Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 299 - 195: Being Human Lies in the Word Sacrifice

Chapter 299: Chapter 195: Being Human Lies in the Word Sacrifice

Ao Tang was not surprised; on the contrary, it was exactly what he had expected.

Gu Wen couldn’t possibly leave. This kid was arrogantly confident from beginning to end and more steadfast in his Daoist heart than anyone.

Enduring in silence for five years, he soared to the heavens, reaching the pinnacle of the earthly rankings.

"I need to remind you that you might need to face two enemies at once, or at least you’ll be up against a war of attrition."

Yu Hua frowned slightly and said discontentedly, "The Daoist Sect planning for Gu Wen’s departure, I can understand. But Senior Brother Xi’s cultivation base is at the eighth or even possibly higher out of the seven levels of Daoist foundation. With an advantage in realm already, how can they outnumber and bully the few?"

Just the power Chan Xi had revealed was not something Gu Wen would be able to overcome by jumping three levels.

She hoped Gu Wen would leave, but she didn’t want him to leave in a sorry state.

"This issue was anticipated by Huayang long ago. He said that the Daoist Sect recognizes Gu Wen’s talent, but if he wants to be willful in times of crisis, he must demonstrate even higher aptitude."

Ao Tang was unusually serious today, unlike his usual joking demeanor, "Reviving Qingcang is fraught with difficulties; we have even lost the trace of the Immortality Pill. We haven’t informed the Daoist Sect about this, but Huayang and Yun Miao are not fools. They understand the situation better than you do."

When Yu Hua obtained part of the Immortality Pill in front of everyone, everything had already spiraled out of control, and the entire Cultivation World fell into a strange silence.

A cloud of suspicion named ’doubt’ loomed over everyone.

Why hadn’t Qingcang revived? Was it impossible, or was he in the process? If he was being resurrected, then they had one last chance.

The Daoist Sect had foreseen this situation, but they too were gambling, betting that Qingcang’s revival would settle everything.

Now it seemed they hadn’t won the bet, but the situation wasn’t as dire; at least they had found a Gu Wen.

"Surpassing one’s level is a feat of the truly exceptional, only by facing many can one show their peerless stature."

Gu Wen asked, "What counts as victory?"

"Not life-and-death combat, but adhering to the sect’s battle laws as the rule, the one who loses three moves is defeated."

Ao Tang enlightened him with the rules of the Sanqing Taoist Sect’s duels, a common practice in the Daoist tradition.

Killing, taking pills, or using magic treasures beyond one’s realm was prohibited; aside from that it was solely about victory and defeat. Should accidental injury or disability occur, a great power would investigate, and even bring the case before the Jade Emperor’s Great Hall for the Heavenly Venerable to review.

And since both Gu Wen and the Three Pure Daoist were from the same sect, naturally, these rules applied to them as well.

"Your Immortal Sword, not being a True Immortal Sword, can be used, but you need to remember not to deliberately deliver a killing blow. If you happen to cause injury or disability despite this, only his lack of strength can be blamed, and the same applies to you."

Gu Wen nodded, "I’ll be careful, but that’s assuming he also abides by the rules."

"If he doesn’t follow the rules, there will be no issue if you kill him."

Ao Tang wanted to advise Gu to avoid making trouble at this time and to leave and hide as soon as possible. But on second thought, he realized Gu Wen was no ordinary person, and he had not been needlessly troublesome.

He was merely fighting very properly for a say, although being proper isn’t necessarily right.

Even if Gu Wen defeated the Three Pure Daoist, at this stage, he still couldn’t deal with the Devil Ancestors or resolve the issue with Jianmu.

"Ah... you just know your own limits, I’m currently your protector, and I’ll leave with you when the time comes."

At these words, instead of joy, Gu Wen couldn’t help but frown.

The intentions were all too obvious; the Daoist Sect was prepared to give up on Yu Hua, just as they had once given up on him.

Yu Hua caught Gu Wen’s arm and shook her head slightly.

At night, with the bright moon high and shooting stars occasionally streaking across.

The long-neglected Mountain God Temple in the chaotic times became their dwelling place. Jun Yan kept the fire burning, making soup and cooking meals, his not-so-large Qiankun Bag always filled with pots, bowls, and some grains and pickled vegetables.

Chi Yu Zi crouched with her knees hugged, the fire casting light upon her porcelain-doll-like delicate features, and she was just as silent as a doll.

Chan Xi held a bamboo flute, bringing it to her lips to play a lingering melody.

Yu Hua stepped out of the Mountain God Temple threshold to sit beside Gu Wen on the steps, observing the Jade Pendant in his hand, imbued with a Divine Beast, glowing more brightly under the moonlight.

The White Feathered Bird on his shoulder nosing around came close to the Jade Pendant, immediately slapped by the faint force emitted from it.

Clearly, the Divine Beast wasn’t fond of it, yet the White Feathered Bird still foolishly drew near.

Yu Hua asked, "Is it close to being nurtured to completion?"

"Not quite yet," Gu Wen stroked the Jade Pendant, "The little guy probably senses danger and is unwilling to be born."

For Divine Beasts, whose nurturing could take thousands of years, the last bit could mean years. But Gu Wen was more inclined to believe the Divine Beast was avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune, as the current environment was too dangerous for it.

"What do you think it will be?"

"Furry, that’s all I know for certain."

Again the two fell silent, the croaks of frogs and the chirping of crickets growing louder, until a white star above slowly brightened and began to gradually fall.

Yu Hua broke the silence, pointing to the slow-moving star, "That is Spiritual Mountain cast down by Three Pure Mountain, and atop each Spiritual Mountain are countless mortals. They will bring the Spirit Veins, fields, houses, and so on, plunging into the earth to continue to thrive."

"But not everyone can leave; the Heavenly Venerables must stay, and so must I."

Gu Wen was silent, thoughtful, looking for a perfect solution.

"Qingcang Master, with such talent, still had to be sacrificed; all human actions culminate in the word ’sacrifice’. Sacrifice the six desires to build benevolence, sacrifice nature to maintain propriety, sacrifice life to sustain the Human Race."

Yu Hua’s hand slowly closed over his, as if to crush his calm, placing the burden of pressure on Gu Wen for the first time.

Gu Wen was not a hothouse flower, but she had provided him with brief warmth.

Now it had to end, this warm dream had to be awakened.

"The sword of the Daoist Sect intimidates the myriad races; it is destined to be cold, and we should be ready. I might die, as might you."

Gu Wen clenched his fist, his voice pressed low, "What if Qingcang Master is resurrected?"

"Then neither of us need to die, Qingcang Master has the ability to suppress everything, but we cannot only rely on Qingcang Master," said Yu Hua. "Whether the Immortality Pill is in the Pill Furnace remains unknown, but it is known that you can become an Immortal. You must live on."

Having left the Immortal Land, without Heavenly Marrow, without Fate Diagram, can I truly become an Immortal?

Gu Wen felt a bit lost, but then he pressed down these thoughts with a mind hard as iron and stone.

His task was very simple: kill the Emperor, snatch the Pill Furnace, collect a large number of Spiritual Objects to become an Immortal. This was the only constant.

As for how many unexpected changes might happen along the way, it didn’t matter. He would not give in until his last breath.

"I will live on, and so will you. As long as the Immortality Pill is in the Immortal Land, even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find it."

"It seems you haven’t listened to a word I’ve said; you’re always playing dumb with me."

Yu Hua smiled charmingly, then moved closer to Gu Wen, lifting her head to look at the sky where stars seemed to fall.

"I have a hundred years of Heavenly Life left. Without life-threatening calamities, these hundred years could turn into a thousand years, even ten thousand. But don’t worry, Qingcang Master can help me with the Heavenly Life issue."

Will Qingcang Master solve all the problems?

Gu Wen suddenly felt a breeze, as if coming from three thousand years ago, a towering figure embracing them from behind.

He closed his eyes slightly and, leaning on Yu Hua’s shoulder beside him, called out to the presence that seemed like the mother of the Human Race.

In a vast expanse of space, without saying a word, he had already received an answer.

"Child, she will not die; even if I die, she will not die. But after Qingcang Master is gone, you must learn to protect yourselves."

Every man for himself, and I for everyone?

Gu Wen came back to his senses, slowly exhaled a breath of Dull Energy, and felt the weight lift from his heart.

It seemed he had come to an understanding, and he said warmly, "If it cannot be done, I will take the initiative to leave."

Yu Hua did not know what Qingcang Master had said to him, but she still nodded with a smile.

A whiff of the aroma of food came floating by.

"Time to eat, our fine Daoist companions."

Jun Yan stood at the door holding a wooden ladle, the only time when this Demon Sect Saint Heir showed a semblance of warmth, his invitation to eat being his only tender moment.

Yu Hua and Gu Wen got up one after another and returned to the temple, and soon after, a light rain began to fall outside.

The misty vapor mixed with steam, and the firelight rendered the light blurred.

Everyone held a bowl of assorted vegetable porridge. Despite their disheveled appearances, they ate with proper human manners.

Agriculture, eating grains, such is human life.

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

The next day, early morning.

Gu Wen roused the somewhat groggy Chan Xi to act as his sparring partner. As one of the incarnations of a Three Pure Daoist, logically speaking, the three should be more or less equal in strength.

On a clearing within the woods, Gu Wen and Chan Xi stood opposite each other, left and right, as sword light and thunder clashed with a loud bang.

Gu Wen took a step back, Chan Xi took two.

The duel ended after only one exchange.

Such a result would suggest Gu Wen was the victor, but since Chan Xi was not at full strength, the matter’s true nature required her response.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chan Xi’s usually indifferent face showed a rare smile. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Gu, in the same realm my true body is not your equal."

Meaning she’s only one level higher than me.

Gu Wen wore a thoughtful expression, for he had discerned much from just that one exchange.

He had not used his full strength, yet having the upper hand meant an advantage, even across one level.

"Do you need my help, Junior Brother?" Chan Xi suddenly asked. "Being from the Daoist Sect, I can be involved."

"Thank you for that, Senior Sister," Gu Wen said.

He was not averse to help, as he and the Three Pure Daoists were not mortal enemies.

What he needed was for her not to stand in his way.

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

Luodu, a skyline marred by flames of war.

A myriad of iron soldiers marched shoulder to shoulder across the land, laborers propelled siege towers forward like the extended arms of giants, reaching the towering city walls that overlooked this hub of commerce.

Nanchun’s first-to-climb armored warriors scaled the walls with the aid of siege towers, at first as small black dots on the ramparts, but slowly the black engulfed the yellow.

On the walls, the clanging of combat rang deafeningly, blades and swords created a web of death, blood filled every stone crevice, and bodies piled up until there was no footing left.

Outside the battlefield, above the clouds.

Gu Wen and his companions met with two incarnations of Three Pure Daoists.

Chan Xi, Chan Xi, and Xi, each different yet bearing subtle resemblances to one another.

The two incarnations bowed in respect and introduced themselves using their Daoist names, and Gu Wen returned the courtesy.

There was no overt hostility between them, but there was also no sense of harmony.

"Junior Brother Gu, what is your response?"

"Don’t stand in my way."