Volume One: The Turmoil of Yan and Yun Chapter Sixty-Five: Shifting Tides on All Sides (Part Three)
Hearing the words of the shopkeeper surnamed Shi, the Divine Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
He had originally intended to send Shade of Heaven to deal with the Flower-Transferring Divine Beast, but Shade of Heaven showed little interest, and he did not bother to force the matter. The reason he turned to Night Devourer was, firstly, because he was confident he could persuade Night Devourer to act; secondly, although the issue was important, it was not unsolvable. Even if both Shade of Heaven and Night Devourer chose to stand aside, he still had other cards up his sleeve.
After all, the Demon Clan’s war decree still lay at his bedside. Compared to the great war between humans and demons a century from now, this was mere child’s play. The deeper those cards were hidden, the better.
“Let’s go,” the Divine Emperor said with a smile. “It’s been quite some time since I last fought anyone. To tell the truth, my hands are itching for it.”
“Finish your meal first,” Night Devourer replied coldly. “There’s no need to rush.”
“Meal?” The Divine Emperor lightly waved his hand, and the dishes and chopsticks on the table vanished. He chuckled, “Where is the meal?”
Night Devourer frowned. “If I ever cook for you again, I’ll call myself a dog.”
The Divine Emperor said nothing, merely smiling as he looked at him.
Night Devourer said, “Let’s go.”
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Xiang Prefecture, Mount Taixuan, beneath the Abyss of Demon Suppression.
Two Demon Generals were sealed within the Abyss of Demon Suppression, both ranked high among their kind. By the standards of the Human Race’s general cultivation hierarchy, at their peak, they were both at the Unity Realm—a realm of great power.
To restrain these two Unity Realm demons, the third-generation Dao Saint had exhausted a thousand years of Mount Taixuan’s strength to construct the Five Abysses Formation. Though there had been no major incidents over the years, nearly everyone of age knew what changes had befallen Mount Taixuan.
Once a serene and secluded valley, it had now become so desolate that even wild grass refused to grow. The earth was darker than night itself, crisscrossed by countless fiery red veins like a spider’s web, radiating intense heat, with magma occasionally spurting from the glowing fissures.
There were a few figures lurking in the depths of the abyss.
These were disciples stationed at the Abyss of Demon Suppression. Today was the annual day for inspecting the seals of the Five Abysses.
Mingyuan, the Dao Heir, walked at the front of the group, pondering the words his master had said days before, still finding them utterly absurd.
“I know what you’re thinking. That child Feng Yang is indeed exceptionally talented in cultivating our Abyssal techniques. With his powerful life force, he may one day attain the Great Dao. If he overcomes the Ten Severances, his talent will be second to none, perhaps even superior to yours.”
“Then why won’t Master allow Uncle Mingdu to choose him? Though the Ten Severances Vein is considered a crippled meridian, most cases are due to blocked channels, resulting in weak life force and eventual stagnation. Feng Yang is different—if he were to use the Demon Suppression Body Refinement...”
“What you can see, even if I overlook it for a moment, can the elders of the other Four Abysses not see it as well?”
“...”
“That child is enshrouded in karma; few in this world would dare to accept such a fate.”
“...”
“Do you think your master is being deliberately mysterious?”
“Our Mount Taixuan is skilled in divination and reading fate. How would I dare be so presumptuous, Master?”
“Wait and see. The karma upon that child is not unresolvable; it depends only on whether that person is willing to get involved.”
“Who?”
“The abbot of Daoming Monastery.”
After this conversation, the top candidate of the selection was neglected for a long time. Later, news arrived that the abbot of Daoming Monastery had taken a disciple, stunning the entire world.
Even though Mingyuan had recognized Feng Yang’s potential, he had never imagined things would develop to this extent.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, he suddenly felt a surge of dread, as if every hair on his body stood on end.
Murderous intent, sharp as a blade, nearly tore him apart.
“Form the formation!” he shouted.
The other disciples had no idea why their senior brother spoke so suddenly, but, trusting him implicitly, they immediately obeyed.
A giant sword appeared at the base of the Abyss of Demon Suppression.
Mingyuan’s sense of dread eased somewhat, but did not fully subside.
“Retreat,” he ordered decisively.
Just then, a gentle breeze swept down from above.
Dao Saint Mingfa descended with the wind, gazing in silence at the depths below.
Seeing the Dao Saint himself arrive, everyone present instantly understood the gravity of the situation, so much so that none dared even to breathe audibly.
“What did you sense?” Mingfa suddenly turned to Mingyuan and asked.
“Revered Dao Saint, I cannot say exactly what I felt, only that... it seems some great catastrophe is imminent.” Mingyuan struggled to describe it. “It’s like being watched by some ancient, monstrous beast.”
Mingfa gave no reply.
...
...
The sound of the air being torn apart rang in quick succession. Nearly all the peak lords and elders of Mount Taixuan had arrived.
They did not possess Mingfa’s keen sensitivity, but they could sense the overwhelming surge of energy from the Abyss, and the point at which it finally settled.
“The Third Demon General has awakened. The Fifth Demon General must be close as well,” Mingfa announced.
Without waiting for responses, he continued, “From this moment on, the Abyss of Demon Suppression must be inspected daily. Inspectors must be no less than of the Heart-Illuminating Realm, and each team led by an Abyss Elder. Should there be any disturbance, raise the alarm at once! From now on, there are no restrictions on the use of spiritual power at Mount Taixuan—anyone may act with full strength!”
...
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While turmoil brewed in the Abyss of Demon Suppression, Feng Yang was still reading in Daoming Monastery.
Yes, the sixteen years of his past life had all been spent in study. Now, as death approached, he continued to read.
The abbot of Daoming Monastery sat across from him. Withdrawing his gaze from the direction of the Abyss, he looked at Feng Yang and asked, “You say that the heir of Yanbei is convinced ‘Inkmaster’ is hidden within Mount Taixuan? How did he come to know this?”
This question implied that ‘Inkmaster’ was indeed concealed in Mount Taixuan.
“My elder brother has read many books,” Feng Yang answered. “He once said, if this world wears a mask, there are only two ways to unmask it: first, to slay all one’s enemies; second, to read all the books under heaven.”
“To slay all one’s enemies… Throughout history, no one has ever accomplished that,” the abbot laughed. “To read all the books in the world is more interesting, but the problem is, with countless new books emerging every moment, how could he hope to read them all?”
“My brother cannot,” Feng Yang agreed with his master. “But he can lift a corner of the mask, and peek at the truth beneath.”
For example, to study Wei Sanmu’s life: his relatives, friends, mentors, disciples; what he did, for better or worse; his beliefs, ambitions, and temperament.
Or, after Wei Sanmu’s death: his tomb, his legacy, his will, his friends and family, and his regrets.
These pieces of information are connected by many stories, and such stories often reveal more than a little. The astute can infer much more.
This is why his brother appeared at Mount Taixuan.
“It seems your elder brother is quite an extraordinary young man,” the abbot said with a gentle smile. “Finish reading this book well. Once you master ‘Harmonizing Light with Dust,’ I will teach you ‘Inkmaster.’”
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