Scheming!

"I never expected this—" Qi Yun snapped out of his sudden realization, the chaotic light in his eyes gradually subsiding, transforming into a deep sigh, "It was actually—such a simple, and yet—such a naked reason."

After the initial shock came a complex mix of emotions, a feeling that came from seeing through the true nature of things.

I initially thought it was some kind of ancient feud or a battle for the ultimate truth, but it turns out to be something as "simple" as a monopoly.

"Sometimes, things are not as complicated as we imagine." True Lord Contemplating the One stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the eternally flowing chaos outside the Immortal Island, a faint smile of worldly wisdom playing on his lips.

"The Xuanhuang Home Realm is the beginning of all realms," he said calmly, "And the All Wonders Heaven above it is the source of all paths!"

"Only the Xuanhuang Home Realm can give birth to Dao King!"

"For those who have already ascended to the position of 'Dao King,' Xuanhuang and the All Wonders Heaven are like a well that constantly gushes forth new spring water." True Lord Contemplating the One turned around, his gaze blazing. "As long as we completely destroy the Xuanhuang Home Realm and shatter the All Wonders Heaven, it will be equivalent to cutting off the source of this well at its very root!"

"In this way, a new Dao King will no longer be able to be conceived, and the existing Dao King— " His voice paused slightly, tinged with a hint of sarcasm, "Can naturally rest easy, no longer worrying about any successor shaking their positions."

Destroy the cradle so that there will be no more newborn babies.

The truth is cruel yet clear, and it explains everything.

"Come." True Lord Contemplating the One said no more, and called to Qi Yun. The two left the Zhangping in front of Zhanglu and walked slowly towards the depths of the immortal island along a path shrouded in immortal mist.

At the end of the path, the sound of water gradually grew louder.

Suddenly, a breathtaking view opened up before them, revealing a majestic, towering, gray-white mountain standing at the edge of the fairy island.

At the summit, a magnificent waterfall, thousands of feet wide and strangely silvery-gray in color, flowing with countless different eras of light and shadow and fragments of fate, crashes down like a silver river cascading from the heavens into a bottomless pool below, radiating intense temporal and spatial fluctuations!

Water splashes everywhere, each drop reflecting a fleeting moment of life or a corner of a vanished world, erupting with a deafening roar that seems to be the convergence of all joys and sorrows!

True Lord Contemplating the One led Qi Yun to the top of this "Waterfall of Time".

Standing on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the surging water that carries the weight of countless years and endless karma, True Lord Contemplating the One raised his hand and pointed to the source of the waterfall.

"The water of this 'Passing River Falls ' is drawn directly from the [Heaven and Earth's Long River of Time]." His voice remained clear amidst the roaring water, "Its flow rate and the speed of its current are closely related to the long river itself."

"When—" True Lord Contemplating the One's gaze deepened, "when did the waterfall's flow noticeably decrease, slow down, and even become intermittent—"

"This signifies that the Great Tide of Time is approaching!"

Qi Yun gazed intently, and saw that the waterfall before him was still magnificent and awe-inspiring, with silvery-gray waves crashing against the cliff face, stirring up countless waves and sprays.

After a slight pause, True Lord Contemplating the One turned to Qi Yun: "Qi Yun, now that you understand the fundamentals, you should know that the time left for you and for Xuanhuang is running out."

To attain the Dao King, one must first attain the Way through Empty Attainment!

"You have opened up the [Primordial Unity] realm and transformed fruit into elixir, demonstrating the qualifications and potential to attain the Dao King." True Lord Contemplating the One's eyes were filled with admiration.

"However, truly becoming Dao King is no easy task."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm over, and a flash of ancient gray light appeared, revealing an object in his hand.

It was an ancient scroll made of some unknown material, cool to the touch, with some tears along the edges.

The scroll depicts no mountains, rivers, cities, or kingdoms, only countless faint, ever-changing clouds swirling around.

Amidst the clouds, some abstract and mysterious Dao patterns and starlight could be vaguely seen, constantly changing.

"This is the [Westward Journey Displacement Map]." The True Lord Contemplating the One handed the scroll to Qi Yun. "With this map, you can travel through the vast void to a place—your familiar home."

Qi Yun took the scroll, and the moment he touched it, he sensed a very faint yet very peculiar pulling force.

"You bear a heavy burden of karmic consequences related to Dao of Wealth." True Lord Contemplating the One's eyes were sharp, seeing through all the secrets hidden within Qi Yun.

"You made some kind of deal with that ' Dao of Wealth Imperial Weapon,' didn't you?"

I never expected that the other party even knew about the existence of "Cai Kun"!

Qi Yun felt a slight tremor in his heart, and his eyes involuntarily flickered.

His deal with Cai Shen was extremely secretive, involving the lending of fortune and future repayment, but unexpectedly, the patriarch still saw through it.

He nodded slowly, making no attempt to hide anything.

"That's even better." The corner of Canyi Zhenjun's mouth lifted slightly, "The place indicated by this map hides another treasure—the imperial weapon of the Tang Dynasty!"

"However, that guy has a bad temper." True Lord Contemplating the One shook his head, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memories. "Years ago, I followed the map and tried to subdue him, but—I failed, only managing to figure out a few things."

"You have a deep connection with the Great Tang Dynasty, bearing its official position and fortune, as well as the karma of Dao of Wealth and Imperial Weapon— " He looked at Qi Yun with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "Perhaps, you are the one destined for us."

If you can find and subdue it, it will greatly benefit your future path.

Even if we cannot subdue them, forging a good relationship is still a good thing.

Another Imperial Weapon! Also related to the Great Tang!

Qi Yun's heart skipped a beat.

Imperial Weapon are beings that surpass ordinary Law Treasure.

He had already witnessed Cai Shen's extraordinary abilities; if he could obtain another one—

"Many thanks to the Ancestral Master for bestowing this map!" Qi Yun carefully put away the [Westward Journey Displacement Map] and bowed deeply to the True Lord Contemplating the One Canyi.

"No need for formalities." True Lord Contemplating the One his hand and took out a chaotic, colorful light from his sleeve, similar to the guiding light before, but more condensed.

"With this spiritual light, if you ever have any doubts in the future, you will be able to sense this location and follow the trail here."

"Remember, the Great Tide of Time is coming, and time waits for no one!"

"Seize every moment to improve yourself," True Lord Contemplating the One concluded.

Qi Yun nodded solemnly, carefully put away the spiritual light, and bowed again. "Disciple understands. I will certainly not fail the expectations of the Ancestral Master."

"Go." True Lord Contemplating the One waved his hand.

Qi Yun said no more. With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of chaotic colorful light, soaring into the sky. He quickly passed through the chaotic curtain of energy surrounding the immortal island and entered the eternally flowing [Heaven and Earth's Long River of Time]. Following the senses he had come from, he sped toward Xuanhuang.

They watched as Qi Yun's figure completely disappeared into the depths of the long river's mist.

"Splash!"

Around the immortal island, the rivers of time, which had been temporarily separated and displayed the color of primordial chaos, lost some kind of restraint and slowly closed up again, submerging and isolating this "Long Ages Immortal Island" in the deepest part of the Long River of Time, completely severing its connection with the outside world.

At the top of the waterfall, the gentle, kind, and instructive smile on the face of the True Lord Contemplating the One receded as quickly as the tide, turning into indifference.

He turned around, his footsteps silent, and came to the thatched hut, behind the still quietly sitting, moon-white figure weaving.

"How was it?" True Lord Contemplating the One's voice was calm and unwavering, completely different from his previous tone.

True Lord Feng Xi's slender fingers paused slightly as she slowly put down the lapis lazuli vine, which had been woven with strange patterns.

She raised her clear, aloof eyes, which held none of the aloofness she had shown when facing Qi Yun, but instead revealed a chilling, all-seeing scrutiny.

She slowly shook her head, her voice like jade beads falling onto a plate, clear yet icy. "No."

"This child's method of attaining enlightenment is very strange."

"Not only does the Great Dao accompany him, Primordial Unity, but he is also guarded by an incredibly steadfast will."

"There is not a single flaw, not a single gap."

As long as the core is touched even slightly, the intention is slightly moved—"

She glanced at True Lord Contemplating the One, her gaze slightly narrowing. "He will surely notice!"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, True Lord Contemplating the One not only showed no disappointment, but instead a profound and unfathomable smile appeared on his lips. "Truly worthy of being a junior of my Holy Sect."

"However—" his gaze became unfathomable, "The more so, the better."

True Lord Feng Xi glanced at him, then slowly rose, her moon-white skirt rippling like water.

She looked at True Lord Contemplating the One, her tone calm yet tinged with inquiry. "You've been quite generous this time."

"The [Westward Journey Displacement Map], which we went to great lengths to obtain, has all been given away."

"Hehe----" Upon hearing this, True Lord Contemplating the One's lips curled into a faint, yet chilling smile.

He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing up, fingers slightly clenched.

"Buzz----"**

A strange, hazy ball of light, constantly shifting in color and shape, with countless subtle Dao patterns pulsating within it, slowly appeared in his palm.

The aura emanating from this ball of light was extremely subtle, yet it resonated with Qi Yun in a way that was difficult to articulate and was very faint!

"I can't bear to part with my child----"

The True Lord Contemplating the One lowered his gaze, staring at the pulsating, hazy Dao intent in his palm. His voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness and calculating intent, "You can't catch a wolf this way."

"One or two more times."

The smile on his lips gradually widened, transforming into an indifferent and confident air of complete control. "That's about it."

The fairy island is silent, with the eternal roar of the "Passing River Falls" in the distance and the Long River of Time flowing silently beyond the island.

Sunlight filtered through the misty, ethereal air, casting dappled shadows in front of the thatched hut, yet it could not dispel the invisible, profound, and chilling aura that lingered between the two otherworldly figures.