Qi Yun's gaze fell on the figure beside True Lord Contemplating the One, who slowly walked out of the shadows of the thatched hut.
Even with Qi Yun's State of Mind, tempered by countless trials and tribulations and refined to the point of being as cold as an ancient pool, he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback at just one glance.
It was a woman.
She wore an extremely simple, unadorned, moon-white long dress with a trailing hem, yet it was spotless.
Her figure was tall and slender, like a proud plum blossom in the snow, or a wisp of cool moonlight above the clouds.
And her appearance----
Qi Yun couldn't find the right words to describe it.
Her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were very pale, like cherry blossoms blooming in early spring, yet they were tightly pursed, giving her an innate, aloof coldness.
She stood there quietly, without any fluctuation of Law Power or Daoist aura around her, yet she seemed to be a world unto herself, making the surrounding misty immortal energy and chaotic Daoist light appear somewhat dim.
"This is—" A faint hint of surprise flashed in Qi Yun's eyes, and he subconsciously turned his gaze to the smiling True Lord Contemplating the One beside him, "Grandmother—Grandmother?"
The name slipped out of his mouth, and even he himself found it somewhat absurd.
But the woman before him appeared in this secret realm alongside Patriarch Canyi, and her demeanor was so extraordinary that he couldn't help but have this thought.
"Snort."
A soft, yet clear and cold snort, like ice water striking jade, escaped from the lips of the stunningly beautiful woman.
Her gaze swept across Qi Yun's face, her voice icy and devoid of any warmth, yet strangely, it didn't evoke any deliberate disgust or hostility, but rather a pure, intrinsic detachment and aloofness. " The Holy Sect lineage, indeed, are all the same."
"Glib-tongued."
Upon True Lord Contemplating the One chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "I don't have such good fortune."
Qi Yun, don't make wild guesses. This is Fellow Daoist Feng Xi.
Qi Yun understood, suppressed the slight ripples caused by the other person's appearance, regained his composure, and respectfully cupped his hands towards the stunningly beautiful woman Feng Xi, about to perform a salute.
"No need."
Feng Xi's voice rang out again. She turned around and left Qi Yun with only a cold and aloof back view.
"Let's talk about it after you've attained the position of Dao King."
The Dao King?!
These two words created ripples in Qi Yun's heart!
So, the level above the True Lord, the World-Honored One, is called the [ Dao King ]?
Qi Yun's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, but his face didn't show much change, nor did he take Feng Xi's obviously distant words to heart.
He naturally withdrew his hand, then turned to look at True Lord Contemplating the One beside him, his expression becoming more solemn, and said, "The tribulation I underwent to become a Monarch was fraught with danger."
"Many thanks to the Ancestral Master for his help; this disciple is deeply grateful."
"We're all family, no need for Outer Dao." True Lord Contemplating the One smiled, his expression gentle.
He spoke of it casually, but Qi Yun could imagine the danger and struggle involved.
"Come over here, let's talk." True Lord Contemplating the One called out and came to the simple thatched hut.
Feng Xi walked directly to the stone platform, bent down and picked up an inconspicuous, supple vine with a faint bluish-gold luster. She sat down on a futon, lowered her eyes, and her slender fingers deftly began to weave something, seemingly oblivious to the conversation around her.
That focused and serene profile blended strangely into the surrounding fairy-tale island scenery.
True Lord Contemplating the One then led Qi Yun to the other side, and the two stood one in front of a grove of flowers.
" Qi Yun," True Lord Contemplating the One's smile faded, and he said slowly, "I suppose you've already guessed why we brought you here."
Qi Yun's eyes flickered slightly as he True Lord Contemplating the One. After a moment, he slowly uttered four words: "The enemy is far superior to us. Should we find a helper?"
"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, True Lord Contemplating the One laughed heartily, his voice carrying far across the tranquil immortal island. "Not bad! You grasped it immediately!"
"Since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush." His smile faded, and his expression turned solemn. " The Great Tide of Time —is coming soon."
" The Great Tide of Time?" Qi Yun frowned slightly.
"Hmm." True Lord Contemplating the One raised his hand and pointed to the vast, unseen yet perceptible river beyond the Immortal Island. "This [ Heaven and Earth's Long River of Time ] is not eternally calm."
Every so often, the river experiences a violent tide.
At that time, the river swelled and overflowed.
The natural protection that the " Heaven and Earth's Long River of Time " provides to the Xuanhuang Home Realm will become ineffective.
"They--"
"They'll be back!"
return!
Two simple words, yet they silenced this idyllic lawn!
Qi Yun fell silent.
He could imagine how horrific that scene must have been.
The World-Honored One One's backup plan has already left the Xuanhuang True Lord in a sorry state.
If multiple—even just one Dao King's true form—were to directly step into the Xuanhuang, it would be an absolute catastrophe. For a moment, he raised his head and asked a crucial question, "Since [they] cannot return, why can you, Ancestors, do so?"
True Lord Contemplating the One glanced at him, then at Feng Xi was sitting quietly weaving beside him, smiled faintly, and uttered two words: "Self-mutilation."
"Suicide?" Qi Yun's gaze sharpened.
"Indeed." True Lord Contemplating the One's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something unrelated to himself. "Fellow Daoist Feng Xi and I, in order to remain near Xuanhuang, severed part of our foundations and voluntarily fell from our positions as Dao King."
"Right now, we are merely Great Perfection True Lord."
To sever one's own foundation and relinquish the position of Dao King! What courage and decisiveness that is!
Qi Yun felt a sense of respect, but more than that, he was filled with doubt.
"What courage!" he praised, then fixed his gaze intently on True Lord Contemplating the One. "But how does the Ancestor know that I will definitely help you?"
This is a real and acute problem.
Faced with threats from multiple " Dao King," what gave him the right to perform such a righteous act?
Don't forget, he's a demon, the greatest demon in the world!
Upon True Lord Contemplating the One couldn't help but laugh again.
He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the eternally flowing chaos beyond the Immortal Island, his expression calm, as if he had long anticipated Qi Yun's question.
"That's easy—"
Looking at the True Lord Contemplating the One, Qi Yun originally thought he would utter some grand and righteous words about saving the Xuanhuang, protecting the homeland, and maintaining the orthodox path of the Great Dao.
"You have ruined the World-Honored One's plans."
True Lord Contemplating the One turned his head, looked at Qi Yun, and revealed a smile of watching the show.
"He's notoriously petty; he holds grudges for a lifetime."
"If you don't help us, when the Great Tide of Time come and His true form returns—"
True Lord Contemplating the One leaned closer and lowered his voice.
You're finished!
Qi Yun was speechless for a moment, and the expression on his face became somewhat amused and exasperated.
This reason is far too blatant!
But upon closer examination, this reason is actually quite—sufficient!
So thorough that he couldn't refute it!
Having destroyed two of the World-Honored One's most important backup plans, this enmity has become incredibly deep!
If the other party returns, I will definitely be the first target!
Shaking his head helplessly, Qi Yun temporarily set aside this somewhat comical yet incredibly real relationship.
He composed himself and asked the question that had lingered in his mind for so long, "Ancestor, I dare to ask, why is it that Dao King like the World-Honored One, who all came from the Xuanhuang Home Realm, harbor such hatred for their place of enlightenment and birthplace, even going so far as to orchestrate an eternal plan to destroy it?"
What secrets lie hidden within this?
This is the crux of the matter!
Without understanding this point, all resistance and planning will be nothing more than struggling in a fog.
The True Lord Contemplating the One did not answer immediately.
His gaze deepened, as if traversing endless years to look back at some long-forgotten ancient history.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, looked at Qi Yun, and asked in return, " Qi Yun, you should now be the number one in the Xuanhuang Home Realm, right?"
Qi Yun was taken aback by the question, not expecting it. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. "It should be..."
"Hmm." True Lord Contemplating the One smiled calmly and continued, "Then—"
His gaze sharpened as he looked directly into Qi Yun's eyes, asking each word slowly and deliberately, "Do you wish for another Qi Yun to emerge in Xuanhuang?"
Do you hope that another Qi Yun will emerge from Xuanhuang?!
boom-!!!
These words, like a bolt of lightning tearing through all the fog, struck deep into Qi Yun's Sea of Consciousness!
All the doubts, confusion, and contradictions seemed to find the most crucial piece of the puzzle at this moment!
The Xuanhuang Home Realm —a special realm—the cradle for nurturing " Dao King "—
In an instant!
In Qi Yun's mind, it seemed as if a series of majestic figures, towering above the Heavenly Dao, appeared. Their self-aura was cold, and they held the power of heaven and earth. They spoke slowly, and the rolling heavenly voices echoed endlessly.
"There are already enough Dao King— "
"This world needs no more Dao King!"
"Then—destroy Xuanhuang!"