Chapter 249: with translation of chapter title

249. Chapter 249: Return to the Heavenly Palace, striking

Spiritual light flickered, the Eastern Emperor Bell's sound waves sent ripples, countless Chaos qi streams shattered, even the storm could not sweep them away; Qi stood on the lotus platform, somewhat embarrassed.

Taiyi and Qi faced each other, hair slightly disheveled, robes somewhat faded, the Eastern Emperor Bell held sideways at hand, breathing slightly hurried.

Far away, Fuxi merely watched silently; although the two had stopped fighting, he had no intention of going over now to dissuade them.

Not long before, Fuxi saw the two in the same state, facing off from a distance, and assumed they had finished, so he went over happily.

As a result, he narrowly avoided falling into their attack, leaving him quite embarrassed.

Indeed, the Eastern Emperor Bell sounded again, its domineering sound wave swept over, the surrounding Chaos was stirred to heaven and earth overturned, then instantly dissipated into nothing.

Qi lightly struck the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum, the heavy drumming accompanied by thunder spreading outward, colliding with the sound wave.

But it could only offer slight resistance before being torn apart like rotten wood by the sound wave emitted from the Eastern Emperor Bell.

Qi watched this scene, gritting his teeth; in these myriad years of Chaos, this scene had reappeared countless times—whether the Eastern Emperor Bell had been fully refined or not made a difference as vast as clouds and mud.

The World-Opening White Jade Scepter, surrounded by pure light, smashed fiercely toward Taiyi; Qi did not bother to check the effect, as the Innate Twelfth-Grade Pure World White Lotus emitted a radiant glow, protecting Qi as he charged straight at Taiyi.

At the instant the sound wave collided with the Innate Twelfth-Grade Pure World White Lotus, the surrounding Chaos blazed like daylight, its violent spiritual light making it impossible to see.

Qi stood on the lotus platform, feeling only a slight sway; the Innate Twelfth-Grade Pure World White Lotus had already broken through the sound wave's blockade, now not far from Taiyi.

The World-Opening White Jade Scepter met Taiyi with an overhead strike, but Taiyi blocked it with the Eastern Emperor Bell he held; the swaying mysterious yellow qi also showed that Taiyi was not taking it lightly.

The Water Splendor Awakening World Drum was struck again; when Taiyi was unable to attack, it directly hurled him billions of li away, into a newly born small world.

The fragile world embryonic form was pierced, causing Chaos qi to flow backward; the interior of the world fell into turmoil, everywhere mountains blazed and earth split.

Before the pressure of this world's heaven and earth could arrive, Taiyi exerted all his strength to drive the Eastern Emperor Bell; a visible sound wave surged toward the breach in the world embryonic form, striking Qi who was rushing over at full speed.

The entire world then began to crumble under Taiyi's effort, earth, water, fire, and wind repeating, all things reduced to nothing.

Fortunately, this world was utterly empty, containing no heavenly or earthly spiritual treasures.

Fuxi saw Qi enter the small world through the breach, and out of curiosity also came to the breach to see what was happening inside.

Unexpectedly, a sound wave surged, pushing the Innate Twelfth-Grade Pure World White Lotus to strike his body; in that instant, Fuxi's mind went blank.

He slightly turned his head, watching the surroundings transformed by Taiyi's attack into Daoist manifestations, and for the first time felt death so close to himself.

Qi only suffered this one blow, his robes tore in many places, and his divine power poured out like a flood from an opened gate.

Watching the world embryonic form continually shrink, Qi couldn't help but break a sweat for Taiyi, yet he only heard a bell ring, and the shrinking world embryonic form suddenly expanded.

Like a balloon stretched to its limit, it burst instantly, carrying the power of world destruction; Qi faced this disaster head‑on, and in an instant was swept up and flung backward, suffering greatly.

When the surroundings gradually calmed, Qi returned in a sorry state; Fuxi saw Qi's torn robes, yet unusually did not mock him.

For he too had suffered the same—after being struck by the Innate Twelfth-Grade Pure World White Lotus, he had not yet had time to react before also being caught in the aftermath of the world's destruction.

Had it not been for the many treasures he received in the the the Zixiao Palace, he would have been even more embarrassed.

"What about Taiyi? He's at the center of the world's destruction, probably not feeling great either—you suffered less of the aftermath; have you found him?"

Qi looked around, saw no trace of Taiyi, and then spoke up to ask.

Fuxi hesitated a little, replying with an uncertain tone:

"I didn't see it clearly either, but it seemed he fell toward the Primeval Wasteland Realm; I too was affected then, his speed was too great for me to stop."

When Fuxi said that, he and Qi exchanged glances, then both turned into streaks of light and flew toward the direction where Taiyi had previously fallen.

When they finally found Taiyi, he was waiting at the Primeval Wasteland Heaven‑Earth embryonic form, having changed his robes and crown; aside from a pallid complexion, nothing else seemed unusual.

Faced with their questions, Taiyi insisted he had already stopped, feeling that their sparring was about done; continuing would harm harmony, so he did not return.

Qi and Fuxi were doubtful, feeling Taiyi must be lying, but lacking evidence they could only let it go.

When returning to the Primeval Wasteland, Qi recalled the time his form had been exposed; after a brief hesitation, he first returned to the Cloud Dream Marsh.

He also sent a message to Bai Ling, asking him to fetch the carriage, so that when traveling he could ride in it and not lose his dignity.

Bai Ling, being sensible, knowing Taiyi and Fuxi were still present, went again to the Nüwa Palace to borrow an azure phoenix, and from the treasury gathered six dragons with the rosy sash, then returned to the Cloud Dream Marsh.

Thus, as they returned, Qi rode with Bai Ling accompanying rosy light; Fuxi rode the azure phoenix bearing the six qi; Taiyi sat upon the six dragons accompanied by azure clouds. That side was filled with auspicious signs, extraordinarily magnificent; the gods, who happened to be attending the Primordial Unity Assembly, saw the three return and all the deities welcomed them, most splendid.

Among the gods present, many felt envy; even those cultivating in solitude felt that such a grand sight made their coming worthwhile.

Upon entering the banquet hall, the gods chatted and laughed merrily, their glances occasionally shifting to a certain seat in the middle.

Qi was also drawn to it; fixing his gaze, he suddenly realized it was the place where the Twelve Ancestral Witches and Jieyin Zhunti were.

Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two sides, Qi smiled faintly, raised his wine cup, and headed toward their location.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a gathering of the Heavenly Court, celebrating the entry of Xi Huang and Dong Huang into the Primordial Dao; yet the Heavenly Court's hospitality has been lacking, leaving you dissatisfied—why no smiles?"

Qi's words made several people curse silently, but they dared not show it; seeing no one respond, Emperor Jiang quickly stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty Qi worries too much; we have no dissatisfaction—the Heavenly Court's hospitality is nothing but fine wine, delicious food, and heavenly treasures."

"Under ordinary circumstances we would not even get to see such things; being able to eat them today is a blessing."

Saying this, Emperor Jiang gave Jieyin and Zhunti a contemptuous look and spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"We are naturally happy and joyful, yet some people, despite such a happy occasion, still wear the mournful look of having lost their parents, needlessly disturbing others' moods—this is mere vexation."

"Behaving this way, who knows if they harbor opinions toward Your Majesties or the Heavenly Court."

"That is why they cannot bear to see the Heavenly Court's joy; in my view, Your Majesty should expel these two to avoid affecting the court's atmosphere."

Jieyin and Zhunti, hearing this, immediately glared at Emperor Jiang with anger, then turned to Qi and said: "Report to Your Majesty, we have not spoken, yet petty people already behave so arrogantly and frivolously; in your presence they dare to stir up trouble."

"Such petty people—may Your Majesty punish them and banish them from the heavenly realm."

After hearing both sides, Qi's face darkened at once, and he said: "Today is a great joy for the Heavenly Court; I hope you will behave yourselves, for if you stir up trouble again, you will surely not fare well."

"Having left the Heavenly Court, I cannot be bothered to engage in your disputes; but within the Heavenly Court, even if there are great grudges, you must show me friendliness."

The Twelve Ancestral Witches and Jieyin Zhunti, hearing this, were startled; only then did they realize why the Heavenly Court had seated them together, and they immediately rose to salute: "We will obey Your Majesty's command."

Qi then smiled satisfied, raised his wine cup in gesture; the Twelve Ancestral Witches and Jieyin Zhunti felt bitter inside, but could only force a smile, lift their cups, and drink.

After Qi departed, the atmosphere between the two sides again grew dull, but without the previous tense standoff, leaving the onlookers murmuring in amazement.

If one says the Twelve Ancestral Witches and Jieyin Zhunti are the source of the tense, dull atmosphere between the two sides, then watching the Eastern Duke slowly approach, Qi merely felt as if sitting on pins and needles.

Qi Duan walked over with a wine cup to stand beside the East King Duke, looking at the ill-at-ease East King Duke before him, a hint of contempt rose in his heart, yet he smiled and said: "Wood Duke, fellow Daoist, back when we were in the the the Zixiao Palace, we had long wished to meet you; alas, in Chaos we searched for a long time but never got to see you."

Today we finally encounter this good opportunity; although we have had little interaction, our spirits have long been in communion.

I merely do not know how the matter you and the Dao Ancestor spoke of back then has progressed to what extent now? Having long dwelt by the East Sea, what are you seeking? Since the discourse ended long ago, how many have come to join?

Upon hearing this, the East King Duke's heart jolted, sensing that the Heavenly Court might have noticed his actions, yet even so, the East King Duke still smiled and said:

Your Majesty's words are also the Wood Duke's regret; back then in Chaos, I too wished to exchange words with the Heavenly Court's Dao, but fortuitously the Dao Chang had an urgent matter, so I could only let it be.

Now the Heavenly Court is flourishing, the wilds are wholly harmonious, the four seas are at peace; to speak of establishing an Immortal Court is mere idle talk, not worthy of Your Majesty's concern.

As for searching for things in the East Sea, that is even more delusory; having long dwelt by the East Sea is merely because my Dao Chang is located there.

As for those who come to join, they are even fewer; the Wood Duke has little means, and the Heavenly Court is about to hang high tomorrow—who would disregard the Heavenly Court and come seek me, a loner?

Speaking thus, the East King Duke wore an earnest expression, yet his words were firm, as if he had never engaged in deceit.

As for the Immortal Court, the Wood Duke merely feels that independent cultivators find practice difficult, and his wish is only to give all independent cultivators a place of refuge.

Speaking to this point, the East King Duke's eyes turned red; the sorrowful pity for heaven and man within them made Qi Duan seem to see the double apparition of Jieyin and Zhunti.

Qi Duan then thought carefully and found that the East King Duke truly shares several similarities with those two: he likewise enjoys invoking grand principles, and likewise does not care about saving face.

However, compared to those two, the East King Duke lacks a bit of their sincerity and compassion.

After all, although those two displease Qi Duan, their wholehearted devotion to the Western Continent is utterly sincere, merely that their vision is somewhat narrow.

PS: There is still one chapter (this chapter ends).