Half the Back Graveyard was filled with evil spirits and bones of the dead, while the other half was vibrant with life and spiritual energy. The Back Graveyard occupied a large area, and one could hardly see its end with the naked eye.
Before a spartan house, a young man was seated cross-legged atop an old boulder. His aura was completely withdrawn, his presence ethereal, as though he had become one with his surroundings. Even when one saw him sitting there, one would have a misconception that he wasn’t actually there.
Any cultivator seeing this scene would exclaim in amazement that this young man had actually entered the human heaven unity state.
The so-called human heaven unity was a state that could only be perceived rather than expressed. It was a state that could help one to have a flash of realization and instantly understand many things that one normally wouldn’t. It could also help one easily break through while stuck at a certain cultivation level. Its many benefits were greatly coveted by all cultivators.
Of millions and millions of cultivators, only a few could enter this state. It was obvious one needed a high comprehension ability coupled with luck to enter this state. The youth was seated on the boulder, immersed in the human heaven unity state. Envy would fill anyone looking at him.
The youth was none other than Xiang Shaoyun. Over the past half month, he had been talking about the dao with the gravekeeper elder. First, they talked about the truth of the profundity of powers before moving on to the fusion of different techniques.
He also talked about the Lightning Calamity Fiery Star that he had obtained from the Book Pavilion. He also talked about his personal comprehension in the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist and the Soul Foundation Realm. Finally, he also talked about the development of the Desolation mantra. It was then that he suddenly entered the human heaven unity state.
He felt like his soul had become one with the heavens, as though he was soaring high above the sky, looking at the starry and boundless firmament, observing the numerous mysterious powers that were undergoing various changes in accordance to certain rules.
For example, a certain gold power was streaking by like a golden meteor. For example, a certain flame power was raging furiously, its path unstoppable. For example, a certain wood power had transformed into a tough and thick mountain that was more like a tiny star than a mountain…
Each power was displaying a different profundity, allowing one to comprehend the origin and truth of these powers. The incomplete Desolation mantra was repeated over and over in Xiang Shaoyun’s mind, akin to a bell that was endlessly ringing. It shook his entire mind, and the things that he didn’t understand in the past instantly became as clear as day.
With the mantra’s help, his comprehension of the many profundities deepened. This would greatly improve his future efforts in fully mastering the ultimate secret of profundities. He could also sense the ebb and flow of the stars within him, as though they were resonating with the stars in the sky. The speed he absorbed astral energy multiplied as a result, and his cultivation grew at an unimaginable speed.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay in this state forever. After reaching a certain point of growth, he automatically left the state and returned to normal. However, he did not stop cultivating immediately. His eyes remained shut, and he started consolidating his recent gains.
After an indeterminate amount of time, he finally opened his eyes. His eyes looked completely unassuming, yet they emanated an indescribable sense of spiritualness.
“I did not expect to enter human heaven unity just from talking about the dao with his master. It was a bountiful talk,” lamented Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
He felt as though the clouds in his mind had cleared, and many of his confusions were no more.
“From this talk, you have understood your future path. In the future, you will have to rely on yourself. Nobody will help you. It is all on you to retain a fearless and unshrinking heart,” the gravekeeper elder’s voice rang out.
“Thank you for your teachings, Master,” said Xiang Shaoyun.
The gravekeeper elder was nowhere to be seen, and Xiang Shaoyun did not know where he was. However, the gravekeeper elder seemed to be everywhere and was observing his every action.
“You don’t need to thank me. All your gains originated from your comprehension capability. If you have poor comprehension capability, it will be pointless no matter what I tell you,” said the gravekeeper elder indifferently. “The academy has decided to expel you.”
“What?” Xiang Shaoyun was alarmed.
He had been fully engrossed in talking about the dao and had not considered what the academy would do. Upon hearing this news, he lost his calm.
The other party was obviously at fault. True, he had killed, but they were the ones who had started it. He was also backed by the gravekeeper elder, whom even the grand elders feared. He had thought that even if he was punished, it wouldn’t be heavy. But expulsion had surpassed his expectation.
“Do you find it hard to accept?” asked gravekeeper elder.
“Yes. Master, how can they make such a decision?” Xiang Shaoyun questioned indignantly. He had gone through many trials to join the academy. He had just gotten himself a reputation in the academy, but this happened instead. He couldn’t accept it.
“They made the decision with my permission. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the guts to do so,” said gravekeeper elder.
Xiang Shaoyun was stunned. He had not imagined that the gravekeeper elder had agreed to the punishment as well. He was speechless.
The gravekeeper elder appeared far away, and with a few flickers, he appeared before Xiang Shaoyun and said, “You walk the path of the strongest physique, so you shouldn’t limit yourself to any single location or organization. Each inch of land in the dominion is filled with different experiences waiting for you. They will help you grow, but cultivating in the academy is too peaceful, and it will only suppress your potential, making it hard for you to complete your path. Therefore, I have decided to release you, like I am releasing a dragon back to the sea. We shall see if you can truly soar above the high heavens, akin to a carp transforming into a dragon.”
Xiang Shaoyun sank into thought and realized that the gravekeeper elder was going to start tempering him. Expelling him was the first round of tempering. He would have to rely on himself to thread on the path toward his own dao.
The gravekeeper elder continued, “The academy is already starting to rot. For the coming competition of the four academies, I want you to participate as an individual and distinguish yourself from the rest, teaching all of them a lesson. They will learn how idiotic a decision they have made. If you can’t achieve that, then don’t even mention that you’re my disciple anymore.”
“But how can I join after leaving the academy?” Xiang Shaoyun asked in confusion.
“Nobody owns that place. I have my own method of letting you in,” declared the gravekeeper elder confidently.
