Chapter 1832: Qin Mu, Tiandu, and Taiyi

Later, Taishang indeed went to explore the Guixu and accidentally fell into the great abyss of the Second Epoch's Guixu, nearly dying there. Upon hearing the news, the Master of Miluo Palace rushed to the scene and rescued him. To his surprise, the honest Taishang was holding a pair of identical, intelligent Guixu goddesses, one in each arm.

"Who told you to go down there?" the Master of Miluo Palace admonished him. "How dangerous is that place? With your current strength, you would surely lose your life if you ventured there!"

Taishang put down the Guixu goddesses, bowed his head, and admitted his mistake, saying, "My seventh junior brother asked me to come take a look. My seventh junior brother and his daughter were just here..." He looked around, but Qin Mu and his daughter were nowhere to be seen. "Was I tricked?" Taishang scratched his head.

The Master of Miluo Palace's expression darkened, and he said earnestly, "Although your seventh junior brother is indeed real, I observe a certain eccentricity about him; he doesn't seem to be a good person. If you encounter him again in the future, be sure to keep your distance." Having narrowly escaped death, Taishang nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The Master of Miluo Palace looked at the pair of Guixu goddesses and immediately discerned their extraordinary nature. He said, "You two are actually one being, with one mind and two bodies, one Dao and two uses. You must never think of yourselves as two separate people. If you do, it will inevitably lead to chaos. From now on, you shall follow me and cultivate."

The two girls, enlightened by his words, prostrated themselves and requested, "Master, please grant us a name."

"One life, one death, the Dao is boundless. You shall be called Wuji," the Master of Miluo Palace said. "You must be wary of your seventh junior brother, Chaos; do not let him trick you."

The two girls exchanged a smile. "Teacher," they said, "we are clever and intelligent. Who could possibly trick us?"

The Master of Miluo Palace shook his head, feeling a sense of unease, and a peculiar thought crossed his mind: "How could my future self have taken such a disciple? He acts with such recklessness; he needs some guidance."

He went to look for Qin Mu, who was sound asleep in the starry sky of the Second Epoch. Dreams emanated from the chaos, transforming into miniature universes where Chaos's daughter traversed and played joyfully. The Master of Miluo Palace stood before this dreamscape. Suddenly, in one of the miniature universes, an enlightened Qin Mu peeked out. The Master of Miluo Palace smiled and nodded in greeting, but the enlightened Qin Mu, speaking an unintelligible language, frantically shouted at him with an anxious expression.

The Master of Miluo Palace didn't understand. Suddenly, that miniature universe shattered, and a destructive tribulation erupted. All the Qin Mus within that universe turned into ashes, leaving only a void of chaos. The enlightened Qin Mu also became ashes, yet fragments of the Grand Overarching Heaven and a withered Dao tree remained. Then, a creation tribulation erupted, and the Grand Overarching Heaven fragments and the withered Dao tree also vanished, ceasing to exist. The Master of Miluo Palace pondered this, then turned back. From that day forward, a rule was established in Miluo Palace: Young Master Chaos was not to be disturbed while sleeping.

He began preparing for the coming destruction tribulation, long before it arrived, while the Second Epoch was still in its formative stages. The Second Epoch was long and vast, giving rise to many intelligent and powerful beings. Numerous inspiring and tragic stories unfolded, their magnificence no less than that of the Seventeenth Epoch, often even more epic.

Having fulfilled his duty of imparting knowledge, the Master of Miluo Palace began constructing the first Jade Capital City. The Golden Ark of Deliverance was for traversing, delivering people within the ark, while the Jade Capital City was for defending, fending off the destruction tribulation from the outside. He focused on perfecting Jade Capital City, not concerning himself with external matters. Taishang had already attained Dao, capable of handling many tasks for him.

However, Taishang came to complain, detailing how Young Master Chaos and his daughter had again caused trouble, and how the father and daughter pair had been deceiving and swindling people everywhere. The Master of Miluo Palace inquired about the details. They were all minor incidents, with no fundamental errors in principle. He said, "Don't bother with him. He is your junior brother; don't view him with prejudice."

"He joined earlier than I did, why do you call him junior brother?" Taishang grumbled, "His abilities are superior to mine; he should be the senior brother."

"He returned from the future, and his actions are mature and steady. You, on the other hand, are more impulsive," the Master of Miluo Palace said. "Though his actions may seem like deceptions, he commits no fundamental errors. You, on the other hand, often have good intentions but end up doing harm. You should learn more from your junior brother." Afterward, Taishang indeed became much more composed, thinking twice before acting.

Nevertheless, the Second Epoch still met its destruction. The Master of Miluo Palace wished to save everyone but failed once more. Only a few enlightened beings, including Taishang, were preserved within Jade Capital City. Wuji, having hidden in the Guixu, escaped the great destruction tribulation. The Master of Miluo Palace forlornly departed the dilapidated Jade Capital City, watching the destruction tribulation wreak havoc upon the Second Epoch, feeling a profound sense of powerlessness.

At this moment, he again saw his seventh disciple, Chaos, and his daughter freely traversing the destruction tribulation of the Second Epoch, the little girl absorbing its power. Within the destruction tribulation of the Second Epoch, many things existed that had not been present in the First Epoch: a dumping ground for refuse and a chaotic space. The father and daughter were bustling about in the destruction tribulation, their purpose unknown.

Even with the Master of Miluo Palace's astonishing magnanimity, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at this moment. He found Qin Mu and his daughter and asked, full of grief and indignation, "Why did you return to the past? What are you doing here? Why do you just watch the destruction tribulation unfold? Why don't you save the people?"

Qin Mu and his daughter stopped. Qin Mu bowed respectfully and said, "Teacher, I am merely here as a witness, to seek certain individuals and objects. I will not interfere with the past. Furthermore, I am unable to save them."

"Just a witness?" The Master of Miluo Palace shed tears. Thinking of the countless beings of the Second Epoch, and his Daoist companions who perished in the destruction tribulation, sadness overwhelmed him. After a long silence, he finally asked, "What of the future?"

"The future is good." Qin Mu twisted a wisp of chaotic qi into a meditation cushion and presented it to him, saying, "Teacher, there are still countless beings in the Third Epoch. You are needed to re-enter the world and guide them."

Before the creation tribulation of the Third Epoch erupted, the Master of Miluo Palace finally regained his Dao heart and his ideals. He looked back and saw the endless historical scenes of the Second Epoch, and looking forward, he saw the future unfolding in the Third Epoch. He could not see everything in the Third Epoch because the future was the evolution of material particles, and any disturbance of a single particle would create countless scenarios. Even with his profound wisdom, he could not fully comprehend the future at a glance. He was not yet strong enough, but he wanted to see the future, to see through it, and to know if he would succeed.

At this time, Chaos and his daughter also stepped into the eve of the creation tribulation, and the scenes of the future became a vast, chaotic blur. The Master of Miluo Palace only had time to glare at the father and daughter before the creation tribulation erupted. He could only do his utmost to protect Taishang from perishing in the cataclysm. At this point, Taishang did not possess the ability to resist the creation tribulation. As for Wuji, there was no need for him to worry.

As the Five Tais evolved and the Third Epoch arrived, Old Man Wuya chatted idly with Qin Mu and his daughter. Old Man Wuya sighed, "Two epochs have passed, and only you two, father and daughter, are truly old friends with whom I can converse. Miluo is too busy, Taishang is like a mute, and little Wuji is disagreeable. Only you two are pleasing to the eye." They watched the Master of Miluo Palace leading Taishang and Wuji as they journeyed through the new world. The new universe was desolate, yet vitality was subtly brewing within it. The power of Taiji brought forth much life into this new universe. Taiji is the mother of all things.

The Master of Miluo Palace met the Taiji Ancient God of this generation. The Taiji Ancient God, who attained the Dao upon birth, was a young man who called himself Tiandu. Tiandu cultivated under him for a long time, but his philosophy diverged from Miluo's, so he left Miluo Palace to establish his own sect.

Qin Mu, bringing his daughter Qin Lingjun, went over. Tiandu established Tiandu Divine City. He saw the Jade Capital City which had become a ruin, and after hearing the Master of Miluo Palace speak of the destruction and creation tribulations, he formed his own ideas, intending to build a divine city that could weather both great tribulations. Qin Mu and his daughter secured two positions in Tiandu City and became well-acquainted with many enlightened beings there, forming strong friendships.

Taishang was quite indignant and complained to Miluo. Miluo replied, "You must be composed. Your junior brother acts for his own reasons; there's no need to be petty. While Miluo Palace and Tiandu City may have differing philosophies, they both strive for the future; there is no real distinction." Taishang became a little more composed again.

The Third Epoch quickly entered its deteriorating phase. The enlightened beings in Tiandu City toiled and debated tirelessly over the impending destruction and creation tribulations, devising numerous solutions. Only Qin Mu and his daughter merely occupied their positions, never offering any suggestions. Ultimately, Qin Mu and his daughter were expelled from Tiandu City.

Tiandu expressed his regret to Qin Mu, saying, "Fellow Daoist Chaos, they don't know your capabilities, but I know that your abilities might even surpass mine and those of our teacher. They think you're a scoundrel, but I believe every word and action of yours carries profound meaning. Nevertheless, I cannot keep you here, so I must bid you farewell. The gates of Tiandu City will always remain open for you, awaiting your honored presence." Qin Mu replied vaguely, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will return."

The Third Epoch was destroyed, Tiandu City was completely annihilated, and Jade Capital City suffered heavy losses. Only a handful of enlightened beings survived, along with some fragmented Dao trees and Dao fruits. Tiandu wept bitterly amidst the chaos. The Master of Miluo Palace arrived with Taishang to comfort him, both sharing a sense of mutual sympathy.

At this moment, they saw Qin Mu and his daughter bustling about in the destruction tribulation, with the girl named Qin Lingjun still busy absorbing its power. Tiandu, filled with rage, was about to confront them, but Miluo stopped him, saying, "He is from the future; some things cannot be spoken of."

"What's the use of coming back if you know but don't speak?" Tiandu's anger remained unquenched. Miluo pursed his lips, and Tiandu saw the wasteland and chaotic space within the destruction tribulation. The father and daughter were moving some things born from chaos into those two areas.

"You can't defeat him," Miluo added, "I can't even fathom his true abilities." Tiandu fell silent.

"Chaos, what of the future?" the Master of Miluo Palace asked Qin Mu again.

"The future is good." Tiandu sneered.

However, when the Fourth Epoch arrived, Qin Mu appeared again. Tiandu didn't complain about him, nor did he have time to pay him much attention. Tiandu had a major task: to gather the Innate Five Tais of the Fourth Epoch under his command before the Master of Miluo Palace. He wanted to prove that his philosophy was superior to his teacher's, and that his magnanimity and breadth of vision also surpassed his teacher's. Tiandu City grew stronger, attracting many followers. Its divine arts and Dao methods gradually formed their own system, becoming increasingly distinct from those of Miluo Palace.

Taishang was somewhat displeased because Tiandu City publicly claimed that Miluo Palace was not the orthodox lineage, but rather Tiandu City itself. He went to argue, but was beaten by the people of Tiandu City. He returned to complain to the Master of Miluo Palace, who said, "Both he and I strive for deliverance, to save the world's people. What difference does it make who is orthodox?"

Some years later, Taishang told Miluo, "Seventh junior brother is stirring up trouble again! Public resentment is enormous; many people are complaining that he commits evil deeds!" The Master of Miluo Palace reviewed Qin Mu's actions and chuckled, "These are all minor, harmless matters. Taishang, broaden your perspective."

Several more years passed, and Old Man Wuya came to see the Master of Miluo Palace, claiming that Tiandu was committing evil and was a blasphemer of the Dao: "Fellow Daoist, they intend to corrupt your lineage!" The Master of Miluo Palace smiled and said, "The saying 'All Dao methods originate from Miluo' might be somewhat biased. Fellow Daoist, perhaps they are the true orthodox lineage." Old Man Wuya had no choice but to drop the matter.

When the destruction tribulation of the Fourth Epoch arrived, the people of Tiandu City reported to Tiandu, "That father and daughter have fled!" Tiandu said, "Never mind them; we will face the catastrophe head-on!"

"Dad, what are we doing here?" Qin Lingjun asked, perplexed, seeing Qin Mu bring her to the site where the catastrophe was erupting.

"Waiting for someone!" Qin Mu stared intently at the epicenter of the destruction tribulation. He saw chaotic qi swirling and surging, forming a long river. Soon, the tribulation would spread throughout the entire universe, sweeping through all the heavens.

Suddenly, someone stumbled and fell into the long river of chaos. It was a giant, immense in physique, wielding a great axe. He was about to fall from the destruction tribulation into the Fourth Epoch, but he mustered his magic power, leaping desperately to escape the tribulation! At this very moment, Qin Mu stretched out his hand and grasped. His palm entered the tribulation, transforming into countless white bones that firmly seized the giant, pulling him into the tribulation. At that moment, the giant's head was still above the chaotic river. He looked up at Wei Suifeng and Shujun on the long boat and smiled, saying, "Follow the map and save me!" With that, he was pulled into the long river by Qin Mu.

The giant fell into the destruction tribulation of the Fourth Epoch and immediately swung his axe. Qin Mu raised his hand to block, smiling, "Taiyi, it's me!" The giant Taiyi looked stunned, exclaiming, "You little brat, you pulled me into the tribulation?" Qin Mu extended a finger, cautiously pushing away the Taiyi Divine Axe from his neck, and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, the Master of Miluo Palace also meant well. Please calm down..." The divine axe was pushed away but then immediately placed back against his neck.

The cataclysm fully erupted, and the Fourth Epoch was destroyed. Qin Mu quickly said, "Your Tiandu body is here. I will give you a Chaos rune, which can help your primeval spirit reincarnate into the Fifth Epoch, so you won't disappear. You can use this opportunity to observe the actions of Tiandu City!" Tiandu Divine City was about to be engulfed by the destruction tribulation. Without a word, he imprinted the Chaos rune onto the giant Taiyi.

As Tiandu Divine City was swept into the destruction tribulation, the giant Taiyi was alarmed, thinking he would vanish. But then he found himself still present, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Chaos?" He put away the Taiyi Divine Axe and looked at Qin Mu with confusion, "Young Master Chaos?" Qin Mu nodded with a smile.

Taiyi sighed and said, "Pulling me into the Fourth Epoch will cause immense pressure for your Seventeenth Epoch self, and Yankang might even be destroyed because of it. Fellow Daoist, you..."

"The conflicts of the Seventeenth Epoch, I have completely borne them and overcome them," Qin Mu, holding Qin Lingjun's hand, said calmly. "Some things happened after you left. My return this time is to bring those matters to fruition and completely resolve the future void. I am also searching for someone—a slender, strange person with three eyes. You should know this individual."