Chapter 581: Protecting the Shortcomings

Qingqiu Niangniang's eyes flickered with a hint of realization.

The Lord of Xuanming possessed vast divine might; in ancient times, among the many divine beings of the Dao, he was counted among the supreme overlords.

"However, Yu is an earth deity—will he inherit the name of Xuanming?"

Yu Wang's smile was inappropriate.

"It should be his Dao companion who inherits the name of Xuanming—this makes no difference to him!"

Yu Wang paused slightly, then said.

"Tushan, you will still need to guide her on this matter!"

Qingqiu Niangniang gave a slight nod.

"In six hundred years, the Qingqiu lineage will hold the Qingqiu Assembly; I will invite all immortals to come, and they will naturally invite the two female scrolls from the Lingyuan Emperor's Mansion to attend!"

Although the Qingqiu Assembly of the Qingqiu clan cannot compare to the Yaochi Banquet, its standard in the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm is still high, especially among female immortals, whose influence is widespread.

The couple were both in good spirits.

However, the couple would not press this matter.

Before fully inheriting the divine position of the Lord of Xuanming, for Zhang Jian and his wife, it was all very dangerous.

Zhang Jian's willingness to report this matter clearly showed his trust in the couple.

The couple would not let Zhang Jian suffer unwarranted risks.

Qingqiu Niangniang then said: "Just look at the situation—Yu has not received the ancient Dao transmission!"

There was a hint of regret in her beautiful eyes.

Although the ancient Dao is outdated, many of its profound mysteries remain classic scriptures; however, most of these mysteries are held by ancient deities, making it difficult for later gods to inherit them.

The Tongshan Dao lineage split into the paths of immortals and gods.

There are many disciples and followers who possess the bodies of immortals and gods.

If one could obtain the ancient Dao transmission, one could naturally strengthen one's influence.

Yu Wang sighed.

"The Lord of Xuanming was slain by the Heavenly Emperor—where could there be a proper Xuanming inheritance left? Obtaining her divine position is already a great gain!"

……

Eternal Ice Fortress, Eternal Ice Crystal Divine Hall.

Outside, disturbances were frequent; immortals and gods testing the defenses of the Eternal Ice Fortress kept increasing, yet Zhang Jian paid no heed.

Anyone who touched the forbidden law would be arrested and suppressed into the Eternal Immortal Prison.

With this deterrent, the immortals and gods outside finally restrained themselves.

Zhang Jian was able to calmly contemplate the profound mysteries of the Datiuan Xuanming Ancestral Qi.

What Zhang Jian contemplated more was its derivative results, which then fed back into his Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi.

Undoubtedly, the perfection of the Datiuan Xuanming Ancestral Qi far surpassed that of the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi.

It transcended the state of a simple ancestral qi cycle.

The heavenly and earthly great Dao runes within it even exceeded the number of one yuan; the one yuan heavenly and earthly rune cycle surrounded the ancestral qi wheel, lively and extraordinary, no longer cumbersome.

Its entire being also carried a sense of transcendence, the flavor of the other shore.

Its existence completely suppressed most of the ancestral qi power in the other ice-attribute ancestral qi networks, becoming the spring eye of ice-attribute in the depths of the chaotic primordial ocean, occupying a position of great importance.

Zhang Jian felt that in ancient times, it might not have merely been of great importance, but rather held the leading position in the ice-attribute ancestral qi network.

Yet even now, it still firmly controls many unique primordial divine offices, such as winter, rain and snow, eternity, soul, and so on.

In the myriad dimensions, divine positions are limited, and primordial divine offices are even rarer.

A divine position is a status.

A divine office is a duty.

Having only status but no duty also prevents the full expression of a divine Dao cultivator's power.

This is like clearly holding a high position yet having no real authority.

Zhang Jian and the Ice Emperor he slew were both divine bodies, but their essence pales compared to ancient deities, for although they possess divine bodies and divine status, they lack the corresponding divine offices.

Divine offices were largely divided up in ancient times.

Thus, the path of divine Dao has basically reached its end.

Even if the myriad dimensions differentiate and expand, there is no way to solve the fact that primordial divine offices are concentrated in the hands of some ancient deities.

Deep in the hall, a layer of intense profound cold emanated from Zhang Jian's entire body.

At this moment, the fifth-rank immortal law, the Taiyin Refining Form Great Law, condensed above his head into a bright full moon, and a clear cold like water flowed from it, the icy radiance instantly rising by a level.

In the depths of the Taiyin Refining Form Great Law, the innate Taiyin law pattern Dao seed at this moment completely transformed into a strand of innate immortal spiritual light, merging into it, causing this fifth-rank immortal law to suddenly surge in clear cold radiance.

Like a true Taiyin bright moon.

The Taiyin Emperor's authority within was complete and round, carrying also the flavor of having endured the great destruction of heaven and earth and remaining eternal since ancient times.

This heavenly and earthly marvel at this moment completely merged into Zhang Jian's Taiyin Refining Form Great Law.

Zhang Jian also took advantage of the opportunity to fully contemplate the profound mysteries of the Taiyin Dao qi.

The Taiyin Emperor's authority was thus perfected.

Zhang Jian did not attempt to elevate the Taiyin Dao qi into Taiyin Ancestral Qi.

Although doing so would greatly aid the power of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram.

But now it is unnecessary.

Because his two main paths are the State Emperor and the Nine Abysses Emperor.

He needs to devote more time to the status of the State Emperor and the Nine Abysses Emperor, awaiting the moment when the Heavenly Heart returns to the Dao, when he will first transform into two great postnatal ancestral qi; as for other branches, most only need to perfect the Dao qi mysteries.

To contend for the Dao Lord title in the myriad dimensions' void, his time is very tight.

Don't waste time.

……

Before a massive ice-sealed valley deep in the core of the Eternal Mountains, the Eternal Forbidden Zone.

At this moment, beneath them lies a bottomless abyss, from which a cold storm like an ocean surges forth; the terrifying Xuanming storm is enough to freeze, ice-seal, and shatter even some formidable Eternal Immortal Treasures.

Such power, even if a Dao Lord were to bear it, would be extraordinarily difficult.

The group from the Radiant Dao Palace, however, appeared before this ice-sealed abyss.

The Wondrous Spirit Immortal Lord and the Azure South Immortal Lord stood firm, each surrounded by a strand of Eternal Immortal Light flying up from their bodies, protecting themselves.

This is one of their respective trump-card Immortal Treasures.

Yet, facing the terrifying icy power deep within the ice-sealed abyss, they still felt a chill rising from the depths of their hearts.

The formidable nature of the Xuanming Divine Power made them highly vigilant.

After decades of searching, they finally detected a trace of the Xuanming Ancestral Qi fragment deep within this ice-sealed abyss; the two Immortals of the Penglai Dao Palace naturally would not let this opportunity pass.

At this moment, the Wondrous Spirit Immortal Lord furrowed his brow and said.

"Azure South Senior Brother, many are watching us; if we succeed in doing this, it may only be making wedding clothes for others!"

A faint smile appeared on the Azure South Immortal Lord's face.

"Wondrous Spirit Junior Sister, since we want more, we naturally cannot avoid exerting more effort!"

"As for these people around us, they are nothing but village chickens and dogs unworthy of the table; with our combined strength, what do we have to fear from them?"

The Wondrous Spirit Immortal Lord slightly nodded, then immediately spoke again.

"Others may be negligible, but that Eternal Heavenly Lord is no weakling, and he possesses three great Xuanming Divine Artifacts on his person; I fear he will not be easy to deal with!"

A hint of unusual color appeared in the depths of the Azure South Immortal Lord's eyes.

"I, however, hope he will make a move!"

Seeing the Azure South Immortal Lord's words carry an anomaly, the Wondrous Spirit Immortal Lord's eyes showed some surprise.

The Azure South Immortal Lord let out a light hum and said.

A hint of coldness flickered in his eyes; if the opponent makes a move, he naturally would have an excuse to capture them and then enter the depths of the Eternal Ice Fortress to observe for a while.

The Wondrous Spirit Immortal Lord vaguely guessed this Azure South Senior Brother's plan, and inwardly she secretly shook her head.

The Azure South Immortal Lord's cultivation is extremely strong, only one Great Destruction Tribulation away from the Dao Lord realm.

His cultivation far surpasses hers.

However, in character, he is still somewhat arrogant.

After all, that Eternal Heavenly Lord is of divine essence; how could ordinary Taiyi Great Perfection Immortals compare to him?

But out of consideration for the opponent's dignity, she did not refute.

Worrying in her heart, she at that moment transformed into a stream of light and walked toward the depths of the ice-sealed abyss.

In the depths of the ice-sealed abyss, another Immortal manifested their true form in the shadows, coldly observing this ice-sealed gorge, yet secretly waiting for the outcome.

……

Within the Eternal Ice Fortress, Zhang Jian also received the news; he then summoned the gods and inquired about information regarding the ice-sealed abyss.

The Lingwu Immortal Official Yuan Jiang said.

"Heavenly Lord, that ice-sealed abyss is a forbidden zone deep within the Eternal Mountains, where terrifying Xuanming Divine Winds blow year-round; ordinary Immortals who approach will die, and even the Upper Immortals dare not lightly investigate it; we also do not know what exactly is hidden within that forbidden zone."

The Valley Ning Dao Official's gaze changed.

"Perhaps the Xuanming Divine Position is truly hidden within the ice-sealed abyss!"

Many other Immortal Officials showed some change in their eyes.

Upon the Heavenly Lord's throne, Zhang Jian remained expressionless.

The Xuanming Divine Position has already come into his hands; naturally, it is impossible for it to be within that ice-sealed abyss.

He pondered slightly; the records in the Heavenly Lord's Mansion regarding the ice-sealed abyss are scarce, merely stating that it is one of the regions of the Eternal Forbidden Zone, and that one Eternal Heavenly Lord fell there due to exploring this place.

Zhang Jian has little curiosity about such places.

Seeing the Immortals' attention all focused on the depths of the ice-sealed abyss,

he was delighted to have peace and quiet.

Now, his Dao heart gradually elevates and integrates; his Dao Lord worldview has already taken shape; next, he only needs to consolidate it, after which he can proceed to the fourth step: severing fate.

Possessing the Three Lives Stone, this step presents little difficulty for him.

……

Not long after, the True Form of the Yu King descended upon the Eternal Ice Fortress.

Zhang Jian led the upper and lower echelons of the Eternal Ice Fortress to welcome him.

This is a true Dao Lord, and moreover an ancient Holy Emperor, an old-guard Dao Lord; his arrival made many Immortals of the Eternal Ice Fortress feel pressure.

Although the Yu King came lightly equipped, he intentionally backed Zhang Jian, thus revealing the aura of an ancient Holy Emperor descending to the mundane world; his vast divine power suppressed countless Immortals across millions of kilometers, making them unable to lift their heads.

Even if a Dao Lord were hidden in the shadows, seeing this scene, they could not help but secretly flee.

At this moment, among the outer disciples of the Penglai Dao Palace, the remaining many disciples, upon seeing this scene, could not help but stare at each other in disbelief.

The Penglai Dao Palace originally intended to use the prestige of its sect elders to suppress the opponent's killing intent, but now their own elders have not come, while the opponent's elders have already arrived.

Moreover, it is the ancient Holy Emperor himself who has personally descended.

Deep within the Penglai Dao Palace, there exists an entity that can stand in opposition to this ancient Holy Emperor, but even if they were to rush here, it would take some time.

For a moment, the Immortals' hearts were inevitably troubled by gains and losses.

They were even more worried that the Xuanming Divine Position would fall into the hands of this ancient Holy Emperor.

……

After the Yu King descended to the mundane world, Zhang Jian directly led him into the depths of the Eternal Ice Prison.

Zhang Jian did not enter the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Prison.

He waited outside the periphery of the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Prison for news.

But unexpectedly, Zhang Jian did not wait long, and shortly afterward, the Yu King's figure emerged once more from the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Prison.

He wore a calm expression.

Without a word, he directly returned to the Eternal Hall.

Seeing Zhang Jian's expression, he then spoke.

"I have already resolved this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian could not help but ask, "Did the Ancestor slay the Nine Phoenix?"

"No, that is not the case!"

The Yu King shook his head.

Zhang Jian raised his head; his gaze actually held no surprise deep within.

He could sense that the Nine Phoenix's vital energy still remained in the ninth layer of the Eternal Ice Prison.

There was also no fluctuation of any major battle within.

The Yu King's eyes held a slight sigh.

"It is not that I cannot slay her; she is now very weak, weaker than you imagine, but if I were to slay her, I fear it would be detrimental to your Dao path!"

Zhang Jian's expression stirred, and he could not help but raise his head.

The Yu King said.

"If you slay her, you will surely incur the wrath of the Empress Hou Tu!"

"You may not know, but the Empress Hou Tu was also of the ancient demon god clan in antiquity, and she stands alongside the Xuan Ming God; the Nine Phoenix is an ancient demon god of the Xuan Ming tribe, and thus shares some incense-bond affection!"

"But I, too, cannot stand by and watch her emerge to threaten humanity, even your safety; therefore, she has sworn that upon her emergence, for one Yan Ji she will not seek trouble with you or humanity!"

"And she shall not deliberately slaughter the living beings of humanity!"

"This Yan Ji, as long as you successfully attain the form of Dao Jun, you will naturally have nothing to fear from her threat!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian nodded slightly, though deep in his eyes there remained still a hint of sighing emotion.

This Ancestor indeed has full confidence in him.

But to prove the Dao Jun, how difficult it is.

In the seven steps, he has already taken three, but the remaining four steps each are as difficult as ascending to heaven.

However, the hidden danger on the Nine Phoenix's side has been temporarily resolved, and he can also be said to have relaxed his breath.

Moreover, the impending arrival of the Celestial Inspector of the Eternal Ice Fortress is suppressed by the Yu King, so he can set his mind at ease and prepare for the fourth step of severing fate.

Only then did the Yu King again say: "As for how to separate the Dou Tian Xuan Ming ancestral qi, I will naturally lend you a hand!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes brightened.

This is the matter he concerns himself with most.

Originally, he had prepared to wait until he himself had proven the Dao Jun, then seek a solution, but with the Yu King Ancestor taking action, one would expect a solution to come soon.