The once-muddled Dao intent gradually became clear. Joe Di opened his eyes, clutching the jade slip as he murmured, "Could it be that the Dao we cultivate is merely a Dao within Dao?"
A Dao within Dao—for the Vast Chaos, that truly counts as a non-Dao...
Rivergate Universe...
It was as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through Joe Di's mind—he suddenly understood. He, along with countless cultivators, or perhaps everyone in the Vast Chaos, were all the same: living within someone else's universe.
Just like when he had sought out other powerful cultivators to oppose Chi Yao, to prevent Chi Yao from stepping into the Fourth Step and enslaving the entire Vast Chaos. If Chi Yao were to reach the Fourth Step and enslave Vast Chaos, then the fate of everyone within would be in Chi Yao's hands.
But in reality?
They had long since been living within someone else's universe, or perhaps within someone else's Vast Chaos.
If his guess was correct, the one who created the Vast Chaos was called Rivergate, which is why this cosmic domain is named Rivergate Universe.
What Rivergate controlled was precisely what they feared Chi Yao would seize upon reaching the Fourth Step—the Vast Chaos, the very place where Joe Di had always lived and cultivated.
Through countless Cosmic Tribulations and extinction-level calamities, Rivergate's Vast Chaos collapsed, and Rivergate was annihilated in the midst of these tribulations.
Yet, although Rivergate's vast world was shattered in the midst of Cosmic Tribulation, it did not completely collapse. That is why they could survive, continue cultivating within Rivergate's domain, and even reach the pinnacle of the Third Step.
As for the Five Elements Universe, Genesis Universe, and all other universes, they are but derivatives—condensed and evolved from the chaotic laws within Rivergate's vast world.
Cultivating within such immensity, no matter how high their Dao is proven, they cannot surpass Rivergate. His Dao was born from the Ninth Prime Law of the Five Elements Universe, and then transcended it, forging his own world of laws. Yet, it too remains within Rivergate's vast cosmos.
Rivergate's vast universe will endure multiple Cosmic Tribulations, and in the end, Rivergate itself will perish. Their Dao has not even surpassed Rivergate's Dao—how could they ever transcend the Cosmic Tribulation?
This is the meaning of 'Dao non-Dao.' The Dao he cultivates cannot resist the Cosmic Tribulation; it is a Dao that is incomplete.
A profound sense of powerlessness welled up in Joe Di's heart. Rivergate's Dao clearly surpassed his own, yet it too was annihilated by Cosmic Tribulation. What could he hope to achieve in the future—surpass Rivergate? Joe Di knew all too well that such a notion was nothing but a joke.
Chi Yao was able to step into the Fourth Step; Joe Di suspected that he had obtained the sole opportunity to grasp the Fourth Step Dao Principle after Rivergate's annihilation. Perhaps Chi Yao was Rivergate's reincarnation, or a remnant intent, or a sliver of soul reborn.
If his suspicions were correct, then no matter how much greater their talent was compared to Chi Yao, they would never be able to step into the Fourth Step. They were doomed to remain trapped at their current realm, never advancing for all eternity.
Joe Di's previous urge to confront Chi Yao, join forces with his allies to defeat him, and seize the Saint Seat, now vanished without a trace.
Since this is Rivergate's world, the Saint Seat is naturally subject to Rivergate's Dao. Whether or not it can be seized has become utterly meaningless.
Joe Di sighed, his divine sense once again falling upon the jade slip. He began to wonder whether this jade slip was left behind by Rivergate. Yet, from the manner in which the message was conveyed, it didn't quite seem like Rivergate's handiwork...
As this thought occurred, Joe Di grew excited. That would mean, after Rivergate was annihilated by Cosmic Tribulation, there was still someone who survived. Not only did this person endure the tribulation, but also witnessed everything and even recorded it in this jade slip.
The message following in the jade slip confirmed Joe Di's speculation: "Apart from the domain where I reside, all other vast universes are derivatives of Rivergate's world. With another Cosmic Tribulation, I fear I will not witness it. I only hope that, one day, someone can break free from Rivergate's vast cosmos and arrive here..."
So this place is not part of Rivergate's vast cosmos? No wonder, upon arriving here, even though there was no elemental energy or cosmic law, he felt a sense of freedom. Joe Di immediately wondered: could Cosmic Tribulation exist here? How did this domain come to be? Why are there no cosmic laws or elemental energy?
...
Emperor Ye, Nick Ning, Zachary Zephyr, and Chi Yao were almost simultaneously swept out by the vortex at the center of the Saint Seat Plaza, landing in a boundless expanse of gray, sandy gravel.
"Where is this place?" Nick Ning looked around in a daze; here, his divine sense could not extend, and there was no cosmic law or elemental energy.
No one could answer him; none of them knew where they were. Previously, they had all sensed they should come to this place, but now that they had arrived, they were at a loss for what to do next.
Soon, Nick Ning and Emperor Ye both fixed their gazes on Chi Yao. Here, they could not extend their divine sense, nor sense cosmic law. Chi Yao was now at the Fourth Step—if he could use his divine sense or abilities in this place, it would bode ill for them.
Chi Yao's gaze fell upon Nick Ning, but soon he looked past him, staring into the distant emptiness, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
After only half a stick of incense, Chi Yao seemed to recall something and suddenly rushed off, quickly vanishing from Emperor Ye and the others' sight.
"What is that guy up to?" Emperor Ye glanced at Zephyr.
Zephyr also frowned, then quickly raised his head and said, "This place feels familiar to me. Although it lacks cosmic law and elemental energy, don't you feel a greater sense of freedom since arriving here?"
Emperor Ye and Nick Ning had been focused on Chi Yao, but upon hearing Zephyr's words, they realized that, after coming to this land of sand and gravel, something indeed felt different. Not only were they more at ease, but it also seemed as if their minds had broadened.
"I feel like I know this place. I need to search for something here. Chi Yao most likely has been here before—he's probably looking for his own things. If he finds what he's seeking, I have a premonition we'll return to a time long, long ago, as if caught in a cycle of endless repetition..." The first part of Zephyr's words were directed at Emperor Ye and Nick Ning, while the latter half was more to himself.
After saying this, Zephyr didn't speak further. He chose a direction and sped away. Zephyr understood that, no matter how talented Emperor Ye or Nick Ning were, here they could not influence Chi Yao, nor could they control the heavens and the universe of this place.
"Nick Ning, back in the vast chaos, we felt our Dao was still incomplete. Now, I think if we want to perfect it, this is the place." Emperor Ye spoke solemnly, watching Zephyr's departing figure.
Nick Ning sighed, "I feel it too. If only we had come straight here, or hadn't taken that extra path along the way."
Emperor Ye shook his head. "No, if we hadn't undergone the previous Dao Nirvana, we probably wouldn't even qualify to come here."
"Where to?" Nick Ning looked at Emperor Ye.
Emperor Ye shook his head. "I don't know. Unlike Zephyr and Chi Yao, we can't choose a direction with purpose. All we can do now is pick a random direction and move forward."
...
At the same time, Joe Di put down the jade slip; there was no further message on it, nor did he know who had left it behind.
Still, Joe Di now had a vague concept of how to perfect his own world. His initial idea was that a world should begin from the smallest element, then give rise to all things, condense laws, and finally form a universe...
But his world was forged by condensing and opening through Rivergate's vast chaos, leaving the imprint of Rivergate's cosmic laws.
Soon, Joe Di discarded this idea. If he did so, even if he created a new universe, at most he would only break free from Rivergate's Dao restraints. Yet, wasn't Rivergate—such a peerless figure—also trapped by cosmic tribulation, perishing with his Dao?
Breaking free from Rivergate's Dao would only mean creating a universe of his own. Even if it surpassed Rivergate's grand cosmos, what difference would it make? In the end, it too would be reduced to dust by cosmic tribulation. Besides, he might not even be able to create a universe greater than Rivergate's.
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)