Chapter 222 – Only Today Do I Realize I Am Not Me!

“No! Strictly speaking, he is not yet an Immortal. In fact, he’s still an immeasurable distance away from becoming one.”

Lu Yan decisively cast aside the exaggerated thought that had surfaced in his mind.

Possessing the trait of “this world’s only one” did not mean that Mu Chunqiu could become an Immortal. It only meant that he now held the potential to do so.

If becoming an Immortal were truly that simple, the cultivation world wouldn’t be limited to just the Ten Great Orthodox Sects and the Seven Supreme Devil Sects.

“Beyond that, Mu Chunqiu’s own choices were incredibly important.

Though he became more powerful in the Xianxia version, what truly gave him the chance to touch upon the trait of ‘this world’s only one’ was still the Spirit Revival version.

In that version, he became the foremost cultivator of his time, taking the lead in the cultivation path by mastering the Everlasting Spring Art. If he could have continued down that path, he would have had a real chance at reaching the pinnacle of the Spirit Revival version, thereby forging the true trait of ‘this world’s only one.’

But if that were the case, he would have lost the ability to reflect across other worlds due to that singularity, retaining only his uniqueness within the Spirit Revival version.

If so, he wouldn’t become a true Immortal, but merely a unique existence of that urban version.”

“To become an Immortal, merely mastering the trait of ‘this world’s only one’ isn’t enough. There must also be requirements in terms of cultivation and Dao comprehension. One must remain within a high-powered version like the Xianxia version to truly attain immortality.

Still, whatever the case may be, Mu Chunqiu—at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm—has indeed set foot on the path toward becoming an Immortal. He now holds a real chance of ascension.”

Lu Yan hadn’t expected that while he was searching everywhere for an Immortal, one of the contingencies he had left behind in the urban version had inadvertently birthed a man who had begun walking the path toward becoming one.

“Perhaps I should have realized this earlier. Mu Chunqiu reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm at the age of a hundred and is only one step away from Divine Transformation. His extraordinary talent is unheard of in the entire cultivation world.

Even though the Taiyi Sect values fortune and often gains ancient inheritances from exploring ruins and tombs, Mu Chunqiu’s growth is still nothing short of extraordinary—worthy of being called an Immortal-born.

If even someone like him can’t step onto the path to becoming an Immortal, then who can?”

“In Qingwu Sect, that Nascent Soul elder Wu went out of his way to befriend me, even though I was merely a low-ranking Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Could it be that Qingwu Sect has already vaguely sensed Mu Chunqiu’s uniqueness?”

Lu Yan’s thoughts suddenly became clear, and a torrent of realizations surged into his mind.

Just then, Mu Chunqiu’s voice echoed from the lotus platform, snapping Lu Yan out of his stunned state.

“Little friend Lu, did you truly gain insight?”

Mu Chunqiu looked at Lu Yan with curiosity and a trace of disbelief.

The Longevity Immortal Method that even Nascent Soul True Lords and Divine Transformation Dao Lords from the Ten Great Orthodox Sects and the Devil Path couldn’t comprehend—had it really been deciphered by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Lu Yan organized his thoughts but suddenly found himself unsure how to begin.

Should he just tell Mu Chunqiu that the Immortal Method was meaningless, and that the real key was that he had already stepped onto the path of becoming an Immortal?

If he said that outright, Mu Chunqiu likely wouldn’t believe it.

More importantly, Lu Yan couldn’t be sure if his interference as an external force would disrupt Mu Chunqiu’s Immortal path in unforeseen ways.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Yan opened his mouth.

“What comes next is of utmost importance. I ask that Senior Mu cast a spell to block all forms of detection, lest ill-intentioned forces overhear.”

Mu Chunqiu raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice, “I already have one foot in the Divine Transformation Realm. My soul has merged with the world encompassing this floating island. No form of prying can escape my senses.”

Lu Yan shook his head, his expression solemn.

“That’s far from enough.”

“I’m not being overly cautious. It’s just that this matter is far too significant, and Senior must treat it with the utmost care.

If this is leaked, it may draw the attention of powerhouses even above Divine Transformation.”

Mu Chunqiu looked both surprised and puzzled.

“What exactly are you referring to?”

Lu Yan fell silent for a moment before uttering a single word.

“Immortality.”

Mu Chunqiu’s expression instantly turned grim. Even He Dongsheng, who stood beside Lu Yan, immediately rose and spoke:

“Since this is a discussion between Master and Brother Lu, I should not remain here. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, He Dongsheng flew off the floating island, leaving only Lu Yan and Mu Chunqiu behind.

After He Dongsheng left, Mu Chunqiu lightly waved his hand, and a black-and-white umbrella appeared in his grasp.

The umbrella was dual-toned in black and white. The surface bore a yin-yang Taiji pattern, the ribs were forged from Mystic Jade and Frost Iron, and the handle was engraved with the characters “Hidden Heavens Escape.”

The moment it appeared, Lu Yan instantly felt an overwhelming pressure, as if some divine and incomprehensible being dwelled within the umbrella, ready to awaken at any moment.

A Divine Transformation Spirit Artifact!

Lu Yan’s gaze sharpened. Even when he had been a bottom-tier rogue cultivator, he’d heard of the infamous power of such artifacts—like the Devil Path’s infamous Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

But this was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes.

“This treasure is called the Heaven-Covering Umbrella. When unfurled, it generates a domain that disturbs Heaven’s laws and causes all within it to vanish from the threads of fate.

No tribulation targeting, divination, or fate-tracing technique can penetrate this domain.”

As Mu Chunqiu infused it with spiritual power, the Taiji pattern slowly rotated, weaving black and white qi into a vast law domain.

In the moment it expanded, the entire floating island seemed detached from reality and suspended in a realm of its own. The yin and yang qi flowed through the void, transforming into mysterious barriers that completely severed causality with the outside world.

The island now stood as an isolated fortress beyond the heavens—only the massive Taiji symbol revolving above marked its continued existence.

Lu Yan was visibly moved. The spirit of the Heaven-Covering Umbrella hadn’t even awakened, yet the pressure it emitted rivaled that of a peak Nascent Soul expert.

If it were in its prime, a Divine Transformation Spirit Artifact could rival a living Divine Transformation cultivator.

Mu Chunqiu let out a deep breath atop the lotus platform.

Though he had one foot in the Divine Transformation Realm, wielding such an artifact still placed a heavy burden on him.

“The Heaven-Covering Domain is now in effect. Even those above Divine Transformation couldn’t pierce it without alerting us. Say what you need to say.”

Lu Yan nodded and no longer held back. Holding the scroll of the Immortal Method in hand, he asked directly:

“Senior Mu, while studying the Longevity Immortal Method, have you ever seen illusions not belonging to the cultivation world—flickers of seemingly familiar memories?”

Mu Chunqiu’s expression froze. “You saw them too… in the Immortal Method?”

Lu Yan chuckled and solemnly bowed with both hands.

“Congratulations, Senior Mu. You have stepped onto the path of Immortality.

The reason no outsider can glean anything from the Longevity Immortal Method is because this method is a unique Immortal opportunity meant solely for you!”

“Immortality?”

Mu Chunqiu could no longer remain calm. In a flash, he vanished from the lotus platform and appeared directly in front of Lu Yan.

“You’re just a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator—you’ve yet to even form your Core. How could you possibly know the secrets of Immortality?”

Though his tone was harsh, a faint glimmer of hope flickered in Mu Chunqiu’s eyes.

Lu Yan stood firm, unfazed by the pressure, and continued:

“I may be low in cultivation, but I’ve come into contact with Outer Path Demons. I know a few things about the path to Immortality and about version invasions.

These so-called Outer Path Demons are transcendent beings from another world. They have comprehended the essence of their universe and transcended the mundane, yet remain bound to their world.

Their invasion of the cultivation world is merely a pursuit of another path to transcendence.

From that perspective, whether strong or weak, the Outer Path Demons share a core trait with Immortals. And you, Senior Mu, are now walking that same path.”

Mu Chunqiu stood there in a daze.

Having reached his level, he already had some understanding of heaven and earth. Though Lu Yan’s words seemed strange, they were perfectly coherent.

The secrets Lu Yan spoke of were things that even he—one of Taiyi Sect’s thirteen branch masters—had only heard vague whispers about.

Most records relating to these matters were so cryptic that they couldn’t grasp the truth behind them.

Yet this young Foundation Establishment cultivator casually laid them bare.

After a long pause, Mu Chunqiu finally calmed his turbulent emotions and clasped his hands respectfully.

“Then I ask for your guidance, Little Friend Lu.”

Lu Yan did not refuse and accepted the salute calmly.

“Senior Mu has already stepped onto the path of Immortality. Your realm and comprehension surpass many old ancestors of the Ten Great Sects. I dare not presume to teach.

I can only offer some modest guidance based on what I understand.”

“Please, take the seat.”

Mu Chunqiu bowed again and with a wave of his sleeve, the lotus platform slowly descended in front of Lu Yan.

Mu Chunqiu then sat cross-legged on the ground in a posture of humble learning.

Lu Yan stepped onto the lotus and sat down. Instantly, a torrent of nearly tangible spiritual energy surged into his body, rivaling the boundless industrial-grade spiritual energy of the Cyberpunk version.

Beyond the spiritual energy, the Seventh-Grade Lotus itself was an extraordinary treasure. The moment Lu Yan sat down, his mind became crystal-clear. The very fabric of the world grew more vivid to him.

“I know only bits and pieces about the path to Immortality and the trait of uniqueness. So I will not speak from myself, but instead recite the words of another.

This text was written by a strange cultivator hundreds of years ago and is called the Heavenly Dao Treatise.”

For three full days, Lu Yan lectured on the Heavenly Dao Treatise.

The entire book was only about ten thousand words—rejected as nonsense in the mortal world and among low-level cultivators.

Even Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation cultivators dismissed it as absurd.

Only beings like Lu Yan, an unchanging one, or Mu Chunqiu, who had stepped onto the path of “this world’s only one,” could truly comprehend its essence.

Lu Yan combined his own insights with the text. Often, a single line would require Mu Chunqiu to meditate for hours. At times, Mu Chunqiu would even share his own enlightenment with Lu Yan in return.

After three days, they had only covered a third of the text, but Mu Chunqiu voluntarily asked to pause.

To Mu Chunqiu, the author Zhao Huowang had seen too far—far beyond the scope of uniqueness or even Immortality.

A mere taste of it was enough to set one on the Immortal path, but too much could cloud one’s judgment.

Within the Heaven-Covering Domain, Mu Chunqiu posed one final question after the three-day lecture.

“In the Heavenly Dao Treatise, it says that all things—worlds, Dao, and law—are in constant flux. If this world transforms into another, would there exist… another version of me?”

Lu Yan’s eyes lit up. At last, Mu Chunqiu had grasped the key to the trait of “this world’s only one.”

Just as Lu Yan opened his mouth to speak, a baseless sense of dread surged within him.

It was a familiar feeling—his soul shuddered uncontrollably.

Every cell in his body screamed in terror. His very genes were warning him frantically.

All of heaven and earth radiated undisguised malice toward him, as if ready to swallow him whole.

Mu Chunqiu’s pupils shrank sharply. He couldn’t comprehend what kind of power could pierce through the Heaven-Covering Domain and descend upon the floating island.

Without even thinking, he summoned the Heaven-Covering Umbrella and opened it, the Taiji pattern blooming to isolate Lu Yan from the rest of the world.

Yet the unseen malice didn’t fade. Instead, it surged even stronger, as if to devour Lu Yan.

“Impossible!”

Mu Chunqiu’s face paled.

This malice had no form, no substance. It wasn’t cause-and-effect or karmic force. Even a Divine Transformation artifact couldn’t block it.

Just as the tide of malice was about to engulf Lu Yan, a blinding golden sun of Heavenly Dao Merit burst forth—formed from the merit Lu Yan had earned by slaying tens of millions of zombies.

Sitting atop the lotus platform, Lu Yan resembled a god descending to the mortal realm. The vast sea of merit ignited into Xuanhuang Merit Fire, illuminating the entire Heaven-Covering Domain.

That unknowable dread was instantly melted like snow under a blazing sun.

In the heart of the golden fire, Lu Yan looked toward the sky shrouded by the Taiji symbol.

Beyond that domain, he could sense it clearly—the malice came from the Heavenly Dao of the Xianxia world.

Last time, when he gave a photograph from the urban version to Ji Xingyao, the Xianxia Heavenly Dao had erased it, generating a 1% version fluctuation.

This time, his teachings to Mu Chunqiu—touching on the essence of “this world’s only one”—had once again provoked the Heavenly Dao’s hostility.

That proved one thing:

“The Xianxia Heavenly Dao is trying to restrict the emergence of ‘this world’s only one,’ to minimize the number of Immortals.”

That was the only conclusion Lu Yan could draw.

He did not voice this aloud. Under the burning merit fire, the Heavenly Dao’s hostility eventually faded away.

Mu Chunqiu had also realized the truth. In this world, only the Heavenly Dao or true Immortals could penetrate the Heaven-Covering Domain.

If the Immortals had meant harm, they would have descended in person. No need for such vague and indirect threats.

That alone proved the malicious intent came from the Heavenly Dao itself—Lu Yan’s words had revealed heavenly secrets.

Understanding this, and having witnessed the divine brilliance of Lu Yan’s merit, Mu Chunqiu completely discarded any trace of condescension and now viewed Lu Yan as an equal.

He clasped his hands and said,

“Brother Lu’s teachings have benefited me greatly. Let’s conclude it here for today.”

Lu Yan paused in thought, glanced toward the sky, and then chuckled softly.

“No need to worry, Senior Mu. The Heavenly Dao operates on law and order. It rarely interferes in mortal matters. What you just saw was little more than a bluff.

Since our discussion ends here, allow me to offer one final saying—may it help you see through the illusion and ascend to Immortality.”

Mu Chunqiu sat up solemnly.

“Please enlighten me.”

Atop the lotus platform, Lu Yan retracted the merit fire and the divine glow into himself. Bathed in the golden light of Heavenly Dao Merit, he seemed to become a god of supreme virtue.

Heavenly Dao Merit could sever karma and reduce sin. This much visible merit caused the entire Heaven-Covering Domain to tremble.

In the chaotic realm, the god of supreme merit softly spoke:

“All realms and cycles are but illusions. Only today do I realize—I am not me!”

(End of Chapter)