Chapter 978: The Immortal Demon (II)

"You actually managed to comprehend the Great Dao of Creation," Bai Wuxiang commented.

The square-faced monastery overseer sat across from Chu Liang with a solemn expression. But upon seeing the bruises on Chu Liang’s face, he couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What happened to you?"

"I mean, a few bumps and bruises are only natural when trying to comprehend a Great Dao," Chu Liang replied with an embarrassed smile.

Who would’ve thought?

The moment he comprehended the Great Dao of Creation, he left the Cauldron of the Great Dao. He thought he had lost consciousness for only a brief instant, but in reality, three whole days and nights had gone by.

The Jiang Yuebai that he saw when he opened his eyes was real.

What had felt like endless years inside the cauldron had, in truth, lasted only a few days.

He rubbed his head. His sense of time had been completely thrown off, and it would take a while to get it back in order.

Even so, it had all been worth it. He had fully grasped the Great Dao of Creation and had truly become a Dao Master of Creation.

Unlike the Great Dao of Divine Clouds, which he had only managed to gain control over with the help of the large-headed dolls, this Great Dao was one he had mastered on his own. He had fought for it with everything he had and nearly lost himself forever in the Cauldron of the Great Dao.

Now that he had truly reached the eighth realm, even the teacup on the table, the furniture, and the flowers and trees around him all seemed to take on a different light.

He reached out and gently touched the teacup, breaking it down to its elemental form. Then he reformed it, compressing its essence until it glowed and turned into a spirit-stone coin. Next, he tried the same with a flower vase, reducing it to its core and reshaping it into a small pile of spirit-stone coins.

"You don’t have to be quite so practical," Bai Wuxiang couldn’t help but remark. "You’re the Dao Master of Creation, not the Dao Master of Creating Money."

"I’m just more familiar with this type of stone," Chu Liang replied with a sheepish grin.

Every object required a different state of refinement when transformed from its origin particle, and even the slightest variation could produce an entirely different result. So while he had mastered the method of transforming one element into another, it didn’t mean he could create whatever he wanted.

That was why when he tried to create a version of Jiang Yuebai earlier, the illusionary realm inside the Cauldron of the Great Dao collapsed. Creating a human being was far too complex for his current level. If he truly possessed that kind of power, he might have already stepped into the ninth realm and fully merged with the Great Dao of Creation.

That said, he had no need to create a human right now. And if he really needed to make one, he could always fall back on the ancient methods of human creation.

"The Great Dao of Creation is said to be the most difficult Great Dao in existence. Since ancient times, no one has truly mastered it. After Deity Pan, you may be the first to reach this level of power," Bai Wuxiang said, looking at Chu Liang with admiration. "Perhaps you are the one Hallowed Li had been waiting for, the one who will help this world rise to even greater heights."

"Heh, I wouldn’t dare make a claim like that," Chu Liang said with a modest smile. "The Great Dao of Creation is certainly profound, but it doesn’t seem all that suited for combat. Could I really defeat Evil Ksitigarbha right now?"

He wasn’t trying to fake being humble. He was simply stating the truth. Turning stone into gold or water into fire was certainly impressive, but how useful were those abilities in a high-level combat between Dao Masters? That was something he would have to explore and develop for himself.

Bai Wuxiang likely couldn’t offer much guidance either. He had already said that Chu Liang was probably the first Dao Master of Creation since Deity Pan split the heavens. Throughout history, it was rare for anyone to even catch a glimpse of this Great Dao, let alone fully master it.

"The good news is that you’ll definitely defeat him," Bai Wuxiang said.

"And the bad news?" Chu Liang raised an eyebrow, immediately picking up on the unease in Bai Wuxiang's tone.

"The bad news is that the person you need to defeat is no longer the same," Bai Wuxiang replied solemnly.

...

"Don't be so sad. At least none of your useless disciples from Penglai got hurt, right?" Di Nufeng consoled.

At the mountain gate of New Penglai, the Azure Dragon had just finished a brief session of regulating his qi. When he opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of a sect that had already lost its legendary artifact.

He let out a heavy sigh, and sorrow was etched clearly across his face. "I once vowed to protect Penglai. And now it has come to this... I’ve truly let everyone down."

"You don’t owe Penglai that much," Daoist Yan said without emotion. "Back then, Cangsheng committed countless crimes. What’s happening now is just retribution."

"Cangsheng has been dead for a long time," the Azure Dragon murmured as he shook his head. "What fault could there be in the Penglai of today?"

"Back when Daoist Cangsheng ran rampant, your disciples took their share of the spoils too. And you, noble beast, don’t think I didn’t notice how many spirit plants you gorged yourself on after snatching them from others," Di Nufeng said as she continued to console him. "This outcome is nothing but karmic retribution. It’s not your fault you were useless... Well, maybe just a little."

"..."

The Azure Dragon fell silent. After being so thoroughly "comforted" by the two women, he no longer wished to live. A flicker of suicidal intent appeared in his eyes.

"Alas," sighed the Elder of Mount Lu. "I fear our failure to protect the legendary artifacts will bring disaster not only upon ourselves, but also upon the righteous path and innocent people across the land. Now that the Noble Dharma has Evil Ksitigarbha by his side, and they have obtained both the Cosmic Ring and the Chrono Wheel, their combined power is no longer something we can suppress so easily."

"Tch." Di Nufeng cracked her knuckles. "That Evil Ksitigarbha is just a bit tougher than most. If he had run a second slower, I would have taken his head off."

Judging from the look on her face, she had thoroughly enjoyed that earlier beatdown.

"Elder Mount Lu is right. The Noble Dharma has become a serious threat," Daoist Yan said, giving Di Nufeng a pat on the shoulder. "You were only able to beat up Evil Ksitigarbha because the Demon God had already worn him down. Now that the Noble Dharma has taken the East Sea Chrono Wheel, he’s probably helping Evil Ksitigarbha recover to full strength. I worry that even if we manage to gather all the legendary artifacts again, it still might not be enough to suppress them."

Worry lingered in Daoist Yan’s eyes.

Di Nufeng rubbed her chin in thought and muttered, "If I were that old bastard Noble Dharma, I wouldn’t help him recover. Who knows if that wretched thing would turn around and kill me later? What if he stabs me in the back?"

Her eyes lit up as the idea grew in her mind. "I’d just reverse the process and kill him off instead. And if I could find a way to devour his power and take over his body... now that would be perfect. Hee-hee-hee..."

As she kept speaking, her shoulders bounced with each laugh, and the light in her eyes grew brighter. It was as if she really were in the middle of carrying out that ruthless betrayal. In her imagination, Evil Ksitigarbha was staring at her in terror with a helpless and betrayed expression in his little eyes.

The other three turned to look at her warily. None of them said a word, but it was clear they were all wondering if she might one day make that twisted dream a reality.

After all, she had already reached the eighth realm. She now had the power to do it.

The two old men, the Azure Dragon and the Elder of Mount Lu, were already howling in their hearts.

Heavens! Are you even watching over us?!

There is already an Evil Ksitigarbha in this world. Why let someone like Di Nufeng ascend to the eighth realm too?

"We should head back to the mountain and report this to the sect leader," Daoist Yan said, rising to her feet now that the situation at the New Penglai Sect had settled. "Then we can gather the sects in the Divine Nine and the Terrestrial Ten to figure out a response."

Just as they stepped out of the pavilion at New Penglai, Di Nufeng suddenly pointed to the north.

"Look over there!" she shouted.

By now, the New Penglai Sect disciples outside had already noticed the strange phenomenon. They all stopped what they were doing and stared blankly toward the horizon.

Far in the north, at the very edge of the four seas and nine provinces, an enormous sky-piercing tree had risen from the icy plains. It was not an illusion, nor was it a magical projection. It was real, vibrant, alive, and still growing.

Across the surface of the towering tree, ridges bulged and rippled like coiled dragons. They pulsed in a steady rhythm, as if something living were crawling beneath the bark.

Thump, thump, thump...

At that moment, every human across the nine provinces felt a strange pulse coming from the tree, a rhythm that seemed to mirror their own heartbeat.

It was a heartbeat!

"Could it be..." the Azure Dragon said as he furrowed his brows. "The Immortal Demon from the legends?"