Chapter 153: Lottery
In the stillness of the night,
Chen Chang'an sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed as his mind sank into the system space.
Chen Xingcai had already left. At last, he had time to examine the rewards from this rare adventure.
Within the boundless void floated a faint wisp of existence—it was neither energy nor light, but something more abstract, like a flowing concept. Sometimes it was misty as smoke, sometimes solid as crystal, ever-changing and elusive.
Innate Hongmeng Qi.
Chen Chang'an fixed his gaze on the wisp, and the system interface automatically displayed its detailed description:
[One strand of Innate Hongmeng Qi: contains a trace of unknown Rule Power (random). The host may use it to undergo a single "Dao Integration" experience lasting for one quarter of an hour.]
[Note: This Rule Power cannot grant true Dao Integration. The host must still find the Dao truly suited to him.]
"Dao Integration experience…" Chen Chang'an murmured to himself.
He had long known that above the Saint Realm lay higher realms of cultivation, yet their nature was like flowers in the mist—vaguely seen, never grasped. Now, this wisp of Innate Hongmeng Qi might allow him a fleeting glimpse beyond.
He did not rush to use it immediately but instead took time to sense its nature.
The moment his consciousness touched the Hongmeng Qi, it trembled slightly, as if it possessed awareness. It was not as gentle and obedient as spiritual energy, nor as domineering and sharp as the Laws—it existed beyond such definitions, transcending all the forces he had ever known.
"Unknown Rule…" Chen Chang'an muttered.
This meant he had no way of predicting which Dao he would experience. It could be Destruction, Creation, Time, Space, or perhaps some mysterious law he had never encountered before.
He drew in a deep breath, focused his mind on the wisp of Hongmeng Qi, and chose—
Use.
In an instant, the Hongmeng Qi flowed through his meridians like a stream of liquid light, surging into his dantian before spreading through his entire body.
Chen Chang'an felt his surroundings twist and shift, as though he had been pulled into an entirely new dimension.
As his consciousness became fully immersed in the Hongmeng Qi, the scene before his eyes transformed—
In the vast, endless void appeared a colossal wheel that seemed to cover the heavens. Its surface shimmered with chaotic brilliance, and its edges were etched with countless profound runes, each symbol representing a supreme Dao.
The Three Thousand Daos Wheel!
Chen Chang'an's soul quaked in awe. Upon the wheel were inscribed innumerable names—Time, Space, Destruction, Creation, Causality, Reincarnation… Each Dao exuded a distinct aura, and even from afar, their power made his soul tremble.
The wisp of Hongmeng Qi transformed into a golden pointer at the wheel's center, radiating divine might.
"Let's begin…"
As Chen Chang'an's thought stirred, the wheel began to spin with a thunderous rumble.
Rumble—
The entire void trembled. The names of countless Daos spun past in a blur of dazzling light. As the wheel gradually slowed, Chen Chang'an could finally discern individual names.
"Innate Dao of Time: Master the River of Time, reverse the past, glimpse the future—one thought eternal, a moment spanning a thousand years!"
Chen Chang'an's heart pounded wildly, his eyes burning with excitement. The Dao of Time—one of the most supreme Daos of all! If he could experience it even for a moment, he might glimpse future dangers or find a way to amend past regrets.
As the pointer passed over the "Innate Dao of Time," Chen Chang'an's soul was drawn into a vast, surging river of light—the River of Time itself.
He saw the past like fragments of shattered mirrors, countless shards of history flying around him. Within each mirror flashed different scenes: Xiao Chen practicing swordsmanship by a cliff in his youth; Ji Lingxiu's first cry upon birth; and even far older images—ancient battlefields long lost to the ages.
The future appeared like flickering stars in the mist—uncertain, elusive.
He saw countless branches of fate diverging before him: in some, he stood proud above the heavens; in others, his sect lay in ruins. And in several of the darkest streams, he saw his daughter pierced through by blood-red chains…
"This… is the power of Time?"
Chen Chang'an's soul trembled violently.
In that instant, he understood. The so-called "one thought eternal" was no exaggeration—he could feel it clearly. With but a single touch of a fragment from the past, he could alter a trivial choice; and if he reached into the light of the future, he could even plant an anchor within the River of Fate itself.
Even more terrifying was the power of "a thousand years in an instant."
He saw with his own eyes a white-robed cultivator point at an enemy across the river of time. Though only a moment passed in the outside world, that enemy's lifespan within accelerated a thousand years in an instant—turning to a heap of bones that scattered with the wind.
"If I could obtain this Dao…"
Chen Chang'an's soul burned with longing.
But just as he tried to grasp that revelation, the golden pointer mercilessly moved past the region. In the depths of the River of Time, a pair of golden eyes suddenly opened—their gaze pierced through eternity, locking onto him across endless ages.
Damn!
At once, realization struck him.
This Dao… already had a master!
And it wouldn't even allow a trial. Stingy!
Time to retreat.
The pointer continued turning, slowly halting at the next sector—
"Innate Dao of Space: Command the changes of the cosmos, shrink the earth into inches, shatter the void—cross all realms in a single thought!"
"The Dao of Space isn't bad either!" Chen Chang'an's eyes lit up. If he could briefly integrate with the Dao of Space, there would be nowhere in the world he couldn't go. Even if he met an unbeatable enemy, at least he could escape!
The next instant, his soul was flung into an infinite chaotic void.
There, space revealed its truest form—not a smooth curtain, but countless overlapping transparent crystalline walls.
Each layer reflected a different world: some were vast cultivation realms filled with soaring sword-qi, others were steel planets roaring with machinery, and in a few indescribable dimensions crawled twisted beings so dreadful they could shatter even a True Immortal's Dao heart.
"Shrink the earth into inches?"
As the thought arose, a million-mile landscape beneath his feet folded like a scroll. The once-distant horizon now stood within reach—he could cross it with a mere step. What was more frightening, his body hadn't moved at all—it was the world itself that had shifted around him!
"Shatter the void!"
As his comprehension deepened, he raised a hand and lightly traced the air. Where his fingertip passed, the spatial crystal wall shattered like glass, revealing a swirling rainbow current behind it.
Somewhere in another realm, a demonic cultivator locked in battle was suddenly bisected by a rift that appeared out of nowhere, dying without ever understanding why his protective energy failed.
Chen Chang'an suddenly realized—the so-called "one thought, myriad worlds" was no illusion, but truly the breaking of boundaries between "here" and "there."
Stop! This is the one!
Chen Chang'an shouted inwardly.
But just as he tried to grasp the essence of space, he sensed dreadful wills lurking deep within the crystal walls. A streak of violet light surged toward him, erasing even the concept of space wherever it passed—
This Dao… also had a master!
And it was even crawling toward him through the connection!
Just as the violet light was about to reach him, it suddenly vanished without a trace.
Good job, system!
Chen Chang'an finally exhaled in relief.
Then, as expected, the pointer did not stop—it continued to move forward slowly yet steadily.
It passed through several supreme paths in succession, including the Dao of Thunder and the Dao of Assault and Conquest, until finally—
"Innate Invincible Dao."
The pointer stopped firmly on this section.
"Invincible Dao?" Chen Chang'an froze for a second, then burst with joy. "What a domineering name! Even if it lasts only fifteen minutes, it should be enough to sweep through all enemies. Isn't this the ultimate lifesaving card?"
He eagerly looked at the description below—
"Innate Invincible Dao: With absolute wisdom, avoid all conflicts; with supreme strategy, dissolve every crisis. Attain the realm of invincibility by using every means to evade battle—achieving victory without fighting."
Chen Chang'an: "…"
He stared at the description in silence for ten breaths.
"What the hell kind of Invincible Dao is this?" he finally exploded. "You might as well call it the Turtle Dao!"
So "invincible" here meant surviving by hiding and dodging until the end of time?
Chen Chang'an's mouth twitched uncontrollably. For a moment, he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 2 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 32 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise