Chapter 389 389: The Final Chapter

"So that's it... that's how it is!!"

"I understand now!"

"The world where I was born must have failed its Domain Fusion War. That's why it fell from a Middle Tier domain to the lowest tier. From that moment on, the Gods and Immortals went into hiding, and the path to extraordinary power was cut off!"

"Then what about this Great Desolation I am in now?... Is it a parallel world in some timeline? Or a similar 'flower' within the long river of infinite space and time? Or is my very existence that flower..."

Qingyi shook his head. These matters were too complex; perhaps he simply didn't have the answer.

To him, the secrets of this world were still too numerous. Perhaps in the eyes of certain existences, he was still just an ant—an ant being moved by the hands of others.

"Young friend Qingyi, why such a sorrowful expression? Is there something incorrect in what this old man has said?" Dao Ancestor Hongjun, sitting on his mat, lightly flicked his Fuchen and asked with a smile.

Hearing this, Qingyi simply bowed and said:

"How could I, Qingyi, dare consider myself an equal to the Dao Ancestor? It is by a stroke of luck that I came to this Great Desolation and became the disciple of Master Tongtian. This is already a blessing from the heavens."

With a soft sigh, Qingyi proceeded to reveal his entire history to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Tongtian Jiaozu.

This included, of course, the mythological tales of the Great Desolation passed down from his previous life.

From the dawn of the Hongmeng world, where the Great God Pangu opened the heavens and earth, fought the three thousand Demon Gods, and finally died of exhaustion.

To how the body of the Great God Pangu became the Great Desolation, his Yuan Shen became the Sanqing, his twelve drops of essence blood became the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and his left and right eyes became Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi.

Then he continued to the Longhan Tribulation, the conflict between the Witches and Monsters (Lich), and the Great Tribulation of the Investiture that had yet to happen in the future.

As long as it was a Great Desolation event known to Qingyi, he told it in great detail to Tongtian Jiaozu and Dao Ancestor Hongjun...

Events that had already passed weren't a problem, but the coming Great Tribulation of the Investiture spoken by Qingyi caused the divine light in Tongtian Jiaozu's eyes to slowly dim.

"Red flower, white root, and green lotus leaf... the Sanqing are fundamentally one family. Given that we three brothers are one entity, how could things end up like this? Why would it come to this..."

Right then, Dao Ancestor Hongjun swung his Fuchen and tapped it toward Tongtian Jiaozu.

"Foolish child... you have fallen into obsessive thoughts."

As the whisk touched him.

In the blink of an eye, Tongtian Jiaozu, who had been paralyzed by the illusion of a fraternal rift leading to a Great War, snapped back to reality.

"Master, the Great Tribulation of the Investiture Qingyi spoke of..." Looking at his master, Tongtian Jiaozu had a complex look in his eyes, as if wanting to say something but holding back.

However, Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked at Tongtian with calm eyes and nodded.

"True. If young friend Qingyi had not come to our Great Desolation, the fate of your Jiejiao teachings would likely have been thus."

Without waiting for Tongtian to ask, Dao Ancestor Hongjun shook his head and gave a sigh that was barely there. He then said:

"Tongtian, do you blame me in your heart for siding with the Chanjiao, Renjiao, and Western teachings to suppress your Jiejiao?"

"Tongtian, have you forgotten? Your Master right now, besides being your teacher, also represents the Heavenly Dao of the Great Desolation! Bringing about the rise of the Western teachings and suppressing Jiejiao is the natural operation of the Great Desolation's Heavenly Dao."

"The universe and the Great Desolation, heaven, earth, and nature, birth, aging, sickness, and death... all of it is the Heavenly Dao. I know you have always looked down on Zhunti and Jieyin, but those two founded the Western teachings, leading followers to perfect the laws of heaven and earth and repair the lands of the Great Desolation. To the Great Desolation, they have great Merit."

"And your Jiejiao followers? Your followers number in the millions. Without facing tribulations, they step onto the path of cultivation to enjoy immortality and live freely within the Great Desolation. But what have most of them actually done for the Great Desolation?"

"Occupying the opportunities of cultivation within the Great Desolation but contributing nothing to the world, instead frequently creating slaughter and bad karma. If they are not restricted in the long term, how will our Great Desolation win the coming Domain Fusion War?"

"I know your teaching is education without discrimination, and anyone with a heart for the Dao may join, seeking a silver lining for all creatures. But Master cannot, for the sake of one person's teachings, cut off the cultivation chances of the entire Great Desolation."

"And if our Great Desolation loses, what will happen in the future? You have surely heard it from Qingyi's mouth... the path of cultivation severed, the Gods and Immortals becoming mere myths in the world of mortals!"

"It is expected that by then, the cultivation opportunities of our Great Desolation would have been completely plundered by the 'Saints' of other domains. Our Great Desolation would fall from a Middle Tier domain into a bottom-tier small world, losing its heavenly rules and making it impossible for extraordinary powers to emerge."

Hearing this, Tongtian Jiaozu was frozen in place.

But after a few moments, a thin smile appeared on his face.

"But suppressing my Jiejiao teachings actually wouldn't have won that coming war either, would it?"

Hearing this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun wasn't angry. He simply swept his whisk and said softly:

"If your Jiejiao wasn't suppressed, our Great Desolation would be even less likely to win. Your Jiejiao occupies too many cultivation opportunities while its quality is uneven; it is a massive burden on the Great Desolation."

"Fortunately... a variable has appeared. That 'One' who escaped is currently in our Great Desolation!"

As Dao Ancestor Hongjun said this, his eyes fixed directly on Qingyi.

Tongtian Jiaozu, beside him, was only a second late before staring at Qingyi with eyes that sparkled.

"Qingyi, my disciple, you are the variable of our Great Desolation, the 'One' from Jiejiao who escaped!"

Qingyi: ...

...

Without leaving his home, after working hard in his grotto on Penglai Island for ten thousand years—relying on Breathing Method 8.0 and his own powerful insights—Qingyi mastered the peak cultivation method of the Great Desolation: the Chaos Blue Underworld Sword Scripture.

By this time, he had propelled his personal cultivation toward the Daluo Golden Immortal realm at an unprecedented speed.

Three years after stepping into the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, Qingyi, who had finished solidifying his realm at lightning speed, stepped out of his grotto for the first time in ten thousand years and walked toward the nearby Biyou Palace...

Logically, solidifying a Daluo Golden Immortal realm should take hundreds or thousands of years. Even with the help of Breathing Method 8.0, Qingyi shouldn't have been this fast.

But Qingyi stepped out of his grotto three years after his breakthrough because the truth was... time waits for no one!

This little Jiejiao tree that was growing crooked—if it wasn't fixed immediately, it truly never would be...

— — —

On that very day, Biyou Palace suddenly radiated a dawn light ten thousand feet high. Tongtian Jiaozu's body expanded along with the light, and in the blink of an eye, he became a giant who propped up the heavens.

"Millions of years ago, I felt that the living beings of the Great Desolation were in hardship and that the path of cultivation was not easy. Thus, I founded the Jiejiao teachings with the principle of education without discrimination; anyone with a heart for the Dao may join, to seek a silver lining for all creatures."

"But over millions of years, my Jiejiao followers have become countless. Relying on my support as a Saint, they have caused countless slaughters across the Great Desolation, while those who contribute to the world are far too few. To this day, I have reflected in pain and wish to establish the Jiejiao Merit Hall."

"All members of Jiejiao, hear my command! From this day forth, my fifth official disciple—Taoist Qingyi—will hold my Qingping Sword as the Head of the Merit Hall. All members of Jiejiao, whether official or external disciples, must undergo an assessment by the Merit Hall every ten thousand years."

"Those found lacking in Merit will have their cultivation stripped and be expelled from the teachings. However, those with great Merit may join the Merit Hall or become my official disciples."

...

On Penglai Fairy Island, inside Taoist Duobao's grotto, dozens of elite Jiejiao disciples had gathered.

"Eldest Senior Brother, this..." Holy Mother Jinling looked toward Taoist Duobao, who remained expressionless. She seemed to want to offer some counsel but didn't know where to start.

However, Long-eared Dingguang Xian beside her didn't care for such tact. He simply showed an expression of intense dissatisfaction and said:

"Eldest Senior Brother Duobao! What does Master mean by establishing a Merit Hall! For millions of years, haven't we Jiejiao disciples lived freely like this?"

"And in this Great Desolation land, for the sake of cultivation resources and natural treasures, isn't it just a matter of you killing me today and me killing you tomorrow? We have a Saint for a backer; even if we kill the innocent or commit crimes, so what? Who can control a Saint..."

"Furthermore, even if a Merit Hall is established, shouldn't Eldest Senior Brother Duobao be the one to hold the position of Hall Head? How could that position fall into the hands of that brat Qingyi!"

Long-eared Dingguang Xian's words immediately drew agreement from the other disciples.

"True, true!"

"The Head of the Merit Hall should be Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Who is Taoist Qingyi? His cultivation time is barely ten thousand years; he's just a brat!"

...

But to Long-eared Dingguang Xian's surprise, Taoist Duobao—who had been expressionless—now squinted with a thin smile on his face, looking straight at him.

"Junior Brother Dingguang..."

After a short pause, Duobao continued: "And all you junior brothers and sisters, do not harbor negative emotions. Regarding Master's decisions, I, Duobao, support them unconditionally."

"Very well, I will pretend you never came here today. Everyone, disperse!"

"As your Eldest Senior Brother, I only wish to give you one last piece of advice..."

Everyone turned to look.

Taoist Duobao gave a soft sigh: "Follow Master's teachings carefully. Master asking you to accumulate virtue, do good, and reduce slaughter is for your own good. Junior Brother Qingyi is not as simple as you think."

"After all, we fellow disciples have known each other for hundreds of thousands of years. I do not wish for a day in the future where some of you must enter the cycle of reincarnation again..."

After saying this, the cross-legged Taoist Duobao floated in the air, closed his eyes, and spoke no more. The Jiejiao members around him just exchanged glances and went their separate ways.

Once all the members had left his grotto, the floating Duobao opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.

"This Dingguang... on ordinary days, relying on Master's support, he has caused so much slaughter in the Great Desolation, even devouring millions of living beings at his whim."

"Now Master establishes the Merit Hall specifically to handle people like them. He doesn't dare provoke Master's anger himself, yet he still dreams of using me as a weapon? Hmph..."

While he, Duobao, wasn't a perfect saint, he never committed slaughter recklessly, mainly because he feared depleting his own Merit and Providence...

Even though the Merit Hall assessment wouldn't affect him, Duobao still harbored thoughts of leaving Jiejiao.

There were two main reasons. First, Tongtian Jiaozu's focus had shifted to Qingyi; he was no longer the most favored Eldest Senior Brother.

And second... the truth was, the Western teachings were offering far too much.

With just one sentence: join the Western teachings, and he, Taoist Duobao, had the hope of becoming a Saint. How could he refuse?

However... this matter still had to be planned carefully.

But what Taoist Duobao did not know was that at this moment, his good Master—Tongtian Jiaozu—was sitting in Biyou Palace, watching him...

— — —

Thirty thousand miles outside Penglai Fairy Island.

Three streaks of light cut through the blue sky.

The second-generation Jiejiao disciple, Fajie, flew through the air close to Long-eared Dingguang Xian and asked via a whispered spell.

"Senior Brother Dingguang, judging by Eldest Senior Brother's words today... it seems he doesn't want to deal with the Merit Hall matter. What do you think we disciples who are lacking in Merit should do?"

Yiqixian Yuyuan, who was beside them, immediately joined the conversation and suggested:

"How about... we go to the Great Desolation lands to perform some good deeds and reduce the bad karma on our bodies? Considering Master's face, I believe Little Junior Brother Qingyi wouldn't be too cruel."

Hearing this, Long-eared Dingguang Xian only gave a cold snort, his eyes sharp.

"If you want to go, go yourself! That Qingyi has only cultivated for ten thousand years. If he really dares to treat a chicken feather like a command (abuse his authority), just see how I..."

The small group's conversation suddenly went dead silent.

"See how you what?"

Cradling the Pre-natal Spiritual Treasure, the Bailian Sword, in his arms, stepping on the Twenty-four Dinghai Shenzhu—also a Pre-natal Spiritual Treasure—beneath his feet, surrounded by the Phoenix Cry Map at his waist, and carrying the Qingping Sword that symbolized the leadership of Jiejiao on his back.

Qingyi appeared dazzlingly in front of Long-eared Dingguang Xian and the other two, blocking their path.

"Senior Brother Qingyi..." ×3

Shaking his head, what was the point of such sweet words now?

It was too late!

These three carried heavy sins, yet they still dared to travel together?

In order to speed up progress, Qingyi certainly wasn't going to let the three of them go.

Even though Master Tongtian gave a ten-thousand-year assessment deadline.

But for certain Jiejiao members with exceptionally heavy sins, Qingyi didn't plan on giving them that chance.

Because ten thousand years wasn't nearly enough time to erase the bad karma on their bodies.

Qingyi didn't feel like wasting words with them. With just a movement of his divine sense, the Bailian Sword in his arms suddenly unsheathed itself.

The seven-colored dawn light of the Bailian Sword instantly shone upon Long-eared Dingguang Xian and the other two. Almost immediately, their eyes went blank and dull...

A sharp metallic sound rang out.

Then, three heads flew into the sky simultaneously.

Touching the Bailian Sword in his arms, Qingyi vanished from the spot the next second. He was very busy... he still had to catch the next session.

It could be predicted that for the next several Yuan Hui, Qingyi would be incredibly occupied. There was no helping it... after all, the number of Jiejiao disciples was truly massive.

— — —

The Pre-natal Spiritual Treasure, the Bailian Sword, was forged by Dao Ancestor Hongjun himself, and etched within it were the Dao traces of the Soul Dao (Path of the Soul).

Regarding the Soul Dao etched on the Bailian Sword, that was Qingyi's own choice. The goal was to help him understand the Soul Dao and release the shackles on his own soul.

Even though Dao Ancestor Hongjun could have helped him solve this problem easily, Qingyi still chose to settle the issues left by the Dragon God Salma himself to sharpen his own skills.

— — —

Time passed. In just a few lines of text, millions of Yuan Hui had gone by.

The Great Dao numbers fifty, and the heavens lay out forty-nine.

Qingyi, that escaped "One," had completed his mission perfectly.

From cleaning up the Jiejiao teachings to leading the followers to repair the spiritual meridians of the Great Desolation's heaven and earth; attaining the fruit of a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal—the Saint of the Sword Dao; helping the human race rise to the grand stage of the Great Desolation; and, with the power of two Saints, master and disciple, standing against the four Saints—Daode, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti—to maintain the position of the Human Emperor.

After several more million years, he finally reached the Hunyuan Taiji Golden Immortal realm (Heavenly Dao Level). Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Heavenly Dao realm could only be counted as a half-realm, as he only entered it by actively merging with the Great Desolation's Heavenly Dao—essentially a shortcut.

But Qingyi, who stepped into the Heavenly Dao realm through his own strength, was able to change the will of the Heavenly Dao with his power!

From that day on, the Primordial Chaos outside the Great Desolation was pulled back by Qingyi.

Once, it was a barrier to protect the Great Desolation, but now it was a shackle limiting the world's development. If the Great Desolation wanted to maintain high-speed growth, it could only expand outward...

...

After countless aeons.

Within an infinite domain of the Great Thousand World, inside a Middle Tier domain named "Valoran."

On this day, a giant mouth of infinite length seemed to open in the starry sky.

"The Domain Fusion War has arrived..."

"The stars dim, yet glory is eternal!"

"I am the creator of the Valoran domain, Aurelion Sol—the Star Forger. O gods of Valoran! Come with me as we step into that journey of glory!!"

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