Good Things and Trouble

The sea and sky lay in deathly stillness; all things were silent. Even the waves had grown feeble, gasping for their last breath. Across the mottled, grayish-black surface of the sea lingered fissure upon fissure, like shattered crystal. Those crisscrossing fractures spread through sky and brine, sharp as blade edges, easily severing any intruder whole. Behind the rifts, eerie iridescence faintly surfaced, gone in a flash. No one knew where they led. Having weathered the storms, the Pillar of Ruin still towered between sea and sky, though compared to its previous state, it seemed faintly shorter by a section. And right beneath the Pillar of Ruin, darkness billowed like flame, while gray mist hung hazy and thick, dimly revealing countless bizarre structures and grotesque, surreal spectacles. The Shadow of the Profound was gradually touching the mortal realm. Indeed, quite a few workshops had already breached the blockade of the Lock, completed their ascent to the surface, and converged around the Pillar of Ruin, merging as if into one. Interlocking and sustaining one another, they made the whole construct ever firmer. No matter how tyrannically the vast radiance in the firmament battered and ravaged it, it remained immovable as a mountain. Flames surged across the pale canopy above. The sun and moon were nowhere to be seen; the sky seemed ablaze, constantly giving off horrifying temperatures and heat. A numbered Masterwork from the Ring of Taiyi continued to radiate awe-inspiring menace, continuously wearing down the power of the Pillar of Ruin. Should there be even a split-second lapse, it would plunge from above and reduce everything to ash. As for the spiritus consumed with every passing moment, to a titan of the Association's scale, it was not even a drop in the ocean. Upon the shattered waters, the Pillar of Ruin and the Projection of Tianshu stood locked in standoff. From afar, colossal leviathans continuously converged across the sea. Workshops from every quarter that had received word and the call to arms were gathering here, like feudal lords convening to suppress a rebellion. After days of probing strikes, both sides had traded victories and defeats. Although some advantage had been gained, things remained bogged down in a stalemate. Beneath the Pillar of Ruin, the Profound remained deathly still. Within the projection cast down by the Association's headquarters, Tianshu, white towers and high-rises stood so distinct they bordered on tangible—in fact, there was hardly any difference from physical reality. Through phase refraction and the shifting between illusion and reality, Tianshu presently existed simultaneously in this expanse of ocean and at its original location. In essence, the Association's entire headquarters had been deployed right to the front lines. It stood ready at a moment's notice to bet the entire farm on an all-in push. In the central office of Tianshu, amid ever-mounting stacks of documents and reports, Gustav took off his glasses, rubbed his bloodshot eyes, and sighed softly. "What does His Excellency Tianlu say?" He looked toward the subordinate who had just entered to report. "'—Business as usual; proceed as things should.'" "What about His Excellency the Plowsmith? Any word?" he pressed. The subordinate offered a wry smile. "As usual, he refuses to deal with people. If we ask too much, he stops replying altogether... He only said he will come, and not to rush him." Gustav started to speak, then stopped, helpless. There was nothing to be done. Truly, nothing could be done. Of the three Grandmasters, this one was the most difficult to deal with. Tianlu, though... rather too Tianlu-like at times, could at least be communicated with normally, and reasoned with! With the Plowsmith, however, one couldn't even find a way to communicate. He left messages on read, spoke in as few words as possible, and spent most of his time seemingly spaced out, absorbed in his own world. He couldn't be bothered to pay attention to anyone else and never cared what others thought. It was as though everyone else was playing an online multiplayer game while he alone played single-player offline. Even at a critical juncture like this, he showed no signs of budging. Fortunately, he had at least said "I'll come." There was no need to worry he might be lying. If he said he would come, he would definitely come. It was just a question of when... and that was anyone's guess. He was truly someone you couldn't count on in a pinch. Gustav sighed. "There must be some good news, at least?" The subordinate hesitated briefly before reporting, "Her Excellency the Carrion Eater just arrived." "Why didn't you say so earlier!" Gustav instinctively stood up. "Where is she? I'll go receive her." "I was just about to notify you, but Lord Tianlu intercepted her first. Lord Tianlu is currently receiving her, and dismissed me from waiting on them." "Then don't disturb them." Gustav paused, nodded, and silently breathed a sigh of relief. A white jade pillar propping up the heavens, a purple-gold beam bridging the seas. Finally, someone reliable had arrived! *** Under the radiant sunshine, the grass spread like an emerald carpet. Between two reclining armchairs, a pot of tea wafted a faint fragrance. "Old Lady, how have you been keeping?" Tianlu rolled up his sleeves and poured the tea himself, respectful and humble as a junior. After all, before this person, hardly anyone in the entire world possessed the ability or qualification to put on airs. Having lived from more than four hundred years ago until today, she was virtually the oldest artisan in the entire mortal realm. Before the Ring of Taiyi even existed, she was already a renowned Grandmaster across the four corners; when the Ring of Taiyi was first founded, she was one of its six directors. Single-handedly, she had modernized and integrated over several hundred forms of ancient alchemy, laying down the direction and path for today's Embers artisans. Sweeping away the myriad ingrained defects of ancient alchemy, she had laid the foundations of modern alchemy with her own hands. It was precisely because of her feat of shedding the old to embrace the new—consuming all ancient decay by her own might, establishing a brand-new paradigm, and cutting off the vices of ancient alchemy—that Supreme Goodness bestowed upon her the honored name of "Carrion Eater." Brilliant talents had emerged under her tutelage generation after generation; her direct disciples were countless, and subsequent generations beyond reckoning. In days gone by, the youngest student of hers was none other than the old dragon of the Empire's Clock Tower today. Had she not gradually retired as age crept up on her, ignoring worldly affairs for over a century, she could have settled every matter in the Association, great and small, with a single word—leaving no role for the Council or Gustav. "The same old way. Just clinging to a remnant breath, barely counting as alive." At that moment, on the reclining chair, an old woman with a blanket over her knees lifted her teacup and took a light sip. She made no attempt to conceal her advanced age or wrinkles; her expression was warm and tranquil. Looking at Tianlu, a half-smile touched her face. "You, on the other hand—it's rare to see you looking this disheveled." "Is that so?" Tianlu feigned incomprehension. "Why don't I feel that way?" "Fishing for so long without getting a single nibble—you must be nearly bursting with frustration, aren't you?" Carrion Eater gave a wry, teasing smile. "Give it up. He won't bite... If he doesn't have a hundred percent certainty about something, he will never do it. No matter how you bait him, it's useless. When I first met him back then, he was already conservative to a fault. After all these years, he has likely only grown worse." "..." Tianlu gave a soft sigh. "What a fine student you taught." "If he counts, wouldn't all the artisans beneath the heavens be my heirs?" Carrion Eater retorted unconcernedly. "Don't you count as well? Why don't I see even a shred of respect for a teacher from you?" Tianlu sighed and lowered his head in surrender: "My apologies for the disrespect." "Respect or not, it hardly matters. But having seniority truly is wonderful." Carrion Eater chuckled again, thoroughly amused. Tianlu showed not a trace of temper, quietly pouring water and serving tea. There was no arguing it. Sometimes immense seniority was just formidable. Besides, the old lady's contributions truly were monumental; from hundreds of years ago until now, she had taught untiringly, literally nurturing pupils across the world. Even after she stopped taking formal apprentices, she never withheld guidance whenever she came across raw jade. Even when faced with stubborn stones, if there was something to be gained, she taught according to aptitude. Most importantly, she instructed without distinction and never harbored sect prejudice. Regardless of your origin, faction, or identity, as long as you came to ask, she turned no one away. Across centuries to this day, practically any artisan alive was, to some degree, her disciple or grand-disciple. If the old lady wished to celebrate a birthday, the entire Association from top to bottom would have to go kowtow, and chances were, more than half of the Profound would send congratulatory gifts too... Back in the day, when Tianlu was coming up as an artisan, hadn't he also received her benevolence and pointers? Besides, she wasn't wrong. The current situation was indeed a rare predicament for Tianlu. Even though he had never tasted defeat since making a name for himself, no matter how formidable he was in battle, if Elder Zhen refused to show his face to the death and refused to take any bait, what could he do? This wasn't even merely a contest between Tianlu and Elder Zhen; it was an arena showdown between the Association and the Profound! One could only say Lu Changsheng had set quite the precedent... Dead as he was, his stench would linger for ten thousand years! Just like the struggle in Quancheng between the Evil Transmutation Cult and Tianyuan: losing was losing, but the boundless aftermath and lingering poison—weren't they right before their eyes? From the very instant authority was questioned, authority itself was already compromised. It was merely a matter of degree. This was precisely why an ant dike could cause a thousand-li embankment to collapse... No matter how solid a wall's foundation, it couldn't withstand someone digging at it every day! A few decades ago, who would have dared imagine such a scene? Something that could never see the light of day like the Profound actually dared to jump out and challenge the Association in the ring? It was bloody ridiculous! So... could they win? On this point, both the Association and the Profound knew full well in their hearts: slim, far too slim! Yet looking at the present display, it seemed... perhaps... maybe there was that sliver of possibility? Wait, it's actually possible?! Then why not give it a shot! Since someone had "raised the banner of revolt," not only the Profound, but all those under heaven who harbored grievances against the Association naturally rallied and followed like shadows, bringing about a dance of demons. This was Elder Zhen's purpose; he hadn't even bothered to disguise it. Regardless of victory or defeat, he had already fought a round against the Association. Moreover, because he had never stepped onto the field himself, he could naturally retreat unscathed and reap the harvest of his painstaking cultivation. Using the entire Association as a stepping stone: so long as the Association's authority diminished by a fraction, the Profound's arrogance would naturally swell by a measure! "If you ask me, you shouldn't have taken the seat of Tianlu back then." Carrion Eater glanced at him, shaking her head with a sigh. "The person who ought most to accomplish great things ended up trapped in this position, to the point of achieving nothing... "Back then, your teacher said that in your greatest perfection lay greatest flaw—and he wasn't wrong. "The title of Tianlu looks resplendent, but for you, it is an encumbrance." "If I didn't step up, who would? A-Yuan?" Tianlu was amused. "Then the Association could have renamed itself the Ring of Taiyi's Profound Branch by now. And when you celebrated your birthday, the people kowtowing below might very well have included Elder Zhen." "You..." Carrion Eater withdrew her gaze, sighing with regret. "Blame it on being born in the wrong era. Four hundred years earlier, you could have been a scourge of the world; two hundred years later, you might have been a Sage of renewal. "Instead, it had to be now, your great talent wasted on trifles, with nowhere to make a mark. The tiny sliver of responsibility you have in this life ended up squandered where it shouldn't have been. "Round and round, only to invite trouble upon yourself." "I don't think there's anything to pity." Tianlu unconcernedly raised his teacup, turned back to the old woman, and flashed a sudden, cocky grin. "Were it anyone else, who could do better than me?" "...True. Other than you, who else could there be?" Carrion Eater sighed soundlessly, saying no more. Only pity clearly filled her eyes. Yesterday the mountain tree survived to its natural span for being useless lumber; today the host's goose died for being unable to honk... Unless the mansion teeters on collapse, of what use is a ten-thousand-year beam? Yet if the mansion collapses, how can a single timber support it? "Drink your tea, Old Lady. Don't sigh and groan every day; it cuts your life short." Tianlu raised his cup again and drank it in one gulp. "At your age, how are you less open-minded than the young? Toss today's troubles into tomorrow, and leave tomorrow's affairs for tomorrow... "Besides, who's to say something good won't happen tomorrow?" "Easy to say. Where in the world does something good come knocking at the door when you just sit at home?" Carrion Eater laughed as well. Yet as she lowered her eyes to gaze at the cup in her hands, she saw ripples stir across the surface. "What's that commotion?" "Hmm, let me see..." The corners of Tianlu's eyes curved slightly upward. In that brief moment of silence, his smile turned all the more delighted, dripping with mockery. "Looks like we don't have to wait for tomorrow." BOOM!!!! Across the ocean, heaven and earth convulsed violently, shattering the prolonged silence. At the edge of the horizon, a pitch-black silhouette surged forth, manifesting upon the scarred and battered battlefield... Just as Tianlu had said: if today's troubles could be thrown into tomorrow, then tomorrow's troubles could naturally arrive today. And some troubles didn't care whether it was today or tomorrow. He came and went as he pleased! Like right now. An unfamiliar vessel bearing neither markings nor transponder signals brazenly barged into this covertly contested battlefield, heading straight for the Projection of Tianshu. Leaving who knew how many on both sides frozen where they stood... Dumbfounded. From start to finish, they had never seen anyone so arrogant! With the Association and the Profound locked in confrontation, the newcomer had not adjusted heading and course like the vast majority of Association reinforcements, making port from the north where the Projection of Tianshu stood. Instead, it cut diagonally across a vast swath of the Profound's projection range, forsaking assistance from Tianshu, and entered straight into the waters shrouded by the corruption taint of Stagnant Rot, driving forward on a direct line from the southeast. Without so much as taking a turn, swaggering and brazen, as if no one else existed. Sailing openly right through enemy-held territory. It even blew its horn. As if in blatant provocation. Harsh screeches rang out incessantly, like sharp edges clawing repeatedly across glass. The frozen ocean waves shattered before the hull; the numerous pollutions scattered throughout the sea were completely dispersed, and even the curse chains rigged beneath the surface snapped and disintegrated. Right through this toxic darkness where every step was perilous, it forcibly carved out a grand avenue. "Whoa—" Jiang Tongguang poked his head out. Having finally detected that approaching signal, he couldn't help but click his tongue in marvel. "Trust the young folks to know how to party. Damn, that's thrilling!" "What the hell is that racket?" "Fighting again? Why didn't anyone call me?" Inside Tianshu, waves of clamor rose as countless people leaned out to look. Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Profound, murky light rippled with surging turbulence. As if pair upon pair of eyes had opened to look down, waves of savage flare plunged from above like a tempest. Yet amid the cascading waves crashing down, that dusty-looking beat-up ship didn't even shed a single flake of rust. On the contrary, at the bow, the standing figure raised his head and cast a contemptuous glance. Toward the Shadow of the Profound looming seemingly right within reach, he sighed with disappointment: "To let the Profound pile up this much trash... looks to me like the Association is going downhill by the day..." The gentle voice echoed between sea and sky, giving Gustav a throbbing stomachache and driving who knew how many within the shadowy gloom into towering fury. "Seeking death!" Thunder erupted; gale winds surged. A pitch-black storm carrying boundless lightning suddenly surged into the air from the Shadow of the Profound, spreading rapidly. Tides of ash radiated horrific heat far exceeding a crucible within the gale; blinding bolts of lightning shot from the void, rending all in their path, completely engulfing the Prosperity. Amid the boundless ash, vast quantities of debris collided and gathered, weaving into a faint and blurry outline. Flames raged across its face, lightning crackled in its eyes, and looking down at that outrageously young face at the bow, it gave a sinister grin, unleashing the sky full of tempest, smashing violently down! Immediately afterward, he saw... right at the bow of that dusty old wreck, a brass figurehead that looked like a casting failure seemed to come alive, abruptly opening its eyes and weeping two streams of bloody tears. Opening its mouth, it wailed aloud. —Six Tremors of the Three Thousand Worlds: Mahasthamaprapta! BOOM!!! With a single thought, the six tremors awoke. Great light illuminated the void; the six phases—movement, rising, surging, quaking, roaring, and striking—cycled and overlapped, enacting eighteen variations and impacts as an ultra-wide spiritus shockwave surged outward. Like a phlogiston bomb detonating inside a belly, boundless burning ash and lightning were swept in every direction by the rolling tide. Beneath this long-prepared Mahasthamaprapta, a gaping hole was blasted through the very center of the surging storm. Before the figure formed of countless fragments could even react, silver light flashed across the void. Thousands of illusory silver strands abruptly converged, tangling around its form and piercing deep into marrow and soul... Yanking him, howling through the air! Under the eruption of Jingzhen, he couldn't even mount a resistance. Amid the deafening blast, the burning figure convulsed violently, plunging crookedly from the sky toward that dusty wreck of a ship. A palm rose slowly, five fingers splayed, pinching the delivered neck in a pinpoint grip. Tightening inch by inch, heedless of the other's futile struggles. The last thing heard was a helpless, quiet sigh. "I told you you're trash. Why wouldn't you believe me?"