My gorgeous wife Chapter 1974 - 1942: Guangming’s Dao

Li Chen became lost in profound contemplation.

It wasn't only Li Chen; every highly talented individual present found themselves deep in thought following Mingmeng’s discourse on the Great Dao.

Mingmeng not only expounded upon the Dao but also gave a practical demonstration of her own profound understanding.

Upon witnessing Mingmeng’s vivid illustration, the audience was first struck with awe, then filled with elation, and finally, they descended into a state of deep introspection.

This was no mere explanation of the Dao; it was a transmission of the Dao itself.

Mingmeng was not simply recounting her journey with the Dao; she was imparting the very essence of her Dao.

However, the exceptionally gifted individuals gathered here grasped a fundamental truth: one of the most critical prerequisites for ascending to the status of a true Palm Realm Powerhouse is... forging one's unique path!

While they could certainly learn from Mingmeng’s profound insights into the Dao, it was evident that Mingmeng had already journeyed far beyond their current stages.

It was conceivable that by following her meticulously laid-out path, they might rapidly cultivate their Qi to the Nascent Soul realm and then progressively break through each subsequent layer, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage, thereby becoming elite Ninth Order Nascent Soul experts.

Yet, in doing so, they would perpetually be treading Mingmeng’s path, a route already pioneered by a predecessor, forever barring them from breaking through into the elusive Palm Realm.

For many cultivators, the aspiration to become a Ninth Order Expert, a Dao Lord, or even an exalted figure like a Great Heavenly Honor represents the culmination of a lifetime's arduous pursuit.

But the individuals assembled here were of a different caliber.

They were, without question, the most brilliant and promising talents emerging from the Supreme Asura Realm.

Their ambitions stretched far beyond the Nascent Soul realm.

Observing the deep contemplation etched on the faces of the assembled talents, Mingmeng’s lips curved into a smile of pure satisfaction.

She was deeply pleased with these gifted successors of the Supreme Asura Realm, noting that they had not become lost within her Dao but instead had begun to cautiously deliberate and introspect.

With such a generation of successors at the helm, the Supreme Asura Realm was assured of maintaining its preeminent position as the Dominators across the Seven Realms for all time.

"The blossoming of a single, fleeting thought; such a Dao must undoubtedly be deemed terrifyingly potent," Li Chen mused silently within his heart.

Li Chen had crossed paths with numerous extraordinary experts throughout his journey, each possessing, to varying degrees, nascent 'Dao' prototypes. However, this was the very first instance where he encountered the fully realized Dao of a genuine Palm Realm Powerhouse.

Engaging in a discreet, internal comparison, Li Chen felt a subtle yet profound realization that even if the prototypes he had previously witnessed were brought to Great Accomplishment, they would still fall drastically short compared to the magnificence of Lord Mingmeng’s 'Blossoming of a Single Thought'.

Even with Li Chen's exceptional intellect, augmented by the profound knowledge contained within the Seven Realms Tome, he could only dimly perceive that this astonishing Dao encompassed the fundamental principles of the Five Elements, the intricate flow of Time, and even the profoundly mysterious Laws of Reincarnation!

Nevertheless, the deeper, more intricate aspects of this Dao remained entirely beyond his grasp, owing to Li Chen's current cultivation level.

Yet, this limitation did not impede his unwavering conviction that this was an undeniably, horrifyingly powerful Dao.

"The Great Dao of a Palm Realm Powerhouse..." Li Chen let out a sigh from deep within.

At this precise moment, a young man suddenly uttered a phrase, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

"A flower blooms with the unfolding of connection; a flower withers with extinction. Connection emerges and vanishes; reincarnation is born from the heavens..."

Although Li Chen was still immersed in his own profound contemplation, he was the first to break free from his trance. His initial gaze immediately fell upon the young man who was murmuring the cryptic words.

The individual speaking these words was none other than the jovial and talented young prodigy, Guangming, whom Li Chen had encountered earlier.

"So that is the crux of it... I finally grasp it, I truly understand now!"

The young man's face suddenly broke into a wide grin, and for a moment, he seemed poised to erupt into boisterous laughter. However, he quickly stifled himself, his hand flying to cover his mouth as he noticed the numerous other talented individuals around him still engrossed in deep thought.

He cast a brief, apologetic glance in Mingmeng's direction before swiftly exiting the courtyard, his hand still pressed firmly over his mouth.

Li Chen, too, rose to his feet. He offered a gentle bow to Mingmeng before departing the courtyard himself.

"Hah! Hah! Hahaha!"

Not long after stepping out of the courtyard, Li Chen's ears were filled with unrestrained, wild laughter emanating from a short distance away.

Li Chen turned his head in surprise, and indeed, he saw that the source of the uproarious laughter was Guangming, who had just dashed out of the courtyard moments before.

The courtyard had been completely sealed by Mingmeng's formidable power during her realization of the Dao. Therefore, regardless of how loudly Guangming chuckled, no sound could possibly penetrate the enchanted space within.

"Hahahaha! I have finally achieved enlightenment!"

"The Path of Reincarnation! This is the true Path of Reincarnation! In the future, perhaps I can forge an entirely distinct path and attain genuine eternal reincarnation! Hahahaha!!"

Guangming's laughter echoed with unbridled abandon.

His laughter was so exaggerated and unrestrained that it was only when Li Chen approached quite closely that Guangming finally noticed him.

"This must be... Brother Li, is that correct?" Guangming, having seen Li Chen upon entry into the courtyard earlier, had taken the initiative to become acquainted.

"Indeed, it is," Li Chen replied with a smile. "It appears Brother Guang has achieved some extraordinary realization; my sincerest congratulations."

"Congratulations are in order for both of us!" Guangming exclaimed, quickly bringing his hands together in a respectful gesture towards Li Chen. "Brother Li emerged so swiftly from his contemplation; you must have comprehended a great deal, wouldn't you agree?"

"Merely a small amount," Li Chen responded with a nod, choosing to offer no further details. His own Dao had not even yet manifested a discernible prototype.

This was because he harbored a grand, overarching ambition: to construct a Dao that was truly, unequivocally invincible.

Because this concept was so profound, he hesitated to even form a preliminary outline, as his cultivation had yet to reach the Soul Realm.

It wasn't a matter of capability, but rather that this would be his eventual path to the Palm Realm, a journey even he had to undertake with extreme caution.

"Earlier, I overheard you, Brother Guang, discussing the Path of Reincarnation. Are you intending to tread this path?" Li Chen inquired after a moment of contemplation.

Each individual's Dao was fundamentally unique.

Consequently, inquiring about such potentially personal matters was not a significant transgression at their current level.

This was because a Dao, unlike other attributes, could not be pilfered, even with complete knowledge, sight, and comprehension.

"Precisely!" Guangming's voice filled with excitement as he spoke of it.

"I had formulated an idea concerning the Path of Reincarnation ages ago, yet it always felt incomplete. Today, after listening to Lord Mingmeng's Dharma discourse, I finally grasped what was lacking!"

Guangming elaborated with fervor, "Within the Supreme Asura Realm lies the River of Samsara, known as the Nether River. This Nether River, originating from the cosmos, is devoid of sentience; it merely facilitates the mechanical transmigration of the deceased. My ambition, however, is to imbue the Nether River with its own consciousness! Or, more accurately, to exert my will upon the Nether River!"

Li Chen reacted with surprise, "Brother Guang, are you proposing that your Dao is to exert dominion over the Nether River's cycle of reincarnation?"

"Indeed!" Guangming exclaimed with exhilaration. "Once the Nether River gains its own volition, by acting as its master, would I not achieve eternal existence, becoming immortal and able to influence reincarnation without any expenditure? This path is a truly Heaven-reaching Dao! I dare assert that upon its completion, my path will rival Lord Mingmeng's Dao; while perhaps not matching in raw combat prowess, my authority and influence within the Supreme Asura Realm will undoubtedly grow exponentially!"

Li Chen fell into a brief silence.

He pondered if the Nether River that Guangming spoke of was the same entity he had encountered before, the Nether River Elder.

If it was, then it implied Guangming had achieved his goal.

It was evident that the Nether River had indeed developed its own distinct consciousness.