Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1742 - 935: The Five Types of Immortals, the Demon Master’s Avatars

Shortly after, Zhao Hongyun silently departed, bestowing a Jade Pupil Scroll and a magnificent Fire Lotus.

Upon the Grotto Heaven's peak, Zhao Sheng let out a wistful sigh before flicking his finger. The radiant Fire Lotus ascended, gliding towards the Great Sun hanging in the sky.

Resembling a streak of flowing fire, the Fire Lotus plunged into the heart of the Great Sun, vanishing completely.

At that very instant, deep within the Great Sun, a fiery, human-shaped silhouette materialized, equally brilliant and strikingly similar to the Fire Lotus.

Once inside the Great Sun, the Fire Lotus quickly found its way to the flame-like being and was subsequently devoured.

The Second Ancestor, Zhao Hongyun, was also a practitioner of the "Fire Extinguishing Immortal Technique."

The wondrous Fire Lotus represented the culmination of his mastery of this Immortal Technique, achieved at the Great Achievement Realm, and was intended for Zhao Sheng as a guide.

Meanwhile, the Avatar Dongzhenzi presented the Jade Pupil Scroll to his True Body.

"It is said that when one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to the heavens! This saying holds a kernel of truth within its common falsehood... Ancient texts describe five classifications of immortals: Heaven, Earth, Human, Spirit, and Ghost!

Heavenly Immortals merge with the Dao, achieving ultimate merit... On the day of their Dao attainment, they ascend to the Immortal Heaven, bringing their Lifebound Cave Heaven along through immense Divine Power. The karmic ties of all sentient beings are vast, and their sins are profoundly heavy! Without immense merit, it is impossible to absolve oneself of the burdens of all beings... Thus, among the Five Immortals, achieving the Dao as a Heavenly Immortal is the most arduous path.

Earth Immortals cultivate both life essence and profound understanding, reaching supreme merit... During their ascension, they must relinquish their Lifebound Cave Heaven, and their True Body undergoes Rainbow Ascension to the Immortal Heaven... As they attain the Dao independently and with freedom, they are also known as Independent Immortals.

Human Immortals cannot truly be called Immortals without immense merit; though they achieve longevity and immortality, they lack the Great Divine Power to safeguard the Dao...

Spirit Immortals require a Heavenly Decree for their sealing, unattainable through mortal endeavor, and are thus often scorned by other immortals, a path I do not pursue.

Ghost Immortals align with the Evil Demons and Outer Paths, not entering the immortal ranks nor obtaining immortal status; despite achieving a form of immortality, they frequently face tribulations and ultimately cannot evade the specter of death!

Heavenly and Earth Immortals stand as the paramount ranks of immortals, while Human, Spirit, and Ghost Immortals represent lesser Immortal Truths... "

Crack!

Zhao Sheng crumpled the Jade Scroll in his hand. Instantly, a fierce flame erupted from his palm, reducing the scroll fragments to mere ashes.

It must be acknowledged that the Jade Scroll, left by the Second Ancestor prior to his departure, resolved many of Zhao Sheng's lingering questions and provided him with a more lucid perception of the Immortal realm.

As per the Jade Scroll's accounts, Heavenly and Earth Immortals embody the orthodox routes to ascension and Dao attainment. The paths of Human, Spirit, and Ghost Immortals, though appearing promising, ultimately lead to dead ends.

Human Immortals, also referred to as Merit Immortals, achieve immortality through merit, yet they can also falter due to insufficient merit. The vast majority of "Human Immortals" within the True Immortal Realm can never progress to become Constant Sun Golden Immortals due to their inadequate accumulated merit.

Spirit Immortals are bound by the dictates of the Heavenly Court; their strength is constrained by their sealed immortal position, precluding any self-enhancement until they ascend.

It is best not to even discuss Ghost Immortals.

Zhao Sheng keenly understood the Second Ancestor's intent in leaving the scroll, yet attaining the Heavenly Immortal Fruit Position presented a truly formidable challenge!

Throughout history, despite countless individuals ascending to the Dao within the Taiyi Spirit Realm, not a single "Heavenly Immortal" had ever emerged.

In Laozi's Tao Te Ching, a profound saying exists: "The Saint says, 'To bear a nation’s disgrace is to be the lord of society; to bear a nation’s misfortune is to be the king of the world.'"

This statement, addressing a nation's sovereign, implicitly refers to the Lord of a Cave Heaven.

To achieve the Dao as a Heavenly Immortal requires bearing the "disgrace" of all beings and embracing their "misfortune."

Such a monumental undertaking... how immensely difficult it truly is!

Zhao Sheng pondered, even with the profound foundation meticulously built over nine lifetimes of reincarnation, he questioned if any of those legendary immortals who ascended to the Immortal Heaven lacked exceptional talent and unmatched prowess?

If so many exceptionally gifted individuals found it difficult to achieve the Tao as Heavenly Immortals, how could he possess the qualifications to accomplish such a grand feat?

However, upon further reflection, he fundamentally did not need to achieve the Tao as a Heavenly Immortal. Would it not suffice to ascend with the bearing of an Earth Immortal?

As long as he holds the Book of Hundred Generations, he will eventually attain the grand accomplishment of becoming a Heavenly Immortal in one lifetime.

...

Taiyi Spirit Realm, Buddhist Zen Continent.

Lantuo Temple, as one of the continent’s eighteen Bodhisattva Dojos, boasts a long and venerable history.

Lantuo Temple is nestled within the Five Mountains of Buddha Sacred Land, a place where radiant Buddha Light frequently manifests, the sky is often adorned with multicolored clouds, and bursts of sacred sound occasionally emanate from the heavens.

The Five Mountains are expansive and majestic, encircled by thousands of magnificent temples. Incense perpetually burns, and the sounds of preaching and chanting resonate day and night.

Within Lantuo Temple’s hallowed grounds, enlightened monks frequently impart their wisdom, drawing in countless disciples and novice monks. Celestial phenomena, such as Heavenly Flowers Falling and Earth Bursting Golden Lotus, often grace these sacred events.

In stark contrast to the vibrant, bustling main monastery, the back mountain of Lantuo Temple remains considerably more serene.

The back mountain is sparsely dotted with uniquely designed Buddhist towers, each emitting a subtle yet bright Buddha Light. Dignified and virtuous figures can occasionally be glimpsed deep within these luminous sanctuaries.

Amidst this dense grove of Buddhist towers, a winding green stone path extends from the base of the back mountain into the heart of the Tower Forest.

On this particular day, an elderly monk clad in gray robes emerged onto the green stone path. The old monk bore the visible marks of time and weathering, his eyes clouded, presenting an image of advanced age and gentle frailty.

The gray-robed elder carried a sizeable broom, slowly sweeping the accumulated dust from the road's surface.

With each deliberate stroke of the broom, several meters of the road were cleansed and renewed.

Before long, the gray-robed old monk had swept a significant length of the path, his figure gradually receding and disappearing into the deeper recesses of the Tower Forest.

At that precise moment, a stern-faced, bald elder suddenly materialized at the foot of the back mountain. His eyebrows were sharp as swords, extending towards his temples.

The bald elder surveyed the surrounding Tower Forest, his previously haughty expression morphing into one of extreme solemnity.

He set foot upon the green stone road, proceeding step by deliberate step into the depths of the Tower Forest.

Soon, he came to a halt near the vicinity of the gray-robed old monk.

The gray-robed old monk appeared entirely unfazed by the newcomer's arrival, continuing his unhurried task of sweeping the road.

The bald elder's lips tightened with evident apprehension. He abruptly knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and solemnly declared, "Your subordinate, Hundred Bone Wanderer, pays his respects to the Master!"

The gray-robed old monk remained motionless, his sweeping actions suggesting he had not heard a word.

Perceiving this, the Hundred Bone Old Demon felt a growing weight in his heart. He quickly raised his voice slightly, conveying a sense of urgency, "The matters the Master recently instructed have encountered unforeseen complications. Your subordinate has been ineffective in managing this situation and humbly requests your punishment, Master."

The moment his words concluded, the broom in the gray-robed old monk's grasp ceased its motion. He slowly turned around.

Upon first sight, the gray-robed old monk's gaze seemed unfathomable, his expression blank, making it impossible for observers to discern his inner thoughts.

"Hundred Bone, you have always been dependable. How did you falter this time? Speak, and let me hear the details!" The old monk's voice was remarkably aged, yet carried an undertone of indescribable malice.

The Hundred Bone Old Demon respectfully responded, "Reporting to the Master, the position of Star Lord in the Pure Light Realm has remained vacant for many years. After a series of carefully orchestrated maneuvers, I was confident the position was within our grasp. However, unexpectedly... Something went awry during the execution. Taiyi Immortal Venerable unexpectedly decreed that the position be granted to the Three Saints Zhao Family.

Seeing that the situation was beyond my control, I could only return to report to the Master."

The gray-robed old monk paused, his voice taking on a chilling, murderous timbre, "The Pure Light Realm is of paramount importance to this Master's grand design. The position of Star Lord must not be relinquished!

It appears this Master must pay visits to certain old acquaintances with greater frequency. Fortunately..."

Towards the end of his statement, the gray-robed old monk's voice diminished to an almost inaudible whisper, leaving his final words unheard by the subordinate.

"Hundred Bone, relay the Master's decree: All Shadow Spirit God departments are to remain in dormancy at their current positions and are not to be summoned under any circumstances..."

"I obey my Master's command! I shall take my leave!" The Hundred Bone Old Demon immediately retreated from the jade-stone path after receiving his Master's decree.

Once outside the Tower Forest, the colossal figure of the Demon Path flickered and vanished, leaving no trace behind.

As one of the eighteen Bodhisattvas' Dojos, Lantuo Temple, encompassing both its front monastery and back mountain, is protected by the "Great Virtuous Vajra Time Wheel Barrier."

This "Great Virtuous Vajra Time Wheel Barrier" is renowned as one of Buddhism's paramount Mahayana Restrictions. Its might is so boundless that even experts in the Unification Realm find it difficult to traverse freely.

Yet, the Hundred Bone Old Demon, a formidable presence within the Demon Path, can inexplicably disregard this formidable barrier, moving in and out as he pleases.

This peculiar ability clearly illustrates the profound depth to which the Self-free Heavenly Demon Dao has woven itself into the fabric of Lantuo Temple.

The true identity of this elderly monk, clad in gray robes and perpetually engaged in sweeping the back mountain, remains a profound mystery to nearly all.

Only a select few titans of the Demon Path are privy to the terrifying true identity of the humble, gray-robed old monk.

This diligent sweeping monk is none other than the legendary Zizai Heavenly Demon Lord, a being virtually immune to death and destruction, who commands an innumerable host of avatars.

While typical Tribulation Crossing Venerables possess merely three avatars, the Zizai Heavenly Demon Lord boasts not only countless avatars but also nine primary Avatars.

The gray-robed monk is but a single manifestation; the remaining eight Avatars each hold an identity concealed in deep obscurity.

It is a widely accepted notion that while the Zizai Heavenly Demon Lord may not hold the title of the strongest among the Venerables, he is undoubtedly the most elusive and difficult to eliminate.

Legend speaks of an Immortal Venerable eighty thousand years ago who personally sought to annihilate this demon entirely, yet ultimately failed in his endeavor.

Despite the successive destruction of seven of the Zizai Heavenly Demon Lord's main Avatars, and the demise of thousands of lesser avatars.

Nevertheless, after vanishing from all known realms for tens of thousands of years, the Zizai Heavenly Demon Lord began to resurface, sowing chaos and discord as if he had never suffered a significant setback.