Chapter 645

Chapter 645: The Mystery of Dao One

"Sufficient."

The Chaotic Ancient God was profoundly shaken.

This single statement was enough to deduce that Chu Jiankuang did not understand the creation of the heavens, nor was he aware of the existence of the Hongmeng Dao Realm. That Immortal Land of the Other Shore very likely originated before the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

"My turn to ask."

Chu Jiankuang’s expression shifted slightly. "How many Dao One cultivators are there in the Hongmeng Dao Realm?"

"The Primordial Dao God, Yin Celestial Sovereign, Yang Celestial Sovereign, God Sovereign, and Dao master," the Chaotic Ancient God replied. "Only five are known to me."

"However, not long ago, the Witch Master was devoured by someone. That suggests another powerful being is concealed, and his strength is the most terrifying."

Speaking of this, the Chaotic Ancient God still felt lingering fear and apprehension.

"And one more."

The Chaotic Ancient God suddenly remembered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and solemnly stated, "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

"Him?"

Chu Jiankuang frowned.

"Daoist brother, the strength of the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is the most formidable," the Chaotic Ancient God solemnly declared. "At the very least, in my view, he surpasses any other individual."

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion can leak heavenly secrets at will, even daring to pull the world of the Pure Land into reality without fear of punishment from the Dao of heaven. It is highly possible he has surpassed Dao One!"

"Six Dao One cultivators…"

Chu Jiankuang muttered, "…and one peerless powerhouse beyond Dao One…"

He was profoundly agitated.

"Daoist brother, how many Dao One cultivators are there in the Immortal Land of the Other Shore?" The Chaotic Ancient God asked again.

"One."

Chu Jiankuang replied, "Only my master."

"Only one?" The Chaotic Ancient God was astonished.

"In the Immortal Land of the Other Shore, there can only be one." Chu Jiankuang’s eyes dimmed. "This world lacks the foundation to nurture Dao One cultivators."

Hence, he needed to leave the Immortal Land of the Other Shore.

With the arrival of the Chaotic Ancient God and Mo Wangshu, this desire grew increasingly intense.

If staying in the Immortal Land of the Other Shore meant living an unremarkable life, that was his destined fate. But he was determined to change that destiny.

"Without experiencing it, without trying, how can I know that defying fate is merely a dead end?" Chu Jiankuang thought to himself.

"It seems there are indeed significant restrictions on Ascending to Dao One."

The Chaotic Ancient God’s expression also turned despondent.

His lifelong pursuit had been Dao One.

After all, he was born at the Dao Ancestor Realm.

Boom!

The palace trembled slightly.

Moon Emperor’s voice came, "From now on, you will no longer be manipulated by the Dao One in the yin realm; you are already free."

"Thank you, master."

Mo Wangshu was overjoyed.

"Complying with fate means adapting to the rules of the heavenly path and merging into it. As long as you remember this, even if the Hongmeng Dao Realm collapses again, you will have a glimmer of hope," Moon Emperor said with a laugh.

"Congratulations, junior brother."

The exceptionally beautiful woman congratulated.

"Master’s teachings, this disciple will bear them in mind for life," Mo Wangshu said solemnly.

Moon Emperor showed a satisfied expression.

"You all come in."

As her words fell, Chaotic Ancient God and Chu Jiankuang walked into the hall.

"You were able to enter the Immortal Land of the Other Shore, which marks you as a destined one," Moon Emperor looked at Chaotic Ancient God and laughed. "I can answer one question for you."

Chaotic Ancient God was greatly surprised, "Thank you, senior."

"Ask."

After pondering for a few breaths, Chaotic Ancient God said seriously, "This junior was born at the dawn of Hongmeng; from birth, he reached the Dao Ancestor Realm. Throughout his life, he has sought ways to ascend to Dao One."

"However, he has achieved nothing."

"This junior asks, how exactly can one ascend to Dao One?"

Mo Wangshu pricked up his ears.

This topic also interested him.

Moon Emperor’s expression was calm, as if she had guessed Chaotic Ancient God’s thoughts.

"Ascending to Dao One, as currently known, has four methods."

"Jing, Qi, Shen, Dao."

Chaotic Ancient God felt a chill within, "Witch Master, Dao master, God Sovereign, and Primordial Dao God?"

His reaction was extremely quick.

"Since the opening of the Hongmeng Dao Realm, the number of Dao One has maintained a constant amount," Moon Emperor said lightly. "Dao creates one, for it gave birth to the Hongmeng Dao Realm."

"One creates two, which birthed the Dao of yin and yang."

"The so-called Yin and Yang Celestial Sovereigns are merely the wills of the Dao One in the yin realm and the Dao of the yang realm. They emerged from the Dao of heaven, becoming independent entities."

In the grand hall, it was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The exceptionally beautiful woman and Chu Jiankuang both listened with rapt attention.

Mo Wangshu and Chaotic Ancient God, though they understood the mysteries of Dao creates one and one creates two, did not interrupt.

"Two creates three, which took the yin and yang realms as the source, giving rise to three Dao One powerhouses of Jing, Qi, and Shen."

"Their descent into the world already placed them in the Dao One realm."

"And what about the last path?" Chaos Ancient God asked immediately.

"Dao attainment?" Moon Emperor laughed softly. "Dao attainment is the hardest."

"At the dawn of creation, the Innate Divine Being was born. Yet as heaven and earth evolved, later paths emerged—such as the path of the sword, the path of the saber, or the paths of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"To attain Dao One through Dao itself, one must cultivate all myriad paths under heaven to their uttermost limits."

Chaos Ancient God was immensely shaken. Only then did he grasp how formidable Primordial Dao God truly was.

Mastering ten thousand paths. Master of all realms! God of infinite principles! Truly, the title Dao God was deeply deserved.

"Yet," Moon Emperor continued, "no matter what, Dao remains but a force—one strand of heaven and earth’s rules. It cannot transcend the Hongmeng Dao Realm nor escape the restraints of the Dao of heaven."

"Esteemed one," Chaos Ancient God reasoned, "since the number of Dao Ones is fixed, does that mean only when a cultivator perishes can another possibly take their place?"

"Correct." Moon Emperor affirmed. "To ascend to Dao One, even with sufficient power, one must find an available position. Without it? Utterly impossible."

"But then…" Frustration knotted Chaos Ancient God’s brow like canyon ridges. "Why was Witch Master devoured? Could someone seek to reach the peak in essence, energy, spirit, and Dao itself?"

After hearing Moon Emperor’s words, he could no longer suppress this suspicion, blurting it aloud.

"Witch Master was devoured?" Qian’er, the stunningly beautiful woman, trembled inwardly. Could a Dao One powerhouse truly perish?

"Your questions end here." Moon Emperor offered no further answers.

"My apologies for this discourtesy." Flushing awkwardly, Chaos Ancient God bowed deeply.

"Qian’er, escort him away." Moon Emperor commanded.

Qian’er nodded, turning to Chaos Ancient God. "Daoist friend, it is time for you to depart."

A trace of regret shadowed Chaos Ancient God’s features before he turned to leave.

"Master," Mo Wangshu inquired, "shall I remain?"

"If you wish to tread the Mortal World anew," Moon Emperor replied, "this master won’t hinder you."

Mo Wangshu wrestled inwardly, torn. He had, after all, betrayed Yin Celestial Sovereign.

"Master." Just then, Chu Jiankuang—silent until now—stepped forth. Burning anticipation blazed in his eyes. "This disciple also seeks to leave the Immortal Land of the Other Shore. Let me test my limits in the world beyond."

"Junior apprentice brother, do not be rash." Qian’er knitted her eyebrows delicately, casting a fleeting, subtle glance toward Moon Emperor. Softly she urged, "Staying here under our Master’s protection ensures our safety."

"Give me your reason." commanded Moon Emperor.

"Master, after endless ages of cultivation here," Chu Jiankuang stated calmly, "I know I can never attain Dao One while confined to the Immortal Land of the Other Shore."

A sanctuary it may be, yet this paradise remained an incomplete world—one lacking the essential conditions for Ascending to Dao One.

Born restless and defiant, could Chu Jiankuang ever accept such a cage?

"Those who follow heaven live, those who go against heaven die." Moon Emperor’s expression remained unreadable. "Do you truly wish to defy heaven’s will?"

"Master," Chu Jiankuang lifted his head, defiance sharp in his retort, "you often teach that those who follow heaven live and those who go against it die. Yet that’s not how I feel."

"For me, submitting to heaven is sorrow."

"I possess peerless talent yet skulk in a corner—unable to prove my worth. Though I burn to fight for my ambition, I am forever shackled. Such torment is worse than death!"

"If truly, as you say, Master, those who go against heaven meet violent ends?" Chu Jiankuang dropped to his knees with a thud. He kowtowed violently—forehead smashing the ground, blood flowing freely. His gaze, however, remained unflinching, voice resounding: "Then, this disciple would die ten thousand times without regret!"

"Please! Master! Grant me your permission!"