Chapter 371
by fanqienovelChapter 371: I, Will Not Be Cattle nor Horse
Swish!
Even as he spoke, under Daoist Qing Xuan’s control, the Great Dao of Creation formation map was already upon them. A spark of sword light pierced out from the formation map. Like a single spark, it transformed in an instant into a sky-filling radiance of swords, containing countless paths of the heavens, profound and unparalleled.
Klang!
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed forward! Li Ruoyu appeared before Mad Daoist, extending two fingers lightly and gracefully.
Snap!
With a pinch of those two fingers, he precisely clamped the sword tip. As the power of the Great Dao crashed against his form, Li Ruoyu remained steadfast and unmoving, like a towering Divine Mountain.
He was telling Mad Daoist through action—the two could ally.
"Haha haha…" Mad Daoist was overjoyed. "Truly worthy of my fine junior nephew."
He seemed to have forgotten his earlier scorn for Li Ruoyu within Nuwa Temple.
Li Ruoyu couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him.
The alien universe passage had opened. He naturally wished to witness it firsthand. Allying with Mad Daoist meant an extra layer of security.
Both men were egoists.
In their minds, what eternal friends or enemies existed in this world?
Only benefit was eternal.
"Who are you?" Daoist Qing Xuan, commanding from the center of the Great Dao of Creation formation map, felt a chill seeing Li Ruoyu. The four top experts of the Primordial Daoist Sect also wore grave expressions.
That Li Ruoyu could block a sword strike so effortlessly meant his strength was transcendent.
"He is the Heavenly Emperor," Zun’s voice came through. "More precisely, the Heavenly Emperor of the Ancient Heavenly Court."
Daoist Qing Xuan’s gaze turned icy. He cared not who it was. He absolutely could not let Li Ruoyu and Mad Daoist enter the Qing Xuan plane, or he would become the plane’s gravest sinner.
"Daoist friend, I offer you a trade," Li Ruoyu said lightly. "You invade this plane; I will turn a blind eye and not pursue you. You, in turn, do not meddle or obstruct me from entering your universe."
"How arrogant," Daoist Qing Xuan snorted coldly.
Boom!
Without wasting more words, since verbal negotiation failed, fists would have to speak. Li Ruoyu took one step forward. With the explosive force of the Heavenly Emperor’s World-Suppressing Fist, his fist shattered the power of the Great Dao and struck straight into the heart of the formation map.
Bang!
The entire scroll of the formation map was sent flying by Li Ruoyu’s punch. Dozens of First Primordial Spirit proof and Second Primordial Spirit proof masters coughed blood, their injuries worsening.
Daoist Qing Xuan and the four Three Yuan Proof experts remained unscathed.
Yet, profound shock filled the eyes of all five.
"How… how could such a terrifying master possibly arise? This universe, from the creation of the heavens until now, spans mere tens of millions of years!" Daoist Qing Xuan was reeling with astonishment.
The Heavenly Emperor’s strength undoubtedly surpassed his own.
Even if they utilized the Great Dao of Creation formation map to fight, the result would likely be mutual destruction.
After all, Daoist Qing Xuan had led his followers in breaching the heavenly punishment of two universes consecutively. His strength was no longer at its peak. How could he possibly rival a Heavenly Emperor in full vigor?
“Deal.” Daoist Qing Xuan made the decision without hesitation.
“Sect Master!”
The rest of the group wore expressions of shock, clearly not expecting Daoist Qing Xuan to cease hostility and seek peace.
“Daoist brother, this is a wise choice.” The venerable one transmitted his voice, “The Heavenly Emperor’s strength undoubtedly surpasses all throughout history, save for the transcendent ones. There’s no need to waste time contending with him.”
“Finding Pangu’s Daoist Temple as soon as possible is what we should be doing.”
Daoist Qing Xuan nodded.
Pangu’s Daoist Temple was precisely their objective in invading this universe.
As a naturally born top-tier Chaotic Demon God, he had accumulated immense merit through the creation of the heavens. Yet afterward, he vanished completely, leaving behind only a Pangu’s Daoist Temple.
However, the whereabouts of Pangu’s Daoist Temple remained unknown to all.
Only fragments of information existed within the Secret Realm Ranking issued by the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
“Fellow Daoists, the powerful beings of the Qing Xuan plane far exceed just us few.” Daoist Qing Xuan looked toward Li Ruoyu. “There are quite a few colossal entities like the Primordial Daoist Sect.”
“Our plane boasts a legacy spanning hundreds of trillions of years.”
“It matters not.”
Li Ruoyu stated indifferently, “We have no intention of ravaging the Qing Xuan plane. We merely wish to observe the differences between other universes and our own.”
Daoist Qing Xuan smiled meaningfully. “Your nobility and integrity, fellow Daoist, does not necessarily reflect others’.”
Mad Daoist remained composed and silent.
“Farewell.”
Li Ruoyu turned and walked toward the alien universe passage.
Mad Daoist departed alongside him.
“This man is truly unfathomable.” Daoist Qing Xuan’s expression revealed deep apprehension.
He lifted his head to gaze at the firmament, divine patterns swirling within his eyes as the Xuantian Great Luo Dao Array also materialized in his vision.
“This universe is not as simple as I presumed.”
Daoist Qing Xuan cautioned the members of the Primordial Daoist Sect, “Proceed with caution.”
“Sect Master, in my opinion, it might be best for them to return first. The five of us should suffice.” A powerhouse, an Immortal Emperor with the Three Yuan Proof, suggested.
“Agreed.”
Daoist Qing Xuan voiced no objection.
The semi-Immortal Emperors and Immortal Venerables of the Primordial Daoist Sect vanished into the alien universe passage.
On the other side, traversing the alien universe passage, Li Ruoyu and Mad Daoist appeared above the Primordial Daoist Sect. The sect stood grand and majestic, akin to an immortal court. Floating above were numerous suspended celestial mountains and magnificent Immortal Cities.
Within its mountain gates, immortal light surged upward, intertwined with countless threads of auspicious energy.
“Uncle Master, you’ve also visited the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, right?” Li Ruoyu asked.
“Indeed.”
The Mad Daoist did not conceal it.
"How much has the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion quoted you?" Li Ruoyu inquired again.
"One hundred trillion Star Yuan," the Mad Daoist replied lightly.
"More expensive than my price," Li Ruoyu chuckled.
"Ah…" The Mad Daoist sighed. "If not for this, why would I roam everywhere, gathering treasures?"
"You’re not afraid the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion deceives you?"
Li Ruoyu’s voice turned icy. "The method of transcendence has value but remains elusive."
"For the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the treasures we gather are mere scrap in his eyes. Why would he collect such things only to sell us the method of transcendence?"
Li Ruoyu’s words carried profound meaning.
"Uncle Master, do not fall for this trap."
The Mad Daoist’s eyes flickered faintly.
Li Ruoyu’s argument was not without reason.
Truthfully, he had pondered this himself.
But how could he fathom Ye Xu’s intentions?
"Nephew, you ascended to the emperor’s throne, exhausting your entire lifetime without achieving transcendence," the Mad Daoist declared solemnly. "I am no different from you."
"From the Witch Ancestor’s true form to this day, I have undergone over ten thousand reincarnations. I’ve nearly mastered all techniques, supernatural powers, and grand Daos across all realms."
"Yet I remain unable to transcend."
"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion represents my sole hope."
The Mad Daoist’s resolution was unyielding.
Seeing this, Li Ruoyu spoke no further.
The matter concerning the creation of the Tianyuan was best known by few. He shared no bond of friendship with the Mad Daoist and would not disclose it to him.
"This universe is far richer than our shabby place," the Mad Daoist’s eyes gleamed greedily. "This Primordial Daoist Sect alone likely rivals a single Purple Star Heavenly Court."
Li Ruoyu chuckled dryly.
The Mad Daoist’s scheme was as clear as day to everyone.
"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion wields impressive methods." Li Ruoyu shook his head. "A mere sentence from him can compel a peak Immortal Emperor to willingly serve as his beast of burden."
"But I shall not play beast."
His figure gradually faded into the void.
"Coming for you soon, my treasures."
The Mad Daoist grinned, his expression utterly creepy.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
He shuddered, and eight avatars emerged from his body, heading in all directions of the Primordial Daoist Sect.
"Enemy invasion!"
Instantaneously, arrays at sacred grounds and vital locations throughout the sect flared to life. Dazzling supernatural powers and boundless Dao energies erupted everywhere within the Primordial Daoist Sect, a spectacular display.
"Disaster!"
The semi-Immortal Emperors and Grand Immortal Venerables who had returned to the sect paled drastically.
"Those two wretches are plundering our sect!" cried one semi-Immortal Emperor, both enraged and terrified.
"Protect the Primordial Dao Realm!"
Boom!
Before his voice faded, bursts of immortal light exploded from the sect’s deepest core, manifesting into awe-inspiring arrays.
However, within mere moments, those arrays shattered.
"The Primordial Dao Realm has fallen!"
Everyone’s expressions darkened to the extreme.
Over his ten-thousand-plus lifecycles, the Mad Daoist cultivated countless techniques, rendering him nearly omniscient. In breaching arrays, he ranked among the supreme masters.
The Primordial Daoist Sect’s arrays were profoundly complex, even harnessing power rivaling Daoist Qing Xuan’s level.
But the Mad Daoist’s mind proved more agile.
Supernatural powers are no match for wisdom!
Chaos erupted instantly throughout the Primordial Daoist Sect. Countless cultivators clamored to capture the thieves. A top-tier power now spiraled into utter disarray, entirely toyed with by the Mad Daoist alone.