Chapter 383: Vying for Favor, Grandfather's Message

Chapter 383: Vying for Favor, Grandfather's Message

This was Ji Jingqiu's first time seeing the true forms of the Five Pillars.

And he saw two of them at once.

Standing directly in front of him was a tall, imposing man with long, flowing hair. His demeanor was calm and steady, with a serious expression that suggested he rarely smiled.

The other one, however, appeared as a hazy figure to Ji Jingqiu, like a Great Dao abyss shrouded in blinding light.

The place where these two stood was filled with wondrous scenes. Crystal-clear Dao Rhythms fell like rain, and Great Dao flowers bloomed in the void, especially around the second figure, where holy light cleansed the world.

Originally, the Lord of Azure and Green was coming out of seclusion to meet with Ji Jingqiu, but he didn't expect to find others there.

Cang You immediately sent a mental message to inform him that this was the Holy King from the Holy King lineage.

The Five Pillars have no names, only the most primitive, birth symbols of Dao, while the Holy King's Dao name is "Holy."

"…This world is 'sick.'"

The indifferent voice resonated in Ji Jingqiu's heart.

The Holy King and the Lord of Azure and Green stood side by side, their conversation unhidden.

"Thirteen thousand calamities have passed, and even though the Grand Cosmos has been sealed in silence, it hasn't stopped this disease from spreading into the various worlds."

"How many of the new saints and old gods have been infected? Beasts shed their fur and don human skin, sitting high in their Dao seats, thinking they have truly transcended their past and become gods."

"Nine Mountains is one of them, but he is completely unaware, instead believing he has encountered a great fortune."

Ji Jingqiu was shaken. Nine Mountains, who was known as the dual-bodied saint, had achieved the True Emperor rank, was sick?

What kind of illness?

Ji Jingqiu suddenly recalled his encounter with the old ancestor of the Holy Temple.

Could it be related to their discovery at the source of time?

"This is still just your conjecture", the Lord of Azure and Green said calmly. "According to your theory, one of us five might also be affected, and we might not even be aware of it. How can you be certain that this person isn't you, or even me?"

Part of the Holy King's hazy outline materialized, appearing vague, imposing, and authoritative. He stood there, with layers of halos, all manifestations of Great Dao textures, symbolizing the accumulation of Dao Rhythms over countless years.

He said calmly:

"I have prepared for both possibilities. If it turns out to be you, I will correct the mistake and slay you."

"Mu Shitian suppressed the Bitter Sea with his own strength, which can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Only we can address it."

"If I could, I would ignore everything and focus solely on the path to transcendence."

"But if we continue like this, I fear that in the not-too-distant future, the Divinity of this world will converge into one, and all hearts will lose their warmth, causing the waves to boil the Misty Sea, turning it into the burial ground of the gods."

As he spoke, the Holy King seemed to have walked from the source of the Great Dao, his outline gradually becoming clearer. The layers of halos and Dao Rhythms were suffocating, making him appear as if he had already transcended everything, overseeing the past and present!

At this moment, the Holy King gave Ji Jingqiu a feeling that surpassed everyone he had seen so far.

Even the impression he had when walking alongside Heshi twenty years ago was not as strong as this one.

Of course, this might be because Heshi had suppressed his aura while they were together.

But if these two were to truly clash, Ji Jingqiu instinctively felt that Heshi might not win, for this Holy King represented the pinnacle of this world.

Even the two figures in the Inner World looked solemn, seemingly not expecting the Holy King's strength to have improved further.

"Thirteen thousand calamities 'solidified,' and this guy actually advanced instead of regressing?" Hela frowned deeply, finding it hard to believe.

"Is it… Daluotian?" Xiaowuzhou's eyes were deep as he muttered to himself, "It seems this layer of Daluotian holds significant secrets. Could they be trying to recreate the world, to become a World Sovereign? Truly ambitious."

Ji Jingqiu's heart stirred, and he asked, "What do you mean? The Five Pillars are on the path of a World Sovereign?"

"No, they're different things", Xiaowuzhou said coolly. "One is World Unification, mastering the full power of a world domain, while the other is evolving a world, which allows you to harness the power of a world, but it's not tied to your realm. You remain a True Emperor, no matter what."

"The second path is extremely difficult. I've never heard of anyone in the Boundary Sea completing it. But if anyone could succeed, theoretically, it would be a true path to transcendence."

Ji Jingqiu nodded inwardly, thinking that while this little guy had become a bit more "proud", his perspective had certainly broadened.

"Next time we fight, can you take down Nine Mountains?" the Holy King looked at the Lord of Azure and Green, his voice cold. "If your Dao injuries haven't healed, I'll do it."

Cang Qing looked at him and said, "Help me with a favor first."

"What kind of favor?" The Holy King frowned slightly. "Speak up."

Cang Qing's gaze fell on Ji Jingqiu, and he spoke calmly, "Isn't your daughter about to advance to the Celestial King realm? Perfect. We can use her advancement to cover this boy's breakthrough."

The Holy King's eyes landed on Ji Jingqiu, exerting immense pressure on him.

This gaze felt to Ji Jingqiu like the entire starry sky had collapsed upon him!

This time, the Holy King remained silent for a long while before speaking, "It's a bit tricky."

"Are you afraid your daughter will hold it against you?" Cang Qing's serious face broke into a smile, as if a human touch had emerged from the divine.

The Holy King didn't respond, only letting out a cold snort.

Cang Qing suddenly said, "Sometimes I wonder if our paths are wrong. From divinity to humanity, and back to divinity—was it truly the right way?"

The Holy King replied calmly, "The path to transcendence has no right or wrong, only what is suitable. It depends on the person walking it."

He looked at Ji Jingqiu and asked, "Why does this boy need to use Chijin's breakthrough as a cover when he advances to the Celestial King realm?"

Cang Qing spoke frankly, "I want to conduct an experiment to verify your words. I want to see if there is anything ominous hidden deep within the Great Dao of this world."

The Holy King fell silent again, his gaze fixed on Ji Jingqiu. Ji Jingqiu instinctively tensed, feeling as if he were being seen through, from the inside out.

He guarded his inner world, ensuring it wasn't revealed to the Holy King.

"Ji Jingqiu, what is your path to becoming a Celestial King?"

This time, the Holy King ignored Cang Qing and asked Ji Jingqiu directly.

Cang Qing glanced at him and interrupted Ji Jingqiu, who was about to speak, "Why do you need to ask so much about the path a young man is taking?"

"You're overthinking it", the Holy King shook his head, giving Ji Jingqiu a deep look. "Can I interpret your words as this boy intending to open the path to the world?"

"That's correct", Cang Qing said calmly. "Mu Shitian's disciple will do what he couldn't in the past. I want to use this to stir the underlying rules of the Grand Cosmos, using him as bait to see if there's a 'big catch' lurking behind the scenes."

The Holy King said, "This is very dangerous."

"That's why we need to protect him."

The Holy King didn't immediately respond. Standing there, he was accompanied by various celestial phenomena, suppressing the Dao Rhythm of the world. Various wondrous scenes appeared, from the profound truths of the Great Dao to the bloody scenes of countless battles, reflecting his current state of mind.

"Very well", the Holy King said calmly. "I will lend a hand, considering it as repaying a favor to He Donghuang. If Jiuyi and others interfere, I will capture them. Don't blame me for not giving you face."

Cang Qing said solemnly, "I don't need you to act. If he truly causes trouble, I will handle it myself and confirm the 'illness' you mentioned."

Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but feel some doubt at these words.

It seemed that the Holy King's words implied that the True Emperor Jiuyi had been able to stay this long only because of the face given by the Lord of Cang Qing.

"Phoenix Perches on Paulownia... In the past, Jiuyi and the Imperial Vermilion Bird both rested on the Master's World Tree."

Cang You seemed to have noticed his doubt and whispered telepathically.

Then, Cang You looked up, frowning inwardly.

In the past, Jiuyi had indeed sought refuge under the Master. But times have changed, and Jiuyi, now a dual-Holy King, has greatly advanced in Dao. He is not the same as before.

Given the Master's current state, could he really take down Jiuyi?

"Hopefully so", the Holy King said calmly. "Chijin will break through to the Celestial King realm in seven days. Is this boy prepared? If not, Chijin can wait, but on one condition: he must impart his Dao to Chijin."

Cang Qing said calmly, "Let's wait one more day. Chijin can come here to enlightenment shortly."

Ji Jingqiu wanted to say that his preparations were already at their limit and he was ready to attempt the Path Opening at any time.

But Cang Qing's meaningful glance made him swallow his words.

Cang You also whispered, "This is a good thing. Chijin can pave the way for you, and in return, she can experience the Great Dao resonance from your Path Opening."

Ji Jingqiu understood. This was a way to win over the Holy King's lineage.

The two pillar-level experts settled the matter with a few words.

Then, the Holy King left.

Cang You said with some concern, "Master, can you really take down Jiuyi in your current state?"

Cang Qing replied calmly, "This battle will take place in the Grand Cosmos. If Jiuyi insists on interfering, I will no longer hold back."

He then looked at Ji Jingqiu and nodded slightly, "Finally, we meet, the World Sovereign of this generation."

"Senior Cang Qing."

Ji Jingqiu bowed respectfully to this legendary ancient deity.

"I hope you can do something for this world, just like your Master did", Cang Qing said softly. "Endless taking is not the path of the Great Dao. Only by giving can you truly gain."

Ji Jingqiu sensed a deeper meaning in Cang Qing's words.

This was not just a call to contribute to the world but a subtle hint about the path of the Great Dao.

Endless taking does not lead to the goal; only by giving can one truly gain...

Was he suggesting that at the end, one needed to do "subtraction"?

Or that at a certain level, the true path is not in plundering but in "giving"?

Ji Jingqiu knew that once one reached the Eighth Realm, starting from the rank of Heavenly Venerable, they often opened a Dao Academy to spread their teachings. The key to a Heavenly Venerable becoming a Dao Ancestor lay in this.

Some, finding it troublesome, would start planning from the Celestial King rank, searching for suitable disciples to pass on their legacy.

Others, more pragmatic, would seek "Dao Soldiers", raising them in their Inner Worlds to support their cultivation. Each breakthrough would invisibly nourish their Dao power.

Both paths ultimately aimed at increasing their own Dao power.

Then,

Cang Qing inquired about Ji Jingqiu's Path Opening, and with the broad perspective of the Great Dao, made subtle improvements. In the end, even Cang Qing could find no flaws.

"This realm is indeed profound, filling the gap between Embryonic Breath and Seated Oblivion. Beings like us, who are innate deities, do not need to cultivate the mind, but I observe that for those born later, the gap between realms grows larger the further they advance. The leap from Embryonic Breath to Seated Oblivion is significant, as is the leap from Seated Oblivion to the Other Shore."

Cang Qing shook his head slightly. "Even among the True Emperors of later generations, few have truly grasped the mind's journey to the Other Shore."

"Senior, you don't cultivate the mind?" Ji Jingqiu asked curiously.

"We are embodiments of the Great Dao, standing at the pinnacle of the Dao realm from the start. Our Divinity is pure and true, so we do not need to cultivate the mind", Cang Qing explained briefly.

"Divinity..." Ji Jingqiu paused, then said, "The path of Divinity seems to often lead to ominous outcomes at its end."

Beside him, Cang You widened her eyes. This kid really dared to speak his mind.

Cang Qing looked somewhat surprised. "Where did you hear this secret? Did Mu Shitian tell you?"

Cang You couldn't help but ask, "Master, is this true?"

Cang Qing nodded. "That's why I and the Holy One chose to sacrifice our innate foundation to experience the suffering of all beings."

Ji Jingqiu knew about this from Xiao Wu Zhou and Hela.

Hela had been urging him to refine and purify his Divinity using the supreme true Buddha manifestation, to fully "hatch" the divine embryo.

Xiao Wu Zhou, on the other hand, argued that the path of Divinity was ominous. While it seemed smooth and easy in the beginning and middle stages, it often led to ominous signs at the end.

He had personally witnessed many True Emperor-level deities go missing, go mad, or suffer other misfortunes during their cultivation and breakthroughs.

To this, Hela countered that she and Taiyi, as legitimate followers of the Divine Path, were false?

Xiao Wu Zhou responded with a single sentence: He wasn't sure about Taiyi, but he knew exactly how Hela had fallen from her divine throne...

The two argued until they had laid bare all their cards, finally ceasing their dispute.

Ji Jingqiu found this situation satisfactory.

With two opposing, irreconcilable figures vying for his favor, he saved himself the trouble of manipulating them and could simply watch them undermine each other.

To determine if something was viable, one had to consider not just the benefits but also the drawbacks and risks.

Xiao Wu Zhou and Hela had perfectly resolved this issue.

"Let's not dwell on this", Cang Qing said calmly. "The notion that Divinity is ominous originated from beyond the Boundary Sea."

Mentioning the Boundary Sea, Ji Jingqiu suddenly asked, "Senior, are the Celestial King grandmasters and masters of our federation currently cultivating in the powers beyond the Boundary Sea?"

Not long ago, he had exchanged information with Ji Anquan and learned that his grandfather and other elders who had tried to "stand on their own" had not returned because they had joined the transcendent powers beyond the Boundary Sea.

From Master Mu's previous statements, it seemed that Master Mu and others had anticipated or even known about this in advance.

"Not just your federation's Celestial Kings", Cang Qing paused. "Many Grand Cosmos civilizations' Celestial Kings were forced to go beyond the Boundary Sea this time."

"Forced?"

Cang Qing nodded.

"Some people from outside the realm seem to have been well-prepared and have rounded up these individuals. We are currently negotiating with them."

"Simply put, those who managed to cultivate to the Celestial King level in the environment before the Grand Cosmos all possess remarkable talent and potential."

"Originally, these individuals were heading to a shortcut location, but the transcendent forces from outside the realm, somehow got wind of the news and captured them all, taking them to their own Dao courtyard."

Ji Jingqiu pondered, so now his grandfather and the others have been forcibly inducted into these transcendent Dao courtyards?

"Do you know someone named Zhang Tiancheng in your Federation?"

Cang You seemed to recall something and suddenly asked.

Ji Jingqiu nodded.

Zhang Tiancheng, the vice president of the Myriad Martial Arts Association, was the root of the rebellion and had made a deal with one of the Four Devils.

Most importantly, he was one of the three people who had left an impression on Master He.

The other two were Chi Yinghuo and his grandfather.

"I heard this guy is doing quite well in the transcendent forces outside the realm", Cang You said. "One of the envoys from the transcendent forces that came to visit has a good relationship with him and even inquired about the recent situation in your Federation."

Ji Jingqiu narrowed his eyes.

It wasn't surprising that Zhang Tiancheng was doing well.

But he was unsure about how his grandfather was faring.

"There's also someone named Ji Linyuan."

Seeing that Ji Jingqiu knew this person, Cang You recalled and asked some friends from the Void and Taiyou lineages for information.

"Hmm, I just found out that your Federation's batch of Celestial Kings seems to have ‘good qualities.’ Most of them have been admitted to transcendent schools, with Zhang Tiancheng and Ji Linyuan being the most outstanding. The latter shares your surname, but they don't seem to be on good terms."

Cang You shared the information he had just gathered with Ji Jingqiu, who looked thoughtful.

His grandfather and Zhang Tiancheng were at odds?

Ji Jingqiu pondered.

Before leaving, his grandfather was said to be at the peak of the Heavenly Person level, just a step away from becoming a Celestial King. After more than twenty years, he must have already ascended to the Celestial King level.

It was unknown if Zhang Tiancheng had attained the rank of Heavenly Venerable.

Suddenly.

Cang You raised an eyebrow, "It seems that Zhang Tiancheng of your Federation isn't a good person."

"What do you mean?"

"I learned that certain forces outside the realm are very ‘enthusiastic’ about your Federation. They originally planned to ‘infiltrate’ the Federation under Zhang Tiancheng's name, likely targeting the Four Devils' true forms. However, they were blocked by Ji Anquan."

Cang Qingzhi shook his head and said, "No need to worry. Both the Holy and the Nether realms dislike these people. Even if Taiyou insists, these people won't be able to cause much trouble."

"You don't need to worry about these seniors. In the future, we will have to venture into the Boundary Sea."

"Prepare yourself, Chijin is coming over soon."

Hearing this, Cang You patted his shoulder and left, leaving Ji Jingqiu with Master.

"Have you met Chijin before?" Cang Qing asked casually, "Back when Mu Shitian defied the flow of time to visit the Holy King lineage, Chijin was just a little girl who was quite mischievous and got scolded by Mu Shitian."

Ji Jingqiu's eyes widened. There was such a story?

"Young people should interact more often", Cang Qing nodded slightly.

Ji Jingqiu shook his head, "Senior, don't play matchmaker. My goal is the Great Dao, and even if I were to look, I wouldn't choose someone like Chijin. She doesn't have that kind of fortune."

Cang Qing didn't comment, just smiled.

After a short while.

Ji Jingqiu turned around and sensed a completely unhidden aura approaching from outside the hall.

A woman slowly walked into the hall, wearing a white robe and barefoot, with a tall and slender figure nearly two meters tall, a head taller than Ji Jingqiu. Her proportions were perfect, and her voluptuous curves were barely concealed by the white robe.

Her beauty was enough to make one marvel at the Creator's favor, and indeed, her father was known as a "Creator."

As she entered the hall, Chijin's gaze fell on Ji Jingqiu.

In a sense, this was their first formal meeting.

On the ancient path, Ji Jingqiu had only faced one of Chijin's manifestation bodies.

"Greetings, Divine Lord Cang Qing."

Chijin's expression was calm as she bowed to Cang Qingzhi.

Though she was the Holy King's direct daughter, she still had to observe proper etiquette in front of the other four pillars.

Cang Qing nodded slightly, "The Holy King should have already explained the details to you. This place is temporarily lent to you for enlightenment."

With that, he left the hall in a single step.

For Ji Jingqiu's Path Opening, he needed to make some preparations.

But before Cang Qing had walked far, he suddenly stopped and turned back.

A tall and graceful figure was flung out of the hall, clearly having been thrown out!

Cang Qing shook his head.

Young people, always quick to anger. Even before imparting knowledge, they have to have a fight first.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end