A Little Word of Law? The Curtain Rises

Qi Yuan finished speaking and waited in earnest. This talent, once put into words, seemed able to stir some inexplicable effect. An unknown world. Boundless falling leaves, a giant python flicking its tongue, light flaring and dying. The bitter wind was like blades, drilling into the body of an elder clad in beast hide. He shivered with cold. Suddenly a divine sound seemed to reach his ears. He hurriedly knelt in devout worship, knocking his forehead against the ground with loud thuds. He babbled on without pause. Then, all at once, a thin thread of insight lit the beast-hide elder's mind, as if he had discovered something. "Qiong... qian..." His mouth formed these two syllables. Then he knelt again, his face wild with joy. A grand plan rose in his heart. Charged by the god, he would create an implement named Qian. In the Netherworld, Qi Yuan was rather bored. "Treating it like a tree hollow is far too dull. There isn't even any feedback." Languid, he stretched. Something suddenly occurred to him. "Why not run an experiment?" After restoring the Eccentric Painter's vitality, he stepped out of the Netherworld and returned to the Jiang family's stronghold in Yuntian City. His junior sister, Jiang Lingsu, was in her room, the flame on the lamp still burning. Qi Yuan closed his eyes and activated the ability of his ears. He listened for any strange sounds nearby, and for whether a conversation might turn into something interesting. "If I could become a mighty figure like the Blood-Robed Sword God, Mother-in-law wouldn't look down on me!" "If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. What does a poisoned cultivation method have to do with me?" "Steamed buns are too good!" "I so want a considerate, devoted Dao companion who won't betray me, someone to share hardship with to the end. Heavens, grant me a Dao companion!" These murmurs fell into Qi Yuan's ears. His gaze locked at once onto the cultivator who wanted a Dao companion. It was a shut-in cultivator. The dust on his cyan robe was nearly crusted; he had probably not moved in years, only sat there letting his thoughts run wild. "I'll give you a bit of good luck. May you soon come home with a Dao companion in your arms." Qi Yuan thought a moment, then spoke to the shut-in. Qi Yuan had now reached the Purple Mansion realm, and he had the power of a Yang God Heavenly Venerable besides. He still could not truly achieve Word of Law, but nudging a thread of fortune with his words was something he could do with ease. Since he had heard it, there was a bond. He might as well grant a little luck as he pleased. At the sound of his voice, the shut-in cultivator in the cave abode snapped his eyes open, shock and fear on his face. "Who is it? Which senior is passing by and joking with this junior?" He was utterly stunned. If he had spoken carelessly, or sent a voice transmission, and a senior had intercepted it, that would have been one thing. He had only been letting his thoughts run wild, forming a notion he had never spoken aloud. And yet... even that could be heard? His mind drew taut as he watched his surroundings, but he found nothing at all. "Could it be... the voice just now was an illusion?" The shut-in cultivator was alarmed and uncertain. Just then, ripples spread through space. A remnant image emerged from the void and landed on his meditation cushion. The shut-in froze, staring at the strangely shaped thing. "A cup?" When he saw the instructions for use on it, his face turned bright red. "This is a Dao companion?" He held the cup, his expression complicated. There was terror, helplessness, and confusion. The helplessness was this: a wish he had made almost at random had been heard by some existence and answered, only the answer was rather odd beside what he had sought. "Could my muttering have been heard by some extraterrestrial demon?" At the thought, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Elsewhere, surprise rose in Qi Yuan's eyes as well. A shut-in cultivator clutching a certain cup was a truly bizarre sight. "So right now I'm basically the divine Wealth-Scattering Boy?" "I didn't expect I'd granted him the most badass Dao companion in the Canglan Realm. A badass cultivator, using a badass Dao companion, living a badass life!" Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes, carefully sensing himself. After all, always scattering wealth and getting nothing back was too much of a loss. He even wanted to knock the shut-in out and snatch the cup away. He had paid the price. What had the shut-in paid? About a hundred breaths passed, and Qi Yuan opened his eyes. "It seems... my speech is clearer, and my ears are keener too." In those hundred breaths he had examined himself thoroughly. For now, these were the only changes he had found. Of course, there might be deeper changes, only he was still too weak to notice them. After all, he was merely Purple Mansion now, a cute little rookie of the cultivation world. In the Canglan Realm he could seize a mountain and call himself king. Move him to the Upper Realm, and it seemed he could still be a mountain king. Qi Yuan's thoughts ran wild. Suddenly a voice reached his ear. "Hmph. This time I've snuck over. Let's see where you run, boy. You actually made off with my daughter. I'll break your legs." At the sound, Qi Yuan's expression shifted. It was none other than Jiang Ruhua! He extended his senses and instantly found Jiang Ruhua already on the road toward Yuntian City. "Junior Sister, run!" Without a second thought, Qi Yuan charged into Jiang Lingsu's room and seized her wrist. From the look of him, Jiang Ruhua was carrying every sort of talisman and array disk, clearly brimming with confidence that he could take Qi Yuan down. "Ah... hey... Senior Brother, what are you doing!" Warm breath left Jiang Lingsu's delicate nose. Her apricot eyes went round, and she looked thoroughly flustered. One hand was caught by Qi Yuan. The other gripped the edge of flesh-toned stockings thin as cicada wings; she seemed to be trying them on. Her soft, fair foot had stepped into the foot of the stocking. The fabric clung to her long calf, skin luminous as jade, each setting the other off. The jade-fine skin of her thighs lay bare to the air. Traced by the stockings, they looked taut, full, and softly fleshed. Beneath the lamplight, a pale gleam showed faintly on the stocking, running from the knee all the way to the foot. Qi Yuan swept a glance. Look not upon what is improper. He shifted his gaze upward—buttocks like a half-moon, veiled in misted cloud-gauze. All right. Even more improper. Higher still. All right. Far too improper. Tonight's moon was truly large, truly white, and truly round. Qi Yuan silently recited scripture in his heart. "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Free for a moment? Then desire..." "Senior Brother, why are you in such a panic?" Jiang Lingsu's pretty face was scarlet. "I'm changing into the clothes you gave me!" "Get dressed, quick. Your father's come to kill me. He's almost here!" Qi Yuan let go so Jiang Lingsu could cover her springtime charms. "What?" Jiang Lingsu's face changed drastically. If her father found her senior brother in her room now, there was no telling what would happen. Without the slightest hesitation, she rustled swiftly into her clothes. "Senior Brother, let's run!" "Right. The farther, the better!" This time Qi Yuan decided to take his junior sister to the Origin God Sharing Society, and to the Fengtian Domain branch of the Dao Seeking Palace. Neither lay in the Eastern Lands. He refused to believe her father could chase them there. Might as well call him Jiang the Runner. About a quarter of an hour later, a voice of utter fury rang out over Yuntian City. "Qi Yuan, you brat, you won't get away!" Clearly, Jiang Ruhua had found another bearing and set off in pursuit. ... Half a month later. Within the Origin God Sharing Society, the mighty gathered like clouds. One could say that Yin Gods from nine-tenths of the great powers across the Canglan Realm had each sent an avatar. In the hall, these Yin Gods radiated all manner of terrifying auras. Even meaning to lie low, gathered together they were still exceedingly dreadful. A white-robed man squinted, a fish creel in his hand. The creel was empty. Then a voice came. "Great Venerable Baiyu, weren't you in the Central Heavenly Domain? In a mere half month your true body actually made it here. It seems... you took an interest in this Blood-Robed Sword God long ago." The speaker was a black-haired elder, his hair bound up, his left ear missing. This elder was named Great Venerable Zuo'er, a renowned rogue cultivator of the Canglan Realm. "As lord of the center, is it wrong of me to meet the Blood-Robed Sword God and discuss the Great Tribulation?" Great Venerable Baiyu was the strongest of the Central Heavenly Domain, and the one closest to the Great Tribulation. One could say the foremost figure of the Canglan Realm in the open was this Great Venerable Baiyu. "This Blood-Robed Sword God has some strength. Able to destroy Dark Sun and the Divine Flower Society, he likely already has mythological combat power. Such strength is enough to look down on heaven and earth, but facing the Great Tribulation... difficult." A Great Venerable spoke. He was a yellow ox who had attained the Dao. "The Blood-Robed Sword God invited us here. What do you all think—join together against the Great Tribulation, or...?" said a cultivator with shifty, ratlike eyes, a mocking light in them. "What does Great Venerable Hunqiong think?" Great Venerable Baiyu tossed the question to the shifty-eyed cultivator. The others all looked toward Great Venerable Hunqiong, wariness in their eyes. Some Great Venerables wore looks of bitter distress and sent voice transmissions to their friends. "Affairs succeed through secrecy. This Blood-Robed Sword God is far too ostentatious. He hasn't even moved against the Great Tribulation, yet he's already proclaimed it to all the world. Inviting fellow Daoists would be one thing, but why bring in a traitor to humanity like Great Venerable Hunqiong?" Clearly, Great Venerable Hunqiong had long since pledged himself to the Great Tribulation and become its claw. Now his projected avatar had come, fearless because he had backing. "I merely feel this Blood-Robed Sword God is a bit too young. How long has he even been famous? How long has he understood the Great Tribulation? This time, this old man won't get involved anyway. I'll sit to the side and watch the show." Great Venerable Hunqiong had none of a powerhouse's bearing. He even crossed one leg over the other, looking exceptionally smug. At the sight, the Yin God Venerables and Great Venerables present all changed color. "A matter this great cannot be decided in a day. This little old man also feels the Blood-Robed Sword God ought to think thrice!" "Alas. This venerable won't get involved either." These Yin Gods had come at the Blood-Robed Sword God's message to give him face. But facing the Great Tribulation... forget it. With a traitor to humanity right here, wouldn't discussing the Great Tribulation only expose every scrap of information to it? Many Great Venerables looked toward Great Venerable Baiyu, eyes flickering, as if asking his decision. Great Venerable Baiyu's expression was calm. He said slowly, "We cultivators are bound to die. To die upon the Great Tribulation may still count as dying where one ought." Great Venerable Baiyu had already resolved to die. He would soon be unable to restrain himself and would step into the Mythological realm. When that time came, his name would be left upon the Mythological Stele. Wanting to leave then would likely be impossible. "A pity." Great Venerable Hunqiong sighed, making no effort to hide it. "Once the Blood-Robed Sword God falls, the Origin God Sharing Society and the Divine Flower Society will seemingly lack a master. Don't fight this old man over them. I'll treat the Blood-Robed Sword God's juniors kindly." Great Venerable Hunqiong was utterly unafraid. What he had sent was only an avatar. His true body stayed hidden somewhere in the Canglan Realm. Even if a Mythological being struck, they could not find him. Moreover, quite a few Great Venerables here knew he was a traitor to humanity. When the invitation from the Origin God Sharing Society arrived, truth be told, he had been a bit bewildered. Even so, he had come. Since he had come, he might as well play a part. Once the Blood-Robed Sword God perished and this resistance against the Great Tribulation drew its curtain, he might even profit a little. Faced with Great Venerable Hunqiong's shameless words, many Yin Gods and Great Venerables present shifted in expression. But they could do nothing about him. Great Venerable Hunqiong smiled. "Don't be too downcast. This Blood-Robed Sword God could even destroy the Mountain of Destiny. He might have some ability. This time... you Great Venerables had best stop suppressing yourselves and step into the Mythological one after another." These words struck at the heart. Once one stepped into the Mythological, there was nothing left but a fight to the death. Great Venerable Hunqiong's intent was vicious. Great Venerable Baiyu glanced at him and said nothing. A gentleman does not keep company with a petty man. It would only sour the mood. For a time, the atmosphere in the hall was exceedingly stiff. Aside from a few who favored fighting, most of the Yin Gods and Great Venerables wavered. With Great Venerable Hunqiong present, this secret plot would fail no matter what. Even those who wished to resist the Great Tribulation dared not show it now. At this grand gathering, hearts were unfathomable, and each mind held its own design. Just then, a ripple came from the void ahead. Every Yin God present, whether Venerable or Great Venerable, looked forward. A wash of blood-red spread, and a man in a blood-red robe appeared, lightly lifting his sleeves, looking rather relaxed. His extraordinarily handsome face carried a trace of bewitching allure, and within eyes gentle as jade a sharp, cold glint could faintly be seen. "Has everyone's tea been all right? Anyone not taking to the local water and soil?" Qi Yuan's words could not have been more ordinary. Yet they also showed his concern for these Yin Gods. They had come from every corner of the world. If they couldn't acclimate and threw up and had the runs on his turf, wouldn't he have to pay them? The Yin God Venerables hurriedly rose and offered their views. "The Blood-Robed Sword God's resistance to the Great Tribulation is a grave matter. It should be deliberated at length!" "No matter what, I am willing to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Blood-Robed Sword God and strike the Great Tribulation together!" "This old man will watch you and cheer you on," Great Venerable Hunqiong said with a smile. "This matter is too great. It still needs further discussion." Quite a few Yin Gods were already inclined to withdraw. Seeing this, Great Venerable Baiyu sighed. No matter the time, it seemed the Yin Gods of the Canglan Realm could never reach a consensus. Resisting the Great Tribulation was forever the headlong charge of a few. "You're a bit noisy." Qi Yuan extended a finger, and the hall fell silent in an instant. The Great Venerables who had still been speaking suddenly found they could not hear their own voices. Their hearts chilled, and they grew even warier of the Blood-Robed Sword God. Then the Blood-Robed Sword God spoke, a thread of cold in his voice. "I did not invite you to seek your support or your opposition. I am here to notify you. Qi Yuan Eliminates the Great Tribulation, this meticulous plan, will be carried out by me personally in three days!" The aura upon Qi Yuan surged higher, deep as the sea. "In three days, I shall go in person to the Central Heavenly Domain and slay the Great Tribulation!" "After you return, proclaim to the world that Qi Yuan Eliminates the Great Tribulation has begun. Should anything unusual occur in this world, the people need not panic. They need only carry on as if nothing has happened." The Great Venerables and Venerables present all looked at Qi Yuan. Hearing that speech, lofty in ambition and brimming with confidence, their expressions stirred. He alone would remove the Great Tribulation? How did he dare!