The Demon Lord of All Forms

Chapter 65 Myriad Phenomena and the Dao Embryo

Following the method taught by Qin Youwei, Gu Changyuan once again injected his soul power into the Great Ruins. This time, it was not for opening up, but for creating, to nurture a Dao embryo in the void of the Great Ruins.

The inspiration continuously condensed and compressed within the vortex, transforming from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and from a liquid state to a solid state, ultimately solidifying into a jet-black seed at the deepest part of the Great Ruins.

The seed floated in the void, its surface smooth as a mirror, with a faint, ethereal light flowing across it, like a sleeping eyeball.

Gu Changyuan's soul power flowed continuously into the seed, which began to swell and grow. Countless fine lines, like blood vessels, cracked on its surface, extending in all directions and connecting with the boundary of the entire Great Ruins, absorbing all the spiritual energy within the Great Ruins.

The seed grew larger and larger, from the size of a fist to the size of a millstone, and when it finally stopped expanding, it had occupied nearly half of the space in the Great Ruins.

Then, with a snap, the seed cracked open.

Petals slowly unfolded from the seed, each petal a luminous arc formed from spiritual energy, jet black yet faintly radiating a seven-colored halo. The petals unfolded layer upon layer, exposing the contents of the seed to the void.

All things are contained within the void, like the embryo of the Dao.

The Dao Embryo was entirely black, as if carved from obsidian. It resembled a curled-up baby sitting with its knees drawn up to its chest, its face indistinct, with only a faint halo around it. Countless fine lines moved across its surface, making it appear as if it were alive.

The moment the Dao Embryo was formed, the entire Great Ruins trembled violently.

An invisible suction force arose from the void of the Great Ruins, and the spiritual energy that had just returned to calm in the Flowing Cloud Palace surged violently again. Rolling spiritual energy from heaven and earth rushed in from all directions, more turbulent and violent than before, flowing into the Great Ruins through Gu Changyuan's hundred orifices, and finally all of it merged into the dark Dao Embryo.

After absorbing this spiritual energy, the Dao Embryo emitted a deep black light from the patterns on its surface. The Dao Embryo trembled slightly. In that instant, Gu Changyuan felt himself merge with this Great Ruins and this Dao Embryo. The Great Ruins were his stomach, the Dao Embryo were his teeth, and all things in heaven and earth were his food.

At the moment the Myriad Manifestations Void Dao Embryo was formed, the diameter of the Great Ruins suddenly increased from nine zhang ninety feet to twelve zhang. The Dao Embryo Cave Heaven that should have been born also merged with the Great Ruins and became part of the Great Ruins.

Gu Changyuan opened his eyes, which were completely black. He raised his right hand, spread his fingers, and an invisible suction force emanated from his palm. The clouds outside the window were drawn by this suction force, turning into white dragons and snakes that floated into his palm and then disappeared into the darkness of the Great Ruins.

Withdrawing his hand, Gu Changyuan smiled and said, "Not bad."

After the Dao Embryo was formed, Gu Changyuan wanted to continue cultivating and also reach the Refining Spirit Realm. However, Su Qinghe had not yet fully understood the path to the Refining Spirit Realm. Although the three million avatars were working on it day and night, the Refining Spirit Realm involved the transformation of the soul. If one was not careful, the soul would be scattered. So Gu Changyuan decided to wait and not rush it.

Two days later, Meng Nanyi arrived.

Looking at Gu Changyuan, Meng Nanyi also noticed the change in Gu Changyuan's aura. Her expression was complicated as she said, "Master asked me to take you to see her."

Gu Changyuan nodded and followed Meng Nanyi out of Liuyun Palace.

The two crossed the misty rainbow bridge, passed through palace after palace, and arrived at the Northern Heaven Palace. This time, Meng Nanyi led Gu Changyuan directly into Qin Youwei's residence.

Qin Youwei remained seated on the soft couch, holding an ancient book in her hands. When she saw Gu Changyuan enter, she put down the book, her gaze lingering on Gu Changyuan for a moment, a flicker of emotion flashing in her eyes.

The Dao Embryo Realm—only three days after their last meeting, Gu Changyuan had already advanced from the Longevity Realm to the Dao Embryo Realm. This speed was truly astonishing.

However, given Gu Changyuan's previous success in achieving immortality in a single day, Qin Youwei wasn't too surprised. She simply nodded slightly, indicating that Gu Changyuan should sit down opposite her.

"Your current cultivation level is sufficient, but you will inevitably face life-or-death battles in the True Inheritance Ceremony." Qin Youwei cut to the chase. "Besides your own cultivation, you must master several killing and protective divine abilities. The Black Emperor's Great Ruins Book contains many divine abilities, which are powerful and strange, each with its own strengths. Which ones do you want to cultivate? I can teach you."

Gu Changyuan looked at Qin Youwei and asked, "I had some doubts before. Master, you know too much about the 'Black Emperor Great Ruins Book.' Have you cultivated the 'Black Emperor Great Ruins Book'?"

Qin Youwei remained silent for a moment after hearing this, then nodded.

"Indeed, I was arrogant at first and ignored my master's repeated advice. I chose the 'Black Emperor Great Ruins Book'. Later, I cultivated all the way to the Refining Spirit Realm, but found that I was not talented enough. The 'Black Emperor Great Ruins Book' was too complicated, and the cultivation of its supernatural powers was extremely difficult. Seeing my fellow disciples surpass me one by one, I wasted my cultivation with my master's help and started cultivating the 'Black Tortoise Seven Constellations Book' from scratch, which wasted a lot of time."

Looking at Gu Changyuan, Qin Youwei's gaze softened, and her tone became much gentler.

"I still hope you will cultivate the 'Seven Constellations of Xuanwu'. Although the earthly classic is not as good as the heavenly classic, it is more complete. The path has been paved, so you just need to walk it. However, the path of cultivation must ultimately be walked by yourself. You are still young, so it doesn't matter if you make the wrong choice. You still have the opportunity to correct your mistakes."

Gu Changyuan smiled upon hearing this.

"I have never had any regrets in my life."

Qin Youwei remained noncommittal and did not respond, instead steer the conversation back to cultivating supernatural powers.

"Enough with the small talk. Which supernatural abilities do you want to learn? When I was cultivating the 'Black Emperor Great Ruins Book,' I also mastered several supernatural abilities: Shattering Star Vortex, Black Emperor Robe, and Myriad Transformation Swamp. I can still give you some pointers on these. Although I haven't used them for many years, the foundation is still there."

Gu Changyuan looked at Qin Youwei, smiled, and shook his head.

"There's no need to trouble Master. I've chosen three supernatural powers, and I've already mastered them."

Upon hearing this, Qin Youwei's expression clearly showed disbelief. It took her nearly three days to cultivate the Shattered Star Vortex, half a month to cultivate the Black Emperor's Robe, and a whole month to barely get started with the Myriad Transformations Swamp. Gu Changyuan had only been cultivating the Black Emperor's Great Ruins Book for a few days, so how could he have already mastered the supernatural powers?

Gu Changyuan did not explain, but only looked at Meng Nanyi beside him.

"Please lend a hand, senior sister, so I can demonstrate for Master."

Meng Nanyi looked at Qin Youwei, and seeing Qin Youwei nod slightly, he no longer hesitated and walked to the opposite side of Gu Changyuan, only a few feet away from him.

Without any politeness, looking at Gu Changyuan, Meng Nanyi's palm surged with cold energy, and an ice waterfall burst forth from his palm like a celestial river pouring down, carrying a bone-chilling cold as it struck Gu Changyuan.

Gu Changyuan remained motionless, a smile on his face, as countless eerie lights appeared around him, connecting head to tail to form a rotating vortex-like torrent.

The vortex was like a black hole in the sky, deep and silent, without making a sound, yet it exuded a chilling, devouring power.