Chapter 496 497: Only Hoping That Future Disciples May Walk Without Worry
Chapter 497: May Our Descendants Walk Without Worry
In that moment, heaven and earth underwent drastic changes.
All Foundation Establishment True Persons who had cultivated the 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 divine ability simultaneously raised their heads to gaze skyward, where they saw a phantom star rising steadily.
"What... is that?"
"Is it the fruition position Mu Changsheng created? Does he intend to use it to achieve True Lord status?"
This time differed from Chong Guang's attempt—without 【Ang Xiao】 drawing attention, the True Lords across the land naturally reacted differently.
"Amitabha!"
The Pure Land sect acted first. The 【Bodhisattva of Coiling Dragon and Serpent Shadows】, whose peerless beauty carried an alluring charm with every glance, manifested her Dharma Body over Jiangxi.
In the next instant, the Bodhisattva intertwined her fingers, palms upturned as her jade-like fingers extended gracefully like a blooming lotus. At its center cradled a radiant light of utmost purity—connected to celestial stars above and spiritual veins below—which she swept toward the direction where 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 had manifested.
Countless gazes turned toward this spectacle.
In Jiangdong, Lü Yang's expression tightened: 'This Bodhisattva corresponds to the 【Hairpin Gold】 fruition position! She's going all out from the start!'
That radiant light was none other than the profound mystery of 【Hairpin Gold】's fruition position!
Its name: 【Hidden Golden Chamber】!
Metal essence concealed, form fragmented, hidden within boudoirs to enhance brilliance and manifest power—such is Hairpin Gold... Its divine ability excels in degradation and empowerment!
Thus, if 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 were struck by this light, it would immediately embody the "coiling shadows" imagery—all divine abilities would first weaken by thirty percent, followed by an inherent drop in rank. Meanwhile, the 【Bodhisattva of Coiling Dragon and Serpent Shadows】 would correspondingly enhance her divine abilities and status.
"Boom!"
The next moment, the radiant light struck 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 squarely—only to pass straight through it unimpeded.
"...Hmm?"
Witnessing this, the 【Bodhisattva of Coiling Dragon and Serpent Shadows】 frowned slightly. The feedback from her divine ability felt off, as though it had struck nothing at all.
'Neither real nor illusory... How is this possible?'
At this moment, not only the Bodhisattva but other True Lords also revealed astonishment, discerning the profound transformation that had occurred in that fleeting instant.
'A fruition position's divine ability?'
This was a privilege reserved solely for orthodox fruition positions—only achievable by channeling through a Golden Core cave heaven. Ordinary external Dao fruition positions lacked such marvels.
Yet now, 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 displayed methods akin to orthodox fruition positions. Though perhaps not identical, they were strikingly close. It was precisely this divine ability—shifting between reality and illusion—that allowed 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 to evade the Bodhisattva's radiant strike.
Even Lü Yang was taken aback.
'In the previous life, that old thief Chong Guang also employed similar methods, but they didn't seem as formidable as Ancestor's usage—capable of withstanding even a fruition position's divine ability?'
Just then, 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 trembled.
A figure strode forth, shrouded in layers of cloud-light that obscured his features save for a pair of eyes surveying the four directions of the world.
It was Ancestor Nether Whisper.
Unlike Chong Guang—who had perfected both Blessed Land and Metal Essence, ultimately achieving the 【Morning Truth Taixu Cave Heaven】—he fell far short.
'I haven't refined a Blessed Land nor had time to extract Metal Essence. Fortunately, 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 is inherently an external Dao fruition position and doesn't require these. Yet this fruition imagery proves remarkably convenient—while its offensive power is mediocre, its ability to evade calamities makes me exceptionally difficult to kill...'
Ancestor Nether Whisper silently contemplated the marvels of his fruition position.
After a moment, he raised his head, scanning his surroundings. His gaze brushed briefly over Lü Yang before settling on Jiangnan, where a mischievous smile surfaced.
The next instant, the cloud-light masking his features dissipated as his voice resounded across the land:
"This Protector, Nether Whisper, achieves 【Worry-Free Heaven】 beyond the seas."
"Rumble—!"
Immediately, the previously indifferent Sword Pavilion erupted into chaos. A sword-wielding youth rose from Ji Tian Cliff, gaping dumbfounded toward the distant seas.
【True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue】: "???"
Did I just hear... Nether Whisper became a True Lord?
Impossible!
At this moment, 【True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue】 nearly succumbed to irrepressible self-doubt, his handsome youthful features twisting repeatedly.
"Hahaha!"
Witnessing this, Ancestor Nether Whisper burst into uproarious laughter.
Amid his mirth, divine abilities like 【Essence of All Flowers】, 【Sea of Sorrow Infusion】, 【Ferry Across the Lost Ford】, 【Song of Eternal Regret】, and 【Passing the Torch】 manifested around him.
"Crack!"
The next moment, accompanied by a sound like shattering glass, events unfolded exactly as Lü Yang had predicted—with foundations stripped away, True Lords began withdrawing from the world one after another.
The order of withdrawal followed cultivation depth.
【True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue】 was first, followed by 【Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva】. In the firmament above, all fruition stars dimmed into obscurity.
Yet Ancestor Nether Whisper remained unsatisfied.
'...Not enough!'
He exhaled deeply. Though True Lords were departing, Lü Yang would undoubtedly face countless trials ahead—trials beyond his reach.
'I must do more.'
Merely having True Lords withdraw was insufficient!
'I can accomplish more!'
In the next instant, his form growing increasingly ethereal, Ancestor Nether Whisper opened his mouth. A celestial voice carrying immense, formless power rapidly spread across the four directions:
"This Protector achieves 【Worry-Free Heaven】 and establishes 【Eternal Bliss Garden】. All under heaven—cultivators and mortals alike—may be received by 【Eternal Bliss Garden】. Complete its bounties, and you shall be granted cultivation arts, divine abilities, spiritual treasures, and materials... 【Eternal Bliss Garden】 exists for no other purpose than to open a path of advancement for all..."
In Jiangdong, Lü Yang exhaled heavily.
Just as Ancestor Nether Whisper's voice resounded across the land, a tremendous power—channeled through the connection between banner spirit and banner master—descended into the Myriad Spirits Banner.
'This is...'
With a sweep of his divine sense, Lü Yang immediately understood: it was the authority over 【Eternal Bliss Garden】, transmitted by Ancestor Nether Whisper.
'【Eternal Bliss Garden】—an exceptionally covert existence rooted within yet transcending major factions. If I can control it, I indirectly control all cultivators selected by 【Eternal Bliss Garden】. This would greatly benefit my future grand ritual of Steering the World!'
Lü Yang raised his head toward 【Worry-Free Heaven】.
For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see Ancestor Nether Whisper looking down at him, their gazes meeting before the latter offered an expectant smile.
'Ancestor...'
He had achieved 【Worry-Free Heaven】, not 【Heaven of Non-Existence】.
This reflected both minor modifications Ancestor Nether Whisper had made to 【Heaven of Non-Existence】 and the aspirations he had embedded within:
'May our descendants walk without worry.'
The next moment, 【Worry-Free Heaven】 withdrew from the world.
Even through the Myriad Spirits Banner, contact with Ancestor Nether Whisper became impossible—not due to interference, but because the distance between them had grown immeasurably vast.
"...Hah!"
Closing his eyes, Lü Yang exhaled deeply before reopening them with restored composure. Immediately, the 【Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes】 delivered a message:
'Heavenly Son Jia You, the Three Dukes shall soon withdraw.'
'Summon all ministers to the palace at once!'