A streak of light shot into the sky above Three Immortal Island in the Eastern Sea.
Ye Changqing sat in a bamboo sedan chair. Yunxiao and Qiongxiao carried him themselves, Bixiao attended him at his side, and Zhao Gongming led the way.
There was probably no one else in the entire Interception Sect who could command such a grand procession.
This time, he was heading into Chaos to find an ally for the Interception Sect.
Outside Empress Wa's Palace, Empress Nuwa seemed to have known Ye Changqing was coming. She had come out in person to welcome him.
Ever since Ye Changqing had failed to achieve Dao in Chaos, she had been thinking of repaying her debt to him.
She had wanted to visit Sect Master Tongtian at Azure Palace on Golden Ao Island and discuss how to give Ye Changqing a chance at survival.
But Sect Master Tongtian was not in the Primordial World at the moment.
Caiyun Boy and Lingzhuzi were surprised. Who could be important enough for Empress Nuwa to welcome in person, besides Great God Fuxi?
Chaos qi surged, then the view gradually cleared. An old man seated in a bamboo sedan chair appeared before them.
His breath was weak, and his whole body was filled with the aura of death. He clearly had little time left.
How could someone like him have earned Empress Nuwa's regard?
Empress Nuwa was also startled when she saw Ye Changqing, his hair white and his glory long past.
She had never imagined his injuries had become this severe.
"Ye Changqing?"
She asked tentatively, not quite sure.
Ye Changqing nodded, and Empress Nuwa welcomed him into her palace.
The two attendants stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly for a long time.
That man was Ye Changqing?
Ever since Ye Changqing had achieved Primordial Unity, they had regarded him as an idol.
Seeing their idol fall from his pedestal, how could they not be shocked?
Only when Empress Nuwa's displeased voice reached them did they snap out of it and go prepare tea for their guests.
Inside Empress Wa's Palace, Empress Nuwa was filled with emotion. She had thought another friend had appeared with whom she could discuss the Dao, never imagining Ye Changqing would end up like this.
But since he had come, she needed to repay that debt.
She led everyone to a side hall. A pool stood alone in the vast space.
Strangely, there was nothing in the pool, yet it radiated abundant spiritual energy.
Ye Changqing felt an invisible force repeatedly cleansing his Primordial Spirit.
For a brief moment, he even felt his injuries had healed a little, and his body was much better than before.
"So it was this!"
Only then did Ye Changqing understand, seeing its true form clearly.
A jade-like water lily filled the entire pool. Though its transparent blossom had not yet opened, waves of divine radiance spread constantly in every direction.
This unopened flower should be the Precious Lotus Lantern of the future, and its true form was the Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus.
The Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus could cleanse all defilement in the world and wash away the evil in one's heart.
That was why only those with exceptionally pure hearts could see the Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus.
Ye Changqing's sword-heart was clear and bright, so he was naturally such a person.
Knowing Empress Nuwa meant well, he jumped into the pool without hesitation and let the cleansing power wash over him.
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, countless fissures appeared on the leaves of the Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus. Even it could not withstand the erosion of the Great Dao's consciousness.
The Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus flung Ye Changqing straight out of the pool.
Fortunately, Empress Nuwa caught him just in time, or he would have been thrown out of Chaos.
Ye Changqing's injuries had been inflicted by the Great Dao. A spiritual treasure of the Twelve-grade Pure World White Lotus's rank was simply ineffective against them.
Empress Nuwa had planned to pluck the flower and have him swallow it, but he refused.
Ye Changqing brought out the Chaos Bead and concealed the workings of fate. Even the Heavenly Dao would be unable to learn what they discussed.
"The Chaos Bead?"
Empress Nuwa was astonished to see the legendary treasure. She had never dreamed it would be in Ye Changqing's hands.
But she wondered why Ye Changqing had not chosen to achieve Dao inside the Chaos Bead.
As if guessing what she was thinking, Ye Changqing smiled and said, "After I die, a world will be born among the myriad heavens and worlds. It will be called the Eternal World."
"It will stand above the myriad heavens and worlds, eternal through all ages. Everyone there will have an endless lifespan."
"And I will be the Lord of the Eternal World, reborn there."
Empress Nuwa had never heard of any Eternal World, much less a Lord of the Eternal World.
But his eyes were clear and sincere. He did not look as if he were talking nonsense.
Zhao Gongming and San Xiao, meanwhile, were brimming with fervor, seeming to believe Ye Changqing without question.
Before she could hesitate, Ye Changqing spoke again. "Before I depart, I still can't stop worrying about the Interception Sect or the Primordial World."
"A calamity will one day sweep across all living beings. Even the human race you created will not escape..."
Empress Nuwa furrowed her brow. The human race was her foundation. If they were caught up in the calamity, she would surely be implicated as well.
"What should I do?"
A person on the brink of death spoke honestly. After struggling with the decision, she ultimately chose to believe Ye Changqing.
"Abolish the Human Sect and unite with the Human Dao!"
Ye Changqing had said only six words, yet they contained earth-shattering implications.
The Human Sect had been founded by his senior, Laozi. How could he dare to say such a thing?
And the Human Dao was tied to the Three Human Emperors, who were being suppressed in Huoyun Palace.
"If the Human Sect isn't abolished, the human race's fortune will only continue to be stolen. In the end, the Human Dao will fall, and the human race will have no more Human Emperors—only Son of Heaven."
"The Heavenly Dao, Earthly Dao, and Human Dao were always meant to stand side by side, with none above the others. If the Human Dao and Earthly Dao are suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, Empress, you will lose any chance of transcending it..."
Ye Changqing laid it all out. Whether to believe him was up to her.
After all, the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation would unfold amid the change of dynasties among the human race. Without Empress Nuwa's consent, who would dare move against the Human Emperor?
"All right, I believe you!"
"But this matter is too serious. I can't take your word for it alone..."
Empress Nuwa said after much deliberation.
She had always admired Ye Changqing, and a man on the verge of death had no reason to deceive her.
But abolishing the Human Sect might sound easy; it would also make her an enemy of a Sage.
"What do you want me to do?"
Empress Nuwa wanted to know what Ye Changqing was ultimately aiming for.
"Form an alliance with my master, Sect Master Tongtian. Let the human race and the Interception Sect stand together through thick and thin."
Ye Changqing stated his plan openly.
Empress Nuwa nodded. She could trust Sect Master Tongtian.
"Ding! The host has established the mysterious past of the Lord of the Eternal World. Everything will come true after death!"
"Reward: Human Dao Supreme Treasure, Human Dao Golden Seal; Chaos Formation Compendium!"
Empress Nuwa now fully believed Ye Changqing's words, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
The Human Dao Golden Seal could allow Empress Nuwa to merge with the Human Dao and become its representative, giving her power enough to match Old Ancestor Hongjun.
But he should keep it for Sect Master Tongtian, as a bargaining chip for their future cooperation.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Ye Changqing bowed to Empress Nuwa and slowly walked out of the hall.
Watching his hunched back, Empress Nuwa murmured to herself, "I wonder where that Eternal World is. Will we meet again someday?"
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