Chapter 274: Opening the Heavens, The Lost Disciple

Chapter 274: Opening the Heavens, The Lost Disciple

"This realm is about to collapse. If you have any spare lifeguard jade tokens, make sure to use them early."

At the entrance of the Cosmic Light Fragment.

The elderly guardian, Dan Li, reminded everyone.

The collapse of the Cosmic Light signaled the approaching end of the world.

Although it couldn't compare to the scale of the apocalypse in other complete realms, for these young cultivators, it was a rare opportunity to seize their fate.

After everyone had made their arrangements, they sent the juniors who had previously emerged from the Cosmic Light Fragment back inside.

Finally, they reminded them not to provoke that person again and to focus on seeking their fate and comprehending the heavenly timing.

Then, everyone began to wait quietly. The atmosphere in the void became eerie and unpredictable, with hidden undercurrents.

In the past, the leaders of various factions would have had the leisure to chat, watching to see which junior would take the lead.

But today...

Some exchanged meaningful glances.

To get a share of the benefits today, their biggest enemies were those Heavenly Sovereigns, especially the one from the Five Virtues Palace.

...

...

"Tian Qiu, the heavens are collapsing, and this Cosmic Light Fragment is about to shatter. We're preparing to leave! We'll meet again beyond this realm!"

Han Qingxun's mental transmission resonated like ripples in Ji Jingqiu's mind.

Ji Jingqiu turned to see Han Qingxun protecting several natives as they headed into the distance.

As the Cosmic Light Fragment was about to collapse, they were also trying to seize the last of its benefits and find their own opportunities.

As for meeting Ji Jingqiu, there would be plenty of chances in the future.

"Thank you, Senior Han. I look forward to meeting you again in the Great Universe," Ji Jingqiu replied.

"Hehe, there's no need to wait for the Great Universe. We'll meet at the entrance of the Cosmic Light Fragment soon enough."

Han Qingxun was in high spirits, as his greatest achievement from this trip was befriending Tian Qiuzi.

"As expected, the nearby void has been locked down by various powerful factions. Anyone who leaves, even with a random teleportation item, will be unable to break through the blockade and will gather at the entrance of the Cosmic Light Fragment."

Upon hearing this news, Ji Jingqiu narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, 'So, they've blocked off all exits?'

He looked up into the distance, where numerous familiar figures were descending from the sky like rain. After glancing in his direction, they quickly dispersed, rushing towards different factions.

"No wonder they're the disciples of major powers. They have so many ways to protect themselves, and they dare to venture in here." Ji Jingqiu sighed.

Among the crowd, he spotted a particularly eye-catching figure with green hair, whom he had previously slashed twice. Unexpectedly, there was a chance for a third strike.

However, it seemed that this person had no intention of testing his blade again and was already running away, occasionally glancing back at Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu had no plans to chase after him.

His eyes burned with intensity as he gazed upon the world that was about to collapse. He had witnessed the destruction of realms in the Half-Plane of Po Suo, which was far more magnificent and grand, but the realism of this scene was unparalleled.

He could even smell the decay of the heavens and earth.

The laws of nature wailed, and the fundamental principles were crumbling. This realm was experiencing its apocalypse.

"Go to the 'Divine Script' that spans the heavens and earth. That's the place to find the shortcut in this realm."

Without hesitation, Ji Jingqiu locked onto a Divine Script character and rushed towards it, asking along the way, "Is this shortcut related to the one you mentioned before?"

He had previously inquired about the whereabouts of the Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters in the Great Universe.

"The essence is the same, but there's no substantial connection."

Ji Jingqiu pondered for a moment before asking, "Have you considered an escape route? With the involvement of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Heaven, I'm afraid the entrance is already swarming with powerful figures. I've offended quite a few people, and I fear there might be a powerful figure from Heavenly Saint Lake."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Hela replied calmly. "You cultivate the Formless Heavenly Devil Technique, the ultimate technique that the Heavenly Demon once used to dominate the world. Even separated by a realm, how could they stop you? The Heavenly Demon would have died long ago if that were the case."

Ji Jingqiu said earnestly, "Senior Han mentioned that the surrounding space has been sealed off. I'm worried that even Gavin might have been teleported to the entrance of the Cosmic Light Fragment."

The lifeguard jade token he had given Gavin was, in essence, a trigger-type space-traveling talisman.

This Cosmic Light Fragment might reveal the secret of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Heaven's ascension, and although he hadn't found it, it didn't stop the powerful figures from gathering at the entrance, suspicious of its significance.

Ji Jingqiu even suspected that there might be a Heavenly Sovereign lurking at the entrance.

Not long ago, Hela had said that as long as he didn't provoke a Heavenly Sovereign, he could abandon his physical body and escape, and ordinary Heavenly King Grandmasters would struggle to catch him.

"It's simple. Just die here." Hela remained composed.

Ji Jingqiu shook his head in dismay, "You've finally revealed your true colors? You're willing to break your oath and fall into the Suffering Sea just to bring me down with you?"

In the inner realm, Hela's face darkened.

"Who wants to fall into the Suffering Sea with you, a petty thief? If you abandon this physical body and connect your Sacred Embryo to the Dark Sea, even a fraction of the Dark Sea's power will be enough to use as a stepping stone to escape into it. Your physical body in the Great Universe will be your anchor."

"Even if the surrounding void is sealed?" Ji Jingqiu still had his doubts.

"What does sealing the void have to do with the Dark Sea?" Hela countered.

"The Dark Sea can even erode the Great Universe, so what's a sealed void to it? I'm telling you not to flee in front of a Heavenly Sovereign. At this level, one has already comprehended a strand of heavenly fate. The heavens follow its will, and all things obey its heart. Wishes come true, and evil cannot persist."

"But you're currently in a realm that's about to be destroyed, shrouded by the atmosphere of apocalypse. Even a Heavenly Sovereign, let alone a Dao Ancestor or True Sage, would struggle to unravel the cause and effect here."

"Instead of worrying about that, why not consider if you have the courage to perform the 'Opening the Heavens' in the final moments?"

"Opening the Heavens?" Ji Jingqiu shook his head. "My true physical body isn't here, so I can't achieve complete Heaven-Human Unity."

"I'm not talking about transforming the heavens but the literal act of opening the heavens."

Hela smiled, "This realm is about to face its apocalypse, and everything will return to chaos. Your best chance to escape is when the heavens are at the brink of chaos. At that moment, if you dare to take a bold slash to open the heavens, it will greatly benefit your martial arts."

Ji Jingqiu's eyes narrowed.

"What are the risks?"

"If you're even half a step too late, you'll fall into the encirclement of those outside."

Ji Jingqiu understood, yet he was eager to give it a try. His eyes glowed with determination as he murmured, "Although I don't have a blade in hand, I'd like to attempt it. Perhaps I can perfect my One Line of Survival."

In the moment of the world's demise, when chaos reigns, the opportunity to wield a heaven-splitting blade is akin to the pinnacle of destiny.

As he conversed with Hela, Ji Jingqiu hastened towards an ancient character composed of countless intertwining mountains and rivers, embodying the essence of nature's laws.

Upon his arrival, the warriors who had been eyeing this place all changed their expressions, turning away without hesitation.

This ancient character, formed by the fusion of mountains and rivers, held the profound principles of nature, perfectly suited for Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu attempted to comprehend the infinite principles and the subtle "existence" within, even more profound and mysterious than the principles themselves.

This was the "Dao."

In a trance-like state, he seemed to hear the grand melody of the Great Dao, like a Zen chant, his mind and body becoming clear and ethereal.

When Ji Jingqiu awoke, he wondered how long had passed in that instant.

It felt like a thousand years, yet it was merely a fleeting moment.

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao..."

Ji Jingqiu's eyes shone with brilliance, his mind and body in perfect harmony, a state he had never experienced before.

Even though he couldn't achieve complete Heaven-Human Unity at this moment, he still felt an inseparable connection with the world, as if he had become a part of it, like a flawless Bodhisattva, free from dust and impurities.

It was indescribably mystical!

At that moment, the world plunged into darkness, and a sense of chaos enveloped Ji Jingqiu, chilling his thoughts and affecting not only his senses but also his cognition.

But this was just the beginning.

As time and space seemed to disappear from his perception, Hela's warning echoed in the depths of his mind, "Awaken! Don't succumb to true chaos!"

Ji Jingqiu's eyes snapped open.

Behind him, the Bodhi tree sprouted new branches and leaves, glowing with brilliance, forming a radiant halo that expanded, pure and flawless.

Compared to before, the Bodhi tree now had a substantial presence, no longer "scrawny," but thriving and robust.

With the clarity brought by Hela and the Bodhi tree, Ji Jingqiu surveyed his surroundings in an instant.

The world around him was shrouded in darkness, the end of the apocalypse, where nothing existed, all had returned to silence, dissolved, and merged into chaos, ultimately becoming one.

This was true chaos, affecting not only the senses but also the seventh and eighth senses of warriors, which represented their perception of time and space.

"Returning to chaos, nurturing life... This is the beginning of the next cycle of reincarnation."

Hela's voice echoed softly.

Ji Jingqiu's thoughts transformed into thousands, extending infinitely.

As a world perished, chaos emerged, and within it, the nurtured life eventually went where?

With the Bodhi's wisdom, Ji Jingqiu saw that in the gradually unifying chaos, there were still warriors, like those immersed in a mother's womb, deep in slumber.

Most of them were the warriors Ji Jingqiu had sent out and returned.

"They have a way to leave at the last moment, using this chaos to comprehend the mysteries of Embryonic Breath."

Listening to Hela's explanation, Ji Jingqiu was surprised.

Only the warriors of the Three Thousand Floating Worlds could be so bold.

There was always a saying that when a fetus is in the mother's womb, it is in a primordial state. After birth, it is tainted by the secular world, transforming from innate to acquired.

The ancient books describe Embryonic Breath as follows: "A person can rely on the inner energy of a baby in the mother's womb, holding onto the One, and this is called Embryonic Breath."

These people were using chaos as a mother's womb, reenacting the past, and trying to understand the mysteries of Embryonic Breath.

Ji Jingqiu shook his head slightly.

This method had never been seen within the Federation.

For warriors in the Federation to comprehend Embryonic Breath, unless they were heaven-endowed geniuses, they would typically attempt it during their breakthrough at the Heaven-Human Boundary, facing an extremely challenging trial.

What a profound foundation!

As his thoughts shifted, Ji Jingqiu's spirit lifted.

The scene before him was only akin to chaos, not true chaos!

He tried to manipulate the laws of nature, but nothing around him responded.

The only response came from his inner world.

Indeed, in such times, one could only rely on oneself!

The patterns of principles intertwined around Ji Jingqiu, and the vibrant landscape of mountains and rivers transformed into a wondrous spectacle, floating around his physical body.

Using his inner world as a foundation, he established his own Dao arena.

Simultaneously, his aura was steadily rising.

"Heaven-Splitting?"

He murmured.

In the inner world, Fat Tiger stared with wide eyes, witnessing the two ancient blades, which had been dormant for ages, now buzzing with energy.

"What's there to fear!"

Ji Jingqiu's gaze burned with intensity, and his aura soared to a peak.

Even though he wasn't at his peak, his spirit was soaring!

Please... You... Collect... 6... 9... Books...

In his hand, he held a long sword, intangible yet resolute, spanning the ages.

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu closed his eyes and lowered his head, his mind calm as a tranquil lake, without a ripple, exuding a unique Dao melody.

He forgot about the life-and-death crisis that might accompany this strike and the purpose of his journey.

There was no victory or defeat.

He adjusted his aura to its peak, raised the sword, and with a force that pierced the void, his arm muscles bulging, he slashed down with a heavy and solemn stance.

In an instant, the sound of the sword reverberated through the chaos, like thunder echoing in the depths of the clouds, startling the slumbering warriors in the chaos.

They woke from their sleep, witnessing a pure white flash cutting through the dark chaos.

"Madman!"

The first thought that came to their minds was that this person had gone insane!

For only a Heavenly King Grandmaster could split heaven and earth, creating a world of life and death.

A thunderous roar shook the chaos, and to everyone's astonishment, the sword light carved out a thin slit, breaking the silence of chaos, from which clear and turbid Yin and Yang emerged...

Everyone's eyes widened, their mouths agape, and they stared at this scene in disbelief, their hearts overwhelmed with a tidal wave of shock.

Whose hand wielded this sword?

Heavenly Saint Lake, Heavenly Autumn Son!

In an instant, this name imprinted itself in their minds.

Among them, only this person dared to slash the chaos with such audacity.

He wasn't afraid of being devoured by the chaos's backlash! Even with a lifesaving amulet, it wouldn't save his life!

In the inner world, Hela's brows furrowed.

As she had anticipated, she hadn't guessed wrong.

This strike...

Was truly inconceivable.

One day, could this child truly sever the boundless tribulations?

...

Ji Jingqiu fixed his gaze on the undulating blade light.

As he witnessed the chaos briefly torn apart by the blade, within it, the vitality of creation flourished, and myriad phenomena evolved—

Even as this sight was quickly swallowed again by the surrounding chaos, Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

A sense of satisfaction, unprecedented and all-encompassing, filled his heart.

He didn't even pay attention to the countless insights this strike had brought him; he only felt a sense of exhilaration, surpassing the feeling of slaying all the geniuses in this place!

The true intention contained within this strike was the character "one."

Seeking a single line of survival.

Severing the boundless tribulations.

This was Ji Jingqiu's One Line of Survival!

Given time, he would surely sever the fates of time, seek liberation, and strive for a pure land where he could stand!

"Today, this ends here!"

The chaos retaliated, surging forward, following the undulating blade light, intending to engulf him in this place.

Ji Jingqiu no longer hesitated, abandoning his physical body, and his mind radiated a brilliant light. Under the protection of the Bodhi tree, the Sacred Embryo enveloped the Divine Embryo, stirring the waters of the Dark Sea!

Amidst the shocked gazes of everyone, Ji Jingqiu transformed his mind into the Sacred Embryo and escaped into the waters of the Dark Sea, departing with a carefree demeanor.

He just left like that?

Embryonic Breath... Could it be that this person has not yet reached Divine Prohibition?

For a moment, they forgot about the wonder of comprehending the Embryonic Breath, standing in a daze for a long time until the lifesaving amulets on their bodies activated, transporting them out of this place.

The young warriors had just emerged from the Cosmic Light Fragment, still in a daze, when they were startled by the 'turmoil' outside, causing their scalps to go numb.

A battle had already erupted outside!

In the center, a pillar of Quintessence Radiance, reaching from the earth to the heavens, stood between heaven and earth, transforming into a beam of white light, sweeping away—

And around it, a dazzling array of colors, countless divine weapons capable of suppressing entire realms hung in the void. Among them was an ancient cauldron evolved from purple fortune, a flag that unleashed raging, chaotic fire, wind, and water, and a Yin-Yang fish with black and white qi connected at its head and tail...

Dozens of figures surrounded the Heavenly Sovereign of the Five Virtues Palace, with ancestral artifact projections above their heads, and some even summoned a trace of their true intentions!

Boom!

Thunder rumbled in the void, flowers bloomed and withered, and in an instant, countless worlds were born and perished, brilliant starry rivers appeared and vanished, and the void, under the combined might of all sides, was pierced, revealing the profound depths below.

A cold hum seemed to resonate from the depths of their hearts, deafening and startling.

"How dare you!"

In an instant, the five-colored divine lights of red, green, yellow, white, and black evolved into the foundation of all heavens and the essence of all realms, sweeping away all divine weapons and sweeping across the various Heavenly Kings!

Muffled groans echoed from the surrounding powerful figures.

It was at this moment that the Cosmic Light Fragment completely collapsed.

The remaining warriors within it all teleported out on their own.

Over a hundred boundless and overwhelming mental storm surges swept through the field in an instant.

The young people clenched their teeth and endured, some already collapsing to the ground, unable to withstand such pressure.

"Where is Tian Qiuzi? Surrender without a fight, return to the palace with me, abandon the darkness and embrace the light, and give a clear account of yourself!"

"Where is he?!"

"Where is Tian Qiuzi!"

Numerous stern mental transmissions rang out, causing everyone to feel a tingling sensation all over their bodies, unable to muster the will to resist.

"Qingfeng..."

"Shiqi..."

"Quan'er, where is Tian Qiuzi?"

For a moment, the powerful figures from various factions couldn't find a single warrior in the field worthy of the title "Divine Prohibition," not even a "Future Divine Prohibition." They couldn't help but inquire about their own disciples.

After receiving the answers,

The various factions fell into silence.

The atmosphere of impending battle abruptly froze.

"This is outrageous! How could it be that not a single person from our Heavenly Saint Lake has come? It turns out that he has already comprehended the Embryonic Breath and left a guiding mark in the Dark Sea!"

"Hmph! Good move, as expected of the Heavenly Saint Lake!"

"Heavenly Saint Lake... Are they trying to produce three True Sages in one go? Hehe, I hope those two True Sages can survive the upcoming calamity."

After waiting for so long, everyone had finally waited for a lonely end, and they couldn't help but voice their anger.

Some of them, upon hearing their disciples describe the scene of Tian Qiuzi's decisive strike against chaos...

"Good lad, to dare to point a blade at chaos with just the Heartform? Has he already found the sword of severance?"

"Divine Prohibition, this child must be a Divine Prohibition!"

"How could the Heavenly Saint Lake silently nurture a Divine Prohibition warrior without making a sound? Whose hands could have achieved this? Could the rumors be false, and there's no infighting within the Heavenly Saint Lake?"

"We need to investigate further..."

In the following days,

Numerous inquiries, both overt and covert, flooded the various factions of the Heavenly Saint Lake.

The reactions of the various factions of the Heavenly Saint Lake upon receiving the news were unprecedentedly unanimous.

First, they were stunned, then shocked, and finally, they remained calm and collected, choosing to remain silent.

Subsequently,

The various factions of the Heavenly Saint Lake almost emptied out.

On this day,

The Crimson Misty Mountain overlooked the sea, its peaks stretching endlessly like verdant bamboo.

Just as Tian Qingzi returned from the Grand Universe, he ran into his teacher.

"Teacher, where are you going?" Tian Qingzi asked in confusion.

"Hmm, you've just returned from the Grand Universe and may not know that two days ago, near the Crimson Water Realm, a Cosmic Light Fragment appeared. Inside, there was a disciple of our Heavenly Saint Lake who swept through the entire place, suppressing all sides, and is suspected to have crossed the threshold of Divine Prohibition."

The middle-aged Daoist's eyes shone with a peculiar light.

"Divine Prohibition?!" Tian Qingzi exclaimed in disbelief, "Which faction secretly cultivated this disciple? Is he going to compete for the inheritance of the Supreme Law? Or could it be... the two True Saint Ancestors..."

As he indulged in his wild thoughts,

The middle-aged Daoist gave him a meaningful look and said, "The two Ancestors were also surprised. After interrogating the various factions, they discovered that this was a lost disciple from outside."

Tian Qingzi was stunned.

A lost disciple from outside?

Could it be a former disciple of the Heavenly Saint Lake who had established a new Dao lineage in the outside world?

The middle-aged Daoist spoke with indifference, "The Ancestors' intention is that whoever finds him first, he will belong to that faction."

Tian Qingzi suddenly understood.

What nonsense about being lost outside...

Could it be that someone had impersonated a disciple of the Heavenly Saint Lake, but because they were too remarkable, they caught the attention of the Ancestors?

Examples of such identity fraud were not uncommon, but there had never been a case of a Divine Prohibition warrior impersonating a disciple of the Heavenly Saint Lake!

Tian Qingzi was speechless.

The Ancestors were determined to pin this on someone, even if it was a false claim, they would make it true!

Whether or not he was a disciple of the Heavenly Saint Lake before didn't matter; since he claimed to be one, he was!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end