Da Xuan Martial Saint Chapter 1498 - 719: Endless Source Realm (Part 2)

"Is this a manifestation of Creation Power? It feels slightly distinct, and yet..."

A look of deep contemplation crossed Chen Yue's face as she stared at the flickering fire dancing in her hand.

Chen Yao moved closer, joining Chen Yue in inspecting the flame that Chen Mu had retrieved. Together, they began to analyze the profound mysteries hidden within the spark. Its core was undoubtedly rooted in Creation Power, yet it also carried faint, subtle traces of the essence of Time.

Because the influence of Time was so negligible, Chen Mu only spared it a passing glance before losing interest. Chen Yue and Chen Yao, however, seemed perfectly suited to meditate upon this peculiar flame.

Observing the two women sink into a silent state of introspection, Chen Mu chose not to disturb them. He stood calmly in the void, hands clasped behind his back, as the light of the Great Dao radiated from his form, holding the encroaching shadows at bay.

Deep within those shadows,

Strange beasts lurked at various distances, some hiding while others prowled. Those nearby kept their gazes fixed on the trio, yet their eyes—or what served as eyes—were filled with primal terror.

These creatures were eyeless, navigating through a specialized sensory perception. In their world, the source of their dread was not the flame held by the sisters, but the solitary figure of Chen Mu himself!

Although the Great Dao light surrounding Chen Mu’s body was soft, extending only a few meters to shield his companions, it appeared like a scorching, blinding sun to the beasts. To them, it was a presence impossible to approach and too terrifying to even flee from!

Swish.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Chen Mu reached into the dark. Using his power, he snatched a bizarre beast from the gloom, pulling it toward him until it floated in mid-air.

This creature was grotesque, far removed from the beasts found in Wuxiang City. It seemed like a chaotic jumble of energies; its pale, ashen body was covered in segments of writhing, twisted tentacles that emitted a putrid stench.

Chen Mu studied the specimen for a brief moment before striking out with a casual palm.

Bang.

The creature’s form shattered instantly, dissolving into fine dust that vanished into nothingness.

"Begone."

Chen Mu’s cold, indifferent eyes scanned the surroundings as he withdrew his suffocating pressure.

In a heartbeat, the beasts that had been paralyzed by his aura scrambled away into the depths, leaving the void in absolute silence.

After an unknown amount of time had passed,

Chen Yue and Chen Yao finally emerged from their meditative trance. They traded looks of realization, both having gained significant insights. Chen Yao, in particular, felt her connection to the Nine Layer Heavens grow tangibly stronger.

"Judging by your looks, the harvest was plentiful," Chen Mu remarked, nodding slightly as he looked at them. He glanced again at the 'flame' hovering between the sisters. The once vibrant blaze had dwindled to a tiny, weak spark, flickering in the dark and ready to vanish at any moment.

"Yes, this could truly be called a Flame of Creation; its use of Creation Power is incredibly intricate. By studying its structure, I realized the Power of Dao in my previous techniques was far too unrefined," Chen Yao said, her eyes still fixed on the dying spark. "I haven't mastered the Four Mysterious Fusion yet, but my grasp of constructing Creation Power has deepened. Even without a breakthrough in realm, the strength of my techniques will surely rise."

Chen Mu let out a soft chuckle. "That is the nature of accumulation. You reached the Eighth Layer Heaven through many trials and my personal guidance, as well as vast resources. What you lack now is experience. On this trip through the Source Realm, do not worry about breaking through to the Nine Layer Heavens. Simply absorb everything you witness into your own foundation. Once your accumulation is sufficient, the Four Mysterious Fusion will come naturally."

Moving from the Eighth Layer Heaven to the Nine Layer Heavens is a hurdle most Divine Monarchs fail to cross due to a lack of such accumulation.

This depth of understanding is not something he could simply hand over to them. Much like teaching a student in the mortal world, one can explain the concepts, but whether the student truly internalizes and masters them is another matter entirely.

After all, Cultivation and the study of the Great Dao are not as simple as common labor. It is a journey to the heart of the Universe and the ultimate origin. 'Knowledge' alone is insufficient; one must perceive, understand, and explore the very essence of existence.

Fizz.

Without a sound, the tiny wisp of flame finally went out.

Chen Mu paid it no mind, leading the two further into the darkness. Along the way, he would occasionally pluck more flames for them to study. In this manner, time lost all meaning until they finally crossed the 'Eternal Darkness Realm' and reached its far edge.

Throughout their travels, they occasionally spotted local tribes or Divine Monarchs training in the gloom. However, no words were exchanged as they passed each other like ghosts in the night.

"You may not have mastered every law of Heaven and Earth or every Creation Daoist Charm here, but witnessing them is enough for your accumulation. Creation is fluid and formless; every Boundary holds its own unique rules. Wuxiang City had its own, and the Eternal Darkness Realm has others. Let us move to the next Boundary."

Chen Mu led them to the border of the realm. Just like the edge of Wuxiang Mountain, a Great Pool of Primordial Power acted as a barrier, blocking any exit. Chen Mu simply made a pressing motion with his hand, and the massive barrier of Primordial Power shuddered and cracked, opening a path.

Taking one last look at the dim world behind them, the two sisters followed him through.

Their journey had taught them much about the laws of the world and the lethal dangers of the Eternal Darkness Realm. Even a peak Nine Layer Heavens expert or a Double Vein Perfection master would struggle to survive here, yet with Chen Mu, the path was effortless, every threat dissolving before it could reach them.

Chen Yue felt a wave of nostalgia, remembering the years long ago when Chen Mu escorted her through the Martial World. Back then, no matter how many bandits appeared, they were nothing in his presence.

Traveling the Source Realm with Chen Mu might have lacked 'tempering,' but the gains in Great Dao accumulation were incomparable.

...

Within a boundless Star River,

Chen Mu strolled through the void with the two sisters. Occasionally, a distant star would transform into a massive Star Beast, lunging to consume them with power that rivaled Nine Layer Heavens experts.

With a simple wave of his sleeve, Chen Mu would obliterate the star and the beast alike. He would then pluck the glowing Star Core and toss it back to Chen Yue and Chen Yao for their study.

...

In a bottomless Earthly Abyss,

The pressure intensified the deeper one descended. Once a soul went down, the backlash of trying to climb back up was devastating; there was only the path forward.

Chen Mu walked through the abyss as if strolling through a garden. The crushing pressure meant nothing to him. He casually shattered a section of a deep mineral vein, pulling out a rainbow-colored Crystal Jade. After a quick look, he handed it to the two following behind him.

...

As Time flowed steadily onward.

Chen Mu, in the realm of a Dao Venerable, continued his tour of the Source Realm. The sisters bore witness to countless worlds, diverse structures of laws, and various forms of the Great Dao. They absorbed this wealth of mystery like parched sponges.

During their travels, Chen Mu also collected rare items and artifacts tied to the Time Lineage. He spent his time researching the secrets of Time within them, quietly building his own Experience of the Time Dao.

Eventually,

After visiting 49,143 different realms, Chen Mu concluded the journey. He brought the now profoundly transformed Chen Yue and Chen Yao back to the Da Xuan World.

It was at this moment that the Universe’s End Stage began its final, silent transition.