The sixth layer of the [Paramita].
At an infinitely high and distant point, a tiny figure sat cross-legged. His cold, indifferent eyes were like a clear mirror, continuously reflecting Lu Yang's various recent actions.
"This person possesses many pieces of intelligence and methods that I am unaware of."
"There must be a reason why he traced back to the Ancient Era."
Many possibilities were listed by him one by one, then excluded individually, finally locking onto a single thing: "It can only be the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]."
After all, that Xuande was suspected of being a person who possessed 'qualifications,' just like Dao Tianqi.
And those 'qualifications'—he did not have them.
In all things, there are gains and losses. He obtained [Supreme Grandmaster] and secured the greatest opportunity within the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]; this was his [Gain].
As for why he could not obtain the 'qualifications,' the Primordial Saint also had deductions. One must know that the [School of Names] and the [School of Forms] were in an adversarial relationship with that Deity Transformation being in the Pre-Ancient Era. Measuring others by his own standards, if he were in that position, he certainly would not hand the 'qualifications' for upward advancement to the later-generation successor of his enemies.
This was his [Loss].
That being said, the Primordial Saint did not regret this. After all, without the [Gain], he wouldn't have reached where he was today, let alone speak of any [Loss].
The Primordial Saint, having cut away his emotions and will, thought rationally.
'This person can enter [Supreme Grandmaster] and is on good terms with Beast Taming and Myriad Treasure; he will inevitably learn the secrets above the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] from their mouths.'
The eighth secret realm.
The secret realm that the seven trials of the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] ultimately led to was something impossible to achieve in the current world; it could only be glimpsed in the Ancient Era.
"The [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] in the karmic history is merely an illusory reflection, untouchable by external forces. But if one possesses the qualifications, there might not be zero hope... regardless of whether there is hope, I shall treat it as if there is! Perhaps I must find a way to process the related karma once more and bury it away."
This was his consistent style.
Because he had been drenched by the rain, he would make sure no one else could use an umbrella. Things he could not obtain, he would use every means possible to ensure others could not obtain them either.
Thus, he dismantled the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness].
Thus, he exterminated the lineage of the Gatekeepers.
So what if one had "qualifications." As long as they could not be used, they were meaningless. In his [Inevitable Fate], there was no need for the existence of these [Variables].
However, just then.
"RUMBLE."
Abruptly, the Primordial Saint looked up. He sensed a certain vast and boundless majesty—one that nourished things silently—suddenly erupting from beneath the Light Sea.
"...The Netherworld?"
What happened?
Facing such a sudden situation, the Primordial Saint's expression remained unchanged. He merely arched an eyebrow, watching the brilliance erupting from the Netherworld surge in all directions.
The brilliance was like a waterfall, like a torrent, yet it transcended the mortal world. Though it reflected various aspects of the current world, not a single cultivator sensed it; even the Golden Core Perfected Lords appeared unaware. Only the Dao Lords could glimpse its true form, watching as the entire Light Sea was swallowed by that single torrent.
Immediately, the torrent began to expand further.
Not only the Netherworld and the Light Sea, but even the [Paramita] was touched by it. Such a turn of events immediately drew the rejection and resistance of the Sword Lord and the other Dao Lords.
However—it was meaningless.
[Destiny], [Fortune], [Spiritual Power], and [Dao Arts]—the four Great Daos crashed down under the reinforcement of the [Paramita], attempting to expel that vast brilliance.
Yet the result failed to create even the slightest ripple. All profound and majestic power struck empty space. That torrent of light appeared as if it did not exist within this square of the world—transcendent and refined. It quickly swallowed the [Paramita] as well. Even the Dao Lords did not understand exactly what profound wonder lay within it.
Only the Primordial Saint had a slight resonance.
'Deity Transformation...'
He was certain that everything happening now was inevitably a Deity Transformation method. This kind of majesty that transcended all and was impossible to fathom—there was no need for any other thought!
Then the question was:
'Since he has already transcended, why leave these things behind? Could there be a problem with transcendence, and this is his layout? Does that Xuande have a connection to this?'
While the Primordial Saint was pondering.
"Hahaha..."
Suddenly, laughter rang in his ears... and not just his, but also those of the Sword Lord, Cang Hao, Myriad Laws, Du Xuan, Lu Yang, Dao Tianqi, and the World Honored One.
The sealed Ancestral Dragon.
Even the Sisui within the False History.
As well as Xiu Zhen, who remained hidden in the shadows to this day.
In the current Light Sea, every cultivator who had refined a Primordial Spirit heard this light laugh at this moment: "I detest the inequality of the Great Dao; today, I shall equalize it for you all."
As the voice fell.
In the next instant, the brilliance that had just covered the Light Sea, the Netherworld, and the Paramita suddenly vanished, as if it had never existed. Only a hollow, ethereal echo remained.
Immediately, all the Dao Lords felt a resonance.
They looked up toward the sky.
Even the Primordial Saint, who stood the highest, could not help but lift his head at this moment to look at that arc of light hanging high above the vault of heaven, impossible to reach.
Because it was even above the [Paramita]!
"That is... the eighth secret realm. There was a fleeting glimpse of it in the Ancient Era; back when the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] was still complete, its traces could be vaguely seen."
"It has reappeared in the world?"
"Wait..."
Just then, a segment of complex memory suddenly surfaced in the hearts of all the Dao Lords. No figure could be seen; only a voice echoed within the memory:
"Before I transcended, I shattered my own soul and sea of consciousness to create the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness], leaving a sliver of hope for the Light Sea. Therefore, those who have refined a Primordial Spirit are not permitted to enter this realm rashly."
"However, I equalize the Dao for the Light Sea and never favor one over the other. This was true for the schools of Name and Form, and it is the same for those who have refined a Primordial Spirit. Therefore, I left my True Spirit above the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] to create the eighth secret realm. Only those who have refined a Primordial Spirit may enter. All juniors with the ambition for transcendence may enter this secret realm."
"However, my True Spirit is too high and ethereal; it is difficult for ordinary people to step into."
"Therefore, the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] must be maintained in its completeness to serve as a ladder to heaven before one can enter. For this purpose, I also left behind Gatekeepers and Guides."
"To inherit my legacy is naturally to continue my orthodoxy."
At this point, that voice seemed to gain a hint of a smile: "Fellow Daoists, only by learning to give others a path upward will you have a path upward to walk yourselves."
"Do not say you were not warned."
The memory ended abruptly.
In an instant, all the Dao Lords were shocked by this massive impact, falling into a long silence. Only after a long while did someone finally recover.
And then they realized.
The eighth secret realm, the True Spirit of Transcendence—impossible to enter unless the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] is complete? Dammit, the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] was dismantled back in the Ancient Era!
Who did it?
"PRIMORDIAL SAINT!!!"
Furious roars surged upward from the [Paramita], straight toward the very top.
And there, the Primordial Saint kept his eyes tightly closed, not saying a word.
He didn't know.
This segment of a message—he simply didn't know about it. There was no corresponding record within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record]. If there had been, how could he have done such a stupid thing?
What was even more heart-wrenching was the meaning behind this message.
It meant that from the very beginning, countless years ago, the Primordial Saint had hope for transcendence—it was even an opportunity specifically prepared by a being of the supreme Deity Transformation realm!
Yet he had buried it himself.
Originally, this would have been enough to drive the Primordial Saint mad. However, after cutting away all his will and emotion, he no longer possessed any negative feelings. His heart was like a mirrored lake, without a single ripple.
Therefore, there was only silence.
(End of Chapter)