Chapter 363 - 257: Landscape of the Realm, Suppression by the Great Dao

Jiang Yi had once set foot in the [Taixu], a place only those at the True Monarch Level could enter.

That place was dim and boundless. If one’s Life Essence was not at Perfection and their Divine Techniques were not complete, they would be unable to remain there. Otherwise, they would encounter "Dao Transformation" and suffer the fate of having both their body and soul obliterated.

The [Foundation Establishment Realm] was somewhat similar to the [Taixu], yet also completely different.

The latter was ethereal and illusory, unreal and unsubstantial, while the former was a truly existing, wondrous domain.

Jiang Yi forged his myriad-vehicle Dao Foundation, and his Divine Sense soared, as if breaking through the world’s embryonic membrane. His entire being trembled violently.

Immediately after, immortal melodies drifted into his ears, and ten thousand auspicious clouds formed a long staircase, guiding him in.

’So the [Foundation Establishment Realm] is a boundless, vast "great world".’

Jiang Yi gazed into the distance. All around him were verdant green mountains and meandering Water Veins. Dense Spiritual Energy condensed into sweet rain and dew, scattering in all directions and nourishing the fertile fields.

Such a magnificent vista was truly vibrant with life, a refreshing and delightful sight to behold.

As Jiang Yi’s eyes opened and closed, lightning crackled and silver light flickered. A majestic and immense aura spread outward, covering an area of a hundred zhang.

Standing in the [Foundation Establishment Realm], he felt closer to the Great Dao. Numerous insights filled his mind, and many of his past questions were answered effortlessly.

’Foundation Establishment cultivates Life Essence. One must use life to nurture the Dao Foundation and perfect one’s true nature, eventually cultivating a Five Virtues Blessed Land. Once the five methods are complete, one can attempt to assail the Golden Position.’

Jiang Yi focused his gaze. Amidst the leisurely drifting clouds on the horizon, he could vaguely see a glittering golden flying palace. It had a total of two layers, and its sharp aura shot to the heavens, tearing through the sky.

’A Second Layer Foundation Establishment, a [Gold Virtue] Cultivator.’

After stepping into the [Foundation Establishment Realm], a Cultivator’s Life Essence Cultivation would manifest externally in various forms.

It could be a towering ancient tree, a boundless sea of forests, a flowing-flame Pill Furnace, or a fire-mulberry sun nest—each was different.

Jiang Yi focused his senses. The surrounding hundred li were divided into five regions. One of them was scorched by a blazing sun, its earth parched and dry, and was often frequented by Spiritual Birds like fire crows and fire sparrows.

The other four regions, however, were completely empty, like uncultivated wilderness.

’This is the manifestation of my Dao Foundation. I major in the Fire Element, and I haven’t even reached the entry-level for the other four elements. That’s why those four regions are completely empty.’

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, pondering to himself.

’Right now, only my "spirit" is in the Foundation Establishment Realm; my "body" has not been able to enter.’

Jiang Yi flicked his sleeve and used the Divine Fire Grand Escape to teleport, appearing in that domain of fire.

The purest essence of flame qi surged and flowed, filling the world like a magnificent aurora.

Immersed within it, he felt completely at ease. His Heart Spirit grew warm, and he felt exceptionally comfortable.

All the various fire techniques he practiced in his Cultivation, such as the Bingding Crimson Divine Light, the Red Sky Void True Qi, and the Embrace Thought Nourishing Spirit Seven Emotions Curse, were all significantly enhanced.

Even Cultivation Techniques that had long since reached Perfection now rose to a higher level, producing many new transformations.

’In Qi Cultivation, one learns Daoist Skills; in Foundation Establishment, one cultivates Daoist Techniques... Within the [Foundation Establishment Realm], once the Dao Foundation is forged and one’s true nature is formed, one can manifest the Five Domains and condense their Dharma Nature.’

Jiang Yi activated the Bingding Crimson Divine Light. The essence of flame qi surged like a tide, like a furnace fire in Alchemy, causing the Spell to instantly transform.

Fine rays of light, as thin as ox hairs, spread out for ten zhang around him. With a single thought, the rays gathered into a sky-piercing fire pillar ninety-nine zhang tall. The pillar blazed with roaring flames and scorching fire, an extremely dazzling sight.

’The Bingding Crimson Divine Light has been promoted to a Daoist Technique. Its power has surged, and it can now burn a living being’s Primordial Essence Qi.’

Jiang Yi circulated his One Element Magical Power. In the span of seven or eight breaths, he deployed forty-nine Bingding fire pillars, creating what seemed like a great world of flame that could incinerate all creation. The display of power was utterly immense.

’If it were my Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer self, even if I tried to endure this head-on with my "Innate Fire Virtue Body," I would still suffer quite a bit.’

Jiang Yi then cast the "Red Sky Void True Qi" and the "Embrace Thought Nourishing Spirit Seven Emotions Curse," and their power was similarly greatly enhanced.

’By staying in this fire domain, Cultivation Techniques like the *Huanlian Linghua Rijun Shen Jue* and the Five Fires and Seven Beasts Transformation can also be elevated and promoted to True Skills.’

Jiang Yi’s eyes flickered. Nothing else needed to be said; the benefits that this [Foundation Establishment Realm] alone could provide were simply indescribable.

If the Five Domains were to fully manifest and transform into a [Five Virtues Blessed Land], it would greatly increase the speed of his Cultivation.

’I can only be considered "Half-Step Foundation Establishment" right now. My Cultivation Furnace has not yet "ascended".’

Jiang Yi mused that it wasn’t that he couldn’t achieve it all in one step. Rather, the Celestial Book had performed a divination of fortune and misfortune and reminded him that shattering the void to travel from the mortal realm to the spirit realm would entail immense danger.

Therefore, he had only sent his Primordial Gate Divine Sense out to escape into the [Foundation Establishment Realm].

Jiang Yi’s thoughts turned again:

’My entering Juku Continent to seek an Opportunity for Foundation Establishment is something I can’t hide from those who are paying attention. The Daoist Lineages of the four quarters should all know by now.

’The [Immortal Dao] will surely not sit by and watch me live peacefully and smoothly achieve Foundation Establishment... but with a protector of the True Monarch Level, what can [Tai Yang] do to me?

’Even if Ji Fuyao were to arrive personally, True Monarch Zang Gui Fuming can protect me for a short while.’

A flicker of doubt crossed Jiang Yi’s eyes. The transformation of destiny was similar to the creation and restriction cycle of the Five Elements; strength and weakness were constantly in flux.

For the [Immortal Dao] to rashly set up a death trap without absolute certainty of success would do nothing more than help boost my own destiny.

Ji Fuyao’s might oppressed the Yanfu Vast Land, and he occupied the primary, most prominent [Tai Yang] orthodox position in the current age, causing the geniuses of every Daoist Lineage to pale in comparison.

But it was precisely because of the brilliance of [Tai Yang] and the grandeur of Ji Fuyao’s power...

...that Jiang Yi, as the inheritor of [Shao Yang], was able to reap some benefits.

Now that his Cultivation had gradually increased, he thought back on many past events and slowly began to understand the key points.

When Cat Master exchanged for that Long-term Nourishing Daoist Embryo Skill from the Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven, it alarmed Ji Fuyao, who rode the sun across the heavens, traversing continents to arrive.

After he descended the mountain again, he stumbled into a True Monarch’s scheme, entered [Fengdu], and formed a Binding Yin Fate—all these encounters followed a traceable path.

’Back then, I was merely at Qi Cultivation, yet for no reason at all, I was targeted by Tao Ran of the Taifu Sect, who deliberately laid a trap to draw out [Shao Yang].

’It’s quite possible that [Tai Yang] had a hand in this.’

Jiang Yi had repeatedly pondered this at Changming Heavenly Lake. The deeper his Cultivation, the more he understood the subtleties involved.

There had to be some connection between [Tai Yang] and [Shao Yang]; they might even be in a state of mutual suppression on the Great Dao.

And for that very reason, every time Ji Fuyao made a move, it would affect the changes in his own destiny.

’The same is true in reverse. Ancestor Mingxuan placed his bet on me, perhaps because he saw through this point.

’If I can successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, assail the Golden Position, and attain the rank of True Monarch, Ji Fuyao, who occupies the Tai Yang Golden Position, will inevitably be constrained by me.’

Jiang Yi suppressed his stray thoughts. Since someone wanted to use the opportunity of him shattering the void and ascending to the spirit realm to deal with him...

...then he would play them at their own game, using the Spirit Tempering Grandmasters of the four holy lands as bait to see if he could catch some big fish.

...

...

Within the [Foundation Establishment Realm], in a land of lakes and marshes.

It seemed as if a sudden downpour had just passed. An emerald hue stained the azure sky, and clouds and flowing mists drifted and lingered, coalescing into dense clusters.

Looking deeper, thousands of elegant peaks stood tall amidst layers of verdant ranges, a scene of breathtaking beauty.

In an octagonal pavilion, a dignified middle-aged man in a golden robe stood with his hands behind his back.

This person had an extraordinary bearing and a commanding presence, as if he held the power of life and death over billions of people. He seemed less like a Cultivator and more like an emperor.

"There is another True Master in the [Foundation Establishment Realm]. I wonder which Daoist Lineage he hails from, to have such an astonishing manifestation."

The golden-robed man looked up. The ten thousand auspicious clouds and brilliant rays of light from Jiang Yi’s ascension to the [Foundation Establishment Realm] were truly extraordinary.

For an ordinary True Master ascending to Foundation Establishment, the Five Domains manifested by their Cultivation’s Dao Foundation would be no more than a dozen or so li in radius at most.

One like this, expanding for a full hundred li and triggering a resonance with the Great Dao, was a sight seen only once in a thousand years.

"He majors in the [Fire Element]. Majestic and vast, it illuminates the mortal world, embracing the void and containing scenery, deep and obscure... He shouldn’t be someone from the [Demon Dao]."

The golden-robed man sensed the Qi Mechanism from afar and clapped his hands with a smile.

"Such a top-tier Dao Material, with the potential to reach Perfection in all five methods—I should pay him a visit one day."

...

...

In another location, the Lion Zen Forest.

A gentle breeze rustled through the swaying branches and leaves. Waves of Buddhist light suffused the air, bringing a sense of peace to the heart.

A monk standing on a pure white lotus platform placed his palms together and chanted in a low voice:

"This True Master seems to have an affinity with the [Buddhist Dao]."

He frowned slightly. Amidst the various spectacular phenomena and the resonance of the Great Dao, there was a faint, imperceptible thread of karmic fate that had fallen upon the Ximizhou Continent.

"Could it be... that Saintly King?"

The monk had long heard that a Saintly King with a Buddhist destiny and outstanding fortune had recently appeared on the Nanzhan Continent.

By coincidence, this was discovered by Jue Ming of Dahong Temple, who had gone to reclaim the Fayuan Earth Palace, and was subsequently reported back to the Ximizhou Continent.

This should have been a good thing.

But for some unknown reason, the matter was later dropped.

It must be known that 120,000 years ago...

...due to the westward expedition of the [Sword Dao], which raised an army to conquer them, the [Buddhist Dao], despite winning a pyrrhic victory, had its Primordial Qi severely damaged.

For the last ten thousand years, they could only struggle to maintain the situation, surviving in the cracks between the Immortal and Demon Daoist Lineages.

This was especially true after several incidents of sinful defections, aside from that "Demon Buddha" whose origins were far too ancient.

His imitators, the "Mad Monk" Baiji and the "Strange Monk" Fayuan, both caused the [Buddhist Dao] to lose a great deal of face and suffer a significant reduction in its foundations.

Whether at the Dan Yun Dharma Assembly or the Luotian Dao Discussion...

...among the forty-eight thousand monasteries of the [Buddhist Dao], few Dao Materials ever emerged to make a name for themselves.

This showed the severe decline of the Daoist Lineage.

At a time when Dao Materials were so scarce, how could they possibly let go of a Saintly King with a Buddhist destiny, a prospect not seen in a thousand years?

The monk thought to himself:

’His background must be extraordinary and closely related to an Ancestral Sect on the Nanzhan Continent, making it difficult to draw him into the [Buddhist Dao].

’What a pity, what a pity.’

He looked up in the direction of Jiang Yi, a hint of regret in his eyes.

He wondered what kind of Dao Foundation this Saintly King had forged.

If he were fortunate enough to be able to entice the other party, causing him to enter the Buddhist path...

...for establishing such great merit, the World Honored One would surely reward him with a [Bodhisattva Position].

...

...

An unknown amount of time passed before Jiang Yi’s Divine Sense left the [Foundation Establishment Realm] and returned to his Cultivation Furnace.

Inside the Water Moon Grotto Heaven of Zhixuan Temple, a youth with calm features and a flourishing Daoist aura opened his eyes.

"Myriad-Vehicle Command Dao Foundation, Five Directions Face Yuan True Nature.

’This is the supreme, ultimate grade. I suppose I haven’t failed Ancestor Mingxuan’s expectations.’

After Jiang Yi forged his Dao Foundation, a clear light constantly lingered around his body, and a circular wheel hung behind his head. Its form was like solid yet not solid, like illusion yet not illusion.

The so-called "Myriad-Vehicle Command Dao Foundation" relied on supreme-grade True Qi. Like a king commanding his court, he could study all kinds of Daoist Techniques at will, without being affected in the slightest.

’[Sword Dao] techniques have the "calamity of completion"; [Buddhist Dao] techniques have the "disaster of self-loss";

’[Immortal Dao] techniques are restricted by names and registers; [Demon Dao] techniques are defined by an innate hierarchy.

’Every Daoist Lineage has its shortcomings, which are difficult to overcome.

’Forging the "Myriad-Vehicle Command Dao Foundation" allows me to be free from these constraints.

’As for this "Five Directions Face Yuan True Nature," it has the wondrous ability to gather the [Five Elements] and merge the [Five Virtues].’

With both his Dao Foundation and Life Essence established, Jiang Yi was completely satisfied. His efforts to find the Ziwu Fire had not been in vain.

Time was meaningless in the [Foundation Establishment Realm].

He had stayed in that wondrous domain for a long time, but only the blink of an eye had passed in the outside world.

’Since all Twelve Transformations of the Mortal Realm long to see the gateway to ascension and shatter the void, I might as well give them a hand.’

Jiang Yi smiled faintly. With a tremor of his body, he teleported ten thousand li through the air.

The great snowy mountain range stretching beyond the pass let out a tremendous RUMBLE, as if it had sunk down.

The ecstatic Red Sun Grand Master scrambled to his knees, shouting at the figure who had just set foot on the great snowy mountain:

"We respectfully welcome the High God!"