43: Chapter 43 Transformation from Mortal to Godhood

"Doesn't the Langya Prefecture prefect care?"

Shen Moyan's expression returned to normal. He didn't mention Gao Sheng, but asked about the prefect indirectly.

"Care? How can he care?"

"Just now, the war between humans and Yao broke out. Currently, the prefect and the Jiang Family are resisting the Great Yao of the Qiongqi Tribe; they have long been unable to look after themselves." Gao Sheng sneered.

This was also quite unexpected to him. Since he heard that strange heartbeat, the Yao Race had immediately marched toward the Human Race.

Originally, in his estimation, Wild Goose Formation True Monarch would also be stuck until the Dao Blight thirty years later before starting.

But it actually happened thirty years early.

"Is this the true All Beings Spirit Refining Grand Array?"

Shen Moyan crossed his arms, his brows relaxing as he admired the hideous giant tree before him, as if the billions of lives hanging on it had nothing to do with him.

He understood in his heart, comprehending what Wild Goose Formation True Monarch was doing.

No wonder he had to release the sea; it turned out that releasing the sea was to cover up the secrets deep within the ocean.

"That's right. Spirit Refining of all beings, Kongsang returning to the sea. This array was built in imitation of the Mythical Tree, using the Canghai as nourishment, all to outline the 'Dao Rhyme' of the ancient Mountain and Sea Mythical Tree."

Gao Sheng looked at Shen Moyan, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

This person was so indifferent, looking down on all living things; he truly was a sword seed of jade.

He really hadn't found the wrong person.

"As for the purpose of Wild Goose Formation True Monarch..." Gao Sheng didn't say it explicitly but led the conversation elsewhere.

"Condensing Dharma Body, Transforming Feather Garment, Seeing Xiyi—these are the three stages of Mortal Transformation."

"I presume you've been to the Academy. What did the instructors there say?"

Hearing this, Shen Moyan recalled what Instructor Zhou had said in class.

"Condensing Dharma Body, Transforming Feather Garment, Seeing Xiyi. In the three steps of Mortal Transformation, Dharmic power continuously increases until reaching Perfection, where one glimpses the threshold of the Purple Mansion..."

However, after hearing Shen Moyan's explanation, the corners of Gao Sheng's mouth tightened slightly.

"It seems the Sword Sect has been in seclusion for a long time and has only a superficial understanding of the Twisted Immortal Path."

"Great experts of the Holy Court have researched this. The current Twisted Immortal Path corresponds one-to-one with the Realms of the old immortal dao."

"But how do these three steps of Mortal Transformation correspond to the old immortal dao?" Gao Sheng posed this question.

"Indeed, as Dharmic power continuously increases from the Middle Stage to the Late Stage, then to the Peak, one naturally reaches the threshold of the Purple Mansion."

"Then what is the point of dividing this Realm into three steps?"

Listening to Gao Sheng's words, Shen Moyan suddenly fell silent.

As Dharmic power and control continuously increase, one naturally perceives the 'Dao Rhyme' and reaches the threshold of the Purple Mansion.

But why was the Mortal Transformation Realm divided into three steps?

He suddenly remembered the contents of Chapter 2, Section 2 of the records of the mountain and sea official appointments.

The teacher taught A Fan to recognize the three characters: Heaven, Earth, and Man.

Shen Moyan suddenly connected this to the Foundation Establishment Realm of the old immortal dao.

"Condensing Dharma Body, Transforming Feather Garment, Seeing Xiyi... are equivalent to..."

"Human Dao Foundation Establishment, Earth Dao Foundation Establishment, Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?"

These twelve characters were like a bolt from the blue, striking heavily in Shen Moyan's mind.

"Exactly!" Gao Sheng snapped his fingers.

"In the old immortal dao, by relying on Foundation Establishment spiritual items, a Cultivator could have three grades of Foundation Establishment."

"Similarly, in the current Twisted Immortal Path, by relying on one's own comprehension, Cultivators are also divided into three types of potential in Mortal Transformation."

"Condensing Dharma Body only cultivates the lowest level of Dharmic power; its potential hits the ceiling at the Purple Mansion."

"Transforming Feather Garment not only involves Dharmic power but also reshapes the Cultivator's Dao Heart, providing an unobstructed path all the way to the Guizang Realm."

"Seeing Xiyi—this step is equivalent to the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment of the old immortal dao. In the entire Three Thousand Prefectures, very few people can reach that Realm..."

Gao Sheng continued his explanation.

Shen Moyan suddenly smiled.

Immortal Dao, spiritual items.

Twisted Immortal Path, comprehension.

A single sound's difference completely separated these two paths of cultivation.

The Immortal Dao required spiritual items—items between heaven and earth—to lay the foundation for the Great Dao.

But the Twisted Immortal Path was different; it didn't rely on spiritual items to fix one's potential like the Immortal Dao's Foundation Establishment.

Xian ( 佡)—man has long stood at the Peak of the immortal ( Immortal); I am the Great Dao, and potential is determined by one's own comprehension.

As for what to comprehend? Naturally, it was 'Mortal Transformation'.

"When Wild Goose Formation True Monarch was in the Mortal Transformation Realm, he did not reach the step of Seeing Xiyi due to insufficient comprehension."

"Therefore, when he sought the fifth Realm of the Twisted Immortal Path, the Calamity Law Realm, it was exceptionally difficult. With his lifespan nearing its end, he was forced to try retracing his original path of Mortal Transformation to achieve Seeing Xiyi."

Shen Moyan looked at the giant tree on the seabed. After stating his thoughts, he still looked puzzled.

If the Realms of the Twisted Immortal Path were compared to a skyscraper,

Then the step of Seeing Xiyi was the key to the higher floors.

Wild Goose Formation True Monarch was on the floor of the Guizang Realm. To climb higher and reach the Calamity Law Realm, he had to possess this key.

But this key was located on the first floor of the ten-thousand-foot tower.

No matter how high a level he reached in the future, he could only wander outside the door of the Calamity Law Realm, unable to advance an inch.

But how could Wild Goose Formation True Monarch return to the first floor to retrieve the key?

"Once one leaves the Mortal Transformation Realm, is it impossible to achieve Seeing Xiyi at a higher Realm?" Shen Moyan inquired.

"Don't ask me; I don't know what the ultimate subtle is either," Gao Sheng spread his hands.

Even when he, True Lord Mingxuan, underwent Mortal Transformation, he had not reached the step of Seeing Xiyi.

At the Mortal Transformation Peak, after increasing his Dharmic power to the limit, Gao Sheng sensed the Dao Rhyme and entered the Purple Mansion.

Furthermore, the parts concerning Seeing Xiyi on the origin dao preaching stele were written in an extremely abstract manner.

Let alone him, even Shen Moyan had found Chapter 2, Section 3 of the records of the mountain and sea official appointments to be nonsensical when he first read it.

"However, it is common knowledge that after the Purple Mansion, Twisted Immortal Path Cultivators resonate with the Dao Rhyme. The 'Dao Rhyme' will interfere with the Cultivator. If one hasn't achieved Seeing Xiyi before perceiving the 'Dao Rhyme', there will be no chance in the future."

"Then why..." Shen Moyan hesitated, a thought suddenly springing up in his mind.

Wild Goose Formation True Monarch never intended to achieve Seeing Xiyi.

Perhaps the path he wanted to take was not the Twisted Immortal Path at all.

"Starting from the three steps of Mortal Transformation, after saying so much, I have been giving you hints, little friend." Gao Sheng chuckled.

"Mortal Transformation—try saying it another way."

Hearing this, Shen Moyan blurted out, his pupils shaking violently.

"Soul Transformation!"

The fifth Realm of the Immortal Dao, Soul Transformation.

Wild Goose Formation True Monarch wants to achieve Soul Transformation!

"Setting up an array in imitation of the ancient Mythical Tree, gathering the souls of all spirits, turning all beings into the Heavenly Dao... using these external things for a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, a Mortal Transformation into Soul Transformation..."

Shen Moyan connected all these clues. The indignant expression on Jiang Zhiqiu's face that day suddenly appeared in his mind.

He had once said to Shen Moyan: "I only found out later that these fruits were all transformed from people."

"In that Dynasty, two million Mortals had their life forms completely changed into fruits."

"Those fruits lived out their entire lives on the tree called the Imperial Dynasty—being born, growing up, living, working, and even marrying and having children!"

What is the Heavenly Dao?

All beings are the Heavenly Dao.

In the All Beings Spirit Refining Grand Array, all beings are within the array—or rather, on the tree—operating in an orderly fashion.

Refining the Divine Souls of all beings to nourish one's own spirit.

Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, Soul Transformation of all beings.

"So, this is the true purpose of Wild Goose Formation True Monarch." Shen Moyan had a sudden realization.

No wonder Jiang Zhiqiu was silenced; knowing so much, it would be hard for him not to die.

Looking outside the magical boat at the Human-Faced Fruit Tree that was about to take shape, he sneered.

Absorbing lifespan was merely the most insignificant aspect of this grand array.

The common people had actually become the Dao Fruit for Soul Transformation.

The old immortal dao truly deserves to die.