to outsiders.

But palace walls are never truly impenetrable; various unsettling snippets quietly leaked through various channels, reaching the ears of those keen-nosed high achievers in the city:

"Heavenly Master Zhang stated 'Divine Artifacts have no constant master', and need to 'follow Heaven and benefit people'... but His Majesty's will seems resolute..."

"His Majesty, enraged, accused Master Qiu of being 'stubborn and inflexible', bluntly stating 'a new Heaven requires a new god'..."

"Master Wang used the turmoil in Shu as a metaphor, saying a change of divinity could easily invite external evils..."

"Chen Kongzi mentioned the 'Peach Tree of Peach Blossom theft case', subtly criticizing Zhao's inaction..."

"Master Yu Chan remained relatively silent, without comment..."

Each piece of news was like a giant stone thrown into stagnant water, stirring waves within the limited core circle.

Those knowledgeable in the Mystical Sect were deeply concerned.

The Emperor was determined to use secular power to fully control the Human Dao reform.

What does this mean?

They certainly knew.

The Emperor's suppression of the Mystical Sect would be further strengthened.

They didn't care about who controlled the Human Dao Divine Artifact as much as worrying that the court and Mystical Sect would completely oppose each other, causing unrest in the Divine State.

Don't underestimate the potential of the Mystical Sect.

With just a blind eye turned, the Maitreya Sect could become a major threat. In the past, during the downfall of the Great Xing Dynasty, it was the Mystical Sect that helped Great Xuan to rise in its place.

News naturally also reached Qiankun Academy.

Mo Sect Master Tao Fengchun, looking at the frame just completed before him—tall, over a zhang high, with a gleaming metallic sheen to the Sui Lun True Monarch Divine Statue—sighed heavily.

His ruler unconsciously scraped the ground.

The newly filled indentations on the statue's base were hidden dangers left by Lu Chengye's coercion the day before.

The old man was filled with self-blame.

If only he had been more vigilant, the demon wouldn't have exploited the situation.

Supervisor Yuan Feng, appearing much older, as well.

After this incident, the Mo Family's once flourishing momentum dwindled again, and the Emperor's trust surely decreased, meaning future troubles would not be scarce.

Finally, a golden decree was sent out from the palace gates, scattering over the Capital by afternoon.

The contents were brief, yet sufficient to quell all the rumors and speculations:

"By the Emperor's decree, acknowledging Heaven's manifested signs, providing the people with reliance. It is hereby set for tomorrow during the hour of Chen; the Sui Lun Manifesting True Monarch Divine Statue shall be respectfully enshrined within the main hall of the National Ancestral Hall, appointed by Heaven, tasked with overseeing Formation and communication with God..."

"By decree, all officials of grade three or higher within the Capital, nobles with vested honors, major Mystical Sect Masters, and greatly virtuous monks, are to enter the palace during the hour of Yin tomorrow, jointly attending the Enlightenment Ceremony, to enhance divine might and display Heaven's will. Announced to all, so that all may hear and know!"

The decreed position is of the highest honor—"tasked with overseeing Formation and communication with God".

The Enlightenment ceremony itself is of unprecedented scale, requiring the joint witnessing of the capital's nobility and Mystical Sect leaders.

With the issuance of the clear decree, the whispered rumors of the secret talks instantly fell silent, leaving only an absolute stillness before the impending storm.

The court, this massive war chariot, had already started rumbling forward, beyond doubt and beyond turning back. The National Ancestral Hall was surrounded overnight by the Yulin Guard, with officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Imperial Secretariat coming and going, the lamps burning brightly until midnight...

And all those who knew the inside story let out a sigh of relief.

The Sui Lun True Monarch would be enshrined in the National Ancestral Hall, where all major Mystical Sect Masters would jointly hold the Enlightenment ceremony, and the Sui Lun True Monarch would also be enshrined in the Immortal List, worshipped by all the people of the world.

This was considered a step back for both sides.

The Human Dao reform in the Divine State finally avoided starting with warfare...