Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 259 Farewell
Lingbao Tianzun's method of transformation was truly astonishing. Of course, perhaps only he, the number one expert in array patterns, could successfully implement such an extremely complex double array.

However, Lingbao Tianzun was both highly skilled and daring. He knew that focusing on maintaining just one of the two great formations would have been enough for his transformation, but he insisted on multitasking, taking on a much higher challenge. Of course, he was quite experienced in this regard. After all, during his last transformation, he had simultaneously battled his own dark primordial spirit against the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation while creating the Heaven-Slaying Sword Technique.

Furthermore, to prevent his transformation by absorbing the essence of heaven and earth from damaging the universe, Lingbao Tianzun deliberately reduced the power of the great formation, infinitely prolonging his transformation process. The transformation process was already fraught with risks, and this made it doubly difficult.

Both Liang Yu and Yuanshi Tianzun were somewhat amazed. However, it was foreseeable that if it were to succeed, its effects would be extraordinary.

However, this is indeed an inspiration. It shows that even in a field like array patterns, which relies on external forces, once one reaches its peak, one can reconstruct the physical body from the outside in, thereby condensing an unparalleled Dao body. This is similar to how, after reaching a high level, Origin Techniques can use the power of creation of heaven and earth to reforge one's own artifacts, thus transforming oneself completely.

Liang Yu could actually use this method as well. After all, although his mastery of array patterns was not as high as that of Lingbao Tianzun, it was still extremely profound; and although his source techniques were not as good as those of Mingzun, they had still reached the level of a Heaven and Earth Lord. Moreover, over the years, Liang Yu, Lingbao Tianzun, Mingzun, and others had combined array patterns with source techniques to set up arrays on numerous occasions.

Therefore, if Liang Yu wants to transform, he can combine array patterns with source techniques to set up an array, thereby drawing upon the power of the universe's origin to nourish himself, and using the origins of these now-existing wondrous places as the core array eyes to provide immortal divinity, thus allowing himself to transform and be reborn.

Moreover, during this process, Liang Yu might even be able to combine array patterns with source techniques to create a new cultivation path.

Of course, Yuanshi Tianzun could also strive in this direction. After all, from the great array that protected the ancient star in the original timeline, and the great array that refined the human universe and strange worlds into a world cauldron, it can be seen that the Emperor Venerable was also extremely proficient in array patterns. He even combined array patterns with the art of weapon forging, creating a unique style.

Unlike the Moral Celestial Venerable, who excels in alchemy and weapon crafting, and the Spiritual Treasure Celestial Venerable, who specializes in array formations, the Primordial Celestial Venerable is more of an all-rounder, dabbling in various fields with considerable expertise. However, at the same time, he is absolutely focused on self-cultivation, with other skills being secondary.

Therefore, if Yuanshi Tianzun wanted to study array patterns to transform himself, while it wasn't a sure thing, the success rate was quite high. Thus, Lingbao Tianzun's method of transformation greatly benefited both Liang Yu and Yuanshi Tianzun.

When Liang Yu and Yuanshi Tianzun arrived, Lingbao Tianzun had already made all the preparations and was about to fall into slumber and transformation at any time.

Liang Yu exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Lingbao, your mastery of array patterns is truly divine. Moreover, the fact that you could think of protecting the universe at such a critical moment of life and death makes us all ashamed."

Although Yuanshi Tianzun was suddenly inspired and about to enter into enlightenment, he still tried his best to restrain this impulse and said, "Fellow Daoist Wuji is right. Fellow Daoist Lingbao, why bother? As long as we become stronger, the damage to this universe can be easily repaired. At this time, considering the mortal world is probably just adding unnecessary risks."

Lingbao Tianzun sighed, “I am not doing this entirely out of public interest. I am also doing this for the sake of the path to immortality in the mortal world. The transformation to immortality in the mortal world is not something that can be achieved naturally by simply accumulating enough numbers. Rather, it requires comprehending and mastering the immortal characteristics of the mortal world during the transformation process, so that the years cannot affect one’s body. It’s just that after enough transformations, one will master this realm even without specifically comprehending it.”

"Therefore, I want to delay this process of transformation and rebirth so that I can grasp the essence of transformation. In this way, my subsequent transformation will be smoother, and perhaps I can even accelerate the process of becoming a mortal immortal."

Liang Yu was naturally overjoyed upon hearing this, for Lingbao Tianzun had actually grasped the essence of the Immortal Path in the Mortal World. Although they had summarized that the Immortal Path in the Mortal World required approximately seven transformations to complete, the number of transformations was not the key point; the essence lay in mastering the true meaning of immortality through these transformations. The so-called seven transformations were actually more of a standard. Normally, someone who could complete seven transformations would almost certainly have grasped the true meaning of immortality in the mortal world. After all, each transformation was the result of a combination of talent, aptitude, luck, and so on; someone capable of such a feat could not possibly lack talent.

Now that Lingbao Tianzun has grasped this point halfway through the journey, it is indeed enough to prove his extraordinary nature.

Liang Yu said, "Since Fellow Daoist Lingbao has already made plans, then we can rest assured."

Yuanshi Tianzun was somewhat dazed and remained silent. At the same time, he sighed inwardly, realizing that his belief that he could use this insight to overtake others was now wishful thinking.

Lingbao Tianzun said, "I don't know how long it will take for me to succeed in this transformation. The path to immortality in the mortal world is truly unattainable."

Liang Yu said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. Once you succeed in this transformation, future transformations will be even smoother."

Liang Yu wasn't exactly trying to comfort him, since Ye Fan in later lives could live a lifetime after returning to the Holy Body in his sixth life and the Mortal Body in his eighth life. This was because his understanding of the Immortal Path in the Mortal World was getting deeper and deeper, which allowed him to transform in a way that seemed somewhat similar to others.

If Lingbao Tianzun can now comprehend the essence of the Immortal Path in the Mortal World, then he can naturally reduce the difficulty of at least one or two transformations. So this can be considered a result of accumulated experience finally paying off.

As fellow Daoists exploring the path to immortality together, Lingbao Tianzun was very generous in allowing them to learn and comprehend his two major formations. After all, he himself wasn't absolutely certain of success, but the method was indeed feasible.

If his transformation fails, then Yuanshi Tianzun and Liang Yu can pass on this method, improve it, reduce the difficulty, and then use it again.

With Liang Yu and Yuanshi Tianzun's level of attainment, they naturally quickly uncovered the secrets of these two great formations and roughly understood Lingbao Tianzun's method of transformation.

Afterwards, they bid farewell to Lingbao Tianzun. After all, this transformation would take countless years, and they did not want to disturb him any further.

Under the control of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, this divine island slowly sailed into the depths of space, eventually disappearing without a trace. When it reappears, it will be the time when Lingbao Tianzun lives his sixth incarnation.

(End of this chapter)