Chapter 174 — Only Killing, No Salvation!

Taiyi Savior of Suffering?

Qi Wuhuo had no impression of this title. In this era, this one had only recently attained the Dao, and his name had not yet widely spread. The young Daoist’s foundation was damaged, and he had forcibly circulated his qi; now he could only offer a slight bow, yet with complete sincerity: “Many thanks, senior, for lending a hand…”

The Daoist who called himself Taiyi replied: “No matter. I did not save him—this was his own choice.”

“There is cause and effect; all is predetermined.”

“As for whether he can live or not, that depends on his own fate.”

He sat before Qi Wuhuo, casually setting down the dew-like object in his hand. That clean white cat also lay atop the stone table, lazily yawning. The Taiyi Daoist reached out and stroked it at will, and the cat comfortably narrowed its eyes, its gaze sizing up the young Daoist before it. Seeing his cultivation realm was low, though he seemed to have some background—

But background was not worth much.

Over a thousand years, countless gifted geniuses with extraordinary origins had fallen.

It merely yawned once more, no longer paying attention.

The Taiyi Daoist looked at the young Daoist before him.

He had originally come seeking his own master, having been drawn here by the taint of tribulation qi. Yet he saw that young man employing the Xuantan to cast a technique—the move he used was actually a direct transmission method of the Shangqing lineage. There are seven Tribulation Swords, encompassing all things; their ultimate aim is to sever all existence—but this “severing” is not mere killing, it is the tribulation of tribulation itself.

Though the youth before him did not cultivate a Shangqing method,

He could, through the Xuantan altar, wield a direct-transmission sword of Shangqing, and even operate the method of [using killing as protection].

He even understood the most elevated character within the Supreme Scarlet Spirit Script.

This was all far too familiar.

It must be connected to his own master—that Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign. Either he had been noticed by him, or he had obtained some kind of destined opportunity. Such things—his master had done far too many of them.

Yet the young Daoist before him, relying only on that half-baked Xuantan method, and with a good karmic tie to the Earth Deities and Water Officials, had actually forced his way through—using the Xuantan to complete a great jiao offering, and slashed out that single sword.

It could be said he had entirely fought his way forward by himself.

The Taiyi Daoist thought of his own past.

It felt very much like something his own Dao Sovereign master—who called it “letting things grow freely”, but in truth was utterly irresponsible—would do.

Thus, he felt quite a bit of goodwill toward this young Daoist.

Qi Wuhuo said, “Senior…”

“No need for that.”

The Taiyi Daoist said calmly, “All who walk upon the Great Dao—just call me Dao-brother.”

“With what you have done, it is enough to address me as such.”

That lazy white cat, which had been squinting its eyes, suddenly opened them wide and round. On that face that looked so pleasant to stroke, an unmistakably human-like shock appeared.

It almost blurted out a common vulgar curse of the mortal world.

Qi Wuhuo calmly cupped his hands and replied, “Dao-brother.”

The Taiyi Daoist looked at him for a long time. He did not ask about the Great Dao Sovereign, only said in a gentle tone: “It seems you still have doubts? It is rare for us to meet—before the rain ends, whatever confusion you have, I can resolve one or two things for you. Though I cannot answer everything, I can at least help you understand a little.”

The youth fell silent for a long time. The confusion in his heart seemed to have been seen through at a glance by the Daoist before him. After a long silence, he only said:

“Why?”

Why was there the calamity of Jinzhou?

Why was there the disaster in the Central Plains?

Why did saving people at the beginning ultimately lead to such an end?

Why?!

The Taiyi Daoist said calmly, “Because the Heavenly Court is not in harmony.”

!!!

That white cat’s fur instantly bristled, a faint numbness creeping over its scalp, yet the Taiyi Daoist’s tone remained indifferent: “It is a very simple matter. Even the mortal world is filled with contradictions and conflicts—why would you think that the Heavenly Court, which governs the Six Realms, would be a place of pure peace and ease?”

The young Daoist was silent for a long while, then answered: “Perhaps because they are all cultivators?”

Taiyi smiled and asked: “Those who become officials in the mortal world are also scholars.”

“Many of them come from humble origins.”

“Are they all of one mind?”

“Humans are of the same race, yet cannot be united from top to bottom—how much less so for immortals and gods? Some are humans who cultivated to immortality, some are innate beings born of essence and qi, and some are things of the myriad world that walk the righteous path and become demon immortals. When such beings gather together, how could they possibly be of one mind?”

“Humans pursue desire—but the conflicts among immortals and gods are even greater than you imagine…”

“For example, the matter you witnessed today—the affairs of the Central Plains.”

“Some immortals believe that all things follow nature, and conflict is part of it— the strong devour the weak, and the weak should die; there is no need to interfere. Some believe the Heavenly Court should uphold justice and must not allow the strong to bully the weak, but should fulfill its duty. Others think: if all things under heaven perish, what does it have to do with me? Or rather—anything that obstructs my Dao path, all can be slain.”

“A group like this—beings of different origins, different experiences, with great cultivation and firm Dao hearts—”

“What do you think will happen?”

The young Daoist replied, “They will fight and kill one another.”

The Taiyi Daoist said, “So it is. This is the first stage of this world.”

“The Three Realms were in chaos, life and death uncertain. Great beings, in pursuit of the Dao, acted as they pleased, altering the order of Heaven and Earth. All living beings were merely pieces upon the board. At that time, these great beings sought their own Dao, to prove their own Dao—freely twisting the rules, or creating worlds where the strong devour the weak, or creating outcomes where all beings know no suffering. Some pursued absolute equality, others sought to eradicate desire entirely.”

“All of them had their reasoning.”

“They acknowledged such worlds.”

“But when it comes to tearing down and rebuilding—there will inevitably be slaughter.”

He raised his hand, and a teacup manifested within it, catching the falling rain from the heavens. The sound of rain pattered softly, reflecting light from the sky and clouds.

When the young Daoist looked into the cup, he saw within it flourishing mountains and rivers. Faintly, there were people, dragons, and all living beings.

The Taiyi Daoist said: “Take this as an example—it can be like this.”

“And it can also be like this.”

He turned the teacup over, yet still set it down flat.

The teacup was still a teacup.

But the water within it spilled onto the ground, and along with it, everything within that illusion collapsed and scattered into nothingness.

“This too is a kind of order.”

“If you overturn a table filled with things, then the table is still a table—this is also a form of order. But everything upon it is thrown into chaos. In those times, disasters like those in the Central Plains were not rare. To the gods of that era, the death of living beings was nothing more than reshaping their souls afterward.”

“Haotian suppressed all of this.”

“Afterward, Haotian fell from the Dao, passed through tribulations, and returned—becoming the Jade Emperor.”

“And all that happened back then was because these cultivators—those with great vows and great power—held no reverence for order. Or rather, being bound by the Heavenly Court was never their wish. Walking the path of cultivation, who does not wish for all things to follow their own will? Who does not wish to witness the highest scenery?”

“Thus, in disputes over the Dao path, they would slaughter one another completely, overturning order from top to bottom, until all things fell into mutual killing—drinking blood and devouring flesh.”

“The Northern Pole Exorcism Court exists to maintain order.”

“They do not shelter anyone. They do not protect living beings.”

“Because they understand—if the immovability and authority of order are broken—”

“Then what happened back then will repeat itself.”

The young Daoist said, “Within the Heavenly Court… there are disagreements?”

The white cat’s entire body had already gone rigid.

A trace of fear flickered in its eyes.

And the Taiyi Jiuku Heavenly Venerable replied, as if it were only natural:

“Of course. But it is not out of selfish desire. They all possess great vows; each envisions the world they wish to see, and naturally believes their own path is the best direction. Yet these great vows are not necessarily the same. When the Dao differs, the scenery one beholds is likewise entirely different.”

“And as for the Three Pure Ones, the Great Heavenly Venerables—they will not descend into the world to take part in such matters.”

“All sentient beings with emotions long for life. But is death not also one aspect of the order of all things? Birth, aging, illness, and death—these many fears—do they not also exist within this world? The compassion of the Heavenly Venerables lies in treating all equally; while the lineage of the Northern Emperor exists to restrain the Dao of the myriad gods and Buddhas, turning themselves into a blade devoid of emotion and sentiment.”

The Taiyi Daoist then asked: “In other words, why do you think the Supreme Emperor is accompanied by the Four Imperials at all?”

“Are the Four Imperials truly of one mind?”

“Do the futures and the order they perceive… align with one another?”

“And further—when the Heavenly Court first arose in the most ancient era—”

“Do you think the Four Imperials exist to assist the Heavenly Emperor, or to check and balance him?”

“And how many truly stand on the side of the Heavenly Emperor?”

“When the Daos of the myriad immortals and gods gather together, it is in itself an extremely dangerous existence. With the Three Pure Ones not intervening, only that one whose status and realm surpass even the Four Imperials can suppress these many Daos and directions.”

“But as for the Jade Emperor—He…”

“Damn it!!! Heavenly Venerable!!!”

“Heavenly Venerable!!!”

“Waaahhhh!!!”

That white cat had already puffed up all its fur, terror filling its heart. It suddenly spoke in human words, shouting aloud—even blurting out the speech of the demon race it had picked up while drinking with some great yellow ox. Seeing that the Taiyi Daoist had indeed been interrupted, his gaze falling upon it, the white cat trembled and stammered: “T-this level of matters… concerning Heavenly Venerables… it’s better not to speak carelessly.”

The Taiyi Daoist said gently: “I had not intended to say more anyway. What has been said today is already enough.”

“The Heavenly Court is not as dull as you imagine. It may still be powerful—perhaps even more vast and severe than you think.”

“But it is not such a simple place.”

“Little Dao friend—if fate allows, we shall meet again.”

He gathered up that white cat whose fur had bristled in shock, then rose and looked at the young Daoist, asking: “One final question.”

“Is what I have told you today the full picture of the Six Realms?”

“Little friend, why don’t you guess?”

As his words fell, the Taiyi Daoist turned and left. After just a few steps, he had already vanished from sight. In the blink of an eye, he appeared above the Nine Heavens. The white cat transformed into a nine-headed lion, all its heads shaking, each face filled with shock. It raised its heads and asked the Daoist on its back: “T-this, Heavenly Venerable, you told him all this—this, this…”

“It doesn’t matter. Look at him.”

“His whole body is steeped in tribulation qi. Even if I did not speak, he would investigate. This matter has already drawn out so many threads.”

“Telling him in advance will at least give him some preparation, so he will not fall in certain matters.”

“Besides, I have also given him a direction.”

“A direction?”

The nine-headed lion shook its heads and said: “Heavenly Venerable, you mean that final question?”

“Yes.”

Taiyi Jiuku Heavenly Venerable said calmly: “This question never had an answer to begin with. Just like the cup from before—some see the cup, some see the tea, some see its worth, some see that it is originally nothing more than clay, and some see that it was empty from the start.”

“In all things, there has never been a single fixed answer.”

“What matters has never been the answers themselves, but rather—along the path of seeking those answers—the people one encounters, the things one experiences.”

“The setbacks one endures, the world one comes to see, and the self that is ultimately forged.”

“He has already entered the tribulation. Though he is a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, he must undergo the greatest tempering. Even if he dies upon the Dao path, he must not be supported.”

“Though he is like uncut jade, if not carved, he cannot become a great vessel.”

“But I have walked the road he now treads. Speaking a few words may let him gradually find his own way out—it is not excessive.”

The nine-headed lion was silent for a long time, then asked: “Is he a disciple of the Shangqing lineage?”

Taiyi Jiuku Heavenly Venerable replied: “Not certain. Judging from his aura, he carries the bearing of Taishang; yet the way he acts within tribulation has the style of Yuqing. And yet, the great divine abilities he wields are of the Shangqing lineage. But no matter who he belongs to, all are fellow travelers upon the Dao path—this is only natural.”

“After parting today, I only hope that in the years to come, we may meet again.”

“I hope he does not perish within the tribulation.”

The dragon prince sought to live.

Many Earth Deities believed that, according to the style of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court, he would certainly be executed. Yet this time, the Northern Pole Exorcism Court had unexpectedly shown leniency. But this so-called leniency made the other Earth Deities’ very bones ache faintly, as if a chilling, oppressive cold surged toward them, leaving them almost unable to breathe—

“Strip him of his divine office! Seal him into the earth veins, to bear the duty of circulating the residual baleful qi of the Central Plains’ ley lines.”

“Every three days, he shall suffer fivefold thunder strikes! Every seven days, the torment of ten thousand swords piercing the heart!”

“After enduring punishment for eight hundred years, he may enter the Northern Pole Exorcism Court as a vanguard war general—slaying demons and exterminating evil, until this body of his perishes amidst slaughter. When that time comes, even if he dies under the calamity of blades, there shall be no chance of reincarnation—nor shall he beg for mercy!”

Some Earth Deities turned deathly pale.

“Five thunders striking the crown… ten thousand swords piercing the heart…”

“After eight hundred years of this, he still has to be thrown in as cannon fodder to fight those mad demons alongside the Northern Pole Exorcism Court?”

This would be worse than simply dying and entering reincarnation.

The cycle of rebirth is bitter, but it would not be this utterly merciless!

Yet they could say nothing. Within the [Shangqing Bone Marrow Numinous Text: Laws of Ghosts and Gods] there were statutes—

Whenever city gods, community officials, dragon gods, or tree spirits act with favoritism, neglect their duties, delay in reporting, or endanger the Six Realms, all shall be punished according to the law. For lesser offenses—beating, penal servitude, or exile; for severe ones—destruction of form and execution. The killing intent was terrifyingly severe.

But when those from the Northern Pole Exorcism Court departed, at last one Earth Deity could not hold back and muttered angrily: “They’re nothing more than bullies who rely on power—preying on the weak and fearing the strong!”

“Relying on being directly under the Northern Emperor to humiliate us!”

“You—keep your voice down!”

The others hurriedly restrained him. Though the voice was not loud, with the methods of that group of killing stars from the Northern Pole Exorcism Court, even a mere thought might not escape their notice. Yet they discovered that the war generals of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court remained indifferent, their expressions calm—they could not even be bothered to respond.

They had already left.

Within the Heavenly Court, the mobilization of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court had already caused a great stir. Among the Eleven Luminary Star Lords, four of the Hidden Luminaries had been directly captured and executed. Across all departments of Heaven, everyone felt endangered.

Whenever that group of killing stars moved, it inevitably meant rivers of blood.

The last time the Northern Pole Exorcism Court had been dispatched was several hundred years ago.

As for the Eleven Luminary Star Lords and the Twenty-Eight Constellations at the head of the Dipper Division, they bore the greatest pressure.

The Dipper Division and the Thunder Division both revered the Northern Emperor as their distant superior, and each division had its own leader. The only force directly under one of the Four Imperials—the Northern Emperor—was the Northern Pole Exorcism Court.

Among the current Eleven Luminaries, the foremost held an extraordinary status—he was the [Solar Emperor of the Sun Palace, Great Elixir Blazing Radiance, Luminous Brightness], and concurrently held the office of [Eastern Radiance Lesser Yang Emperor].

His rank was exceedingly high. Upon hearing of this matter, he sighed:

“The Northern Pole Exorcism Court has acted too harshly.”

“The Four Hidden Luminary Star Lords—even if they were to be dealt with, I should have been informed… and they even went so far as to execute the Earth Deities below.”

“Even in maintaining order, it should not be so cold and devoid of feeling.”

“How can there not even be the slightest room for leniency? This is a mistake!”

Under the command of the Great Sun Emperor were tens of thousands of divine officials, all cultivating the Dao of Yuyi Pursuing the Sun. [TL_Note: Yuyi – A high-level Daoist concept associated with the refined, condensed radiance of the sun. It represents a form of exalted solar essence or manifestation, often tied to celestial authority and solar-aligned cultivation paths.]

The sun is the Grotto Yang Sun Palace, yet it is not a place of blazing heat. Within this Great Sun Divine Palace, forests of pale azure and emerald jade arise naturally. The heavenly officials under its command gather and consume flowers and fruits, their bodies radiating golden light. From the essence-qi of the Great Sun are born Golden Crows, and these Golden Crows gather in flocks, dwelling within the solar forest.

The Solar Emperor is precisely, at present, directly affiliated with the Dipper Division, overseeing above the Twenty-Eight Constellation Star Lords and the Heavenly Bureaus, and in charge of the offices that record fate, fortune, and longevity. The Three Yuan Ten Thousand Spirits Heavenly Officials often all assemble at the Sun Palace to inspect and verify the registers of human merit and sin. From his soul, he exhales the qi of ninefold radiance, illuminating the myriad nations. The Sun is named Yuyi, and when he travels, there are always hundreds of Immortals and celestial officials accompanying him. Exotic beasts draw his divine chariot—once driven by the ancient deity Xihe.

As immortal officials attended upon the Emperor at both sides—

Suddenly, noisy commotion arose from outside. The clamor swelled at once. A celestial official stepped forward and shouted: “Who goes there?!”

“Do you know what place this is?!”

The doors were pushed open.

There was only deathly silence.

Outside the Great Sun traveling palace, beside the wondrous groves, a Star Official already lay fallen on the ground. A figure clad in armor slowly withdrew a blade from the Star Official’s body, wiping the blood upon his battle robe. Cold and indifferent. The other celestial officials had intended to rebuke them—but upon recognizing the identities of these masked deities, their expressions changed abruptly, turning deathly pale as they stepped back again and again.

A chilling, murderous aura spread.

One after another, divine generals stained with the aura of slaughter advanced step by step.

At their head, one hand resting upon his blade, holding a dossier, spoke:

“Great Sun Emperor, concurrently holding the office of the current Eastern Radiance Emperor, head of the present Dipper Division, governing above the Twenty-Eight Constellations and below the registers of the celestial host—”

“Among those under your command, the Four Hidden Luminaries have violated the order of Heaven and Earth.”

“They descended into the lower realm and brought calamity. The Northern Pole Exorcism Court has interrogated their primordial spirits and now knows of your crimes.”

“You have neglected your duty, schemed to disrupt the order of the Three Realms in order to establish the supremacy of the Great Sun; further, you manipulated and framed the Earth Deities of the mortal world to advance your own Dao—violating the Heavenly statutes and order in a total of three hundred and twenty-one counts…”

The former Taibai Star Lord held a sword. Behind him, the war generals showed no hesitation, their hands pressing upon their weapons.

Even knowing that if the Emperor before them resisted, there would certainly be casualties among them.

Even knowing that if they fell in battle, it would mean their souls would be utterly destroyed.

Yet—

Those of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court—even if only war generals, even if not yet at the level of Star Lords—

All drew their swords!

Killing intent surged.

The Northern Pole Exorcism Court inspects the ghosts and gods of the Three Realms—it only kills, it does not grant salvation!

Wherever there are grievances, hidden truths, or secret harms—so long as it reaches this level and involves disrupting the order of the Six Realms, it is deemed dereliction of duty.

Regardless of personal ties—all are executed.

After slaying those who have neglected their duties, the Northern Pole Exorcism Court will itself investigate the full truth. If there are those who deceived, manipulated, or secretly caused harm, they are listed as the chief culprits—

From the highest heavens to the deepest netherworld—

All shall be cut down and executed!!!

The so-called bottom line of order is established only through killing.

A forest of cold sword hums filled the air. The war generals of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court raised their eyes, tapped their swords, their killing intent chilling to the bone, as they spoke indifferently:

“Eastern Radiance Great Emperor.”

“Please.”