Ransoming Someone

Ganquan Palace of Hushan Pavilion, Daoji Heaven. Lu Yiren came before Dao Master Lin, bowed, and said, "Master, your disciple comprehended the wonders of destiny's shifts in the Zhao Realm, yet I fell short of total success and could not attain immortality through calamitous destiny." Dao Master Lin inspected his cultivation progress. Seeing that Lu Yiren had brought the Grand Dao of Calamitous Destiny to the eighth layer of the Dao Realm, he smiled. "This time, all four Dao Masters dispatched disciples to the Zhao Realm in hopes of seizing calamitous destiny and achieving calamitous destiny immortality. It sounds simple, but attaining the Dao through calamitous destiny is extraordinarily difficult. Your current accomplishment is already remarkable; there is no need to belittle yourself." Lu Yiren bowed again. Dao Master Lin asked, "With your current attainment in calamitous destiny, can you discern where the other shore's calamitous destiny is headed?" Lu Yiren held nothing back. "The other shore's calamitous destiny remains. It has not vanished, only been delayed. In three thousand years, it will erupt anew. When that time comes, two or three universes must be sacrificed to postpone it once more." Everything he said was the deduction reached by Xu Ying, Zhangsun Shenghai, and the others. Dao Master Lin fell silent for a moment. "Even shifting the calamitous destiny cannot cancel it out? Still, having shifted it this time, why will the next wave arrive so swiftly? Shifting calamitous destiny in the past would delay it by millions of years. Why only three thousand years this time?" "The transfer was not clean," Lu Yiren replied. "Your disciple believes some prominent figure escaped their doomed fate and fled, causing the calamitous destiny of the other shore to linger without dispersing." Dao Master Lin let out a sigh. "It is Dao Master Ji Cang. Enveloped in calamitous destiny, he yet refuses to die, and so the calamitous destiny of our other shore refuses to dissipate. Dao Master Hua went to Tianjing precisely to hunt down his whereabouts." He slowly rose, walked out of Ganquan Palace, and gazed into the distance. "If the other shore wishes to survive the next calamitous destiny, it must shift the burden onto two or three universes. What about the time after that? How many universes will be required then?" *** Fengqiu Palace, Mount Jiuqiu. Dao Master Luo was also listening intently to Taishi's report regarding the journey to the Zhao Realm, interjecting with a question or two from time to time. Finally, he asked about the other shore's calamitous destiny. Just as Lu Yiren had done, Taishi relayed the conclusions drawn by Xu Ying, Zhangsun Shenghai, and the rest. Dao Master Luo's brow furrowed slightly, and he murmured, "Ji Cang's escape has brought about such dire consequences, accelerating the arrival of the calamitous destiny by millions of years for no reason. In three thousand years, another calamitous destiny will strike. If several more escape then, the other shore's calamitous destiny will only arrive faster and faster." "Taishi." His gaze fell upon his disciple. "That you could deduce the resurgence of the calamitous destiny in three thousand years proves your mastery over calamitous destiny is already extraordinary." Taishi felt deeply ashamed and said, "Your disciple merely feared failing your expectations, Grand Master, and redoubled my efforts in cultivation to achieve this modest result." Dao Master Luo's eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "Three thousand years from now, the calamitous destiny will be no small matter. Whether I can weather the tribulation in safety will rest upon your shoulders." Taishi's heart lurched. He wanted to admit that his mastery over calamitous destiny was not nearly that high, but he feared provoking the Grand Master's wrath, leaving him caught in agonizing indecision. *There are still three thousand years. In three thousand years, I must comprehend the Dao of Calamitous Destiny until I catch up to Xu Ying!* Dao Master Luo boarded his carriage and rode out of Fengqiu Palace, gazing far into the distance. "Which universes shall we shift the calamitous destiny to next time? Dajing, the Three Realms... the two sources of trouble ought to be resolved as well." *** Biyou Palace. Zhangsun Shenghai recounted his and Xu Ying's deductions to Dao Master Tongtian. Dao Master Tongtian said, "It is about what I estimated." "Master, what are your plans?" Zhangsun Shenghai asked. Dao Master Tongtian said, "Slaughter arises in response to destiny. As the Master of Slaughter, I naturally must act in accord with destiny." He cast a glance at Zhangsun Shenghai and continued, "You must take another step forward as well. Within these three thousand years, you must reach the Indestructible realm. Otherwise, you will have no means of self-preservation." Zhangsun Shenghai felt a chill of solemnity. "Your disciple's attainment in the Dao of Nirvana is still shallow. I always sense immense danger within this Grand Dao, often feeling as though I am sinking into nirvana and assimilating into the Dao." "Do you know why?" Dao Master Tongtian asked. Zhangsun Shenghai shook his head. Dao Master Tongtian said, "When slaughter ends, Taiyi is destroyed, myriad Daos are extinguished, karma contracts, reincarnation terminates, and all sinks into nirvana. Even if you cultivate all nine Daos, without an innate spiritual root, it is difficult to complete the cycle from chaos to nirvana and from nirvana to chaos. You must find an innate numinous treasure. Only then can you master nirvana and avoid dissolving into the Dao." Hearing this, Zhangsun Shenghai felt all the fog clear away. Filled with gratitude, he kowtowed to Dao Master Tongtian. Dao Master Tongtian asked, "Does this cultivation art of yours have a name?" Zhangsun Shenghai said, "Your disciple calls it the Ninefold Hongyuan Grand Cavern Scripture." Dao Master Tongtian nodded slightly. "Devote yourself to your cultivation. If this technique succeeds, it will be unmatched in the present age." Zhangsun Shenghai felt a surge of joy, but then he suddenly remembered Xu Ying's cultivation method, which shared an uncanny resonance with his own Ninefold Hongyuan. He feared his title of 'unmatched in the present age' might not be so secure after all. *** Dao Master Ji Cang's body had been eroded by calamitous destiny, riddled with holes like a lotus root and leaking wind in every direction. Taiyi, Xu Ying, and the others walked up before him. The wind blowing from his body carried thick flurries of Dao ash snow, drifting down all around. Xu Ying offered a salute. "Dao Master Ji, it has been a long time." Dao Master Ji Cang gave a slight nod. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi also bowed in greeting. "Brother Dao, do you still remember Taiyi?" Dao Master Ji Cang sized him up and chuckled. "Of course I remember. Back then in Tianjing, when the Tianjing Dao Venerable preached the Dao, your ambitions reached higher than the heavens. Everyone else chose the easier innate Daos to cultivate, yet you alone chose the difficult one, insisting on cultivating the Grand Dao of Taiyi. Who would have thought that after all these years, you still have not reached the Dao Master realm?" Xu Ying blinked. *Tianjing Dao Venerable? Could the dramatic leap in cultivation and strength of Xuhuang, Taiqing, and the others be related to this Tianjing Dao Venerable?* Over the years, his horizons had broadened considerably. A universe with a glorious history like Tianjing could not have had only Grand Dao Master Xuanhuang. That Xuhuang and the others had made such astonishing progress in recent years was almost certainly due to guidance from Tianjing Dao Masters behind the scenes. Taiyi smiled. "I, too, greatly envied Brother Dao and the others for becoming Lords of Grand Dao. Yet after that bloodbath long ago, you fellow Daoists were all wiped out, while I survived." Sensing his mockery, Dao Master Ji Cang sneered. "Does surviving mean you can become a Dao Master? Without attaining the Dao Master realm, all are mere ants, their lives not in their own hands. And even if you do become a Dao Master, you will hardly escape an axe strike from Dao Master Hua." Taiyi's expression changed slightly. He had indeed heard rumors to that effect: whenever anyone was about to attain the Dao Master realm, they would face an axe strike from Dao Master Hua, without exception. Back then, his disciple Zhong Yuliu had sought to prove the Dao Master realm and was nearly killed by Dao Master Hua's hand. Ji Cang sneered, "So, Taiyi, what did you come to Tianjing for?" Grand Dao Lord Taiyi said, "I came this time to find Dao Master Hua. He is one of the three Dao Masters of the other shore. He entered Tianjing over seven years ago and vanished without a trace, his life or death unknown. I came precisely to bring him back." Taiyi continued, "Dao Master Hua is one of the other shore's three Dao Masters. If anything happens to him, the other shore's strength will suffer greatly. When Tianjing rises in the future, countless members of our people on the other shore will perish as a result. Therefore, out of concern for the living beings of the other shore, I must rescue Dao Master Hua." Ji Cang burst into laughter, Dao ash billowing from the gaping holes across his body. "You think that by coming here, you can rescue Hua? Truth be told, that old scoundrel Hua was gravely wounded by me, the Tianjing Dao Venerable, and several other Tianjing Dao Masters! If not for that, would my calamitous destiny have injured me to such a state?" Though Taiyi had already harbored suspicions, hearing it confirmed still made his expression shift. Back when Tianjing was said to have run aground, people from the other shore had arrived to explore it. The Tianjing Dao Venerable was the leader of all Tianjing. Taking pity on their arduous journey from afar, he had set up an altar to lecture on the Dharma, imparting secrets of long life and lasting vision. That Dao Venerable's cultivation had been unfathomably profound. Various Dao methods flowed smoothly from his lips, profound principles explained in simple terms, allowing anyone to easily comprehend and grasp them. Back then, there were not many disciples from the other shore at the Tianjing Dao Venerable's altar—only a hundred or so. Yet later, nearly half of those hundred-odd people attained the Dao Master realm, becoming Lords of Grand Dao! Most of the rest had reached the Indestructible realm. Taiyi had been one of the less conspicuous among them, obscure and unremarkable. Although the Tianjing Dao Venerable had also been reduced to a mortal by the Dao tides at that time, his profound attainment had thoroughly convinced everyone. If this Dao Venerable had revived, then even without joining forces with Ji Cang and the others, Dao Master Hua would likely have been no match for him. Ji Cang sneered, "Taiyi, you cannot save that old scoundrel Hua. You might not even make it back alive yourself!" Taiyi said, "Brother Dao, you can barely preserve your own life. Why bother worrying about whether I live or die?" He turned and bowed to Great Dao Lord Xuhuang. "Fellow Daoist Xuhuang, you had Zhuo Daochun guide me all the way here. Surely it was not just so I could see Brother Dao Ji Cang one last time?" Xuhuang smiled. "Naturally not. We invited you here first so that you could witness the horrific devastation of an erupting calamitous destiny. If the calamitous destiny erupts on the other shore, how many of its people could escape?" Taiyi shook his head. "If even a Dao Master is reduced to this, naturally none could escape. Once the calamitous destiny arrives, the final limit is reached, and the other shore will surely be reduced to ash." Xuhuang said, "The reason the other shore's calamitous destiny is so immense is that every time it strikes, you only think of shifting it onto other universes, while the other shore itself has never weathered the tribulation. This move may seem ingenious, but in truth, after each transfer, the calamitous destiny only grows stronger and its onslaught fiercer. Seeing Dao Master Ji Cang's plight, and considering the welfare of the other shore, you must understand that the actions of Dao Masters Hua, Lin, and Luo are wrong." Taiyi nodded. "The three Dao Masters shifted the calamitous destiny out of concern for the other shore's safety, yet that the calamitous destiny has grown increasingly violent is indeed connected to their transfers." Xuhuang said, "If you become a Dao Master, could you put an end to the three Dao Masters' wicked deeds?" Taiyi said solemnly, "If I become a Dao Master, for the sake of all living beings on the other shore, I will certainly argue vigorously on the grounds of reason." "And what is the second matter you spoke of, Fellow Daoist Xuhuang?" Xuhuang smiled. "The second matter is for you to take Dao Master Hua back with you." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi froze, looking at him in bewilderment. Xuhuang said with a smile, "Tianjing is still weak. When Dao Master Hua tracked his way here, our Tianjing had no choice but to mobilize all our forces—the Tianjing Dao Venerable, Dao Master Ji Cang, and several other Dao Masters all joined the fray. That battle merely wounded Dao Master Hua severely and trapped him; we could not slay him. Meanwhile, many of us suffered injuries. If the one who arrived were not Brother Dao Taiyi, but Dao Master Luo or Dao Master Lin, then Tianjing would be doomed." Taiyi understood his meaning. "So you guided me here so that I could take Dao Master Hua away, sparing you from Dao Master Lin and Dao Master Luo coming to hold you accountable." Xuhuang smiled faintly. "Of course, we cannot simply allow you to take Dao Master Hua away so easily. We must agree on a three-point pact." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi asked, "What three points?" "First, the Tianjing people on the other shore must be allowed to return to Tianjing, and the other shore must not harm them. Second, the other shore must not harass Tianjing or enter Tianjing to hunt. Third, Dao Master Hua must not seek revenge." Xuhuang added, "We shall swear a Chaos Oath so that both sides have guarantees." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi shook his head. "I cannot swear an oath on Dao Master Hua's behalf. Nor would Dao Master Hua ever agree to such terms." Xuhuang smiled. "Which is why I grant you permission to see Dao Master Hua and ask him whether he will agree to this three-point pact." Grand Dao Lord Taiyi nodded slightly and said to Xu Ying, "Wait here. I will go see Dao Master Hua." Xu Ying complied. Taiyi departed with Xuhuang. Xu Ying looked up to study Dao Master Ji Cang. Howling winds tore away more and more Dao ash snow from his body. Xu Ying stepped up before him and activated his Dao of Calamitous Destiny. After a moment, he suddenly struck out, tapping a finger against Ji Cang's body. Ji Cang stood motionless, saying indifferently, "Little brat, it is useless. My doom has arrived, and I was severely wounded by Dao Master Hua. You cannot save me. Regardless, you and I share some karma. You brought me back to life, and now you have come to see me off. In all my life, I have never felt grateful to anyone..." *Eh?* As Xu Ying darted up and down around him, striking him repeatedly, Ji Cang suddenly felt the calamitous destiny upon his body fade considerably! The speed at which his Grand Dao transformed into Dao ash slowed drastically as well! Xu Ying continued flitting around him, branding various divine powers of calamitous destiny onto different parts of his body. Before long, the Dao ash snow swirling through the heavens and earth dwindled, and the wind gradually subsided. Striking the final seal, Xu Ying flipped backward and landed lightly on the ground. The last flake of Dao ash drifted down from Dao Master Ji Cang, and for a long time, no new Dao ash fell. Startled and overjoyed, he looked down at his body. He was still riddled with holes, yet the calamitous destiny seemed to have receded far away! "I have postponed your calamitous destiny by three thousand years," Xu Ying said, dispersing his calamitous destiny cave abyss. "This is my current limit. Three thousand years from now, if I have made further progress in the Dao of Calamitous Destiny, I can save your life once more. If I have made no progress, you will certainly die."