Above the Great Dao-Chapter 1492 - 693: True Master Wen Shi (Part 2)

The other governors carefully studied this Daoist Skill and were greatly astonished, realizing it was even more intricate than their own Cultivation Techniques.

Most of them were Golden Immortals, and the Cultivation Techniques they practiced were passed down by King Li after they had made merits. King Li would usually impart Golden Immortal Realm Cultivation Techniques as rewards.

Reaching their current Realm could be said to have been earned at the risk of their lives.

Even after becoming disciples of Golden Turtle Island and obtaining its heritage, there were few techniques comparable to Chen Shi's Cultivation Technique.

Chen Shi said, "If you are to pass it on, then do so without further elaboration."

The governors agreed.

Wu Guanyun asked, "King, what is the name and origin of this Cultivation Technique?"

After pondering, Chen Shi said, "This technique encompasses the Reincarnation Technique to avoid life and death and ward off calamities. Let's call it the Reincarnation Life and Death Technique. Observe those who master this technique; they should be promoted to Captain or Squad Leader and be carefully nurtured."

The crowd assented and hurriedly left.

Chen Shi himself also practiced the Reincarnation Life and Death Technique, mastering it thoroughly before passing it on to Little Dun.

After more than ten days, Chen Shi summoned the governors to inquire about the progress, saying, "Report to the King, so far only one hundred and thirty-two people have mastered it."

Chen Shi nodded, saying, "Have these one hundred and thirty-two individuals engrave Dao Patterns on all the magical treasures of the army, including tower ships, war chariots, armor, and sword boxes. If others master it as well, have them perform Sacrificial Refinement on the Magical Treasures."

The crowd went off to make arrangements.

An army of twenty thousand was stationed at Central Pass, remaining inactive.

Within Han Valley Pass, the Star Gate sometimes opened, with Starlight shining from the Earth Immortal Realm, connecting the two worlds. Whenever this happened, Immortals from the Earth Immortal Realm would arrive, only to be captured by the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

Chen Shi conducted interrogations and discovered these Immortals were merely spies coming to gather intelligence. The Heavenly Court was uneasy about this demon-quelling mission and therefore sent many spies to gather intelligence, to see the fate of Chen Shi and the twenty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

——Among them were two spies sent by King Li.

"King Li just wishes for my demise so that he can inherit my position as Heavenly King!"

Chen Shi was quite indignant, standing in the mansion berating King Li, then amiably told the spy, "You go back and tell King Li… No, you cannot return. Someone, lock their scapula, seal their Primordial Spirit, restrain their transformations, and throw them into the dungeon!"

Immediately, Heavenly Soldiers and Generals stepped forward, locked the spies from King Li, and tossed them into the dungeon.

Chen Shi looked at the spies sent by the Great Heavenly Venerate, hesitating.

The few spies trembled in fear.

Chen Shi waved his hand, saying, "Assign them to the army, put them in a suicide squad, and when facing the enemy, have them lead the charge."

The spies turned ashen-faced, and in unison, they pleaded, "We beg the King to lock our scapula and throw us into the dungeon!"

Chen Shi reluctantly agreed, "Then place them in the dungeon first."

His gaze shifted to the last spy, smiling, "The Great Heavenly Venerate sent me to the Ancestral Court to quell demons, fearing I might mishandle it, and sent spies to gather information. King Li hopes I perish at the Ancestral Court, so he also sent spies for intel. Since you're not sent by them, who did send you?"

The spy, a savvy and efficient Immortal, clamped his mouth shut, saying nothing.

Chen Shi was unconcerned, stating, "Even if you won't speak, I can find out. Entering the Ancestral Court through Han Valley Pass requires registration and stating your purpose. I only need to inquire with Daoist Wu, who oversees Han Valley Pass of the Earth Immortal Realm, to know who sent you."

The spy's lips twitched, yet he remained silent.

Chen Shi gestured, "Someone, execute him and hang his head on the city wall."

The spy's expression was unreadable, and promptly several Heavenly Soldiers stepped forward to escort him away.

After a moment, those soldiers returned to report, "We have hung the head on the city wall."

Chen Shi was surprised, "Did he not confess?"

"He didn't, so we executed him."

Chen Shi waved them away. Little Dun noticed his troubled expression and asked, "Husband, what troubles you?"

Chen Shi replied, "I led troops to the Ancestral Court to quell demons, creating a grand spectacle, surely drawing many eyes on us. If this Outer Dao Great Demon was released from the Earth Immortal Realm, someone would worry I might slay the demon, thwarting their plans. They would certainly send someone to investigate. By guarding this Star Gate, I can capture and learn the origin of those who come."

He sighed, "As expected, spies did come. It's just unfortunate this one was so tight-lipped, willing to die rather than confess."

Little Dun Fairy speculated, "Could it be the doing of True Master Wen Shi who oversees Han Valley Pass?"

Chen Shi shook his head, "It can't be him. If anything happened at the Ancestral Court, he would be the first to be held accountable."

In the Earth Immortal Realm's Han Valley Pass,

Daoist Wu was examining the traveling Immortals, puzzled, thinking, "Chen Shi, though not very old and with moderate Cultivation, has caused quite a stir. Within the months he's at the Ancestral Court, so many ancient beings have sent people there."

At this moment, a Child approached on Starlight, saying, "Brother Wu, the master has awoken and wishes to see you."

"The Master has awakened?"

Daoist Wu was overjoyed and quickly followed the Child, soaring into the skies, reaching the most Starlit location above Han Valley Pass.

He entered Louguan Heavenly Palace, paying respects to True Master Wen Shi. The Master sat amidst the Starlight, his white eyebrows drifting like two Milky Ways, with his slightly open eyes emitting infinite Starlight, illuminating the Dark Sea as far as the eye can see, repelling the darkness over a vast distance.

True Master Wen Shi offered him a seat, asking, "Have there been any recent occurrences?"

Daoist Wu recounted Chen Shi's demon-quelling mission to the Ancestral Court and said, "Chen Shi has been at the Ancestral Court for almost four months. Many have sent spies through Han Valley Pass to gather information during this time."

True Master Wen Shi asked, "Under whose orders were these spies sent? Present me the transit documents."

Daoist Wu presented the documents.

True Master Wen Shi perused them, saying, "The Great Heavenly Venerate and King Li sent people; one cares for the Ancestral Court's safety, the other for his position. But why would Emperor Wenchang send people?"

He closed the documents and gave them back to Daoist Wu, saying, "Emperor Wenchang of the Heavenly Court is likely unaware of this matter. Someone is using his name to gather information. Remove Emperor Wenchang's name to spare this old Emperor any troubles."

Daoist Wu complied, cautiously erasing Emperor Wenchang's name, and asked gently: "Master, I suspect this time's demon upheaval at the Ancestral Court was instigated by an Immortal from the Earth Immortal Realm."

True Master Wen Shi glanced at him.

Daoist Wu dared not speak further.

"Continue."

"Yes."

Daoist Wu gathered his courage and said, "In past Ancestral Court upheavals, they coincided with dynastic changes, often due to some Earth Immortal Realm Immortals seeking benefits. For instance, some dynasties reverenced Dao, while others upheld Buddhism, so they needed unrest at the Ancestral Court. I fear this time is…"

True Master Wen Shi shook his head: "Not this time. This time, it's about severing roots."

"Severing roots?" Daoist Wu didn't understand.

True Master Wen Shi explained, "Where lies the foundation of Heavenly Court governance? In the peoples' support and incessant incense. This is the foundation of Heavenly Court rule. From where did the Heavenly Gods originate? From the Ancestral Court. The Five Directions Five Elders are the Five Emperors of Huaxia, Houtu is a Huaxia God, the gods of Dou Department, Thunder Department, Wen Department, Fire Department all hail from Huaxia.

"The common folk venerate them as gods for their deeds, and they are worshipped. The world's people all know of Huaxia, all know the stories of the Heavenly Gods. As long as the Ancestral Court remains, so does the foundation of the Heavenly Court, and there are those who remember their glorious deeds. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Therefore, to destroy the Heavenly Court, one must first sever its roots. Destroy the Ancestral Court to sever the roots. Within generations, none will know of the Ancestral Court nor remember the Heavenly Gods' tales. The incense of the Heavenly Court will waver."

He stated profoundly, "To extinguish the incense, first destroy the Ancestral Court."

Daoist Wu shivered, exclaiming, "Destroy the Ancestral Court? If this were to spread, even a Daluo Golden Immortal would be hunted down!"

True Master Wen Shi remarked, "Indeed, one committing such acts would be hunted down."

Daoist Wu hesitated, asking, "Master, should we… should we intervene?"

True Master Wen Shi pondered, "This is a struggle between Immortals and Gods; whom should we assist?"

Daoist Wu froze, unsure how to respond.

True Master Wen Shi did not trouble him, saying: "Bring me all the transit records for the past eight hundred years since the demise of Great Ming. The instigators must have visited the Ancestral Court within these eight hundred years and destroyed Great Ming!"