Chapter 460 – Two Great Dao Fruits: Lord of Mount Tai

Mastering the law of death and exploring Fated Death through the powers of cosmic extinction, Fixation, and infinity—this was Mu Lin’s gain from advancing, and also his first Dao fruit.

Yet at this moment, Mu Lin’s enlightenment had not yet ended.

—This was the benefit of launching this grand battle.

Billions of Demonic Fiends had died because of him, which deeply entangled Mu Lin with death and created immense karma, making it exceptionally easy for him to comprehend death.

At the same time, cleansing the world of Evil Spirits and demonic monsters was akin to purging a virus for the world, easily earning him abundant favor from the Heavenly Dao.

The combination of these two factors meant that Mu Lin’s enlightenment during his advancement lasted far longer than he had imagined.

However, by now, Mu Lin’s insights into death had been fully sorted and reflected in Fated Death. To continue exploring further, he would need to accumulate anew.

Seeing this, Mu Lin in his state of enlightenment immediately shifted direction. He ceased probing death and instead began to explore—the power of calamity.

This was the law second only to death in Mu Lin’s grasp. Delving into it could most rapidly enhance his strength, especially in terms of destructive power.

Whether it was Calamity – Earthquake or Calamity – Great Sun, both demonstrated its formidable might in this regard.

As before, Mu Lin began by gathering this world’s knowledge into a unified whole, then used his mind—now a hundred times more perceptive after enlightenment—to continuously comprehend and integrate it.

While understanding this world’s knowledge, some knowledge from his past life was also blended in by Mu Lin.

The collision of metaphysics and science ignited countless sparks of inspiration, exploding within Mu Lin’s mind.

“Calamity… storms, floods, earthquakes, meteorites, droughts, heavy snow… all things in nature harmful to humanity can be called disasters, natural disasters!”

“But human tribulations, or the calamities of life, extend far beyond natural disasters—there are also man-made calamities and other misfortunes.”

“Being struck by weapons is a killing tribulation… illness is a disaster tribulation… even aging is a form of tribulation… entropy increase is also…”

Under the Unity of Heaven and Man, Mu Lin gained a new understanding of the talent of calamity and comprehended the essence of disasters from another perspective.

And the talent of Calamity Monarch allowed Mu Lin, upon understanding a disaster, to become an Avatar of that calamity.

Just as now, he could become the Earthquake Demon God or Calamity – Great Sun, and could also evolve into the Virus Monarch or Storm Sovereign.

However, during this process of comprehension, Mu Lin discovered something—most natural disasters feared by humanity are but a fraction of the power of Heaven, and these are forces naturally derived by the Heavenly Dao, not specifically targeting humans.

“Calamity… the power of Heaven…”

Understanding the essence of natural disasters, currently being in a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, and possessing the talent of Calamity Monarch… gradually, through the fusion of various abilities, Mu Lin comprehended a new ability, or rather, characteristic.

Its name was—Avatar of Heaven!

As the name implies, this allowed Mu Lin to become a fragment of the Heavenly Dao, bearing the power of Heaven, making himself the touchpoint of the Heavenly Dao in the Mortal Realm.

Because it bore the power of Azure Heaven, Mu Lin in this state possessed nearly limitless power and could freely command wind, rain, Thunder, as well as natural forces like earthquakes and volcanoes… well, these powers could also be called the Power of Calamity.

Of course, such immense power naturally did not come without drawbacks.

First and foremost, the power of the Heavenly Dao is vast and boundless, far beyond what the fragile human body can withstand.

Receiving even the slightest infusion of heavenly power, Mu Lin’s emotions would become extremely indifferent under the Avatar of Heaven. Over time, his personal feelings would completely vanish, leaving him an empty shell.

Of course, at this point, Mu Lin would not be dead—in the cultivation of the immortal path, there is a term that perfectly describes him in that state: Dao Fusion. He would merge with Heaven and unite with the Dao.

However, an individual’s will cannot withstand the baptism of an entire world and the countless messages of myriad beings. At that point, Mu Lin in Dao Fusion would neither die nor truly live.

And this was absolutely not what Mu Lin desired.

“The state of the Avatar of Heaven must not be prolonged.”

Beyond this, the Avatar of Heaven had another flaw, or rather, a prerequisite.

Azure Heaven is supremely impartial and devoid of personal emotions, akin to a cold machine. As such, it would never entertain thoughts of descending to the mortal realm for amusement. Moreover, due to its impartial nature, it would not easily bestow its power upon others.

Consequently, for Mu Lin to activate the Avatar of Heaven, there was a prerequisite: only when calamities or disasters threatened the world’s safety or hindered its development, requiring their eradication, could Mu Lin pray to Heaven and borrow the power of Azure Heaven.

“It can only be used against enemies outside the world. Within the world, as long as they do not obstruct its development, even if they are mortal enemies of mine, Azure Heaven will not intervene or lend me its power…”

Despite its various flaws, the Avatar of Heaven was truly formidable. Merged with Heaven, its power was limitless, granting Mu Lin the ability to confront and even kill a Celestial Master.

Moreover, although the Heavenly Dao would not lend its power to Mu Lin under ordinary circumstances, during battles against formidable foes, the insights gained from elevating his realm and manipulating the power of Azure Heaven would not vanish. Instead, they would remain within him, becoming part of his foundation.

“Additionally, although I borrow the power of Azure Heaven to strike my enemies, I also contribute effort in the process. Thus, the impartial yet emotionless Azure Heaven will grant me merit… or in the context of a fantasy world, this should be called—Merit!”

“With enough accumulated Merit, I could not only borrow power during ordinary times but even Ascend to Godhood or Sainthood through Merit, or forge Merit Mystic Treasures.”

Soon, Mu Lin had sorted out the various abilities, advantages, and disadvantages of the Avatar of Heaven.

At the same time, everything about Mu Lin had been refined into the True Spirit Karma Diagram. All the principles and laws he understood, along with his insights, were fully manifested within it.

Now, as Mu Lin advanced, it was clear that the texture of the diagram in his hands had changed, gaining a trace of sublime sacredness. Simultaneously, the Divine Positions within the diagram were rearranged, revealing a seventh tier—Celestial Master.

Within the Celestial Master tier, there were two Divine Positions. The first, unsurprisingly, was Mu Lin’s King Yama Divine Position, which governed the law of death and Fated Death.

Beside the King Yama Divine Position was another Divine Position of the same level, evolved from the Avatar of Calamity—the Avatar of Heaven.

After a moment of hesitation, Mu Lin renamed it—Lord of Mount Tai.

“The God of Mount Tai, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, not only holds dominion over death and commands souls, but in many myths and legends, because Mount Tai lies in the east—the place where the sun rises and the origin of all things—the God of Mount Tai also possesses the power over life.”

“In numerous myths and legends, He governs the birthright of all living beings (plants, animals, and humans). As the Avatar of Mount Tai, He is the sacred messenger between the Azure Heaven and the Mortal Realm, the protective deity through whom emperors throughout history received the Mandate of Heaven to rule the world…”

Succession of the old by the new, stabilizing the nation and securing the people; prolonging life and achieving immortality; blessings, prosperity, and official ranks; determining the high and low, the noble and the humble; the timing of life and death, and the command over ghosts and spirits. Governing the 365 paths of deities in the world, and presiding over the Ten Kings of Yama and the Eighteen Levels of Hell in the Netherworld… all these are the functions of the God of Mount Tai.

“Now, my Avatar of Heaven can manifest only by borrowing the power of the Azure Heaven, which bears some resemblance to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak.”

Of course, Mu Lin’s Divine Position is only somewhat similar to that of the legendary great deity, but its power is far inferior, and many of its abilities and authority are not yet under Mu Lin’s control.

At this moment, Mu Lin’s Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak possesses only calamitous powers such as storms, thunder, volcanoes, earthquakes… As for the rest of the powers—

“Hmm, various human calamities, even fortune and misfortune, also fall under calamities and are under my command. Thus, I can bestow fortune or misfortune upon mortals, or absorb them… So, prolonging life, blessings, prosperity, and official ranks are also within my grasp.”

In Hell, as the Emperor of Fengdu, he governs death and reincarnation.

In the Mortal Realm, as the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, he commands storms, volcanoes, earthquakes, and other calamitous powers.

These two revered Divine Positions are the two great fruits of Mu Lin’s cultivation.

Looking at them, Mu Lin feels satisfaction but harbors even greater ambition.

“The power of the world’s dark side, I have already touched.”

“The power of the Yang World, through the calamitous powers that advanced my Avatar of Heaven, I have also gained some mastery.”

At this point, Mu Lin suddenly looked up at the sky.

“But the power of the outer realms and the stars, I have yet to reach.”

“Emperor of the Purple Tenuity, this will be my third supreme Divine Position.”

“And when the powers of the outer heavens, the Mortal Realm, and Hell are unified into one, that will be the moment of my Trinity.”

“At that time, I will be the Jade Emperor, ruling over all heavens and leading the myriad saints. I will possess the ability to dominate the cosmos and create all things.”

King of Gods, Supreme Sovereign of All Heavens.

This is Mu Lin’s ambition.

Of course, he is still far from achieving this step.

At present, among the three great fruits of cultivation he envisions, the Emperor of the Purple Tenuity has not even a shadow.

The Divine Position of the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak is even more unreliable, functioning only when there are enemies within the world.

Moreover, even if this Divine Position were offered to Mu Lin, he would not dare to occupy it for long.

Among the three great fruits of cultivation, only the Hell fruit has been deeply accumulated by Mu Lin.

Yet now, he is merely a King Yama and cannot claim the title of Emperor of Fengdu, for although he can judge all living beings, he cannot determine the life and death of deities.

“Ah, I still have to work hard!”

(End of Chapter)