Chapter 362

Chapter 362: Ye Tianming’s True Identity!

Shen Qi left that continent, bringing the red-robed man Huai Qing to a place within a river of stars.

　　Along the way, Huai Qing said, “I can sense that the Yangjia Sword still carries restraints within it. His state of mind still has issues.”

　　Shen Qi nodded. “That’s normal. He was born into nobility, pampered and adored since childhood, and his ancestors for three generations were all heaven’s chosen. Because of that, he holds himself to an extremely high standard. His birth is both an honor and a shackle to him.”

　　The red-robed man said, “Does big brother think he can break free from that shackle?”

　　Shen Qi didn’t answer the question, but instead asked in return, “What do you think — is his inner conflict rooted in his birth, or in that Ye Tianming?”

　　Huai Qing was silent for a moment, then said, “Both.”

　　Shen Qi shook his head. “Wrong.”

　　Huai Qing turned to look at Shen Qi, somewhat puzzled.

　　Shen Qi said softly, “If his inner conflict were truly about his birth, that would actually be a good thing — because recognizing that one’s birth is a shackle is the first step toward cutting it away. What’s truly worrying is that he hasn’t realized at all that his birth is a shackle. What’s even more worrying is that he still takes pride in being a Yang.”

　　Huai Qing’s brow furrowed.

　　Shen Qi continued, “All three generations of the Yang family — in their early days, not one of them took pride in being a Yang. More than that, the latter two generations spent their entire lives striving to surpass the Yang family’s founder. This young Master Yang hasn’t realized this yet. He’s still basking in the Yang family’s glory.”

　　Huai Qing said, “Why doesn’t big brother wake him up to this?”

　　Shen Qi smiled. “Sometimes, words alone can’t guide a person — it takes experience. Of course, all I can do is give him the opportunity. Whether he ultimately gains insight is still up to him.”

　　Huai Qing said in a low voice, “Big brother, to be honest, I’m afraid he’ll turn against us.”

　　Shen Qi smiled. “Turning against us is also a form of awakening.”

　　Huai Qing grew even more puzzled.

　　Shen Qi explained, “If he turns against us, it means he has truly surrendered deep within his heart. He would be making peace not only with Ye Tianming, but also with himself — and for him, that too is a form of awakening. Of course, there’s another kind of awakening: that he defeats Ye Tianming fair and square, and in doing so, follows a higher principle……”

　　Huai Qing said in a low voice, “But if he turns against us, we…….”

　　Shen Qi smiled. “It’s fine. Everyone has their own choice to make.”

　　Huai Qing suddenly said, “Big brother, I’m a little unconvinced, and a little displeased — not just a little, actually. I’m extremely, extremely displeased.”

　　Shen Qi looked at Huai Qing. “Why?”

　　Huai Qing pinched his fingers into a delicate orchid gesture, looking coy and unsettling. “Ever since we’ve known each other, you’ve never been this careful with anyone — including me. Yet you treat that Ye Tianming with such seriousness, such regard…… I’m unconvinced, and I’m displeased. Honestly, I’ve wanted to kill him several times.”

　　As he said the last part, the killing intent that surfaced in his eyes caused the entire river of stars around them to churn and boil.

　　Shen Qi simply gave a light wave of his hand, and that terrifying killing intent instantly vanished without a trace.

　　Shen Qi’s brow furrowed. “Huai Qing, why do you look down on him?”

　　Huai Qing smiled. “Big brother, that’s not quite right. I don’t look down on him. I simply feel that I’m not weaker than he is.”

　　Shen Qi smiled. “What if I told you that of the Laws of All Beings, only the first was written by his teacher — the remaining three were all written by him……”

　　Upon hearing Shen Qi’s words, Huai Qing’s eyes narrowed. “The remaining three were all written by him?”

　　Shen Qi nodded.

　　After a moment of silence, Huai Qing said, “So what? I’m not afraid of him.”

　　Shen Qi said, “Earlier when I spoke to Yang Jia, I said that this young Master Ye is still too young and has seen relatively little of the world. In truth, there was more I didn’t say. Do you know what it was?”

　　Huai Qing looked at Shen Qi. Shen Qi said softly, “Who hasn’t been young? As for seeing the world…… no one is born having seen it all. These are Ye Tianming’s shortcomings and limitations right now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t grow.”

　　Huai Qing said nothing, but his gaze was resolute — sooner or later, he would meet this person called Ye Tianming.

　　Seeing Huai Qing’s expression, Shen Qi knew exactly what he was thinking, but said nothing more.

　　What he had just said to Huai Qing about Yang Jia applied equally to Huai Qing himself.

　　You can tell a person something a hundred times and it won’t sink in — but let experience teach them once, and they’ll understand.

　　Before long, the two arrived before a vast stellar abyss. The abyss was like an enormous black ribbon inlaid across the boundless universe, dotted with stars that flickered with a mysterious and distant light. Along its edges, mist and clouds swirled in an eerie haze.

　　Huai Qing stared at the abyss and said in a low voice, “So this is what those Heavenly Demons created……”

　　Shen Qi nodded. “After the gods fell into internal conflict back then, these Heavenly Demons have been constantly searching for ways to break through the sealing prohibition that the Ancestral God left behind. Who would have thought they’d actually find a crack of opportunity.”

　　Huai Qing said, “How strong are they?”

　　Shen Qi gazed at the abyss. “Terrifyingly strong.”

　　Terrifyingly strong!

　　Huai Qing was somewhat taken aback. He hadn’t expected those words to come from his big brother’s mouth.

　　Shen Qi looked at the abyss and said softly, “If not for this young Master Ye appearing out of nowhere, I would enter it right now — to suppress them again before they fully break through the seal.”

　　”Is that so?”

　　Just then, a voice suddenly came from nearby.

　　Huai Qing turned to look. Not far away, an old man and a young man were approaching. The young one walked in front — he looked to be in his twenties, dressed in a purple robe, with refined features, a silver sash at his waist, and an air of noble elegance.

　　Behind him, the old man wore a simple hemp robe, a hemp rope tied at his waist, and a sword slanted across his back.

　　The Dao-Forsaker!

　　The Dao-Forsaker looked at Shen Qi and smiled. “You’re so confident — why not step inside right now and try? Let’s see if you can suppress my people again.”

　　Shen Qi shook his head. “I can’t. Compared to your people, young Master Ye is what matters most right now.”

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “You came here specifically to wait for me.”

　　Shen Qi nodded. “I’d like to have a word with you.”

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “I don’t really see what we have to talk about, but I’m willing to listen.”

　　Shen Qi opened his palm, and a black scroll appeared in his hand. “You should know what this is.”

　　The moment the old man behind the Dao-Forsaker saw the black scroll, his expression changed drastically. A terrifying sword intent locked onto both Shen Qi and Huai Qing, so overwhelming that the entire stellar universe around them seemed to warp and blur.

　　The old man was about to strike, but the Dao-Forsaker stopped him.

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “The Divine Tomb Art.”

　　The Divine Tomb Art!

　　Created by the first-generation Heavenly Demon God-Lord during the Age of Gods, this cultivation method was second only to the technique crafted by the Ancestral God himself.

　　The Divine Tomb Art had once struck terror into the hearts of all the gods, for the intent behind its creation by the Heavenly Demon God-Lord was singular: to bury and destroy all gods.

　　Once mastered, a single wave of the hand could entomb every living being in the world, reducing all to deathly stillness. Those struck would have their bodies turn to stone, ultimately becoming their own tomb, burying their divine self. And by channeling the power of the great tomb throughout one’s body, one could achieve an undying, indestructible form.

　　Many gods had been entombed by it back in those days!

　　However, after the first-generation Heavenly Demon Lord was slain and suppressed by the Ancestral God, this technique vanished from the world entirely.

　　It could be said that if this technique were to fall back into the hands of the Heavenly Demon clan, their power would be greatly amplified.

　　That was precisely why the sword-cultivator elder had reacted so frantically.

　　The supreme sacred relic of the Heavenly Demon clan!

　　Shen Qi paid no attention to the sword-cultivator elder, and instead looked at the Dao-Forsaker. “This is the complete Divine Tomb Art. I’d like to make a deal with you.”

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “What kind of deal?”

　　Shen Qi said, “I need you to act on my behalf once in the coming contest between me and young Master Ye.”

　　”Ha ha!”

　　The Dao-Forsaker burst out laughing. “You’re that lacking in confidence? That doesn’t seem like you at all!”

　　Shen Qi wasn’t the least bit bothered, and smiled. “Just once.”

　　The sword-cultivator elder immediately turned to look at the Dao-Forsaker, his gaze burning with eagerness, as if he wished he could accept on his master’s behalf.

　　But the Dao-Forsaker shook his head outright.

　　The elder’s face was filled with bewilderment. He wanted to say something, but in the end held himself back.

　　They were in front of an outsider — he couldn’t do anything that would undermine his master.

　　Shen Qi smiled. “Why not?”

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “Let me guess — you want to use this scroll to stir up conflict between my Heavenly Demon clan and that Ye Tianming, then kill two birds with one stone. Am I right?”

　　Shen Qi said, “But if you could obtain the Divine Tomb Art, I’d say it’s worth it, wouldn’t you?”

　　The Dao-Forsaker nodded. “It certainly is worth it. But I don’t want to do it.”

　　Shen Qi asked, “Why?”

　　The Dao-Forsaker fixed his gaze on Shen Qi. “The Heavenly Demon clan never makes deals with gods.”

　　Shen Qi fell silent.

　　The Dao-Forsaker smiled. “I know — you were also testing me at the same time. By bringing out the Divine Tomb Art, you wanted to see my reaction to it. If I craved it desperately, that would prove my Heavenly Demon clan hasn’t broken free from the Heavenly Demon God-Lord’s shadow, and it would also mean we pose no great threat to you. But I don’t want it……”

　　As he said this, he smiled. “Are you feeling a little unsettled now?”

　　Shen Qi nodded. “Just a little. Just a little, of course.”

　　The Dao-Forsaker looked at Shen Qi and smiled. “Do your best. I’d rather have you as my opponent than that young Master Ye. After all, you’re a god — killing you would be far more satisfying.”

　　With that, he turned and walked toward the abyss with the elder.

　　”Wait!”

　　Shen Qi suddenly spoke.

　　The Dao-Forsaker turned back to look at Shen Qi. Shen Qi smiled, opened his palm, and the black scroll drifted directly toward the Dao-Forsaker.

　　The sword-cultivator elder was somewhat puzzled.

　　Shen Qi shook his head. “You’ve misunderstood my intention from the very beginning. This complete technique — I’m giving it to you for free. I have only one request: that you become stronger. That way, things will be more interesting.”

　　With that, he turned and left.

　　The Dao-Forsaker suddenly swept his sleeve, and the scroll was sent flying away.

　　The Dao-Forsaker stared at Shen Qi. “You had better win. If I can’t crush you with my own hands, that will be the greatest regret of my life!”

　　With that, he turned and left with the elder.

　　Somewhere in the void.

　　A man in a Daoist robe was watching the scene below — it was none other than Old Yang.

　　Old Yang was grinning from ear to ear. “Good, good, good — fight it out, fight it out!”

　　A voice suddenly came from beside him. “Who are you rooting for?”

　　Old Yang smiled. “I’m a practical man. Whoever has the stronger backing, that’s who I support.”

　　The voice was silent for a moment, then said, “That former puppet Grand Dao Brush master of yours is supporting Yang Jia……”

　　Old Yang smiled. “He actually thinks that Ye Tianming is just a drop of blood…… that’s absolutely hilarious.”

　　The voice said in a low tone, “You said Ye Tianming was a drop of blood on purpose…… you’re way too devious. Damn….. you must be scheming something. No, I can’t stay with you. I’m going to report you to that Ye Tianming in the plain skirt, so I don’t get dragged down with you when the time comes. Damn!”

　　Old Yang’s expression changed instantly. “Are you out of your mind? Where’s your brain? With that woman around, what bad intentions could I possibly have toward Ye Tianming?”

　　The voice said, “You must have some ulterior motive. No, I can’t stay with you. When that woman loses her temper, I’ll definitely get dragged down because of you. I need to report you. I want to survive……”

　　The owner of the voice turned to run.

　　Old Yang hurried to block them. “Stop acting crazy. I genuinely have no bad intentions. Damn it, would I dare have bad intentions? My intentions are all good ones…… I’m just trying to make a living, you understand?”

　　The voice was silent for a moment, then said, “If Ye Tianming isn’t a drop of blood, then what is he?”

　　Old Yang fell silent.

　　The voice said, “Not going to say? If you don’t say, I’m going to report you right now. I’ll say you’re using Ye Tianming……”

　　”Damn it!”Old Yang immediately flew into a rage, “You……fine I’ll talk, he’s actually…….”

Boom!

Suddenly, Old Yang and the owner of that voice felt as though they had plunged into an ice cellar frozen for ten thousand years, the hair all over their bodies standing on end at once, and in that instant, both of their souls seemed to freeze solid.

The two instinctively looked up, and deep within the river of stars, a woman dressed in a plain skirt was staring at them

Yet before it was over, another gaze suddenly pierced through countless star rivers, universes, and ages, falling upon them