Silence hung within the coffin; not a single sound stirred.
"Why are you not speaking?" the voice asked sinisterly.
In a hoarse, trembling voice, Qingxuan said, "Gentlemen, we are already Immortals whose Daos are equal to our bodies. There is no need to fear ghosts."
As he spoke, he felt waves of cold air blowing against the back of his neck, as if something were breathing right onto it.
The Holy Venerable sneered. "I have never once feared ghosts! It is ghosts who fear men!"
Daoist Wukong said, "The Buddha Ancestor once told me that I shared a fated affinity with him, and that I would surely suppress evil and malice..."
Mid-sentence, he suddenly could no longer hear anyone else's voice. Even his connection to the Daos within his own body was severed. His heart lurched: *A Dao Master!*
Yet immediately, a fierce, savage intent surged within his heart: *What of a Dao Master? Even if a corpse walks, I'll beat it to death!*
Though he could not circulate his Supreme Dao, the Martial Dao he had honed over the years remained, and his physical body was still peerlessly formidable.
A chilling aura of slaughter permeated the cramped coffin, making everyone feel as if they had plunged into an icy cavern. The Holy Venerable, Qingxuan, and Shi Tianyang likewise discovered they could not deploy their own Daos.
The situation was exceptionally dire for them.
Among them, only Xu Ying remained unaffected.
His Martial Dao had already unified all Daos beyond Wuji; the Martial Dao was unaffected by the Dao Master, and only his Great Dao of Wuji was suppressed.
"I require flesh and blood, and I require the bones of Daos to awaken myself and my dead Dao," the voice in the coffin said faintly. "Back then, my enemy laid down the Four Banner Gate Formation not to annihilate me, but to keep outsiders from setting half a foot in this place. For he knew that anyone who dared step here would be devoured by me, skin and bone alike..."
Xu Ying cleared his throat, cutting him off, and asked, "Might Your Excellency be Dao Master Ji Cang? We have long heard of Your Excellency's illustrious name and know you were harmed by wicked villains, so we spared no effort in coming here to rescue you."
The voice inside the coffin fell silent for a moment before asking, "Is that truly so?"
The useless Qingxuan chimed in hurriedly, "We speak in earnest! We truly came to rescue Your Excellency!"
The Holy Venerable paused briefly, then said, "In my entire life, I have never uttered half a lie. We are people of the Three Realms and are unwelcome on the other shore. In search of a backer, we inquired far and wide and learned that Dao Master Ji Cang is a great hero, which is why we came to rescue you."
Shi Tianyang stammered, "Once your venerable self is saved, we will have a great backer."
The voice in the coffin sneered, "You rescue me? With what would you rescue me? You ought to sacrifice your flesh and blood, your Daos and bones to me, so that you may awaken my Dao and allow me to—"
Right at that moment, an overpowering torrent of bloody vitality surged into the coffin, followed by countless shattered Daos swarming into the rotting corpse within!
Both astonished and delighted, the rotting corpse laughed uproariously, "You five, good, truly good! You actually prepared a blood sacrifice! Hahahaha! With this blood sacrifice, my Dao can finally revive!"
*Boom!*
The coffin burst apart. Outside, the peerlessly violent Banner Gate Formation completely pulverized the surroundings into chaos. Everything shattered, howling and disintegrating in the raging torrent!
The formation's power was terrifying, yet it could not approach within half a step of Xu Ying and the others.
Behind Xu Ying and the other four, a towering figure stood erect. Corpse qi roiled around him, yet as the blood and Daos of over forty Immortals poured into his body, this decaying corpse actually began to radiate vitality!
A heartbeat sounded from within his chest. His vitality revived, and his aura surged ever stronger. When Xu Ying and the others looked at him, they felt as if he stood as tall as the heavens and endured as long as the earth—a king of myriad Daos, a sovereign of the Great Dao!
Before, he had the face of a dead man, an ancient zombie buried for countless ages, but now his complexion gradually turned ruddy and his muscles filled out.
He was a member of the true Holy Race of the other shore, born with a colossal physique akin to an ancient god.
Dao Master Ji Cang.
"You actually sacrificed over forty Immortals. You have truly been thoughtful."
Dao Master Ji Cang's eyes flickered. Having absorbed the flesh, blood, and Daos of those forty-odd Immortals, his presence grew increasingly formidable.
Hearing this, Qingxuan, the Holy Venerable, and the others all turned to look at Xu Ying with expressions of deep admiration. Qingxuan whispered, "No wonder Dao Ancestor Xu bears the title of Immortal Killer in the underground. It seems the reputation was well earned."
With a shift of his body, Dao Master Ji Cang carried the five into the chaotic torrent and strode toward one of the massive banners, sneering, "Fellow Daoist Hua, now that I have revived, these four banners of yours can no longer suppress me! Better leave them in my safekeeping!"
He reached out to seize it. Spacetime collapsed, and a giant banner landed in his grip, torn out by sheer force.
Dao Master Ji Cang reached out repeatedly, plucking the other two banners. Seeing the situation turn grim, the final banner immediately tore through the void to flee. Yet the moment it took flight, Dao Master Ji Cang grabbed it as well, preventing its escape.
These innate spiritual treasures of unyielding might could not kick up the slightest ripple in his hands.
Stowing the four great banners, Dao Master Ji Cang said immediately, "Back then, Dao Master Hua's strength already exceeded mine. Now that all these years have passed, his might will only have grown greater, while my cultivation was delayed by death. This place is not fit to linger."
He soared into the air with Xu Ying, the Holy Venerable, and the other three, vanishing from the subterranean realm.
Just after he departed, the underground space ruptured. Boundless fiery Dao light poured from the fissures, coalescing into a colossal eye of flame that rolled around, illuminating the subterranean depths.
The giant flaming eye scanned about for a while. Finding nothing, it closed.
A cold snort echoed through the void: "Ji Cang, you could not escape back then, and you certainly will not escape the palm of my hand now!"
The flame eye vanished, and Dao Master Ji Cang suddenly reappeared right where he had been suppressed, gazing up at where the fire had emerged, his eyes glinting.
"Fellow Daoist Hua, you showed up after all. But you never could have anticipated that I wouldn't go far, and would even return to appreciate your exasperation and fury."
Only now did Dao Master Ji Cang dispel his suspicions regarding Xu Ying, the others, and his own revival. He laughed and said, "I had thought Dao Master Hua was scheming behind my resurrection. Now it appears it truly was the achievement of you five. Good, very good! You saved my life, and I cannot leave such a debt unpaid. Come with me!"
With a sweep of his sleeve, he vanished with Xu Ying and the other four without a trace.
Not long after Dao Master Ji Cang left, Li Xiao of Qionghua Island arrived belatedly. After inspecting the area, she returned to Daoji Heaven, well pleased, to see Dao Master Hua.
"Grand Master, Ji Cang is thoroughly convinced of his own revival."
Li Xiao reported her observations, adding, "A total of forty-three Immortals and six hundred and seventy-two experts of the Dao Eighth realm perished this time. All of them came from underground—stowaways from various universes who set themselves up as lords beneath the surface."
Dao Master Hua nodded slightly and smiled. "Then they died a worthy death."
Li Xiao hesitated, then continued, "However, a few details differed from expectations. For reasons unknown, Xu Ying and several stowaways were also present. By some means, they managed to survive and are now accompanying Ji Cang."
Dao Master Hua showed a look of surprise. "Xu Ying? Was he not exiled by Taiyi? He dares to return?"
Li Xiao said, "He has indeed returned. Ji Cang seems to believe Xu Ying and his group sacrificed the forty-odd Immortals to resurrect him."
Dao Master Hua chuckled. "I was originally worried Ji Cang might suspect me, but with Xu Ying's involvement, it clears away my suspicion instead. What of the stowaways beside Xu Ying?"
Li Xiao replied, "Your disciple looked into them; they seem to be people of the Three Realms as well. It is unknown how they smuggled themselves here, but their skills are not bad, and they made quite a splash underground."
Dao Master Hua smiled. "People of the Three Realms? I had originally planned to find the Three Realms and transfer the calamitous destiny of the other shore over to them, to see how Dao Master Tongtian would handle himself. I never imagined these people of the Three Realms would dare show themselves. Still, now that they are beside Ji Cang, matters have grown somewhat thorny."
Li Xiao asked, "Grand Master, this calamitous destiny still requires three Dao Masters. May I ask which three Grand Master intends to target?"
"Three? No, in truth, only two."
Dao Master Hua chuckled. "Find two other Dao friends of the past, resurrect them, and let them bear the tribulation in our stead. As for Dao Master Tongtian, what does his calamitous destiny have to do with me? Li Xiao, proceed at once to Tianyin Palace and Fenghou Island. The other two Dao friends I suppressed are there. Follow the same method."
Li Xiao accepted the command.
Dao Master Hua instructed, "Once you have handled this matter, return immediately to oversee the struggle for the calamitous destiny."
Hearing this, Li Xiao was overjoyed. She bowed in thanks, rose, and departed in haste.
Dao Master Hua's gaze turned dark and profound as he looked toward the magnificent Dao scenery of Daoji Heaven, murmuring softly, "The calamitous destiny of the other shore is not something I will allow anyone to tamper with. This calamitous destiny can only be held firmly in my grasp."
Some days later, news arrived that a riot had erupted in the Tianyin Palace forbidden zone. Many Immortals perished miserably as black qi surged forth from the zone, transforming into a fiendgod shrouded in darkness.
Soon after, reports came from Fenghou Island as well. A riot broke out in its forbidden zone, claiming countless lives as monstrous abominations broke out and wreaked havoc, inflicting tremendous casualties upon the other shore.
Li Xiao returned to report her success. Greatly pleased, Dao Master Hua ordered her to inform Dao Master Lin and Dao Master Luo, saying, "All is prepared; only the transfer of calamitous destiny remains."
The two Dao Masters replied, "When transferring the calamitous destiny, we must also determine who shall wield control over it."
Dao Master Hua agreed, summoning Li Xiao, Bian Chen, and Chu Tu. He instructed them, "Bian Chen, Chu Tu, you two are the most outstanding disciples I selected, so that you may seize control of the calamitous destiny. Although your Eldest Martial Sister's aptitude and comprehension are not equal to yours, she has rendered many meritorious deeds, so she shall participate as well."
Bian Chen and Chu Tu exchanged glances and said, "With Eldest Martial Sister present, everything will naturally proceed smoothly."
Dao Master Hua said, "This contest will take place in the universe designated to receive the calamitous destiny. The other three Dao Masters and I have already settled upon the Zhao Realm. The three of you shall travel by ship to the Zhao Realm. Once there, sense the calamitous destiny carefully and master it as early as possible."
The three acknowledged the order.
Elsewhere, Dao Master Lin summoned Lu Yiren and gave his instructions: "Though you have been in my sect for only a short time, your talent ranks first. Go and claim the calamitous destiny this time; under no circumstances must it fall into the hands of others."
Lu Yiren assented, left Daoji Heaven, and hurried toward the Chaos Ferry.
Just then, a voice called out, "Junior Brother Lu!"
Lu Yiren looked back. The one who had called him was none other than Dao Master Luo's disciple, Taishi. Chubby yet remarkably agile, Taishi jogged over with a grin. "I knew Dao Master Chuanting would send you this time. In your lineage, you're the only one who doesn't hurt the eyes."
Lu Yiren smiled. "Is Senior Brother Taishi also heading to the Zhao Realm universe?"
Taishi said, "Indeed. My Grand Master intends to join the other masters to hold the grand ceremony for transferring the calamitous destiny. The destination is none other than the Zhao Realm. The master said the Zhao Realm is a vast universe, boundless and immense, rivaling the other shore. If the Zhao Realm bears the tribulation, it can extend the lifespan of our other shore for a far longer time."
Meanwhile, Zhangsun Shenghai, acting on Dao Master Tongtian's orders, also arrived at the ferry, selected an emerald rock multi-decked vessel, and set off for the Zhao Realm universe.
Some days later, the three Dao Masters—Hua, Lin, and Luo—gathered once more to discuss transferring the calamitous destiny. Dao Master Lin asked, "Is it truly fine that we are missing one Dao Master?"
Dao Master Hua chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Lin, do you want the slaughter and calamitous destiny held in our own hands, or in the hands of others?"
Dao Master Lin replied, "In our own people's hands, naturally."
Dao Master Hua's eyes gleamed as he said, "The three of us share the same breath and branch; what sense is there in including Tongtian, an outsider? In my view, this killing tribulation requires his use. Once we are done with him, we can send him to meet the tribulation as well. If we control the killing tribulation ourselves, dealing with the next calamitous destiny will be far easier."
Both Lin and Luo nodded in agreement.
Dao Master Luo smiled. "Brother Hua has always handled matters without a leak; this time will surely be carried out just as flawlessly. Once these three Dao Masters revive and the calamitous destiny is transferred, we can sacrifice them."
Dao Master Hua said, "I am already well-practiced in this matter, so you may rest easy. When Ji Cang and the others were released, they snatched up my innate spiritual treasures, and I let them take them. They believe their schemes succeeded, never realizing those innate spiritual treasures will be their death!"
Dao Master Lin said, "For now, we must closely monitor their whereabouts."
Dao Master Hua said, "Carrying the innate spiritual treasures I left them, their movements cannot be hidden from me."
He checked carefully, and his expression shifted slightly.
Seeing this, Dao Master Lin hurriedly inquired. Dao Master Hua's face darkened further as he stammered, "I... cannot find any trace of Ji Cang..."
The faces of both Lin and Luo changed abruptly.
"If we only sacrifice two Dao Masters, we will not be able to comfortably defuse this calamitous destiny!"
Dao Master Luo said, "Doesn't Ji Cang have your Four Banner Gate Formation with him? How could he escape your surveillance?"
With a solemn countenance, Dao Master Hua said, "There is one other way to escape my surveillance. That is... leaving the other shore."
"Leaving the other shore?"
Both Lin and Luo were taken aback. Dao Master Lin asked, "Leaving the other shore? Where could they possibly go?"
—
In the Chaos Sea, the emerald rock multi-decked vessel set sail. Dao Master Ji Cang said to Xu Ying and the others, "My wounds have not yet healed, so it is unfit for me to fight to the death with Dao Master Hua, Dao Master Lin, and the rest. It is better to lay low outside for a while."
He paused, then added, "Since you are people of the Zhao Realm, we shall take a trip to the Zhao Realm."
"We are not people of the Zhao Realm!"
Xu Ying and the others hastened to deny it, but Dao Master Ji Cang paid no heed at all, sneering, "Whether you are people of the Zhao Realm or not, do you think I cannot tell? Silence! You are my saviors, and I cannot fail to repay you. Right now, aside from these four banners, all I have left is my Dao Master cultivation technique. Do you want to learn it or not?"
Xu Ying, the Holy Venerable, Qingxuan, and Daoist Wukong shook their heads in unison. Only Shi Tianyang nodded vigorously.
"We want the banners!" Xu Ying and the others said in one voice.
Chapter 789