Dao Master Luo maintained the connection between the two great universes, while the other three Dao Masters transferred their calamitous destiny. By having the people of the Zhao Realm cultivate the techniques of the other shore, they linked the calamitous destiny to the Zhao Realm's Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth.
This was an art of scapegoating, of grafting flowers onto a tree to sacrifice the plum in place of the peach. It was Dao Master Tongtian's first time performing such an act, and his movements were rather unpracticed.
Dao Master Lin said to Dao Master Tongtian, "With the other shore and the Zhao Realm connected, the calamitous destiny will shift. Before long, the calamitous destiny of the Zhao Realm will grow increasingly dense, and slaughter will begin to rise. Calamitous destiny drives slaughter, escalating ever fiercer, while slaughter in turn fuels calamitous destiny. When it reaches its peak, the great catastrophe will strike. Whether the Zhao Realm can survive will depend on whether enough of its experts perish. Above all, it depends on its fortune."
Dao Master Tongtian inquired, "How is the calamitous destiny triggered?"
Dao Master Luo chuckled. "Calamitous destiny is naturally stirred by slaughter. The moment slaughter begins in the Zhao Realm, the calamitous destiny will erupt!"
Dao Master Lin said with a smile, "The more people die in the Zhao Realm and the fiercer the slaughter becomes, the more calamitous destiny our other shore exhausts, and the safer we will be."
Dao Master Luo said, "Grafting flowers and sacrificing plums merely spares our other shore from the calamity. However, the calamitous destiny upon us Grand Dao Masters has yet to be offset. Therefore, we must first transfer the calamitous destiny onto another Dao Master who will die in our stead. Once we execute him, our calamitous destiny can be dispelled."
Dao Master Tongtian said, "So that is how it is. Thank you for the guidance."
Dao Master Hua was uncharacteristically amiable toward him for once, saying with a smile, "This time, I released four Dao Masters: Ji Cang, Xiang Long, Sang Qing, and Duanmu. Tongtian, since you have newly attained the rank of Dao Master, you shall deal with Ji Cang. Slaying him will free you from the calamitous destiny upon your body."
Originally, he had only released Ji Cang, Xiang Long, and Sang Qing, but since Ji Cang's whereabouts were unknown, he had no choice but to release Dao Master Duanmu as well.
Dao Master Tongtian expressed his gratitude.
Dao Master Hua smiled and said, "No need to be polite. We four Dao Masters share the same breath and branches; we ought to help one another."
Inwardly, however, he was thoroughly smug: *The other three Dao Masters are all under my control, and only Dao Master Ji Cang is missing. Once we eliminate the calamitous destiny on ourselves, you will be the only one left shrouded in calamity! Tongtian, let us see how you survive then!*
***
After Dao Master Ji Cang brought Xu Ying and the others to the Zhao Realm Heavenly Court, an Immortal from the Zhao Realm arrived to receive and host them.
"Arrange a place of seclusion for us. Inquire about nothing else," Dao Master Ji Cang instructed.
Before long, the Zhao Realm Immortal had arranged everything properly.
Dao Master Ji Cang was burdened with worry, saying to Xu Ying and the others, "Ever since arriving in the Zhao Realm, I have felt deeply uneasy, as though some upheaval is bound to occur. Cripple Luo used an innate spiritual treasure to seal off the Zhao Realm; I fear he has some scheme in motion. Remain here in the Zhao Realm Heavenly Court. Whatever happens, wait until I emerge from seclusion before taking action!"
Xu Ying and the others voiced their agreement.
Xu Ying, the Holy Venerable, and Qingxuan were quite curious about the Zhao Realm and toured about. They saw that the people of the Zhao Realm indeed looked somewhat similar to those of the Three Realms, no wonder outsiders frequently mistook them for natives of the Zhao Realm.
Although the Zhao Realm was ruled by the other shore and what they cultivated were not genuine techniques, experts had emerged in continuous succession, constructing the Zhao Realm Heavenly Court to be even more magnificent and grand than the Immortal Court of the Earth Immortal Realm.
Before long, they learned that the Zhao Realm possessed over seven hundred Immortals, both great and small. In the Heavenly Court sat a Heavenly Emperor, reputed to be the existence closest to a Dao Master, possessing unfathomable cultivation.
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor even possessed a Dao Master-grade magic treasure of terrifying might.
Qingxuan remarked suddenly, "Although this Heavenly Emperor cultivated the techniques passed down from the other shore, who is to say he could not innovate upon them? Based on those flawed techniques, he might have pioneered a new path and broken free from the threat of being harvested."
The Holy Venerable was also gazing toward the Shicheng Imperial Capital of the Zhao Realm Heavenly Court. Hearing this, he nodded. "To cultivate to a level infinitely close to a Dao Master, he is certainly no fool. Since he knows there are flaws in the techniques, he will inevitably alter them."
Hearing their conversation, Shi Tianyang shook his head and said, "You don't understand how terrifying the other shore's control over the myriad universes is. Within the myriad universes, it is fundamentally impossible for a Dao Master to emerge!"
Useless Qingxuan turned to look at him, eyes gleaming with excitement, and laughed. "I'm willing to bet that the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor has already become a Dao Master! Brother Shi, care to make a wager?"
At these words, Shi Tianyang's eyes shone brightly. He laughed and said, "Fine! What are the stakes?"
Useless Qingxuan smiled. "If you lose, then once you return to the Stone Realm Universe, you must form an alliance with our Three Realms. If I lose, I will give you the Green Lotus Precious Color Banner!"
When they were at the Chaos Sea crossing checking the bearings of the Zhao Realm, Useless Qingxuan had discovered a place among the myriad universes called the Stone Realm, guessing that it was connected to Shi Tianyang's race.
Shi Tianyang hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then answered truthfully, "Though I belong to the Stone Race, I am most likely a bastard child of the clan and do not even know who my father is. Even if I return to the Stone Realm, I cannot sway its direction."
Useless Qingxuan said, "As long as you do your utmost, you will have fulfilled the terms of the wager."
Shi Tianyang was truly enticed by the Green Lotus Precious Color Banner and made his decision on the spot. "Deal!"
The two immediately swore a Chaos Oath. Seeing this, Xu Ying could not help shaking his head, thinking to himself, *Two fellows who aren't afraid of dying.*
Shi Tianyang asked, "How do we verify whether the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor is a Grand Dao Master?"
Daoist Wukong, who loved a good fight, laughed and said, "Go give him a beating, and we'll find out!"
He tore through the void and headed straight for the Shicheng Imperial Capital. Fearing something might happen to him, Useless Qingxuan and Shi Tianyang hastily gave chase.
Seeing this, the Holy Venerable followed as well.
Just as Xu Ying was about to catch up, his heart stirred. He sensed that the aura of slaughter in the Zhao Realm had inexplicably grown far denser, becoming even more potent than in a vicious realm like the other shore, which left him utterly perplexed.
What was more, the aura of slaughter between heaven and earth seemed to be growing heavier still!
*The aura of slaughter in this world can lend me aid to achieve Slaughter Immortality!*
With this thought, Xu Ying promptly activated his Martial Dao Cave Abyss, channeling his own Slaughter Grand Dao from within. The Slaughter Dao fruit soared up from the Ginseng Fruit Tree, surveying where the slaughter was thickest between heaven and earth.
Suddenly discovering a target, he immediately sprang into the air, transforming into a streak of flowing light that pierced through the void.
At the same time, on the other side of the Zhao Realm Heavenly Court, Zhangsun Shenghai also sensed the grim, killing intent filling heaven and earth. He even detected the location of the calamitous destiny and promptly set about elevating his attainment in the Dao of Calamitous Destiny.
Elsewhere, Li Xiao and Tai Shi had also reached the Zhao Realm. At that moment, both happened to sense the calamitous destiny and began their cultivation as well.
***
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor sat motionless. Raising a hand to restrain the other Zhao Realm Immortals, he smiled and said, "Golden monkey, though I am no Dao Master, I am a Grand Dao Lord infinitely close to that realm. Can you even withstand a single move from my hand?"
Daoist Wukong showed no fear whatsoever. Leaping high into the air, he channeled the Supreme Dao and swung his golden rod down toward the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor!
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor reached out his hand, and space-time collapsed at once. Daoist Wukong and his golden rod tumbled together into his grasp.
The difference between one Immortal and another could be vast beyond imagination.
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor laughed. "Though I am no Dao Master, crushing you is more than easy enough!"
Just as he was about to exert his strength to crush Daoist Wukong to death, boundless clouds abruptly gushed from his palm. In an instant, myriad forms and phenomena surged outward wildly. His five fingers went numb from the shock, and his expression changed drastically as he leaped into the air, only to see the Hall of Lingxiao cleaved open by a vast banner, the hall's roof dissipating into a haze of clouds!
*What kind of magic treasure is this?* he thought in astonishment.
Daoist Wukong swung the Plain White Cloud Realm Banner, rolling the fabric as he closely pursued, charging forward to slay the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor.
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor's expression turned cold as he mobilized a divine power. Ten thousand cherry blossoms twirled through the air toward Daoist Wukong. Within the swirling blossoms, countless worlds lay concealed—the myriad realms of all heavens being born and destroyed within his divine power in a single thought!
Yet the Plain White Cloud Realm Banner was immune to all arts. No matter how exquisite his divine power was, it could not come near.
Frowning, the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor flicked his fingers repeatedly, forcing Daoist Wukong back.
The Holy Venerable observed for a moment. Seeing that while the Plain White Cloud Realm Banner was astonishingly powerful, it still could not harm the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor in the slightest, he immediately activated the Off-Ground Flame Light Banner, keeping his body pressed close to the cloth as he charged straight at the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor!
"I don't believe you are merely a Grand Dao Lord either!"
With the Off-Ground Flame Light Banner and the Plain White Cloud Realm Banner joining forces, their might swelled violently, bearing down so heavily that the Heavenly Court began to sink. Yet the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor still resisted with composure, still displaying only the cultivation of a Grand Dao Lord.
Seeing this, Useless Qingxuan also activated the Green Lotus Precious Color Banner and entered the fray.
The three Immortals joined hands and attacked the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor in unison. The combined might of the three great banners shook the heavens and earth, vastly outstripping the power of any single banner.
Suppressed by the three, the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor fell into a disadvantage and gradually could no longer hold his ground, coughing up blood repeatedly under the assault of the three men and their three banners.
Seeing him injured, Daoist Wukong suddenly pulled back and said, "This old fellow isn't a Dao Master."
Useless Qingxuan and the Holy Venerable also withdrew, offering their apologies to the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor. "We of the other shore are lacking in manners and have disturbed Your Majesty. We ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness."
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor suppressed his injuries and smiled wryly. "You belong to the Saint Race of the other shore. Going a bit too far is of no consequence."
Useless Qingxuan said in bewilderment, "Your Majesty has reached the level of a Grand Dao Lord and is only half a step from becoming a Dao Master. Why not take that final half step?"
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor sighed. "There are things you of the Saint Race do not understand. Though it is only half a step, the distance is like that between heaven and earth. How could it be crossed so easily? What is more, the techniques passed down from the other shore contain loopholes and flaws; it is impossible to reach the Dao Master realm through them."
The Holy Venerable said, "Since you have already cultivated to the level of a Grand Dao Lord, modifying the techniques and sorting out a method free of loopholes should be effortless. You ought to be able to pioneer a technique of your own that leads straight to the Dao Master realm."
The Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor shook his head. "To become a Dao Master—how could it ever be that simple?"
The Holy Venerable's eyes flickered. "In a universe as vast as the Zhao Realm, for Your Majesty to sit upon the throne of Heavenly Emperor means you are one in hundreds of millions. If you lack the aptitude and comprehension to become a Dao Master, then the others must be far more hopeless."
Useless Qingxuan sighed, called Shi Tianyang over, and thrust the Green Lotus Precious Color Banner into his hands, saying, "Brother Shi, you won. This treasure is yours!"
Shi Tianyang was overjoyed and hurriedly stowed the Green Lotus Precious Color Banner away.
The Holy Venerable walked over with a dejected expression and shoved the Off-Ground Flame Light Banner into his hands as well, saying, "A loss is a loss. Who told me not to have your luck?"
Shi Tianyang was dumbfounded, unable to understand what he meant.
The Holy Venerable added, "As for Daoist Wukong's Plain White Cloud Realm Banner, I will have him hand it over to you as well. We of the other shore's Saint Race value our word above all else. If we said we'd give it to you, we will give it to you."
Useless Qingxuan showed a look of envy and said, "Brother Shi, once united, these three banners form a set of innate spiritual treasures, a chaos spiritual root! Now that you possess such treasures, even the Grand Dao Lords of the other shore will be green with envy!"
Shi Tianyang was stunned, ushered away by the two of them.
Once they returned to Dao Master Ji Cang's place of seclusion, Daoist Wukong arrived as well. Useless Qingxuan said, "If I were the Zhao Realm Dao Master, I certainly couldn't hold back. I would do whatever it took to seize this set of innate spiritual treasures!"
The Holy Venerable said, "Especially now that this set of treasures rests in the hands of Shi Tianyang alone. Slaying Shi Tianyang is all it takes to obtain an entire set of innate spiritual treasures—why wouldn't he?"
Shi Tianyang's expression froze, and the joy of having just obtained the treasures vanished completely.
"So, tonight we will learn whether he is a Dao Master or not," Useless Qingxuan said, his eyes glittering.
Daoist Wukong asked, "If he truly is a Dao Master and comes to attack, can the four of us stop him by activating the Four Banner Gate Formation?"
Useless Qingxuan chuckled. "Naturally we can. The Banner Gate Formation could even suppress Dao Master Ji Cang, to say nothing of the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor."
Shi Tianyang looked all around and asked, "Wait! Where is Dao Ancestor Xu?"
The realization struck everyone at once, and they hurriedly searched for Xu Ying, but where was any trace of him to be seen?
The expressions of all four men shifted abruptly. Shi Tianyang cried out in dismay, "Disaster! Dao Ancestor Xu isn't here, so the Banner Gate Formation is missing one banner! How can we possibly withstand the Zhao Realm Heavenly Emperor?"
***
By this time, Xu Ying had already arrived at the central point of the Zhao Realm Universe. He stared into the empty void with a scrutinizing gaze.
He circled the area back and forth, the perplexity in his eyes deepening.
For he had sensed that the place where the aura of slaughter was most concentrated was right here.
Meanwhile, in Daoji Heaven of the other shore, atop Mount Jiuqiu, Dao Master Luo, Dao Master Lin, Dao Master Hua, and Dao Master Tongtian all watched the Zhao Realm intently.
Within the Zhao Realm, Xu Ying's face appeared immensely massive, pressing close to Dao Master Luo and the others as though peering inside, trying to see the four Dao Masters.
"Xu Ying!"
Dao Master Hua snorted in anger. "What in the world is that brat doing?"
"How did he end up in the Zhao Realm?" Dao Master Lin asked, puzzled.
Dao Master Hua felt a chill in his heart as understanding suddenly dawned on him. "That brat left the other shore together with Ji Cang—they must have gone to the Zhao Realm! Ji Cang is in the Zhao Realm too! This is terrible!"
Just then, the confusion on Xu Ying's face grew even thicker, and he drew out an apricot-yellow banner.
Dao Master Hua inwardly cried out in alarm, *That brat took out my magic treasure!*
Suddenly, Xu Ying channeled the Apricot Yellow Banner and abruptly unfurled it, slicing through the void. Streams of dark and yellow qi surged forth as boundless space was cleaved open by the cloth!
The next instant, the Heaven and Earth Elegance Pagoda flew out from the shattered void, half of it emerging directly into the Zhao Realm!
Chapter 791