My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1280: Secrets of the Blue Feather in Heavenly Capital

Within the flying vessel, Guan Xingxiu articulated his points with increasing fluency. Initially a bit reserved, his confidence blossomed as he expounded, as though he had grasped the very natural laws governing the star sea.

“The laws of the star sea can be considered a superior stand-in for the laws of the Xuanhuang Realm. Consequently, the crux of our advancement lies in discovering, amidst this quiet and desolate expanse, a Star Sea Dao that resonates with our personal cultivation path. Given that all of you have reached Dao Integration, your innate talents are undeniable. By shedding your apprehension of the star sea and approaching it with equanimity, much like you did within the Xuanhuang Realm, diligent contemplation should invariably lead to success.”

Guan Xingxiu elaborated on his own methods of sensing his Star Sea Dao. As his discourse grew animated, an intensely worried query interjected.

It was Zimu, one of the survivors.

“Old Guan, let's hypothesize, hypothetically, that the Dao I follow no longer exists within the star sea. What then?”

Zimu’s gaze was fixed intently on Guan Xingxiu.

“Does this signify a dead end in my progression, preventing any further advancement?”

Guan Xingxiu was momentarily speechless.

A spectrum of reactions played across the faces of the other Dao Integration cultivators present.

This was because they too had realized that, perhaps due to the cataclysms that once ravaged the Immortal Realm, the star sea's laws were fragmented and incomplete.

It wasn't a matter of insufficient aptitude preventing them from perceiving their corresponding Star Sea Dao.

Rather, that particular Dao had already ceased to exist within the star sea.

“Perhaps you may attempt to perceive alternative laws. Ultimately, all roads converge,” Guan Xingxiu suggested swiftly, attempting to dispel the encroaching despair.

However, his words were met with an immediate and merciless rejection.

“That approach might suffice for those below Dao Integration or for cultivators hailing from different realms. But we Xuanhuang Dao Integration cultivators have already absorbed the Spirit of Heaven and Earth and fused our very beings with the laws. Hmph, do you truly believe it's that simple to pivot to a new path?”

“In that scenario, Lan Yu appears to be the individual with the greatest potential for paramount achievement among us,” a Dao Integration cultivator named Qingshuang commented unexpectedly.

An immediate hush fell over the flying vessel as all eyes shifted towards Lan Yu.

Lan Yu offered no denial.

There was no necessity for it.

He was, undeniably, the most unique among all the Dao Integration cultivators present, and perhaps even within the entire Xuanhuang Realm.

His Dao Integration had been achieved through the ancient method, a singular feat.

Unbound by the principles of the Xuanhuang world, he possessed the capacity to comprehend and advance using any law in this silent star sea.

“Might I venture to ask, Brother Lan Yu, that the reason for your lack of breakthrough thus far is not due to an overwhelming abundance of choices paralyzing your decision?”

“My congratulations in advance, Fellow Daoist Lan!”

“Alas, the novel methodology. Alas, the Heavenly Sovereign.”

A wave of varied sentiments swept through the assembly.

Lan Yu maintained a composed demeanor, offering a perfunctory response, yet internally, confusion brewed.

He had yet to sense any Star Sea Dao in the surrounding void.

“Could it be that my aptitude is truly this abysmal, or perhaps age has finally dulled my spiritual senses?”

Lan Yu found himself momentarily lost in thought.

“Ah, a memory now surfaces.”

“I, Wu Fuqiu, have never possessed exceptional aptitude.”

Lan Yu paused slightly, his consciousness drifting back to his younger days.

During that era, the Immortal Dao reigned supreme, and the Ten Great Immortal Sects commanded immense influence. He was but one among the countless common cultivators under their dominion. His talents were unremarkable, and he had experienced no extraordinary fortune. The Golden Core realm was presumed to be his ultimate attainment.

Yet, a moment of simple curiosity irrevocably altered his destiny.

“Fellow Daoist, what causes such a magnificent spectacle up ahead?” Wu Fuqiu inquired, his gaze drawn to the sealed aerial passage and the colossal flying vessels, each rivaling a city in size, traversing the sky above.

“Hush, lower your voice. Should you disrupt the Ten Great Immortal Sects’ Ceremony of Honoring the Master, your demise might be swift and unexplained.”

The palpable fear and reverence in the eyes of the onlookers only served to intensify Wu Fuqiu’s curiosity.

After an extended period, the immense procession of the Ten Great Immortal Sects finally passed, and the aerial route was consequently reopened.

Despite this, Wu Fuqiu remained fixated on the direction they had departed, reluctant to tear himself away.

Upon making inquiries, he learned that this Ceremony of Honoring the Master was a monumental event, conducted biannually by the Ten Great Immortal Sects as a gesture of profound gratitude to the Grand Mage of Heavenly Capital for imparting the Dao. Esteemed figures from all ten sects were in attendance.

Wu Fuqiu wasn't familiar with the Grand Mage of Heavenly Capital's name.

Yet, even as a lone cultivator emerging from the desolate lands, he had long been aware of the formidable reputation held by the Ten Great Immortal Sects.

“If the Ten Great Immortal Sects possess such astounding power, just how overwhelmingly formidable must the one who first imparted the Dao to them be?”

“Imagine if I could somehow earn his favor…”

Wu Fuqiu's thoughts raced, and for the very first time, an ambition previously unimaginable began to stir within his heart.

After endless contemplation, he found himself utterly unable to shake this persistent obsession.

Thus, he set his course toward the fabled Heavenly Capital.

Upon enduring innumerable trials and finally reaching its outer reaches, his loftiest hopes were instantly dashed to pieces.

The entirety of Heavenly Capital itself remained concealed from view. Only a structure known as the Source Dao Palace could be faintly discerned amidst the towering mountains, partially veiled by the drifting clouds.

At the mountain's base, a throng of hopeful young cultivators, much like himself, had congregated, having journeyed great distances in pursuit of fortune.

Wu Fuqiu was bewildered.

He understood that Heavenly Capital was the esteemed residence of the Grand Mage. But this Source Dao Palace, what was its significance?

“You don’t even know of the Source Dao Palace? Where did this provincial fellow crawl out from? It is the origin of all techniques, the genesis of every path. Even the direct disciples from the Ten Great Immortal Sects are compelled to wait in line here without complaint.”

“Consider it carefully. Who exactly is the Grand Mage? How could an individual of his stature possibly be easily accessed by mere mortals such as yourselves? If your desire is to be granted an audience with him, you must first enter the Source Dao Palace and offer sincere prayers. Should you manage to capture his attention, he will undoubtedly guide you toward Heavenly Capital.”

“What, you aspire to enter as well? It’s quite simple. Fork over one thousand high-grade spirit stones, and you may join the queue over there.”

Wu Fuqiu was jostled by the surging crowd, his mind a complete tempest.

A sum of one thousand high-grade spirit stones was sufficient to acquire a respectable Nascent Soul cultivation manual. If such wealth were within his grasp, why would he have undertaken a journey spanning thousands of miles solely to pursue an opportunity?

Despite his impoverished state, Wu Fuqiu harbored no intention of departing.

This resolve stemmed from his observation that numerous others shared his plight, unable to afford the exorbitant fee and consequently barred from ascending the mountain.

After dedicating half a month to forging connections with them, he unearthed a crucial piece of intelligence.

This so-called Source Dao Palace, it transpired, was a later construction by the Ten Great Immortal Sects and bore no genuine affiliation with Tiandu.

The true Domain of Source Dao actually encompassed this immense territory situated below Heavenly Capital. The Ten Great Immortal Sects had merely demarcated a substantial section of it and erected the palace.

However, their efforts had not extended excessively far, leaving a portion accessible at the mountain's base.

“The Grand Mage has not made an appearance for countless years now; their exact number is unknown. They claim it is easier to attract his notice while on the mountain, but that is merely offered as solace.”

“Precisely. The Grand Mage resides in the celestial heavens, far above all else. In his divine perspective, what conceivable distinction could exist between the summit of the mountain and its base?”

Heeding these pronouncements, Wu Fuqiu resigned himself to dwelling at the foot of the Source Dao Palace.

His sojourn persisted for two full decades.

Individuals arrived, and individuals departed. Some met their end consumed by regret. Others, seething with indignation, hurled curses at the Grand Mage, only to be brutally struck down.

Wu Fuqiu, too, transitioned from a youthful man into middle age.

He remained unaware of the profound force that compelled him to persevere in this location for so long.

Perhaps, for an individual of his unremarkable nature, the specific location held no consequence.

Throughout these intervening years, while engaged in his protracted vigil, he had not faltered in his cultivation endeavors. Nevertheless, lacking any substantial source of spirit stones, he was constrained to deplete his existing reserves. Although the Domain of Source Dao was exceptionally rich in spiritual Qi, it proved insufficient to sustain the simultaneous drain by so many cultivators.

Not only did he cease to make any advancements, but he actually began to decline in cultivation.

At this juncture, Wu Fuqiu had come to terms with his predetermined circumstances, abandoning all grandiose aspirations.

After all, he had been an orphan since his earliest memories, adrift without any form of support. Having resided at the base of the Source Dao Palace for over twenty years, he had grown profoundly accustomed to his surroundings, regarding this place, in a vague sense, as his home.

Whenever new arrivals, brimming with vibrant hope, came seeking the Grand Mage’s benediction, he would merely offer a knowing smile, remaining silent.

It was as if he was gazing upon his own past self.

However, he made no move to shatter the nascent illusions of these hopeful youths.

The reason being that any individual who dared to expose these falsehoods would be summarily and irrevocably eliminated by the formidable forces of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.

Yet, the world possessed a peculiar and wondrous characteristic, and it manifested precisely in this manner.

Just as Wu Fuqiu had entirely relinquished any lingering hope of the Grand Mage’s favor…

On this fateful day, an immense radiance, painted in seven distinct colors, abruptly burst forth across the heavens.

Beneath the Source Dao Palace, tens of thousands of cultivators stood utterly frozen, their gazes transfixed.

No one could ascertain who initiated the resounding cry, but it echoed through the multitude: the Grand Mage has revealed himself.

Subsequently, overcome by an overwhelming surge of both excitement and trepidation, a dense multitude of cultivators prostrated themselves across the ground.

Only Wu Fuqiu remained standing, his expression vacant, his mind an absolute void.

“How dare you display such blatant disrespect towards the Grand Mage!”

A brilliant streak of sword light, accompanied by a furious roar, descended rapidly from the distance.

Just as Wu Fuqiu was on the brink of decapitation, a feather of azure hue gently descended from the heavens.

A streak of white sword light flashed first, moving with unparalleled swiftness.

The blue feather followed, drifting lazily and with extreme slowness.

Yet, a perplexing event unfolded before the astounded onlookers: the blue feather inexplicably arrived first, landing upon Wu Fuqiu.

The sword light, arriving a moment later, missed Wu Fuqiu's head and instead plunged through his form, instantly terminating the three cultivators kneeling behind him.

As for Wu Fuqiu himself…

Enveloped by the feather's azure radiance, he found himself involuntarily ascending.

Amidst the gasps of the crowd, he rose steadily.

Soaring past the mountain summit and the Source Dao Palace, piercing the very clouds, he was whisked away in an instant to a magnificent purple-gold Dao arena.

Wu Fuqiu felt as though he were caught in a dream. It was only after a considerable pause that he regained his senses.

His body quivered with exhilaration, to the point that he neglected proper decorum and flung the door open without hesitation.

Contrary to the divine celestial capital he had envisioned, this place was utterly deserted.

It was silent and desolate.

Only the faintest of chants could be detected from within.

Following the direction of the subdued chanting, Wu Fuqiu cautiously navigated his way to the deepest recesses of the Dao arena.

A dwelling, unassuming yet ancient, wrought from purple-gold wood, emanated a subtle, pleasing aroma.

Wu Fuqiu prostrated himself in respect. After a prolonged period with no reply, he summoned his resolve and pushed the door inward.

The tableau within was revealed.

An indistinct figure was seated in a cross-legged posture, murmuring ceaselessly.

Behind the figure stood a child clad in a blue and white Dao robe, eyes tightly shut.

The child possessed delicate features, with rosy lips and fair skin, making their gender indiscernible.

However, Wu Fuqiu observed that the child appeared to have recently engaged in combat, as the Dao robe was slightly rent, bearing faint traces of blood.

Wu Fuqiu refrained from impulsive action, offering another deep bow.

Yet, neither the seated figure nor the young attendant stirred an inch.

"That figure must be the Great Mage of the Heavenly Capital."

After an extended silence, Wu Fuqiu mustered his courage, rose to his feet, and emulated the distant figure by adopting a cross-legged position.

He diligently focused on the persistent, rhythmic chanting.

Gradually, a sense of comprehension dawned within him.

The blue feather, which had previously vanished into his being, materialized within his Dantian.

"Feather Transformation Technique."

"Across the myriad epochs of heaven and earth, countless worlds emerge and vanish, akin to feathers adrift in the void.

"To transmute one's body into a feather, to harmonize with the world, to drift through the cycles of existence and dissolution, to surmount tribulations, and attain eternal liberation."

Wu Fuqiu listened in rapturous absorption, his expression shifting between furrowed confusion and radiant joy.

This Myriad Calamities Feather Transformation Technique was unimaginably profound for him, a mere cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Nevertheless, even a fleeting glimpse of its essence bestowed enlightenment, and his cultivation advanced without cessation.