Linya Molt, Overbearing Taihuang Palace!

Qi Yuan's Divine Infant stood behind Ziyuan Daxue with a placid expression. "How can you falsely accuse an innocent person out of thin air?" He naturally had not reported anything. It was just that she had sent a voice transmission to his Divine Infant—was it not completely normal for his true body to hear it as well? Ziyuan Daxue stared suspiciously at Qi Yuan's Divine Infant, ultimately sighing. "Aren't you supposed to be so capable? Work a little harder, quickly comprehend a few Supreme Ultimate Principles, crush that fellow from Taihuang Palace and Mochi beneath your feet, and I'll become your concubine!" "Tsk, tsk..." ... In the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm, at the Moluo Clan's stronghold. Qi Yuan stood inside his cave abode, deep in solemn contemplation. He dipped his hand into icy water, and a bone-chilling cold instantly seeped in. This icy water was extremely frigid. In fact, a single drop would freeze a Purple Mansion cultivator to death. Now, with his hand submerged in the icy water, Qi Yuan was surprised to find that his palm was altering at that very moment. "Is this adaptation? Adjusting to the most suitable temperature for the icy water?" Qi Yuan looked at his hand, which seemed to have taken on the identical state of the freezing water. He pulled his hand out, reached into the air, and summoned a puff of misty cloud. In an instant, a pitter-patter of drizzle began to fall. Right away, an umbrella sprouted directly from atop Qi Yuan's head. With an umbrella perched on his head, he pondered carefully. *This Absolute Adaptation... is a bit bizarre. It seems I must quickly stabilize and engrave this ultimate principle, excavating its deeper potential.* Comprehending a Supreme Ultimate Principle did not instantly make one a Great Ultimate Principle expert. Hei Jian, for instance, had now comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle, yet he still needed to painstakingly temper his dharmic power before breaking through to the Ultimate Principle Realm, or perhaps even reaching the Great Ultimate Principle level. Such cultivation lacked bottlenecks, but it still required the honing of dharmic power and the stabilization of one's ultimate principle. "What about Do As One Pleases?" Qi Yuan began testing his second ultimate principle. Roughly an hour later, a brilliant gleam surfaced in his eyes. *Right now... I should be quite formidable. If I can acquire an offensive Creation Treasure, I ought to have enough strength to protect myself in this Sixth Heaven.* That afternoon, numerous major factions arrived at the Moluo Clan's grounds bearing gifts. One could say that with the exception of Moon Goddess Palace, virtually every great faction among the Sixth Heaven's sacred grounds sent a congratulatory gift to Heavenly Venerable Mochi. After all, comprehending two Supreme Ultimate Principles was entirely unheard of, unprecedented in history. These great factions naturally wished to curry favor with Heavenly Venerable Mochi. "Time to attend this gathering," Qi Yuan murmured with a soft sigh. Had he not comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle, he wouldn't have possessed the qualifications to attend tonight's gathering. Without overthinking, Qi Yuan assumed the form of Heavenly Venerable Mochi and set off toward the rendezvous point. The gathering was held at an expansive lake. Mists hovered over the waters, drifting gracefully and brimming with the ethereal atmosphere of an immortal realm. The moment Qi Yuan touched down, he heard someone greet him. "Fellow Daoist Mochi, our origins stem from the same root. Why not return to the Black Demon Abyss?" The speaker was none other than the refined and scholarly Hei Jian. Having comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle, the aura he projected was now even more profound and inscrutable. Qi Yuan had a premonition that ordinary Ultimate Principle experts would be no match for Hei Jian whatsoever. He felt rather curious about Hei Jian's Supreme Ultimate Principle. "No thanks. I have always been accustomed to a drifting, unconstrained life." Qi Yuan shook his head, declining Hei Jian's invitation. Upon hearing this, Hei Jian's expression remained unchanged, though his gaze scrutinized Mochi as if trying to see right through him. "Our two young friends have arrived. Everyone for this little gathering is present; please, take your seats." Heavenly Venerable Wusheng materialized. His expression was genial, carrying a subtle hint of deference. Qi Yuan and Hei Jian stepped forward immediately. At the center of the lake, including Qi Yuan, there were twenty-seven figures in total. Aside from Qi Yuan, Hei Jian, and Tairi, every single one of them was a Great Ultimate Principle powerhouse. As the saying went: one society, two palaces, three heavens, four abysses, and a dozen-odd sacred grounds. Today, almost every sacred ground in the Sixth Heaven had dispatched a Great Ultimate Principle expert to attend this gathering. Or rather, certain sacred grounds with only a single Great Ultimate Principle powerhouse had sent that very expert to be present. This underscored how lofty the caliber of this gathering was—a level Qi Yuan had never experienced before. Upon seeing Qi Yuan arrive, fully half of the Great Ultimate Principle experts turned their gazes toward him. Surprise, wonder, goodwill... all kinds of reactions mingled in their eyes. "Heavenly Venerable Mochi, Heavenly Venerable Hei Jian, please take the head seats," Heavenly Venerable Wusheng prompted. On the lake, the seating arrangement was meticulously observed. In the past, it was roughly divided into three tiers: the Ultimate Principle Society occupied a tier of its own; factions possessing Great Ultimate Principle powerhouses who had grasped Supreme Ultimate Principles formed another tier; and the remaining factions constituted the third. Of course, this premise applied when the Great Ultimate Principle masters who commanded Supreme Ultimate Principles did not attend in person, sending other Great Ultimate Principle figures of their sects instead. Now, however, anomalous existences like Qi Yuan, Hei Jian, and Tairi were present. Consequently, three additional seats had been added to the head row. Qi Yuan took his seat beside Heavenly Venerable Wusheng. Hei Jian and Tairi sat at the respective outer flanks. Looking down from his elevated position, Qi Yuan swept his gaze across the Great Ultimate Principle experts, countless thoughts flitting through his mind. Every single one of these Great Ultimate Principle masters was an old monster who had lived for countless ages. A casual stomp of their feet could shatter a realm and throw all the heavens into turmoil. Yet at this moment, their gazes toward the three men in the primary seats were filled with admiration and wistful awe. *It seems I must disguise myself thoroughly. If I expose that I'm just in the Purple Mansion realm, things will get extremely dangerous,* Qi Yuan reflected inwardly. Although he had grown far stronger by grasping two Supreme Ultimate Principles, his principles had not yet stabilized or been fully mined, nor did he possess an offensive Creation Treasure of his own. Against any of these Great Ultimate Principle powerhouses, he wouldn't stand a chance in a fight. Just then, Heavenly Venerable Wusheng spoke, his voice resounding grandly: "At this Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference, a total of ninety-six Yang God Heavenly Venerables have grasped ultimate principles—the highest number in ten million years. This is truly a cause for rejoicing and congratulation." Saying this, he shifted the topic. "Furthermore, three Fellow Daoists—Mochi, Hei Jian, and Tairi—comprehended Supreme Ultimate Principles simultaneously, a feat never before witnessed in the Sixth Heaven. "Fellow Daoist Mochi has even comprehended two Supreme Ultimate Principles, an unprecedented milestone! "Four seas churn, clouds of wrath; six heavens shake, wind and thunder roar. "For truly remarkable figures, look to today!" Heavenly Venerable Wusheng sighed with emotion. The gathered Great Ultimate Principle experts nodded one after another. This Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference was undoubtedly destined to go down in history. The Sixth Heaven held fewer than ten Great Ultimate Principle masters who had grasped Supreme Ultimate Principles, yet now three more were poised to join their ranks all at once. "Now that everyone is assembled, this old man shall announce a major matter concerning the Sixth Heaven." At this moment, Heavenly Venerable Wusheng's expression turned solemn. Hearing this, the Great Ultimate Principle experts grew grave as well. The atmosphere across the gathering abruptly thickened with tension. Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes, intrigued. What major event could involve the Sixth Heaven? "The Immortal Dao possesses a past and a present, but no future." "The Sixth Heaven originally comprised only five layers; the sixth was pioneered by us Great Ultimate Principle experts. "If we wish to break the shackles, glimpse the future, and step into the third realm of the Yang God, we must open up the Seventh Heaven, the Eighth Heaven, and even the Ninth Heaven!" As Yang God Heavenly Venerables, they naturally understood that this world contained more than just the Immortal Dao, and more than just the Sixth Heaven. Within the Sixth Heaven lay numerous curious lands. Beyond these curious lands, there were passages connected to other worlds and universes. In other universes and worlds, cultivators cultivated the past and present, catching glimpses of the future. Yet only the Sixth Heaven had no future. The Sixth Heaven's future seemed to have been severed by someone. All Yang Gods were forced to halt at the second realm of the Yang God. "The Sole Palace anchors the Sixth Heaven from below and upholds the will of the Immortal Dao from above, striving to pioneer the future. "Now, a decree has descended from the Sole Palace, and the Astral Realm hangs low. The Sixth Heaven is unstable; the Linya Molt must be initiated to replenish the Sole Palace and jointly pioneer... the Immortal Dao!" Heavenly Venerable Wusheng's voice was vast and majestic, like a divine proclamation. Hearing his words, the expressions of all the Great Ultimate Principle experts shifted. Although they had received word long ago that the Linya Molt was imminent, that had only been a rumor. What if... it wasn't true? Now, hearing it confirmed by Heavenly Venerable Wusheng, every Great Ultimate Principle expert was deeply moved, their hearts fraught with complex emotions. Qi Yuan, on the other hand, was utterly bewildered. *What does this mean? What is the Sole Palace, and what on earth is the Linya Molt?* Qi Yuan wondered. He had no idea what these people were talking about. The Great Ultimate Principle expert from Taihuang Palace spoke up at this moment, his voice tinged with reverence: "The Sole Palace is located in the Seventh Heaven." "Wait a moment, aren't there only six heavens?" Qi Yuan asked, mystified. Where had a Seventh Heaven come from? "The Seventh Heaven is still being forged; living beings cannot enter," the Taihuang Palace Great Ultimate Principle expert explained. Seeing that Qi Yuan still looked lost, he continued: "The will of the Immortal Dao is similar to a world's Heavenly Dao, yet it exists at a higher plane. "The Sixth Heaven has no future, and Yang Gods are halted at the second level. "To break this impasse, Nine Heavens must be constructed. "However, building the Nine Heavens... is not something accomplished on a whim. "Thus arose the Linya Molt—or rather, the Linya Calamity." "Can you put it in simpler terms?" Qi Yuan asked once more. "Put simply, strife will erupt among the Yang God Heavenly Venerables. The true spirits of those who perish in battle will enter the Sole Palace to construct the Seventh Heaven," the Great Ultimate Principle expert from White Dragon Abyss remarked with a sigh. The Linya Molt was also known as the Calamity of the Yang God Heavenly Venerables. There were far too many Yang Gods in the world. And the Sixth Heaven was simply too small. Even if a Yang God ventured out of a curious land, they could not leave the Sixth Heaven for other worlds. The essence of the Linya Molt was for Yang Gods to shed their mortal lives and exist in another form, proceeding to the Sole Palace to construct the Seventh Heaven. The expert from White Dragon Abyss explained further. Every time the Linya Molt occurred, Great Ultimate Principle experts fell; it was perilous to the extreme. Hearing this, Qi Yuan was stunned. *Could this will of the Immortal Dao be Thanos? Disgusted that... there are too many Yang Gods?* "If the Sole Palace opens the Linya Molt, does that mean... it must open, and we must obey?" Qi Yuan asked, perplexed. After all, things like pioneering the Seventh Heaven and seeking a future were far too distant for ordinary Yang Gods. Why would ordinary Yang Gods support it? "This is a decree from the will of the Immortal Dao. How could we not comply? Or could it be... that you no longer desire your astral projection?" a Great Ultimate Principle master remarked, his voice bleak. Legend had it that the Astral Realm was where the will of the Immortal Dao resided. For any cultivator wishing to break through to the Yang God realm, they had to cultivate an astral projection and send it into the Astral Realm to reflect upon the myriad heavens. If one lost their astral projection, their Yang God dharma idol body could no longer be sustained, and their overall strength would be severely crippled. "Not only that, the Linya Molt is a calamity, but it is also an opportunity. "When the time comes, the immortal palaces will open and treasures will descend—there might even be Creation Treasures. "The Immortal Dao is built upon contention. Could it be... that we shouldn't stake our lives to fight for them?" Heavenly Venerable Yuehua said, her voice laced with intense killing intent. Of course, there were words she left unsaid. Within the immortal palaces lurked peculiar creatures akin to Root Demons. Any Yang God Heavenly Venerable who entered, even if their state of mind was as deep as an ocean, would find inner demons running rampant, abruptly stirring murderous intent. This made conflicts arise even more easily. Moreover, even if one refused to fight, the Root Demon Tribulation would force one into battle. Qi Yuan held his tongue and said no more. After all, he was currently disguised as Heavenly Venerable Mochi; he had to maintain his cover and could not babble carelessly. Otherwise, if Taihuang Palace discovered his true identity, he would be in grave danger. "With the Linya Molt approaching, the several Honored Exalted will surely convene. At that time, the dates and pertinent arrangements will be announced. Once you all return, make preparations early. Do not end up as wronged ghosts, reduced to true spirits of the Sole Palace," Heavenly Venerable Wusheng sighed. 'Honored Exalted' was the title given to Great Ultimate Principle experts who had grasped Supreme Ultimate Principles. In every Linya Molt, Great Ultimate Principle experts perished, their spirits consigned to the Sole Palace for all eternity to forge the Seventh Heaven. Such true spirits were no different from the dead; most crucially, their cultivation was permanently frozen, rendering them little more than puppets. These Yang God Heavenly Venerables enjoyed boundless freedom across the Sixth Heaven—how could any of them be willing to have their Dao extinguished, reduced to mere spirits? Even though the status of a true spirit in the Sole Palace was considered noble, to these Yang God Heavenly Venerables, it was utterly hollow. Right then, the Great Ultimate Principle expert from Taihuang Palace flashed a mysterious smile. "My Taihuang Palace also has a major matter to announce." Qi Yuan looked toward him. The other Great Ultimate Principle masters did the same, their hearts stirred, wondering what he intended to say. Heavenly Venerable Yuehua narrowed her eyes, deeply wary. "By decree of the Sole Palace, this Linya Molt..." The Taihuang Palace expert's eyes sparkled with amusement as he surveyed the crowd, his demeanor smug and arrogant. "...shall be overseen by Taihuang Palace!" These words rang out with definitive weight. As they landed in the ears of the gathered Great Ultimate Principle masters, everyone's expression transformed. Heavenly Venerable Wusheng's reaction was especially dramatic, bordering on utter shock. The Linya Molt had never been overseen by any single party. How could a faction suddenly be placed in charge? After all, one could say that every faction was an active contestant in the arena, with the Sole Palace serving as the referee. Now, Taihuang Palace, a contestant, had also become the referee—how was anyone supposed to play? "Is this... true? How could this be?" Heavenly Venerable Wusheng demanded anxiously. "Why would the Sole Palace issue such a decree? How could the Linya Molt be overseen by Taihuang Palace?" "This... defies all reason!" Many Great Ultimate Principle masters spoke up at once, voicing their objections. After all, if Taihuang Palace were allowed to oversee the Linya Molt, anyone present could easily envision the outcome. Heavenly Venerable Yuehua's face turned especially pale. If Taihuang Palace truly took the helm, Moon Goddess Palace would likely be made to bleed profusely. The smile on the Taihuang Palace expert's face broadened. "This was proclaimed by our Honored Exalted himself; it cannot be false." Hearing this, no matter how puzzled or disgruntled the other Great Ultimate Principle masters were, they had no choice but to accept the reality. After all, how could an Honored Exalted lie about such a matter? Having accepted this reality, the Great Ultimate Principle masters wore rather grim expressions. They naturally remained ignorant of the underlying details and would need their own Honored Exalted to assess the situation. Heavenly Venerable Wusheng of the Ultimate Principle Society was particularly troubled. The Ultimate Principle Society had always been the foremost power in the Sixth Heaven. Now, Taihuang Palace was about to gain another Honored Exalted, and they were also overseeing the Linya Molt. Once the Linya Molt concluded, would the number one faction of the Sixth Heaven become Taihuang Palace instead? "There is one more matter... that must be announced. In this Linya Molt, at least one Honored Exalted... must molt into the Sole Palace," the Taihuang Palace expert declared. The moment these words left his mouth, the entire gathering fell dead silent. An Honored Exalted... was going to die? This was an Honored Exalted! In all these countless years across the Sixth Heaven, there were fewer than ten in total. Yet at least one was slated to perish. Heavenly Venerable Yuehua's expression was exceptionally grim. Moon Goddess Palace was already bitter enemies with Taihuang Palace. Now that Taihuang Palace had announced such terrifying news, how could she not feel alarmed and panicked? The other Great Ultimate Principle masters also experienced a dramatic shift in countenance. If only ordinary Great Ultimate Principle figures were dying, they might still hope to stay out of the crossfire by relying on their factions' protection. But if even an Honored Exalted was bound to fall, how could the Linya Molt fail to engulf them as well? Hei Jian's expression grew profoundly complex at this moment. He glanced at Tairi and then at Mochi, seemingly catching the scent of a conspiracy. This time, three Yang God Heavenly Venerables had comprehended Supreme Ultimate Principles and stood a chance of becoming Honored Exalted. Was this purely due to supreme talent? Or was it the orchestration of heavenly fate? Or perhaps... was it all a grand scheme? Heavenly Venerable Tairi also cast a glance toward Hei Jian and Qi Yuan, his gaze inscrutable and carrying a profound meaning. The small gathering ultimately concluded beneath the shadow of such bombshell news. Apart from the Great Ultimate Principle expert from Taihuang Palace, none of the Yang Gods looked pleased. Qi Yuan glanced at Heavenly Venerable Yuehua, strongly wishing to ask her about his master. Yet recalling that he could not afford to blow his cover right now, he decided against it. The various Great Ultimate Principle masters departed one after another. Quite a few of them increased their stakes and extended olive branches, urging Qi Yuan to join their factions, but Qi Yuan rejected them all. As they were leaving, Heavenly Venerable Tairi walked over with an easygoing demeanor. Looking at Hei Jian and Qi Yuan, he said placidly, "Since the three of us comprehended Supreme Ultimate Principles together, we ought to look out for one another." Hei Jian and Qi Yuan cupped their fists in response. Then, Heavenly Venerable Tairi remarked in a somber tone, "We were born at the wrong time. No sooner do we step toward becoming Great Ultimate Principle experts than the Linya Molt looms upon us. Who knows... where we will end up trapped." Having uttered these words, Heavenly Venerable Tairi's form faded away, leaving behind a silhouette that appeared remarkably lost.