Chapter 1418: Wandering and Unrestrained

Xu Shenghua returned the Primordial Liquid of Grand Ultimate. The two Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods were delighted to see him, feeling that interacting with someone like him was like basking in a spring breeze. They didn't have to constantly scheme to guard against betrayal, as they did with Concubine Yan Tian, nor did they have to be constantly on edge, as they were with Qin Mu.

People are different.

"Little fellow Daoist, your demeanor is extraordinary and your modesty profound," they said. "You are destined for remarkable achievements in the future."

The female Ancient God apologized, saying, "We should have given you a welcoming gift, but we have only just emerged into the world and possess nothing."

Xu Shenghua replied, "Since we are fellow Daoists, why is there a need for gifts?"

The two Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods praised him in unison, exclaiming, "That is a truly good point!"

Xu Shenghua then sought their guidance, asking, "Since both of you have emerged as Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods, yet are separate entities, how should I address you?"

"Names are neither important nor unimportant," replied the male Ancient God. "If we were to be given names, I would be the Grand Yang, and she the Grand Yin. However, I am not truly the Grand Yang; within my Yang, there is Yin. And she is not truly the Grand Yin; within her Yin, there is Yang. Our path of seeking the Dao is to embrace the simplicity of Yin and Yang, uniting them into one, which is the Grand Ultimate."

Among the Ancient Gods, there were similar titles such as Grand Yang and Grand Yin. For instance, the Great Sun Star Lord was also known as the Sun Star Lord, mastering the sacred sun fire, and the moon Ancient God was called the Grand Yin Star Lord, mastering the divine lunar water.

However, the Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods felt truly different to Xu Shenghua compared to those other two Ancient Gods.

The concept of Yang containing Yin and Yin containing Yang held profound meaning, and the union of Yin and Yang into a singular simplicity was equally profound and unfathomable.

Xu Shenghua, having gained some insights, sought their teachings. The two Grand Yin and Grand Yang Ancient Gods answered everything they knew, allowing him to gain much. Xu Shenghua, in turn, often posed thought-provoking questions about principles they had not comprehended in the mining area, which greatly benefited the two Ancient Gods as well.

Over ten days later, Wei Suifeng arrived, sent by Heavenly Venerate Mu to find Xu Shenghua. He requested to see Concubine Yan Tian, but she avoided him, instead instructing Xiu Hongsu to entertain him. "Wei Suifeng has shown me kindness, so he must not be neglected," she said, "but he cannot be indulged either, as he is, after all, a rebel."

When Xiu Hongsu met Wei Suifeng, he was quite displeased, reminded upon seeing her of the time he was thrown into the river by the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Heavens.

Xiu Hongsu smiled and said, "My husband speaks very highly of Emperor Yun Luo."

"He certainly didn't say that when I was thrown into the river by him," Wei Suifeng retorted. He snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Where is Xu Shenghua? Heavenly Venerate Mu saw he hadn't returned, so he became worried about his safety and ordered me to find him and bring him back."

Xiu Hongsu, whose abilities were no less than his, was displeased by his ostentatious manner. "What does Her Ladyship owe him that she indulges this fellow so much?" she wondered.

She did not know that the attack on the Empress during the Dragon Han Era had been investigated by Wei Suifeng. At that time, Wei Suifeng was the commander of the Imperial Guard of the Dragon Han Celestial Heavens, leading a large army to the Return to Ruins. It was precisely because of Wei Suifeng that the Longbo Kingdom's rebellion was quelled. And it was also because of him that Madam Yuanmu, when she ambushed the Empress, failed to kill her completely.

The Empress took the opportunity for her primordial spirit to shed its shell, which led to the later Concubine Yan Tian. Wei Suifeng had enabled her transformation, helping her to break free from the constraints of the Ancient Gods.

Later, it was also Wei Suifeng who preserved the Empress's corpse, thus showing Concubine Yan Tian the kindness of preserving her true form.

However, when Wei Suifeng was Emperor Yun Luo, his identity was exposed, and he was suppressed in the Heavenly Prison. Yet Concubine Yan Tian did not rescue him. Thus, she felt she owed no one else, but owed him a great deal, which is why she was unwilling to see him.

When Xiu Hongsu came to find Xu Shenghua, the Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods said to him, "We will reside here permanently, fellow Daoist, and you are welcome to visit anytime."

Xu Shenghua affirmed, then took his leave. "I have listened to your teachings and gained some insights," he said. "I believe your Grand Ultimate Dao can give rise to all the myriad paths of heaven and earth. However, because your attainments in the Dao Heart are not yet complete, you had to emerge early and gain experience in the world. The path you two are taking is the same as the path taken by later-born beings: a path of inverse enlightenment."

The Grand Yin Ancient God couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by inverse enlightenment?"

Xu Shenghua explained, "The Grand Ultimate gives rise to all myriad paths, and from these myriad paths, one can inversely deduce the Dao of Grand Ultimate. Enlightenment in the Grand Ultimate is difficult, which is why one enters the world, comprehends the great Dao of heaven and earth in the mundane world, and uses this to inversely deduce the Dao of Grand Ultimate. This is inverse enlightenment. I have two fellow Daoists, one who progresses directly and one who progresses inversely. Seeing you two reminded me of them, and I feel this is your path to enlightenment."

The two Ancient Gods each gained insights.

Xu Shenghua continued, "If you two are seeking the Grand Dao of the Ancient Gods, you can go to Eternal Peace. In Eternal Peace, there is Dao Master Lin Xuan, who is proficient in macro and micro arithmetic, analyzing the Innate Dao of the world with unparalleled achievements. If you wish to comprehend the Post-celestial Dao, you should also go to Eternal Peace, as the Post-celestial Dao has seen great development there. If you wish to comprehend the Dao Realm, you should go to see Founding Emperor Qin Ye; his Dao Realm is unparalleled."

The Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods thanked him and said, "Since that is the case, we will first make a trip to Eternal Peace. If fellow Daoist Xu returns to Eternal Peace, we can catch up there."

As Xu Shenghua was about to leave, the Grand Yang Ancient God suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Xu, you just mentioned two fellow Daoists, one progressing directly and one inversely. May I ask who these divine beings are?"

Xu Shenghua stopped and replied, "One is Lan Yutian, a young man. The other you two are already familiar with: Qin Mu, Heavenly Venerate Mu."

The two Ancient Gods exchanged glances.

After Xu Shenghua left, the two Ancient Gods chased after him and asked, "May we ask about Lan Yutian's abilities?"

Xu Shenghua stopped and replied, "He possesses an enlightened body, with unparalleled Dao nature. He uses the cosmos as his mining area, the divine stones of the Grand Dao of heaven and earth as his ore, his Dao Heart as the raw material, his footsteps as the mountain ranges of the mining area, and the Grand Dao as his ladder. He measures heaven and earth, ascending step by step to the very foundation of the Grand Dao."

The two Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods were moved; such a being existed in this world!

"And Heavenly Venerate Mu?" they asked. "How do you view him?"

Xu Shenghua thought for a moment and said, "Heavenly Venerate Mu progresses inversely. He can do what others cannot, think what others do not, and while Lan Yutian practices non-action, he leaves nothing undone. He uses his inner universe as a divine treasury, opening an ancestral court, evolving worlds, transforming mining areas, and achieving enlightenment inversely. His achievements are no weaker than Lan Yutian's; in fact, currently, he is much more formidable. Compared to the two of them, I am far inferior. Every time I face them, I feel as if I am looking up at a towering mountain."

The two Grand Ultimate Ancient Gods seemed to ponder.

Xu Shenghua departed, following Xiu Hongsu to find Wei Suifeng. On the way, a white cat accompanied them, walking by his feet and exuding murderous intent. It looked up and said, "Xu Shenghua, stay away from Her Ladyship, or I won't let you off!"

Xu Shenghua bent down. The white cat hesitated, then feeling a great sense of warmth and familiarity, it involuntarily jumped into his arms and cried out, "You don't need to pat my head, I'm not falling for that!"

Xu Shenghua stroked its head. The white cat clearly enjoyed it, saying, "A little lower with your hand... Yes, right there!"

Xu Shenghua gently said, "I have a family, and there's no conflict with you. I have no improper thoughts about Her Ladyship; she and I are merely fellow Daoists who can confide in each other. Little Seven, you can rest assured. Your loyalty and affection for Her Ladyship are naturally known to her, and as you share her worries, your status will naturally remain unchanged and only grow higher."

The white cat said gloomily, "I am merely a male concubine; I dare not harbor improper thoughts."

"It's all about human effort, isn't it?" Xu Shenghua said, looking at the cat with gentle eyes.

The white cat suddenly snorted, jumped out of his arms, and landed on the ground. It walked away with a proud strut, tail held high, then suddenly stopped, tilted its head, and said, "You're not a bad person, not like that rogue Heavenly Venerate Mu... Go back and tell Heavenly Venerate Mu not to harbor any improper thoughts about Her Ladyship!"

Xu Shenghua affirmed.

Xiu Hongsu looked at him, and after a moment, smiled. "Young Master Xu, how can there be such a perfect person as you in this world? You are like the void, vast and humble, yet also like the most perfect deity, making it impossible for one to feel hatred."

Xu Shenghua recited in a long, drawn-out tone, "How can the mirage flower in the void escape birth, aging, and death? Better to remain perplexed and sit in quietude, free from worries. Senior Sister, you envy me, but I still envy you."

"'How can the mirage flower in the void escape birth, aging, and death?' Is that the origin of your name, Xu Shenghua?" Xiu Hongsu mused.

Xiu Hongsu savored the meaning of the words. Her eyes no longer held desire, only appreciation.

Wei Suifeng, seeing Xu Shenghua safe and sound, couldn't help but sigh in relief. He immediately bid Xiu Hongsu farewell, and without waiting for Xu Shenghua to take his leave of Concubine Yan Tian, he immediately pulled him outside. He whispered, "It's good that you're safe and sound! This place is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair; every moment you stay increases the danger. Let's quickly return to the Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountains!"

Xu Shenghua asked in surprise, "What do you mean, 'dragon's den and tiger's lair'? The scenery here is magnificent and beautiful, as pleasant as any other sacred land in the world."

Wei Suifeng was stunned and shook his head.

In the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, Qin Mu looked into the distance, seeing the fourth pillar of light shooting up into the sky of the ancestral court, magnificent beyond compare.

"Once the Celestial Heavens finish building eleven great psionic connection bridges," he murmured, "they will begin migrating the Celestial Heavens to the ancestral court." He pondered silently that when the Celestial Heavens migrated to the ancestral court, the Celestial River would accompany them and change its course. At that time, the Celestial River should flow into the Grand Lake of the ancestral court, bringing life back to the great lake.

The Grand Lake of the ancestral court was the territory of Heavenly Venerate Hong, mirroring Xuandu above. The starry sky of Xuandu was reflected in the Grand Lake, as if another Xuandu was hidden within the great lake.

"After the Celestial Heavens migrate," he continued to himself, "the Celestial River should return to its original position, flowing directly to the zenith of Xuandu. That will be the moment for the Celestial Heavens to make their move against Heavenly Duke of Xuandu." He looked up at the sky, gazing into the distance, where Xuandu, beyond the heavens, appeared dim and indistinct.

"Within three years, the Celestial Heavens will certainly migrate to the ancestral court," he concluded. "Which means Heavenly Duke's lifespan has only three years left."

Qin Mu retracted his gaze. Seeing the figures of Xu Shenghua and Wei Suifeng in the distance, he finally sighed in relief.

"Within three years, I must ascend the Jade Pool God-Slaying Platform!" he resolved. "Only by undergoing its baptism can I advance further!"

The power and terror of the Jade Pool God-Slaying Platform in Concubine Qiang Tian's territory appeared in his mind's eye, making him shiver involuntarily.

That God-Slaying Platform was extremely dangerous for him, and it would be life-threatening!

But no matter what, he had to go!

Even though Heavenly Duke often acted on his own, never asked for his opinion, and was even seeking his own death this time, Qin Mu still had to do something for him!

Even if it meant risking his life!

In these three years, his physical body, primordial spirit, and Dao heart must become strong enough to step onto the God-Slaying Platform and comprehend all its mysteries!

He must ascend this indestructible, perilous place, master its principles, and possess the ability to find a glimmer of hope for Heavenly Duke!

As Xu Shenghua approached, Qin Mu smiled and went to meet him. Everyone here chatted freely about the Dao, laughed, and exchanged knowledge of Dao arts and divine abilities.

Qin Mu also led many scholars from Eternal Peace, personally going to the Heavenly Devil King to forge a divine city. He also personally went to the farmlands, reclaiming barren land, diverting water, and working alongside the people.

When the Celestial Heavens' fifth great psionic connection bridge was completed and people gazed up at the magnificent pillar of light in the sky, Qin Mu quietly departed.

He returned to Eternal Peace to see the Butcher.

The Butcher was reveling with renowned scholars from Eternal Peace. They cruised on painted boats along the Golden River in Jiangling, beating drums and singing, drinking fine wine, and indulging freely.

On the painted boat were also women from the pleasure quarter, some heavily made up, others lightly powdered. Their singing and dancing, along with the sounds of zithers, lutes, and flutes, mixed with the booming of large drums, created quite a din.

"Grandpa Butcher," Qin Mu said as he landed on the boat, "I want to face the most ferocious divine blade in the world's history. At the convergence of all malevolent energy in the world, the fiercest point of the ancestral court, two divine blades of malevolent energy have formed, capable of slaying even Emperor's Throne experts."

The Butcher glanced at him and put down his mallet. A woman nearby brought him clothes to drape over himself.

The Butcher, who had been bare-chested, now donned his clothes, adjusting them with his hand. He glanced at Qin Mu again. "The most ferocious divine blade in the world?" he scoffed. "The most ferocious thing in the world is not a divine blade formed by heaven and earth, but the human heart. How has your blade art progressed all these years?"