Chapter 344: All Creatures Strive for Freedom Under the Frosty Sky!
Chapter 344: Ten Thousand Creatives Strive for Freedom Under Frosty Skies!
Above the layered sea of clouds within the [Heaven of Non-Existence].
Chongguang stood amidst the clouds, slightly surprised. This time, he hadn't assumed the identity of the Innate True Person but appeared here in his original form.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist."
Turning toward the voice, he saw clouds swirling to reveal an elderly man with white hair and weathered features, smiling at him: "You are the first to reach this place."
Chongguang didn't respond immediately, instead continuing to survey his surroundings before speaking solemnly: "I had assumed this final tribulation would recreate the scene where you sought golden essence... Was I mistaken, or do you wish to converse with me before I officially begin, just as before?"
"A bit of both."
The Innate True Person smiled faintly, flicking his sleeve to transform the mist into a tea pavilion. He took his seat first, with Chongguang following shortly after, sitting opposite him.
"Having experienced four tribulations, could you share your thoughts?"
The Innate True Person's tone was unhurried, exuding composure: "My life has been filled with countless tribulations. In your eyes, what shape do they take?"
Chongguang frowned slightly at the question.
But soon, his expression relaxed as he answered candidly: "You truly have endured hardships."
"The first tribulation, [Essence of All Flowers], was during your Qi Refining stage. You were too young then, unable to suppress desires, making it inevitable that you were deceived."
"[Sea of Sorrow Infusion] was your tribulation in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. With your path forward seemingly blocked, despair took hold. That you overcame it and regained your Dao heart is no small feat."
"[Ferry Across the Lost Ford] came when you sought 'Empty Attainment.' Unable to find alternative methods and lacking orthodox teachings as a rogue cultivator, confusion arose—an innate disparity in foundation that cannot be blamed on you. It simply meant you were born lacking a strand of destiny."
"As for [Song of Eternal Regret], it was the resentment that followed your realization of the truth."
Here, Chongguang summarized:
"Looking at your life as a whole, you existed under the rule of True Lords from Qi Refining onward, ensnared in schemes with no escape. Frankly, reaching this point is already a stroke of heavenly fortune."
The Innate True Person burst into laughter at these words: "Heavenly fortune... Heavenly fortune, hahaha!"
"You speak truly, fellow Daoist!"
"Without heavenly fortune, how could I have reached Foundation Establishment Perfection? Without heavenly fortune, how could I have found that seed of a boundary sky and manifested this [Heaven of Non-Existence]?"
"It was all heavenly fortune..."
Yet in the next instant, his laughter ceased abruptly: "But if someone like me, blessed by heaven, still cannot become a True Lord... do you find that reasonable?"
"I know how the outside world speaks of me. Many True Lords have come to probe this [Heaven of Non-Existence], believing I seek to possess those who enter, to have them undergo tribulations in my stead—that after completing five tribulations, only the [Innate True Person] would remain, not themselves..."
At this, the Innate True Person gave a cold smile:
"...Pity. In this world, those True Lords are all selfish creatures. Even when I plainly told them, they refused to consider it."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, True Person Chongguang narrowed his eyes, recalling previous conversations with the Innate True Person before a sudden light dawned in his gaze:
"Because you lack a soul?"
The Innate True Person smiled and nodded: "Correct!"
What existed here was merely a consciousness within the Heaven of Non-Existence—the true soul of Mu Changsheng had long since reincarnated, as he had stated to every entrant.
Yet none noticed. None realized.
"The golden essence required to become a True Lord... is refined from the soul! Without a soul, how could I seek gold? How could I ascend?"
He had placed the answer within the riddle itself.
But none discovered it.
Or perhaps they did but refused to believe, for if not for seeking gold or ascension, why would the Innate True Person orchestrate such an elaborate scheme?
Chongguang's expression grew solemn: "Then... what is it you truly seek?"
"To [Begin Anew]."
The Innate True Person's tone was calm: "This [Begin Anew] is not for myself, but for my reincarnated self to have that chance."
Chongguang raised an eyebrow: "Your soul has reincarnated. You've already begun anew."
The Innate True Person shook his head: "With the True Lords watching from above, all is illusion. What new beginning? It's merely repeating past mistakes!"
"You should understand this deeply."
Here, the Innate True Person's lips curled mockingly: "With your talent, Dao heart, and comprehension, attaining True Lord status should have been assured."
"And yet?"
"Your pursuit of gold—how arduous it has been! And you're among the fortunate, having encountered that madwoman Xue Feihong, leaving you at least a sliver of hope."
At these words, Chongguang was also drawn into memory.
It was the day before he was discarded, when True Lord Qingcheng Feixue decided to shift her support to Daoist Hong Yun's gold-seeking endeavor. She had summoned him to her presence.
"You are of no more use to me. Leave."
True Lord Qingcheng Feixue's expression had been indifferent, her tone devoid of fluctuation: "What comes next depends on yourself. Each according to their ability—you understand this."
"If you die, it will only prove your limitations."
"If you succeed, I may one day address you as 'fellow Daoist.'"
Recalling this, Chongguang couldn't help but chuckle wryly before affirming the Innate True Person's words: "Indeed, to earn a True Lord's regard is my good fortune."
The Innate True Person gave a cold laugh:
"And yet, despite this, you still struggle to achieve true success. This shows that one or two individuals cannot alter the greater momentum—this world has nearly become stagnant!"
"Even so, what do you intend to do?"
Facing Chongguang's question, the Innate True Person straightened his posture and declared solemnly: "I intend to reverse this momentum—to overthrow the heavens looming over all True Persons!"
"Impossible!" Chongguang shook his head.
"Permanently? Of course not." The Innate True Person said gravely: "But temporarily? This current [Heaven of Non-Existence] is already capable."
"...What?"
Seeing Chongguang's surprise, the Innate True Person suddenly smiled: "There's something peculiar about [Heaven of Non-Existence] that none have noticed."
"Or perhaps they noticed but disregarded it."
"That is—[Heaven of Non-Existence] lacks corresponding Dao foundations and techniques! Its foundation is built entirely upon other Foundation Establishment True Persons!"
"In other words, [Heaven of Non-Existence] does not cultivate Foundation Establishment True Persons capable of elevating it. Instead, it plunders those who have cultivated other fruit positions, compelling them to bear its weight. Thus, as [Heaven of Non-Existence] rises, other fruit positions must inevitably fall!"
These words left Chongguang stunned.
He understood the Innate True Person's method now: using [Heaven of Non-Existence] to divest Foundation Establishment cultivators under the rule of True Lords, causing their fruit positions to decline!
Once successful, all True Lords would be affected!
For the lofty fruit positions also require Foundation Establishment True Persons to uphold them with their Dao foundations. Too few Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the fruit positions would withdraw from the world.
Withdrawn fruit positions become difficult to attain.
And if a True Lord occupies a withdrawn fruit position, they too would be constrained, unable to interfere in worldly affairs!
Even with a True Lord's power, using their personal Dongtian to elevate a fruit position back into manifestation would not be instantaneous.
This interval would be the opportunity for all True Persons!
An open sea and sky, where all may leap freely!
Yet correspondingly, the architect of this scheme would inevitably earn the enmity of all True Lords.
"Fellow Daoist, this is your fifth tribulation."
"Its name: [Contest of Freedom]."
As he spoke, the Innate True Person extended his hand, a sphere of light materializing in his palm: "If you are willing, you may begin the tribulation now."
"If fear holds you back, you may still leave."
"......"
Gazing at the Innate True Person before him, Chongguang fell into rare silence before finally curling his lips into a smile, laughter bursting forth from between his teeth:
"Hahaha... Excellent, truly excellent!"
"Mu Changsheng... What a Mu Changsheng!"
Before his laughter faded, Chongguang's expression turned resolute as he seized the sphere of light, refining it instantly: "Ten thousand creatures strive for freedom under frosty skies—what tribulation is there to speak of? This is precisely my opportunity to prove the Dao!"
Boom!
In the next moment, heaven and earth underwent drastic transformation.