The Yingzhou Immortal Island is shrouded in mist that seems to have existed since time immemorial. Yet, at this moment, the air around the Venerable Qing Huan sits quietly in the heart of the island, is as stagnant as lead and mercury.
He held in his palm the Primordial Wilderness "Innate Eight Trigrams Compass"—neither gold nor jade, its surface flowing with obscure Dao patterns from the Primordial Chaos, its central yin-yang fish eyes emitting a deep blue light, and the Innate Eight Trigrams symbols inlaid on its edges flickering unpredictably, each flash seemingly influencing the trajectory of the Great Dao in the darkness.
For thousands of years, this compass has deduced countless celestial secrets, attempting to find a glimmer of hope for breaking the Witch-Demon Calamity " that hangs over the heads of all living beings in the Primordial Wilderness, destined to be a mountain of corpses and a sea of the Blood Sea.
"The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven Deduces Forty-Nine, and humanity escapes to the last one..."
Qing Huan's deep eyes were fixed on the chaotic and unclear vortex in the center of the compass. His fingertips traced mysterious paths, and the compass spun rapidly. The runes burst forth with dazzling light, as if to tear apart the veil of time and space and peek into the unknowable future.
However, whenever that radiance touched a crucial point that symbolized the end of the Tribulation, it would suddenly dim and dissipate as if it had hit an invisible wall of sighs constructed of chaotic laws, leaving only spiderweb-like cracks on the surface of the plate.
Each failed deduction was accompanied by an invisible backlash, drawing away a wisp of primordial essence, making the vanished "Thread of Life" seem even more ethereal, like a mirage in a mirror or a bubble in water.
Qing Huan frowned deeply; where exactly was that faint glimmer of life hidden?
Is it a variable arising from the laws of Heavenly Dao, or... some untouched taboo?
"Master, your disciple has returned."
Kong Xuan's clear and melodious voice was like a Qingfeng, perfectly dispelling the heaviness that had settled between Qing Huan's brows.
Qing Huan slowly opened his eyes, the starlight that had been divination of heavenly secrets in his eyes gradually faded, returning to the deep, still depths of an ancient well.
Looking at his prized disciple Kong Xuan, who stood below the steps, his body shimmering with Five-Colored Divine Light, the heartfelt concern he felt slightly dispelled the gloom in his heart caused by the chaos of the heavens.
"Hmm."
Qing Huan nodded slightly, his tone low and steady.
"Did you convey any message to Fellow Di Jun?"
Kong Xuan bowed respectfully.
"Reporting to Master, I have met with Senior Di Jun. He said that the demon race is making every effort to prepare for the Tribulation, and everything is underway. Senior earnestly hopes that you will have time to travel to the Heavenly Court for a meeting to discuss important matters."
This was exactly what Qing Huan had expected.
The vortex of Tribulation has arisen, and the entanglements of Karma are like a web. As a top-tier supernatural being in the Primordial Wilderness, how can one remain uninvolved when caught in the middle of it all?
Moreover, the clue that holds that "Thread of Life" may lie within this chaotic game of chess.
"Okay, I understand."
Qing Huan responded, his tone immediately turning solemn, carrying an unprecedented seriousness.
"Kong Xuan, remember this: Tribulation is about to begin. Its ferocity and devastation will be unprecedented and unparalleled, unlike any ordinary calamity in the past."
Your Phoenix Clan, together with the Qilin Clan, must keep your Sect Gate tightly closed, activate the ancestral protective array, and sever all Karma ties with the outside world.
"No one under my command shall, without my decree, trespass even a step into the Primordial Wilderness chaos! This is a strict order!"
Qing Huan's gaze fell on Kong Xuan, his eyes seeing right through him.
As the first peacock in the world, bearing the bloodline of the Yuanfeng, Kong Xuan's own Luck is already extremely vast, and it is also related to the rise and fall of the entire Phoenix Clan.
As for Qing Huan himself, due to his far-reaching plans and the accumulation and scheming over countless Kalpa, the depth of his Luck at this moment is probably unparalleled in the primordial Primordial Wilderness. Even if he has not reached the level of Sage, he is probably close to it!
This immense Luck is the foundation of my struggle amidst the Tribulation, the capital I use to try and unlock the secrets of heaven and seek a chance for survival. How could I allow even the slightest bit of it to be wasted?
Kong Xuan's decision to remain hidden from the world along with the Phoenix and Qilin clans is of paramount importance in preserving this crucial force.
"Yes, teacher!"
Kong Xuan solemnly agreed, but a slight frown involuntarily appeared between his handsome brows, revealing his inner worry. He raised his head, looking directly at Qing Huan, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible urgency.
"Master, I will remember your teachings. However... this Tribulation is so perilous, and you yourself are caught in its midst, personally involved in the vortex. I... I am truly worried. Master... will you be alright?"
Qing Huan wore a calm and serene smile, a smile that contained an unwavering composure and absolute confidence honed by countless trials.
"Hehe, foolish child, do not worry. Your master knows what to do. Though the secrets of heaven are obscure, the hearts of men can be manipulated. Great Dao still leaves a thread open; how could your master not know when to advance and retreat?"
Knowing how to maintain balance and avoid misfortune is the foundation of survival and destiny.
Alright, you can go back now and guard Seven Views Island. Also, please inform your mother to keep the people in check."
"Disciple... obeys."
Seeing that his teacher was determined and confident, Kong Xuan had no choice but to suppress his worries and bow deeply once again.
Filled with concern for his teacher's safety and deep bewilderment about the impending calamity, his body flashed with five-colored light, and he transformed into a dazzling streak of light, heading straight towards Seven Views Island.
Gazing in the direction where his disciple had disappeared, Qing Huan stood still for a moment, the relaxed smile long gone.
He slowly lowered his head and looked again at the Innate Eight Trigrams Compass in his hand, which was covered with cracks. His fingertips traced a fine line, as if he could feel the residual Heavenly Retribution within it.
A barely perceptible sigh dissipated into the island's mist:
"Alas! The secrets of heaven are in chaos, and people's hearts are restless... It seems I really should go and explore this Primordial Earth myself. Perhaps the key to life and death lies right beneath my feet."
As soon as the words were spoken, a sea breeze carrying a salty, fishy smell swept across Yingzhou Immortal Island, stirring up wisps of spiritual mist.
As the mist dissipated, the figure of Venerable Qing Huan had vanished without a trace, leaving only the Innate Eight Trigrams Compass in place, its Bagua runes flickering as if still struggling to deduce the uncertain future.
Meanwhile, far from the Eastern Sea Wonderland, in the heart of the Primordial Continent, beneath the Thirty-Three Heavens, the Heavenly Court —though not directly revealed, its will, like cold iron law, has spread throughout the various powerful races that are subordinate to it.
The ten Demon Saint Dao Field had a different atmosphere, but all were shrouded in a sense of solemnity and oppression.
Di Jun's decree and Venerable Qing Huan's suggestion were like two irresistible heavenly laws, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.
Even though he harbored reservations about the cruel decision to expel his own people, a decision as ruthless as a warrior cutting off his own arm.
They even felt an instinctive dissatisfaction in private about Qing Huan, an outsider, interfering in the internal affairs of the demon race. However, the majesty of the Demon Emperor could not be desecrated, and Venerable Qing Huan's unfathomable deductive abilities and status as a giant of the Primordial Wilderness made everyone extremely wary.
All doubts and resentment ultimately transformed into silent obedience and efficient execution.
The massive demon race's war machine began to operate in a way that was almost self-destructive, all in order to survive.