Chapter 613: Unresolvable Hatred
The path of a sage.
There are always those who hold ideals and beliefs that their peers, or even their entire generation, do not possess. There are always those who harbor feelings and fighting spirit that their peers and generation lack, speaking words their peers and generation cannot utter, and doing deeds their peers and generation cannot accomplish.
Perhaps in the eyes of their peers, their generation, or even future generations, they may seem foolish or mad, dedicating their entire lives, even their very existence, to a seemingly impossible belief.
Yet, it is precisely these people, with their unwavering convictions and seemingly laughable ideals, who propel history and drive the era forward.
On the altar, the Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang performed the ceremony to take the Woodcutter Sage as his master. The Woodcutter Sage reached out with both hands, supporting the Preceptor’s elbows as he helped him rise, and said with a smile, “Perhaps in the future, your achievements will surpass mine, far surpass them. When that time comes, and you look back at me as I am today, you will be my teacher.”
Qin Mu ascended the altar and saw the Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang standing beside the Woodcutter Sage, observing the rites of a disciple. The Preceptor smiled and said, “Teacher, Junior Brother, I have arrived a step late.”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang was startled for a moment, then his face broke into a smile. “Second Senior Brother.”
Qin Mu’s face instantly darkened. “Celestial King, it’s better if you just call me Sect Leader Qin. ‘Second Senior Brother’ sounds rather awkward.”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang burst into hearty laughter.
Qin Mu was taken aback, then a smile spread across his face.
He hadn’t known the Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang for very long. He had only seen him after entering the Grand Academy, and only later did they have conversations.
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang of the past was a man of few smiles, possessing unwavering faith and a steadfast heart. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, employing any means necessary. His thoughts were as deep as the ocean, his expression as calm as an ancient well, with not a single ripple of emotion ever crossing his face.
He was like a perfect god, devoid of human warmth, devoid of human spirit.
But after getting to know him, Qin Mu gradually began to see the human warmth and spirit in the Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang. The Preceptor was subtly transforming, shifting from a god into a human.
And this time, when the Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang laughed heartily, Qin Mu felt as if his Dao heart had suddenly leaped into another realm, a realm that he himself could not comprehend—neither god nor human, yet both.
He was within the seven emotions and six desires of humanity, yet also beyond them. He was within the absolute rationality of a god, yet also beyond it.
Qin Mu could no longer understand such a person.
“The Preceptor’s talent and comprehension are indeed superior to mine. In this brief moment of meeting Teacher Woodcutter, his state of mind has made another astonishing leap. Truly a sage born once in five hundred years.”
Qin Mu consoled himself inwardly. “But fortunately, I have the Ba Ti (Overlord Physique). As long as I work hard enough, I can unlock all its potential and still surpass him!”
The Woodcutter Sage said, “Qin Mu, you can return to Grand Celestial Heaven. I need to have a long talk with your Junior Brother.”
Qin Mu hesitated, then asked, “What about Tiger Venerate and Granny? Has their battle with Yuluocha and Mutuluo reached a conclusion?”
The Woodcutter Sage replied, “Mutuluo put on that woman’s clothes and was beaten to death by the Black Tiger. Yuluocha was rescued by Furi Luo. Both that woman and the Black Tiger have returned to Grand Celestial Heaven.”
“Just as I thought.” Qin Mu smiled.
The Woodcutter Sage opened a passage to Grand Celestial Heaven for him. Qin Mu dawdled, unwilling to enter, and said, “Teacher, I’ll just listen from the side. I won’t say a word. As the Senior Brother, if Junior Brother has any questions he doesn’t understand, I can also offer some guidance. Don’t you think so? Tea—”
The Woodcutter Sage grabbed him by the collar and stuffed him into the passage. Qin Mu tried to run back to listen, but the passage had already closed.
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang smiled and asked, “Teacher, why didn’t you let Senior Brother Qin listen?”
“He is not suited for it.”
The Woodcutter Sage said, “His temperament is not really suited for our path. What do you think your Second Senior Brother is like?”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang pondered for a moment, then said, “Playful, unrestrained, unable to sit still. He charges forward when his blood is up, yet he is also cunning, meticulous, and very intelligent. He can think of things others cannot, and often comes up with ideas that even I find unexpected. He is also very magnanimous and takes things lightly. He is incredibly confident, almost to the point of madness. Deep down, he always thinks he is the best in the world, even though he often claims to be second best. But if we’re talking about confidence, he can indeed be called number one under heaven.”
“You’ve seen right through him, to the bone.”
The Woodcutter Sage clapped his hands in approval. “You have a clear view of him. I think so too. As a sage, he is not suited.”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang nodded. “Indeed, Second Senior Brother is not suited. And what about the First Senior Brother?”
“Your First Senior Brother is a different kind of person.”
The Woodcutter Sage said, “He is a man of great perseverance, steady and composed. Once he sets a goal, he will pursue it single-mindedly, and no one can pull him back. It is precisely because of this that his understanding of the sage’s path has some deviations. On the path of the sage, both of your Senior Brothers are inferior to you. You will study with me for a few years, and I will pass on to you everything I have learned and realized in my life.”
He continued slowly, “I have been dispirited, unable to cross the hurdle in my heart, always trapped in memories of the Kai Huang era, with an unresolved knot regarding my escape from Kai Huang. You are different. You do not have this hurdle. Once you learn what I have learned and realized, you will directly cross this hurdle. At that time, you will be a true sage!”
His eyes shone brightly, and he smiled. “In the coming years, focus on your contemplation. Do not think about Grand Celestial Heaven or Yan Kang. Do not get involved. Concentrate on crossing the hurdle that I could not cross.”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yan Kang acknowledged the instruction.
The two sat facing each other on the altar.
Grand Celestial Heaven. The Demon City of Gu.
Gu City was originally one of the sixty-four divine cities of Grand Celestial Heaven. After falling into the hands of the demons, it was heavily modified, with countless demons living here, building various demon god statues and demon palaces.
This place was deep within the demon territory, one of the earliest places to fall into demon hands. Therefore, there were many demons, and it was difficult for human forces to reach here.
The demons here lived in peace and prosperity. The city was guarded by demon gods, and countless humans were captured and enslaved, forced to serve the demons as slaves. Thus, the city was wealthy.
When Chi Xi was teleported here, the Gu City was celebrating the traditional demon festival of Sacrifice Day. Countless strong demon youths carried livestock through the city, beating drums and gongs, dancing bizarre dances to the accompaniment of strange, exotic melodies. Four-faced, four-armed, four-breasted demonesses danced on flower chariots, their postures alluring, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The sacrifice required a parade through the city.
The sacrificial procession, carrying the livestock, would sing and dance, making a full circuit of the city before carrying the offerings to the tall altars within the city. On these altars stood demon gods, smiling joyfully as they watched the festive scene of their people.
At this time, strong young demon men and women would lead their livestock, competing to climb the altars, offering their sacrifices to the demon gods.
The first to lead a livestock up the altar would gain immense glory.
And there was not just one sacrificial procession, but hundreds or thousands of demon families competing against each other, making it an extremely lively affair.
A beam of light fell from the sky, and Chi Xi descended onto one of the altars.
“That old yin schemer dares to ambush me!”
His voice was like thunder, shaking the lively Sacrifice Day festival. All the demons stopped, and countless eyes fell upon Chi Xi.
The demon god on the altar was laughing heartily, about to grab the sacrifice offered by a young member of his clan, when Chi Xi suddenly appeared, catching him off guard.
Beneath Chi Xi’s feet, the teleportation runes formed by the light were slowly fading. His three heads slowly rose, looking in all directions.
“Demons!”
This former executioner of the Chi Ming era suddenly erupted in fury, his three heads letting out a earth-shattering, mournful roar: “Demons!”
“My people followed me across billions of stars, leaping through countless death zones, enduring untold hardships to finally reach the ancestral land! It was the demons!”
“It was the demons who attacked our planet without a word! They killed my people, annihilated my race!”
His dry, yellow hair flew up like thousands or tens of thousands of yellow swords, sweeping in all directions. This attack lasted only an instant. Within a radius of a hundred zhang, all the demons were clutching their throats.
Some raised their hands and looked at their palms. The warm demon blood was in the palms that had been clutching their throats.
Some lowered their heads, and their heads suddenly slid off their necks and fell to the ground.
In front of the altar, the tall flower pillar of a flower chariot was a colorful canopy. The canopy slowly slid down, the cut at the pole clean and neat. A house suddenly tilted, its roof slowly sliding off and crashing to the ground with a loud rumble.
Then, the roofs of one hall after another slid off, and the roofs and covers of houses also slid down one after another.
Within a hundred zhang, heads fell to the ground, and fountains of blood spurted from countless necks.
Countless streams of life force and blood essence turned into red threads, flying towards Chi Xi.
The demon god on the altar where Chi Xi had landed dodged his attack. Seeing this scene, his eyes cracked with rage. He roared in fury, reached out, grabbed two demon divine weapons, and charged at Chi Xi.
Chi Xi’s six arms moved like a storm, unleashing an unknown number of strikes in a single instant, shattering the demon divine weapons and smashing the demon god into pieces!
Other demon gods flew up from their altars, howling as they charged. One of them recognized Chi Xi and let out a piercing shriek: “It’s him! He was the one who brought those planets to our Luofu Heaven! He was the one who destroyed our Luofu Heaven and buried countless of our people! He was the one who killed our previous Venerable King!”
“Kill!”
Countless voices rang out from Gu City. Innumerable powerful demons, their fury blazing like fire, swarmed towards Chi Xi.
Soon after, the Gu City fell into a deathly silence.
Chi Xi, his six eyes bloodshot, panted heavily. By now, he had absorbed enough life force and blood essence to return to his peak state. Logically, he could have simply turned and left, ending the slaughter. But he continued killing, killing until there was not a single living being left standing in this demon city except for himself!
“I led my people, drifting through the starry void for a thousand years, a thousand years! Just to find the ancestral land! It was you who killed my people, leaving only me, heh heh, only me…”
He spread his six arms, reaching out in all directions. One by one, the demon divine weapons he had broken and shattered flew up, crashing together around him, forming huge metal spheres.
Chi Xi’s three heads spewed fire, refining these demon divine weapon fragments, melting them down, and forging six gleaming divine blades.
Chi Xi grabbed the six blades with his six arms and looked into the distance. In the distance, more demon gods were rushing over from other demon cities.