Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2061 Chapter 983: The Deity Imparts the Dao (Part 2)

A practitioner must venture out and explore independently if they truly wish to discover their own path between the mortal world and the realm of the divine.

"By the way," Mo Hua suddenly recalled a detail and inquired, "Mountain Lord, what can you tell me about 'dragons'? Are there specific progression methods for a Dragon Soul?"

"Dragons?" Lord Yellow Mountain appeared momentarily dazed by the question. "Why are you asking about dragons?"

Mo Hua found himself at a loss for words.

It wasn't exactly possible to confess to Lord Yellow Mountain that he had 'consumed' a dragon...

Instead, Mo Hua explained, "A while ago, I happened to cross paths with descendants of the Great Wilderness and saw a Dragon Soul. I was simply curious, so I thought I would ask you."

Lord Yellow Mountain was visibly startled by this revelation. "Then where is this Dragon Soul currently located?" he pressed.

It’s currently in my stomach... Mo Hua remained quiet for a brief moment before replying, "I’m not entirely sure..."

Lord Yellow Mountain sighed with a hint of regret. After a moment of reflection, he said, "Dragons are divine beasts, and a Dragon Soul is the spirit of such a creature. In a sense, it is an existence on par with a 'deity'."

"However, dragons are incredibly scarce, and their souls are even rarer."

"Even during my long tenure as the God of Solitary Mountain, spanning countless years, I rarely witnessed a Dragon Soul with my own eyes."

"The mysteries of the Dragon Soul are likely known only to the 'Dragon' race themselves, or perhaps to humans carrying the bloodlines of True Dragons or Karma Dragons."

"Humans possessing True Dragon or Karma Dragon bloodlines?" Mo Hua repeated.

Lord Yellow Mountain nodded. "The lineage of the Dao Court Emperor carries the blood of True Dragons. Meanwhile, the royal house of the Great Wilderness inherits the blood of Karma Dragons."

"Furthermore, within the Barbaric Wilderness, the Northern Border, the Western Extreme, and even among certain hidden clans and prominent Great Families today, the Karma Dragon bloodline still flows occasionally."

Mo Hua felt a sense of clarity.

Master Xia had previously explained the difference between True Dragons and Karma Dragons to him.

However, learning about these specific factions that possessed the Karma Dragon bloodline was entirely new information.

"So even the Great Families and major clans might have the Karma Dragon bloodline?"

Mo Hua couldn't help but picture his brave and exceptional junior brother, whose spear techniques carried the ferocity of a dragon.

"Junior Brother belongs to the Bai Family and follows the Path of the Dragon; does that imply he also carries the blood of the Karma Dragon?"

Mo Hua considered the possibility. It wasn't out of the question.

He decided he would have to ask his Junior Brother whenever they met again.

Having gathered nearly all the knowledge he needed regarding the Divine Way, Mo Hua committed the vital details to memory. He then looked toward Lord Yellow Mountain and noticed a faint golden glow radiating from him. Curiously, he asked:

"Mountain Lord, you have..."

Mo Hua paused, deciding it was best not to mention the "Lifebound Divine Statue" aloud.

Heaven and earth have ears, as the saying goes.

He was already entangled in many karmic ties.

If those specific words were overheard and analyzed by someone with malicious intent, it could bring disaster upon Lord Yellow Mountain.

Instead, Mo Hua said, "With that object, will you be able to return to your former strength? You were truly powerful back then."

Lord Yellow Mountain had once reached the peak of the Third Grade, standing just a single step away from becoming a Fourth Realm Mountain God.

His Cultivation was high enough to make even Evil Gods jealous.

The sheer power of his divine abilities had been breathtaking.

He had once commanded a massive Divine Temple and numerous statues.

His followers must have been countless, and the offerings of incense must have been endless.

Comparing his past glory to his current state, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Lord Yellow Mountain smiled warmly. "Now that I have the origin, anything is achievable, though it won't happen overnight. The path of a deity demands steady Cultivation."

Mo Hua was genuinely pleased for him and asked further, "To reach the Third Grade, is it necessary to establish many Taoist Fields and gather the incense of living souls?"

Lord Yellow Mountain shook his head in disagreement.

"It isn't required?" Mo Hua asked, surprised.

With a deep, contemplative look, Lord Yellow Mountain let out a slow sigh. "The devotion of the living is nothing but an illusion."

"In this world, most beings—whether they are human, demon, or deity—are merely puppets controlled by power, reputation, authority, and rank."

"The same applies to humans..."

"One is an emperor when they hold power; without it, they are just another commoner."

"With peak Cultivation, one is honored as a master; lose it, and they are nothing but an ant in the vast universe."

"As a Mountain God, I am no different."

"When my Divine Thought was at its strongest and I commanded limitless power, I was naturally majestic. Thousands knelt before me, and the incense was abundant..."

"However, the one who was truly majestic wasn't me, but the Heaven and Earth Might that used me as its 'puppet'..."

"Those who offered worship weren't truly honoring me; they were bowing to the power of my divine form."

"Such devotion is fundamentally hollow."

"Once that Heaven and Earth Might vanishes, the people leave, the incense stops, and I am reduced to a minor Mountain God in a ruined temple, forgotten by everyone."

"Because of this, I have realized that deities, who are born to protect the Dao, should avoid worldly desires. They should cultivate in peace and do good without craving the worship of others, seeking to spread their incense, or obsessively chasing cause and effect."

"If everything is an illusion, there is no reason to celebrate when it arrives or mourn when it leaves; focusing on one's own Cultivation to realize the true origin is sufficient..."

Lord Yellow Mountain’s words were heavy with meaning.

Mo Hua fell into deep thought as he reflected on this.

He had heard Lord Yellow Mountain speak of this realization before, but it hadn't truly clicked until he experienced the events at Solitary Mountain. Now, the lesson felt entirely different.

Deities should chase the Dao, not the incense.

Incense is as fleeting and ethereal as the hearts of men.

The Great Dao, however, is woven into the fabric of Heaven and Earth, eternal and unchanging.

In the same vein, a cultivator should seek the Dao itself, rather than just Cultivation levels, power, fame, or status.

Mo Hua nodded and gave a respectful salute to Lord Yellow Mountain. "I am grateful for your wisdom, Mountain Lord."

Lord Yellow Mountain quickly brushed the gesture aside. "The hardships of life lead to small realizations; if my words help a friend, that is enough, but I cannot take such a formal thanks."

Mo Hua smiled. "You have been a tremendous help to me."

The two of them spent a bit more time drinking and talking. As the hour grew late, Mo Hua realized he needed to depart. He couldn't leave Elder Xun waiting outside for too much longer.

As he prepared to leave, Mo Hua paused and asked Lord Yellow Mountain, "Will you be harassed by spirits while you stay in this broken temple for your Cultivation?"