Chapter 76: A Transmission Beyond Doctrine

This undying body, though mysterious, still has flaws. If it were to master all the divine arts of Fuxi and comprehend the infinite subtleties of spiritual will, anchoring its own will to the heavens and earth, it would become akin to the realm of unity with the Dao. Unless the world itself decays and the Great Dao fades, it would become impossible to kill—this is the true calamity.

But wait! This undying body is clearly not the original method of attaining immortality in this world. Though its emphasis differs, it still strives toward the path of unity with the Dao.

With a flash of insight, Chen Yang immediately realized that there must be spies or means left behind by this individual within his own stronghold.

“Damn it, could it be that this fellow is one of my own disciples or descendants?”

Understanding the origin of the undying body, Chen Yang couldn’t help but feel both amused and helpless. Since it was created based on his own Daoist arts, he could think of several ways to counter it. The most orthodox would be to achieve unity with the Dao himself, then directly overwhelm it with the Great Dao.

A lesser method would be to spend decades or even centuries of painstaking effort to forge the Five Poison Immortal Sword. Once stained with this sword, its corrosive nature would cling to the bones, poisoning every drop of blood and flesh, leaving nothing behind.

Another option would be to create a cause-and-effect type demon god, then expend great fortune to curse and annihilate it completely.

As Chen Yang pondered these possibilities, the clear sound of a sword echoed across the heavens.

Countless rays of sword light formed into a formation, resembling a giant ring. As the sword energy stirred, a massive black hole appeared within the ring; infinite space shattered, and countless mountains, stones, and grasses were uprooted. Before they could even approach, the broken space sliced them into fragments.

“What exquisite swordsmanship—what a fine disciple.”

Seeing this technique, Chen Yang immediately understood that his disciple had witnessed the power of Fantuo’s physical body, its rebirth from a single drop of blood, and thus created this technique specifically to counter it.

“With such a capable disciple at hand, why should I, the old master, worry?”

“Disciple, let us go.” Chen Yang laughed long and heartily, transforming into a streak of light as Zhong Shenshou responded, following with myriad sword rays.

Just moments ago, the world seemed on the brink of chaos, as if this land would be returned to primordial disorder. Now, the world was calm, space restored. Though the place was ravaged, the tumult and sense of returning to wildness had vanished.

Surveying the devastation, only Fantuo-Tata remained. It took a long while for him to recover, and he murmured bitterly,

“My father always said I lacked dignity. If he were to learn of my discerning eye—how I randomly chose someone off the street, who turned out to be unmatched even by the Sacred Ancestor—I wonder what he’d think.”

The mountain breeze swept by, and he shivered involuntarily.

..........
The ancestral land of the Horned Demon Clan.

Ashuda Sacred Mountain.

“Is it Mr. Chen? Ashuda greets you, sir.”

An elder in azure robes had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Chen Yang’s arrival in a flash of light, he immediately bowed.

“It is I,” Chen Yang replied, withdrawing his light. Seeing that the first ancestor of the Horned Demon Clan, the Ashuda Sacred Ancestor, was exceedingly respectful, he smiled,

“I am not a stickler for ceremony. I won’t spare you simply because your manners are proper.”

The elder nodded and said,

“Your reputation precedes you, sir. Fantuo has already spoken with me. He also said you are a true cultivator—your purpose here is public, not personal.”

With that, the elder drew from his sleeve a ruyi scepter glowing with azure light, holding it with both hands.

“The Horned Demon Clan has no ambition to dominate the Spirit Realm, nor do I wish to replace Fuxi. This is our clan’s sacred relic. If you permit, I can swear on behalf of the entire Horned Demon Clan: we will not participate in the calamity of the Fuxi Emperor. Fantuo is no longer our clansman; whether he lives or dies is of no concern to us.

From this day forward, Fantuo no longer exists—only Jiang Shu remains.”

Afterward, he bowed deeply, raising the scepter above his head.

With a gesture, the azure ruyi floated into Chen Yang’s hand. Turning it over, he immediately discerned its nature—a supreme treasure, the finest crystallization of a world’s essence.

This azure ruyi was not condensed from the Spirit Realm’s origin, but from that of another lesser world.

“Indeed, you are an extramural disciple of mine, knowing exactly what I require.” Chen Yang smiled wryly, glancing at the seemingly respectful but ever-ready Ashuda.

“Spare you? It’s not impossible. But I came here to kill, and cannot return empty-handed. If I let you live, then I must take another in your stead.

Tell me, who should I kill?”

Ashuda trembled, a bitter look on his face. Both were clever men—he knew well that Chen Yang intended to force the Horned Demon Clan into isolation, leaving no room for reversal.

You wish to remain uninvolved? Fine—then offer proof of your neutrality and truly stand apart.

Sighing inwardly, Ashuda bowed and said, “Among the hundred clans of the Spirit Realm, most have no desire to contend for supremacy with Fuxi. They only seek to survive. Only the Bifang, Dankang, and Youqiong clans have both the strength and ambition to challenge for the position of ruler.”

Chen Yang nodded, smiling, “No need for lengthy explanations. I trust you are wise, and even if you were not, Jiang Shu certainly is. Just tell me the candidate.”

Ashuda gave a bitter smile and uttered a name.

Half a month later, the youngest and most promising talent of the Bifang Clan, proclaimed as a future rival to the Fuxi Emperor, was beheaded in a single stroke by an extraordinarily handsome young Daoist.

..........
Fuxi Divine City.

The Fuxi Clan’s divine city was built with immense grandeur, like an ancient mountain towering between heaven and earth. The enormous temple and weathered stones spoke of its long history.

“It is indeed far too backward and closed.”

Walking along the wide, imposing avenue, there were no shops or markets to be seen. Every member of the Fuxi Clan lived in the most primitive manner—individually and apart. The prestige of the Fuxi Clan had not brought better lives to its ordinary people.

Instead, as one drew nearer to the city’s core, it appeared ever more backward and wild—even less advanced than the village-based lifestyle of the Fengyang Clan.

This is not the result of natural evolution, but rather the deliberate suppression of civilization.

The Fuxi Clan should no longer be led in this way, nor by these ancient relics.

“All things change—only change remains constant. Humanity has been suppressed to such a degree; it is no wonder traitors have arisen, nor that Jiang Shu appeared. Such decay and wildness truly ought to be overthrown.”

Observing a middle-aged man who was clearly not native to the Spirit Realm—a cultivator who had ascended from another world—deliberately dressed with exposed chest, hurrying past, Chen Yang noticed the fleeting look in his eyes upon seeing his Daoist robe. The man seemed about to say something, then ultimately remained silent, lowering his head as he passed.

Other Fuxi clansmen encountered looked at him with a dull gaze tinged with envy and caution. Some naive children tried to approach, but were pulled back.

Though the city was vast and magnificent, with many Fuxi clansmen present, it felt lifeless and devoid of vitality.