Xu Ying inquired closely and only then learned that Dao Master Taiyi had actually seen those strange creatures in the Chaos Sea, making him feel a bit regretful.
"Innate numinous treasures should count as Chaos creatures too, right?"
He couldn't help letting his imagination wander. The Chaos Lotus certainly was, and while the Apricot Yellow Flag lacked life, it had also formed from a Chaos spirit root.
Could those Chaos creatures resembling softshell and hard-shell turtles turn into Chaos spirit roots when they grew tired of swimming, growing a cosmic Hongyuan upon their heads?
If so, how fascinating that would be.
"Yet why did such a group of Chaos creatures gather by our ship to watch me cultivate?" Xu Ying wondered. What puzzled him even more was that one of the Chaos creatures had actually intended to drag him into the Chaos Abyss. What lay inside the Chaos Abyss? Why had that unfathomable great bell flown out from the abyss? What did the Chaos creatures intend by dragging them into the abyss? Unfortunately, those Chaos creatures had already slipped away without a trace!
After several tens of days, they finally drew near the other shore. Xu Ying smiled and said, "Does the Dao Master want to know Dao Master Luo's cultivation and strength? I once swore an oath to Dao Master Luo that if I ever faced you, I would sacrifice personal ties for the greater good! The moment we leave the Chaos Sea and return to the other shore, this oath will take effect!"
As long as he violated the oath and it took effect, Dao Master Luo's Great Dao would automatically produce a ripple, wiping out the vow-breaking Xu Ying. In the Chaos Sea, Dao Master Luo's cultivation, strength, and Dao attainment were not capable of reaching into the Chaos Sea, so Xu Ying had no need to worry about facing Taiyi there!
But upon reaching the other shore, facing Taiyi meant Xu Ying had to beware of this oath!
Taiyi's eyes flickered, and he said, "I'd like to test it!"
The emerald rock multi-decked vessel sailed unhurriedly out of the Chaos Sea toward the ferry port. The instant the ship left Chaos, an inexplicable Dao fluctuation surged forth, arriving near Xu Ying in practically a split second.
Xu Ying's oath had been sworn to Dao Master Luo. Dao Master Luo was a Lord of Great Dao who cultivated the soul Dao; he had no need to personally care whether Xu Ying broke the oath. His Great Dao would automatically smooth out the folds within it. Breaking the oath was equivalent to tying a knot in his Great Dao, and eliminating Xu Ying was equivalent to untying that knot. This attack struck along the Great Dao—it was the soul Dao within the heavenly and earthly Great Daos of the other shore directly obliterating Xu Ying.
Just as this inexplicable force was about to execute Xu Ying, Dao Master Taiyi suddenly activated his own Great Dao, striking at empty space! Behind the two, the Chaos Sea looked as though it had suffered a heavy blow; the sea surface suddenly caved in by tens of thousands of li, layers of ripples flowing out in all directions.
Dao Master Taiyi's eyes, ears, mouth, and nose bled, yet his body stood firm and unyielding!
Xu Ying was terrified. Just as he was about to speak, Dao Master Taiyi suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and said hoarsely, "Turn your head away. Do not trigger a second attack from the Great Dao."
Xu Ying hastily turned his head and said, "Master, you seem inferior to Dao Master Tongtian! When Dao Master Tongtian first attained Dao Master, he could withstand Dao Master Hua's Falling Petals Divine Axe head-on and even pierced the divine axe!"
Dao Master Taiyi gave a muffled grunt, fell silent, and exerted all his strength to suppress his injuries!
After a moment, the oppressed breath in his chest eased, and he said, "I was far inferior to him to begin with. It is only natural that I am not his match!"
He was quite candid: "Tongtian presides over slaughter. In this era, even the three Dao Masters—Hua, Lin, and Luo—probably wouldn't want to clash with him directly. Until I become Dao Master Luo's match, it is best that you and I do not see each other."
Xu Ying's eyes flashed as he said, "Since Master could withstand a strike from Dao Master Luo, then we could try traveling back to the past to obliterate Dao Master Luo before he becomes a Dao Master."
Dao Master Taiyi was stirred, deeply tempted by this proposal. If they could wipe out Dao Master Luo, resolving the other shore's calamitous destiny would be much easier!
In the past, when Xu Ying's cultivation had not been nearly as formidable as it was now, he had managed to render Dao Master Luo a paraplegic. Now, Xu Ying's cultivation and strength were several times greater than back then, and Taiyi could withstand Dao Master Luo's Great Dao backlash! Thus, killing Dao Master Luo had become possible.
Dao Master Taiyi glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and said, "I will go contact the other Dao Masters to ensure nothing goes wrong."
He steered the ship away and returned the emerald rock multi-decked vessel to the ferry garrison general!
As one of the most powerful beings on the other shore, he could easily have kept the ship, but Taiyi had always acted according to the rules, so the ship had to be returned!
Only after he was far away did Xu Ying turn around and fly unhurriedly toward the ferry.
At the ferry, some cultivators of the other shore were still waiting, wanting to know the outcome of Xu Ying's challenge against Taiyi!
Originally, a great many people had waited here, but because Xu Ying needed to comprehend the creases on the great bell's surface, he had been trapped by the Chaos creatures for several years! Most people couldn't wait and had dispersed, leaving only those who had been assigned to stay behind and await the battle's outcome!
To their surprise, they had just seen Taiyi return and guessed he had slain Xu Ying, only to immediately see Xu Ying return alive as well!
Everyone was stunned!
Xu Ying walked straight past. Someone called out, "Sect Master Xu, in your battle with Taiyi, who won and who lost?"
Xu Ying stopped in his tracks and smiled. "Need you even ask? Naturally, I achieved complete victory! However, just as I was about to kill Taiyi, he broke through the Indestructible realm and entered the Dao Master realm! Once he became a Dao Master, I was naturally no match for him!"
As he turned to leave, someone shouted, "Xu Ying, just now someone said your duel with Taiyi was actually deliberately meant to force Taiyi into becoming a Dao Master. You and Taiyi are birds of a feather!"
Xu Ying's face darkened instantly. In a flash, he appeared before the speaker, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up. "Taiyi and I are birds of a feather? Tell me, who said that?" Xu Ying said angrily. "I'll snap his neck."
The man fell silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to utter another word.
Xu Ying snorted coldly and swept his gaze across the crowd; none dared meet his eyes!
Xu Ying exhaled a breath of turbid air... his interest dampened, his demeanor desolate. "Taiyi the traitor imperils the other shore. I could not bear to see the other shore sink into ruin, nor did I want to see him cultivate into a Dao Master, bringing even heavier casualties to our other shore! That is why, at this critical juncture, I challenged Taiyi for the safety of all living beings on our other shore!"
"And yet..." He shook his head, dropped the man, and turned to leave...
From the distance, his sorrowful voice drifted back: "To think that after returning from a bloody battle, I would be slandered by vile scoundrels. How tragic! How painful!"
The crowd watched him recede into the distance. Only after a long while did someone whisper, "A true cultivator."
Xu Ying returned to Heavenly Severance City beaming with radiant pride. Jiu Zeng and the others hurriedly came out to welcome him, asking cautiously, "Sect Master, how went the battle with old scoundrel Taiyi?"
Xu Ying smiled. "I defeated Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, but I didn't defeat Dao Master Taiyi!"
Hearing this, Jiu Zeng was both shocked and overjoyed: "Master really cultivated into a Dao Master?"
Qingxuan, Holy Venerable, and the others were equally astonished. Exchanging glances, Qingxuan whispered, "Taiyi becoming a Dao Master—who knows whether it's a blessing or a curse for the Three Realms!"
Holy Venerable said, "It might be worse!"
Just as Jiu Zeng was about to inquire into the battle's specifics, Taishi suddenly arrived and said, "Sect Master Xu, my Eldest Master invites Sect Master to make a trip to Mount Jiuqiu."
Xu Ying's expression shifted slightly. "Dao Master Luo wants to see me?"
Taishi smiled. "Indeed! Hearing that Sect Master has returned from the Chaos Sea, Eldest Master is eager to learn the outcome of your battle with old scoundrel Taiyi! Thus, we must trouble Sect Master to make the trip in person!"
Xu Ying felt uneasy!
Dao Master Luo had certainly sensed the fluctuation in his own Great Dao, which was why he sent Taishi. But the cause of that fluctuation was undoubtedly that Taiyi had not died in the Chaos Sea.
And since Xu Ying had not been obliterated by his Dao fluctuation, Dao Master Luo would likely deduce that Taiyi was not only alive, but had attained the Dao and become a Dao Master.
With his cultivation, he would certainly know that Taiyi was the one who blocked the Dao fluctuation for Xu Ying.
"Dao Master Luo summoning me—could he be planning to execute me with his own hands?" Xu Ying thought secretly.
His heart thumped anxiously. Dao Master Taiyi was currently contacting other Dao Masters, preparing to travel back to the past with him to eliminate Dao Master Luo!
If Dao Master Luo knew about this...
Seeing him lost in thought, Taishi tested, "Sect Master Xu? Sect Master Xu?"
Snapping back to his senses, Xu Ying smiled. "Brother Taishi, please lead the way!"
Taishi smiled. "After you."
The two departed Heavenly Severance City and headed toward Daoji Heaven. Xu Ying glanced at the plump youth beside him, thinking, "If Dao Master Luo moves to kill me, could I seize this little fatty as a shield to make him hesitate to pelt the rat for fear of breaking the vase, buying myself a slim chance of survival? Probably not..."
Taishi smiled and said, "Sect Master Xu once gave Taishi guidance on the cultivation of calamitous destiny, causing Eldest Master to value me greatly. I haven't yet had the chance to thank you, Sect Master!"
Xu Ying smiled. "I also gained much from all of you. What need is there for thanks?"
Taishi said, "Sect Master Xu, now the calamitous destiny of the other shore is vast and boundless. The Dao Masters sit exalted atop Daoji Heaven, distant from strife, idly watching the world struggle! How can cultivators like us survive this calamity? Sect Master, my attainments in the Dao of calamitous destiny are shallow. If I wish to survive, please point out a way forward!"
Xu Ying paused slightly, then smiled. "Why do you have such a thought, Dao Brother?"
Taishi hesitated a moment, then recounted how Taiyi had teamed up with ten Dao Masters to ambush Dao Master Luo, saying, "Back then, I drove the carriage for Eldest Master. Dao Master Qixian smashed the carriage to pieces with a hammer. At that moment, I thought I was dead for sure, but was fortunate enough to be protected by Eldest Master's green lotus, allowing me to survive! But I know that was mere luck. Such good fortune cannot accompany me forever!"
Filled with emotion, he said, "A minor figure like me dying in the calamity is of no consequence. Eldest Master won't grieve; only I care about my own life!"
Xu Ying nodded slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said with deep meaning, "Brother Taishi, do you know Li Xiao?"
Taishi nodded. "Of course! She traveled with us to the Zhao Realm to comprehend calamitous destiny; we shared a ship for several years! Senior Sister Li possessed profound Dao methods, but I heard that she and the other senior brothers and sisters of Qionghua Island all perished in the calamity!"
"Li Xiao is not dead!"
Hearing this, Taishi was stunned.
Xu Ying continued, "Not only is Li Xiao not dead, she is living quite comfortably!"
"Knowing she could not protect herself in the calamity, she took Dao Master Hua's innate numinous treasure, the Root Star Gate, and fled into the Chaos Sea! Her whereabouts are currently unknown!"
He said no more, but Taishi's eyes lit up. He bowed and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Sect Master."
Xu Ying shook his head. "Don't thank me! I gave you no guidance whatsoever!"
Catching on, Taishi spoke no further of it!
The two arrived at Daoji Heaven and entered Mount Jiuqiu. The mountain looked like nine rounded hills, not at all imposing. Xu Ying couldn't help taking a closer look, thinking, "A qiu is a rounded hill, a tumulus, a tomb! Could this Mount Jiuqiu be nine tombs?"
As an expert grave robber, he discerned the extraordinary nature of these nine hills and wondered inwardly, "Who did Dao Master Luo bury in these nine tombs?"
The two reached Anyou Palace and saw Fengya Pagoda standing tall in the distance!
A moment later, they entered Chuigong Hall. Dao Master Luo sat upon a jade couch and smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xu has finally arrived! Forgive my physical inconvenience; I cannot rise to greet you!"
Xu Ying hastily said, "Disciple's Dao attainment is shallow. How dare I accept the title of Fellow Daoist? Dao Master flatters me too much!"
Dao Master Luo chuckled. "You now possess the strength of a Grand Dao Lord. Addressing you as Fellow Daoist is hardly flattering! Fellow Daoist Xu, please have a seat!"
With that, he raised a hand gently, and a prayer mat flew over, settling beside Xu Ying's feet!
Xu Ying slowly sat down with utter reverence, daring only to rest half of his buttocks on it while keeping the other half suspended in the air to display his respect!
Seeing this, Dao Master Luo shook his head and laughed. "You are far too restrained! Taiyi, Shengsi, Yinyang, Shenmo, and the others have also visited me here. When told to sit, none were ever as restrained as you!"
Xu Ying said, "They are members of the true sacred race. I am merely a New Sacred Clan member from the Three Realms, and our Three Realms has a poor reputation. I dare not!"
Dao Master Luo had no choice but to let him be!
Though sitting with half a cheek on the cushion was very uncomfortable, Xu Ying felt slightly relieved: "If this prayer mat is an innate numinous treasure, then if Dao Master Luo wants to kill me, the moment he activates the mat, it will destroy half my backside and one leg—leaving me with half a backside and one leg to escape!"
Dao Master Luo gave him a deep look, having no idea what thoughts were running through his head. He asked, "You challenged Taiyi—what was the outcome?"
Xu Ying said solemnly, "Disciple kept the Dao Master's teachings firmly in mind, knowing that the old scoundrel Taiyi rebelled and caused disorder, so I challenged him! In the Chaos Sea, Disciple defeated him and was just about to slay him when he suddenly attained Dao Master!"
Dao Master Luo scrutinized his soul and found not the slightest hint of falsehood. He remarked, "Taiyi truly has attained the Dao! When you returned to the other shore, what was the sudden disturbance caused in my Great Dao?"
Looking ashamed, Xu Ying said, "Disciple was no match for Taiyi, but out of sentiment for the master-disciple bond, he did not kill me! Upon returning to the other shore, Disciple remembered that year's oath and thought that although the old scoundrel Taiyi was now a Dao Master, he was surely a hundred and eight thousand li behind Dao Master Luo! While I couldn't kill the old scoundrel, Dao Master Luo certainly could! So I confronted Taiyi, triggering the oath's backlash! Moved by our master-disciple bond, the old scoundrel stepped in to save me, and sure enough, he was wounded by Dao Master's soul Dao."
Having said this, he looked immensely pleased with himself!
Dao Master Luo smiled. "So that was it. Still, after Taiyi became a Dao Master, his cultivation and strength are truly formidable to be able to withstand a strike from my soul Dao! Fortunately he did withstand it; otherwise, had a loyal and righteous subject like you perished under my Great Dao, wouldn't that have been a tragedy?"
Xu Ying said hurriedly, "If I can rid Dao Master of a rebel, what does it matter if Disciple's body is smashed to pieces?"
Dao Master Luo laughed. "You still have your uses; you cannot die just yet! Xu Ying, I see that your Dao attainment has increased greatly. Come closer and examine my Dao injury!"
Xu Ying assented and stepped forward to examine Dao Master Luo's injury!
*The injury I left on Dao Master Luo—even I cannot undo it.* Xu Ying thought.
Xu Ying's gaze fell upon Dao Master Luo's waist, and his heart gave a violent jolt.
The Dao injury he had inflicted upon Dao Master Luo had actually been broken!
Who did this?
Xu Ying was utterly astounded.
"Who broke my divine power?"
Chapter 844