The silence only lasted for a single instant.
In the next second, [Sky-shrouding] chuckled lightly. "I didn't expect Senior to have such elegant interests. However, I've long since stopped taking the matters of the past to heart."
—This was a lie.
In truth, every time [Sky-shrouding] recalled the experience of having his fortuitous encounter snatched by a Golden Core Perfected Lord when he was a Qi Refining realm, he couldn't help but tremble with anger.
On the other side, the World Honored One, or rather, Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light, remained expressionless. He maintained that compassionate, gentle smile and said easily, "Only in this place will our karma remain undiscovered. However, time is limited, so Fellow Daoist should speak of serious matters as soon as possible."
"Serious matters."
[Sky-shrouding] forced a relaxed smile. "What is there to say? It's nothing more than this junior having given up on seeking the Netherworld. That path is impassable."
"..."
As soon as these words came out, Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light instantly narrowed his eyes. The depths of his eyes overflowed with Buddhist light. Only after a moment did he speak in a deep voice, "I need a reason."
"The Lord of the Netherworld has awakened."
Rumble!
In an instant, a streak of lightning flashed across the cloudy sky above, causing the entire Karmic Scene to suddenly distort, as if it would completely shatter in the next second.
Seeing this scene, [Sky-shrouding] was instantly somewhat surprised: Just this single sentence actually provoked such a reaction from the World Honored One. Could he know the Lord of the Netherworld?
Just now, because of a momentary slip in Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light's mind, spiritual energy collided and birthed lightning. This lightning was not supposed to exist in history. Because of it, a Perfected Lord almost looked over and discovered this conversation between [Sky-shrouding] and Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light hidden within history.
The result was that the Karmic Scene nearly shattered.
Although Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light quickly pacified all the karmic anomalies, that momentary change in his state of mind just now couldn't deceive anyone.
"...I see."
After a moment, Perfected Lord Brilliant World Dui Light finally spoke again. "When did he awaken? Exactly how clear-headed is he? Has his state recovered enough to command the Netherworld?"
[Sky-shrouding]: "???"
Why are you asking entirely about the Lord of the Netherworld? I clearly came first.
Despite saying so, since the other party asked, it was impossible for [Sky-shrouding] not to answer. After a moment of thought, he continued, "He can already initially grasp the Netherworld."
"If that weren't the case, I wouldn't have escaped."
"Initially grasp..."
Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light once again fell into deep thought. Then, he let out a long breath, looking at [Sky-shrouding]. "If that's the case, then why has Fellow Daoist sought me out?"
"For Tribulation!"
Speaking up to here, [Sky-shrouding]'s true intentions were finally revealed. "I intend to switch to seeking Tribulation and ascend to [Paramita]. May I ask Senior, are you willing to assist me in achieving the Dao?"
In an instant, heaven and earth went silent.
Only the ceaseless wild wind blew their robes, fluttering like two banners in the wind. The two pairs of eyes clashed just like that, neither looking away.
After a long while, the monk in golden robes finally spoke faintly:
"...Are you absolutely certain?"
[Sky-shrouding] raised an eyebrow slightly, asking in return:
"If Senior can point out another path that can extend my Dao path, perhaps there are still variables."
The monk shook his head. "Then you are absolutely certain."
"You certainly have courage. Who told you about the Five Heavenly Destinies? Ao Guang's recent actions have been treacherous and unpredictable, suspected to be guided by a mysterious expert behind the scenes."
"Could it be that you've contacted him?"
His gaze was bright and his smile gentle, yet it only brought a deeper chill to [Sky-shrouding], purely because the World Honored One's control over the mortal world was far deeper than he had imagined.
It could only be said that it was too much like the World Honored One.
As the Dao Lord closest to the mortal world, he thoroughly understood the concept of challenging someone above his realm... [Sky-shrouding] cursed inwardly, but smiled on the surface:
"Does Senior believe I have hope?"
Hearing this, the monk lowered his eyelids.
An unknown amount of time passed before he spoke faintly, "Seeking Tribulation isn't actually impossible, but unlike the Netherworld, this is an army of thousands trying to cross a single log bridge."
"Every Dao Lord has placed their pawns."
The monk's gaze focused slightly, his voice gradually becoming deep. "The Saint Sect naturally goes without saying. That Perfected Qingcheng Feixue is the pawn that person values the most."
"The Sword Pavilion has Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon."
[Sky-shrouding] raised an eyebrow, calculated for a moment, and then said in surprise:
"Foundation Establishment?"
The monk nodded. "The [Sword Dao] simply hasn't emerged yet. Once the [Sword Dao] appears in the world and this person resonates with the [Heavenly Dao], the speed of his rise will far exceed your imagination."
"Outside the Immortal Nexus, the disciples of Heaven-Mending also aspire for Tribulation."
"On the Dao of Dao Arts, Fellow Daoist [Myriad Laws]'s eldest disciple, that [Celestial Master Qingwei Daomiao], even possesses a resolve to fight to the death. He can be said to be determined to win Tribulation at all costs."
Speaking up to here, Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light paused slightly before continuing, "And this is just on the surface. Whether there are Dao Lords placing pawns behind the scenes is impossible to say. Although Fellow Daoist is currently number one in the world, under the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation, the more you are number one in the world, the faster you will die!"
"There are indeed many capable people."
Hearing this, the corners of [Sky-shrouding]'s mouth curled up, and he sneered. "It looks like a magnificent blooming flower, but under Inevitable Fate, are there truly that many people who can seek and attain Tribulation?"
"That depends on the situation."
"What situation?"
Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light smiled. "Specifically, it depends on how great a price that person is willing to pay."
[Sky-shrouding]'s eyes gradually turned cold and sinister.
"Senior's meaning is... as long as that person is willing to pay a sufficient price, whoever he wants to attain Tribulation can attain Tribulation?"
The monk nodded frankly.
"Do you know of the Sword Lord?"
"Back then, after Si Sui perished and the Immortal Nexus was established, for the sake of the [Heavenly Dao], the Sword Lord once went all out and clashed head-on with that person."
As soon as these words came out, a look of surprise instantly surfaced in [Sky-shrouding]'s eyes.
Of course he knew who the Sword Lord was.
The Sword Pavilion Dao Lord!
"...He lost?"
"What else?"
The monk placed his palms together and said helplessly, "The Sword Lord brought the [Heavenly Dao] and fought with all his might. Inevitable Fate and Destiny clashed, nearly tearing the entire light sea apart."
Speaking up to here, a hint of apprehension finally surfaced in the monk's eyes. "At that time, the Sword Lord and that person were actually only one level apart, and with the augmentation of the [Heavenly Dao], if not a victory, it should have at least been a draw... Yet the result was, after fighting for less than fifteen minutes, the Sword Lord lost."
[Sky-shrouding] furrowed his brows even deeper:
"A crushing defeat?"
"Although not exactly, it wasn't far off."
The monk sighed. "The Sword Lord lost, but still had the strength for one more battle. That person won, but was heavily injured, so in the end, both sides reached a settlement."
"The benefits of the Grotto-Heaven method were divided among the four of us."
"The Sword Lord contributed the most and had the greatest strength, so he shared the [Form-Refining Ascension Dao] with that person. Cang Hao and I were slightly inferior, so we had to open up other Dao lineages."
"Now, over a hundred thousand years have passed. That person has already taken a step further. Although the Sword Lord has definitely also improved, I estimate he still cannot compare to that person. Therefore, regarding the matter of Tribulation, if you wish to seek it, whether you succeed or not ultimately depends entirely on how much of a price that person is willing to pay, and how much he can pay."
[Sky-shrouding] fell silent.
However, he quickly raised his head, his gaze piercing cold. "That might not necessarily be true... In this world, Tribulation is not the only thing worth the price that old thing must pay."
"The Lord of the Netherworld is reviving; he cannot ignore it."
"The Ancestral Dragon is not completely dead; he must suppress it."
"Besides these, there might be other variables."
"Add to that the various Dao Lords... Just as Senior said, the more you are number one in the world, the faster you die. If I am like this, could it be that person is not?"
"If he has to pay a price to suppress the matter of the Netherworld, and he has to pay a price to suppress the matter of the Ancestral Dragon, by the time it's my turn, will he still have enough of a price to pay to stop me? A sliver of hope exists for all things. I don't believe he can cover the sky with one hand!"
[Sky-shrouding]'s words were resonant, his Dao heart like iron.
After speaking, he stared straight at the monk before him, his voice rousing: "I beseech Senior to assist me."
"Borrowing my hands to weaken that person, why wouldn't you? If Senior desires Tribulation, that isn't impossible either. In the end, it's nothing more than seeing whose methods are superior!"
Hearing this, the World Honored One closed his eyes.
"The Netherworld, Ancestral Dragon, Tribulation... launching simultaneously. If that person truly falls because of this, the Dao Lords will have to fight tooth and nail. A great chaos will inevitably befall the Light Sea."
"So what?"
[Sky-shrouding] instantly sneered. "Doesn't that perfectly match the concept of Tribulation!?"
(End of Chapter)