Heading to the Underworld, Borrowing Someone for a While. Kunlun Mountain.
Towering into the clouds, wreathed in Immortal Qi.
Snow that had never melted through the ages covered the mountain peaks, reflecting a cold, clear radiance beneath the moonlight.
The mountains lay silent, utterly soundless.
Spirit cranes returned to their nests, Auspicious Beasts drifted into sleep.
Everything was as usual.
Yet beneath that calm lurked an indescribable oppression.
The oppression of a great war about to begin.
The oppression of the calamity's descent.
The oppression of lives and deaths yet unknown.
Within Jade Void Palace.
Yuanshi sat cross-legged upon a cloud bed, Jade Purity Immortal Light surging around him like a tide.
Ever since the Dao Ancestor had lent him a tenth of the Heavenly Dao's origin, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.
The peak of the Seventh Heaven had already reached perfection.
Just one step further, and he would enter the Eighth Heaven.
Yet he could not take that step.
Because his foundation was unstable.
Because his fortune was insufficient.
Because although the loss of a tenth of his fortune had been compensated for by the Heavenly Dao's origin—
The damage to his foundation could not heal in a day or two.
He needed time.
He needed accumulation.
He needed to settle and temper himself.
But the Investiture of the Gods would not wait.
The calamity would not wait.
Western Qi's army had already reached Sishui Pass.
Chaoge's army had already left the city to meet them in battle.
The Jie Sect Disciples were about to enter the calamity.
He could not wait.
Nor could he retreat.
He could only grit his teeth and press on.
"Master."
A voice came from outside the hall.
Yuanshi opened his eyes.
"Enter."
Guangchengzi stepped into the hall and knelt prostrate