Chapter Twenty-Two: The Purple Aura Rises from the East!

At this moment.

Under the influence of Zhao Xiaobai's celestial aura, Wang Ran had unexpectedly entered a state where mind and spirit became one, opening the door for his first true comprehension of the Dao in this lifetime.

He had participated in the grand Dao Comprehension Ceremonies several times before, but each attempt had ended fruitlessly; he could never reach that elusive state, a sign that his fate had not yet ripened.

Today, as he resigned himself to mediocrity and prepared to simply study the Seven Star Dao Technique, the murderous intent radiating from Zhao Xiaobai unwittingly swept him into a state of enlightenment!

In other words, Wang Ran was about to forge a Dao technique uniquely his own—a life-bound Dao.

Outside the stone wall.

The disciples gathered, whispering among themselves; the youngest junior sister clasped her hands in nervous concern.

The Seven Star Dao was already a rare and precious achievement, yet Wang Ran had chosen to abandon it. Everyone found his decision absurd.

Not everyone could, like Zhao Xiaobai, start anew and continue to make progress. Attaining a Seven Star Dao technique was a stroke of rare fortune. Next time, he might not even receive such an opportunity again. Most who comprehended a Seven Star Dao would rejoice, never daring to let go of such a chance lightly.

Zhao Xiaobai was an exception, so his choices were understandable. But Wang Ran—a man who had failed countless times before—daring to do the same left everyone astonished.

Some called him arrogant beyond measure, others accused him of hubris.

Even Ye Cang sneered openly, convinced Wang Ran would not surpass his past achievements, and that discarding a Seven Star Dao was the height of folly.

Only Zhao Xiaobai remained unperturbed, his expression calm. He understood Wang Ran well, knowing he would never act unless he was certain of the outcome.

Though Wang Ran seemed unreliable on the surface, his mind was sharp and meticulous, his intellect uncanny. He noticed details others missed and remained composed no matter the circumstances, rarely ruled by emotion.

It was precisely this quality that earned Zhao Xiaobai’s admiration. He firmly believed that fate was preordained.

Some are born to be kings, their destinies unmatched.
Some fade into obscurity, living out their days in mediocrity.

What others overlooked in Wang Ran, Zhao Xiaobai recognized.

He was the former—a true king.

Such natural-born sovereigns were rare in the world, true paragons among men.

What made it even more remarkable, was that the Weiwo Sect had produced two such figures in the same era.

One was Ye Cang, the other Wang Ran.

The former needed little introduction. Possessing a sacred body unseen in a thousand years, Ye Cang had caused a sensation in Yun Prefecture when purple mists filled the sky as he built his Nine Star Foundation. Whether in talent or in wisdom, he was among the most gifted of his generation.

While Wang Ran’s innate gifts did not match Ye Cang’s, his mind was steady; his strategic acumen and foresight were unparalleled. Even in his mortal flesh, the air of a future hero surrounded him, hinting at boundless prospects.

Though Zhao Xiaobai had chosen to support Wang Ran over Ye Cang, he trusted his own judgment.

Now, Zhao Xiaobai gazed at the silent dais, anticipation burning in his eyes.

“Brother Wang, let me see the true extent of your potential.”

…

Within the stone wall.

Wang Ran’s consciousness seemed to sink into chaos, devoid of the faintest glimmer of light.

He struggled to open his eyes.

Darkness—eternal, immutable darkness!

His awareness grew hazy, drifting endlessly in the void. He did not know how much time had passed; it felt as though he might be imprisoned in this darkness forever, never to emerge.

Suddenly, faint points of light appeared in the gloom.

Wang Ran strained to see. They were books—countless, limitless books.

From their titles, all appeared to be Dao techniques, spanning from One Star to Nine Star levels.

“Is this… the system’s interior?” Wang Ran shuddered, his mind snapping into focus.

He realized this dark space was the unity-of-mind state entered during Dao comprehension. Others too would find themselves here.

But unlike anyone else, his space was filled with an endless array of Dao techniques!

If his guess was right, these were from the system itself—he had entered its inner realm!

Dao techniques! Innumerable Dao techniques!

What others could only dream of now stretched before his eyes as far as he could see.

Instinctively, Wang Ran opened a book, reading carefully. When he finished, he set it aside and began another.

Thus, he read continuously, one scroll after another.

Here, time lost all meaning. Perhaps a year passed, perhaps ten.

When he finally finished every volume, his hair had turned white, and he had reached his twilight years.

Looking back, all the Dao techniques had vanished without a trace.

He tried to recall them, but nothing remained, as if all had been tasteless and dry.

Yet, it also felt as though he remembered everything, but could not express it.

He closed his eyes, savoring the experience.

The myriad worlds, endless Dao techniques—interweaving, complementing one another—erupted in his mind in an explosion of inspiration.

Wang Ran… had attained enlightenment.

He snapped his eyes wide open. Golden light burst forth; the wrinkles vanished from his face, his white hair receded, and he was once again a youth.

The golden light was so intense it pierced the boundless darkness, carrying Wang Ran upward, ever upward!

At last, light flooded his vision. He found himself standing atop the sky itself, amidst a limitless sea of clouds.

Before him stood a colossal golden gate, towering and majestic beyond description.

There are four steps to Dao comprehension: draw down celestial energy, gain insight, open the spiritual gate, and build the Dao foundation.

Now, Wang Ran was at the final threshold—opening the spiritual gate!

In reality, his physical body remained within the Weiwo Sect; the figure atop the sky was his divine soul.

Now, as soon as he shattered the spiritual gate, he would instantly establish his foundation!

All must pass through this stage—even the lowest servant would have a spiritual gate, though for a One Star foundation it would be but half a meter tall.

Yet Wang Ran’s spiritual gate was infinite, its end unseen. Not even Zhao Xiaobai or Ye Cang had ever possessed such a formidable gate!

This was… a Ten Star Foundation!

Wang Ran knew well that, having fused all Dao techniques of the myriad worlds into his own life-bound art, he had gone against the very order of heaven. Thus, his spiritual gate was unrivaled through the ages.

Yet he felt not a trace of fear.

For this was his Dao.

…

Meanwhile, outside.

The disciples of Weiwo Sect had been waiting for seven whole hours.

Some had grown impatient. Ye Cang‘s face was expressionless, Tony Mu had already dozed off, and Zhao Xiaobai sat comfortably in his chair, sipping tea.

Feng Yazi, possessing profound cultivation, was still patient, while the youngest junior sister had collapsed on the ground, idly counting ants.

“What’s taking Wang Ran so long?”

“Comprehending the Dao does take time, but isn’t this a bit much?”

“It’s been almost two days already—will he ever finish?”

“One more hour. If nothing happens, I’m leaving.”

Complaints began to rise, but recalling that Wang Ran had previously summoned seven stars of azure mist, their curiosity held them in place. They wanted to see—how many stars would he achieve this time?

For cultivators, a century was but the blink of an eye; a few hours’ wait was nothing.

As idle conversation passed among them, suddenly, waves rippled through the sea of clouds in the sky. Wisps of azure mist began to spread, growing denser and thicker, until they surged like ocean waves, their momentum vast and unstoppable.

Every disciple stared upward in shock. Zhao Xiaobai set down his teacup, eyes grave; Ye Cang’s pupils contracted; Feng Yazi sprang to his feet, and the youngest junior sister gazed skyward in astonishment.

The strength of this azure mist swept away all that had come before. The disciples’ eyes widened in disbelief.

“Heavens! How can there be so much azure mist?”

“It’s already on par with Zhao Xiaobai! Could he be about to build an Eight Star Foundation?”

“This is terrifying!”

But even as they spoke, another change swept the sky. The next scene would be seared into their memories forever, transforming their faces from awe to terror.

For the first time, Ye Cang leapt to his feet in shock; Zhao Xiaobai’s folding fan dropped to the ground with a snap; Yao Jianjia’s eyes sparkled with wonder; even Feng Yazi’s breathing quickened.

For upon the distant horizon, beyond the billowing azure mist, a vast, boundless surge of purple energy was gathering, thundering toward them with irresistible might!