Volume One: Youthful Encounters in Humble Times Chapter 129: The Daoist’s Final Performance in the Mortal Realm

At its core, a Heavenly Aperture is merely a conduit or a technique for absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It does not possess different grades, nor is it categorized into high, middle, or low tiers like the nascent sword embryos of sword cultivators.

The term "Yin-Yang Aperture" was something Li Yu heard for the first time. He had read every book in the Daoist's library, and upon careful reflection, he could not recall a single piece of information regarding such an aperture. It was clear that this was another novel invention of the Daoist. Li Yu knew this was not the time to ask questions; since the Daoist had spoken, he would simply follow his arrangements.

"Alright, let us go!" No sooner had the Daoist finished speaking than Li Yu found himself led along a passage. When Li Yu looked back, he saw that the two of them were still sitting cross-legged on their meditation mats, just as they had been before, as if they had never moved.

Seeing Li Yu’s bewilderment, the Daoist explained, "Heaven’s Gate Town is no longer a place devoid of the Way. This means the three schools—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism—can now enter freely without needing the permission of the Great Accomplishment masters. The three sovereigns of these schools are not as simple as they appear. If we do not lay out a plan, they might detect our movements. You will learn more about these things after you leave. In short, do not trust the people of those three schools too readily."

The Daoist did not elaborate, but Li Yu could sense his deep-seated disapproval of the three schools. The origin of this sentiment remained a mystery, perhaps rooted in events from the Daoist’s distant past.

As they traversed the passage, the Daoist continued, "All my supernatural abilities are distilled into the three Daoist techniques I have taught you. In the future, as you contemplate their mysteries, you will discover many intriguing lesser arts within them."

The Daoist added, "You may take anything you wish from this 'Again-Observing Pavilion'; the decision is yours. There is only one thing: when you finally leave this place, remember to light the lamp in the main hall."

Li Yu nodded to signify his understanding. The Daoist then spoke of matters he had not yet had time to explain, including his relationship with the Imperial Palace and the tasks Li Yu would need to undertake once he arrived there. Li Yu committed every word to memory.

Finally, they emerged from Heaven’s Gate Town to the sky above the Nether Sea.

In the vast, boundless ocean, one cannot discern direction. Even on land, it is easy for cultivators to confuse their sense of orientation, and the Daoist had long ago taught Li Yu the methods to counter this. Beyond observing the stars, one could discern direction by tracking the flow of spiritual energy and utilizing Li Yu’s innate ability to perceive the transition between Yin and Yang. Each region possesses unique patterns of energy flow, allowing them to map their location.

Upon arriving, Li Yu clearly sensed that this was not the central area of the Nether Sea they had visited previously. Where the Yin-Yang energy had once been thin, it was now surging with intense vitality. While this was linked to Heaven’s Gate Town becoming a "Land of the Way," it also suggested that the world’s natural energetic cycles were realigning with the world beyond.

They were now in the southwest of the Nether Sea, a fact confirmed by both the star positions and the specific fluctuations of the Yin and Yang energies.

The Daoist looked down at the sea and laughed triumphantly, "They are quite clever at hiding, knowing to do the exact opposite of what is expected. But no matter how well you hide, you have still been driven into a corner by the Ghost Clan."

Indeed, the spirit the Daoist had destroyed was merely one of the manifestations of an elderly Ghost Clan hag. After eliminating her, he realized she had other fragments hidden within Heaven’s Gate Town. These vermin usually hid so deeply that even he had not discovered them until they revealed their trail while clashing with the Nether Beast.

The Ghost Clan were neither human nor demon; their origins were an enigma, and their methods were bizarre and endless. Had the Daoist not fought them in the past and developed countermeasures, even he might have found them troublesome.

The surface of the Nether Sea was calm, but deep below, tumultuous waves were raging. The Nether Path of the Nether Beast was something the Ghost Clan coveted; they had targeted the beast long ago, even planting their supreme treasure, the Rakshasa Bone Nails, within the Li family.

Years ago, when the Ghost Clan had possessed human hosts and learned of the existence of Heaven’s Gate Town and the Nether Sea, they relayed this information back to the Realm of the Dead. The hag, having seen this, was consumed by curiosity and sent fragments of her soul to the town over the years, hoping to uncover the nature of the Nether Sea. She was fortunate to have acted when she did; had other ancestors of the Ghost Clan learned of such a prize, they would have certainly vied for a share.

Her soul fragments were drawn to the Nether Path. Eventually, they discovered the presence of the Nether Beast. She realized that to master the Nether Path, she had to capture the beast. Thus, she scattered the thirteen Rakshasa Bone Nails among the humans, sealing their malevolent energy. She knew the treasure possessed an alluring power that would incite human greed and conflict. Once discovered, it would inevitably pass into the hands of powerful cultivators, eventually drawing them all to the Nether Sea.

The thirteen nails could not cross the boundary of life and death easily; they had to squeeze through the cracks of space-time when the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth were inverted. To her delight, the entire set fell into the hands of Li Hongshuang, making her machinations easier. Together, the thirteen nails possessed the power to devour souls and seize spirits.

However, events did not unfold entirely to her liking. While she was pleased that the nails were gathered, she had not anticipated that the unassuming Daoist of Heaven’s Gate Town would possess the ability to restrain her.

Had it been a standard Ghost-Repelling Talisman—one of the twelve golden talismans of the Daoist school—her soul fragment would not have feared it. But the Daoist had infused the talisman with a profound Way she did not recognize. Its power terrified her, and she could only watch helplessly as the golden light pierced her, amplifying the power of the talisman a thousandfold until her consciousness was extinguished in a flash of gold.

The Way of Primordial Beginning possessed the power to amplify any attribute or derive it infinitely. The Daoist had long known that the Ghost-Repelling Talisman was a weapon against the Ghost Clan, but a standard one drawn with spiritual energy and thunder was insufficient against the true masters of the clan. He realized that his own Way of Primordial Beginning could amplify the talisman’s power infinitely. If one had enough force, could the Ghost Clan not be suppressed? It was akin to using an endless army to overwhelm a single master; even the most powerful cultivator would eventually falter.

When the first soul fragment was destroyed, the others in Heaven’s Gate Town awakened and tracked the scent toward the Nether Sea. As long as the Rakshasa Bone Nails remained on the Nether Beast, they could find it, no matter where it hid.

The Nether Beast had thought it had escaped danger. After watching the spectacle, it had mocked the humans, intending to return and purge the nails from its body. It did not expect to be tracked by the other fragments. Having spent countless years in the Nether Sea, it had long since gained sentience. It immediately recognized that the three approaching fragments shared the same essence as the nails embedded in its flesh.

A profound sense of crisis washed over it—the greatest danger it had ever faced. While the Daoist had often provoked it, the beast had never felt true killing intent or greed from him. But these three hags radiated a naked, burning hunger. The beast knew exactly what fate awaited it if it were captured. Without hesitation, it vanished from the spot.

It was not a fool; if it could not win, it would run. Did they really think it was that Daoist, capable of fighting five sages at once? Even a divine beast with extraordinary talents had its limits!