Chapter 3: The Great Ease Diagram and the Vast Punishment of Heaven

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May the divine protect us, let the thunder in the sky strike down this monstrosity, otherwise our village will surely know no peace.

Yu Shuniang turned and walked into the house, fearing that she would truly be unable to contain her laughter, which would embarrass her brother.

As he spoke, a great storm arose between heaven and earth, with heavy rain pouring down as if it were being dumped from a bucket, and at a glance, all that could be seen was a dense mist of water.

The deafening roar continued, and a massive flash of lightning, resembling a sharp sword, sliced through the void, tearing apart the dark curtain of clouds

At a glance, this fish resembles a dark cloud covering the sky

The crowd fell to the ground in prayer, uncertain whether the deities in the unseen realm had responded

Beside the stream, there are rocks, and naturally, there is no shortage of caves for shelter from the rain

In the next moment, under the astonished gaze of Yu Duxiu, a shadow broke through the water's surface and shot out.

I believe," Yu Duxiu said earnestly

The beggar said: "Cultivation is the comprehension of the great principles of heaven and earth, the understanding of the ultimate truths of the universe, the practice of great supernatural powers, and the attainment of immense spiritual strength, in order to transcend the cycle of reincarnation and achieve longevity and eternal vision"

The Dragon Palace of the East Sea, where four dragon-headed figures with human bodies gather together, each wearing a crown adorned with tassels

This extraordinary painting is certainly not an ordinary object; it is merely that my understanding is limited, and I cannot perceive the mysteries within it. In the future, when my cultivation is sufficient, perhaps I will be able to catch a glimpse of the truth. Having said this, Yu Duxiu carefully put away the two scrolls and walked towards the village

Once again arriving by the rock, Yu Duxiu skillfully tossed the fishing gear into the water: "Fish, oh fish, please bite the hook quickly."

It can be said that a whale or a qiong fish, being somewhat larger in size, is not unusual. However, the ordinary fish before me, adorned with golden fins, astonishingly measures one hundred meters in length and several dozen meters in width, which is quite abnormal

Looking at the two objects in hand, Yu Duxiu was speechless. This beggar actually kept them in suspense, refusing to finish his words, leaving people in a state of uncertainty, which was truly disappointing

The Dragon King of Beihai remained expressionless: "Let us observe the changes quietly. The tribulation of becoming an immortal is not so easily overcome. My dragon clan possesses a formidable physical body, yet under the three calamities, all beings are reduced to mere ants. Whether one can attain the Dao still depends on their opportunities."

Yu Duxiu suddenly realized that his previous incarnation was nothing more than a scholar. Although his abilities were not remarkable, he was, after all, a scholar, possessing a trace of spiritual insight.

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, instantly striking the great fish, the sound of metal clashing resonating, and the void rippling with layers of water waves

Yu Duxiu suddenly slapped his forehead: "Oh no, I actually forgot that it would rain and the water level would rise. What should I do about my fishing gear? I’m afraid I will go hungry tonight"

The aroma of fish soup wafted through the yard, and Yu Shiniang, taking advantage of a moment of leisure, stood at the door, watching her brother's clumsy movements. She covered her mouth, stifling her laughter, and made a concerted effort to prevent herself from laughing out loud

The beggar looked at Yu Duxiu and said, "Would you be willing to join my Taiping Dao?"

The giant fish roared, its sound waves reaching dozens of miles in all directions, causing countless beings to perish beneath the onslaught of the sound waves

Yu Shuniang held a basin to catch the rainwater, her eyes revealing a sense of urgency: "With such heavy rain outside, I wonder how my brother is faring. He is weak in health and has only just begun to recover; how can he withstand the cold wind? I hope he can find a place to shelter from this storm."

At this point, the beggar recalled: "The so-called five hundred years of magical power means that you do not eat or drink, do not rest, and are constantly refining your magical power for five hundred years."

Yu Duxiu nodded upon hearing this: "Thank you, Master."

Regardless of what the future holds, today's achievements of Yu Duxiu are undoubtedly immense. With this foundational method, it is equivalent to stepping onto the path of cultivation, the key to the road of longevity

At this moment, Yu Duxiu found himself immersed in a peculiar realization. He seemed to sense that within the ominous clouds of fate, there existed a force that resonated with him, instantly transporting him into a strange realm, one that encompassed an understanding of the universe and a perception of this magnitude

The creek has risen, and the fishing gear is truly finished

The beggar smiled and, after a sudden fit of coughing, said: "Spirituality is attained through reading and understanding the principles, which can then open a glimmer of spiritual light; this spiritual light is what we call spirituality"

Yu Duxiu was taken aback, recalling the classifications of immortals in the legends of later generations, such as Celestial Immortals, True Immortals, and Golden Immortals. He foolishly asked, "Master, is there a distinction in rank among those immortals?"

Yu Shuniang is not a cultivator, so she naturally cannot see the enormous figure obscured by the rain curtain; otherwise, this young girl would surely be extremely worried.

In the dilapidated courtyard, there is not a trace of weeds

Is that?" Yu Duxiu was somewhat incredulous.

A strange roar erupted from the mouth of the great fish, causing the water curtain in the void to momentarily pause

In a dilapidated temple not far from a small mountain village, an endless divine light flashed in the eyes of a beggar, who then shrank back and said: "This is too terrifying, it is the leap of the fish over the dragon gate, the tribulation of becoming an immortal, I cannot get involved, I cannot get involved at all"

"Go ahead and eat your meal, I have everything arranged," said Yu Duxiu as he set down his chopsticks. "I am going fishing now, take your time eating."

Tribulation? The saying that countless demon beasts must undergo heavenly tribulation to transform, which he had read in a novel in his previous life, echoed in Yu Duxiu's mind

You are correct; apart from the founder of the sect, no one can truly attain the Dao of Immortality.

"Few immortals can attain eternal life, existing alongside heaven and earth. Even those who are adept in their cultivation, no matter how powerful their magic, if they do not become immortals, will ultimately find it difficult to escape the three disasters and five declines, and to break free from the suffering of reincarnation, becoming nothing more than a pile of yellow earth." The beggar's eyes were dazed, filled with longing.

At this point, the beggar looked at Yu Duxiu and said, "Daoist, I inadvertently discovered a rare treasure in the world, but I was severely injured by someone, even to the point of losing my abilities. Now my life is nearing its end. Originally, I felt quite guilty in my heart for not having returned this treasure to Taiping Dao, but unexpectedly, heaven has allowed me to encounter you."

"So little?" Yu Duxiu exclaimed in surprise

At this point, the beggar coughed and said: "In this entire village, there are only ignorant people, devoid of any spirit, yet unexpectedly, you possess some brilliance."

Upon opening it, Liu Duxiu was greatly disappointed, as the animal skin only displayed a black and white yin-yang fish, revealing no hidden mysteries.

Yu Duxiu shook his head

At this point, the beggar took out an ancient scroll from his bosom and handed it to Yu Duxiu: "This contains the foundational methods of my Taiping Dao. If you wish to join my Taiping Dao, you must refine your physical body and vital energy, cultivate the first strand of spiritual power, and then enter the ancestral temple of my Taiping Dao to receive the true transmission of the great teachings."

The beggar looked at Yu Duxiu again and said: "The path of cultivation requires one to endure three calamities. Before the three calamities, one has a lifespan of five hundred years. Surviving the first calamity grants an additional five hundred years of life. Surviving the second calamity grants another five hundred years. After the third calamity, one can again gain five hundred years of life"

Yu Duxiu paused his actions; regarding the future path, Yu Duxiu had no plans. He had not even understood this world, let alone make any plans.

Boom

At this point, a trace of sorrow flashed in the beggar's eyes: "However, the path of cultivation is exceedingly arduous, and the celestial might is boundless. Since the ancient times of creation, countless cultivators have emerged, yet only a handful, merely a dozen or so, have attained immortality."

Yu Duxiu carefully examined the small figure, then slowly opened another piece of animal skin. According to the words of the old beggar on his deathbed, this object is called the Taiyi Diagram, and it is indeed a precious item, certainly not an ordinary object

Most sects exhibit this kind of reaction; on one hand, they are prepared to seize treasures, and on the other hand, they are ready to present congratulatory gifts

Seeing the dismissive expression on Yu Duxiu's face, the beggar's expression turned serious: "What do you know? The prerequisite for surviving the first disaster is to cultivate five hundred years of magical power. Since a cultivator embarks on the path of cultivation, upon cultivating the first strand of magical power, they gain a lifespan of five hundred years. It sounds long, but you must understand what five hundred years of magical power truly means"

Yu Duxiu shook his head and said: "Since there are legends of immortals in this world, there must be some truth to it; a rumor does not arise from a vacuum, and it may not be without profound meaning"

Seeing Yu Duxiu's gaze gradually become uncertain, the beggar thought that Yu Duxiu was frightened. This was the disciple he had finally found before his impending departure, and he could not afford to scare him away. He quickly said: "But do not be afraid, for the ancestral masters of our sect possess celestial powers and boundless means. Naturally, there are ways to assist all disciples in overcoming difficulties, such as spiritual materials from heaven and earth, which can enhance one's magical powers after refinement."

Wiping the sweat from his body, Yu Duxiu took a deep breath. Others could not sense it, but he could feel that his body was growing stronger day by day, his bones slowly being stretched apart. With the nourishment from fish and meat, he was feeling somewhat better.

In the small village, the rainwater dripped steadily through the gaps in the thatched roof, falling into the house

Yu Duxiu stood in the setting sun, gazing at the sky stained a deep crimson, with flashes of red brilliance flickering in his eyes

Yu Duxiu earnestly said: "I humbly request the Master to bestow upon the disciple the Great Way."

The disciple willingly knelt down without hesitation.

The fish demon undergoes tribulation, causing the heavens to tremble

A strange force now enveloped Yu Duxiu, and he could sense that amidst the calamity clouds outside, there seemed to be an enigmatic aura calling out to him

The Dragon King of the East Sea stroked his dragon whiskers and said: "Our aquatic clan has finally produced another individual who has attained the Dao. Besides you and the three of us, if this cultivator can successfully overcome the tribulation and transform into a true dragon, our aquatic clan will gain another extraordinary powerhouse, and our dragon clan's influence in the heavens will increase even further."

"Has avoiding the three disasters led to becoming an immortal?" asked Yu Duxiu

The beggar shook his head: "A celestial being is simply a celestial being, invincible in the world, transcending the mundane, achieving immortality, with no distinction of superiority or inferiority, and no division of realms; a celestial being is eternal"

It is merely the enhancement of physical fitness that has cultivated the first thread of magical power, yet this thread of magical power is the gateway to the Dao. With this thread of magical power, one can henceforth shed their mortal form, creating a separation between themselves and ordinary beings.

This beggar still has one sentence he has not dared to say, which is that the spiritual materials of heaven and earth are limited; some cultivators, even if they exhaust their entire lives, have never encountered a single spiritual material.

The Dragon King of the South Sea shook his head: "It is likely unfeasible. The Taiping Dao is currently very active in the Central Region, and the innate spiritual treasures in the hands of that old man from Taiping Dao possess great power. Furthermore, various sects are quite wary of us in the Four Seas, making it unwise to easily step into the Central Region."

After looking at the main hall, the beggar left nothing behind. Yu Duxiu sat by the bonfire and activated the foundational skills of the Taiping Dao. One vivid image after another sprang to life on the paper, depicting the little figure performing various movements, as if practicing a set of martial arts.

What is this sound, it is so terrifying, it almost shattered my head" Yu Duxiu said with lingering fear

Perceiving this black power, Yu Duxiu attempted to communicate with them and then engaged in dialogue.

Yu Duxiu sighed inwardly upon hearing this: "It is merely the foundational method, truly quite stingy. However, I understand; this authentic transmission of the great law is the path to immortality, and it is not so easily imparted. Without significant achievements, one cannot hope to receive the true and supreme method to ascend to the heavens"

The Taiping Dao, the ancestor of the Taiping Dao, merely said softly: "Observe the changes quietly. If this demon fails in its tribulation, we shall naturally not hesitate to divide its remains and the fruits of the Dao. If it succeeds in its tribulation, then there will be another figure of esteemed Dao Ancestor among the heavens, and we should present our congratulations and expel it from our central domain"

Yu Duxiu understood clearly that there are not many immortals in this world. Upon reflection, it is indeed true that the path of immortality is not so easily attained.

The West Sea Dragon King smiled and said, "Why don't the four of us brothers go together to lend our support? This way, we can avoid anyone plotting against us."

Yu Duxiu would never know that the world he inhabits is the center of this realm, known as the Central Domain, which is reputed to be the most prosperous place among the heavens

Legends of immortals circulate in the world, yet those who can truly verify the path of immortality are exceedingly few

The beggar nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, very good"

At this moment, it is not only Yu Duxiu who stands out, but also the other villagers who can see from a distance the enormous fish leaping among the clouds. One by one, they tremble in fear; there is no doubt that this is a demon beast, and ordinary people are absolutely no match for it

A drop of rain fell on Yu Duxiu's face. Yu Duxiu touched the water droplet, then looked at the dark, heavy clouds, surveying the surroundings: "It looks like it's going to rain. It's too late to return to the village now; I should find a place to take shelter from the rain first."

Having found a relatively dry cave, Yu Duxiu burrowed inside. Looking at the dark, oppressive clouds, Yu Duxiu was unexpectedly filled with a sense of poetic inspiration: "The city is shrouded in darkness, as if it were about to rise; the armor glistens in the sunlight, like golden scales unfurling." It was nothing more than this.

As he was speaking, a strange sound of chanting suddenly echoed, causing his mind to buzz and resonate.

The beggar cast a sidelong glance at Yu Duxiu and said: "It is simple to understand; the total lifespan of the three disasters is one thousand five hundred years. If one fails to attain immortality after one thousand five hundred years, one will suffer the five declines and enter the cycle of reincarnation. Achieving immortality is difficult; it requires extraordinary opportunities and great fortune. If you wish to progress further on the path of cultivation, you must enter my Taiping Dao ancestral hall and leave your true name, only then can you receive the true teachings and aspire to the path of immortality"

A wisp of black power drifted through the void, then merged into the heavenly spirit and purple palace of Yu Duxiu

To obstruct someone's path to enlightenment is a hatred that is no less than that of a father’s murder or the resentment of a stolen wife. Moreover, under the immense power of heaven and earth, even an immortal ancestor would not dare to intervene recklessly, lest it trigger a chain reaction that could cost them their own life.

Lying on the rocks, basking in the warm sun, Yu Duxiu, whose constitution was frail, unexpectedly fell into a drowsy sleep

After finishing breakfast, Yu Shiniang looked at Yu Duxiu and said, "Elder brother, what are your plans for the future? Is it sufficient to have enough fish and meat, or is the imperial examination the most important?"

After speaking, the beggar suddenly burst into flames, his body turning to ashes

The beggar smiled faintly: "I never expected that I could pass down the great teachings before my death, returning the Taiyi Diagram to the sect. Heaven bless my Taiping Dao. Ancestor, I, your disciple, die without regrets. I only hope that when you meet the Ancestor, you will plead on my behalf, hoping that the Ancestor will consider the great contributions I have made and revive me, so that my efforts in guiding you onto the path of the Great Way will not be in vain"

Although this set of boxing techniques was practiced by Yu Duxiu to an unrecognizable extent, he still put in great effort, his expression serious, constantly adjusting his posture

Uncertain of how much time had passed, a gust of wind carrying a fishy odor awakened Yu Duxiu. Opening her eyes to gaze at the sky, she could not tell how long it had been; the warm sun had vanished, leaving only an endless expanse of dark clouds, heavy and oppressive, filling the entire sky

The beggar was taken aback, then said: "The legends of immortals are too far removed from the mortal world; I thought you would consider me to be boasting."

The beggar glanced at Yu Duxiu and said: "I now bestow upon you the great method. You shall slowly refine your body, and in the future, you will be able to cultivate the first thread of magical power. The path of cultivation is simply the refinement of magical power. As long as your magical power reaches a certain level, all great paths will naturally open up to you."

This fellow is also a fool, actually choosing to undergo tribulation in the Central Domain. Even if we want to help him, we have no way to do so, said the Dragon King of the North Sea

The sky was filled with incessant thunder and lightning, flattening the area within a radius of several miles, turning it into a scorched earth. Even the peak where Yu Duxiu resided was reduced to powder by the lightning. However, it was inexplicable that after the lightning passed through Yu Duxiu's body, there was not the slightest reaction.

The beggar coughed for a moment, stroked his chin, and said: "Do you know what cultivation is?"

The beggar nodded slightly and looked up at Yu Duxiu: "I am a practitioner of the Taiping Dao. As for titles, for one who is on the brink of death and has fallen to such a state, it is better not to mention them, lest I bring shame to my master."

He is not afraid of being deceived by this beggar; having previously seen the unusual vision in this person's eyes, he must be different from ordinary people

"How can there be such a large fish?" Yu Duxiu found it hard to believe

The immortal destiny is here, the legendary path to immortality is right before us. If Yu Duxiu were to say "no," then he would be a fool, the number one fool in the world.

After glancing at Yu Duxiu, the beggar said: "But think about it, the path of cultivation requires time, understanding the great law takes time, refining magical power requires time, and in the early stages, eating takes time. There are also some sect tasks that require time. In these five hundred years, you have enough time to refine your magical power for less than three hundred years. In three hundred years, how can you cultivate five hundred years of magical power to overcome the three disasters"

"What is spirituality?" Yu Duxiu asked in confusion

The immortal being, that legendary immortal, an existence that never dies. I wonder if I, Yu Duxiu, can ascend to the pinnacle and behold all the mountains as mere hills, murmured Yu Duxiu in the darkness

At the same time, various sects of the heavens were moved and turned their attention to the Central Region, where no one dared to take action

Yu Duxiu was taken aback upon hearing this, not expecting there to be so many intricacies involved: "If that is the case, then the path of cultivation is indeed a dead end; apart from the founding masters of sects, no one can attain the Dao of immortality."

The immortal is the true being standing at the pinnacle of this world, overlooking all things, a truly indestructible and powerful existence

Oh great deity, please subdue this fish demon to spare our village from its harm

Yu Duxiu nodded slightly, having gained some understanding in his heart. The beggar continued: "In our human race, there are nine supreme sects. The founding ancestors of these nine sects have attained the Dao of Immortality, living in seclusion within the secret realms of their sects. Aside from the founding ancestors of the nine sects, the known immortals include the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas and several immortal beings from the boundless wilderness of the demon race. The rest are merely cultivators."

The beggar paid no attention to Yu Duxiu's expression, but instead took out another item that resembled animal skin: "This image is the source of my severe injuries. I hope you can take it back to the Taiping Sect and hand it over to the Master. At that time, the Master will naturally bestow upon you the true teachings and great methods."

After finishing a set of martial arts moves, Yu Duxiu glared at Yu Shiniang and said, "Laugh, laugh, laugh until you lose your big teeth"

In the next moment, Yu Duxiu moved; one could see Yu Duxiu's long arms slowly extending, pulling apart the body, awkwardly performing a set of movements that could not be called a martial art in the courtyard.