"Fortunately, I have already glimpsed enlightenment; the Dao Nightmare arises from the Heart Soul."
"My soul is unique, thus this nightmare is also unique."
"The first time I was unprepared, losing the initiative. The next time I encounter the nightmare, I should have a little control at the point of manifestation, and the judgment time for the Abnormal Soul will be shortened... On the following encounter, the control will increase, and the judgment time for the Heart Soul's true desire will shorten again..."
"Time after time, until I break through the Dao Nightmare, comprehend my own Dao from it, and then break through the Daoist Transformation Tribulation, truly stepping into the Daoist Transformation Realm."
"However, to truly achieve this, I still need to make other preparations and have some contingencies ready to prevent me from losing control and becoming a Fallen Demon."
"Ah, thinking back now, I relied too much on [Exemption from Abnormal Soul]. Now that reliance has backfired, and I've been caught off guard."
"Does this experience count as paying the price for past exemptions?"
Tao Qian's final thought was very determined.
The things he experienced in the Dao Nightmare World might not seem significant to some, but Tao Qian felt the cost was substantial.
If he had a choice, he would rather give up all his treasures and divine skills.
Unfortunately, it was a done deal.
Tao Qian had no time nor desire to lament any further; he just glanced at the Spirit Marrow Lady beside him.
The replenishment speed was still acceptable, but the injuries were not light and would take a few days to recover.
Though the Spirit Marrow Lady regarded him as her master, calling him Young Master.
Tao Qian couldn't truly pull rank, so before leaving, he seriously saluted and thanked her, then said:
"Fortunately, the Spirit Marrow Lady protected me this time, otherwise, the disaster would have been severe."
"Please rest assured while you heal; no external factors will disturb you, and you needn't worry about the depletion of this array. My Aunt Yunhua has prepared adequately; this formation can last for a hundred years without issue."
"After I resolve the hidden dangers within me, I will visit the Spirit Marrow Lady again."
After saying this, Tao Qian received a response from the Spirit Marrow Lady.
Smiling slightly, the somewhat anxious Tao Qian left the Star Aperture, exiting the Secret Realm.
Tao Qian was in such a hurry for a reason.
Though he knew that the "Dao Nightmare" wouldn't return in a short time, the sooner he prepared his contingencies, the more at ease he would feel.
Without delay, Tao Qian first sought Master Yuan for advice, then consulted with the elders, uncles, and aunts within the Mountain Gate regarding the Dao Nightmare. He even disregarded any potential embarrassment and sought Aunt Pan Si, who had read all the scripture books and Secret Books, and finally went directly to find Aunt Ma Yi, who had the highest cultivation.
After going around, Tao Qian's expression did not change.
No surprise, as the result was anticipated.
Verification without error!
His Dao Nightmare was indeed the most unique. Updates are released by ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ญโข๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎโข๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ต
Other Ultimate Happiness Realm cultivators, even Aunt Ma Yi, never experienced "Spirit and Body Unity" in their nightmares or upon awakening, let alone released that kind of twisted mutation, attracting numerous Evil Demon God Descendants from the Great Abyss with Nightmare Energy.
"Truly hit the jackpot!"
"The Dao Nightmare, though dangerous, isn't considered a tribulation. For other Ultimate Happiness Cultivators in the world, it's a method of questioning the Dao Heart, helping cultivators seek the Dao."
"That's why the likes of Lingwa, Kongchan, Xiu Zhonglin, and Lian Sha Arhat, whom I encountered before, only feared the final hurdle, the [Daoist Transformation Tribulation], and never mentioned anything about the Dao Nightmare."
"Mine is truly one of a kind."
"Who would have thought!"
"My good fortune is indeed notable in the world."
"Could it be that my bad luck is also the top in the world?"
Tao Qian muttered as he returned to his Spiritual Resonance Cave Mansion.
Then, he began preparing his response strategy.
"The first thing that could help me resolve the dangers of the Dao Nightmare is Senior Sister Lingji's [Innate Inspiration]. But since it was gifted, once used, it dissipated."
"If Senior Sister Lingji was still around, perhaps I could shamelessly ask for more. Unfortunately, her life and death are unknown, forcing Aunt Yunhua to search the world."
"None of the other elders, Master Yuan or the aunts, have a solution, even Aunt Ma Yi is without a way."
"Aunt Pan Si was eager to consult the Scripture Hall, which naturally had to be stopped. If she keeps reading, she'll mutate first."
"Helpless, I have to seek help from my true backing."
With this thought, Tao Qian immediately set up an incense table in his cave mansion, purified his body, concentrated his spirit, burned incense, and prayed, chanting the 'Spirit Treasure Disaster Relief Life Protection Scripture'.
He was calling for the Heavenly Venerate's help.
However, after one recital, he found there was no response, not even a ripple.
After pondering for a moment, his expression slightly changed at a realization.
"Last time, during the fight with the alchemist, I recited the Life Protection Scripture several times."
"For some reason, the Heavenly Venerate did not respond."
"Could it be that I've already used up this opportunity? Such rotten luck?"
Tao Qian murmured, feeling utterly helpless.
The true powerhouses of the Spirit Treasure Sect, the ones who might help him, such as the Sect Master, the second-generation ancestors, and the Lingbao Tianzun... are all in the Outer Realm.
To seek communication with them, apart from reciting the Life Protection Scripture, one can only go to the Biyou Palace to perform rituals and light Daoist incense.
But for Tao Qian, he does not have the qualification yet.
Even if Duobao Daoist were to revive and return, during ordinary times without grand events like the "True Inheritor Assembly" or the "Absolute Immortal Assembly," he still cannot summon the ancestors and Heavenly Venerates.
Of course, if Tao Qian really disregarded his dignity and insisted on doing so, he might be permitted considering his great achievements.
But for now, Tao Qian cannot bear to lose face and resorts to seeking help due to Dao Nightmare.
Will he need to do the same in the future when facing the "Daoist Transformation Tribulation"?
"Besides the Heavenly Venerate, there is a divine spirit to consult as well."
"Moreover, the excuse is perfectly fitting."
As he spoke, Tao Qian had already taken out a special treasure.
The object was smooth and fierce.
Holding this object, Tao Qian showed no signs of hesitation on his face.
With his spirit visualizing a majestic figure residing deep in the Great Abyss, he immediately stirred his mind and loudly declared:
"Previously, your disciple relied greatly on you, accruing much debt, now I repay it all at once."
Tao Qian's palm loosened, and immediately, the tile flew up voluntarily, transforming into invisible divine light, hitting Tao Qian's smooth forehead with a series of thuds.
A fine tile, even though Tao Great Master reached the Perfect Realm of Ultimate Happiness.
But subjected to these punches, the skin remained unscathed yet the head buzzed, and golden stars danced before his eyes.
Initially, Tao Qian followed the plan of "debt repayment," and should not be affected.
However, it seemed Tao Qian lost his sanity, once again wielding the tile to continue the hits.
While hitting, Tao Qian shamelessly said:
"Your disciple knows that the most respectful of you, senior."
"But of late, your disciple encountered a troublesome matter, and with your invincible divine skills, surely there's a solution..."
Originally, the tile struck merrily.
But as Tao Qian spoke up, the Toad God realized it was deceived, and the tile paused accordingly.
Tao Qian, this rogue, truly cunning.
First, repaid past debts, then offered a series of hits voluntarily.
Afterward, brought up a request for help.
Upon hearing, the Toad God Tile stopped mid-air, neither hitting nor not hitting.
Fortunately, compared to other divine spirits, the Toad God had a peculiar and unique temperament, being both lazy and frank.
Soon, it seemed to understand.
The previously pausing tile instantly transformed into a bright divine light, hitting even more merrily.
Accompanied by a dull thud, the formidable Lord Suppressing Evil True Master Tao within his own cave mansion was struck staggering.
In a daze, Tao Qian seemed to hear some indistinct, mysterious laughter from the distant depths of the Great Abyss.
Simultaneously, the void above Tao Qian's head split open.
Numerous Golden Ingots and Treasure Beads routinely poured down, intermixed with an incomparably bright golden light.
Appearing, it flew directly into the Toad God Tile.
Accompanied by a peculiar toad sound, the Spiritual Resonance Cave Mansion trembled.
Immediately, Tao Qian sensed a change, the Toad God Tile in his hand had turned different.
Originally, this tile was an extraordinary treasure.
Now with the Record triggered, first the expression on Tao Qian's face showed delight, followed by a hint of helplessness.
Unable to hold back internally, he couldn't help but complain:
"You senior are no longer satisfied with hitting my head from afar, nor satisfied with me doing it myself, planning to handle it personally in future?"
PS: This chapter is wordy, as it's a setting supplement, won't be repeated in the future.