Chapter 327

Chapter 327: Creation of the Tianyuan

"Dao of heaven?"

Li Ruoyu looked slightly startled. "Could these be the rules of the heavenly path from the Hongmeng Dao Realm?"

The black-robed youth nodded.

"Even in the Hongmeng Dao Realm, the heavenly path imposes constraints. Daoist brother, should we vow by it, you’d remain bound by its rules even after achieving the transcendent realm.

This stands as the most binding contract beneath Huangtian."

Pang Taiyue frowned.

If one remained shackled after transcending, what purpose did transcendence serve?

Yet Li Ruoyu remained unbothered.

To him, the transcendent realm merely marked a new beginning—never an ending.

Was not cultivation itself a journey of conquering peak after peak until reaching the summit?

"What say you, Daoist brother?"

The black-robed youth awaited Li Ruoyu’s response.

"Agreed." Li Ruoyu smiled.

He channeled his magic power, sending a wisp of his Divine Sense into the Hongmeng Jade Mirror. Instantly, their Divine Senses intertwined as an unseen, mighty force forged their vow into an eternal covenant.

Li Ruoyu’s spirit trembled. Through that trace of aura, he profoundly sensed the overwhelming might of the Dao of heaven.

Beneath its presence, rebellious thoughts dared not arise.

"Daoist friend, our Hongmeng covenant is sealed. Now reveal to me the secret of transcendence." Li Ruoyu steadied his aura, speaking calmly once more.

"Beneath Huangtian lie infinite universes,"

the black-robed youth declared solemnly, eyes ablaze. "Ours is but a newborn cosmos, barely tens of millions of years old.

Heaven possesses a virtue of nurturing life.

Each Yuanhui, the Hongmeng Dao Realm bestows a grand fortune. Top cultivators from every universe may contend for this ethereal opportunity—to ascend and achieve transcendence into the Hongmeng Dao Realm."

One Yuanhui spanned 129.6 million years. Countless universes would perish long before enduring such an epoch.

Li Ruoyu’s eyes gleamed with sudden insight. Instantly grasping the youth’s implication, he pressed,

"Then… this grand fortune approaches?" A faint urgency tinged his breath.

"Precisely."

The black-robed youth confirmed. "This is the creation of the Tianyuan. All cultivators who’ve reached the end of the Great Dao may enter an entirely new world—one brimming with boundless fortunes. Comprehend these, and Ascension to Hongmeng Dao Realm becomes possible."

"Before her reincarnation, the Mother Goddess left words: Her return would herald the opening of the creation of the Tianyuan.

Now she has reappeared. Soon that moment must dawn."

Li Ruoyu harbored no doubt. Lin Qianmo’s first incarnation held immense stature; she’d not have fabricated this legacy.

This is another path to transcendence, Li Ruoyu reflected inwardly.

After eons of inquiry, he’d confirmed Nuwa’s transcendence stemmed from her virtuous deeds. Repairing the heavens and creating mankind had earned cosmic merit, thus granting her transcendence.

Li Ruoyu was also prepared to take this path.

Therefore, facing the collapsing Immortal Realm, he did not ally with the human ancestor, but intended to sit back and witness the Immortal Realm collapse and the grand structure topple. Only in this way could he accumulate great merit amidst the chaos and walk the old path of Nuwa.

But at this moment, another path appeared before him, which was clearly much easier compared to the path of Transcendence through Merit.

As long as one wasn’t a fool, everyone knew which path to take.

"Thank you for the inspiration, Daoist friend," Li Ruoyu said, cupping his hands.

The black-robed youth hastily returned the courtesy.

"Daoist brother, although I have not participated in the creation of the Tianyuan, based on what I know, the top powerhouses from various universes will vie for this single thread of hope. Once the creation of the Tianyuan begins, it will become a storm of bloodshed sweeping across the heavens."

Hahaha…

Li Ruoyu roared with laughter, unrestrainedly, "We who cultivate fight against heaven, fight against earth, and fight against men; since we have embarked on this path, there is no turning back."

"One general’s rise is built on thousands of bones!"

"I will not lose!"

This was the magnanimity of the Heavenly Emperor!

He had been invincible in the world for tens of millions of years; even the Tianzi, Li Ruoyu had never viewed him as worthy.

Just a heretical cultist!

If it weren’t for him scheming to borrow the Tianzi’s hand to stir up the world, how could the Tianzi have succeeded?

However, this was the deepest secret buried within Li Ruoyu’s heart.

Not worth speaking of to outsiders.

Pang Taiyue wore an expression of reverence.

This was the peerless lord of the world he remembered.

"Truly the Heavenly Emperor."

The black-robed youth marveled softly, "Such magnanimity already surpasses countless people in the world."

"At that time, I hope all of us can Ascension to Hongmeng Dao Realm together," Li Ruoyu laughed heartily.

"I hope so as well."

The black-robed youth also felt a bit of longing.

A great opportunity that opens once every Yuanhui is definitely a grand event.

Heroes gather, who can rival their might?

"Daoist friend, what I needed to know, I have learned, and thus I will not stay longer," Li Ruoyu bid farewell.

He turned around and added, "As for the person in the painting, as long as I am present for a day, she will have peace for a day."

"Farewell, Daoist brother."

The black-robed youth cupped his hands in farewell.

Li Ruoyu stopped with the pleasantries, took Pang Taiyue with him, and left the Undying Divine Clans.

The black-robed youth’s smile gradually faded.

No one knew how much pressure he had just endured.

"Clan Leader, why did you reveal so much to him?" Three elders approached from the back hall, their auras vast and formidable, each possessing strength surpassing that of the Formless Demon Lord.

Crafted personally by transcendents, the Undying Divine Clans possessed profound depths of heritage.

The trio gazed at the black-robed youth with perplexed expressions.

The black-robed youth stated, "Had I not spoken, the Undying Divine Clans would have faced extinction today."

Their faces paled, yet skepticism lingered in their eyes.

"Even as the Ancient Heavenly Emperor, he could never eradicate our clan so easily," one elder solemnly declared.

The Undying Divine Clans held contingencies left by the Mother Goddess, along with the Ancient Tree. With his cultivation, the black-robed youth could have led them away if necessary, even if unable to defeat the Heavenly Emperor.

"Hah…"

The black-robed youth glanced at them lightly. "You are too weak to perceive his might."

"The Heavenly Emperor’s accumulation is immense. Few in this era could rival his power beneath the transcendent realm."

"Now, we have reached an agreement."

"So long as he remains unascended, the Mother Goddess is absolutely secure within this cosmos."

"Clan Leader, shall we three retrieve the Mother Goddess?" inquired an elder.

The black-robed youth shook his head.

"The Mother Goddess shall return."

"Our hour to return to the Hongmeng Dao Realm draws near."

"Master, why show them such courtesy?" Pang Taiyue’s expression held doubt. Li Ruoyu had not only remained cordial but had also bound himself through a Primordial Hongmeng Agreement, imposing an unnecessary constraint.

"Gaining one more ally outweighs cultivating one more foe," Li Ruoyu remarked lightly. "Our enemies are numerous enough. There is no need to create another formidable adversary."

Of course, his restraint stemmed from certainty: the Undying Divine Clans held no method of transcendence. Annihilating them without obtaining such a method would bring greater loss than gain.

"Master, since hope for transcendence exists, must we truly stand idle regarding the affairs of the Immortal Realm?" Pang Taiyue’s gaze was troubled.

The human ancestor was a venerated predecessor. Pang Taiyue could not bear witnessing his demise.

"This is destiny," Li Ruoyu answered impassively. "An era of prolonged peace across all realms defies the natural order. All things cycle eternally—from life to death, death to life. Nothing escapes this."

"The Immortal Realm is fated to collapse. Chaos is fated to engulf the world."

"Our task is to preserve our strength."

"Otherwise, when the creation of the Tianyuan dawns, we shall lack the power needed to seize what we desire."

"This subordinate understands."

Pang Taiyue bowed his head.

"Taiyue, focus on your cultivation. I will aid you in comprehending the mysteries at the end of the Great Dao to ascend as an Immortal Venerable. Then, join me in claiming the creation of the Tianyuan."

A faint smile touched Li Ruoyu’s lips.

"Your guidance honors me." Though Pang Taiyue acknowledged, little joy stirred within him.

In that moment, Pang Taiyue understood clearly: his master was no longer the Heavenly Emperor who once set principles for the world, preserved the wisdom of sages, and forged peace for all ages.

Li Ruoyu had changed.

Consumed only by transcendence, he had cast all living beings beyond his care.

Pang Taiyue suddenly grasped why disappointment had flashed in the human ancestor’s eyes upon first seeing the freed Heavenly Emperor.

"So even then, the human ancestor foresaw the master’s transformation."

"Where does my path lie now?"

Profound confusion now clouded Pang Taiyue’s heart.