Chapter 411

Chapter 411: Ning Wudao’s Tao

"Where there are people, there is conflict."

Ye Xu said lightly, "Now that the passage between the Pangu universe and the Qing Xuan plane has opened, even if you want to hide, you can only hide in the Qing Xuan plane."

"Of course, if you can provide enough money, I can send you to another universe."

"Only, you can’t afford it."

Celestial Demon Ancestor looked heavy-hearted, "Is there really no way to avoid this great calamity?"

"There naturally is."

"Seek peace through struggle, and peace will exist."

"If you want eternal peace, you must fight for it with your fists."

Ye Xu said calmly.

This was the eternal and unchanging truth.

Ning Wudao seemed thoughtful.

"Only by entering the world can one avoid calamity," Ye Xu said.

"This old man understands," Celestial Demon Ancestor took a deep breath, a bitter smile on his lips. "But, this old man’s strength is humble, I’m afraid I cannot accomplish all this."

"Please, Master, give this old man an idea."

Yi Tianxing’s eyes could not hide his disappointment.

Tens of millions of years had turned a passionate youth full of ambition into an old, scheming man who only knew to seek profit and avoid harm. Time was indeed a sharp weapon.

"System, how many heavenly secrets points does it take to query about a quiet paradise?" Ye Xu thought to himself.

Since Celestial Demon Ancestor wanted to avoid the world and calamity, Ye Xu would satisfy him.

Ding!

A soft sound.

Streams of information flooded into Ye Xu’s mind.

The system listed a total of ninety-eight thousand six hundred and twenty quiet paradises, distributed across seventy-six thousand plus universes, with zero in the Pangu universe.

After all, there was almost no secret left in the Pangu universe.

The only Place of Origin would also be opened sooner or later.

As for the Qing Xuan plane, there were actually two.

【Ten Evil Abyss: to query details, requires two hundred billion heavenly secrets points.】

【Paradise Land: to query details, requires five hundred billion heavenly secrets points.】

Ye Xu looked at Celestial Demon Ancestor and said, "If you can come up with seven hundred billion Star Yuan, I will tell you the location of a quiet paradise."

"Good!"

Joy appeared on Celestial Demon Ancestor’s face, immediately he brought out a cavern realm. Within this cavern realm, it contained the savings from tens of millions of years, many Innate Spiritual Treasures, and even dozens of Chaotic Demon God corpses, and a medicinal garden.

"Exchange."

With a mere thought from Ye Xu, the cave disappeared, transforming into seven hundred twenty billion heavenly secrets points that flowed into Ye Xu’s account.

"System, immediately retrieve the detailed information on Paradise Land."

Buzz!

The next second, a flood of information about Paradise Land surged forth.

The so-called Paradise Land, hidden within the Qing Xuan plane, was a Secret Realm left behind by a top-tier Immortal Emperor. It contained sixty-four astounding formations, which could be coordinated to cover the sky and change the sun.

Consequently, for hundreds of millions of years, not a single person had discovered Paradise Land’s existence.

Now, the method to crack Paradise Land’s formations and all its information had been gathered by Ye Xu onto one jade slip.

Swoosh!

Ye Xu flicked his finger, sending the jade slip flying towards the Celestial Demon Ancestor.

"The Qing Xuan plane? Paradise Land?" The Celestial Demon Ancestor sent his Divine Sense into the jade slip, absorbing all the information, and stared at Ye Xu in shock.

"This is the most suitable place for you," said Ye Xu.

"It is the legacy of a formidable figure who lived in seclusion. He failed to transcend, hence no one else knows of it."

"The method for cracking the formations and entering Paradise Land is contained within the jade slip."

"As long as the universe remains unbroken, and you yourself don’t court death, it is virtually impossible for outsiders to locate Paradise Land."

"This old immortal is grateful for the Master’s grace."

The Celestial Demon Ancestor bowed in thanks.

"However…"

The Celestial Demon Ancestor’s brow furrowed slightly. "Could there be risks when this old immortal enters the Qing Xuan plane?"

Ye Xu was speechless.

The Celestial Demon Ancestor was so timid and hesitant; it raised the question of how he had even managed to cultivate to the Three Yuan Proof.

Yi Tianxing said, "The battle against the Heavens draws near. The Immortal Emperors of the Qing Xuan plane and the Yuanzu are in collusion. They will not devote significant effort to guarding the alien universe passage."

"If you are afraid, you could wait until the battle against the Heavens erupts. Lead the demon clan and sneak through via the alien universe passage. That is the safest method."

"That makes sense."

The Celestial Demon Ancestor’s expression turned awkward.

"Old friend, if I’m not mistaken, this departure of yours likely means you will never advance beyond this point." Yi Tianxing said, "You struggled so hard to reach where you are today. Can you truly be satisfied with the status quo?"

The Celestial Demon Ancestor nodded.

"I know full well my own limitations," said the Celestial Demon Ancestor, gazing at Yi Tianxing with profound envy deep in his eyes. "You and I are different."

"You have Nuwa’s aid. You sought rebirth through death, achieved transcendence after destruction. Hope for transcendence exists for you. I lack your courage, and I lack your fortunes."

Yi Tianxing’s eyes lowered, his countenance as unruffled as the surface of the Ancient Well.

The Celestial Demon Ancestor ultimately walked a different path from him.

"Master, till we meet again."

The Celestial Demon Ancestor cupped his hands in farewell and then called to Ning Wudao, "Wudao, let us go."

However, Ning Wudao stood motionless, rooted to the spot like a wooden stump.

"Hmm?" Celestial Demon Ancestor’s brow furrowed as he guessed Ning Wudao’s intention. "You don’t wish to leave the Pangu universe with me for Paradise Land?"

"Yes."

Ning Wudao’s expression was resolute. "Ancestor, this disciple wishes to remain in this universe."

He was not one to flee from challenges.

Back at the Celestial Demon Hall, he had already distinguished himself among the demon clan. He had endured the Golden Toad Demon God’s condescension for eighty years, patiently swallowing his fury at the humiliations inflicted by the servant Jiao Qingshan, waiting for the precise moment to deliver a decisive strike.

In Ning Wudao’s dictionary, only the word "advance" existed—he would never retreat.

Otherwise, he would never have come this far.

Watching Ning Wudao, Ye Xu’s satisfaction grew.

Ning Wudao’s tragic life from childhood had forged a spirit of relentless self-improvement. This very strength bred a faint disdain within him for Celestial Demon Ancestor’s fear.

Even an Immortal Emperor, facing life and death, might reveal the vulnerabilities of a mere mortal.

He never would.

Fear had no place in his heart.

"Ning Wudao, without my protection, with your current strength, staying in the Pangu universe will inevitably lead to your turning to dust," Celestial Demon Ancestor solemnly declared. "Come with me, and I can keep you safe for aeons."

"Someday, even ascending to Immortal Emperor is not beyond possibility."

"Esteemed Ancestor," Ning Wudao replied with unyielding resolve, "if one loses the drive to forge ahead, what purpose does eternal life serve? If one cannot reach the peak, what meaning is there in longevity?"

"From the day I slew the Golden Toad, my path was set. I walk it until death takes me."

Ning Wudao fixed his gaze on Celestial Demon Ancestor, devoid of any timidity.

"I choose to stay."

Su Mu looked on, astonished.

A junior daring to defy an Immortal Emperor! In his view, Ning Wudao’s behavior bordered on offending the proper order.

Ye Xu merely glanced at him, unconcerned.

This was the man who dared to kill his own father.

In this vast world, there was likely nothing Ning Wudao wouldn’t dare to do.

"So be it."

Celestial Demon Ancestor sighed deeply. There was no anger in him, only admiration mixed with a thread of shame.

Having lived countless millenniums, he found himself humbled by a junior.

"This sword," he said, "was forged by me for you. I intended to give it when you attained immortality. But since you remain, I present it to you now."

In Celestial Demon Ancestor’s palm rose a three-inch-long sword embryo.

Etched upon its surface, minute as a gnat’s words, were the characters "Seven Killings."

A terrifying aura of slaughter emanated from it.

This blade was cast specifically for Ning Wudao.

Celestial Demon Ancestor had genuinely viewed Ning Wudao as his disciple, guiding him with earnest wisdom.

"My deepest gratitude, Esteemed Ancestor." Ning Wudao received the Seven Killing Sword and bowed deeply.

"Daoist friend," Celestial Demon Ancestor addressed Yi Tianxing, a faint smile appearing, "this farewell may well be our final meeting. Shall we step outside for a few cups?"

"Indeed."

Yi Tianxing smiled back and accompanied Celestial Demon Ancestor out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Well done."

Ye Xu gazed approvingly at Ning Wudao, his admiration clear.

"From this day forward, you are part of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Not a single hair on your head can be harmed."

Ning Wudao shook his head.

"Senior, if I linger within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, I will grow complacent. Without peril to temper caution, time will surely breed recklessness."

"This would harm my cultivation."

Ning Wudao had considered the matter thoroughly.

"And now, as chaos engulfs the land, it brings both calamity and opportunity."

"Times of turmoil best temper the spirit."

"I will immerse myself in the mortal fray and walk through the fire."

Su Mu and Ye Xian’er hung their heads, abashed.

Faced with this era of chaos, they dared not venture beyond Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s safety. Outside was too perilous; only within its walls was true security.

Xixi blinked her large eyes, filled with curiosity.

Ning Wudao, a man possessing undeniably powerful personal presence, naturally drew her attention.

"Hahaha!"

Ye Xu burst into unrestrained laughter. "My judgment of you was indeed sound!"

"I will not impede your choice. But remember this: should you ever face a tribulation beyond your strength, return to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion at any time."

"I will bear the consequences."