Chapter 563: Heavenly Eye Opens

Picking up from the last chapter, it is said that:

Taibai diligently calculates fate,Yang Jian achieves the Dao and becomes a Golden Immortal.A son's heart worries for his mother's safety,A long spear poised to breach the heavens.

Yang Jian fought his way through various trials, while the Heavenly Courts discreetly eased his path. After enduring countless hardships, Yang Jian finally arrived before the immortal mountain where his mother was imprisoned. Hearing his mother's soft call, Yang Jian's Dao heart was almost shattered. As he tried to move forward, he instead entered the illusionary realm that had been waiting for him for years, where he learned the truth of past events.

Li Changshou had finally utilized all the foreshadowing he had meticulously laid out years ago. Watching Yang Jian in the illusionary formation, Li Changshou felt a slight ripple in his heart, thinking of another fellow who, many years later, would also seek to stir up trouble in the Heavenly Courts. He wondered if that individual's fate would be as fortunate as Yang Jian's. The Monkey King, after all, had no familial ties to the Jade Emperor...

Li Changshou blinked, suddenly recalling the famous saying: "Anything is possible." In the Primordial World, it's hard to say. Tsk, indeed, hard to say.

Calming his mind, Li Changshou sighed softly. As he watched Yang Jian reunite with Immortal Yunhua, he heard a long sigh filled with emotion from beside him. The eyes of a 'spectator' in a supreme seat were somewhat reddened. Li Changshou had almost blurted out, "Your Majesty is also a person of deep emotion," but he swallowed the words back. It's better to flatter less. His Majesty is already practically floating out of the Nine Heavens!

Given the Jade Emperor's behavior over the past few decades, Li Changshou was already considering arranging some trials for His Majesty to prevent him from becoming too reliant on Li Changshou, thereby ensuring his own future freedom. Taibai Chang Geng: The Primordial World's Golden-Medal Trial Master. Even the Heavenly Dao would approve.

Li Changshou reminisced about his youthful aspirations for coming to the Heavenly Courts: originally, he had simply wished to evade the Tribulation of the Gods and become a minor Heavenly scribe. Yet, he had inadvertently transformed into what Bai Ze called "the Second Heavenly Emperor"!

Once Yang Jian calmed down from the excitement of reuniting with his mother, a deep hatred began to burn in his heart, a complex surge of anger that he couldn't unleash. Li Changshou hesitated briefly, then produced a drop of the Ancestral Witch Dijiang's essence blood and a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir he had prepared earlier, presenting them both to Yang Jian. To ensure Yang Jian's future growth, his Dao heart had to be unburdened today.

Among the nine drops of Ancestral Witch essence blood given by Empress Houtu back then, Empress Houtu's own essence blood was the most gentle. Its effects were profound and long-lasting, primarily enhancing the Xuan Body's recovery abilities. Similarly, Gonggong's essence blood focused on increasing the Xuan Body's strength and was relatively harder to integrate than Houtu's. However, Dijiang's essence blood was formidable. Li Changshou had previously tried a drop out of curiosity and nearly caused his Dao body to mutate.

The Primordial World didn't adhere to the principle of "the rich rely on technology, the poor rely on mutation." The Innate Dao Body was the one closest to the Great Dao. Humanity, created by Empress Nuwa according to the Innate Dao Body, was also the most suitable sentient being for cultivating the Dao. Li Changshou's Great Dao was incomplete. If his Dao body were to mutate, even if it meant a stronger physical body, the disadvantages would outweigh the advantages. Therefore, he balanced the surging power in his forehead at the time, extracted it, refined it into a pill, and then consumed it, slowly digesting it over more than a decade. Yang Jian, however, lacked such ability. Though his Dao body was currently undergoing mutation, he still managed to remain conscious, rushing toward the West Heavenly Gate.

Yang Jian's furious reaction at this moment was largely within Li Changshou's predictions, with little deviation. The slight deviation was that Li Changshou had originally thought Yang Jian's self-control would allow him to hold back... Never mind. When his own master went to his death, hadn't he also failed to restrain himself?

From the perspective of the Primordial World, Yang Jian was still a "youngster" at this point, not yet seasoned. Under the continuous pressure of today, it was normal for him to lose emotional control. It's just, well... Li Changshou watched Yang Jian's receding figure, a wave of emotion in his heart. He truly is an honest child. He could have taken both the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir and Dijiang Ancestral Witch essence blood—one to recover from his Dao body's depletion, and the other to enhance his own strength. While Dijiang's essence blood could also restore Xuan Body combat power, the process was extremely painful and the effects were incredibly potent.

"Chang Geng," Quan Tong immediately said, "Why aren't we following him? Is Yang Jian going to cause trouble for the Western Sect?"

Li Changshou smiled, "Your Majesty, rest assured. With Yang Jian being your nephew, he certainly won't suffer any harm." As he spoke, a wisp of green smoke flew from Li Changshou's sleeve, vanishing toward the horizon in an instant.

"This is..."

"My true body," Li Changshou transmitted, explaining. "Previously, to subdue Yang Jian, I deliberately appeared as a clone, keeping my true body hidden in my left sleeve. The palm that struck down easily subdued Yang Jian, which a clone would find difficult to achieve."

Quan Tong immediately showed a look of realization, then frowned as he looked at Li Changshou, scrutinizing him up and down, finally shaking his head with emotion, "I can't even tell if this is your clone or your true body anymore. As for the Paper Effigy Transformation divine ability, my dear minister, you are truly unparalleled!"

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head, gazing at the horizon. "Your Majesty, I shall go and watch over Yang Jian."

Quan Tong asked, "Shall we proceed according to Plan C, which you previously proposed, dear minister?"

"It is entirely up to Your Majesty."

"Hahaha, you," Quan Tong lightly punched Li Changshou's shoulder, "When no one else is around, drop this formal tone."

In the High Heavens Palace.

The white-robed Jade Emperor, who had been meditating with closed eyes, opened them. Below, all the Heavenly Court immortals and gods immediately became alert. "Where is Duke Dongmu?"

Below, Duke Dongmu's spirits lifted, and he promptly stepped forward. "This old minister is here."

"Mobilize one hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers, prepare the imperial decree I previously ordered you to draft, and go pursue Yang Jian, the Chan Sect disciple." The Jade Emperor said, "Do not be too late, nor too quick in your pursuit, do you understand?"

Duke Mu, who had already received Li Changshou's instructions, lowered his head and replied, "As Your Majesty commands!" With that, he abruptly turned, his eyes full of satisfaction. Taking the eight Heavenly Generals near the palace gates with him, he exited the High Heavens Palace and headed towards the Tongming Hall. One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers were already arrayed outside the West Heavenly Gate.

His true body, using a遁法 (escape or concealment technique), closely followed Yang Jian from slightly behind. Li Changshou couldn't help but look back on the past, filled with emotion. All in all, he had spent approximately a century planning this matter. This final phase of wrapping things up was not just a test for Yang Jian, but also a test of all his meticulous arrangements.

From the start of the tragedy at the Yang Manor, a scheme concerning Yang Jian had begun. From that moment on, Li Changshou had continuously analyzed the series of possible developments and all potential variables. He needed Yang Jian to rise quickly, to enter the Heavenly Court hierarchy before the Tribulation of the Gods. He planned to use the Tribulation of the Gods as Yang Jian's stage to showcase himself, establish his reputation, and gain the power to contend with older generations of powerful beings—to become the pillar of the Heavenly Courts after his own retirement!

Just now, as Yang Jian fell into the illusion and 'witnessed' the events of the past, Li Changshou's heart also opened a book. It was the script he had written. Within it were the calculations of Saints and the prevailing trends of the Great Dao. There were forced operations and a series of extensions beyond the original script.

Zhunti made his move, creating the tragedy at the Yang Manor, intending to sow seeds of opposition between the Heavenly Courts and the Chan Sect. Although Li Changshou had been alerted early, he couldn't prevent the Saints' schemes. He could only make timely amends after their actions. Subsequently, he forced Immortal Fuyuan to his death, startled Zhunti away, and then turned to publicize Immortal Yunhua's story everywhere, bearing the infamy to become the obsession driving Yang Jian's cultivation, pushing him all the way to this day.

During this period, various unrelated events also transpired: the Western Sect gradually weakened, the Heavenly Courts and Human Sect's prestige soared, while the Chan and Jie Sects faced tribulation, causing unease among all. At this time, the Shang tribe had already occupied a significant portion of the Southern Continent, nearing the "hundred kingdoms paying tribute" stage of becoming the world's co-ruler. The Human Emperor's destiny was nearing completion. Tang, the reformer of the Shang tribe and founder of the Shang Dynasty, was already on his way to reincarnation. Once the Shang Dynasty was established, the Saints would be able to grasp parts of the Tribulation's course, which would then stir several Saints into action. Would Grandmaster Yuanshi Tianzun and the Western Sect continue to ally? Or even preemptively ally to attack the Jie Sect? This had become Li Changshou's greatest concern.

However, today, at the very least, he could delay the occurrence of such circumstances by a century. Judging from the outcome of the Yang Manor tragedy—Li Changshou's clone intercepted the Heavenly Soldiers' attack, thereby saving Immortal Yunhua, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan. Evidently, Li Changshou himself had become a part of the Heavenly Dao's arrangement for Yang Jian, placing himself within this "small chess game" since then. And before entering the game, Li Changshou had actually anticipated this. However, lacking the direct power to restrain a Saint, he could only follow the current, leveraging the Heavenly Dao's influence to suppress the Saints' might. Li Changshou conceptualized in advance, proactively entered the game, and leveraged the circumstances to make his arrangements.

Yang Jian experienced a family tragedy, apprenticed under True Master Yuding, cultivated rapidly, was enticed by Bodhi, and eventually understood the truth by attacking the heavens. Saint Zhunti cleverly calculated Immortal Yunhua, originally intending to eradicate her entire family or only spare Yang Jian's life. However, due to Li Changshou's timely intervention and the exposure of Fuyuan's identity, Yang Jian instead became a disciple of True Master Yuding, thus losing control over Yang Jian. Li Changshou, however, continued to secretly nurture Yang Jian due to his prior connection with True Master Yuding and his identity as a Human Sect disciple. Until today!

With the story's progression to this point, Li Changshou had successfully completed what he set out to do—cultivating Yang Jian into a capable individual, resolving his hostility towards the Heavenly Courts, and shifting his resentment onto himself. Li Changshou had now leaped out of the chess game he had deliberately entered years ago. But Yang Jian's fury surpassed Li Changshou's expectations; even Immortal Yunhua's appearance failed to quell his rage. This forced Li Changshou to activate a backup plan, quickly changing his approach and giving Yang Jian the Dijiang essence blood, which was originally intended as a later reward.

After consuming the Dijiang essence blood, Yang Jian immediately bid farewell to his mother, who appeared unharmed, and rushed westward, intending to go to Lingshan to avenge his father. Li Changshou followed suit, stepping into the position of the "chess master" for this "small chess game." Naturally, this was also leveraging the power of the Heavenly Courts; he himself was still far from the true realm of a "chess master."

Yang Jian soared past numerous immortal mountains and Heavenly Soldier formations, his figure like a black-red comet. He exuded an aura of "demonic energy," causing many immortal maidens to blanch and numerous Heavenly Soldiers to turn pale. Just as Yang Jian flew out of the West Heavenly Gate, a long cry suddenly echoed ahead. Yang Jian looked up and saw a streak of golden light flash overhead.

"Are they here to stop me?" Yang Jian's eyes showed a mix of anger and sorrow, but the extremely fast golden light merely flashed past, seemingly just passing through. Yet, a large expanse of pale green mist appeared before Yang Jian. A medicinal scent wafted towards him. Yang Jian didn't hesitate, crashing his body into it. When he flew out of this "medicinal cloud," Yang Jian's injuries were almost entirely healed. The mysterious power of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art began to surge within him, and the spiritual energy of the world also rushed towards him. "It's Taibai Jinxing again..." A wry smile touched Yang Jian's lips. The blood-red patterns on his face began to fade, and the fissure on his forehead became strikingly apparent.

Lingshan! Lingshan! Yang Jian's speed suddenly accelerated. Streaks of red light surged from the Three-Pointed, Two-Edged Lance in his hand, coiling around his arm. It seemed to have activated a hidden power, beginning to merge completely with Yang Jian. The wild power of the Ancestral Witch essence blood corroded his nascent spirit and various parts of his Dao body, but his mind remained lucid. Amidst his rage, he could still think. But at this moment, Yang Jian no longer wished to think. He didn't want to look back and forth, didn't want to worry too much. He simply allowed himself to be consumed by wrath. Even if it meant facing the Saint who had schemed against his family, to strike a negligible blow with his ant-like fists! He pierced through clouds and mist, pressing forward without hesitation!

In almost a single blink, Lingshan, bathed in golden light and adorned with auspicious clouds, appeared at the edge of Yang Jian's vision. Advancing with his spear, he would rather die than yield. Long howls burst from Yang Jian's mouth, shaking the clouds and mist for ten thousand li around, and the spiritual energy above the West Niuhe Continent boiled. Throughout the world, gazes converged, and cloud mirrors locked onto this location. Numerous divinities watched, and mighty beings from all sides observed!

Yang Jian's figure hurtled directly towards Lingshan. Golden light shimmered around Lingshan as dozens of figures flew out, and several of them moved to intercept Yang Jian. "Lingshan is a sacred place, a Saint's Dao field! Who dares to cause trouble here!"

Saints! Yang Jian's Dao heart felt as if struck by lightning, and several images flashed through his mind. "Disciple, do you know what a Saint is? A Saint transcends the mundane, stands at the pinnacle of all beings, and is the ultimate end of the Dao." "Without becoming a Saint, one remains an ant. All beneath Saints are mere pawns." "Don't you understand? A Saint's scheme is a true scheme. You clearly just descended from the mountain; Saints of our three thousand worlds don't even bother to look at ordinary people, but we must never mention a Saint's name." The last image, however, was of that Heavenly Soldier, with a sinister grin, smashing his palm onto his father, who was merely a mortal... It was in the High Heavens Palace, the supreme Heavenly Emperor's inability to endure, and the white-haired elder's unwilling expression, daring only to say: "Martial Uncle, this is too much."

This is a Saint? This is a Saint! So what if it's a Saint's Dao field? So what about the Six Saints of the Primordial World? If death is not feared, what fear is there of a Saint!

"Halt!" An old Daoist shouted loudly, but Yang Jian's figure didn't stop in the slightest. He had already accelerated to his maximum speed, charging diagonally from the eastern sky!

A Western Sect disciple growled, "Don't let him disturb our teacher's cultivation!" Several people responded in unison, feeling that the approaching individual, though possessing a magnificent aura and soaring rage, didn't seem to pose much of a threat to their actual strength. These old Daoists immediately surged forward, each manifesting several magical treasures, ready to strike at Yang Jian.

Just then! "Advance, block the enemy!" Two loud shouts suddenly came from the left and right. Nineteen terrifying surges of killing intent erupted, like nineteen sharp swords pressed against these old Daoists. A hundred li away, the clouds and mist parted, and those nineteen figures abruptly appeared, forming various formations like the Three Powers Array and Six-Pointed Star Array. Wherever they passed, the cosmos remained undisturbed, and they charged directly at the old Daoists, each wielding their weapons. These Western Sect old Daoists were clearly caught off guard. They hastily redirected their magical treasures, but in a flash, they were enveloped by streaks of afterimages, unable to free their hands or feet to deal with Yang Jian. The ancient Human Demon Warriors proved extraordinary with their very first strike. Yang Jian's figure charged through the old Daoists without any hindrance!

On Lingshan, all the old Daoists were startled. More old Daoists were about to make their move, but behind Yang Jian, where the nineteen ancient Human Demon Warriors had appeared, a cry echoed through the sky. A ten-foot-tall white-robed old Daoist sat atop a golden Roc, appearing behind Yang Jian! Looking at this old Daoist, his long hair and eyebrows were entirely snow-white, making his robes appear more off-white than pure white. He had kind eyes and a benevolent face, with a peaceful aura. He held a whisk in his hand, and his half-opened eyes held a hint of weariness. He seemed to merge with the heavens and earth, yet also seemed to exert little effort.

"Li Chang Geng! Taibai Jinxing!"

"No, it's Taibai Jinxing's paper effigy clone!"

All the old Daoists on Lingshan were utterly shocked. Those who had intended to step forward and block Yang Jian instinctively fell silent, their faces no longer showing indignation. And in that moment of their hesitation, Yang Jian's figure plunged straight down. Under the gazes of these old Daoists, he surged to the space above Lingshan's main gate, and without hesitation, raised his spear and struck down with ferocious might!

A booming sound, a shattering crash. Smoke billowed around Lingshan's main gate, and Yang Jian's agonizing roar echoed through the heavens! Amidst this smoke, Yang Jian could no longer suppress the rage in his heart, nor could he restrain the power of the Ancestral Witch essence blood, which was on the verge of running wild. He abruptly looked up, his eyes glaring furiously at the sky, and a thin red line burst forth from his forehead! This red line seemed to pierce through the Primordial World, and in an instant, transformed into a pillar of blood-red light, engulfing nearly half of Lingshan!

Within the light pillar, there were roars of ancient beasts, scenes of countless mortals experiencing birth, aging, sickness, and death, immortal palaces of the Nine Heavens, and one or two bamboo houses by a tranquil lake. The heavens seemed to be illuminated to reveal their true form by this light pillar. In the deepest reaches of the high sky, the azure color was erased, leaving only pure black as the sky's base color. Intertwining colorful "lines" materialized, spanning tens of thousands of miles. The power of the Heavenly Dao surged forth from these lines, transforming into waves of chanting. "This is...?"

Li Changshou looked up, all the old Daoists on Lingshan gazed upwards, and all those capable of observing this place turned their attention to what was appearing in the sky. "The form of the Heavenly Dao?!"

Suddenly, a streak of azure light burst forth from the multicolored grid. This azure light descended directly from the very center of the light pillar; at first, its trajectory could be traced, but in the next instant, it pierced through the red light's obstruction and vanished into the very bottom of the light pillar. With a "whoosh," the red light retracted. The chanting in the heavens and earth resonated continuously, the azure blue reappeared in the high sky, and the multicolored grid concealed itself beyond the world.

"You all!" A cold, furious, yet remarkably clear voice suddenly reverberated throughout Lingshan.

The old Daoists, still reeling from the recent phenomenon, now all looked towards the once again collapsed main gate. There, a figure stood tall and defiant, clad in a tattered battle robe, wielding the Three-Pointed, Two-Edged Lance. His body was still stained with blood, yet his face was impossibly clean. His eyes were tightly closed, but a one-inch-long fissure was on his forehead. At this moment, that fissure suddenly opened, revealing a vertical eye. Dense Heavenly Dao power burst forth, and within the vertical eye, life and death rotated, manifesting the shadow of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Its pupil seemed to hold a myriad of colors, yet was perfectly orderly, without the slightest deviation!

Immortals and gods were awestruck; living beings were shaken to their core.

"Return my father and brother, or face my vengeance!"