Chapter 349: The “Path to the Heavens”

After that, even Daoist Ling Xuan, the direct disciple, could no longer discern whether his master was “real or an illusion” at that moment.

From that day on, the illusionary world created by his master dissipated, and Ling Xuan himself was expelled along with it.

For nearly a hundred years thereafter, his master, a True Immortal, seemed to have vanished from existence, never appearing again.

Believing that his master had gone mad, Daoist Ling Xuan concealed the truth and simply told his Junior Sister that their master had passed away due to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

“He couldn’t tell anymore…”

Was it that he could no longer distinguish his own existence—whether he was real or merely an illusion?

Or was it that he could no longer tell which world was real—the one he had created or the one he was living in?

As he pondered, Gu Ning’an solemnly asked, “Daoist Ling Xi, would you allow me to examine your soul with my mystical energy?”

Using mystical energy to probe the soul?

At these words, both True Immortals were momentarily stunned.

The soul is the most vital aspect of a cultivator. If the body perishes but the soul remains intact, it can take refuge in a spiritual artifact to seek reincarnation in a new body.

Conversely, if the soul is destroyed, then the body becomes a lifeless husk, effectively dead.

This is why the Soul Restraining Technique of the Flood Dragon Emperor was so feared—because such technique directly targets a cultivator’s soul.

The two True Immortals hesitated, not because they distrusted Gu Ning’an, but because dealing with the soul required extreme caution.

After a long pause, Daoist Ling Xi seemed to come to a decision and said seriously, “Then I shall trouble Mr. Gu to give it a try!”

With her consent, Gu Ning’an paid no heed to Ling Xuan’s conflicted expression. He placed the Hongchen Sword on the table, formed a sword seal with his fingers, and drew out thirty-five strands of Worldly Qi from the blade!

The Worldly Qi interwove like silk threads, forming the shape of a small sword, which instantly plunged into Daoist Ling Xi’s forehead.

Witnessing this terrifying sight, Daoist Ling Xuan nearly cried out in alarm!

Though he had never encountered Worldly Qi before, he had seen Gu Ning’an wield his sword, and he knew how fearsome it was!

Now, the crimson sword that had formed from the Hongchen Sword’s essence had entered Daoist Ling Xi’s forehead so directly—was there really no risk of it accidentally harming her soul?

Likewise, upon feeling the red sword, Daoist Ling Xi was overwhelmed by a weighty pressure akin to a mountain. But the pressure only lasted a fleeting moment before it completely dissipated.

At this point, there were no better options to address her impending Five Decays of Heaven and Man. Understanding this, she let go of all resistance, allowing Gu Ning’an to guide the crimson sword toward her soul.

Meanwhile, Gu Ning’an closed his eyes and used inner vision, merging his spiritual sense with the Worldly Qi. Upon locating Daoist Ling Xi’s soul, he carefully maneuvered the Worldly Qi closer.

A cultivator’s soul resembles a miniature version of themselves. Daoist Ling Xi’s soul sat cross-legged, surrounded by constantly shifting illusions.

As the crimson sword hovered forward, the self-protective illusions around her soul dissipated on their own.

Once the sword hovered above the soul’s head, it radiated faint red ripples that slowly merged into Daoist Ling Xi’s soul.

It was unclear how much time had passed when Gu Ning’an, controlling the Worldly Qi, discovered three faintly tangible steps embedded within her soul. The steps were layered, suggesting that many more steps lay ahead, though they remained hidden for now.

When Gu Ning’an willed the crimson sword to step onto the first stair, the steps trembled slightly. Then, within just a few breaths, their number rapidly multiplied!

In the blink of an eye, the scene around him transformed at an incredible speed. He could no longer feel himself within Daoist Ling Xi’s soul.

Looking around, he found himself in a desolate, dark expanse. Before him stood an endless staircase stretching into the heavens.

At some unknown point, his form had shifted from that of the Hongchen Sword back into his human body.

A mysterious urge surged within him, as if some unseen will was guiding him to ascend further.

Climbing the steps, he continued upward for several hundred stairs until he spotted a lone figure a few dozen steps ahead.

The person wore a jade hairpin, with long silver hair neatly tied into a bun. Their hands were clasped behind their back, and they wore a long blue robe. The black fabric belt at their waist stood out prominently.

Gu Ning’an cupped his hands from afar and asked, “Might I ask, Fellow Daoist, what is this path?”

Hearing this, the figure turned around, their eyes filled with confusion.

“Young Daoist… I suspect this may be the Path to the Heavens…”

Path to the Heavens!

Gu Ning’an strode forward and stopped before the kindly-looking elderly man, cupping his hands in greeting. “Sir, do you know what lies at the end of this Path to the Heavens?”

Seeing Gu Ning’an walk up without any hindrance, a flash of surprise crossed the elder’s previously confused gaze. “Young Daoist, you encountered no resistance at all on your way here?”

Gu Ning’an was taken aback. “Not in the slightest.”

The elderly man turned to look at the endless staircase behind him and let out a long sigh. “I, too, do not know what lies at the end of this path, nor how long I have been walking on it.”

“I can no longer tell whether I am dead or alive, real or an illusion…”

“But I have a feeling—if one reaches the end of this staircase, they can break free from the shackles of the True Immortal realm and step into an unknown higher plane.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an paused before speaking. “Sir, based on my own experiences, I would guess that the end of this staircase indeed leads to another realm, which I shall call ‘Outer Heaven’ for now.”

“There are indeed cultivators there who have surpassed the True Immortal realm… but their conduct and demeanor are more akin to those of the demonic path. I find it distasteful.”

“I see…” The elderly man nodded before stepping aside. “Do you wish to continue forward, Young Daoist?”

Gu Ning’an shook his head. “No, I still have things to prepare. When I’m ready, I’ll take a different path up.”

“That is also a good choice…” The elderly man sat cross-legged on the staircase and waved. “Until we meet again, Young Daoist.”

“Farewell.” Gu Ning’an cupped his hands, then turned to retrace his steps.

However, the moment he took his first step back, hundreds of steps behind him suddenly crumbled into nothingness!

Noticing this, the elderly man, who had just closed his eyes in meditation, opened them once more in shock. “Young Daoist Gu, this Path to the Heavens does not allow you to turn back!”

“On either side is a boundless void—fall into it, and you will become rootless like a drifting weed, lost to the passage of time. I urge you to tread carefully!”

As he spoke, as if fearing Gu Ning’an might not believe him, another identical elder suddenly emerged from his side and stepped off the staircase!

In the next instant, the elder who had stepped out was swallowed by the endless darkness. Within just a few breaths, his figure was completely lost.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an turned back and cupped his hands. “Thank you for the warning, sir…”

“However, tricks like these won’t be enough to stop me.” With those words, Gu Ning’an stepped forward!

Unlike the illusory figure of the elder that had fallen, Gu Ning’an’s foot landed firmly!

Not far behind him, the elderly man widened his eyes in astonishment—beneath Gu Ning’an’s feet, crimson steps materialized one after another, seamlessly filling the broken path behind him.