Just as his voice fell, terrified screams from Immortal realm figures echoed outside She'an Palace, as though they had encountered an unimaginable horror!
Then came a chaotic cacophony: some were the resonance of the Dao erupting from divine arts, some were panic-stricken shouts, some were the clatter of magical treasures being summoned to shield bodies, and others were the strange whooshing sounds of figures fleeing through the sky!
Others were clamoring, demanding that Xu Ying extinguish that bizarre Dao pattern at once.
They even heard the sickening sound of flesh being sliced open—likely Immortal beings immediately gouging out their own eyes or cutting away parts of their bodies where Dao ash had begun to form!
The various sounds mingled into a horrific din.
Unable to turn around, Jiuzeng and the others could not see what was happening, which made their dread all the more terrifying. They desperately wanted to look back and see what was going on, yet dared not, fearing they too might lose their lives.
The swirling Dao snow fell thicker and faster.
Grey snow fluttered and drifted down from the heavens. In truth, many had witnessed such a scene before; whenever a superior Great Dao architecture invaded an inferior one, this phenomenon would occur.
Only most of the time, the other shore occupied the superior position.
Now, however, the tables were turned. The Dao patterns of the new universe effortlessly superseded the principle patterns of the other shore. Even beings in the Immortal realm found it nearly impossible to resist this structural architecture of Dao patterns; their own Great Daos continuously unraveled and spun out of control!
Their protective divine arts rapidly disintegrated into Dao ash, and the imprints on their magical treasures evaporated into nothingness! Their primordial spirits and cave abysses collapsed and fragmented at an astonishing pace.
Watching this, Xu Ying was reminded of when he had first entered the Spirit Realm—similarly terrified, similarly helpless.
Some Dao Lords mobilized their divine arts from afar, attempting to strike down the culprit, Xu Ying. Yet halfway through, their divine arts crumbled into an overwhelming deluge of Dao ash, scattering everywhere.
Xu Ying watched in silence. These Immortals possessed varying levels of cultivation, and the Great Daos they cultivated varied in strength. Among them, the performance of several caught his eye.
"The Great Dao of Reincarnation! To cultivate this Dao all the way to the Immortal realm is truly rare!"
His gaze fell upon Dao Lord Daosheng. The man's Dao wheel spun incessantly, using it to resist spiritualization, causing his cultivation to deplete far slower than the others.
Apart from him, there was Dao Lord Hunyuan, who cultivated the Great Dao of Chaos; his rate of spiritualization was also very slow.
Another person appeared adept at forging magical treasures, casually summoning various defensive treasures one after another to stall the speed of his spiritualization.
Several others displayed extraordinary feats as well, executing distinct divine arts to slow the transformation. Those Dao Lords with exceptionally profound cultivation demonstrated greater resistance against the spirit patterns, and their rate of spiritualization was correspondingly slower.
"Insolence! How dare you harm others in Daoji Heaven! Xu Ying, your crime deserves ten thousand deaths!"
Suddenly, three Grand Dao Lords—Shenmo, Life and Death, and Yinyang—arrived together. Their aura suppressed heaven and earth, overpowering even the spirit patterns, which shattered and vanished one after another.
On the rotting flesh of those Immortals, the spirit patterns burst apart as well, unable to alter any more principle pattern structures! Seeing this, Xu Ying's heart skipped a beat. *The Grand Dao Lords are truly too formidable. They have reached the verge of transcending Dao structures—one step further, and they will be Dao Masters of unstructured Great Dao!*
The three Grand Dao Lords descended, purging the spirit patterns from every Immortal present in the blink of an eye. Their consummate methods were breathtaking.
Xu Ying's heart sank, instantly realizing the purpose of their arrival. Back then, to vie for the Xuanhuang Dao Realm Scripture, the three Grand Dao Lords had ambushed Taiyi in the starry cosmos. In the end, all three were severely injured by Taiyi, not only losing all dignity but also suffering injuries that were difficult to heal.
Yet over a century had passed. The three Grand Dao Lords had surely healed from their wounds and grown even stronger in cultivation. Hearing that Grand Dao Lord Taiyi remained in seclusion, they had chosen this moment to strike.
Clearly, Taiyi's prolonged seclusion meant he was struggling to break through and achieve the realm of Dao Master. By launching trouble now, if Taiyi did not emerge, they could seize Xu Ying and obtain the Xuanhuang Dao Realm Scripture; if he did emerge, all of Taiyi's prior efforts would go to waste, denying him attainment of Dao Master. It was a win-win for them!
"Xu Ying, you released the new Dao patterns with malicious intent, attempting to murder every Immortal here!"
"With such vicious ambition, you cannot be tolerated! Come with me to Qionghua Island to face judgment!" Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death declared coldly, reaching out to seize Xu Ying without brooking any explanation.
As his hand reached forth, all things—living or inanimate—fell beneath his dominion. To grant life or decree death was his to command!
Caught within this grasp, Xu Ying felt trapped between life and death, unable to escape.
He wanted to summon the Hongyuan, only to discover that his physical body had already died, his primordial spirit was withering away, and his cave abysses seemed to drift into the distance as though he were sinking into absolute darkness.
The moment Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death struck, Xu Ying witnessed just how vast the chasm in cultivation realms truly was.
In front of Yaoguang Hall, Jiuzeng heard the voices of the three Grand Dao Lords and knew disaster was imminent. He hurriedly spun around and rushed outside the palace, shouting, "Grand Dao Lord, have mercy!"
Just as the word "mercy" left his lips, he suddenly heard the sound of doors swinging open behind him. Jiuzeng's heart jolted as a tall figure surged from behind, passing him toward the outside of the palace at such speed that Jiuzeng caught only a fleeting shadow!
He looked back and saw that the doors to Yaoguang Hall stood wide open. Clearly, the figure that had just flashed past him was none other than Grand Dao Lord Taiyi!
"Master!" he cried out in shock.
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi was at a critical juncture of his seclusion; no one had expected him to abruptly emerge at this moment!
Just as Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death was about to seize Xu Ying, a palm suddenly swept in from the side and lightly met his hand. Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death's expression changed drastically as he immediately felt his Dao power of life and death being crushed back upon him!
He heard the crack of his own bones fracturing and instantly pulled back his hand, executing Shared End of Life and Death. This finger art mobilized the power of the Great Dao of Life and Death to render the opponent's Dao power completely lifeless, subjecting their flesh and primordial spirit to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man and plunging them into decrepitude and death.
Yet what met him was a brush of Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's sleeve. Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death felt space and time collapse before his eyes. All things ceased to exist, leaving his Great Dao of Life and Death with nowhere to anchor, and his body plunged endlessly into the dark void!
*Taiyi is even stronger than before! Could he have already attained Dao Master?*
Dread gripped his heart. He felt that his world-shaking technique was completely futile, utterly unable to reach Taiyi.
The next instant, he took a strike from Taiyi, coughing up blood as he was severely injured and sent tumbling backward. Yet his heart relaxed: *He hasn't become a Dao Master yet! If he had, this single strike would have killed me!*
The moment Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death flew backward, Grand Dao Lord Shenmo and Grand Dao Lord Yinyang attacked Taiyi in unison. Their Great Daos of Shenmo and Yinyang had been tempered through past trials and elevated to a higher plane.
Yet before they could close the distance, Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's counterattack arrived first. Their divine arts were shattered instantly. In desperation, both resorted to suicidal tactics, throwing their lives into an all-out assault, willing to take a blow from Taiyi if it meant landing a vicious strike in return.
Such reckless, desperate brawling was unbecoming of figures of their stature, yet they had been driven to it by sheer desperation.
Had they not done so, they would have suffered grievous injuries without even weathering a single strike from Taiyi—which would have been far too humiliating.
*Boom! Boom!*
Two startling, dull booms resounded. Grand Dao Lord Shenmo and Grand Dao Lord Yinyang both vomited blood. The divine arts they hurled at Taiyi betrayed their hopes—before even getting close, they were dismantled by Taiyi without inflicting the slightest harm.
Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death was still tumbling backward. Before he could steady his footing, he saw both Shenmo and Yinyang hurtling back in his direction, and his heart gave a jolt. He realized that over the past century, the gulf between them and Taiyi had not narrowed at all; instead, it had widened even further.
*Taiyi's cultivation and Dao attainment are infinitely close to Dao Master!*
He stumbled to the ground, staggering back dozens of steps before finding his balance, thinking to himself, *He has gone a step beyond Grand Dao Lord Haoyi of old. Back then, Haoyi was extremely close to the Grand Dao Master realm. Taiyi has now surpassed Haoyi of that era, rivaling Tongtian before he was ambushed!*
A fierce jealousy welled in his heart. The Great Dao of Taiyi was higher than the Great Dao of Life and Death. That Taiyi could draw infinitely close to Dao Master ahead of him showed that the disparity between them was not merely one of cultivation, but also of innate talent and comprehension!
*My skill falls short of his, and even my disciples cannot compare to his.*
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Shenmo and Yinyang steadied themselves. Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Grand Dao Lord Yinyang shouted, "You two, join hands with me!"
Three Grand Dao Lords joining forces against Taiyi was truly unprecedented.
Yet they had no choice; otherwise, this trip would yield them nothing!
Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death raised a hand, stopping Shenmo and Yinyang from charging forward, and said in a heavy voice, "Brother Taiyi, after obtaining the Xuanhuang Dao Realm Scripture and cultivating diligently for over a century, your cultivation and strength have indeed advanced tremendously. What a pity that you remain just a thread shy of attaining Dao Master."
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi said indifferently, "Had the three of you not intentionally disrupted me, perhaps I would have already attained the position of Dao Master."
Grand Dao Lord Shenmo said, "Of those who pioneered the new universe, only two of your disciples survived. And now, Xu Ying nearly killed so many Dao Lords and True Masters using the Dao patterns of the new universe! You cannot protect this Xu Ying!"
Grand Dao Lord Yinyang chuckled and said, "Brother Taiyi, don't you have far too many rebels under your wing? Haoyi was a rebel from the Three Realms, Zhuo Daochun is a rebel of the Heavenly Realm, Zhangsun Shenghai turned to Tongtian, and now Xu Ying has joined the list. Your allegiance is deeply suspect! Could it be that you, too, are a rebel?"
Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death's expression darkened. He took a step forward, prepared to strike.
Seeing this, the other Grand Dao Lords, Dao Lords, and True Kings took a step forward as well, radiating murderous intent.
Behind Taiyi, Jiuzeng, Yuquan, Zongyi, and the others stepped forward in unison. Jiuzeng roared, "She'an Palace is no place for you to run wild! Disciples of Taiyi, hear my command! Whoever dares step half a pace into She'an Palace, execute them without mercy!"
Behind them, the multitude of Taiyi disciples roared their assent, their voices thundering in unison.
Watching this, Xu Ying was momentarily dazed. He suddenly understood why Emperor Haotian, while traveling and studying in the other shore, had chosen to become a disciple under Grand Dao Lord Taiyi. It was not because he cultivated Taiyi Enlightenment, nor because the rules under Taiyi were relaxed; it was because Grand Dao Lord Taiyi possessed a distinct, undeniable charisma.
The disciples under his banner were united as one, presenting a solid front against outsiders. When a fellow disciple was in trouble, they pulled together with every ounce of their strength, never tripping each other up, never scattering like frightened beasts.
And Grand Dao Lord Taiyi back then had likely treated Emperor Haotian the exact same way.
He was the one who had brought about Emperor Haotian's death, yet he was also the one who had made Emperor Haotian who he was.
Just as the two sides were about to clash in slaughter, clouds suddenly descended from the zenith of Daoji Heaven. A woman of the Sacred Clan descended upon the clouds and arrived above the crowd, her crisp voice ringing out: "Four Grand Dao Lords, hear the decree of Zhiren Hall on Qionghua Island: The Taiyi disciple Xu Ying has committed heinous atrocities, murdering sixty-two Immortals including Wu Chen, Hong Xi, Qing Zai, Pan Yan, and Gu Daochan in bloody sacrifices, a crime worthy of ten thousand deaths. He is furthermore suspected of slaughtering ten thousand five hundred and forty-seven pioneers of the new universe. Today, at She'an Palace, he has again attempted to murder over a hundred Immortals. This matter is of grave consequence. The Four Grand Dao Lords are ordered to apprehend Xu Ying and escort him to Qionghua Island to stand trial. Respect this."
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's brow furrowed deeply. He glanced back at Xu Ying and whispered, "Did you do all that?"
Before Xu Ying could reply, another cloud descended from above. The newcomer was none other than the former Eldest Martial Brother of the Taiyi Dao Sect, Zhangsun Shenghai. He declared in a clear, resonant voice: "Four Grand Dao Lords, hear the order of Biyou Palace: The Taiyi disciple Xu Ying is endowed with wisdom and courage, having rendered great service in supporting the rise of the Dao Master. Xu Ying is hereby invited to Biyou Palace as an honored guest."
Hearing this, everyone frowned.
No sooner had the decree of Dao Master Hua of Qionghua Island arrived than the decree of Dao Master Tongtian of Biyou Palace followed. Between the two sovereigns of the Great Dao, one wanted to escort Xu Ying for trial, while the other sought to protect him.
Clearly, this matter had escalated into a clash between two Dao Masters. Caught between them, whichever side they chose would bring extreme peril.
The woman from Qionghua Island, named Li Xiao, wore a faint smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Junior Brother Shenghai, my master intends to seize Xu Ying, while Dao Master Tongtian wishes to protect him. Could it be that he intends to oppose our Qionghua Island?"
Neither servile nor overbearing, Zhangsun Shenghai replied, "Martial Uncle Xu did a great favor for my master, yet Dao Master Hua seeks to take him for trial. Could it be that he deliberately opposes our Biyou Palace?"
The two exchanged glances, their killing intent surging.
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi frowned slightly, excused himself from both of them, and returned to She'an Palace. Seeing this, Grand Dao Lord of Life and Death and the others did not stop him, remaining on guard outside She'an Palace.
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi summoned Xu Ying and said, "Back then, I was invincible under heaven in the Immortal realm—until later, when I fell to the sword of Daoist Tongtian."
Xu Ying blinked and said, "Master, I really didn't kill those people!"
Taiyi raised a hand and continued, "After falling to Daoist Tongtian's sword, I reflected bitterly on my shortcomings and comprehended the Three Qis of Shi, Xuan, and Yuan, after which my cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. Once Tongtian died, I found no rivals left to match me. That is, until my disciple Haoyi challenged the heroes of the other shore, and eventually turned his challenge toward me."
Xu Ying probed, "And then?"
"Through that battle, I took another step forward from the pinnacle, my cultivation and strength far surpassing the other three Grand Dao Lords," Taiyi said. "I need someone comparable to them to help me advance another step. It is only..." He sighed softly. "The hornet's nest you stirred up is simply too large; I cannot cover for you. You had better leave."
He paused, then added, "I am not expelling you from the sect, but sending you to another universe so you can lay low for a while."
Chapter 773