Chapter 816: Xuanyuan and Hongjun…… Emperor Hong!
The Dao Ancestor smiled, growing ever more transcendent.
Minghe's live-sacrifice method, at this moment, seemed to have met its natural enemy, striking the wrong opponent!
"Bang!"
In the darkness, it seemed as if some shackles were breaking, the sound emanating from the Dao Ancestor's body.
Minghe sacrificed the Dao Ancestor alive, striking Hongjun down from the Heavenly Dao's rank, causing him to fall and become human, to accept judgment.
However, the Dao Ancestor was falling, the Heavenly Dao's nobility mired in dust, yet something was also ascending, returning to the origin, bearing witness to the beginning!
Minghe the Demon Ancestor sensed something wrong, struggling to draw back; what the enemy intended to do was precisely what he aimed to prevent.
But it was already too late.
Like a restriction on authority, like a road's coverage, a mighty power seized control of this live sacrifice, returning it to the Dao Ancestor!
In the brilliant karmic fire, Hongjun was ascending, giving off a different aura.
That was……
"Human Dao……"
Minghe retreated, his face showing shock, deeply moved beyond imagination.
"Or is it that most primal power!"
Who goes there?
You dare to sue this official?
It was like the most ridiculous drama unfolding, making Minghe swallow the greatest shock of this era.
"How is that possible!"
He was confused and bewildered, his worldview shattered, sensing that something grave was amiss.
"How could it not be possible?"
Answering his confusion was Hongjun's distant heavenly voice: "You've come to my Zixiao Palace before—what have you done? Don't you forget?"
His words made the Demon Ancestor ponder, recalling something.
What have you done?
It is…… to slay the divine, strip away privileges, the world's dharma at its end, no immortality!
However, halfway through the slaughter, he encountered the rampaging Houtu.
After serious thought, he intended to let it pass for now, seeking trouble with Hongjun.
And why would he do that?
It was to temper the Slaying Dao, and likewise to support the Human Dao.
"What great deeds did I do back then?" the Dao Ancestor chuckled, helping the Demon Ancestor recall the events of the Dragon-Phoenix era.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun…… what great deeds did he perform in the Dragon-Phoenix era?
He set a trap for the gods, suppressing heaven and earth!
What Minghe does today bears a wonderful similarity to that!
Therefore……
Minghe the Demon Ancestor's throat was dry, he was shocked and found it hard to speak: "You've walked the same path as me!"
"Congratulations, you guessed right." The Dao Ancestor was no longer the Dao Ancestor; from this moment on, he was only Hongjun—"Too bad, there's no reward."
"How could this be? Back then, clearly……" Minghe the Demon Ancestor had too many doubts, unable to accept the situation all at once.
"Minghe, when you first entered this realm, you were qualified to contend for Pangu…… but that's all." Hongjun stood with hands behind his back, overlooking all: "Your battle strength may be strong, but you ultimately lack experience, not matching my accumulated depth."
"Then as now!"
He let out a faint sigh: "Two eras have been linked!"
"The August Emperor's Heavenly Court of the Dragon-Phoenix epoch had already reached the Witch-Demon era…… the Nine-Headed Clan's assault on heaven—how could it not be recorded in the ancient annals?"
"Why was I born, what burden do I bear……"
Hongjun lowered his eyebrows, "Heh…… why tell you this? You wouldn't understand."
"Ah…… if I could, I wouldn't want to return to the origin either."
Hongjun fell to become human, yet he bore some sorrow, as if this were not wholly a good thing.
Certainly, it reversed Minghe's killing scheme, giving this Demon Ancestor great trouble.
But, over all these years, since he has never displayed such an aspect, there must naturally be a reason.
"With the body of the Heavenly Dao Dao Ancestor, I can look down upon all enemies in the world."
"How about Nüwa? How about Di Jun? How about the Dragon Ancestor?"
"The magnificent Heavenly Dao overwhelms; all their painstaking efforts may not even close the gap between the Heavenly Dao and themselves."
"But what about the Human Dao embodiment?"
"Yet it is restrained by another."
By now, Hongjun has concealed nothing further.
Different identities bring both advantages and disadvantages.
There is no absolute invincibility; there is always a counterbalancing opponent.
Just as with Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, they generate, complete, and restrain each other.
With the Heavenly Dao upon him, Hongjun becomes the Dao Ancestor, gathering the three thousand divine authorities, looking down upon the gods, naturally restraining all enemies—be it Nüwa, the Dragon Ancestor, Di Jun…… anyone touching the divine side will be subdued by the "Dao Ancestor"!
But such a Dao Ancestor, facing the one who wields the "Hell Dao", who settles sins on behalf of the Human Dao—Minghe the Demon Ancestor—will instead be counter-restrained!
Demons subdue gods, humans fall from heaven!
Drag the Dao Ancestor off the divine altar, to face the judgment of the Avici Hell, and be sacrificed alive!
If Hongjun still puts on the airs of the Dao Ancestor, today he would not get past Minghe's trial!
However, after letting go of this identity, returning to the origin and seeing the root, he was born from the blessings of formerly upholding the Human Dao, and is the eldest son of the Human Dao.
However, after letting go of this identity, returning to the origin and seeing the root, he was born from the blessings of formerly upholding the Human Dao, and is the eldest son of the Human Dao.
Breakdown:
However,
when he let go of this identity,
returned to the origin,
saw the root,
was born from the blessings of formerly upholding the Human Dao,
is the eldest son of the Human Dao!
We need to keep the meaning. We'll produce a natural English sentence: "However, when he let go of this identity, returned to the origin, and saw the root, he was born from the blessings of upholding the Human Dao, and is the eldest son of the Human Dao!" That seems fine.
was born from the blessings of formerly upholding the Human Dao
was born from the blessings of upholding the Human Dao
Minghe Demon Ancestor was instantly stunned!
Minghe Demon Ancestor was instantly stunned!
Minghe Demon Ancestor was instantly stunned!
His divine powers failed, making it impossible to harm Hongjun even slightly... for, having borrowed the sword of the Human Dao, how could he wound the son of the Human Dao?
Translate: "His divine powers failed, unable to harm Hongjun in the slightest…… because, borrowing the sword of the Human Dao, how could he wound the son of the Human Dao?" We need to keep the ellipsis? The Chinese has "……". We can represent as "...". We'll keep.
Thus: "His divine powers failed, unable to harm Hongjun in the slightest... because, borrowing the sword of the Human Dao, how could he wound the son of the Human Dao?"
On the contrary, it's still like lifting a rock to drop on one's own foot; the Interminable Hell reversed, instead binding him and leaving him nowhere to escape.
Translate: "On the contrary, it was still like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot; the Unintermittent Hell reversed, instead binding him, leaving him nowhere to escape!" But we need to be faithful. Let's parse:
On the contrary,
still it's like lifting a rock to drop on one's own foot,
the Interminable Hell reversed,
instead it bound him,
leaving him nowhere to escape!
We'll produce: "On the contrary, it was still like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot; the Unintermittent Hell reversed, instead binding him, leaving him nowhere to escape!"
However, the Dao Ancestor's descent to the mortal realm is not without drawbacks.
However, the Dao Ancestor's descent to the mortal realm is not without drawbacks.
Among the primordial deities, there thus exists one who can restrain.
Among the primordial deities, there thus exists one who can restrain.
Like the Dragon Ancestor and Di Jun's followers, they're still fine; they cannot amount to much.
Like the Dragon Ancestor and Di Jun's followers, they're still fine; they cannot amount to much.
What about Nüwa?!
Translate: "And what about Nüwa?!" We'll produce: "And what about Nüwa?"
This change of form became the biggest stumbling block!
This change of form became the biggest stumbling block!
Because even the Human Dao, upon seeing Nüwa, must go around her, fussing for a long time, all because of karma.
Translate: "Because, even the Human Dao, upon seeing Nüwa, must go around, fussing for a long time, all because of karma." We'll produce: "Because, even the Human Dao, upon seeing Nüwa, must detour, fussing for a long time, all because of karma."
What more of the fallen-heaven turned person, Hongjun?!
What more of the fallen-heaven turned person, Hongjun?!
"So, Minghe, you... deserve to die!"
Translate: "\"So, Minghe... you deserve to die. \"" We'll keep quotes. We'll produce: "\"So, Minghe... you deserve to die. \""
Hongjun sighed, his gaze deep, as he looked at Minghe.
Translate: "Hongjun sighed, his gaze deep, looking at Minghe." We'll produce: "Hongjun sighed, his gaze deep, looking at Minghe."
The Hell Dao's oppression made his Pangu path suddenly become extremely arduous.
The Hell Dao's oppression made his Pangu path suddenly become extremely arduous.
"You want to kill me? Can you kill me?! I actually want to see!"
You want to kill me? Can you kill me?! I actually want to see!
Minghe Demonic Ancestor was suddenly stunned!
His divine powers failed, making it hard to injure Hongjun in the slightest……because, borrowing the blade of the Human Dao, how could he wound the son of the Human Dao?
On the contrary, it was like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot; the Avīci Hell reversed, instead binding him, leaving him nowhere to escape!
However, the Dao Ancestor's fall from heaven to become human is not entirely without drawbacks.
Among the innate divinities, therefore there appeared one who could restrain them.
Like the Dragon Ancestor, Di Jun and their ilk, they're still alright, but they cannot amount to much.
And Nüwa?!
This change of form became the biggest stumbling block!
Because, even the Human Dao, upon seeing Nüwa, must detour, fussing for a long time, all because of karma.
What's more, Hongjun who fell from heaven to become human?!
"So, Minghe you…… deserve to die."
Hongjun sighed, his gaze deep, looking at Minghe.
The pressure of the Hell Dao made his Pangu path suddenly become extremely arduous.
"You want to kill me? Can you actually kill me?! I'd love to see!"
At the critical moment of life and death, the Demonic Ancestor went all out: "Even if you bear the mission of the Human Dao, I can still slay you!"
"In this battle, between us two, only one is destined to survive!"
"If you have the ability, come and beat me to death!"
"I would actually love to see that scene!"
Minghe raised his twin swords high; the power of slaughter shook ancient and modern times, splitting the Three Thousand Great Daos of the Heavenly Dao's origin, making ages turn to dust, making myriad Daos vanish!
"You may profit greatly, but I will never lose!"
"In my life I have walked, slaughtering countless, having slain divinities, having slain Rahu, taking all enemies as offerings, achieving my supreme Slaughter Dao!"
"But the one I never thought to slay…… is myself!"
"I am very curious."
"If I can slay myself, can I thereby advance further?"
At this moment, the light flashing in Minghe's eyes was the most sincere seeker-of-the-Dao light: "It's just that over these years I have hesitated for a long time, and ultimately I did not deal myself this ruthless blow."
"If I misjudge, wouldn't that make me look terribly foolish, dying for nothing?"
"And today, I will borrow your hand, Hongjun, to witness an answer!"
Borrowing the knife to kill oneself!
For now, it can be considered as having killed oneself!
The supreme Slaughter Dao, slaughtering heaven, earth, and people…… in the end, will it be slaughtering oneself?
Minghe truly looks forward to it.
Looking at such a Minghe, Hongjun's expression was subtle, as if he had swallowed a fly.
Such an opponent is the most loathsome.
——Oneself might profit, but he will never lose.
If you are slain by him, he levels up.
If you beat him to death, he might also level up!
Facing such an enemy is truly mentally exhausting, with no sense of accomplishment at all, pure grind.
"I understand."
Hongjun gave him a cold look, slightly nodded, "I will beat you half-dead."
"Hahaha!" the Demonic Ancestor burst into loud laughter, "Let's see the real thing beneath our hands…… Asura Dao! Arise!"
A crimson sword light surged; a supreme powerhouse ignited his own divine soul, essence blood, and mana, turning eternity into an instant, and slashed at Hongjun with a sword that severs life and death!
There was no probing, no weighing; right from the start, it was a all-or-nothing death-defying assault!
There was no holding back in the slightest, nor any trace of defense.
Hongjun watched as the crimson sword light that had submerged eternity faded; within it shone two gazes of the utmost determination and resolve, revealing the will of the Minghe Demonic Ancestor.
——To hear the Dao in the morning, to die in the evening is sufficient!
To verify his own Pangu Slaughter Dao, he offered up everything he had!
In a daze, it seemed as if the Demonic Ancestor's teasing voice was still transmitting.
"In this battle, perhaps I will lose, will die…… but what about you?"
"You too will bleed, you too will be wounded!"
"When successors inherit my mission and again stand before you to attack you, can you still win?!"
"You will eventually be knocked down!"
Such a spirit and will bombarded Hongjun's heart, shaking his mind, creating a fleeting battle opportunity.
Hongjun's face was icy cold, "Even doing the vanguard work for a king, you can be that happy…… are you brain‑sick?"
"No…… I actually forgot."
"The creed of the Demonic Sect is to go mad from deviation, an old tradition!"
Upon thinking of the Demonic Sect's situation, Hongjun felt relieved again.
In the eyes of ordinary people, ten demonic cultivators, nine are mad, and there's even one more mad—this is all traditional art!
"However, this round…… I will not lose!"
"And you…… just rest in peace and go!"
Hongjun spoke calmly, with endless ages revolving around him, boundless Great Dao unfolding, bursting forth with dazzling light surpassing all, forging a bewildering dreamlike world of rules, transforming into a surging endless flood that roared toward the Nether River!
"Boom—"
Blood light burst forth, immortal light flowed backwards, the Purple Cloud Palace collapsed in an instant, even shattered!
The Dao Ancestor's hall of residence was destroyed, the holy land where the Heavenly Dao turns the universe withered, past, present, and future were all filled with the aftermath of this battle.
"Slay Heaven!"
"Defy Heaven!"
"The heavens lack Dao, my fate is mine, not heaven's; we swear to slay the heavens!"
In the Suiyue Changhe, within the boundless Myriad Heavens, countless beings cried out for no reason, swinging their fists at 'Heaven', or ceaselessly shouting.
This is the will of the Nether River Demon Ancestor!
He passed through countless ages and epochs, leaving behind his distinctive mark.
From then on, mankind has been fighting Heaven.
No matter why, just do it!
On the other side, the power of the great trend of Heaven's Mandate also covered the Myriad Heavens and all their origins.
That great power hurled the traces of everything related to the Sea of Blood into the doomed villain camp, slaying tens of millions… Don't ask, just know that justice triumphed over evil!
Many grand dramas unfolded, as Dao and Demons clashed, as the two near-Pangu beings waged vast slaughter, flowing through countless ages and heavens and earth!
However, in this war, Hongjun gained the upper hand.
He ultimately endured longer than the Demon Ancestor at such a height of existence, prevailed in origin and status, and had more initiative.
While campaigning against the Nether River, he still had spare energy and did one thing!
"Rattle—"
In the void sea, the Dragon-Phoenix Heavenly Court was crossing over, an entire epoch continuing, to reach the shore of the Witch-Demon epoch.
The brilliant aura of divine civilization surged here; even if humanity strove to resist, it could not achieve perfection.
The traces of the gods arose together, and among them, one trace was especially distinctive.
Second only to the Heavenly Emperor in nobility and exaltation, it held the authority to turn the universe.
That… is the Heavenly Dao!
Or perhaps it should be said: it was the past Hongjun, the chancellor of the August Emperor's Divine Court!
However, this chancellor's path to promotion was very rough.
Before becoming the senior chancellor, he was the leader of the rebellion that forged three thousand divinities!
But in the end he was defeated, reluctantly accepted reality, and became a worker of 007.
He is special.
He once fought for his dreams, but ultimately compromised with reality.
But now!
He is awakening!
The trace belonging to Hongjun, like the revival of the Nether River Demon Ancestor, likewise shone forth with light and evolved into a form.
Clad in azure robes, carefree and dust‑free, the gods stared agape.
The dignity of the Heavenly Dao faded away; in its place was the sensibility and liveliness of humanity.
Before becoming a corporate drone, the Dao Ancestor had light in his eyes; he was a youth.
He overlooked heaven and earth, surveyed the gods, glanced at the Taihuang Divine Dynasty, looked at the proudly standing Xuanyuan seal, and suddenly laughed.
"Taihuang, you severed the fate of the Witch and Demon clans—what good is that?"
"The innate divine nobility remains as before; you're merely doing useless work!"
"If you're going to do it, do it thoroughly—do away with even these divinities!"
"Come!"
"Let me give you a hand!"
"Help you fire the shot that uses force to overturn the camp of the innate divinities!"
Youthful Hongjun, he straightforwardly pierced through what!
He laughed heartily, leaving the Human Emperor's seal speechless.
"I don't believe you."
Xuanyuan replied.
"Whether you believe or not doesn't matter; actions prove everything!" Hongjun said with a smiling grin, "I only ask you—can you unite all forces for the cause of humanity?"
"Right now I'm hurrying to unite you—will you unite or not?"
Xuanyuan fell silent.
This is a problem.
The former Hongjun, though not the Human Emperor, bore the mission of resisting the gods, and differed from today's Human Emperor only slightly.
If Xuanyuan could overthrow the exalted position of the innate divinities, reset the epoch, examine ancient history, and face the former Hongjun's vigorous resistance against the innate divinities, should we give it a positive evaluation?
— although it was a failed struggle, it provided rich knowledge of struggle for later generations to overturn the rule of the innate divinities, a great deed of positive significance!
"I grant you the righteous cause of resisting the gods!"
The youthful Dao Ancestor chuckled lightly, "In Hongjun's name, I crown you!"
"You are the Human Sovereign, likewise the Heavenly Emperor!"
He strode forth carefree and in an instant stood before Xuanyuan.
The light of the era swept by, his existence split into two, differentiating into Hong and Jun—one the sky of the Witch‑Demons, the other the "person" of the Dragon‑Phoenix.
The human aspect, now united with Xuanyuan, is to help him undergo an extraordinary completion!
And Xuanyuan also did not refuse such a change.
(End of chapter)
End of Chapter
