Chapter 497: The Sovereign Establishes the Dao, Measuring with Ink and Square

Haha, so it really was still there!

Sheng Zhaoshui thought and pondered, her expression softening.

Is it time for the curtain to fall? An Shen said to himself, yet felt something was wrong.

Damn it, three of them came all at once! Do you have to target me like this? The Myriad Star Sin-Fetus felt flustered and exasperated; just a moment ago it was only one Emperor Venerable, but now, three Saint Venerables had arrived at once. It only felt its single eye throbbing with pain, and for a moment, it dared not make a move.

Then.

There was no then.

Although the Seven Mansions of the Southern Palace were still shining, the Vermilion Bird Saint Venerable did not reappear in the mortal world.

Hm? Whether it was the human-god Sin-Fetus, or the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise, all were instantly filled with a sense of surprise.

Subsequently, the three Saint Venerables quickly noticed something.

Their gazes shifted away from that heinous Sin-Fetus, turning instead toward the human cultivator who had replaced their old companion.

Is this His choice? We…

Having chosen to retreat earlier, in the end…

The three communicated silently, then chose to quietly fade away.

They vanished.

Ah? Sheng Zhaoshui was stunned.

Hm? The Myriad Star Sin-Fetus was ecstatic.

Although it didn't know what exactly was going on, who cared? After all, it couldn't beat those three anyway, so it would just act as if they had never appeared!

However, although the forms of the Saint Venerables had vanished, the Four Palaces and Twenty-Eight Mansions did not dim.

The Sin-Fetus still felt a sense of urgency, so its gaze shifted abruptly, looking toward Du En.

It could not yet shake the Grand Profound Total Truth Heaven; after all, it still had shackles on its body, and being trapped within the All-Heaven Great Change, its path to stealing the heavens was still being blocked.

Therefore, it quite naturally placed the target of its hostility on Du En, who was currently outside the grotto-heaven.

Moreover, those three Saint Venerables had been summoned because of his technique; who knew if they would pop out again later? Before that kind of situation happens, I'll kill you first! The Myriad Star Sin-Fetus revealed a sadistic smile, its single eye deep and malice boiling, and it began to surge over in a torrent.

Du En had no expression of fear; he simply stopped his pace silently and summoned the jade slip back.

Originally, he had thought that the True Monarch would have left behind some contingency to replace him in supporting that Four Ramparts Seal, but now it was clear there was none. The three Saint Venerables, upon seeing the Vermilion Bird yield its position, had immediately been triggered into endless sighs and then chosen to fade back.

A sense of "things remain but people change," of time passing, and of the feeling that he was no longer the "Saint Manifestation of Heaven and Earth" stirred within him.

However, their residual power had not dissipated; it was just waiting for Du En to utilize it.

Though they faded, it was not an abandonment, but rather, like the Vermilion Bird, a choice to yield the position to the people of today.

The stars were shining, the palace mansions were reflecting brilliance.

Malice was roaring, the Sin-Fetus was attacking.

At the crest of the storm, both humans and gods changed color.

No good, no good, retreat, retreat! Sheng Zhaoshui no longer hesitated and activated the grotto-heaven.

Then, nothing changed.

The Grand Profound Total Truth Heaven could not pull Du En back! What is going on?! Sheng Zhaoshui's expression changed drastically; An Shen saw it and knew immediately, also revealing surprise.

Why can't it be done? Is it because the True Monarch didn't intervene, making it impossible to break through the barrier of the current surrounding forces? Or is it that…

"To be honest, it's a bit of a pity to use it up like this."

Du En said calmly, his figure suddenly shrinking, returning to his original human form.

In his hand, a bone whistle lay lonely, covered in cracks.

As he blew it, there was no sound, and it turned to dust on the spot.

The light of the Twenty-Eight Mansions fell into a standstill—no, not a standstill, it just became unremarkable.

Stars were lighting up, spirits were responding.

Responding to all kinds of sorrowful weeping, all sorts of mournful cries, and, the undying and inextinguishable resentment! "Cough!"

The Myriad Star Sin-Fetus choked and coughed abruptly, its eye revealing confusion. Its belly began to boil; the various star-resentments it had once eaten now had undying and inextinguishable dregs seething within, violently impacting its structural foundation.

What is going on?

It was not clear about this, but, these were things already eaten by itself; did the food and fodder also want to, and deserve to, rebel?

Its expression became ferocious, malice backflowing, the source of sin heavy. The Underworld Shackles could no longer hold up; they were pried open by it, and then completely vanished into ashes within its invisible rage.

Even the All-Heaven Great Change was stretched extremely wide, the four strange treasures shaking and trembling, unable to properly restrict the opponent any longer.

One hundred million miles, one billion miles, ten billion miles… like an inflating balloon, it expanded rapidly, returning at extreme speed.

"This, this, this, isn't this helping it instead?"

"No, it could have recovered long ago; it was cunningly hiding it!"

Humans and gods expressed different things, but the current situation was the same: neither had the power to intervene.

Du En was still performing his technique calmly.

Let us sacrifice.

Whether it is me, or all of you.

A single spark can eventually start a prairie fire.

Cause and effect burn, the myriad stars respond.

The dregs of the resentful sin contained unwillingness; they did not want to be completely suppressed and consumed, so they chose to flow toward the budding form of a brand-new Dao, turning into the firewood for its formation and combustion.

"No, you are all mine!"

The Myriad Star Sin-Fetus was even more enraged because of this; it glared fiercely at Du En, roared wildly, and suddenly expanded to a scale of unknown magnitude, directly extending above Du En, opening its mouth to bite down.

Then, it was gently pressed down by one of his hands.

A human hand, of ordinary size.

Suddenly, towering above the stars.

The seven mansions of the Southern Palace suddenly flared with light, as if swallowing the light of ten thousand stars; fueled by the burning of piece after piece of firewood, it surged and exploded, only to abruptly dim and return to its original state.

Because it had already transcended the scope of the Southern Palace.

So that is how it is.

Burn me to achieve the Dao.

Thus, the Vermilion Lord exists.

This is the Immortal Foundation!

The three Holy Venerables have four voices, and then, those who chose to leave in the beginning now each handed over the karma they left behind to their replacements as firewood.

Burn!

Just like the Vermilion Bird, refusing to associate with a filthy world, burning together with it!

And so it burned; the blazing vermilion fire was burning, shining, its radiance magnificent, illuminating the dark cosmos. Amidst the wide-eyed astonishment of the Human-God Sinful Fetus, the Vermilion Lord—majestic beyond measure, sacred as if towering over the world, lighting the fire, bathing in the fire, illuminating and purifying the world—appeared in their eyes.

【Spell: Vermilion Lord Purifies the World (Perfected to the Extreme)】

【Great Dao: Vermilion Lord (First Glimpse of the Path)】

The interface flickered with presence at this moment; Du En looked down and smiled faintly, like a drifting cloud in the sky, passing by in a flash, making those who watched think it was merely an illusion.

So, must I really execute this?

Although the Great Dao is achieved, it was formed through sacrifice; once its power is unleashed, it will likely fall into a long silence. After all, what is held in this palm is also the Immortal Dao foundation cultivated by the Supreme, and its level of development is even beyond my own.

Therefore, there is naturally no need for hesitation.

"Ah!!!"

"You!!!" The Myriad Star Sinful Fetus noticed the resolve here and immediately shrieked in shock and rage, but it was to no avail. The blazing vermilion fire covered and descended, transforming into chains and various forms of restraint.

If this Sinful Fetus is the embodiment of the karma of all living things, and killing it is equivalent to killing all living things, then let this immeasurable karma be ignited. Since it is immeasurable, burning away a portion is still immeasurable, yet it can diminish its existence and erode its Immortal Dao foundation. So, karma of the dead, vent your resentment upon the devourer! Boom! From the outside in, from the inside out.

Temporarily discard this Great Dao, let it press and burn.

"Ahhh!!!"

The Myriad Star Sinful Fetus roared in agony, its form suddenly large and suddenly small, at times infinitely large, at times infinitely small, twisted and strange. It wanted to split itself, and the resulting shockwaves destroyed the Zhou Tian Great Change. It thought of continuing to parasitize the world, borrowing its palace-womb to protect itself, but in the end, it could do nothing in the blazing vermilion fire and could only shrink and sleep into a single point, transforming into a vermilion star, burning and shining long in this cosmic region.

Fresh spiritual Qi diffused from within, in massive, endless quantities. Then, meridians began to faintly appear, spreading out toward the empty cosmic region. Next, it would evolve star realms one by one again, and this time, the quality of the spiritual Qi would return to the original baseline.

The Falling Feather Immortal Sect's control over this cosmic region had already long since fallen apart.

Du En raised his hand and struck.

And completely crushed the tentacles of the Immortal Sect.

In this way, for a short time, it should not be seized of its new beginnings.

It is just that, after all, there is still that Falling Feather Supreme, and after all, this place is still his chessboard.

If it is overturned, it can be moved back into place.

I have already done what I can do for now; let it be.

He thought this, and suddenly, as if stepping into empty air, he returned to his original form, drifting down into the emptiness.

Silently, as if countless hands were there to catch him, he landed smoothly on a piece of newborn soil, the future star core.

"…Thank you."

Zhu Yi's words seemed to echo, as if coming from the past.

Then, relying on that remaining lofty vision, Du En saw the image of the lock snapping shut.

From this moment on, the past, the present, and that future were all locked tight.

That is?! Bang! The void beside him suddenly shattered.

The people and gods who were revealing joy, leaving the cave heaven, and coming to greet him, only saw from afar, at the other end of space, a seemingly ordinary mountain peak upon which stood a solemn-faced, beautiful figure.

Who? True Monarch Regret-Passion!

Fate has its tides, karma has its destined events, therefore I only lock onto this moment! She coldly reached out toward Du En. The moment her long-brewed attack was unleashed, it landed on his body, directly intending to destroy everything about him!

Ang—roar! Aow-hiss...

Three-fold sounds intervened at this moment. The Holy Venerable's phantom was very miniature, with only a trace of remaining strength. It suddenly jumped out, hitting the jade slip on Du En's body, causing it to shatter and burst forth with a four-colored light.

This reduced the power of True Monarch Regret-Passion's long-planned strike by ninety-nine point nine-nine percent. But even so, that remaining zero point zero one percent still destroyed the exhausted Du En's physical body, shattered his Divine Palace, and severely damaged his Primordial Spirit.

She wanted to follow up with another move to completely obliterate this threat, but she was interrupted at this moment. The connection of space suddenly vanished, so she had to execute her second contingency plan.

Thus, Du En's Primordial Spirit was pulled by a residual force and suddenly disappeared. By the time Sheng Zhaoshui and the Dark God landed here, everything was already too late.

"..."

"..."

They looked at each other, silent and speechless, both frowning.

True Monarch Regret-Passion's timing was truly precise! And why was she able to capture this place so accurately?

Thinking deeply, it is chilling.

Falling Feather Immortal Sect, the sect's main peak.

Still that small temple, still that Daoist.

The slightly hunched spine, silent and heavy, permeated with a gloomy and elusive air.

Cheng Ru, the True Monarch, stood under the old tree outside the door, his body draped in swaying shadows, gazing at the person inside the room—his master, the Supreme Being trapped in the narrow human world.

Suddenly, he lifted his head slightly, sensing the containment and imprisonment of the Myriad Star Sinful Fetus.

Did it succeed?

Although the situation is not what was expected...

"Cheng Ru."

The Falling Feather Supreme spoke suddenly, causing the True Monarch to immediately gather his focus.

"Master."

"What do you think resentment and karmic evil truly are?"

"This..."

Chengru Zhenjun was about to answer, but Supreme Luoyu did not wait.

"Or rather, what is the nourishment that It still lacks?"

Chengru Zhenjun's gaze shifted abruptly.

Because he knew that answer.

"Is it merely within your plan?"

"Why the need for such concealment?"

Supreme Luoyu paused slightly, lifting his eyes to gaze upward, his vision seemingly piercing through to a distant place.

Streaks of ink-colored chains, using the stars as hubs, were linking together, locking and sealing a region of the universe; a dense sense of Dao permeated both spirit and matter, filling and overflowing everything inside and out, above and below.

Prioritize the existence of man, demand order, bind with its regulations, adhere strictly to its rules! The Great Dao, Ink Rule! "Ink Rule, is it?"

Supreme Luoyu withdrew his gaze, seemingly glancing backward, as if sighing with emotion: "Studying Daoist arts, using this as a foundation, stepping upward, all just to ascend to immortality."

"That is how it is; ordinary Venerables can only control Daoist arts. Only the outstanding ones who have begun to attain the Great Dao of Immortality can be granted a title, and thus, all who possess such a title already have the aptitude of the supreme, allowing them to break through realms and undergo tribulations."

Chengru Zhenjun was somewhat confused by the Supreme's intent, so he followed the thread of the conversation, speaking of the essential points of the Mahayana stage.

Whether it be the Wang Divine Sacred Emperor, the decisive difference compared to ordinary Venerables! Only such existences can deconstruct the undying and kill evil beings like resentment-evil and wicked-evil! But.

"Wrong, wrong."

Supreme Luoyu spoke thus, seemingly filled with melancholy: "Whether it is the Demon Emperor, or Zheng Long, or Sheng Yu, Sheng Cang, Chang Lin, and so on, and even the current Ink Rule—they are all dead ends; none can attain immortality or undergo tribulations!"

"It is merely due to the changes in Heaven and Earth..."

"Is it truly only because of this?"

"..."

Chengru Zhenjun remained silent, seemingly having no opinion on this, as if he held similar thoughts himself.

"Let us return to the present."

Supreme Luoyu suddenly changed the subject: "Chengru, what is your purpose?"

"..."

"Going to such great lengths, having the Emperor-Venerable come to trigger a correction, using His hand to let the Five Dragons reunite—hmm, the Zhan Ge side is also within your observation range, and then there is the Netherworld, that place in the lower realms; going around in circles, it seems like a wasted effort, even losing eight ancient wonders and a Great Grotto-Heaven."

To achieve the imprisonment of the Ink Rule and continue its path to enlightenment, not only were the four treasures constituting the Zhou Tian Great Yi quietly used up, but even the Taixuan Zongzhen Heaven was actually sacrificed.

Yet the actions were so incredibly subtle that those within the game could not perceive them.

So, what is the purpose?

The Supreme spoke faintly: "Even if the Demon Emperor sees or realizes something on the spot, it is already meaningless. Why? Because I am His tribulation."

"Furthermore, the fact that the Demon Emperor's Great Dao is interpreted as the shallow 'Demon Emperor Undying,' wasn't that you pulling the strings in the dark?"

Chengru Zhenjun's gaze could not help but change slightly.

He then smiled bitterly and said: "These things truly cannot be hidden from you!"

"Is that so? Yet even now, I cannot see clearly what you are pursuing—is it 'fixed fate,' or 'variable fate'... Never mind, all of this no longer matters..."

(End of chapter)