Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 20 Ying Shen Xiao

The Kunlun Immortal Mountain actually has a fairly good reputation in the universe. Apart from considering themselves as inhabitants of the immortal mountain and looking down on other races, they have few other misdeeds. Therefore, most people do not consider them to be in the forbidden zone of life.

This was true at least in the early days of the Kunlun clan.

Millions of years ago, the three ancient deities from before the mythical era of Kunlun Mountain passed away one after another, and Zhulong and Huashe became the ones in charge of Kunlun's affairs. One was reserved, and the other was arrogant, but neither of them were benevolent.

The four villains who followed were even more brutal, committing numerous acts of killing from the very beginning of their path to enlightenment.

In this way, the atmosphere of the Kunlun clan gradually changed, from self-isolation and aloofness to becoming more flamboyant and domineering.

Under the control of Zhulong, the four evil spirits that were born one after another gradually restrained their ferocity. However, as time went by, they gradually became unable to restrain themselves, and the fear of death and the emptiness of not being able to become immortals always lingered in their hearts.

Finally, they crossed the line and launched a dark rebellion, slaughtering countless lives to atone for their own. But still under the call of Zhulong, they changed their appearance and did not reveal their true forms.

The Supreme Beings of the Forbidden Zones were naturally aware of their actions. Therefore, the Supreme Beings who had instigated the Dark Turmoil scorned their hypocrisy; the Supreme Beings who had not instigated the Dark Turmoil mocked their depravity.

Kunlun Immortal Mountain, which was already at odds with the major restricted areas, became even less compatible with them from then on.

However, people outside the Forbidden Zone rarely know these things. They still believe that Kunlun Immortal Mountain is just bad in its conduct, but can still be called a paradise on earth.

Although Ying Shenxiao possessed the blood of the Kunlun Immortals, he was unaware of these matters in his early years.

There are nine royal clans in Kunlun Immortal Mountain: Bai Ze, Lu Wu, Jiu Feng, Zhu Long, Hua She, Hundun, Qiongqi, Tao Wu, and Taotie.

These nine clans correspond to the tribes from which the nine supreme beings originated; they are the leaders of Kunlun Immortal Mountain. Among them, Bai Ze, Lu Wu, and Jiu Feng are the tribes of the three ancient sages from before the mythological era.

Their nine royal families occupy the best areas and the finest resources of Kunlun Immortal Mountain.

Furthermore, thanks to the control of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain by the nine supreme array patterns, each member of their clan can go to the interior of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain to receive baptism upon birth, thereby increasing the concentration of Kunlun Immortal Blood.

In contrast, only a very few exceptional individuals from other races can enjoy these privileges, and these exceptional individuals are mostly recruited by the nine royal families.

It is precisely because of this that the nine royal families have always remained high and mighty.

Although the Yingzhao tribe, from which Ying Shenxiao originated, was not weak, it was only very ordinary compared to the nine royal families.

Perhaps it was the uncontrolled part of Kunlun Immortal Mountain that played a role; Ying Shenxiao, though not belonging to the nine royal families, possessed an unprecedented supreme immortal bloodline.

On that day, Kunlun Mountain blessed him, the celestial bell rang for him, and even the Yingzhao tribe, from which he was born, had their celestial blood strengthened by the mountain because of his birth.

This momentum even surpassed that of the Kunlun clan's most talented member, the Supreme Candle Dragon.

Thus, the six supreme beings were awakened, and Ying Shenxiao was carried by a blue phoenix into the depths of Kunlun Immortal Mountain, becoming the Kunlun Son whom the six supreme beings devoted themselves to nurturing.

The Yingzhao tribe also benefited greatly from the success of one member, who was then assigned by the six supreme beings to manage the medicinal gardens of Kunlun Immortal Mountain. This was a core area that all nine royal families coveted.

Ying Shenxiao, who entered the Immortal Mountain, did not disappoint them. The immortal bloodlines born from the nine royal families were surpassed by Ying Shenxiao one by one, and could no longer even come close to him.

He broke all the records left by the Kunlun clan, and even the sons of several supreme beings were defeated by him.

Finally, Ying Shenxiao, who had just become a saint, was already invincible among his peers and swept away all competitors from the ancient Kunlun star.

He embarked on his journey with full confidence, wanting to compete with other geniuses in the universe, sweep across the ancient starry road, become invincible, and prove himself as a Heavenly Venerable.

Upon entering the starry sky, his very first battle was against Liang Yu. Although the two fought for thousands of rounds without a clear victor, it made him begin to doubt himself: how could someone he casually encountered be so strong?
After the battle, the two parted ways, agreeing to meet again after each had cleared an ancient path. As it turned out, he encountered the current generation's Brahma Battle Body again, and only managed to win after several days of fierce fighting.

From that moment on, Ying Shenxiao never dared to underestimate the prodigies of the universe again. Even after that, he almost never encountered such a strong opponent again.

In the Great Sage Realm, he met Liang Yu again. The two fought a fierce battle, which ended in a draw. Moreover, it was during this battle that they both reached the forbidden realm and created their own supreme secret techniques.

Afterwards, he drank and chatted with Liang Yu, and also with his other competitors. After drinking, he and Liang Yu made a pact that whoever attained enlightenment would sweep away the Dark Forbidden Zone and settle scores with all the Supreme Beings who had instigated the Dark Turmoil.

In the ensuing battles, the others fell behind one by one. The Supreme Immortal Body fell behind at the fifth level of Quasi-Saint realm and returned home in despair; the Dragon-shaped Holy Spirit, born from the essence of heaven and earth, fell behind at the seventh level of Quasi-Saint realm and never appeared again. Many Supreme Sons and Forbidden Zone Sons also withdrew from the stage at the Quasi-Saint realm.

The path to enlightenment, once filled with brilliant stars, has now become a battle between two titans.

Throughout the process, they collaborated, discussed philosophy, and fought fiercely on numerous occasions, regarding each other as fellow practitioners while also considering each other their greatest rivals.

Ultimately, when the two reached the ninth level of the Quasi-Venerable realm, Ying Shenxiao was defeated by Liang Yu and returned to his hometown, Kunlun. This caused quite a stir on the ancient star of Kunlun. After all, the fact that Ying Shenxiao could be defeated was unimaginable to them.

Even the six supreme beings found it hard to believe, since even they, in their own generation, would find it difficult to defeat Ying Shenxiao, yet a rogue cultivator with incomplete divine blood had actually done it.

After a brief adjustment, Ying Shenxiao regained his confidence and continued his cultivation. As long as Liang Yu had not yet attained enlightenment, he still had a chance to turn the tide.

Until several hundred years ago, Ying Shenxiao finally took another step forward and reached the initial stage of alternative enlightenment.

He originally intended to challenge Liang Yu, who had not yet attained enlightenment, to a duel, but unexpectedly sensed the bloodthirsty aura of the six supreme beings of Kunlun, which was deeply hidden but still difficult to remove.

He had initially thought Kunlun was different, a sacred mountain, unlike other forbidden zones or demonic realms. But in reality, there was no difference.

Whether it was the rise of the Kunlun clan or the personal growth of Ying Shenxiao, the six supreme beings made immense contributions. And all of this was only achieved after the six supreme beings prolonged their lives by instigating the Dark Turmoil.

Therefore, his ambitions and achievements were built upon mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Ying Shenxiao was plunged into anguish. On one side was his ambition and nature, and on the other was his ancestor, the clansman who had devoted a great deal of effort and time to raising him since he was a child.

If he were to simply give up and join their corrupt practices, his nature and moral conscience would not allow it; but if he were to completely sever ties and turn against them, he would find it difficult to relinquish the kindness of their upbringing and guidance.

Ultimately, he couldn't make a decision and could only choose to run away.

He tried to excuse himself by saying he had neither participated nor knew about it, but at the same time he couldn't sleep at night, always seeing countless wronged souls and dismembered corpses scattered all over the ancient star Kunlun, and seeing an endless sea of ​​blood engulfing his body.

His cultivation stagnated due to the torment of nightmares.

Ying Shenxiao always thought that if it were Liang Yu, he would definitely be able to make a decision immediately, and it would definitely be the way he expected.

Although Liang Yu seemed to be the more easygoing and unscrupulous one, Ying Shenxiao knew very well that Liang Yu would never compromise on matters of principle. If he backed down, it was definitely to prepare for an even more ruthless and decisive move next time.

He seemed decisive and principled, but in the end, he was burdened by personal feelings and could only be caught in the middle, pleasing neither side.

Standing in the universe, Ying Shenxiao finally found a good spot and used supreme methods to create a new life-bearing star. He settled the Kunlun people he had gathered and looked towards the direction of the ancient Kunlun star.

After a long silence, he withdrew his gaze: "Liang Yu, Wuji Tianzun, I am still inferior to you. I hope you can realize our ambitions. All I can do is to build a new Kunlun without bloodshed and slaughter, where every member of our clan can stand tall under the starry sky without shame."

(End of this chapter)