Chapter 107: The Way of Kunlun, Emerging from Supreme Unity

Tan Yibai felt somewhat dazed, even for someone with her unwavering determination. To be fair, Tan Yibai came from an exceptional background, born into privilege and raised within the confines of military compounds since childhood, attending specialized academies throughout her life.

Despite being resilient and capable of enduring hardships, she had also been well-protected. This was actually her first encounter where she truly faced death’s embrace, teetering on the brink of the abyss.

By the time she regained some composure, Tan Yibai found herself in a hospital bed, her body encased in casts, only able to slightly move her head above the neck.

“Don’t move; you have multiple fractures that will need proper healing time.” As Tan Yibai turned her head, she noticed a man nearby with a slightly gaunt face, dressed in full military attire. Standing beside him was Yang Kai.

“Hey, Cousin.”

Tan Yibai felt somewhat ashamed; she had always believed that women could match men in every aspect. Yet here she was, barely days after arriving in An City, and already her cousin had been summoned to assist.

The man in military attire was Zhu Lei. This time, Tan Yibai’s predicament genuinely alarmed her aunt’s husband, prompting him to urgently send Zhu Lei, who happened to be nearby, to check on her.

“Tell me what happened?” Zhu Lei knew Tan Yibai well - while impulsive by nature, causing such severe consequences didn’t seem typical of her.

As soon as Tan Yibai recalled Mister Gu, her breathing became labored.

“Hurry, get the doctor!”

The doctor, waiting just outside the door, rushed in at the call. Only after administering a sedative did Tan Yibai finally stabilize, though even then, her expression betrayed her inner struggle.

After some time, Tan Yibai slowly managed to recount the events clearly.

It must be acknowledged that Mister Gu had left an incredibly deep impression on Tan Yibai, filled with terror and overwhelming dominance. This encounter significantly tempered her usually explosive temper, instilling a newfound sense of caution within her.

Before this incident, Tan Yibai had never fathomed that someone could truly confront firearms head-on. Mister Gu seemed almost superhuman, with his palpable aura of dominance and unwavering martial determination—everything about him left an indelible impression on her, akin to encountering a divine being or demon.

Given her state, she would require long-term psychological therapy; otherwise, an inexplicable fear of Mister Gu would persist indefinitely.

“Get some rest now, don’t worry about anything else,” Zhu Lei advised Tan Yibai as he bid her farewell.

However, just outside the hospital entrance, Yang Kai rubbed his temples, feeling troubled. “There are still a few days until the selection for license holders concludes, but all our official representatives, including those peripheral members, have been expelled from the world. The ones remaining inside are individuals like Liao Yangsu who operate independently.”

For these prematurely eliminated participants, nearly everything except their personal belongings was left behind in that realm. Fortunately, Tan Yibai carried her badge at all times; otherwise, their entire mission would have been a colossal embarrassment.

Tan Yibai’s badge held a total of thirty-five tokens.

At this point, there was little Yang Kai and the others could do.

While the premature elimination of Tan Yibai caused turmoil in the real world, Duan Wenxuan had already shed his identity as Mister Gu and ventured back to the Lanruo Temple World.

It wasn’t that he specifically targeted Tan Yibai; rather, Tan Yibai’s group posed too much destruction. Compared to the Monster World, “The Tramps” realm offered relative safety, necessitating a more balanced approach.

Notably, Tan Yibai’s team had nearly collected all the badges anyway. Waiting just a few more days wouldn’t have mattered, but it was crucial to give ordinary participants a chance. Otherwise, Tan Yibai would monopolize all the badges. Moreover, despite the larger number of eliminations from Tan Yibai’s group, the death toll in the Jindar Empire scenario was one or two times higher than theirs.

Of course, these details were secondary. What truly mattered was that with all gate symbols now gathered, Duan Wenxuan planned to make a grand move.

In the Lanruo Temple World, at the mortuary…

When Duan Wenxuan returned, Wu Shi, the old man he had casually taken as a disciple, was indeed still there. It was noon, and Wu Shi was leisurely approaching, carrying a wild rabbit, when he spotted the young figure standing by the door.

“Master!”

Compared to his previous state, this old fellow now stood much straighter, although still aged, his eyes were clear and brightened with vitality - markedly different from his earlier frail appearance nearing death’s door.

When Duan Wenxuan had initially mentioned leaving for a few days, little did Wu Shi expect that, within the Lanruo Temple World timeline, it would actually be over four months by the time he returned. Wu Shi began to wonder if Duan Wenxuan had forgotten about him altogether.

Upon seeing Duan Wenxuan again, Wu Shi felt there was yet another transformation in him compared to before. Previously, he sensed a mysterious aura around Duan Wenxuan, akin to an otherworldly master. Now, however, there was something profoundly enigmatic about him that Wu Shi couldn’t fully comprehend, increasing his sense of reverence even more.

“Have you been waiting here all this time? Didn’t you consider leaving?”

Duan Wenxuan had provided Wu Shi with the Eternal Spring Art manual, a boxing guide, and a vine seed, enough resources for Wu Shi to leave this place and make a comfortable life for himself in Qingzhou Prefecture.

Despite appearing frail, Wu Shi’s expression was deeply respectful. “Master, without your return, I dare not depart.”

Duan Wenxuan nodded slightly, saying nothing as he gently stepped forward and placed his index finger on Wu Shi’s forehead. Though surprised, Wu Shi remained perfectly still, showing immense trust in Duan Wenxuan.

Instantly, Wu Shi felt as if his entire body was engulfed in flames, with even his internal organs seemingly about to burn away. However, this sensation lasted only for a dozen seconds - a brief moment of intense pain before it abruptly dissipated.

“Go wash up.”

Wu Shi, taken aback, looked down to discover copious amounts of impurities seeping out from his skin. Yet, he also sensed an indescribable lightness, as if all previous injuries within him had vanished completely.

Realizing his master’s care, Wu Shi bowed respectfully and hurried off.

After approximately fifteen minutes, Wu Shi returned, dressed in fresh attire, his face flushed with extreme excitement. “Master, what did you do to me? I…I…feel much younger?”

Wu Shi’s astonishment was understandable. After rushing outside to clean himself up, he discovered that his appearance had transformed, making him look like a middle-aged man in his thirties. Not only had his aged demeanor vanished, but his hair turned jet black once more. Additionally, his gums tingled as teeth rapidly regrew within his mouth.

Rejuvenation? Could it be so effortless?

Even referring to Duan Wenxuan merely as a transcendent master seemed inadequate to Wu Shi. Who among mortals could effortlessly reverse aging and restore youth?

Duan Wenxuan calmly observed Wu Shi, emanating a profound aura around him.

It was indeed simple for Duan Wenxuan; he merely used the door symbols to effortlessly alter the substances within Wu Shi’s body. The gate symbols could manipulate ‘rules’, turning the nonexistent into existence and making existing elements vanish without a trace—such a minor task was trivial by comparison.

“My name is Taiyi,” Duan Wenxuan softly spoke as he walked past Wu Shi, gazing at the undulating mountains in the distance, teeming with countless spirits and demons.

Previously, Duan Wenxuan had never revealed his name to Wu Shi.

“Follow me,” Duan Wenxuan simply stated as he began walking back along the path they had taken earlier. With all door symbols now collected, Duan Wenxuan’s predetermined course was set, necessitating a change in plans.

Wu Shi said nothing, respectfully following Duan Wenxuan without question.

The pair retraced their steps through the village where Duan Wenxuan had previously passed, returning to the dilapidated Lanruo Temple. This place held memories of a deceased female ghost, a buried exorcist, and a disheartened scholar who had left behind his hopes.

“We’ll make this our base once more.”

Wu Shi didn’t immediately understand what Duan Wenxuan meant, but in the next moment, he saw Duan Wenxuan wave his hand, transforming the ruined Lanruo Temple dramatically. An ethereal celestial palace rose from the ground, accompanied by a rumbling beneath their feet, akin to an earthquake, which left Wu Shi dizzy and fearful.

Once everything settled, Wu Shi noticed that the once ordinary mountain had soared skyward, its peaks shrouded in clouds. The vast celestial palace stood majestically, with a lotus pond at its entrance blooming golden lotuses that emanated divine Daoist energy. Upon closer inspection, he spotted his master Taiyi seated serenely atop the palace.

“Go.”

Wu Shi watched as his master made a gesture, causing two koi fish—one golden, one silver—to leap from the lotus pond. In mid-air, the water coalesced into a shimmering gate. The pair of koi swiftly jumped through it, followed by a resonant dragon’s roar.

However, after just one cry, their forms touched the ground and transformed into a boy and a girl. Both appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, with their hair styled identically in twin topknots, yet they possessed an ethereal beauty.

Upon seeing Duan Wenxuan, they promptly bowed, “Young disciples greet Ancestor.” Then turning towards Wu Shi, they said, “Greetings, Elder.”

Wu Shi hastily returned the greeting.

“From now on, you two will serve as my attendants, welcoming guests at this place. Any objections?”

The duo immediately responded, “We humbly abide by Ancestor’s command.”

As they took their positions near the entrance, Duan Wenxuan waved his hand once more, sending nine golden lotuses flying from the pond to land within the grand hall. He pointed to the first flower, “Wu Shi, sit here. From henceforth, you shall be my foremost disciple at Kunlun Dao.”

Wu Shi gradually regained his composure, feeling as if everything happening was surreal, like a dream. To confirm reality, he bit his tongue hard; the intense pain reassured him, and with excitement, he eagerly seated himself upon the first lotus bloom.

After Wu Shi took his seat, Duan Wenxuan continued, “Today, the Dao of Kunlun emerges, originating from Taiyi. From this moment forth, for forty-nine days, all seekers of the Dao, ordinary beings, and diverse creatures across the land - those with affinity, shall hear the teachings.”

As soon as Duan Wenxuan spoke these words, from the newly designated Mount Kunlun, purple clouds stretched for miles in the sky above. On the ground below, within a vast expanse, lush vegetation flourished, birds soared, and spiritual herbs alongside golden lotuses sprouted miraculously, creating an awe-inspiring aura reminiscent of an immortal realm.

If only immortals truly existed.

While ghosts terrorized the world and exorcists, along with Taoist practitioners, roamed to combat them, no one had ever witnessed actual deities.

Duan Wenxuan was fully aware that his extravagant display would cause immense uproar. However, armed with the power of the gate symbol, he remained unshaken. The only concern was the substantial amount of door symbol energy consumed by this maneuver; it pained him deeply.

Nevertheless, as his ‘transformation’ of the world progressed, his understanding of its underlying principles deepened, leading to increased feedback of energy that the door symbol could absorb. This gradually approached a state of balanced input and output.