Chapter 1648: The Chess Players' Duel
Thump!
Lady Yuanmu and Ling Tianzun crashed one after another onto a lotus leaf at the bottom of the Great Abyss. Lady Yuanmu had still failed to kill her, and a sense of impatience grew within her heart.
The two women stood, one at the left end of the lotus leaf, the other at the right end.
Ling Tianzun's expression remained calm and indifferent, as if any attack from Lady Yuanmu was of no consequence to her. Killing her was indeed extremely difficult. Once, the Fourth Young Master of the Miluo Palace had had this opportunity, but Emperor Kaihuang Qin Ye had taken that calamity upon himself to block it for her.
To kill her, unless a Young Master-level existence from the Miluo Palace made a move, there was simply no other possibility.
Lady Yuanmu watched her warily, while Ling Tianzun looked around, her gaze falling upon the clusters of twin lotus flowers blooming from a single stem. She exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the Guixu? It contains so many hidden secrets!"
She carefully examined those twin lotus flowers. Above this chaotic sea, there were actually seventeen Great Abysses of Guixu, corresponding to seventeen universes.
These seventeen universes appeared in a sequential order, yet within the Guixu, there seemed to be no such causal order of before and after.
For an ordinary person, this situation would be difficult to comprehend, but for Ling Tianzun, it was very simple.
To her, the essence of the universe was mass and energy, and the seventeen universes were merely seventeen states of mass and energy.
And the Great Abyss of Guixu was an unchanging point, capable of observing these seventeen states simultaneously. This bore similarities to her Divine Ability of Immutability, only it was more profound.
"This is another unchanging point in the universe, besides the Great Dark Mountain."
Ling Tianzun muttered to herself, lowering her voice: "The World Tree of the Great Dark Mountain became the model for the Dao Trees of all who achieved the Dao, precisely because of its attribute of immutability. The Great Dao of those who achieved the Dao is imprinted upon the Ultimate Void in the form of the World Tree, giving hope of surviving the great cataclysm of universal destruction. The Guixu is another unchanging point. Logically, it should also contain a path to achieving the Dao..."
Lady Yuanmu's hair stood on end.
When she had encountered the Second Young Master of the Miluo Palace here, the Second Young Master had told her that another path to achieving the Dao existed, and it was precisely the characteristic of the Guixu Goddess, something only an ancient god born from the Guixu could accomplish.
She never expected that Ling Tianzun, having just arrived here, would immediately detect the existence of another path to the Dao and discern the principles behind both the World Tree and the Guixu paths!
Such talent and comprehension were truly heaven-defying!
"This path to the Dao requires cultivating the Way of Guixu, planting a lotus in chaos. It sounds simple, but it's actually a bit troublesome."
Ling Tianzun tilted her head, thinking: "It doesn't seem particularly troublesome either..."
Lady Yuanmu forced a smile on her face and said softly, "Sister Ling, if you say it's not troublesome, then how does one achieve the Dao through Guixu? Look at me, have I already achieved the Dao through Guixu?"
Ling Tianzun glanced at her and shook her head. "You haven't. The path you walk is merely the traditional method of achieving the Dao through the Dao Tree. However, your Way of Guixu conflicts with the Ultimate Void, preventing you from cultivating a Dao Tree. Your path has gone astray."
Lady Yuanmu's momentum faltered. She was the most powerful existence in the current world, and no one had ever dared to tell her that her path had gone astray!
However, ever since the Heavenly Emperor Hao had rescued his mother, freeing her from the seal of Qin Mu's Red Rope Knot, she had indeed tried to imprint her Dao upon the Ultimate Void. But every attempt had ended in failure.
The cold, still wind of the Ultimate Void, upon meeting the heat-death wind of her Guixu Dao, would cancel each other out!
Forget about a Dao Tree; even entering the Ultimate Void felt like a death sentence to her!
"There is one person in this world who has achieved the Dao through Guixu."
Ling Tianzun continued, "Pastoral Celestial Venerable uses his own body as a universe, evolving the Guixu. He plants a lotus in the chaos of the Guixu, and a lotus flower grows. Therefore, he is the authentic one who achieved the Dao through Guixu. However, his path is also somewhat astray. He did not cultivate the Chaos Lotus by comprehending the Way of Guixu; instead, like his World Tree, he relied on external objects. He relied on the Guixu Lotus Seed."
Lady Yuanmu was lost in thought. At that moment, a lotus leaf drifted silently from afar. The Second Young Master, suppressed within the chaotic sea, had originally planned to strike at the two people on the leaf, forcibly capturing them. Upon hearing this, he was momentarily stunned and refrained from acting.
"Your insights are quite extraordinary. For the Seventeenth Epoch to have an existence like you is truly a treasure trove."
The chaotic sea surged, waves rolling. The Second Young Master's massive face slowly emerged from the sea, his voice piercing into the ears of the two women. "It seems the Teacher was right. He once lamented that we, those who have achieved the Dao, are the parasites of the universe. We stow away into the next universe, encroaching upon its spiritual energy and power, causing the original universe to shrink and the intelligent beings born within it to dwindle. This has led to the emergence of an existence capable of solving the great cataclysm of destruction. The Seventeenth Epoch was not invaded by prehistoric Dao achievers, and yet it gave birth to such a brilliant woman as you."
Her face gradually emerged from the chaotic sea, appearing on the surface of the water not far away.
Ling Tianzun looked down and saw that the Second Young Master of the Miluo Palace was exquisitely beautiful. Compared to Lady Yuanmu, she shared similarities but was even more stunning.
"You are someone who has truly achieved the Dao through Guixu."
Ling Tianzun asked curiously, "What is your name? Why are you suppressed here?"
"I am the Second Young Master of the Miluo Palace. My name is no longer important. After I cultivated successfully and attained the Dao at the Wuji Hall, the Teacher called me Wuji. Back then, because I intended to destroy the entire universe and eliminate all civilizations, I killed many Dao achievers before the Teacher discovered it... It's you!"
The Second Young Master of the Miluo Palace suddenly noticed Ling Tianzun's features. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, exclaiming in shock, "How can it be you?"
Ling Tianzun was puzzled. "It's me. What's the matter?"
Lady Yuanmu was somewhat bewildered, looking at Ling Tianzun, then at the Second Young Master of the Miluo Palace, not understanding what had shocked her so much.
Ultimate Void.
The auras of Qin Mu and the Heavenly Emperor Hao were both elevated to their peak. The Heavenly Emperor Hao used the Supreme Simplicity Qi to forcibly transform it into the Dao of Divine Consciousness. His One Qi Grand Celestial Realm instantly evolved, transforming into the Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning!
Within the Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning, the Dao of Primordial Beginning was vast and boundless, making his Grand Celestial Realm seem like the universe at its inception, with the World Tree standing tall in the boundless Primordial Beginning Qi!
In his hand, another strand of Supreme Simplicity Qi transformed into the Primordial Ease Divine Axe, which he grasped, making him appear like a giant splitting heaven and earth!
In the distance, Primordial Beginning, who was locked in battle with Cloud Celestial Venerable, immediately sensed the nearly perfect Dao of Primordial Beginning. He quickly looked over and was utterly disheartened.
That was the realm he had dreamed of, the realm he sought but could not attain, yet it was now being manifested by his own son!
Although the Heavenly Emperor Hao was using Supreme Simplicity Qi to evolve the Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning, making it imperfect, Primordial Beginning himself could not even achieve this step!
Boom!
Cloud Celestial Venerable seized the moment of his distraction and thrust his sword into his chest. Primordial Beginning quickly composed himself, retreating rapidly, flicking his fingers to send the Imperial Sword flying!
"Just as Pastoral Celestial Venerable said, I have likely lost my edge and drive." He sighed inwardly, focusing entirely on his battle against Cloud Celestial Venerable.
Cloud Celestial Venerable's progress was astonishing. He had now adapted to the Dao Tree and Dao Fruit of the Heavenly Emperor, but due to his extremely weak physical body, he was constrained in his movements, unable to unleash his full power.
Primordial Beginning was already injured from his battle with Qin Mu, and Qin Mu had also knocked away the Lingxiao Treasure Hall bestowed by the Third Young Master. However, he still possessed the twenty-four treasure halls from the ancestral court's Jade Capital City, which were his trump card.
As soon as their Grand Celestial Realms merged a little more, he could directly activate these twenty-four treasure halls and suppress Cloud Celestial Venerable!
Once Cloud Celestial Venerable was suppressed for a moment, he could take the opportunity to devour and refine his opponent's Grand Celestial Realm, cultivating his own Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning!
The battle between the two grew increasingly intense. In their desperate struggle, both were searching for an opportunity to kill their opponent in one blow and devour their Grand Celestial Realm.
Just then, the Heavenly Emperor Hao moved. He took a step forward, swinging the Primordial Ease Divine Axe in his hand, sweeping it towards Qin Mu!
He had been building up his momentum, and this strike carried the supreme power of the Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning, combined with his own magical power and his understanding of the Dao. As the axe passed, the Ultimate Void split open with a loud crack!
This was undoubtedly the most powerful strike he had ever been able to unleash in his life. The power of this blow was unmatched!
At the same time, the World Tree behind Qin Mu rumbled, its branches fluttering wildly, countless roots dancing as they took root in the Ultimate Void!
Countless thick roots spread in all directions, piercing through the Ultimate Void, absorbing the cold, still wind. The precious tree stood firm, unmoved by the gale!
Qin Mu had almost no magical power left in his body; his primal energy had been used to reconstruct his physical body and primordial spirit. However, the World Tree contained the imprints of his Great Dao!
Now, as the World Tree took root in the Ultimate Void, the Dao imprints within the World Tree seemed to be branded into the Ultimate Void itself!
The surging power of the Great Dao flowed in torrents from the World Tree!
Qin Mu let out a long cry. The power surging from the void filled his body!
At this moment, he felt as if he had achieved the Dao, sensing the ultimate power of the Great Dao filling his being!
The door panel in his hand flew up, and his Great Dao poured into it. Using the door panel as a great blade, he did not meet the Heavenly Emperor Hao's axe strike but instead slashed at the Primordial Beginning Dao Tree within the Heavenly Emperor Hao's Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning!
Boom!
Infinite Dao light erupted in the Ultimate Void, engulfing the two of them, drowning their figures!
Amidst the light came a deafening crack. The Dao Tree within the Grand Celestial Realm of Primordial Beginning shook, toppled over, and crashed down within the Grand Celestial Realm. The Dao chains collapsed, and Dao patterns rose like dust in all directions.
Behind Qin Mu, the World Tree swayed, suddenly snapped, and fell prostrate.
The Dao light gradually faded. Qin Mu and the Heavenly Emperor Hao staggered, their auras plummeting sharply.
A smile appeared on the Heavenly Emperor Hao's face. He said in a low voice, "Pastoral Celestial Venerable, you can fight me to a draw. But there is one thing you haven't considered: behind me are the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Master, and the entire ancestral court's Jade Capital City!"
From between his brows, a series of treasure halls flew out with a whoosh.
"Now, I only need to deal with you, and all the chaos across the myriad realms and heavens can be easily quelled!"
The Heavenly Emperor Hao straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoists of the thirty-two treasure halls, I entrust this task to you!"
The thirty-two treasure halls were completely silent.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Thirty-two fellow Daoists, Pastoral Celestial Venerable's World Tree has been felled by me. You can make your move now!"
The thirty-two treasure halls remained utterly still.
Qin Mu swayed as he turned around, a faint, knowing smile on his face. "Heavenly Emperor Hao, within the ancestral court's Jade Capital City, there are not only the Third and Fourth Young Masters, but also the Seventh Young Master. And I am the Seventh Young Master."
Ancestral Court, Jade Capital City. The great cataclysm of the Sixteenth Epoch.
The Dao Tree swayed in the wind. The Fourth Young Master of the Miluo Palace played the zither beneath the tree, surrounded by many hall masters of the Miluo Palace.
On the other side, a World Tree drifted over from the chaos. A figure stood beneath the tree, and a voice came from afar: "Whoever dares to oppose me, I will kill them!"
"Old Seven, you are out of line." Another voice rang out, and the Lingxiao Hall materialized.