Chapter 1484: Ming Emperor Teaches Taiyi

At the Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountains, Granny Si and the others anxiously monitored Master Ma and Zhan Kong Tathagata. More than twenty days had passed since the upheaval in Ancestral Court Jade Capital. Although Qin Mu's condition remained stable, Master Ma and Zhan Kong Tathagata's situations seemed less optimistic.

Despite Zhan Kong Tathagata's profound spiritual cultivation, his physical cultivation was lower. This prolonged period had taken a significant toll on the great Buddha.

Master Ma's physical cultivation was higher, but his spiritual cultivation was slightly inferior to Zhan Kong's. At this point, he too was struggling immensely.

Just then, Yan'er suddenly flew over and announced to Granny Si and the others, "Something terrible has happened! Our sacred land has sprouted!"

"The sacred land has sprouted?"

Granny Si and the others were puzzled. Yan'er explained, "I was just chatting with my mother about daily life, taking her for a walk to admire the beautiful scenery of our sacred land."

Everyone frowned deeply, thinking to themselves, "This girl is blinder than the Blind Man. Although 'Sacred' is in the name 'Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountains', it's just us glorifying ourselves. When has this place ever had beautiful scenery?"

Yan'er continued, oblivious, "When we reached the main hall at the center of the Sacred Mountain, I saw it being lifted by two huge leaves, its foundation completely cracked. Those two leaves were so big, holding Young Master's sacred hall in the center; it looked quite pitiful."

The girl's description was nonsensical. The Blind Man quickly said, "Granny, you all stay here and look after Mu'er. I'll go with her to see."

Granny Si nodded. The Mute Man said, "I'll go too."

Yan'er led the two flying towards the center of the Sacred Mountain. Before they even arrived, the Blind Man saw from afar two enormous leaves, like two unbelievably large palms, cradling Qin Mu's palace.

Those two leaves had sprouted from the charred stump of the Great Black Wood. The Great Black Wood had long been chopped down by Tai Yi, who then set it ablaze, burning it to ashes. All that remained were the unburnt annual rings, which had transformed into tens of thousands of black mountains.

Now, for two huge leaves to grow from the central mountain body was truly strange.

By then, many people had gathered near the two leaves. Xu Shenghua, Lan Yutian, Ming Huang, and others were flying around the roots of the leaves, trying to ascertain where this plant had emerged from.

The great hall held in the center by the two leaves was the Sacred Hall of the Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountains, Qin Mu's residence. Tai Yi had also once received Heavenly Duke and Earth Count in this very hall.

The hall was not small in scale, but compared to the two leaves, it appeared significantly smaller. No wonder Yan'er had called it "pitiful."

The two arrived beneath the two leaves. Looking up at the enormous leaves, they were astonished. The patterns on the leaves resembled the profound Dao marks of the Great Dao, indescribably mysterious. A vibrant life force emanated from the leaves; simply standing there, they felt invigorated.

Suddenly, the Blind Man saw a muscular man approach, wielding a large axe. He came to stand beneath the two leaves, raised his axe, and made two motions towards the roots of the leaves, as if to chop.

"Hey, fellow, what are you doing?"

Ming Huang flew over quickly and angrily demanded, "Who are you? Why are you trying to chop down someone else's sapling for no reason?"

The Blind Man and the Mute Man turned ashen. Xu Shenghua, Lan Yutian, and the others who arrived also turned pale. The muscular man had bulging muscles, a physique like a giant who could split heaven and earth. The large axe in his hand gleamed coldly, seemingly imbued with the power to create heaven and earth. It was clear he was no one else but Tai Yi in human form.

Although Ming Huang was the most dazzling figure of the Crimson Light Era, facing such an existence, even a single hair pulled from Tai Yi would be many times thicker than Ming Huang's waist. And judging by Tai Yi's physique, his body hair was indeed many times thicker than Ming Huang's waist.

Tai Yi put away his axe, glanced at Ming Huang, and said with a voice like a booming bell, "I am naturally here to chop down a tree."

"You're quite self-righteous!"

Ming Huang was exasperated and angrily asked, "Is this your land?"

Tai Yi rested his axe on the ground, leaning on its handle, and shook his head, saying, "It's not my land."

Ming Huang sneered, "Is the tree yours?"

Everyone present fell silent, not daring to utter a sound.

Tai Yi shook his head again, saying, "Nor is it my tree."

"It's not your land, nor your tree. What right do you have to chop it down?" Ming Huang scoffed. "You come here, axe in hand, and want to chop down a tree growing on someone else's land. You'd have no justification anywhere. If you can't even give a reason, how can you claim to understand the Dao?"

Tai Yi paused, dumbfounded. He looked around at the others.

Everyone looked away, avoiding his gaze. Ming Huang clenched his fists and declared loudly, "This sapling belongs to Heavenly Venerate Mu's family, and this land is Heavenly Venerate Mu's land. For you to come and chop it down without asking Heavenly Venerate Mu is unacceptable! Xuan Xiu, Wen Yuan, don't hold me back! Although this fellow is strong, there is justice in heaven and earth, and justice is universal truth! Don't hold me back! Although this man is fierce, how can I fear him? As a guest of Heavenly Venerate Mu's family, I cannot stand idly by!"

Hua Xuan Xiu and the young Wen Yuan pulled him backward. Ming Huang still struggled, angrily saying, "You two are also bullies who pick on the weak and fear the strong! Let me go! I'll debate with him!"

Tai Yi thought for a moment, then sat down, saying, "There is some truth in what you say. I granted this land to Heavenly Venerate Mu. I was merely the original owner, and now I am also a guest. To chop down a tree here certainly requires his permission. Never mind. I won't chop it now. I'll wait until he wakes up."

Ming Huang huffed, brushing aside Hua Xuan Xiu and the young Wen Yuan. He raised two fingers, pointed to his own eyes, then pointed at Tai Yi sitting on the ground, saying, "I'm watching you! Don't think of making a move when I'm not looking! What are you doing? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Everyone secretly marveled, "The Crimson Light Era truly was the wildest of times. Ming Huang, having seen much of the world, was filled with righteous spirit, daring to scold even an enlightened being like Tai Yi."

Xu Shenghua and Lan Yutian stepped forward to ask Tai Yi, "Dao Brother, what are the disadvantages if this sapling is not cut down?"

Tai Yi replied, "If it's not cut, once all its roots are revived, powerful beings from previous cosmic eras can crawl out along them and harm the world. This universe wouldn't be able to withstand such powerful beings for long before it succumbs to a great destruction."

Xu Shenghua asked, "Then, what are the advantages if this sapling is not cut down?"

Tai Yi said, "If it's not cut, there are some benefits. Once this tree grows and its branches and canopy extend into the ultimate void, achieving Dao will become much easier. When the universe faces great destruction, some will be able to use it to escape into the next universe. However..." He shook his head, "They are all merely parasites."

Lan Yutian further asked, "What if it is cut? Will the beings from the previous cosmic era then be unable to descend?"

Tai Yi shook his head, saying, "Not really. They will still descend, but it will be delayed for a period."

The two ceased their questions and retreated.

The Mute Man cautiously approached and sat down beside Tai Yi's toe. He took out his water pipe, lit it, took two puffs, and handed it to Tai Yi.

Tai Yi's body was too massive. He lowered his head and looked at the Mute Man, then shrunk his form. He took the water pipe from his hand and took two puffs.

The Mute Man's wrinkled face broke into a smile. "Dao Brother, may I borrow your axe for a look?"

"Go ahead and look."

The Mute Man quickly got up, excitedly leaped onto the large axe, and meticulously examined the Dao marks on its blade. He waved, "Blind Man! Blind Man! Your eyesight is good, come up quickly and help me study this!"

The Blind Man, however, did not immediately go over. Instead, he asked Tai Yi, "Dao Brother, will Mu'er be able to wake up?"

Tai Yi took a puff from the water pipe, saying, "The Heavenly Venerates of the Celestial Heavens are rushing towards Ancestral Court Jade Capital. There is a terrifying presence within that Jade Capital, obstructing my vision; even I cannot see what is happening inside. Whether the Heavenly Venerates will charge into the Perfumed Hall to deal with the Primordial Saint of the Jade Palace, I cannot tell."

The Blind Man's heart skipped a beat.

Tai Yi added, "Nine Heavenly Venerates have already arrived at Jade Capital."