Chapter 450 - 371: Gift-Giving
On the Tianxuan Star, a newly built palace entirely constructed of Void Jade.
Chen Sheng sits cross-legged on the Enlightenment Mat in the center of the hall.
This mat, graciously bestowed by Dharma Master Hong Jue, is the "Myriad Techniques Return to Origin Mat," capable of spontaneously organizing Dao Rhyme, now emitting a faint milky white halo surrounding him.
His eyes are tightly shut, with a pale golden "End" imprint on his brow alternately glowing and dimming, while the Dao Texts of the "Five Volumes of the End" circulate in his sea of consciousness like a river of stars.
"Buzz——"
The Cyan Nether Sword resting across his knees suddenly emits a deep hum, its blade shimmering with Yin-Yang Dao Pattern, Five Elements Spiritual Light, Annihilation, End, and other Dao Principles.
Within Chen Sheng’s sea of consciousness, countless principles converge and clash like torrents of crashing waves!
The principle of Void Flame’s creation and destruction comprehended from the Nine Suns Realm, the termination of the Celestial Circulation from the Celestial Abyss Realm, and the infinite support of heaven and earth from the Xuanhuang Realm...
Each principle is extraordinarily profound, combined with the massive refinement of the Source Bead, propelling Chen Sheng’s enlightenment realm and Dao Domain evolution to rapid progress over the years.
Yet, a new problem arises—vast but not unified.
Previously, Chen Sheng was aware of this issue, attempting to comprehend Yin Yang, Five Elements, Annihilation, End... from these principles as much as possible.
He had consciously relied on the "Yin Yang Five Elements Annihilation Calamity Resolution" for integration, but alas, the results were mediocre!
...
Now, the Dao Texts of the "Five Volumes of the End" suddenly accelerate in Chen Sheng’s sea of consciousness, the core essence of returning all techniques to the end resonates like thunder:
"The Dao of End is not solely about annihilation, but the culmination of myriad paths. The end of fire is ashes, the end of water is dryness, the end of space is ruins, different paths ultimately converge to unity..."
His eyes abruptly open, a light of insight flashing through them; he realizes he cannot merely absorb myriad principles, but must also find a "culmination" for these principles.
And the "Dao of End" is precisely the thread that can string all pearls together.
He slowly raises his hand, revealing a prototype of Dao Domain, intertwined with black and white Qi, in his palm.
In the past, he instinctively operated the Five Elements and Annihilation simultaneously when activating the Dao Domain, thus naturally evolving the End.
But now, following the guidance of the "Five Volumes of the End," he first uses the End Dao Principle as the foundation, condensing Yin Yang Qi within it, then integrates Annihilation principle into the Dao Texts.
The Void Dao Principle is embedded into the framework of "the end of space as ruins," while the power of the Five Elements is arranged sequentially according to "birth and control culminating in the end," systematically integrating into the Dao Domain.
Chen Sheng’s thoughts become clearer:
"I see... I only knew ’destruction’ before, but not ’collection’."
"Just as a flame is not necessarily better the stronger it is but must be refined to the state of ’embers extinguished’, igniting upon touch, burning to completion."
"The Void Dao Principle is not merely about concealment but reaching the state of ’ruins silent’, able to contain myriad things, able to extinguish myriad things..."
He observes the Dao Domain in his palm, where black and white Qi shows faint hints of Red Gold, verdant luster swirling within, the size of the Domain halved, yet the pressure contained within tripled—this is the power of integration.
"The Five Volumes of the End, indeed encompasses all phenomena, high-reaching and unfathomable!"
With assistance from the "Five Volumes of the End," Chen Sheng dismantles each component of the Dao Domain, then reassembles them according to the most exquisite structure.
He imagines that once the Dao Domain is thoroughly integrated, his power will possess explosiveness far beyond others of the same level.
Outside the window, the star glory of Tianxuan Star spills through the crevices of the hall, falling on Chen Sheng, intertwining with the Dao Domain’s halo into a golden light curtain.
The Cyan Nether Sword no longer hums, only a condensed black and white Sword Pattern remains on its blade, subtly flowing with the Dao Rhyme of the End.
Chen Sheng’s breath gradually synchronizes with the Dao Domain, myriad principles in his sea of consciousness converge like rivers into the sea, slowly merging into the torrent of End Dao Rhyme.
...
A fortnight passes in the blink of an eye.
Chen Sheng sits cultivating, the Dao Texts of the "Five Volumes of the End" circulate in his sea of consciousness like a slow-moving river of stars.
The Dao Domain around him has initially revealed a state of integration, with black and white Qi as the foundation, vaguely sketching a framework outlined by End Dao Rhyme.
Just then, the Star Hub Pendant hanging from his waist suddenly heats slightly, and a gentle Spirit Light spills forth, coalescing into a Communication Talisman in mid-air.
It is the exclusive communication method among direct disciples of the Yunlu Daoist Palace, and the frequency of rune flickers indicates that there are three communicators.
Chen Sheng opens his eyes, Dao Rhyme in his pupils immediately retreating, restoring a peaceful expression.
He raises a hand with a light wave, as the Ninth Layer restriction enveloping the palace recedes like the tide, revealing three familiar figures outside the door.
Brother Taiyuan holds a duster, with gentle eyes, Brother Meteor carries the Star Sword, appearing silent.
Brother Cold Monarch stands with hands behind his back, a faint pattern of frost congeals on his Daoist Robe, yet a trace of mischief hangs at the corner of his mouth.
"Greetings to the three senior brothers!"
Chen Sheng steps forward quickly, bowing in salute.
"Junior brother need not be overly formal."
Brother Taiyuan smiles stepping forward, lightly waving the duster, a ray of Spirit Light sweeps across the hall, sensing the rich Dao Rhyme and condensed Dao Domain energy within, a glint of approval flashing in his eyes:
"Seeing junior brother’s cultivation ambiance, I suppose you’ve gained considerable insight into the ’Five Volumes of the End’?"
...
The Spirit Tea of the Xuanxing Palace is currently steaming with delicate smoke, the tea as clear as amber, reflecting the star brilliance circulating on the Void Jade walls within the hall.
Chen Sheng just replenished the cups of the three senior brothers, and Taiyuan sets down his tea cup, his finger brushing the rim, a warm smile rising to his brows:
"Junior brother, when you were inducted under our master’s tutelage, it happened to be a particularly busy period, the three of us, as senior brothers, were unable to prepare congratulatory gifts promptly, so today we are here to make up for that."
No sooner had the words been spoken, Chen Sheng hurriedly declines:
"You jest, senior brothers, how could I trouble senior brothers with extravagance? I appreciate the sentiment, but gifts are entirely unnecessary."