Chapter 228

Qi looked at Yang Mei with a somewhat resentful gaze, while everyone else stared at Qi, trying hard not to laugh.

"After all, you are a great god of a region, now one of the leaders of the innate gods; how can you act like this?"

Yang Mei's eyes and brows betrayed amusement; he asked knowingly.

Qi then said through gritted teeth:

"If it weren't for someone disrespecting the elderly and bullying the young, who, knowing my hard work, still smeared my face, I would not look like this."

Nüwa, Taiyi, and the others could no longer hold back, bursting into laughter; just moments ago, Qi had been sealed by Yang Mei inside a wall, with only his two legs struggling outside.

Although Yang Mei knew that Qi had previously called him a Dao friend on purpose to dispel the awkwardness caused by their cultivation gap,

yet Qi's mischievous appearance truly made Yang Mei unable to restrain himself; thinking of their gathering, Yang Mei went along with it, fulfilling Qi's intention.

However, he used a bit too much force and meant to play a trick, so Yang Mei deliberately trapped Qi inside the rocks, only releasing him when Taiyi and Nüwa saw him.

However, in Yang Mei's mind, Qi's current cultivation level is indeed worthy of being called a Dao friend; that earlier gesture also served as a farewell to a few little friends from his memory, after which they would walk the same path together.

"Qi, the person you speak of who disrespects the elderly and bullies the young surely isn't Great God Yang Mei, is it?"

Nüwa's eyes could hardly conceal their laughter, and of course it was also her unhidden thought; in her impression, among the five, the most steady person was Qi, yet he also bore such an expression, leaving her unable to endure.

Taiyi also laughed and added, "It seems so; Great God Yang Mei has always been beloved by us, so Qi surely isn't speaking ill of a great god."

Di Jun and Fuxi also remained silent; Nüwa's lively nature is long accustomed to by everyone, and Taiyi's formidable strength, backed by the Chaos Bell, fears no one's anger.

They are different, lacking divine powers and protective spiritual treasures; they need only watch the show with ease, which is quite enjoyable.

Yang Mei cooperatively turned his gaze toward Qi, who paid no heed and continued with sarcastic remarks: "I have always respected Great God Yang Mei; how could the person I speak of be him?"

"The one I refer to is the disrespectful elder who bullies the weak, unashamed, using the strong to oppress the weak; it is clearly what he himself said before, yet when meeting again and addressing each other as Dao friends, he refuses to acknowledge it, seeking petty revenge."

"Great God Yang Mei, you are a renowned great god in the Wilderness; I suppose you are not such a person."

Yang Mei's interest was fully aroused; his brows, already raised by his makeup, lifted even higher. Seeing that Qi deserved a beating, he naturally obliged, saying: "I am naturally not that person; I, Yang Mei, am widely renowned in the Wilderness, and I discipline others only because they disrespect the elderly; given my character, those I chastise must have deserved a beating."

"Qi, Dao friend, you have always been the most courteous and quite respectful toward me; you say, having attained the Primordial Chaos realm, looking across the Dao there is none who can contend; is my statement reasonable?"

"Having received a slap from my attainment of the Primordial Chaos realm, yet suffering neither death nor loss of limbs, you say, am I not a person of great virtue? Should I not be respected?"

Qi gazed at Yang Mei, his words never leaving the topic of attainment, teasing lightly about the Primordial Chaos, his eyes full of sincerity; he could only reply softly, from the heart: "Yang Mei, Dao friend, you are absolutely correct."

The crowd burst into laughter again; Yang Mei, seeing Qi's appearance of admitting fault yet not being convinced, could not help but chuckle, conjuring a waterside pavilion with a wave of his hand, and said: "Enough, enough, don't drag on idle talk; let's go sit briefly in the courtyard, tell me why you sought me, without those flattering words—I have no desire to hear them."

Saying that, he glanced at Qi once more and could no longer hold back, bursting into laughter:

"Qi, Dao friend, earlier it was my fault; I apologize here and now; since we have finally gathered, stop acting like a gossiping woman, and let's discuss the matter at hand, let's discuss the matter at hand! Hahaha!"

Qi, having barely steadied his mood, almost shattered again at Yang Mei's laughter; seeing Di Jun and Fuxi similarly open-hearted, he could not help but glare at them and say:

"Di Jun, Dao friend, Fuxi, Dao friend, we have been acquainted for a long time, often recalling the past and sparring; now that you have become the Heavenly Emperor, you have instead become somewhat lax."

"How about we, after settling affairs here, take Taiyi and Nüwa together to spar a bit in Chaos?"

Upon hearing this, Di Jun and Fuxi exchanged glances, then laughed even louder, offering no response, and hand in hand entered the waterside pavilion.

Nüwa closely followed their steps without pause; only Taiyi remained, his eyes somewhat eager, asking: "Qi, were the words you just spoke sincere? Or merely jest?"

Qi was somewhat speechless, giving Taiyi a sideways glance and saying:

"Fight, we'll fight as soon as we go out!"

Having said that, he turned and flew likewise toward the pavilion; Taiyi immediately followed, still saying:

"One word settles it; I guarantee I will not lightly interfere, as long as I don't break them."

Qi acted as if he hadn't heard Taiyi's words, not turning back.

Upon entering the pavilion, Qi silently thought to himself: "Once we leave this place, you and Fuxi will likely have entered the Primordial Chaos Dao; in the end, as before, the two of them will probably gang up on me."

However, Qi then reconsidered: if Taiyi were to step into the Primordial Chaos Dao, he could unleash the true power of the Chaos Bell, possibly instantly becoming the foremost among Primordial Chaos cultivators, making it uncertain whom they would besiege.

In an instant, Qi's heart also heated up, and he felt a glimmer of expectation.

"Let's hear it then—what brings you to see me this time?"

Yangmei welcomed everyone to sit, and a cup of greenish tea rose from the cup and floated before each person.

Qi took a slight sip, then said, "I have come to seek the Great God because I am troubled by an unsolvable confusion, and moreover a path to heaven lies before me, yet I do not know how to choose."

Seeing Qi like this, Yangmei couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly, pondering why this heavenly path would make Qi unable to decide.

"What is the confusion? What is this heavenly path? Though I am not a wise person, I have lived long and gained some insight and experience, which may serve as a reference for you."

Yangmei's modest words, Qi naturally did not take them to heart, and simply asked, "One is the predicament of the Divine Dao; I do not know how to resolve it."

"The Divine Dao has existed since ancient times, having also endured the opening of the world by the Three Sovereigns, giving rise to many capable people, standing equal to the Great Dao, receiving heaven and earth's favor, regulating the primordial wilderness, each with its duty; only through diligent governance does the present primordial landscape arise."

"Later came the two paths of Immortals and Demons, allowing all beings to perceive the Dao; though talented individuals exist, aside from these two creators—Hongjun and Rahu—there is no one who can truly be called an outstanding person."

"Although it has lasted a long time and cultivators are many, the gap between immortals and gods remains as vast as the difference between clouds and mud."

"Taking the nine sons of the dragon as an example, the second son, Yache, is already the foremost among immortals, and his ability is also considerable."

"Even so, compared to the Divine Dao, it merely barely touches its edge." "Nourished by the dragon clan's power, with the Ancestor Dragon and Yinglong personally training him, only then was this son obtained; in the primordial wilderness he has no fame, showing the limits of the Immortal Dao."

"And it is certainly not that Hongjun already possessed it; as the lord of the Immortal Dao, if he gained anything he would not hide it—if the Immortal Dao could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods, why painstakingly promote it, when the primordial wilderness has long belonged to the Immortal Dao?"

"Yet when Qi went to the Purple Cloud Palace to listen to the Dao, he was suddenly astonished by the Immortal Dao, finding it not inferior to the Divine Dao; he also gained some of its subtleties, which is hard to believe."

"Now looking again at the limits of the Immortal Dao, they have actually risen to stand equal to the average of the Divine Dao; the Divine Dao's cultivation is arduous, with innate divine talents outstanding, and if one pursues the Immortal Dao, it will surely become a great upheaval in the primordial wilderness, with the strong emerging in abundance."

"Recalling the calamities endured, those who enter the Primordial Dao number only three or five in each calamity; even so, the primordial wilderness is still full of tribulations."

"If there were many Primordial Dao cultivators, when a great calamity strikes, what would become of the primordial wilderness? After only two discourses on the Dao, counting the intervals, by the time of the Nine Yuan Assembly the Immortal Dao has already advanced to this extent."

"If they further evolve so that immortals and gods can stand as equals, how should the Divine Dao position itself, and would there still be any necessity for its existence?"

Qi feels somewhat bewildered about the future; cultivating the Immortal and Divine Dao, having weathered wind and rain, accumulating bit by bit, with opportunities continually arising, and being naturally endowed with exceptional talent, only then could he achieve this.

The cultivation of the Immortal Dao is simple; compared to the Divine Dao, it does not require bitterly enduring one's life, merely to comprehend the Great Dao—if one is willing to cultivate, a few Yuan Assemblies suffice to achieve the Great Luo, whereas the accumulation needed by the Luotian Revered God is not even one ten‑thousandth of that.

If the distinction between the two is no longer as it once was, Qi now cannot see the future of the Divine Dao.

Yangmei also fell into deep thought; Qi's words made his heart feel heavy, while Di Jun, Fuxi, Taiyi, and Nüwa stood aside silently. Upon hearing Qi's words, previously unaware, after being awakened by others, he too now feels somewhat perplexed.

The Immortal Dao's progress is so rapid; Yangmei knows it must be thanks to Hongjun relying on the Jade Butterfly of Creation, the opportunity to unite with the Dao, aided by the Heavenly Dao's deductive function.

Regardless, the Immortal Dao's progress is already settled and cannot be changed; if it truly is as Qi said, Yangmei also feels there is no solution.

Qi's concerns are the same as Yangmei's; once the Immortal Dao is not inferior to the Divine Dao, its progress will be swift, and countless Innate Divine Sages will surely turn to the Immortal Dao's gate—then, without external enemies, the Divine Dao will self-annihilate.

Furthermore, the Innate Divine Sages possess deep foundations and exalted cultivation; should they take up the Immortal Dao, they will, in a short time, surpass into the next realm, giving rise to countless Immortal Dao cultivators on par with the Primordial Chaos Dao.

During the ancient Primordial Wilderness calamity, fewer than ten who entered the Primordial Chaos Dao shattered the Primordial Wilderness and severed the earth's veins.

Now, if even those who follow the Primordial Chaos Dao cannot stand at the height of the great calamity, what disaster would befall the Primordial Wilderness then? Yangmei thinks deeply, feels extreme dread yet is powerless; the Immortal Dao before him seems already a mighty trend, frantically pushing the Primordial Wilderness to release its potential, ever advancing.

Yangmei fell silent, unsure how to resolve Qi's doubts; after a long while he finally said: "Cultivating the Divine Dao is not easy; naturally there are advantages others have never had. With divine powers, although of the same realm, one needs no magic treasures and can still contend with them."

"Step by step, solidifying the foundations, when proving the Primordial Chaos Dao, one also gains advantages that heretical paths cannot match."

"Although I have never cultivated the Immortal or Demon Dao and know little of it, I know its cultivation is swift, so its foundations must be unstable."

"When proving the Primordial Chaos Dao, using the Divine Dao's life force and such profound understanding of the Great Dao, it is extremely difficult."

"The Immortal Dao cultivates swiftly, its realm equals that of the Divine Dao, and its combat power is genuine; thus, when proving the Dao, it must rely on external objects to make up for its critical juncture."

"Cultivating the Great Dao tolerates no cutting corners; they seek swift progress, so they must inevitably have drawbacks."

"I do not know the future of the Divine Dao, nor whether there is still hope; this doubt I cannot resolve for fellow Daoists."

Yangmei felt heavy-hearted, knowing his words were merely forcing the Divine Dao to save face and could not resolve Qi's doubts; although he spoke of the drawbacks of Immortal and Demon Dao proving the Dao, he gave no answer as to how the Divine Dao's future would be resolved.

"But you still say what choices need to be faced; although confusion cannot be dispelled for you, I can offer some reference for your decision."

Yangmei forced a smile, pretending to be relaxed.

Seeing Yangmei's strained expression, Qi couldn't help but hesitate; yet after finally offering a word of comfort, he then said: "How the Divine Dao's future will be, Great God, upon first hearing, naturally there is no ready solution; this is normal, Great God need not worry."

"As for how to choose, Great God, please listen to me explain in detail."

"When previously listening to the Dao, Hongjun alone spoke with me, discussing the prior Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, thus triggering the karma owed from the Great Calamity."

"This karma was spoken personally by Hongjun; at that time he had already promised, and now he wishes to fulfill it, giving a tremendous opportunity; precisely because of this opportunity I find it hard to choose."

"Hongjun said there are still eight Sage positions vacant in the world; six of them already have owners, and a Sage is on par with the realm of proving the Primordial Chaos Dao, with no difference between them."

"Of the remaining two vacant Sage positions, one represents the one that the Heavenly Dao fled from; the other, he can influence it."

"Hongjun's intention is to use the opportunity to become a Sage to repay the karma owed from before."

"Although he did not explicitly say that having this opportunity guarantees becoming a Sage, his implication is unmistakable."

"Of course, the Sage position also carries its own responsibilities; although it is the honor of heaven and earth, it also has limitations."

"Similar to the heavenly gods and earthly deities among the Innate Divine Sages, who are responsible for the Primordial Wilderness heaven and earth, their responsibility is also not absolute."

"To me, the Sage position spoken of by Hongjun is undoubtedly an easier, more straightforward path."

Having said this, Qi paused slightly, somewhat unwillingly said: "Just Qi feels unwilling in heart, having painstakingly cultivated for so long, proving the Dao is arduous, but I also am not lacking this opportunity."

"Qi has walked upon the Great Dao for a long time, having experienced until now; though the Dao is distant, Qi has already perceived it."

"Now abandoning one's own Dao cultivation, stepping onto others' path to heaven, if for this opportunity one abandons one's own Dao, Qi is unwilling; yet if one lets go of this opportunity, Qi also feels reluctant."

"Moreover this opportunity also has a time limit, not allowing Qi to ponder much; thus there is both reluctance and unwillingness, two things I find hard to decide, therefore I come to ask the Great God, hoping to gain some insight."

Yangmei then again felt troubled, after all that is an opportunity to prove the Dao; he has endured wind and frost, painstakingly cultivated, today finally attained proof of the Dao, seeking completeness.

By common sense, treating him as a fellow person, Yangmei should advise him to give up this opportunity, prove the Dao alone, and find the great freedom of heaven and earth.

But precisely because he has already proved the Dao, Yangmei is now extremely hesitant.

Too exhausting, proving the Dao by one's own strength is truly too exhausting; exhausted to the point of trying again, Yangmei is unsure if he could succeed again.

Therefore, Yangmei cannot bring himself to tell Qi to give up the opportunity, even though he knows proving the Primordial Chaos Dao compared to being a Sage is more at ease.

PS: Later there is another 4000-word chapter, though it may be later; everyone can wake up early to read it; yesterday I was too tired, writing and writing fell asleep; today is another overtime day, I stayed up until now to finish it, immediately will start chapter two, please support with monthly votes!! (End of chapter)