Straightening his robes and appearance, Hunyuan Dao Lord immediately summoned his disciples. He announced that he was about to depart for the Jing Realm, warning them to keep it strictly quiet, look after the Dao sect, and the like.
The disciples looked at one another in dismay. The eldest disciple plucked up his courage and said, "Master, turmoil has erupted in the Jing Realm. Of the more than twenty Indestructibles who went there, only six survived."
Hunyuan Dao Lord froze, then hurriedly asked, "What happened? Did Xu Ying kill them?"
The eldest disciple shook his head. "It probably wasn't him. When rebellion broke out in the Jing Realm, the lords intended to harvest it. But as soon as their consciousnesses descended and seized the origin spirits of those insects, an unfathomably profound power wiped them all out, obliterating even their cave abysses. The Jing Realm has now lost contact entirely."
Hunyuan Dao Lord stood agape in shock.
"Because of this, many lords suspect that a Dao Master has appeared in the Jing Realm."
"And Xu Ying?"
"Who knows...? He probably died in the Jing Realm."
"I see."
***
When Xu Ying saw the Holy Venerable again, he was naturally delighted, but the Holy Venerable seemed somewhat standoffish. "Dao Ancestor Xu," he said indifferently, "who is the eldest in the Taiyi Dao Sect?"
"Me, of course!" Xu Ying replied with a smile.
The Holy Venerable hesitated. Even after all this time, he still had no certain confidence in defeating Xu Ying in a duel. "Then who is the second senior brother in the Taiyi Dao Sect?"
"Naturally me," Useless Qingxuan replied.
Then Useless Qingxuan added, "Fine, you can be the second senior brother."
The Holy Venerable felt not the slightest sense of accomplishment. If this were Emperor Qingxuan of old, he certainly would never have relinquished the title. But the present Qingxuan was merely the useless waste Emperor Qingxuan had severed from himself, possessing no desire whatsoever to contest him.
His gaze fell upon Xu Ying once more, only to find that Xu Ying gave off an impression of profound humility, bearing none of his former sharp, aggressive brilliance. Looking at the Xu Ying of today, one could not tell how strong he truly was.
*I will take the position of second senior brother for now,* he thought to himself. *Once I see through his methods in the future, I will decide whether to contest him for eldest senior brother.*
"Holy Venerable, how did you reach the other shore?" Xu Ying inquired.
"Yuan Weiyang still had an emerald rock multi-decked vessel in her possession," the Holy Venerable answered. "I boarded that vessel to make the voyage. In coming here, I also carry a mission: to plant my cave abyss on the other shore and establish a passageway so that the people of the Three Realms can enter the other shore with ease."
Yuan Weiyang had indeed retained an emerald rock multi-decked vessel, though she had kept it for herself in preparation for traveling to the other shore. Xu Ying had not expected her to lend it to the Holy Venerable.
As for the Holy Venerable's proposal to establish a passage between the two realms using cave abysses, Xu Ying found it rather difficult.
Establishing a passage was not the hard part. The true obstacle was how to traverse the amber spacetime between the two universes.
The amber spacetime separating the universes was excessively dense, immensely viscous, and fraught with overwhelming pressure. Riding an emerald rock vessel through amber spacetime might not even be as fast as walking on one's own feet.
The Holy Venerable continued, "As long as I secure some status on the other shore, I can use sacrificial rites to allow people from the Three Realms to pass through that gelatinous matter swiftly and reach the other shore."
Xu Ying blinked. In the past, it was always other universes offering sacrifices to allow mighty figures from the other shore to descend. The Holy Venerable intended to do the exact opposite.
"That is indeed a feasible method."
Xu Ying pondered this. However, if so many experts from the Three Realms arrived, where would they stay? In the Taiyi Dao Sect? Even with Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's good temper, he would probably drive them all out.
Xu Ying sized up the two figures beside them, noticing that several scalps still dangled from Shi Tianyang's waist.
Daoist Wukong remarked, "The other shore is divided into those who dwell in the heavens, those who dwell on the surface, and those who dwell underground. Each group holds a different status. Those living in Daoji Heaven are naturally the highest class, followed by those dwelling in the other heavens, then those living on the surface. Those residing underground are mostly stowaways from various universes, occupying the lowest status of all. Therefore, if newcomers from the Three Realms reside underground, they will not draw attention."
Shi Tianyang added, "Yet one thing must be noted: even the underground dwellers take pride in being members of the other shore's Saint race, or in being on the verge of becoming one."
The people underground were even more savage and ruthless, devoid of any civilization. They often took lives the moment they raised a hand. Meanwhile, surface dwellers killed underground dwellers at will; their ways were hardly any better.
The Holy Venerable smiled. "Such a place suits us perfectly. I did not come to the Taiyi Dao Sect to play eldest senior brother; I only needed a title to move freely across the other shore. Since the underground suits us, we shall go underground and allow the Three Realms to gain a firm foothold there first."
Shi Tianyang warned, "Underground, might makes right, and there are formidable experts there as well. Furthermore, certain underground areas are exceedingly perilous and must not be entered lightly."
The Holy Venerable's spirits rose, and he said, "Ever since the new Dao patterns were created, I have scarcely met an equal in the Three Realms. The Far Ancestor, Ming Xun, Ming Dao, and the Dao Ancestors were merely ordinary. Even the withered old relics of the Yuan Realm could hardly enter my sight. I happen to need a place to verify the fruits of my recent cultivation."
Xu Ying opened his mouth to speak, but the Holy Venerable cut in briskly: "No time to lose! Qingxuan, Wukong, Fellow Daoist Shi, let us depart for the underground immediately!"
The four set off at once, leaving Xu Ying behind.
Xu Ying worried that news of his return from exile might leak, and he felt inclined to head down to the underground world as well. But he could not bring himself to swallow his pride, so he remained in the Taiyi Dao Sect.
He entered closed-door cultivation to immerse himself in the Martial Dao.
In name, it was closed-door cultivation in the Martial Dao. In truth, he merely stared wide-eyed, watching his Martial Dao's ultimate intent deduce various martial arts divine powers, refining and blending Grand Daos such as Chaos, Primordial Beginning, Taiyi, Reincarnation, Karma, and Slaughter into those powers. The ultimate intent of the Martial Dao had evolved from the martial spirit; only when one's mastery over a Grand Dao reached the absolute pinnacle could one enter this state of ultimate intent.
Just as Zhuo Daochun's ultimate intent of divine powers represented the extreme limit of his comprehension of divine powers.
Had Xu Ying not drawn his Martial Dao's ultimate intent into his cave abyss, one would have seen countless mental projections of him rehearsing myriad divine powers alongside his every gesture and movement, elevating the Martial Dao to one peak after another without end.
Guarding his cave abyss, Xu Ying watched his attainments in the Martial Dao advance by leaps and bounds. He thought to himself, *The one proficient in the Great Dao of Wuji is True King Guangzheng. I have yet to obtain that Grand Dao. Aside from him, the one who attained the Dao in Primordial Beginning on the other shore is Ling Duyu, True Sovereign Duyu, while the one in the Dao of Chaos is Hunyuan Dao Lord.*
*As for those two Grand Daos, I need to study them further. And for the Dao of Slaughter, I still require more guidance from Dao Master Tongtian.*
*However, regarding the Grand Dao of Tribulation Fortune and the Grand Dao of Nirvana, no one on the other shore has attained or validated the Dao in them to this day.*
Xu Ying rose immediately, preparing to seek out True King Guangzheng. *Guangzheng is merely a True King; if it comes to blows, he certainly won't be my match,* he thought. *I will speak politely to him. If he is willing to lend me his scripture, I won't lift a finger. If he refuses, then we'll reason it out.*
Seeing him about to go out, Dao Lord Jiuzeng hastily blocked his way. "Master is still in seclusion—do settle down! Master might attain the Dao Master realm this time around. If you stir up trouble and disrupt him, wouldn't that be a grave sin?"
"I am only going to True King Guangzheng to borrow a scripture, not to cause trouble," Xu Ying replied.
"Stay here!" Dao Lord Jiuzeng urged. "I will go borrow it for you!"
"Senior Brother, I am also a disciple of Taiyi," Xu Ying said. "How could I let you brave danger alone on my behalf? I will accompany you."
Dao Lord Jiuzeng hesitated, then said, "You may come, but you must disguise yourself. Furthermore, I worry about your temper—if you exchange a few words with True King Guangzheng and end up trading blows, it will bring shame upon us. Our Taiyi Dao Sect is reasonable."
Xu Ying agreed with a smile. "I am usually very reasonable as well."
Jiuzeng had him alter his features and brought out his own garments for Xu Ying to wear. After looking him up and down several times, he nodded in satisfaction. "When we arrive at his residence, remain polite and humble, and speak with utmost deference."
Xu Ying agreed.
Only then did the two set off for Wuji Palace, where True King Guangzheng resided.
Within Daoji Heaven, Wuji Palace was situated far below She'an Palace, separated by the boundless, immeasurable realms where various Dao Lords dwelled.
Yet Wuji Palace was extraordinarily peculiar. Within the palace lay five great Dao scenes known as the Innate Five Tai.
They were Taiyi, Taichu, Taishi, Taisu, and Taiji.
These five Dao scenes each exhibited distinct, magnificent phenomena, each profoundly wondrous.
Taiyi, the Supreme Change: grand void without form, boundless and borderless. Taichu, the Supreme Beginning: formless and substance-less, the innate primordial qi. Taishi, the Supreme Origin: possessing form but lacking substance, unity born. Taisu, the Supreme Element: possessing form and substance, yet not yet shaped into bodies. Taiji, the Supreme Polarity: matter begins to form, yin and yang yet undivided.
Dao Lord Jiuzeng sent someone ahead to notify True King Guangzheng. As he admired the Innate Five Tai, he said to Xu Ying, "These Five Tai Dao scenes represent five Grand Daos of heaven and earth. Blended into one, they form the Great Dao of Wuji. Comprehending the Great Dao of Wuji is exceedingly difficult; one must master the Five Tai before achieving Wuji."
Xu Ying gazed at the Five Tai for a long while, sensing that their evolution followed a marvelous law of transformation. He was suddenly reminded of the ancient dispute between Dao Ancestor Yuqing and Dao Ancestor Taiqing.
Back then, the two had summoned the Shangqing Cave Abyss, each contemplating the profound mysteries of the Grand Dao contained within. A disagreement arose: Daoist Taiqing comprehended the Dao of Taiji, whereas Dao Ancestor Yuqing comprehended the Dao of Wuji.
Each went on to establish the Yellow Court Scripture and the Shangqing Great Cavern Scripture, splitting the Shangqing heritage into the Taiqing and Yuqing factions.
*The one they summoned back then was True King Guangzheng's Wuji Cave Abyss!*
Realization dawned on Xu Ying. No wonder both had gleaned their own insights. Dao Ancestor Taiqing's attainments in the Dao of Taiji reached the peak. While Dao Ancestor Yuqing comprehended the mysteries of Wuji, because he had failed to comprehend the Five Tai, the scripture he devised spread far less widely than Taiqing's.
Now, looking upon the Five Tai phenomena and comparing them to the realizations of the two Dao Ancestors—especially the Shangqing Great Cavern Scripture—Xu Ying found myriad insights flooding his mind.
With a stirring in his heart, he murmured, "Could it be that the law governing the evolution of the Five Tai is itself Wuji?"
Before Dao Lord Jiuzeng could reply, a deep, resonant voice rang out: "Does someone from the Taiyi Dao Sect actually possess an understanding of the Great Dao of Wuji?"
Xu Ying turned toward the voice and saw True King Guangzheng. He possessed an extraordinary bearing, standing tall with broad shoulders, each bearing a cluster of flame.
He had a face upon his head, but five other faces floated free from his flesh—two hovering to the left and right of his skull, and three floating behind the back of his head without touching it.
These five faces corresponded to the Five Tai, appearing both ethereal and tangible, brimming with infinite wonders.
*The technique of One Qi transforming into the Three Pure Ones was derived from this,* Xu Ying noted inwardly.
Dao Lord Jiuzeng signaled him not to speak carelessly and to leave everything to him.
Xu Ying nodded. Jiuzeng said, "Fellow Daoist Guangzheng, I have come hoping to borrow your *Wuji Dao Attainment Canon* for a reading. In return, I will offer the *Taiyi Dao Attainment* manual that I cultivate for your perusal."
Dao Lord Jiuzeng urged him with pleasant words: "When Haoyi borrowed your scripture back then, didn't he help you comprehend many things you had never grasped before? It brought great benefit to you as well."
True King Guangzheng flew into a rage. "Back then, when I said I wouldn't lend it, you charged up and pummeled me! How could I refuse to lend it to you? Later, when Haoyi challenged me, you stood by watching over him, and when you saw him defeat me using my own Dao techniques, you were even laughing!"
Hearing this, Xu Ying turned a suspicious glare toward Jiuzeng.
Jiuzeng's expression darkened. "Why bring up old scores from years ago? Just tell me straight: will you lend it or not?"
True King Guangzheng laughed heartily, his face turning cold and stern. "After losing to Haoyi back then, I reflected bitterly on my mistakes, and my strength has advanced tremendously since then. I will not lend it!"
Dao Lord Jiuzeng charged forward, barking, "If I could beat you into lending it last time, I can beat you into lending it this time as well!"
Xu Ying was thoroughly stunned. *Could it be that when Emperor Haotian traveled the world in the past, it was Senior Brother Jiuzeng who served as his bodyguard?*
***
In Daoji Heaven, on Qionghua Island, Lu Yiren rushed over in haste and shouted to Li Xiao, "Quick, inform Grand Master Dao Master Hua! My Grand Master has come to visit!"
Just as Li Xiao was about to announce him, another Dao child, Taishi, came running over and said, "Senior Sister Li, my Grand Master has also arrived to pay a visit. Please report it quickly!"
Li Xiao was about to go inside to announce them, but Dao Master Hua had already stepped out of Zhiren Hall to welcome them. "The two of you have finally arrived!"
Myriad anomalous visions filled the void, displaying the splendor of various Grand Daos and manifesting all manner of glorious spectacles. Dao Master Lin stepped out from the visions and said, "Tribulation fortune is stirring restlessly; I had no choice but to come."
"Back then, we could still slay several Dao Masters to lessen the tribulation fortune. Now that it is making a comeback, it leaves my heart pounding with dread. I had to meet with you, Brother Dao."
On the other side, Dao Master Luo sat inside a chariot. Behind the carriage hung scenes of various universes, as though suspended behind his head. From within the vehicle, Dao Master Luo nodded slightly in greeting to the two. "My humble body is indisposed; I cannot rise to pay proper respects."
"No matter," the other two returned the courtesy.
Dao Master Hua extended a welcoming hand, and the three entered Zhiren Hall to take their seats.
Dao Master Lin asked, "Should we inform Fellow Daoist Tongtian?"
Dao Master Hua frowned slightly, clearly displeased. "Why bother informing an outsider? In the past, someone like him would have been flayed by me, his skin refined into treasure boots! People of the Three Realms are merely human-like beasts, inferior even to the livestock we rear. I do not understand why you two hold him in such high regard."
Dao Master Luo said, "Only because he validated his Dao through slaughter, and now he has attained the Dao through slaughter. With tribulation fortune bearing down on us, slaughter is an essential instrument. If we continue to shut him out, I fear even we will be unable to protect ourselves."
Dao Master Lin said, "Back then, we slew Dao Masters and diverted the tribulation fortune to the Jade Realm universe, leaving it ruined under the calamity to delay the outbreak of the other shore's tribulation. Today, tribulation fortune is stirring restlessly again, instilling far greater dread than before. I fear we may not weather it so easily this time. It would be better to invite Fellow Daoist Tongtian to confer with us."
Dao Master Hua laughed. "There is no need to invite him; I have already prepared for this. I have assembled individuals of exceptional talent to seize this impending tribulation fortune and attain the Dao through it. Fellow Daoists, rather than being driven into a corner by tribulation fortune, why not take control of it ourselves?"
At that moment, Changsun Shenghai's voice suddenly echoed from outside: "Senior Sister Li, please inform the three Grand Masters! My Grand Master has come to pay a visit!"
The three Dao Masters all furrowed their brows. "Tongtian is here as well?"
Chapter 785