Chapter 2386 - The Limitless Beauty of the Sunset

He was an old man in black, wide-sleeved robes and a Daoist headdress. Every inch of him emanated the vicissitudes of countless years.

When Gu Huaxian appeared, he was already standing there quietly, gazing into the light of dusk pouring in over the horizon with a hint of reminiscence.

When she saw the old man in black, Gu Huaxian looked flabbergasted. “Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye?”

“You know of me?” The old man turned to look at her.

“Of course,” said Gu Huaxian. “The masses are ignorant, and they’ve forgotten the ages that vanished into the dust of history, but how could I be ignorant of the three rulers of the Age of Supreme Emergence? Much less the one who controls the Flame of Supreme Emergence?”

“Empty titles, that’s all. I’m shocked that there are still people who remember them,” sighed Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye.

“Don’t tell me you’ve been living in the Ruins of Supreme Emergence this entire time?” Gu Huaxian pondered out loud.

Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye’s arrival startled her, but after mulling it over, she started to put the pieces together.

“That’s right.” Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye inclined his head. “I’m now no more than a wandering ghost. Fortunately for me, Fellow Daoist Su didn’t disdain me, and he even invited me into the present day to wait for you here.”

He spoke calmly and modestly, but his words made Gu Huaxian shudder.

Su Yi! The one who attacked my clones was actually Yi Daoxuan’s reincarnation!

“To the best of my knowledge, you aren’t of the present day, making you vulnerable to the suppression of its Laws, just like the experts of other spacetimes.” Gu Huaxian’s eyes flashed. “Aren’t you worried that you’ll struggle to defend yourself after attacking me?

”

Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye said warmly, “That is indeed a thorny problem, but so long as I manage to kill you before the backlash of the Laws descends, I have no need to fear divine punishment.”

Gu Huaxian’s expression shifted erratically. “I would never have guessed that Su Yi could move an existence such as yourself.”

But then, her gaze grew cold and indifferent. “But this is no longer the Age of Supreme Emergence, and you’re just a wandering ghost. I’m afraid you have little hope of defeating me quickly.”

Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye smiled. “We’ll know once we’ve fought. If you please.”

Gu Huaxian looked up at the dome of the sky, then sighed. “I wouldn’t have thought Yi Daoxuan would arrange an ambush for me. If I’m not mistaken, someone must have sold me out...”

As she spoke,her presence silently transformed. She stretched her hand toward the dome of heaven, then slashed.

She wasn’t attacking Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye. Instead, she was inviting the power of the Laws!

Their power would be enough to deal him a fatal blow.

Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye just laughed and flipped his palm. The fist-sized Blazing Sundial rose into the air, its needle whirling between its twelve demarcations, giving rise to tides of the power of the ages.

Heaven and earth were thrown into disarray, inverting Yin and Yang. The stagnant, silent darkness engulfed the surrounding mountains and rivers.

Not long after, the darkness split. The light of the heavens flashed into being, illuminating Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye’s figure.

Practically simultaneously, the power of the Laws came crashing down from the heavens.

A talisman floated above Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye’s head.

Bang!

The talisman exploded, and the light of reincarnation surged forth, bathing Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye in its power.

The descending power of the Laws had lost its target, and it silently receded.

Su Yi had given him the talisman. It would only last for thirty snaps of the fingers.

Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye stood there with his hands behind his back, gazing into the light of dusk over the horizon, a hint of grief on his face.

The setting sun was endlessly beautiful. Alas, night was fast approaching.

Still, to a wandering ghost trapped in the Ruins of Supreme Emergence like him, this was already a rare and precious sight.

As for what fate had in store for him next... he no longer gave the matter much thought. Even though the Dark Days of Legend were almost upon them, he no longer desired to see the scenery of the River of Destiny for himself.

“Qing Niu and Hong Li will naturally have an opportunity to see the River of Destiny in my stead. In that case... it will all have been worth it," Celestial Venerate Zhou Ye murmured, then turned to leave.

The light of reincarnation rapidly vanished from his figure.

......

The Mira Realm.

Gu Huaxian’s hiding place.

Splurt!

After bringing Yu Xun back, Gu Huaxian coughed up blood. It seemed she could no longer remain upright, as she quickly toppled to the ground.

Her cold, cruel, beautiful face was deathly pale, and her vitality showed signs of listlessness.

“Master!” Yu Xun rushed frantically to her side.

On their way back, she’d suffered three backlashes in a row. Each dealt a heavy blow, making her cough up a seemingly endless amount of blood.

How could Yu Xun fail to realize that his master’s other three clones had been destroyed too?”

“Don’t even pretend to care about my wellbeing. When it comes to the Dao of heartlessness, your talent is far greater than your master’s,” said Gu Huaxian. She glanced at him coldly. “Do you think that I’m already useless, and no longer capable of suppressing your heart’s ambitions?”

Yu Xun stiffened, then hurriedly explained, “Master, even if you gave your disciple courage as grand as the heavens themselves, I’d never dare harbor malicious intentions against you!”

Gu Huaxian said coldly, “You might not have ‘malicious intentions,’ but you definitely have ambition. I know that you’ve always coveted my Five Aggregates Flower Basket, and that you’ve slavered over the secret art for controlling Paired Heart-Guiding Worms for a long time. However...”

She gazed intently at him. ‘Why not have a good look at yourself first? What right do you have to acquire such things?”

Yu Xun’s expression shifted erratically. He said bitterly, “Master, I really wasn’t considering any such thing!”

Gu Huaxian laughed coldly and said nothing.

Yu Xun couldn’t help but say, “Master, Su Yi destroyed four of your clones. We cannot let this grudge go unavenged.

Gu Huaxian sighed. “How could I not see right through you? You needn’t probe me like this: I’ll simply tell you the truth. I’ve suffered such severe Dao Wounds that my strength has effectively halved! I have no further hope of achieving Eternity in this lifetime.”

Her gaze filled with resentment. “He destroyed my Grand Dao. How is that any different from killing me?

“I’ll naturally avenge this grudge, but not right now!” Gu Huaxian took a deep breath. “Your body has been destroyed, and only your soul remains. No matter how great your ambitions, you’re now nothing more than a useless waste!”

Yu Xun lowered his head, his expression overcast.

“But I’ll do what I can to help you rebuild your body. I’ll try to ensure that you can make a complete recovery before the Dark Days of Legend,” said Gu Huaxian. “When the time comes, I’ll naturally give you the Five Aggregates Flower Basket, too.”

Yu Xun froze, stunned, then went mad with delight. He was so excited that he flung himself to the ground. “Thank you so much, Master!”

Gu Huaxian slowly rose. “Get ready. The Mira Realm is no longer safe. We’re going to the Western Paradise Spirit Mountains to seek out the Dipankara Buddha.”

“What are we looking for him for?” asked Yu Xun, a bit confused.

“He’ll help you repair your body, of course,” Gu Huaxian said coldly.

Yu Xun felt enlightened, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but recall something. “Master, back in the Bamboo Mountain Hidden Realm, Su Yi said that I had an extraordinary identity. I’m deeply confused. Might you... enlighten me?”

“Shut your mouth!” Gu Huaxian said icily. “Don’t bring this up ever again. If you do, don’t blame me for my poor manners!”

Yu Xun was instantly as silent as a cicada in winter.

It was just that he was incomparably confused.

Just what’s so special about my background for her to be so secretive about it?

Also, why ask the Dipankara Buddha of all people to help me rebuild my body?

......

The Bamboo Mountain Hidden Realm.

When Su Yi broke the silence, Lu Qingmei reacted as if awakening from a dream. She slowly rose, then bowed. “Thank you for saving me and Chen’er.”

Yi Chen’er had a complicated look on his face. He could tell that his mother’s words came straight from the heart, but there was a reserved flavor to them.

“No need for that kind of talk,” said Su Yi. “I’m sure you know what kind of relationship we have now.”

Lu Qingmei’s beautiful face paled, and she lowered her head. “I... I understand.”

Yi Chen couldn’t bear to watch any more of this. “I know my mother hurt you back then, but there was more to the story! If you understood, I’m sure you wouldn’t resent her any more!”

Su Yi laughed. “This is between your mother and I. You’d best not speak out of turn.”

This unexpected son of his gave Su Yi a real headache. He still wasn’t sure how to respond to his newfound flesh and blood.

The situation seemed absurd.

But this was the reality of the situation. He and Yi Daoxuan were the same person, but in this lifetime, he was different from Yi Daoxuan.

More importantly, he’d gained a son who’d already achieved divinity seemingly out of nowhere. How could Su Yi adjust to that so easily?

In other words, he’d never considered taking on the role of a father. That was why he felt so twisted up about it.

Still, no matter what, they were father and son, connected by blood. If for no other reason, Su Yi couldn’t really disregard Yi Chen.

Su Yi also knew that, deep within Yi Chen’s heart, he most likely felt the same way about his “father.”

“Your father is right. This is between us. Don’t get involved, Chen’er,” sighed Lu Qingmei. She said tenderly, “Mere explanations cannot resolve the world’s grudges and enmities.”

Yi Chen’s brow furrowed, but he staunchly lowered his head. “No! We have to explain the situation clearly. Whether or not he forgives you in the end, he at least ought to know the truth!”

“Oh?” said Su Yi. “Is the ‘truth’ you’re referring to the fact that your mother attacked me under the influence of a Paired Heart-Guiding Worm, and not of her own volition?”

Yi Chen froze, stunned. “How did you know that?”

Lu Qingmei said tenderly, “You still don’t understand? Your father built this Bamboo Mountain Hidden Realm. I’m sure he heard every word of our earlier conversation.”

Su Yi didn’t deny it.

But Yi Chen found it hard to believe. “So he also knows that your memories were sealed?”

Lu Qingmei looked at Su Yi.

“Does it make a difference?” Su Yi said calmly. “The her without memories might not have acted against me, but what about her prior self? If she hadn’t agreed to help Gu Huaxian defeat me, how could her memories have been sealed in the first place?

“The seeds of disaster were planted long before she lost her memories. In the end, she helped Gu Huaxian achieve her aims. Do the details of the process... really matter?”

His words were like a knife thrust ruthlessly into Lu Qingmei’s heart. Her face paled, and her eyes dimmed.

But she couldn’t argue.