The Path of Cause and Effect, the Path of Painting, the Universal Path, the Demonic Path, the Evil Path, the Path of Nothingness, the Great Dao of Five Elements, the Great Dao of Yin and Yang…
Although Zhang Fan was only at the Void Returning stage, his realm was extremely high. Even though the Myriad Buddhas Dao of the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable was all-encompassing, gathering countless Great Daos, Zhang Fan could comprehend them one by one. While it had no effect on the improvement of his cultivation, it greatly increased the breadth of his Dao.
While comprehending, Zhang Fan was also exploring the Dao of his current life, what kind of inner world to open up, and what kind of Dao Origin to condense.
The more he comprehended, the more Zhang Fan understood the essence of the universe. Although the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable embraced all rivers and comprehended ten thousand Great Daos, he ultimately failed to take that final step, precisely because he failed to integrate them.
"From ancient times to the present, the endless timeline is the 'Yu', and endless space is the 'Zhou'. Therefore, the foundation of the universe is built upon the Great Dao of Time and the Great Dao of Space."
"The reproduction of life is inseparable from the five elements of matter, so the Great Dao of Five Elements is the cornerstone of the universe's operation."
"Since there is life, there is naturally death, just as the existence of darkness highlights the brilliance of light."
"Life and death, darkness and light, are both two sides of Yin and Yang. Therefore, Yin and Yang and the Five Elements constitute the reproduction of life and promote the development of the universe. Because of death, the living will strive hard for it."
"Therefore, a complete universe must have the indispensable Daos of Space and Time, Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements."
At this thought, a giant Taiji diagram appeared in Zhang Fan's mind. The Yin and Yang fish flowed within the Taiji diagram, evolving Yin and Yang to create heaven and earth, deriving the Five Elements, and finally collapsing with a bang.
"Time is Yu, space is Zhou, Yin and Yang and the Five Elements are the foundation, but how to integrate them is a difficult problem."
Each Great Dao has its own unique attributes. They coexist in the world but also repel each other. When other Void Returning stage cultivators open up their inner worlds, they usually focus on one Great Dao they cultivate primarily, with other Daos serving as auxiliary forces to maintain balance.
But Zhang Fan wanted to integrate all nine Great Daos together to open up an inner world. The idea was beautiful, but when he deduced it, he found that the Great Daos were incompatible. Without a central core, it was like a house without load-bearing walls; it could not be built high.
"Hmm?"
A flash of inspiration struck Zhang Fan's mind. He suddenly realized that before, he had only wanted to construct a perfect inner world, but he had overlooked that he himself was the carrier of the inner world, which was different from the real world.
"I primarily cultivate the Dao of Lightning and the Dao of the Sword. Why not use the Lightning Sword Dao as the extreme point and integrate Space and Time, Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements into it?"
With this thought, Zhang Fan began to deduce it in his mind. In a vast and desolate world, a blood-colored long sword descended. It was placed at the heart of the world. Lightning flashed above the blood-colored long sword, with the rules of the Dao of Lightning and the Dao of the Sword intertwined. Above and below it were the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, earth as Yin, and heaven as Yang.
The Great Dao of Space and Time merged into the world, with the Great Dao of Five Elements as the foundation. This desolate world began to evolve, with mountains and rivers, light and darkness. With the birth of life, there was also life and death. The reproduction of life also evolved into countless Great Daos.
Daos such as Cause and Effect, Buddhism, and Evil Dao rapidly rose and were passed down.
"So this is how Wuji gives birth to Taiji, and Taiji can derive Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. By using the Lightning Sword Dao as the extreme point, I can open up a perfect inner world."
Zhang Fan's state of mind had not fluctuated so greatly for many years. Following the results of his mental deduction, Zhang Fan officially began to open up his inner world. He saw his Dao body shine brilliantly, emitting endless divine light. Vast cosmic power and endless Dao rules were all integrated into his body.
Seeing this, the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable's calm face could not help but reveal surprise. The Myriad Buddhas Dao he cultivated could be said to be the path that required comprehending the most types of Great Daos. But now, as Zhang Fan opened up his inner world, he clearly felt that all kinds of Great Daos in heaven and earth were absorbed by Zhang Fan, including many Daos that he himself had never comprehended.
"What kind of inner world is this going to be opened up, to cause such a great commotion?" the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable wondered with anticipation. Although he had not reached the Heavenly Dao realm in his previous life, he had seen many Immortal Emperor level powerhouses. Even those at that level dared not claim to have mastered all the Great Daos in the universe.
The Void Returning stage cultivators who were comprehending the rules of the Dao on the steps also noticed the abnormality in heaven and earth. They all looked at this scene in confusion, completely unaware of what had happened.
The evolution of a world is an extremely slow process, but when Zhang Fan completed the framework of the Dao rules, his inner world had been successfully opened. He suddenly stood up, and his entire being seemed completely different.
He stood calmly before the Buddha statue, his small figure possessing an irresistible charisma, as if he had mastered all the Great Daos in this universe, like the ruler of heaven and earth.
Zhang Fan closed his eyes and carefully sensed this power. His spiritual power spread outwards with his thoughts.
A million li, ten million li, one light-year…
There seemed to be no limit. Wherever his thoughts reached, he could descend with a single thought. Finally, Zhang Fan felt the limit of his mental coverage, which reached a terrifying ten light-years.
"Congratulations, senior." The Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable said with a happy expression, congratulating him.
Although he did not know what kind of inner world Zhang Fan had opened up, it gave him a wonderful feeling. He stood there as if he were the center of the universe. If one had to describe it, the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable felt that he was the origin of this world, and also the destiny of this world.
"Heretic Buddha, you have helped me greatly. My ability to take this step so quickly is thanks to you," Zhang Fan said, looking at the remnant soul of the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable.
"It is an honor for the Heretic Buddha, and also for our Myriad Buddhas Dao, to be able to assist senior," the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable said humbly.
"Do you wish to live another life?" Zhang Fan asked, looking at the remnant soul of the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable, which stunned the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable for a long time.
The Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable smiled and shook his head, saying, "If I could live another life, I am confident I could take that final step and elevate the Myriad Buddhas Dao to a higher level. Would I not desire such honor?"
"But this remnant soul has existed for a million years. Now, only a trace of my true spirit remains to sustain me. With the appearance of this Dao field, it has awakened this trace of my true spirit. In perhaps a few decades, I will forever vanish into the universe."
Although the Heretic Buddha Immortal Venerable had a peaceful smile on his face, Zhang Fan could still feel a hint of unwillingness from the depths of his divine eyes.
Indeed, only one step away from standing at the pinnacle of the universe, no one would be willing to accept it.
…