Chapter 250 – When False Becomes True, True Also Becomes False—Immortal Drunk, Thousand-Year Dream

Snap!

Although Zhao Zhongming’s dragon claw pierced through Lu Chen’s body, the expected instant-kill outcome did not materialize. The moment Zhao Zhongming’s claw made contact with Lu Chen’s body, it shattered like a mirror, transforming into countless lotus petals before vanishing from the spot. Shortly after, as streams of lotus petals coalesced in the distance, Lu Chen’s figure reappeared out of thin air.

[Special Talent: Fairy Lotus Womb]

[Effect 1. Immortal Spirit Breath: Increases Spiritual Power limit tenfold. Greatly enhances Spiritual Power recovery speed and purifies Spiritual Power within a hundred-meter radius.]

[Effect 2. Soul Lotus Embryo: Increases Divine Soul strength tenfold. Can condense Soul Petals for movement, defense, attack, etc… Can store Magic Treasures within the Divine Soul for gradual enhancement.]

[Current Soul Petals: 9]

One Soul Petal equals one substitute for death. With Lu Chen’s current Divine Soul strength and cultivation level, he could now condense a full nine Soul Petals, effectively granting him nine additional lives.

Witnessing this, Zhao Zhongming frowned deeply. In that brief moment, he couldn’t discern what method Lu Chen had used to evade his certain-kill strike. Was it a Divine Ability? A spell? Or… a special talent? Zhao Zhongming couldn’t comprehend it.

Though puzzled, Zhao Zhongming didn’t halt his actions. Simultaneously wielding the Great Ying Jade Seal and the Great Ying Rivers and Mountains Diagram placed a tremendous burden on him, even as the emperor of the Great Ying Dynasty. He couldn’t maintain this state for long and needed to end the battle quickly.

Thus, Zhao Zhongming immediately lifted the Rivers and Mountains Diagram and, relying on his formidable cultivation, charged toward Lu Chen once more with an unstoppable momentum. As he surged forward, a miniature version of the Great Ying Dynasty’s landscape seemed to materialize beneath his feet, as if they were now standing atop a shrunken replica of the Great Ying territory.

In this environment, Zhao Zhongming could not only instantly lock onto Lu Chen’s position but also restrict his movements within the area. Had Lu Chen’s Sword Domain not reached the Harmony Realm—allowing him to influence his surroundings—he would have been trapped within the Rivers and Mountains Diagram, effectively confined within a Harmony Realm-like Domain. The consequences would have been dire.

Currently, the Mountain of Corpses Sea of Blood Sword Domain was still clashing with the Great Ying Rivers and Mountains Diagram, significantly diminishing the imperial artifact’s effects. Otherwise, Zhao Zhongming wouldn’t need to personally seize Lu Chen; a mere thought would allow him to alter Lu Chen’s location and bring him right before him. Coupled with his overwhelmingly powerful Dynastic Luck Body, it would be nearly impossible for any Cultivator below the fourth realm to defeat Zhao Zhongming in close combat.

In the blink of an eye, Zhao Zhongming closed in on Lu Chen once more. The golden glow of Luck enveloped his right hand, forming an enormous dragon claw that descended upon Lu Chen again.

Facing the colossal dragon claw, Lu Chen sheathed his Severing Heaven Sword and assumed a drawing stance. Immediately, Zhao Zhongming sensed an immense Sword Intent radiating from Lu Chen.In a daze, Zhao Zhongming seemed to see a colossal figure appear behind Lu Chen.

Though he couldn’t clearly discern the figure’s features,

the trembling from the depths of his heart made him profoundly aware of its presence.

If he had to describe it, it was the same sensation he had experienced when he first encountered a hostile Cultivator before beginning his own cultivation.

Zhao Zhongming had thought that after reaching the third realm, he would never feel this way again.

But upon sensing the unfamiliar Sword Intent emanating from Lu Chen, Zhao Zhongming realized he might have underestimated the world beyond.

With a grave expression, Zhao Zhongming watched as Lu Chen’s Sword… left its sheath.

Clang!

Lu Chen drew the Severing Heaven Sword and swung it in a single motion.

This strike held no special techniques nor any extraordinary Concept phenomena, appearing utterly ordinary.

Yet, this seemingly plain strike not only effortlessly shattered Zhao Zhongming’s dragon claw defense

but continued unimpeded, allowing the intangible Sword Intent to slash directly into Zhao Zhongming’s body.

Splash!

As the Sword fell, blood sprayed.

The protective golden light formed by the Dynastic Luck around Zhao Zhongming was instantly torn open.

Subsequently, Zhao Zhongming’s golden Dragon Robe split apart, revealing a deep, bone-exposing wound.

The gash stretched from his shoulder all the way down to his abdomen,

nearly severing him completely.

For an ordinary third-realm Cultivator—even a resilient Body Cultivator—

such an injury would be unquestionably fatal.

Yet, when inflicted upon Zhao Zhongming, it merely caused him to pause briefly.

Looking down at the Sword wound on his body, Zhao Zhongming said with lingering fear, “Just a bit more… only a bit more…”

Indeed, it was just a bit more.

Had Lu Chen’s Heretical Sword been slightly more powerful,

this strike might have truly ended him.

But a minute difference leads to a vast discrepancy—precisely because of that slight gap, Zhao Zhongming appeared severely wounded

yet not mortally so.

As the Great Ying Jade Seal above Zhao Zhongming’s head showered golden light, the wound on his body healed rapidly within moments.

Apart from the torn Dragon Robe, Zhao Zhongming now looked completely unharmed.

All of this transpired in just a second or two.

The tyrannical nature of Dynastic Luck was displayed unreservedly in this instant.

Unless a vital spot—such as decapitation or a pierced heart—was struck decisively,

any other attack would be futile against Zhao Zhongming.

Witnessing this, Lu Chen, though he had anticipated it,

still marveled at Zhao Zhongming’s methods.

The Heretical Sword, capable of severing all things, had failed to kill Zhao Zhongming.

It wasn’t that the Heretical Sword was lacking, but rather that the gap between him and Zhao Zhongming was difficult to bridge with this technique alone.

At this point, if Lu Chen wished to slay Zhao Zhongming with a single Sword strike, he was indeed slightly short of the mark.

Having confirmed that even the Heretical Sword couldn’t instantly kill Zhao Zhongming, Lu Chen knew there was no need to attempt other methods.

A similar thought arose in Zhao Zhongming’s mind.

Though he had spoken lightly of Lu Chen’s strike,

his heart had been lodged in his throat.

It was only a slight difference this time, but what if Lu Chen found a way to close that gap?

He hadn’t forgotten the scattered Sword blossoms lingering around Lu Chen.Although he still wasn’t certain what purpose these sword blossoms served, he instinctively knew they weren’t merely decorative.

Thus, he absolutely wouldn’t give Lu Chen any more preparation time.

The moment Zhao Zhongming’s injuries healed, he lunged toward Lu Chen once more.

He refused to believe that Lu Chen’s mysterious death-substitution technique came without cost.

Even if Lu Chen could continue using that enigmatic lotus-shattering substitution, there must surely be a limit to how many times it could be employed.

As long as he attacked repeatedly, Lu Chen would ultimately die by his hand.

Breaking all methods through sheer force—this was precisely the principle.

But almost simultaneously with Zhao Zhongming’s movement, beams of azure profound light began shooting skyward.

In that same instant, Zhao Zhongming had already closed in on Lu Chen, striking out with a claw-like attack.

Yet just as before, Lu Chen’s body dissolved into countless petals, vanishing from the spot.

When he reappeared, he had already relocated to another position.

Meanwhile, the ascending azure profound lights surrounding them grew increasingly numerous.

As these azure lights converged in the air, they gradually coalesced into an enormous, extraordinary immortal sword.

The hilt alone measured dozens of meters in height—one could only imagine how terrifying this special immortal sword would be when fully formed.

He couldn’t allow the sword’s formation to continue…

In that fleeting moment, Zhao Zhongming understood his predicament completely.

Either he killed Lu Chen before the immortal sword fully materialized, or Lu Chen would complete the sword and strike him down with a single blow.

There was no middle ground.

Neither side had any room for retreat.

Under such circumstances, Zhao Zhongming’s assaults grew increasingly frenzied.

Like a cornered beast, he desperately sought a path to survival.

But Lu Chen’s soul petals repeatedly rendered his attacks futile.

After several attempts, Zhao Zhongming roughly grasped the principle behind this peculiar ability.

Humans were the spirits of all creation, and Lu Chen seemed capable of transforming himself completely into ‘spirit’ through some method.

In that moment of transformation, all attacks became meaningless against Lu Chen.

Whether spells or divine abilities, they were ultimately composed of spiritual power.

Unless he could achieve the level of annihilating spiritual power itself, he remained helpless against Lu Chen’s soul petals.

At this moment, Zhao Zhongming felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.

He had clearly discerned the nature of Lu Chen’s talent.

He clearly understood where the problem lay.

Yet he couldn’t find any solution.

This helplessness was something he hadn’t experienced since those early days before he began cultivation, when he encountered actual cultivators.

Centuries had passed, and now he was reliving that sensation.

He had cultivated so diligently all these years precisely to prevent such situations from occurring.

Yet now he found himself cornered by a foreign cultivator far younger than himself.

What had all his centuries of scheming been for?

For a moment, Zhao Zhongming felt disoriented.

This confusion caused his movements to falter.

When Lu Chen rematerialized once more, Zhao Zhongming didn’t pursue immediately, but stood bewildered on the spot.

He lifted his head, gazing vacantly at the Righteous Azure Lotus Sword that had already taken shape by three-fifths.

In that moment, Zhao Zhongming felt as if he had returned to that night over four hundred years ago.That night, he possessed no cultivation whatsoever.

Facing dozens of cultivators besieging A Jiu, he could do nothing but watch, just like today.

He had thought that once he controlled the Great Ying Dynasty and stepped onto the path of cultivation, he would never encounter such a situation again.

And the following centuries proved his thinking correct.

Before meeting Lu Chen, Zhao Zhongming believed that even if the outside world was far vaster than the Great Ying, as someone at the Perfection of Three Realms, he should still belong to the category of powerful experts, even if not top-tier.

But Lu Chen’s appearance completely shattered this pride in his heart.

Whether in cultivation or age, Lu Chen was definitely not over fifty years old.

This age couldn’t even be considered old for mortals, let alone for cultivators.

For just a disciple to possess such strength…

Zhao Zhongming didn’t dare imagine how powerful the Azure Cloud Sect elders above Lu Chen might be.

Perhaps only such a place could nurture true Immortals.

At this thought, intense curiosity suddenly arose in Zhao Zhongming’s heart.

“In the Azure Cloud Sect, are there many with strength like yours?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen thought for a moment before replying, “Many.”

Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, even Mahayana…

Without exception, these existences all far surpassed his current strength.

Although Lu Chen hadn’t seen Great Divine Power practitioners at the Deity Transformation Stage or above within the Azure Cloud Sect, he had encountered many at the Nascent Soul Stage.

If nothing else, just the five Peak Lords of the Azure Cloud Sect were all at the Nascent Soul Stage, not to mention those Nascent Soul Stage cultivators in long-term seclusion.

After hearing Lu Chen’s answer, Zhao Zhongming looked up at the sky with yearning eyes.

Though the sky was covered by countless azure lights, it still couldn’t completely obscure the brilliant starry river within the night sky.

Zhao Zhongming seemed to want to see through all this to that broader world beyond.

“If given the chance, I would still like to see the outside world, to visit the world A Jiu spoke of, to go to the places she once visited, to try the food she praised so highly.”

“If I could be just a bit stronger, even just a little, perhaps I could leap out from here.”

“Unfortunately, unfortunately… in the end, I remain nothing but a frog trapped at the bottom of a well.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen’s eyes grew profound. After some thought, he decided to reveal the truth about the Great Ying as he had deduced.

“It has nothing to do with your cultivation level… You cannot leave.”

“Huh? Why?”

Zhao Zhongming appeared very confused upon hearing these words.

In his view, the only reason he couldn’t leave was because Lu Chen blocked his path.

Without Lu Chen, he might have already passed through the inter-realm gate and left this world.

Looking at the perplexed Zhao Zhongming, Lu Chen calmly said, “The truth you see may not be truth, the falsehood you see may not be falsehood… When an Immortal gets drunk, a great dream lasts a thousand years…”

“That gate never existed from the beginning. What you seek was never here.”

“Often, the truth doesn’t represent hope, but… deeper despair.”

Upon hearing this, not only Zhao Zhongming but everyone in the Academy was stunned.

Except for a few with slightly poorer Comprehension Ability, all present were individuals with outstanding Heart-Nature.

In an instant, they understood the message Lu Chen was conveying.And Lu Chen’s understanding of the True Immortal Trial.

“When false is taken as true, true becomes false; where nothing is taken as something, something becomes nothing.”

The so-called True Immortal Trial might have been nothing more than an Immortal’s dream from the very beginning.

Zhao Zhongming, and even the entire Great Ying Dynasty, were merely products of an Immortal’s dream.

What is real?

The Legacy is real, memories are real, the trial-takers are real.

What is false?

The world is false, the Gu Cultivators are false, every flower and tree is false.

If everything was truly as Lu Chen said, then the ‘door’ Zhao Zhongming had been searching for indeed never existed from the start.

Because the moment he stepped through that door, he would have woken up.

And a dream that has been woken from naturally ceases to exist.

Therefore, Zhao Zhongming could never leave from the beginning, nor could he leave.

Lu Chen had thought Zhao Zhongming would completely collapse upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, his expression instead became incredibly relaxed.

As if the heavy burden weighing on his heart had finally been lifted.

He looked at Lu Chen and said with a smile, “Perhaps everything is indeed as you say. We people were nothing but an Immortal’s fleeting dream from the very beginning.”

“But I promised A Jiu that I would bring her home.”

“So even if all of this is false, I still want to see it with my own eyes.”

“After all, even if the world is false and people are false, memories are real, and love… must certainly be real.”

“Moreover, you should have found the location of that ‘door,’ haven’t you?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen showed a strange expression.

Because just as Zhao Zhongming said, he had indeed found the ‘door’ – one that might allow these ‘people’ like Zhao Zhongming to step out of the Immortal’s dream.

He just wasn’t sure whether this ‘door’ would work.

Because before today, he hadn’t intended to test whether this ‘door’ existed.

But since Zhao Zhongming wanted to try, he didn’t mind helping him.

After all, he was also very curious – when a false dream meets real people, could this dream… become reality?

And this ‘door’ was memory.

A forgotten dream is but a bubble.

But a remembered dream could very well become reality.

It was impossible for Zhao Zhongming to both leave the Immortal’s dream and preserve his memories on his own.

Because everything he could access here was false and couldn’t be taken out of the Immortal’s dream.

But while he was false, Lu Chen himself was real.

What he couldn’t take out, Lu Chen could.

Therefore, in a sense, Lu Chen – who had entered the True Immortal Trial with his real body – was the ‘door’ Zhao Zhongming had been desperately searching for all along.

(End of Chapter)