Chapter 212: Secrets of the Dao Fruit

Lu Yang was startled. He had heard Daoist Bu Yu discuss rules when he experienced the rules in Buyi Town. Integration Stage cultivators begin to control rules, Tribulation Stage cultivators grasp a broader scope of rules, and Immortals, leveraging the power of their Dao Fruits, control the rules of the entire world.

He never imagined that a Dao Fruit could even create rules like reincarnation. If an Immortal truly created the rule of reincarnation, would they also create other rules? How many of the things that seem commonplace now didn't exist in ancient times but were created later? Why did the unnamed ancient being refine stars into continents? What was the purpose? Was it an embodiment of a rule, or was it to create one?

Lu Yang looked up at the blazing sun in the sky. The fact that the sun was also the moon was impossible in his previous life. The sun, a star people consider the source of life and power, might also be an embodiment of some rule.

Lu Yang barraged Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu with all these questions. She was clearly overwhelmed by their complexity, feeling dizzy.

"Anyway, from what I've seen and heard since my revival, there isn't much difference between now and ancient times. The refining of stars into continents is one notable change, and the sun is another."

"Since you brought up Dao Fruits, I'll explain a little about them."

"However, Immortal Dao Fruits are too distant for you right now. Knowing too much at this point isn't beneficial for your future cultivation. I can only tell you a little. If it were that girl Yunzhi, I could share much more about Dao Fruits... Oh, it seems she doesn't need me to explain any of this."

Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu held up two fingers, counting them as she explained Dao Fruit knowledge to Lu Yang: "Dao Fruits can be categorized into two types, based on the different rules they control."

"The first type is the Time Dao Fruit of the Immortal of Time, which controls the rule of time. The rule of time is objectively existing and inherent. The Time Dao Fruit's purpose is to master these existing rules and modify them according to one's will. Only the Immortal of Time knows the full extent of these modifications."

"The second type is my Immortal Dao Fruit, which controls the rule of immortality. The rule of immortality is one I created; it never existed before. It only affects me... oh, wait... and Bu Yaolian too. So, the rule of immortality affects both me and Bu Yaolian, though its effect on him is far less profound than on me."

"Bu Yaolian's nascent Immortal Dao Fruit only allows him to appear on any statue. It's the most superficial aspect of the rule of immortality, primarily for escape. If he dies, he cannot revive."

"I'm different," Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu said, grinning confidently as she spoke of herself. "As long as my name is uttered, regardless of time, location, or language, I can revive! Ying Tianxian and the other four are incredibly envious of this ability!"

"Too bad for them, they aren't capable enough to form an Immortal Dao Fruit." Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu was smug. As the self-proclaimed leader of the Five Ancient Immortals, her statement certainly held some validity.

Lu Yang suspected that Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu had eaten his cooking, then, on the verge of death, experienced a profound enlightenment, comprehended the true meaning of immortality, and formed her Immortal Dao Fruit. He believed she had simply automatically deleted any unpleasant memories after forming it.

"Then there's Ying Tianxian; his Dao Fruit also created a rule from scratch: the Tribulation Rule."

"The Tribulation Rule?"

"Its most common manifestation is undergoing lightning tribulations. You see, cultivators from Nascent Soul to Soul Transformation, and from Soul Transformation to Void Refinement, all face lightning tribulations now. This is a recent development; in ancient times, cultivators didn't need to undergo them."

"Ying Tianxian believed that cultivators were blindly pursuing power and speed, neglecting their mental state and losing the original meaning of cultivation. So, he formed the Tribulation Dao Fruit to add a test for them."

"Facts proved Ying Tianxian's decision correct. With the advent of lightning tribulations, cultivators began to prioritize their mental state, diligently facing the trials, and no longer casually experiencing spiritual deviations."

"The Tribulation Dao Fruit is a classic example of a rule being applied globally, imposing an additional rule on everyone."

"So, you understand now? If someone achieves immortality after I die and forms a Reincarnation Dao Fruit, it would be similar to my situation and Ying Tianxian's – creating a rule from scratch."

"I just don't know if this reincarnation rule would affect specific individuals or everyone."

Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu further explained, "If it affects specific individuals, it generally means the holder of the nascent Reincarnation Dao Fruit could continuously reincarnate, thereby achieving an alternative form of eternal life."

"If it affects everyone, then everyone, including you, Meng Jingzhou, Mang Gu, and Tao Yaoye, would have past lives. However, I think this possibility is unlikely."

"Why?" Lu Yang pressed.

"Think about it: if everyone is reincarnating, wouldn't that mean the total number of souls in the world is fixed?"

Lu Yang nodded.

"Then have you ever considered how souls appeared in ancient times, before the rule of reincarnation existed?"

Lu Yang was startled; he had never considered such a question.

Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu continued, "In ancient times, when a fetus developed in the womb, it would automatically draw in vital essence from heaven and earth. This essence would converge to form a soul. This vital essence is intangible, without substance, imperceptible, and undetectable."

"The origin of souls has always been a mystery. After the five of us became Immortals, we jointly deduced and discovered a previously unknown substance in the world called vital essence, which is the source of souls."

"The birth of souls can be considered a rule; let's call it the Soul Rule for now."

"If the reincarnation rule affected everyone, it would inevitably conflict with the Soul Rule. An unavoidable conflict between a created rule and an existing one is a major taboo when forming a Dao Fruit."

"An Immortal who controls a Reincarnation Dao Fruit wouldn't allow such a conflict to occur, unless they were foolish."

After hearing Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu's explanation, Lu Yang remembered a question: "Immortal Maiden, can your rule of immortality apply to everyone?" If the rule of immortality could cover everyone, it would mean everyone would be eternally immortal. This was an irresistible temptation for mortals.

Immortal Maiden Bu Xiu dismissed Lu Yang's idea: "When I first formed the Immortal Dao Fruit, I did have that thought. I wondered, aren't people desperately striving to improve their cultivation and vie for resources precisely to become Immortals and achieve eternal life?"

"If I made everyone immortal, wouldn't the world become peaceful?"

"When I shared this idea with Ying Tianxian and the others, they reacted strongly and collectively prevented me, telling me I couldn't entertain such a thought."