Chapter 507: Transmitting the Law Against Heaven and Earth

Despite almost universal opposition from the entire sect, Senior Sister Zhao resolutely married Li Fan.

The wedding was very simple, even somewhat crude.

However, her master, Zhang Wangshuang, still attended in the end. He looked at the newlywed couple below and sighed faintly, then forced a slight smile.

That night, countless heartbroken Daoist Sect disciples drank themselves into a stupor. Many brawls even broke out.

It is worth noting that the reason so many young disciples of the Daoist Sect were deeply infatuated with Senior Sister Zhao was not only because her beauty and strength were unmatched among her peers.

More importantly, after cultivating the "Heaven and Earth Intertwined" scripture, a captivating feminine charm unintentionally emanated from Senior Sister Zhao, becoming almost irresistible.

Moreover, in the eyes of outsiders, Senior Sister Zhao appeared to still be a maiden, her primordial yin intact.

Therefore, even though she had been living with Li Fan day and night, there was still no lack of persistent suitors.

After the wedding, following a reminder from Li Fan, Senior Sister Zhao removed her disguise.

While many were once again heartbroken, there were still infatuated admirers who would not give up.

Because after the youthful innocence faded, the mature charm in her every gesture and smile became even more tantalizing.

Fortunately, Senior Sister Zhao was utterly devoted to Li Fan, which slightly alleviated the pressure on Li Fan.

Whether for the sake of achieving longevity or protecting Senior Sister Zhao, from then on, Li Fan cultivated even more diligently.

With no lack of spirit stones or elixirs, and aided by the dual cultivation from "Heaven and Earth Intertwined," Li Fan's cultivation realm increased daily.

Thirteen years passed in a flash.

On this day, a celestial phenomenon occurred.

All living beings in the Xuanhuang Realm saw a benevolent-looking old man with a tall crown, standing tall between heaven and earth, holding up the sky with his hand.

The phenomenon did not last long.

But all cultivators felt an unspeakable complex emotion surge in their hearts. It was like sadness, like bewilderment, like anger. Numerous emotions intertwined, a mix of bittersweet feelings.

After the old man's image disappeared, all cultivators gradually understood. Today, the Immortal Venerable of Preaching achieved the Dao of Immortality. From now on, people would respectfully refer to him as the Celestial Venerable of Preaching.

With his power alone, he changed the cultivation path of the world. From then on, cultivators could only practice according to the method he established, which involved plundering heaven and earth.

Although many years had passed, most cultivators in the world had already switched to the new method. But there were still many who stubbornly clung to the old method of "Heaven and Man as One." Now, he had directly severed the old path.

These ancient method cultivators, mockingly called "old fogeys," some committed suicide in despair. Others left in indignation and remained reclusive ever since.

Chaos unfolded across every part of the Xuanhuang Realm, and the Daoist Sect was no exception.

The new method was established and unstoppable. This chaos was merely a small ripple in the mighty current and could not change the direction of the entire river.

After the turmoil subsided, an unprecedented period of peace and explosive growth followed. The number of cultivators and the quality of their realms were increasing at an astonishing rate.

Even someone with ordinary talent like Li Fan, after switching to the new method and with abundant resources, only took over twenty years to advance to the Nascent Soul realm. Not to mention the other elite disciples within the sect.

If not for the extreme scarcity of Heavenly and Earthly Essences and their unpredictable appearance, there would likely be an explosive surge of Dao Integration cultivators in the world.

As the most highly regarded junior disciple of the Daoist Sect, Senior Sister Zhao successfully integrated with the Dao after passing numerous trials, becoming one of the Daoist Sect's few true disciples.

"Congratulations, congratulations!" Li Fan kissed Senior Sister Zhao and congratulated her while holding her. "Now that standards have risen, what used to qualify as a true disciple at the Nascent Soul realm now only those who have integrated with the Dao are qualified."

However, there was not much joy on her face. Instead, a rare trace of worry appeared.

Having lived with her day and night for decades, Li Fan, who understood her well, could not help but be very surprised. Such an expression was very rare for Senior Sister Zhao. He immediately asked with concern, "Senior Sister, what are you worried about?"

"When I was breaking through, I inexplicably felt something," Senior Sister Zhao said. She waved her hand, sealing off the surrounding space. Then she quietly transmitted her voice, "This seemingly prosperous and lively cultivation world is truly like oil boiling over a fierce fire. Although it is flourishing to the extreme, there is a hidden crisis."

"Once it erupts..."

Li Fan was startled. He knew that the moment of breaking through to the Dao Integration realm was almost infinitely close to the "Heaven and Man as One" realm of the old cultivation method. Insights gained at this stage were absolutely not groundless.

Although they did not know where the crisis came from, it did not stop them from preparing for a rainy day. Having cultivated together for many years, the two had long become inseparable, forming a community of shared interests.

Without alarming others, the couple continued their cultivation as usual while secretly gathering resources. They prepared for the great changes in heaven and earth that might descend at any time in the near future.

What they did not expect was that this waiting lasted over thirty years.

Time flew by, and no crisis ever appeared. The couple both began to regard their former premonition as a mere illusion.

In those thirty years, Senior Sister Zhao, with her increasingly refined cultivation and overwhelming combat power, became the Daoist Sect's designated Dao Child and was granted the "Great Dao Scripture of Executing Heavens." If there were no accidents, in a few years, when the current sect master passed away, she would be the next sect master of the Daoist Sect.

Senior Sister Zhao's heart was stirred, and Li Fan was genuinely happy for her. But their joy did not last long.

On this day, the great changes in heaven and earth that they had almost forgotten suddenly descended. It came so unexpectedly, so surprisingly, and was so hard for cultivators to accept. So much so that their "preparations" of these past years became a complete joke.

Li Fan and Senior Sister Zhao first sensed the abnormality while dual cultivating.

"Hmm?"

After a similarly enthralling dual cultivation session ended, Li Fan, however, let out a questioning sound.

"What's wrong?" Senior Sister Zhao, who had not yet fully recovered from the moment's pleasure, could not help but ask.

"Why does it feel like this dual cultivation session was not as effective?" Li Fan frowned deeply. "Could it be that we've hit that bottleneck again?"

After integrating with the Dao, the cultivation improvements from dual cultivation had become less significant. That is why Senior Sister Zhao had not noticed anything unusual before. But now, after Li Fan's reminder and a thorough inspection, her expression subtly changed.

"There's no bottleneck," she said, "but the effectiveness has greatly decreased."

"Let's try again, just to be sure."

Li Fan nodded in agreement.

A long time later.

Li Fan's expression was solemn. "How could it suddenly lose its effect? Could it be that this 'Heaven and Earth Intertwined' scripture..."

As he was speaking, the two suddenly heard a clamor and commotion from outside.

"It's not just the dual cultivation technique," Senior Sister Zhao finally reacted, stood up abruptly, and her face turned pale. "It's all cultivation methods... They're all problematic!"