Chapter 252

Chapter 252: Aftereffects of Traumatic Fear

"We’re almost there."

Great Emperor Ziwei felt uneasy.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital were also somewhat excited.

"Everyone, don’t celebrate too soon. Look." Ye Xu warned gravely. He extended one hand forward, watching the flesh on his fingers rapidly decay into white bone.

Yet above the wrist remained perfectly unharmed.

"The Chaos Great Dao here is terrifyingly powerful—it’s overturned time itself." Ye Xu’s gaze sharpened. "In this single step’s distance lies a time ratio of at least ten thousand years."

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital exchanged uneasy glances, visibly shaken.

Great Emperor Ziwei’s scalp tingled. That his master had survived this treacherous place seemed almost unbelievable.

Ye Xu remained unperturbed. "Didn’t Heaven’s Secret Pavilion provide a solution?"

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion anticipates every contingency. By following his plan, none shall arise."

"Indeed."

Warmed by reassurance, the Seven Immortals brightened. Though the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land was perilous, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion surpassed even the Chaotic Immortal King. How could mere Chaos Great Dao rival his methods?

Ye Xu stirred with a thought. Activating the Great Dao of Creation, three-inch replicas of himself emerged from his form, scattering in all directions to locate an entry point.

Though the Chaos Great Dao permeating the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land was potent, a path of life existed—etched upon the jade slip.

By traversing it to the land’s heart, they’d reach Gu Daojin and rescue him.

Witnessing Ye Xu’s power, Su Mu murmured earnest praise.

Now, he truly suspected Ye Xu’s origins lay among those postnatally ascended.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

But then, bellows thundered from behind. Ancient chaotic beasts surged forth like a tide, swarming beyond count—thousands upon thousands, every one radiating Emperor Venerable-level might.

Born of Chaos Great Dao, these creatures knew only instinct. Thriving in the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land, their powers stood unshackled.

Contrarily, Chaos Great Dao suppressed Ye Xu’s group, sealing much of their strength.

"What monstrosities are these?" Great Emperor Ziwei shuddered. He ignited his Ziwei Rising Dragon Path—blood blazing like a furnace, a divine sword clenched in hand, violet fire suspended overhead as his imperial might surged.

"Monsters birthed by Chaos Great Dao. Stay vigilant." Explaining swiftly, Su Mu unleashed his magic. "Fall back a hundred thousand miles!"

His Words Become Divine Law should’ve halted them. But the beasts charged on, unaffected.

Su Mu’s veins pulsed. Chaos Great Dao’s oppressive force crippled his power.

Clang!

Stark malice flooded the air. Ye Xu summoned the Divine Slaying Platform. Reaching the half-immortal realm, he feared no backlash.

From its last execution—slaying an Emperor Venerable of the Tian Wu divine clan—the fierce weapons drank deep blood, sharpening their ferocity.

Crack!

The divine dagger’s edge reflected the forms of ancient chaotic beasts near its base. Its descent sliced thirty charging beasts head from body. They died soundlessly.

Everyone’s eyelids twitched; this Creature was far too ferocious.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital unleashed their divine powers, fiercely attacking the ancient chaotic beasts.

"Dividing the qi into three purity!"

Su Mu’s body trembled slightly as two figures—one Buddhist, one Daoist—emerged from his physical form.

The Buddhist Body sat cross-legged in the void, holding a flower, radiant light enveloping him, with three thousand Buddhist realms circling around.

The Dao Body chanted incantations; every syllable transformed into distinct techniques, sweeping toward the ancient chaotic beasts like a tidal wave.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

In almost an instant, the heavens and earth exploded, the chaos expanding and contracting as countless voids condensed into a singular point.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital were blasted away, and Great Emperor Ziwei suffered deep wounds.

Su Mu’s Dividing the qi into three purity technique shattered immediately; he coughed up great mouthfuls of blood.

Even the Divine Slaying Platform was hurled backward, its aura weakened, under the assault of thousands of ancient chaotic beasts.

"Found it."

"Go!"

At that moment, Ye Xu’s eyes flashed. Without delay, he vanished into the chaos and charged toward the path of escape.

The others hurriedly followed.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

The ancient chaotic beasts chased wildly. Within Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land, they moved unpredictably, their speed surpassing Ye Xu and his companions.

"Master, it’s that reincarnated Immortal King."

Pang Taiyue and Li Ruoyu traversed the chaos; the ancient chaotic beasts seemed utterly unaware of them. Pang Taiyue’s gaze fell upon Su Mu, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"He’s unremarkable," Li Ruoyu remarked, glancing at Pang Taiyue. "That one, however, is somewhat intriguing."

"That lad?" Pang Taiyue frowned. "He’s just a half-immortal, isn’t he? Even with the Ancient Human Emperor’s Divine Slaying Platform, his strength isn’t that exceptional."

"It’s a bodily incarnation," Li Ruoyu clarified.

"An incarnation?"

Pang Taiyue’s expression stiffened with shock. "Your insight surpasses all, Master. Your subordinate failed to decipher his true nature."

"That individual cultivates techniques of immense power—ones I’ve never encountered," Li Ruoyu mused. "In this realm, only the Creation Daoist ever mastered the Great Dao of creation to perfection. Yet he has perished."

"Seeing this, I recall another."

A knowing gleam lit Li Ruoyu’s eyes, as if he had fully unraveled the mysteries of Ye Xu’s incarnation.

Pang Taiyue looked to him questioningly.

"Naturally, it’s that one from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," Li Ruoyu replied with a light laugh.

"If any in this lower realm sparks my interest, it would be the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion alone."

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is indeed enigmatic," Pang Taiyue said, his brow furrowing deeply.

"This pavilion emerged from nowhere barely half a year ago. Its master remains secluded, mysterious as a hidden dragon—your subordinate hasn’t laid eyes upon him."

"But he is so formidable…why would he send an incarnation?"

Li Ruoyu shook his head and chuckled.

As they talked, the two walked into the core region of the Chaos Great Dao.

The ten-thousand-fold flow of time proved completely ineffective against them.

A moment later, Li Ruoyu and Pang Taiyue arrived at a realm of lawless chaos, a place engulfed in dark disorder where all natural laws were inverted and shattered.

Li Ruoyu gazed ahead.

There stood an ancient altar.

Upon the altar were inscribed the "language of innate gods," the power of the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land continuously converging into this structure, nourishing a massive lump of flesh.

This lump of flesh bore imprints of chaotic divine patterns— unmistakably, the chaotic immortal fetus.

Seemingly sensing the presence of Li Ruoyu and Pang Taiyue, the chaotic immortal fetus shuddered violently. Strands of divine patterns materialized like immortal chains, binding the heavens and the earth.

It appeared to be on guard.

"The Innate Divine Dao venue truly is wondrous," Pang Taiyue marvelled, his expression turning fierce as he spoke coldly. "Back then, my master refined your Dao, extinguished your primordial spirit, yet you still managed to regenerate from the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land? Chaotic Immortal King, before the Heavenly Emperor, show yourself!"

Li Ruoyu smiled wordlessly.

The Innate Divine Dao venue was itself a manifestation of the Dao. So long as the venue remained intact, even if killed, the innate god could revive from it once more.

This was a profound secret of the world.

"H-Heavenly Emperor…" the massive lump of flesh trembled incessantly, its voice laden with terror.

"You…you’ve come to kill me again?"

It was clear that although the Chaotic Immortal King had been slain, the memories of the entity currently gestating remained intact. Fear of the Heavenly Emperor still overwhelmed it.

It was truly terrified unto death.

In the Primal Age, the Heavenly Emperor rose from insignificance to challenge the innate Divine Beings.

The Chaotic Immortal King was made the purposeful example—the chicken slaughtered to scare the monkeys.

Those past scenes remained vivid.

Merely recalling them made the Chaotic Immortal King shiver.

After all, this time the Heavenly Emperor had found its venue. Were its venue destroyed now, it would never transcend death. Revival would be impossible for all eternity.

Pang Taiyue’s expression revealed undisguised disdain.

These innate Divine Beings feared death more intensely than postnatal beings. They were, truly, the greatest cowards in all realms.

"Fear not, Daoist friend," Li Ruoyu said with a light smile. "My purpose today is not to kill you."

"Then why have you come?" The Chaotic Immortal King’s voice quivered, its disbelief in Li Ruoyu’s words evident.

That the Heavenly Emperor regarded innate gods as mortal enemies was known to all throughout all realms.

Currently extremely weak himself, if Li Ruoyu wanted to kill him, it would be as effortless as lifting a finger.

"Don’t act recklessly! I have a pact with the White Emperor. If you attack me, he can manifest here at any moment."

Chaotic Immortal King was terrified and could only pin his hopes on the White Emperor.

He knew very well that after Heavenly Emperor was suppressed by Son of Heaven, his strength definitely hadn’t yet recovered to its peak. Invoking the White Emperor could serve to somewhat intimidate Li Ruoyu.

Li Ruoyu found it both funny and exasperating.

He had already clearly stated he wouldn’t harm Chaotic Immortal King, yet the Chaotic Immortal King was still scared out of his wits.

This was a classic case of traumatic sequelae.

"I can help you regain your peak strength within a year," Li Ruoyu said lightly.

Chaotic Immortal King’s heart tightened. He absolutely didn’t believe in free lunches.

However, he now also believed that Li Ruoyu wouldn’t kill him.

The Heavenly Emperor of his memories was not one to speak nonsense.

"Conditions."

"Submit to me." Li Ruoyu clasped his hands behind his back. His aura was vast, inadvertently exuding a heavy imperial might that crushed the order immortal locks formed from the condensation of Chaos Great Dao.

Chaotic Immortal King felt a chill in his heart.

"You… are you truly the Heavenly Emperor?" Chaotic Immortal King found it hard to believe. "I simply cannot believe that the Heavenly Emperor, who once wanted nothing more than to exterminate us Innate Divine Beings completely, would now actively seek to recruit me."

"If you don’t believe me, I can kill you again."

Li Ruoyu wore a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

Chaotic Immortal King was utterly terrified and instantly backed down.

"I believe it, I believe it."

"Since that’s the case, swear your allegiance now," Li Ruoyu said.

"This…"

Chaotic Immortal King hesitated.

No matter what, he was also an Innate Divine Being, born before the creation of the heavens and earth, holding a lofty status. Enslaving himself to a master was truly shameful.

"I swear by the Innate Chaos Great Dao to submit to Heavenly Emperor Li Ruoyu as my master. From this day forth, I shall follow my master eternally!"

A primordial spirit rose from the chaotic immortal fetus, condensing into a human form, as Chaotic Immortal King made the vow using the Dao.

Whoosh!

A wisp of purple light flew towards the chaotic immortal fetus.

It was a piece of purple jade.

"Hongmeng Purple Jade?"

Chaotic Immortal King was overjoyed. This was immortal jade formed by the condensation of Hongmeng Dao before the creation of the heavens and earth, containing the source power of the universe.

However, these treasures were almost exclusively held by the Innate Divine Beings.

Although he and the White Emperor were allies, despite asking several times, the White Emperor had never given him even a sliver of Hongmeng Purple Jade.

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure."

Though Chaotic Immortal King felt dissatisfied inside, upon seeing the Hongmeng Purple Jade, his body was still honest.

"With this piece of Hongmeng Purple Jade, it will take at most three months for me to fully reshape my Dao Body and primordial spirit. Within half a year at most, I can reach my peak."

"Train well."

Li Ruoyu turned and left.

Pang Taiyue watched his departing figure, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Actually, he also couldn’t understand why the master would help Chaotic Immortal King reshape his Dao Body and primordial spirit.

These Innate Divine Beings were parasites of the world, eroding the fundamental essence of the universe bit by bit, day after day, the very vermin the master once hated most.

Today, he seemed to have forgotten his original aspiration.

But for Pang Taiyue, no matter what Li Ruoyu did, he would follow him all the way to the end.

A vassal for a day, a vassal for life.

Following orders was a vassal’s duty.