Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 259 - 177: Demi Immortals are also Ants

Chapter 259: Chapter 177: Demi Immortals are also Ants

Years seemed like a knife, slicing upon Xuan Yue’s body, transforming a spirited Demi Immortal into an old man in the blink of an eye.

The transformation was so swift that no one could discern his middle-aged appearance, and even Xuan Yue’s prime years lingered only for a moment before he entered his dotage.

"How could this be? How could this be?"

Xuan Yue, his eyes wide, murmured to himself. His lips trembled slightly as a hoarse, aged voice filled with indescribable fear.

It was as if he were a leaking bottle, his life span vanishing at breakneck speed.

Yet he had transcended life span, his body and Divine Soul flawless, neither would age over the years, and as long as a breath of Spiritual Energy existed, he could continue to exist indefinitely. With no inherent limits to his lifespan, how could he possibly age?

A Demi Immortal had two paths: Harmonization and Immortal Ascension; the former cultivates the Dao naturally present in the universe, similar to the Four Symbols and Five Elements, any of which could lead to becoming an Immortal. The latter is to tread on a Dao not present in the universe, like the recently ascended Sword Master.

Whether through Harmonization or Ascension, both merely explain the necessary conditions for becoming an Immortal. It’s like lifting a sea to achieve Immortality—if one’s hands can scoop up the water needed, it would make the channel flow; if not, one would need a container.

A Demi Immortal is the process of creating that container, during which they would acquire traits of an Immortal.

The great Dao manifests and comprehends the Law, the Immortal body and soul obtain endless life spans, establishing a Dao Realm that integrates and unifies both.

"Elder..."

Gu Wen began to speak, but saw Xuan Yue’s transformation was not yet over; his yellowing teeth started to fall out, and his mouth wrinkled due to gum recession.

Atop the Heavenly Altar, Chi Ling turned her head, her eyes wide as she watched Xuan Yue change, her cold voice tinged with a trace of dread, "Have you fallen into the Life Span Tribulation?"

"Impossible! I have transcended life span, how could there be a Life Span Tribulation!"

Xuan Yue, as if his Achilles’ heel were touched, raised his voice abruptly. His originally deep, magnetic voice turned shrill.

He clenched his fist and swung his arm, his body shrinking, and one side of his ill-fitting sleeve fell off, exposing his frail old skin even more conspicuously.

"There must be someone cursing me! Let me use the Revitalization Skill, and then search for traces of witchcraft and evil magic!"

Amid his roar, Xuan Yue brought his hands together, Mana surged within him as if a vast ocean churned.

Without needing Gu Wen to react, Ao Tang had already swept them all into a Flying Escape out of Grotto Heaven. Standing at the entrance and looking back, they only saw the waves of Spiritual Energy caused by the dispersing Mana, the fierce wind made it difficult for them to stand.

Xuan Yue was exerting all his Demi Immortal power, and even the mere aftershocks were somewhat difficult for them to handle.

Gu Wen was able to glimpse the formidable power of a Demi Immortal. This was no longer a mere gap in strength; they weren’t even on the same level.

But such a powerful Demi Immortal, at this moment, seemed like a drowned grasshopper.

If not a full Demi Immortal, then a mere ant?

He thought of Xuan Yue’s words, and now it seemed even a Demi Immortal wasn’t so transcendent.

"Second Ancestor, there’s trouble."

Ao Tang’s aged voice came over. Gu Wen turned his head to see the donkey also showing signs of age, but given its non-human form, it was hard to say exactly how much it had aged.

"Protector, are you alright?"

Gu Wen’s concern was genuine, as Ao Tang had helped him a lot, often leading him out of danger.

Ao Tang shook his head, "No worries, I am originally a Primordial Spirit, but due to earlier damages to my foundation, I couldn’t advance further. Now with the Life Span Tribulation upon us, my lifespan is greatly reduced, but I still have a few thousand years left."

Gu Wen continued, "What is Life Span Tribulation?"

"A Demi Immortal faces a major tribulation every ten thousand years, generally things like the Heavenly Tribulation, Five Elements Tribulation, Seven Stars Tribulation, Six Harmonies Tribulation, etc., collectively known as the three disasters and nine difficulties, ten tribulations, among which Life Span Tribulation is one disaster, extremely rare through ancient times, but each occurrence could drive the universe’s great powers mad."

Ao Tang, seeming weary, lay down and spoke again, "Life Span is divided into human lifespan and Heavenly Life, the latter being the paramount limit, the former the lesser one. The great disaster is hard to change, the lesser easy to alter; ultimately, cultivation is all for longevity, hence there are many life-extending methods in the world."

"Above Mahayana, Dao Realm great powers even possess the ability to defy fate, where a bit of lifespan can be stretched much longer, six thousand years of lifespan can live out more than ten thousand years. Today, the world also experiences a great era of longevity, lifespan is plentiful, so you see many old hands still active."

Hearing this, Gu Wen’s thoughts sharpened, mostly understanding, "The Life Span Tribulation has set the paramount limit, and human life can no longer surpass Heavenly Life?"

"Correct, so that Xuan Yue’s human life is drastically reduced, and without other means, he likely won’t live much longer. Hehe, if not a full Demi Immortal, then a mere ant? Think he transcended life span, but once the great tribulation comes, his true form is revealed."

Ao Tang’s weak voice carried a bit of sarcasm and mockery, he had long disapproved of Xuan Yue.

"There’s another matter, be careful of Xuan Yue. The older a powerful being without death, the more insane they often become."

As soon as the words fell, the winds and clouds changed ahead. Xuan Yue chanted mantras and performed steps as if reciting some sacred scripture, then suddenly pointed towards his brow.

"Energy enters my body, sinking to the primordial sea, grant me human life, swiftly return!"

In a moment, Xuan Yue’s appearance gradually changed, his white hair turned black, wrinkles vanished, and his skin became smooth like jade.

Is it done?

Everyone stretched their necks slightly, Gu Wen suddenly felt a chill at his waist, the cold permeating from the Qiankun Bag, the Taiyin Order made of mysterious iron emitting a faint glow.

He had no time to ponder the reasons for the change because Xuan Yue underwent another transformation, a hint of pallor like ink brushed through his hair.

Then in the next moment, along with his six-foot frame, he began to shrink, his waist slowly bending.

In an instant, he had transformed back into an old man, looking even older than before.