Immortal Emperor Supreme's expression changed abruptly. Abandoning Saint Luo at once, he gave chase after Xu Zangying.
Saint Luo could not be bothered to drag out the fight either, plunging into the darkness to search for Xu Zangying's whereabouts.
To Immortal Emperor Supreme, a Supreme-grade cave abyss held a fatal allure, capable of helping him break free from his fate of being manipulated. But the same held true for Saint Luo.
Immortal Emperor Supreme was merely a puppet propped up on the throne, Mingzun—an exalted sovereign in name only. Saint Luo, too, was not a Supreme; his cultivation lay in the Wondrous Realm of Great Luo.
The true Supreme of the Immortal Realm was someone else entirely.
This was the very reason Saint Luo had not hesitated to turn against Immortal Emperor Supreme for the sake of the Taiyi Cave Abyss. Without obtaining a Supreme-grade cave abyss, he could never take the grand stage and become a true wielder of supreme power.
The two chased into the darkness, searching in every direction. Yet the vastness of the Mortal Realm was beyond imagining. They mobilized their divine consciousness, expanding it in all directions, only for their expressions to warp in horror. They hurriedly withdrew it.
In that brief instant, more than half of their divine consciousness had already been dissolved by the Mortal Realm's darkness.
"We must find the monster Xu Ying turned into!"
The two leaped into the air one after another, their gazes like lightning as they swept over the surroundings.
Suddenly, Saint Luo thought of something. He halted immediately and turned back, thinking, *That kid is as crafty as a ghost. Even if he turned into a monster, he probably has a few more tricks up his sleeve than anyone else. Most likely, he went to find the Ancestral God! Wait... he's carrying the Emerald Rock to see the Ancestral God...*
Saint Luo was stunned. "Isn't that just sending the Ancestral God to his grave?"
Xu Zangying sprinted like the wind with the Emerald Rock hoisted in both hands, his expression dark and uncertain—assuming he still had an expression at all.
*Of the two people just now, one was that sneaky bastard the Immortal Emperor, who probably spotted my Taiyi Cave Abyss and is waiting to reap my harvest. The other was that potbellied fat man, probably his sworn brother, also waiting to harvest me. But how could I ever let you two have your way?*
He pondered in his heart, *Earlier, the Emerald Rock flared with brilliant light, likely triggered by the sudden surge of the Mortal Realm's Heavenly Dao. Could it be that the Ancestral God came to rescue me? The Ancestral God is truly loyal and righteous, every bit worthy of being half a master to me! With Him around, we can definitely handle that sneak and the fat man. I'll go see Him right now and deliver a grand gift. When He sees the Emerald Rock, He'll surely be thrilled to death.*
During this period, Xu Ying had been constantly tempering his Leakless Golden Body. Even though he could not utilize much cultivation right now, his physical body still possessed the might to move mountains and fill seas, the power to pluck the stars with his bare hands. Yet this Emerald Rock was extraordinarily heavy; carrying it across the mountain ridges, he gradually found it too much to bear.
*Can this thing be stored inside a cave abyss?*
At the thought, he attempted to stuff the Emerald Rock into the Yingzhou cave abyss.
Unexpectedly, the moment a corner of the rock entered the Yingzhou cave abyss, an intensely violent Dao weeping echoed from within. All things withered, and gray snow fell from the sky!
At that moment, even the Great Dao turned to ash!
Xu Zangying took fright and hastily yanked it back out, lest Yingzhou be destroyed.
He thought about it and realized placing it in the Taiyi Cave Abyss would not be safe either. Before he could even push it inside, Divine Mother and the others would probably be reduced to dust.
As wonderful as the Emerald Rock was, it was far too sinister. It could not be put anywhere.
Inside the Taiyi Cave Abyss, Divine Mother and the others also let out a collective sigh of relief upon seeing that he had not shoved the Emerald Rock in.
"Master, look quickly! What is the Immortal Master planning to do?" Yuan Tiangang cried in shock.
Divine Mother hastily looked out. She saw Xu Zangying raise the Emerald Rock with both hands and stretch his jaws wide. The bones around his mouth produced a series of sharp cracking sounds, dislocating to stretch his maw even wider.
After turning into a zang, his body had become several times larger than before, like a miniature giant. Now that his mouth was fully unhinged, he looked capable of swallowing several people in a single bite.
Divine Mother's eyes went wide, nearly popping out of her head.
Xu Zangying began stuffing the Emerald Rock straight toward his gaping maw. Divine Mother and the others watched with pounding hearts. After a short while, Xu Zangying raised the rock again; evidently realizing he could not fit it into his stomach, he gave up in defeat.
"The Immortal Master has been influenced by the Dao weeping and possesses part of a zang's mindset," Divine Mother speculated. "That's why he acts according to a zang's thought patterns. Finding it troublesome to carry the Emerald Rock, he tried to eat it."
The immortals were fraught with worry, but Han Zekang laughed heartlessly. "If the Immortal Master finds it troublesome to carry us around, what will he do? He won't eat us, will he? Hahahaha!"
Master Fire Dragon chuckled. "If he cast the Heaven and Earth Law Manifestation, he could probably eat the Emerald Rock whole. Too bad the Immortal Master turned into a zang and can't even perform Law Manifestation anymore! Hahahaha!"
Aside from master and disciple, not a single person found their jokes amusing.
Because it was very likely not a joke at all!
"If Immortal Master Xu acts according to a zang's thought process, is he still the same Immortal Master Xu as before?" Fairy Gushe asked worriedly. "Does he still retain his humanity?"
Right at that moment, the seemingly useless branch-like markings on Xu Zangying's back surged with a unique force that poured into his entire body, causing his strength to multiply.
Cradling the Emerald Rock, Xu Zangying felt his steps grow lighter and lighter, his speed faster and faster.
*Huh, the principles I comprehended from the Emerald Rock can actually be used!* Xu Zangying was amazed. All sorts of insights suddenly flooded into his mind—some from the old zang's sermon, others from his own contemplation of the stone. Countless mysteries became crystal clear without any conscious effort.
Those branch-like markings were a framework of the Great Dao entirely distinct from Dao patterns and runes; they were known as principles.
A principle was an underlying law.
The branch-like markings used the framework of principles to evolve the Dao, thereby attaining, fulfilling, and transcending it.
A framework of principles was far more profound and advanced than the progression from Dao phenomena to runes.
The zang wandering in the darkness also possessed branch-like markings on their bodies, gained from comprehending the principles of the Emerald Rock over long ages. However, their intelligence was insufficient, making it difficult for them to grasp more.
More crucially, analyzing the Dao with the framework of principles required the cultivation method recorded on the Earth Immortal Realm's Emerald Rock. Not a single zang in the Mortal Realm had ever seen that particular rock during their lifetimes, so they had had no foundation to learn from.
Xu Zangying, however, possessed the Taiyi Epiphany. Fused with the Taiyi Inborn Technique, he operated his cultivation method at every moment, grasping the Great Dao recorded upon the stone.
Suddenly, he sensed something amiss and snapped his head around, only to see a zang trailing behind him.
Xu Zangying hastily sped up, but that zang quickened its pace as well, following closely behind.
"Get lost!" Xu Zangying turned and barked.
Yet the sound that came from his mouth was not human speech, but the wail of Dao weeping.
The zang halted its steps, but after a moment, it resumed following him.
Xu Zangying looked back and saw two more zang had joined behind him, along with a dozen or so white bone skeletons that strode along on fleshless limbs, clattering after him.
Xu Zangying's heart tightened. Hoisting the Emerald Rock in both hands, he broke into a dead sprint. Those zang and skeletons broke into a mad dash as well, pursuing him relentlessly.
Along the way, more and more zang were alerted, joining the massive army chasing Xu Zangying one after another. Even those zang who ruled over their own territories abandoned their domains to follow.
The number of zang and white bone skeletons behind Xu Zangying steadily grew into the tens of thousands. The physical stature of the zang and skeletons was naturally far larger than ordinary humans; now they formed a dense, swarming mass, creating a magnificent spectacle.
The Dragon Court era was truly a grand era far surpassing the Demon Court and ancient times. As could be seen from the horde pursuing Xu Zangying, even the Mortal Realm had produced countless experts!
In the present Immortal Court, there were only a few dozen Heavenly Monarchs at best. Yet the vast majority of the zang and skeletons trailing Xu Zangying were Heavenly Monarchs, following him as though being herded!
Incensed by the relentless pursuit, Xu Zangying thought, *Just wait until I reach the Ancestral God, then I'll show you all! With a single move, the Ancestral God will blow you into ashes!*
At this moment, the Ancestral God sat in the Perfect Dao Sect, maintaining the operation of the Heavenly Dao and using the Mortal Realm's Heavenly Dao power to mend his reopened injuries. He said to the dragon and bell, "Old Dragon, I have reached an equilibrium with that entity in the darkness of the Mortal Realm; we shall not interfere with one another. Although I have only restored one-third of the Mortal Realm's Heavenly Dao territory, it is still much larger than the Earth Immortal Realm. In the future, people from the Earth Immortal Realm can migrate here to carve out new homes."
Big Dragon voiced his agreement, a look of hope on his face as he said, "When the Mortal Realm was destroyed, my dragon race fell along with it. Now that the Mortal Realm is reviving, my dragon race should rise again as well."
The big bell asked worriedly, "Wait, have you two forgotten about Ah Ying? Where is Ah Ying right now? Why hasn't he returned yet? Ancestral God, did you spot Ah Ying just now?"
Big Dragon was filled with worry as well. "Nothing can happen to him! My dragon race's final Ten Thousand Dragon Banner is still on him!"
The Ancestral God hesitated, then said, "There is no trace of him within the bounds of my Heavenly Dao territory. But do not fret; I shall establish contact with that presence in the darkness and see if I can ascertain Xu Ying's whereabouts."
With that, He sat up straight and mobilized his Heavenly Dao perception, attempting to sense the Emerald Rock.
Suddenly, His expression altered. "That entity is rapidly approaching me! He wants to fight to the death!"
The Ancestral God's countenance turned grim, brimming with murderous intent. "Refusing to spare even one-third of my Mortal Realm's territory—he bullies me too far! I'd like to see just how much stronger than me you can be!"
He channeled all of His cultivation, suddenly expanding the Heavenly Dao's territory to clash violently against the darkness!
As the impact erupted, it was met with a ferocious counterattack from the Emerald Rock. The Ancestral God grunted and spat out a mouthful of blood, the Dao injuries He had just suppressed breaking open once more.
The big bell and Big Dragon grew intensely nervous, staring fixedly at the Ancestral God in terror that something might go wrong with Him.
The Ancestral God reached out and caught the fishing line dangling from the void, saying to the dragon and bell, "The enemy is exceptionally formidable. Let us preserve our strength and retreat to the Ancestral Court before making further plans... Wait, that entity stopped!"
The Ancestral God's spirits lifted, and He released the fishing line with a laugh. "No need to rush our departure. Presumably that entity has also realized my strength and dares not fight to the death with me."
Only then did the big bell and Big Dragon relax.
The Ancestral God said, "I shall attempt to contact this entity. Let us hope he is an intelligent life form capable of understanding my words."
The big bell said, "Ah Ying's life is at stake here. Lower your stance a bit and say a few polite words, old fellow."
The Ancestral God shook His head. "I represent the face of the Three Realms; how could I humble myself? Moreover, that entity in the darkness is likely the chief culprit behind the Mortal Realm's catastrophe! I must stand on firm principles to make him yield; there is no way I will lower my stance and flatter him!"
Hearing this, the big bell sighed. "Ah Ying is doomed, I'm afraid."
Above Xu Zangying's head, the Emerald Rock suddenly erupted. Dao weeping surged violently, and the light of principles upon the rock's surface soared skyward with brilliant radiance, terrifying the horde of zang and white bone skeletons behind him into falling to their knees in worship.
Xu Zangying was taken aback as well. Setting the Emerald Rock down, he leaped atop it to examine those markings closely.
Suddenly, the Ancestral God's consciousness descended, linking with him and the Emerald Rock. Using the Heavenly Dao as His language, He spoke with an exceedingly polite tone: "Dao Brother, your divine abilities are truly vast; I am filled with admiration and willing to honor you as an elder brother. I have an unruly disciple who strayed into your treasured domain. I beseech you to inform me of his whereabouts; I would be endlessly grateful, moved even to tears."
Xu Zangying was stunned. *The Ancestral God actually humbled Himself to plead with the Emerald Rock just to find me...*
Moved beyond measure, he opened his mouth. "Ancestral God, it's me! I'm still alive!"
Yet the only sound that came from his mouth was an ear-piercing wail of Dao weeping. Seeing him weep, the zang kneeling below the Emerald Rock opened their mouths as well, crying out with Dao weeping. For a time, demonic sounds battered the ears in an overwhelming din.
Xu Zangying stared blankly, his expression crestfallen. He plopped down onto the Emerald Rock and thought, *If I can never change back, I'll never be able to return...*
A few zang plucked up the courage to crawl up to the base of the Emerald Rock, carefully stretching out their hands to stroke his feet as though offering comfort.
Xu Zangying rallied his spirits and stood up, looking toward the direction where the Ancestral God resided. After a moment, he leaped down from the Emerald Rock, hoisted the stone vessel hull overhead, and marched away from the Heavenly Dao's territory.
He paused, looked back at the zang and white bone skeletons, and let out a short burst of Dao weeping from his throat.
The numerous zang were overjoyed. Uttering short cries of Dao weeping in return, they led the horde of skeletons to follow in his footsteps, vanishing into the darkness.
Not long after they left, Saint Luo arrived with fluttering sleeves.
"He really did pass through here!" Saint Luo chuckled. "It seems the Taiyi Cave Abyss truly shares a destiny with me!"
He gave swift chase in the direction Xu Zangying had gone. Just as he was about to catch up to the grand army of zang, his heart gave a sudden lurch, and he hastily came to a halt. Ahead, a figure stood in the darkness—it was none other than Immortal Emperor Supreme.
Immortal Emperor Supreme stood with his back to him, gazing in the direction Xu Zangying had departed. Yet he had not pursued, allowing Xu Zangying to leave with the Emerald Rock and the Taiyi Cave Abyss.
Saint Luo chuckled. "Nephew arrived before me, so why give up on the Taiyi Cave Abyss?"
Immortal Emperor Supreme did not turn around or look back. A smile curled at the corners of his lips as he murmured leisurely, "Uncle Luo, you cannot fathom how joyful my heart is right now."
Saint Luo was utterly baffled. He smiled and said, "Since Nephew has relinquished the Taiyi Cave Abyss, Nephew will not stop me if I go take it, will you?"
With his hands behind his back, Immortal Emperor Supreme said placidly, "Uncle Luo, Xu Ying is my line in the sand. You had best not cross it by half a step."
Murderous intent surged in Saint Luo's heart.
Immortal Emperor Supreme, however, was filled with serene delight. Arriving here before Saint Luo, he had seen that Xu Zangying still retained Xu Ying's humanity; he knew Xu Ying had not perished, but was living on in the form of a zang.
*The fruit I painstakingly cultivated for six hundred thousand years remains, only still green and unripe.*
He struggled to suppress the immense joy within him to keep it from clouding his rational judgment. *Until then, anyone who seeks to pluck my fruit is my enemy! Whoever touches my fruit must die!*
Chapter 576