Patricide

In the void, the pagoda formed from the thousand-character divine script collapsed, and the figure of the Holy Ancestor reappeared.

His condition was worse than that of the Mountain Ancestor.

All the people saw was a huge, diagonal wound across the Holy Ancestor's upper body. The wound was so deep that the bone was visible, but no blood flowed out.

The Holy Ancestor's physical body emitted golden light. Although it was recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye, for someone of his level, the speed was extremely slow.

Ning Qi observed with particular care.

Having fought the two ancestors to this point, it is clear that the Mountain Ancestor has a slight advantage.

His gaze fell on the mountain ancestor.

The Mountain Ancestor stood in the void, his eyes blood-red, his thick eyebrows raised, and his whole body exuding a murderous aura and bloodthirsty energy that was almost tangible.

It's unclear whether his current state is due to the divine inscription pagoda from the Mountain Ancestor or the Divine Ability he just unleashed.

Ning Qi did not see what happened inside the Divine Inscription Pagoda.

Amidst the divine sounds of chanting and resounding, only the words "Slay the Immortals," imbued with extreme killing intent, were heard. The Mountain Ancestor then shattered the divine pagoda that suppressed him and burst forth from it.

"If one has not yet attained immortality, how can one speak of slaying immortals?"

The Holy Ancestor sighed softly, glanced down at his injuries, and all the golden light on his body surged towards those wounds.

The golden light, like water, is also energy, constantly washing away the wounds and dispelling the power left behind by the Mountain Ancestor.

Immediately, everyone saw that his recovery speed increased, and he even blinked, seemingly already unharmed.

However, Ning Qi sensed something different.

The Holy Ancestor used the power of the time rules again, but this time he used it to heal his injuries.

The injury was not so much healed as it was achieved by rewriting the speed of time rules.

Ning Qi was incredibly tempted; even he coveted the power of the time rules.

Upon seeing the Holy Ancestor recover from his injuries, the Mountain Ancestor's eyes burned even brighter with bloodlust, and his expression showed a clear increase in apprehension.

No one knows what he went through when he was trapped by the Holy Ancestor's Divine Script Pagoda; all that can be seen is that the Mountain Ancestor's current aura is clearly inconsistent with his previous condescending state.

The Mountain Ancestor was clearly impatient with what the Holy Ancestor had said.

"Old man, the path to immortality is right before your eyes, can't you see it?"

At this moment, the Holy Ancestor actually glanced in Ning Qi's direction before answering:

"I once shared the same thoughts as you, but a certain little fellow brought me back to reality from my reverie."

Clearly, based on the direction of his gaze, everyone realized who the little fellow the Holy Ancestor was referring to was.

Ning Qi's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that the three patriarchs all had further ideas, to transcend their current constraints, and that was the reason for the outbreak of this war in the spirit world.

But the Holy Ancestor said that he was influenced by him and became somewhat more awake from his dream, which was clearly a veiled reference.

Ning Qi desperately wanted to shut the Holy Ancestor up.

You can shut up now!

This old guy has been working with the Mountain Ancestor for ages; he's good at nothing but shifting blame.

He didn't want to be valued by the three patriarchs now; the Holy Ancestor was clearly implying that Ning Qi could have some influence on their future.

Fortunately, the Holy Ancestor briefly mentioned it, glancing past the Sea Ancestor and looking directly at the Mountain Ancestor before continuing:

"My Divine Script Pagoda happens to possess some power to foresee the past and future..."

If anyone had said this in front of the Mountain Ancestor or the Sea Ancestor, they would have slapped them away long ago.

However, even though the Holy Ancestor was an enemy, they were extremely interested in what he said, as he could influence the rules of time to some extent.

"Tell me then, what did you see?" the Mountain Ancestor replied.

The Holy Ancestor smiled slightly.

"The Divine Floating Pagoda can see through the three worlds—past, present, and future. I also clearly sensed everything you just experienced within it, and thus I saw your ambition and what you bear..."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

Such Divine Ability is simply unheard of and unseen!

Even Ning Qi was extremely curious. Could it be that the Holy Ancestor could truly see a person's past, present, and future through Divine Ability powers and magic?

These monks, after defeating and subduing their enemies, can use soul-searching techniques to see a person's past, but they lack the present and future.

The other side is dead, so what's the point of having a present or a future?

The Holy Ancestor's divine pagoda only trapped the Mountain Ancestor for a moment. Could such a brief moment truly reveal a person's past, present, and future?

If the person trapped were a low-level cultivator, it might be possible, but since the other party was the Mountain Ancestor, the strongest person in the Mountain and Sea Realm, everyone had doubts.

The reason for the doubt rather than complete denial is also related to the fact that the Holy Ancestor could exert some control over time.

The Mountain Ancestor snorted lightly, showing great disdain.

However, a glint of inquiry appeared in Haizu's eyes, carrying a hint of something indescribable.

The Mountain Ancestor said nothing, but the Sea Ancestor asked, "Is what you say true?"

The Holy Ancestor said, "I will tell you the truth by reciting a person's name."

Haizu suddenly fell silent.

The Mountain Ancestor stared at the two of them, his brows slightly furrowed.

The Holy Ancestor continued, "Do you still remember the Old Man Qiming?"

Upon hearing this, both the Mountain Ancestor and the Sea Ancestor changed color simultaneously.

Clearly, the enlightened elder mentioned by the Holy Ancestor was not unfamiliar to them; on the contrary, they were quite familiar with him.

Haizu gritted her teeth, making a clicking sound, and flew straight out to the side of Shengzu.

In that instant, a hint of madness resurfaced on her stunningly beautiful face.

"How do you know about Elder Qiming? Did you really see Master Qiming in Haoshan's memories?"

Hai Zu's tone was unusually cold, and his entire being exuded a chilling aura, like ancient ice.

The temperature in the entire war zone suddenly dropped, and white floating objects appeared in the void, gradually growing larger and turning into snowflakes that drifted down.

Some cultivators at lower levels felt an inexplicable chill creeping over them, icy and bone-chilling.

However, they finally understood who the Enlightened Elder mentioned by the Holy Ancestor was—he was the former mentor of the two Ancestors.

But if he really was the Ancestor's mentor, why did the Sea Ancestor react so strongly when the other party was mentioned, to the point that it was like snow in June?

Ning Qi was also puzzled by this.

He realized that regardless of whether the Holy Ancestor had truly seen through anything, this move would bring up an old story, which might involve the truth of the rift between the Mountain Ancestor and the Sea Ancestor in the past.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, that Elder Qiming has another identity."

Suddenly, Ning Qi received a telepathic message in his mind.

He immediately looked in the direction of the voice transmission, and saw that it was Zhao Yujun, the sect leader of the Moon Sea Immortal Sect, transmitting a voice message to him.

Zhao Yujun winked at Ning Qi.

As the top person under Hai Zu, and with Hai Zu entrusting the Moon Sea Immortal Sect, which she founded, to Zhao Yujun, it is likely that Zhao Yujun has followed Hai Zu for many years and is deeply trusted by him.

At this moment, perhaps noticing the pain on Hai Zu's face, and seeing that Shan Zu, whom they had always opposed, was in the lead, Zhao Yujun actually revealed some secrets to Ning Qi.

Ning Qi didn't understand why Zhao Yujun was telling him all this, but since there was free gossip to listen to, how could he let it pass him by?

Therefore, Ning Qi also transmitted his voice to Zhao Yujun:

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, could you elaborate a bit? What other identity does that Elder Qiming possess? I know far too little about the two ancestors' situation. If it proves useful later, I will be eternally grateful."

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yujun replied, "Old Man Qiming was the master of both ancestors in their youth, and also the biological father of Haizu."

"Hmm?" Ning Qi hummed in response, waiting for Zhao Yujun to continue.

"Mountain Ancestor once went to a small world in search of treasure, but became trapped inside. Later, Sea Ancestor learned of this and, worried about her safety, ignored her father's advice and forced his way into that small world, resulting in both of them falling into the same trap."

"Later, their master, the Old Man Qiming, also entered the small world to save the two. However, although he saved the two ancestors, he perished within it."

"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics of what happened."

Zhao Yujun turned and stared at Ning Qi. "I only learned about these things when Hai Zu went mad during one of his cultivation sessions. I hope Fellow Daoist Ning will not spread them."

Ning Qi nodded slightly.

"Are you saying that the relationship between the two ancestors broke down from that time? The Sea Ancestor blamed the Mountain Ancestor for causing her father's death, which led to the later situation in the Mountain and Sea Realm?"

Zhao Yujun said, "There's something wrong. Haizu isn't blaming Shanzu; rather, she believes Shanzu was behind her father's death!"

Ning Qi: "..."

Ning Qi's slightly changed expression seemed perfectly natural to Zhao Yujun. When she first learned the truth, her heart was also in turmoil before she finally understood the whole story.

No wonder the two ancestors, who were clearly fellow disciples and initially very close, later turned against each other and became enemies.

Zhao Yujun added, "However, when Haizu's father, the old man Qiming, died, Haizu briefly lost consciousness, so she did not witness Shanzu killing her father, and crucial evidence has always been lacking."

Ning Qi nodded his thanks.

After Zhao Yujun's description, he finally understood why the two ancestors were irreconcilable.

If things are as Hai Zu predicted, then it is inevitable that the two ancestors will become enemies.

Ning Qi looked at the three patriarchs ahead.

He thought to himself, "Good heavens! The Holy Ancestor has brought up an old matter. He's trying to sow discord between the two ancestors and turn the tables!"

Fortunately, Ning Qi was delighted with this.

He always felt that the war between the three of them wasn't chaotic enough. It was always the Holy Ancestor fighting the Sea Ancestor and Mountain Ancestor alone. If this continued, it was hard to say whether the Holy Ancestor and the Vast Realm could hold out. If that happened, the situation would be very bad for him.

The Holy Ancestor looked at the Sea Ancestor who was flying closer to him, and then glanced at the Mountain Ancestor.

His gaze darted back and forth between the two, as if considering how to phrase it.

Should I tell you alone, or should I just tell you directly?

Finally, the Holy Ancestor asked the Sea Ancestor a question.

Hai Zu's body seemed to be trembling, and she looked at Shan Zu, about to speak.

However, the Mountain Ancestor said to the Holy Ancestor, "When we reach this level, we can do whatever we want without being attached to material things. Why bother with secrets? Speak frankly. I'd like to hear if you can truly see into the past and the future."

The Holy Ancestor then asked the Sea Ancestor, "What do you think?"

Hai Zu's chest heaved violently like surging waves, her face contorted with rage. She uttered a single, hateful word. "Speak!"

The Holy Ancestor glanced at her with apparent pity and said, "Good!"

"I saw in his past that he personally killed the Old Man of Enlightenment, sacrificing his life to break the seal on the treasure that led you to that small world, and obtained the Inheritance within!"

Haizu's long hair moved on its own without any wind, standing upright.

Besides emanating a chilling aura, her body was also surrounded by a ring of gray energy.

The energy twisted and turned eerily, giving off an ominous feeling at first glance.

Upon seeing this, both the Holy Ancestor and the Mountain Ancestor were taken aback.

"The power of the Boundary Sea!"

Even Ning Qi's eyes widened, slightly shocked.

This was the first time Haizu had unabashedly displayed the power of the Boundary Sea in front of everyone.

No wonder the Sea Ancestor had previously told him that both of them possessed the power of the Boundary Sea; it turns out the Sea Ancestor also cultivated his own forbidden techniques!

However, given the current situation, that's secondary; what's more important are the words of the Holy Ancestor.

"Haoshan, is what he said true?"

Haizu's beautiful face was now shrouded in sorrow and hatred, mixed with a hint of madness, as she coldly questioned Shanzu.

A paper fan appeared in the Emperor's hand without his knowledge.

He opened his paper fan and began to fan himself gently.

What's baffling is that a fire suddenly appeared on the paper fan, and he was fanning out hot air, as if to combat the coldness emanating from Hai Zu beside him.

The imposing Mountain Ancestor stared at the two of them, his gaze finally settling on the Holy Ancestor.

For countless millennia, Haizu would ask him this question every time they fought, but he never revealed the truth to Haizu.

But now, with a formidable enemy from another world at his side, he had no choice but to speak.

The Mountain Ancestor took a deep breath, then surprisingly withdrew his gaze and looked at the illusory image of Mount Buzhou behind him.

Gazing at the illusory image of the sacred mountain that stretched from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the earth, a look of fanaticism appeared on his face.

He started talking to himself.

"I stand atop the mountain, the highest peak; in this world, only one person stands at the highest point, whether in the mortal realm or the Immortal Realm, whether a beast or Human Race. Which group do you see that doesn't achieve this?"

The Sea Ancestor and the Holy Ancestor continued to listen, as did all the other cultivators present.

Some of the monks even looked distressed.

They understood human nature and felt that having overheard such a secret, they were likely doomed.

"To become the one standing at the highest point, I merely did what all living beings should do! What are sentiments and obligations? Those are things the first person should abandon!"

With these words, the Mountain Ancestor tacitly acknowledged that what the Holy Ancestor had said was true.

The Holy Ancestor suddenly put away his paper fan, because he felt a burning heat emanating from the Sea Ancestor who was not far away beside him.

That was a Dao fire born from extreme anger, seemingly having completely ignited the Sea Ancestor.

He glanced over and saw that Haizu was enveloped in a layer of gray, billowing flames.

The nameless flame had barely appeared when Haizu's figure vanished from sight.

Rumble!

The war zone shook violently, the space became unstable, and all the energy in the void surged like a tsunami, making it difficult for the cultivators to stand.

The Sea Ancestor, fueled by boundless rage, attacked the Mountain Ancestor. She had already closed in, and with a wave of her hand, countless Great Dao Water Blades condensed, their surfaces covered with a layer of gray flames, before slashing towards the Mountain Ancestor.

Upon seeing this, a small phantom of a divine mountain automatically appeared on the Mountain Ancestor's body.

"Qinghai, my dear junior sister, you've endured all these years, why are you attacking me now? Don't you care about the greater good of the Mountain and Sea Realm?"

"The big picture my ass!" Hai Zu roared in fury.