Chapter 378: Old Acquaintances in Azure Green, the First Dao Ancestor

Chapter 378: Old Acquaintances in Azure Green, the First Dao Ancestor

Ji Jingqiu didn't hold back. This time, he had sustained a Dao injury, which, if not properly treated, could turn into a latent ailment, much like what had happened to Gu Shouzhong before.

He took two large gulps, feeling the Dao light nourish his entire body, inside and out, bringing a great sense of comfort as his injuries began to heal.

"Truly a marvelous thing!"

He looked at the Dao Source in Kuhe's hand and praised it.

"Absolutely."

After confirming Ji Jingqiu's injuries, Kuhe felt that it was likely not his fault. It was rather due to the excessive enthusiasm of the fellow Daoist of the Ten Thousand Dharmas this time.

He coughed dryly and said,

"Given that this is the source of the Great Dao! For an ordinary Heavenly Person, just that one sip would be enough to refine their Dao form and find the opportunity to open the Illusory Great Dao."

"Daoist friend, since we are companions in searching for the Dao Source, let's split it fifty-fifty."

Kuhe was well-prepared. He took out another container, divided the remaining Dao Source into two, and gave one part to Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but be a bit surprised.

This fellow is actually so generous?

The next moment,

Ji Jingqiu's expression changed slightly. He took the container with the Dao Source and said urgently, "Daoist friend Kuhe, I have some matters to attend to and need to leave early."

Kuhe was taken aback. He had just divided the Dao Source and now he wanted to leave?

For a moment, he felt a bit reluctant.

He always felt that his sudden "turn of fortune" might be related to this person. After traveling together, their fates had become intertwined, leading to some kind of wondrous change.

At that moment,

someone from the crack in the World Tree suddenly beckoned.

Watching Ji Jingqiu being guided through the crack to the other side of Daluotian, Kuhe's expression changed. Could this Daoist friend be an ancient deity of the Azure Green lineage?

"Daoist friend, see you in Daluotian!" Kuhe called out hurriedly.

Ji Jingqiu managed to bid farewell to Mu Rouzhi before ascending to the Daluotian, a place that countless Celestial Kings dreamed of reaching.

When he opened his eyes,

he found himself in a serene courtyard rooted in the void.

At the center of the courtyard was a sapling, which, compared to over twenty years ago, had grown very little.

In contrast, his own Bodhi tree, which had been about the same size back then, had now grown to a considerable size, with its branches reaching toward the heavens.

Upon seeing Ji Jingqiu arrive, the sapling seemed to have its own will, and its single leaf swayed slightly.

In front of the sapling stood another familiar figure.

The woman wore a black dress, her hair flowing like a waterfall, exuding an air of mystery and ancient grace. She looked much the same as she did years ago, her beauty untouched by time, with an added touch of allure.

She was the woman Ji Jingqiu had met in the Boshuo demiplane years ago.

At that moment,

her eyes, misty with moisture, examined Ji Jingqiu.

Cang You smiled faintly and said with a tone of surprise,

"Your Yanhuang Federation truly produces many exceptional individuals. Your advancement speed is more absurd than that of Mushi Tian and the others back then."

"In just a few years, you stand at the threshold of becoming a Celestial King, ready to step into it at any moment?"

"Speaking of which, what are you waiting for? Why haven't you broken through to the Celestial King realm yet? The Grand Cosmos that lies ahead is not a place where a mere Heavenly Person can dominate."

"Or are you really waiting for the right moment, as the rumors suggest, to open the Path to the world?"

"Senior, it's been a long time. How are Brother Ke and Little Qin?"

Ji Jingqiu bowed politely and said,

"Also, may I ask for your name?"

"They are both diligently cultivating in Daluotian, hoping to catch a glimpse of your back", Cang You said coolly. "My name is Cang You. By seniority, you should call me Aunt. Mushi Tian once studied under the Azure Green lineage, and I was his guide."

"Aunt Cang."

Ji Jingqiu adjusted his address and then looked up.

He immediately noticed that the originally deep, dark void was now brightly illuminated by piercing Dao light, with powerful figures engaged in combat.

"That's..."

"That's a battle between Holy Kings."

Cang You didn't mind his address and was also focused on the battle.

"Master has returned and is currently battling the Nine Mountains True Emperor from the Everlasting Mountain."

She glanced at him and continued,

"The gaze you barely managed to withstand earlier came from Nine Mountains. You clashed with a disciple of the Everlasting Mountain. Nine Mountains' innate ability is particularly sensitive to changes in Heavenly Destiny."

"Just a gaze?" Ji Jingqiu's expression was serious. "Is the gap between me and a True Emperor that great?"

Over the past twenty years, he had been thinking about the possibility of advancing to the Celestial King realm and then challenging a Heavenly Venerable.

While a True Emperor seemed to be two ranks higher than a Heavenly Venerable, the three ranks from Heavenly Venerable to True Emperor all belonged to the Eighth Realm. There was no insurmountable boundary between these ranks, only the accumulation of endless time.

"Even a pig, if it has lived since the beginning of time and accumulated immense Dao power through countless tribulations, could easily crush a Celestial King."

Cang You glanced at him,

"Let alone that Jiushan isn't a pig. He is a divine beast nurtured by heaven and earth, the first Imperial Phoenix in the world, and is collectively known as the 'Phoenix' with the Imperial Phoenix of the Phoenix Blood Palace. His status and strength are on par with Kong Lao of the Wude Palace, and they are all considered the ancestors of all flying creatures in this world."

"Years ago, Jiushan and my Master fought for control of the World Tree. My Master suppressed him, but now, after undergoing tribulations, his Dao has greatly advanced. An ordinary True Emperor would not be his match, and he has already stepped into the top tier of the current era."

"This person was extremely protective of his disciples even back then. You've provoked one of his disciples, which is quite impressive, befitting a disciple of our Cangqing lineage."

Cang You nodded, her smile tinged with a bit of mockery.

"Disciple of another lineage?" Ji Jingqiu's expression remained calm.

Given Master Mu's temperament, it was more likely that the Cangqing lineage would serve as protectors for the Worldly Venerable lineage.

"Cangqing Senior has returned?" Ji Jingqiu noticed the key point and said, "After this battle, I would like to meet with Senior."

"Is there something you need?" Cang You asked casually, "You can tell me. I can't predict when this level of battle will end."

"Cangqing Senior doesn't have a sure win?" Ji Jingqiu probed.

Cang You shook her head,

"My Master has just returned and hasn't fully regained his peak strength. He didn't even bring the World Tree, clearly wary of certain individuals. This battle is likely to turn into a prolonged conflict."

"Wait and see."

"See if any other True Emperors join the fray."

Ji Jingqiu noticed that Cang You's expression was now visibly uncertain, a mix of worry and caution.

Clearly, there were other players in this battle who had yet to make their move.

"Has the Void Lineage and the Holy King Lineage not intervened?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

As part of the Five Pillars, each with their own agendas, they should at least stand united in the face of a True Emperor from the future.

Cang You gave a brief explanation, "Among the Sages, only Jiushan's lineage has taken action."

"By the way, do you know the Holy King Lineage is looking for you?"

Cang You suddenly smiled brightly, her expression radiant as she smoothed her hair and asked gently.

Ji Jingqiu nodded, "If possible, I would rather meet with Cangqing Senior."

He paused, not mentioning that the one he truly wanted to see was the Nether Lord of the Nether Wasteland Lineage.

His guardian deity was still in the Netherworld, and the Nether Lord had once personally said that their lineage owed him a favor.

Theoretically, this person was the most likely to protect him.

Unfortunately, this individual had not yet returned.

In comparison, the Cangqing lineage was a backup, and the Holy King Lineage was a last resort.

"Good boy, you know how to speak", Cang You said with a smile, "But this time it's different. I don't know what your issue is, but if you go to the Holy King Lineage, they will meet your needs."

Ji Jingqiu detected the teasing tone in her words and asked curiously,

"What do you mean?"

The Holy King Lineage wouldn't protect him for no reason.

Regardless of other factors, if he went to the Holy King Lineage, he would inevitably have to face off against Chijin, who was said to be on the verge of becoming a Celestial King.

"The Holy King is different from my Master. He is also a loving father. Back then, to find the path to transcendence, he sacrificed his cultivation to wander the mortal world, experiencing the ways of the world. When he returned, he brought back a baby girl, Chijin."

Cang You smiled, "Now, a young woman has grown in the Holy King Lineage. It seems they are looking for a suitable husband. If you're interested, I can have my Master speak to Mushi Tian on your behalf to arrange a marriage proposal."

Ji Jingqiu was speechless, "…"

In the Inner Realm.

Hela chuckled, "I have a daughter, named Chijin, a gentle and beautiful girl… Ji Jingqiu, it's fine if you forget, as long as she doesn't."

Ji Jingqiu rubbed his temples, "Cang Aunt, please don't joke about this. Chijin doesn't deserve such a fate."

Cang You was momentarily speechless, "You… kid…"

Originally, she had planned to tease him a bit more.

But his words left her stunned.

If it were anyone else, they would have said they didn't deserve it. This guy, however, directly said that Chijin didn't deserve it.

"You'd better not let that slip. If Chijin hears it, she will consider you her mortal enemy."

Ji Jingqiu was indifferent, "Anyone who is surpassed by me in cultivation is no longer my enemy."

"Very well", Cang You nodded, "This confidence reminds me of your other Master. So, when do you plan to break through to Celestial King?"

"Quickly", Ji Jingqiu said in a solemn tone. "Before that, I need to meet with Senior Cangqing."

Cang You frowned. "What exactly are you planning to do?"

"I intend to open a path for the world, and I need the Cangqing lineage to protect me."

Cang You fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "You're not joking, are you?"

"I have found a step between the Fetal Breath and Seated Oblivion realms, one that can support a Celestial King’s Illusory Great Dao. I don’t need to merge with the Great Dao to sustain my body, nor worry about the Great Dao targeting me", Ji Jingqiu explained frankly.

"Is the path you’re opening a spiritual one?" Cang You asked, surprised.

She had thought Ji Jingqiu might have made some "repairs" to the Celestial King path, such as creating a shortcut within this realm. But she never imagined he had a new "interpretation" of spiritual cultivation.

No wonder he was the current World Venerable.

In the past, Mushi Tian also had a stunning understanding of spiritual cultivation, crossing the boundary to the other shore in less than a century, astonishing even his own Master, who revered him as a Heavenly Person.

Cang You steadied herself and didn’t rush to ask what exactly the path Ji Jingqiu had opened was. Instead, she asked, "Are you really confident about this?"

"Whether it succeeds or fails is my responsibility, but I need someone to help me eliminate external interference", Ji Jingqiu said slowly. "I have already received the commitment from several True Emperors, but an elder told me I need to communicate with the Five Pillars."

Cang You said softly, "A wise choice."

"Our Cangqing lineage once ruled one-fifth of this world’s territory, from the Grand Cosmos to the Three Thousand Lower Realms."

"At our peak, there were five True Emperor-level ancient gods in our divine system. Do you know why only my Master was revered?"

"Because he was the oldest?"

"You can put it that way."

Cang You nodded and continued, "The Five Pillars were born with the world, each representing a fundamental essence of this world. In a sense, they are the earliest ‘Dao Ancestors’ of this world."

"When the myriad beings established the post-natural cultivation system, the Five Pillars were the first to approve. Without their permission, the myriad beings wouldn’t even have the right to cultivate."

"Many True Emperors, led by Jiushan, had significant issues with my Master and the others, believing that their leniency led to post-natural beings having the power to challenge them."

"Later, when my Master and the others failed to break through their realms, the Grand Cosmos Will emerged, redefining the authority of the Grand Cosmos. However, they still retained some ‘permissions.’”

"This war between the Sages and the Five Pillars is not just about the struggle for discourse but also involves the fundamental contest for authority."

Cang You suddenly looked outside and said, "Come, I’ll take you to witness a meeting between the Sages. If you really intend to open a path, you can’t avoid these ‘old hands’ on the Great Dao."

Old hands?

Cang You led Ji Jingqiu out of the Pure Land.

Ji Jingqiu noticed that behind them stood three towering and massive ancient god statues.

In the vast expanse ahead, figures standing at the pinnacle of the Great Dao could be seen, their true appearances hidden, their presence as majestic as mountains, oppressive to the point of suffocation.

Similarly, many people looked over when they saw Cang You, the leader of the Cangqing lineage, appear. However, their gazes ultimately fell on Ji Jingqiu, who stood beside her.

"A young talent from the Yanhuang Federation?"

"So he’s come to Daluotian, no wonder we couldn’t find him."

Cold gazes fell upon them.

Even without overt hostility, the sheer number of powerful beings created an overwhelming pressure.

Any Heavenly Person would likely be on their knees in such a situation.

Suddenly.

A loud cry of a roc shook the sky!

Before Ji Jingqiu could react, a Golden Roc spanned the void, its form shrinking infinitely, landing on his head, its cold gaze sweeping over the gathered figures.

"Senior!" Ji Jingqiu called out.

This was the ancient Golden Roc that had been subdued by Mushi Tian and chose to follow him. It was not the ancestor of the Golden Roc lineage but had followed Mushi Tian in suppressing the Sea of Suffering, listening to the Great Dao, and benefiting greatly. Its Dao cultivation advanced rapidly, and within ten thousand years, it had the combat strength to rival a True Emperor in the Dao Ancestor realm.

Twenty years ago, Mushi Tian let it go, and it returned to its clan, challenging the ancestor as its first act.

Though it didn’t win, it didn’t lose either, and it received the ancestor’s recognition, earning the right to establish its own lineage.

Now, seeing Ji Jingqiu come to Daluotian, it appeared voluntarily to support and stand by him.

A golden feather drifted down, casting a radiant glow across the sky.

Even as it fell, the feather sliced through the void, heavy and powerful.

Ji Jingqiu caught the feather.

This was a defensive item left by the Golden Roc, capable of slicing through the void and breaking prohibitions. Even if the Dao Ancestor were to seal the void, this feather could still force open a path.

Despite the presence of this powerful figure, many around him still cast indifferent gazes.

They weren't particularly hostile toward Ji Jingqiu; rather, the Yanhuang Federation was too prominent. Twenty years ago, He Donghuang and Mushi Tian had teamed up to deceive a group of True Emperors, leaving many with lingering resentment and hostility.

Add to that the immense benefits from the Four Demons' true forms and certain rumors about the River of Fate...

If they could, these people wouldn't mind dividing the Yanhuang Federation among themselves.

At that moment,

a True Emperor from the void stepped forward, warning everyone, "If peers fight each other, this young man's death will be on his own head. But if anyone acts shamelessly and bullies the weak, and ends up provoking He Donghuang, don't blame us for being ruthless."

Many frowned. Hadn't it been determined that He Donghuang could no longer intervene? Why was this sage from Tian Sheng Lake speaking up for the Yanhuang Federation?

Some strong figures seemed to ponder, having heard that this sage had joined others on a trip to the source of the River of Fate. Had they seen something?

"That's right."

A middle-aged man also stepped forward, his face as fair as jade, his stature imposing, surrounded by a dazzling aura of five-colored divine light.

Beside him stood a young man, clearly Chang Sheng of the Wude Palace, who had clashed with Ji Jingqiu before.

"Your anger is too great. Do you want to completely overturn everything? It's not time yet! I don't mind putting out your fires!"

The True Emperor Kong Xuan of the Wude Palace declared.

His appearance caused many to look on with surprise.

This old peacock was too meticulous. He had suffered a Dao injury during his attempt to transcend and usually maintained an aged appearance, nearly losing all his feathers. Yet, at this critical moment, he had forcibly restored himself to his prime.

At that moment,

the World Tree shone brightly, its countless branches reaching into the azure sky, piercing the Dharma Realm's Dao Sea, condensing the essence of the Great Dao. Chaotic energy cascaded down like a waterfall, but it did not join the battle.

Ji Jingqiu could see the World Tree drawing Dao Sources from deep within the Dharma Realm, though he wasn't sure for what purpose.

Even a single "drop" of this energy surpassed everything Kuhe had accumulated!

At this moment,

the battle between the Lord of Azure and the Saint of Nine Mountains had yet to conclude.

"Lord Azure is holding back", someone suddenly said.

The implication was clear: he hadn't even used the World Tree.

"But Nine Mountains isn't holding back",

a strong figure from the Holy King Lineage sneered, his gaze sweeping over the various realms' strong figures, his eyes filled with caution and hostility.

Neither the Holy King nor the Void Emperor had appeared, but ancient gods from their respective factions had shown up.

Though they hadn't assisted directly, their stance was clearly on Lord Azure's side.

Witnessing this, Cang You understood.

The animosity between the factions was evident.

Even if Zhen Shou and others tried to ease the tension, it only delayed the outbreak of a major battle.

She felt a heavy heart.

Nine Mountains had likely achieved his goal.

He had demonstrated strength on par with the Five Pillars, enough to win over ancient gods who were already dissatisfied with the Five Pillars, becoming a new faction leader.

"Nine Mountains hasn't used his full strength",

the Imperial Phoenix from the Phoenix Blood Palace said coldly, revealing a hidden truth,

"During his rebirth, he had a fortuitous encounter in the River of Fate. Now, one of his Dao bodies has reached the True Emperor level, making him a dual True Emperor."

Hearing this, many people's expressions grew serious.

They looked at Nine Mountains' allies and indeed saw one whose Qi Aura was subtly connected to Nine Mountains.

"A dual True Emperor, indeed. Nine Mountains is truly exceptional, achieving what no one has before. No wonder he dared to challenge the Five Pillars", Zhen Shou said slowly.

Many nodded in agreement.

Among the True Emperors, no one had ever heard of someone elevating their Dao body to the True Emperor level. If Nine Mountains had truly achieved this, combining two True Emperors into one, even the Five Pillars might not be able to subdue him!

Standing beside the Master, Chang Sheng noticed the Master glancing several times at the True Emperor, muttering under his breath,

"The old man is really shameless..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end