Chapter 382: Cause and Effect - Xuanyi, Blocked by the Moon God Palace

Chapter 382: Cause and Effect - Xuanyi, Blocked by the Moon God Palace

"The world of the powerful..."

Ji Jingqiu murmured.

Perhaps this is the true essence of the Blood War. The various saints have never restricted each other's actions; they only consider the broader picture and their own interests.

The intentions of Zhenzu and others were merely to warn the saints, to prevent the situation from spiraling into total chaos.

"The true essence of the Blood War might suit me, but extracting Dao Rhythms and other things in this manner—could it be akin to pulling up seedlings to help them grow, or over-fertilizing them?"

Ji Jingqiu mused to himself, not out of disgust, but out of concern. So far, every True Emperor-level powerhouse he had encountered had warned him of the impending great calamity. Clearly, these powerhouses had sensed the impending storm.

Therefore, he must seize the opportunity to grow rapidly. Engaging in battle to further his strength was not a problem, but he couldn't resort to desperate measures.

"Don't worry, it won't affect your path. The proportion of improvement is quite significant, but the Dao Rhythms and vital energies extracted from a hundred Heavenly Persons are actually quite small for this Wutian Daoist."

Cang You whispered, her tone tinged with admiration and appreciation. "Of course, this is partly because the Wutian Daoist is exceptionally powerful. His strength is almost at the Celestial King level, much like you. It's unclear why he is stuck just before the Celestial King stage, unable to break through."

"With such a formidable trump card, no matter how many Heavenly Persons come, the outcome will be the same. Seriously, do you want to delay your breakthrough?"

Ji Jingqiu observed the "live stream" of his avatar. This battlefield was unique, severing his connection with his avatar. He knew that Wutian's "Unrestrained Conduct" had already reached the second level, stuck at a crucial threshold. Only after reaching the Celestial King stage could he continue to break through.

"Celestial King..."

Ji Jingqiu muttered, getting up to leave. From what he could see, the Tian Sheng Lake should not be a concern for now. Zhenzu was shrewd and calculating, and for the time being, they were more likely to be the ones setting traps rather than falling into them.

"Aunt Cang, how is Senior Cang Qing recovering?"

Cang You was surprised. "Are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you haven't thought through how to deal with the Misty Sea's counterattack?"

"The Misty Sea's counterattack isn't a problem; I think it might even be a boon."

After a month of observation from the World Tree's canopy, although he hadn't yet confirmed it, Ji Jingqiu was confident that he could leverage the Misty Sea's power to his advantage when the time came.

"Good to hear you're confident." Cang You didn't pry further. "You can start preparing now. In two months, Master will emerge from seclusion, fully restored to peak condition."

"Alright."

Ji Jingqiu got up, preparing to return to the World Tree's canopy. It was indeed the best place for his cultivation, not only close to the Dao but also a high vantage point.

A woman who had shown intense hostility towards Ji Jingqiu earlier noticed his departure and whispered to another:

"Follow the plan. Stop him first."

A man slowly rose, his thick golden hair like holy flames, his eyes flickering with Great Dao patterns.

This was a powerhouse at the Heavenly King Realm, his gaze fixed on Ji Jingqiu as he took large strides, attempting to create a "coincidental" encounter. They had come prepared today.

"Sorry, sir!"

A waiter bumped into him, spilling the drinks and beverages on the floor.

The man frowned but didn't make a fuss, quickening his pace.

But soon, a few people coincidentally walked into his path, blocking his way.

The man raised an eyebrow, restraining his impatience, and detoured to the other side.

More obstacles appeared, and after several detours, he realized that Ji Jingqiu had already reached the door, one foot outside the hall.

He couldn't afford to wait any longer, so he took a step and tore through the void, chasing after Ji Jingqiu.

The unusual ripple in the void immediately caught the attention of those around him.

This was one of the main shrines of the Cang You lineage, now used to host guests. Even a Celestial King had to walk to show respect; who dared to tear through the void so casually?

Cang You glanced casually and said, "Whose child is so ignorant of the rules?"

She sat at the top of the hall, surrounded by various Eighth Realm dignitaries.

Many of these dignitaries noticed this "interesting" scene.

"Path of Cause and Effect?"

"Truly profound. A Heavenly Person can not only remain unnoticed by a Celestial King, always just a step ahead, but can even make me feel a bit puzzled..."

Someone praised without restraint.

In the crowd, a woman's eyes darkened for a moment, scanning the figures below, and then spoke with a smile:

"Princess Cang You, what does the Cang Qing lineage think of the Yanhuang Federation as a threat?"

"Threat?" Cang You's gaze swept over. "What do you mean, Lady Xiang Jun?"

Xiang Jun, from the Moon God Palace, said softly, "Whether it's the temporarily sealed Four Demon Sovereigns or the Crying Sea Eye, they are all threats to this world, more dangerous than the Blood War among the saints."

Upon hearing this, the other powerhouses who were conversing turned their attention, also curious about the Cang Qing lineage's stance.

Cang You remained noncommittal and spoke straightforwardly, "What is the Moon God Palace’s stance?"

"The physical forms of the Four Demon Sovereigns being suppressed within the Federation’s territory is ultimately problematic. If their subordinates manage to disrupt the seal and release them, it would be a great calamity. It’s only right for all the sacred beings to work together to suppress them."

Xiang Jun’s gaze swept over the gathering, exchanging glances with certain individuals.

The current Yanhuang Federation was a web of intricate relations. For the Moon God Palace to achieve its goals, it had to rally a group of like-minded allies to share the burden.

"Work together to suppress them?" Cang You said indifferently. "Have you consulted the Ming Xu Abyss lineage?"

Xiang Jun frowned. Why was this matter related to the Ming Xu Abyss lineage?

"You don’t know?"

Cang You’s gaze swept over the faces of those present.

"The Yanhuang Federation used the Supreme Nine Heavens Annihilation Formation of the Ming Xu Abyss lineage to suppress the Death Demon’s physical form."

"The Yanhuang Federation meticulously planned and ultimately sacrificed four Divine Lords, twelve Celestial Nobles, and ten current Heavenly Venerables, along with the Ming Xu Abyss lineage’s supreme killing formation, to temporarily imprison the Death Demon."

All present were Heavenly Venerable Dao Ancestors. Hearing these numbers from Cang You, they felt a shock deep in their hearts.

Even though they had known this before, hearing it again was still incredibly shocking.

How could such a small territory give rise to so many Eighth Realm existences?

Thinking about the current situation, many felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, the Yanhuang Federation was already half-dead.

"Do you plan to move Him without consulting the Ming Xu Abyss lineage? For example, do you have a method to safely relocate the killing formation, or to ensure the Death Demon won’t break free during the transfer?"

Cang You asked calmly.

"If not, who will deal with Him if He is released? The Moon God Palace, or the sacred beings behind you?"

As Cang You’s gaze swept over the gathering, the powerful figures present shifted their eyes uncomfortably.

They had no right to shoulder such a heavy burden of cause and effect for their own sacred beings.

Xiang Jun fell silent for a moment and said, "We will consult our friends from the Ming Xu Abyss lineage."

"Then I won’t detain you", Cang You said directly, dismissing her.

Xiang Jun gave her a long, hard look, surprised by her lack of cooperation.

Was the Cang Qing lineage not afraid of their Moon God Palace aligning with the Nine Mountains faction?

Xiang Jun’s mental scan revealed that Ji Jingqiu had already left, and the disciple tasked with restraining him had actually gotten into a conflict with another disciple, rendering all previous arrangements futile.

She felt a mix of shock and anger.

She had detained Cang You, and a Celestial King using any means necessary couldn’t even stop a Heavenly Person?

It wasn’t as if she was asking him to fight him! Just to hold him back!

Was the path of cause and effect truly so profound?

Cang You saw through the changes in the situation and a smile curved her lips.

This young man indeed had his own confidence. Just this one move of weaving the Great Dao of Cause and Effect was remarkable, reminiscent of the style of the former Mu Shitian.

...

Ji Jingqiu had already left the hall.

He was unaware of the undercurrents within the hall but could sense the latent hostility, manipulating cause and effect to avoid unnecessary confrontations.

He returned to the canopy of the World Tree, patiently waiting and making final adjustments.

...

Ming Xu Abyss lineage.

Xiang Jun saw an old man approaching and immediately smiled, saying, "Daoist Wan Fa, it’s been a long time."

The old man before her was known as Daoist Wan Fa, whose realm was not high, reaching only the Seventh Realm at his peak, but his status and seniority within the Ming Xu Abyss lineage were extremely high.

With the Ming Xu Abyss lineage in a state of rebuilding and the Lord of the Abyss yet to return, two ancient deities were overseeing the divine system, and Daoist Wan Fa was one of the current leaders.

"It’s Xiang Jun!" the old man laughed heartily. "It’s been years, and you’ve survived?"

He approached quickly and smiled, "I’ve changed my dao name. Please call me Daoist Qian Fa from now on."

Xiang Jun was taken aback. Why had Daoist Wan Fa changed to Daoist Qian Fa?

What was the reason?

Daoist Qian Fa smiled, "What brings you here, Daoist?"

Xiang Jun suppressed her doubts but suddenly sensed something unusual.

He hadn’t invited her inside to sit down, but was asking her questions right at the door?

Her eyes flickered, "Aren’t you going to invite me in for a seat?"

Daoist Qian Fa looked apologetic, "We have esteemed guests, and the deities of ‘Life’ and ‘Death’ are currently receiving them."

Xiang Jun felt a sense of alarm. The two he mentioned were the two True Emperor-level sacred beings currently in the Ming Xu Abyss lineage, who wielded the powers of life and death, and were the Lord of the Abyss’s right-hand deities.

"Which True Emperor has come to visit?"

Daoist Qian Fa whispered, "An outsider."

Xiang Jun’s expression turned serious. "Is the Ming Xu Abyss lineage attempting to contact the outside world?"

Daoist Qian Fa shook his head, "They came to us, wanting to exchange secret techniques for our supreme killing formation."

Xiang Jun was shaken.

Exchanging for the Ming Xu Abyss lineage’s supreme killing formation?

Could these people also be after... the physical forms of the Four Demon Sovereigns?!

She asked sternly, "Did the Ming Xu Abyss lineage agree?"

Daoist Qian Fa said calmly, "Of course not. This is the foundation of our lineage, and we cannot easily reveal it to outsiders. As for secret techniques, we don’t lack them in the Ming Xu Abyss lineage."

Xiang Jun breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as she was about to consult Daoist Qian Fa about whether there was a way to transfer the Death Demon without damaging the killing formation, a cold snort came from above.

"Daoist, I won’t detain you."

"To the two of you, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The next time you come, it won’t be for a trade."

A figure in silver armor shot into the sky and left without looking back.

Xiang Jun was unsure whether to be relieved or alarmed. Clearly, the ancient gods of the Ming Xu Abyss and the visitors from beyond the boundary had parted on bad terms.

Was the key issue still the Annihilation Formation?

Qian Fa withdrew his gaze and shook his head, saying, "Tai You and Kongsang must be up to something, inviting the wolf into the den. Do they really think they can obtain the secrets of transcendence from the other side? It’s absurd."

Xiang Jun was puzzled and momentarily set aside her original purpose, asking, "What do you mean, Daoist friend? Are these beings who claim to come from transcendent forces all fakes?"

"Not exactly", Qian Fa replied calmly. "They do indeed have transcendent beings behind them. Some of these forces are even older than the history of our world. But so what? After all these years, have any of them produced a second transcendent being under their command?"

Xiang Jun was speechless. That was indeed a valid point.

"By the way, why are you here, Daoist friend Xiang Jun?" Qian Fa smiled again and asked.

"I want to ask if there’s a way to move the Death Demon’s main body or the Annihilation Formation itself without destroying it."

Xiang Jun said seriously, "The Yanhuang Federation is too weak. The Death Demon’s killing power is unpredictable. It should be suppressed by all the Holy Ones together!"

Qian Fa’s smile faded, and he frowned. "Is this your personal concern, or is there a rift between the Moon God Palace and the Yanhuang Federation?"

"We have no conflict with the Yanhuang Federation. We are just considering the bigger picture", Xiang Jun said earnestly.

Qian Fa suddenly turned his head and said, as if recalling something, "I remember now. Isn’t Chi Wanyang currently cultivating in the Federation?"

Xiang Jun’s expression didn’t change. "You’re overthinking it, Daoist friend."

Qian Fa shook his head, extended his hand politely, and pointed in the direction Xiang Jun had come from, uttering a single, smooth word: "Leave."

Xiang Jun’s face turned pale. This was almost an insult!

She suppressed her anger and said in a low voice, "What do you mean, Daoist friend? When did your lineage of the Ming Xu Abyss become so close to the Great Sun lineage?"

"Not at all", Qian Fa replied calmly. "The Ming Xu Abyss lineage is not interested in the relationship between the Moon God Palace and Chi Wanyang, nor will we interfere. But if anyone dares to tamper with the Annihilation Formation, don’t blame us for being impolite."

He pointed to the visitor from beyond the boundary who had just left.

"Just like that one."

With that, he turned and walked back into the hall, leaving Xiang Jun with a grim expression.

Inside the hall.

The fourth-generation descendant of the Master of the Abyss, You Jiu, who had met Ji Jingqiu once, looked at the returning Qian Fa and mused, "Shouldn’t we try to win over the Moon God Palace?"

In ancient times, due to similar Great Dao, the Moon God Palace was actually an ally of the Ming Xu Abyss lineage.

Qian Fa shook his head. "The current Moon God is obsessed with capturing Chi Wanyang and is even trying to play the ‘siege of Wei to rescue Zhao’ trick. I think He can’t distinguish the priorities. The Ming Xu Abyss lineage will not interfere. Our most important task now is to welcome the return of the Master of the Abyss."

You Jiu nodded silently, thinking of the Buddha seated deep in the Yin Earth, his expression complex.

"Oh, right", Qian Fa suddenly remembered. "The Cang Qing lineage has invited us to observe their Dao soon. Both ‘Life’ and ‘Death’ have agreed. Will you be going to watch?"

"Observe what Dao?" You Jiu asked, somewhat absentmindedly.

Qian Fa stroked his beard and smiled. "If I’m not mistaken, it’s my friend Wan Fa’s Path Opening to become a Celestial King."

You Jiu’s expression changed. "He’s Path Opening to become a Celestial King? And he’s even ahead of Chijin? Moreover, the Cang Qing lineage is supporting him?"

...

Xiang Jun’s expression was grim as she left the territory of the Ming Xu Abyss and contacted the Divine Lord, reporting the current situation: "Divine Lord, our plan has not gone smoothly. Both the Ming Xu Abyss and the Cang Qing lineages have rejected our proposal, and their attitudes were very firm, even hostile..."

Xiang Jun was thinking if they had chosen the wrong direction.

They had anticipated the current situation but hadn’t expected the Cang Qing and Ming Xu lineages to be so unyielding, even hostile.

Was trying to force Chi Wanyang out by first dealing with the Yanhuang Federation a mistake?

"I understand", a clear, cold voice sounded in Xiang Jun’s mind, accompanied by a strange, moist sensation, like a cool breeze in a hot, humid day. "You can return. Since the Cang Qing and Ming Xu lineages are unwilling to act, I will find others."

...

Two months, in the vast expanse of the cosmos, was a mere blink of an eye.

The biggest upheaval during these two months was the blood war between Tian Sheng Lake and Taiqing Hall. Tian Sheng Lake won all three battlefields, and Taiqing Hall was almost wiped out, with only one True Emperor remaining.

Many had expected that True Emperor to take the field, but it turned out that He was very rational and did not act impulsively.

This battle made everyone realize what a blood war truly meant.

Unexpectedly, the conflicts among the Holy Ones did not stop there. After Tian Sheng Lake, six more forces, under the witness of the Holy Ones, signed blood war agreements to begin in the coming months or even years.

For a time, the various realms entered a state of war readiness.

Many previously idle powerful cultivators had their doors almost worn out by visits from various factions.

In this environment, the Holy King lineage suddenly extended invitations to their allies, inviting them to observe their Dao.

—Chijin was about to Path Open and ascend.

On the same day.

Within Daluotian, the sky and earth were hazy, and the World Tree that upheld the heavens emitted a strong Dao Rhythm, radiating vibrant life, with countless realm shadows swirling around it.

The Cang Qing Divine Lord emerged from seclusion.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end