Chapter 389: Aftermath Unsettled

Above the ruins of the Immortal Palace, the smoke finally dissipated.

Those silver lights, that terrifying pressure, that suffocating power of Order—all had vanished without a trace. Only the ground littered with debris remained, only the ruined halls remained, and only those deep and shallow scars remained, silently speaking of the battle's cruelty.

Wang Ping stood at the highest point of the ruins, looking down over all of this.

Around him still lingered a faint chaos light. It was the aura that had not yet fully retracted after his recent breakthrough to God Transformation, the imprint left by the Chaos Dao on him. That light was gentle and profound, utterly different from before—no longer a simple murky gray, but seeming to contain the turning of three thousand laws, containing infinite possible evolution.

His eyes were closed at this moment.

His Chaos Divine Sense, like an invisible tide, surged from within him, covering the entire Immortal Palace Ruins and the surrounding thousand li of void.

He was tallying the battle's gains.

The first Mid God Transformation cultivator fell in the void three thousand li to the east. His remains had completely disintegrated, leaving only a fist-sized silver crystal drifting there. That was the core fragment of an Order-aligned God Transformation, containing that cultivator's lifetime of cultivation and memory.

The second Mid God Transformation cultivator fell in the void five thousand li to the west. His remains likewise disintegrated, but the core fragment left behind was larger, the size of a human skull. The crystal's surface was covered in cracks, traces left when Wang Ping shattered its core with a single palm.

Thirty Order Apostles were utterly wiped out. Their remnants were scattered across a hundred-li radius of void—some swept by the aftermath of the Heavenly Tribulation into powder; some torn apart by the battle's aftermath into fragments; some remained intact but their cores had completely dimmed.

Moreover, those battle puppets, those creations of the Power of Order, had all turned into cold scrap metal, drifting silently in the void.

The Pure World Court's third wave of attack was completely annihilated.

But Wang Ping's face showed no joy.

Because his divine sense had discovered something in the relics of those two God Transformation cultivators.

It was a token.

A shattered silver token.

He raised his hand and summoned it; the token crossed thousands of li of void and landed in his palm.

The token was entirely silver, of a special material neither metal nor jade, icy cold to the touch. Its surface was covered in cracks, traces left by being swept by the Heavenly Tribulation's aftermath. Yet the characters on its front remained clearly legible—

«Seventh Sequence·Extermination Order»

Wang Ping's pupils contracted slightly.

Sequence is the internal ranking of the Pure World Court: Early God Transformation is Eighth Sequence, Mid God Transformation Seventh Sequence, Late God Transformation Sixth Sequence, and so on. Seventh Sequence means the holder of this token is a Mid God Transformation entity.

And the «Extermination Order» is the Pure World Court's highest-grade kill order.

Once listed as a target of the Extermination Order, one will face the Pure World Court's relentless pursuit. No matter how far you flee to the ends of the earth, no matter which corner you hide in, they will find you and kill you.

Wang Ping stared at the token in his hand, silent for a long time.

He knew what it meant.

The fall of two Mid God Transformation cultivators was a huge loss for the Pure World Court, but they would not retreat because of it; instead they would redouble their efforts. The next wave of attack would no longer be just two Mid God Transformation cultivators, but could be three, five, or even—

Late God Transformation.

Even—

Union Stage.

He raised his head and gazed toward the distant void where silver light flickered.

There, the nest of the Pure World Court, deep in the Primordial Chaos Sea, a more terrifying existence was awakening.

Lord of Order.

An existence said to have reached the Void Refining Stage.

«What's wrong? »

A gentle voice came from behind.

Wang Ping turned and saw Youying walking over slowly. Her complexion was still pale, a sign that her cultivation had not yet recovered from its drastic drop. But her steps were much steadier now, and the light in her eyes brighter than before.

Wang Ping handed the token to her.

Youying took it, glanced at it, and her expression changed instantly.

«Extermination Order»

Wang Ping nodded.

Youying fell silent for a moment, then whispered, «We've been targeted. »

«Not just us. » Wang Ping shook his head, gazing into the distance, «It's the whole Spirit Realm. »

Youying followed his gaze, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes.

Just then——

A message talisman shot from the void and landed straight in Wang Ping's hand.

It was Yunhao's message.

Wang Ping unfolded it, probed it with his divine sense, and his face grew ever more solemn.

In the message, Yunhao reported: the first batch of survivors had safely reached the Spirit Realm, placed by the Alliance on a spirit vein near the Ninth Dao Academy. But the outskirts of the Spirit Realm showed abnormal spatial fluctuations in many star fields. After investigation, the Alliance's scout team discovered that those fluctuations were the Pure World Court's teleportation arrays in operation—they were gathering a great army.

The scale is unknown.

But according to a preliminary estimate, there are at least five God Transformation cultivators and over a hundred Order Apostles.

Wang Ping gripped the message talisman, silent for a long time.

Youying looked at him and whispered, «How long? »

«I don't know. » Wang Ping shook his head, «But it won't be long. Having lost two Mid God Transformation cultivators, they will surely retaliate. Soon it could be months, later a year, and the next wave of attack will arrive. »

Youying fell silent.

She knew what it meant.

With their current strength, they could not possibly withstand the Pure World Court's next attack. Although Wang Ping had broken through to God Transformation, he had just stepped in, his realm unsteady. Cangxuan, Yuliuli, Mysterious Turtle Venerable, and Immortal of Hundred Herbs each suffered injuries. And she, whose cultivation had plummeted, could muster less than a tenth of her peak combat power.

The sole good news is that Jiu'er's Establishing Tree sapling has taken root, slowly restoring vitality to these ruins. But that requires time, a great deal of time.

And what they lack most is time.

«What are your plans? » Youying asked.

Wang Ping fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, «First go back. Discuss with everyone. »

Half an hour later, everyone gathered in the relatively intact hall at the center of the ruins.

Though called a hall, only a few broken stone pillars and a roof that barely kept out wind and rain remained. Yet on this battlefield‑scarred ruin, it was a rare shelter.

Cang Xuan sat cross‑legged beneath a stone pillar, eyes closed, regulating his breath. His sword lay across his knees, its blade still bearing fresh blood from the slain Order Emissaries. His aura was deeper and more restrained than before, showing he had also gained insight in this battle.

Yu Liuli leaned against another stone pillar, cradling her zither. Three of its strings were snapped, the Fairy Sound Bell dim and lusterless, yet a faint smile touched her face—joy at surviving the calamity and delight at her comrades' growth.

Venerable Xuan Gui lay on a stretcher, with Immortal Bai Cao keeping watch. His wounds were severe; though the chest wound had stopped bleeding, his vital energy was gravely damaged—he wouldn't be able to get up for three to five months. Yet he grinned broadly, a bold and satisfied smile.

"Exhilarating! Damn, it feels great!" he shouted, "I've lived eight thousand years, and today I personally killed a Void God for the first time! Though it was a lucky strike, it's still a Void God—worth it!"

Immortal Bai Cao glared at him. "Shut up! What if the wound bursts open?"

Venerable Xuan Gui gave an embarrassed grin, daring not to shout anymore.

Jiu Er sat beside the Fusang sapling, her tiny hand pressed against its trunk. Eyes closed, she seemed to be sensing something. The sapling grew slowly, its roots digging deep into the ruins, drawing the lingering nutrients from the land—that was her power, and her mission.

Wang Ping stood in the crowd's center and spoke slowly.

"Yun Hao has sent word. The first batch of refugees has safely reached the Spirit Realm."

Everyone's spirits lifted.

"But—" Wang Ping paused, "teleportation arrays of the Pure World Court have appeared on the outskirts of the Spirit Realm. They are mustering an army; the next wave of attack could come soon."

The smiles on everyone's faces froze.

Cang Xuan opened his eyes, his tone icy: "How long?"

"I don't know. But it won't be long."

Cang Xuan fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "My sword can still cut."

Yu Liuli whispered, "My zither can still play."

Venerable Xuan Gui grinned broadly: "I may not be able to move, but my mouth can still curse. Cursing can kill a few too!"

Immortal Bai Cao glared at him, but said nothing.

Jiu Er opened her eyes and looked toward Wang Ping.

"Big brother, Jiu Er can help too."

Wang Ping gazed at her, at the earnest expression on her small face, and a warm current welled up in his heart.

He walked over, crouched down, and gently stroked her head.

"Jiu Er, you've already done enough. Now you just need to rest and recover properly."

Jiu Er wanted to say something, but Wang Ping cut her off.

"Listen."

Jiu Er looked at him and finally nodded.

Wang Ping rose to his feet and surveyed the crowd.

"Everyone, the Pure World Court's next attack will be stronger than this one. Our current strength can't stop it. So—"

He paused, a flash of resolve in his eyes.

"I will enter secluded cultivation to consolidate my realm and increase my power."

Cang Xuan looked at him and nodded slowly.

"How long?"

I don't know. But I will do it as soon as possible.

The shadowy figure walked to his side and lightly took his hand.

I'll accompany you.

Wang Ping looked at her and gave a faint smile.

Good.

That day, Wang Ping entered the deepest underground palace of the Immortal Palace ruins and began his secluded cultivation.

This underground palace was where he had previously undergone his tribulation. Although the heavenly tribulation had blasted it beyond recognition, the secret chamber deep within the palace remained intact. The stone walls around the secret chamber were covered with ancient runes left by the Myriad Phenomena Stargazers; though the runes were dim, they still emanated a faint protective power.

Wang Ping sat cross-legged in the center of the secret chamber and slowly closed his eyes.

Within his dantian, the chaotic primordial spirit sat quietly, cross-legged.

That diminutive figure, identical to him, now had its eyes closed, hands forming seals, with a faint chaotic light swirling around its body. Within that light, the vague silhouettes of the three thousand laws could be seen turning— the fervor of flames, the stillness of ice, the fury of lightning, the profundity of space, the vicissitudes of time...

Above the primordial spirit hovered a miniature "Suppress" divine character, formed from the will-star condensed in the second layer of the Refining Spirit Decree, containing the supreme suppressive truth. Now it slowly rotated, emitting a faint golden light; each rotation sent a thread of suppressive force into the primordial spirit, strengthening its foundation.

In the primordial spirit's right hand it grasped a miniature illusory image of the Chaos Tribulation Sword, the projection of his natal magic treasure, containing the sharpness of the Heaven‑Severing Sword Intent. Although the true Chaos Tribulation Sword had shattered in the heavenly tribulation, this illusory image was purer and more refined than the actual sword.

Wang Ping's mind and spirit slowly sank into his dantian.

He "watched" that primordial spirit, "watched" the flowing chaotic light, "watched" the illusory forms of the laws, and a sense of sudden understanding welled up in his heart.

This is what it means to become a deity.

The nascent soul is the "I", the primordial spirit is the "Dao". The process of the nascent soul becoming a deity is the process of merging the "I" into the "Dao", of elevating the "human" into the "Dao".

But he had not yet fully merged.

Although his primordial spirit had taken form, its connection with his physical body was not yet close enough. Though his chaotic immortal essence was pure, its resonance with the laws was not yet deep enough. Though his divine sense was powerful, its communication with heaven and earth was not yet smooth.

He needed time.

He needed time for the primordial spirit to fully merge with the flesh, time for the chaotic immortal essence to deeply resonate with the laws, and time for his divine sense to establish a tighter connection with heaven and earth.

And what he lacked most at present was time.

But he must not be impatient.

On the path of cultivation, haste is most to be avoided; seeking speed leads to failure.

He took a deep breath, completely immersed his mind and spirit in his dantian, and began to circulate the Way of Chaos.

Time passed, unnoticed.

One day, two days, three days—

Seven days, fourteen days, twenty-one days——

Inside the secret chamber, there was no alternation of day and night, no sense of time passing. Only Wang Ping's seated figure, only the slowly flowing chaotic light around him, only the faint breathing sound.

His aura was undergoing a subtle change.

That change was not an increase in quantity, but a qualitative transformation. His chaotic immortal essence was becoming purer, deeper, closer to the form of the chaotic origin. His chaotic primordial spirit was forming an ever tighter bond with his flesh; each heartbeat, each breath, was accompanied by a slight tremor of the primordial spirit. His chaotic divine sense was spreading in all directions, penetrating the stone walls of the secret chamber, penetrating the soil layers of the ruins, penetrating the boundless void, establishing ever deeper resonance with the laws of heaven and earth.

One month later.

Inside the secret chamber, Wang Ping suddenly opened his eyes.

At that moment, the entire secret chamber trembled.

It was not a real tremor, but a resonance at the level of law. It seemed as if his very existence was the center of this heaven and earth, the hub where laws circulate.

He slowly rose to his feet.

His movement was slow and light, yet it carried an indescribable aura. This was the aura of the Nascent Soul stage, the aura that, after merging with the laws, stands equal with heaven and earth.

He lowered his head and looked at his hands.

Those hands looked no different from before, but he knew that now they could do countless things previously impossible.

With a thought, his chaotic divine sense instantly spread.

Ten thousand li away, a floating meteorite, under the cover of his divine sense, became clearly visible. Every grain on the meteorite, every crack, every wisp of spiritual qi fluctuation, was as if right before his eyes.

A hundred thousand li away, a dead star, under the cover of his divine sense, had nowhere to hide. Every mountain peak, every canyon, every impact crater on its surface was clearly discernible.

A million li away, at the edge of the void, faint silver lights could be seen flickering. They were the scouting party of the Purified World Court, probing this region. Though they were still a million li from the Immortal Palace ruins, every move they made, every communication, lay within the reach of his divine sense.

Chaotic divine sense: a thought reaches ten thousand li.

This is Nascent Soul.

This is his Dao.

He drew a deep breath, retracted his divine sense, and stepped out of the secret chamber.

Outside the secret chamber, You Ying sat on a blue stone, waiting for him.

She did not know how long she had waited.

She only knew that when the door of the secret chamber opened and that familiar figure stepped out, she finally let out a breath of relief.

Wang Ping walked up to her and gently took her hand.

"Have you been waiting long?"

You Ying shook her head and gave a faint smile.

"Not long. Just a month."

Wang Ping looked at her, at the bloodshot in her eyes, at her slightly weary face, and a feeling of pity welled up in his heart.

"Have you been guarding here all this time?"

You Ying did not speak, only gave a slight nod.

Wang Ping's heart felt as if it had been struck hard.

He knew You Ying's wounds were not healed; she needed rest and recuperation. But she had not. She chose to stay here, guarding him, never leaving his side.

He gently pulled her into his embrace.

"Fool."

You Ying leaned against his chest, silent.

She merely felt his heartbeat, his warmth, his real presence.

One month.

She had waited here for a month.

Every day, every night, every moment, she worried, she feared, she prayed.

Now, he has come out.

He is unharmed.

He is well.

That is enough.

After a long while, the two separated.

Wang Ping took her hand and walked toward the center of the ruins.

There, Cang Xuan, Yu Liuli, Xuan Gui Zunzhe, Bai Cao Xianzi, and Jiu Er were waiting for him.

Seeing him come out, everyone's eyes lit up.

Cang Xuan examined him up and down, a rare smile appearing on his stern face.

"Stabilized?"

Wang Ping nodded.

"Stabilized."

Yu Liuli cradled her guqin and softly said, "Congratulations, Brother Wang."

Xuan Gui Zunzhe lay on a stretcher, grinning broadly: "Good! Good! Now we have one more bit of assurance!"

Bai Cao Xianzi also smiled, her smile kind and relieved.

Jiu Er ran over and flung her arms around Wang Ping's leg.

"Big brother! You finally came out! Jiu Er missed you so much!"

Wang Ping lowered his head to look at her, at the smile on her face, at the reliance in her eyes, and a warmth rose in his heart.

He crouched down and gently stroked her head.

"Jiu Er, be good. Big brother also misses you."

Jiu Er lifted her little face and suddenly said, "Big brother, Jiu Er feels that those bad people are getting closer and closer to us."

Wang Ping's smile slightly froze.

He stood up, gazing into the distance.

There, millions of li away, those silver lights were slowly moving.

They were approaching.

Half an hour later, everyone gathered again at the center of the ruins.

Wang Ping told everyone everything he had sensed with his divine sense about the movements of the Pure World Court.

"Five Transformation God experts." His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of gravity: "Two mid-stage Transformation God, three early-stage Transformation God. Moreover, there are at least fifty Order Apostles."

Everyone fell silent.

Five Transformation God experts.

That number made everyone feel pressure.

Previously, two mid-stage Transformation God experts had already forced them to exert their utmost, paying a heavy price. Now there are five Transformation God experts, plus three early-stage Transformation God—although early-stage is weaker than mid-stage, the numerical advantage is enough to compensate for the qualitative gap.

Moreover, on their side, Profound Tortoise Venerable is severely injured and not yet recovered, Youying's cultivation has plummeted, and the only ones truly able to fight are Wang Ping, Cangxuan, and Yuliuli—three people.

Three versus five.

Chances of victory, slim.

Cangxuan said coldly: "We can fight."

Wang Ping looked at him.

Cangxuan continued: "My sword has already touched the threshold of mid-stage Transformation God. Give me time, and I can break through."

Wang Ping's eyes lit up.

"How long?"

Cangxuan fell silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Three months. At least three months."

Wang Ping's heart sank.

Three months.

The pursuers of the Pure World Court could arrive in at most one month.

They cannot wait three months.

Yuliuli whispered: "My Immortal Sound Dao has also reached a bottleneck. If I can break through, I can interfere with the divine souls of mid-stage Transformation God experts."

Wang Ping looked at her, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

"How long?"

Yuliuli thought for a moment, then whispered: "Two months."

Still too long.

Profound Tortoise Venerable lay on the stretcher, then suddenly spoke.

"Although I cannot move, I have a secret art that can temporarily lend my lifetime cultivation to a person. Although only the time of a single incense stick, it is enough for that person to possess mid-stage Transformation God combat power for a short time."

Wang Ping was stunned.

"Lend?"

Profound Tortoise Venerable nodded, grinning.

"Yes. Lend. This old body of mine has lived enough; if I can be of help, it's worth it."

Baicao Xianzi glared at him: "Nonsense! Lending your cultivation will kill you!"

Profound Tortoise Venerable gave an embarrassed smile and said nothing more.

But Wang Ping knew he was serious.

Baicao Xianzi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "This old woman also has a secret art to concoct 'Boundary-Breaking Pill'. Although only temporary, it can raise the user's combat power by one minor realm within half an hour."

Wang Ping looked at her.

Baicao Xianzi continued: "But the ingredients are insufficient. We are still missing the main medicinal herb—Chaotic Azure Lotus."

Chaotic Azure Lotus.

Wang Ping's heart stirred.

In the fragments of the immortal realm, the stalk of Chaotic Azure Lotus he obtained still had half unused.

"I have it." He said.

Baicao Xianzi's eyes lit up.

"Then there is hope."

Jiu'er suddenly spoke.

"Big brother, Jiu'er can also help."

Wang Ping looked at her.

Jiu'er pointed to the nearby Fusang sapling and said: "It says it can open a spatial passage, directly sending you before those villains, striking them unawares."

Wang Ping was stunned.

Has the Fusang sapling already grown to this extent?

Jiu'er nodded seriously: "It says it owes big brother a lot. Big brother protected it, protected Jiu'er, protected this ruin. It wants to repay."

Wang Ping gazed at that sapling, at that tiny life striving to grow, and a warm current welled up in his heart.

He walked up to the sapling and lightly placed his hand on its trunk.

"Thank you."

The sapling swayed lightly, as if responding.

Youying walked to his side and whispered softly: "There is hope now."

Wang Ping nodded.

Yes. There's hope.

He turned around and looked at the crowd.

Everyone, from now on, we'll act separately.

Brother Cang, go into seclusion. You must break through within three months.

Cang Xuan nodded.

Fairy Yu, you also go into seclusion. You must break through within two months.

Yu Liuli nodded.

Senior Bai Cao, refine the Breakthrough Pill. Tell me what materials you need.

Bai Cao Xianzi nodded.

Senior Xuan Gui, heal your wounds well. Don't use borrowed power unless absolutely necessary.

Xuan Gui Zunzhe gave a grin: "I'll listen to you."

Jiu Er, keep guarding the Jianmu sapling. When those bad guys come, open a passage for us.

Jiu Er nodded firmly.

Wang Ping finally looked at You Ying.

Come with me.

In the depths of the ruins, inside that secret chamber.

Wang Ping sat cross-legged on the ground, You Ying sitting opposite him.

"What do you want me to do?" You Ying asked.

Wang Ping looked at her, a hint of complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

I need you to help me comprehend something.

He took out that silver token from his bosom and placed it between them.

This is the relic of that Transformation God expert. It retains a trace of the Power of Order. I want to analyze it to find the weakness of the Purifying World Court.

You Ying blinked slightly.

What can I do?

Wang Ping said: "You've cultivated the Void Laws and understand the Power of Order. Help me guard the law; while I comprehend, remind me not to be eroded by the Power of Order."

You Ying remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Alright.

Wang Ping closed his eyes and sank his mind into that token.

Inside the token lingered the memory fragments of that Transformation God expert.

He "saw" the stronghold of the Purifying World Court—deep in the Primordial Chaos Sea, a massive silver fortress. Inside the fortress, countless Order Apostles were busy, countless combat puppets patrolled. At the fortress's deepest point lay a gigantic silver heart, beating slowly.

Order Core.

He "saw" the Lord of Order—a silver silhouette seated cross-legged within the core. Its face was indiscernible, only a pair of silver eyes like two suns, overlooking everything.

He "saw" the Purifying World Court's plan—a "Great Purge" targeting all realms. The Spirit Realm ranked seventh.

He also "saw" more—

How cultivators eroded by the Power of Order gradually lost themselves and became puppets.

How civilizations cleansed by the Purifying World Court turned to ash in the silver light.

How the resisters died in despair.

One scene after another flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

His mind began to be eroded by the Power of Order.

A cold, stiff feeling surged from the token, trying to seize his consciousness.

Just then—

You Ying's voice sounded.

Wang Ping.

That voice was soft, yet like a clear spring pouring onto his mind about to be frozen.

He jolted awake, gathered his mind, and continued his contemplation.

Once, twice, three times—

Whenever his mind was about to be eroded, You Ying would timely awaken him.

Day after day, night after night.

No one knew how long had passed—perhaps seven days, perhaps ten days—

At a certain moment, Wang Ping finally opened his eyes.

In his eyes, chaotic-colored light flowed, deeper and brighter than before.

I found it.

You Ying looked at him, her eyes full of relief.

What did you find?

Wang Ping gave a faint smile.

The weakness of the Purifying World Court.

One month later, when the five Transformation God experts of the Purifying World Court reached the outskirts of the Immortal Palace Ruins, what greeted them was not panicked prey, but—

A huge spatial passageway.

Inside the passageway, four figures slowly stepped out.

Wang Ping, early-stage Transformation God, Way of Chaos.

Cangxuan, Void God mid-stage, Sword Dao perfected.

Yuliuli, Void God early-stage, Immortal Sound Dao breakthrough.

Besides Youying, although her cultivation had not yet recovered, she stood beside Wang Ping, shoulder to shoulder with him.

Four people, facing five Void Gods, showed no fear.

Among the five Void Gods, the leader, a mid-stage Void God, spoke coldly.

"Wang Ping. You killed two of our Void Gods; this debt must be settled."

Wang Ping looked at him, saying nothing.

He merely slowly raised his hand.

In his palm, a chaotic-colored lightning bolt was condensing.

Chaotic Immortal Lightning.

That Void God's expression changed instantly.

But it was already too late.

The lightning shot out.

The great battle began.