Chapter 724: Tai Qing Undefeated

The Honghuang shook violently.

This wasn't limited to the Five Great Continents; the Three Realms, the Three Thousand Worlds, and even the far reaches of the Honghuang universe were trembling. Immortal light flickered erratically, the Great Dao churned ceaselessly, and a wave of terror gripped all living beings, as if the heavens and earth were poised for imminent destruction.

There was only one reason for this disturbance—a colossal battle was raging in Zixiao Palace.

Tens of thousands of Great Daos were surging at the very heart of the universe.

Mortals couldn't perceive what was happening, nor could immortals witness the spectacle. Even a powerful being like Duobao Daoist, with his immense abilities, could only sense the trembling of the Great Dao.

The Yin Yang Great Dao was confronting nearly all the Great Daos in existence!

Yet, this Yin Yang Great Dao wasn't merely holding its own; it was actively suppressing all other Daos.

Dao begets one, one begets two!

The essence of Yin and Yang was second only to "existence" itself!

Across the Five Great Continents of Honghuang, the heavens and earth became murky, spiritual energy surged wildly, and the pure and impure energies seemed on the verge of merging once more.

The four seas were ravaged by massive waves, causing widespread casualties among living beings.

In the Underworld, countless ghosts wailed in agony, the light of the Six Paths of Reincarnation dimmed significantly, and the Wheel of Reincarnation Island shook violently.

In the Heavenly Court, Yu Di looked up at the ceiling of Lingxiao Hall, his brows furrowed in helplessness.

It had come to this, as expected—this battle was unavoidable.

In the Doushuai Palace, Lao Jun sighed softly and continued to tend his alchemy furnace, awaiting the completion of the pills within.

In the courtyard, the Qing Niu gazed towards the sky, its eyes filled with worry, pacing back and forth anxiously.

In Xuandu City, Xuan Du Great Mage frowned at the figures standing behind him. He considered the message from his teacher and yearned to rush back, but he could only tightly grip Kong Xuan's soft hand beside him.

He dared not move—his teacher had instructed him to remain in Xuandu City and not return to the Honghuang universe.

What on earth had transpired?

Xuan Du Great Mage was puzzled, but for now, he could only wait. He trusted that his junior brother would provide him with a full explanation.

In Zhong Shen Zhou,

Mountains and immortal peaks collapsed one after another, the land undulated like tides, and boundless spiritual energy transformed into raging winds with no fixed direction.

No one knew the precise situation.

No one knew what kind of epic battle was unfolding in Zixiao Palace at that very moment!

"Teacher..."

Li Changshou clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to rush towards Zixiao Palace.

He couldn't go. He absolutely could not let all his previous efforts be in vain.

Jieyin Daoist's figure was closing in on the Jiejiao immortals, while streams of light numbering over ten thousand flew through the heavens, still some distance away.

Duobao Daoist, who had just declared to the Three Realms that Jiejiao was rebelling against heaven, now stood frozen, staring blankly at the sky.

How were they supposed to rebel?

What exactly were they meant to do?

Follow the example of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and storm Zixiao Palace?

In Huoyun Cave, figures gathered together, waiting for a jade talisman to shatter, but it remained stubbornly intact, showing no sign of change.

Even the spiritual energy in Huoyun Cave was receding, as if being drawn away by the Heavenly Dao to another place.

Indeed, that was precisely the case—Daozu was mobilizing the spiritual energy of Honghuang in an attempt to suppress Taiji Sheng.

In Chaoge City!

"Changgeng... take them away..."

Tongtian Jiaozhu's voice suddenly echoed in Li Changshou's mind.

"I know you have a way to survive in the Chaos Sea. Lead them out—save as many as you can.

Your teacher is now one with the Heavenly Dao, one with this universe. In a direct contest, he isn't a match for your senior brother, but with the backing of heaven and earth, your teacher can suppress your senior brother's Dao.

And don't blame your second uncle—he has his own considerations..."

Li Changshou turned to look at Tongtian Jiaozhu.

Tongtian Jiaozhu's eyes were filled with helplessness as he urged,

"Go!"

"Senior brother," Li Changshou said to Duobao Daoist, "quickly take the master uncle away!"

"Do not worry about me."

Tongtian Jiaozhu raised his hand to push away Gui Ling Shengmu and Qiongxiao, and golden light suddenly appeared on his palms, forming chains that extended into the void...

The Jiejiao immortals were greatly alarmed and rushed forward.

They tried to break the chains, but the chains seemed like illusions—curses, talismans, divine weapons...

Even when Yunxiao grasped the Zhuxian Four Swords, they could not touch the chains' shadows.

Tongtian Jiaozhu said,

"I can no longer leave this universe. This is the price of losing to your teacher.

But rest assured, my life is safe. Your teacher cannot erase the Three Friends."

Li Changshou flashed in front of Tongtian Jiaozhu, looking at the chains on him, and pointed a finger, his expression grim.

These were chains that sealed the Great Dao.

Tongtian Jiaozhu gestured for Li Changshou to grasp his arm.

Li Changshou reached out to support him, and Tongtian Jiaozhu's voice rang in his mind:

"Do not worry about me. Just go—save as many as you can.

Once your senior brother makes his move, the Three Teachings of Daoism will have completely severed ties with your teacher, and he will show no mercy.

Your second uncle's Dao is one of eternity, residing at the deepest layer of the Heavenly Dao, forming its very foundation. As long as he does not act against your teacher or shatter his own eternal destiny, your teacher cannot touch him.

If your teacher cannot touch him, he cannot touch me or your senior brother.

You may not understand this immediately, and I cannot explain it in detail.

Your teacher now controls ninety-eight percent of the Three Thousand Great Daos.

Your senior brother's Yin Yang Natural Dao, your second uncle's Eternal Dao, and my Constant Change Dao are all foundational to the Heavenly Dao's depths, but your teacher has comprehended them thoroughly through the Creation Jade Disc.

As long as your second uncle remains still, your senior brother and I will be safe.

Changgeng, please help me take Yunxiao and the others away. If your senior brother cannot hold off your teacher, they will be wiped out by heavenly punishment in an instant."

Li Changshou paused, then turned to look at Yuanshi Tianzun, who was sitting with eyes closed, his expression calm and serene, as if nothing had happened.

The knots in his heart suddenly unraveled.

His second uncle did not know his hidden cards or his plans.

To be precise, in all of Honghuang, including the Heavenly Dao and Daozu, no one knew what he was about to do next.

Could he go and tell his second uncle—'As long as we follow my plan, we have a seventy percent chance of destroying the Heavenly Dao!'—and expect the second uncle, as the cornerstone of the Three Purities, to risk everything in a desperate fight against the Heavenly Dao and Daozu?

That would be far too reckless.

The Three Purities are of one origin and one destiny; the Eternal Dao does not break that destiny.

Although Li Changshou hadn't known this before, it aligned closely with his own deductions from a different perspective.

At the Saint realm, the Dao is the Saint, and the Saint is the Dao.

The Great Daos of the Three Purities are among the deepest layers of the Heavenly Dao, more fundamental than the Dao of 'heaven and earth require variables.' If Daozu tried to erase the Three Purities, it would lead to the collapse of the Heavenly Dao itself.

It was based on this logic that Li Changshou had found his current path to break the deadlock.

Now, things were even better—this added another layer of security.

Li Changshou raised his finger again, pointing it at the chains in front of Tongtian Jiaozhu, then closed his eyes in concentration.

He saw it.

He saw a lush, sprawling tree blooming silently in the void, its roots embedded in the Honghuang universe and enveloping it entirely.

Among those roots, six were extraordinarily thick. The shadows of Tongtian Jiaozhu, Shengmu Niangniang, and Zhunti Daoist were each imprisoned in three of them.

These chains sealed Tongtian Jiaozhu's Great Dao, not his Saintly body.

Li Changshou shifted his gaze to the trunk, where Hongjun's figure sat quietly, the Creation Jade Disc before him.

At the crown of the tree, the leaves were not merely leaves—they were the Three Thousand Worlds.

The Heavenly Court, the mortal realm, Zhong Shen Zhou... countless shadows stretched endlessly.

The Great Daos were like the various roots and tendrils, the crown supported the worlds, and at the nexus between the Daos and the universe, Daozu held firm control.

Li Changshou had seen this scene before.

Sensing his probe, a counterforce surged from the chains, flinging his finger away.

Looking up, Li Changshou met Tongtian Jiaozhu's eyes, his thoughts racing as he made his decision.

Stick to the original plan and try to protect the Jiejiao immortals as much as possible.

When the Heavenly Dao struck, Saints might not perish, but their disciples would have no means of resistance.

Jiejiao had openly rebelled against heaven, so once Daozu was free, he would surely deal harshly with the Jiejiao immortals. If too many of them were lost, it would be a devastating blow to Tongtian Jiaozhu.

Li Changshou immediately said, "Duobao senior brother, take them away first!

Those who haven't arrived yet should turn back. Everyone, scatter to the Three Thousand Worlds.

As your master uncle said, save as many as you can!"

Tongtian Jiaozhu added, "What Changgeng says is my will. Do not delay!"

"This!"

Duobao Daoist looked reluctant, but he knew the urgency and nodded in agreement.

Li Changshou pointed forward, about to activate the Door Escape technique.

But Jieyin Daoist's sleeve billowed, sealing the space around them in an instant.

Jieyin Daoist had now aligned with the Chan Jiao immortals' position, his face cold as he stared at the Jiejiao immortals.

"Today, I shall settle the matter of Ling Shan with you all."

"You go—I will hold the rear."

Li Changshou turned to face Jieyin Daoist, opening his left hand to reveal the slightly curved Lushen Spear, with strands of profound Dao rhythms drifting around him.

As he stepped forward, a soft hand pressed on his wrist—it was Yunxiao taking half a step ahead.

"Together."

"Very well," Li Changshou agreed without hesitation. Duobao Daoist and Gui Ling Shengmu moved to join, but Tongtian Jiaozhu stopped them with a glance.

Duobao Daoist gave a bitter laugh, turned to look around, and used his earlier method to call out across the Five Great Continents.

The Jiejiao disciples began to flee, leaving the area immediately.

They had been shouting about rebellion moments ago, and now they were fleeing in disarray—this left Duobao feeling quite depressed.

Duobao Daoist invoked his divine powers, creating a large tunnel right in front of Jieyin Daoist within the sealed space.

The Jiejiao disciples, unwilling to abandon their master, helped Tongtian Jiaozhu into the tunnel and followed Duobao Daoist in a hasty retreat...

But Qiongxiao said, "Brother-in-law! I'll help you too!"

"Go!"

Li Changshou replied without looking back. "Don't make me distract your sister. Take Bixiao and go to Xuandu City."

Qiongxiao stamped her foot, her face full of frustration, but she quickly turned and flew toward the East Sea.

Jieyin Daoist advanced.

Li Changshou snorted coldly, pulled Yunxiao behind him, whispered a quick instruction, and stepped forward slowly, blocking Jieyin Saint's pressure entirely.

Yunxiao flicked her hand, and the Hunyuan Jindou emitted beams of light.

Just then, the Chan Jiao immortals looked toward the Hunyuan Jindou.

Chijingzi said, "Please return our senior brother to us!"

Yunxiao did not respond, only gazing quietly at the Chan Jiao immortals.

"Attack!"

Manshu Daoist whispered, though no one moved.

The Chan Jiao immortals did not charge en masse; a few simply took a step forward.

Yuanshi Tianzun was right there, so Manshu's words carried no weight.

Suddenly!

Dark clouds gathered over Nan Zan Bu Zhou, and bolts of divine lightning struck down, killing many Jiejiao immortals who were fleeing through the skies, their bodies plummeting into the sea.

Heavenly might descended!

"Has it... ended?"

Duobao Daoist muttered in a daze, biting his tongue to confirm.

Li Changshou's mind shook with Dao rhythms, revealing a series of visions, accompanied by that familiar phrase.

In the dim heavens, a purple-black divine lightning bolt crashed down like a dragon's claw.

To the southeast, the tunnel Duobao Daoist had dug collapsed, causing heavy casualties among the Jiejiao disciples inside.

The universe erupted in chaos.

The tremors of heaven and earth suddenly ceased, and everywhere returned to normal.

But the heavenly punishment grew even fiercer, as if the heavens were roaring in fury, with endless spiritual energy transforming into Zixiao divine lightning to hunt down the Jiejiao immortals!

Two streams of black and white light flew over, forming a Taiji Diagram to protect Li Changshou's chest, while a slightly charred treasure banner descended, though the Qiankun Chi was nowhere to be seen.

Teacher... has lost...

Though expected, it was still hard to accept.

Li Changshou quickly processed the visions, clenching his fists. He pulled Yunxiao back with one hand and pushed the Taiji Diagram forward to shield her.

He slipped a jade talisman into her hand and met her eyes.

"Save them. Go to Xuandu City and wait for me."

Tears glimmered in Yunxiao's eyes, but she did not hesitate, nodding lightly before turning toward the area flashing with lightning.

Thunder rumbled—

Heavenly might intensified, and a fine grid appeared across the land of Nan Zan Bu Zhou, causing most mortals to faint.

Jieyin Daoist's figure flashed, heading straight for the East Sea.

Li Changshou shot into the sky, gripping his spear to intercept Jieyin Saint's advance!

Layers of light walls appeared in the air.

These were barriers formed by the Heavenly Dao's power, enclosing Li Changshou and Jieyin Daoist in an arena. Without hesitation, they transformed into streams of light, chasing each other within.

In Li Changshou's mind, the scenes of his teacher's battle with Daozu played repeatedly, filling him with anger that his Kongming Dao Heart suppressed.

He reminded himself constantly that these were all anticipated events, necessary steps toward ultimate victory. He could only let his teacher and master uncle endure for now.

But even so, he couldn't help wanting to storm Zixiao Palace in rage!

Stay calm—getting emotional serves no purpose. Recite the "Wen Zi Jing" silently!

He represented more than just himself now.

Being relied upon was truly the most exhausting way to live.

A giant shadow appeared behind Li Changshou, his form swift as a phantom, his attacks fierce and unrelenting.

Jieyin Saint formed seals with his hands, standing firm like a mountain, blocking every assault, while a golden stream of light flew from behind him toward the Jiejiao disciples.

The Jieyin Divine Banner!

The banner spun rapidly, scattering divine light that absorbed batches of Jiejiao disciples.

This was the act of conversion!

The Western Teachings' method of converting beings originated from Jieyin's Great Dao!

In response, Yunxiao wielded the Taiji Diagram to save people everywhere, the jade talisman in her hand glowing brightly and dispersing the heavenly punishment.

—This was the "life-saving talisman" Daozu had given Li Changshou during a momentary setback.

The Chan Jiao immortals glanced at Yuanshi Tianzun's back, and he said, "Just watch."

Those who had been eager to act lowered their heads and fell silent.

The heavenly punishment continued.

The shockwaves from Li Changshou's duel with Jieyin Saint warped the space, making it impossible for even Daluo Jinxian to probe.

At Ling Shan, in the Lotus Pool,

A seductive figure approached swiftly, gazing at the radiant twelve-petaled golden lotus, licking her lips lightly before descending gracefully.

In the midst of battle, Jieyin Saint's expression changed drastically!

He turned toward Ling Shan and tried to break through the space to return.

But a black spear thrust from the side, forcing him to retreat.

Li Changshou's eyebrow twitched. He drew a talisman with his hand, adding another layer of seals to the space.

"Li Changgeng!"

Jieyin instantly understood the scheme, glaring at Li Changshou. "How dare you plot against me like this!"

"Tit for tat," Li Changshou replied calmly. "Dao friend, you should focus on our duel today and not worry about other matters."

At Ling Shan, Wen Jing Daoist, who had greedily absorbed from the golden lotus, transformed into a blood mosquito and fled urgently toward the edge of the universe.

In the pool, the golden lotus, now with only three petals left, began to wither slowly.

The golden cicada pupa hidden beneath the lotus was also tainted by the golden light...

Outside Chaoge City, in the distorted space enveloped by dense Heavenly Dao power, Jieyin attempted to leave several times, only to be blocked by Li Changshou.

The figure of "Zhunti" never appeared.

How could he show himself now?

In Li Changshou's mind, the battle between Taiji Sheng and Daozu replayed endlessly.

Daozu had accelerated the flow of time in the battle zone, so what felt like moments to them had actually lasted decades.

The Yin Yang Great Dao overpowered all, suppressing the Three Thousand Great Daos, and the Taiji Diagram crushed countless Dao seals.

The most striking scene was the end of the battle.

Daozu's massive form was shattered, leaving only half a face and half a body, with a sun-like orb flickering in his chest.

"Make your move, Taiji."

"I am this universe, and my life is its origin!"

"Killing me would destroy this heaven and earth!"

The withered figure hesitated, the black-and-white light in his eyes fading quickly, his flowing hair and robes settling.

In that instant of hesitation, Daozu's form restored itself, and he pressed a palm against the withered Daoist's chest, effortlessly turning him to stone.

The Great Dao was sealed.

On the great tree representing the Honghuang universe, the largest root now held a fourth Saint's shadow.

Taiji, the Natural Yin Yang Great Dao.

In the end...

Li Changshou sighed inwardly.

His teacher had not been defeated—he just couldn't find a way to deal with Daozu.

The purpose of these visions from his teacher was not to explain anything, but simply to tell Li Changshou...

The path he was on was not wrong.