Chapter 416

Chapter 416: Supreme Indifference, Triple Proofs of Transcendence

Yi Tianxing and Qi Qingsi returned to the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Elder," Qi Qingsi said lightly upon seeing Ye Xu.

"Scenes unchanged, hearts altered…" Ye Xu sighed softly, his gaze lingering on Qi Qingsi. Once, her cold demeanor toward him still held a flicker of reverence in her eyes.

Now, Qi Qingsi was utterly indifferent and desireless.

She resembled a precisely running machine.

Supreme Indifference proves even more terrifying and eerie than Great Oblivion, Ye Xu thought silently.

Nangong Zhandao’s Great Oblivion found solace in the world itself, yet Qi Qingsi’s Supreme Indifference severed emotion, nature, and desire. Should she bear the Heavenly Dao’s will, she would become pure detachment—utterly impartial, observing the mortal world with icy eyes.

"You still harbor unfinished wishes. Time remains for you to revisit the Tianxin Sect and fulfill those dreams," Yi Tianxing told Qi Qingsi, his gaze complex and heavy with conflicting emotions.

Sacrificing Qi Qingsi for all life was righteous before the multitude but wronged her deeply.

Perhaps Qi Qingsi herself no longer cared.

But Yi Tianxing did.

Toward her, he felt only guilt.

"I hold no lingering wishes," Qi Qingsi replied with utter detachment.

To her, cultivated in the Great Indifference Path, past grudges felt negligible. Nothing could stir her spirit.

Not even those she’d sworn to kill—the Tianxin Sect’s Supreme Elders—could evoke the faintest ripple in her mind.

That was the true horror.

How does a cultivator devoid of emotion differ from the Heavenly Dao itself?

Thus, at their first meeting, Yi Tianxing had known: Qi Qingsi was the flawless vessel for the Heavenly Dao’s will. Unreplaceable.

Ye Xu contemplated.

He debated summoning Ye Xian’er to bid Qi Qingsi farewell.

But he reconsidered, dismissing the thought.

Were they to meet, Qi Qingsi would remain unmoved while Ye Xian’er would grieve.

Understand this: even deep-seated hatred could no longer touch Qi Qingsi’s heart.

One Ye Xian’er surely wouldn’t succeed.

And even if she could affect Qi Qingsi, it would do harm.

To merge her Self with the Heavenly Dao, she required absolute flawlessness.

"So be it," Yi Tianxing spoke solemnly. "Remain here at the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion until the battle against the Heavens commences. That is when you shall bear the Heavenly Dao’s will."

"Yes," Qi Qingsi answered.

From beginning to end, she displayed no emotion apart from indifference.

Ye Xu flicked his broad sleeve, sending Qi Qingsi into a separate Time and Space.

"She is also a pitiful soul," Ye Xu sighed.

Ye Xu understood Qi Qingsi’s experiences completely and clearly.

In the past, she was betrayed by the Tianxin Sect. She cultivated the incomplete manual of ‘Supreme Forgetfulness,’ and yet was unexpectedly forced onto the path of ‘Supreme Indifference.’

Now, she had fallen to being a mere pawn, transformed into a vessel to bear the Great Dao.

Qi Qingsi’s entire life was a tragedy.

However, the most tragic aspect was that the present Qi Qingsi could no longer feel any emotions.

She possessed neither sorrow, joy, anger,

Nor melancholy, bitterness, or depression.

She was a machine.

"Master," Yi Tianxing said solemnly, "I have just seen the Heavenly Emperor. Besides the Old madman, another Immortal Emperor expert was concealed at his side."

"In my opinion, he must have an ulterior motive for this battle against the Heavens."

Yi Tianxing knew the Heavenly Emperor too well.

Destroying the Great Dao was absolutely not his ultimate goal.

"That person’s aura is extremely strange," Yi Tianxing frowned.

Immortal Emperor Taisu had concealed his aura, so Yi Tianxing could not accurately discern his identity.

"Everything he wants to do, the final purpose behind it all, is nothing more than transcendence," Ye Xu stated indifferently, offering a slight smile. "Destroying the Great Dao cannot grant him transcendence."

"And as for that Immortal Emperor, why should you bother about him?"

These words were spoken, yet it was like saying nothing at all.

Yi Tianxing nodded. After a moment’s thought, he asked, "Master, regarding the method of transcendence, aside from Transcendence through Merit, are there other Transcendental methods?"

"…"

Ye Xu was left speechless. He hadn’t researched it, how could he know so much?

"Since you already hold the hope of transcendence, stick earnestly to the path of Transcendence through Merit. Stop dwelling on fanciful notions all day long," Ye Xu declared with utmost seriousness.

Yi Tianxing looked awkward. "I am enlightened."

…

Purple Star Heavenly Court.

"Your Majesty," Qin Yu entered the Zǐwēi Divine Palace, expression grim, and reported, "Half a day prior, Yuanzu, the Ancient God of Origin, Si Ming, the Heavenly Emperor, and others entered Heaven’s Secret Pavilion together. They have just departed."

Shua!

The Moon Goddess’s face turned pale, her silver teeth clenched. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing this still ignited furious rage within her, causing her body to shake violently.

"These scoundrels truly intend to rebel!"

The Heavenly Emperor closed the ancient tome he was holding and said calmly, "How many were there?"

"Eleven Immortal Emperors."

Qin Yu said, "The leaders of the five top powers on the Qing Xuan plane—the Heavenly Emperor, the Witch Ancestor, Yuanzu, the Origins, and Si Ming—along with one woman of unfathomable strength."

"They truly think highly of Us."

The Heavenly Son stated indifferently, "That coalition’s force could likely sweep across two entire universes."

"Your Majesty, this subject suggests immediately activating the Great Formation of the Way. Summon all forces back to the Celestial Court and enter a defensive stance." Qin Yu proposed.

"Approved."

The Heavenly Son smiled coldly.

"We shall witness what confidence drives them to oppose the Great Dao."

Qin Yu felt deeply troubled.

"Your Majesty, you absolutely must not lower your guard." Qin Yu cautioned, "They emerged from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. They must have obtained what they sought from its master."

"Otherwise, they would never dare confront the Celestial Court so boldly and openly."

He gazed at the Heavenly Son, his heart heavy.

Since departing Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the Heavenly Son had been reclaimed by the Great Dao, shedding his last shred of humanity.

"We are aware."

The Heavenly Son replied icily, "Dismissed. Make the preparations."

"As you command."

Qin Yu swiftly departed.

"Hmph!" The Heavenly Son snorted derisively, "To dare scheme the destruction of the Great Dao—you are the first in all of history to harbor such a reckless ambition."

"When the time comes, We will make you comprehend the sheer might of the Great Dao."

…

Within the Everlasting City of Desolation.

"They have emerged."

Inside the Hall of Everlasting Life, an Immortal Venerable who had attained the proof of the First Primordial Spirit reported, "Just a quarter-hour ago."

"It seems they have secured their objective." Clad in a simple long gown, Lin Qianmo radiated an ethereal grace. "If so, the battle against the Heavens approaches."

"Cultivators defy the heavens merely by their path, yet to truly take arms against the Great Dao…" Xuanxin, his face alight with anticipation, mused, "…this old man has never witnessed such audacity in all his years."

"Once there was,"

Lin Qianmo remarked with a faint smile. "And not a group, but a single individual."

"Once?"

The Reincarnation Ancient God’s eyes flickered with interest.

"A peerless genius from my era." Lin Qianmo recalled. "He yearned only for the Dao, much like the Mad Daoist in temperament, yet he retained his own principles and boundaries."

"He shattered the rules of the heavenly path, achieving transcendental ascension."

"So monstrously powerful?"

Xuanxin murmured in shock.

"He had transcended three times."

Lin Qianmo laughed and said, "One was through Transcendence through Merit, the second was by severing the three bodies, and the third was by attaining the Dao through brute strength. All three times succeeded."

"…"

Xuanxin was so startled that he couldn’t speak.

Was there really such a monstrous person in the world?

"Who is that person?"

Reincarnation Ancient God asked solemnly.

"Ninth Young Master," Lin Qianmo replied with reverence. This legend had become an eternal tale in the Hongmeng Dao Realm.

"How could one person achieve three transcendences?"

Reincarnation Ancient God was puzzled and utterly bewildered.

"Of course it’s possible."

Suddenly, a voice rang out, accompanied by the bellowing of an ox. The blue ox, bearing Xuan Du Ancient Immortal, descended from the sky, biting a vibrant peony, and strode into the hall proudly with its head held high.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal chuckled and said, "Upon achieving transcendence, one can self-sever."

"By severing the world, one would fall from the transcendent realm."

"Of course, ordinary people wouldn’t, and dare not, do this."

"That’s why he’s the Ninth Young Master."

Lin Qianmo added.

"Daoist brother, did you come here today for the battle against the Heavens?" Reincarnation Ancient God deduced Xuan Du Ancient Immortal’s purpose and inquired.

"Hmm."

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal nodded and replied, "Once the battle against the Heavens erupts, the Heavenly Dao will teeter. It’s likely to involve shifts in fate, perhaps enabling us to locate the orthodoxy’s whereabouts in one fell swoop."

He had come for the Ninth Young Master’s orthodoxy.

Fragments of the Heavenly Dao?

Endless resources?

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal truly disdained them.

Lin Qianmo and Reincarnation Ancient God exchanged a glance.

Xuan Du Ancient Immortal had an astounding origin and was godlike in his command of fate. Since he made such a claim, he must have predicted some alteration.

"Yet, this battle might very well produce a transcendent," Xuan Du Ancient Immortal noted with a grin.

"Human ancestor?"

The group chorused as one.

They all pictured the same individual.