135: Chapter 135 Foundation Collapses, Survival from Despair

The "Pool of Creation" is located in the innermost Forbidden Ground of the Yanhuang Immortal Capital. It gathers the life force of creation accumulated over countless years by the Yanhuang Sect and even the entire Tiannan Human Race Alliance, making it a supreme treasure land for healing, comprehending the Dao, and making Breakthroughs. Its pool water is formed from a strand of "Innate Creation Primal Qi" left behind when "Chaos first opened and the clear and turbid began to separate," merged with countless Heaven And Earth Treasures and Earth Vein Spiritual Marrow. It has been nurtured and refined by generations of experts from the Yanhuang Sect using supreme Formations, containing infinite life force and the power of creation. It possesses the supreme miraculous effects of regrowing flesh on bones, bringing the dead back to life, repairing the Dao Foundation, and nourishing the Divine Soul.

At this moment, Lin Wan was immersed deep within this "Pool of Creation," where green waves rippled, shrouded in a seven-colored misty glow, as if countless lifeforms were pulsing within the water.

Beneath the surface of the pool, it was no ordinary water, but "Creation Jade Nectar," thick as jade marrow and containing majestic life force and fragments of the Great Dao. Lin Wan's body was enveloped by the "Creation Jade Nectar," suspended deep in the center of the pool, right at the heart of the "Nine Palaces Spirit-Gathering Yuan-Returning Grand Formation" personally set up by Emperor Yan. The Formation operated slowly, continuously drawing the purest life force of creation from the pool water. Together with the medicinal efficacy of supreme treasures that Emperor Yan and the others had brought out at all costs—such as the "Life Creation Pill," "Nine-Revolution Soul-Returning Grass," and "Chaos Primordial Spirit Liquid"—this power poured incessantly into Lin Wan's body, repairing his Physical Body, Dao Fruit, and Divine Soul, which were on the verge of collapse.

However, the situation was far more severe than what the Pill Tower Master had initially judged.

Although the trace of the "beginning of the dao" power—which touched upon the "Origin of the Dao" and was stimulated by Lin Wan forcibly bearing and activating the fragment of the samsara mirror—had indeed forced back the Holy Lord's Clone and saved the Yanhuang Immortal Capital, its backlash was also terrifying to the extreme.

That was no ordinary Dao wound, but a "Great Dao Wound" that touched upon his Origin and shook his very Foundation.

Under the nourishment of the "Creation Jade Nectar" and the supreme treasure medicines, the surface cracks on his Physical Body seemed to be slowly healing. However, in his deepest parts, his Meridians, bones, internal organs, and even every single cell were covered with tiny, almost invisible "Dao-mark cracks" left behind after the collision and annihilation of two completely opposing forces of Origin. These cracks were not physical injuries, but indelible "Dao-wound imprints" left behind after the two Origin laws of "existence" and "Nothingness" collided and annihilated at the most microscopic level. They constantly eroded his life force and hindered his recovery. Had the life force of creation from the "Pool of Creation" and the Origin power contained within treasure medicines like the "Chaos Primordial Spirit Liquid" not been strong enough to barely maintain a balance, his Physical Body would probably have already disintegrated completely, dispersing into the most basic particles.

His Divine Soul was also extremely heavily injured. The Divine Soul avatar sat listlessly in the center of his Sea of Consciousness, its surrounding light dim, and it even showed streaks of phantom images, as if it could dissipate at any moment. His consciousness had fallen into a deep coma, only maintaining the most instinctive desire and struggle for "life" under the nurturing power of the "Pool of Creation" and various treasure medicines.

"How is the situation?" Emperor Yan, the Pill Tower Master, the Earth Vein Sect Master, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, along with Ye Qingxian, who had rushed back in a hurry, gathered by the edge of the Pool of Creation, looking solemnly at the unconscious Lin Wan, whose breath was extremely weak. Emperor Yan asked in a deep voice. He had already guarded this place for seven days and seven nights, not hesitating to consume his own Origin to use the "Nine Dragons Imperial Qi" as a guide to assist the operation of the Formation to stabilize Lin Wan's injuries, but the results did not seem ideal.

The Pill Tower Master, an old man with an immortal and transcendent air, had his brows tightly furrowed at this moment, his eyes filled with worry and disbelief. He was highly proficient in the Dao of Alchemy and medicine, and had also researched Great Dao Wounds, but the situation inside Lin Wan's body still made him feel that it was incredibly troublesome.

"It is a hundred times worse than expected." The Pill Tower Master slowly shook his head, his tone heavy. "The Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's Dao wound is no longer something that ordinary Medicinal Pills or life force can repair. His Physical Body, Dao Fruit, and Divine Soul have all been eroded and collided by two completely opposing yet both Origin-touching terrifying forces, leaving behind indelible 'Dao-marks.' Especially for his Dao Fruit and Divine Soul, the 'Dao Foundation wound' at their core is even more complex and bizarre. There is both the residual erosion and negation power of 'Nothingness,' as well as the 'Dao-marks' left by the backlash of that mysterious, unfathomable power touching the 'beginning of the dao.' The two forces are entangled, conflicting with each other, yet bizarrely maintaining a fragile balance, preventing any external force from repairing or intervening."

"Using the 'Nine-Revolution Spirit-Exploring Technique' to investigate, I found that at the core of his Dao Fruit, a small area actually presents a grayish-dark void similar to 'Nothingness,' as if a piece of his Dao Foundation has been 'gouged out.' Yet within it, there is also a faint, almost imperceptible flow of another more ancient and fundamental Dao Charm of 'existence,' keeping that area from completely disintegrating. This kind of injury is unheard of and unseen. Ordinary methods of repairing the Dao Foundation are completely useless against this, and might even break that fragile balance, causing the Dao Fruit to shatter completely and his Divine Soul to dissipate."

"Is there... really no way at all?" Ye Qingxian asked anxiously, her beautiful eyes filled with worry. Lin Wan had suffered such a heavy injury to save the Yanhuang Immortal Capital and the Tiannan Human Race. If he could not be cured, she would never find peace for the rest of her life.

"A way..." The Pill Tower Master stroked his long beard, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes. "It's not that there is absolutely no way. It's just... the hope is slim, and it is extremely perilous."

"Please speak freely, Master! No matter what Heaven And Earth Treasures are required, or how harsh the conditions are, I, and the entire Tiannan Alliance, will spare no effort and shrink from no sacrifice!" Emperor Yan said resolutely. Lin Wan was the benefactor who had saved the Immortal Capital and the Tiannan Human Race, and more importantly, he was the key hope for resisting "the end" in the future. No matter what, he had to be saved.

The Pill Tower Master glanced at Emperor Yan, then looked at the unconscious Lin Wan in the pool, and said slowly, "Ordinary methods are already useless. We can only take a risky gamble; by using extraordinary means, there may be a slim chance of survival."

"First, we must find Innate divine items that contain the Origins of Chaos, creation, and Dao-mending, such as the 'Heaven-Mending Stone,' 'Chaos Green Lotus,' or fragments of the 'Creation Jade Plate.' With the supreme Origin Dao laws contained in these divine items, we might be able to nourish, repair, or even reshape the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's damaged Dao Foundation, filling the 'Void Hollow' at the core of his Dao Fruit."

"Heaven-Mending Stone? Chaos Green Lotus? Fragments of the Creation Jade Plate?" The Earth Vein Sect Master gasped, smiling bitterly. "Master, these are all chaotic divine items that only exist in ancient legends, or even from the very beginning of creation. They have been extinct for countless eras, and their traces are hard to find in all the heavens and myriad worlds. Where are we supposed to look for them?"

Emperor Yan, Ye Qingxian, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master were also silent. Let alone them, even those reclusive True Immortals, or even more ancient existences, might not necessarily possess these divine items.

The Pill Tower Master sighed, "I naturally know how difficult it is. However, other than this, there is only one other method, which might... be more feasible, but is also far more dangerous."

"What method?" Everyone's spirits were lifted.

"Finding life in death, breaking before establishing, and reshaping the Dao Foundation." The Pill Tower Master said solemnly, word by word.

"Breaking before establishing? Reshaping the Dao Foundation?" Everyone was shocked. The Dao Foundation is the root of a Cultivator; once damaged, at best, one's cultivation regresses, and at worst, one's body perishes and the Dao dissipates. Actively shattering and reshaping the Dao Foundation is simply gambling with one's life, and it is a situation of certain death with no chance of survival!

"Indeed." The Pill Tower Master nodded, his eyes flashing with the light of wisdom. "The Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's Dao Foundation has already been eroded and collided by those two Origin forces, leaving behind indelible 'Dao-marks' and a 'Void Hollow.' Ordinary repairs are no longer possible. The only way is to completely shatter and disintegrate the existing, contaminated, and crumbling Dao Foundation, along with his Dao Fruit, Physical Body, and the two conflicting forces remaining in his Divine Soul!"

"Then, using his own comprehension of the four Daos of 'Chaos,' 'Destruction,' 'Reincarnation,' and 'Purification,' combined with the fleeting glimpse of the Origins of the 'beginning of the dao' and 'existence' touched upon in that battle, guided by his powerful will, and using the endless life force of creation from the 'Pool of Creation,' the Origin medicinal power of treasure medicines like the 'Life Creation Pill,' and... the fragment of that mysterious treasure capable of stimulating the power of the 'beginning of the dao' as a base—he will, in the desperate situation where his Sea of Consciousness, Dantian, Physical Body, and Divine Soul have completely collapsed, recreate, condense, and shape a brand-new, more perfect, and more powerful... Dao Foundation from 'nothingness' that can truly govern, fuse, and sublimate his four Dao Charms, and even touch upon the Origin of 'existence'!"

The Pill Tower Master's voice carried a strange fanaticism and resoluteness: "This method is called 'Shattering the Dao for Rebirth, Nirvana into Foundation'! Once successful, not only will the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's injuries be fully recovered, but his cultivation can also take a giant step forward, and he might even truly comprehend the mysteries of that trace of the 'beginning of the dao' through this, touching upon a higher level of power! The stability of his Dao Foundation and the depth of his potential will far exceed before, and his future path of the Dao will be limitless!"

Everyone's hearts trembled as they listened, shocked by the boldness and mystery of this method of "Shattering the Dao for Rebirth, Nirvana into Foundation," and also terrified by the perils involved.

"However, this method is extremely dangerous." The Pill Tower Master's tone shifted, becoming incredibly solemn. "First, there must be an external force to help him completely shatter and disintegrate his existing, crumbling Dao Foundation, Physical Body, and Divine Soul without harming his most fundamental spirituality and will. This requires precision to the absolute limit; the slightest mistake will result in both body and Soul being utterly destroyed, and his True Spirit dispersing."

"Secondly, after the shattering, how can he maintain a spark of spiritual clarity in that state of absolute 'nothingness,' absolute 'Chaos,' and absolute 'disintegration,' and use this spark as a guide to re-aggregate, nurture, and shape a new Dao Foundation? This requires the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch himself to possess unimaginable, resilient will, as well as an extremely profound comprehension of and adherence to his own 'Dao' that transcends life and death. This is 'seeking life in death,' which cannot be accomplished unless one is of great wisdom, great perseverance, and great Opportunity."

"Finally, and most importantly, the 'base' required to reshape the Dao Foundation—the fragment of that mysterious treasure capable of stimulating the power of the 'beginning of the dao'—must be sufficiently powerful and highly compatible with the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's own Dao, serving as the 'core' and 'catalyst' of the new Dao Foundation for it to succeed. Otherwise, it will be like a tree without roots or water without a source, and in the end, it will still completely dissipate, returning to nothingness."

The Pill Tower Master looked at Ye Qingxian and said in a deep voice, "Sect Master Ye, you share a close relationship with the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch. Do you know what that mysterious treasure fragment inside his body actually is? Can it serve as the 'core' of the new Dao Foundation?"

Hearing this, Ye Qingxian remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head. "I do not know its specific Origin either. I only know that Lin Wan obtained this object in the 'Abyss of Buried Gods.' It is suspected to be related to ancient mighty figures or even the legendary 'Reincarnation.' Its power is unpredictable, and it can counter the power of 'the end,' as well as stimulate a trace of power that touches upon the Origin. However, whether it is willing to, or can serve as the 'core' of the new Dao Foundation, I... cannot be certain."

Everyone fell into silence once again. Although this method offered a slim chance of survival, the conditions were harsh and extremely perilous, and the success rate was probably less than one in ten thousand. Most crucially, whether that mysterious treasure fragment was controllable and usable remained entirely unknown.

"Is there... really no other way?" the Earth Vein Sect Master asked unwillingly.

The Pill Tower Master shook his head and sighed, "Other than this, I... am powerless. Perhaps only a legendary True Immortal, or an even higher-level existence, taking action could use supreme mighty power to forcibly repair such a 'Great Dao Wound' that touches upon the Origin. But True Immortals... have long been legends. Even if they exist, why would they easily take action for a mere Soul Transformation Cultivator?"

Just as everyone was at their wits' end and the atmosphere was heavy, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, who had been silent with his face shrouded in starlight mist, suddenly spoke slowly. His voice was ethereal, as if coming from the infinitely distant starry sky:

"I have deduced using the 'Heavenly Secret Plate' and glimpsed a sliver of heavenly secret. The Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch has a peculiar destiny, seemingly deeply entangled with a supreme divine item involving 'Reincarnation' and 'Karma.' His Dao Tribulation this time seems like a situation of certain death, but in reality... it hides a sliver of life, and is even... a great Opportunity. The key to his survival lies not in external things, but in his own heart, his will, and his destiny."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master paused, his gaze seemingly penetrating the pool water to see the unconscious Lin Wan. "The method of 'Breaking before establishing, Nirvana into Foundation,' though risky, faintly aligns with what the heavenly secret indicates. As for that treasure fragment serving as the 'core'..."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master turned to Ye Qingxian and said softly, "Sect Master Ye, you can try to communicate with the fragment deep within the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's Sea of Consciousness using your Divine Thought. If it truly possesses spirituality, it may respond. The Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's Dao was originally destined to be connected with that fragment. Suffering this tribulation might precisely be the Opportunity for him to completely refine and fuse this object, reshaping his Dao Foundation and taking a step further. However, such communication must be guided by the Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch's own will. Our external forces can only assist and must not force it, otherwise it may backfire."

Ye Qingxian's beautiful eyes lit up, and she looked at Emperor Yan and the others. Emperor Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded heavily. "We shall do as the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master says. No matter what, we must try. I will personally sit in guard, mobilizing all the power of the 'Pool of Creation' and the Immortal Capital Grand Formation to act as a Protector for Little Friend Lin, providing the most abundant life force of creation and spiritual power support. Pill Tower Master, please prepare the 'Nine-Revolution Soul-Returning Grand Formation' and the 'Spirit-Protecting Divine Pill,' making absolutely sure to protect a trace of Little Friend Lin's True Spirit from extinguishing. Earth Vein Sect Master, please mobilize the Earth Vein Dragon Qi to stabilize the Spiritual Veins here and prevent any accidents. Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, I must trouble you to suppress the heavenly secrets here with the Heavenly Secret Plate, obscuring all anomalies to prevent any petty scoundrels from spying or interfering. Sect Master Ye, the matter of communicating with that treasure fragment is in your hands. No matter what, we will do our utmost to help Little Friend Lin survive this tribulation!"

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, their expressions solemn. They knew that what followed would be a perilous gamble, a fight against fate and the Dao. The stake was Lin Wan's life, the hope of the Tiannan Realm's Human Race, and even the future of the entire "Burial of Heaven" war.

Without further hesitation, everyone immediately sprang into action.

Emperor Yan personally took command at the core of the Pool of Creation, mobilizing the Immortal Capital Formation. Endless Spiritual Qi and the vitality of creation surged toward the unconscious Lin Wan in the pool, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

The Pill Tower Master took out his treasured "Spirit-Protecting Divine Pill," capable of preserving the True Spirit, and melted it with his own pill fire. It transformed into a pale golden halo that enveloped Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness. At the same time, he began to set up the incredibly profound "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Formation." This Formation had the miraculous effect of solidifying the Soul, stabilizing the mind, and maintaining vitality, making it the key to preserving Lin Wan's last trace of life during the process of shattering and reshaping his Foundation.

The Earth Vein Sect Master communed with the Earth's Dragon Veins, causing vast and heavy Earth Vein Dragon Qi to rise and merge into the Pool of Creation, stabilizing the Spiritual Veins and nourishing all things.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master sat cross-legged. An ancient compass, seemingly composed of endless stars and threads of fate, rotated slowly before him, casting a hazy starlight. It completely obscured and disrupted the Heavenly Secrets, Luck, and Karma of the entire Pool of Creation area, preventing it from being spied upon or calculated by outsiders, especially the powerful figures of "the end" faction.

Ye Qingxian went to Lin Wan's side, sat down cross-legged, and extended her slender hand, gently pressing it against Lin Wan's brow. Closing her eyes, her Divine Thought, like the gentlest flowing water, carefully probed into Lin Wan's chaotic, shattered, and teetering Sea of Consciousness.

Inside the Sea of Consciousness, it was a scene of devastation. The sea of Divine Sense, once vast as a star-filled ocean, was now dried up and shattered, riddled with "Dao injuries" that looked like cracks in the Void Realm, left behind by the erosion of "the end" and the backlash of the "the Dao's Beginning." In the center, the cracked and dim "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Dao Fruit" flickered like dying embers in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment. Beneath the Dao Fruit, the small figure of his Divine Soul sat listlessly, its aura weak, its consciousness sunk into boundless darkness and pain, with only a faint, instinctive desire for "life" flickering stubbornly like a candle in the wind.

Ye Qingxian's Divine Thought avoided those chaotic and dangerous fragments of Divine Sense and cracks of Dao injuries, carefully probing toward the deepest part of the Sea of Consciousness. She knew that the mysterious treasure fragment was likely there.

Sure enough, in the deepest part of the Sea of Consciousness, in that chaotic region—which even Lin Wan rarely explored and which seemed to represent the "Unknown" and the "Origin"—Ye Qingxian "saw" a silently floating, ancient, and broken fragment of a mirror, seemingly made of some strange material that was neither gold nor jade, neither stone nor wood.

The fragment was not large, only the size of a palm, with jagged edges covered in the marks of time's passage. The mirror surface was dim and dull, like an ancient artifact covered in dust, but as soon as Ye Qingxian's Divine Thought approached, she felt an indescribable, ancient, vast, and boundless will that seemed capable of reflecting the heavens, penetrating Reincarnation, and reversing time and space, faintly emanating from the fragment. Although this will was extremely weak and dormant, as if it had fallen into the deepest slumber, its level was so high and its essence so profound that it far exceeded Ye Qingxian's imagination, making her afraid to even touch it with her Divine Thought, lest she disturb or offend such a supreme existence.

"Senior... this Junior is Ye Qingxian, a friend of Fellow Daoist Lin Wan. Now, Lin Wan's Foundation has shattered, and he is in critical danger. Only by 'breaking and then establishing, achieving Nirvana to form a new Foundation' can there be a glimmer of hope. However, this method requires a 'core' object to guide the Dao's Rebirth. This Junior dares to implore Senior for help: use yourself as the Foundation to help Lin Wan reshape his Dao Fruit and continue his path of the Dao. Fellow Daoist Lin Wan cares for all living beings and opposes 'the end'; he is the hope of this world. If Senior is willing to help, this Junior and the Human Race of the Tiannan Realm will surely be grateful for this great kindness. In the future, should there be any commands, we will face mountains of blades and seas of fire, and would gladly die a thousand deaths!"

Ye Qingxian's Divine Thought, with the most respectful, sincere, and humble posture, conveyed her plea and intent toward that mysterious fragment of the samsara mirror. She did not know if this fragment possessed a spirit or if it could understand, but this was the only hope for now.

The Divine Thought was sent out, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea. The fragment of the samsara mirror remained silently floating, with no reaction, as if it were just an ordinary, ancient shard.

Ye Qingxian was anxious, but she dared not show the slightest impatience. She continued to convey her plea with her Divine Thought, over and over again. At the same time, she unreservedly communicated Lin Wan's current situation, the preparations of everyone outside, and the profound mystery and danger of the "breaking and then establishing, achieving Nirvana to form a new Foundation" method.

Time passed bit by bit. Outside, Emperor Yan and the others were ready. The Pill Tower Master's "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Formation" had been set up, with chains of golden light connecting and protecting Lin Wan's Physical Body, Dao Fruit, and Divine Soul in a profound way. Earth Vein Dragon Qi, the vitality of creation, and endless Spiritual Qi had wrapped around Lin Wan like an ocean. The starlight from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's "Heavenly Secret Compass" showered down, completely isolating and obscuring the area within a hundred miles from the outside world.

Everything was ready, waiting only for the result of Ye Qingxian's communication with the mysterious fragment.

However, the fragment of the samsara mirror remained silent, with no reaction.

Ye Qingxian's heart sank little by little. Could it be... that the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's deduction was wrong? Did this fragment lack a spirit, or was it unwilling to help?

Just as Ye Qingxian was almost in despair and was preparing to withdraw her Divine Thought to think of another way—

"Hum..." A faint, melodious, and ancient trembling sound, as if from eons ago, softly rang out from the silent fragment of the samsara mirror.

Immediately after, a faint yet incredibly pure and hazy radiance, as if capable of illuminating the Origin of all things, slowly lit up from the center of the fragment.

Within the radiance, a vague, ancient intent, as if crossing endless Reincarnation, rippled gently like a stone thrown into a calm lake, transmitting into Ye Qingxian's Divine Thought: "Break... and then establish... Nirvana... form a Foundation... use me as the core... fuse the four Daos... trace the Origin... open a new path... Good..."

"However... this child's Foundation is already shattered... his will is sinking... it requires a desperate situation... to stimulate his spiritual clarity... to seek life in death... only then can he draw upon my power... to reshape the Dao Fruit..."

"You... withdraw... I will... help him..."

The intermittent, blurry intent contained an unquestionable will and arrangement.

Ye Qingxian was wild with joy and quickly replied respectfully: "Yes! This Junior understands! Thank you, Senior, for your help!"

She did not hesitate further, quickly withdrawing her Divine Thought from Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness. Opening her eyes, she nodded excitedly and solemnly to Emperor Yan and the others: "That Senior... has agreed! It told us to withdraw; it wants to act personally to help Lin Wan 'break and then establish, achieve Nirvana to form a new Foundation'!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yan and the others were energized, but their eyes also flashed with gravity and worry. It was naturally great news that the mysterious fragment was willing to help, but the process of "breaking and then establishing, achieving Nirvana to form a new Foundation" was extremely perilous. Even with the mysterious fragment as the core, it was by no means easy; the slightest carelessness would lead to total destruction.

"Everyone, withdraw to a hundred feet outside the Pool of Creation. Use all your power to maintain the Formation, providing Spiritual Qi and vitality support. But you must not probe the situation in the pool with your Divine Thought, to avoid interfering with that Senior's actions!" Emperor Yan made a decisive decision and ordered in a deep voice. He believed that, given the level at which the mysterious fragment could trigger the power of the "the Dao's Beginning," its methods were far beyond their ability to fathom. Forcibly spying on it might instead be counterproductive.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately withdrew a hundred feet as instructed, sitting cross-legged. They exerted all their magic power to maintain the stable operation of the "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Formation," the "Pool of Creation" Formation, the Earth Vein Dragon Qi Formation, and the Heavenly Secret concealment Formation. They continuously poured massive amounts of Spiritual Qi, vitality of creation, and Earth Vein Dragon Qi into the center of the Pool of Creation, providing the most ample logistical support for Lin Wan, while strictly guarding their minds, not daring to probe the pool with their Divine Thought in the slightest.

In the center of the Pool of Creation, only the unconscious Lin Wan remained, along with the fragment of the samsara mirror floating above his brow, slowly rotating and emitting a hazy radiance.

"Hum..." The fragment of the samsara mirror trembled gently, and the point of radiance at its center became brighter and purer. The radiance showered down, enveloping Lin Wan's entire body, connecting and fusing him with the surrounding surging Spiritual Qi, vitality, Dragon Qi, and the golden light of the "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Formation" set up by the Pill Tower Master in a strange way.

The next moment, the fragment trembled slightly, and a more solid, clearer pillar of radiance, seemingly composed of countless ancient runes and Dao patterns, shot out from the center of the fragment. It ignored the barrier of Lin Wan's Physical Body and the barrier of his Sea of Consciousness, directly plunging into the deepest part of his Sea of Consciousness, connecting with the cracked, teetering "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Dao Fruit."

"Foundation shattered... will sinking... requires a desperate situation... to stimulate his spiritual clarity... to seek life in death..." The ancient and vague intent sounded again. This time, it was not directed at Ye Qingxian, but resounded directly within the depths of Lin Wan's silent, chaotic, and painful consciousness.

"Wake up... Lin Wan..." "The path of the Dao is about to break... life and death hang by a thread... where is your Dao?" "If you wish to live... if you wish to seek the Dao... then with your will... break through this desperate situation... amidst destruction... seek a new birth..." "I use Reincarnation as the Foundation... to help you reshape the Dao Fruit... but... the Dao is in your heart... the path is for you to walk... no one can replace you..." "Wake up... wake up... wake up..."

The radiance of the samsara mirror fragment, like the gentlest call and the harshest interrogation, struck Lin Wan's silent consciousness over and over again, attempting to awaken his deepest desire for "life" and his persistence toward the "Dao."

At the same time, the pillar of radiance began to vibrate and strike his cracked "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Dao Fruit" at a frequency and in a manner that Lin Wan could not understand at all, yet was extremely profound.

"Crack..." An almost imperceptible sound of shattering rang out from the core of the Dao Fruit.

Immediately after, as if triggering a chain reaction, the cracks on the surface of the already teetering Dao Fruit suddenly expanded and spread, and finally— "Bang!" A dull, massive sound, as if the world had shattered, exploded deep within Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness!

That "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Dao Fruit," which carried all his cultivation and condensed all his insights into the four Daos of Chaos, Destruction, Reincarnation, and Purification, finally... completely shattered and disintegrated under the guidance, vibration, and impact of the radiance from the samsara mirror fragment!

The moment the Dao Fruit shattered, Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness was like a place where billions of stars had been thrown, causing a heaven-shaking explosion! Chaos, Destruction, Reincarnation, and Purification—four distinct yet interrelated Dao Rhymes, having lost the restraint and harmony of the Dao Fruit, were like wild horses breaking free, crazily clashing, colliding, annihilating, and exploding! At the same time, the "Void Realm" erosion power belonging to the Holy Lord's Clone, which remained in the Dao Fruit, Physical Body, and Divine Soul, as well as the "Dao-marks" left behind by the backlash of the "the Dao's Beginning" power, also exploded completely like a lit powder keg!

"Ah—!" Lin Wan's consciousness, which had been silent and immersed in boundless pain and darkness, let out a silent but Soul-tearing, shrill scream under the impact of this indescribable pain—pain stemming from the very depths of his Soul and the fundamental shattering, disintegration, conflict, and annihilation of his Foundation—and suddenly... woke up!

However, the moment he woke up, what he felt was not the return of consciousness, but something even clearer, more direct, and more terrifying—destruction!

His Physical Body was disintegrating inch by inch, turning into the most basic particles. His Meridians were snapping section by section, with Spiritual Qi leaking wildly. His internal organs were shattering one by one, with vitality draining away. His bones were crumbling inch by inch, turning into powder. His Divine Soul was peeling off piece by piece, with his consciousness scattering. His Dao Fruit had completely shattered, turning into countless chaotic, conflicting, and annihilating fragments of Dao Rhymes and Origin power, rampaging, clashing, and exploding wildly within his Sea of Consciousness, battering it until it was shattered and in a state of complete Chaos.

Pain! Indescribable pain! The pain of disintegration and destruction stemming from every cell, every wisp of his Divine Soul, and every thread of his Dao Rhymes! Chaos! Unimaginable Chaos! His Physical Body, Divine Soul, Dao Fruit, and power—everything, absolutely everything—had lost control, falling into the most thorough, chaotic, and disorderly state of disintegration and destruction! Death! The bone-chilling intent of death, like maggots attached to bones, was entwining every inch of his "existence," trying to drag him into eternal darkness and the complete "Void Realm"!

This was the "breaking" of "breaking and then establishing"! This was the "death" of "seeking life in death"! This was the true... desperate situation!

"Am I... going to die?" "Foundation shattered... Physical Body disintegrated... Divine Soul scattered..." "Everything is over..." "No!" "I cannot die!" "I promised Ye Qingxian that I would protect the Tiannan Realm!" "I promised Yao Xi, Dan Dingzi, and Heavenly Secret that I would take them to see the prosperity of the heavens!" "I promised myself that I would pursue the Peak of the Dao and unravel all mysteries!" "I still have my wife and children waiting in the distance..." "I still have too many things left undone..." "My life, Lin Wan's life, is not determined by Heaven, not by people, and certainly not by this damn Dao injury!" "My Dao... my path... how can it end here?!"

"Breaking and then establishing... seeking life in death..." "Since that is the case..." "Then... break! Shatter! Destroy!" "Be reborn in destruction!" "Seek the Dao in a desperate situation!"

"My Dao..." "It is Chaos, embracing everything and evolving all phenomena!" "It is Destruction, ending decay and slaying all demons!" "It is Reincarnation, birth and death never-ending, cycling over and over!" "It is Purification, cleansing all evil and restoring the original truth!" "It is even more... existence! It is Definition! It is Immortality! It is the 'the Dao's Beginning' that transcends all dualistic opposition!"

"My Dao Foundation shall take 'Reincarnation' as the base, 'Chaos' as the body, 'Destruction' as the edge, 'Purification' as the Soul, and 'existence' as the core!"

"Reshaping the Dao Fruit... is at this moment!"

In the desperate situation, Lin Wan's consciousness, which was about to dissipate, erupted with an unprecedented, star-explosion-like, unyielding, unwilling, and furious roar and realization, filled with a longing for "life" and an obsession with the "Dao"!

"Hum——!"

As if sensing the unyielding cry and the ultimate realization of the "Dao" deep within Lin Wan's consciousness, that shard of the "samsara mirror" floating between his brows, emitting a hazy, clear radiance, suddenly erupted with an unprecedented, brilliantly extreme light that seemed capable of illuminating the Reincarnation of eternity and the birth and death of the heavens!

"Good..."

"The Dao Heart does not perish... the will does not yield... the Dao path is promising..."

"I shall take 'Reincarnation' as the base... to assist you... to reshape the Dao Fruit... and open... a new Dao path..."

An ancient, vast, and boundless consciousness, carrying a hint of gratification, resonated throughout Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness, which was on the verge of complete disintegration.

The next moment, the shard transformed into a stream of light, ignoring the obstruction of the Physical Body and the Chaos of the Sea of Consciousness, and plunged directly into the deepest part of Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness, into that absolute center of Chaos, disorder, destruction, and nothingness formed by the shattering of the Dao Fruit and the conflict of powers.

And then— "Freeze!"

A decree, seemingly from the beginning of creation and containing the supreme power of "Reincarnation," emanated from the shard, resounding through every corner of Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness, and resounding through every inch of "existence" of his disintegrating Physical Body, dispersing Divine Soul, and chaotic powers.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Space seemed to solidify at this moment.

That disintegrating Physical Body, dispersing Divine Soul, conflicting and exploding fragments of Dao rhymes, raging power of "nothingness," and the backlash of the "beginning of the dao"... everything, under this decree containing the power of "Reincarnation," was forcibly "frozen," maintained at the final moment of disintegration and destruction, in that absolute, chaotic, disordered state between "being" and "nothingness."

Immediately after— "Reincarnation... reverse... Dao Fruit... recongeal!"

The "samsara mirror" shard erupted with an even more brilliant and profound clear radiance.

Wherever the clear radiance passed, everything that had been "frozen" and was in a state of absolute Chaos, disorder, and destruction—the disintegrating Physical Body particles, the dispersing Divine Soul fragments, the conflicting and exploding Origin of Dao rhymes, and the remaining power of "nothingness" and the Dao-marks of the "beginning of the dao"—began to... reverse in a way that defied common sense and transcended cognition!

It was not simple restoration, nor simple reorganization, but... true... Reincarnation reversal involving time, space, Karma, and existence!

Under the illumination of the clear radiance, the disintegrating Physical Body particles, as if time were flowing backward, reversed from a state of disintegration to completeness. Moreover, during the process of reversal, they were baptized, tempered, and reorganized by the higher-level "Creation" and "Reincarnation" Dao principles contained within the clear radiance, becoming tougher, stronger, and more in tune with the "Dao"!

Under the guidance of the clear radiance, the dispersing Divine Soul fragments reversed from a state of dispersion to cohesion. Moreover, during the process of cohesion, they were cleansed by the power of "Reincarnation," becoming purer, more solid, and closer to the Origin!

The conflicting and exploding fragments of Dao rhymes—Chaos, Destruction, Reincarnation, Purification, and that residual, strange power "defined" by the power of the "beginning of the dao," existing between "being" and "nothingness"—under the harmonization, organization, and control of the clear radiance, no longer conflicted or exploded. Instead, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, they gathered, fused, and reshaped toward a brand new, more profound, more stable, and more magnificent "core"—that "samsara mirror" shard!

"Take Reincarnation as the base... accept Chaos as the body... fuse Destruction as the edge... transform Purification into the Soul... fix existence as the core..."

"Dao Fruit... formed!"

Following the final decree of the ancient consciousness, that "samsara mirror" shard, enveloped in clear radiance, at the very center of Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness, completely fused, reshaped, and condensed with the gathered essence of the Physical Body, the Origin of the Divine Soul, the four types of Dao rhymes, and that trace of the "existence" Origin, all of which had undergone "Reincarnation" reversal, baptism, tempering, and sublimation!

A brand new "Dao Fruit," completely different from before, more perfect, more powerful, and more profound and unpredictable, slowly condensed, took shape, and emerged at the very center of Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness!

This brand new Dao Fruit was no longer a simple interweaving of four colors but presented a strange hue that was chaotic, gray, and deep, as if it contained all the colors in the world, yet also seemed to transcend color itself.

The shape of the Dao Fruit was also no longer a simple sphere, but faintly presented the outline of a "mirror" that was ancient, incomplete, yet seemingly contained the supreme profound meaning of Reincarnation!

On the surface of the mirror, Chaos evolved, Destruction descended, Reincarnation repeated, and Purification cleansed. The four types of Dao rhymes, in an unprecedentedly harmonious, unified, and ceaseless manner, revolved, fused, and sublimated around the center of the mirror, around that faint yet eternal glimmer of "existence" that seemed capable of defining everything and containing everything.

An unprecedented, vast, majestic, deep, and indescribably magnificent aura, seemingly capable of containing the heavens, evolving Reincarnation, ending Destruction, purifying all evils, and defining existence, slowly radiated from this brand new "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Purification existence Dao Fruit," which had been reshaped with the "samsara mirror" shard as its core.

The moment the Dao Fruit took shape— "Boom!"

Lin Wan's Physical Body, Divine Soul, and consciousness, which had been "frozen" and were on the verge of disintegration and destruction, seemed to break through some invisible shackle, instantly completing the final, reborn reshaping and renewal!

A majestic power, indescribable and more than ten or a hundred times stronger than before, seemingly containing infinite vitality, erupted like the Big Bang at the beginning of the Universe from every minute particle within his body, sweeping through his entire body, scouring his limbs and bones, penetrating his eight extraordinary Meridians, nourishing his internal organs, reshaping his muscles, bones, skin, and membranes, and condensing his Divine Soul Origin!

His cultivation base soared crazily, as if he were riding a rocket!

The Bottleneck of the Peak of the Late Stage of Soul Transformation was like paper, broken with a single poke!

Void Refining Realm—achieved!

Early Stage of Void Refining... Middle Stage of Void Refining... Late Stage of Void Refining... He advanced like a hot knife through butter, without any obstacles, until... Great Perfection of Void Refining!

No, not just the Great Perfection of Void Refining!

His aura, after reaching the Peak of the Great Perfection of Void Refining, did not stop but continued to climb, touching that mysterious and profound barrier... the barrier between the immortal and the mortal!

The "Quasi-Immortal" Realm!

Moreover, this was not an ordinary "Quasi-Immortal" who had merely touched the barrier between the immortal and the mortal, but a Peak "Quasi-Immortal" with an incredibly solid Foundation, a profound and unpredictable Dao Fruit, an aura as condensed as an abyss, and who seemed ready to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation and charge toward the True Immortal Realm at any moment!

"Hum..."

The brand new "Chaos Destruction Reincarnation Purification existence Dao Fruit," with the "samsara mirror" shard as its core, slowly rotated in the center of Lin Wan's Sea of Consciousness, emitting an eternal, immortal, and profound hazy clear radiance.

Every rotation of the Dao Fruit seemed to drive Lin Wan's Physical Body, Divine Soul, and magic power to undergo subtle evolution and transformation toward a higher level, closer to the Origin of the "Dao."

His Physical Body, under the "Reincarnation" reversal and "Creation" baptism, had undergone a complete Rebirth. Every inch of his flesh, bones, and Meridians contained terrifying vitality and power, comparable to a Body Cultivator of the same level, or even stronger!

His Divine Soul, condensed into substance, sat cross-legged under the Dao Fruit, solemn and majestic, emitting a faint clear radiance. His Divine Sense power soared; with a single thought, he could cover ten thousand miles and perceive the finest details!

His magic power was no longer simple Chaos magic power, but a brand new power that fused the five Dao rhymes of Chaos, Destruction, Reincarnation, Purification, and existence. Its quality and power were far superior to those of the same level, and it was even comparable to the magic power of a True Immortal!

More importantly, his understanding of the "Dao," and his comprehension of "Chaos," "Destruction," "Reincarnation," "Purification," and especially that trace of the "existence" Origin, had reached an unprecedented height.

He even faintly felt that he had developed a weak connection with some supreme rule in the dark. That was... the Immortal Dao rule! It was the power of rules that only a True Immortal could touch and utilize!

Destruction followed by establishment, living through death!

Dao Foundation reshaped, Nirvana and Rebirth!

At this moment, Lin Wan had not only fully recovered from his injuries, but his cultivation base had also soared, directly crossing a major Realm, from the Late Stage of Soul Transformation, stepping into the sky in one step, and entering the Peak "Quasi-Immortal" Realm!

He was only one step away from the legendary True Immortal Realm!

Moreover, his Foundation was so solid, his Dao Fruit so profound, and his potential so deep that he far exceeded ordinary "Quasi-Immortals," and was even much stronger than many veteran "Quasi-Immortals"!

"This is... success?!"

"What a terrifying aura! This... is this a 'Quasi-Immortal'?! And a Peak 'Quasi-Immortal' at that?!"

"Dao Fruit reshaped... cultivation base soared... Heavens! Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch... he actually really did it!"

One hundred zhang away, Emperor Yan, Ye Qingxian, the Pill Tower Master, and others, who were fully maintaining the operation of the Formation, felt the terrifying aura at the center of the "Pool of Creation," which was like a sleeping ancient Vicious Beast waking up, rising steadily, vast and majestic, making them all feel palpitations. They were all shocked and lost their color, and then wild joy surged into their hearts!

They knew that Lin Wan had succeeded!

He had not only successfully passed the death tribulation of "destruction followed by establishment, Nirvana forming the Foundation," but also used this Opportunity to break through in one fell swoop, stepping into the "Quasi-Immortal" Realm that countless Cultivators dreamed of, and becoming a true expert standing at the Peak of the Tiannan Realm, and even the heavens and the myriad worlds!

"Demon Suppressing Heavenly Monarch... no, now, perhaps he should be called... Demon Suppressing True Monarch!"

Brilliant light shot from Emperor Yan's eyes as he clapped his hands and laughed loudly. The worry and exhaustion of the past few days were swept away. "The heavens bless my Tiannan! With this child here, what is there to fear from the 'the end' demons?!"

Ye Qingxian's beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she looked at the tall figure in the pool who was slowly opening his eyes, in which strange scenes of Chaos evolving, Reincarnation birth and death, Purification cleansing, and existence defining seemed to flow. Her heart was filled with indescribable excitement, gratification, and... a faint, tenderness and pride that even she herself had not noticed.

The Pill Tower Master, the Earth Vein Sect Master, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master also smiled at each other, their eyes filled with hope.

After this battle, the Human Race of Tiannan finally had a Peak expert capable of confronting, or even suppressing, the "Holy Master" Clone!

In the future "Heaven Burying" war, the Tiannan side would no longer be fish on the chopping block to be slaughtered!

At the center of the "Pool of Creation," Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes.

Between the opening and closing of his eyes, scenes of the beginning of Chaos and the birth and death of the Universe seemed to flash by, finally returning to a deep, calm starry sky that seemed to contain endless mysteries.

He felt the brand new magic power within his body, surging like the sea and seemingly containing infinite power. He felt the brand new Dao Fruit in his Sea of Consciousness, with the "samsara mirror" shard as its core, slowly rotating and emitting an eternal and immortal aura. He felt his reborn Physical Body and Divine Soul. In his heart, there was no joy or sorrow, only a kind of calmness and clarity after seeing through life and death and realizing the Great Dao.

"Dao Foundation reshaped... Nirvana and Rebirth... Quasi-Immortal Realm..."

"So, this is the true 'Dao'..."

"Chaos, Destruction, Reincarnation, Purification, existence... five Daos into one, with Reincarnation as the base..."

"My Dao, is formed."

Lin Wan slowly stood up and stretched his muscles and bones. Immediately, a roaring sound like the rushing of a great river, and also like the movement of stars, came from within his body. That was the sound of surging magic power flowing through his brand new, incredibly tough Meridians.

He smiled slightly at Emperor Yan, Ye Qingxian, and the others who were full of excitement and concern one hundred zhang away, and bowed, "Lin Wan, many thanks to all you Seniors and Fellow Daoists for your protection and help. This time, I was lucky to survive and have made a slight Breakthrough."

His voice was calm but carried a strange power that was convincing and captivating.

Emperor Yan and the others hurriedly returned the salute, saying they did not dare to accept it. They knew that after this battle, Lin Wan was no longer the Junior who needed their protection, but a sky-supporting giant of the Tiannan Human Race who was truly capable of standing on equal footing with them, and perhaps even surpassing them in the future—Demon Suppressing True Monarch!

"The True Monarch is unharmed; this is truly the fortune of Tiannan and the blessing of the Human Race!" Emperor Yan sighed sincerely.

Lin Wan shook his head and looked beyond the Pool of Creation, at the Yanhuang Immortal Capital, which, although it had repelled the demons, was still scarred and in ruins, and further away, at the vast and boundless Tiannan land shrouded in the haze of "the end," a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"Although the Holy Master Clone has retreated, the tribulation of 'the end' has not dissipated, and the war is far from over." Lin Wan's voice was calm but carried an unquestionable firmness, "Next, it is time for us to counterattack."