After Lingguang lost conscious, Shen Lian spoke in a serious tone, "Grandmaster, you have attained the state of Tian Xian?"
Ziling replied, "That is not the case. If it was just Qing Xiao alone who successfully cultivated the Boundless Taiyin, she could have easily made it past the three trials of Dao and achieved the heavenly immortal state. However, both of us are still closely connected. If she were to go through the trial of Dao, she would trigger my portion of the trial. Essentially, the power of the trial of Dao would double. If this were to happen, our chance of survival is zero."
Shen Lian queried further, "Grandmaster, if you were to successfully cultivate the Boundless Taiyang, what are the chances that you will survive the trial of Dao?"
Ziling pondered over Shen Lian's question and replied at last, "Ten percent."
Shen Lian sighed as he realized why the grandmaster was in no hurry to absorb the Real Fire of the Sun and to successfully cultivate the Boundless Taiyang. Their respective trial of Dao would overlap on the day of her success. With Yin and Yang complementing each other, it would not be as simple as the power of the trial of Dao doubling anymore.
He replied in a low tone, "Grandmaster, is there a way for you to circ.u.mvent the trial of Dao and achieve the heavenly immortal state directly?"
Ziling saw the determination in Shen Lian eyes; she knew that if there was truly a way, Shen Lian would do whatever it takes to find it for her.
She replied gently, "No, there isn't. Stop thinking about it anymore. Moreover, with our combined power, we could easily stall the trial of Dao for a thousand years, just as the old man did. Starting from now, I just need to distance myself away from whims. With that, I should be able to delay the trial of Dao to at least three or five hundred years."
She was aware that there was a way to circ.u.mvent the trial of Dao. She would be able to skip past the trial of Dao and achieve the heavenly immortal state directly. However, the Dharma existed only in legends. It would take a lot of effort if one were to search for it. She did not want Shen Lian to worry about her at the expense of his cultivation progress.
Shen Lian had just attained immortality, and he was in his prime. If he was too distracted and missed the golden period, he would not be able to get it back anymore.
As Shen Lian's teacher, she had not done much for him - precisely why she would not allow herself to burden him.
Whether it was for Qing Xuan or for the Taixu branch, Shen Lian was the best heir to the orthodoxy.
Shen Lian was aware that there was a way to circ.u.mvent the trial too. However, he was unsure of the details. When he asked his Founding Master about it, she insisted that it did not exist. He knew what she was thinking; the more she behaved in this manner, the more determined Shen Lian was. He decided that he would find the way to circ.u.mvent the trial for her.
He recalled the underwater palace in the depths of the sea and the strange words within it. He thought it was about time that he visited it again. After attaining immortality, he was in no hurry to visit the underwater palace. Instead, he had been working on his Dao nature, improving his supernatural power and mana. Now that it came to his mind again, he knew that it was the right time to head over.
A Zhenren would act in accordance to his nature and the circ.u.mstances; a fitting description in Shen Lian's case.
Ziling swung out a ribbon. She caught Lingguang and Shen Lian with it. The next moment, she was standing in the void while the altar started shrinking. The jade tree on it underwent some changes and turned into a golden book.
The altar flew into Ziling's sleeve, whilst the little book was left for Shen Lian.
Ziling replied, "This is the projection of Jinque Jade Booklet. I am handing it to you now."
She gazed at Shen Lian meaningfully.
Shen Lian could not help but to say, "Grandmaster, what if I could not keep it with me?" He was reminded of his promise to Ye Liuyun.
Ziling replied, "It would mean that it was never yours to begin with. There isn't much in this world that one could retain anyway." She continued, "Moreover, losing it might be a blessing in disguise. You will understand it soon."
Shen Lian was tempted to tell Ziling about Ye Liuyun, but now, he decided that he would just hand the Jinque Jade Booklet over to Ye Liuyun.
Though, Ziling did not give him a chance to speak. She dragged him along as she took a huge leap. The moment they appeared again, Shen Lian found himself hovering over Mount Qing Xuan.
Shen Lian thought to himself, "This must be the technique of Crossing the Void." At the same time, he was getting more and more confused by the relationship between Qing Xiao and Ziling. After Qing Xiao had successfully cultivated the Boundless Taiyin, Ziling could clearly invoke the state of The Everlasting Taiyin too. Hence, she could cross the void just as a Tian Xian could.
Suddenly, he felt an incredible force tugging at his Primordial Spirit. He was being summoned to a secret location.
An image appeared in his heart. It was at the side of the netherworld, and he could see an ancient altar. Immeasurable fresh blood was flowing down the trench on the altar, and the abstruse marks on the altar glowed. The force befell the world.
Countless demonic soldiers followed behind Ye Liuyun. They worshipped at his feet. Ye Liuyun was sitting alone on his scarlet throne and had a purple cloak on. He looked exactly like an Asura Saint Lord. From afar, he communicated with Shen Lian through divine thoughts as he smiled at him.
Shen Lian responded with a smile. The Jinque Jade Booklet was no longer controlled by him and had flown into a dark hole.
"Brother Shen, you are an honorable man. Liuyun would definitely repay you handsomely." The words that seemed to have come from Nine Underworlds swirled around Shen Lian's Primordial Spirit.
If Shen Lian wanted to resist the summon, there was a great chance that he would have succeeded. However, he did not do so. Regardless, he owed Ye Liuyun a favor. After this, he had been freed from his obligation. This was more comforting than having an invaluable treasure in his possession.
Shortly after, his Primordial Spirit flew back into his physical body. He opened his eyes and walked towards Gu Caiwei and Ruoxi.
Zhao Siming was fighting with Choushi; it seemed that they had met earlier than expected.
Unlike the previous four rounds, Choushi was not as laid back in this round anymore. He took the fight seriously. Each spell was performed with great precision, and there was not even a single opening for Zhao Siming's sword aura.
Zhao Siming was floating up and down, left and right; it was as though his body was one with the sword gleam. Just as the moonlight, he had encompassed the entire sky. However, he could not get any closer to Choushi.
That was when he realized that Choushi was not an easy opponent. In fact, he might be the strongest opponent that he had ever come across.
Zhao Siming did not dare to perform the swordcraft of thunderous sword aura. The sword gleam may be fast enough, but he could not operate it flexibly. If he did not manage to achieve anything with it, it would be a waste of his mana. In that case, his responses would be dulled, which would put him in a much worse position.
He was caught between offense and defense now. Even though he was still attacking, but he did not manage to deal any damage to Choushi. Albeit he did not use thunderous sword aura, Choushi was driving him slowly to the brink of exhaustion.
Choushi's previous opponents gave their best, and they did not manage to defeat him. In the end, they were worn out by Choushi.
Indeed, one should learn from one's predecessors.
Shen Lian spoke to Gu Caiwei, "I have decided to let Choushi join the Bier Discourse of Dao. Senior Apprentice-Sister, do you think that is a good idea?"
Gu Caiwei replied, "He seems to be a person who prefers to hide his weaknesses. I don't think he will be willing to take up the task."
Shen Lian chuckled, "He will definitely say yes. I'm going to let him take over Temple of Longevity."
Gu Caiwei was shocked. As the founder of Temple of Longevity, she knew what the temple meant to Qing Xuan. It was more than just a supplementary branch. In fact, it represented Qing Xuan in the outside world and carried significant meaning. The person who took over Temple of Longevity would be an influential individual in the cultivation community beyond the seas. It would even be possible for the person to catch up to Xuantong Demon King. After all, Temple of Longevity was backed by Qing Xuan - a Daoist sect with ten thousand years of history.
"It would be hard to convince everyone else," she replied.
Shen Lian smiled, "Then he would just have to gain everyone's acknowledgment."