Chapter 823: Chapter 526: To Solve the First Nightmare Trial, the Outer Realm Toad God Grants Another Treasure
"What a formation, what sword intent."
Tao Qian stood at the entrance of the secret path, gazing at the star aperture before him, restored to its pristine brilliance, and couldn’t help but praise.
As soon as he spoke, the [Shocking God Bell] beside him, already a living thing, automatically emitted bell sounds, expressing fear, surprise, and relief.
No wonder Master Tao and even the offspring of the Evil God had such thoughts; it’s known that each of those Evil Demon God Descendants had an extraordinary origin, and their combat power compared to cultivators, though lacking Daoist Transformation, still counted for something in the Ultimate Happiness Realm.
If this group of evil spirits were thrown into the Longevity Realm, it would surely cause great chaos.
Yet here, just the flicker of sword light was enough to make them perish and disappear.
Tao Qian imagined whether he could survive if this formation surrounded and killed him.
The answer clearly emerged: likely not, the formation and this sword intent are too fierce.
"With such proficiency in formation, no wonder the master once said that if Aunt Yunhua were given time to set up an array, even if he joined forces with other disciples, they might not win; now it seems it was indeed not a false claim."
"Aunt Yunhua certainly loves Senior Sister Lingji deeply."
After sighing this, Tao Qian remembered something and looked at the Spirit Marrow Lady in his arms, revealing an expression of remorse.
This lady was left here by Duobao specifically to care for him, Tao Qian.
Yet he unintentionally brought her to such a miserable state the very first time they crossed paths.
The luxurious dress was already in ruins, with wounds and gaps visible on the crystalline body, the countless crystal lights behind her head dimming, her eyes that should’ve been overflowing with rainbow light tightly shut, and the three colorful tear moles turning into void and pale, akin to a shattered crystal beauty, evoking boundless empathy.
The revelation of the Heart Soul in such a way, one can imagine how pitiful her true state must be.
The Record erupting in his mind further warned Tao Qian, delaying any longer might cause severe damage to the lady’s spiritual nature within.
"Is the nightmare energy I emitted so harmful?"
"Lady, hang in there for a bit more, I shall open the star aperture again to summon the purest Source Qi spring."
Saying this, Tao Qian embraced the Spirit Marrow Lady and returned to the star aperture.
The vast formation instantaneously reversed, shifting from a sealing stance to an opening source one.
The star aperture reopened, like an ocean of Source Qi flooding from the Source Sea, crystal light flickering at the entrance forming a large ring, beginning to filter the impurities and evil within the Source Qi, allowing only the purest Source Qi spring to flow into this Small Cave Heaven.
Before long, a star sea was born, more splendid and bright than ever yet incomparably clear.
Tao Qian placed the lady within, observing millions of slightly dimmer crystal lights flicker, a Spirit Marrow Crystal Mountain extending thousands of miles but severely damaged revealing itself, simultaneously sinking slowly into the star aperture.
Accompanied by gurgling sounds, the crystal mountain began absorbing Source Qi to repair itself.
Watching this scene, Tao Qian sighed in relief, simultaneously clicking his tongue:
"Lady’s true form as [Spirit Marrow Crystal Mountain] is considered the toughest substance inside and outside the realm, even divine weapons can’t leave a mark on her."
"Yet being seared by the nightmare energy within me, she turned into this state."
"Though there’s the reason that my nightmare energy overflowed too much and was all blocked and endured by the lady, it’s enough to demonstrate the deadly danger of this ghostly thing."
"Even the master likely didn’t anticipate this, merely believed the lady could take care of me."
Mumbling, Tao Qian calculated the hour with his fingers.
It’s still early, so he didn’t leave the star aperture, but directly sat cross-legged beside the lady.
Settling his spirit and focusing, he began formally contemplating this first experience of Dao Nightmare’s many details and mysteries.
Having experienced it once, Tao Qian knew his "Dao Nightmare" was likely unusual, yet also realized he couldn’t avoid it.
Since it couldn’t be avoided, then first understand it thoroughly then consider how to respond.
Fortunately, the [Innate Spiritual Sensing] given by Senior Sister Lingji dispersed, yet at that moment, Tao Qian still glimpsed many world truths, Great Dao principles.
Plus, with the ample Record, Tao Qian confidently believed he could uncover something.
Earlier, upon awakening, a group of evil came, causing a delay.
Now seizing the lingering resonance, Tao Qian immediately entered meditative contemplation.
...
About an hour later, emerging from the now shallower star sea, Tao Qian woke up.
Doubt and dread lingered in his eyes, but much had also faded.
"Priorly, Master Yuan already explained what Dao Nightmare is, and I know the nightmare energy has distortion power, but no matter how out of control other Ultimate Happiness cultivators become, the nightmare energy within them at most affects a mountain valley, the severe affects a county city, the most formidable affects just a city at most."
"Seeing the lady’s state, if I lose control, the region affected would be extremely massive... the most lethal consequence would be the birth of [Demon Tao Qian] in this realm, causing greater harm."
Pondering this, Tao Qian first recalled the scene of those evils swaying and dancing, knocking around, acknowledging their master, then the world within the Dao Nightmare.
His mouth twitched, swiftly dismissing the consequences subconsciously imagined.
"However, it’s not without good news."
"First, this Dao Nightmare won’t come again in a short span."
"Secondly, I’m not entirely without resistance."
"If every time I experience the nightmare, I can only transform into a demon to witness those atrocious, world-destroying evil deeds, in daze and despair, suiciding in desperation, then there’s no need for further cultivation, better to end it myself while still clear-headed."
"The terror of this ghostly thing lies in ’spirit and body unity,’ a scenario Master Yuan said other Ultimate Happiness cultivators’ Dao Nightmare never had, only uniquely me."
Reflecting on this, Tao Qian’s face naturally turned somewhat grim.
More so, was anger.
His current decision not to end it himself also arises from his abundant experiences culminating in Dao Heart Perfection’s resilience.