473 - Made-Up Martial Arts, Have You Really Mastered Them, Disciple?

Chapter 473: Your Disciple Summoned a True Dragon As they gazed at the Tai-Cang Book (太蒼書), Tian Zi sighed with emotion, saying, "If my guess is correct, the Tai-Cang Book should be near the Border Wilderness, and it shouldn't be too far from me." Li Xuan laughed and said, "You are quite perceptive. This book is indeed not far from you." "Dao Ancestor, with the Tai-Cang Book in your possession, you are now the master of the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth." Tian Zi flipped through the Tai-Cang Book and said. "This Heaven and Earth..." Li Xuan shook his head. "The Dao Ancestor must not think much of it. However, has anyone ever obtained the Tai-Cang Book before?" Tian Zi asked with doubt. "This book is actually quite dull. I've been in seclusion here; why would I care about such things? It was merely by chance that I accepted a disciple, and it was my second disciple who discovered..." Li Xuan pointed to the principles within the Tai-Cang Book and said, "To become the Heavenly Dao, the first thing you must do is to operate these principles, unifying them into one..." With the principles delineated by the Tai-Cang Book as his foundation, Li Xuan began to impart to Tian Zi the methods of the Heavenly Dao—how to operate the principles, how to alter them, and how to unify them. To become the Heavenly Dao, there is an extremely crucial step: Tian Zi must transform into a principle, using himself as the core, to unify and operate the principles of Heaven and Earth. Tian Zi, being the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, finds it not difficult to transform into a principle, and he won't lose his consciousness. Ultimately, though, he must abandon his current physical form. This means he must disperse this corporeal form, and the process of dispersing it is inherently painful. "The Heavenly Dao is formless. If you are the Heavenly Dao, who could possibly find you? You are omnipresent. You control the Heaven and Earth, you strengthen it through nature's rules, expand it further, and the stronger the Heaven and Earth become, the stronger you will be..." Li Xuan was excited about his concept of the Heavenly Dao. If successful, the Great Wilderness Heaven and Earth will grow continuously stronger, possibly breaking through the Unyielding Land, turning the entire area into a thriving Heaven and Earth. "Will I no longer have a body in the future?" Tian Zi looked somewhat distressed. "If you are the Heavenly Dao, why would you care about a body? The entire Heaven and Earth is your body. You can become any being. Within Heaven and Earth, every blade of grass, every tree, all living beings can become your body. "Of course, as the Heavenly Dao, you must naturally abide by the rules. Otherwise, acting recklessly would cause chaos in Heaven and Earth, which wouldn't be beneficial for the Heavenly Dao..." Li Xuan said solemnly. "I understand!" Tian Zi nodded earnestly, declaring, "I want those who target me to never find me again. One day, I will let them experience the majestic power of the Heavenly Dao!" "I'll release some of your bonds. Start with the Great Wilderness on your Path to the Heavenly Dao." Li Xuan pointed, releasing part of Tian Zi's restraints, allowing him free movement within the Great Wilderness. "Once you successfully become the Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness, you'll extend it to the Spiritual Domain, the Divine Domain, and eventually the entire Heaven and Earth..." Tian Zi was thrilled, clenching his fists. "I will succeed, and I will become the Heavenly Dao. Tai-Cang is dead. From this day forth, this is the Heaven and Earth of the Great Wilderness, my Heaven and Earth of Tian Zi!" "Aaaagh... it hurts so much, but I'll endure! I'll make those guys pay for today's pain. And that terrifying being... someday, you'll taste the might of my Heavenly Dao!" Tian Zi cried out in agony, cursing as his body gradually dissipated, ultimately turning into a wisp of violet light. Eventually, the violet light merged with the Heaven and Earth, becoming a principle, albeit distinct from other principles. On that day, the martial artists of the Great Wilderness looked up in confusion, wondering why the sky seemed different. What exactly was different, they couldn't put into words. It seemed as though something majestic was hidden in the heavens? "Hahaha, I'm finally free, I can finally enjoy myself..." An inaudible voice echoed across the Great Wilderness. Tian Zi looked at every blade of grass and tree, every cultivator, filled with exhilaration and finding it immensely entertaining. "Right, I am the Heavenly Dao. I must have dignity. I must have rules..." Tian Zi took a deep breath and began establishing the rules of the Heavenly Dao, taking the first step towards becoming the Heavenly Dao. How to establish these rules and what rules to establish—Li Xuan had taught him everything. Tian Zi just needed to follow through. Li Xuan gazed up at the skies of the Great Wilderness, a radiant smile spreading across his face. Watching Tian Zi transition into the Heavenly Dao, he couldn't help but grow expectant. "Ah, the Heavenly Dao. Tai-Cang lacks a Heavenly Dao but the Great Wilderness will have one. Those who covet the Great Wilderness will ultimately face the power of the Heavenly Dao." Despite the rapid progress in the Great Wilderness's strength, its foundation remained shallow, lacking adequate time for accumulation, making it short of rare materials and treasures of Heaven and Earth. Now, however, with Tian Zi becoming the Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness, his foremost task is to rapidly enhance the strength of the Great Wilderness, allowing it to generate rare materials, and even expand its territory. How exactly to strengthen Heaven and Earth, how to set the rules of the Heavenly Dao, and what kind of rules would benefit both the Heavenly Dao and promote the efficient cultivation of martial artists—Li Xuan had imparted all of it to Tian Zi. Currently, Tian Zi is transforming into a newborn Heavenly Dao, establishing the rules of the Heavenly Dao—a process that takes time. But it won’t be long before Tian Zi becomes the Heavenly Dao of this piece of Heaven and Earth. Once he masters the rules of the Heavenly Dao and enhances the strength of the Great Wilderness, expansion will begin, eventually encompassing all of Heaven and Earth. There will only be the Great Wilderness Heaven and Earth in the future, and no Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth. Tai-Cang is dead; the Great Wilderness shall rise! From the moment Tian Zi shouted these words, the fate of the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth was sealed. "This Heaven and Earth now have a connection to me after all." Li Xuan sighed with emotion. "The fellows in the Domain of the Dao, with their endless thoughts, aiming to seize the position of the master of Heaven and Earth, are utterly foolish—they will ultimately endure the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Dao." Li Xuan chuckled inwardly. Tian Zi had been shackled for so long while the realm masters enjoyed their liberty. How could Tian Zi tolerate that? Surely, he would not go easy on those realm masters. The Great Wilderness is undergoing changes—silent and unnoticed. Martial artists within the Great Wilderness are unaware of these changes or how they differ from the past. After all, after the increase in spiritual energy of the Great Wilderness, transformations have continued to take place. "Soon he will become a freshly born Heavenly Dao." Li Xuan awaited expectantly. The remaining shackles on Tian Zi didn’t need his help to release them. As Tian Zi became the Heavenly Dao, he could gradually free himself as the Heavenly Dao expanded. Li Xuan was waiting for feedback from the Great Dao Golden Book, as the Heavenly Dao was his creation, a new concept within the Heaven and Earth, which would undoubtedly result in rich feedback. "It should allow my strength to further advance," Li Xuan thought, brimming with excitement. Nothing is more satisfying than an increase in strength. As for the changes in the Divine Domain, Li Xuan couldn't care less. In the Great Wilderness, he continued to instruct Tian Zi on becoming the Heavenly Dao, establishing the rules of the Heavenly Dao. These rules were the foundation of the operation of Heaven and Earth and were the source of the strength of the Heavenly Dao. They also had to possess the fundamental principle of "Supreme Impartiality," indiscriminate to all life within Heaven and Earth. Of course, the Heavenly Dao, which was Tian Zi, had its preferences. The rules of the Heavenly Dao would thus also impose some constraints on him, deterring him from acting capriciously. If he oversteps the rules, he will be alerted to it. However, once the rules of the Heavenly Dao are established, Tian Zi's original consciousness can exist outside of these rules, allowing them to operate autonomously, ensuring their impartiality. This doesn't mean Tian Zi has dissociated from the Heavenly Dao, nor that he can't control its rules; rather, his original consciousness resides in a non-interfering state concerning the Heavenly Dao's rules. In times of necessity, Tian Zi can indeed directly wield the power of the Heavenly Dao to confront formidable foes by controlling its rules. Li Xuan instructed Tian Zi considering his youthful nature and the tendency to act on whims, which deviates from the concept of the Heavenly Dao. Should Tian Zi wish to bestow a fortuitous encounter upon someone, he would employ his own power of the Heavenly Dao instead of bestowing through the established rules. There is a subtle difference between the two. This method balances impartiality within the rules of the Heavenly Dao while granting Tian Zi a degree of freedom. Becoming the Heavenly Dao is not something achieved overnight. Even though the Great Wilderness isn't vast, and Tian Zi is the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, Heavenly Dao represents a new path. However, as the saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Once he becomes the Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness, Tian Zi will have taken an important step. By familiarizing himself with the essence of the Heavenly Dao, he will be ready to govern all of Heaven and Earth. **Terms Explanation**: 1. **Tai-Cang Book (太蒼書)**: A mystical book related to the Great Wilderness and Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth. This term sticks closely to the original, offering the name in pinyin to maintain its cultural context. 2. **Tian Zi (天紫)**: A new character, described as a 'He'. He is the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, becomes the Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness, and provides insight into the mystical hierarchy of the narrative. 3. **Unyielding Land (不化之地)**: This term illustrates a mysterious, possibly inhospitable, region referenced in relation to breaking through to new realms of Heaven and Earth. 4. **Heavenly Dao (天道)**: In this context, it represents the laws or essence that governs Heaven and Earth, a universal concept often found in Chinese metaphysics. The translation retains the term "Heavenly Dao" to preserve its philosophical connotation. 5. **Original Consciousness (本源意識)**: A term used when discussing Tian Zi's state of being, maintaining his personal identity while becoming the Heavenly Dao. The differences between "Heavenly Dao" and more literal translations like "Heaven's Way" were balanced with its philosophical area, giving greater thematic nuance about determinism and cosmic order. The narrative effectively utilizes metaphysical components both familiar and distinct to many wuxia and xianxia narratives. Time swiftly passed as Li Xuan reveled in the establishment of the Heavenly Dao for the realm, eagerly anticipating feedback from the Great Dao Golden Book. As for the situation in the Divine Domain, he showed little interest. On this particular day, Li Xuan stood in the small village he had transmigrated to. The old dwellings were now covered in vines, and the once-small tree had grown increasingly lush. "Such serendipity, ineffable indeed!" At this moment, Li Xuan couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Had it not been for Xu Yan seeking out a master here and subsequently succeeding in cultivating a technique Li Xuan had haphazardly devised, Li Xuan might have either remained confined to this small village, living out his life in solitude, or sought an opportunity to leave for a nearby town. Xu Yan's arrival, along with the successful cultivation of the technique, led him onto the path of becoming a high-level expert, fighting for the cause of Martial Dao. Now, in a sense, this realm was under his control. He was, in some respects, the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Within the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth, he was invincible! In the near future, the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth would transform into the Great Wilderness Heaven and Earth. The Heavenly Dao of the Great Wilderness was his doctrine. "I, as the Dao Ancestor, have come to spread the Dao!" Li Xuan beamed broadly. Just then, the Great Dao Golden Book opened, and golden light surged forth. This time, the light cascaded around him like a golden avenue. Li Xuan's heart leapt with joy. Was this the feedback from the Heavenly Dao? He was momentarily puzzled; Tian Zi was still slightly short of becoming the Heavenly Dao, so why would the Great Dao Golden Book provide feedback so early? "Your disciple Xu Yan has subdued a True Dragon. You have gained the Dao of Subduing Dragons!" Subduing Dragons!!! Li Xuan was stunned. What had happened in the Divine Domain? He had only been inattentive for a short while, and his eldest disciple had already subdued a dragon? Where did the dragon come from? The Dragon Subduing Palm... Had it really subdued a dragon? Xu Yan had managed to subdue a True Dragon! "My eldest disciple truly is remarkable!" Li Xuan sighed inwardly. Boom! The golden light, akin to a vast avenue, coiled around his primordial spirit before gradually vanishing into it. The Dao of Subduing Dragons! At this moment, Li Xuan was comprehending the Dao of Subduing Dragons. This was the Dao in its true sense, closely related to his original concept of subduing dragons. Subduing dragons and commanding dragons! The Great Dragon Dao! "To subdue dragons, so this is it. Now, not only am I the Ancestor of Demons, but I may as well become the Ancestor of Dragons!" Li Xuan returned to his senses, his mouth twitching slightly, and he couldn't help but express his emotions. Only now did he look toward the Divine Domain. To his surprise, in the short span of his inattention, the Divine Domain had undergone earth-shattering changes. A section of the Domain of the Dao was falling, connecting with the Divine Domain, creating a passage between the two domains. The convergence of heavens and earths was unfolding at this moment. "This is getting more and more interesting. It seems they are vying for the position of the Lord of Heaven and Earth, aiming to break through the confines of being a realm master and become the Lord of Heaven and Earth. "Unfortunately, the path is flawed. In other heavens and earths, this might allow them to seize the authority of Heaven and Earth, but not in the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth. "Tai-Cang, truly extraordinary!" At this moment, even Li Xuan had to admit that Tai-Cang was indeed exceptional. As the foremost of the seven lords of Heaven and Earth, Tai-Cang's strength overshadowed that of the other six lords. Yet, even someone as powerful as Tai-Cang had fallen. Just how terrifying must the strong beings in the Unyielding Temple be? "My disciple subdued a dragon, but what kind of dragon was it?" Li Xuan smiled brightly. With Xu Yan's current strength, even if the Dragon Subduing Palm was intended for subduing, if it was a particularly powerful True Dragon, he wouldn't have been able to subdue it. "A True Dragon at the Heavenly Convergence Realm?" Li Xuan speculated. "It must be a juvenile dragon, not yet mature." True Dragons were the pinnacle among true spirits, and one of the seven lords of Heaven and Earth was a True Dragon, commanding a host of true spirits. "A mature True Dragon is no weaker than a divine martial artist. Xu Yan's current strength wouldn't allow him to subdue a mature True Dragon, so he must have subdued a juvenile one. "Involving such a dragon in a celestial plot surely implies complexity, possibly intending to provoke the Dragon Realm, borrowing the dragon's aura to impact the Divine Domain further and establish a connection between the Domain of the Dao and the Divine Domain, ultimately achieving a form of unity between heavens and earths. "It's quite possible they aim to steal a portion of the True Dragon's aura from the Dragon Realm to enhance their domain..." Li Xuan quickly dissected the intent behind the events. "Things just got more interesting." Li Xuan pondered. The Dragon Realm had relocated to the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth before the great changes in the universe, accompanied by various other true spirits. Today, they were all affiliates of the Dragon Realm. The heaven of true spirits, including the True Dragon, likely perished in that ancient conflict; even if not, it must have fallen into the hands of the Unyielding Temple. The lord of the heaven of true spirits probably perished as well. While Tian Zi had been locked within Heaven and Earth, uninformed of the battle, he knew nothing of the fate of other worlds. Glancing at Tian Zi, Li Xuan noted there were just a few days left for him to transform into the Heavenly Dao. The Great Wilderness was about to truly rise. "Tian Zi, Dao Ancestor now goes to watch the show." Li Xuan waved a hand and vanished in an instant. The shifts between the Divine Domain and the Domain of the Dao were naturally perceived by Tian Zi, being the Spirit of Heaven and Earth; although confined, he could still discern some changes within the realm. **Terms Explanation**: 1. **Dao of Subduing Dragons (降龍之道)**: A new philosophical or martial concept realizing the potential of the Dragon Subduing Palm as a broader Dao. The translation uses "Dao" to capture the cultural and philosophical significance beyond merely technique. 2. **True Dragon (真龍)**: A mythological creature with immense power, specific to this world's mythology. The term "True Dragon" carries weight as a mystical beast of significant power, the term conveys the authentic might and rare stature of these beings. 3. **Heavenly Convergence Realm (天合境)**: Implied to be a power class or realm. The term keeps the grandiose and mystical elements of the ranking intact while translating to maintain suspense and intrigue regarding the dragon's power. 4. **Dragon Realm (龍界)**: A specific realm that houses the True Dragons and is influential in the balance of power between the worlds. The term highlights the domain's primary inhabitants, reflecting their hierarchical significance. 5. **Unyielding Temple (不化神殿)**: A foreboding faction or place associated with considerable power and mystery. The translation remains unsecured while maintaining the context of authority and fear in the narrative. 6. **Heavenly Dao (天道):** The fundamental principles governing the universe, translated to match existing references while stressing its integral role within the cosmos. The portrayal of Li Xuan's amusement and surprise at his disciple's accomplishment ties into deeper themes of destiny and growth, while also embracing typical xianxia tropes. This narrative explores power dynamics on a cosmic scale, philosophical development, and the continuous maturation of characters within their respective worlds.