Only, the process through which they learned this had been agonizing.
During that period, they engaged in cutthroat rivalry, betrayal, and scheming, deploying every sort of shameful and underhanded method imaginable. Even though they had once been comrades bound by life and death, they ultimately turned their weapons against each other.
"Even the Supreme realm can taste defeat. When one is bested in skill, it comes down to either death or flight."
With a smile on his face and flames burning within his eyes, Creation Supreme said leisurely, "That I fled here and preserved my life can be considered a stroke of fortune amidst misfortune."
Xu Ying fell into a daze. After a moment, he said, "What a pity that I was born too late to ever meet Daoist Qingxuan."
*How truly melancholic,* he thought to himself.
Perhaps if Qingxuan's methods had been more adept, proceeding step by step to slowly weaken the influence of the other Supremes... Perhaps he should have been more sinister, concocting various excuses to eliminate one by one the fellow Daoists who had once fought alongside him.
He should have seized opportunities to promote new blood, allowing more young Supremes to appear in the imperial court to gradually supplant his old comrades and strip them of their power—arresting some, killing some, and imprisoning the rest.
Only then, when he moved to implement making cave abysses public property, the resistance would surely have been far lighter.
Yet had he done so, he would no longer have been Qingxuan.
Creation Supreme smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have held nothing back in my answers. Are you satisfied? I wonder if you could now dispel the Dao weeping's influence for me?"
Casting aside his wandering thoughts, Xu Ying said, "Of course."
Creation Supreme breathed a sigh of relief.
Earlier, when Xu Ying questioned him regarding Qingxuan's death, the reason he had laid everything bare was precisely because he needed Xu Ying's help. Had he continued to hesitate and withhold what he knew, Xu Ying likely would not have helped him dispel the Dao weeping.
If it came down to blows, though he was a Supreme, he might not necessarily prevail against the two Zang standing behind Xu Ying.
When he first arrived in the darkened Mortal Realm all those years ago, he had encountered Jingming and Ming Wangsun and exchanged blows with them; he knew full well just how formidable these two Zang were.
"Relax, Brother Dao. Let me examine you," Xu Ying smiled.
Creation Supreme still did not dare relax. In his experience, relaxing meant death. Having lived through the struggle for the imperial throne, he was no longer capable of trusting anyone, not even those closest to him.
Xu Ying observed the Li framework within his body, recording each detail. One had to admit that the invasive nature of the Li framework was exceedingly potent. Even a being like Creation Supreme, who had few rivals under heaven, had succumbed to its infiltration over the prolonged passage of time.
Creation Supreme cultivated the system of Dao images, runes, Dao principles, Dao chains, and Dao scenes, with Dao images serving as its foundational architecture. Furthermore, having risen from the ancient era, he also possessed some Dao patterns.
Xu Ying could see that the invasion of the Li framework had fundamentally supplanted a portion of his Dao image architecture.
The replacement of that Dao image architecture was what caused him to sprout so many branch-like textures!
If this continued indefinitely, Creation Supreme's entire cultivation would be replaced by the Li framework!
*Even a Supreme realm entity will be assimilated when exposed to the Dao weeping environment for too long. No wonder Creation Supreme came seeking me,* Xu Ying thought. *The Emerald Rock Great Dao is truly bizarre!*
Yet during this period of cultivating and comprehending the Emerald Rock Great Dao, he had felt time and again that whether it was the Emerald Rock Great Dao or the Li framework, both were upright, open, and utterly devoid of any evil or demonic air!
Where, then, did the problem truly lie?
Dispelling these Li frameworks for Creation Supreme was not difficult, merely a bit tedious for Xu Ying. Bit by bit, he purged the Li framework, and the branch-like textures on Creation Supreme's body gradually vanished.
He then flew into Creation Supreme's body, entering his Realm of Xiyi, and refined away the branch-like textures one by one.
The Realm of Xiyi of a Supreme realm cultivator was colossal beyond measure. The Five Sacred Immortal Mountains were magnificent in the extreme, their Five Qi actually condensing into streams of immortal qi that swirled about the immortal peaks. As for the Heavenly River and the Heavenly Mountain, they were extraordinarily majestic, and the ocean where fire and water were refined together was endlessly vast.
Passing through the Twelve-Storyed Mansions, Xu Ying entered the Jade Pool, ascended the God Bridge, and stepped into Yujing, surveying every realm, large and small, belonging to this Supreme.
"Across all these realms, I have no deficiencies left."
Comparing Creation Supreme's realms with his own one by one, Xu Ying mused inwardly, *Aside from his realms surpassing mine in scale, in every other aspect, I am not in the least inferior to a Supreme—in fact, mine are even more exquisite!*
Creation Supreme was a Supreme realm existence; the various realms within his Realm of Xiyi continuously elevated alongside the growth of his cultivation, and his foundation and reserves became ever firmer as well.
If Xu Ying were to cultivate to the Supreme realm, his realms of Qi Gathering, knocking on the pass, blended refining, and so forth would likewise expand tremendously, not yielding to Creation Supreme in the slightest.
"I can already ascend!"
Having inspected Yujing City, Xu Ying examined Creation Supreme's Domain of Six Immortals, Dao domain, and bodhimanda, gaining an understanding of a Supreme's realms such as Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and Immortal King.
"Brother Dao Creation, I would like to enter your cave abyss to take a look at your Dao scenes," Xu Ying said as he flew out from Creation Supreme's Realm of Xiyi.
Creation Supreme hastily smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xu, that cave abyss of mine is extraordinarily wondrous and has not been affected by the darkened Mortal Realm. There is no need to inspect it."
Xu Ying did not press the matter, saying, "Dao weeping permeates everything, and the Dao weeping of the ancient era emanated directly from cave abysses. I was merely concerned that your Dao scenes might be compromised. Since you are certain it is fine, I am naturally glad to save myself the trouble."
Hearing this, Creation Supreme's heart gave a jolt.
He was a disciple of Great Dao Lord Xuhuang and had personally lived through the Dao weeping that emerged from cave abysses; he knew all too well how terrifying Dao weeping was.
Xuandu Yujing had possessed numerous disciples, and back then, there had been no shortage of those whose innate talent and comprehension surpassed his own. Yet when the Dao weeping descended, the Dao attainments of these disciples crumbled and disintegrated one after another, their cultivation utterly ruined.
Unable to endure for more than a few years, their flesh and blood melted away, reducing them to white bones!
Even Great Dao Lord Xuhuang's Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit had been powerless before the Dao weeping.
Creation Supreme's gaze fell upon the Taiyi Cave Abyss behind Xu Ying, and he smiled. "Fellow Daoist, though you walk the path of a Supreme, it seems not entirely complete. Since you wish to glean the mysteries of the Supreme realm from me, please, help yourself."
Surprised, Xu Ying glanced at him, then stepped into the cave abyss behind his head.
The cave abyss behind Creation Supreme's head was as vast as the Realm of the Great Void and fathomlessly deep. Dao scenes floated within the void, radiating boundless Dao power.
This differed from the Dao scenes in the Realm of the Great Void. Those in the Realm of the Great Void had already fallen into decay and extinction, whereas the Dao scenes here still possessed majestic power, constantly evolving with endless wonders!
Xu Ying inspected these Dao scenes one by one, searching for signs of Zangification while simultaneously studying the marvelous applications of Dao scenes. From this visit, he gained immense harvest, feeling deeply satisfied.
Having finished inspecting Creation Supreme's Ten Great Dao Scenes, he was about to depart when his eyes swept across the void and caught sight of another area within the cave abyss.
That was the other shore concealed within this cave abyss—a supreme pure land encircled by tens of thousands of immortal mountains, appearing incomparably sacred.
The pure land was not large, yet nestled among the myriad immortal mountains, it was exceedingly eye-catching, visibly an extraordinary place at first glance.
Xu Ying flew toward it. Sensing his movements, Creation Supreme's expression changed slightly and he moved to stand up, but at that moment, Old Zang Jingming and Ming Wangsun flanked him from left and right, trapping him between them.
Heavenly Venerable Creation smiled faintly and said, "Brothers Dao, you two have been dead for countless years. You are no match for me."
Old Zang Jingming drawled, "Do you think we learned nothing during these days of following Teacher? Teacher imparted to us the Emerald Rock Great Dao, allowing us to grasp supreme principles and comprehend divine abilities. You are welcome to test us."
Heavenly Venerable Creation raised his brows and made no move.
When Xu Ying arrived at that pure land, he discovered there were actually houses here. Though not glittering, splendid immortal palaces, they were exquisitely refined and well-appointed.
The spiritual qi and spiritual power here were overwhelming, accompanied by melodious Dao chimes, as though another extraordinary Great Dao permeated this heaven and earth.
Arriving before the houses, Xu Ying saw people living inside. They were all immortals, an entire large family spanning elders to children.
Seeing Xu Ying, they were all taken aback. A white-haired old immortal stepped out of the dwelling and asked with a smile, "And you are...?"
Xu Ying said, "Brother Dao Creation asked me to treat his ailments. Seeing people here, I came over, not intending to disturb you, Venerable Elder. Who might you all be?"
Upon hearing that he had come to treat Creation Supreme, the old immortal hurriedly invited him inside, flurrying to order tea poured and dried candied fruit brought out to entertain him. With a laugh, he said, "This humble old man is that wretched son's father. And here are my good lady, that wretched son's wife, our grandsons and granddaughters, along with relatives of our clan. The whole extended family is right here!"
Astonished, Xu Ying watched as Creation Supreme's family members, who clearly had not seen an outsider for a very long time, gathered around to stare at him.
Xu Ying asked, "How long has the elder been here?"
"Don't remember," the old immortal laughed. "That brat Yin Yuan said he'd become a Supreme and claimed the Immortal Court, and that he was bringing us up to heaven to enjoy blessings and become immortals together, saying I'd never have to suffer for the rest of my days. But what happened? We followed him up to heaven, and before long, people were screaming for blood. He stuffed us in here and wouldn't let us out! Total wretched son!"
Reaching this point, the old immortal suddenly cursed, "How is this enjoying blessings and living like immortals? This is clearly being thrown into prison! Locked away for who knows how many tens of thousands of years, unable to die even if we wanted to! If you want to lock up your old man, fine, but he locked up his wife and kids too!"
Having said that, he cursed a few more lines.
"Sir, is Yin Yuan's injury serious? Has it been cured?"
After venting his curses, the old immortal was filled with concern for Creation Supreme again, saying, "He hasn't come in to visit us for a long time. Tell him not to push himself so hard. We don't count on him getting promotions or making a fortune."
Xu Ying gave an affirmative nod and said, "I will pass on your words. Rest assured, Elder, his injury is no longer in danger."
Setting down his teacup, he bade them farewell and departed.
The old immortal and the young and old of Creation Supreme's family warmly saw him off, urging him to visit often.
Xu Ying flew out of the cave abyss. Seeing Old Zang Jingming and Ming Wangsun still hemming in Creation Supreme, he smiled. "Brother Dao, fortunately I did not fail your trust. I have finally refined away all your Zangified parts. You need only circulate your cultivation for a few days to return to your peak."
Creation Supreme expressed his thanks.
"Furthermore, your esteemed father and family miss you dearly. They would like you to go in and spend time with them," Xu Ying added.
Creation Supreme smiled faintly and said, "My family affairs require no concern from you, Fellow Daoist. Farewell."
He turned to leave.
Xu Ying called out, "Don't you want to know whether I left a backdoor in your body?"
Creation Supreme's body stiffened. He halted in his tracks, turned his head, and laughed, "Did you leave a backdoor?"
Xu Ying said calmly, "I did."
Creation Supreme arched his brows and laughed. "Fellow Daoist Xu is still young, after all. I am a Supreme; before me, you cannot play any tricks. Even if you left a backdoor, I fear nothing. I will certainly be able to ferret it out, and it will not affect me in the slightest."
Xu Ying smiled. "In that case, why did you need to come plead with me to resolve your predicament of Zangification?"
Creation Supreme turned and drifted away, laughing, "The two cannot be lumped together. I could not resist the encroachment of the darkened Mortal Realm, but your every move was right before my eyes. To plant a seed of doubt in my Dao heart—you are still a bit green."
His figure vanished into the darkness.
Watching him depart into the distance, Xu Ying said to Jingming and Ming Wangsun, "Doubt will inevitably take root in his Dao heart, suspecting whether I tampered with him while treating his injuries. After Qingxuan's death, someone who has lived through comrades turning on each other, slaughtering and scheming against one another, can hardly preserve an innocent, untainted Dao heart."
Old Zang Jingming and Ming Wangsun could not help asking, "But Teacher, did you actually leave a backdoor inside him?"
Xu Ying shook his head and laughed, "No. However, he will believe that I did. And once he believes it, it truly exists."
Planting a seed of doubt in Creation Supreme's Dao heart would let it slowly sprout, take root, and grow. In the future, whenever Heavenly Venerable Creation faced him, he would inevitably be beset by paranoia, unable to exert his full strength.
At that time, the seed of doubt would have grown into grain, ripe for harvest.
"Jingming, Ming Wangsun, prepare yourselves over the next few days," Xu Ying said, gazing up into the dark sky before turning his eyes back to the two. "Very soon, I will undergo heavenly tribulation and ascend. Over these next few days, I will impart everything I have comprehended to you."
Old Zang Jingming and Ming Wangsun were shaken to the core.
The first tribulation crossing in the darkened Mortal Realm held momentous significance.
If Xu Ying could truly draw down a heavenly tribulation in the darkened Mortal Realm, it would mean that a unique Heavenly Dao was indeed operating in this dark realm. It would mean that all the Zang and white-bone skeletons were not dead things, but vibrant, living beings!
It would mean that they, too, could cultivate and ascend through cultivation!
Another ten-odd days passed. Xu Ying imparted all the principles he had comprehended during this period to them before preparing to face the tribulation.
Ming Wangsun hurriedly asked, "Teacher, after you ascend, who will inherit the seat of Dao Ancestor of the Perfect Dao Sect?"
Xu Ying shot him a glance and said, "First come, first served."
Jingming was delighted, but Xu Ying continued, "Above you two, there is also a Second Senior Brother and a First Senior Sister."
Jingming and Ming Wangsun exchanged bewildered looks. They were already beings of the Eighth Dao Realm, yet they actually had a senior brother and senior sister? Just what kind of background did these senior disciples have?
Xu Ying said, "By right, your First Senior Sister should succeed the seat, but neither of them is here. Therefore, after I ascend, Jingming shall serve as acting Dao Ancestor, and Wangsun shall assist him."
Jingming was overjoyed, glancing at Ming Wangsun unable to conceal his smug satisfaction.
"You must live in harmony and not squabble out of spite. Teach your disciples and pupils well, and guide more Zang to return to humanity," Xu Ying instructed.
The two complied respectfully.
Once Xu Ying had arranged everything properly, he finally triggered the heavenly tribulation.
In the Heavenly Dao Territory, the Ancestral God tended to his injuries while stabilizing the Heavenly Dao to contend against the darkness. On the other side, the Dragon Bell was still searching everywhere for the Immortal Emperor, Saint Luo, and the others. With those figures in hiding, the Big Dragon and the big bell rummaged all about, turning heaven and earth upside down.
The Ancestral God fretted inwardly, *I cannot stay bogged down here forever.*
Right at that moment, a stunned expression suddenly washed over his face. He raised his head and looked toward the dark territory where the Emerald Rock resided.
The astonishment on his face grew thicker and thicker, his heart filled with mounting disbelief.
"That's impossible... How could there be a Heavenly Dao in the darkness? Yet this aura—it is a tribulation crossing. Someone has truly triggered a heavenly tribulation in the darkness! But..."
The Ancestral God's face was filled with utter perplexity and bewilderment. "How could there exist a Heavenly Dao that is not within my grasp?"
Chapter 580