The clear light gushed like a fountain, continuously surging upward and rippling outward, standing out vividly in the deep, dark expanse as if it could permeate the boundless vastness.
As a renowned deity of the ancient Heavenly Court, “Nine Heavens Mystic Lady” Liu Luo was no stranger to this sight. Her expression turned grave as she murmured, “The Jianmu…”
The Jianmu, responding to the call of existence, connects the roots above and below, linking myriad realms to the left and right. It serves as the skeleton and support of the Nine Heavens of the Immortal Realm.
As she spoke, her peripheral gaze lingered on the Tree of Dao in Meng Qi’s hand. Though she had heard of it before, only now, witnessing it firsthand, did she truly grasp its uncanny resemblance to the Jianmu in both form and essence.
Was the current reaction a resonance between the two?
Given that the Tree of Dao could absorb the Jianmu and devour the unique aspects of the Immortal Realm, Meng Qi was only slightly startled by the spectacle before him before quickly regaining his composure. Countless wild and fanciful thoughts bubbled up in his mind.
This realm was the highest layer of the Nine Heavens, a place close to the Dao and the very apex of the Jianmu. Would it bear fruit here?
And what miraculous properties would such fruit possess?
The ancient Fusang Tree, planted by an unknown hand, imitated the Tree of Dao and was nourished by the blood of the Heavenly Emperor Haotian and the Eastern Emperor Taiyi. After being “watered” by the destruction of the previous epoch, it was born at the dawn of this epoch, seemingly poised to replace the Jianmu. Of the two fruits it bore, one became the true form of the Green Emperor, while the other aided him in attaining the Dao. By analogy, if the Jianmu bore fruit, how precious would it be?
Which part of the Jianmu was resonating with his Tree of Dao? Was it not afraid of being dissolved and absorbed?
Amidst these swirling thoughts, Meng Qi heard Liu Luo sigh:
“This complicates matters. We could have approached unnoticed, but now we’ll have to contend with other great supernatural beings vying for it.”
This must be the remnants left behind by the ancient Nirvana-level figures and the Green Emperor of this era, right?
No sooner had she spoken than Meng Qi leaped up, vaulting out of the Northern Dipper Imperial Chariot with a hearty laugh: “Good that it’s complicated!”
Amidst his laughter, a somersault cloud rose beneath his feet, transforming him into a streak of light as he shot toward the “gushing clear fountain.”
Within this realm, even Nirvana-level beings could not be omnipresent, let alone great supernatural beings. And in terms of speed alone, the Northern Dipper Imperial Chariot, designed merely for patrols, could not compare to Meng Qi himself.
Previously, without knowing the destination or direction, they had to rely on the Northern Dipper’s guidance. But now, with the distance closing and resonance emerging, the path was illuminated!
This thought flashed through Liu Luo’s mind as she made her decision. Transforming into a wisp of ethereal mystic light, she tore through the void with a momentum that shattered darkness, closely following Meng Qi as they flew toward the seemingly near yet distant depths.
Su Meng had been right earlier—how could one seize opportunities or grasp a sliver of survival in the apocalypse if they retreated before even facing difficulties?
The two streaks of light, one after the other, drew closer to the clear radiance. Soon, the faint outline of a colossal tree swaying with branches and leaves—indescribable in color—became visible. It stood tall in the void, its trunk extending endlessly downward with no roots in sight, while its branches stretched outward without end, as if supporting the entire Immortal Realm. Each leaf no longer contained a universe or galaxy but instead bore its own hue—some crimson like fire, others dark as water, some shimmering with purple lightning, and others lush with verdant vitality—as if embodying different illusory Daos. The very top was shrouded in mist, resembling chaos, its connection unknown.
Now, the giant tree was tinged with a layer of grayish-blue, showing signs of decay, as if only an empty shell remained, barely holding on. Most noticeably, the leaves associated with vitality and longevity had withered and fallen.
Just then, a flash of golden light appeared, and a massive shadow swiftly approached from another direction, outpacing even Meng Qi. It was none other than the Great Sage Peng, the Heaven-Soaring Roc King, renowned throughout the myriad realms for his speed.
Rather than obstructing Meng Qi to no avail, the roc merely glanced at him before preparing to soar past, heading straight for the Jianmu.
*Hmph, trying to outfly me? Even the Great Sage Equal to Heaven was no match, let alone you, who’ve just entered the Creation realm!*
*This Great Sage shall take the lead!*
Seeing this, Meng Qi’s hand flashed with purple lightning as he gripped the Peerless Heavenly Blade and roared:
“Friend, stay your steps!”
A brilliant arc of lightning slashed out, illuminating the void. Before the roc could flap its wings to escape, it felt as if heavy shackles had clamped around it, its body bound by an oppressive force. Its flight slowed drastically, and even more terrifyingly, it felt an irresistible magnetic pull toward the terrifying purple lightning blade, as if it might be yanked back at any moment.
*Purple lightning generates magnetism!*
Harnessing this mutual attraction, Meng Qi’s flight suddenly accelerated, threatening to overtake the roc and reclaim the lead.
But the Great Sage Peng, a veteran of the ancient times, was no pushover. A surge of irritation rose in its heart as it opened its beak—the same beak that had devoured countless Mahoragas and dragons—and spat out a swirling mass of intertwined black and white light. Within it lay the Seven Treasures, aligned with the Eight Trigrams and resonating with the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. It could reverse yin and yang, reducing enemies to pools of pus.
Meanwhile, the Bull Demon King, seizing the opportunity while the two were entangled, flew in, slightly outpacing Liu Luo. He manifested his Heaven-and-Earth-sized form, enveloping the surroundings, and swung his iron staff with all his might, aiming to tear through space itself as he struck at Meng Qi.
“Well met!”
Facing the combined assault of two ancient Great Sages, Meng Qi was not afraid but exhilarated. With a loud cry, his right hand softened the Peerless Heavenly Blade’s strike, weaving a dense net of blade lights derived from the pivot of life and death within thunder and lightning. The alternating black and white strands lightly adhered to the roc’s “Yin-Yang Dual Qi.”
Black countered yang, white devoured yin. Layer by layer, the blade net neutralized the “Yin-Yang Dual Qi,” forcibly harmonizing it through Meng Qi’s revolving cycle of life and death before absorbing it into his body!
Empowered by this, Meng Qi’s body swelled violently as he too assumed his Heaven-and-Earth form. His golden-hued figure resembled a world-creating deity as he clenched his left fist, channeling the combined force of himself and the roc into a single, unadorned punch aimed at the iron staff!
All things returned to emptiness; darkness birthed itself. Everything seemed on the verge of reverting to chaos, back to the primordial beginning.
*Boom!*
The Bull Demon King’s staff recoiled, scattering sparks of light as his colossal form was sent flying millions of miles away, shrinking to a mere speck.
Having held his own against two legendary demonic Great Sages, Meng Qi felt an exhilarating rush. With a hearty laugh, he rode the momentum of the collision, streaking toward the Jianmu bathed in hazy clear light.
Suddenly, a shimmering, glass-like radiance rippled ahead, revealing an ancient yet youthful golden Buddha—the World-Honored King of Freedom.
With palms pressed together, his voice echoed through the void:
“Patron, halt your steps.”
A golden “Buddha” character, woven with diverse Zen essences, protruded from his forehead. The surroundings instantly grew viscous, as if chaotic time itself had curled and solidified into relics.
*The Dao of Time!* Meng Qi’s heart stirred, his expression grave.
Who would have thought that the World-Honored King of Freedom, an ancient Buddha who had lived through epochs, had comprehended the illusory Dao of Time?
Only by mastering time could one be truly free!
Among great supernatural beings, this was practically cheating. Just recalling the Seven-Kill Stele’s ability to return to the past and strike at an enemy’s weaker self was enough to grasp its power.
Truly worthy of being the legendary Amitabha’s enlightenment guide!
Everything seemed to slow down. Meng Qi’s vision blurred, while to the roc, the Bull Demon King, and Liu Luo, he appeared frozen like an insect in amber, inching forward at a glacial pace.
At that moment, a canopy of dark, chaotic clouds burst from Meng Qi’s head—both diffuse like mist and condensed like a singularity—drawing all things and principles into itself.
*Creak… creak…*
The river of time around him groaned like a rusted wheel being pulled. Invisible cracks spread through the transparent “amber.”
*The combination of Nirvana traits and the Seal of the Primordial Chaos is truly extraordinary…* The World-Honored King of Freedom inwardly marveled before his golden form abruptly vanished.
To the Bull Demon King, the roc, and Liu Luo, he was merely briefly obscured by radiant Buddha light. But in Meng Qi’s eyes, the Buddha’s figure was racing backward along the illusory river of time, his flickering light suggesting he could not sustain this for long.
The Buddha either did not act or acted without reservation, unleashing his ultimate divine ability!
Without sensing the flow of time, one would never notice the Buddha had disappeared.
Meng Qi had once used the Seven-Kill Stele to eliminate the Heartless Tower’s master. Now, he faced the same tactic.
Fortunately, he had no weaker self in the highest layer of the Immortal Realm!
Just as this thought arose, a green sword light split the void, its intent to slay immortals and destroy Buddhas condensed into a single point aimed at where the World-Honored King of Freedom had been shrouded in Buddha light.
“Friend, do you think the Jade Void Palace has no one to stand against you?” Guangchengzi’s voice echoed from afar.
One after another, sword lights ignited, illuminating the realm.
Hearing this, Meng Qi smiled. The Jianmu’s resonance had indeed drawn his fellow disciples from the Jade Void Palace.
This was why he had said, “Good that it’s complicated!”
When it came to ganging up on someone, the Jade Void Palace feared no faction—be it Buddhists, demons, or any other power!
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