Chapter 246: Choice and Ordinary Heart

246. Chapter 246 Choice and Ordinary Heart

Hongjun paid no attention to Qi, merely continuing to speak:

"If I had not yet united with the Dao, your words would not be amiss; it's merely that the timing is not right, a fortunate coincidence, and now I cannot comply."

"The affairs of the Heavenly Court are overly immense, involving all beings of the Wilderness; the karma involved could even entangle the Heavenly Dao Saint's Fruit Position and the Primordial Dao Fruit."

"Thus, the karmic differences between the two are naturally distinct; the original karma is insufficient to serve as an exchange."

"However, I am not devoid of understanding; you may freely select from the options below to offset the karma."

Seeing that the matter could not be altered, Qi could only reply:

"Please, Dao Ancestor, speak."

Hongjun nodded, after careful thought, said: "First, exchanging karma: what I originally requested forced you into the tribulation to repay with your life; although there are ways to endure the tribulation, they are your own methods."

"One life for one life; you may pick one among the four, and I can guarantee their safe passage through this tribulation. They might suffer injury, but they will ultimately return."

"Besides that, I can extend this Primordial Purple Qi by two more yuanhui for you to comprehend, as compensation, clearing our karma."

"As for the other option, it remains the same as before: this Primordial Purple Qi belongs to you, and concerning the Saint's Fruit Position, it is enough to offset our karma."

"As for the third option, if you choose it, you ought to discuss it with them."

Hearing this, Qi was slightly taken aback, not knowing why, but still spoke:

"Dao Ancestor, just speak plainly; if I truly decide, I will naturally tell them."

Hongjun saw this and smiled: "You may dissolve the Heavenly Court, or pass the position to another; the karma accumulated by the Heavenly Court thus far, I will personally remove for you."

Hearing this, Qi was greatly alarmed, continually pondering why Hongjun would say this, and whether it was related to the previous Celestial Court.

If Hongjun truly assists, how should the Heavenly Court respond? After all, the two are too close in time, and Qi, holding a high position, cannot help but be suspicious.

Before Qi could continue speculating, Hongjun denied his thought and explained:

"What I said has nothing to do with the Celestial Court; although I knew early about the Wood Lord's affair, I did not favor its development, and my support is merely because it benefits the development of the Immortal Dao."

"Whether it succeeds or not, I do not care."

Hongjun thought for a moment, then added:

"Moreover, the Immortal Dao is not really suited to taking oneself as the foundation, establishing a great power, and gaining authority; for Immortal Dao cultivation, it brings no benefit."

Only then did Qi dispel the notion of Hongjun supporting the Celestial Court and the Heavenly Court's contention; he silently pondered, beginning to seriously weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Seeing Qi's difficulty in deciding, Hongjun said:

"Our acquaintance, though involving petty scheming, can still be considered friendly; given my understanding of you, you might as well pick one."

What moved Qi most was also the first option, for he knows that nobody would easily abandon the Heavenly Court, not to mention them, even himself.

The establishment of the Heavenly Court condensed everyone's blood and sweat; with countless people's efforts and struggles, how could it be lightly abandoned?

As for the second option, Qi had not even considered it; facing Hongjun's advice, he could only wryly smile: "Dao Ancestor, since you know me, you should also understand where I am torn; among four friends, who could lightly give up?"

Seeing Qi's anguished expression, knowing their bond was deep, after a slight hesitation Hongjun said:

"Fuxi, Nüwa each have their own heavenly mandate; you may freely disregard them, for their fortune is exceedingly thick, beyond what ordinary people imagine."

"You might consider choosing the one to protect between Di Jun and Taiyi."

Hearing this, Qi immediately lifted his gaze toward Hongjun, but Hongjun merely closed his eyes and remained silent; the purplight of the Creation Jade Butterfly flickered, and suddenly several cracks burst forth.

Seeing this, Qi immediately rose and bowed in thanks: "Qi, many thanks for the reminder, Ancestor! I will surely compensate for the loss!"

Hongjun could only helplessly open his eyes, refusing Qi's offer to compensate, while also letting Qi reseat, and said:

"It's merely a few cracks; I've long been accustomed to them over the years. If you truly wish to compensate, you might as well send Rahu into Chaos; I can guarantee his safety."

Qi instantly understood; thinking that he daily idles in the Heavenly Court, after only a moment's hesitation, he said:

"Naturally, as you said; coincidentally, the Heavenly Court is just planning to send him to Chaos to seek the four great feral beasts and uncover the mystery of Chaos's spiritual treasures."

Hongjun immediately raised his eyebrows, smiling: "Good."

Qi pondered a moment longer, considering Taiyi's nature and that he possesses the Chaos Bell for protection, which should pose no hindrance, and said:

"Then at that time, it will trouble you, Ancestor; if a great calamity truly befalls and we cannot escape, we will be able to preserve Di Jun's life."

Although Hongjun was somewhat surprised that Qi did not choose Taiyi, he still readily agreed, for preserving any one life makes no difference to him.

Seeing Hongjun's agreement, Qi also took that strand of Primordial Purple Qi and left the Purple Cloud Palace, but did not return to the Wilderness; instead, he continued to linger in Chaos.

After ten thousand years, Qi gazed at a floating willow leaf in his hand, brows furrowed: "This is strange; I have been wandering in Chaos for a long time, yet I cannot find the Great God Yangmei, and my messages receive no reply."

Qi was not worried that Yangmei would encounter any problem; after all, given his cultivation realm, there is nowhere he cannot go.

"Forget it; most likely the great god does not wish to see me, or is in seclusion, having not sensed me; I'll try again later."

Qi intended to return to the Wilderness; his stay in Chaos was not short, and the Wilderness was presently undergoing a change unseen for ages, so he did not wish to disappear for too long.

Meanwhile, Yangmei was walking in the Wilderness, having just reached Cloud Dream Marsh; he came here not to seek Qi.

Yangmei walked ahead, measuring the Wilderness with his steps; behind him followed a person in a black robe, and if any acquaintance saw, they would recognize him as Rahu.

"'Brother Yangmei, the scenery here is so fine; why not sit and rest a moment?' Rahu's state at this time was somewhat disheveled, with not a trace of Dao aura, no different from an ordinary mortal."

Yangmei, however, did not mind, saying:

"Your demonic path is somewhat interesting; I have sealed your cultivation and divine power, yet you still manage to keep some stamina after walking ten thousand li with me each day."

Rahu merely laughed, saying:

"It's merely a trifling little trick, incomparable to you, Brother Dao, and nothing but a petty skill not worth mentioning."

While speaking, Rahu changed direction, rushing toward the reeds growing outside the great marsh, heedless of any hidden danger therein.

Yangmei stopped his steps, watching Rahu enter; in no time, Rahu returned holding a spiritual snake no longer than one zhang.

The two sat on the ground; Rahu casually twisted off the snake's head, aimed at the wound, and drank the flowing blood, his condition recovering considerably.

Having drunk the snake's blood dry, the flesh was not wasted; together with the outer scales and skin, the internal bones and organs were all torn piece by piece and swallowed by Rahu.

Witnessing such a bloody act, Yangmei could still sense a hint of divinity within it, unaware of its cruelty and wickedness.

After Luo Hou had eaten the entire snake corpse clean, Yang Mei then exclaimed:

Consuming its spirit-awakening flesh and blood, together with essence and soul swallowed into the belly, there is no loss whatsoever; on this path I have seen it countless times, yet I am still shocked.

If you still had even a trace of cultivation, this would be nothing but that petty, worthless little way; but you are now no different from an ordinary mortal, yet you still have such methods, which earns me some admiration.

Your methods surpass the Dao.

Facing Yang Mei's praise, Rahu immediately laughed and said:

Why not enter my demonic path, Brother Dao? All techniques will be passed to you.

If you are willing, Brother Dao, you may take my position as leader of the demonic path.

Seeing this, Yang Mei merely smiled faintly, made no move, and Rahu immediately collapsed, his body twitching incessantly.

After this continued for nearly an hour, the abnormalities on Rahu's body ceased, and he slowly rose from the ground.

His muscles twitched from time to time, telling everyone what inhuman torment he had endured.

Seeing Rahu in pain, yet his calm eyes showed not a ripple, as if the one who had just collapsed was not him.

Brother Dao, why be angry? What Rahu said is not false.

Saying this, Rahu also showed a smile, his provocative intent barely concealed.

Yang Mei, however, did not strike again, merely speaking lightly:

You truly are unafraid of death—do you really not fear me taking your life to sacrifice to the Five Elements and Heaven and Earth?

Rahu merely laughed and said:

Brother Dao, what do they have to do with me? The demonic ancestor Rahu no longer exists.

I am now a star god of the Heavenly Court, Rahu the Star Lord; heaven and earth have long pardoned my sins, and as for the leader of the demonic path, that is Rahu's star destiny—what does it have to do with me?

Yang Mei merely turned and continued forward, not discussing Rahu's sophistry; seeing this, Rahu also gave a strange smile and continued to follow Yang Mei.

With every step, Rahu's continually trembling body showed Yang Mei's punishment, not something easily endured.

Only when the sun set and the sky was thick with stars did Rahu see ahead that Yang Mei had already lit a bonfire.

Brother Dao, you are surprisingly kind-hearted, willing to light a bonfire for Rahu; if not for you, I would have thought I'd suffer tonight.

Facing Rahu's self-destructive behavior, Yang Mei merely spoke mockingly:

You need not say these things to provoke me; that is somewhat lacking in decorum.

Rahu immediately fell silent, standing long in the night; when he returned to the bonfire, he sat cross-legged not far from Yang Mei's side and began to enter tranquility.

Yang Mei merely glanced and knew Rahu had successfully entered tranquility.

Although he cannot cultivate and has endured prolonged torment, this tranquility practice is not bad.

Rahu never imagined that one day he could perceive the passage of time, walking across the wasteland, moving at sunrise and stopping at sunset.

Each day and night, Rahu could calm his mind; waking from tranquility at sunrise, he would re-enter it at sunset.

In the cycle of walking and entering tranquility, Rahu suddenly felt time become substantial, no different from that of an ordinary person!

All this fell into Yang Mei's sight; seeing Rahu each day become more like an ordinary cultivator, his aura gradually becoming complete.

Just then, Yang Mei, looking at Rahu in tranquility, secretly thought:

I have forged a mortal heart for you; if one day you can break through, our karmic ties will be erased.

If not, then there will no longer be the innate divine sage Rahu; sinking into the mundane world will be your retribution.

PS: There is another 3000-character piece, possibly delayed, but it will be released. (End of chapter)