Fate's Variables

With a thought, this entire universe quietly recovered from the freezing of cosmic light.

In the blink of an eye.

Without any restraint, that ray of mysterious light from beyond the heavens plummeted down at breakneck speed, almost as if the Heavenly Heart were in harmony with the universe!

This is because the world is out of balance, yin and yang are in turmoil, Humanity is weak, demons are causing chaos, and the "heaven" of the three realms has been lost, so the yin side has become dominant!

Furthermore, fierce, violent, demonic, evil, yin, and turbid energies emerge, and heavy karma accumulates, leading to conflict between humans and demons, and the end of the imperial dynasty! This will trigger boundless killing intent, and a chaotic situation will surely arise, leading to the slaying of dragons and the transformation of the dynasty!

At this moment, the faint, mysterious light suddenly became tainted with boundless evil and ferocious energy, transforming into a boundless killing intent, dripping with crimson, as if the heavens were weeping blood!

Deep in the sky.

First, a deep, muffled hum came from the far west, neither thunder nor lightning, but like an ancient giant bell being struck by an invisible force. The sound waves spread out, shaking the sea of clouds and causing the stars to sway.

Suddenly, a few strange colors appeared on the horizon!

First, a thin line of crimson lightly swept across the azure sky in the distance, but the red shadow immediately swelled up, no longer a thin trace, but transformed into a surging river of blood!

A scorching, violent comet, seemingly capable of tearing everything apart, is irresistibly streaking across the sky!

Only now could many people in the world finally manage to see clearly what it was: a large crimson star with boundless blood-red light, a strangely intense red light that was indescribable!

Crimson light cascaded down like a waterfall, enveloping the surrounding area, silencing all things.

As blood splattered wildly along the way, the mountains and rivers it passed through were all stained with an ominous crimson!

The blood-red light reflected in the Changhe made it appear as if it were a truly boiling and surging river of blood. The distant mountains swayed trembling under the crimson glow, and countless birds in the forest were startled and fled in panic...

In the surrounding towns and villages, the barking of dogs suddenly stopped, followed by the terrified cries and screams of the people.

Many people prostrated themselves on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, weeping and begging Heaven to forgive their wrath, unaware that this "calamity" originated from beyond the heavens...

Beneath a dilapidated thatched hut in the wilderness, a middle-aged swordsman with a sword box beside him was meditating.

With a sharp, strange pain in his Spiritual Perception, he suddenly sat up, not even having time to carry the sword box he cherished as his life, but just clutching it under his arm, and rushed out the door!

But he only had time to see the crimson star streaking across the sky, with boundless streaks of blood-red light falling from the heavens like a fluttering banner that illuminated most of the sky!

"This is... the Chiyou Banner as described by the elders?"

Even though he had never seen it before, how could this long-bearded swordsman not have heard of the fearsome reputation of the Lord of War's banner?

--The Chiyou Banner is an ominous sign, foretelling war, chaos, and the reversal of heaven and earth!

Startled by looking up, the swordsman surnamed Yan failed to notice that amidst the vast expanse of blood-red light covering the mountains and fields, only a faint trace of blood-red light suddenly lost its crimson hue and fell into the sword box in his hand.

... Immediately, a few faint golden lights flashed and disappeared from the box.

Meanwhile, deep within Kunlun, in a cave half-hidden by clouds and mist, a white-haired, bearded Daoist priest sat cross-legged before a stone table, so startled that he knocked over the jade-colored teacup in front of him.

But he couldn't care less about that now; he was frantically calculating with his fingers, divining and casting lots.

"This is bad, yet fortune and misfortune are intertwined... The secrets of heaven are completely murky. This Chiguan is both a malevolent star and a variable..."

Seeing that his efforts were repeatedly fruitless, the old Daoist finally slowly withdrew his fingers after a long while. He could only sigh and turn to the young disciple standing beside him, instructing him, "Yiye, go and fetch my Divination Plate, the Patriarch Seal Script, and the Six-Line Bone Book..."

The blood-red light seeped deep into the main hall, and the chanting of Buddhist scriptures abruptly ceased.

Perched atop the dragon-carved pillar, the enormous Golden Centipede, almost like a sculpture, suddenly opened its hundreds and thousands of "eyes." Each eye seemed to shimmer with a faint light, resembling a deep pool or ancient well, its light and shadow ever-changing, each eye independent of the others.

It was as if some evil entity was hidden deep within those densely packed "eyes," only now suddenly awakening.

In that instant, an uncontrollable surge of demonic energy erupted from it, and a distorted, phantom-like figure even began to appear around it...

In the next instant, the Buddhist light behind him shifted sharply, and the demonic aura that had just risen was suppressed once again.

However, the lingering stench of blood still permeates the Golden Throne Hall, entangled among the various incense offerings, and has never completely faded away.

"What is this thing...? Why does it possess the power of the celestial phenomena and directly disrupt the dragon energy of Humanity?"

A gaunt monk, dressed in a white robe, a golden kasaya, and wearing a Vairocana crown, sat slumped down. Only then did he raise his head, seemingly asking a question to someone.

His tone was unusually stiff, sharp, and childish; each word seemed to be squeezed out from an extremely unfamiliar throat and tongue, sounding completely unlike a normal person's voice.

In the mountains, a pair of monks, an old man and a young boy carrying baskets, were taking shelter from the rain while chanting sutras to help the deceased be reborn in a better realm from the wounds of several corpses bearing the marks of swords and animal teeth that lay by the roadside.

By this time, the young monk's mouth was already dry, but suddenly he felt the rain in the sky lessen.

He instinctively looked up and exclaimed in surprise. The old monk beside him then stopped chanting and looked over as well.

Only then did the two see the depths of the dim sky, where the clouds seemed to have been cleaved by an invisible sharp edge, leaving behind a deep, lingering crimson "scar"!

The young monk, on the other hand, was merely dumbfounded.

The old monk, whose appearance was somewhat similar to the strange monk who had been sitting in the main hall, but who was a few years younger, froze completely.

Overwhelmed with grief, he almost dropped the prayer beads in his hand.

"Amitabha Buddha, what a sin, what a sin... Another calamity has struck the human world, what have people done to deserve this?"

"May Buddha have mercy! This disciple is truly incompetent and does not know when I will be able to save all sentient beings in this world..."

"Administrator, your behavior seems a bit too ruthless."

"Don't talk nonsense, it's just a fragmented and vague idea, it has little to do with me."

"So, you don't deny that there is indeed a relationship, right?"

"... Quiet down, Main God, we're watching a show."

Amidst the rambling, these "minor details" are not so important to outsiders.

Just like how very few people can truly notice...

As this "Chiguan Demon Star" dragged its violent flames, seemingly capable of burning everything, and ruthlessly swept across the ancient sky, finally hanging at the highest point, the incomparably deep "Crimson Scar of the Sky opened wide in a ferocious manner, seemingly never to heal again!

The next instant, the crimson streak continued its relentless march, crossing the striking "scar" between heaven and earth, carrying with it the lingering ferocity, and crashing headlong into the underworld from the mortal realm!

--It seems to be "searching" for something...

Some people noticed this, but they merely raised their eyebrows and said nothing more.

As soon as the "Great Star" waving its blood-red banner fell into the Netherworld, it already showed a clear direction and sped away!

Accompanied by an indescribable majesty, mixed with overwhelming malevolent energy, it spread from the deepest part of the Yin Earth at an extremely fast speed, instantly sweeping across this boundless and vast Netherworld.

Immediately afterwards, at the very end of the "perception" of all things in the Underworld, an indescribable crimson color suddenly stained that dark dome that had remained almost unchanged since ancient times.

That wasn't light, but a pure manifestation of "great power"!

An endless, blood-red banner, seemingly formed from boundless ferocity, the blood of countless lives, and the souls of battle, was running wildly across the land, as if it had broken free from the faint constraints of the underworld!

Those vengeful spirits, zombies, and withered bones who had fallen into the underworld due to the reversal of the order of life and death and yin and yang, and even the great demons and old monsters hiding here, were all startled and raised their heads to experience this rare spectacle in the Underworld!

"My God... Old Ghost, could it be that the Lord of War has returned from the depths of the Nine Netherworlds? But wait, wasn't it said that the Jiuli War God was killed by the Xuan-Yuan Sword and his body was dismembered and suppressed?"

"Heavenly Corpse, you ask me? Who am I supposed to ask? This Netherworld is boundless; who knows what secrets it has held since ancient times..."

"Gentlemen, I've noticed some clues. This banner of the Warlord has pierced through the barrier between Yin and Yang, originating from the human world, not from some old thing emerging from the depths of the underworld..."

"What? It was directly attacked? Then wouldn't that mean... no, no, it's something we shouldn't have provoked in the first place. Does that mean we can just use it as a route to send a large number of ghosts back to the mortal realm?"

"River of Oblivion, you can go and try it yourself. That path is so dangerous that even the few of us probably couldn't make it through. You're thinking of sending those wandering souls and broken bones to their deaths..."

Watching that towering crimson streak sweep across the sky—

Unseen thoughts are quietly exchanging opinions.

These ancient demons and monsters, who clearly held "territory" and "duties" in this yin land, extended their divine senses, cautiously attempting to chase after the crimson star that streaked across the sky. Seeing that they could not catch up and returned empty-handed, they then, unusually, engaged in a few ambiguous "casual conversations" with each other...

Only that "killing star," which had been recklessly rampaging all the way, eventually crashed down in one direction.

... Is that... the Wrongful-Death City?

Li Yun could see clearly that in the direction the crimson rainbow was pointing, there was a tall, eerie ghost city in the distance with the words "Wrongfully Died" written on it!

The Wrongful-Death City, deep in the Underworld, is said to have been built by the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva who died from unjust calamities and whose lives had not yet ended.

The person in charge should have been King Biancheng.

But... no, that's not right!

He had realized who this thing's real "target" was.

--It's the endless Black Mountain next to the Wrongful-Death City!

Sure enough, as the blood-red banner finally began to fade, the blood-red, malevolent aura surrounding it also dimmed, and the "big star" gradually revealed its true form!

Or rather, this mysterious light from beyond the heavens, carrying such a violent yet gradually diminishing momentum, crashed headlong into that Black Mountain without any frills!

The thick, ghostly aura suddenly gushing forth from the depths of Black Mountain, the array power abruptly emanating from the nearby Wrongful-Death City, and the immense earth energy rapidly awakened by Black Mountain's connection to the Yin Earth veins...

Even the strange, towering figure that had just materialized and was about to speak, relying on this place—

Before they could even utter a complete sentence, they were all as fragile as pieces of paper in the face of this unstoppable force, crushed and shattered on the spot!

Only a sharp, abrupt sound remained.

"Fellow Daoist, please..."

It's too late.

Unexpectedly, the mysterious light, now devoid of its crimson hue, ultimately fell into the Black Mountain without causing any impact. Instead, it melted away like snowflakes, leaving no trace.

Only in the Wrongful-Death City, under the operating formation, a murky ghostly aura that had just soared into the sky suddenly seemed to become uncontrollable.

"Well, here comes the main event."

In the boundless Star Realm, "Li Yun" blinked, and the blue tinge in his eyes became more pronounced once again.

He then shared the scene that was currently within his "eyes" with the Main God.

--In the Wrongful-Death City, inside an ancient hall built of dark, yin stones, sat the "Black Mountain Demon," a great Old Demon Black Mountain who was said to have cultivated for ten thousand years, whose true form was a Black Mountain that attained enlightenment and thus occupied the Wrongful-Death City in this world where Netherworld Bureaucracy had vanished and the underworld was empty. He was sitting on a throne built from thousands of skulls.

The flickering eerie fire in the hall illuminated the twisting and swirling Ghost Shadow on the walls, their bizarre shapes and the chilling aura that seemed to penetrate to the bone, leaving no escape.

However, unlike in the past, this great demon, who had always been awe-inspiring in the Underworld, was now displaying an unprecedented abnormality.

The humanoid body, which was already as solid as a mountain and as heavy as ten thousand jin, was now faintly emanating a layer of ethereal light from the inside out, and all the energy within it seemed to be frozen by some invisible divine charm.

Only a faint trace of indifference, like the Heavenly Will operating all things, was reflected in that spiritual sea, causing the demon's vital energy to stagnate and its soul light to tremble.

In the short span of a dozen breaths, the Old Demon Black Mountain, who once struck fear into the hearts of both the Yin and Yang realms, was now completely frozen on his throne, like a clay sculpture, unable to utter a single sound.

"Fellow Daoist... please... show... kindness..."

"... Spare... spare my... true spirit... to... disintegrate... again..."

This being, who has always walked the world in various incarnations and forms, with its true form hidden behind the scenes, can be described as a ten-thousand-year-old demon with caution etched into its very bones. But now, it is as if its very life has been seized, and it is struggling to squeeze out a few words of sincerity to beg for mercy from its divine sense, with no trace of the demeanor of a tyrant of the Underworld.

However, this still doesn't mean much.

All pleas were like clay oxen sinking into the sea.

As the light grew stronger, it gradually emanated from the "form" that clearly housed the Primordial Spirit, and the dark armor that had once symbolized its authority began to groan in pain as it succumbed to the strain.

First, tiny, spiderweb-like cracks slowly appeared between the armor plates. Then, within the halo of light, the marks continued to extend, peeling away and crumbling piece by piece from the body until it turned to dust...

No... no!

This last, fleeting thought, like a final burst of light, was unusually clear, so clear that it didn't seem like that of a demon who had been completely "controlled."

Yes, control.

Li Yun could see clearly that the mysterious light had now completely merged into the vast Black Mountain, and they were no longer indistinguishable!

Along with this Yin Sha Primordial Spirit outside, it also failed to escape the Heavenly Realm, and following the invisible, hidden connection between the physical body and the Primordial Spirit, it was "burned" together like firewood.

A certain "change," which became increasingly blurred yet increasingly mysterious, then occurred within this almost tangible Primordial Spirit body.

The blue in his eyes intensified.

I've already seen it...

It was an extremely faint "trace," capturing a trace of the Old Demon Black Mountain's fundamental aura. Based on this, and following some kind of "cause and effect" or "possibility" in the dark, it gradually emanated outwards—

The first thing to be sketched is a distinct and contrasting landscape of black waters Bai Shan!

A blurry, ethereal figure was reflected in this strange phenomenon, as if a true celestial demon had descended upon the world. With a wave of its hand, it manifested nine paths of life and death, raised its two swords together, unleashing boundless killing intent, and soared into the sky with the force to reverse the heavens...

In the end, however, the figure deliberately dispersed, concealing all traces, leaving only a pair of green eyes that glanced back, leaving behind a long, faint sigh.

"The mortal world is but a fleeting moment, endless calamities scatter to the ends of the earth..."

"I see."

Some people can see clearly that this is also a "Old Demon Black Mountain," with similar titles and interconnected causes and effects. It is only natural that it manifests itself in this "possibility."

But now it seems that if others are unwilling, then it cannot be forced.

The trace that had vanished had not completely disappeared; it then began to evolve again, like a wheel or a bead, in a continuous cycle.

In the hazy light, another remarkably similar figure emerged, traversing all directions with each step like lotus blossoms, almost like the transformation of a dragon or snake. Its aura changed with each step, and with each change, it reached a state of unity of body and spirit, its fighting spirit surging forth, and it raised its hand to defy the Overturn Heavens!

This terrifying imagery of "dragons fighting in the wild, their blood black and yellow" ultimately leads step by step to a boundless and transcendent meaning.

"Where there is no road ahead, I will forge my own."

Clearly, using fists as a method and calling himself the Origin, this "posture" achieved by following the cause and effect of the previous "Old Demon Black Mountain" is naturally one possibility.

But in the blink of an eye, the figure, still unsteady on its feet, vanished on its own...

Having deduced the general form and spirit of the two figures, the mysterious light had clearly been greatly depleted. However, there was no doubt that it still had some remaining strength, and following the slight traces left by the two dissipated shadows, it began to evolve once again!

Nine swords, twin swords, a celestial demon of the Daoist sect! Dragons and snakes Overturn Heavens, the utmost sincerity in martial arts!

All traces of cause and effect, endlessly cycling...

Finally, accompanied by a faint, clear light, two mysterious, formless, and indistinct "small seals" emerged, which were then left behind.

At a glance, Li Yun understood that these two, like the two figures before him, were not merely illusory Marks left behind in this world.

The Central Wutu Ji Earth Golden Lotus Seal, and the Heaven-Turning Seal!

"Wonderful."

It didn't seem to be an illusion, but Li Yun vaguely sensed that when the two "small seals" that appeared out of nowhere revealed their illusory forms, even the faint Azure Light in his eyes was slightly disturbed.

A sudden, profound realization reminded him that it wasn't that he couldn't see, but once he truly saw clearly, he would likely be affected by some unknowable influences...

The vague thought that glimpses something within it is not the same as actually seeing it with your own eyes.

Let's leave it at that.

Seeing the two illusory Marks fall into that physical body and thus become one.

As the two inner inheritances naturally merged into the Primordial Spirit, they instantly cleansed away the layers of yin and turbid qi, giving rise to wisps of pure and harmonious qi that intertwined within, becoming utterly pure.

On the skull throne, which had already turned to ashes, a shadow stood silently.

--It was a figure whose appearance seemed to vaguely resemble Li Yun's, with a serene expression, long silver hair hanging down his back, and a deep, empty gaze, accompanied by a boundless and desolate aura surrounding him.

At this moment, the "Old Demon Black Mountain," clad in a long robe formed from pure energy, no longer appeared to be any different from an ordinary person. Only his eyes revealed him to be as radiant as the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, and the winds and clouds of heaven and earth.

I stood there for a long time.

"... I am... Black Mountain... Old...?"

"... No... I should be... Li... Li?"

"... Nine Li?... Fuli?... Chongli?..."

"That's enough."

Clearly not quite sure, the figure frozen in place simply shook his head casually, blowing away the remaining dust of the calamity from his body, without dwelling on it too much.

"Destiny... and karma?"

"... What is this... requires the accumulation of 27 million good deeds..."

It was as if he had suddenly realized something.

Completely ignoring the trembling, fearful Ghost Shadow, demons, and wraiths kneeling outside the hall, the figure merely raised his head and gazed at the sky, seemingly searching for something.

But beneath the gloomy sky, no one knew where that gaze was directed.

Perhaps only that brief glance that met his eyes would reveal the truth?

"Hmm... that's enough."

With a wave of his hand, and seeing the vast expanse of time and space fall silent once more, someone nodded in agreement.

"That is indeed somewhat surprising."

Pressing his brow, "Li Yun" pondered for a moment before suddenly issuing a command in a low voice.

"Very good... Main God, include this world in the third round of missions as well, and throw more people into it while you're at it."

"Since it's a variable, why be so stingy? Let's just bring more."

"Let's see what kind of tricks they come up with in the end..."