The self-destruction of the Daoist of Space unleashed a terrifying burst of spatial laws.
Haotian raised his hand and pressed down.
The chaotic spatial energy was instantly calmed.
"Another avatar..."
Haotian's face was now filled with rage.
He had been completely played by Zhao Feng.
"Wait"
"He wouldn't expose himself like this for no reason. There must be a deeper purpose."
A realization struck Haotian.
Immediately
He released his divine sense, spreading it across the entire Celestial Court.
"Found him."
"The Celestial Armory..."
"Bold indeed."
With just a touch of divine sense, Haotian located Zhao Feng's aura.
He instantly took another step and vanished.
At that moment
Within the Celestial Armory, where divine weapons and armor were stored...
All the celestial soldiers guarding the hall were already lying on the ground no visible wounds on their bodies, their cause of death unknown.
The treasure hall doors stood wide open.
When Haotian arrived
All the armor and weapons inside had vanished without a trace. The grand hall that once stored the Celestial Court's arms was now empty.
"He escaped?"
Haotian spread out his divine sense again.
But within the hall, there was no longer any trace of Zhao Feng.
"If his avatar was here, his true self must've been here too."
"This Emperor refuses to believe he can just escape like that."
"Pass down my decree seal all Celestial Gates. Let the commanders of each division guard them personally."
"No one no matter who may leave."
Haotian's voice rang out, echoing across the entire Celestial Court.
But what Haotian didn't know...
The moment Zhao Feng's avatar appeared, his true self had already fled using the Mirror of Space to escape.
As for the Kunlun Mirror, a supreme-grade innate spiritual treasure he had obtained in the past Zhao Feng hadn't even used it yet.
Palace of Doushuai
Zhao Feng's Time Dao avatar had already arrived here.
"As expected."
"This Palace of Doushuai, the domain of the Grand Supreme Elder Lord Haotian dares not act recklessly here, nor has he sent his divine sense to probe it."
After looting the Celestial Armory, Zhao Feng immediately rushed to the area around Doushuai Palace.
He had originally planned to wait for Haotian to arrive again then self-destruct once more.
Unexpectedly, this time, Haotian didn't come.
Clearly
Not only because of his reverence for the Grand Supreme Elder but also because he likely thought no one would be bold enough to trespass into his domain.
"Since you've come, young friend, why not enter and meet me?"
An aged voice rang out in Zhao Feng's avatar's ears.
"The legendary Grand Supreme Elder Lord..."
Hearing the voice, Zhao Feng was inwardly startled.
The Grand Supreme Elder...
A figure of a true legend.
Compared to the Heavenly Emperor Haotian, his status was said to be even higher.
In fact
It was said throughout heaven and earth that he was the incarnation of one of the mightiest Saints of legend. After the Saints disappeared, he remained the strongest being in all the realms respected above all.
"I'm just an avatar."
"No need to fear him."
Zhao Feng thought to himself and, without hesitation, walked directly into Doushuai Palace.
The palace doors were open with no obstruction.
As he entered
He saw an elderly Daoist dressed in white robes, seated cross-legged on a prayer mat at the center of the hall.
At first glance
Zhao Feng felt as if this man had completely merged with the heavens and the void.
If not for seeing him with his own eyes, he wouldn't be able to sense even the slightest trace of his existence.
Terrifying.
"To merge with heaven and earth what kind of realm is this?"
"Even with my current divine sense, I can't detect his presence only see him with my physical eyes."
"The Grand Supreme Elder Lord... truly the strongest in all the realms."
Zhao Feng was shocked inwardly.
At this moment, the Grand Supreme Elder was also observing Zhao Feng. A trace of surprise appeared on his aged face.
"You've mastered One Qi Begets Three Purities?"
With just a single glance
He saw through Zhao Feng's avatar and recognized it was not his true self.
One must know even when Haotian first saw the Thunder Daoist form of Zhao Feng, he didn't realize it was an avatar.
Zhao Feng's One Qi Begets Three Purities created three manifestations that appeared completely real limited only by the amount of true essence remaining.
Yet this elder not only saw through the disguise
He instantly identified the technique's very essence.
"Senior, your insight is truly extraordinary."
Zhao Feng responded with a smile and cupped his hands in respect.
"Though I don't know which Dao you cultivate, the level of power within you has already reached the realm of Da Luo."
"You've also cultivated One Qi Begets Three Purities to perfection."
"Where did you acquire such a divine ability?" the Grand Supreme Elder asked curiously.
"From the heavens," Zhao Feng replied casually with a half-smile, making it up on the spot.
Unexpectedly
Upon hearing this, the Grand Supreme Elder nodded in belief.
"It seems…"
"You are someone with immense merit and fortune."
"The Immortal Slaying Sword Formation…"
"One Qi Begets Three Purities…"
"And even... the aura of the World-Purifying White Lotus…"
"You carry great secrets," the Grand Supreme Elder said slowly after examining him for a moment.
At the mention of the World-Purifying White Lotus
Zhao Feng's heart jolted.
"I've never even brought out the White Lotus... and yet he saw it in an instant."
"As expected of the Grand Supreme Elder," Zhao Feng thought to himself in astonishment.
Still
He remained composed. After all, this was merely an avatar.
Worst case, he could self-destruct.
It wouldn't affect his true body.
"Senior, now that you've seen me, what do you intend to do?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
"Why would I need to deal with you?" The Grand Supreme Elder returned a gentle smile.
"Isn't the Elder part of the Celestial Court?"
"I've caused the Celestial Court quite a lot of trouble over the years."
"Today alone, I struck a heavy blow and killed many of their people."
"By all logic, you should be taking action to subdue me."
"What's more…"
"I've spread what the Celestial Court calls a plague. To the immortals and gods, I've become an unforgivable villain," Zhao Feng said with a touch of sarcasm.
"You're referring to this plague?"
The Grand Supreme Elder smiled lightly. With a flick of his hand, a wisp of Miasma of Mortals and Immortals appeared, sealed in place by a mystical force, floating as a black mist.
At this
Zhao Feng couldn't help but marvel. "As expected of the strongest being under the heavens. In the Elder's hand, the Miasma has no effect at all. I can also tell the Elder likely already has a way to resolve it."
The way the miasma floated calm, pure, untouched by blood or spiritual energy Zhao Feng could tell that the Grand Supreme Elder had a solution to it.
"Miasma of Mortals and Immortals…"
"The name is quite fitting."
"The barrier between immortals and mortals… this miasma lies at that boundary."
"A primordial, innate entity like this must be born of heaven and earth. Since it came into your possession, it naturally serves a purpose. The world is using you as a vessel for change," the Grand Supreme Elder said calmly.
Hearing this
Zhao Feng fell into deep thought.
"It seems the Grand Supreme Elder isn't entirely on the Celestial Court's side…"
"Then why does he reside within the Court?"
"He has been refining pills for them…" Zhao Feng pondered.
"So… Elder, are you not planning to resolve the Miasma of Mortals and Immortals for the Celestial Court?" Zhao Feng asked, probing.
"My abilities are limited. I cannot resolve this plague."
"However, I have proposed a method to the Heavenly Emperor urging the sects of the lower realm to cease their slaughter. Only then can the miasma be avoided," the Elder said with a faint smile.
"As expected of the patriarch of the Daoist tradition your heart truly lies with all beings."
"I deeply admire you."
Zhao Feng offered a respectful bow, clearly full of genuine reverence.
It was obvious
With the Elder's strength, he could have neutralized or even destroyed the miasma completely.
Yet he chose not to, allowing it to spread because his concern was for the mortals of the world.
"You need not say more, young friend."
"This world... truly does need some change," the Grand Supreme Elder sighed softly.
"Elder."
"Since you do not intend to strike me down, then may I be so bold as to ask you a few questions?" Zhao Feng sat cross-legged beside the Grand Supreme Elder without any fear.
"Please, ask," the Elder said, gently waving his horsetail whisk.
"Where… did the Saints go?"
Zhao Feng asked directly, without hesitation.
He had once posed the same question to Maitreya Buddha when the future Buddha descended to the mortal world but Maitreya didn't know.
But just because Maitreya didn't know…
Didn't mean the Grand Supreme Elder didn't.
"Why do you wish to know?" the Elder asked in return.
"I once met a being of great power. He told me many hidden truths about the Earth Immortal Realm."
"That the world is filled with the energies of calamity and killing… that spiritual roots and pills suddenly appeared… that the Dao of Heaven is incomplete… all of this began after the Saints disappeared."
"At first, I only entered the Immortal Realm for survival for the safety of my homeland and my people."
"But once inside, witnessing how innocent mortals were slaughtered by immortals and gods seeing them drained of spirit, their flesh consumed how could I, as a fellow human, stand by?"
"To change things… to undo this... I must understand what happened to this world."
"That is why I wish to know," Zhao Feng said earnestly, his expression grave.
"With your current strength, even if I told you, it would do you no good," the Elder said, shaking his head.
Then
He waved his hand.
A Yin-Yang diagram suddenly appeared.
It transformed into a phantom light and descended toward Zhao Feng.
And with that...
Zhao Feng did not dodge because he felt no killing intent.
The moment the Yin-Yang formation diagram fell upon him, the void, the great hall, and even the Heavenly Court seemed to change.
Everything returned to the essence of heaven and earth.
All kinds of laws revealed themselves before Zhao Feng not just laws, but also materialized spiritual energy, tribulation energy, baleful aura… everything in heaven and earth seemed to appear before him. And it wasn't through divine sense it was the true essence laid bare.
"Young friend,"
"What do you feel?"
asked the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord (Tai Shang Lao Jun).
"The tribulation energy in this world… is actually on par with spiritual energy," Zhao Feng immediately responded.
"That"
"is the root of the great transformation of heaven and earth."
"Tribulation energy."
"If, one day, tribulation energy surpasses spiritual energy and completely permeates everything, then the world will face an immeasurable cataclysm heaven and earth will be destroyed."
"The Saints… are the ones who guard heaven and earth. They hold the authority of the Heavenly Dao and suppress all chaos."
"When the Saints were still present, they would restrain and smooth the tribulation energy of the world," the Elderly Lord said slowly.
"But, Senior, you still haven't told me why did the Saints disappear?" Zhao Feng pressed further.
"I can only tell you this the root of it all lies in the Heavenly Dao… and the Dao Ancestor."
"The Saints are no exception," the Elderly Lord said gravely.
"The root lies in the Heavenly Dao? In the Dao Ancestor?" Zhao Feng frowned in confusion, still not fully understanding.
However
He grasped one core truth:
The tribulation energy in the world has become a disaster.
Once it reaches a certain level… the world will collapse.
"Does that mean without the Saints, the tribulation energy can no longer be dispelled?"
"Is this world doomed to destruction?" Zhao Feng asked seriously.
"Though the Saints have vanished"
"The Heavenly Dao remains. Its rules are still in motion."
"The purpose of the Heavenly Dao is to ensure the eternal existence of the world."
"But now… there are too many cultivators in this world, consuming too much spiritual energy. After the Saints vanished, there have been no great tribulations."
"And so, under the Heavenly Dao, the concept of 'immortal longevity' emerged."
"But once immortals discovered the uses of 'spiritual essence,' and some even began fusing tribulation energy into their pills, deliberately refining tribulation energy into spiritual roots, and using blood and flesh for sustenance…"
"That was the beginning," the Elderly Lord said with a sigh.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng seemed to suddenly understand many things.
"Dragons and Phoenixes? Liches and Demons? The Investiture of the Gods?"
"All of those ancient tribulations were, in truth, orchestrated by the Heavenly Dao to cleanse the world of karma-entangled immortals. Even the Three Disasters and Nine Tribulations followed the same pattern to reduce the number of cultivators and maintain the balance of spiritual energy."
"The Saints are gone."
"No great tribulation has come since." Zhao Feng pondered deeply.
"If the Saints are no more, then shouldn't the Heavenly Court take on the duty of maintaining order? Why haven't they purged those cultivators steeped in karmic miasma?" Zhao Feng asked.
The Elderly Lord looked at him intently for a long moment, then replied, "Because of greed."
"With the Saints gone, their positions are vacant."
"The Heavenly Emperor covets a Saint's position. And the Western Buddha also desires it."
"Destiny and fortune are the keys to ascending to sainthood."
"Hence the conflict. Bloodshed. Struggles."
"To gain an edge, both Heaven and the Western Buddhists seek to expand their influence, hoard spiritual essence, and raise beings like livestock. Everything was born from this competition."
"As for the mortal realm… once, the Human Sovereign of mankind severed a piece of land from the Eastern Divine Continent. That land bore nearly 20% of humanity's entire fortune it became the strongest source of destiny."
The Elderly Lord continued, "That… is why the Heavenly Court fixates on the mortal world."
"No wonder," Zhao Feng sneered and nodded.
"That's the root of it all."
After his connection with the Human Sovereign, Zhao Feng had already learned that the last reserves of humanity's fate were sealed within the mortal realm.
"Have you heard of the Eastern Spread of Buddhism?" the Elderly Lord asked.
"I have." Zhao Feng nodded. "It's said that the Eastern Spread of Buddhism was ordained long ago when the Saints were still present. But due to their disappearance, the plan was delayed for countless years."
"The Eastern Spread was indeed a Saint-ordained tribulation a great movement of the Heavenly Dao."
"It was only delayed due to the Saints' absence."
"But…"
"The Heavenly Emperor has already allied with the West and officially approved the Eastern Spread of Buddhism."
"This tribulation will inevitably begin."
"And the true reason the Heavenly Emperor finally agreed was the mortal realm," the Elderly Lord said with a faint smile.
"What exactly is the Eastern Spread of Buddhism?"
"Is it just about bringing Buddhism to the Eastern Continent?" Zhao Feng still had doubts.
"After every great tribulation, there comes merit, and fortune descends."
"It's not just about destiny. It's also about the merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao."
"Though the Saints have vanished, the Heavenly Dao's laws still operate."
"The Heavenly Emperor desires a Saint's seat. Do you think the Western Buddhists don't want the same?"
"Moreover… if Heaven faces a tribulation, the Buddhists do as well."
"The Eastern Spread of Buddhism is their method to weather that tribulation," the Elderly Lord concluded with a smile.
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