Chapter 669: Cultivators are Great Rats

This Divine Sky Dao Fruit was of the Pure Yang and Supreme Firm attribute, governing destruction and creation.

Lone Yang cannot beget life, nor can solitary Yin foster growth.

To achieve Golden Core Perfection and ensure the Grotto Heaven hung high and stable, a complete cyclical system was essential.

According to the information he sensed from his Divine Sky Dao Fruit upon reaching the Golden Core realm, as well as corroborating evidence from True Monarch Dong Ming’s Jade Scroll, he needed to establish a foundation for the Mid-Stage Golden Core. To do so, he had to devour and refine at least three Dao Fruits. These fruits needed to have mutually generating attributes, capable of forming a cycle and strengthening his Origin.

‘Three Dao Fruits…’

Xu Yunfan’s brow furrowed slightly. This was undoubtedly like snatching food from a tiger’s mouth—or worse, carving flesh from the very foundations of other True Monarchs.

For a cyclical system compatible with his Divine Sky Dao Fruit, the optimal choice would be a foundational framework that balanced Yin and Yang and circulated the Five Elements.

After all, the Divine Sky Dao Fruit governed destruction and creation, which could be considered a form of Yin and Yang.

His mind raced. Combining his own perception of the Heaven and Earth Dao Principles with the Sect’s records, his targets gradually came into focus.

‘The Taihua Spirit Void Realm has Taiyin-aspected Dao Fruits as well. From the looks of it, a particular Dao Fruit in the Sea of Reincarnation seems to be the most prominent example. But the Red Sun Dao Fruit…’

When he thought of the Li Guang Ranyan Red Sun True Monarch of the Wansheng Sword Sect—a man whose Sword Intent alone could incinerate the heavens and boil the seas, and whose temper was reputedly as explosive as his Dao Fruit—Xu Yunfan knew he was facing a thorny problem.

That True Monarch’s Dao Fruit was perfectly compatible with his own Divine Sky Dao Fruit.

This was practically a declaration of war against one of the Wansheng Sword Sect’s top powerhouses.

But by that same token, the other man had surely targeted him as well. After all, his Divine Sky Dao Fruit was also a perfect match for the True Monarch’s Light Leaving Flame Burning Red Sun Dao Fruit.

Their Dao Fruits had similar attributes. If they could be fused, the Yang Fire would generate Yang Thunder, or the Yang Thunder would intensify the Yang Fire, causing their power to skyrocket.

But this also meant he and the Red Sun True Monarch were natural, irreconcilable enemies in the struggle for the Dao.

The True Monarch’s Divine Power Technique would instinctively covet Xu Yunfan’s Divine Sky Dao Fruit, like two poles of a magnet, drawn to and repelled by each other.

With his foundation still unstable, his chances of victory were slim if he rashly confronted such an established True Monarch.

Then there was the Taiyin Nether Dragon Fruit, hanging high within the Sea of Suffering Reincarnation.

This Dao Fruit was Supreme Yin and Cold. It governed reflection and tranquil illumination, forming a stark Yin-Yang contrast to the violent destruction of the Divine Sky Dao Fruit.

If he could use the yielding Yin power of the Taiyin Nether Dragon Fruit to temper the Supreme Yang and Firm nature of his Divine Sky Dao Fruit, then use the Pure Yang Fire from the Red Sun True Monarch’s Dao Fruit to mediate or catalyze the reaction, he could form a preliminary triangular cycle: Taiyin, Divine Sky, and Red Sun.

Taiyin would give rise to Divine Sky, Divine Sky would bolster Red Sun, and Red Sun could, in turn, nourish and balance Taiyin.

But the Sea of Suffering Reincarnation was not so easily entered.

No wonder. No wonder cultivators are decried by the Celestial Dao as massive rats. To climb higher, a cultivator naturally had to carve a pound of flesh from the Celestial Dao itself.

As he was frowning in deep thought, Xu Yunfan suddenly slapped his forehead.

“I almost forgot something important!”

‘After reaching the Golden Core realm, I was swamped with trivial matters. Consolidating my realm, processing my gains from True Monarch Dong Ming, planning my future path… In all that, I actually forgot to pay my respects to the true controller of the Primordial Sect.’

‘True Monarch Pu Du.’

‘He’s the top dog of the Primordial Sect, and I haven’t gone to see him even after reaching the Golden Core realm.’

‘This is a serious breach of etiquette and could easily cause offense.’

‘I still have to make my way in the Primordial Sect. It isn’t time to strike out on my own just yet.’

He immediately collected his thoughts, straightened the Purple Gold Thunder Pattern robe signifying his status as the Divine Sky True Monarch, and transformed into a streak of Purple Gold Thunderbolt. Tearing through the sky, he shot straight toward Chenghua Mountain, one of the Primordial Nine Immortal Mountains.

That was the location of True Monarch Pu Du’s Dao field.

The moment he crossed into the territory of Chenghua Mountain, a vast and majestic Imagery, imbued with boundless dignity, washed over him.

It was completely different from the violent Thunderbolt of Divine Sky Peak or the Nine Netherworld gloom of Profound Evil Mountain. Here, Immortal Light swirled about. Ethereal birds and auspicious beasts could be glimpsed among the peaks, where the faint strains of Brahma Sound and chanting drifted on the air. The land was covered in lush, vibrant vegetation, and a grand Wish Power flowed through everything—a power that dissolved hostility and sought the salvation of all beings.

‘It has the feel of the Puchen Pure Land,’ Xu Yunfan sensed, his eyebrow twitching involuntarily.

The entire mountain seemed to be enveloped in a warm, gentle layer of Immortal Light, making the very space feel exceptionally stable and serene.

This was the Imagery of True Monarch Pu Du’s Great Dao.

‘Salvation for all beings, a world of pure crystal.’

Within his Dao field, all malevolent energy and curses were heavily suppressed and dispelled. It was nearly impossible for hostile intent to even form.

‘How strange.’

Xu Yunfan was astonished. ‘To think a True Buddha could emerge from the Primordial Sect?’

Of course, he didn’t believe it for a second. ‘For a True Monarch of the Primordial Sect to achieve such an Imagery, his fundamental principles must be completely twisted.’

Xu Yunfan dissipated his Thunder Escape Light as he neared the summit, a clear sign of respect.

He landed and began to ascend the rest of the way on foot.

The disciples and Stewards he passed along the way, regardless of their Cultivation, all bowed deeply upon seeing his True Monarch Robe. “Greetings, Divine Sky True Monarch,” they would say, their eyes filled with reverence.

A True Monarch could decide their life or death with a single thought.

With a calm expression, Xu Yunfan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Each step covered several miles, and he soon arrived at the summit before the Universal Salvation Hall. The hall was a stately, magnificent structure with a roof of glazed tile, wreathed in the scent of sandalwood.

The doors to the hall swung open without a sound.

A yellow-robed Daoist with a compassionate expression and an aura as profound as the sea stood beside the door. He bowed his head in salute.

“The True Monarch is waiting. Divine Sky True Monarch, please follow me.”

Though the man’s aura was veiled, Xu Yunfan could sense his Cultivation was likely even greater than Mordo’s. He had one foot across the threshold of the Golden Core realm.

His Cultivation was comparable to the likes of Chu Chengnan and Lu Chuan.

‘If you don’t dare to form a Golden Core, you’ll never have a seat at the main table.’

Stepping inside, he found the space was far vaster than it appeared from the outside.

The ceiling resembled a celestial dome, dotted with countless motes of Immortal Light.

True Monarch Pu Du was seated on a meditation cushion in the center of the hall.

He had a plain, venerable appearance and a somewhat gaunt frame. He wore a simple, moon-white Daoist robe and a Daoist Hat. His expression was placid, and not the slightest ripple of Magical Power escaped his body. He seemed to have merged completely with Chenghua Mountain, and even with the heavens and earth around him.

Only his eyes, as deep as an endless Star Sea, revealed anything more. As they opened and closed, they released a divine light that seemed to see through all worldly affairs with compassion for all living things. It exerted an immense pressure on Xu Yunfan, a pressure that came from a higher state of being.

This True Monarch’s Daoist Cultivation was far beyond the likes of Qingyuan and Dongming. He had likely reached the Mid-Stage Golden Core realm, or perhaps even higher.

This peaceful aura, in particular, felt so incongruous that it was jarring.

‘I feel like I’m in the Puchen Pure Land.’

“Disciple Xu Yunfan pays his respects to True Monarch Pu Du. I have been mired in trivialities since attaining my Dao and returning, and failed to greet the Sect Leader in a timely manner. I ask for the True Monarch’s forgiveness.”

Xu Yunfan suppressed his aura completely and performed a solemn Daoist salute. Now that they were both at the Golden Core realm, there was no need for him to be obsequious, despite the disparity in their power.

True Monarch Pu Du’s gaze fell upon Xu Yunfan, warm and placid.

“Divine Sky True Monarch, there is no need for such ceremony. Your ascension to the Golden Core realm is a blessing for our Primordial Sect, and more than that, it is a manifestation of your own great perseverance, wisdom, and Destiny.”

True Monarch Pu Du’s voice was calm and soothing, carrying a peculiar power that set the heart at ease.

“The matter with Qingyuan was his own fault. To obstruct another’s path on the Dao and plot against a fellow’s foundation are the acts of a demon. You have rendered a great service to the Sect by eliminating this menace. All that has passed is like smoke and clouds; there is no need to dwell on it.”

“I understand. Thank you for your consideration, True Monarch.”

Xu Yunfan replied respectfully, but a chill went down his spine.