She was a fated successor, someone who had inherited his legacy by chance.
By rights, only those who mastered the Tai Xuan Scripture to the Land Immortal level could activate his Sword Dao Essence. He had left this projection to convey certain truths.
“Could there be others with unique constitutions?” he wondered, his gaze finally settling on the young Daoist before him. His expression froze, his eyes widening in shock.
“How is this possible?!” he exclaimed, staring intently at Ning Changge.
Ning Changge smiled faintly. “Junior Ning Changge greets the Celestial Sword Immortal.”
Li Taibai’s eyes were filled with disbelief. In his perception, the young man before him radiated an impossible concentration of the forces of heaven and earth, as if he were a living embodiment of those forces.
What an extraordinary phenomenon.
“You… within your body…” Li Taibai began, his voice trembling with awe.
Ning Changge extended a finger, a point of mana glowing brilliantly. All eyes were drawn to it.
“Are you referring to this?” Ning Changge asked with a smile.
The Celestial Sword Immortal moved closer, his gaze fixed on the point of mana, his expression filled with wonder.
“Is this… the essence of heaven and earth?” he asked.
Ning Changge nodded. “Yes. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to call it spiritual energy.”
The moment he saw the Celestial Sword Immortal’s projection, Ning Changge had pieced together the answers to his questions.
As expected, Li Taibai sighed deeply.
“Those of us with unique constitutions have long sought this, yet we never achieved what you have. To think that, thousands of years later, a mere mortal body has accomplished this feat. Your comprehension surpasses all who came before you.”
The crowd didn’t understand their conversation, but the Celestial Sword Immortal’s praise was undeniable.
For a figure who had dominated the Nine Provinces 3,000 years ago to speak so highly of someone—what an honor.
Ning Changge remained composed. “So, the strongest of the Nine Provinces did attempt to absorb spiritual energy. I’m curious—why did you fail?”
It was clear that those with spiritual constitutions, upon reaching the Land Immortal realm, would vaguely perceive the essence of heaven and earth and attempt to absorb it. Li Taibai was one such individual.
But they had all failed.
This was why the Immortal Dao had never emerged in the Nine Provinces.
Li Taibai’s gaze grew distant, as if recalling the past. Finally, he smiled bitterly.
“It’s a vicious cycle.”
“Those with spiritual constitutions cannot perceive the essence of heaven and earth until they reach the Land Immortal realm. But by then, their bodies are locked by true energy, making it nearly impossible to absorb spiritual energy. They can only achieve a partial fusion through certain techniques.” Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel·fıre·net
This was the pain of all who reached this level.
They could perceive it but not absorb it. And those who could absorb it couldn’t perceive it.
They were trapped in an endless loop.
At most, they could use spiritual energy to enhance their combat power. Li Taibai was a master of this, which was one reason his strength had once dominated the Nine Provinces.
He had left the stone wall’s martial art and his Sword Dao Essence to pass on his pursuit of the Dao. The strongest of the Nine Provinces had agreed that only those with spiritual constitutions had any hope of success. Ordinary individuals, even if they became Land Immortals, could not perceive the essence of heaven and earth.
“Countless geniuses have tried to solve this problem, to uncover more of the essence of heaven and earth, but none succeeded.”
“To think that, thousands of years later, I would witness the realization of the Dao.”
Li Taibai’s eyes burned with passion, though tinged with regret. He bowed deeply to Ning Changge—not to him personally, but to the path he had forged.
Ning Changge accepted the gesture calmly.
He now understood everything. The strongest of the Nine Provinces had sought the Immortal Dao, though they didn’t know it by that name. They had pursued the essence of heaven and earth, striving for greater power.
Though they had not achieved the true Immortal Dao, they had learned to use spiritual energy in simple ways. Li Taibai’s ability to leave behind his Sword Dao Essence for 3,000 years was one such application.
But Ning Changge was the true pioneer of the Immortal Dao.
Seeing Li Taibai’s reaction, Ning Changge said slowly, “I call it the Immortal Dao, distinct from martial arts.”
“The Immortal Dao cherishes life, seeks longevity, and strives for immortality.”
Li Taibai’s eyes widened, and then he laughed heartily.
“The Immortal Dao cherishes life! What a pursuit of longevity and immortality! Excellent! Excellent!”
“Countless people in the Nine Provinces have sought this path. Such a path is worthy of our pursuit!”
Finally, his eyes filled with regret.
“Alas, I was born in the wrong era. I will never witness the flourishing of this Immortal Dao. What a pity.”
Ning Changge smiled faintly.
“There’s no need for regret. Let me assure you, Senior—when I succeed, the Nine Provinces will become a land of immortals, where all are dragons!”