182: Chapter 182 The Amazing Treasure, the Return of the Primordial Beginning

"I'm back," Jiang Hao's voice was gentle, carrying a power that soothed the heart. "It seems you all haven't been lazy over these years; you've grown quite well."

The branches and leaves of the moon laurel rubbed against his fingers, and the light of the Fusang wrapped around him warmly.

The Humanoid Medicine and the White Tiger Medicine emitted vague, joyful mental fluctuations.

The vibration of the immortal egg became more pronounced, and the rosy light around the Immortal Gold Sacred Spirit Embryo flickered excitedly a few times.

In the back garden, all was peaceful and serene.

Another thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

The back garden was very quiet. Jiang Hao sat by the Immortal Pond with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked toward the Sword Mound in the corner.

The four swords stabbed into the ground began to tremble simultaneously.

Their sound was low, carrying a long-suppressed joyous cry.

The air around the Sword Mound began to distort, and an aura sharp to the extreme permeated the area.

The four swords rang louder and louder until, with a "qiang" sound, they all flew up together, suspended in mid-air, their tips pointing at the same spot.

That distorted patch of air suddenly contracted inward, then exploded into a burst of clear light.

As the clear light dissipated, a figure stood there.

Wearing an azure Daoist robe, he had a tall and upright stature, a rugged facial profile, and thick eyebrows.

He opened his eyes, and within them, it seemed as if countless sword shadows were being born and extinguished.

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao had successfully returned.

A smile appeared on Jiang Hao's face. "Congratulations to Fellow Daoist on your successful return."

Seeing Jiang Hao, Heavenly Venerable Lingbao also laughed happily. "Yes, I've finally returned. It's been a long time, Fellow Daoist."

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao walked up to Jiang Hao, looked at him closely, and his eyes shifted slightly.

"Fellow Daoist's aura... is different from before. Have you gained something new?"

Jiang Hao nodded and smiled. "I tried a new path and just managed to see it through."

Hearing this, Lingbao was stunned for a moment, then lamented:

"Fellow Daoist is truly terrifyingly powerful. I didn't expect that during this time, you would also live out a new life and even return before me. You are truly formidable, Fellow Daoist!"

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao was genuinely surprised. When he had buried himself, Jiang Hao was still fine and hadn't started his next life. Yet, just as he woke up, Jiang Hao's transformation was already complete!

It gave him a feeling like a dream; the more they interacted, the more amazed he became.

"It was just a slight realization," Jiang Hao said. "How do you feel after this return, Fellow Daoist?"

"Very good," Heavenly Venerable Lingbao said happily. "Seeking life through death, breaking through to establish anew—though difficult, the effect is excellent."

Recalling the process of this transformation, he felt somewhat emotional. It was indeed dangerous this time, and he almost didn't make it back, but fortunately, the result was good.

"Since your new path is complete, Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to discuss the Dao to verify our insights?" Heavenly Venerable Lingbao asked curiously. "I also have some insights from this transformation."

"That is exactly my intention." Jiang Hao naturally would not refuse.

The two sat down by the Immortal Pond, drinking enlightenment tea while they chatted.

There was no shortage of enlightenment tea, because the Restricted Zones were very sensible; they would actively send some over after a while, so Jiang Hao didn't have to go get it himself at all.

They were very conscientious.

After sitting down, Jiang Hao first described the process of the Dao Fruit Transformation Method.

After listening, Heavenly Venerable Lingbao pondered for a while, then put down his teacup and looked at Jiang Hao with undisguised admiration:

"Using the Dao Fruit to personally experience the cycle of life and comprehend the essence of time—this method of yours, Fellow Daoist, is inconceivable, yet it points directly to the root of the Great Dao. Such whimsical ideas and such courage in practice are truly admirable."

This kind of method was beyond Heavenly Venerable Lingbao's expectations. No wonder Fellow Daoist Jiang could transform so quickly and be so powerful; there was a reason for everything.

His talent and Comprehension Ability were simply too high!

Jiang Hao took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and smiled:

"You overpraise me, Fellow Daoist. The success of this method is also due to standing on the shoulders of giants. If not for the general outline of the 'Classic of the Dao' left by Senior Daoist Venerable, which explains the wonders of transformation..."

"If not for the inspiration from your previous method of burying oneself for transformation, and the inspiration from the Great Dao of Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi, I wouldn't have thought of this path."

Hearing this, Heavenly Venerable Lingbao shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Fellow Daoist is too modest. The wisdom of predecessors is like stars illuminating the night sky, but those who can look up at the stars and walk their own new path are few and far between."

"The Daoist Venerable's path was about exploration, my path leans toward slaughter, and Yuanshi focuses on the origin and creation. Your method, Fellow Daoist, takes the essence without being bound by the form; it is already another realm entirely. This is the result of your own Comprehension Ability and courage."

Jiang Hao smiled and said no more on the matter, turning instead to say, "You mentioned having insights just now, Fellow Daoist. I would like to hear more."

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao nodded and began to recount the various insights he had gained during his process of seeking life through death.

Jiang Hao listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with a few words, either asking questions or sharing his own views.

The two sat there by the Immortal Pond, sipping enlightenment tea while exchanging Dao insights.

The fragrance of tea and the dao rhyme intertwined; their words were filled with the ultimate truths of cultivation.

But if a Quasi-Emperor were here, a single glance would cause their Dao Heart to tremble.

In this discussion, they lost track of time.

This discussion lasted another thousand years.

On this day, both stopped at the same time.

Jiang Hao and Heavenly Venerable Lingbao looked at each other.

"Did you feel it?" Jiang Hao asked.

"Yes." Heavenly Venerable Lingbao nodded, looking toward a certain place at the Cosmic Borderlands. "He is about to return."

"Then let's go welcome our new Fellow Daoist." Jiang Hao stood up.

With one step, the two were already at the Cosmic Borderlands.

They came to the Small World where Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi was located.

Chaos Qi swirled spontaneously, forming a blurry vortex.

In the center of the vortex, a speck of pure white light gradually lit up. It was weak at first, then quickly grew stronger.

A vast and ancient will permeated the area, carrying an aura like the birth of all things.

The white light bloomed gently.

Within the light, a figure slowly solidified.

Wearing a black and yellow Daoist robe with simple cloud patterns, he appeared to be around forty years old with peaceful features.

But when he opened his eyes, they seemed to contain the scenes of the heavens being created and the myriad daos being born.

Jiang Hao and Heavenly Venerable Lingbao stepped forward.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist on returning from your tribulation and continuing your Great Dao."

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi looked at the two before him. Although their faces were unfamiliar, their peaceful aura and the dao rhyme faintly connected to the stable formation beneath him made everything clear to him.

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi immediately knew that his successful recovery and return were greatly related to the two people before him.

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands in return:

"Thank you, two Fellow Daoists. My name is Yuanshi. I have slept here for eons, and today I return. Though I have never met you two before..."

"...the protective formation beneath me is running like new, and the sense of nurturing from the dao rhyme has not ceased. Presumably, it is you two who have long lent a helping hand to protect my body until now. This kindness is great; Yuanshi thanks you here."

His words were sincere, carrying genuine gratitude.

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist," Jiang Hao returned the gesture.

"My name is Jiang Hao, and this is Heavenly Venerable Lingbao. We also happened to notice your aura by chance and admired your ability to preserve a sliver of hope for recovery in a desperate situation, so we did what little we could. It was merely following the timing of heaven."

"I see. To meet you two here is also fate."

Then Heavenly Venerable Lingbao briefly explained the situation. After Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi understood, he thanked them again, "Thank you, two Fellow Daoists."

Jiang Hao smiled. "You are being too polite, Fellow Daoist. Your return is due to the immortality of your own Dao Foundation; we only acted according to the circumstances."

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi carefully sensed himself, then sighed softly: "The tribulations experienced during my fourth life have now instead become an Opportunity."