Chapter 568: Invitation of the Kunpeng

So powerful...

From within Yun Xiao's sleeve, Li Changshou watched the battle at the edge of the Chaos Sea, a hint of admiration welling up in his heart.

Two streaks of light rapidly crisscrossed the edge of the Chaos Sea. Each collision stirred up layers of 'waves' at its boundary, and countless dark figures vanished into thin air amidst various distorted and chaotic impacts.

Those were vibrations of the Great Dao.

Kunpeng possessed extreme speed. Even in his Innate Dao Body state, his speed nearly exceeded the limits allowed by the rules of the Primordial World, and there were no restrictions on him at the edge of the Chaos Sea. This made Li Changshou suspect that the old Kunpeng husk he had directly dealt with earlier was actually a weakened version.

The Grand Master, wielding the Qiankun Ruler and with the Xuanhuang Pagoda above his head, commanded the Great Dao of Qiankun. By continuously shifting his position, he could barely keep up with Kunpeng. The two pursued each other, the Grand Master's figure constantly flickering. The Xuanhuang Pagoda protected him from all attacks, while the Qiankun Ruler in his hand could tear open rifts in the Chaos Sea. Kunpeng's figure swayed, leaving behind afterimages as he dodged the Qiankun Ruler's attacks. With residual Dao power condensed in his palms, even a single punch or palm strike could make the Xuanhuang Pagoda tremble slightly. Clearly, the Demon Master Kunpeng of today was even stronger than in ancient times.

As soon as the fierce battle began, several Innate Fiendgods showed a tendency to encircle the Grand Master.

"You all guard the Taiji Diagram well." Golden Spirit Holy Mother uttered a low cry, transforming into a streak of golden light and disappearing into the dark figures. In an instant, sword marks cut through the sky, and a jade Ruyi scepter unleashed the shadows of Azure Dragon and White Tiger divine beasts, striking two Innate Fiendgods.

Zhao Gongming immediately followed, the twenty-four Sea-Pacifying Divine Pearls around him radiating boundless blue light. He left a remark: "I'll go protect Jin Ling."

To the side, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother softly said, "Please unleash your attacks, everyone. I have a way to protect this place." With that, she raised the jade flute in her hand and played a series of somewhat sharp melodies, blasting the constantly surging outer-realm demons into black 'fireworks'. Not only that, but green light flowed from the entrance of the world below, rapidly intertwining like tree vines and branches. In a flash, it condensed into a massive turtle shell, completely sealing off the entrance and exit to the Primordial World.

Fairy Yun Xiao's graceful figure flickered, appearing amidst the demons. The Primal Chaos Golden Dou in her hand shone brightly, emitting beams of light imbued with the power of origin reversal that pierced through heaven and earth, making the several Innate Fiendgods instinctively want to retreat.

Immediately after, True Man Yuding's single palm covered the sky. His broad, thick back exuded an aura of sweeping across the universe, stirring True Man Huang Long's heart.

True Man Huang Long roared, "This humble Taoist is going too!"

"Hey," True Man Taiyi quickly grabbed Huang Long, "Where are you going, Senior Brother? Don't leave the Taiji Diagram unguarded." True Man Huang Long blinked. True Man Taiyi nodded with a solemn expression. True Man Huang Long mumbled, "Or... should we just keep guarding here?" True Man Taiyi, hands tucked in his sleeves, sighed, "The glory belongs to them. We'll just do the hard work."

To the side, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother's flute music was slightly off-key, and black lines appeared on her smooth forehead.

With the appearance of the Daoist masters, the situation immediately reversed. The Grand Master of Xuandu, who had previously only been able to defend, began relentlessly pursuing Kunpeng. Golden Spirit Holy Mother and other masters went after the Innate Fiendgods, launching a full-scale battle against the outer-realm demon race.

Li Changshou, hidden in Fairy Yun Xiao's sleeve, had been ready to appear at any moment should she fall into danger, but he found that... his nearly-Dao companion's strength was somewhat beyond his initial expectations.

Yun Xiao didn't summon any defensive magical treasures. Her body was merely enveloped by faint clouds, and her long dress shimmered with cold immortal light. Yet, the constantly surging outer-realm demons approaching within a hundred zhang of her were directly melted. —This was the edge of the Chaos Sea, where the complete Dao principles of the Primordial World still existed, and the concept of distance remained clear. And the Primal Chaos Golden Dou in Yun Xiao's hand was now displaying its full power without reservation. Beams of golden light swept across tens of thousands of miles, evaporating vast swathes of empty space.

After an unknown duration of battle, Yun Xiao appeared not far in front of the Innate Fiendgod 'Heavenly Demon Venerable.' A cold light flashed in her beautiful eyes, and her slender finger touched the Primal Chaos Golden Dou; a golden light, like a sword shadow, dissolved a significant portion of the Heavenly Demon Venerable's enormous body. The Heavenly Demon Venerable let out a sharp howl, his figure suddenly shrinking, transforming into a black streak and fleeing into the Chaos Sea.

The sky full of outer-realm demons consequently collapsed, and the several Innate Fiendgods who had been retreating steadily also fled for their lives. Having survived the Cataclysm of Creation, these 'randomly grown' creatures of the Chaos Sea truly possessed formidable escape abilities, vanishing almost instantly.

Still fiercely battling at this moment, however, were the Grand Master and the Demon Master Kunpeng.

A hint of ferocity gleamed in Kunpeng's eyes. A black orb condensed in his palm as he dodged the Qiankun rifts that could swallow and banish him at any moment, then pressed this palm strike towards the Grand Master of Xuandu. Outside Xuandu City, black light flashed chaotically across the sky, momentarily blocking the Grand Master's figure. A Dao rhythm, like a tidal wave, rippled and flowed at the edge of the Chaos Sea. Kunpeng's hoarse voice, accompanied by this divine sense, resonated in the minds of the Daoist masters present:

"You outsider!"

Li Changshou, who had originally been conducting phase two slice analysis of outer-realm demons, frowned upon hearing this. That address carried a very strong implication.

"Do you want to know the truth about this Primordial World? Come find me in the Chaos Sea! Hahaha! Hahahahaha!"

Li Changshou: ...All the Daoist Immortals: ...

It could pretty much be confirmed: with such an overly dramatic, almost childishly villainous air, Kunpeng was undoubtedly Senior Wave's 'direct associate,' right?! Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his mouth for a moment. He suddenly felt an urge to bow and apologize to the native beings of the Primordial World on behalf of his senior from the same hometown.

At the edge of the Chaos Sea, Kunpeng's figure had vanished. The moment the black light erupted, Kunpeng revealed his true form; his enormous Dao Body actually exceeded the vision of all the immortals. Then, this Dao Body seemed to tremble, instantly disappearing at the edge of the Chaos Sea, leaving behind only surging chaotic energy, beyond the reach of all their investigative methods. This was true extreme speed, the ultimate on a Great Dao!

"Sigh..." True Man Taiyi stood with his hands behind his back, murmuring, "Even if a Saint were to enter the Chaos Sea, they might not necessarily be able to defeat this Kunpeng."

Cold sweat trickled down True Man Huang Long's forehead. "Watch your words; you can't just say things like that."

True Man Taiyi chuckled, "We're not in the Three Realms right now, and our words won't be overheard by Saints. What's there to fear?"

"Well, it's generally better not to have such thoughts." True Man Huang Long said this, and then several streaks of light flew down from above; it was the Grand Master and others returning on their own.

The Taiji Diagram slowly expanded, enveloping the entire Xuandu City. The Grand Master made a gesture and, along with several Daoist masters who had come to reinforce, sank beneath the Taiji Diagram, landing on a relatively flat area. He gently exhaled and sat down.

"Many thanks, Junior Brothers and Sisters," the Grand Master cupped his hands, his aura somewhat weak. "I almost couldn't hold on. Master's Taiji Diagram truly consumes too much magical power."

Golden Spirit Holy Mother and True Man Huang Long led the masters of both sects forward to salute. The Grand Master waved his hand elegantly, indicating that they didn't need to be so formal, and conjured seven meditation cushions.

Zhao Gongming said in a deep voice, "How did this Demon Master Kunpeng become so incredibly strong?"

Fairy Yun Xiao pondered for a moment and gave the correct answer. "It's the Origin of Primordial Phoenix."

Seeing the curious gazes of her fellow disciples, Fairy Yun Xiao briefly recounted how she and Li Changshou had entered the Chaos Sea together and encountered Kunpeng's old husk.

Yun Xiao's eyes held a hint of brightness as she softly said: "When we returned from the Chaos Sea, he once said that it might not have been Kunpeng's true body, but rather an old husk Kunpeng used to mislead the beings of the Primordial World, and that the power of the Primordial Phoenix Origin stolen by Kunpeng had vanished without a trace. Thinking about it now, his deduction was completely correct... When it comes to wisdom and strategy, I'm afraid even Kunpeng is no match for him."

"Ahem," Zhao Gongming whispered from the side, "Second Sister, pull it back a bit, pull it back. You're praising him to the heavens."

The Grand Master smiled, "Chang Geng's strategizing is indeed not weak. Did Chang Geng notify you to come here?"

From within Yun Xiao's sleeve, Li Changshou poked his head out, cupped his fist in greeting to the Grand Master, then flew out of the sleeve, turning into his normal size, and chuckled: "Since Senior Brother encountered trouble, how could I not come?"

The Grand Master laughed and scolded, "Then why didn't you show yourself just now and use your Balanced Great Dao? If you could have kept Kunpeng here, the Primordial World would be rid of a great menace."

"Well..." Li Changshou wore a helpless expression and said, "I didn't want to meet Kunpeng, lest I be misled by his deceptive words."

The several Daoist immortals exchanged glances, each recalling Kunpeng's previous shouts.

The Grand Master wondered, "The reason he called you an outsider, I also heard Master mention it when you were sleeping beside him. But why does he want you to find him in the Chaos Sea? And what about the 'truth of the Primordial World'?"

Li Changshou frowned, shrugged, and spread his hands: "Perhaps he's lonely." The immortals burst into silent laughter but didn't press further on the matter. It was a major taboo in the Primordial World to inquire about another's origins.

Since the masters had already arrived, they naturally couldn't ignore the mess in Xuandu City. At Grand Uncle Zhao's suggestion, True Man Taiyi and True Man Huang Long, skilled in talismanic formations, became the 'main immortals' for repairing Xuandu City's grand array. They couldn't just let them come for nothing; they had to create some value.

Zhao Gongming and the others sat with the Grand Master, discussing the Dao. Li Changshou looked up to see the magnificent scenery and the rich 'Primordial humanistic' atmosphere pervading the ruins. He invited Fairy Yun Xiao for a walk. Yun Xiao naturally agreed with pleasure and went for half a tour of the city with Li Changshou.

Li Changshou said, "Could you use the Primal Chaos Golden Dou to conceal my figure?"

"Hm?" Yun Xiao was a little puzzled, but seeing Li Changshou frowning slightly, as if pondering something difficult to understand, she immediately took out the Primal Chaos Golden Dou and drew him inside. Following this, a wisp of Yin-Yang Two Energies drifted over on its own, sealing itself outside the Primal Chaos Golden Dou.

Just like back then, when Old Daoist Qiyuan went to his death and Li Changshou feigned injury, hiding in the Primal Chaos Golden Dou to perfect his Balanced Great Dao. Only this time, Li Changshou didn't summon his Great Dao but sat there in a daze for a while.

A moment later, Li Changshou quietly cursed Kunpeng, took out a blank scroll, and began writing and drawing.

Senior Wave was indeed involved with Kunpeng... This made it hard to believe that Senior Wave was a 'benevolent' individual. That's right. Senior Wave was also considered an Innate being in the Primordial World. It was normal for his views and thoughts to change after staying in the Primordial World for so long.

Judging from the reactions of his Senior Brother and Yun Xiao just now, they were completely unaware of Senior Wave's matters. Li Changshou had already suspected this before, and this information just confirmed Senior Wave's 'state' back then. He should have cultivated a second primordial spirit, with his true self hidden within the same body as that second primordial spirit, possessing absolute control over both the Dao Body and the second primordial spirit!

Given Senior Wave's penchant for random mischief, his apparent identity might very well be some famous master in the Primordial World! A very clever method of concealment. So, any of the masters who disappeared in ancient times could potentially be Senior Wave...

Demon Emperor? No, there would be no need to poach Xi He. Er, there were two Demon Emperors. This suspicion is worth keeping; even if the probability is low, such a possibility does exist.

From the information currently obtained, Senior Wave, in every sense, was not a 'good person'. Perhaps such a superficial view of good and bad is too shallow; in an environment like the Primordial World, merely surviving is quite difficult. But it is precisely this superficial view of right and wrong that allows one to maintain their original heart, and enables Li Changshou to tell himself that he is different from other beings.

What information did Kunpeng's words just now reveal? Very simply, Kunpeng knew everything that happened back then, possessed the latter half of Senior Wave's 'Annals,' and knew the secret of Senior Wave's madness. Additionally, if he just went to the place where he last encountered Kunpeng, he would likely get clues to find Kunpeng.

Li Changshou couldn't help but ask himself three questions at this moment: What could he gain from knowing these things? What was his goal in coming this far? What was Kunpeng's purpose in making such a grand commotion?

The answers given were respectively: The satisfaction of curiosity, living a stable life until old age and death, and possibly being used in some scheme.

Then, why should he respond to Kunpeng, and why should he go exploring in the Chaos Sea? From the current perspective, Kunpeng was already a huge obstacle to his retirement plan; this guy always wanted to drag him into strange karma. In reality, this was the 'aftermath' left by Senior Wave, the 'disturbance' left by Senior Wave during his long years in the Primordial World. Because of his 'commonality' with Senior Wave, all the 'variables' left by Senior Wave's reckless indulgence in whims were gravitating towards him. This concept was a bit abstract, and also had a touch of predestination, giving Li Changshou quite a headache at this moment. He had to think of a way to avoid being disturbed by it...

"What's wrong?" Fairy Yun Xiao's soft, gentle voice drifted in from outside. "Have you encountered some difficulty?"

Li Changshou sighed, shook his head while sitting at the bottom of the Primal Chaos Golden Dou, and sighed, "I'm thinking whether grilled Kunpeng wings should be mildly spicy or medium spicy."

"Hm?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just let me calm my mind for a bit."

"If you have any difficulties, you can tell me. I can also help you share some of the burden." Fairy Yun Xiao looked at the slowly spinning golden dou in her palm, a hint of loss flashing in her eyes, and softly said, "I'm always here."

"Mm," Li Changshou's reply came from within the golden dou. Yun Xiao said no more, simply guarding quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, True Man Taiyi and True Man Huang Long finished repairing all the arrays that could be fixed and floated back on clouds to where Zhao Gongming and the other immortals were. Li Changshou still hadn't emerged from the Primal Chaos Golden Dou.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother looked towards Yun Xiao's direction and frowned, asking, "Senior Grand Brother, what is Chang Geng's connection with Kunpeng?"

"As far as I know, there's no connection," the Grand Master of Xuandu replied thus, a hint of thought in his eyes as well.

True Man Huang Long wondered, "Then why did Kunpeng appear this time, seemingly just wanting to find Junior Brother Chang Geng?" The several Daoist masters pondered individually, but couldn't come up with a reason.

"Why think so much?" Grand Uncle Zhao let out a hearty laugh, "Who among us doesn't know Chang Geng's character? Don't talk about these things behind his back, lest you displease him. Chang Geng is currently the one overseeing the Investiture of Gods tribulation; he must know many things that we don't."

True Man Yuding said, "This humble Taoist knows a little." With a whoosh, gazes like knives instantly converged on True Man Yuding. True Man Yuding gave a wry smile, "In ancient times, beyond what you and I know, a great battle occurred. This humble Taoist sensed at the time that a powerful being was annihilated by the Heavenly Dao, right around the time our Grand Master attained Dao unification."

Upon hearing this, the immortals' expressions varied. Turtle Spirit Holy Mother mumbled, "If it concerns our Grand Master, it's best we don't discuss it."

True Man Huang Long frowned and asked, "Are you sure Chang Geng isn't the reincarnation of some ancient powerful being?"

"Chang Geng has an original soul," the Grand Master of Xuandu said. "When I first met Chang Geng, his cultivation was still low, and his Great Dao was not apparent. I investigated his origins clearly before I felt at ease entrusting him with important responsibilities."

"To have his current cultivation in just a few hundred years, and to cultivate a Great Dao that we can't even imagine, closely linked to the Heavenly Dao..." True Man Taiyi paused, his face full of helplessness, and sighed, "If this fellow had been born in ancient times, he might well be of our Grand Master's generation now."

The several Daoist masters immediately frowned, glaring at True Man Taiyi, their expressions somewhat displeased. Taiyi quietly leaned closer to True Man Yuding, his smile full of warmth.

In an unknown location within the Chaos Sea.

Several divine senses intersected. It was naturally the Innate Fiendgods who had just been defeated and fled from Xuandu City, questioning Kunpeng. If translated into common Primordial tongue, it roughly said: "You said you could capture Xuandu City and let us enter the Primordial World to plunder the power of living beings. Why have you been holding back and not making a move, and even deliberately attracting those Daoist disciples?"

Kunpeng coldly said, "Are you teaching this humble Taoist how to do things?"

That divine sense instantly submitted, remaining silent.

Kunpeng snorted, seemingly annoyed. To appease the Innate Fiendgods, he replied perfunctorily: "This humble Taoist is merely casting a long line to catch a big fish. No being can resist the temptation to glimpse the truth of history. Beings are like this; they always think the past can still be changed, but it's merely an attempt to gain more lost information to prove their own greatness, thereby obtaining false pleasure. You just wait. The being summoned by this humble Taoist will definitely come to the Chaos Sea to find this humble Taoist. Definitely."

Several divine senses simultaneously fell silent.

Another divine sense asked, "What good would it do us to get this being?"

Kunpeng was silent for a moment, then said, "At the very least, we can mock Hongjun."

Several divine senses immediately grew excited, emitting shrill screams.

Among these screams, a soft divine sense weakly asked, "Are you hungry, Master?"

"No, you've expended too much; replenish yourself first."

"Ah, Master is truly gentle."

"Silence! Speak again and this humble Taoist will devour you all!"

The several divine senses immediately fell silent, leaving only a few massive bodies drifting in the Chaos Sea, like inanimate objects.

Then, Kunpeng and his companions began a long, long, and seemingly endless wait.