Chapter 717: Life and Death Imperial Edict

"Have you heard? It's said there's a secret technique in the Rebirth Manor that can prevent resurrected true spirits from possessing the bodies of descendants!"

"Hmph, I had someone inquire, and it seems there really is such a thing. However, it's foreseeable that the cost to obtain this secret technique will be extremely high. Prominent families, in order to preserve the purity of their descendants, will undoubtedly go to great lengths to acquire it, no matter the expense!"

"In my opinion, fellow cultivators, there's no need to be too resistant! The existence of the Rebirth Manor might actually be a good thing for us!"

"Oh? How so?"

"Think about it: you can be resurrected after eighteen years anyway. If you feel your talent in this life is limited and your cultivation hopeless, you could simply commit suicide. Perhaps in your next life, you'll be reborn into a good family, and your new body will be exceptionally gifted..."

These naive remarks immediately drew laughter from other cultivators.

"Friend, have you had too much spirit wine?""Setting aside whether you'd be so lucky, consider this: why does resurrection require an eighteen-year wait? Is the descent of the true spirits of cultivators who die during these eighteen years truly random? I bet there's an unknown trick to it!"

"I actually think there's some truth to what he's saying. Consider this, everyone: our talents are mediocre to begin with, and we have no hope of rising in this life. Even if we have descendants, they are destined for a life of toil and oppression. That's why I've never considered having children before. But now..."

"Perhaps it's worth a gamble. Not to mention how astonishingly talented the true spirit my son merges with might have been in its previous life. Just gaining an extra lifetime's worth of cultivation experience out of thin air is an unparalleled treasure. And if we're even luckier, and it's the reincarnation of a mighty being... then, a father could gain status through his son, hmph hmph!"

"Hiss, friend, now that you put it that way, it does seem to make some sense."

Similar debates were unfolding across the Xuanhuang Realm.

Meanwhile, Xu Bai learned more details about the Rebirth Manor through Nangong Shirong.

"The rumors are true; there really is a secret technique to prevent newborns from being merged with true spirits. But..."

"It costs eight million contribution points, and it must be applied while the child is still in the womb."

"It's truly outrageous! I've been working in Tianling State for so many years and haven't accumulated anywhere near that much."

"There's also the Rebirth Mirror, which can peek into the memories of the true spirit merged with a newborn. If you're not satisfied, hiss..."

"The True Spirit Guide, when placed on a pre-prepared physical body, can increase the accuracy of one's true spirit reincarnating into a specified body."

"The Ultimate Vessel, available in the Rebirth Manor, can perfectly replicate one's current physical body, allowing for a perfect resurrection in the next life."

"The Soul Stabilizer allows the true spirit to retain its past life's emotions even after eighteen years of cleansing in the Rebirth Manor."

"The Rebirth Edict eliminates the eighteen-year wait. A fragment of the true spirit can be resurrected immediately after death."

Xu Bai and Nangong Shirong looked at the contents of the jade slip before them, their expressions varied.

"There are so many extravagant items! Each is exorbitantly priced; ordinary people can't afford any of them!" Nangong Shirong muttered under his breath.

"But that Rebirth Edict, that's truly a good item. Combined with the Ultimate Vessel, wouldn't it be like gaining another life? No, if you have enough contribution points, you could essentially become immortal and capable of infinite resurrections!" he exclaimed.

"I just wonder if there are any other restrictions," Xu Bai said, his eyes flickering, as he nodded in agreement.

"All possibilities have been considered; it seems the Myriad Immortal Alliance has been preparing for a long time. It might cause some commotion, but I believe cultivators will quickly adapt," Xu Bai remarked after scanning through the various items listed in the jade slip.

"Immortality has been proven, and the world has been instantly turned upside down. This Rebirth Heavenly Venerate is truly remarkable. The history of the Xuanhuang Realm is about to enter a new era," Nangong Shirong commented emotionally.

"I wonder what the situation is with the Council of Five Elders? Can the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate's divine power extend to their side?" Xu Bai suddenly asked.

"This..." Nangong Shirong hesitated. "I'm not sure. However, I heard that some kind of deal has been reached, and it's only being piloted in a small area..."

Xu Bai's eyes flickered slightly.

From then on, cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm gradually adapted to the existence of the Rebirth Manor in the sky.

Not long after, the first case of resurrection occurred.

A Golden Core cultivator named Ximen Yang publicly self-destructed, his soul scattering to the winds.

However, he soon reappeared alive in the public eye.

His demeanor and actions were exactly as before.

He even remembered his self-destruction and would boast to anyone who listened about his experience of self-detonation, death, and rebirth.

The news spread quickly, convincing cultivators who had previously been somewhat skeptical about rebirth.

As cases of cultivators being reborn continued to emerge across the Myriad Immortal Alliance's lands, the existence of rebirth was gradually accepted by the public.

Inside the Soul-Devouring White Mist.

Even through the vast white mist, the three could vaguely discern the ethereal Rebirth Manor above them.

"Damn it, cultivators now act as if they're not afraid of death; there are so many people even in the depths of the white mist," Dongfang Yao cursed angrily. Before he finished speaking, he saw a Puxian True Boat whistle past them.

"Isn't that just stating the obvious? With the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate, everyone can be resurrected, so what's there to fear about death? At worst, after eighteen years, you'll be a hero again!" Huangfu Song scoffed.

"I don't believe in this Rebirth Manor; there must be something fishy about it. Think about it: they talk about preserving a fragment of memory and the true spirit. But if you're resurrected and merged with someone else, are you still you? Even with a pre-prepared body for this so-called resurrection, I was truly dead. The one who is reborn is merely another person with the same memories as me!" Dongfang Yao said with a serious expression.

"My two brothers, don't be deceived by this; you must still be cautious and cherish your lives!" he advised.

"Dongfang, when did your mind become so sharp? What you're saying seems to have some merit," Huangfu Song said, frowning slightly in thought.

Li Fan listened to their debate, but his mind was on something else.

"In the previous life, this Rebirth Heavenly Venerate never appeared in the world, let alone the Rebirth Manor."

"The reversed principles of heaven and earth should have naturally become fundamental laws of the world, like the Carefree Heavenly Venerate, seamlessly integrated and perfectly formed."

"Yet, now the reversal of life and death requires the aid of the Rebirth Manor. Does this imply that the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate hasn't actually achieved the most perfect, ideal state?"

"Perhaps it's merely a hasty and forced measure, influenced by Lan Yu."