“Is it not?” Seeing Gu Xiaosang smile without answering, Meng Qi deliberately retorted with a question.
Gu Xiaosang’s eyes shone with admiration as she raised her hands and lightly clapped, the sound crisp and clear:
“Husband, you’re truly amazing! You can even see through this. None of my little thoughts can escape your discerning eyes!”
“No need for such exaggeration…” Meng Qi twitched the corner of his mouth and probed further, “Attaining the Legendary realm within the Origin of Life and Death… utilizing the Fengdu Emperor… to disrupt His schemes and escape unscathed… Could it be that you intend to leverage His provocation to stir the Origin of Life and Death, thereby refining a portion of it while attaining the Legendary realm, merging certain aspects of the Dao of Life and Death to pave the way for the future?”
Upon reaching the pinnacle of the Legendary realm, ascending to the Creation realm requires fulfilling three major conditions: first, the ability to directly perceive the erosion of the River of Time; second, the genuine experience of the existence of the Sea of Suffering; and third, the sublimation and refinement of one’s own knowledge, progressing toward the direction of the “Dao.”
(Note: “冲刷” is retained in pinyin with an explanatory translation in parentheses, as it appears to be a specialized term in this context. If a fully translated version is preferred, it can be rendered as “the erosion of the River of Time.”)
Alternative fully translated version:
Upon reaching the pinnacle of the Legendary realm, ascending to the Creation realm requires fulfilling three major conditions: first, the ability to directly perceive the erosion of the River of Time; second, the genuine experience of the existence of the Sea of Suffering; and third, the sublimation and refinement of one’s own knowledge, progressing toward the direction of the “Dao.”
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments to the terminology or style.
To traverse the Sea of Suffering and reach the Other Shore from the Creation Realm, two additional challenges must be overcome: first, the capacity to interact with the River of Time, enabling limited retrospection into the past and glimpses of the future; second, the gradual deepening of cultivation in the “personal Dao” solidified upon attaining Creation, ultimately reaching the “near-Dao” level to form the “near-Dao fruit”—commonly referred to as the illusory Dao fruit or half-Dao fruit. Examples include the illusory fruits manifested by the Green Emperor’s four personal Daos: Wood, Vitality, Time, and Void.
Meng Qi, with his Other Shore traits, had long been capable of sensing the erosion of the River of Time. Aside from the “other-self imprints” that had yet to spread across all realms and naturally proliferate with newborn universes—a process requiring gradual effort—he only lacked the experience of the Sea of Suffering and the refinement of his knowledge to reach the “near-Dao” level.
If Gu Xiaosang could refine a portion of the Origin of Life and Death while attaining the Legendary realm, merging certain aspects of the Dao of Life and Death, it would serve as a foundation, making the consolidation of her other personal Daos much easier. This would bring immense benefits to her advancement to the Creation realm and even her future ascension to the Other Shore!
—One of the foundational principles of the Endless Mother’s Dao was the “Vacuum Hometown,” the ultimate destination after death, which undoubtedly also encompassed the Dao of Life and Death.
The greatest challenge in such an endeavor, however, was that the Origin of Life and Death was not easily refined, especially into oneself. The slightest misstep could lead to assimilation by the Dao, resulting in a fate like the Black Emperor’s—or even the complete erasure of one’s consciousness!
Gu Xiaosang’s smile returned, her eyes like a river carrying countless stars:
“Husband, you’re even answering before the question is asked now.”
Meng Qi’s expression froze slightly, his mind filled with only one thought: even such memes existed within the Golden Emperor’s memories and knowledge…
Gu Xiaosang lowered the hand that had been propping her cheek, her demeanor lively yet restrained, and slightly lifted her chin: “Without the collision of two Creation Perfection realms to create terrifying shockwaves, even with the stirring of the ‘Wheel of Life and Death Across the Heavens,’ there would be no hope for you and me to refine a portion of the Origin of Life and Death. It simply wouldn’t budge.”
“Me and you?” Meng Qi retorted with a hint of confusion.
Gu Xiaosang nodded gently, her dimples small and charming as she smiled: “Yes, you and me.”
Then, her voice instinctively softened, her words flowing smoothly, making Meng Qi first grow serious before nodding subtly.
After pondering for a while, Meng Qi raised a question: “The clash between the Creation Perfection realms clearly refers to the True Martial Emperor and the Fengdu Emperor. But didn’t you previously advise against pinning hopes on uncontrollable variables beyond our grasp? The True Martial Emperor’s current state is rather eerie, making it hard to predict whether he would take action against the Fengdu Emperor?”
Gu Xiaosang giggled, her expression seemingly delighted: “Husband, you remember my words quite well. But earlier, I asked this: If the Fengdu Emperor attempts to bypass the True Martial Emperor or attacks you before approaching him, can you confidently draw the True Martial Emperor’s sword without harming yourself?”
“To this question, husband, you clearly lack confidence. But I do.”
“Thus, the True Martial Emperor is not an unknown factor but a certainty.”
Meng Qi mused thoughtfully: “Your confidence stems from your understanding of the ‘assimilation by the Dao’ state?”
This was knowledge he did not yet possess.
Gu Xiaosang beamed with joy: “Husband, you are right. Although the True Martial Emperor left the Yellow Spring as a precaution to awaken himself and escape the state of ‘assimilation by the Dao,’ recovery and awakening are gradual processes, often taking decades. Therefore, for most of the next few decades, the True Martial Emperor will still act on Dao instinct, with very little sentience.”
The Fengdu Emperor symbolizes samsara and absolute death, while the True Martial Emperor bears the title of Black Emperor, fostering life through water. They stand at opposing poles of the Dao of Life and Death—”yin and yang attract.” Under normal circumstances, this would present no conflict. But within the wondrous realm closest to the Dao of Life and Death, as long as we can stir some turbulence, the True Martial Emperor will instinctively strike at the Fengdu Emperor—just as light naturally dispels darkness.
Meng Qi pondered before asking: “Then how do we create turbulence? With the ‘Wheel of Life and Death Across the Heavens’?”
“That’s a contingency plan, just in case.” Gu Xiaosang clasped her hands together. “Husband, quickly gather materials capable of bearing the essence of your current Yin-Yang Seal. Then, ask the one from the Fusang Ancient Tree to help forge a life-and-death type treasure that can temporarily protect you from assimilation by the Dao. At the same time, you can inform Him of everything except my involvement and the Wheel of Life and Death Across the Heavens.”
This way, it will corroborate with any information possibly leaked from the Asura Progenitor: the husband did indeed enter the Origin of Life and Death, encountered the True Martial Emperor in his eerie state, and lost the Yellow Spring’s remains, forcing him to gather materials anew and seek the Fusang Ancient Tree’s assistance in preparing for the next expedition. Based on this, those with ulterior motives will completely overlook the possibility that the Yellow Spring’s remains were not destroyed but instead became a peerless divine weapon.
Similarly, once the individual from the Fusang Ancient Tree learns the specifics, He will undoubtedly enhance the treasure with some life-preserving capabilities—perhaps even manifesting His own Dao mark to descend and assist at crucial moments. Of course, my dear, don’t assume things will proceed so smoothly. Even if the Fengdu Emperor bears no hostility toward you, He would never permit the one from the Fusang Ancient Tree to accompany you inside. The Other Shore behind Him would inevitably sever any connection.
“This treasure, along with the Tree of the Era, will serve as your overt means to withstand the Fengdu Emperor’s initial assault, divert his attention, and buy time.”
Meng Qi nodded slightly: “And to those with ulterior motives, my concern over the Fengdu Emperor and my desire to meddle with the True Martial Emperor’s body would make it perfectly normal for me to expend favors and karma to ask the Fusang Ancient Tree for help in forging a protective treasure. It aligns with my nature and principles.”
“Mm. Since husband is acting so openly, the Fengdu Emperor will surely prepare countermeasures against that treasure. But we’re not relying on it to survive or defeat enemies—we’re using it to create opportunities.” Gu Xiaosang’s eyes sparkled with laughter, her gaze lively. “Only by making the other side feel everything is under control can we act unexpectedly and fish in troubled waters.”
Such treasures are one-time items, equivalent to a wisp of the Other Shore’s aura—once consumed, they’re gone.
After further deliberation, Meng Qi started contemplating materials that could embody the essence of his current Yin-Yang Seal. Half musing to himself and half questioning aloud, he murmured: “The ‘Yang’ and ‘Life’ aspects could utilize the water from the Eight Treasures Merit Pool in the Eastern Glass World. But what about the ‘Yin’ and ‘Death’ portions?”
As if prepared in advance, Gu Xiaosang beamed with a radiant smile: “Fragments of the underworld established by ancient Buddhist and Taoist traditions. Though most may have fallen into the hands of the Fengdu Emperor, the remaining pieces should be sufficient.”
Meng Qi carefully reviewed the plan once more. Then, following the clues provided by Gu Xiaosang, he left Mount Kunlun to search for the fragments of the ancient Buddhist-Taoist underworld.
Such items might prove useful to Master in the future as well!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage