Born with immortal seed

Chapter 684 The True Identity of the Venerable One

"I can trust the moral principles of the Tao Te Ching, but I cannot entrust my life and death to others..."

The Taiqing Crystal Sword transformed into thin threads, weaving back and forth between his hands. Its sharp sword energy even tore through space, revealing dark void cracks.

With the sword spirit's full cooperation and the added benefit of the Covenant of Mutual Understanding, it won't be long before the fifth-tier flying sword is refined to the point of being connected to one's mind and body.

Bai Zichen possesses the strength to reverse the Nascent Soul stage, but facing the Venerable Lord on the opponent's home turf, with the Douluo Cave Heaven also present, is a completely different matter.

A cultivator in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm stands in their own domain; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they are invincible in this world.

The reason why the Daoist Sect was able to preserve its last seed of immortality and send it to the outer world to start anew after losing the war between humans and demons was because of the Daoist lineage master.

Similarly, there is the Buddha Ratnavali, who resides in the Buddha-land.

If the Daodezong sect harbors disloyal intentions, there's no need to kill him; using the Doushuai Grotto-heaven to suppress him for a thousand years would suffice.

How can one person contend against someone's accumulated strength of 100,000 years?

Bai Zichen would never take the risk, even if there was only a one in ten million chance.

After he demonstrated his Nascent Soul level and was able to converse with the Moral Sect on equal terms, the relationship between the two could never return to what it was before.

"It would be good if you could come tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). It would be a good opportunity to meet the most mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator in the cultivation world."

A paper dove flew by, and Bai Zichen caught it in his gaze.

After chirping twice, Yu Ziliang's voice came through.

With a flick of his finger, he burned the paper dove to ashes, then closed his eyes to forge a sword.

……

Nothing happened all night.

As the sun rose above the horizon, the mountaintops were bathed in a warm, pale red glow.

A few drops of dew still clung to the branches of the grass and trees on Xuandu Mountain.

Bai Zichen stood motionless like a statue, only the sword threads in his palm weaving like shuttles.

A shadow fell, obscuring half of the peak, mottled and writhing.

The shadow slowly moved upwards, covering an area larger and larger, as if it had come to life, stretching out tentacles that danced wildly like a demon.

From a higher vantage point, an extremely bizarre scene unfolds: shadows creep up without making a sound.

It didn't even have the slightest trace of aura; it was just a non-existent phantom.

Just as the shadow was about to creep up onto Bai Zichen's clothes, a clear sword cry rang out from within his body, and he suddenly opened his eyes.

A flying sword suddenly leaped out on its own, piercing in front of him and pushing away the gray-white shockwave.

The shadow seemed startled, and abruptly retreated, leaving a large blank space.

"It is an honor to have Master Zhuang here... Why hide your identity and sneak around like this?"

Bai Zichen's eyes seemed to shoot out lightning-like blades, sharp and serious, piercing into the deepest part of the shadows.

"Everyone says that Sword Lord's appearance is as beautiful as the sun and the moon, and even the sword immortals of the upper realm can hardly compare to him. Seeing him today, I can confirm that the rumors are true."

The shadow rapidly contracted, shrinking into a human figure like the receding tide, shrouded in black mist, making it impossible to see through.

Even with the Candle Dragon's Yin-Yang Eyes, it could only see a few inches of the black mist before it could go any further.

"That Demon-Slaying Sword has been nurtured in the Tushita Heaven for more than ten thousand years, and has been under my command for several hundred years... Upon seeing the Sword Lord, it rushed to greet him and offered itself to him. In less than ten years, it has forgotten its former master and even jumped out to warn him. Only someone like the Sword Lord can subdue a fifth-tier sword spirit in such a short time."

"It's just that it knows it can realize its value by following me."

Bai Zichen grabbed the Demon-Slaying Sword in front of him and stroked the blade back and forth, as if to soothe it.

He lowered his head and looked down, making it impossible for anyone to see his facial expression.

His voice was calm, but his heart was churning with turmoil. He said gently, "I also did not expect that the true identity of the Daoist lineage master of the Moral Sect is actually a demon!"

Bai Zichen stood up, his voice booming like thunder, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as if trying to pierce through the mysterious black mist.

Although even the Yin-Yang Eyes of the Candle Dragon could not see through the black mist on the Venerable One's body, the fact that the Demon-Slaying Sword of the Slayer gave an early warning while the other flying swords did not react at all speaks volumes.

This sword was forged for the purpose of annihilating the demon race.

Under normal circumstances, it would be at the bottom among fifth-tier flying swords, with no special features.

Once it encounters a demon, it becomes incredibly powerful, as if it's been injected with adrenaline, and its strength increases dramatically, making it comparable to the Purple Star Thunder Sword.

It reacted ahead of other fifth-tier flying swords, as if facing a formidable enemy, making the identity of the newcomer self-evident.

In addition, Bai Zichen awakened Gun Gun, allowing the bear cub to sense things remotely across the cave.

Its Bai Ze bloodline is so noble, and it has inherited the unique ability of spiritual perception, making it extraordinary and otherworldly.

He's only at the peak of the third rank, yet in this respect he's even a step ahead of his master.

The key is that, being of the same demonic nature, even though the demonic energy was almost nonexistent and concealed beneath the aura of immortals, it still couldn't escape the demon god's perception. They detected that faint trace of demonic energy.

A two-pronged approach is now a certainty.

The revered Daoist Master, regarded as humanity's last resort, is actually a demon!
This fact was so unbelievable that he couldn't accept it for a while.

For a fleeting moment, he even began to suspect that some Nascent Soul demon lord was impersonating him, trying to deceive him.

He immediately denied it, for there was no other way for a Nascent Soul Demon Lord to suddenly appear in the cultivation world.

Even if they did, given the current situation, they should have kept quiet and hidden away. Running to the foot of Xuandu Mountain would be like walking into a trap.

So, were the higher-ups of the Daode Sect aware of this secret?

This is not something that can be faked for a few years, but rather for many years; it cannot be faked by simply hiding from the world.

From the very first day of the establishment of the Daode Sect, there has been a lineage of Daoists. Although the number of disciples is not large, with only a few in each generation, this does not mean that there is a lack of Daoist transformations.

Furthermore, the Daoist lineage is responsible for communicating with the upper realm. In the early days, when the passage between the two realms was not severed, the Earthly Immortal Realm often bestowed treasures upon them.

How could there be no restrictions to identify one's identity in the Doushuai Grotto Heaven? Even the most skilled demons could not hide it from them.

And then there's the Heavenly Punishment Peak Master, a being of unparalleled talent, who, even as the mortal realm and the immortal realm gradually drift apart, still managed to cultivate to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

He single-handedly subdued the cultivation world.

If it weren't for the creation of a magical treasure from the Heavenly Demon Realm, even if the demon race had ten times the courage, several more demons wouldn't dare to start a war between the two races.

Even if they were on the opposite side, they would still admit that if Old Man Gong had been born ten thousand years earlier, he could have ascended smoothly without having wasted many years in the cultivation world and been ranked alongside everyone else.

With such a person around, how could they not even know that the Daoist lineage master had been replaced?

There are only two possibilities: one is that, due to a special opportunity, a recognized demon joined the Moral Sect early on.

Gaining the favor of the previous ruler, he miraculously ascended to the most prestigious and noble position in the number one sect of the human race despite being a demon.

The five peaks of the Virtue Vein are not ranked in any particular order; each has its own function.

However, Heavenly Punishment Peak is outwardly responsible for both punishment and moral education, as well as vanquishing demons and monsters.

The emergence of several powerful Nascent Soul cultivators in succession gave people the impression that the Moral Sect revered the Heavenly Punishment Peak.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Venerable Master of the Daoist School holds the highest position in the Daoist sect.

The second possibility is even more bizarre, but it makes logical sense.

That is why the position of Dao Lineage Master has always been held by the demon race for a long time; it is an open secret among the upper echelons of the Moral Sect.

"Since the Sword Lord has seen through it, it proves that I made the right decision to come here..."

The black mist churned and receded inward, revealing a middle-aged man with a withered face and gentle eyes.

Behind him, a white elephant phantom rose up, its feet like mountain pillars, its head reaching into the clouds, and it had six white tusks as pure as jade.

This white elephant seemed to have come from ancient times, exuding a wild and untamed aura. It shook its head, smashed through the clouds, and inhaled them all with a twitch of its trunk.

It existed for only a few breaths before the white elephant phantom returned to its body, as if it were just a fleeting dream.

"I am a half-demon with the bloodline of the Six-Toothed Celestial Phenomenon. My ancestors joined the Daoist Sect at the same time as Tai Su Dao Bing. However, due to the special nature of my bloodline, I was taken in by the Daoist lineage master of that generation. This kind of bloodline is difficult to reproduce and is passed down only to one person per generation. Before dying, I pass on my essence and blood to my offspring to ensure that the bloodline of the Six-Toothed Celestial Phenomenon is not eroded."

The Lord smiled slightly, his expression showing little change.

"Throughout this lineage, I am the third half-demon to ascend to this position. My esteemed elders are magnanimous, treating all without discrimination based on demon bloodline; my family will naturally exert all its strength, prioritizing the sect's interests..."

What an exaggerated bloodline inheritance!
After listening, Bai Zichen roughly understood the ins and outs.

Heavenly Punishment Peak commands a Dao soldier composed of half-demons, but their highest level is only the Perfected Core Formation stage.

Cultivating only the physical body without understanding the Great Dao.

It is unclear whether this is an innate limitation or a limitation deliberately imposed by Heavenly Punishment Peak.

The bloodline of this six-tusked celestial being can produce three Nascent Soul cultivators in a span of tens of thousands of years, and the number of Nascent Soul cultivators is certainly dozens of times greater.

This bloodline power is already quite legendary; one can only imagine what a complete six-tusked celestial phenomenon must be like.

"Six-tusked celestial phenomenon? There is actually such a bloodline in the cultivation world. Even the Heavenly Demon Realm has extinct it. It has been a long time since we have seen a living one."

The Jade Rabbit jumped out at the opportune moment and revealed that it recognized the origin of the White Elephant.

"The six tusks of the Six-Tusked Celestial Elephant are like the true feathers of avian demons, the convergence point of its power. Legend has it that in addition to their traditional uses as spiritual materials, these tusks can also be refined into secret treasures to resist inner demons, and can also be used in the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. Therefore, they have been continuously hunted, and I read in the book that the Six-Tusked Celestial Elephant has not been seen for tens of thousands of years."

With the Jade Rabbit, the all-knowing demon, explaining things to him, Bai Zichen quickly learned about information related to the demon race.

If even a treasure made from ivory acquired later in life can resist the tribulation of inner demons, then the six ivory tusks growing on one's body must be even more effective.

The Six-Toothed Celestial Phenomenon Half-Demon, who is unafraid of inner demon tribulations, will definitely have a higher success rate in ascending to higher realms than many others.

It's somewhat understandable that so many Nascent Soul cultivators and Transformation Realm cultivators could be born.

"Why should Your Majesty inform me of this matter? I only ask the Northern Heaven God Ni to grant me this favor, whether I see him or not is fine."

Bai Zichen still couldn't figure out the Venerable Master's purpose. Exposing his true appearance to outsiders and presenting a fact that could cause a huge upheaval in the entire cultivation world was clearly detrimental to the Moral Sect.

"However, in order to confirm what I have in mind... I hope that when Sword Lord ascends to the Upper Realm in the future, he can open more Heavenly Gates and fight for a way out for cultivators in the mortal world."

The venerable one rose straight up and bowed deeply.

"I have been in charge of the lineage for nearly three thousand years, and I can clearly feel that the connection with the upper realm is getting weaker and weaker. If nothing unexpected happens, in another ten thousand years, it will become the legendary end of the Dharma era, and cultivation will become a luxury."

"To be of the same generation as the Sword Lord and have one's brilliance overshadowed is a misfortune for the world. But for those who aspire to ascend, it is the last chance, and perhaps they can even follow in his footsteps."

After uttering a bunch of nonsensical words, the Lord threw a dark shadow at him, which landed precisely in front of him.

Bai Zichen flicked his sword and discovered that it was the Northern Heavenly Divine Mud he had promised in exchange, which could unseal the seal and awaken the sleeping artifact spirit.

It's as if the Lord came up to me to reveal his background and say a lot of things in order to fulfill a certain mission.

After completing all of this, he resolutely withdrew and returned home.

However, one thing is true: if you miss Bai Zichen, you can basically forget about anyone in the cultivation world being able to ascend smoothly.

The Taoist lineage burns incense and prayers daily to communicate with the upper realm, and holds various rituals and ceremonies.

If the Immortal Realm has truly undergone changes, no one in the cultivation world could understand it better than the Dao Lineage Master.

Even the Venerable One has said so, so it must be pretty much true.

If Bai Zichen still has the strength at that time, he can deliberately deepen the void channel and provide a beacon for ascension, so that Nascent Soul cultivators who are not so powerful can see a glimmer of hope.

For Nascent Soul cultivators, this is the opening of the Heavenly Gate and the path to Heaven.

Everyone in the world elevates the Transformation God to the highest level, but only those who are in the midst of it can understand that there are also differences in rank among Transformation Gods.

Just as the Heavenly Punishment Peak Master and other Nascent Soul cultivators were in the same realm but could not ascend, it does not mean that their talents were the same.

However, the declining cultivation world has narrowed the gap between super geniuses and epoch-making geniuses, because it is difficult for both to reach the highest level.

"By the way, the Demon-Slaying Sword was left behind by one of the immortals who established the Daoist lineage of the Moral Sect. It is said that four swords were forged in total. In addition to the one in your hand, there is also the Demon-Slaying Sword of Fate, the Demon-Suppressing Sword of Records, and the Demon-Pardoning Sword of Merit... As for their whereabouts, one was lost and is suspected to have been taken back to the Heavenly Demon Realm by the demons. Another one is hidden somewhere, and only one was taken back to the Earthly Immortal Realm."

The Lord suddenly stopped and said, "This sword has a hidden secret. If you have the opportunity to collect it, Sword Master, you must not miss it."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency."

Bai Zichen bowed in thanks, then watched as the withered-looking cultivator disappeared from sight.

With one step, he entered the void, presumably having already been teleported back to the Tushita Heaven.

Near the cave, it is the bare minimum for a Venerable Lord to rise one level in strength.

The key is that he can effortlessly perform many supernatural abilities that are considered forbidden in the outside world, demonstrating the skills expected of someone in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Even after Xuandu Mountain returned to calm, Bai Zichen still couldn't understand the Venerable Lord's meaning.

He revealed his own shortcomings and, before leaving, told others the whereabouts of the top-tier flying sword.

It seems like he's acting with goodwill, but we can't rule out what might happen if Bai Zichen really enters the Doushuai Cave Heaven.

"Regardless of the purpose, as long as the gains are real... The Dao Lineage Lord is a half-demon, and tracing back further, there are two other Lords who are also half-demons. Even if I announce this fact to the cultivation world, few people will believe it."

Bai Zichen squeezed the Northern Heavenly Divine Mud in his hand, and added the flying sword of the Demon-Slaying Sword, a brother of the Slaughtering Sword, to his five-tier alternative plan.

It is estimated that when these swords were forged, they all came from the same school and were crafted by the same swordsmith.

At least one of them is in the human realm. Perhaps in the future, it can be used as the Demon-Slaying Sword to sense something from a distance and lure out the other flying swords.

(End of this chapter)