Chapter 451: The Virtue Scroll Transforms Again!

Chapter 451: The Virtue Scroll Transforms Again!

"Don't return to the Thirty-Three Heavens again!"

As Qiluoshan spoke these words, a hint of fear uncontrollably surfaced in his eyes.

Qin Zheng's gaze intensified, and he asked again, "What exactly happened in the Thirty-Three Heavens back then?"

"There's more..."

"How did you become polluted?"

Upon hearing his question, Qiluoshan's voice turned heavy as he replied, "A great battle! It was a battle that swept through the Thirty-Three Heavens!"

"Stronger beings fell like rain, the heavens and earth collapsed again, the Great Transcendent ones were like ants, and Tai Yi was like dust. Countless lives were annihilated in this battle."

"Although I survived under the protection of my master, my master couldn't escape the reckoning in the end."

"In the final moments, my master sent us, his disciples, out of the Thirty-Three Heavens, and that's how I managed to arrive on this vast continent."

"But during this process, my mind was in chaos, my sanity collapsed, and that's when the polluted energy took the opportunity to enter my body, leaving me half-dead."

Qin Zheng's eyes flickered as thoughts surged and intertwined in his mind.

The last time he came here, Qiluoshan was polluted but still retained his memories, informing him that Sa Heavenly Master had been struck down from the Heavenly Court.

Now, combining this with what Qiluoshan had just said, a realization emerged in Qin Zheng's mind.

Heavenly Court!

After the great battle ended, the Heavenly Court should have been the ultimate victor, which was why order was reestablished in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Sa Heavenly Master, being a Heavenly Immortal from the Heavenly Court, continued to serve as an Immortal Deity in the Heavenly Court after its reestablishment.

However, he must have discovered something or done something that led to his 'reckoning' by the Heavenly Court a million years later, resulting in his direct downfall.

If that's the case, the battle that swept through the Thirty-Three Heavens back then might have been initiated by someone in the Heavenly Court who was affected by the polluted energy.

The party with the greatest benefit after the war was most likely the one who instigated it!

Before the ancient war, the Heavenly Court was already the top power in the Thirty-Three Heavens, occupying the Upper Nine Heavens and nominally ruling over the entire realm.

There was no need to start such a battle that engulfed the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Unless it had something to do with the polluted energy!

The invasion of polluted energy into the Heavenly Court must have driven the Immortal Deities in charge to initiate this all-out war without hesitation.

Qin Zheng's thoughts turned to the time when he refined the Immortal Deity statue and the pollution prompt from the Virtue Scroll, further confirming his speculation.

He wanted to ask Qiluoshan more about the Heavenly Court, but recalling the previous time when his inquiry led to the eruption of polluted energy within Qiluoshan, he suppressed the urge.

Although the polluted energy had been purified, it seemed that 'Heavenly Court matters' couldn't be easily recalled or mentioned lightly, or else changes would occur.

So, he paused for a moment, then turned to Qiluoshan and asked, "Is there a connection between the polluted energy in your body and the Thirty-Three Heavens?"

Hearing his question, Qiluoshan understood and thought for a moment before nodding lightly, his voice heavy with solemnity, "The battle back then erupted too suddenly, and many powerful beings didn't have time to think before they perished in the war."

"I was only a Great Transcendent, and my survival in that battle was due to my master's protection. I don't know much."

"Now that I think about it carefully, the source of that battle might indeed be related to the polluted energy!"

Qiluoshan, having experienced the battle and been invaded by the polluted energy, had a realization.

Could the battle back then have been caused by the polluted energy infecting someone in the Heavenly Court, leading to the war?

As he recalled the events after the battle and the reestablishment of the Heavenly Court, a sense of dread and despair arose within him.

However, when his gaze fell upon the youth in the golden-runed dark robe standing before him, a glimmer of hope and vitality emerged.

"Is the price you pay to remove the polluted energy high or not?"

He asked with a hint of expectation.

Qin Zheng, deep in thought about the connection between the Heavenly Court and the polluted energy, responded after a moment, "It's an equivalent exchange."

One Virtue Crystal was required to purify a single strand of polluted energy, an equivalent exchange.

Qiluoshan's heart sank, as he didn't understand the meaning of 'equivalent exchange,' but he could sense the difficulty involved.

The cost of extracting the polluted energy was immense!

Moreover, the price varied depending on the amount and depth of pollution within the affected individual.

If that person was truly polluted, to awaken them and extract the polluted energy from their body, it would be impossible with just Great Transcendent means, and even Primordial Chaos might not suffice!

Only by transcending Primordial Chaos and reaching the Dao Realm, which surpasses Heaven and Earth, might one barely be able to accomplish this.

As this thought crossed his mind, the hope that had just ignited in his heart quickly shattered.

How difficult it is to attain the Dao Realm!

Throughout the Thirty-Three Heavens, the number of those who have reached the Dao Realm can be counted on one hand from ancient times to the present! How could he believe that the existence before him, merely at the Great Transcendent Realm, could ascend all the way to attain Primordial Chaos and then the Dao Realm?

Countless thoughts flooded his mind, but after a moment's hesitation, he sighed deeply and abandoned the idea that had just emerged.

"No matter what means you used to come from the Thirty-Three Heavens to this place, remember not to return there."

Qiluoshan once again earnestly advised.

Qin Zheng nodded slightly, then organized his thoughts and asked again, "Are there Primordial Chaos existences guarding each of the Thirty-Three Heavens?"

Qiluoshan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he shook his head, "When I was there, there was no such situation, but..."

"I left the Thirty-Three Heavens millions of years ago, and anything could have happened during this time."

After speaking, his gaze towards Qin Zheng carried a thoughtful expression.

However, he did not continue to ask further, but instead calmly said, "My time is running out. If you have any questions, please ask them quickly."

He had already merged with the polluted energy, and now that the pollution was purified, his vitality had also dissipated.

His current state of clarity and consciousness was merely a fleeting moment of lucidity before death, and he couldn't maintain it for long.

Qin Zheng nodded again, and then his expression turned solemn as he asked, "Who fought against the Three Pure Ones in that great battle back then?"

The incomplete Three Treasure Jade Ruyi.

The Immortal Slaying Sword, with its blade and sword intent separated.

The shattered Heaven Earth Jade Tower, broken into countless fragments.

When he had refined the Jade Purity Statue, he had even witnessed a majestic Dao field that shattered the chaos of the void, and it seemed to be stained with blood.

All these situations proved that the battle between the Three Pure Ones at that time was equally intense and terrifying.

However, after asking this question, a look of confusion appeared on Qiluoshan's face, and he quickly responded, "The Three Pure Ones did not take action in the past."

As if this answer was not appropriate, he quickly continued, "None of the beings above the Dao Realm took action at that time."

Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed as he looked at Qiluoshan, and he asked slowly, "They didn't take action?"

"Mhm."

Qiluoshan nodded, then after a moment of thought, he continued, "The Dao Realm beings in the Thirty-Three Heavens had already disappeared before the great battle erupted, after countless years of existence."

"In the entire Thirty-Three Heavens, only their Dao tradition and their divine artifacts remained, but the Dao Realm experts themselves had long since vanished."

"And during and after the great battle, these Dao Realm experts never appeared or took action."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng's expression became solemn, but he also keenly grasped a useful piece of information from Qiluoshan's words.

"Do you mean that there are no Dao Realm experts in the current Thirty-Three Heavens?"

He immediately asked.

Qiluoshan lightly shook his head and replied, "That was the case before the great battle, but now, it's uncertain."

Qin Zheng pondered this information.

At this moment, Qiluoshan's aura began to rapidly decline.

After delaying for a moment, he could no longer hold on and was about to completely perish.

Qin Zheng did not ask further, but instead looked at Qiluoshan and quickly said, "Do you have any last words or requests? If there's a chance in the future, Qin will deliver them for you."

Qiluoshan's eyes lit up, and with a wave of his hand, he condensed a jade slip that floated in front of Qin Zheng. He weakly said,

"After the master was struck down from the Heavenly Court, he sent us out of the Thirty-Three Heavens, and I have no idea if he's still alive."

"If he has perished, then the disciples and followers he sent out might also be in grave danger. This is his Dao tradition."

"If you have the chance, please choose a clever disciple to carry on the master's Dao tradition."

"Qiluoshan would be eternally grateful!"

Qin Zheng reached out and took the jade slip, nodding, "Rest assured, Qiluoshan. I promise you this.

Qiluoshan's breath grew weaker, and his speech became labored, but he managed to muster the strength to say one last thing: "There's one more thing."

"If Master hasn't fallen, and you encounter him, please tell him that although Qiluoshan has been polluted, he hasn't harmed the creatures of the world."

"Master has dedicated his life to upholding righteousness, slaying demons, and as his disciple, I will not succumb to degradation for the sake of survival."

"If given the chance, I will reincarnate and become his disciple once more!"

After speaking his final words, Qiluoshan's breath finally stilled, and his head instantly drooped.

Qin Zheng, gazing at the Daoist before him, couldn't help but think of the Elder Sect Master of the Nine Sun Immortal Sect in the Immortal Ruins.

Upon realizing his own pollution, Qiluoshan mustered his last shred of sanity and sought out Ye Tianxin, cooperating in his own sealing within this realm.

The Elder Sect Master of the Nine Sun Immortal Sect was also sealed within the grand hall of the sect.

Whether this Elder willingly complied with the sealing or not, he remained unknown.

However, neither of them harmed any living beings; instead, they endured solitary suppression for millions of years.

Regardless, both of them embodied great righteousness.

Qin Zheng looked at the motionless Daoist with his head bowed, clasped his hands, and offered a respectful bow, saying, "May your journey ahead be peaceful, fellow Daoist."

Afterward, he stood up and, with a wave of his hand, collected the other's remains into a separate space.

Qin Zheng could sense that the Daoist had one final wish—to have his remains buried in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

After all, fallen leaves return to their roots.

But since returning to the Thirty-Three Heavens was impossible, he didn't make this request.

Regardless of how many times the Daoist emphasized this wish, Qin Zheng was determined to fulfill it.

So, there was still a chance to help him achieve this final desire.

Qin Zheng then lifted his head, his gaze falling on the Heaven Earth Jade Tower floating high in the sky.

As it rotated, it emitted layer upon layer of golden light, and strands of Mystic Yellow Qi descended, enveloping the entire realm.

Such a powerful divine artifact—what kind of formidable attack could have shattered it into over a thousand pieces?

Qiluoshan mentioned that the Three Pure Ones hadn't intervened, and none of the Dao Realm experts had taken action, which could only mean that the Dao Realm battlefield was not within the Thirty-Three Heavens.

What kind of enemies were they facing? What was the outcome of the Dao Realm battle? Did the Dao Realm experts of the Thirty-Three Heavens survive or perish?

How were the Three Pure Ones faring now?

These thoughts flooded Qin Zheng's mind.

After a moment, he temporarily suppressed these thoughts, knowing that mere contemplation wouldn't reveal the answers.

Even the Tortoise Shell Divination couldn't predict the situation of the Dao Realm experts.

It was best to focus on the present and strive to enhance his cultivation as quickly as possible, aiming to attain Primordial Chaos Enlightenment!

Qin Zheng could sense that he was getting closer to the truth and, consequently, closer to danger.

To ensure his safety before uncovering the truth, he needed to cultivate with all his might!

With this thought, he immersed his mind in his inner world, gazing at the Great Way Tree that dominated its center.

Ten strands of Great Way Essence Energy, like ten white dragons, entwined around the Great Way Tree.

Both the Great Way Tree and the Essence Energy seemed to breathe, exchanging breaths with each other in a rhythmic pattern.

The Great Way Tree began its slow evolution and transformation, while the Essence Energy also thickened, both remarkably well-matched.

With sufficient Essence Energy, the changes in the Great Way Tree might have been even more rapid.

Unfortunately, these ten strands were needed to enhance the Virtue Scroll, and couldn't remain entwined with the tree.

A thought crossed Qin Zheng's mind, and one strand of Essence Energy slowly rose from the Great Way Tree, eventually reaching the heart sea.

As it appeared before the Virtue Scroll, this strand of Essence Energy, without Qin Zheng's control, transformed into a white light and surged into the scroll.

Hum!

The Virtue Scroll trembled slightly.

Then, within the inner world, the Essence Energy entwined around the Great Way Tree, as if summoned, began to rise and flow into the Virtue Scroll.

When the fifth strand of Essence Energy surged into the Virtue Scroll, a dazzling golden light burst forth from the scroll, instantly engulfing Qin Zheng's heart sea!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end