Da Xuan Martial Saint Chapter 1490 - 715: Wuxiang City Lord (Part 3)

Even though he possesses the same immortality and eternal life as a Dao Venerable, this longevity is merely a 'false immortality'. While Dao Venerables must endure the passage of infinite time, they are gradually consumed by the Great Dao if they fail to achieve a breakthrough; however, his own erosion is far more catastrophic. Every instance of Universe Silence completely annihilates his entire history.

"Seeking the path is difficult, inquiring about the path is difficult, and proving the path is even more difficult."

Taking a sip of his tea, a sharp light flickered in Chen Mu’s eyes as he spoke: "Yet, the Great Dao always provides a sliver of hope. If one possesses the unity of knowledge and action and pursues it relentlessly, there is always a possibility to attain the Dao. The City Lord does not need to be so discouraged."

Observing the spark of certainty in Chen Mu’s gaze—a conviction that seemed unshakable by anything in existence—the City Lord of Wuxiang lifted his own tea cup. After taking a sip, he sighed: "Friend Chen, your will is as sharp as a blade and your faith is like a beam of light; it was certainly no fluke that you managed to prove the Dao."

Hearing the praise from the City Lord of Wuxiang, Chen Yue and Chen Yao, who were positioned next to Chen Mu, gazed at his silhouette with eyes that mirrored that same brilliant light.

It was only natural!

Chen Mu had ascended from nothingness, his genius shocking the world and eclipsing all others. He had climbed upward one step at a time through sheer extraordinary talent and skill. In their sight, he was an all-powerful figure and their greatest source of pride. Reaching the rank of Dao Venerable was definitely not a matter of luck!

Facing the City Lord of Wuxiang’s compliments, Chen Mu simply offered a faint smile without voicing any humble denials. In the past, his steady temperament would have led him to be modest, but as a Dao Venerable—one of the supreme beings in the world—such humility was no longer required. He could now view all accolades with calm indifference.

"In my view, if the City Lord desires transcendence and wishes to flee the sea of suffering, it might be better to discard your current karmic ties and begin your journey again."

Chen Mu paused for a moment before offering this piece of advice.

The City Lord of Wuxiang followed a different path than his own; Chen Mu had reached the Dao Venerable state by relying solely on his individual power through the complete inspiration of the Origin Dao, which represents the most traditional method of attaining the Dao. Conversely, the City Lord of Wuxiang had depended on the external forces and the specific regulations of the Source Realm, resulting in heavy limitations. Though he had achieved venerability, he was effectively trapped between thresholds, unable to move forward or pull back.

Given his current level of power, the City Lord of Wuxiang could technically shatter the Source Realm's laws by force. However, his status as a Dao Venerable was rooted in those very laws; if he destroyed them, his own cultivation would also crumble.

Ultimately, he would be reduced to sending a single strand of his true spirit into the Origin River, hoping for reincarnation during the next Universe Creation.

By choosing this, he would forfeit all his strength and his title as the City Lord of Wuxiang. Even his memories might vanish after his rebirth. If he failed to reclaim his status as a Dao Venerable in his next life, he would sink once more into the endless sea of suffering.

Yet, if his reincarnated self could rely on personal capability to prove the Dao Venerable in the outer universe, he would instantly become a perfected Dao Venerable. Everything he had surrendered—his past, his memories, and his power—would be reclaimed one by one.

"Starting anew, is it..."

The City Lord of Wuxiang drifted into deep contemplation upon hearing Chen Mu’s suggestion.

He was actually well aware of this path, but he had been unable to resolve himself to take it. Even though every Universe Silence would destroy him, he would always return as the City Lord of Wuxiang in the following Universe Creation, maintaining his venerable rank and remaining just a single step from transcendence. At the very least, he would not drown in the sea of suffering.

However, if he cast everything aside to reincarnate, there would be no path of retreat. If he failed, he would become just another face among the countless masses, eventually swallowed by the sea of suffering until he vanished entirely.

Noticing that the City Lord of Wuxiang was preoccupied with his thoughts, Chen Mu did not interrupt. He silently finished the Spiritual Tea in his cup, rose to his feet, and said: "Carve through chaos and hold the starfire, tread upon the skies and seize the moonlight... City Lord, I shall depart now."

Following those words,

Chen Mu turned to leave with Chen Yue and Chen Yao. He left the City Lord of Wuxiang standing in solitude, staring up at the Heavens Vault with eyes that flickered with a dark, uncertain light.