Chapter 624 - 617 Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Curse
Chapter 624: Chapter 617 Taiyi Immortal Monarch, Curse
Shen Zhen looked deeply into An Xin’s eyes after hearing her words and suddenly felt that An Xin might be the last among these disciples to achieve the greatest success.
After experiencing the mortal world, how many could return to dedicated cultivation?
An Xin turned to look at Shen Zhen and asked with a smile, “Elder Shen, why don’t you go out?”
Although Shen Zhen’s realm wasn’t remarkable, and she hadn’t sparred with them, with her Dao Treasure, Shen Zhen would be safe on outward journeys.
Moreover, their master wouldn’t just stand by idly.
“Even staying here in the dojo, I can still experience the mortal world,” Shen Zhen said softly with a laugh. With that, she turned and walked away.
An Xin stared at her receding figure, feeling that Shen Zhen was somewhat profound and inscrutable.
“While they’re away, I should focus on my cultivation to widen the gap between us,” An Xin thought silently, a smile forming on her face. She didn’t linger, exchanging a few words with the Ghost Mother of Ephemera before returning to her training.
She was different from Chen Chuan, Lv Xian, and others; she harbored grander ambitions and was committed to a more resolute path.
…
Tai Cang Continent, North Sea Mountain Ridge.
The Mountain God Temple was nestled in the dense forest, where Profound Mystery Zhenren was watering the plants and flowers in the Medicine Garden.
Over eighty thousand years had passed, and he had become a Celestial and Earthly Immortal, regarded as an Immortal by all creatures of the North Sea Mountain Ridge. He had been courted by Sects and Imperial Dynasties alike, all of which he declined.
No one knew why he guarded the Mountain God Temple, many speculating he was indeed the Mountain God, living in reclusion during times of peace, ready to descend the mountain when the world faced calamity.
At that moment, it was nearing noon.
A series of panicked footsteps came from outside the temple, followed by a emaciated man in tattered clothes running inside. His hair was disheveled, his face streaked with blood. Upon seeing Profound Mystery Zhenren, he fell to his knees with a thump.
“Immortal, save me!”
The skinny man cried out earnestly, his voice filled with misery.
Profound Mystery Zhenren didn’t look at him and casually said, “Don’t underestimate the power of the Tai Cang Dynasty, and besides, I don’t have the strength to save the world.”
Upon hearing this, the skinny man stopped crying and looked up at Profound Mystery Zhenren, asking, “Then, can you ask the Mountain God to take action?”
Profound Mystery Zhenren halted his work and turned to look at him, his gaze calm.
“You’ve been here three times; this is the third. Are you so certain of the Mountain God’s existence?” Profound Mystery Zhenren asked indifferently.
He was no longer the naïve person of the past. Today, he would mention the Mountain God, but only as a legend, no longer fervently proclaiming his existence as he had before.
It wasn’t that he had ceased to revere the Mountain God, but that he understood the Mountain God’s intentions.
The Mountain God was just one of that being’s identities, as was the Supporting Dao Sword Venerable.
Rather than eternally protecting all living beings, the Mountain God likely wished for them to possess the capability to protect their own world.
Moreover, Profound Mystery Zhenren wasn’t convinced that the Innate Human Race was a dreadful existence, especially compared to the past cosmic calamities. The current situation seemed more like a well-prepared trial.
Perhaps it was the work of the Immortal Gods spoken of in the world.
At any rate, Profound Mystery Zhenren didn’t believe in the legends of Immortal Gods like the Profound Star Immortal Monarch or the Golden Extreme God.
Faced with Profound Mystery Zhenren’s gaze, the skinny man revealed a look of panic.
“No need for further pretense. Speak, what is your origin, and what is your purpose here?”
Profound Mystery Zhenren asked coldly, pressuring the man with the imposing aura of a Celestial and Earthly Immortal.
Boom!
A shocking boom echoed from afar, and looking up, one could see a blood-red rainbow light appearing in the sky.
The Innate Human Race was battling fiercely against the Tai Cang Imperial Dynasty, and this conflict was affecting the entire Tai Cang Continent.
The surging aura from afar did not affect Profound Mysterious Zhenren as he looked coldly down at the gaunt man kneeling on the ground, his gaze icy, as if two blades were piercing through the man’s heart.
The gaunt man bowed his head as he slowly stood up.
“It’s rare to find a devotee like you in the Human World, worshipping a non-existent Mountain God here for tens of thousands of years. Your devotion has moved me.”
The gaunt man spoke, and his tone seemed transformed, lacking the previous panic.
He slowly lifted his gaze, and his pupils turned an eerie silver-blue, which made Profound Mysterious Zhenren frown.
“The Mountain God you worship does not exist, but there are real Immortal Gods worthy of your devotion,” said the gaunt man with a mysterious tone.
Profound Mysterious Zhenren said mockingly, “Oh? You also believe in the Profound Star Immortal Monarch? And how will you prove the existence of Profound Star Immortal Monarch?”
The gaunt man shook his head and said, “No, I do not follow Profound Star Immortal Monarch. I am a devotee of another Immortal Monarch, known as Taiyi Immortal Monarch. He is far greater than Profound Star Immortal Monarch. He has created and saved the world, and it is his great virtue that has earned him a position amongst the ranks of Immortals, while Profound Star Immortal Monarch merely inherited his Immortal Position.”
Taiyi Immortal Monarch?
Profound Mysterious Zhenren was hearing this name for the first time. He furrowed his brow and asked, “Who exactly are you?”
The gaunt man replied, “Who I am is not important. I am simply a follower of Taiyi Immortal Monarch. My life once plunged into darkness without hope, and it was he who saved me. There are many like me in this world. You are not the first one I’ve sought out. Followers of Taiyi Immortal Monarch are unlike the lapdogs of Profound Star Immortal Monarch; they blindly proclaim his strength, in ignorance.”
“Aren’t you doing the same as them?” scoffed Profound Mysterious Zhenren.
The gaunt man smiled and said, “Naturally, it’s different. I only speak of Taiyi Immortal Monarch to those who share our path. The Immortal Monarch once said that when he truly saves all living beings, then we can praise his name. The biggest difference between him and Profound Star Immortal Monarch is, he acts first and seeks recognition later.”
Profound Mysterious Zhenren fell silent.
He wondered what Taiyi Immortal Monarch’s true intentions were.
Could it be that both Profound Star Immortal Monarch and Taiyi Immortal Monarch truly exist, and they are engaged in an open and secret struggle, competing for the hearts of all living beings?
He felt it was quite possible, and this thought made him somewhat disdainful of both Immortal Gods.
Such behavior, how is it any different from mortals?
The Immortal Gods in his heart should be high above, without a tint of mortal desires.
The gaunt man took a step forward and said, “What’s known as the Innate Human Race are actually the slaves bred by the Golden Extreme God under Profound Star Immortal Monarch. Their madness stems from trying to grasp a sliver of hope. The Human World now is a Sea of Suffering, whether for us or the Innate Human Race, everyone is struggling desperately. Only by believing in the coming of Taiyi Immortal Monarch can we see a glimmer of hope.”
Profound Mysterious Zhenren asked, “If Taiyi Immortal Monarch is in charge of this matter, what need is there for you or me?”
“The Heavenly Dao has its Celestial Rules. Taiyi Immortal Monarch cannot descend directly unless there are people in this world who believe in him and appeal to the Heavenly Dao with great vows, then the Heavenly Dao will permit his arrival. Our great vows do not require numbers, but a heart of devotion. My faith is not enough, perhaps due to my insufficient Dao Practice or maybe I haven’t lived long enough. You have worshipped the Mountain God for who knows how many years; the great vow you can bring must surpass mine.”
As the gaunt man spoke, his gaze towards Profound Mysterious Zhenren grew increasingly fervent.
Hearing this, Profound Mysterious Zhenren lost interest and said, “Whether what you say is true or false, I only believe in the Mountain God. Go find someone else.”
If the Heavenly Dao does not allow Taiyi Immortal Monarch to descend, there must be another reasoning.
The Mountain God does not have such constraints!
Comparing the two made Profound Mysterious Zhenren’s respect for Gu An reach a new height.
Immortal Gods seek names, seek faith, whereas the Mountain God seeks nothing.
The gaunt man’s brows furrowed, and his gaze turned displeased.
Profound Mysterious Zhenren humphed, “What now? Do you intend to force me?”
He did not take the gaunt man seriously at all.
Could a Mahayana Cultivator pose a threat to him?
The gaunt man stared at Profound Mysterious Zhenren, gritted his teeth, and said, “Although my Cultivation Level is inferior to yours, I can still curse you. Your disrespect for Taiyi Immortal Monarch will surely bring misfortune upon you. Your loved ones will die one by one in this catastrophe, and because of your lack of reverence, you will be harmed by Heart Demons, and your latter life will be mired in the agony of hell.”
As he spoke, his body began to split open, blood oozing out continuously, rapidly turning into a bloodied figure, with even the bones at his joints revealing a dreadful whiteness.