The Great Ultimate Principle of the Ultimate Principle Society cupped his hands in a polite salute toward Qi Yuan and continued, "If Fellow Daoist opposes Taihuang Palace, you must be cautious. The strength of Taihuang Palace cannot be underestimated."
As he spoke, he produced a jade slip and handed it to Qi Yuan.
"Should Fellow Daoist face a crisis, you may crush this jade slip. Our Ultimate Principle Society will intervene once from the shadows to assist you."
Even though the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary was unwilling to ally with the Ultimate Principle Society, as the saying went, the enemy of an enemy was a friend.
Funding an enemy's enemy and causing trouble for that enemy was something the Ultimate Principle Society was more than happy to do.
Qi Yuan looked at the jade slip, his eyes flickering with thought. "A Supreme Venerable?"
He caught the scent of a Supreme Venerable's aura.
The Great Ultimate Principle straightened his back. "This jade slip was crafted by our Second Society Leader."
The Second Society Leader of the Ultimate Principle Society was indeed a Supreme Venerable.
"You're giving me such a good thing. Shouldn't I give you a return gift?" Qi Yuan stroked his chin, then said, "You've hit the jackpot today. I have an imprint here—do you want it? Placed within your divine soul, it guarantees that even after you die, you can be resurrected as a departed soul in my Purple Mansion."
Qi Yuan was not someone who liked taking advantage of others.
At these words, the Great Ultimate Principle froze.
An imprint?
Placed inside his divine soul?
How could that be permitted?
At their realm of cultivation, casually allowing another person to implant a mark in their divine soul was courting death.
Who knew if there might be some backdoor?
"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist's kind intentions, but I shall pass," the Great Ultimate Principle hurriedly refused.
As for Qi Yuan's subsequent claim about resurrection in a Purple Mansion, he treated it as nothing more than a joke.
If a Yang God Heavenly Venerable truly perished into dead silence, not a trace would remain. How could one possibly be revived?
And if one had not been completely wiped out, they naturally wouldn't need an imprint from this Human Sovereign Hall Emissary to revive themselves.
Hearing this, Qi Yuan was a bit disappointed. "Are you sure you don't want it? With this, you could practically strut about the Sixth Heaven without a care. Run wild as you please—as long as I don't die, you'll be fine."
After all, taking advantage of someone left his conscience somewhat uneasy.
The Great Ultimate Principle smiled and shook his head. "No need."
"Fine. If you don't want it, forget it. Just don't say in the future that I owe your Ultimate Principle Society," Qi Yuan said.
The Great Ultimate Principle gave an awkward smile. He constantly felt that this Human Sovereign Hall Emissary before him was rather eccentric, seemingly not quite right in the head.
He exchanged a few more courtesies, bowed, and vanished from sight.
Only Qi Yuan and the White Dragon Abyss Lord remained on the field.
Qi Yuan glanced at the woman beside him. "A single man and a single woman staying here alone together—doesn't it look a bit improper?"
His meaning was obvious: that Great Ultimate Principle has left, shouldn't you be leaving too?
The White Dragon Abyss Lord's frame stiffened, and her voice came out deep and gruff. "Could it be that Your Excellency is a woman?"
"Hey, White Dragon Abyss Lord, are you still pretending to be a man?" Seeing that she was still trying to maintain her disguise, Qi Yuan exposed her directly. "Don't think I can't recognize you just because you changed your clothes! Even if you wore something else—or wore nothing at all—I'd recognize you in a single glance!"
The smile froze on the White Dragon Abyss Lord's face. She had not expected this Human Sovereign Hall Emissary to see through her disguise.
"How... did you recognize me?"
She could not understand.
Even a Supreme Venerable would be unable to tell who she was without employing immense supernatural power to shatter her concealment.
And if someone attempted to shatter her disguise, she would have sensed it and resisted.
"I saw it with my eyes."
The White Dragon Abyss Lord was left speechless. She stared at Qi Yuan. "Have we met before?"
"You could say that." Qi Yuan did not hide it either. "Alright, cut the chatter. If you have business, spit it out."
He had reaped a bountiful harvest from this battle and needed to completely integrate the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner into the Human Sovereign Banner, which would take some time.
"Fellow Daoist... are you from beyond the Immortal Realm?" The White Dragon Abyss Lord blinked, intensely curious about the identity of the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary.
"You could say that," Qi Yuan answered honestly.
His home was in that little corner of Blue Star.
"As expected." The White Dragon Abyss Lord took a deep breath. "It seems Fellow Daoist is not a Great Ultimate Principle of the Immortal Realm, and has not fused with the Immortal Dao Will to form a Great Ultimate Principle Engraving.
"Without a Great Ultimate Principle Engraving, if Fellow Daoist encounters a Supreme Venerable, you will surely die even if you possess an offensive Creation Treasure.
"Between a Supreme Venerable and an expert like the Banner Lord, there is only a difference of a single tier, but... the terror of a Supreme Venerable...
"If not for the Great Ultimate Principle Engraving and the Immortal Dao Will maintaining balance, I wouldn't survive a single breath against a Supreme Venerable."
The White Dragon Abyss Lord's meaning was clear.
The Human Sovereign Hall Emissary possessed no Great Ultimate Principle Engraving. Even with an offensive Creation Treasure, his survival would be entirely precarious before that master of Taihuang Palace.
Hearing this, Qi Yuan looked calm, his thoughts turning over.
During this period, he had also gained an understanding of the Great Ultimate Principle Engraving.
It was precisely because of this engraving that, without using the Human Sovereign Banner, he could not harm even an ordinary Great Ultimate Principle.
Of course, if he simply stood still, an ordinary Great Ultimate Principle could still hurt him.
This was indeed an issue.
"I have a secret technique here that allows an outsider's comprehended ultimate principle to fuse with the Immortal Dao Will, forming a Great Ultimate Principle Engraving," the White Dragon Abyss Lord said, producing a jade slip and handing it to Qi Yuan.
"That works too?" Qi Yuan scanned the jade slip and understood. "Since you've helped me, I should return the favor. How about I place an imprint inside your divine soul?"
The White Dragon Abyss Lord paused briefly, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Qi Yuan realized his proposal had been rather abrupt, lacking in emotional intelligence.
"Rest assured, this imprint of mine won't peek at you bathing.
"Even if it accidentally sees you bathing, it won't complain about your big butt."
The White Dragon Abyss Lord froze for a moment, then took a deep breath. "If you let me take a look at you, I might be willing to let you leave that imprint in my divine soul."
"Better not!" Qi Yuan hurriedly refused.
He had no desire to get pregnant.
***
Within Demon Pass.
Qi Yuan frowned.
After parting ways with the White Dragon Abyss Lord, he had first traveled to Tiankun Curious Land to completely merge the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner into the Human Sovereign Banner, bolstering his strength.
Later, he returned to his cave dwelling in Demon Pass and began studying the secret technique left by the White Dragon Abyss Lord.
Only upon delving into it did he receive quite a shock.
"Did this Immortal Dao Will develop handsome-phobia? Why is it resisting me like this?"
Qi Yuan pondered.
He felt the Immortal Dao Will's illness was quite severe.
"Could it be, or perhaps... because I've been planting seeds all over the place and pulling people back into the Netherworld, that I've offended it?"
In Qi Yuan's visualization, the Immortal Dao Will was muddled and chaotic, possessing virtually no consciousness of its own and acting purely on instinct.
To some extent, it was an oversized Heavenly Dao.
"So... I shouldn't engrave it?" Qi Yuan hesitated.
After obtaining the secret technique, he had only attempted to make contact with the Immortal Dao Will without intending to fuse immediately. If he signed some contract with it, like getting married, that would be terrible.
What if he left the Immortal Realm, divorced the Immortal Dao Will, and had half his cultivation taken away?
In the end, Qi Yuan discovered this had all been wishful thinking on his part.
It wasn't that the Immortal Dao Will didn't want to marry him—it didn't even want to meet him for a blind date, let alone add him on WeChat.
Thus, Qi Yuan concluded that the Immortal Dao Will suffered from handsome-phobia.
"Good thing I have my Super Great Plan,"
Qi Yuan thought to himself.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the cave dwelling.
"Senior Brother Blood Robe... are you there?"
The voice was lively and cute, laced with a hint of delight.
"Xiao Lulu, what is it?" Qi Yuan walked out with a calm expression.
Seeing Qi Yuan, Ziyuan Xiaolu clutched the corner of her clothes and breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought Senior Brother Blood Robe had... run into some danger."
Guiyu Heaven had held a banquet to hunt the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary, and they had even gone to Tiankun Curious Land. That had made Ziyuan Xiaolu terribly nervous.
"Don't worry. What danger could I possibly run into?" Qi Yuan said nonchalantly.
She blinked at Qi Yuan, lost in thought.
She harbored many doubts and questions in her heart, but in the end, she asked none of them.
Since Senior Brother Blood Robe didn't wish to say, it had to be a secret.
Although her lips were sealed tight, she was only a Yin God after all. If she learned some of Senior Brother Blood Robe's secrets and was captured by a Yang God Heavenly Venerable for a soul search, his secrets would be exposed.
"Senior Brother Blood Robe, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters," Ziyuan Xiaolu said. "This is the new Ancestral Blood Spiritual Water I gathered."
"Not bad. Work hard, and Senior Brother will cover your room and board!" Qi Yuan took the Ancestral Blood Spiritual Water, thoroughly pleased.
For him, the progress of the Ancestral Blood Art still required Black Demon Ancestral Blood to advance.
His Ancestral Blood Art had been stuck on the thirteenth layer for a very long time—a whole month or two!
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Ziyuan Xiaolu felt sweet inside. After bidding Qi Yuan farewell, she jogged off.
Meanwhile, within Demon Pass, the young talents were all engaged in lively discussions, their faces beaming with joy.
As the saying went, good news rarely left the house, while bad news traveled ten thousand li.
The news that the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary had swept aside the Banner Lord and seized the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner had long since spread throughout the Sixth Heaven.
This left the prodigies of Demon Pass deeply shaken.
After all, the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary had suppressed the entirety of Guiyu Heaven single-handedly.
Now, Guiyu Heaven was severely weakened. The cultivators in Ghost Pass were slowly retreating, shrinking back to their main headquarters to mount a defense.
These young talents of Demon Pass were pondering when to raid Ghost Pass and earn some battle achievements.
There wouldn't be an opportunity like this in the future.
However... what they didn't know was that their opportunity was already nearly gone.
The meeting of the Black Demon Abyss's Seven Ancestors, the Yang God Heavenly Venerables, had finally concluded.
The Abyss Lord announced an important piece of news.
At that moment, the figure of Ancestor Ziyuan descended, appearing inside Qi Yuan's cave dwelling.
"Brat, let's go. We're heading to Moon Goddess Palace to bring your Dao companion over."
Qi Yuan, who had been cultivating, paused. "Old man, why the rush?"
Ancestor Ziyuan's expression grew solemn. "The Abyss Lord just announced that our Black Demon Abyss will... seal the abyss!"
Sealing the abyss meant sealing off the mountains; no cultivators would be permitted to leave.
This also meant that, in a certain sense, Black Demon Abyss was withdrawing from the Linya Molt?
"That's an option?" Qi Yuan was astonished.
Didn't that mean other factions could do the same if they wished?
"The matters behind this are far too intricate." Ancestor Ziyuan transmitted some information to Qi Yuan.
Upon hearing the details, Qi Yuan was somewhat speechless. "Rather than saying the abyss is being sealed, it's more like... we've become Taihuang Palace's servant army."
Black Demon Abyss would seal its borders and stay out of worldly affairs, but they had to dispatch several Great Ultimate Principles to support Taihuang Palace.
"That's why we must bring your Dao companion over right now. Otherwise, you won't have time to travel out later," Ancestor Ziyuan said, weighed down with worry.
"Old man, stop frowning all the time. I'll cover you from now on," Qi Yuan said casually.
"Hmph, you cover me? You think you've comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle, or think you're that Human Sovereign Hall Emissary?" Ancestor Ziyuan retorted, exasperated.
Qi Yuan shrugged and didn't bother arguing.
***
Moon Goddess Palace.
Moonlight draped down like refined silk across the surroundings, leaving the entire realm serene.
Yet within that serenity lurked a hint of dark clouds.
Yueshuang watched Jin Li putting on her makeup and dressing herself, her eyes carrying an inscrutable look. "Although Black Demon Abyss is also a place of turmoil, compared to Moon Goddess Palace... it's still much better. Going there will ultimately be better for you than staying here."
Ever since news arrived that Taihuang Palace would preside over the Linya Molt, the atmosphere in Moon Goddess Palace had abruptly frozen.
Many outer disciples and cultivators affiliated with Moon Goddess Palace had distanced themselves one after another.
Even the Yang God Heavenly Venerables were filled with anxiety, and many were secretly reaching out to other factions in search of a way out.
The reflection in the bronze mirror looked somewhat archaic and faded yellow, resembling an old photograph, possessed of an unspeakable artistic charm.
Upon Jin Li's snow-white face rested several white pearls, lending her an even more refined air.
She carefully applied her makeup.
Sitting on the windowsill, Yueshuang stretched her legs and continued, "To be honest, I'm quite curious. How did your man convince Heavenly Venerable Yuehua to let you become his Dao companion with the status of a Yue Nü?"
Yueshuang was intensely curious.
Such a thing had almost never happened before.
Back then, a Yang God Heavenly Venerable had come to Moon Goddess Palace to seek a Yue Nü's hand, only to be beaten out of the palace by Moon Goddess Yuanjun.
One could say there was no courtesy spared whatsoever.
"Perhaps... he is outstanding enough." At this moment, Jin Li was calm as a chrysanthemum, cool and detached like an exiled immortal.
Yet only Qi Yuan knew how passionately fiery she became once her garments were torn away.
"Just being outstanding wouldn't be enough. Could it be..." Yueshuang thought of something, but said no more.
After all, it would be impolite to voice.
The only reason she could think of was an exchange of benefits.
A union between the two represented an alliance between two great factions.
Yet... Black Demon Abyss showed no such intention either.
It truly baffled the mind.
Right at that moment, an immense voice suddenly echoed throughout Moon Goddess Palace.
"Ancestor Ziyuan of Ziyuan Heaven, accompanied by Blood Robe, seeks to forge a wonderful union with Moon Goddess Palace!"
As the words fell, countless rays of brilliance cascaded down within Moon Goddess Palace like rustling rain.
It resembled heavenly maidens scattering blossoms, or immortals exhaling mist.
The entire Moon Goddess Palace suddenly burst into splendid bloom, brightly illuminated.
Simultaneously, countless spirit stones and immortal jade rained down from the sky like dumplings dropping into boiling water.
Seeing this scene, countless ordinary cultivators of Moon Goddess Palace widened their eyes, expressions of wild joy breaking out across their faces.
They flew up into the air one after another to gather the falling spirit stones and immortal jade.
Inside the boudoir, Jin Li's heart gave a sudden leap.
Meanwhile, looking at the immortal mist and lavish spectacle, Qi Yuan couldn't resist sending a voice transmission: "Old man, these special effects must cost a fortune, right?"
"Hmph, this old master has to save face for you. Otherwise, what if you looked too shabby?"
"Still, dropping spirit stones and immortal jade from the sky isn't romantic in the slightest. Isn't it a bit tacky?" Qi Yuan couldn't help questioning.
Raining spirit stones and immortal jade from the heavens made him look like some nouveau-riche country squire.
"The cultivators of Moon Goddess Palace love it. What does it matter if you think it's tacky?"
"...Now I somewhat believe Ziyuan Daxue really is your descendant." Qi Yuan spoke no more.
Right then, an amiable voice sounded within Moon Goddess Palace: "Distinguished guests have graced our doors. Please enter!"
The speaker was none other than Heavenly Venerable Yuehua.
She was also one of only two Great Ultimate Principles in Moon Goddess Palace.
A moment later, Qi Yuan followed Ancestor Ziyuan into the Moon Goddess Hall of Moon Goddess Palace.
The Moon Goddess Hall seemed situated within a lunar palace itself. Upon entering, Qi Yuan felt a faint chill and caught the subtle fragrance of jade laurel.
Heavenly Venerable Yuehua sat in the main seat, flanked by eighteen Ultimate Principle Yang Gods seated at the sides.
With a single glance, Qi Yuan spotted the Yue Nü, Jin Li.
Those limpid, autumn-water eyes met his, then quickly looked down.
At that moment, all eighteen Ultimate Principle Yang Gods looked toward Qi Yuan, their eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of confusion.
None of these Yang Gods were clear on Qi Yuan's true identity.
Nor did they understand why Heavenly Venerable Yuehua had permitted Jin Li to become Dao companions with him while retaining her status as a Yue Nü.
"This Venerable already knows the purpose of your visit." Yuehua looked at Qi Yuan, her gaze gentle and extraordinarily warm. "This day... I have waited for quite some time."
At these words, the expressions of the Ultimate Principle Yang Gods shifted slightly in bewilderment, while some sank into deep thought, seemingly pondering the implications.
"Under ordinary circumstances, when a daughter of our Moon Goddess Palace marries, it would certainly be celebrated with grand fanfare. But today..." A hint of hidden worry surfaced in Heavenly Venerable Yuehua's eyes. "The Linya Molt may begin at any moment, so all matters shall be kept simple. Blood Robe, the Yue Nü Jin Li... this old woman entrusts to you. I hope you treat her well.
"If she suffers any grievance, my Moon Goddess Palace will have a serious reckoning with you!"
Qi Yuan cupped his hands in a salute. "Senior may rest assured. My heart toward Jin Li is as true as the moon."
At this moment, Qi Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but his mind was filled with thought.
Between him and Jin Li, their bond had begun with Linglong Yuxi, begun in the Moon Gazing Continent.
And now, as promised, he had finally come to see his beloved.
"This time, as Jin Li departs for Ziyuan Heaven, this old woman shall escort her personally, lest petty scoundrels attempt to stir up trouble along the way!" Heavenly Venerable Yuehua flicked her sleeve, radiating the imposing majesty of a Great Ultimate Principle.
Chapter 475