Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 9 Demonic Heart Crossing

In the void, in some unknown place, it seemed to be a forgotten land.

Countless rays of light shimmered, surrounding a magnificent palace—the Palace of Parting Sorrows.

The entire palace stood quietly in the sky, and beneath it lay the vast lands of the Nine Provinces and the four seas and eight wastelands.

The palace's upturned eaves point to the sky like sharp swords, exuding a vast and ancient aura.

The entire palace seemed to belong to a realm other than this mortal world.

Deep within the Heavenly Palace, in the core area known as the Hall of Reversing Fate, the scenery is beyond imagination.

The hall had no dome, no ground, only a constantly evolving energy vortex that was constantly being created and destroyed, with endless possibilities.

Within the vortex, sometimes a doomsday scene of collapsing galaxies appears, and sometimes a little bit of life blooms like lotus flowers.

It seems to be endlessly deducing the interactions and variables of all things in the universe.

A figure stood silently at the center of the vortex.

His aura was perfectly integrated with the ancient will of the entire Heavenly Palace, as if he were the Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Palace was him.

He is the master of the Palace of Separation and Hatred.

The space inside the hall rippled slightly, and a dim purple light pierced through the barrier, revealing the figure of the Palace Master of Zichen Palace after settling down.

His aura was no longer as robust as it had been in his prime, and there were still faint scorch marks on the sleeves and hem of his star-patterned robe.

"Greetings, Palace Master!" Palace Master Zichen bowed, his voice hoarse yet still composed.

The palace master did not turn around; his voice was calm and unwavering, echoing directly at the core of this world:

"The seeds have been planted?"

"Yes," the Palace Master of Zichen Palace replied. "Taking advantage of the collision in the Netherworld, when the laws were most disordered, the Demon Heart Crossing has silently and without a trace fallen into the depths of the minds of some of the new disciples of the Dao Academy, following the thread of cause and effect."

"In that case, the trip can be considered a success," the Palace Master said calmly.

The Demon Heart Crossing is formless and intangible, and it is in harmony with the host's nature. It cannot be detected unless one has reached the pinnacle of the Dao realm.

The Palace Master of Zichen frowned slightly, and finally voiced his doubts:

"However, I still have doubts. Using such a gradual and subtle method takes too long and involves too many variables."

Since the celestial calculations show that the key to the future rise and fall of my Heavenly Palace and even the far-reaching plans lies among this group of Daoist disciples, why not adopt a more direct and efficient approach?

Such a roundabout approach not only delays the opportune moment but also risks unforeseen circumstances.

The Palace Master's gaze seemed to be fixed on the ever-changing vortex, as if it contained all the answers to the questions of the world.

He remained silent for a moment, then instead of answering, asked, "Do you know that it is easy to know one's fate, but difficult to defy it?"

The Palace Master of Zichen Palace was slightly taken aback, not understanding why, but still respectfully replied, "Please instruct me, Palace Master."

"The workings of Heaven, the birth and death of all things, follow their own seemingly constant trajectory."

The Palace Master spoke, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.

"However, the trajectory is not immutable. The key glimpsed by the celestial divination is not a definite answer, nor is it an inanimate object waiting to be collected."

It is an opportunity full of infinite variables, a turning point that could lead to different futures.

Forceful intervention often backfires.

Not only can it not be saved, but the external force applied to it will distort its nature and accelerate its collapse.

It even led to an outcome that we could not have predicted, and that we were unwilling to face.

A glint flashed in the eyes of the Palace Master of Zichen Palace, as if he had realized something:

"The Palace Master is worried that if we intervene too much or use too direct methods, it will provoke their instinctive resistance."

This will cause their Daoist heart to go to extremes in the confrontation, and in the end, not only will they not be able to be used by me, but they will also grow into an obstacle to my palace's grand plan.

Even something that poses a deadly threat to the Heavenly Palace?

"perhaps."

The palace master's voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he were stating a fact that had nothing to do with him.

"Or perhaps, under the powerful constraints and subtle influence of that old trajectory."

That crucial spark of inspiration, that variable that could trigger change, will eventually be gradually extinguished.

They become no different from the masses, following the rules and regulations, with no ambition to surpass others.

That, too, is a failure.

The Palace Master of the Palace of Separation and Hatred turned his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the barrier of the Palace of Reversal of Fate and through the endless void.

It landed precisely on the Du'e Immortal Mountain, which was transforming into light and flying towards the Dao Academy, and on the still bewildered youths there.

"My path of the Heavenly Palace of Separation from Hatred is inherited from the ancient Demon Lord. Its core lies in reversal and destruction."

However, what we are defying is that seemingly unchangeable, cold and ruthless trajectory of fate.

What we have broken are the invisible shackles that bind the true spiritual light of all sentient beings, hindering their transcendence and sublimation.

"The purpose of the Demon Heart Crossing is not to create puppets that blindly obey orders."

The Palace Master's voice carried a unique rhythm, as if expounding the true meaning of the Great Dao.

"It is a special mirror that allows them to see their true thoughts and desires more clearly at the most critical moments on their path, when inner demons arise and manifest themselves."

It could also be a hidden key, perhaps able to quietly open a door tightly sealed by old rules at a necessary turning point in their lives.

"When they are experiencing inner demons and facing the test of their conscience."

At the crossroads of life, if one can rely on one's truest will to break free from inner constraints and external rules, then one can succeed.

So, regardless of whether their final choice is to continue to rely on the Immortal Path, or to move towards a Path that is more in line with our ideals...

The palace master's voice paused slightly here, tinged with anticipation.

"Those will all be their own paths, based on their own conscience."

What we need is precisely this kind of variable that can transcend predetermined trajectories and break the cycle of fate.

Only such variables can stir up the winds and clouds in this world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing both the overall structure and the overall pattern of things), and open up a new world.

The Palace Master of Zichen Palace stood silently, digesting the vast amount of information and profound strategy contained in these words.

After a long silence, he bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincere admiration:

"Understood."

"Go."

The palace master withdrew his gaze that had pierced through the void, and once again focused all his attention on the ever-changing energy vortex before him.

It was as if that was his eternal rival and partner.

"The seeds have been sown; the rest is up to time, and their individual destinies and natures."

The Palace Master of Zichen took his leave, his figure transforming into a streak of purple light, silently disappearing into the Palace of Rebellion.

The grand palace returned to silence once more, with only the chaotic vortex spinning tirelessly.

It seems to contain all the secrets of the world and the infinite direction of the future.

The Palace Master stood alone at the center of the vortex, his robes fluttering slightly in the invisible winds of law, like a chess player.

On the chessboard concerning the fate of all living beings, a seemingly insignificant piece was placed.

Then, they simply waited quietly.

He awaited the unfolding of the entire game, an evolution that even he himself could not fully predict, all because of this one move.

All the truths, all the destinies, remain deeply hidden behind an endless fog.

Meanwhile, after several days and nights of rapid travel, crossing countless miles of mountains and rivers, the speed of the Ferry of Calamities finally began to slow down.

Beyond the transparent light curtain enveloping the fairy mountain, the dazzling, colorful scene gradually stabilized.

All the teenagers looked ahead with excitement and curiosity.

In the distance, countless celestial mountains and blessed lands of varying sizes and shapes floated like stars above the misty sea of ​​clouds!

Some of these sacred mountains are entirely verdant, with waterfalls hanging like an inverted Milky Way.

Some were bathed in golden light, with palaces stretching as far as the eye could see.

Some were covered in ice and snow, crystal clear.

Even more remarkably, the entire mountain was enveloped by a raging fire, yet it exuded a rich vitality.

Countless streaks of light shuttled back and forth among these immortal mountains; these were cultivators who rode swords, cloud-riding, and various flying magical artifacts.

A series of enormous rainbow bridges connect the main mountain peaks like ribbons, and people can be seen on the bridges.

Further away, one could vaguely see enormous mythical beasts frolicking in the clouds, emitting cries.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was extremely rich. Taking a deep breath, I felt refreshed and my fatigue from the past few days seemed to dissipate.

"Is this the Taoist temple?"

Qin Feiyu's mouth dropped open, his eyes widened, and he could hardly believe what he was seeing.

This is no academy; it's clearly an independent world, a legendary fairyland!

Hu Zhen also forgot her previous fear, her face full of shock.

She watched the flying birds and the swirling auspicious clouds, feeling that she couldn't take it all in.

Lu Ming stood in the crowd, his heart also surging with emotion.

The scene before him was more real and more vast than the celestial realm he had conjured during his trial of conscience.

He could feel that the spiritual energy within him was unusually active in this place, as if a wanderer had returned home.

"Silence!" A disciple from the Taoist Academy rang out, silencing the clamor of the youths.

"Ahead lies Wanfa Peak, where the outer gate of the Dao Academy is located."

Everyone, get ready and descend the mountain in an orderly fashion, without crowding!

They saw the Du'e Immortal Mountain slowly heading towards a magnificent peak on the outer edge of the mountain range.

The summit was leveled, creating a huge plaza.

At the end of the square stands a jade archway exuding an aura of majesty.

The words above are written in bold, elegant calligraphy: "Taoist Academy!"

Beyond the archway stretches an endless array of palaces and pavilions, extending deep into the clouds and mist.

The airship slowly landed on the square, and the light curtain dissipated.

The fresh air, mixed with a rich aroma of herbs and spiritual energy, wafted towards us.

Thousands of teenagers from all over the country, carrying a shared dream and their own secrets, finally set foot on this legendary land.