Chapter 449

Chapter 449: Sages Judge Actions, Not Intentions

"System, inquire about a method to help Amitabha Emperor achieve transcendence."

Ye Xu thought inwardly.

The Lingshan possessed profound foundations. The cultivation method practiced by Amitabha Emperor was named the Amitabha Sutra, a scripture slightly inferior to the Path of Oblivion, left behind by a transcendent who once resided in Lingshan.

The old monk possessed exceptional mastery over the Great Dao of space, which was his primary cultivation path.

Ding!

[Congratulations, host. Successful inquiry at the cost of eighty-four trillion heavenly secrets points.]

The next moment, information flooded Ye Xu’s mind.

"Creation of the Tianyuan?"

After scanning the information, Ye Xu’s expression shifted slightly.

Amitabha Emperor’s path to transcendence lay within the Taihuang Ancient Realm.

"In half a month, the creation of the Tianyuan will descend, and the Taihuang Ancient Realm will open," Ye Xu declared. "The opportunity for transcendence you seek, Daoist friend, resides within the Taihuang Ancient Realm."

"Creation of the Tianyuan? Taihuang Ancient Realm?"

Amitabha Emperor jolted, his expression a mix of astonishment and bewilderment.

"C-could it be that mysterious realm descending every Yuanhui?" Amitabha Emperor uttered in awe.

The Qing Xuan plane had existed for hundreds of trillions of years.

Lingshan’s lineage was equally ancient.

A single Yuanhui spanned precisely one hundred and twenty-nine million six hundred thousand years.

Lingshan’s history far exceeded one Yuanhui.

As the former abbot of Lingshan, Amitabha Emperor naturally knew of the opportunity emerging every Yuanhui.

However, he hadn’t known it was called the creation of the Tianyuan, nor had he ever heard the name Taihuang Ancient Realm.

Most crucially, Amitabha Emperor held little confidence in reaching the far shore amid thousands contending in that crossing.

Throughout history, countless from Lingshan had perished within the Taihuang Ancient Realm.

An entire lineage succession had even once been severed.

"With me here, you won’t be mere fodder," Ye Xu stated lightly.

"This old monk naturally trusts in the Master’s abilities," Amitabha Emperor replied with a smile.

Su Mu and Dao King wore solemn expressions.

This was their first time hearing of the creation of the Tianyuan and the Taihuang Ancient Realm.

Could this Taihuang Ancient Realm truly conceal an opportunity for transcendence?

"This jade slip records the precise location of the opportunity," Ye Xu said, flicking a golden jade slip towards Amitabha Emperor. "When the Taihuang Ancient Realm opens in half a month, take this slip directly to the hidden place.

"There resides a Great Dao fruit of space. Successfully refining it will elevate you to the transcendent realm, enabling immediate Ascension to Hongmeng Dao Realm."

"This old monk thanks the Master for this grace."

Amitabha Emperor shakily and unsteadily received the jade slip, his old tears streaming down uncontrollably.

He had practiced cultivation for many years and finally caught a glimpse of hope.

"If this old one can transcend and achieve liberation, I can rebuild Lingshan in the upper realm to console the spirits of the departed Lingshan disciples in heaven," murmured Amitabha Emperor.

"I take my leave first."

Amitabha Emperor turned around to leave.

"Master, hold on."

Dao King laughed and said, "Disciple has one more item to present to the Master."

Amitabha Emperor looked at him with astonishment.

Boom!

Dao King stirred his magical power and stripped strands of fortune from the Enlightenment Tree. That was the fortune of the Spirit Realm, Mysterious Realm, and Yuan Realm from the Pangu universe, unable to blend with the fortune of the Qing Xuan plane in a short time.

"Master, this is part of the fortune of the Pangu universe. Keeping it is not much use for a junior like me, so now I hand it over to the Master to manage," said Dao King, bowing respectfully.

That cluster of fortune split into three colors and drifted towards Ye Xu.

Su Mu’s eyes slightly narrowed and sharpened.

These three strands of fortune could be called the foundation of Dao King’s early beginnings. Now, how could he just abandon them so easily?

"You show care," said Ye Xu, waving his large sleeve and gathering the three strands of fortune inside it.

"I take my leave, junior."

Upon seeing this, Dao King walked out of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion together with Amitabha Emperor.

"Wait!"

Su Mu chased out of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and called out to Dao King.

"Honored master, anything the matter?" asked Dao King humbly and politely.

"I have something I want to discuss with you."

Su Mu said solemnly.

Dao King nodded and said, "I also wish to have a good, long talk with honored master to clear up the misunderstanding."

The two arrived at a tavern and sat by the window.

"Why did you kill Withered Wood?" asked Su Mu.

Dao King sighed and said, "Originally, disciple’s first strike against master Withered Wood was truly out of necessity."

Su Mu stared intently at Dao King.

"In those years, Mo Yuheng secretly sent down an order from the Immortal Realm, commanding the master to purge the major powers in the Spirit Realm to collect fortune. But the master was far too cautious in his actions, and the Taihao Heavenly Sect’s strength hadn’t reached its peak back then, so we never carried out the task."

"Compelled by the situation, the upper realm ordered me to slay his master to seize power and take control of the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

Dao King downed a cup of wine in one gulp and continued speaking.

"I had to obey the orders and kill."

"Nonsense," sneered Su Mu.

Di Wuyou, you clearly saw the benefits of currying favor with the Upper Realm and coveted absolute power for yourself. That’s why you committed the vile act of slaying your master to seize power.

"Indeed," Dao King uttered softly. "After slaying my master and consolidating all power, I finally understood the allure of true authority."

"From then on, every opposition—whether overt or covert—was crushed by my hand. Within mere centuries, I led Taihao Heavenly Sect to become the foremost power in the Spirit Realm."

"Would Withered Wood have achieved this? He could not."

Su Mu found himself at a loss for words.

Though Dao King was a true villain, he possessed genuine talent and vision. Withered Wood had been cautious and steady, suited only for preserving the status quo, incapable of innovation. He would undoubtedly have been swept aside by the coming great change in the Immortal Realm.

"Then why attempt to kill him a second time?" Su Mu’s fury simmered beneath his words.

"His existence posed a threat to me," Dao King replied with a chilling smile. "Slaying my master to seize power is a profound stain of shame—one I could not tolerate having witnessed."

"A pity that the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion proved too formidable."

Now, his sin was a secret held by none.

Withered Wood had died for nothing.

A cold dread washed over Su Mu. He had no doubt Dao King would dare strike down even Ye Xu, given the power to do so.

Slowly rising to his feet, Su Mu abruptly asked, "Do you know how the human ancestor achieved Transcendence through Merit?"

"Enlighten me." Interest flickered in Dao King’s eyes. Consumed by his ambition to transcend through destiny cultivation, and after Ye Xu’s guidance, he knew he must supplement it with both merit from all beings and merit of the Dao to secure ascension. The human ancestor’s transcendence deeply intrigued him.

"During the Great Calamity in the Immortal Realm, the human ancestor turned back disaster. In the battle against the Heavens, he alone barred the path against ten thousand foes."

"Yet this is not what mattered most."

"The human ancestor’s purpose was never transcendence itself." Su Mu sneered coldly. "Heaven bears witness! A selfish villain like you, driven solely for greed—how could you ever transcend?"

These words held truth, yet Su Mu aimed to wound Dao King with them.

"Ahahaha…"

Dao King, however, didn’t rage. He laughed.

"Grandmaster," he roared with amusement. "You are painfully naïve!"

"I slew Withered Wood for myself, yes—but also for Taihao Heavenly Sect, and for the multitude of the Spirit Realm."

Dao King solemnly declared, "Without my unification of the Spirit Realm, this land would remain fragmented by warlords, wracked by the suffering of its people. My character may bear a stain, but in matters of principle, I yield to none."

"Now, bearing the celestial destiny of the Qing Xuan plane, if I bring order to the masses and govern all realms with justice—would that not constitute immense merit?"

"Do you truly believe the vast Qing Xuan plane has been served by only five great sects?"

Su Mu’s mind reeled.

"Those five sects," Dao King’s voice boomed like thunder, "ruled the Qing Xuan plane for countless eras, grown as indolent as parasites! How are they different from the Innate Divine Beings of the Pangu universe?"

"Were I to slaughter millions of their disciples, tearing down those sects, it would indeed be a bloody crime."

"But should I instead unite this world and forge an era of enduring peace?"

"For the countless lives under heaven, that act would become an immeasurable blessed deed."

"Can you not discern which holds greater weight?"

Disappointment filled Dao King’s gaze.

"You’ve walked this world so long… only to come this far. Truly, I despair of you."

Su Mu gaped, wide-eyed.

He knew Dao King argued through twisted logic.

And yet… he could not refute the words.

Dao King spoke with a terrible resonance.

For a universe teeming with countless beings…

To impose true order upon it would be a merit beyond measure.

"As ancient wisdom teaches: We judge the saint by deeds, not by intent. If judged by intent alone, no saint would walk this earth."

"The human ancestor’s glory lies in saving the people—and saving the grand design itself."

"These became the prerequisites of his ascension."

A glimmer of profound insight flashed within Dao King’s eyes. Deliberately, he raised a cup and drained it.

He rose, turned his back, and stood before the window, hands clasped behind him. He gazed out upon the torrential river, a steely edge now in his stare.

"The achievement of great purpose demands a disregard for petty virtues."

"Su Mu—you and Withered Wood were both relics, chained by obsolete morality."

"As for me…"

Dao King turned, locking eyes directly with Su Mu.

"…I shall mold the Qing Xuan plane into an era of glory unequaled in its brilliance."

"A merit vast enough… to lift me unto transcendence itself."