64: Chapter 64 Metamorphosis of the Dao Seed

With the destruction of 'The End Hunter' and the total annihilation of the three black warships, the Five Elements Barrier had regained its surface tranquility.

However, the subtle ripples remaining on the boundary membrane and the lingering, complex aura in the air—a mixture of the purifying power of the Five Elements Returning to Ruins and the embers from the self-destruction of 'the end'—all testified to the brief yet intense battle that had just concluded.

At the core of the barrier, beneath the Chaos Five Elements Wheel and upon the platform, Lin Wan sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

His complexion had returned to a healthy ruddiness, but a trace of fatigue remained between his brows.

Slaying the hunter, resisting the warships' self-destruction, and maintaining the Chaos Guixu Domain had been a significant drain on his Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivation and mental energy.

However, through this battle, he had gained a clearer and deeper understanding of his own strength, his control over the Five Elements Barrier, and the combat style of the minions of 'the end', yielding tremendous gains.

Han Lingtian and Liao Chen were also sitting quietly nearby, calming their minds and digesting the shock and insights brought about by the thrilling battle just now.

Although they had not directly engaged the hunter, the suffocating, terrifying pressure they could clearly feel even through the boundary membrane, as well as Lin Wan's final, heaven-splitting sword strike, had instilled in them a deeper sense of urgency and longing in their pursuit of their own cultivation and the 'Dao'.

A moment later, Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant light shimmering within them, and the look of fatigue had completely vanished.

"Junior Brother Lin, how do you feel?" Han Lingtian asked with concern.

"I am fine, I have recovered more than half of my expenditure." Lin Wan waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the Chaos Five Elements Wheel slowly rotating above the platform, emitting eternal Dao rhythms, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes, "After this battle, I seem to have gained some new insights into the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed and this barrier."

"Oh? Has Fellow Daoist Lin made a Breakthrough?" Liao Chen also cast an inquiring gaze.

"It cannot be counted as a Breakthrough, but..." Lin Wan mused, raising his right hand, palm upward.

With a slight shift of his mind, the Chaos-colored Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed mark between his brows brightened slightly, and a wisp of extremely pure Chaos Dao rhythm—containing the birth and destruction of nebulae and seemingly capable of encompassing all Laws—slowly rose from his palm, transforming into a miniature 'Dao Seed' phantom, only the size of a pigeon egg, rotating slowly and shimmering with Chaos-colored luster.

This phantom was not a physical entity but a manifestation of his own comprehension of the Great Dao of Five Elements Returning to Ruins.

Inside the phantom, one could vaguely see the five-colored brilliance of gold, cyan, blue, red, and yellow flowing and interacting, while the grey, hazy sense of Guixu extinction permeated it, and points of starlight flickered, with ripples in the Void Realm undulating, forming an extremely complex, profound, yet naturally formed three-dimensional Dao diagram.

"I can feel that the battle with this hunter, especially the process of using the Chaos Guixu Domain to resist and suppress its 'End Domain', has allowed my Dao Seed to seem to... 'digest' and 'absorb' a trace of... Law fragments belonging to 'the end', concerning 'ending', 'extinction', and 'erosion'."

Lin Wan said slowly, and the miniature Dao Seed phantom in his palm changed slightly.

Among them, the grey, hazy aura that was originally only part of the 'extinction' sense now seemed to become deeper and more 'essential', faintly adding a touch of cold, resolute flavor that seemed capable of 'negating' all existence.

This flavor was somewhat similar to the aura of 'the end', yet it was more inclusive and more 'orderly', as if it had stripped away the chaotic, erosive, and twisted parts of the true meaning of 'ending' and integrated them into his own 'Guixu' system.

"This... how is this possible?" Han Lingtian and Liao Chen were both shocked.

The erosive power of 'the end' had always been a deadly poison that Cultivators avoided at all costs; how could Lin Wan's Dao Seed actually turn the tables and absorb and fuse its Law fragments?

"The Five Elements Returning to Ruins naturally contains both 'ending' and 'rebirth'." Lin Wan explained, "That 'the end' merely walked an extreme path, twisting and magnifying the power of 'ending' and 'extinction' into pure destruction and erosion."

"My Dao Seed is the Righteous Path Legacy passed down by the Five Elements Dao Venerable, and its true meaning of 'Guixu' already contains this power, only it is more impartial and inclusive, emphasizing Reincarnation and balance."

"Now that I have encountered these Law fragments of 'ending' from 'the end', it is like encountering a 'branch' that stems from the same source but has gone astray; it is just right to take its essence, discard its dross, and complete and deepen my understanding of the 'extinction' aspect of 'Guixu'."

The Dao Seed phantom in his palm, with that trace of cold 'ending' flavor, gradually fused perfectly with the surrounding grey 'extinction' sense, making the entire 'Guixu' part appear more solid and profound, as if containing an even more terrifying power that could make all things 'reasonably' move toward their end.

"So that's how it is!" Liao Chen realized, "Using the orthodox to unite and the extraordinary to win. Fellow Daoist Lin's Dao is truly broad and profound, capable of compatibility and inclusiveness, turning evil into good."

"In that case, Junior Brother Lin, wouldn't you be able to restrain, or even absorb, the power of 'the end' in the future?" Han Lingtian also said excitedly.

"Restraining it might be possible, but absorbing... requires caution." Lin Wan shook his head, his expression serious, "The power of 'the end' is too erosive, and behind it, there seems to be a more bizarre and chaotic essence hidden."

"What I absorbed this time was only the purest, most 'Law-like' part of the fragments from the hunter's 'End Domain', and it was forcibly refined and assimilated by my own higher-order 'Chaos Guixu' Dao rhythm."

"If I were to encounter a higher-level, more original 'the end' erosion, absorbing it rashly would likely result in being harmed instead."

He paused and continued: "However, this is indeed a path worth exploring."

"If I can thoroughly analyze and control part of the essence of 'the end', perhaps I can find a more effective way to resist or even purify its erosion."

"The research Materials about 'the end' within this barrier might provide some clues."

"Then there is no time to lose, let us go and consult the historical records of the barrier right now!" Han Lingtian said.

"No rush." Lin Wan waved his hand, his gaze once again fixed on the Chaos Five Elements Wheel, "Before that, I need to go into seclusion for a period of time to thoroughly digest and stabilize what I have gained this time."

"Especially the changes in my Dao Seed and my deeper control over the barrier, all require time."

He looked at Han Lingtian and Liao Chen: "Senior Brother Han, Fellow Daoist Liao Chen, you must have also gained your own insights from watching the battle."

"Why not also take this opportunity to go into seclusion and practice in retreat?"

"The Spiritual Qi within this barrier is abundant and the resources are rich, making it the perfect place to improve our strength."

"Wait until we have all made further progress before we join forces to explore the historical records and formulate the next step of our plan."

"Fellow Daoist Lin's words are very true." Liao Chen nodded, "This monk indeed has gained insights; Buddhist Dharma and the Dao of Five Elements seem to have commonalities, and perhaps I can take this opportunity to attempt a Fusion in hopes of a Breakthrough."

"I also feel that my understanding of the Sword Dao has become deeper, and I need to go into seclusion to sort it out." Han Lingtian also said.

"Good, then let us each go into seclusion."

"I will preliminarily seal the barrier, leaving only the most basic vigilance."

"If you encounter an emergency, you can transmit a message to me through this 'Five Elements Sub-Token'."

Lin Wan took out two slightly smaller, Chaos-colored five-element tokens and handed them to Han Lingtian and Liao Chen respectively.

These tokens were credentials for secondary authority over the barrier; holders could move freely within the barrier and send alerts to him, the Revered Master, in case of emergency.

Han Lingtian and Liao Chen took the tokens, bowed again, and returned to their respective seclusion chambers.

Lin Wan also returned to the core seclusion chamber and sat cross-legged on the Chaos Jade Marrow meditation cushion.

He did not immediately enter meditation, but first used his Divine Thought to communicate with the Chaos Five Elements Wheel, conducting a comprehensive and meticulous 'scan' and 'reinforcement' of the entire Five Elements Barrier.

He mobilized the energy stored in the barrier to completely repair and smooth out the extremely subtle damage and energy turbulence on the boundary membrane caused by the previous battle.

At the same time, he set up additional, more concealed and sensitive vigilance, early warning, and anti-detection Restrictions both inside and outside the boundary membrane to prevent similar minions of 'the end' from approaching or detecting them silently.

He also activated the 'Void Lock' and 'Five Elements Inversion' Formations within the barrier, causing the barrier to present a more irregular and twisted trajectory in the Void Realm, and its emitted energy fluctuations also became mixed and blurred, making it difficult to precisely locate and track.

Although this could not completely deceive those potentially existing, higher-level 'the end' entities, it could at least increase the difficulty for the other party to detect and locate them, buying more reaction time for the barrier.

After doing all this, Lin Wan finally felt completely at ease and sank his entire mind into his own cultivation and insights.

In the seclusion chamber, the vast Five Elements Ancestral Qi gathered once again.

This time, he did not deliberately try to absorb or refine it, but let his body and mind completely immerse themselves in the resonance with the Dao Seed between his brows, the Five Elements Barrier, and the Great Dao of this world.

He carefully contemplated the newly absorbed and fused Law fragments from 'The End Hunter' regarding 'ending' in the Dao Seed.

This fragment was cold and resolute, as if it could sever all Karma and erase all existence.

But under the inclusion and transformation of his Five Elements Guixu Dao rhythm, this cold 'ending' gradually merged with the original 'extinction' sense like water and milk, forming a more 'reasonable' and 'inevitable' true meaning of 'the end'—belonging to the 'Dao'—as if all things must eventually come to an end.

"So, pure destruction is distorted. And the end under the 'Dao' is a part of Reincarnation, it is 'Being' returning to 'Non-being', and it is also the prerequisite for 'Being' to arise from 'Non-being'..."

Enlightenment, like a trickling stream, constantly welled up in his heart.

His understanding of "Five Elements Returning to Ruins", the role "Five Elements" played in "Five Elements Returning to Ruins", and the significance of "Void Realm" and stars in Reincarnation, all reached a more essential and profound level of recognition.

The Dao Seed rotated slowly, and with every rotation, it seemed to be enacting a more perfect and more Origin-based picture of the birth and death of the Universe.

The patterns on it also became clearer and more complex, faintly showing a trend of evolving into some kind of "Great Dao Formation Diagram".

The Chaos Dao Rhyme it emitted became increasingly vast and heavy, as if it could contain the heavens and myriad worlds, and could also let the heavens and myriad worlds return to silence and extinction.

At the same time, inside his Dantian, that Chaos Nascent Soul, which had already reached the Nascent Soul Great Perfection, also seemed to be nourished by the transformation of the Dao Seed, becoming more solid and agile.

Around the Nascent Soul, that five-colored nebula flowed more smoothly, and within it, faint phantoms of miniature stars being born and annihilated could be seen.

At the center of the Nascent Soul's brow, that Dao Seed imprint was also more closely connected to the imprint on Lin Wan's own brow, as if it could leave his Physical Body at any time, and in the form of a Nascent Soul, roam the Great Void and display supreme Divine Ability.

He even felt that his connection with the Five Elements Barrier had become more "tight" and "in-depth" due to the transformation of the Dao Seed.

Previously, the initial binding to the barrier was more of a control of permissions and the utilization of energy.

But now, he felt that this barrier had truly become a part of his body, an extension of his "Dao", and a part of his "existence".

He knew every Formation, every rune, and even every piece of metal and every wisp of energy that constituted the barrier like the back of his hand; with a slight movement of his mind, he could command it as easily as moving his own arm.

"Perhaps, when my comprehension of the 'Five Elements Returning to Ruins' Dao reaches a certain critical point, or my cultivation breaks through to Soul Transformation, I will be able to completely and perfectly control this Five Elements Barrier, open that 'Return-to-Void Secret Treasury', and obtain the true core Legacy and power of the Five Elements Sect to resist 'the end'..."

In Lin Wan's heart, there was a faint sense of anticipation.

Time passed quietly amidst deep comprehension and transformation.

He did not know how much time had passed, perhaps a few months, perhaps a year.

On this day, Lin Wan, who was sitting in meditation, suddenly felt something in his heart.

It was not danger from the outside world, nor was it an opportunity for his own Breakthrough, but a—call—that was extremely distant, yet extremely intimate, as if connected by blood, but also carrying a trace of anxiety and anticipation.

This call was not a sound, nor was it Divine Thought, but a kind of "bond" and "concern" originating from "Dao", from "Karma", and from what he had left behind in the Tiannan Ruins, in the Qingyun Sect, and with his wife, children, and Revered Master.

Through some mysterious connection in the darkness, it crossed the endless space and the barriers of the chaotic Heavenly Ruins, faintly transmitting into his mind, which was now almost fused with the barrier.

Was it the Qingyun Sect... did something happen? Or... were his wife, children, and Revered Master missing him and worrying?

Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes, with Chaos brilliance flowing in his pupils, as deep as the Universe.

He pinched his fingers to calculate, and although the Heavenly Secrets were chaotic and difficult to distinguish specifically, the certainty of that feeling of concern made it impossible for him to continue his closed-door cultivation in peace.

"It seems it is time to go back." Lin Wan whispered.

His cultivation had stabilized at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection, the transformation of the Dao Seed had been initially completed, and his control over the Five Elements Barrier had greatly deepened.

Continuing closed-door cultivation would be unlikely to yield any greater Breakthroughs in the short term.

And the concerns from the outside world, as well as the potential threat that "the end" might bring, made it impossible for him to continue his cultivation here with peace of mind.

He needed to return to the Qingyun Sect to confirm the safety of the Sect, his wife, and children, handle some unfinished business, and bring some of the Five Elements Barrier's resources and Legacy back to the Sect to enhance the overall strength of the Qingyun Sect, so as to cope with the greater storm that might come in the future.

"Moreover, the confrontation with 'the end' cannot be achieved by my strength alone. The Qingyun Sect, the Southern Region, and even the power of the Righteous Path of the entire Tiannan continent need to unite. And this Five Elements Barrier is the best base and bargaining chip for me to integrate power and fight against 'the end'."

His thoughts were clear, and his goals were definite.

Lin Wan hesitated no longer and stood up to walk out of the quiet room.

With a slight movement of his mind, he sent a gentle Divine Thought to awaken Han Lingtian and Liao Chen at their respective places of closed-door cultivation.

A moment later, Han Lingtian and Liao Chen also ended their closed-door cultivation and arrived at the core platform.

Their auras were more heavy and advanced than before, and it was clear that they had gained a lot from this closed-door cultivation.

Sword Qi faintly surrounded Han Lingtian, and there were signs that he was about to break through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

Liao Chen's Buddha light was also more perfect and vast, and his Buddhist cultivation had also advanced further.

"Junior Brother Lin, are you coming out of closed-door cultivation?" Han Lingtian asked, already having a guess when he saw the fleeting brilliance in Lin Wan's eyes that was different from when he was in closed-door cultivation.

"Amitabha, Fellow Daoist Lin, have you felt something in your heart?" Liao Chen also asked.

"That is correct." Lin Wan nodded, "I sensed something in the direction of the Qingyun Sect, as if there were some concerns. And we have been in closed-door cultivation here for a long time; I fear there may be changes in the outside world. I intend to return to the Qingyun Sect to handle some affairs and bring back some of the resources and Legacy from this place to strengthen the Sect. I wonder what your plans are?"

Han Lingtian said without hesitation: "I will naturally return with you! Having been out for so long, it is time to go back and take a look. Moreover, for a major event like fighting against 'the end', we need to inform the Sect and make preparations early."

Liao Chen pondered for a moment and also said: "This poor monk is also willing to accompany you both. Firstly, I can visit the Qingyun Sect to discuss how to deal with 'the end' together. Secondly, I also need to pass on what I have seen and heard here back to the temple so that we can make early precautions."

"That is excellent." Lin Wan nodded, "Then we shall prepare to set off. However, before leaving, we still need to make some arrangements for this Five Elements Barrier."

He communicated with the Chaos Five Elements Wheel with his mind and began a series of operations.

First, he completely activated the "Void Realm Maze Lock" and "Five Elements Inversion" Formation of the barrier, and combined them with the barrier's own concealment and defense functions, making the entire barrier in the Void Realm completely enter a higher level of "stealth" and "concealment" state.

Unless it was an existence at the Soul Transformation Late Stage or even higher, who deliberately used great Divine Ability to scan this area, it would be extremely difficult to discover its existence.

Secondly, he left a "coordinate" and "backdoor" at the core of the barrier, using his own Dao Seed imprint and blood essence as a guide, which could be sensed remotely and, in an emergency, allow for a "short-range Void Realm jump" to return at a great cost.

This ensured that even if he was far away, he could quickly return to this place when necessary.

Then, he categorized some of the Medicinal Pill, Materials, Cultivation Technique Jade Slip, and standard Magic Treasure from the barrier's reserve resources that were suitable for the Qingyun Sect Disciples, as well as Han Lingtian and Liao Chen, and packed them into several specially made "Five Elements Guixu Bags" with huge internal space.

These Guixu Bags were the standard equipment of the barrier, not only having vast space, but also having excellent preservation and protective functions.

Finally, he also rubbed and copied a large amount of knowledge regarding the Five Elements Sect's basic Cultivation Technique, battle Formations, Medicinal Pill, artifact, and Formation knowledge from the "Legacy Hall" of the barrier, as well as some historical Materials on the research of "the end" (hiding the most core parts involving the "Return-to-Void Secret Treasury" and the Five Elements Dao Venerable's ultimate Legacy), and packed them into several specially made Legacy Jade Slip.

After doing all this, Lin Wan distributed some of the Guixu Bags and Jade Slip to Han Lingtian and Liao Chen as "gifts" and "tokens" for their help on this trip and for establishing connections with their respective Sects.

"This place shall serve as a secret base and retreat for us to fight against 'the end'. Except for the three of us, and core comrades who can be trusted in the future, it must never be easily leaked." Lin Wan solemnly warned.

"Understood!" Han Lingtian and Liao Chen agreed solemnly.

Everything was prepared.

Lin Wan took one last look at this magnificent, ancient, yet revitalized Five Elements Barrier, and a trace of complexity flashed in his eyes.

This place was an important turning point in his Dao path, carrying the Legacy of the Five Elements Sect and pinning his hopes for the future.

"Let us go."

He no longer lingered, and with a movement of his mind, he controlled the barrier through the Chaos Five Elements Wheel and slowly opened a short, twisted spatial portal on the boundary membrane that only allowed three people to pass through.

Outside the portal, it was not connected to the interior of the Heavenly Ruins, but to a coordinate near the outer periphery of the Heavenly Ruins that had been calculated after multiple jumps and was relatively safe.

Three streams of light shot out from the portal and submerged into the twisted light and shadow.

The portal slowly closed, and the Five Elements Barrier was once again completely hidden in the eternal mist and Chaos deep within the Heavenly Ruins, as if it had never appeared.

And the three of them, Lin Wan, Han Lingtian, and Liao Chen, embarked on the road back to the Qingyun Sect, back to the Southern Region, back to their hometown that was concerned about them, and that was about to undergo drastic changes because of them.