There is a beast in the bright morning.

Chapter 264 Preparations for the Next Life

The news of Hao Chen's sermon caused an uproar throughout the universe.

One after another, the auras of saints traversed the endless starry sky and arrived outside the Eastern Heaven Realm, which was known as a forbidden zone for life. This made the usually quiet Eastern Heaven Realm suddenly become extremely lively.

However, the ten-year period has not yet arrived, so the area outside the Eastern Heaven Realm is still shrouded by the Imperial Dao Formation, making it impossible to see what is happening inside.

However, considering that some people might come to hear the Dao in advance, Hao Chen used his immense magical power to move a continent with a radius of about 100,000 li from the Eastern Heaven Realm to the outer starry sky as a landing point for those who came to hear the Dao.

Since there was still some time before the sermon, the sages who arrived earlier gathered in small groups to exchange their cultivation experiences or resources.

However, some busybodies became interested in Hao Chen and the Eastern Heaven Realm: "What rich spiritual energy! It's comparable to the headquarters of a large sect. This continent must have been moved out of the Eastern Heaven Realm by the Eastern Emperor!"

"It should be. I heard that in the distant past, the Eastern Heaven Realm was the Burial Star of the two primordial stars of the universe."

Someone revealed the past of the Eastern Heaven Realm, causing an uproar among the crowd, with many people straining their ears to learn more.

"Hiss, then why did it become a restricted area now?"

"It is said that a protracted war of gods broke out at the end of the mythological period, and even the legendary gods and immortals all perished."

At this time, someone broke the news: "It is said that the God Emperor Wuyue obtained the inheritance of the gods of the mythical era, which enabled him to become an ancient emperor, create a glorious ancient era, and live for 100,000 years."

"Do you think it's possible that the Eastern Emperor also inherited the legacy of the gods? After all, the Eastern Heaven Realm was once the stronghold of the gods!"

Upon hearing this, countless people looked with burning eyes towards the Eastern Heaven Realm within the Imperial Dao Formation, hoping that when they went in to listen to the Dao, they could also pick up the inheritance of the Divine Race.

"Thank God, I'm not greedy. I'll just pick up a quasi-emperor's inheritance."

Someone muttered something, but it drew unanimous disdain from those around them, because in their view, only they themselves had such luck.

……

As time went on, more and more sages arrived with their chosen successors, making this temporary settlement increasingly crowded.

Fortunately, some powerful individuals moved several small stars from nearby star regions and refined them into a continent.

Although its energy was not as great as what Hao Chen had brought out from the Eastern Heaven Realm, it was enough as a temporary place to stay.

"clang……"

On that very day, several incredibly deep bell tolls echoed from within the Eastern Heavenly Realm.

As the bell rang, the imperial array that had been surrounding the Eastern Heaven Realm receded, revealing the Eastern Heaven Realm within.

Within the Eastern Heaven Realm, endless continents floated in the starry sky, with even the smallest continent being no more than 100,000 li in circumference.

At the same time, the surface of the continent was shrouded in chaotic energy, making it appear exceptionally mysterious.

As everyone stepped into the Eastern Heaven Realm, it was as if they had suddenly arrived at the beginning of the world, when all things were evolving. An ancient aura flowed within the Eastern Heaven Realm, making people's hearts tremble.

At this moment, a golden road stretched out from the center of the Eastern Heavenly Realm.

Instantly, countless people hurriedly cupped their hands and said, "Greetings, Eastern Emperor!"

After waiting for a long time, no one heard Donghuang's voice. Instead, they heard a woman's laughter.

Just as everyone was wondering, someone suddenly noticed Su Ruyan standing on the golden avenue.

"Wait, look! What's that white fox in the Eastern Heaven Realm?"

"A white fox? Are you still half asleep? This is a forbidden zone for life, only the east... um, it really is a white fox?"

A group of powerful figures who command respect in the outside world are now staring at each other blankly, looking somewhat bewildered.

After looking at the crowd below, Su Ruyan remembered what Hao Chen had told her: "The teacher is about to begin his sermon, so please follow me."

After Su Ruyan finished speaking, she turned around and stepped onto the golden road, returning to the depths of the Eastern Heaven Realm. Seeing this, everyone flew onto the golden road and followed behind Su Ruyan.

But now, as they looked at Su Ruyan walking ahead, a hint of envy appeared in their eyes, even though she was just a white fox.

"Could the teacher she just mentioned be Donghuang?"

"Isn't that obvious? Besides the Eastern Emperor, who else is in the Eastern Heaven Realm?"

"Why should it? Does this white fox have some special bloodline?"

Ruyan could hear the whispers behind her clearly, and a smug smile immediately appeared on her lips: "That's right, you're all so envious."

Before long, the group followed Ruyan to a magnificent hall.

"We've arrived. The teacher is waiting for you inside." Su Ruyan didn't explain further and stepped into the main hall after saying this. The others quickly followed.

But when they entered the main hall, they discovered that it contained a whole universe within it, so that even with many people, it didn't feel crowded.

After everyone had found their places, Hao Chen suddenly appeared in the main hall.

In an instant, melodious music filled the entire hall, captivating everyone present and making them feel as if they were entering a state of enlightenment.

Hao Chen didn't waste any more words and sat cross-legged in the void: "Today I am giving a sermon. How much you can comprehend depends entirely on yourselves."

In an instant, golden lotuses appeared, Daoist sounds rang out, and Hao Chen's figure merged with all the Dao, manifesting the laws of heaven and earth throughout the entire hall.

Before anyone could even react with surprise, they were completely absorbed in Hao Chen's sermon.

"The Way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way. The name that can be named is not the constant name. 'Nothingness' is the beginning of Heaven and Earth; 'Being' is the mother of all things."

"Therefore, one should always be without desire in order to observe its subtlety; one should always have desire in order to observe its manifestations. These two are the same in origin but different in name, and are both called profound. Profound and yet more profound, the gateway to all wonders."

"The way of heaven and earth is to create all things with the two energies of yin and yang. The principle of human life is to nourish the body with the two energies of yin and yang. Within the body, everything conforms to the principle of yin and yang."

……

A divine chant resounded within the main hall, as if a deity were reciting scriptures. Each word was like a profound truth of heaven and earth, shaking the very core of the matter.

Hao Chen did not explain specific cultivation methods, but only expounded on the great principles of heaven and earth and the way of yin and yang transformation.

Although it was only the most basic explanation, it still enlightened many cultivators.

Even after Hao Chen had finished his sermon, everyone remained absorbed in enlightenment.

Hao Chen waved his hand, drawing in endless essence for everyone in the hall to use for cultivation, and then he flashed away from the hall.

"It's time to think about my future," Hao Chen sighed.

Hao Chen's decision to preach this time was impromptu; he was more interested in clarifying his own moral principles and preparing for his next life.

Upon re-examining the ancient empress, Hao Chen discovered that the divine essence within his body had greatly diminished and was no longer sufficient to support his longevity.

Of course, this may also be related to the current environment of the Dark Universe. Even if one stands at the pinnacle of humanity, one still cannot live as long as in the previous era.

To avoid the ravages of time, one must become an immortal, but given the current state of the universe, achieving immortality through normal means is no longer possible.

"To become an immortal in the mortal world?!" Hao Chen thought of living life after life in the mortal world, constantly transforming, until the years no longer afflict him, then he could become an immortal in the mortal world in an era where it was impossible to become an immortal.

After considering his own situation, Hao Chen shook his head. He felt that the path to immortality in the mortal world was not suitable for him: "The path to immortality in the mortal world takes too long, and he doesn't want to wait that long."

Thinking of this, Hao Chen couldn't help but recall the forbidden zone. The supreme beings of the forbidden zone were willing to cut off their own blades in order to lie low and wait for the path to immortality to open, but this was too unrealistic for Hao Chen.

"To entrust oneself to an invisible immortal realm is too illusory. If only there were a way to transform quickly."

At this moment, Hao Chen suddenly remembered that there was a fragmented secret technique in his cultivation method called Nine Revolutions Devouring Heaven.

This secret method allows one to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, transforming it into a foundation to enhance the physical body, potentially allowing the body to evolve up to nine times.

It was only because this secret technique was too incomplete, coupled with Hao Chen's own Pixiu physique, which made his physical body inherently powerful, that Hao Chen did not cultivate this secret technique.

"If we extrapolate further, it might be used to transform oneself and accelerate the process of becoming an immortal in the mortal world."

Thinking of this, Hao Chen couldn't wait to go into seclusion and deduce the Nine Revolutions Devouring Heaven Secret Technique.

"Ruyan, I gained some insights from the sermon just now. I need to go into seclusion for a while. Please take care of those people outside for me. If they wake up, please send them out." After giving Ruyan some instructions, Haochen turned around and returned to his seclusion place.

In the modern timeline, Hao Chen followed Tian Lu to the entrance of the Deer Man Shop, but suddenly remembered something and quickly called out to Tian Lu, "Tian Lu, you go back first, I'm going to pick up a friend."

"Haochen, you have friends? When did you make them?" Tianlu was very puzzled. He had seen Haochen hatch from the egg and was the one who brought Haochen to the Deer Man Shop.

Thinking of this, Tianlu tilted his head and asked, "Do I know Haochen's friends?"

Upon hearing Tianlu's words, Haochen nodded and said, "Of course I know him."

However, Hao Chen thought for a moment and decided that it was best not to let Tian Lu know the identity of the Four-Faced Beast, so he continued, "My friend said he had seen you before, but I don't know if you remember me."

"Oh, is that so? Then Haochen, come back soon, or I'll eat your dumplings." Tianlu said casually.

Hao Chen clenched his paw at Tian Lu: "I'll be right back. Tian Lu, if you dare to eat my dumplings, I'll eat you."

"Hehe, it's not certain who will eat whom." Tianlu rolled her eyes at Haochen.

"I'm not talking to you anymore. Remember to tell the Four-Faced Beast to prepare an extra pair of chopsticks." Hao Chen said and turned to leave.

Watching Hao Chen's retreating figure, Tian Lu frowned slightly: "Hao Chen's friend, I have a feeling I'll look familiar with him. Maybe we really have met before."

After arriving at a deserted place, Hao Chen stopped, casually opened a spatial passage, and called out to the inside: "Four-Faced Beast, wake up, come out and play! I'll take you to eat something delicious."

"Ugh, it's so noisy!" Si Bu Xiang rubbed his sleepy eyes as he walked out of the passage.

However, upon seeing Haochen, he instantly perked up, picked Haochen up in one scoop, and pressed his face tightly against Haochen's: "By the way, little coal ball, shouldn't you call me Daddy?"

Upon hearing this, Hao Chen felt as if a crow had flown over his head. His expression became somewhat awkward as he recalled the process of his birth and his bittersweet memories with the Four-Faced Beast.

Seeing Hao Chen's reaction, Si Bu Xiang rubbed Hao Chen's cheeks with dissatisfaction, thinking to himself, "I've been ignoring you for so long, and you won't even let me see Xiao Mei Hua."

"Alright, Four-Faced Beast, let's not talk about the past. I'll take you to find Tianlu this time." Hao Chen quickly changed the subject, worried that if they continued talking, Four-Faced Beast would make him change his mind again.

"Little Blue Circle, oh great, I haven't seen Little Plum Blossom in so long."

Seeing the excited look on the Four-Faced Beast, Hao Chen immediately corrected him, "Four-Faced Beast, we're going to find Tian Lu today, not Bi Xie. If it's Bi Xie, we'll have to wait a while, at least until my original body completes its transformation."

"Oh, I see." When Four-Faced Beast realized he couldn't see his beloved Little Plum Blossom, he looked dejected, but he quickly recovered: "It's not bad to see Little Blue Circle, Little Coal Ball, let's go."

"Wait, Four-Unlikes." Hao Chen grabbed Four-Unlikes' tail: "Four-Unlikes, you can't use the name Four-Unlikes later. Just call it Xiangrui for now. I'll tell you the specific reason on the way back."

"Alright!" Si Bu Xiang didn't ask any more questions, trusting that Hao Chen wouldn't hurt him.

"After all these years, the Four-Faced Beast is still as silly as ever." Hao Chen sighed inwardly, but this was precisely what made the Four-Faced Beast so adorable.