# 380
Chapter 380 – The Descent of the Heavenly Venerable
The silver ring shrank in mid-air into a black dot without size or thickness, then unfolded again and returned to its original form. Yama’s head had already fallen from his black body.
No blood, no warmth—as if the suspended figure were only a clay idol that had never possessed life.
The Emperor of Fengdu flicked his fingertip. Three rings flew lightly back into his palm, then slipped onto the spinning silver sphere. All six silver rings were now home, orbiting in a mysterious trajectory.
He turned his hand over, and the sphere vanished.
Slowly, the Emperor of Fengdu rose from his divine throne, stepped from the air onto the palace floor, and walked toward the center of the hall, the black imperial robe swaying with each step.
His gaze swept calmly across Lin Qiye and the others; no joy or anger showed on his brow, as if every emotion had left him, leaving only faint imperial pressure and absolute serenity.
Suddenly he halted in the middle of the hall.
As though sensing something, he tilted his head toward the doorway, turned, and respectfully bowed to the empty air.
“Head of the Nether Bureau greets Yuanshi Tianzun.”
Lin Qiye and the others started; they turned to look at the deserted palace gate.
From the void a figure outlined itself—a Daoist in coarse cloth robe, hair bound in a simple pin, eyes bright as stars. Hands behind his back, he walked forward with a smile.
“Tell me, should I address you as the Emperor of Fengdu… or as Li Deyang?”
The Emperor’s body gave an almost imperceptible tremor; his expression did not change.
“Night Watchman Li Deyang is dead. I am the Head of the Nether Bureau beneath the Dao Sovereign—Emperor of Fengdu, Beiyin.”
The Daoist stopped before him. His deep eyes studied the emperor for a moment; he chuckled, flicked his sleeve, and said:
“Emperor of Fengdu or Li Deyang—whatever the name, welcome back.”
The emperor bowed deeply, straightened, hesitated, then asked:
“Has Tianzun come fearing I could not defeat Yama’s projection?”
The Daoist was taken aback, then laughed helplessly. “A hundred years, and you’ve grown blunter… Yes. You’d only just awakened; even inheriting part of the former emperor’s power, you might lose to that outer god. Seems I worried for nothing.”
“Thanks to the Six Paths of Reincarnation nearby, I gained a slight edge,” the emperor replied truthfully.
“Our Great Xia’s second-ranked law artifact—naturally it can crush an outer-god projection. What surprised me is that you, newly awakened, could already wield it… Your reincarnated body is truly gifted.”
Smiling, the Daoist shifted his gaze to Lin Qiye’s group.
The four tensed at once; from the emperor’s words they realized this seemingly ordinary Daoist was one of Daoism’s Three Heavenly Worthies—legendary Yuanshi Tianzun himself.
Lin Qiye had met him once when awakening in his inner world, though he hadn’t known the man’s identity then. To see him again was overwhelming.
“Night Watchman Lin Qiye pays respects to Yuanshi Tianzun.” He drew a deep breath and bowed.
The other three followed suit.
The Daoist regarded Lin Qiye, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“Better than when I last saw you… You’ve set foot upon the path.”
He reached out, patted Lin Qiye’s head lightly, then withdrew his hand into his sleeve.
“Walk it well. In the Heavenly Court, someone is waiting… waiting for the day he fights beside you.”
Lin Qiye blinked, puzzlement surfacing in his eyes.
Heavenly Court?
Someone waiting?
Who?
Before he could ask, the Daoist’s gaze moved to the remaining three.
Suddenly he paused.
He stared at Baili Pangpang—who was bowing so low his torso nearly touched the floor—first surprised, then puzzled, and finally, as understanding dawned, he smiled faintly.
“Little fatty, raise your head.”
Baili Pangpang’s stocky frame jerked upright; meeting those profound eyes, he swallowed, excitement flickering.
“Tianzun… are you taking me as your disciple? I’ve always felt my talent is pretty good—”
“…” The Daoist fell silent.
He looked Baili Pangpang over again and shook his head. “No. Like that boy, you have your own path.”
Baili Pangpang sighed regretfully.
“But I can give you something.” The Daoist reached into his wide sleeve and produced a Jade Ruyi. With a flick it became a white light that shot into Baili Pangpang’s belly and vanished.
Baili Pangpang stared down, patted his stomach—nothing felt different. A thought struck him and he lifted his head tearfully:
“Tianzun… you—you’re not giving me a baby, are you? I’m still young, my dad will kill me!”
The Daoist’s mouth twitched; he ignored the outcry, gave a small sweep of his sleeve, and Baili Pangpang’s voice cut off as though muted.
His gaze brushed Cao Yuan and Jialan; he nodded slightly.
“What happened in Fengdu must not be spoken of.”
Startled, the four nodded firmly.
The Daoist raised his sleeve again, about to wave, when the emperor spoke:
“Tianzun, wait!”
The sleeve halted mid-air.
The emperor stepped before Lin Qiye. Rare hesitation showed on his stern face. After a moment he said slowly:
“Lin Qiye, when you return, tell Tingting and my old man… I’m dead.” He paused. “Killed in battle.”
Lin Qiye stared at that familiar face, then nodded quietly.
“Also, tell Chen Han: after I’m gone, Team 332 is his… The stash in my office cabinet—let him use it.”
“I understand. Don’t worry.”
The emperor inclined his head, then looked to the Daoist.
The Daoist swept his sleeve; white light flashed, and Lin Qiye and the others vanished.
Only the Daoist and the Emperor of Fengdu remained in the empty hall.
The Daoist glanced at the silent emperor and sighed.
“Since you care, why not go back and bid them farewell?”
The emperor lifted his eyes, gazing past the open palace doors at the endless ghost city, a bitter smile touching his lips.
“I fear… after farewell, I could never return.”