For a fleeting moment, Meng Qi seemed to hear his own heartbeat, surging with immense anticipation. In this moment, in this setting, seeing such a silhouette, how could he not feel as though his dreams had bled into reality? How could his mind not flash with scenes of imagined encounters and past memories? Alas, the plain skirt remained, but the face had changed completely. Disappointment arose, impossible to suppress.
It was merely Bi Jingxuan, the “Primordial Fairy”…
She wielded the “Primordial Golden Urn,” capable of subduing most Heaven Immortals. Without being deliberately targeted by the “Yuan Shi Projection,” she indeed had a good chance of reaching this lotus pond ahead of Meng Qi and Han Guang after passing through the Jade Pure Palace. Moreover, not every “Yuan Shi Projection” would develop self-awareness spontaneously.
On the other hand, those legendary experts, due to their immense power and not being disciples of the Yuan Shi sect, would trigger reactive alerts from the Jade Void Palace. During the reconfiguration of the layout, they were likely to be thrown into the most perilous ancient well universe, delaying their emergence.
Despite his disappointment, Meng Qi remained calm enough to analyze the current situation. Now that Bi Jingxuan had arrived, where was Zhao Qian, the “Incarnation of Maitreya”?
His knowledge, experience, and mastery of secret techniques should definitely surpass Bi Jingxuan’s. Unless he intended to leave behind a “Self-Imprint” in the ancient well universe, just as Han Guang and Meng Qi had done, he should have been the first to enter the Jade Pure Palace.
However, given his current cultivation level, even with formidable techniques, lacking treasures awakened to the legendary realm and possessing only a faint trace of true world essence within the ancient well universe, he would be completely overwhelmed by a self-aware Yuan Shi Projection. After all, as the foundation of the ancient Celestial Court, the “Chart of Enfeoffed Gods” and the “God-Beating Whip” were designed to restrain and suppress the manifestations of cosmic laws and authority. If they could influence the deities reigning supreme above all heavens, how much more could they dominate the primordial gods within a dependent universe?
Moreover, did Zhao Qian possess the power to reverse the flow of time like Han Guang? Did he have the characteristics of the Shore Beyond and the “Cause of All Results” to counter the inversion of cause and effect?
Even if he had prepared well and could temporarily gain similar abilities through external means and secret techniques, it was nearly impossible for him to fully possess them. More importantly, Meng Qi and Han Guang’s victory had been somewhat fortuitous, due to the overwhelming power gap. In the eyes of the cosmic creators, they were like tiny ants, easily crushed with a casual hand. But the arrogance and carelessness in their condescending attitude had led them to overlook the danger until a fatal flaw was exploited, leaving them helpless and unable to recover.
If even the combined strength of Meng Qi and Han Guang had barely won in such a precarious situation, how could Zhao Qian, even as the reincarnation of Maitreya, possibly break through the bounds of reason and logic?
So, where had he gone?
Looking ahead, the lotus pond before Bi Jingxuan was more like a lake, shimmering with rippling water, mist rising in wisps. Everywhere were lotuses and green leaves, all rare and precious cultivars, seldom seen in the mortal world. Their fragrance spread far and wide, simple yet elegant.
But none of them were the Chaos Green Lotus.
At the farthest end of the lake, where water and sky met, darkness reigned, resembling primordial chaos. Even with Meng Qi’s cultivation and strength, he could only vaguely discern nine unusual lotus roots within. Their entire bodies were emerald green, absorbing faint glimmers of light. Most of their petals had already fallen, leaving behind a lotus seed that defied color description. Among them, three seeds were only faint traces, their forms gone, as if recently harvested.
Yet the lotus at the very center was different. Its petals were still in bud, fresh and dewy, as if nurturing something—perhaps a seed, or perhaps something else.
Thump, thump, thump—Meng Qi’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.
Could it be developing as he hoped?
Could it be a hidden move left behind by Xiao Sang?
At this moment, Bi Jingxuan turned her body, her gaze passing over “The Devil Master” Han Guang, settling on Meng Qi’s location.
Meng Qi was not surprised by her discovery. After all, his earlier hopes and disappointments upon seeing her back had been too obvious, creating a flaw in his concealment.
At this level of cultivation, both he and his enemies were extremely perceptive. How could they possibly overlook such a detail?
Bi Jingxuan held a handful of beans in her hand and cast them outward, transforming into numerous celestial soldiers. Around her, a surge of murky, blood-yellow river water erupted, its waves crashing, forming a forbidden formation.
High above the river water, the Primordial Golden Urn flew, anchoring the formation’s core.
The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation!
The surging waves blocked the path forward. Bi Jingxuan’s expression remained calm as she gazed at Meng Qi and softly spoke, “If you can break through this formation, I shall turn back and no longer interfere.”
At her words, Meng Qi no longer doubted her allegiance—her backer must be an ally of the Golden Emperor!
Bi Jingxuan had arrived at the lotus pond first, unimpeded, with ample time to take the budding green lotus as a pawn to control the Golden Emperor. Yet she had not done so, apparently only harvesting three Chaos Green Lotus seeds. Now, she blocked Meng Qi’s path.
However, from her tone and expression, and from her decision not to destroy the lotus outright, Meng Qi felt a tinge of gratitude. The unexpected changes within the ancient well universe had delayed his progress. Even if Bi Jingxuan had taken any drastic action earlier, he would have been powerless to stop her. Yet she seemed to have acknowledged the kindness of his safe return from the ancient era, choosing only to intercept him now.
No wonder she was the Golden Emperor—this move had nearly left him helpless and unable to recover… Meng Qi silently sighed, revealing his form and stepping before the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.
Bi Jingxuan belonged to the lineage of the Three Luminaries, inheriting the tradition of spiritual treasures. Although Meng Qi had always been cautious of her, he had never imagined she would be the Golden Emperor’s ally rather than the expected “Incarnation of Maitreya” Zhao Qian or the feared Devil Master. He had merely suspected that the powerful figure behind her sought to counter the Eternal Mother, believing there was some basis for cooperation between them.
The most active period of the Eternal Mother seemed to coincide with the event of the “Three Luminaries’ Retreat into Meditation”… The three Chaos Green Lotus seeds Bi Jingxuan had taken… Meng Qi began to make some associations, a faint wry smile appearing on his face. He always seemed to have perfect hindsight, still far from being a flawless strategist.
When discussing those who had reached the Shore Beyond, it was often said that they could reverse time, alter history, and reset the present—a nearly insurmountable power. Yet this was only one terrifying aspect of the Shore Beyond. People often overlooked another: these great beings could also seize the possibilities of the future, laying the groundwork long in advance to guide events toward their desired outcomes.
Caught within their struggle, one would feel an inexplicable sense of perfect coincidence—why not this way, but only that way, as though preordained.
As these thoughts passed through his mind, Meng Qi’s gaze swept over Han Guang.
He could not afford to delay. The legendary figure could break free from the ancient well universe at any moment. Once that happened, it would be too late, with no room for maneuver.
Meeting Meng Qi’s gaze, Han Guang shook his head with a bitter smile, “In my prime, I might have had a fair chance of helping you break through the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. But now, my Celestial Emperor incarnation has been destroyed, the fragments of the Dong Huang Bell are damaged, and though my ambition remains, my strength has waned. Brother Three, it’s up to you now.”
Meng Qi did not linger on Han Guang’s words. All distractions dissipated from his mind, leaving only tranquility. His gaze fixed upon Bi Jingxuan within the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. With his right hand, he reached into his sleeve and drew forth the Tyrant’s Overlord Blade, a weapon radiating imperial purple dominance. Solemnly, he bowed in gratitude for Bi Jingxuan’s mercy.
He spoke with gravity, “The Primordial Golden Urn excels in capturing adversaries, sealing all transformations. Combined with the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, it surpasses even the Celestial Court’s Immortal Pond. Once trapped within, one’s Dao power will erode, reducing them to mere mortals. Truly, this is among the most formidable forbidden arts in all of heaven and earth.”
“Yet,” he continued, “the essence of this Tyrant’s Overlord Blade in my hand surpasses even the Primordial Golden Urn. At the same level of Heaven Immortal, it should withstand such erosion.”
As he spoke, his divine consciousness, intent, and true soul poured into the blade, just as he had done during his opening of the Qiao and outer scenery stages—using the blade as his eyes, expressing his will through it.
This was a common combat technique used when one’s weapon surpassed their cultivation level. Since reaching the Dharma Body stage, he had either progressed smoothly or encountered enemies so overwhelmingly powerful that direct confrontation was impossible, rendering this technique seldom useful. However, with time running short and the unique properties of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation and the Primordial Golden Urn at play, he had no choice but to rely on the Tyrant’s Supreme Blade.
The blade was his hand, his eye, his very being. To trust it was to trust himself. Meng Qi’s consciousness and will merged into the blade’s keen edge. Before his eyes, the scenery shimmered with threads of lightning, utterly distinct from ordinary sight. The finest structures lay bare before him, the vast and profound essence fully revealed—time and space intertwined, nearly granting him the sensation of becoming an incarnation of the universe itself.
He took a step forward, tilted the Overlord’s Severing Blade, and entered the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. This might be the most crucial battle he had faced since attaining the Dharmakāya stage.
Boom!
Outside the Jade Pure Palace, an ancient well erupted with radiant, colorful light, vibrating violently.
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