The Eternal Way-Chapter 188: Anomaly

What should have been a journey enveloped in darkness was illuminated by his own Dao Resonance, tearing apart the original darkness and revealing the magnificent sights within this boundless space.

This place was beyond the known world.

It was the true appearance of this universe.

Li Qi felt content yet simultaneously more unsatisfied.

A significant part of his cultivation purpose was to witness grander paths of Dao.

He had already seen such magnificent scenes, but what about beyond that? What kind of scenery lay even further above?!

Countless worlds floated in this sea of void, operating orderly according to some special rules.

Originally, Li Qi wasn't supposed to see all of this because darkness shrouded him.

But the progress bar on him, referred to as Outer Path Dao Resonance by Young Master Zhu, helped him break through the darkness and see the splendid surroundings.

However, the anomaly of the progress bar did not stop there.

At this moment, the progress bar... seemed to have gone wild?

Li Qi didn't know how to describe it, but he could sense that after leaving Tianxia (Under Heaven), a certain 'restraint' or 'suppression' vanished.

Young Master Zhu once mentioned that his progress bar was a manifestation of Outer Path Dao Resonance. Essentially, it was the existence of Dao Resonance, providing information about the surroundings in a way he could understand.

The same Dao Resonance, when manifested on others, might appear as pages floating in the void or bamboo slips instead of a progress bar.

Regardless of its form, it was merely a manifestation.

But now, this layer of manifestation was being burst open from within by an emerging force.

It was like a spring, originally long, compressed into a pancake shape and packaged, looking like an iron disc from the outside.

But now, the weight pressing down on the spring disappeared.

The spring was returning to its original state, bursting open the packaging from inside, restoring its previous form, and stretching itself fully.

The progress bar flickered and then shattered.

Initially, it only tore apart the surrounding darkness, allowing Li Qi to see countless wonders.

But after the progress bar shattered and disappeared, Li Qi sensed that the Dao Resonance was integrating into his body.

In other words, his personal microcosm was accommodating these new rules.

Li Qi didn't know if it was good or bad.

But he couldn't stop it.

The Dao Resonance seemed to have merged with him completely; it was just showing its true form now.

Li Qi felt... he was gaining additional senses.

Previously, this progress bar merely presented what these senses detected in the form of a progress bar.

The essence of this Dao Resonance was... another perspective.

This felt very strange.

Like a blind fish growing eyes.

Blind fish don't have eyes; they are naturally blind, relying on touch and hearing to perceive the world.

Naturally, blind fish were accustomed to a world composed of sounds and entities, without the concept of 'seeing'.

Similarly, humans also adapt to a world made up of sound, light, touch, and taste, which most people consider the world's true appearance.

However, when a blind fish grows eyes and truly sees 'light,' it realizes that the world isn't limited to touch and hearing alone.

Li Qi was this blind fish.

The thoroughly integrated Dao Resonance was the opened eye.

The world, within Li Qi's senses, changed.

Those previously magnificent scenes now included additional elements in his view.

Firstly, gravity.

Li Qi was surprised to find that he could sense the presence of gravity.

He closed his eyes, feeling this strange new sensation.

Not seeing, but another mysterious perception—a novel sensory experience for a human, unlike any of the five senses.

He could feel gravity like chains binding these worlds together.

Gravity spanned all levels and dimensions.

Li Qi felt that the geometry formed by spacetime due to mass created gravity.

Thus, wherever there is spacetime, there must be gravity, and since dimensions and levels inherently contain spacetime and ways to describe it, gravity can transcend all dimensions.

But there was another force pushing these worlds apart, which Li Qi didn't recognize but could feel.

Both forces were in a stalemate, keeping countless worlds neither pushed away nor squeezed together.

Li Qi was astonished to discover he could sense spatial ripples caused by mass-induced spacetime curvature, resulting in gravity, and his current state.

His newfound senses seemed capable of perceiving space itself and possibly predicting?

Wait, spacetime seemed to be one entity.

Time and space were inseparable.

So, the essence of the progress bar was observing space, understanding time, and then... making predictions?

Then, where did the ability to memorize books and learn skills come from after the progress bar was full?

Li Qi was filled with questions, pondering abilities he had taken for granted.

He had grown accustomed to the progress bar, but now, truly leaving Tianxia (Under Heaven) and experiencing changes made him very puzzled, almost forgetting he was in danger.

Since he couldn't control his situation, he decided to explore this phenomenon further.

Thus, like a newborn opening its eyes for the first time, Li Qi began experimenting with his newfound senses.

Firstly, he examined the darkness around him.

These shadows still hadn't disappeared, and his eyes couldn't see them, but through his Outer Path Dao Resonance, he ignored these things. The Dao Resonance provided him with sensations in another way, allowing him to witness the previous magnificence.

This darkness seemed like... a conduit?

He was currently in a narrow tube piercing through space, rapidly transporting him elsewhere.

Within this conduit, he saw many wonders beyond the known world.

Wait, so his abilities weren't related to space!

Li Qi realized this immediately.

All his attention was drawn to space because that was all there was here!

The progress bar... the essence of his Outer Path Dao Resonance, was analyzing everything around him!

Once analyzed, he gained corresponding information!

Realizing this, Li Qi started experimenting with other things around him.

First, the two streams of Metal Qi.

Then his mustard seed bag.

Followed by his clothes, and finally himself.

After about two or three minutes, Li Qi confirmed this was the essence of his progress bar.

No, he shouldn't call it a progress bar anymore.

This was his Dao Resonance.

Similar to Jin Bu Huan's "Listening to Heart Sounds" in Clear Mist City, and the "Demon Seed" held by Bo Yue, a disciple of the Grand Diviner in Earth Oil World.

It could detect things around him, judge their states, analyze them, and upon completion, directly categorize the information in his mind.

The progress bar was merely a manifestation of this Dao Resonance.

Only now did this strand of Dao Resonance reveal its true nature before Li Qi.

Detecting, analyzing, and categorizing into memory.

Seemingly everything fell within the scope of this Dao Resonance's analysis, from simple actions to complex compositions.

"Since then, I'll name you 'True Knowledge.' In the future, when introducing it, I can give it a name like Bo Yue."

"How marvelous, what exactly is the principle behind this? How does it work?" Li Qi exclaimed.

Meanwhile, he realized something.

Without hesitation, he calmed his mind.

He felt that refining Primordial Spirit no longer required the so-called treasure from Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest.

Before reaching Rank Five, nothing surpassed this strand of Dao Resonance!

Even though his teacher was unreliable, Li Qi trusted his judgment!

He would use this to refine his Primordial Spirit!

As for safety, he wasn't worried.

Chan Zhi the monk definitely wouldn't kill him; he needed Li Qi, so Li Qi wasn't concerned about his safety.

Unexpectedly, coming to the outer regions brought such a pleasant surprise.

Free from the suppression of Tianxia (Under Heaven), the Outer Path Dao Resonance returned to its original form, becoming his best choice.

Clearing his mind and suppressing distractions.

Focusing and calming his breath, his personal microcosm actively embraced the complete True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

Refining Primordial Spirit had its own process.

Indeed, all living beings contained primordial unity as their substance, embodying Yin and Yang to establish their nature, and manifesting the forms of the five elements. Where there is form and substance, one can seek knowledge.

Primordial unity as substance was the key to refining Primordial Spirit.

The five mountains and four rivers within his body each had unique qualities, forming the mountain spirits, river spirits, sun and moon deities within him.

The five mountains represented the five elements, the four rivers connected the four directions, and the dual clarity symbolized Yin and Yang.

Primordial Spirit stood independently, its greatest characteristic being featurelessness.

Featureless Primordial Spirit valued harmony.

Harmonious qualities were necessarily bland and tasteless, thus able to harmonize the five materials, change with the seasons, align with Yin and Yang, hence occupying the primary position, deserving the title 'Primordial.'

Primordial Spirit, nameless in quality, was both salty without bitterness, bland without monotony, substantial without ostentation, refined without decoration, capable of inspiring awe or affection, discernment or silence, adapting to external changes, achieving balance and impartiality.

As the central coordinator, Primordial Spirit resided in the brain, perfectly aligning with the characteristics of True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

A well-functioning Primordial Spirit functioned like a complete central mechanism, enabling harmony between Yin and Yang, stability of the five essential qualities, inner wisdom and outer clarity, moving like fire spreading outward, still like metal water reflecting inward.

True Knowledge Dao Resonance transformed from 'Outer Path Dao Resonance' into a part of Li Qi's body, becoming a rule within his personal microcosm.

The familiar progress bar was gone.

Because the essence of this Dao Resonance truly belonged to Li Qi, no longer an external object but a part of himself.

Primordial Spirit was thus formed.

When Li Qi opened his eyes again, the Primordial Spirit had been refined.

With deep foundations, refining Primordial Spirit was a natural progression. Previously, he had merely been waiting.

Now, actively advancing, everything flowed smoothly.

Primordial Spirit was formless yet substantial, filling his entire body, coordinating the operation of his personal microcosm.

Upon successful refinement, Li Qi immediately felt his body became more harmonious and effortless.

Life's principles, wondrous and eternal, naturally evolving, harmoniously pervading every part of his body, seamlessly unified from inside out.

Internal energy circulated effortlessly, like snakes swimming on water, alive yet not stagnant, calm yet not static, spiraling without rigidity, a smooth circle of relaxed energy, free from discord.

Li Qi clenched and unclenched his fist.

Control over power had significantly improved... immeasurably.

Li Qi felt that now he could punch from a hundred meters away, precisely stripping the shell off a boiled egg without harming it.

And he was confident this feeling was correct.

Because with the help of True Knowledge Dao Resonance, he had near absolute control over his body!

Primordial Spirit comprehensively understood his body!

Every muscle fiber, every inch of his personal microcosm, was crystal clear. All secrets were revealed, leaving no part uncontrollable.

Intestines, heart, blood vessels—all under conscious control.

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If he wished, he could even halt metabolism.

Complete control at the microscopic level.

The two streams of Metal Qi were also fully mastered.

With Primordial Spirit condensed, the strength of his personal microcosm increased, enhancing his cultivation.

"True Knowledge Dao Resonance remains, its effects persist, but without the progress bar, it's better—my senses are sharper," Li Qi murmured, then opened his eyes.

Upon opening his eyes, he found himself having completed his journey.

Before him sat Chan Zhi the monk.

Somehow, he had arrived at Chan Zhi's five-level pagoda.

Chan Zhi seemed to have been waiting for Li Qi for some time.

Seeing Li Qi awake, he said, "Young benefactor has remarkable composure. Summoned by me, you showed no panic and even cultivated en route, surpassing ordinary minds."

"Furthermore, your talent is astonishing. At Rank Nine, you've incorporated Dao Resonance into yourself. When my former master bestowed Dao Resonance upon me, I could barely use it at Rank Nine, only fully integrating and manifesting it into this pagoda at Rank Seven. Young benefactor, at Rank Nine, has achieved full integration—truly exceptional talent."

"With superior intellect, outstanding composure, and top-tier talent, surely you hail from a renowned lineage. Could you share more?"

Hearing Chan Zhi's gentle words, Li Qi remained highly alert.

Yet, Li Qi displayed a sincere smile and honestly replied, "I come from Wu Deity Mountain, a practitioner of Wu Dao. Surely, I can assist Great Master in dispelling demonic thoughts and stabilizing your Buddha Mind."

Li Qi didn't mention any past unpleasantness, as if it never happened.