The Three Supreme Palaces had little will to fight, and under the impact of the Great Whirlpool, their formation was continuously collapsing.
They were either completely swallowed by the Great Whirlpool or recklessly charged forward, becoming prisoners of the North Sea cultivators.
The battle had reached such a point that even Yang Xizhou was powerless to turn the tide, and his fight with the Dragon Lord seemed unnecessary.
He glanced at the Dragon Lord expressionlessly, found an opportunity, and left.
It seemed that the destiny of the heavens had already inclined towards the Demon Sect; otherwise, how could the battle between the Immortal Sect and the North Sea have become so dire? The Dragon Lord had already exhausted her efforts to stop Yang Xizhou, and with her current cultivation, she couldn’t completely kill him, especially since Yang Xizhou had not yet reached his time of demise.
She gazed at the sword shadow that split the heavens and earth, leaving the North Sea, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips as she returned to the North Sea with a flick of her sleeve.
In the past, Li Qingxun didn’t insist on her doing anything, at most hoping she would lend a hand when the situation changed.
But now she felt she could go further, and as the Demon Sect turned the world upside down, she could also shake the Immortal Sect, erasing this Tai Shang era that was gradually going astray.
The bloody smell on the sea was dispersed by the Great Whirlpool and the hurricane, and the entire North Sea was in jubilation.
They had been under the shadow of the Xuanmo and had been shrinking in a corner of the North Sea for too long.
Now, they were finally able to hold their heads high, how could they not be overjoyed? In the silent deep sea, the currents gently brushed over the fine white sand, revealing the night pearls embedded within, twinkling like stars.
Schools of fish swam among the swaying seaweed and tall corals, undisturbed by the raging tides outside.
On the crystal bridge, Ji Yutang stood with her hands behind her back, and behind her was the majestic and grand crystal palace, adorned with tens of thousands of bright pearls, shining brilliantly.
Suddenly, a sea beast carriage came rushing from afar, and a tall and imposing man with a golden crown stepped down from the carriage, his eyes fixed on Ji Yutang as he bowed to her.
Ji Yutang was somewhat surprised; the man with the golden crown was one of the dragon lords, a pure-blooded true dragon.
He had probably just returned from the battlefield, as he carried a fierce and bloody aura.
After returning the salute with a raised sleeve, Ji Yutang said in a calm voice, “Is the lord here to see me?”
The dragon lord laughed heartily and nodded, “Indeed.” He reached into his sleeve and with a flick, several heads tied together rolled to the ground, one of which was a Yuanshen realm cultivator from the Palace of Supreme Mystery.
He said loudly, “This battle, I did not disgrace my mission.
What does Daoist Friend Ji think?”
Ji Yutang’s eyes narrowed, and she said without showing any emotion, “The lord is truly capable!”
The dragon lord humbly replied, “Not at all, not as much as Daoist Friend Ji.” After a pause, he added, “I heard that Daoist Friend Ji does not have a Dao companion?”
His topic shifted quickly, and Ji Yutang was stunned for a moment.
Before she could answer, the dragon lord spoke again.
“There are very few descendants of my true dragon lineage.
Daoist Friend Ji has cultivated into a true dragon body.
Are you planning to find a Dao companion among the dragon clan?” The dragon lord spoke without subtlety, looking directly at Ji Yutang with a smile, “What do you think of me? We are both in the Yuanshen realm, and the true dragon we could give birth to in the future would surely be extraordinary!”
Ji Yutang: “…”
“The dragon lord might have found the wrong person; she already has a Dao companion.” A cold voice suddenly came out, and Ji Yutang turned to see Li Jingyu standing among the coral bushes that seemed to be burning like fire.
Ji Yutang, coming back to her senses, quickly turned to the dragon lord and refused, “Sorry.”
“It was presumptuous of me.” The dragon lord scratched his head, a bit annoyed, and gave Ji Yutang an apologetic smile before summoning the sea beast carriage and leaping onto it.
The sea beast carriage sped away in the water, disappearing in the blink of an eye, as if no one had ever visited.
“You really are endlessly charming,” Li Jingyu said with a light snort, arms crossed.
Ji Yutang looked deeply at Li Jingyu, and after a long while, she said, “When did I ever have a Dao companion?”
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow and pulled out a contract from her sleeve, waving it in front of Ji Yutang: “You left your divine intent and name seal on it, remember?”
Ji Yutang furrowed her brows, quickly realizing where the contract came from! Back when the Ran Family forced her to marry “Ran Guzhu,” and Li Jingyu came to replace her, causing a scene, the contract was taken by her.
“This doesn’t count,” Ji Yutang said, pursing her lips.
Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang and said casually, “Then how about writing a new one that does count?”
Ji Yutang didn’t respond.
She found it hard to define her relationship with Li Jingyu.
They had done all sorts of intimate things, seemingly close, yet sometimes it felt like they were separated by mountains and rivers.
After the incident in the Chaos Shadow Realm, she didn’t ask, and Li Jingyu didn’t mention it.
After returning to Jiuzhou, they went into seclusion, and now they hadn’t seen each other for years.
Could they still find answers to that past scene? Was it still appropriate to bring it up?
“Have you found any trace of your parents?” Li Jingyu asked again.
A trace of worry crossed Ji Yutang’s brows, and she shook her head, “No.
But I can sense that they are still alive.” Even reaching the Yuanshen realm, one couldn’t easily tear open space to find people lost in spatial turbulence.
Moreover, her parents might not still be in the spatial turbulence; they might have fallen into a small world, making it even harder to find them.
With various matters pressing, she could only temporarily set this aside, as being anxious was of no use.
Either they would reach the Tianren realm, or she would reach that level herself.
Li Jingyu was silent for a while before saying, “They will be safe.” She knew that Ji Mingcheng and Ning Huaizhen were in the Ran Family’s cave heaven, but to avoid causing more trouble, she didn’t bring them out.
Ji Yutang responded with a hum, her state of mind much calmer than before, at least the anger had quietly dissipated.
Her gaze fell on Li Jingyu, and when the other remained silent, she couldn’t find any other topic and could only stand silently on the crystal bridge.
The palace where she resided in Dragon Palace City was just across the bridge, the same place she had stayed before.
The scenery hadn’t changed much, but people were ultimately different from the past.
Ji Yutang’s expression was somewhat dazed, as if a long time had passed, or perhaps just a moment.
Her spirit withdrew from the trance, and she gazed at the rare calmness of Li Jingyu, asking, “With the Demon Sect unified and the destiny inclined towards the demonic path, do you want a whole new demonic era?”
Li Jingyu had little fondness for the past Tianhai Demon Sect and Qingtian Sect, but she was very concerned about the cultivators of Huoxin Palace.
Now that the Demon Sect was led by Huoxin Palace, it was not considered an external path to her.
She had truly resented the Demon Sect in the past, and what she did was not to support the Immortal Sect but to rebuild the demonic path.
“What’s so good about a demonic era? Moreover, reshaping the demonic path is not a one-day effort.” Li Jingyu smiled, her eyes carrying a few traces of coldness.
If a new heaven couldn’t be opened, it would eventually fall into a new “obsession.” The demonic path cultivates turbid evil energy, and the demonic nature rooted in the heart is extremely difficult to suppress.
A single misstep could lead to the evil path.
The Tianhai Demon Sect and Qingtian Sect had been in Jiuzhou for thousands of years, and their transmitted methods were not so easily eradicated.
It wasn’t just about killing their disciples; it didn’t mean everything was over.
Ji Yutang furrowed her brows.
Li Jingyu approached Ji Yutang, raising her hand to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She smiled and said, “Your understanding of the Heart of the Great Dao is still not enough, is it? The next era, it’s all up to you.”
Ji Yutang held Li Jingyu’s hand, her eyelashes lowered, whispering, “Don’t deceive me.”
Li Jingyu tilted her head, her smile deepening, “Even if it’s not, I’ll do my best to push you to that position.” Breaking the Tai Shang era and opening a new heaven couldn’t be demonic or mysterious; otherwise, everything she did would be in vain.
Ji Yutang sighed, “Is this your ultimate goal in getting close to me?” She didn’t need to remove the Heart of the Great Dao, but she had to use it.
She was different from others; what she did had no harm to herself, and it was a win-win situation.
But why did she feel a bit sad when she thought of this?
Li Jingyu didn’t want to deceive Ji Yutang anymore, and she replied softly, “I don’t deny that, but it’s not just for that.”
Ji Yutang released Li Jingyu’s hand, took a few steps back, and nodded, “I understand.” Her gaze passed over Li Jingyu, falling on the scattered pavilions.
The crystal palace, corals, and pearls intertwined into a dazzling scene, like an unquenchable flame.
“After this battle is won, they won’t come again, but the North Sea must leave this sea area and head to the land of Jiuzhou.
Senior Sister Yan and Sister Shen have already returned, finding many fellow cultivators who resist the Tai Shang plan.
“Those people can’t do things without leaving traces.
The two senior sisters plan to find evidence of the Haoran Righteous Path’s attack on the Path of Killing and publicize it.”
Li Jingyu chuckled lightly, speaking slowly, “They are more decisive than I thought.” She smiled again, “Indeed, since it’s a complete split, Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao are not considered traitors to the sect.
The heavenly mechanism is becoming more chaotic.
After this calamity falls, how many people will be able to survive?”
“Are they going to let them create the Tai Shang primordial fetus?” Ji Yutang asked again.
She had already received relevant information in advance.
After the initial “Tai Shang plan” was shelved, the Three Supreme Palaces found a new secret method.
They were determined to bring the Supreme Dao Ancestor into the world.
“Isn’t it good to let them see their dreams shattered with their own eyes?” Li Jingyu asked in return, her eyes filled with a few traces of joy and anticipation.
Ji Yutang furrowed her brows, “I’m just afraid that what is born will be out of control.”
Li Jingyu smiled at her words, gazing at Ji Yutang, speaking softly, “So you need to quickly improve your Dao cultivation, don’t you?” Seeing Ji Yutang nod in agreement, she threw a glance, “After this battle ends, there will be a period of rest, a rare leisure, will you come?”
Ji Yutang was stunned, “Come for what?” But when Li Jingyu approached with a familiar fragrance, meeting those bright eyes, she suddenly realized and bit her lip to refuse.
What exactly were they now?
In the crystal palace.
The bright pearls adorned above, like scattered stars.
But unknowingly, they suddenly outlined a silver moon, stealing the pearls’ brilliance.
The sea corals floated in the water like flames, corresponding to the distant silver moon, half like fire, half like snow.
Ji Yutang lay with her eyes closed on Li Jingyu’s lap, her cheeks still bearing a few dragon scales that hadn’t faded, and the pair of dragon horns on her forehead trembled lightly under Li Jingyu’s fingers, as if still lingering in the ultimate pleasure.
After refusing Li Jingyu, the two returned to the palace together.
But it turned out that any words were unnecessary, the entwined energy stirring the desires of the heart, the true dragon resting in the moon palace, she couldn’t help but draw near.
“Won’t you open your eyes?” Li Jingyu lowered her gaze, smiling at Ji Yutang, speaking slowly, “The true dragon lineage mostly follows the extreme yang path, besides my Taiyin method, who else matches your cultivation?”
Seeing Ji Yutang’s eyelashes tremble, she continued, “After the sun and moon transformation in the Chaos Shadow Realm, this compatibility has further deepened, you can feel it, can’t you?”
Ji Yutang frowned, opening her eyes to meet Li Jingyu’s smiling face, the power driving her dragon transformation gradually receding, the dragon scales and horns slowly disappearing.
Seeing Li Jingyu’s hand still hovering above her, with a hint of regret in her eyes, Ji Yutang was a bit annoyed, pursing her lips, “Why do you talk so much?”
Li Jingyu smiled slightly, speaking slowly, “Isn’t it because you don’t make a sound? Being too quiet at such a time isn’t a good thing.”
“You—” Ji Yutang turned over, ready to sit up, but was pressed down by Li Jingyu.
She furrowed her brows, meeting Li Jingyu’s deep gaze, and the words on her lips inexplicably dissipated.
Li Jingyu continued, “After the Tai Shang primordial fetus is born, we need to join forces to deal with it.”
“What about the others?” Ji Yutang asked.
Even if they had reached the Yuanshen realm, there were still Tianren realm experts above their level.
The Immortal Sect didn’t need to be mentioned, and the Demon Sect had two.
Were they not planning to act against the Tai Shang primordial fetus?
At this point, Li Jingyu didn’t hide anything, smiling slightly, “After the Supreme Dao Ancestor returns, the heavenly mechanism will be turbulent, creating defects and changes, and those at that level of cultivation will naturally continue to climb the Dao path, not necessarily staying in Jiuzhou.”
Ji Yutang nodded, not asking further.
Regardless of whether other forces would join, for her, such a great threat must be eliminated.
She cultivated the Tai Shang lineage’s fundamental scripture and had the Heart of the Great Dao.
If she joined the Tai Shang lineage, it would be fine, but if she remained outside, the high-level cultivators of the Three Supreme Palaces would definitely want to eliminate her.
The conflict between them was irreconcilable.
The sky was clear.
Sunlight shone on the scattered eaves and halls, reflecting bright rays.
In mid-air, a glazed shield appeared and disappeared, covering the entire academy.
This glazed shield was set by the first Confucian sage, named “Nine Thoughts,” and even when the Demon Sect attacked in the past, it was never activated.
But now, the glazed shield was fully open, and the literary aura left by past Confucians turned into countless bright points like stars, adorning it.
In the academy, disciples of various teachings wore different attire, sitting cross-legged behind desks, their expressions inexplicable, with a few traces of sorrow.
Since they severed ties with the Haoran Righteous Path, they faced the pursuit of other fellow disciples of the Haoran Righteous Path, until the palace master Bai Qinglian successfully entered the Yuanshen realm, and their situation improved slightly.
But no one knew how long this peace could last.
“Over in the North Sea, the Three Supreme Palaces were defeated, and several Yuanshen realm seniors were slain,” Yan Shouxia said, her expression solemn.
“Will they go to the North Sea again?” A junior sister asked, her brows full of worry.
Before Yan Shouxia could respond, she continued, “Senior sister, if they come to eliminate us, what should we do?”
“Cooperate with the North Sea,” Yan Shouxia hadn’t answered when a clear voice responded.
Shen Zao entered the academy, her eyes clear.
The wine gourd at her waist swayed with her steps, and her face was unusually sober.
“Their path is flawed, yet they remain stubborn.
To preserve our Confucian Sect’s teachings, we can only do this!”
Yan Shouxia responded, then looked at Shen Zao, “Is there any news from the Path of Killing?”
Hearing this, Shen Zao’s face showed a few traces of anger, and she gritted her teeth, “It turns out that the Haoran Righteous Path orchestrated this, setting a trap! Although the Path of Killing hasn’t completely fallen into the demonic path, it’s close.
Qin Ruoshui also sent news that the clear and turbid energies manifested on the magical artifact are tending towards balance, indicating that after the Path of Killing fell into the demonic path, countless Immortal Sect fellow cultivators returned to the earth, causing the clear spiritual energy to rise.”
They couldn’t tolerate the Path of Killing being forced into the demonic path, and even more so, they couldn’t tolerate attacking fellow cultivators! Those people were probably crazy for the return of the Supreme Dao Ancestor!
Taiyuan Dao Palace.
Yang Xizhou, Han Linchi, and Confucian Sect’s Zhu Deyan sat on meditation cushions, their expressions indifferent.
The failure to attack the North Sea was unexpected, but thinking of the calamity coming, the heavens reducing the Immortal Sect’s destiny, it seemed all too natural.
“In fact, it’s beneficial, as in this calamity, the clear and turbid energies gradually return to balance, meaning we won’t be oppressed by the heavens,” Yang Xizhou said, his eyes full of indifference towards the younger disciples.
More important than these was still the “Supreme Dao Ancestor.” Once the creation body returned to the world, they would have the opportunity to glimpse a higher realm.
Han Linchi said, “Originally, the Demon Ancestor’s arrival was beneficial for our Tai Shang’s return, but the Demon Sect’s situation has changed.
We can’t let Tai Shang follow in the Demon Ancestor’s footsteps.” After a pause, he added, “The Yuan Decree Dutian Seal has changed, and I sensed it, but the one from Wangqing Sect appeared to stop it.
Her current Dao cultivation has reached an unfathomable level.
If the heavenly order changes, the first to achieve it will surely be her.”
Yang Xizhou was silent, deeply wary of Cangzhen from Taishi Palace.
After a long while, he said, “Was the previous one stepping down from the position of headmaster because of a flaw in the cultivation method?” This was a secret of Taishi Palace, and the other two palaces could only hear a few rumors.
Han Linchi pondered for a moment, “It seems so.” The previous headmaster was his mentor, who took over from that one, and it seemed this was mentioned at the time.
“But after she stepped down, she fell into the demonic path, and much related information was destroyed.”
Zhu Deyan asked, “Do you know what method she cultivated?”
At this point, Han Linchi’s expression became more serious, “What I saw that day had two fundamental scriptures, very different from the past.
I don’t know if it was achieved after falling into the demonic path.
Perhaps I should search the Taishi Lineage’s treasure pavilion for related information.” Since he said this, it meant he decided to do so.
He had fallen behind after just one encounter with Cangzhen, indicating that any one of them might not be her match.
Yang Xizhou said, “If it really comes to it, we can only use that method.” Taiyuan Palace enshrined a great treasure of the Dao, left by the Dao ancestor, which could turn the world into chaos and rush into the void.
Yang Xizhou didn’t intend to elaborate, changing the subject, “How is the Tai Shang primordial fetus being nurtured?”
Zhu Deyan: “Three years, at least three years before it can fully manifest.” After all, it was done hastily, and three years was already the best possible, requiring a vast amount of spiritual energy to nurture.
If they were to start a war with the Demon Sect or the North Sea now, it might take even longer.
“Since the North Sea is difficult to suppress, we should focus on urging the Tai Shang primordial fetus.
If we can invite Zui Fo Zun, it would be more certain.” Zhu Deyan suggested, the Path of Killing disciples falling into the demonic path didn’t mean Zui Fo Zun did, and at his level, he wouldn’t be shaken by such matters.
Yang Xizhou and Han Linchi pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Buddha Domain Path of Killing.
Statues of wrathful Buddhas stood tall amidst a stone forest as sharp as blades, with an aura of desolation and killing intent pervading all around.
This lineage of Buddhist cultivators practiced “stopping killing with killing,” immersed in a sea of blood, yet their minds remained untainted.
Their killings were accompanied by karmic sins, which were usually purified by Pure Lotus Zen.
However, since the fall of Ling Mountain, they could only cleanse their sins in the Jingxin Pool.
Their cultivation path made the accumulation of sins a very slow process, as those who fell into their hands were not innocent cultivators, and the heavenly way had already invisibly removed a portion of the karmic burden.
But this time, they had slain those beloved by the heavenly way, the innocent, causing the karmic sins to erupt instantly, beyond what the Jingxin Pool could cleanse.
The vast waters of the Sea of Extreme Karma spread across the Path of Killing, no longer the tranquil pool for washing away sins, but a sea of overwhelming karma.
The turbulent waters of the karmic sea flowed like a vast ocean, a barrier of golden light descended, halting the flood.
Due to the difference in cultivation and path, even a Zui Fo Zun of the celestial realm could not easily touch the waters of the karmic sea.
The bells in the temple rang continuously, never ceasing since the change in the Path of Killing.
At the foot of the mountain, a white-haired female cultivator fiddled with the prayer beads in her hand, a fiery red lotus at her brow.
She walked forward along the path filled with killing intent, her deep eyes showing no joy or sorrow.
Just as she stepped onto the Path of Killing, Feng Yuan, who had been busy with matters of the Demon Sect, finally found a moment of respite.
But before she could catch her breath, she suddenly realized the Buddha child was missing! Her aura connected with Feng Wang, but when she tried to sense the Buddha child Feng Wang, the intertwined aura had completely dissipated! She was unable to trace Feng Wang’s whereabouts.
A pain struck her heart, and blood trickled from the corner of Feng Yuan’s lips.
