DiploNovel Chapter 497 : Transmission of the Flame
Chapter 497 : Transmission of the Flame
【Boundless Heaven】, above the layers of the sea of clouds.Only to see Mu Changsheng's expression dazed—he remembered that the Myriad Spirits Banner had already been used up when he created 【Boundless Heaven】.
How could there still be a Banner Spirit?
‘No, that’s not a pure Banner Spirit… a living person entered the banner? Not only that, but the Banner Master even specifically reshaped his flesh body and returned him to freedom. Where did this Banner Master come from, with such kindness? My inheritance should’ve fallen into the Jiangbei Demonic Sect’s hands. How could a good person appear in the Demonic Sect?’
In that moment, Mu Changsheng’s thoughts turned rapidly.
As the previous master of the Myriad Spirits Banner, his research into Banner Spirits had long reached great depth—this was the only reason he could instantly notice Ancestor Tingyou’s abnormal state.
But that was all.
Although he saw that Ancestor Tingyou had once been a Banner Spirit, he failed to see that even now, Ancestor Tingyou was still under Lü Yang’s control.
Because this fell within the domain of the 『Book of a Hundred Lives』.
The Banner Spirits in Lü Yang’s hands had already been transformed, thoroughly remolded by the 『Book of a Hundred Lives』—they were entirely different from the Banner Spirits Mu Changsheng knew.
Yet this didn’t stop Mu Changsheng from being impressed with Ancestor Tingyou.
‘Banner Spirit—not bad!’
‘Since he was once a Banner Spirit, he must’ve come into close contact with 【Boundless Heaven】. That should increase the success rate of proving 【Boundless Heaven】.’
The next second, he looked toward Chong Guang, a hint of astonishment in his eyes:
‘This one too is no ordinary reincarnated Immortal Spirit. His fortune is immense, not to mention his Dao heart and talent are both excellent. If 【Boundless Heaven】 were entrusted to him, there should be a great chance of successfully proving it.’
At this thought, Mu Changsheng found himself somewhat conflicted.
Who should he choose?
Just then, Ancestor Tingyou suddenly spoke:
“Suffice it to say, I’ve privately studied Fellow Daoist’s 【Boundless Heaven】 for quite some time.”
“.Oh?”
At these words, Mu Changsheng immediately raised his head, then smiled:
“Interesting. Since that’s the case, what does Fellow Daoist think of my 【Boundless Heaven】?”
Mu Changsheng spoke modestly.
But in truth, since he asked the question, it was already a form of self-praise—after all, not just anyone could cultivate an Outer Dao Fruitional Rank out of nothing.
Yet in the next second, Ancestor Tingyou shook his head:
“If measured by the standards of the ordinary, your 【Boundless Heaven】 could be considered a stunning masterpiece. But to me, I can only say—it still needs refining.”
Mu Changsheng: “.”
As the words fell, Mu Changsheng still wore a smile, but there was a coldness behind his eyes:
“Then what areas does Fellow Daoist think need improvement?”
This was spoken with veiled sarcasm.
Who would’ve thought Ancestor Tingyou, after hearing this, would instead speak solemnly:
“Let’s leave the rest aside—for now, even just this illusion realm has much room for improvement.”
“I observe that the trials here are all based on Fellow Daoist’s own experiences. Though thrilling, they become somewhat dull after repeated viewings. Fellow Daoist, when you first created 【Boundless Heaven】, perhaps it was not for seeking the Dao, but to deal with the True Lords of the world—in essence treating it as a weapon.”
At this point, Ancestor Tingyou shook his head:
“In my view, Fellow Daoist has wasted such a splendid Fruitional Rank. If patiently cultivated, this Dao Fruition’s potential would be no less than an orthodox one.”
Mu Changsheng fell silent upon hearing this.
What Ancestor Tingyou said was true—【Boundless Heaven】 was merely a weapon he used to restrict the True Lords of the world. It was never meant to be the foundation for seeking the Dao.
However, as for the potential Ancestor Tingyou mentioned, Mu Changsheng only sneered inwardly.
“Orthodox Fruitional Ranks stem from the Heavenly Lord—how could an Outer Dao compare? Though your talent is extraordinary, Fellow Daoist, you are ultimately blind to the truth, speaking recklessly.”
“Perhaps so.”
Ancestor Tingyou neither agreed nor denied, only continued to survey the surroundings.
In his eyes, splendor shimmered, countless rays of spiritual light flowing as if flickering.
During the half-year Lü Yang had spent in closed-door cultivation of 【Boundless Heaven】, he hadn’t been idle either. Besides mastering the divine ability of 【Boundless Heaven】, he also made a trip to Skeleton Mountain to recover the fragment of his divine soul “lost” in the Witch Ghost Secret Realm, giving his comprehension a qualitative leap.
The next moment, Ancestor Tingyou chuckled and said:
“If Fellow Daoist would hand over 【Boundless Heaven】 to me, I’m confident I could prolong its sealing of the True Lords, and greatly increase the strength of the seal.”
At these words, Mu Changsheng was stunned:
‘What kind of joke is this?’
【Boundless Heaven】 was his painstaking creation—especially in its function of sealing off True Lords, which he believed had reached near perfection.
Sixty years—that was the limit.
Though if a True Lord were willing to pay the price and burn their Cave Heaven, perhaps thirty years would suffice to break the seal—but that was already an astonishing feat.
After all, 【Boundless Heaven】 was merely an Outer Dao Fruitional Rank!
To achieve such results with an Outer Dao, was already incredibly exaggerated—yet now, Ancestor Tingyou actually claimed there was still room for improvement?
But soon, Mu Changsheng regained his composure.
He wasn’t angry—instead, for the first time, he showed genuine solemnity and bowed seriously to Ancestor Tingyou:
“Then I ask Fellow Daoist to bestow your guidance.”
“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist.”
Ancestor Tingyou returned the bow, then sent forth a strand of divine sense. Mu Changsheng carefully examined it, and after a while, let out a deep, heavy exhale.
Seeing this, Chong Guang, who had remained silent all this time, let out a sigh.
‘No need for me to choose anymore.’
Mu Changsheng’s reaction had said it all—Ancestor Tingyou proving 【Boundless Heaven】 was now a foregone conclusion, irreversible, with no room for him to intervene.
“Fellow Daoist Chong Guang.”
Just then, Ancestor Tingyou suddenly turned, looking at Chong Guang, and sincerely said:
“The lord behind me is, in fact, a kind-hearted person.”
“No need for excessive concern, Fellow Daoist.”
“Given time, as long as you fully cooperate, the seat of 【Overturning Lamp Fire】 will be yours. For you, now is the time when doing more means more mistakes.”
At these words, Chong Guang furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head:
“Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist. I will deliberate carefully… but this is my path—only I can walk it. I will not entrust my life and future to another.”
With that, Chong Guang looked to Mu Changsheng:
“Fellow Daoist Xiantian, I would like to discuss a deal with you.”
“.Very well.”
Mu Changsheng nodded, and the sea of clouds surged, covering the two of them. A moment later, Mu Changsheng emerged alone—Chong Guang had vanished.
“He obtained what he wanted and has already left.”
Mu Changsheng said lightly:
“Fellow Daoist, your talent is astonishing. Without my explanation, you have already seen through much. Since that is the case, I shall say no more.”
The next second, a light manifested in his palm.
The light gathered, forming the shape of a precious pill. On it were inscribed infinite talismanic scripts, ethereal and illusory, and the surrounding sea of clouds surged due to the pill’s presence.
【Contending for Freedom】!
“Fellow Daoist, I’ve understood your intentions. Since you have the will, I entrust this to you. Perhaps it can bring a new change to this world.”
As he spoke, anticipation also rose in Mu Changsheng’s eyes.
He had seen Ancestor Tingyou’s transformation of 【Boundless Heaven】—so vast that even he was shocked. Strictly speaking, it could no longer be called 【Boundless Heaven】. If it succeeded, the benefits for him would be significant.
However, there was one doubt that remained.
“Fellow Daoist, do you have the resolve to oppose the True Lords of the world at all costs? Under their oppression, do you still have a reason to persist?”
Mu Changsheng asked sternly.
This was the key—if the person who proved 【Boundless Heaven】 was a coward who dared not oppose the True Lords, then he was unfit for the role.
At the same time, Ancestor Tingyou’s face took on a nostalgic look:
‘If it were only me, I might not dare.’
For no one knew better than he how terrifying the True Lords were.
By now, his former lofty ambitions had already died out, no longer brimming with youthful spirit.
‘…But Lü Yang is different. That child still has drive.’
At this moment, the reason Ancestor Tingyou was proving 【Boundless Heaven】 was not for himself—but for Lü Yang, for the Witch Ghost Path’s new future.
Ancestor Tingyou did not care for life or death.
He strove to live out his brief life fully, leaving his achievements for future generations to inherit. The former Witch Ghost Path had done exactly this—exhausting all efforts to support him in Seeking the Golden Fruition.
Otherwise, in a mere three hundred years, even if his cultivation was sufficient, it would’ve been impossible to gather four Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend paths.
One lifetime to seek gold—an awe-inspiring feat. But without the sect pouring in all its fate and fortune, Ancestor Tingyou alone could not have achieved it.
‘Now, it’s my turn.’
‘With such a successor, as ancestor and elder, how could I stand by and do nothing?’
He had to do something.
If he needed a reason to stand against the world’s True Lords, this was it. Perhaps not grandiose—but for Ancestor Tingyou, it was enough.
The next second, Ancestor Tingyou withdrew all expression, and without hesitation, grasped the sphere of light in Mu Changsheng’s palm—and in his hands, the divine ability once called 【Contending for Freedom】 began to change. The original name was wiped away, and a new name emerged:
【Transmission of the Flame】