Chapter 87: Rahu Suffers a Loss, Qi Gains Benefit

The Jade Pearl brought news of Yuan Feng, informing Qi that the Phoenix Clan would, within two cosmic cycles, open the waterways linking the southern and northern continents to Cloud Dream Marsh.

At that time, all the water vapor from the East and the North will flow through the existing channels into Cloud Dream Marsh, then through the newly opened channels into the southern continent.

Qi felt a strange sensation, as though he had done nothing yet suddenly become one of the chief beneficiaries.

Because once this channel is completed, Cloud Dream Marsh will link the entire primordial water system, after all, once the channel is finished it will not be used just this once.

"I never expected the Phoenix Clan's scheme to bring me such benefit; it's just a pity that this expanse of green mountains will likely exist only underwater from now on."

As long as the primordial water system is fully connected, in Qi's calculation the water level of Cloud Dream Marsh will surge.

Furthermore, during the formation of the heavenly realm, excess water vapor will be expelled, so thereafter the dry land separating the lakes of Cloud Dream Marsh will be submerged by lake water.

All the lakes will merge into one, becoming like an inland sea of the primordial continent, completely filling the depression of Cloud Dream Marsh with heavenly water.

In the present Cloud Dream Marsh region, the green hills visible everywhere will mostly be submerged, leaving only a few high peaks with their summits exposed above the water, turning into islands.

For Qi, this is absolutely beneficial; linking the other two continents will cause Cloud Dream Marsh's water transport to boom, thereby strengthening his fortune.

The expansion of Cloud Dream Marsh's waters can accommodate more incoming water vapor; each wisp of vapor is a foundation of a water system, a capital for coping with changes in heaven and earth.

Qi's only regret is that the formerly bustling Cloud Dream Marsh may exist only in memory; after expansion it will possess little land, unable to support many terrestrial beings.

Most of the existing beings will have to be relocated, otherwise they will merely become dust crushed inadvertently by the incoming water vapor.

Taiyi saw Qi lost in thought, did not disturb him, and idly played with the pieces on the chessboard; he also saw the message in the Jade Pearl, but felt nothing about it and had no interest in these matters.

"Taiyi, what do you think about using divine power to forge these mountain islands into floating foundations for an array? Coincidentally, I have already mastered the Primordial Stellar Grand Array, and this array can be called the pinnacle of the primordial world, possessing many functions."

Qi's eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked.

Taiyi heard this and merely smiled, saying:

"If you want to do it, just do it; anyway we have plenty of time, those heavenly materials and earthly treasures left unused are of no use, so we might as well use them for some amusement."

Taiyi gave it no further thought, merely feeling that Qi might be bored and looking for something to pass the time.

During this period, seeing Qi idle also made him somewhat unaccustomed, even though when they first met everyone was like that, yet for some reason he now feels ill at ease.

Qi then summoned Bai Ling, and amid Bai Ling's puzzled gaze told him his recent decision.

Starting tomorrow, go and announce to all the clans of Cloud Dream Marsh that a great disaster is imminent; if they leave Cloud Dream Marsh within two cosmic cycles they can escape, for this disaster is vast in scope and only water-dwellers may remain.

"Remember, you must evacuate Cloud Dream Marsh."

Bai Ling grew even more perplexed, unable to understand and worried about the beings living in Cloud Dream Marsh, so he directly asked:

"My Lord, what kind of calamity is this, that even your governed Cloud Dream Marsh cannot avoid it—where else can they go?"

"With your vast divine powers, you still cannot protect them; in this immense primordial world, please point them to a path of survival."

Seeing Bai Ling like this, Qi burst out laughing and said:

"It's not that I cannot protect them; rather, this disaster is momentous and Cloud Dream Marsh is the epicenter, so merely settling around Cloud Dream Marsh will suffice."

"Yes, I will obey the Lord's command; Bai Ling will now go announce to the tribes so they may avoid disaster, and Bai Ling takes his leave."

After Bai Ling withdrew, Qi finally displayed the terrain map of Cloud Dream Marsh and began studying which mountain peaks to take in order to refine them into the foundations for the floating islands.

"To create this grand array as a goal, we need at least twelve super‑large island foundations to reflect the twelve bright moons of the Primordial Stellar Grand Array."

"Plus 129,600 small island foundations to mirror the stars therein; once the grand array is completed, it can draw starlight and moonlight from the void, operating without external power."

"Moreover, when starlight and moonlight enter the water they can condense into Starlight Divine Water and Moonlight Divine Water, rare treasures that are indeed the best choice for protecting a Dao Chang."

Qi's voice tinged with excitement; he had found a task that could kill time without being frivolous, and could also bring in a little extra income.

Although he did not value these things much, the fact that they required little effort yet yielded decent returns still left him quite satisfied.

Seeing Qi's enthusiasm, Taiyi also joined in, selecting mountain peaks better suited as array foundations.

Fuxi was refining spiritual treasures, Di Jun was still receiving his inheritance, and Nüwa was in closed‑door cultivation, so this task could only be carried out by Taiyi and Qi.

Relying on the previously constructed Cloud Dream Marsh Grand Array, Qi and Taiyi continuously teleported within Cloud Dream Marsh to conduct on‑site inspections and confirm suitability.

After all, the required foundations are many, corresponding to different stars, and the needed materials vary; each item must be carefully considered.

Mount Sumeru.

Rahu's face grew solemn; he had not expected the Yin‑Yang qi to be so stubborn, and despite the vast gap in their cultivation levels he found it hard to dispel, with even a faint tendency to spread.

Now his hand ached faintly, as if it were about to dissipate into qi.

The turning sound of the World‑Annihilating Mill began to gradually cease; Rahu lifted his gaze and saw the mill shrouded in a layer of mist, faintly showing signs of condensation.

He had intended to reach out and touch it, but halfway there he switched to his other hand; yet even a light touch caused Rahu to instantly recoil.

This time Rahu's face turned completely black; raising his hand, he saw that where the white mist had touched, flesh and blood had melted away, revealing crystalline bones.

"What on earth is this? Though it is mist, how can it possess such dense fire qi? What exactly is the Phoenix Clan up to?"

Rahu, somewhat flustered, clearly saw the mist on the World‑Annihilating Mill change, condensing in the sky into a world encircled by clouds and mist.

The lower layer of mist dissipated into rain, falling onto the surrounding ground; after a moment the World‑Annihilating Mill gradually returned to normal.

Seeing this, Rahu began to ponder the cause of these changes and why they had occurred.

He realized that the West seemed to have been severed from the primordial world, unable to participate in these great events affecting it; the lack of communication was what caused him to suffer such a loss.

Today there was a slight mishap; the third watch has arrived, good night everyone.

(End of chapter)