Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 298 - 194: The Incident at Daoist Sect, Leaving the Immortal Land_2

Chapter 298: Chapter 194: The Incident at Daoist Sect, Leaving the Immortal Land_2

"Where to?"

"Hibernating, waiting for him to become an Immortal, he is currently the closest to achieving Immortality, and he can inherit Qingcang Master’s lifelong wishes."

"What about the female-bodied Chan Xi?"

"Let nature take its course."

Xiao Yunyi subdued his hostility, yet his brow was furrowed, as if the gloomy rain outside weighed on his heart.

"Has it really come to this? The Three Religions of our Human Race have not all entered the fray."

The Sanqing Taoist Sect seemed prepared for mutual destruction, but the Three Religions of the Human Race had yet to fully enter the fray.

"Below the Immortals, all are ants; even if the Three Religions join forces, they won’t defeat the Twelve Demon Ancestors." As one of the Heavenly People, Chan Xi spoke ruthlessly, "The Three Pure Mountain forged by Qingcang Master encapsulates all the essence of the Human Race."

"But at Broken Sword Mountain, there exists the Immortal Sword."

No sooner had Xiao Yunyi spoken than he fell silent.

Twelve Demon Ancestors - how many could the Immortal Sword stop?

The Human Race wasn’t lacking in Immortals, but almost none were willing to fight for the race. The same went for the Devil Ancestors - they would not sacrifice themselves for their so-called clans.

"The plan now is for Gu to leave, but will he truly run away?"

Chan Xi removed his Daoist robe and poured Spiritual Wine onto the clearly visible intestines in his stomach, circulating his Cultivation Technique to heal the wound.

Beside her, Chan Xi shook her head, "It won’t be possible. We must take him away before he fully matures. Currently, his Dao Foundation is perfect, he should not yet be our match."

"It’s hard to say, doesn’t he still have that Saint Daughter of the Sword Control Sect by his side? The Golden Light Spell is not easy to deal with."

As they spoke, their gaze turned meaningfully towards Xiao Yunyi.

Xiao Yunyi stepped back half a step and turned to leave the room, leaving behind one statement.

"I will not be involved in this matter."

Exiting the wine shop, a drizzle brought a message from beyond the heavens - an Imperial Decree from Broken Sword Mountain.

"[In this time of crisis for the Human Race, where Immortals are absent and the Three Religions discordant, only those of the Red Dust can continue Qingcang’s will...]"

Broken Sword Mountain commanded him to assist the Heavenly People and the male-bodied person to take Gu Wen away, and Xiao Yunyi knew that this would definitely not be resolved peacefully.

Because the Heavenly Girl was undoubtedly abandoned.

Given Gu Wen’s nature, he would certainly not run away; thus, force was the only option.

But if he became an accomplice, that would be the end of their friendship.

Xiao Yunyi opened his oil-paper umbrella and stepped onto the muddy street, observing the disaster victims huddled under eaves, watching the rain wash away the filth on their bodies.

The dust of the times weighed heavily on him, almost suffocating him.

He was once considered the foremost of his generation, the most talented individual from Broken Sword Mountain in ten thousand years, so full of vigor.

But now, amid the overwhelming situation, he could only become one who betrays kith and kin.

-----------------

End of November.

Thirty years later, the Emperor attended court again, issuing thirty Imperial Decrees, appointing a new Great General, and summoning one hundred and fifty thousand frontier soldiers back to defend, ordering the troops from nine provinces, excluding Nanshui and Luo River, to rush to Bianjing.

Meanwhile, the Nanchun Army’s advance did not cease, consuming one city every three days along the Luo River.

In a forested mountain area, Gu Wen and his company did not march with the army; the deathly aura on Jun Yan’s body also made it impossible for them to approach densely populated areas.

Jun Yan divided another soul, his skin losing its color, his eyes gaining a cold indifference not like a human’s.

The soul light gathered on the wooden plaque now formed half of the character ’Jun.’

Gu Wen asked, "How is it?"

"..."

Jun Yan remained silent for a long time, his rigid flesh unable to form expressions, yet in a moment his muscles softened, and with a gentle smile, he said, "It’s fine, the situation is better than I imagined."

Pfft!

Before he finished speaking, Gu Wen’s Immortal Sword pierced through Jun Yan, a sinister glint flashed in his dark eyes, his voice altered:

"...if you continue to pierce like this, this lad will die."

"Return the control of the body to him first."

"I can’t, he has already completely lost his original self. Jun Yan is not like that person with the Heavenly Defect beside you; with his cultivation, he isn’t able to sustain a soul separation just to maintain consciousness with one separated soul."

Heavenly Corpse, wearing an evil smile, clenched his fist as if enjoying the sensation of the body.

"Don’t worry, I will replace him and help you, old man doesn’t mind owing you a few favors."

Gu Wen transmitted his thoughts to Chi Yu Zi, and the white-haired girl instantly transformed into a nine-meter golden man, who then forcefully pinned the Heavenly Corpse to the ground, causing the earth to collapse half a meter due to the uncontrollable force.

He gripped the Immortal Sword, pointing the tip downward, and thrust it down again.

Since it was not a battle of magic, and because Gu Wen had mastered the control of the residual form of the Immortal Sword, it could be used repeatedly without aggressive clashing.

This time, Gu Wen exerted his full strength, his sword piercing through Jun Yan’s abdomen, nailing him firmly to the ground. The Sword Intent of the Immortal Sword flowed into his body like clear water.

In an instant, demonic Qi billowed.

The Heavenly Corpse struggled desperately, his voice fierce, "If I die, he dies too!"

"I have the right to kill him based on my own judgment."

Gu Wen once again gathered the Immortal Sword, slightly raising his hand, his eyes filled with unyielding intent to kill.

He truly intended to kill Jun Yan.

So certain was the Heavenly Corpse, after a moment of intense gaze, the breath slowly faded away, and the completely dark right eye returned to normal, with a faint light of weakness flashing through.

The two exchanged glances, and Jun Yan stated, "I do not wish to die yet, perhaps there’s still a chance for me, but you can kill me now."

He did not believe that completely losing the initiative meant defeat, but as agreed from the beginning, Gu Wen could kill him at any moment, anywhere.

"I will, but not now."

Gu Wen sheathed the sword, and Chi Yu Zi also withdrew the golden man.

Losing control of the golden man, Jun Yan spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, followed by violent coughing, with more blood spraying onto the ground. The blood dripped onto the earth, quickly blackening the soil, spreading outward for a kilometer, rapidly withering the surrounding grass and trees.

Everyone stood by, showing a cold indifference, especially considering Jun Yan’s situation, entangled with ten thousand demons, merged with a half-immortal level Heavenly Corpse.

Under such circumstances, probably only they were bold enough to remain with Jun Yan.

"Second Ancestor, Little Ancestor, may I have a word with you?"

Ao Tang walked over from a distance, his expression serious, and took Yu Hua and Gu Wen alone to a spot a hundred meters away, where he had set up a barrier for private communication.

Gu Wen was somewhat puzzled; in the past, Ao Tang had never avoided discussing any important information received from the Daoist Sect.

"Daoist Sect has sent word that two incarnations of the Three Pure Daoist have arrived at Nanshui, and their target is you, Second Ancestor."

"They’re coming to cause trouble?"

Gu Wen was surprised, not expecting the other two incarnations from the Three Pure Daoist Sect to actually dare to confront him.

It wasn’t that he considered them weak, but as fellow sect members, they logically shouldn’t trouble him. Moreover, at such a critical time, adding chaos amounted to betraying the sect.

When two armies confront each other, how could they tolerate insubordination from one soldier?

"They aren’t here to trouble you but to take you away," Ao Tang said somewhat irritably, shaking his head and kicking the ground, "A spy has relayed information that the Twelve Demon Ancestors are awakening, and their likely target is you."

"The Daoist Sect is divided into two factions; Huayang believes we should prepare for the worst and wants to have you hidden away in the Immortal Land. Yun Miao, on the other hand, insists on sticking to the original plan and finding a way to revive Qingcang."

The situation was like surging waves, one wave after another.

Gu Wen’s expression darkened slightly, and he asked, "So, has the Daoist Sect decided to send me away?"

Ao Tang explained, "Opinions are divided, generally the stronger decide. If the Daoists come to fight, if you lose, you’ll have to go, Little Ancestor, and you mustn’t interfere."

This last sentence was addressed to Yu Hua because everything was illusory if she was unwilling.

But the crux of the matter was that this action was effectively abandoning Yu Hua, who alone would not be able to obtain the Immortality Pill. After Gu Wen’s disappearance, she would have to face the Lord Emperor and numerous ancestors of the Devil Clan.

Her remaining lifespan was uncertain, but the fact that she had stopped dozing off lately suggested that the situation was probably not good.

Because of the Life Span Tribulation, Yu Hua could no longer resort to methods to evade the reduction of lifespan.

All would be resolved once Qingcang Master was revived, otherwise, Yu Hua would die.

"Hmm."

Yu Hua nodded silently; she had anticipated this, knowing that the Daoist Sect had always been extremely harsh in preserving the Human Race.

Whether it was the former Gu Wen, herself now, or even the disciples and elders on the Three Pure Mountain, or even Huayang Shishu and themselves.

Everyone was merely firewood to prolong the survival of the Human Race.

"Now, Three Pure Mountain has started to depopulate some of the useless Spiritual Mountains, sending mortals down, and if necessary, Three Pure Mountain will fall toward Jianmu."

Ao Tang pulled out a jade token from his pocket, inscribed with the characters [Yuqing].

"This is the token of the Leader of the Yuqing Sect, the Yuqing Heavenly Venerate. From now on, you are the Yuqing Heavenly Venerate. When you achieve Immortality, re-establish Yuqing; the other two sects are already prepared with successors to continue the lineage."

"I’ve accepted the token, but I do not plan to follow the arrangements of the Daoist Sect."

Gu Wen took the jade token, not panicking because of the arrangements for affairs after his departure, and looked towards the Nine Heavens, seemingly ready to stand on the same stage as the other two Three Pure Venerables.

"The strong decide the way of Heaven, let the Three Pure Daoists fight me before we talk."