Chapter 1785: The Forgotten in the Jianghu

Bai Yuqiong and Yan Yunxi arrived at the imperial palace in the capital. Emperor Yanfeng was heavily burdened by state affairs. Although the Celestial Heavens had been shattered, its immense influence lingered, and remnants of its forces sporadically caused trouble in various regions.

With the Celestial Heavens fallen and the various heavens masterless, each realm governed itself, and all harbored their own ambitions for the position of Heavenly Emperor.

Bai Yuqiong advised, "Your Majesty, without a leader, chaos will inevitably arise over time. Yan Kang now dominates the Primordial Realm, holding the foremost position among all heavens and possessing the greatest strength. If Your Majesty could take this next step, the chaos across the heavens would gradually subside. However, if Your Majesty does not claim this position, the turmoil will persist and worsen, which would not be a blessing for the myriad worlds!"

Emperor Yanfeng replied, "I understand everything Heavenly Master Bai has said. However, the world should be governed for the public good. If I were to claim the title of Heavenly Emperor, it would transform a public instrument into a private tool. While this might be acceptable temporarily, in the long run, I would inevitably become another of the Ten Heavenly Venerables. If the vitality of our reforms were lost, it would likely not endure."

He rose and looked out at the thriving and prosperous Yan Kang. "Emperor Taichu established a dynastic rule, treating the world as his personal property," he stated. "Though the Ten Heavenly Venerables didn't establish a dynastic rule, they were an interest group where power circulated within their small circle. I do not want this. How would such an arrangement differ from Taichu or the Ten Heavenly Venerables? Yan Kang would simply repeat the same mistakes!"

Bai Yuqiong frowned and tentatively asked, "Could Your Majesty establish a term limit for the position of Heavenly Emperor?"

Emperor Yanfeng became interested and asked, "Heavenly Master, please elaborate."

"Your Majesty would claim the title of Heavenly Emperor and establish a rule: upon achieving the Dao Realm, or after a certain number of years in power, you would voluntarily abdicate and yield the position to a worthy successor when the term expires."

Bai Yuqiong spoke cautiously after a moment of thought: "Your Majesty is the founder of this nation, and no future ruler will be able to surpass your achievements. Since Your Majesty would set such a precedent, future rulers would naturally not dare to cling to this position indefinitely. Moreover, previous Heavenly Emperors did not die in office but rather achieved Dao or retired. With these precedents, future rulers would not dare to act recklessly. This approach would resolve the concerns of either a dynastic rule or the dominance of the Ten Heavenly Venerables."

Emperor Yanfeng's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He paced quickly, then suddenly asked, "Then where would the abdicated Heavenly Emperors go? They have long held immense power. If they were to abdicate, it would be difficult to ensure they wouldn't still covet authority. If they interfered with new policies, it would certainly create many problems for the new emperor."

"That..."

Bai Yuqiong found it difficult to answer and looked at Yan Yunxi, who likewise did not know how to respond.

Power is truly the most alluring; it was so for the Grand Emperor, for Taichu, and for the Ten Heavenly Venerables.

If a former emperor, even after abdicating, still coveted power and controlled the new emperor, then the world would essentially remain under the rule of the Ten Heavenly Venerables!

Just then, Granny Si, Village Chief, and others returned from the Ancestral Court to have an audience with the Emperor. Emperor Yanfeng was both surprised and delighted, hastily inviting them in. Granny Si recounted the battle in the Ancestral Court to Emperor Yanfeng: "Heavenly Venerable Mu sent us back to tell Your Majesty that the Ancestral Court has been sealed, but he left a passage. Any individual in Yan Kang possessing Heavenly Venerable-level combat strength can enter the Ancestral Court for training, seeking to break through to the Dao Realm and achieve Dao."

Emperor Yanfeng laughed heartily upon hearing this, then told Bai Yuqiong and Yan Yunxi, "Now, a destination for abdicated emperors has been found."

With his plan settled, he declared solemnly, "Summon all ministers and announce to the world that Yan Kang will establish a Celestial Heavens, and I shall humbly serve as the first Heavenly Emperor. All of you, help me establish the traditions and principles of this lineage!"

With Yan Kang establishing the Celestial Heavens, any disloyal subjects throughout the world could be legitimately subdued, and the chaos across the myriad heavens gradually subsided.

On this day, Emperor Yanfeng ascended the throne, proclaiming himself Heavenly Emperor. Envoys from all the myriad heavens arrived to pay tribute, creating a truly magnificent spectacle.

In Yan Kang's Upper and Lower Capitals, divine light filled the sky, piercing the firmament.

Outside the heavens, black and white lights stirred, causing the stars to become chaotic. This anomaly, appearing just as Emperor Yanfeng ascended the throne, inevitably caused widespread panic, leading people to believe he lacked the virtues of a Heavenly Emperor.

Suddenly, those black and white energies broke through the Primordial Realm's world barrier, descending from the sky like a rotating Taiji diagram. They fell into Yan Kang, completely enveloping both the Upper and Lower Capitals!

"The Taiji Ancient Gods!"

The entire court was startled and about to intervene when Gongsun Yan stated, "Your Majesty, this is a sign of the Taiji Ancient Gods' demise; there is no need to worry."

Southern Emperor Vermillion Bird, Wei Suifeng, First Ancestor Human Emperor, and other powerful figures also discerned the mystery and immediately commanded the gods to halt.

As everyone watched, the black and white energies descended from the sky like two colossal dragons, stretching for countless miles, almost spanning the entire Primordial Realm from north to south.

As these two black and white dragons descended, they coiled together, head to tail. Immediately, the earth rose, forming two magnificent, interconnected mountain ranges. As the mountains stretched, Taiji primordial energy overflowed, and the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth seemed to boil!

Emperor Yanfeng gave orders, and the gods quickly flew to the Taiji ore veins to protect the residents along the way.

At that moment, incessant dragon roars filled the air. The nine dragon veins of Yan Kang's Lower Capital, nourished by the Dao of Taiji and Taiji energy, quickly matured. Nine dragons flew out from the mountains, transforming into nine ancient gods, who then circled the Upper Capital!

The beings on both sides of the Taiji ore veins—whether demon-race demigods, humans, birds, beasts, insects, or fish—experienced a rapid increase in cultivation and strength. Nourished by the Dao of Taiji, they eagerly entered the Dao!

At this moment, the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth in Yan Kang was almost boiling. For a time, Dao sounds resonated loudly and incessantly, and even many gods managed to enter the Dao!

In the capital, Emperor Yanfeng and others were filled with doubt and astonishment. This was almost certainly an anomaly formed by the fall of the two Taiji Ancient Gods, along with their innate treasure, the Taiji Sand Table, into Yan Kang!

These two ancient gods possessed strength comparable to a half-Dao achiever. As the Dao of Taiji is one of the Five Grand Daos that evolve all things and paths in heaven and earth, it transformed this place into an supreme sacred land!

But why did the Taiji Ancient Gods suddenly perish?

These two ancient gods had been fighting Taishi for an extended period and were considered the most difficult ancient gods to kill, as they could easily neutralize and break any attack.

When Emperor Yanfeng and others led the Yan Kang divine and demonic army back to the Primordial Realm, the battle between Taishi and the Taiji Ancient Gods was still ongoing. Emperor Yanfeng and other powerful figures had personally traveled to the heavens beyond to assist Taishi, but were horrified to discover that their presence made no difference.

None of their attacks could harm the Taiji Ancient Gods; even a terrifying existence like Qin Fengqing, when activating the Six Paths Heavenly Wheel, could not injure the two Taiji Ancient Gods in the slightest!

This time, even Dao Ancestor was deployed, but he returned utterly defeated in the art of calculation, spitting up a large amount of blood and appearing disheartened.

The Heavenly Lord who had achieved Dao also rushed from Xuandu to help, but after entering the formation, he was wounded by the Taiji Ancient Gods and forced to retreat.

He was an achiever of the Heavenly Dao, yet he couldn't harm the Taiji Ancient Gods in the slightest.

Emperor Yanfeng and others joining the battle not only provided no help but also caused trouble for Taishi. Taishi, enraged, threw them out one by one. Losing face, they had no choice but to retreat.

After that, for several years, the battle outside the heavens never ceased.

Considering the time, the battle between Taishi and Taiji had already lasted for over twenty years!

Could it be that Taishi had finally killed the two Taiji Ancient Gods?

Emperor Yanfeng and others looked up, seeing sparkling light outside the Primordial Realm, like a clear lake floating in the heavens. That clear lake, like a mirror, reflected the myriad forms of life within the Primordial Realm.

They looked closely, but couldn't discern details, only witnessing the constant interweaving of the Qingming qi.

"Taishi is about to achieve Dao."

The Heavenly Lord's face appeared in the sky of the Primordial Realm. He too looked towards the heavens beyond, showing envy, and praised, "The Innate Five Tais, ancestors of myriad Daos, now finally have two Dao achievers!"

Emperor Yanfeng, knowing the true reason, shook his head and said, "Among the Five Tais, there is only one Dao achiever. Taiyi doesn't count; Taishi is the only Dao achiever among the Innate Five Tais."

Outside the heavens, the Qingming qi surged, and the clear lake transformed into a Great Luo Heaven.

On the Great Luo Heaven, a Dao tree stood tall. Taishi, now a young Daoist, sat beneath the tree, looking at the newly formed Taiji sacred land in the Primordial Realm, and couldn't help but shed tears.

The youthful Taishi, having undergone this battle, finally matured into a young man.

Dozens of days later, with his realm stabilized, he rose and traveled to Yan Kang's capital. After paying his respects to the Heavenly Emperor, he bid farewell to everyone, preparing to leave the Primordial Realm for the Ancestral Court.

From this point on, with Emperor Yanfeng's ascension, all the myriad heavens abandoned their rebellious intentions.

Meanwhile, Dao Ancestor and Gongsun Yan caught up with Taishi. Bowing, Dao Ancestor said, "Brother Dao, Heavenly Venerable Mu has commanded that Heavenly Venerable-level beings travel to the Ancestral Court for training. Since you have achieved Dao, it would be perfect if you could accompany us."

The young Taishi replied, "That's excellent. Qin Fengqing and the Heavenly Lord also possess Heavenly Venerable-level combat strength; why haven't they come?"

"They are responsible for Youdu and Xuandu, maintaining the operation of the myriad heavens, and cannot leave their posts."

Dao Ancestor smiled, "In another thousand years or so, Yan Kang will have another batch of Heavenly Venerable-level beings heading to the Ancestral Court for training. By then, the Ancestral Court will undoubtedly be extraordinarily lively..."

As they passed Mount Sumeru, Dao Ancestor's smile faded, and his gaze fell upon this sacred mountain of the Buddhist world. He observed that Buddhism was once again thriving, and the Buddhist realm had expanded from its original twenty heavenly layers to the current twenty-eight.

On the twenty-eighth heavenly layer, a great Buddha lay in deep slumber, his snores creating a thunderous sound that transformed into dew falling from the sky.

Gongsun Yan, knowing his thoughts, asked, "Has Dao Ancestor not found Great Brahma?"

Dao Ancestor shook his head. "I found his physical body, but his primordial spirit is gone," he said. "This old friend cultivates the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra, wandering through the myriad worlds in dreams. I refuse to believe he simply dissolved into the Dao."

Gongsun Yan inquired, "Did Dao Ancestor ask Earth Count to search for him?"

"No need. I am certain he is still alive."

Dao Ancestor smiled, "By shedding his identity as Brahma Heavenly King Buddha, he has become a true Buddha, free and unrestrained. If I were to seek him out, it would instead hinder his Dao realm. Since he is free, let us forget each other in the mundane world; this would actually complete him."

With a free and easy demeanor, he laughed heartily and departed the Buddhist realm with Taishi and Gongsun Yan.

At the foot of Mount Sumeru, an old monk looked up, watched the divine light they left behind as they departed, and smiled.

The old monk closed his eyes and fell into a dream. The moment he entered the dream, his entire being transformed into a swimming fish, leaping into the river in front of the temple, and swimming freely with other fish, utterly at ease.

In the Ancestral Court, Jade Capital City, on the first Chaotic Long River.

The Golden Ark of Traversing Worlds suddenly paused gently, stopping on the river surface. Around it, winds and waves surged violently; winds of both cold and heat entropy rolled chaotic great waves, striking the golden ark with treacherous force.

Qin Mu smiled slightly and calmly asked, "Third Brother, has your hand grown back?"

Behind him, the Chaos Palace flew out, suppressing the Chaotic Long River, and immediately the winds and waves subsided.

"Would you like me to return it to you?" Qin Mu chuckled.

The figure of Third Young Master Lingxiao slowly rose from the river. The Lingxiao Treasure Hall stood behind him, radiating brilliant light.

Lady Nanxiang shivered and whispered to Ling Yuxiu, "Princess Consort, is there anywhere on this boat where we can hide?"

Ling Yuxiu understood immediately and accompanied her into the golden hall on the ship.