Upon hearing Guangchengzi’s question, Meng Qi suddenly felt a strange sense of finality, as if the dust had settled:
What was bound to come could never be avoided…
His emotions settled, and after a moment of contemplation, he replied, “The Investiture of the Gods has been sealed by the Ancient Buddha of Bodhi. Even if we retrieve it, it likely won’t be of much use. Moreover, the Great Freedom Heavenly Son, the Twelve Demon Saints, and others will receive immense boosts in the Nine Nether Abyss, possibly even achieving major breakthroughs in cultivation. Meanwhile, aside from the few in our Jade Void Palace who have mastered the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, the rest will grow significantly weaker upon entering the Nine Nether Abyss, their strength perhaps reduced to less than a tenth. Under such circumstances, how can we even consider seizing the Investiture of the Gods?”
Subconsciously, two phrases flashed bizarrely through Meng Qi’s mind: “Loyalty and filial piety are hard to balance” and “Caught between duty and friendship.”
Though they weren’t entirely fitting—even carrying a hint of dark humor—Meng Qi felt they perfectly captured his current state of mind.
When his sworn brother and his life-and-death comrade stood on opposite ends of the scale, how was he to choose?
Both had shown him immense loyalty and kindness. Even though their differing stances had driven them apart, they had never truly crossed swords. To aid one in suppressing the other would be cruel, something he never wished to do. Yet, as the leader of the Jade Void Palace, representing the stance of an entire faction, he would eventually have to make a decision. Closing his eyes and pretending the conflict didn’t exist wouldn’t stop his brother and Senior Brother Qi from clashing.
Guangchengzi smiled faintly. “The Ancient Buddha of Bodhi’s seal isn’t entirely unbreakable. At the very least, the Green Emperor has already ascended to the Other Shore. Moreover, after years of accumulation, if the current Human Emperor can obtain the Investiture of the Gods before the great figures awaken and complete the grand task of unifying humanity under heaven, he would at least reach the Creation Realm, gaining control over heaven and earth and enough weight to no longer be a mere pawn manipulated by the Other Shore beings. They would have to weigh their actions carefully.”
“This is a crucial step on his path as the Human Emperor. If he misses this opportunity, he’ll have to maneuver desperately after the Other Shore beings return, forming alliances and schemes, with the slightest misstep leading to utter destruction. It would be nearly impossible to regain such a favorable situation. As for the Demon Emperor, his ambition was never to rule the earth or establish gods in heaven’s name. Now that he’s retreated into the Nine Nether Abyss, opposing demons and evil gods, what use would the Investiture of the Gods be to him? Especially when it’s still under seal.”
“As for the issue of strength, Junior Brother Sect Leader need not worry. The formidable beings deep in the Nine Nether Abyss have already awakened, each coveting the Demon Emperor’s Claw and harboring ambitions to unify the Nine Nether Abyss. For now, they’re wary of each other and haven’t acted. But once we make our move, they won’t miss the chance to join the fray. Amidst the chaos, with you—who can traverse the Nine Nether Abyss as if it were flat ground—alongside us, who can jointly deploy the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, and Junior Sister Manjusri, whose strength remains firmly in the Creation Realm no matter how weakened, plus Nezha, protected by innate virtue and unafraid of corruption, how could we fail to seize the Investiture of the Gods?”
He analyzed the Investiture’s significance to both sides, his tone humorous yet undeniably sincere.
Meng Qi knew Guangchengzi spoke the truth. His eccentric brother had attained the Legendary Realm years ago, and the return of the Other Shore beings drew nearer by the day. Even with ample support, variables would inevitably multiply. Preparing in advance and strengthening himself was indeed a crucial step—just as Meng Qi himself strove to step into the Creation Realm in a perfected state, aiming to reach the end of the Bitter Sea as soon as possible. Moreover, the Investiture of the Gods held little practical value for Qi Zhengyan and Zhao Heng at present, and who knew how long it would take for the Ancient Buddha of Bodhi’s seal to be lifted.
But this was a treasure they had painstakingly schemed and exerted tremendous effort to obtain. How could it simply be taken away?
After listening quietly, Meng Qi wrestled inwardly before finally speaking after a long silence. “This matter is of great importance—it will determine the future path of our Jade Void lineage. I must trouble Senior Brother Guangchengzi to sound the ancient bell and summon our fellow disciples to discuss this grand plan together.”
Guangchengzi gave Meng Qi a deep look, then smiled and bowed. “This humble Daoist obeys the Sect Leader’s command.”
With a single step, he vanished from Mount Kunlun and entered the true Jade Void Palace.
*Dong!*
A few breaths later, the resonant toll of a bell echoed, audible only to specific individuals, like the most ancient and sacred summons.
Meng Qi felt a momentary daze, as if a familiar figure in a blue robe stood before him—utterly ordinary, expressionless as if wearing an iron mask, with no distinguishing features.
Do you remember how he rambled when injured, even more talkative than me?
Do you remember the slight twitch of his lips when I cheerfully called him “cousin”?
Do you remember the nearly expressive reactions he had to my mischievous antics?
Do you remember how, deep in Mount Ling, he drew the monsters away, leaving the hope of survival to me, Zhiwei, and Little Glutton?
Do you remember how, by the great river, his crimson dharma form emerged as he declared, “Our paths differ; we cannot walk together”?
Do you remember how, to help me, a red star condensed between his brows as he willingly grasped the Demon Emperor’s Claw, his blue robes turning black, his hair wild as he calmly descended into the Nine Nether Abyss?
“Junior Brother Meng, don’t worry. I have my own means of resistance.”
“Life is red. The unceasing will to advance, to strengthen, to reform the old and establish the new—that too is red. When all beings are red, it becomes ‘Bloody Firmament.'”
“When crimson banners flutter across the cosmos and red currents surge through heaven and earth, I shall use this to condense my ‘Bloody Firmament’ dharma body. Then, demonic influence will no longer corrode me. Even now, I can protect my sanity!”
Those words echoed in Meng Qi’s heart, as if from another lifetime.
Now, was he to raise his sword against this figure in blue?
If not, what else could he do?
His brother was passionate and unrestrained, disregarding status in his madness, treating him with utmost sincerity simply because they clicked. Even after regaining clarity, though his words were sharp, his actions never faltered—lending the Mirror of This Life, the Human Emperor’s Sword, without hesitation…
If not, what else could he do?
The Jade Void Palace had long been planning for the Human Emperor’s rise. As a direct disciple of the Primordial Beginning, the Cause of All Effects, and the current Sect Leader, how could he not contribute?
When his faction’s stance aligned with his sworn brother’s, what else could he do?
Even if he could evade this dilemma now, it would resurface eventually. He had to decide decisively, without hesitation!
*Dong!*
The bell’s toll reverberated, as if urging his soul.
Part of Meng Qi’s divine sense sank into the acupoint in his left hand, where he relayed the situation to Gu Xiaosang. At the end, he asked, “Xiaosang, if it were you, what would you do?”
Gu Xiaosang’s voice, clear as spring water, chuckled softly. “My actions would depend solely on what benefits me. If someone stood in my way, I’d act ruthlessly without hesitation. Once I reached the Other Shore and achieved my form, I’d revive them and watch with a smile as they did as they pleased.”
Such a cold answer… Meng Qi couldn’t help but sigh. Suddenly, his heart stirred. Following Gu Xiaosang’s words, he set aside all emotions and irrelevant thoughts, focusing solely on a few key questions:
What did he truly want? Which path did he wish to take? How did he plan to reach the Other Shore?
In his envisioned schemes, which outcome—his brother or his cousin prevailing—would benefit him more? What scenario would be most advantageous?
When faced with such dilemmas, he should prioritize himself, not “accommodate” them!
Though it felt ruthless, it was the only way…
As these thoughts swirled, Meng Qi leaped to the ancient well, entered the Jade Void Palace, passed by mighty figures like Chijingzi, Manjusri, and Nezha, and steadily approached the foremost seat. He sat down with the bearing of a true Heavenly Lord—a true Sect Leader.
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