Contradiction

A surging, oppressive qi dynamic bore down like a stone cast into a mirror-like lake, rippling outward across the Tianyuan Mountain Range in successive waves until it reached the spot where Wen Xinyun and Tianye stood. Sensing the sudden shift in the qi dynamic of the battle in the distance, Wen Xinyun arched an eyebrow in mild surprise. But before she could probe any further, she noticed that the space around them had fallen completely silent. Tianye had abruptly unfolded her Dao domain, severing all contact between the two of them and the outside world. Mists rolled expansively over the forest of golden autumn leaves, yet not the faintest rustle filtered through. The entire space grew profoundly still—so still that only Wen Xinyun's slow, gentle voice broke the quiet: "I initially assumed that qi dynamic belonged to your Saintess's Dao domain, but judging by your reaction, it seems to be the Tianyan Dao Art." Tianye did not deny it. Smiling faintly, she said, "Indeed. So I hope you'll refrain from making any reckless moves before the dust settles." Wen Xinyun did not answer immediately. She cast a glance toward the spectator stands before continuing, "You have intercepted me, but what about the spectators? They are right next to the Tianyan Dao Art. Perhaps I can simply question them afterward." Tianye pondered for a moment, tilted her head, and chuckled. "Wouldn't it be easier to dispose of them before you ever reach them?" Wen Xinyun smiled softly as well, though her eyes remained entirely unruffled. "Had you come here without the title of Overseeing Heaven Pavilion Master, those words might carry some weight. The mantle of Pavilion Master binds you." Tianye raised a brow. "Are you really so certain?" "Pavilion Master, a thousand years is a very long time." Wen Xinyun shook her head and spoke in a leisurely tone. "Unlike you, who endured twenty thousand years of solitude, I have encountered countless people over this millennium. I may not fully comprehend you, Pavilion Master, but I have seen people like you before—individuals who could have lived entirely as they pleased, yet had shackles placed upon them by certain attachments. "You could kill them, but the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion cannot. "Therefore... "It is because they cannot detect the Tianyan Dao Art, correct?" "..." After a brief silence, Tianye took a deep breath, the corners of her lips curling into a grin. "You truly are irritating. But there is no denying that you haven't lived this millennium in vain. Only those beyond the Saint realm can perceive the Tianyan Dao Art." Wen Xinyun nodded slightly. "So, is the dust about to settle over there?" Tianye crossed her arms over her chest, blunt and direct. "I don't know." "Even Tianyan cannot resolve the calamity?" "What do you take a calamity for?" Tianye scoffed dismissively, her voice measured. "Within the same cultivation realm, no one is a match for a calamity—including the one destined to face it." At this point, Tianye abruptly shifted the subject and asked, "From where you stand, do you truly believe in what we call the Eternal Night Great Calamity?" This time, Wen Xinyun did not reply at once. After a prolonged silence, she chose her words carefully: "I do, and I don't. I believe in the existence of the Eternal Night Great Calamity, but I do not believe it targets the entirety of the human race." Tianye chuckled upon hearing this, grasping the underlying meaning instantly. She asked in a low voice, "Are you suggesting that this so-called Eternal Night Calamity targets only our Overseeing Heaven Pavilion?" "Is it not?" Wen Xinyun spoke plainly and dispassionately. "Any ruler will drape themselves in a mantle of righteous purpose—whether by claiming the mandate of heaven or preaching that rulers are but boats upon the waters of the people. Your Overseeing Heaven Pavilion once ruled the sect world for tens of thousands of years under the pretext of safeguarding humanity. During that time, framing a calamity targeting the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion as a catastrophe meant for all of mankind could hardly have been difficult." Tianye's golden eyes flickered, her tone playful. "I must admit, I had never considered such an interpretation." "A vested beneficiary of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion would naturally believe it without question." As a fellow ruler, Wen Xinyun chose every word with incisive precision. "You claim the Eternal Night Calamity will plunge all living beings into misery, leaving nine out of ten homes deserted. Yet from the history I have investigated, across the ten millennia of imperial dynasties alone, catastrophes of such magnitude have occurred time and again. Leaving aside the current unrest over the Immortal-Leveling Tax we are experiencing today, both the ancient conflict between Qi and Chu and the century-long strife of the Three Qin decimated populations and emptied nine out of ten homes. Yet your Overseeing Heaven Pavilion never defined those as calamities. "As for the claim that a calamity cannot be killed... that is even more nonsensical. "Undeniably, Xu Changtian possesses extraordinary luck and endurance, but in all of history, he is hardly the only one blessed with tremendous karmic fortune. Even in our current era, there are many—Xu Yinhe, Li Yaoxuan, and even Li Zhaoyuan, the imperial Crown Prince who recently entered the Eastern Palace. All of them have survived hundreds of deadly trials amid perilous environments. By the logic of your Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, are they calamities as well? One must bear in mind that the blood on each of their hands exceeds Xu Changtian's by thousands, if not tens of thousands of times!" "..." Within the Dao domain of the Aeon Art, the world seemed veiled behind a faint, translucent filter. The rustle of the forest leaves and the motes of dust drifting through the air all became sluggish. Faced with Wen Xinyun's remarks, which shook the very ideological foundation of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, Tianye could have cited countless counterexamples to refute her. Yet she chose not to speak, merely remarking with a trace of boredom: "This is a meaningless debate." Wen Xinyun fell silent for a moment before murmuring in agreement, "Meeting someone like you, who was once 'Tianyan' before the fall of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, stirred up words I have kept pent up for a thousand years. I let myself get carried away." Tianye shook her head and whispered, "Different standpoints naturally offer different perspectives. The Overseeing Heaven Pavilion today no longer has the standing to demand that you believe us. But even if I am left utterly alone, my pavilion will see this path through to the bitter end." "Let us hope so." Noncommittal, Wen Xinyun murmured, "Perhaps we are destined to become enemies eventually, but for now, we can still reach an understanding regarding Xu Changtian." "Are you saying you intend to lend a hand?" "Whether from your objective of facing the calamity or our war over the Immortal-Leveling Tax, Xu Changtian ought to disappear, should he not?" "Heh." Tianye lowered her golden eyes, wearing a helpless smile. Wen Xinyun met her gaze squarely. "So, does the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion require my strength?" Silence fell for a breath. Tianye slowly raised her eyes, her voice crisp and detached: "Since you wish to intervene, I hope you are prepared. "Because... "The karmic backlash from wiping out a calamity before its time may be far more terrifying than you anticipate." *** The battle belonging to Xu Yuan and Tianyan was still raging. Once one's qi reached the Origin Realm, a cultivator no longer relied solely on the sea of qi within their dantian to fight. Channeling the Source Qi of heaven and earth to execute arts was the unique prerogative of Origin Realm cultivators. Yet the moment that expanse of celestial radiance summoned by Tianyan shone upon the summit of Heaven Sword Peak, Xu Yuan could no longer perceive a single trace of Source Qi in the air! Or more accurately, Xu Yuan could still sense the surrounding worldly Source Qi, but it repelled him with an active, visceral aversion. And this repulsive reaction was not limited to Source Qi alone; even the Dao charm permeating heaven and earth had begun to turn erratic and unruly. Beneath the formation patterns blanketing the firmament, dazzling sunlight cascaded down like a waterfall, unfurling like a grand stage beneath the feet of the young woman high in the heavens. *What is this?* *A Dao domain?* *Or something else unknown?* Because of this abrupt celestial radiance, Xu Yuan felt a true crisis of mortal peril emanating from this washboard Saintess for the very first time. The surging sea of blood enveloping his body gradually melted away under the brilliance of the light, exposing Xu Yuan, who had been concealed within it. Rubbing the space between his brows, he gave a low chuckle: "If this is your trump card, then things really are going to be tricky... Tianyan." "..." Tianyan did not reply this time. Beneath the radiant light, her clear golden eyes shone brilliantly like stars, appearing all the more divine and devoid of emotion. If faint flickers of thought could still be glimpsed in her eyes moments ago, her golden pupils were now like bottomless abysses. In the silence, Tianyan raised a slender finger, pointing toward Xu Yuan, and then lightly slid it downward toward the ground under his scrutinizing gaze. In the next instant— *Buzzzz!—* The boundless Source Qi across the vault of heaven erupted into violence, surging toward Xu Yuan like a maelstrom. A colossal pressure slammed against him in an instant, like an invisible giant hand! Struck by this crushing blow, Xu Yuan's figure shot backward like an arrow, tearing through the air without any ability to resist before crashing violently into the forested mountain below. The immense impact snapped massive trees wherever he passed, sending plumes of dust billowing hundreds of feet into the air. Lying in the crater, Xu Yuan looked up at the familiar girl in the sky and slowly sat up. Though they had clashed for only an instant, as the victim, he had managed to grasp the function of the formation patterns blanketing the entire heavens. To put it simply, as long as Tianyan's meridians could endure the strain, her Source Qi was effectively inexhaustible. Beyond that, her enemy was cut off from the world's Source Qi, forced to rely solely on the sea of qi within their dantian, and entirely unable to deploy a Dao domain. Yes, unable to deploy a Dao domain. During the brief exchange just now, Xu Yuan had confirmed that the Dao charm of heaven and earth had completely run wild, impossible to channel as he normally would. Once an array like this was unleashed, it was a devastating blow to ordinary cultivators—even to Saints. With these thoughts running through his mind, Xu Yuan stood up from the crater, glanced in the direction of Wen Xinyun, and muttered softly: "The Overseeing Heaven Pavilion's Heaven's Will, huh... "No wonder you contacted my father yesterday to plot Wen Xinyun's death. Back at Zhenxi Manor, she once said... in the face of that thing, Dao charm becomes a stumbling block." At this point, Xu Yuan's tone suddenly shifted. Strands of white light began to surface beneath his feet, and boundless vitality blossomed amidst the shattered forest. He gave a soft laugh: "However, Tianyan, it seems you cannot interfere with life and death."