Chapter 158: Erqing Obtains the Inheritance

Erqing pondered for a moment and realized that this was indeed the case. Yet, a psychological disparity remained, making it difficult for her to accept. She began to deduce carefully with her spiritual platform: if Wang Yuanfeng had not told her, the forces of the Taiyuan Lake would undoubtedly have been digested and absorbed by Mount Tianzhu in due course, relegated to mere history.

The Great Dao encompasses minor paths, and the key lies in the word "assimilate"—it would dissolve Taiyuan Lake down to the very last drop. However, Wang Yuanfeng had shared this with her. Although the outcome would remain the same, both leading to integration, knowing and not knowing were two entirely different concepts. With foreknowledge, one could act in accordance with the supreme Dao upheld by Mount Tianzhu, thus securing a foothold within that Great Dao.

Without this knowledge, one would operate according to the old ways of Taiyuan Lake, or the outdated mindset of the entire world from bygone eras. In the face of a supreme Dao like that of Mount Tianzhu, such antiquated thinking clearly failed to conform to the operating laws of the present heaven and earth. Consequently, there could be only one result: elimination.

This psychological dissonance could make one find it hard to accept, pushing them to the brink of collapse. Even short of a breakdown, one would inevitably fall behind others, because the path practiced would no longer belong to the Great Dao, but rather to a localized heavenly law, ultimately destined to be crushed by the torrent of the times.

Having deduced this conclusion within her spiritual platform, Erqing broke out in a cold sweat. That aura directly trampled over her current path of cultivation. As her body engaged in the deduction, it instinctively resisted, and she felt as if her physical form had been pulverized under that heavenly aura, leaving not a single trace behind...

Startled in her heart, her consciousness snapped back into her physical body. She felt an overwhelming exhaustion; even her demonic Qi seemed entirely out of reach, leaving her limbs feeling like a pile of mud, on the verge of collapsing to the ground at any moment. Yet, that stubborn and unyielding will did not vanish. It anchored itself to her spine, propping up her entire body.

Suddenly, Erqing recalled the legend that Mount Tianzhu was transformed from the spine of a divine being, supporting heaven and earth as the pillar of the firmament. Similarly, it was solely by virtue of a tenacious and unyielding will that she managed to keep her body from falling, concentrating all her willpower upon her own spine.

She felt herself slowly merging into one with Mount Tianzhu, achieving a resonance and communion. As long as this willpower endured, heaven and earth would not merge back into primal chaos, and all living creatures would be able to thrive—all of it driven by this very spirit of defiance.

As long as the will remains undying, the Heavenly Pillar shall never fall.

At this moment, Mount Tianzhu emanated a profound and mysterious aura. Upon sensing it, Daoist Ren discovered that the mountain had grown vastly heavier. Waves of spiritual energy drifted down from above, transforming the entire peak into something resembling a blessed heavenly paradise. Sensing further, Daoist Ren perceived the subtle resonance of the Great Dao echoing from the heights.

He hurriedly sought out a place where wind was harbored and Qi was gathered, hastily set up a few basic barriers, sat cross-legged, and began to comprehend the marvelous notes of the Great Dao.

Everyone else on Mount Tianzhu also sensed this aura. Instinctively realizing that it would be beneficial to them, they concentrated on comprehending it. Their minds grew crystal clear, and knots that they had failed to untie in their usual cultivation suddenly became entirely transparent.

Those devoid of cultivation felt as though their bodies were bathing within the womb of a mother, washing and refining their entire body and mind. Instinctively, they laid down whatever they were holding in their hands, yearning to experience this warmth.

However, individuals with crooked intentions suffered terribly. Their nature instinctively repelled this aura, filling them with an overwhelming urge to flee the place.

There were also those who sensed nothing at all, merely finding the others' behavior rather peculiar. A few kindred spirits even exchanged smirks, as if witnessing something utterly absurd.

A bit shorter today. This chapter will be updated tomorrow morning. I didn't sleep last night, so I'm going to rest first. Good night, fellow Daoists.