Chapter 458: The Creation All Gods Must Pursue

Witness the Grand Sacrifice together.

In the night's curtain, Wan Wan Zhuliu's voice echoed deeply, his intense will permeating the mountains, impossible for anyone to ignore!

"Witness the Grand Sacrifice together."

Turmoil spread through the mountains; many were drawn to the Eight Directions Temple, but only Long Long Yingchan, Long Xi Xiang, and others frowned, guessing the imperial court's purpose!

"I dare ask the Prince Zhenwu, what kind of sacrifice is this Grand Sacrifice?"

A voice came from the mountain; someone, unable to hold back, yet hiding within the shadowed crowd, questioned: "Does the imperial court invite us to witness the sacrifice, or does it intend to take us as Offerings?"

The Eight Directions Temple's reputation was too great, the source of all methods, the mystery of longevity; among the martial artists present, many were tempted, yet also highly wary!

Judging others by oneself, such a good thing, if without reason, who would be willing to share it, and even widely invite fellow martial artists to witness? Li Yuan nodded inwardly!

Every martial artist present was a master of their region, some having struggled for many years; even with great profit ahead, their minds could not all be clouded!

Not to mention it was just a lightly spoken sentence; many were tempted, but the wary were even more numerous!

"The Grand Sacrifice is not a blood sacrifice!"

Wan Wan Zhuliu explained lightly, his eyes not even moving, gazing calmly at Long Long Yingchan and other Grand Masters: "This Prince knows you harbor doubts, but even if the imperial court wished to crush you all, it would be to defeat you one by one, not to invite you all to gather in the Divine Capital!"

He spoke very plainly, not concealing the contradiction between the imperial court and the martial world, but this instead made the onlookers feel slightly reassured!

The friction between the imperial court and the various Daoist Sects was naturally clear to those present, and if the imperial court truly had the power to overthrow all sects with one force, it certainly would not have waited until this day!

Nor would it have gathered all sects under heaven to the Divine Capital.

What does the imperial court want? Li Yuan recalled the intelligence from Listening Sound multiple times, pondering inwardly that he had no understanding of the rituals required for that Grand Sacrifice!

Perhaps it truly is just that the Grand Sacrifice ritual requires observers, or is it related to that person from beyond the heavens? "Why?"

Long Long Yingchan looked up; for him, these matters did not matter; what he doubted was why the imperial court wanted to invite people under heaven to witness the Grand Sacrifice together!

"Required for the Grand Sacrifice!"

Wan Wan Zhuliu lightly skipped over it, looking around the forest, yet revealing another secret: "Ancient legends say the Eight Directions Temple contains methods to extend life, the mystery of longevity; this Prince can tell you, the rumors are not false."

"Hmm?"

"The mystery of longevity?"

"Is what Prince Zhenwu says true?"

"Within the Eight Directions Temple..."

Before Wan Wan Zhuliu finished speaking, the mountains were already quite restless; young disciples felt little, but a group of old fellows were deeply moved.

Several walked out of the crowd to pursue the question!

The mystery of longevity...

Li Yuan felt even more surprised and doubtful inwardly!

Whether what Wan Wan Zhuliu said was true or false was unknown, but with the backing of the number one person under heaven, the claim that the Eight Directions Temple holds the mystery of longevity would obviously spread quickly throughout the martial world!

This is truly wanting to invite people to witness the sacrifice!

"Your Highness..."

Many were pursuing the question!

Wan Wan Zhuliu did not answer again, merely looking at Long Long Yingchan and other Grand Masters: "This Prince has said all he will; believe it or not, you decide for yourselves!"

Boom, his voice echoed, and his figure gradually dissipated, leaving only a wisp of sword intent; in a flash, it once again vanished into the body of the Heavenly Silkworm Daoist!

The Bald Monk guarded nearby, yet only frowned watching, not intervening, because this wisp of sword intent had never left the body!

"Grand Sacrifice at the Eight Directions Temple!"

Long Long Yingchan pinched his long eyebrows, his brow furrowed tightly!

Regarding what countermeasures Wan Wan Zhuliu might have after drawing his sword several times, he was prepared, but directly stating the Grand Sacrifice and inviting people under heaven to witness it greatly exceeded his expectations!

It was not only him who was puzzled; many elders from prefecture-level sects in the nearby mountains walked over, and the sounds of discussion in the mountains were endless!

"Witnessing the sacrifice..."

Once Wan Wan Zhuliu left, the little tiger cub had quietly departed; at a cliff face, Qin Li Shixian asked the old man: "What do you think, is this matter true or false?"

The old man was pondering, and upon hearing this, casually replied: "Not of our kind, their hearts... cough, the court and the martial world have never been of one mind; if there were good things, how would they share the profits with others?"

"Could Wan Wan Zhuliu be trying to use this opportunity to trap and kill the Five Great Daoist Sects?"

Qin Li Shixian was somewhat eager to try; if the imperial court truly wanted to do this, she would have to go help the scene; if Wan Wan Zhuliu didn't speak, that little Emperor would have to be killed!

The old man suddenly felt speechless, pretending not to hear, but looked towards Long Long Yingchan in the distance, frowning and surrounded by people: "It is time to meet this young man!"

Buzz, in the dim study, black light surged!

Wan Wan Zhuliu slowly opened his eyes; the dark room instantly brightened; within the black light, the ink dragon, not yet having a physical form, lay prostrate on the ground, looking at the dark light blooming on that divine sharp blade!

In the light and shadow, a towering tree could be vaguely seen shaking wildly, with wild winds blowing and leaves falling in a flurry!

"Your Highness, why does Your Majesty want to invite those people to witness the sacrifice?"

The ink dragon asked respectfully!

"Required for the Grand Sacrifice, related to that person from beyond the heavens..."

Wan Wan Zhuliu casually tossed the Youmo Dragon Divine Blade into the ten thousand weapons, stood up, and the surging black light, like fog, vanished into his body!

"Grand Sacrifice at the Eight Directions Temple!"

Wan Wan Zhuliu murmured to himself; a wisp of silver light seemed to flicker in his eyes, and a faint voice echoed beside his ear: "Poison Dragon Academy, generations have worshipped the Poison Dragon God, one of the five great caves of Tian Shi Yuan; the five veins of the Poison Dragon: Gold, Green, Yellow, Crimson, White..."

Wan Wan Zhuliu listened silently!

"The Eight Directions Temple, a cosmic wonder; when it appeared in Tian Shi Yuan, it caused Daoist Qun Xing to tremble, even causing gods to fall, yet countless people still pursued it..."

Silver light flowed from Wan Wan Zhuliu's eyes, turning into a blurry figure in the dim study: "This old man is one of them!"

Wan Wan Zhuliu squinted slightly: "The thing all gods must pursue, the Eight Directions Temple, what exactly is it?"

"A cosmic wonder!"

"What use is it?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu frowned.

"Born within the cosmos, containing the origin and principles of Heaven and Earth…"

The figure formed from silver light spoke obscurely: "The gods perhaps know…"

"Gods — what realm are they?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu asked.

"Gods are not merely a realm!"

The figure formed from silver light spoke in a low voice, audible only to Wan Wan Zhuliu: "In time, you will know!"

"In time…"

Wan Wan Zhuliu's eyes flickered: "That Yellow Dragon Son claimed to come from the Venom Dragon Academy — does that mean the Venom Dragon Academy already knows the Eight Directions Temple is here?"

"The Eight Directions Temple covers the vault of Heaven and the Great Earth, severing inside from outside. One can enter, but cannot leave. Not to mention those disciples of the Venom Dragon — even if the Venom Dragon God himself descended, he could not!"

The figure formed from silver light spoke coldly: "It is not only the lifespans of the people of this Heaven and Earth that are bound — there are no exceptions. That Thousand-Eye Bodhisattva is proof of it…"

"The Thousand-Eye — does he also come from Tian Shi Yuan?"

"Yes!"

Hearing the answer, Wan Wan Zhuliu could not help feeling a bit disappointed: "Gods,

are they only this much?"

"Gods…"

The figure formed from silver light did not say more, instead turning to say: "That Yellow Dragon Son must have stumbled into this place by chance, but he must also know of my existence. If he wishes to perform the great sacrifice to the Eight Directions Temple, let him!"

After a slight pause, he looked toward Wan Wan Zhuliu: "Through the long ages, these twelve Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing have already merged with the great fortune of this Heaven and Earth. Holding them, you may perhaps become the one who refines the Eight Directions Temple."

"This is a creation even the gods seek."

His voice carried an excitement he could barely suppress, but Wan Wan Zhuliu was very calm: "I have tried. Beyond those Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing, within the great gate, there is boundlessness, endlessness, no light, no shadow…"

"That is a dead end!"

The figure formed from silver light shook his head: "The Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing have spirits, and so does the Eight Directions Temple. To enter the Eight Directions Temple through that path, unless…"

"Unless what?"

"In ages long past, someone once found the Eight Directions Temple. Legend has it that only those with god-and-demon-level talent might possibly enter through the proper path…"

"God-and-demon-level talent…

"

Wan Wan Zhuliu's eyes flickered — he had heard a similar statement from the Emperor Qian during the final trial of the Jin Lin Sect!

"Talent can be altered through effort later in life, but innate talent is more important. Without extraordinary means, one absolutely cannot forge such talent. As for being born with it…"

The figure formed from silver light shook his head!

"You said Tian Shi Yuan is a place where the stars gather, vast and boundless, with countless strong cultivators. Could there truly be no one with god-and-demon-level talent?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu was greatly interested in what lay beyond the heavens!

"That would require them to find the Eight Directions!"

He gave a cold laugh, and his figure instantly dimmed, transforming once more into flowing light that sank into the vertical mark between Wan Wan Zhuliu's brows: "Proceed according to plan!"

Whoo— the room returned to stillness!

Wan Wan Zhuliu pressed the vertical mark between his brows, his eyes flickering. After a moment, he walked out of the room!

The Dun Tian Zhou tore through the curtain of night, leaving a long-unfading trail in the sky!

On the deck, Yan Yan Tianxiong stood leaning against the railing. From here, one could faintly see a magnificent giant city in the extreme distance, like a mountain range lying across the land — a breathtaking sight!

"The Divine Capital City is truly magnificent!"

Yan Yan Tianxiong could not help but praise it!

The Divine Capital City was the place where successive dynasties established their capitals, but the reason it was so magnificent was because of that Great Zhou Ancestral Emperor!

Over a thousand years ago, he dispatched strong cultivators from various sects, along with armies, and spent more than a hundred years digging the Grand Canal to connect the various regions, then split open mountains and laid the foundations of the Divine Capital!

"We've arrived!"

The Dun Tian Zhou slowed, covering over ten li in an instant!

Beneath the curtain of night, the lights of the Divine Capital City flickered like a city that never slept. It was not only Yan Yan Tianxiong — the Thousand-Eye Bodhisattva within him was also stirred!

He gazed at the Divine Capital City, mainly at the rising, interwoven incense offerings like a sea of clouds — vast and dense!

When Wan Wan Zhuliu came out, the Dun Tian Zhou slowly descended from the clouds, and several ten-thousand Imperial Guards disembarked in orderly fashion!

Wang Jin watched indifferently. After everyone had disembarked, he raised his hand, and that mountain-like giant vessel trembled, transforming into a streak of flowing light that vanished into the night!

"The Dun Tian Zhou…"

A glint of wariness flashed in Yan Yan Tianxiong's eyes. As he was pondering, he suddenly sensed something and turned his head to look.

He saw, in the night, a white-haired, youthful-faced elder walking over slowly, eyeing him from afar with a cold, sinister gaze!

"Shen Shen Qisheng!"

Recognizing the newcomer, Yan Yan Tianxiong sighed inwardly, finding it quite a headache — that old ghost had acted recklessly, and now he was the one who had to bear the blame!

Shen Shen Qisheng came from the Changhong Sword Sect. Before betraying the sect, he had been Yan Yan Tianxiong's martial uncle…

Wan Wan Zhuliu stayed only a very short time, but the Dragon Tiger Temple, and even the various sects within Mount Hengshan city, were sleepless through the night!

The Great Dream Hall of the Dragon Tiger Temple was brightly lit. Elders from various Daoist sects and Zhou Sect came and went, and the sounds of arguing and discussion rang out all night!

Li Yuan even went to sit in for a while, but soon lost interest!

"The two characters 'longevity' truly hold immense temptation!"

At the entrance of the sect's great hall, Li Yuan pulled out a chair and sat down. The night was deep, but the moonlight was bright — four great moons and a scatter of stars were all visible!

He could not help but sigh inwardly!

Between life and death lies great terror. One does not feel it when young, but the older one gets, the harder it is to suppress!

Not to speak of this life, in the past life weren't there also many brilliant and valiant lords who in their youth dismissed such things, only to take pills and medicines in old age, seeking immortality from ghosts and gods!

In the past life there was still no record of immortality, but now, not to mention those old ghosts of the Xieshen Sect, Pang Pang Wenlong lived four hundred years — that is recorded in the historical annals!

"This counts as an open scheme!"

Listening to the noisy discussion in the hall, Li Yuan shook his head inwardly!

Wan Wan Zhuliu's words — those who believe them are certainly few, but some responding is inevitable!

If you don't go, plenty of others will!

If someone goes, Li Yuan could feel the Dragon Dao Lord's headache coming — if even one or two of the Wudadao Sect go, Dragon Tiger Temple will have to follow!

The benefit of sharing the same roots and branches lets the Wudadao Sect and the imperial court split things evenly

For all these years the world has been like this; the drawback is that sometimes, even if you don't want to advance, you can't!

In the latter half of the night, Li Yuan caught sight of those two senior predecessors!

When Wan Wan Zhuliu appeared, the Heavenly Silkworm Daoist did not waste that rare opportunity — he struck with all his might, trying to pull out the blade intent!

Now, seeing him sway unsteadily, his whole body reeking of twilight, one need not ask to know the result!

The disciples of the Green Dragon Pavilion were very perceptive; seeing the Heavenly Silkworm Daoist pause, they immediately brought a chair. The old Daoist sat down beside Li Yuan, looking rather weary!

"Didn't pull it out!"

The old Daoist was very candid: "Today's matter was due to this old Daoist's insufficient deliberation!"

He was very generous, casually taking from his sleeve a dark-yellow pill the size of a longan: "This 'Withering-Flourishing Pill' was refined by this old man in his leisure time; it can still be considered top-grade, with the effect of extending lifespan and maintaining vitality. You're about to undergo blood exchange, so it should be of use to you!"

"Many thanks, senior!"

Li Yuan hurriedly accepted it, his mood much improved: "How is the medicinal potency of this pill?"

"Regrowing a severed limb should pose no problem; as for how much it extends life, that's hard to say precisely."

The old Heavenly Silkworm Daoist shook his head!

Having cultivated to his realm, he could only vaguely sense the great limit; he could not know the exact lifespan. How much a pill extends life — that too was only a fuzzy intuition!

The two chatted for a while, then the two seniors were invited in by Long Long Yingchan, and Li Yuan also went in to listen for a while!

But such gatherings were terribly noisy with no substantial content; after hearing a few snippets, he lost interest and returned to his small courtyard!

Listening to this, he might as well go to Listening Sound — perhaps with luck he'd hear some relevant intelligence!

When the sky was nearly bright, the crowd in the great hall finally dispersed!

In the quiet great hall, Long Long Yingchan massaged his temples, feeling quite a headache!

Hoot— suddenly, a light breeze blew in from outside the door!

Long Long Yingchan looked up and saw a black-and-white cat walking in slowly!

"Tower Master Qin!"

Setting aside his worries, Long Long Yingchan cupped his fists in greeting: "That great sacrifice…"

"I hear you wish to see this old man?"