Hearing this, Young Master Ning Qing grew tense. Creation Supreme had treated him well as a disciple, having consistently taught him various Dao methods and divine powers through the Returning Dao Jade Platter and guided his cultivation.
Ning Qing was already among the few prominent figures in the New Dao, but ever since the Battle of the Heavenly Abyss between Xu Ying and the Immortal Emperor, Ning Qing had refused to acknowledge Creation Supreme.
Xu Ying was the Dao Ancestor of the New Dao, and Ning Qing had been among the first to receive its heritage, knowing full well how much the New Dao meant. Dao Ancestor Xu had made such an immense contribution, yet at the final moment of his impending victory, Creation Supreme and the others had suppressed him, leaving him to be harvested by the Immortal Emperor.
No one could accept having a master like that.
"Ning Qing, while a few days still remain, I will impart my Creation Dao Returning Kung Fu to you."
Creation Supreme’s mirror avatar paid no heed to whether Young Master Ning Qing objected, proceeding on his own to explain the Creation Dao Returning Kung Fu he had founded. Although this art bore traces of the methods of Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain, since he attained great mastery, his attainments in the Dao of Creation had surpassed Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain.
However, he had previously taught the Creation Dao Returning Kung Fu to Ning Qing. Comparing the two versions, Ning Qing noticed several subtle differences between what had been taught before and what was being taught today.
Singling out these subtle differences, Young Master Ning Qing questioned Creation Supreme, "Master, there were several loopholes in the Creation Dao Returning Kung Fu you imparted in the past. Did you leave a backdoor intended to harvest me?"
Creation Supreme flushed red. "What nonsense is that? It was merely an oversight back then."
Ning Qing looked suspicious. Suddenly, overwhelmed by sorrow, he burst into tears.
Creation Supreme was thrown into disarray, wishing to comfort him but not knowing how. He chuckled, "You were perfectly fine, so why start crying now? Are you blaming me for hiding flaws in the technique I taught you before?"
Ning Qing wiped his tears and said, "When you taught me a flawed technique, I knew you could survive. But now that you impart the true technique to me, I know that your chances are grim. You may be a bastard, but you are still my honored master. Knowing you are about to die, how could I not weep?"
Creation Supreme was stunned. He laughed and scolded, "Nonsense. Your master is simply going to accomplish a grand deed; I won't die. You little leek, just keep growing. Once your master accomplishes that grand deed and returns, I'll harvest you!"
Having passed down the Dao, he felt deeply satisfied. He had originally intended to return to the Returning Dao Jade Platter, but Ning Qing’s burst of tears had moved him. Leaving Zhenwu Temple, he unknowingly arrived at Wangxiang Platform in the Netherworld and stepped into Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain.
Upon Jade Capital Mountain, the Eight Vistas of Xuandu shone brilliantly. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit of Great Dao Lord Xuhuang sat within the Daoist temple, eyes fixed on his nose, nose aligned with his heart.
Creation Supreme’s mirror avatar walked before the Great Dao Lord, prostrating himself with head to the ground. "Master, your disciple has come to confess his sins."
Great Dao Lord Xuhuang did not open his eyes to look at him for a long time.
Back then, when the world underwent cataclysmic upheaval and Dao weeping ravaged the realm, Creation Supreme had sympathized with the suffering of the common people. Seeing his sect stand by and watch the calamity without regard for all living beings, he had furiously fought his way out of Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain in rebellion.
After Qingxuan attained the Dao, Creation Supreme had also comprehended his own Supreme path, developing Ten Vistas upon the foundation of the Eight Vistas of Xuandu. But he lacked a Supreme cave abyss and could never attain the Supreme realm.
Thus, he fought his way back to Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain, slaughtering the fellow disciples who resisted him, and even struck down Great Dao Lord Xuhuang’s Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, finally seizing the Creation Cave Abyss.
Whenever he looked back on this after rising to power and fame, he felt a measure of regret. Yet, as a leader of the rebel army and one of the founders of the new Immortal Court, how could he bow his head and admit fault?
Seeing that the Great Dao Lord did not open his eyes, Creation Supreme quietly rose and tended to the Great Dao Lord’s daily needs. But the Great Dao Lord never opened his eyes to look at him.
A few days passed. Creation Supreme bowed toward the Great Dao Lord and departed in silence.
He stepped onto Wangxiang Platform. Just as he was about to leave this mystical borderland between Yin and Yang, the Great Dao Lord’s voice came from behind: "Yin Yuan, why not turn back?"
Creation Supreme looked back. He saw the passage of time flowing like a dream alongside the paths of Wangxiang Platform.
Dust and smoke billowed. When the smoke cleared, he saw the Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain of six hundred thousand years ago, during the scene where he had fought his way out.
Within those bygone years, the fellow disciples who died by his hands were vivid and clear. Back then, they were still alive, planning to rush down the mountain to prevent him from betraying the sect.
"Let him go."
Great Dao Lord Xuhuang’s voice sounded, touched with gratification. "Yin Yuan cares for all living beings under heaven. With such a disciple, what more could I ask for?"
Tears streamed down Creation Supreme’s face.
The scenes on Wangxiang Platform shifted with his thoughts, revealing the moment when he became the rebel leader and marched upon Xuandu Jade Capital Mountain. Back then, he only knew that he was determined to seize the Creation Cave Abyss, ignorant of what had transpired inside Jade Capital Mountain.
Now, he knew.
Great Dao Lord Xuhuang had known he was coming and had instructed the disciples, "Your Senior Brother Yin Yuan will soon arrive. Go welcome him on my behalf. He is now a rebel leader; do not treat him with disrespect."
The next scene showed Creation Supreme leading the rebel army in slaughtering his fellow disciples, fighting all the way up the mountain until he stood before Great Dao Lord Xuhuang.
Great Dao Lord Xuhuang had closed his eyes and refrained from looking at him.
Creation Supreme had dealt the fatal blow.
Dust and smoke surged once more, obscuring Creation Supreme’s vision.
Creation Supreme quietly turned away, then looked back again.
Wangxiang Platform was where one gazed upon the homeland of the soul.
He saw the moment he had first climbed the mountain to become a disciple. Great Dao Lord Xuhuang gently stroked his head, smiling. "This child possesses roots of wisdom."
Creation Supreme’s vision blurred. Turning away, he walked toward the exit of Wangxiang Platform.
"Yin Yuan, turn back," Great Dao Lord Xuhuang’s voice called from behind him.
"Master, your disciple’s sins are grave. I cannot turn back."
He strode outward. Leaping upward, he merged into the Returning Dao Jade Platter flying through the air and broke through the void.
Within Creation Supreme’s manor in the Immortal Court, Creation Supreme hesitated repeatedly before finally standing and entering his cave abyss. He had settled his parents, wife, and children on the other shore within the cave abyss, granting them immortality, yet he had long feared going in to see his family.
He could no longer remember how long it had been since he last came here.
Timidity seized him as he drew near his home. Standing before the other shore of the cave abyss, he faltered.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and prepared to turn and leave.
"Yin Yuan!"
A voice called out behind him.
Creation Supreme’s body stiffened. Turning around, he saw his elderly mother. Overjoyed, the old matriarch waved to him, then hurriedly shouted toward the courtyard, "Old man! Old man! Yin Yuan is back! Daughter-in-law, your husband is back! Come quickly!"
"I won't see him!"
Old Master Yin’s voice boomed from the courtyard, laced with fury. "That cursed wretch of a son! Locking us in here like prisoners—we’d be better off dead! Tell him to drag his ass in here!"
Suddenly feeling a weight lift from his heart, Creation Supreme walked forward with a smile.
He paid his respects to his elderly mother and embraced his wife and children as they rushed out. Then he saw his elderly father leaning on a cane at the door, glaring at him with a mix of fury and concern.
Creation Supreme stepped forward and prostrated himself. The old father raised his cane as if to strike, but could not bring himself to bring it down. Thumping the cane against the ground, he said, "You scoundrel, get up! Knocking your head so loudly—doesn’t it hurt? Get inside!"
Creation Supreme rose and followed him into the courtyard.
Before long, joyful laughter rang out through the courtyard. After staying for a few days, Creation Supreme prepared to leave. His wife asked with concern, "How long will you be gone this time? Is it still not peaceful out there?"
Creation Supreme hesitated, then said, "I am going to handle a major matter. If it succeeds, you will no longer need to stay here."
His old father’s expression grew grave, and he barked, "Are you going to do something good or something wicked? If you do wicked things again, I'll break your legs! No rotten seed has ever come from the Yin family!"
"It is a good thing."
Creation Supreme hesitated a moment, then added, "Father, Mother, only this time, it might cost my life and implicate the two of you."
His mother asked, "Must it be done?"
"It must."
"Then go do it."
Creation Supreme walked out of the cave abyss, his heart entirely at peace.
Finally, the second Battle of the Heavenly Abyss drew near. Within and without the Immortal Court, experts from all walks of life had stirred into action, arriving early at the Heavenly Abyss to secure favorable spots in anticipation of this battle of the ages.
The New Dao now flourished, gradually supplanting the cultivation methods of old to become the orthodox path, and immortals no longer needed to ascend. As for immortal mountains and blessed grounds, though many still contested them, anyone cultivating the New Dao could form a cave abyss even without such lands, fulfilling their daily cultivation needs.
The Qi Practitioners were naturally grateful for the New Dao, yet much debate persisted over who was the true Dao Ancestor of the New Dao.
Some said the Immortal Emperor Supreme had pioneered the techniques of the New Dao and established its fourteen realms, making him the New Dao Ancestor.
Others said Xu Ying was the true New Dao Ancestor, and that the Immortal Emperor was guilty of monstrous crimes for slaying Dao Ancestor Xu, harvesting his realms, seizing his cave abyss, and forcibly taking his Merit Purple Qi.
Both views were held, with no consensus in sight.
However, word of the second duel at the Heavenly Abyss between Xu Ying and the Immortal Emperor had spread in recent days, and details of their first duel had gradually come to light.
Consequently, the second view had become the mainstream. The Immortal Emperor’s prestige suffered severe damage, and everywhere people discussed his murder of Dao Ancestor Xu to seize merit, branding him traitorous and wicked.
When this reached the Immortal Court, various court authorities issued orders that anyone discussing the matter would have their mouth sealed, their tongue severed, and be left to starve to death.
Thus, along the roads, many simply exchanged glances without uttering a word—a picture of quiet peace and harmony.
The Immortal Emperor, along with Creation, Dan Xuanzi, Yuanying, Huoling, and the others, finally set out for the Heavenly Abyss. Elder Long Dai, the emissary from the Heavenly Immortal Realm, was also among them.
Two days remained before the agreed deadline. Traveling at an easy pace with stops along the way, arriving at the Heavenly Abyss on the second day would be just in time.
As the group took in the scenery along the journey, they arrived over the Heavenly Sea before they knew it. Creation Supreme smiled and said, "There is an immortal mountain upon the sea known as Cuiluo Island, boasting exceptional scenery. We could go take a look."
The party arrived on Cuiluo Island. Its landscapes were indeed beautiful, offering unique sights unseen in the Immortal Court that enchanted visitors, making them forget their worries before they realized it.
Creation Supreme smiled. "Your Majesty, may I have a word with you in private? I know of a place with exquisite scenery, unknown to outsiders."
The Immortal Emperor Supreme followed him. Cuiluo Island’s paths were winding and tortuous, spiraling like the interior of a conch shell. Scenic views unfolded at every turn—truly a quiet trail leading to secluded wonders, and secluded depths reaching divine realms.
"Martial Uncle Creation truly possesses broad horizons to know of such a place!"
Taking in the surroundings, the Immortal Emperor could not help but praise it. "This place is breathtaking. Compared to this, the scenery of the Immortal Court is quite vulgar."
Walking side by side with the Immortal Emperor, Creation Supreme smiled. "Your Majesty may not know, but Cuiluo Island is not the most beautiful place. Among the immortal mountains and blessed grounds I have visited, it ranks third at best."
The Immortal Emperor’s curiosity was piqued. "What are the other two places?"
Creation Supreme did not answer, shifting the topic instead. "Your Majesty, in my view, the arrival of the Dragon Court's emissary from the Heavenly Immortal Realm bodes ill. Most likely, because they cannot deal with the Ancestral God, they wish to breach us from within the Earth Immortal Realm."
The Immortal Emperor sighed. "Martial Uncle, I understand what you mean. The Heavenly Immortal Realm certainly harbors ill intent, but what can I do? If I do not play along, Long Dai could slaughter every one of us on the spot! You have seen his abilities; he has the strength to do it!"
Creation Supreme asked, "Then what is Your Majesty’s intention?"
The Immortal Emperor replied, "I believe we should first establish ties with them, discard our Dao patterns and runes, learn their Zangification methods, and cultivate the Dao of the other shore. We are weak now, so we submit first. Once we have learned their arts and grown powerful, we can resist."
Creation Supreme matched his stride, speaking gravely, "Your Majesty, how can we know the Zangification methods and Dao of the other shore they pass down do not contain backdoors? Moreover, if we imitate them in everything, after Zangification, even our bloodlines will change, and our way of thinking will become theirs. Who would still consider themselves part of the human race? I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."
The Immortal Emperor asked, "What does Martial Uncle believe is the correct way?"
Creation Supreme replied, "I believe we should decipher the Zangification methods and decipher the Dao of the other shore! During the Dragon Court era, the dragon race knew nothing of the Zangification methods and the Dao of the other shore, so when the Emerald Rock struck, the Dragon Court fractured and fell to ruin. But later, Emperor Haotian deciphered the Emerald Rock inscriptions and achieved the Taiyi Awakening, ushering in the era of the human Immortal Court. Though it endured Dao weeping, it did not lead to total destruction, proving that localizing the Dao of the other shore truly works! Your Majesty!"
He paused, then continued, "The present situation is a crisis, but it is also an opportunity. If we can seize this opportunity and localize the Dao of the other shore, we will surely be able to stand as equals against the Heavenly Immortal Realm! From what I see of Xu Ying’s comeback, he localized the Dao of the other shore into indigenous Daos such as Taiyi, Taishang, and Taicang, which is why his progress has been so meteoric!"
The Immortal Emperor said indifferently, "Then, Martial Uncle, what would you have me do? You don't actually believe that resolving our grievances with Xu Ying and seeking his guidance will solve this problem, do you? You don't intend for me to admit fault before the world and bow to Xu Ying as the New Dao Ancestor, do you? Martial Uncle Creation, where would you have me put my pride?"
Still unwilling to give up, Creation Supreme urged, "Your Majesty, what does momentary honor or disgrace matter? Colluding with the Heavenly Immortal Realm to oppose the Ancestral God and destroying our own defenses will lead to eternal damnation! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
The Immortal Emperor sneered. "Martial Uncle, there is no need for such childish talk. Let us go; we should not keep the others waiting."
He began walking outward, but just then, a swirl of light rotated ahead. The Returning Dao Jade Platter suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
The Immortal Emperor frowned. "Martial Uncle, do you think you are still a match for me today?"
Behind him, Creation Supreme shook his head. "Meng Shanming, you will drag the Earth Immortal Realm into ruin from which it can never recover. Today, only one of us will walk out of here alive."
The Returning Dao Jade Platter made a complete revolution, and the world around them shifted entirely. They were no longer on Cuiluo Island, but inside a separate space-time formed by the Dao of Creation.
The Immortal Emperor turned around with a half-smile. "Martial Uncle, you did not strike to kill from the start. Did you still harbor hope, wishing to persuade me to change my mind? My Dao heart is steadfast; it is not something you can sway."
He activated three great cave abysses, within which thirteen Dao Vistas manifested. Smiling faintly, he said, "Martial Uncle, do not overestimate yourself!"
Creation Supreme suddenly sprang forward, channeling the Creation Dao Returning Kung Fu to attack him!
The Immortal Emperor Supreme drove his thirteen Dao Vistas, marshaling the power of the cave abysses. The moment the two Supremes clashed, Creation Supreme realized that his cultivation was not as profound as his opponent's.
Having harvested Dao Ancestor Xu, the Immortal Emperor far surpassed him in magic power!
Yet his arts of creation were indeed exceedingly wondrous. The instant the Immortal Emperor clashed with him, the emperor felt his Dao Vistas stir restlessly. The realms harvested from Xu Ying trembled as well, threatening to sprout Xu Ying’s physical body and primordial spirit directly from within those realms!
*If I cannot resolve this fight with that old thief Creation quickly, I might be the one who dies! Even if there are no weaknesses, he can create them out of nothing!*
Shocked and infuriated, the Immortal Emperor Supreme unleashed the Ginseng Fruit Tree of Wuzhuang Temple without hesitation, sweeping it forward with a swish.
Creation Supreme summoned the Returning Dao Jade Platter to meet the Dao light of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, while charging straight toward the Immortal Emperor Supreme. Their techniques and divine powers clashed repeatedly; shaken by the Immortal Emperor’s overwhelming magic power, Creation Supreme coughed up blood again and again.
Just as the Immortal Emperor was about to strike the killing blow, half of his body suddenly twisted into ghastly flesh and blood. Tree-like roots of flesh tore through half his torso, growing outward!
That was the Dao injury left behind when he had fused with the Ginseng Fruit Tree, which Creation Supreme had subsequently treated. He had never imagined that Creation Supreme had planted a hidden trap!
Drenched in blood, Creation Supreme laughed aloud and lunged at him. "My good nephew, you are still one step behind me!"
The Immortal Emperor’s face darkened. As Creation lunged mid-air, a flash of spiritual light burst forth, and a primordial spirit formed of indestructible spiritual light struck him with a palm.
Creation Supreme’s Dao methods were shattered like brittle wood. Immediately leaping into the air, he merged with the Returning Dao Jade Platter and attacked once more. "The Far Ancestor Primordial Spirit? You actually forged it! But even if you kill me, you will be left with a Dao injury! In tomorrow's battle against Xu Ying, you are certain to die!"
The Immortal Emperor was both shocked and enraged. Under the influence of the power of creation, the flesh of half his body tore open and grew wildly; even his Far Ancestor Primordial Spirit was affected, beginning to sprout roots and a tree trunk!
"You court death!"
The Immortal Emperor exerted every ounce of his strength, driving the Far Ancestor Primordial Spirit to clash against Creation Supreme.
*Boom!*
A blindingly bright Dao light tore through this space-time of creation. When the light faded, a sharp clatter sounded as the Returning Dao Jade Platter crashed down, its mirror surface cracked.
The Immortal Emperor Supreme looked ashen. Half of his body and half of his primordial spirit had decayed, overrun by the power of creation to sprout the root tendrils and trunk of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, leaving him struggling to move.
"Mingzun, last time, I saved your life. I am returning you to how you were before I saved you..."
Standing before the Immortal Emperor, Creation Supreme smiled. Suddenly, his physical body and primordial spirit collapsed, scattering into ashes and vanishing into nothingness.
Chapter 666