Journey to the Southern Border

Blue Ancestor slowly rose to his feet.

In Li Jianning's eyes, his master gradually receded into the distance, until only his voice echoed by his ears.

"I have seen the world rise and fall, and with one step crossed a million years of the mortal realm."

"A lifetime seeking the Dao, a lifetime walking its path. I have seen all the world's beauty, yet the mortal realm is no good—deceit and treachery, love and hatred, slaughter and strife."

"My master said the world would be mine. In the end, my master deceived me."

"I saw that the mortal realm was imperfect, but there was more than just me in this world. So it turns out..."

"The trite words I once spoke were the truth."

Li Jianning suddenly realized that his master had already vanished before his eyes.

He lowered his head and sensed everything within his body. A single character—[Dao]—rested between his soul and spirit, heavy as a mountain.

Imperial Capital, Heavenly Palace.

Within the Human Emperor's bedchamber, the Human Emperor, as aged as withered wood, abruptly opened his clouded eyes. Dark threads suddenly appeared throughout the chamber. One of them let out a soft "hum," trembling as though releasing one final shriek before snapping apart before the Human Emperor's eyes.

This was the Dao Ancestor's karmic thread.

A trace of reluctance flashed through the Human Emperor's eyes. Then he closed them again and let out a long sigh.

"Farewell, Daoist friend."

Northern Border.

Min Youguo and Linjiu wore only thin robes as they played chess from afar amid the wind and snow. Min Youguo was about to place a piece when his hand suddenly tightened, veins bulging across it as two fingers clamped fiercely around the chess piece.

With a "clack," Linjiu's piece had already landed upon