Chapter 311

A jade scepter, an azure duckweed sword—at this moment they burst forth with myriad radiance, shining upon each other.

Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun, one holds the way of creation, the other cultivates the way of termination; both are the utmost paths.

Not to mention they share an innate origin; their tacit understanding is terrifying.

When the two celestials fight side by side, their combat strength is far from a mere quantitative increase; faintly there appears a qualitative change.

Moreover, they have let go of the obstacles in their hearts, no longer worrying about so much, and no longer fearing the problem of bullying the few with the many.

——It is simply that Taiyi is overwhelmingly domineering!

Compared to him, the two celestials can actually be considered the weaker side, being oppressed by the strong over the weak.

In such a situation, if one were to bring up single combat again… the courage shows, but it also inevitably makes people doubt whether there is a problem or defect in their intelligence.

「If we lose this battle, it will not be our fault in combat…」 Yuanshi transmitted to Lingbao with a soft sigh, 「It is not that our cultivated Great Dao is weak and deficient, nor that it falls short of Taiyi's Chaos Dao; rather, external factors are involved, leaving us lagging behind him in progress。」

Lingbao Tianzun remained silent, his heart filled with sorrow.

Once, they and Taiyi were roughly on the same level of mighty beings.

But now, upon meeting again, letting go of their reservations, in terms of cultivation and combat strength, they are inferior to the opponent.

Where did they lose?

Only 'name' and 'authority' — that's all.

In the gathering of fortune, even though the Three Pure Ones hold the Daoist gate, they ultimately cannot match the Heavenly Court.

Even on the road to the rise of the three celestials, there is much support—what heavenly dao saintly positions, what opening-heaven merit, counting money until their hands cramp.

However, that Taiyi is the demon sovereign of the Heavenly Court, and naturally has suppressive power over them.

Great power in hand, commanding all beings!

Human beings, when choosing a master, can outright ignore the Three Pure Ones, taking their tuition elsewhere.

But when it comes to paying tribute, how dare they falsify before the Heavenly Court?

This is the marvelous use of authority: the demon sovereign directly draws fortune proportionally from the entire human realm, enough to make the Three Pure Ones envy to death.

Moreover, in fact, the fortune Taiyi can obtain is like leeks to be harvested, far more than this fixed transaction of a single blow.

Because, he also has 'name'.

That Heavenly Court, the civilization of the demon race, no matter how evaluated, however many problems one sees, is still a civilization that has stepped into the level of the information age.

Information is valuable—as long as it is spread widely enough.

In short, whoever becomes famous can profit.

But in concrete operation, it still depends on the individual's ability, whether they can excavate that value.

When fame grows large and attention high, whatever one tosses about, there will be plenty of beings to foot the bill.

Like monetizing traffic, endorsing products, releasing albums…… wealth rolls in, easy as pie.

With fame comes profit.

Fame and profit, fame and profit—fame and profit cannot be separated.

People have long seen through this, so in the vast world of mortals there are always many strange performances; some beings even do not hesitate to trample their own moral bottom line—this is all for the sake of fame, to gain profit thereby.

Of course, there also exist those with ample capital, who invert the fame-profit relation, using profit to create stars, exchanging it for fame, then attracting passersby and gaining even more profit.

Building focal points of attention, manufacturing traffic, monetizing results, then reinvesting in the cycle…… Around the struggle for fortune, the active Great Luo beings throughout the ages have long mastered a complete system unique to themselves.

Such operations, the Daoist sect is also well versed, thus it now holds the leading position in the field of teaching, its influence spreading across half of Honghuang.

It is only a pity that, right now the opponent of the Three Pure Ones—the demon sovereign—once they sit in that position, can repeatedly proclaim their greatness to all beings, easily obtaining the foremost name of the present age and gaining top-tier profit.

Even though in fact the demon sovereign was once merely a lackey under the Dao Ancestor…… but when they skillfully employ fame, manufacture hype, hype concepts, naturally a torrent of fortune flows, enviable to all.

Not to mention today, when Hongjun sits in repose, true authority relinquished, the demon sovereign can oversee heaven and earth, with a single word become the law of the world—this is all the more extraordinary.

「If it were not for the Wu Clan restraining, strongly taking away nearly half of the authority and name that ought to belong to the Heavenly Court, then what we see now would no longer be this Taiyi hovering on the edge of the Taiyi Dao realm, neither here nor there……」 Yuanshi sighed softly, the echo lingering in Lingbao's heart, 「but rather an extraordinary being who has penetrated the ultimate principle of being and non-being, and who has gone far along this path—Donghuang。」

「The Wu Clan dragging their feet—what a fine job, what a marvel! 」

Yuanshi Tianzun felt thus.

「The road ahead is still long. 」 Lingbao gripped his sword tightly, transmitting to his elder brother, 「Although Taiyi, as the sovereign of the Heavenly Court, certainly reaps both fame and profit, he also lies within the vortex of right and wrong. 」

「Unless he can accomplish it in one go, achieve perfect completion…… otherwise, don't look at his current fame and prosperity; sooner or later he will fall into obscurity. 」

「Even if he falls into obscurity, it is still a great gain; withdrawing with abundant cultivation wealth, he still surpasses many. 」 Yuanshi Tianzun evaluated.

「But that is nothing to worry about…… after all, we the Three Pure Ones are not without cards to play. 」 Lingbao's long sword sang, 「With the primordial purple qi within us, when the situation becomes urgent, we can instantly become sages, receiving heavenly dao's aid, our combat strength greatly increased, so as not to be bullied by others. 」

「Then we are actually considered to have lost—having become sages, how much freedom can we still have? 」

「Taiyi's coming is precisely to force us to prove sainthood, be restrained by the heavenly dao, and thereafter find it hard to intervene in the overall situation! 」

Yuanshi Tianzun sighed, ended his private communication with Lingbao, faced Donghuang who drives the boundless Chaos to press forward, and threw forth the jade scepter in his hand.

The two celestials' discussion seemed to take a not‑short time, but in fact, to the outside world it was merely an instant.

At this moment, Taiyi condenses his body, unmoving, his robes sleeves billowing; with a light finger, the vast and boundless Chaos surge roars forth to wash and strike, seeking to submerge and sink the two celestials.

Taiyi……Taiyi!

This is the divine name of that demon sovereign, bearing a meaning surpassingly transcendent.

The so‑called Taiyi is the foremost and highest, the singular without peer and the undivided blend; it is the origin and substance of all things in the universe, the primal Chaos qi before heaven and earth were separated.

The Dao is the utmost refinement; it cannot take form, cannot be named; to force a name upon it is to call it Taiyi!

In his cultivation achievements, Donghuang has reached a very lofty and subtle state, faintly reckonable as a milestone.

He stands at the extremity of the Taiyi, comprehends the principle whereby the myriad qi of the Taiyi arise, and exhaustively researches the mysteries of this level.

Unfortunately, Donghuang is still only Taiyi, and has not managed to change the one into the easy; he falls short by a hair.

Yet he remains mighty and terrifying.

He evolves the Dao of Chaos; that vast, ancient surge sweeps forth, as if to re‑enact the magnificent scene before Pangu split the heavens and before Honghuang was born; in a haze one sees the primordial qi transforming, myriad ancient demon gods born within, roaring together, shattering everything!

However, when those myriad demon gods come slaying, a jade scepter falls down.

Boom!

In the warm, moist jade-colored light, the vast Chaos trembled, and the myriad demon gods were being worn away.

Under brilliant radiance, vast expanses of Chaos were split open, and the Jade Ruyi swept across.

He held the Three Treasures in his palm, enlightening heaven, earth, and humanity.

Heaven's Three Treasures are the sun, moon, and stars.

Earth's Three Treasures are water, fire, and wind.

Humanity's Three Treasures are spirit, qi, and essence.

The Three Treasures manifested, creating boundless heaven and earth, giving rise to countless beings, perfect and lively, dreamlike and wondrous.

The Heavenly Venerable strolled leisurely within, as if nothing could obstruct him; all laws submitted to his mind, bearing the aspect of sole supremacy.

Yuanshi mastered the Dao of Creation; theoretically, it greatly restrained Taiyi's Chaos Dao, thus there was a world-shaking collision.

The surging Chaos tide burst forth, shaking the eight directions, sweeping across the vast expanse—some scoured mountains and rivers, others splashed into star seas, shrouding all phenomena in a hazy hue, seeking to reverse the primordial and melt into Chaos.

Fortunately, at that moment, the Chaos Bell rang naturally, ding-dong, the power of cosmic light flowed gently, resolving the calamity.

Merely the aftermath was already vast and tumultuous; the core battlefield surpassed the limits of mortal imagination.

Yuanshi Tianzun's state rose to utmost perfection; a single thought could summon the Myriad Heavens, his vast and towering Dharma manifestation appearing behind him, standing proudly in Chaos, making the ancient, distant heaven and earth resonate, letting all laws of past, present, and future chant in unison——

"Yuanshi Tianwang!"

Yuanshi Tianwang's Dharma manifestation!

"You Daoist also have ideas, huh." Taiyi raised his brow, "Calling the Dharma manifestation a Heavenly King is far more overbearing than a Heavenly Venerable… Yuanshi Tianwang, are you seeking to command all the heavens of the Great Luo and become the supreme ruler?"

Taiyi praised, "This points toward the achievement of Pangu."

"Who wouldn't want to sit in Pangu's position?" the Heavenly Venerable said nothing, but Yuanshi Tianwang spoke up, laughing loudly, shaking the ages, "This indeed is my heart's desire—I do not feign humility, putting on a false show."

"You Daoist are quite frank." Donghuang chuckled, "But in this era, the tide is not on your side."

"Want to become a Heavenly King? First you must pass my test." Taiyi flicked his sleeve, "You oversee the Dao of Creation; indeed profoundly marvelous, you can resolve Chaos and create life."

"Too bad, my Chaos is not that simple."

"Without eternity, no matter how vast the heavens and earth, they will fall into decay and sink into Chaos."

Taiyi flicked a finger, tugging at time, annihilating Yuanshi Tianwang's Dharma manifestation.

The power of those ages penetrated everywhere, avoiding the strong to strike the weak, flowing past the myriad realms the Heavenly Venerable had created; Chaos's disorder washed away the laws of order, guiding toward ruin and decline.

This seemed like a cycle of rebirth.

Yuanshi shattered Chaos, fashioning heaven and earth… yet ultimately, heaven and earth would spontaneously drift toward Chaos, burying themselves.

This is the nature of the Dao.

The Heavenly Venerable was unwilling; he employed marvelous methods, simultaneously dispelling Chaos and patching gaps, hoping to salvage.

Alas, the effect was poor.

No matter how much Chaos is shattered, how many universes are created, it is merely a temporary show of might… if the problem of persistence cannot be solved, one cannot truly break Taiyi's suppression of Chaos, and will ultimately be mired and destroyed within it.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Lingbao Tianzun's assault arrived.

"Clang!"

Amid the heart‑trembling sword's hum, Yuanshi Tianzun, who had expended all his strength to oppose the great Chaos and create the boundless worlds, saw the myriad phenomena of ending—born from those worlds being washed by time and eroded by Chaos, heading toward extinction—now all drawn away and attached to the Qingping Sword.

Time shrank, the universe withered, matter collapsed, primordial qi dissipated—one after another scene of demise was etched upon the long sword, simultaneously relieving Yuanshi Tianzun's plight and forging this most brilliant, radiant sword strike.

Boundless killing intent manifested; countless slaughter qi, baleful qi, calamity qi and the like from the Honghuang universe were drawn and condensed, encircling the blade, slashing toward Donghuang!

At this moment, Lingbao Tianzun threw his whole body and soul into that sword, bearing his heart and spirit—it was dazzlingly bright.

Facing this sword, Donghuang had to admit he felt the pressure—that sharp edge seemed able to shatter his immortal divine form, letting divine blood spill across the Honghuang universe.

"What a stunning sword…" Taiyi was slightly moved, "Unfortunately, the core of this sword is the Dao of Termination."

"Before you enter the final Taiyi Dao Realm of the Great Luo, the destiny of Termination is Chaos!"

"If it were any other Dao, reaching such sharpness as yours, I too would not dare ignore it… but what can be done? What can be done!"

He extended a forefinger, meeting the Qingping Sword, tapping upon its blade.

Lingbao Tianzun and Taiyi Donghuang, at this instant, each fell into the most subtle state of stillness.

Only in the next instant did the Qingping Sword tremble wildly, boundless sword qi raging and slashing wildly, as if to dismember Donghuang; meanwhile, Taiyi, with Chaos evolving around him, assimilated the sword qi containing the profundity of the Great Termination, forging it into one.

In a brief moment, billions of clashes occurred. Ultimately, Lingbao Tianzun staggered backward, his tiger's mouth split, a drop of scarlet crystalline divine blood trickled down, sliding slowly along the blade.

Donghuang Taiyi's body swayed slightly, then he stood firm again… he withdrew that finger, his gaze sweeping over the faint scar, a droplet of blood stubbornly oozing out.

He gave a faint smile, wiped the blood from his fingertip, and sighed to Yuanshi and Lingbao, the two Heavenly Venerables: "Under Taiyi, if you wish to break my Chaos Dao, you had best gather the Three Pure Ones together."

"Now there is only Creation and Termination, lacking the most important Harmonizing Morality Tianzun… you are not my match."

"Without Morality presiding, you cannot seal my endless Chaos evolution… Yuanshi's Creation shows off temporary might, Lingbao's Termination possesses peerless assault, but if the fight drags on, your powers will all become my aid, making my strength ever greater."

"Yet Morality has already become a sage, bound by the Heavenly Dao, and cannot come."

As he spoke, Taiyi raised his hand and pressed down; another surge of Chaos welled up, striking downward… just as he said, this wave was stronger than before.

The heavens and earth born of Yuanshi's Creation returned to Chaos, the edge of Lingbao's Termination also fell into Chaos… the longer the battle lasted, the stronger Donghuang became!

One surge of waves, the two Heavenly Venerables could still resolve.

After three times, they struggled to move.

After six passes, even if Yuanshi and Lingbao coordinated to the utmost, they could not advance an inch, like insects trapped in amber.

Upon the ninth…

The two Heavenly Venerables were almost completely immobilized, gazing at each other, their eyes filled only with helplessness.

"Enough… enough!"

Yuanshi sighed softly, "Having come to this… compared to being pressed and rubbed, sealed and suppressed, this is a better choice."

PS: I got stuck writing yesterday, sorry.

(End of chapter)