Just as before, Qi Yuan chatted with Jin Li for quite a while.
"Did they borrow the Immortal Jade?" Qi Yuan asked.
"Yes, they did," Jin Li replied.
This conversation made her feel as if she had returned to her days on the Wangyue Continent.
Back then, Qi Yuan had been traversing the Four Great Forbidden Grounds, surrounded by constant peril.
Yet she had constantly basked in the blessings he bestowed.
"That's good," Qi Yuan continued. "When the time is ripe, you can instruct your family... to launch a surprise raid on the Moluo Clan's Immortal Jade mines in the Sixth Heaven."
Just as sacred grounds of the Sixth Heaven held properties in the Fifth Heaven, the Moluo Clan also possessed numerous Immortal Jade mines throughout the Sixth Heaven.
"Be... be careful. If things turn sour, come to the Moon Goddess Palace at any time. With the Youhuang Waning Moon here, even if Heavenly Venerable Moluo ascends to the Upper Realm bearing the Moluo Well, he won't be able to harm you in the slightest!" What Jin Li cared about most was still Qi Yuan's safety.
"Don't worry. A bunch of old fogies who don't even like to bathe won't be able to lay a finger on me."
Once the communication ended, Qi Yuan assumed Motong's appearance and sat cross-legged within the immortal cave, continuing to expand the Golden Core Chapter of the *Qi Yuan Scripture*.
In the Sixth Heaven, a Yang God's lifespan was virtually limitless.
So long as they did not perish in a Root Demon Tribulation or fall at an enemy's hand, they were practically immortal.
Over endless eons, the divine arts created by Yang Gods were naturally manifold.
Indeed, there were simply far too many divine arts.
Each divine art could condense into a Stellar Golden Core.
Upon that desolate cosmic expanse within his Stellar Golden Core, Ning Tao had hardly rested at all.
After who knew how long, Qi Yuan opened his eyes. A smile emerged, quickly followed by a sigh.
"Sigh, my wife Ning Tao will have to stay busy for quite a while again," Qi Yuan murmured to himself.
"So, before the game launches, there are three ways to increase my strength.
"The first is condensing Golden Cores, winning through sheer numbers.
"The second is attending the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference to comprehend a Supreme Ultimate Principle.
"The third is retrieving my well. A Creation Treasure will also be an immense boost."
Qi Yuan was in quite high spirits.
Good fortune smiled upon those who made plans.
He planned his moves with great care.
"Another one took the bait. Time to go have a look."
Qi Yuan's figure dissolved, turning into a streak of light.
Roughly five hundred breaths of time passed.
Qi Yuan stood within the Netherworld, where signs of a fierce battle and crumbling ruins littered the ground.
With an ambush prepared and the Divine Infant's assistance, striking the final blow had been almost effortless.
This time, following his established routine, he had baited another unlucky fellow inside and thoroughly crippled them.
"Another triple-cripple added to the Netherworld!"
He looked down at the remnant soul on the ground and remarked boredly, "I am your ancestor!"
Well... crippled in body, crippled in soul, and crippled in mind.
Commonly known as a triple-cripple.
"Sigh, I truly am too kind-hearted. Even when my white moonlight has become a triple-cripple, I still stand by them and keep providing for them," Qi Yuan murmured.
"Even after stepping into the Yang God realm, it's hard to resist inner temptations. The moment they see the Gate of Ultimate Principle, it's like laying eyes on a stunning naked beauty—all reason vanishes, and they rush straight inside like madmen."
He immediately felt the comparison was inappropriate.
Comparing the Gate of Ultimate Principle to a naked beauty was too insulting to the Gate of Ultimate Principle, and equally insulting to those Yang God Heavenly Venerables.
"Still, that's only natural.
"Of course, the most important factor is my exceptional acting."
The region guarded by this triple-cripple lay at the border of the Demon Abyss.
By taking control of this area's authority, Qi Yuan could allow Lord Buddha Wutian to slip inside under the radar, bringing the Buddha Realm into the Netherworld.
"Alright, now that this fellow is dealt with, Wutian can cross under false pretenses."
When the time came to face an Ultimate Principle Yang God, Qi Yuan wouldn't need to fight so laboriously.
...
Time flew like an arrow, and two months passed in a flash.
During Qi Yuan's absence, Jin Li ventured to Jueyue Abyss to slay the Moluo Clan just as she had before.
With Qi Yuan's help, her operations proceeded remarkably smoothly.
Every time, she returned laden with spoils.
Yu Tiao looked at Jin Li, envy shining in her eyes. "Her Highness Yue Nü's merits are likely almost enough to present a request to Moon Goddess Yuanjun."
The moment the words left her mouth, Yu Tiao regretted them.
Jin Li's petition was intended to relinquish her status as a Yue Nü.
Jin Li merely gave an "Mm" in response.
Within the Moon Goddess Palace, her temperament had always been cold and distant.
"Your Highness's recent endeavors have gone extraordinarily well. Could you have planted a mole within the Moluo Clan?" Yu Tiao asked, changing the subject with an expectant look in her eyes.
A smile appeared in Jin Li's eyes. "That is confidential."
She naturally would not divulge any information regarding Qi Yuan.
Hearing this, Yu Tiao did not dwell on the matter either. Instead, she asked casually, "I wonder which clan the genius favored by Her Highness Yue Nü hails from?"
Curiosity filled Yu Tiao's gaze.
Many of the surrounding cultivators also turned to look at Jin Li.
For Qi Yuan to win the beauty's heart and even prompt Jin Li to give up her status as a Yue Nü, everyone in the Moon Goddess Palace was deeply curious about which sacred ground he originated from.
Who was his master, or which ancestor stood behind him?
Surely... an Ultimate Principle Yang God?
"He does not hail from any distinguished family," Jin Li said, shaking her head.
She understood what these people were driving at.
Hearing her answer, the gathered cultivators looked astonished.
Yet her next words shocked them even further.
"We met back when I was in the Lower Realm," Jin Li said, reminiscence gracing her eyes.
Everyone present was completely stunned.
"A cultivator from the Lower Realm?"
"He's actually a Lower Realm cultivator?!"
Ascending from the Lower Realm to the Upper Realm was exceptionally difficult.
Yet in the Moon Goddess Palace, Lower Realm cultivators were rarely ever seen.
After all, the Moon Goddess Palace in the Upper Realm was situated in the Sixth Heaven.
The Lower Realm was vastly distant to them.
Having ascended from the Lower Realm meant he had no backing whatsoever.
To think Jin Li was willing to forfeit her qualifications and status as a Yue Nü for someone like that—how could they not be shocked?
If he had been the scion of some Ultimate Principle or Great Ultimate Principle figure, it would have been understandable.
Instead, he was just a destitute striver from the Lower Realm.
Looking at Jin Li, their admiration grew, though peculiar looks crept into their eyes, as if pitying her for throwing herself away.
"He is different," Jin Li said, a radiant smile gracing her eyes.
He had always been different.
The bearing of the Faceless Sword God from days gone by remained firmly etched in her memory.
Just then, a voice transmission reached her ears.
"Jin Li, come to the Moon Goddess Hall."
The one speaking was none other than Heavenly Venerable Longyue.
Jin Li promptly quickened her pace and headed toward the Moon Goddess Hall.
The moon hung high in the azure sky, casting pure moonlight over the Moon Goddess Hall as though coating it in white jade glaze.
Jin Li wore a black Warring States robe draped gracefully over her figure. The pale gold sash tied around her waist formed an elegant demarcation that accentuated her exquisite curves, while the wide golden embroidered collar added an extra touch of charm.
"Greetings, Heavenly Venerable Longyue!"
Facing Heavenly Venerable Longyue, Jin Li bowed from afar.
A Yang God could not be gazed upon directly; she could not clearly make out Heavenly Venerable Longyue's face or true form.
"Mm," Heavenly Venerable Longyue nodded, her voice vast and resonant as she got straight to the point. "How is Qi Yuan faring among the Moluo Clan right now?"
Curiosity lingered in Heavenly Venerable Longyue's eyes.
Two months had passed, and she did not know whether Qi Yuan had successfully deceived the Moluo Clan's other Heavenly Venerables and secured his footing.
Jin Li's nerves tightened.
She recalled her conversation with Qi Yuan just yesterday.
A Lord Buddha from the Buddha Realm had descended, and together with Qi Yuan, they had ambushed and slain an Ultimate Principle Yang God.
When she heard that yesterday, she had been thoroughly astonished, finding it just as unbelievable as the wild remarks Qi Yuan used to make back in the Lower Realm.
Wasn't the Lord Buddha of the Buddha Realm the Present Buddha?
Where had this Lord Buddha Wutian come from?
Anyone who dared call themselves a Lord Buddha unquestionably had the chance to break through into the Realm of Great Ultimate Reason.
Yet such a figure obeyed Qi Yuan's commands.
How could Jin Li not be shocked?
More importantly, they had subdued an Ultimate Principle figure.
Nearly the entirety of this Demon Abyss was under Qi Yuan's control.
However, speaking of this would be far too sensational.
Until Qi Yuan gained full mastery over the situation and secured his safety, she would not reveal any of this information to prevent unexpected complications.
"He has temporarily stabilized the situation," Jin Li answered calmly.
Hearing this, Heavenly Venerable Longyue breathed a sigh of relief. "It is good that he can lie low."
Then, she shifted the subject.
"I wonder if he is capable of pulling off a major coup?" A sharp gleam flashed in Heavenly Venerable Longyue's eyes.
Jin Li kept her head lowered and curtsied gracefully. "I am all ears."
"Thirty years from now, the spiritual energy tide will arrive at Queyue Abyss. This seat happens to know a secret regarding Heavenly Venerable Moqi of Queyue Abyss: during the spiritual energy tide, Heavenly Venerable Moqi must undergo closed-door cultivation and cannot be disturbed.
"When that time comes, if Qi Yuan secretly opens the Creation Treasure's authority to let Heavenly Venerable Caiyue infiltrate, we can severely wound Heavenly Venerable Moqi—or even... slay him!"
Heavenly Venerable Longyue laid out her plan methodically.
The plan sounded simple enough, but achieving every step would be extraordinarily difficult, and gathering such intelligence had been no small feat.
Hearing this, Jin Li remained composed inside. "I will convey this information to him."
"Good. If Heavenly Venerable Moqi is heavily wounded or slain, Qi Yuan can simply flee to our Moon Goddess Palace's territory.
"This seat still believes you should persuade him to join our Moon Goddess Palace. Otherwise, alone and without a foothold, he will have nowhere to hide once the Moluo Clan mobilizes in full force," Heavenly Venerable Longyue continued, her eyes alight with anticipation.
If the plan succeeded, it would be an immense contribution thirty years down the road.
For countless years, both factions had plotted against one another, trying to heavily wound or slaughter the opposing Yang God Heavenly Venerables, but no such opportunity had ever presented itself.
Now that such a prospect had finally appeared, she was naturally overjoyed.
"If Heavenly Venerable Moqi is slain, even if you renounce your status as a Yue Nü, this seat will still petition for an opportunity toward the Yang God realm on your behalf!" Heavenly Venerable Longyue declared imperiously.
The Moon Goddess Palace was currently suffering an obvious decline, and she needed to make a decisive move.
"Thank you, Heavenly Venerable!" Jin Li bowed. She could not help but straighten her posture, feeling proud of Qi Yuan while still harboring a sliver of worry.
Meanwhile, within Jueyue Abyss.
A Mythological cultivator of the Moluo Clan lay tightly concealed in the shadows, his eyes filled with fear and panic.
He gazed toward the center of Jueyue Abyss from afar.
"His Majesty... has turned traitor!"
As one of the top ten Mythological experts of Jueyue Abyss, Mu Lan had always been responsible for logistics.
Lately, every single clash between Jueyue Abyss and the Moon Goddess Palace had ended in total annihilation for their forces.
Their intelligence seemed to flow to the Moon Goddess Palace without the slightest hindrance.
Mu Lan had acted with utmost caution, pretending to know nothing while investigating secretly.
That investigation had chilled him to the core.
All clues pointed toward Heavenly Venerable Motong.
Every military deployment had been strictly confidential; apart from the commanding Mythological cultivator and Heavenly Venerable Motong, no one else was informed.
Yet deployments had occurred far too frequently of late, as if deliberately sending their troops to slaughter.
Everyone who knew the operational plans was dead.
Plainly, whoever remained alive was the mole.
Their supreme leader, the foremost figure of Jueyue Abyss, Heavenly Venerable Motong, was overwhelmingly suspicious.
How could Mu Lan not be terrified?
"This matter must be reported to the other Heavenly Venerables." Mu Lan concealed his presence.
He knew things could not continue like this.
For all he knew, he would be ordered to face the Moon Goddess Palace next, making him the next one to die.
Waiting around for death was not his style.
"Heavenly Venerable Mochi?"
"No, Heavenly Venerable Mochi's strength is too weak."
"If I'm looking for someone, I must find someone powerful!"
"How about... Heavenly Venerable Motang!"
Heavenly Venerable Motang was an Ultimate Principle Yang God whose strength in the Demon Abyss was second only to Moheng.
With that in mind, Mu Lan stepped into the teleportation formation, heading toward the territory guarded by Heavenly Venerable Motang.
As his figure vanished, a pair of golden eyes appeared high in the vault of heaven.
"Life is truly full of surprises. Should I give him a fright in a bit?" Qi Yuan muttered to himself.
At this point, Qi Yuan barely bothered to keep up appearances.
Previously, he had maintained the act of being a giant eyeball.
Now... why bother pretending?
He had already wiped out all the neighboring Yang God Heavenly Venerables.
The remaining few were firmly in his sights as well.
As for Heavenly Venerable Moheng, he would be the final one to handle.
"When that day comes, it'll be another showcase of master-class acting!"
He already possessed a foolproof plan for dealing with Heavenly Venerable Moheng.
As an Ultimate Principle Yang God, Heavenly Venerable Moheng was adept at rallying other Heavenly Venerables to his side.
He and five other Heavenly Position Yang Gods had established a private group chat.
Within this little group, they chatted frequently, complaining about and mocking other Yang Gods.
Evidently, their private relations were quite close.
Yet on the surface, not even Heavenly Venerable Motong knew these individuals were secretly in contact.
Presently, among the members of this small group, Heavenly Venerable Moheng was the only one yet to be captured.
All the other Heavenly Venerables had already been taken down.
After some thought, Qi Yuan decided it was time to set his trap.
Five communication devices appeared before him.
A pig-butchering scam?
Every account in this group is my alt—you're the only pig!
Qi Yuan began typing.
"Fellow Daoists, I see a purple light to the south, faintly resembling purple qi. I fear it may be a scheme of the Moon Goddess Palace. Is anyone willing to investigate with me?"
After a moment, Qi Yuan switched to another account to reply.
"Purple qi?! Count me in!"
"This seat will go as well!"
"Since we've spotted it, let us all go together!"
The remaining accounts logged on one after another to chime in.
"What about Heavenly Venerable Moheng? Should we ask if he wants to go?" one account inquired.
"Moheng is at the Ultimate Principle Realm; he certainly won't care about a single wisp of purple qi!"
"Indeed. If it were an intact strand of purple qi, Heavenly Venerable Moheng might take an interest, but dividing one wisp among five people simply isn't worth his while."
Qi Yuan juggled five accounts, chatting back and forth with himself in the group.
First, he would construct an undeniable reality for Heavenly Venerable Moheng:
*We spotted purple qi and are heading out to capture it!*
Once the groundwork was laid, after all the other Heavenly Venerables were rounded up, he would make his move against Heavenly Venerable Moheng.
"I laugh at Moluo's lack of strategy and Moheng's lack of wit!
"The mere Moluo Clan isn't worth mentioning. I'll turn them all into triple-cripples!"
A sharp light flashed in Qi Yuan's eyes.
In truth, the flawless execution of these plans stemmed from the irresistible allure the Gate of Ultimate Principle held for Yang God Heavenly Venerables, as well as the Netherworld's nature as an isolated, wonder-like realm that severed a Yang God Heavenly Venerable from the outside world.
Of course, it was also thanks to Qi Yuan's formidable strength.
If even one of these three conditions had been missing, it would have been impossible to take down a Yang God so quietly.
"Once I conquer the Demon Abyss, I can return to the Fifth Heaven to go fishing and carry my well back home."
Qi Yuan carried out his affairs with exceptional planning and impeccable order.
Chapter 424