Chapter 558

Chapter 558: The Six Veins of the yang realm

Three days later.

Li Ruoyu, Dao Sovereign Qingyuan, Ye Li, and Mu Fanyin appeared at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"I will keep an eye on the situation of the Dao Clan’s ancestral land at all times," Ye Xu said solemnly.

"Thank you for your cultivation, Master," Li Ruoyu said with a bow, he well knew that the Dao Clan’s ancestral land was a once-in-a-thousand-years great opportunity.

"You’re just padding the numbers," Ye Xu said lightly, the Dao Clan’s ancestral land Invitation had three Dao Sovereign slots attached.

"It hurts, Master…" Li Ruoyu’s lips twitched.

"Let’s depart."

Mu Fanyin stirred her magical power, and a divine ship manifested, it had a total of nine levels, its entire body engraved with golden divine patterns, with birds, beasts, insects, and fish flying around it, containing the wonder of Qiankun.

The four boarded the divine ship and flew toward the White Deer Immortal Domain.

"Daoist brother, I also know a Ye Li, but his appearance is different from yours," Li Ruoyu approached Ye Li, his eyes carrying a trace of suspicion, and spoke up proactively.

Even if it were Ye Li from the lower realm, it would be impossible for him to have cultivated to the Five Tribulations Dao Sovereign realm in just one short year, right?

Ye Li smiled lightly and said, "It should be the same name."

Li Ruoyu nodded, but didn’t believe a single word.

Mu Fanyin looked at Ye Li, the corner of her mouth curving in a slight arc.

"In the yang realm, there are seventy-two Celestial Lords on the surface, divided into six veins. When the Dao Clan issued the Invitations this time, everyone in the entire yang realm who had some reputation could receive one," Mu Fanyin said.

"The Dao Clan’s ancestral land will surely be an intense contest in the Dao Sovereign realm," Mu Fanyin said.

"May I ask, revered senior, what are the six veins?" Li Ruoyu said in a grave tone.

By now, Li Ruoyu no longer dared to refer to Mu Fanyin as a Daoist friend.

He also understood that his own strength and Mu Fanyin’s were worlds apart.

"This matter is not secret," Mu Fanyin said.

"With nothing better to do, I will tell you about the six veins of power in the yang realm," Mu Fanyin said.

"The most famous vein is the Nine Great Celestial Lords," Mu Fanyin said.

Li Ruoyu pondered thoughtfully.

The Nine Great Celestial Lords were united through the Nine Great Heavenly Books, sharing one spirit and connected branches. This was almost common knowledge, he could deduce this vein himself.

"The second vein is the Chaotic Ancient God lineage," Mu Fanyin said lightly.

"Innate Divine Being?" Ye Li showed a flicker of expression.

Mu Fanyin nodded and smiled, "Last time, the ancestral dragon you saw was a general under the Chaotic Ancient God’s command. Not only that, but the ancestral phoenix, innate four symbols, and other Innate Divine Beings all followed the Chaotic Ancient God as their leader."

"Is this Chaotic Ancient God the first Innate Divine Being between heaven and earth?" Li Ruoyu said solemnly.

"Before Heaven and Earth separated, the Chaotic Ancient God already existed."

Mu Fanyin spoke unhurriedly, "This creature was born in Chaos, naturally immortal and indestructible, free from catastrophes and calamities. He can be considered the most powerful Dao Ancestor."

Li Ruoyu suddenly understood.

The origin of the Chaotic Ancient God bore some resemblance to Pangu.

"The universe opened by Ninth Young Master probably used the yang realm as its blueprint…"

"And the third lineage?" Ye Li asked.

Dao Sovereign Qingyuan stood to one side, listening quietly, seemingly invisible.

"The third lineage comprises the Three Ancient Clans."

Mu Fanyin smiled faintly. "But in the yang realm, there are only two ancient clans. The other one now resides in the yin realm, living incognito and shunning worldly affairs."

"Is the Dao Clan one of them?" Li Ruoyu’s mind cleared abruptly.

"The Dao Clan, the Witch Clan, and the Heaven Clan—together they are known as the Three Ancient Clans."

Mu Fanyin spoke eloquently.

"The Witch Clan?"

Li Ruoyu’s expression stiffened. "Does witchcraft truly exist in the world?"

"Naturally."

"The legacy of the Witch Path originates from the Witch Clan. This clan trains only their physical body, impervious to all tribulations. Within the yang realm, there are cultivators who practice witchcraft, but their numbers are few, and their achievements modest."

Mu Fanyin continued, "In the past, when Lin Qianmo descended, the Witch Path legacy she brought forth originated from the Witch Clan."

"Regrettably, she too failed to grasp the essence. Consequently, despite Feng Wuji dedicating an entire lifetime to cultivation in the lower realm, he remained unable to unravel the mystery of ascension—a lifetime wasted in vain."

"Senior’s words are like a sudden awakening for me." Li Ruoyu clasped his hands respectfully. "Many thanks for your guidance."

"However, there’s one thing this junior doesn’t understand."

He looked at Mu Fanyin and voiced a long-pondered question.

"Why does the Three Yuan Proof realm exist in the lower realms, yet it’s absent within the Hongmeng Dao Realm?" Li Ruoyu was deeply perplexed. "Could it simply be that because the Hongmeng Dao Realm contains the origin of the great Dao, advancing to Sovereign of the World is easier?"

"Moreover, if that’s the case, who established the Three Yuan Proof realm?"

Li Ruoyu did not comprehend.

In Pangu universe, it was Yi Tianxing who established the cultivation system.

He perfected it.

But the Three Yuan Proof realm seemed to emerge naturally. Not only in Pangu universe, but in nearly every lower plane universe, it remained universally applicable.

This proved Three Yuan Proof was not unique to Pangu universe.

Yet.

Within the Hongmeng Dao Realm, it was rare for anyone who reached the Immortal Venerable realm to continue cultivating according to the framework of the Three Yuan Proof. This question persistently troubled Li Ruoyu.

Was the Three Yuan Proof truly a superfluous realm of cultivation?

Merely an unnecessary stage discovered by those reaching the end in the lower realms, realizing they couldn’t ascend?

Who pioneered the realm of Three Yuan Proof in the Pangu universe?

Or rather, who has been passing it down?

After much contemplation, Li Ruoyu arrived at only one answer.

Ninth Young Master, Luo Qianchen!

A flicker of realization crossed Ye Li’s expression.

It was only when Li Ruoyu brought this up again that he understood the realm of Three Yuan Proof was shrouded in dense, enigmatic mists.

"To discuss the Three Yuan Proof, we must first address the origin of the Fourth Lineage," Mu Fanyin said, her red lips curving into a captivating smile that lit up her stunningly beautiful face.

"The Fourth Lineage is acquired, not innate. Almost all its members ascended from lower realms."

"The master of this lineage is the founder of the Three Yuan Proof realm."

"But for now, you don’t need to know too much."

"The founder of Three Yuan Proof?"

Ye Li felt a tremor within his heart.

That single sentence proved someone had indeed founded the Three Yuan Proof.

That person resided in the yang realm, and was at the very least, a Dao Ancestor.

"Could this realm be connected to the Dao Ancestor Realm?" A flash of insight struck Li Ruoyu as he suddenly recalled a crucial piece of information.

Having inherited the legacy of the Great Celestial Lord of Creation, he had some understanding of the mysteries of the Dao Ancestor Realm.

The Dao Ancestor Realm enabled traversing past and present, peering into the future, sharing a strange resonance with the principles of the Three Yuan Proof realm.

However, the Three Yuan Proof manifested uniquely—and somewhat abhorrently—in the lower realms.

Because the divine principles were incomplete.

In lower realm universes, top Immortal Emperors of Three Yuan Proof could traverse past, present, and future. Yet upon ascension to the Hongmeng Dao Realm, where primal origins were perfected and spacetime became as unyielding as iron, that lower realm power became utterly useless, little more than a vestigial limb.

This was likely the reason no one in the yang realm cultivated the Three Yuan Proof system.

Who would willingly waste time and effort to gain something as useless as that?

Mu Fanyin looked at him meaningfully.

Li Ruoyu hastily fell silent.

He realized he had spoken out of turn.

"The Fifth Lineage is the force standing behind the Palace Master of Yuqing," Mu Fanyin continued without lingering on Three Yuan Proof, speaking as if stating a simple fact.

Ye Li’s eyes darted. "Senior Mu," he ventured, "Yuqing Palace and the Luoshen Dynasty are the known surface powers. What other forces belong to this lineage?"

"When you reach the White Deer Immortal Domain, you will know," Mu Fanyin replied, her lips parting to reveal teeth as white as snow, making her red lips seem even more vibrant.

Ye Li felt a momentary stir.

But he quickly regained his composure, unperturbed by her answer.

He craved a chance to cross swords with the Dao Sovereigns of the major powers.

"And the other lineage, which one is it?" Ye Li inquired.

"You’re deliberately playing dumb."

Mu Fanyin smiled brightly.

"…"

Ye Li felt uneasy.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Mu Fanyin knew his true identity; her gaze made Ye Xu feel unnerved.

"It couldn’t be Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, could it?" Li Ruoyu muttered.

"Naturally."

Mu Fanyin gave a slight nod.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has risen to prominence, standing out uniquely—in the eyes of major powers, it’s already a pole. Why else would the Dao Clan present an Invitation?"

"Well, this reflects well on us."

Ye Li couldn’t help feeling smug. "The Master ascended to the upper realm barely a year ago, yet his renown has spread throughout the Hongmeng Dao Realm. We all share this honor."

"That’s precisely why you have no idea how many opponents you face."

Mu Fanyin grinned slyly. "Are the three of you prepared to be beaten to death?"

"…"

Li Ruoyu’s heart chilled at her words.

Even Dao Sovereign Qingyuan shivered, her hairs standing on end.

Staring at Mu Fanyin, she looked conflicted but dared not speak.

"Can…can I still get off this boat?" Dao Sovereign Qingyuan asked timidly.

Both understood Mu Fanyin wasn’t exaggerating.

After the Battle of Yujing Immortal Domain, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion had completely severed ties with Palace Master of Yuqing’s faction. If they crossed paths in White Deer Immortal Domain, violence was inevitable.

Even if their enemies dared not act openly due to Mu Fanyin’s presence, once inside the Dao Clan’s ancestral land, they would surely unite to eliminate these three.

"The door’s been welded shut—no one’s getting off." Ye Li snickered.

Li Ruoyu cursed inwardly.

"Scared?" Noting Li Ruoyu’s apprehension, Ye Li teased, "I never imagined how the mighty Heavenly Emperor, an invincible being of an era, could ever feel fear…"

Humiliation and fury flashed across Li Ruoyu’s face.

"Don’t be afraid."

Throwing an arm around Li Ruoyu’s shoulder, Ye Li chuckled, "Call me ‘Brother Li’ once inside the Dao Clan’s ancestral land, and I’ll have your back. If anyone moves against us, we’ll cut them down together!"

"I am the Heavenly Emperor, undefeated in my time…" Li Ruoyu fumed.

"Then suit yourself."

"Brother Li."

With remarkable ease, Li Ruoyu uttered the new title.

"With that from you, I guarantee not a soul will harm you in the Dao Clan’s ancestral land."

Ye Li narrowed his eyes, radiating peril.

"This time, I’ll use them as stepping stones to elevate Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s reputation even higher!"