Chapter 2363 - Gods and Humanity

There was a jade slip inside the brocade pouch.

The moment Su Yi laid eyes on it, he knew that the hidden card Ol’ Golden Crow had prepared was a piece of information. Whatever it was, it was surely of the utmost importance to Su Yi.

Just as Su Yi expected, after reading the slip’s contents, he was unwittingly stunned.

Gradually, a relaxed look appeared on his face, and he let out a deep breath.

The message in the jade slip was actually two simple sentences: “Yan Chizhen isn’t dead. Gu Huaxian acquired his soul and sealed it in her natal treasure, the Five Aggregates Flower Basket!”

There was no denying that the Golden Crow Master was highly capable. He knew how important Yan Chizhen’s life was to Su Yi.

This information really was enough to change Su Yi’s mind about causing trouble for Spirit Vessel Yao Court!

Brother Chizhen isn’t dead... that makes things simple...

Su Yi murmured to himself.

Gu Huaxian was Lu Qingmei’s master, a terrifying existence who’d touched the threshold of the River of Destiny.

She must have had her reasons for sparing Yan Chizhen’s life, but that didn’t matter. The way Su Yi saw it, it was enough that Yan Chizhen was still alive.

Later, I’ve got to make contact with that woman, Lu Qingmei,

thought Su Yi.

If the opportunity arises, I can send both her and her master on their way to the next world!

Su Yi shattered the jade slip with a bang, then took out a talisman. This was the talisman he’d used to keep in touch with the little monkey.

After the little monkey failed to send word, Su Yi tried using the talisman to contact him.

Su Yi gazed intently at the talisman in silence, then wrote a line of text. “No matter who you are, tell Ol’ Yao Divine Billows that if anything happens to the monkey, I’ll slaughter everyone in Divine Billows Palace down to the dogs and chickens!”

He activated the talisman, sending the message instantly.

Then, Su Yi put it away, had a sip of wine, and let the River Child out of the Umbrella of Tribulations.

“Come on, let’s go to Sunset Perch Island and see what they’re made of.”

“Yeah!” The River Child was all too happy to agree.

......

Divine Billows Palace.

Atop a divine mountain shrouded in clouds.

Sect Leader Mo Xuchou stood with his hands behind his back and gazed into the distant sea of clouds.

An old man rushed over to report. “Sect Leader, the emissary of the Blue Sparrow Forbidden Zone sent word that all three forbidden zones have completed their preparations. Their only request is that we make absolutely certain that Su Yi attends the assembly!”

Mo Xuchou frowned slightly. “How could anything in this world be ‘absolutely certain?’ If they’re ‘absolutely certain’ that they can defeat Su Yi, then I’m naturally ‘absolutely certain’ I can make sure he attends!”

The old man stood there in silence, not daring to speak. He could hear Mo Xuchou's displeasure.

Mo Xuchou was about to say something when he suddenly froze and pulled a talisman out of his sleeves. When he saw the message inside, he couldn’t help but gasp. He felt invisible pressure bearing down on him.

Su Yi already figured out that we of Divine Billows Palace captured that monkey god! Furthermore, he obviously figured out that we claimed the message talisman he had on his person.

He seriously threatened to slaughter everyone in Divine Billows Academy, down to the dogs and chickens...

Mo Xuchou’s expression was utterly unsightly.

But if you dare attend the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly, you’ll be completely doomed!

Mo Xuchou pondered briefly, then wrote back, “Fellow Daoist Su, no need to be angry. So long as you come to the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly, I promise to return the wicked creature to you.

“Also, I even prepared a generous gift for you. I trust that you’ll be deeply grateful when you see it.

“Right. Threats have always been a display of weakness and cowardice. Fellow Daoist Su, it’s beneath someone of your caliber to threaten my Divine Billows Palace like that. It’s shameful, ridiculous behavior.”

After writing this message, Mo Xuchou activated the talisman.

Shortly after, he received a response from Su Yi. “See you at the assembly. I won’t leave until I’ve seen you.”

It was a calm, plain sentence with no obvious emotion, but the sight made Mo Xuchou’s eyelids twitch and his brow furrow.

Moments later, he laughed coldly.

Divine Billows Palace wasn’t the host of the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly!

“Go tell the emissary of the Blue Sparrow Forbidden Zone that Su Yi is sure to attend!” ordered Mo Xuchou. “Also, order all prominent members of the sect not currently in our territories to return immediately. No one is to leave again until after the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly!”

“Got it!” The old man inclined his head and dashed off.

......

Word that the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly would soon begin spread throughout the Endless Ocean, causing lively discussions all over the place.

It was to the point that in the days that followed, no matter where you looked, you saw experts rushing to Sunset Perch Island.

Divine Billows Palace had already announced that the purpose of this assembly was to establish an alliance between five top factions of the Endless Ocean.

He’d even named it. They were going to call it the Endless Dao Alliance!

Experts of all five great factions had gathered here today at the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly to discuss the rules and systems of the Endless Dao Alliance.

But at the same time, rumors spread on the streets that the real purpose of the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly was to target Su Yi!

After all, word had only just spread that Su Yi had appeared in the Endless Ocean, only for Divine Billows Palace to announce the Sunset Perch Dao Assembly. It was inevitable that people would connect the dots.

Even the rest of the God Domain was startled by these developments. The eyes of the Southern Flame, Ancient Nirvana, Eastern Victory, and Spirit Firmament Divine Continents were all focused on the Endless Ocean.

Su Yi had vanished for over a year, yet now, he’d reappeared in the Endless Ocean. Combined with the impending Sunset Perch Dao Assembly, and everyone realized that something big was about to happen!

......

Three days later, late at night.

The Endless Ocean was shrouded in darkness. From time to time, colorful streaks of light whooshed past like shooting stars, only to vanish in the blink of an eye.

These were experts racing through the night.

Even the weakest of those bold enough to fly over the Endless Ocean under the cover of darkness were gods. Those beneath that level would be doomed if they tried it.

Because the Endless Ocean wasn’t just home to terrifying calamities. The ocean’s depths were brimming with endless terrifying oceanic beasts, vengeful souls, and evil spirits.

Su Yi rode a flat boat over the waves, neither fast nor slow.

The River Child gripped a black umbrella and gazed into the distant darkness. He looked bored.

Su Yi was crouched beside a little stove, eating hot pot. All manner of seafood floated in the bright red soup, and an enticing, spicy fragrance wafted into the air.

Su Yi sat there, eating and drinking with relish.

If there was one thing the Endless Ocean had no shortage of, it was seafood.

Whoosh!

The River Child stretched out his hand, pulling a thirty-foot fish out of the water. He used his fingers like knives, cutting the tenderest part of its gills off before tossing it back into the water. After cleaning the fish, he delivered it to Su Yi.

“Your Excellency, this fish is at least eight thousand years old. Please, see how it tastes.”

Su Yi nodded. The River Child had made good use of the area’s resources, finding no small quantity of rare seafood along the way. Su Yi had been thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Do you want to try some?” asked Su Yi.

The River Child shook his head. “I’m not a living person. I don’t eat that sort of thing.”

Su Yi sighed. “It’s a pity. Nothing in this world is more soothing than the fire and smoke of the red dust of mundanity, and nothing is more pleasing to the stomach than the world’s delicacies and fine wines.”

The River Child scratched his head. “But the way I see it, you’ve already become a god. You should have no need to concern yourself with the desires of the stomach.”

Su Yi laughed. “The hardest thing for those who become gods to overcome isn’t the difficulties of cultivation, nor is it the difficulties of the heart. Rather, it’s holding onto their humanity.”

“Humanity?” The River Child didn’t get it.

“The higher your cultivation, the closer you get to the Dao,” said Su Yi. “All too often, in the process of cultivation, one’s humanity is gradually frittered away, making them cold, heartless, twisted, paranoid, and frenzied...

“The seven emotions, the six desires, the five aggregates, and the five flavors are all seen as obstacles to overcome in pursuit of cultivation. They say that you cannot let the emotions of humanity restrict your footsteps.

“Even Nine-Tribulation Master Gods all seem to agree that if one is to become Eternal, they must first sever their humanity.

“The way they see it, if a cultivator’s humanity is like the Sea of Bitterness, cultivating is like steering a boat atop it. If someone is to reach the far shore, they naturally must break free of the Sea of Bitterness, and by extension, their humanity.”

Here, Su Yi’s gaze filled with mockery. “But if you lose your humanity, what... meaning is there in living? In cultivating? Or in pursuing the Grand Dao?”

The River Child didn’t understand. It was just as he’d said earlier; he wasn’t a living person, but rather, a spiritual body manifested of a type of source power. He had emotions like anger, joy, and sorrow, but he lacked humanity.

He said in bewilderment, “But Your Excellency, not all living things in this world are human.”

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. He used chopsticks to pluck a piece of cooked fish out of the broth and ate it before responding, “I’m really talking about the fundamental nature of all living creatures.

“Remember this: so-called ‘godhood’ is ultimately just another level of cultivation.

“If you cast aside your fundamental nature just to transcend godhood, you’ll have effectively thrown away your true self just to enter the next stage of your cultivation.

“People like that... might be able to step into Eternity, but in doing so, they’ve stepped onto a path of no return!”

Su Yi threw back his head, drained his jug of wine, then let out a deep breath. “In my past lives, I never understood that, but now, I’m starting to get it.”

He looked up into the dark dome of heaven. “What godhood? What Eternals? They’re all just levels on the path of cultivation. If the Grand Dao has no end, then I too shall seek a path without end!”

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the darkness and salty ocean winds, the first light of dawn pierced the dense curtain of darkness.

Light flooded into the world, and the darkness receded like the tides.

The clouds went from leaden black to colorful and resplendent as a blazing fire.

Heaven and earth were bathed in the light of a new day. The sight was soul-stirringly beautiful.

Su Yi sat on board his little boat, eating hot pot, drinking, and watching the night give way to daybreak. He couldn’t help but feel relaxed and at ease.

“Look, Your Excellency! Is that Sunset Perch Island?” the River Child said suddenly.

The outline of a massive island was visible in the distance.

The light of the heavens was reflected on the surface of the ocean. They could see numerous figures shooting over the colorful waves.

The sound of discussion rode in on the wind, and flocks of seabirds with beautiful wings flew through the sky.

Everything was full of life.

Su Yi silently rose, put his hands behind his back, and gazed into the distance, bathed in the light of dawn.

That was indeed Sunset Perch Island!