Chapter 536 Part 1

Chapter 536 Part 1: The Tao Ancestor (1)

There are people beyond people, and skies beyond skies.

In the clouds, deep within, lies the Outer Realm Heavenly Path Palace, where the Tao Ancestor resides.

Around the Tao Palace, clouds of good fortune swirl, with blooming spirit flowers and shining jade stones; the endless aura of immortality floats about, quite fitting Qiao Mu’s imagination of the immortal realm he had never visited.

Yet, this Tao Palace, filled with the aura of immortality, seems out of place in these Return Ruins, standing in stark contrast to the collapsed Heavenly Court.

Among the swirling clouds, there are magnificent figures whose powerful auras appear and disappear; some are as large as mountains, others as small as mustard seeds, some are majestic golden-body Buddhas, while others are ethereal True Immortals.

The over hundred people standing before the Tao Palace, surrounded by clouds of good fortune, are all True Immortals of the immortal realm.

They do not speak, only gazing at Qiao Mu, led by the Nine Dead Demon Lord, until Qiao Mu lands before the grand hall of the Outer Realm Heavenly Path Palace.

As Qiao Mu approaches, the divine beings in the heavens subtly change their expressions; after devouring the Heavenly Emperor, Qiao Mu has aged tens of millions of years, and even these gods hovering outside the Outer Realm Heavenly Path Palace feel intimidated, instinctively stepping aside.

Nine Dead Demon Lord softly explained, "The Dao Ancestor is in the outer heavens, floating away from the world."

"But after the heavenly realm was shattered, there were also holy gods and buddhas with nowhere to go, who came before this Outer Realm Heavenly Path Palace."

"Some wished to meet the Dao Ancestor, while others sought the Dao Ancestor’s protection… but in the end, no one got what they wanted."

"As for now…"

Nine Dead Demon Lord stopped.

At this moment, before him and Qiao Mu stood the grand door of the Dao Palace, which was a light purple color and tightly closed.

Even now, Qiao Mu could not sense anything inside through this closed door, nor could he perceive the presence of the Dao Ancestor.

"Earlier, you had thoughts of harming the Dao Ancestor," Nine Dead Demon Lord suddenly said.

"What’s this? We’re at the door now, and you suddenly want to stop me?" Qiao Mu looked at Nine Dead Demon Lord.

"I hope your killing intent can be constant." Nine Dead Demon Lord slightly shook his head, his eyes revealing deep exhaustion.

Many years ago, when he was still in the Demon Realm and possessed the power of immortality, he had acted just as recklessly as Qiao Mu in front of him.

It was only when he entered the Outer Realm Heavenly Path Palace and heard the Ancestor speak about the truth behind the Great Collapse and Long Life Lock that things changed.

"The Ancestor is not to be underestimated," Nine Dead Demon Lord warned.

"In the Celestial Realm, even the Heavenly Emperor is not fundamentally different from other True Immortals, except for the Ancestor."

"Since we’re talking about this, it would be good to hear more about the Ancestor. When it comes to action later, I’ll be better prepared," Qiao Mu said calmly.

But Nine Dead Demon Lord just shook his head and chuckled softly.

He explained, "Among the True Immortals in the Celestial Realm, those who understand the path of time can use time magic to interfere with and twist time, go back to the past, freeze time, and jump into the future… there are countless kinds of celestial magic."

"When it comes to the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter, who has a deeper understanding of the path of time, such a powerful being in the Celestial Realm has already developed the Heavenly Eye, able to see all of past and future." Nine Dead Demon Lord’s gaze swept over Qiao Canxue Qiao Feixian beside Qiao Mu.

"The daughter of the Heavenly Emperor saw the future long ago, which is why she gave up her powers and was reborn to cultivate again. This is a glimpse of the future that she saw many years ago."

"Above this is the Heavenly Emperor."

Nine Dead Demon Lord continued:

"At the level of the Heavenly Emperor, one can see not just the past and future in the river of time, but he is already a supreme being who influences both ancient and modern times."

"The reborn form of the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter avoided the destruction of the heavenly realm and has survived until now, even returning to the heavenly court."

"Then, allow the remnants of All Laws are Inviolable to help you become the Heavenly Emperor many years later, making you the strongest among all realms… This is the method of the Heavenly Emperor."

"What about the Dao Ancestor?" Nine Dead Demon Lord’s voice was deep.

"At the level of the Dao Ancestor, he is in a different category from other True Immortals; he is only a half-step away from complete transcendence."

"He is truly immortal, unaffected by the river of time, able to freely go back to the past, jump to the future, and reach any point in time. He can also change the past at will."

Nine Dead Demon Lord sighed softly:

"Time flows like a long river, moving forward without returning… But the Dao Ancestor is not in this river. How can someone like that be killed?"

"So you mean, our meeting today is a future that the Dao Ancestor has already seen, and only because he happily accepted it, am I able to meet him?" Qiao Mu did not respond.

"If I wanted to kill him, he would know about it in advance. If he is not my opponent, then naturally he would go back to the past and avoid me; since he has chosen to meet me, it is clear that I cannot kill him?"

"Is it only that?" Nine Dead Demon Lord shook his head:

"From ancient times to the present, from the beginning of chaos to the Great Collapse, everything from the past and future is within the Dao Ancestor’s sight, and he can change it at will, unaffected in the slightest."

"In all the heavens and worlds, only Entropy can match him."

"Apart from Entropy itself, everything from the past and future is under his control."

"Everything that has happened is his approval, and everything that has yet to happen is his expectation. And the result of his fight against Entropy across the ages is the current heavens and worlds."

"Among many people facing disaster, you have ventured the farthest, and that is the future he hopes for."

"Compared to the Great Collapse that sweeps across all worlds, an ancient being like the Dao Ancestor, who stays hidden behind the scenes, is the greatest calamity."

As he said this, the Nine Dead Demon Lord stared intensely into Qiao Mu’s eyes, as if wanting to see some emotion revealed.

But he was disappointed; Qiao Mu, who was millions of years old, was as calm as a bottomless abyss.

"So that is why you dare to speak about the Dao Ancestor’s secrets at the entrance of this palace?" Qiao Mu said slowly.

"Since you can say this, it means the Dao Ancestor has given you permission; otherwise, he wouldn’t allow this to happen."

"It seems you have also discovered the reason for your failure."

…………………………

The Nine Dead Demon Lord turned away and stood guard at the entrance of the grand door.

Qiao Mu did not hesitate; he pushed open the great door of the hall and stepped inside.

The inside of the hall surprised him; it was empty and wide, with only a square table in the distance.

The loud sound of the door closing behind him filled the air as Qiao Mu walked through the empty hall and approached the square table.

Holding the Human Emperor Sword, Qiao Mu felt a little lost.

He focused his gaze.

On the table, he saw a lamp, and under the lamp was a book. Inside the book was a sword, and on the sword was a beautiful jade. Inside the jade was a drop of water, and in the water was a shadow; that was the Tao Master.

"Hello, Qiao Mu," the tiny figure smiled softly at him.

"Your form of existence is very different from what I imagined," Qiao Mu squinted.

At over twenty million years old, after devouring the Heavenly Emperor, he had become the strongest being in all the realms. Just one thought from him could make the stars and galaxies tremble and shift.

The figure of the Dao Ancestor before him was different from the essence of life of any creature from the countless realms, including the True Immortal.

"Is your true self not here because you are afraid of dying at my hands?" Qiao Mu said.

The shadow softly chanted:

"No shadow in all directions, the six paths have no trace. Jumping out of the three realms, not within the five elements."

He leaped out from a drop of water, passed through the beautiful jade on the sword, jumped out from the pages of the book, and finally transformed into an old Daoist with white hair, standing across from Qiao Mu.

Yet even so, the Dao Ancestor before Qiao Mu still appeared like a reflection in water, elusive and hard to grasp.

"Hmm?" The shadow of the Dao Ancestor suddenly made a soft sound as he leaned closer to Qiao Mu’s figure, carefully observing Qiao Mu’s shadow, reaching out in front.

In the next moment, a plump cat was pulled halfway out of the shadow by an invisible force.

But immediately after, Qiao Mu stepped forward and blocked the shadow behind him.

"What are you doing?" Qiao Mu pressed the Human Emperor Sword and narrowed his eyes.

"This little thing is quite interesting," the Dao Ancestor smiled slightly. "Since you do not want me to touch it, let’s get back to the main topic."

Qiao Mu placed his hand on the Human Emperor Sword, carefully examining the Dao Ancestor’s faint image. His brows gradually furrowed, feeling somewhat regretful.

"You have already transcended beyond all realms, yet the you before me seems to be a projection manifested within the realms, like a flower in a mirror or the moon in the water."

"Not completely transcended," the Dao Ancestor said softly.

"Otherwise, how could we meet today?"

"Very well," Qiao Mu casually sat down on the ground and said carelessly,

"I heard that the Nine Dead Demon Lord learned the truth behind the Great Collapse and the origin of the Long Life Lock from you."

"We have reached this moment, so you won’t play games with me, right? Just tell me, I’m listening."