Chapter 1241 - Speaking of That Couple

Light Sea, Immortal Nexus, Primordial Saint Sect.

Heaven-Mending Peak.

Unlike its appearance in the past, the current Heaven-Mending Peak was truly magnificent; the scale of a single peak was now equivalent to the entire former Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea.

What met the eye was a mountain peak that looked like a pillar of white jade reaching toward the heavens, thrusting straight into the clouds.

Its peak fiercely pierced through the heaven and earth of the Immortal Nexus. At the very tip, a dao fruit known as [Pomegranate Wood]—the wonder of the dao fruit named [Mending the Heaven Flaw]—was continuously injecting supreme wonders into the deepest depths of heaven and earth.

Just then, inside a certain cave abode on this brand-new Heaven-Mending Peak .

"RUMBLE!"

Accompanied by a loud crash, two flashes of divine ability light rose, intertwining and colliding. Even though their auras originated from the same lineage, they fought without mercy.

For a time, gazes from all over were cast in this direction.

"It's them again. That couple."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. How many times is this for this year? It's to Chen Taihe's credit that he can endure it. Given his cultivation, he hasn't killed Lady Ruoxiang yet."

"You're joking. Does he dare?"

"Everyone remembered what happened back then. Lady Ruoxiang... she is no ordinary person. She was the one who publicly caused trouble with the Dao Venerable back in the day."

"That scene, it's said that Uncle Chongguang still remembers it vividly to this day. The Dao Venerable's brilliance and martial prowess were already beginning to show back then. Although his strength was inferior to Chen Taihe's, he cleverly used the strategy of sowing discord, the 'green hat' strategy, and the strategy of slaying the heart, ultimately pitting Chen Taihe to death on his path to impacting the late-stage!"

"Seniors, what is this matter you speak of?"

Some newcomers to the Saint Sect , who hadn't had the fortune to witness that scene, couldn't help but ask, immediately drawing enthusiastic responses from quite a few Saint Sect Perfected Ones:

"You don't know?"

"Then I really have to tell you about it. When the Dao Venerable was at Heaven-Mending Peak back then, he was truly magnificent, carving out a legendary reputation..."

Meanwhile.

In mid-air, the two clashing flashes of divine ability light gradually ceased. Neither could do anything to the other; Lady Ruoxiang was because her cultivation hadn't reached that level yet.

As for Chen Taihe—he didn't dare.

How many years had it been? He would only talk tough, cursing her as a "vile woman," but to actually injure Lady Ruoxiang? He truly lacked the guts.

At this thought, Chen Taihe couldn't help but grit his teeth. He looked at the woman standing directly ahead, dressed in a fire-red long dress, possessing a flower-like countenance and moon-like beauty, her every look revealing a mature charm, and said in a deep voice: "Ruoxiang, I won't waste words with you. I only need to borrow this place for my future cultivation..."

"Get lost."

Before his voice had even faded, Lady Ruoxiang sneered and interrupted this former Heaven-Mending Peak Master: "This cave abode is the family business left to me by my ancestors."

"You, and you want to borrow it?"

"Chen Taihe, I have already done my best for you. Look at that couple in the Dao Court next door; Xiao Ru is the truly ruthless one—she even sold out the Dao Court ..."

As soon as these words were out, Chen Taihe's expression became incredibly stifled: "Could it be that you didn't sell it out? Don't think I've forgotten, back then, you vile woman..."

Before his voice had even faded, Chen Taihe shut his own mouth.

On the contrary, Lady Ruoxiang looked completely unbothered, arms crossed over her chest: "What? Say it. Keep saying it. Let's see if you dare to say it."

"What did I do?"

Chen Taihe: "..."

Seeing that Lady Ruoxiang had no intention of avoiding the subject and seemed to wish the whole world knew, Chen Taihe's face turned faintly green.

Especially since some Saint Sect Perfected Ones who knew about what happened back then were now looking at him with mocking gazes, making him so angry he felt like he was going mad. However, as a qualified Saint Sect Perfected One, a greater fear helped him maintain his sanity, preventing him from saying anything disrespectful.

Therefore, after thinking it over carefully, he could only sneer:

"Fine, fine, fine... Ruoxiang, you really are shameless, but what of it? He has long since transcended and left the world. Do you think he will still secretly come to have a clandestine meeting with you?"

Chen Taihe had originally intended to mock Lady Ruoxiang.

After all, they both hailed from Heaven-Mending Peak—when I claim to be considerate and you claim to have a taste for meat, who among us isn't a veteran of countless battles?

And someone like you dares to aspire to the Dao Venerable?

Keep dreaming.

—That was what Chen Taihe had originally thought. However, soon his voice grew lower and lower, and the certainty in his tone began to waver.

The reason was simple—when he said the words "clandestine meeting," Lady Ruoxiang, who had been acting like a tigress, suddenly seemed to think of something. Her beautiful eyes turned watery, and her cheeks flushed with a visible crimson, as if she were recalling something intoxicating.

Chen Taihe: "???"

Could it be... No, impossible!

"Impossible!"

Chen Taihe opened his eyes wide in fury, and the taste of blood even surfaced in his throat—for a Foundation Establishment Perfected One, this was a sign of being so angry that it harmed his heart.

On the other side, Lady Ruoxiang also seemed to realize something. She abruptly put away her charming, intoxicated look, coughed once, and then said coldly: "In short, you cannot live in this cave abode anymore. At most, I can let you find a hut outside. He seems to prefer having a Dao companion."

"When he comes in the future, you can also help show the way..."

Chen Taihe finally couldn't take it anymore.

"No—!!!"

In an instant, divine ability light exploded. Snowflakes drifted through heaven and earth, the north wind whistled. Chen Taihe mounted a green streak of light and vanished into the distance in an instant.

Watching Chen Taihe flee while coughing blood, Lady Ruoxiang finally gathered up all her emotions and returned to her indifferent state, looking up at the dome of the firmament.

Then, she sighed silently.

'I managed to trick him away after all, sigh.'

Chen Taihe was actually not wrong. Lady Ruoxiang herself knew clearly that while He appeared to love all sentient beings, He was heartless.

If she still had use to Him, that would be one thing, but now she was merely a useless person, a mere skin and flesh—how could He come looking for her for this reason?

Being allowed to use His name to bully others was already heaven's grace.

But come to think of it—

'Back then, what exactly did that Great Lord do to Chen Taihe? Why does it feel like his fear of that Great Lord is even greater than I imagined?'

Immortal Nexus, a secret location.

A green streak of light passed through the sky, wandering through the void, and finally landed steadily within a courtyard in an empty, remote small city of a mortal kingdom.

Soon, the light faded.

Chen Taihe stepped out of it, his previously grief-stricken and indignant expression having returned to calm. He looked with a hint of complexity at the person who was meditating in the courtyard.

That was a young man whose face always carried an indelible bitterness. The tightly furrowed brow carved a deep "chuan" (川) character on his forehead, as if it would never loosen. He sat cross-legged, fingers forming a seal, eyes closed, seemingly intently cultivating some technique.

"Xinan..."

Chen Taihe spoke in a low voice. Toward this son of his, his perception was actually very complex, carrying both the heartlessness and contempt of treating him as "material."

However, on the other hand.

Recalling the memories from within that [Banner], he couldn't help but recall the days and nights they had supported each other and struggled through together.

At that time, he was a newcomer. Although he had higher attainments in dual cultivation techniques, his ideological awareness hadn't kept up. It was Chen Xinan, who was already highly skilled in the business, who constantly enlightened him, even proactively teaching him how to do things so that he could adapt to these emotions—which were also genuine.

If one had to say, it was mutual sympathy in their misfortune.

However, as things stood, the person who had left indelible trauma on the bodies and minds of this father and son pair now sat high above.

Revenge? Resentment?

He wouldn't dare!

At this thought, Chen Taihe felt another wave of despondency. Yet, he saw that the meditating youth seemed to feel a resonance and suddenly lifted his head to look at him.

"...It is Father."

[Chen Xinan]'s expression was calm. Although the bitterness on his face could never be erased, he had already found much more release compared to the image in Chen Taihe's memories.

In the next second, [Chen Xinan] said lightly:

"I intend to join the Shitu (Buddhist Order)."

"...Ah?" Chen Taihe was stunned upon hearing this.

Immediately after, he heard [Chen Xinan] say in a peaceful tone: "I will not hide it from Father, but I have already seen through the mortal world and realized the supreme Buddhist philosophy that 'powder and makeup are but skeletons'."

"Everything is an external appearance of skin and flesh."

"There is no need to keep it in my heart. Of course, the most important thing is that the World Honored One is in the Shitu; he should be able to find a way to thoroughly erase my memories related to that."

"Or perhaps directly use 'Change Cause and Altering Effect'?"

"I have heard that the World Honored One has a very good relationship with that one. As long as the karma is slightly modified, the events back then would completely become as if they never happened..."

Is that true?

As soon as this was said, Chen Taihe's eyes brightened slightly, then he realized [Chen Xinan]'s idea: "You joined the Shitu , is that what you want to do?"

Joining the Shitu meant becoming a "World Honored One" .

And [Chen Xinan]'s experiences, even among Saint Sect cultivators, were of a rather prominent type. If he became a "World Honored One" , it would be somewhat annoying to people.

After all, that would mean [Chen Xinan]'s experiences would become the "World Honored One" 's experiences.

And "One Mind" could truly foster empathy. Because of this, perhaps the World Honored One would take action to modify the relevant karmic history?

"A good method, I'm coming too!"

For [Chen Xinan], the nightmare that could not be shaken off was, for him, the very same! Now that there might be a way, of course, he also wanted to give it a try.

However—

"Foolish."

In a place where neither of them could see, a woman dressed in white, her appearance gathering qualities of icy coldness, charm, and deep affection, shook her head:

"It is nothing more than a problem of one's gender."

"If you can't even see this clearly, it's no wonder that even with the restart of the Light Sea and the grace of the Dao Venerable, your cultivation hasn't made any progress, and you are still only a Foundation Establishment Perfected One."

"And—"

At this, the woman in white even added a hint of a smile: "Defecting to the World Honored One? A lower-level cultivator is only a lower-level cultivator; they can only see this little bit. They don't even know that the World Honored One and my Heaven-Mending Peak are closely related. In the World Honored One's eyes, their little experiences probably don't count for anything."

"More ridiculously, the World Honored One has probably already seen it."

"[Bu Tianque]!!!"

Light Sea, a certain small world, on the small cliff where the four senior and junior brothers had once clashed, [Shi Tianyi] 's roar echoed through the sea of clouds, filled with utter anger.

On the other side, a stunningly beautiful youth, whose gender was indistinguishable, revealed an embarrassed smile. While scratching his head, he said: "Master Eldest Senior Brother, you misunderstood. I have no interest in that rabbit; I was just testing whether my dual cultivation technique could work on non-humans..."

At this, the stunningly beautiful youth looked excited:

"The result is—it doesn't!"

"I just used a bit of strength, and that rabbit exploded. This is a classic case of technique mismatch. My size is clearly a bit too large for that rabbit."

"...Absurd!"

[Shi Tianyi] pressed his forehead helplessly: "You are already a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, a rabbit... you'd spit it to death just by spitting at it."

"Not to mention..."

At this time, his knowledge was still limited and his face thin, so the World Honored One could not say that term, only looking at the stunningly beautiful youth with a "you know what I mean" gaze.

However, the stunningly beautiful youth seemed extremely unconvinced: "This is not the rabbit's flaw, it's the technique's! Dual cultivation should be a great love. How can there be a mismatch just because of strength? In short, my next project is to improve the technique so that even a rabbit can withstand it..."

"Enough, enough!"

[Shi Tianyi] hurriedly interrupted the stunningly beautiful youth, then sighed heartily. Then he saw, not far away, the masculine youth walking over triumphantly.

"Yo, Bu Tianque, Eldest Senior Brother."

"Lian Tiandou , what happened to you again?" A bad premonition arose in [Shi Tianyi] 's heart.

In the next second, the masculine youth said heroically: "I just caught a rabbit outside. Let's have a feast today, brothers!"

[Shi Tianyi]: "..."

He looked at the rabbit in the masculine youth's hand, whose hind legs were clearly twisted—as if they had been forcibly pried open—and whose pair of red eyes had long since lost their luster.

"RUMBLE!"

In the blink of an eye, [Shi Tianyi] decisively gave the rabbit a quick death, then used sound transmission to tell the masculine youth all the cause and effect.

To tell the truth, he had assumed the masculine youth would be startled and was already thinking about how to soothe him. Who would have thought that after hearing it, the masculine youth's eyes lit up: "Interesting. You want to modify the technique? As it happens, I also have a pill refining technique I want to modify. Why not exchange ideas first?"

"Good, good."

Seeing the masculine youth's attitude, the stunningly beautiful youth also revealed a heartfelt smile: "Since Senior Brother Lian Tiandou has the interest, I am also happy to discuss the Dao."

The two of them hit it off unexpectedly well.

Watching the two of them leave together, [Shi Tianyi] finally let out a sigh of relief. Yet, before this breath was fully released, another explosion came from not far away.

"RUMBLE!"

Immediately after, a figure shot up into the sky. A laugh of great ambition echoed in all directions: "Wahahaha! This Daoist here has finally broken through again!"

Following that, the figure sped over.

Simultaneously, the sound also came: "Now I am also mid-stage Qi Refining. Come, come, come! Let's fight again! Whoever loses will have to be the youngest junior brother..."

Bang!

Looking at the child before him, [Shi Tianyi] revealed his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation while grabbing the child and putting him over his knee, then raising his hand.

"Awoooooo——!!!"

Long after, the child's shrill screams finally ended. He limped away, and before leaving, he still had red, teary eyes, declaring, I will definitely return.

Watching him in this state, [Shi Tianyi] could only sigh in secret:

'This is too terrifying.'

Only now, after truly communicating with the child, did he realize this child before him was not at all the eight-year-old he had judged by appearances.

Strictly speaking, he was currently only three years old!

It was as if he were an Innate Sacred Being; he could inhale spiritual energy from the womb, walk the moment he landed, speak in three days, and before a hundred days had passed, he was already eloquent.

"Where exactly did Master find such a freak?"

[Shi Tianyi] really couldn't contain his curiosity, but also felt a sense of urgency. To keep his position as Eldest Senior Brother, it seemed he would have to work even harder.

Just then.

"Myriad Treasure."

A peaceful voice suddenly came from beyond the heavens, ethereal as an immortal, immediately making [Shi Tianyi] lift his head to look toward a hut in the center of the cliff.

Immediately, a heartfelt smile appeared on his face:

"Master? You are back?"

Side Story 4: A Strange Child is Born

Light Sea, Immortal Nexus, Primordial Saint Sect.

Outside the Light Sea .

Unlike any of the secret realms or grotto-heavens within the Light Sea , this domain possessed no profound wonders, nor any dazzling brilliance. There was only a rustic tea table.

On either side of the tea table were two cushions, also entirely devoid of any divinity. Yet, strangely, when the majesty of the Dark Void—which could make countless people lose themselves—fell around the tea table, it was as if it had fallen into an abyss; it was completely swallowed, unable to stir the slightest ripple on the tea table.

At this very moment.

Two figures sat facing each other on the cushions on either side of the tea table. Their appearances and temperaments were different, yet they gave an indescribably similar feeling.

Soon, the tea guest at one end spoke.

It was a youth dressed in Daoist robes, wearing a warm smile on his face, his eyes brimming with a vast, ocean-like Light of Wisdom, as if profundity were flowing within:

"Fellow Daoist Nether Whisper, this [False-Holding Deity Transformation Method] of yours is still too crude. It only provides an outline, without concrete implementation methods."

As his voice faded, at the other end of the tea table, the white-robed, white-haired youth smiled helplessly: "There is nothing to be done; my cultivation only supports me in deducing it to this step. Borrowing the [Door of Transcendence] to forcibly elevate one's stature is theoretically feasible, but in practice, it is truly a case of 'a clever housewife struggling to cook without rice'."

"That is why I have come to seek guidance from Fellow Daoist."

Facing Patriarch Nether Whisper's praise, [Dao Tianqi] waved his hand somewhat shyly: "You praise me too much; I am just a few years older than Fellow Daoist Nether Whisper."

"Even without me, I believe Fellow Daoist could have resolved these problems after cultivating for a while longer."

"Fellow Daoist is too modest."

Patriarch Nether Whisper shook his head: "The origin of my Light of Wisdom is clear by now; it is thanks to that child Lu Yang, not solely by my own power."

"Compared to ordinary people, I might have the edge."

"However, compared to a 'naturally sacred' being like Fellow Daoist, it is still lacking by quite a bit."

Hearing this, [Dao Tianqi] smiled: "Light of Wisdom is not unique; cultivation ultimately depends on the person... But, Fellow Daoist Nether Whisper, why did you deduce such a technique?"

"Just a meager effort."

Patriarch Nether Whisper seemed somewhat helpless: "The Final Tribulation has not been eliminated; that child Lu Yang is actually under pressure, after all, he shouldn't be considered too strong among [Deity Transformation] practitioners."

"As time goes by, I worry about some accident occurring."

"And if we could promote a few [False-Holding Deity Transformation] practitioners through secret methods, perhaps we could help him share some pressure and resolve the Final Tribulation in advance."

After speaking, Patriarch Nether Whisper sighed: "I am not skilled in combat; I can only use my brain for such things. I must ask for your help, Fellow Daoist."

Hearing this, [Dao Tianqi] composed his expression: "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist."

"Since it concerns the Final Tribulation, I will never shirk my duty. However, deducing techniques cannot be done behind closed doors; perhaps I must ask other Dao Lords for advice..."

As the words fell, he looked at the jade slip in his hand.

"...Heh."

Just then, [Dao Tianqi] seemed to suddenly think of something, a smile curling the corners of his lips, drawing a curious look from Patriarch Nether Whisper:

"Fellow Daoist."

"...Pardon my amusement, it's just that the current scene reminded me of some childhood memories." [Dao Tianqi] relaxed his brow, his smile growing increasingly bright.

"Looking back to those days, Eldest Senior Brother often brought all sorts of techniques to find me, asking me to help him deduce techniques. Back then, Eldest Senior Brother had many tricks—sometimes using enticements, sometimes coercion... It was only later that I learned Eldest Senior Brother was acting under the orders of that person to test my quality."

"That person..." Patriarch Nether Whisper's expression tightened slightly.

Things had reached this point; [Dao Tianqi] no longer feared it. He nodded decisively, then looked up toward the [Door of Transcendence], and said with a light smile:

"Correct, it was the [Primordial Saint] ."

"Now that I think about it, he should have been preparing for the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] at that time, which is why he had to conduct a final inspection of talents beforehand."

"I was young at the time, naturally knowing nothing of this."

"Senior Brother Heaven-Mending and Senior Brother Pill Cauldron were slightly older, but their Light of Wisdom and cultivation were both lacking, so it was hard for them to notice subtle changes."

"Only Eldest Senior Brother."

"His Light of Wisdom was second only to mine, and his cultivation was high."

At this point, [Dao Tianqi] 's expression grew increasingly gentle; the terrifying memories of the past were no longer dark: "He should have been aware of it at the time."

"Greetings, Master!"

Arriving before the hut in the center of the cliff, [Shi Tianyi] bowed respectfully immediately. When he looked up again, a blurry figure had already appeared before him.

It was a youth.

The youth's appearance was not striking; one could even describe it as ordinary—at first glance, he looked like a mortal one could find anywhere in the mundane marketplace.

"Congratulations, Master, for coming out of seclusion."

[Shi Tianyi] accompanied the words with a smile. After bowing, he rubbed his little hands together and came to the youth's side: "Thanks to Master's cultivation, this disciple has recently made progress in cultivation."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, the youth glanced at [Shi Tianyi] , then reached out and touch his wrist. After sensing for a moment, he nodded slightly: "[Qi Refining] reached Great Perfection."

"Quite fast. It seems you indeed have a very high talent in the art of [Artifact Refining] . I see your foundation is solid; do you not intend to attempt Foundation Establishment immediately?"

"It's too dangerous."

[Shi Tianyi] shook his head, his face lingering with fear: "This disciple actually has a feeling—if one entrusts their own life entirely to the art of [Artifact Refining], while it can certainly elevate one's stature, it is like hanging oneself beneath the Great Dao, with nothing underfoot. If one is the slightest bit careless, the Dao will dissipate and the person will perish..."

"This is Foundation Establishment ."

The youth remained noncommittal and said lightly: "Building the foundation of the Great Dao, ascending the gate of immortality—only by stepping into this realm can you truly be called a person."

[Shi Tianyi] was startled: "Foundation Establishment ... is the only way to be considered a person?"

"Master, what does this mean?"

The youth did not answer, only smiling: "You will naturally understand in the future. But seeing you say so much, you must want me to protect you during your breakthrough, right?"

"Hehehe."

[Shi Tianyi] immediately revealed a shy expression: "You cannot hide anything from Master. Foundation Establishment is too dangerous; only if Master watches me can this disciple feel at ease."

Having said this, he added with excitement: "In the future, when I have achieved success in cultivation, I must change this dangerous way of cultivation. Let every Foundation Establishment cultivator have something to step on, to consolidate their own cultivation, so they don't have to have their lives hanging beneath the Great Dao like this."

"Ambitious."

The youth nodded: "Alright, close your eyes and focus. I will protect you... As a master, I have one major task to entrust to you after you break through to Foundation Establishment ."

"Got it."

With infinite trust in his master, [Shi Tianyi] closed his eyes directly and began to impact the Foundation Establishment realm, while the youth continued to watch him with a gentle smile.

'...'

In the next instant.

The smile vanished.

The youth looked silently at [Shi Tianyi] , then took out a brilliantly golden book from his sleeve: 'In this way, all the materials are gathered.'

'The next step is to use various means to establish deep enough connections with these four people, preferably to gain their heartfelt trust. Only then can the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] be 100% effective. It seems this game of master and disciple will have to be played for a while longer.'

At this thought, the youth looked up at the sky.

'Starting today, I am truly all alone.'

In [Shi Tianyi] 's eyes, his master had only been in seclusion for a while, but in fact, he had gone to take care of one thing.

[Erasing his own name.]

Parents, relatives, friends, neighbors—everyone who knew his name had already been personally killed by him, their souls extracted and spirits refined, dissipating into smoke and clouds in this world.

As for the four disciples including [Shi Tianyi] , they only knew him as "Master."

As for his true name—no one could know.

'It doesn't matter.'

'Before long, once the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] is truly established, I can wander the Light Sea with a new name. The old name is just a useless thing.'

At this thought, the youth couldn't help but look at his own palm—fair, slender, like a pearl—seemingly a perfect object crafted by heaven's own hand. Yet, in a daze, he seemed to see countless aggrieved souls roaring upon it; he could even smell a pungent, bloody odor.

'.What have I done?'

Killing parents, killing relatives, killing friends, just to kill out a true self—is this still me? Is it necessary for me to go this far?'

The youth suddenly felt a sense of panic.

Indescribable sorrow transformed into genuine tears that suddenly welled up.

His palm trembled uncontrollably—he wanted to suppress it, but he was powerless. More and more emotions surged like an avalanche.

He had to think of a way.

The tears flowed more and more, and the trembling was spreading to his limbs and bones. If he didn't think of a way to suppress these emotions, he would probably go mad!

"..."

The youth suddenly took a deep breath, then closed his eyes, and operated the method he had obtained from the book, slashing with all his might toward his own consciousness.

RUMBLE!

In an instant, a sound as huge as a great bell rang out in the youth's heart. An emotion symbolizing [Sorrow] was stripped away from his invisible Dao heart.

Immediately following, as if all previous emotions were merely insignificant hallucinations, the youth returned to calmness. Looking at his hands again, he had no other thoughts. Aggrieved souls? Bloody odor? So what? Feeling sorrow for them was entirely meaningless; they were all burdens hindering him from advancing further.

Almost simultaneously.

"Ah! I've succeeded!"

Accompanied by a dramatic elevation in stature, [Shi Tianyi] suddenly opened his eyes with a joyous smile, immediately intending to report the good news to his master.

Then he saw it.

His master, who had just severed [Sorrow] and returned to calmness—the two lines of sight collided in the void; time seemed to stagnate at this moment.

"Master?"

[Shi Tianyi] blinked; the joy in his smile unconsciously faded.

"...What is it?"

In the next second, the youth smiled slightly; the smile was still as gentle as in [Shi Tianyi] 's memories, and the tone remained filled with concern for his disciple.

It was as if nothing had changed.

However—something had changed.

'Illusion?'

'No, not an illusion!'

[Shi Tianyi] would never question his intuition. Just in that instant, he had indeed captured a master completely different from his memories.

Cold, indifferent, heartless.

Looking at him wasn't like looking at a disciple; it was like looking at a piece of meat on a chopping board, calculating from which piece to start cooking.

Even so, [Shi Tianyi] pressed his doubts into the deepest part of his heart, nearly by instinct, while adjusting his expression to show the respectful demeanor a disciple should have before a master. He said in a deep voice: "Master, I have successfully achieved Foundation Establishment . You just said you have a major task to entrust to me?"

—The youth did not speak.

He just remained there quietly, maintaining a gentle smile, watching [Shi Tianyi] , while the atmosphere plunged into an indescribable chill.

"..."

Unknowingly, [Shi Tianyi] even stopped breathing, as if a poisonous snake had crawled into his heart, constricting it bit by bit, choking off his heartbeat.

[Shi Tianyi] tried his utmost to maintain the stability of his expression.

'No, that's not right. It can't be too stable.'

'I have to act panicked!'

In the next instant, [Shi Tianyi] 's expression thawed like spring wind, revealing timely fear and helplessness: "Master? Did this disciple do something wrong?"

"...Hahaha."

Just then, the youth suddenly laughed, his hearty laughter instantly blowing away all the chill: "Myriad Treasure, oh Myriad Treasure, you are indeed the one most like me."

"Alright, stop acting."

"Just now, Master was at fault. I didn't avoid you while cultivating the Primordial Spirit; if you were scared, just say so. Hiding everything in your heart will only scare yourself."

After speaking, the youth patted [Shi Tianyi] 's shoulder hard.

As this hand fell, [Shi Tianyi] slumped onto the ground, only then realizing he was drenched in sweat, his legs softened by fear.

"Master... did it on purpose?"

"To scare me?"

In an instant, [Shi Tianyi] felt a surge of shame and anger, but simultaneously felt a sense of profound relief—it was just a misunderstanding.

—How could that be.

'No, stop thinking about it.'

—What misunderstanding? How could it cause me to feel I was about to be killed? Was Master truly wanting to kill me just now, and that's also a misunderstanding?

'Master's cultivation is high, it's normal.'

—To take a step back, is this how a master treats a disciple?

'He can't be wrong.'

—After all, does Master really treat me as a disciple? Was that just now the truth, or was he just trying to dispel my doubts?

'...'

[Shi Tianyi] did not continue to think in detail.

Although he had never done this before, he possessed a natural knack for it, and very smoothly transformed all his emotions into a vague look of terror.

Then, adjusting to a tone of complaint:

"Master, you scared me to death!"

"Alright, get up, look at how timid you are." The youth said lightly: "The task I have for you is simple: find something for your youngest junior brother to do."

"Take these techniques and have him deduce them."

"This disciple accepts the command!"

[Shi Tianyi] respectfully took the jade slip handed over by the youth, then turned and rode a streak of light to quickly vanish into the distant sky.

Watching his departing figure, the youth curled his lips in a faint smile.

'The speed of that streak of light—neither hurried nor slow. As expected of the [Dao Venerable of Karma] recorded in history. Even in his youth, his bearing is already extraordinary.'

'Once the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] is brought to completion, it will be time to place the confirmation of the [Time] status on the agenda.'

Side Story 5: My Good Brother, Tell Me Your Troubles

Dark Void, Immortal Nexus.

Above the endless [Two Polarities Birth and Destruction Profound Light] were islands of world-realms bobbing like islands, and above that was the dark abyss symbolizing the Dark Void.

And at the pinnacle of the Light Sea 's own stature system, above the vast, boundless [Sea of Bitterness], a Great Dao stood like a towering pillar of white jade. On this Great Dao, one could faintly perceive the figures of many cultivators—heaven, earth, humanity, gods, ghosts, the scaled, the furred, the feathered, and the insects, all possessing concept here.

This was because it was the foundation of living existence.

[Dharma Body] .

The towering Great Dao profound light pierced through the universe, illuminating the Dark Void. Yet, it was not solely because this Great Dao was powerful, but more so because of the master of this Great Dao.

[Sisui] .

A noble name that illuminated the Light Sea alongside the [Dharma Body Dao] . Just like the existence of the [Dharma Body Dao], any cultivator would know his name.

Beside the [Dharma Body Dao], there was another Great Dao with equally vast concept, resembling a great ocean, symbolizing [Spiritual Power], the foundation of cultivation. It was a Great Dao not inferior to the [Dharma Body], yet when truly comparing the two side by side, their respective presence was like that of a firefly versus the bright moon.

At this very moment.

At the end of the [Dharma Body Dao] , a figure wearing a high cap and square shoes stood with hands behind his back, gazing into the distance at the Dark Void above his head. After a long while, he suddenly sighed:

"Truly terrifying."

"Probing the connection between the Light Sea and the Dark Void from this angle is like a fish in a fish tank trying to peer into the world outside the tank."

"What do you say, [Du Xuan]?"

[Sisui] turned his head, moving aside to look at the close friend who had been following him all along, much like the sun shifting its angle, finally revealing the shadow.

That was a handsome man. Between his brows, there seemed to be a lingering dash of the high-spirited ambition of his youth. The traces left by the passage of time on him had not made him elderly, but instead had made him increasingly mature and steady. On his body, an infinitely surging ocean of [Spiritual Power] flowed.

"You ask me..."

[Du Xuan] lowered his eyelids, skillfully concealing a hint of gloom, then laughed heartily: "It's just the present, merely another realm of the Perfected Lord ."

"Didn't you find a way out back then?"

Once upon a time, cultivation in the Light Sea stopped at the realm of the Perfected Lord. However, the emergence of [Sisui] changed all that, and the name of Dao Lord subsequently resounded throughout the Light Sea .

At this thought, [Du Xuan] looked deeply at [Sisui] again. Regarding this intimate friend, his heart held many thoughts, including no shortage of dark intentions. However, there was one point he would never deny: that his intimate friend was indeed a talent rare to find in ancient times.

With him around, he had no need to worry.

The lifespan of a Perfected Lord is infinite. Throughout the long passage of time, he would sooner or later be able to grow up and stand side-by-side with him; there was simply no need to be in a rush.

"You are wrong, [Du Xuan]."

"This time is different."

[Sisui] 's voice interrupted [Du Xuan]'s thinking, causing him to look up in astonishment—and then, [Du Xuan] saw a rare, vulnerable side of his intimate friend.

He saw [Sisui] looking up at the Void Ocean, somewhat powerlessly: "I cannot find a method... I am already the Master of the [Dharma Body Dao] , and the limit of the Light Sea is me."

"The road ahead is blocked, because I have nowhere to go."

"Not only that, I accidentally discovered some unsettling conditions. You should have discovered it too: the Great Daos of the Light Sea seem to only number ten."

[Sisui] said with a heavy tone:

"[Yin-Yang] , [Dharma Body] , [Spiritual Power] , [Dao Arts] , [Five Elements] , [Fate] , [Tribulation] , [Qi-Number] , [Inevitable Fate] , [Variable] ... Ten Great Daos. That is to say, among the trillions of cultivators in the Light Sea , only ten Dao Lords will emerge in the end; after that, no more Dao Lords will appear."

—What?

[Du Xuan]'s expression shifted between light and shadow for an instant. He quickly realized the key: 'The number of Dao Lords is limited. Does this mean if I move slowly, others will preemptively take the position?'

In an instant, his tone became somewhat twisted:

"This, this shouldn't be..."

"Indeed." [Sisui] did not notice his friend's subtle change, only feeling delighted that his friend's opinion coincided with his own, and nodded immediately:

"So I am thinking of ways to resolve it."

"...Can it be resolved?"

[Du Xuan] looked up abruptly, his gaze toward [Sisui] filled with a bit more expectation. After all, back when the road of the Perfected Lord had reached its end, [Sisui] had resolved it.

"Very difficult. I am still thinking."

[Sisui] shook his head, but soon bucked himself up again: "Don't worry, it's not a major issue. Perhaps I can find a way; I can go ask the [Ancestral Dragon] ..."

While speaking, [Sisui] shared his ideas with [Du Xuan] without reservation, while [Du Xuan] played the role of a listener, listening patiently and using his limited talent to speculate and deduce—it could not be denied that the vast majority of [Sisui] 's ideas and methods were entirely beyond his comprehension.

There was only a very small portion he could understand.

Yet, that very small portion he could understand allowed him to see the end at a glance, clearly unable to solve the problem of the number of Dao Lords being restricted by the Great Dao.

'.Perhaps he just needs time.'

'Last time, the Perfected Lord cultivation cost him a lot of time.'

'This time will be no exception.'

[Du Xuan] exhaled a long breath and said nothing, continuing to maintain his trust in [Sisui] . Although there was anxiety in his heart, it was quickly suppressed by rationality.

That's right, there was no need to worry.

[If the number of Dao Lords is limited... then as long as someone becomes the Master of Spiritual Power before me, I will never be able to become a Dao Lord .]

—No need to be afraid.

[The majesty of a Dao Lord is beyond doubt; no one can kill [Sisui] . Perhaps they could, but they would not act, so once a Dao Lord proves it, it is a proven eternity.]

—No need to be afraid.

[In that case, even if I have infinite lifespan, it is meaningless to me. On the contrary, it is torture, because it means I can never catch up to [Sisui] 's footsteps—let alone stand beside him, or even behind him; I might not even be able to see his back...]

—No need to be afraid!

[Du Xuan] forced himself to cast aside all distracting thoughts. No longer thinking about those possibilities that shook his Dao heart, he refocused his mind on the matter at hand.

"By the way."

Just then, [Sisui] seemed to have thought of something, his tone suddenly becoming light: "A rising star has appeared in the Light Sea recently. Have you heard of him?"

"Oh?"

[Du Xuan] thought for a moment upon hearing this, then understood: "Is it that [Primordial Saint] ? A strange Dao title. I only heard he is a Perfected Lord with a very good reputation."

"Quite good, oh." [Sisui] put on an expression of having met a "kindred spirit" and said excitedly: "At the time, two Perfected Lords were fighting a great battle in the Light Sea , affecting quite a few world-realms. It was this [Primordial Saint] who stopped the battle. He came from a small realm and chose to return to his hometown after achieving the Perfected Lord status."

"It seems he wanted to use his cultivation to build up his hometown."

"From this, it can be seen that he is a cultivator who cherishes old ties, has great righteousness, and has quite good talent. I want to invite him to hear my next discourse."

"By then, [Du Xuan], you can also get to know him."

"Alright."

[Du Xuan] responded casually. This was respect for [Sisui] . In reality, he was not interested in a junior. No matter how powerful, could he possibly surpass him?

Subsequently, the two talked for a while longer.

Until the very end, only then did [Sisui] stretch his back with lingering interest and smile: "Alright, let's part for now. I still have to go to... well, you know."

[Du Xuan] was startled upon hearing this, then nodded: "Go ahead, return early."

Having said this, the two separated.

Two streaks of light dimmed in the Dark Void and returned to the Light Sea , then, like a drop of water falling into the ocean, they quickly vanished into the countless world-realms of the Light Sea .

However, no one noticed.

Whether it was [Sisui] or [Du Xuan], neither of them saw—at the pinnacle of the Dark Void they were gazing at, there were also people looking at them.

Zixiao Palace.

"Incredible."

[Sisui] sat upright on a futon, looking at the Dark Void below, and at the conversation between himself and [Du Xuan] in a certain [Future] that should have dissipated, struck dumb with amazement.

After a long while, he could only sigh:

"This is [Deity Transformation] ?"

On the other side, Lu Yang poured tea for [Sisui] and himself with an understatement and smiled: "That is correct, this is [Deity Transformation] ; I am the foundation of this world."

"Past, present, future."

"All space and time, all existence, and all things are born with [Me] as the center. Here, I can accomplish anything."

When he spoke to the end, Lu Yang 's nose was almost pointing toward the heavens, with a look of "I am so awesome, Senior, why haven't you come over to praise me yet?"—which actually made [Sisui] , who had been shocked, laugh. He couldn't help but shake his head: "Extraordinary, [Deity Transformation] truly is a realm beyond measurement."

After speaking, he looked blankly at the reflection of history below.

Then he sighed quietly:

"Thinking back now, [Du Xuan] probably had some bad changes at this time, until the end when he was completely uncontrollable and chose to fall into depravity."

"And the [Primordial Saint] ..."

At this, [Sisui] couldn't help but grit his teeth: "I shouldn't have introduced [Du Xuan] and the [Primordial Saint] to each other back then. That guy must have induced him."

"I understand [Du Xuan]; he was absolutely not a treacherous and evil person at the beginning, he was even full of enthusiasm. When we were in the Origin Realm, he was not in that state in later years. Moreover, later, after I became enemies with the [Si Clan] , there were people in the clan who planned to capture me back, and he stood firmly on my side..."

[Sisui] 's tone was full of nostalgia.

And from his description, Lu Yang seemed to see a classic novel plot of a "Proud Son of Heaven who falls into a small world and rises against the heavens to achieve supremacy."

[Sisui] , young master of the [Si Clan] .

In the end, because of the disputes of three-foundation cultivators, he fell into a small world, lived in poverty, tasted all the warmth and coldness of the world, and finally rose against the heavens to become the number one in the world.

As soon as he was invincible in the world, enemies came from the heavens.

Because of [Sisui] 's achievements, the [Si Clan] sensed the changes in bloodline and sent people to find him, then followed a series of classic, crowd-pleasing contradictions and conflicts.

The process was simple enough.

Enemies came from the front, [Sisui] suffered a setback; [Sisui] cultivated, [Sisui] slapped their faces; enemies came from the front again, [Sisui] suffered a setback, cultivated, and slapped their faces... basically, it was a cycle.

As [Sisui] 's friend, and also the classic "supporting character" in the storybook, [Du Xuan] fell into danger more than once because he was [Sisui] 's friend, yet every time he was rescued at a critical moment. He himself continuously improved during this process, successfully living to the finale told by [Sisui] .

To put it bluntly, it was just one sentence:

"I draw a line with the [Si Clan] and drop the [Heaven] character."

"Since then, I am [Sisui] , and only [Sisui] ."

As the words fell, [Sisui] 's tone was very calm, without any changes: "As for the [Si Clan] , they split under the tide of the era."

"Some chose to go with me."

"Some chose to stick to the rules."

"But in any case, the result is the same—after I governed the [Dharma Body Dao] , the [Si Clan] gradually headed toward extinction over the long years."

These simple words, [Sisui] spoke without any pause, as if stating some manifest heavenly principle: "Cultivation should not be a privilege limited to bloodline. As a Dao Lord , I broke this limitation. I did not target the [Si Clan] , but the [Si Clan] did indeed die because of me."

"Fellow Daoist heard the conversation in the history of [Du Xuan] and me."

"I went to the small world where the [Si Clan] was located when I said goodbye to [Du Xuan] back then; it's nothing... in fact, it's something like sweeping a grave."

At this, [Sisui] suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"The [Primordial Saint] must have known about this, too, and said that he and I are the same kind of person."

"From this point of view, it is indeed similar. I ignored my clansmen who shared my bloodline, including even my parents—this is an undeniable fact..."

[Sisui] had not finished speaking when Lu Yang interrupted him.

"A great error."

Looking at [Sisui] , Lu Yang 's expression was solemn: "Fellow Daoist, do not be mistaken; means and ends are never the same thing. Means are merely tools."

"The end is the fundamental."

"That's right, Fellow Daoist and the [Primordial Saint] may have used similar means... but so what? The end and the starting point of Fellow Daoist and the [Primordial Saint] are completely different."

Having said this, Lu Yang pointed to himself.

"This is [Me]. Fellow Daoist, have you forgotten?"

These simple words left [Sisui] stunned on the spot. Only after a moment did he react, and then he laughed loudly: "Hahaha! Exactly! Exactly!"

Prefer to be [Me]!

After a long while, until [Sisui] calmed his mood and even realized something, Lu Yang spoke again: "Speaking of which, where is the [Primordial Saint] right now?"

"Him?"

[Sisui] thought for a moment and said: "At this time, he should still be accumulating strength within the small world where the sect was founded, preparing to empty-prove the [Time] Dao."

"Let's go take a look." Lu Yang said casually.

"This—"

Hearing this, [Sisui] was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but say: "Fellow Daoist, strictly speaking, the [Primordial Saint] has already transcended . If you rush over rashly, I fear there are risks."

Both being Transcenders , [Sisui] understood the specialty of the [Transcendence] state very well—especially the [Primordial Saint] 's transcendence, which was already nearly perfect. Having transcended in the past, present, and future simultaneously, even if it were only an illusion of the past space-time, there was a possibility of sensing Lu Yang 's existence.

"Once Fellow Daoist is discovered by him."

"The phantom of the past space-time might not matter, but I am mainly worried that the main body currently at the [Door of Transcendence] will suffer some changes because of this..."

[Sisui] 's worry was not without reason.

However—this was the perspective of a lower-level cultivator.

"No matter."

Lu Yang 's expression was calm. His eyes were like the sun and moon rotating through the ages, overlooking every corner of the Void Ocean and Light Sea equally, and then he said softly:

"It is precisely to let him see."

"Then he will understand that he cannot change anything."

Side Story 6: When You Need Me, I'll Be There to Accompany You

Light Sea , Immortal Nexus , Primordial Saint Sect .

What met the eye was a massive alchemy furnace. Within the furnace, flames blazed fiercely; one could vaguely see exactly forty-nine medicinal pills being quenched within the raging fire.

Surrounding the alchemy furnace were a large group of disciples from the Pill Cauldron Peak . However, unlike what many might imagine, not a single one of these disciples showed expectation. Instead, each of them wore a grave expression, their bodies covered in all manner of protective spiritual treasures, dao art, and divine abilities, as if waiting for something.

"Is it about to happen?"

"Counting the time, it should be about right. This [Four-Nine Great Derivation Alchemy Method] used this time is said to have been created after the Master spent much time pondering and meditating."

"Which time isn't?"

"I would rather the Master use some old-fashioned alchemy methods to demonstrate to us, instead of using new ones. There hasn't been a single 'new' one that didn't explode!"

"I want to run, is that okay?"

"Run? Don't you see this layer of profound light covering our heads? As long as the Master doesn't withdraw this profound light, we wouldn't be able to run out even if the sky collapsed."

—The place was bustling with noise.

Atop the alchemy furnace, [Lian Tiandou] looked at the disciples below with disgust, unable to stop shaking his head: "This is the worst batch of disciples I have ever led!"

Almost simultaneously, a figure appeared to his side.

Accompanying it was a light chuckle: "Oh? Where exactly are they so bad?"

"Sigh."

[Lian Tiandou] did not even turn his head. Just by hearing the voice, he recognized the arrival of [Bu Tianque] and said huffily: "Of course, it's these protective measures."

"The spiritual treasures are unstable, the divine abilities are incomplete, the techniques are unrefined—how can these meager protective measures deal with the risk of an exploding furnace? In this regard, the first batch of disciples we led were more sensible. For instance, [Taiyin] —that person was actually quite good; it was just that she became somewhat neurotic later because you tormented her."

"That cannot be blamed on me."

[Bu Tianque] refuted decisively: "If we are talking about tormenting her, you also have a share of the responsibility. Back then, eighty percent of the pills you refined ended up in her stomach."

"I was helping her!"

[Lian Tiandou] did not hesitate: "If not for my pills that improved aptitude, could [Taiyin] have achieved what she has today? My prescriptions absolutely had no issues."

"Drop it..."

In their conversation, the two first-generation Saint Sect Peak Masters seemed to have returned to those carefree years, recalling the grand ambitions they once shared.

In the end, [Lian Tiandou] said directly:

"I have had enough after all these years. What about you?"

"I am almost there, too."

The two had a tacit understanding. Deep in their seas of consciousness, their own consciousness—a Dao heart that was invisible yet truly existed—was gradually manifesting brilliance.

The dust and tribulations were wiped away.

The Primordial Spirit light was born.

This was the most orthodox path of Primordial Spirit cultivation—struggling and crawling through the mortal dust, finding one's own [Me], and finally letting it transcend the secular world.

The path of the Dao was about to open wide, stepping toward a brand-new beginning. This made both [Lian Tiandou] and [Bu Tianque] somewhat excited. The two looked down at the alchemy furnace beneath their feet.

In the next second, [Bu Tianque] smiled: "This time, there won't be any problems again, right?"

"Of course not!"

[Lian Tiandou] was full of confidence: "I have already calculated it carefully. The alchemy method created this time will definitely succeed. It takes the concept of [The Great Derivation is Forty-Nine, the One that Escapes is Hidden], representing the [Variable] . Since it is linked to that Great Lord, with this connection, the Light Sea will surely give some face, right?"

After speaking, [Lian Tiandou] formed a hand seal:

"Forty-nine auxiliary pills as the guide, and finally one supreme golden pill escapes. This is my Dao of Alchemy... Bu Tianque, watch closely, and see me show off my skills..."

Having spoken, the alchemy furnace rose suddenly.

"Open!"

Rumble rumble—!!!

Boiling flames, the roar of an explosion, and rolling thunderous sounds, carrying an overwhelming orange-red radiance, submerged the entire Pill Cauldron Peak in an instant.

"[Lian Tiandou]!!!"

Light Sea , a small world. Having just returned from that "Master who suddenly became scary," [Shi Tianyi] , still shaken, saw a light from the heavens.

The light was brilliant. Although, lacking stature, it was no different from a flickering flame to him, who had already promoted to Foundation Establishment , yet in the mortal world, it was already terrifying enough. As the light spread, looking out, it transformed into a six-thousand-mile-long burning cloud hanging in the dome of the heavens.

Therefore, he immediately realized who had done this.

In the next second, the majesty of Foundation Establishment fell from the sky, like an invisible giant hand wiping away the impurites, instantly erasing the burning cloud, and then submerged into the depths of the cliff.

Immediately following, a youth—whose face was filled with refusal to accept defeat, and who was still operating techniques, wanting to break free from the giant hand's constraints—was dragged out by [Shi Tianyi] .

"Let go of me! I did nothing wrong!"

"I was experimenting with a new alchemy method. As long as I succeed in refining it, I can increase the success rate of breaking through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining . Just now, it was just an accident..."

"A new alchemy method?"

[Shi Tianyi] frowned: "What is your cultivation level? You are still only at the late stage of Qi Refining, yet you want to refine pills that can break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining ?"

"Is it not possible?"

[Lian Tiandou] was adamant: "I am confident. When I was designing the alchemy method, I asked Junior Brother Bu Tianque and discussed the plan with him in detail."

As soon as this was said, [Shi Tianyi] turned his head, looking with sharp eyes at the stunningly beautiful youth who had been shrinking in the corner, fiddling with a small rabbit. The stunningly beautiful youth also seemed somewhat guilty and dared not look at him, only continuously fiddling with the rabbit, seemingly researching how to get started.

[Shi Tianyi] 's vision went dark instantly.

"Even... even if that is the case, Bu Tianque is not the same as you. He is not skilled in alchemy; what does it matter that the two of you added together? It still won't be of any use..."

"Not just us two!" [Lian Tiandou] remained unconvinced, pointing a finger: "I know that is not enough, so I specifically went to invite the Youngest Junior Brother to help."

[Shi Tianyi] turned around again.

And then he saw a small doll with a grave expression, putting on a deep appearance, looking at the alchemy furnace that had just exploded, muttering to himself in bewilderment:

"How could it explode?"

"It makes no sense. I made a perfect deduction; the alchemy method should have no flaws. Either the materials were not good enough, or the quality of the alchemy furnace was not good enough..."

"Materials—impossible; I have also tested them."

"Then it must be the alchemy furnace."

In the next second, the small doll turned around and looked at [Lian Tiandou] , curious: "Senior Brother Pill Cauldron, where did this alchemy furnace come from? Did Master give it to you?"

"No..."

The stubborn youth was stunned upon hearing this. He thought for a moment, then clapped his hands as if suddenly realizing: "This was something I asked Eldest Senior Brother to refine for me before!"

"Oh~~!"

In an instant, [Shi Tianyi] found three pairs of dark, bright eyes directly landing on him, filled with big accusations:

"So it was Eldest Senior Brother's fault!"

"It was clearly Eldest Senior Brother who caused our furnace to explode, yet now he is actually blaming us! I propose! Drive him out and replace him with me..."

"Seconded!"

[Shi Tianyi] : "..."

Listening to the chatter around him, [Shi Tianyi] decisively waved his hand, suppressing all three junior brothers, only then feeling that the surroundings were a little cleaner.

'This Eldest Senior Brother position, is a bit hard to be.'

[Shi Tianyi] thought to himself while looking at the jade slip that the master had previously handed to him. These were all intended to be handed over to that doll for deduction.

At this thought, he immediately operated his thoughts, soon piercing through the void, and saw a small doll sitting alone in the darkness, clearly in a sulk. Upon seeing him, the doll became even more stifled, its little mouth downturned, carrying a miserable face, almost directly starting to scold him.

"[Tianqi]..." [Shi Tianyi] tried to show good will.

"Call me Daoist !"

"You little brat, looking for a beating!"

"Awoooooo——!!!"

A moment later, the small doll finally calmed down. Although it was even more aggrieved, [Shi Tianyi] felt much more comfortable and no longer thought about this and that.

"These are what Master left for you."

He took out the jade slip directly and sent it before the small doll: "Master requires you to deduce the techniques within the time limit. It will be beneficial for your cultivation."

"Ah? So many?"

The small doll operated his spiritual sense. Just by taking one glance at the jade slip, he revealed a miserable expression. However, thinking that this was all given by Master, he dared not refuse.

"Fine..."

Just when the small doll intended to accept this task with a heavy heart, prepared to go to "prison" for a long time, he discovered that the annoying guy hadn't left.

"...What are you doing?"

The small doll looked up at this Eldest Senior Brother, who was exceptionally tall, smiled with an extremely kindly expression, but always gave off a feeling of being "very fake."

The small doll did not like him.

Not only did he bully him relying on his cultivation level, but he also spanked his bottom. His current goal was to cultivate hard and surpass the opponent as soon as possible to override his authority.

So he decided to drive the opponent away.

At this thought, he immediately said unhappily: "Why? Do you want to stay here and accompany me in the deduction? Forgive me for being blunt, but your comprehension is a bit low..."

Bang!

Before the words faded, an iron fist smashed down, instantly beating back the small doll's subsequent taunting words. With tears in his eyes, he dared not say anything more.

Then he saw his own violent Eldest Senior Brother sit directly in front of him, casually extract a large segment of relatively simple content from the jade slip, and then say casually: "Although not as high as yours, mine is not low either. I won't reach the point of not understanding even a single word."

The small doll was stunned for quite a while before reacting.

"You really want to help me?"

"Otherwise?"

[Shi Tianyi] recalled the "scary master" he saw earlier and continued: "Don't just stand there stupidly; Master has restrictions, you don't have much time."

'This might be an opportunity.'

[Shi Tianyi] thought this: 'If Master really has malicious intentions toward us disciples, perhaps I can see some clues from these techniques.'

On the other side, the small doll also stopped speaking.

"Hmph."

After a cold snort, he quickly became immersed in the deduction of the jade slip's contents.

The whole process lasted for a full forty-nine days. In the end, the exhausted [Shi Tianyi] received one piece of bad news and one piece of good news.

The bad news was that he hadn't discovered anything.

The contents of the jade slip were flawless; he couldn't find a trace of the master playing tricks, which even made him suspect that the scary master was just his hallucination.

The good news was that the small doll had changed.

After that, the small doll seemed to have the thought: "You helped me with my homework, so I owe you a favor," and no longer stirred up trouble for him.

"Interesting."

Above space-time, the Zixiao Palace stood tall. Looking through the past, present, and future, every action of [Shi Tianyi] was seen by Lu Yang and [Sisui] who were in it.

There was surprise in the depths of Lu Yang 's eyes, and also a smile. Even [Sisui] rubbed his hands with some excitement: "This is a secret I didn't even know. I didn't expect that [Dao Tianqi] child had such a rebellious childhood. I even suspected before that he was a naturally born saint of the Light Sea."

"And [Tianyi]."

"Ever since the moment he met me, he clearly had a lot on his mind. Although his smile was appropriate, it appeared even more estranged than those who didn't smile."

"But this is no wonder."

[Sisui] shook his head: "If he had long suspected the [Primordial Saint], it wouldn't be surprising that he developed this kind of personality. He wasn't born gloomy."

"[Primordial Saint] ..."

Lu Yang sat on the futon, lowered his gaze, and soon passed through the youthful first-generation four Peak Masters, landing on the figure located at the center of the small world.

This look traversed ten thousand years.

Almost simultaneously, the [Primordial Saint] also seemed to feel a resonance. He lifted his head and took a look at the dome of the heavens, seeing blue sky and white clouds, sun, moon, and clear breeze; nothing was abnormal.

'.Illusion?'

Just then, in a fragment of time that didn't know if it was the future, the past, or some space-time, a majesty transcending all phenomena erupted.

That was [Transcendence] .

It came from the Trinity, integrating the past, present, and future, to the point that the [Primordial Saint] who achieved [Transcendence] influenced his past self at this moment.

Thus, the scene in the eyes of the [Primordial Saint] at this moment changed.

The original blue sky and white clouds became illusory and blurred. The sun and moon turned into a pair of ruthless eyes looking down at him, and the clear breeze was the breathing at his nose.

What kind of figure was that?

He sat in the Dark Void , his palm held level, supporting a palace cast of purple gold, while the vast Light Sea seemed to be just a fish tank placed before him.

Appearance? Could not see clearly.

Demeanor? Could not be grasped.

The [Primordial Saint] couldn't even understand if what he was seeing was a human; the only thing he could see was that towering figure that was difficult to define and describe.

What met the eye were endless round lights of seventy-two colors, illuminating the dark void . Each streak surpassed the limit of what the [Primordial Saint] 's cultivation could understand. The profundity of the operation of space-time transformation even made his head ache as if it were about to crack. Yet, he would rather burn his soul, just to keep these wonders in his heart.

However, he could not remember.

Even if he burned his soul, burned his spiritual power, burned his profound wonders, using all means, he would record it in the previous second and forget it in the next.

This feeling of the Great Dao being right before him yet unattainable made him instantly go mad because of it.

"Why! What is happening?"

The [Primordial Saint] opened his eyes wide in fury, trying his best to figure out what had happened. This miraculous encounter was simply not recorded in that [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record].

Then, he heard a chuckle.

"It is still too early."

"Restart."

—Thus, the world inverted.

Time began to retreat. All things were like scenery on a stage, proactively returning to their original positions; not even the [Primordial Saint] himself was an exception.

All memories were forcibly erased.

"This, this is the restart recorded in the book? No, who did it? No matter who it is, I have remembered you! I will not forget you..."

The [Primordial Saint] 's voice stopped abruptly.

Subsequently, Lu Yang retracted his gaze. And in the river of the present world below, the [Primordial Saint] opened his eyes again, as if nothing had happened; everything seemed to have truly restarted.

However, soon, Lu Yang smiled.

"Hahaha!"

"So that's how it is. No wonder when I first discovered the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], the words were [It is you]. So the fruit of the past had already had its cause."

This is [Deity Transformation] .

Because he, at this moment, took a look at the [Primordial Saint] of that time, he allowed the [Primordial Saint] to shout out those words after seeing the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] in one of his lifetimes.

At this thought, Lu Yang lifted his head and took a look at the [Door of Transcendence]. There, the aura belonging to the [Primordial Saint] also showed a subtle change just now.

"There is a reaction... but it is still not enough."

"It's still early. A rare opportunity; I must torture you properly."

There was no other way—who told the [Profound Nexus Governing Change Dao Venerable] to be notoriously petty.

Side Story 7: Conspiracy, Open Strategy, Overt Talk, and Covert Seizure!

Zixiao Palace.

Lu Yang was brewing tea, humming a little tune, and amusingly flicking his fingers at the river of the present world below, while [Sisui] sat attentively to the side, watching.

"So that's how it is; this is what a restart is..."

[Sisui] 's gaze flickered with an indescribable light.

Just a moment ago, Lu Yang had used incredible majesty to stir the present world, reversing all phenomena and forcibly reverting the [Primordial Saint], who had already realized something was amiss, back to his original state.

The entire process was witnessed by [Sisui] . Intense Light of Wisdom gathered and surged in the depths of his eyes, continuously analyzing the methods Lu Yang had just employed. Yet, it remained as elusive as looking at flowers through a mist; he vaguely understood something, but when he truly tried to replicate it, it felt like scooping the moon from the water.

"Incredible."

[Sisui] sighed and looked up, only to see Lu Yang looking at him with a full face of smiles: "How about it, Senior? Any interest in doing it one more time?"

"...One more time?"

"Exactly."

Lu Yang nodded, then his gaze narrowed slightly, falling into the boundless depths of the Dark Void, and subsequently, he slowly raised the rustic teacup placed beside him.

Following that, the teacup tilted slightly. A drop of tea fell from the Zixiao Palace, its stature falling through immeasurable heights. While crazily losing dimensions, it also expanded crazily. Finally, a thunderous roar erupted, transforming into a boundless long river, no less inferior to the Light Sea of the present world!

Soon, the long river merged into the dark void.

The drop of tea from the Zixiao Palace, upon falling into the present world, became a magnificent river of time, within which countless scenes [Sisui] knew by heart were revealed.

That was the age of the ancient past.

The [Primordial Saint] , [Du Xuan] , [Sword Lord] , [Cang Hao] , [Myriad Laws] , [Ancestral Dragon] ... figure after figure, all too familiar to [Sisui] , appeared before his eyes one after another.

"This is...?" [Sisui] looked at Lu Yang .

"It is the age of the ancient past."

Lu Yang 's tone was calm: "Senior, rest assured; this is not a fabrication. Every person, every event within, is historical reality."

"This history was observed by the predecessor [Jun], and subsequently annihilated because of my existence. Now, I have extracted it from the years once more. Any changes within might have been illusory before, but now, witnessed by my gaze, everything shall turn into reality."

Upon hearing this, [Sisui] felt a realization:

"You want me to... enter it?"

"Exactly."

Lu Yang nodded and smiled: "Senior has already achieved transcendence. However, if you wish to cultivate your own nature and achieve [Deity Transformation], I fear it will still require a long period of time."

At this point, Lu Yang also felt somewhat troubled:

"A Transcender has achieved independence in a certain sense. Even for me, it is impossible to directly gift the time Senior needs for cultivation to you."

"However, from another perspective, Senior is not without a shortcut—the [Primordial Saint] 's [Paramita] . Although it has many flaws and significant hidden dangers, one thing cannot be denied— as an external object, it can indeed help one break through limitations and rapidly increase cultivation."

As Lu Yang 's words faded, [Sisui] was suddenly struck by realization:

"You want me to return to the ancient past, utilize the [Primordial Saint]'s [Paramita] , rapidly complete the final accumulation, and even directly use this to breakthrough the [Door of Transcendence]?"

Is this feasible?

Theoretically, for a Transcender to advance to [Deity Transformation], cultivating one's own nature is the most correct path. The [Primordial Saint] made this mistake during the final battle.

[Sisui] was naturally the same.

However—that was before the [Door of Transcendence] was born.

Now, the [Door of Transcendence] hangs high in the dark void; any cultivator with sufficient stature can contact it, endure the tests, and absorb its infinite majesty.

"With Senior's talent, as long as you rapidly elevate yourself to the ninth layer of [Paramita] and reach the threshold for absorbing majesty, even if the foundation is floating, the infinite majesty within the [Door of Transcendence] can completely fill the gaps. If there is any problem at all, it's that the [Deity Transformation] achieved this way will be relatively weak..."

Despite saying this, [Deity Transformation] is [Deity Transformation] .

Even the weakest [Deity Transformation] , wanting to press a Dao Lord of the ninth layer of [Paramita] to death, is no different from crushing an ant. This is the difference in essence.

However, there was no joy on [Sisui] 's face.

In fact, it was the opposite. After understanding Lu Yang 's intent, he revealed a look of worry: "The Final Tribulation ... Could it be that it has undergone another abnormal change?"

To not hesitate to use this method to foster growth, allowing him to rapidly become a [Deity Transformation] practitioner, could only indicate one problem: after [Jun] transcended and left the world, the [Final Tribulation] , which Lu Yang had been responsible for countering, had developed new changes, to the extent that Lu Yang could no longer hold it and needed to seek new help.

"..." Lu Yang did not answer.

Seeing him like this, [Sisui] 's face immediately revealed a look of firmness: "I understand. Leave it to me; I will breakthrough [Deity Transformation] at the fastest speed."

After speaking, he sighed with emotion:

"I have to admit, I have actually become somewhat slack these years. Because your existence, Fellow Daoist, is truly too reassuring, I let my guard down."

"That is the Final Tribulation!"

"Even the [Jun] of the previous generation could only struggle against it and barely managed to win. I apologize; it was I who failed to notice the pressure you were under, Fellow Daoist."

"..." Lu Yang remained silent.

Following this, he saw [Sisui] lift his head abruptly: "This matter, it shouldn't just be me who knows. Fellow Daoist, I think it should also let others know."

"Besides me, others have hope of breakthrough the [Door of Transcendence] ."

Lu Yang naturally understood this perfectly.

[Sky-Shrouding] , [World Honored One] , [Dao Tianqi] , [Merit Dao Ancestor] [Shi Weixiong] , and [Fate Dao Ancestor] [Zhi Tianming] were all leaders with the hope of breakthrough the [Door of Transcendence] .

However, Lu Yang still remained silent.

Seeing this scene, [Sisui] seemed to realize something, then sighed: "I understand. Extracting this stretch of time is already the limit for you."

"Your majesty right now is likely almost entirely used for countering the Final Tribulation ; the remainder is insufficient to support others in impacting the [Door of Transcendence] . My hope is the highest, which is why you came to find me. Since that is the case, there is no time to lose; I shall head to this period of time now."

"..."

Watching [Sisui] , who was filled with fervor while also containing concern for him, Lu Yang grew increasingly silent, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but twitch slightly.

'Senior [Sisui] ... isn't he underestimating me too much?'

Why would he immediately associate this with me barely being able to beat the Final Tribulation ?

That's right, compared to [Jun], I, as a [Deity Transformation] , might indeed be a little bit weaker, but it wouldn't reach the point of being exploded by the Final Tribulation after only ten thousand years, right?

Could it be that in Senior [Sisui] 's heart, I am the kind of person who only knows how to bully lower-level cultivators with a high realm?

—A hint of distress rose in Lu Yang 's heart.

Although he wanted to explain, [Sisui] had already said it to this extent, and the atmosphere had been set up; his own image of brilliance and martial prowess was established.

It was truly hard to explain!

'What to do.'

'Now, the real thoughts of [I am merely petty and want you to go in and refine the [Primordial Saint] 's [Paramita] to further stimulate the Primordial Saint's main body] cannot be spoken out loud.'

In the end, Lu Yang could only choose silence, then watch [Sisui] step into the time he had extracted with an expression of carrying a massive mission.

The [Primordial Saint] opened his eyes.

"Just now..."

His gaze was somewhat shaky, his mind dazed. Faintly, he only felt as if something had happened. Yet, when he thought about it carefully, nothing had happened.

Not only that, in the past, he would have been vigilant about this abnormal state, and even shot the arrow before drawing the target, directly assuming someone was plotting against him. Yet now, he was only momentarily stunned before tossing everything that had just happened, and all feelings of abnormality, to the back of his mind.

Current affairs were more important.

"[Myriad Treasure] ... sure enough, he is with [Beast Taming] ."

The [Primordial Saint] peered far into the distance, carefully examining the four disciples in the distance: "It is exactly what I intended. There is no time to lose; start the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] immediately!"

At this thought, his figure immediately vanished.

He had gone to [Supreme Grandmaster] to prepare to initiate the ritual. And simultaneously with the [Primordial Saint] 's disappearance, a figure also appeared outside the world-realm.

It was precisely [Sisui] , who had just entered this period of time.

"Naturally evil [Primordial Saint] ..."

[Sisui] rubbed his brow, feeling somewhat troubled. If it were his true heart, he would naturally have taken precautions and resolved the biggest problem of the future—the [Primordial Saint] —first.

However, the problem was that the construction of the [Paramita] still required the [Primordial Saint] ... Not the [Primordial Saint] as a [person], but the [Primordial Saint] as [material]. As the Dao Lord in charge of [Time] , if he could fill the [Primordial Saint] into the [Paramita] , the effect on the completion of [Paramita] would be excellent.

[Sisui] thought about it with no psychological burden.

He was not a pedantic person; in fact, he was the opposite. From ancient times to the present, he had always been adept at being flexible and believed firmly that kindness needs an edge.

And regarding the [Primordial Saint] , he would never harbor any pity. As for the style of [using people as consumables], he loathed it deeply.

But if it were only used on the [Primordial Saint] , it was not without merit!

'However...'

At this thought, [Sisui] glanced again at the four young first-generation Peak Masters, his brows furrowed. These four were undoubtedly victims of the [Primordial Saint] .

'If I temporarily leave the [Primordial Saint] alone, it is undoubtedly harming the four of them.'

'Perhaps I should also think of a way to promote the growth of the [Primordial Saint] so he can be filled into the [Paramita] in the future, while also avoiding him from harming others.'

Just then.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, [Sisui] raised an eyebrow, and then, in the depths of the consciousness of the four first-generation Peak Masters, he saw a streak of brilliant light rise abruptly from each of them.

Almost simultaneously, the vast Dark Void on the other side also had light responding, as if it were a gradually pushed-open gateway, accepting the auras from the four.

He was no longer the him from the ancient times. Having cultivated for over a hundred thousand years under Lu Yang 's rule, his realm was counted as the sixth layer of [Paramita] . More importantly, he had discussed the Dao with the various Dao Ancestors of the Divine Land and made friends, so he was naturally no longer ignorant of the secret techniques of the School of Names and School of Forms .

"[Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] ..."

[Sisui] realized: 'So that's how it is. It is this moment. Once this ritual is complete, the [Primordial Saint] 's momentum will basically be more than half successful.'

Should he stop it?

[Sisui] almost did not hesitate, immediately releasing a streak of aura, backhanding it to press down the aura of the four first-generation Peak Masters, then replacing it with his own aura.

"RUMBLE!"

In an instant, heaven and earth trembled.

[Sisui] immediately felt a resonance: 'It is a conflict. It seems the [Primordial Saint] has changed his name; the key to [Taiyitian] and [Borrowing Name to Seize Nature] lies right here.'

In that [Heaven] character!

Since that was the case, if there was no [Heaven] character in his own name, the ritual would definitely fail, and the [Primordial Saint] would definitely realize something was wrong.

At this thought, [Sisui] couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

'Heaven's Will!'

In the next second, [Sisui] pinched a hand seal, operating the method of the School of Names to retrieve the name he had long abandoned and let flow away into the years.

[Sisui], born of the ancient [Si Clan] .

True name: [Si Tian-Sui]!

Immediately after, brilliant light rose slowly in [Sisui] 's sea of consciousness, smoothly merging with the [Primordial Saint] 's ritual; one person filled the vacancy of four.

This was an incredible change.

What is [Si Tian-Sui]?

Sui refers to ghosts, demons, and evil entities. So-called [Si Tian-Sui] means governing the evil entities of [Heaven]—and this [Heaven] is exactly the [Primordial Saint] [Taiyitian]!

This was originally a name that had nothing to do with each other, but now, under the influence of the [Name-Seizing Heaven Technique] , the concept in the name was borrowed by the ritual, forming a brand new influence—more importantly, in the attainments of the School of Names, the current [Sisui] was higher than the [Primordial Saint] !

The result was self-evident: The guest became the host!

At this moment, [Sisui] even seemed to see the figure of the [Primordial Saint] , felt the other party's luck, profound wonder, and the depletion of his majestic aura when facing himself.

"Good method!"

[Sisui] couldn't help but look up, looking toward the direction of Zixiao Palace, and whispered in admiration—

"Conspiracy and calculations... You really understand, Fellow Daoist!"

In short, after this set of actions, the [Name- Seizing Heaven Technique] not only failed to bring benefits to the [Primordial Saint] but instead added a state to [Sisui] .

Its name is [Anti-Primordial Saint Special Attack].

From now on, no matter what actions the [Primordial Saint] takes, whether combat or calculations, when facing [Sisui] , he will be restrained by [Sisui] 's existence!

Calculations involving [Sisui] will inevitably fall through due to uncontrollable factors.

Combat facing [Sisui] will inevitably fail due to uncontrollable factors.

He can choose to lend his Wisdom Light to the [Primordial Saint] , or he can choose not to, possessing absolute autonomy, while the [Primordial Saint] cannot refuse his control.

Even as long as [Sisui] has that thought, he can completely seize all the achievements of the [Primordial Saint] in cultivation out of thin air, because he is fundamentally a person that [Governing Heaven] !

'With the stature of [Deity Transformation] , cross space-time to scheme against the [Primordial Saint] at this time'

For a time, [Sisui] did not know what words to use to describe Lu Yang 's behavior; after thinking for a long time, only three characters were relatively accurate:

Beast!

'Will this hurt him too much?'

'After all, the one schemed against is the [Primordial Saint]. Although the means were a bit bad, the heart is good. Extra situations require extra measures, after all; shouldn't be too critical.'

In short, four words: How can that be the same!

[Supreme Grandmaster] .

The [Primordial Saint] opened his eyes, looking at the well-functioning ritual, and nodded with satisfaction: "Perfect. The first step to reaching the summit has been successfully taken."

"The momentum is in my hands!"

In the next second, infinite Wisdom Light surged in his eyes. Amidst the collisions, various cultivation problems that had made him feel troubled in the past were all readily solved.

The [Primordial Saint] had no doubts about this.

After all, the Wisdom Light of [Sisui] , compared to [Dao Tianqi] , although inferior, was only a hair's breadth difference, and with the Primordial Saint's own tiny bit of Wisdom Light .

This gap, he simply couldn't see.

"Next, it is to attain the Dao of [Time]."

The [Primordial Saint] patiently planned every step of the future. In order to reach the summit of the Light Sea , he would spare no cost, using conspiracy, open strategy, overt talk, and covert seizure!