Outside the Jade Deficiency Palace, nine ancient wells stood on each of the four sides, their rims carved from jade, corresponding to the four grand gates.
At this moment, several figures flickered into view on each side: an emperor wearing a tall crown and embroidered robes, a middle-aged man dressed casually yet elegantly, and an elderly man clad in dark, solemn attire. All exuded terrifying and mighty auras.
With a single step, they arrived at the palace gates. Some encountered others by chance but ignored each other completely, their gazes as solid as tangible force, fixed intently on the interior of the Jade Deficiency Palace.
After some time of searching and sensing, the experts who had detected the opening of the Jade Deficiency Palace finally arrived!
…
Majestic halls, exquisite pavilions, and refreshing gazebos lined the path, but none of these sights caused Meng Qi to pause. His destination was clearly the Dao-Yi Hall.
Returning to the Yuanxin Hall, this time Meng Qi chose to head right. He employed the “Wuji Seal” derived external technique, gliding low to the ground, nearly merging with the earth, making it difficult for others to detect him.
Before long, a peculiar hall appeared in Meng Qi’s sight. It was entirely dark and chaotic, neither black nor white, yet it radiated white rainbows and black rays. These rays emitted countless brilliant lights, endlessly renewing and evolving, spreading into the void as if reaching across the universe and enveloping all realms.
On the front of the hall hung a vertical plaque inscribed with three mysterious seal script characters:
“Dao-Yi Hall!”
From Dao comes One; from One comes Two; from Two comes Three; from Three come myriad things.
The grand gate was tightly shut. Meng Qi halted, not daring to be careless. He plucked a hair and transformed it into a clone while his true self remained hidden in the shadows.
The clone dashed forward, heading straight for the gate. Just like previous attempts, the hall’s door bore no restrictions and opened with a simple push.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was serene and natural, returning to simplicity. There were no bronze pillars or lamps, not even white jade floor tiles or an altar. It was deep, dark, and tranquil.
Floating at the center of the hall was a small seal, its shape ever-changing, appearing both black and white yet neither black nor white. It seemed the origin of all laws and things, the beginning of all causes and effects, profound and ineffable.
“The true inheritance of the ‘Dao-Yi Seal’ is indeed still here!” Joy surged in Meng Qi’s heart. His clone quickly advanced, intending to trigger any potential traps or restrictions.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the side of the hall. He was a giant, a full ten feet tall—Gugeng. With his right hand slowly pushing forward, fingers spread, his palm darkened, emitting a terrifying suction force. Meng Qi’s clone was irresistibly drawn toward it and struck on the head.
Bang! The head exploded, the clone reverted to a strand of hair and shattered inch by inch.
Meng Qi felt slightly startled. They hadn’t tracked him but had arrived at Dao-Yi Hall ahead of time?
How did they know the true inheritance no longer existed in the Void Hall and the Infinite Hall? Otherwise, after acquiring the “First Seal,” he might have left immediately for safety!
Perhaps their masters had once entered here, but why hadn’t they taken the “Dao-Yi Seal” or the “Yuanxin Seal”?
Gugeng held the “Dao-Yi Seal” in his left hand, as if saying, “If you want the inheritance, don’t run away. Take it from me!”
Unlike the “Yuanxin Seal,” where opponents might give up without hesitation, being one of the first three seals, without the “Infinite Seal,” giving up the “Dao-Yi Seal” meant leaving only the “Sky-Piercing Seal.” How could he be certain the “Sky-Piercing Seal” still existed?
Therefore, he might well risk it all to seize the “Dao-Yi Seal.”
Meng Qi had always been decisive. Amidst his thoughts, he had already made his decision—to fight with all his might to obtain the “Dao-Yi Seal.”
Unlike other seals, the “Dao-Yi Seal” was the main embodiment of all causes and effects. He had diligently cultivated the “Touching Karma” technique, coveting the power to erase past karma, all to create his own karmic blade or sword and sever all karmic ties at critical moments, escaping from the shadows of mighty beings.
As the most crucial piece of the puzzle, even the foundation itself, how could he easily give it up? He had to fight for it!
In this world, many things can be postponed or abandoned, waiting for another chance. As long as one is alive, there is hope. This is not wrong.
However, if one always retreats when facing danger or difficulty, never striving or making an effort, always waiting for divine favor, where would hope come from?
Retreating yesterday, retreating today, retreating tomorrow?
This task is difficult, that task is difficult—everything is difficult, so one remains motionless?
Sometimes, there are things one cannot retreat from. Rather die standing than live kneeling!
Once the decision was made, Meng Qi’s mind raced, analyzing their techniques and mental states in an instant.
They knew the importance of the “Dao-Yi Seal” and that he might risk seizing it, using it as bait to ambush him. However, they absolutely did not realize how crucial the “Dao-Yi Seal” was to him—how desperately he needed it, how his techniques were more suited to desperate battles than theirs. He should use his strengths to strike their weaknesses!
If so, then let them witness what “Wild Vajra” truly stands for!
(Note: “金刚” is translated as “Vajra,” a term deeply rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, symbolizing indestructibility and power. The translation preserves the original intensity while adapting the cultural reference for an English-speaking audience.)
Besides, he still had the “Jade Deficiency Golden Pill” to protect his life!
At this moment, Yang Xizhi’s figure appeared on the path outside the Dao-Yi Hall, blocking Meng Qi’s escape. Having learned from previous mistakes, they naturally would not fall into illusion traps again.
Meanwhile, behind Gugeng, a celestial figure emerged, with golden face and black beard, the surrounding void bending toward him, his right hand forming a seal while his left held a bell.
Gugeng bent his right hand and lightly flicked his finger, striking the void.
Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!
A series of bell chimes rang out. Even with the Yuan Origin Lotus suppressing the effects, Meng Qi still felt dizzy and nearly lost consciousness, almost revealing himself from his stealth.
Seeing this, Yang Xizhi raised the “Five Flames and Seven Birds Fan,” while Gugeng opened his right hand, ready to bring down the heavens.
At this moment, Meng Qi, having made his decision, dragged out the “Heaven’s Wound” with his right hand. The blade tip was dark and needle-like, with flowing fire resembling a small sun. The sword light split into sunbeams, illuminating everywhere.
The sword and blade were almost simultaneously slashed out as Meng Qi’s figure stumbled forward, striking Gugeng and colliding mid-air.
A blinding white light flared up, instantly filling the heavens and earth. Gugeng and Yang Xizhi felt their eyes sting, tears uncontrollably streaming as their senses were completely disrupted, losing all trace of Meng Qi.
In this situation, Yang Xizhi dared not fan the “Five Flames and Seven Birds Fan” again, fearing Meng Qi might pull another trick. She activated a secret treasure to escape the affected area, causing the attack to miss.
For her, even using self-damaging techniques, she could only fan it twice at most, so she cherished every opportunity, unwilling to waste it. After all, the “Dao-Yi Seal” was in her senior apprentice brother’s hands; she wasn’t afraid of “Su Ziyuan” escaping quickly!
An energy storm surged forward. Yang Xizhi’s swordplay unfolded, transforming into black and white radiant lights, expounding the principles of morality, manifesting myriad laws, with fire dragons, phoenixes, fire cranes, and other “fire forms” protecting her tightly.
Gugeng’s right hand continued unabated, powerful and bright, directly striking the blinding light, dispersing the radiance, shattering the storm, halting the high temperatures, showcasing his overwhelming strength.
Boom!
The explosion sound finally arrived, violently shaking the soul. Gugeng hesitated for a moment.
Suddenly, the light wave capable of tearing and merging everything parted, and Meng Qi abruptly appeared before Gugeng.
He stood nearly ten zhang tall, muscles bulging, looking down on Gugeng. His body was dimly golden, marked with tears and melting traces, flames burning everywhere, even his hair transformed into a blazing inferno.
He had endured the power of his own “Star River Burial” technique, at the cost of serious injuries, to seize this brief one-on-one opportunity!
Gugeng remained calm. The celestial figure was majestic, the surrounding void twisting, the light waves bending, making Meng Qi seem as if stepping into a cage, with mountains towering around him, his movements slower than normal. Gugeng’s right hand retracted and struck again, consolidating his power, delivering a blow capable of shattering everything and annihilating heaven and earth. Before his palm, the void seemed to tear, revealing dark cracks, sharply contrasting with his bright, jade-like hand.
Meng Qi stood tall before him, growing two additional arms from his back, making no attempt to dodge or block the strike. The Jade-Cutting Blade floated down as if reflecting his fluctuating thoughts and emotions.
Sealing the Mind with the Mind, I alone am supreme!
The long blade struck, and countless thoughts surged in Gugeng’s mind, uncontrollable. Past emotional knots and desires erupted, leaving him unsure of who he was, stunned in place, while his palm continued its strike.
Seizing the opportunity, Meng Qi slashed out with “Heaven’s Wound,” cleaving heaven and earth, dividing and cutting all things.
Crack! Gugeng’s palm directly struck Meng Qi’s chest, slightly deflected by the Xuan Magnetic Robe, shattering bones, crushing flesh, causing Meng Qi to spit blood and weaken.
Yet, the blade still fell as expected—one palm for one blade, whoever could endure more!
The blade light was dazzling, reaching instantly at close range. Gugeng’s yellow robe flashed and vanished, split in two.
This brief obstruction allowed Gugeng to recover from the mind-questioning blade. He saw Meng Qi, bloodied and grimacing, like a demon rising from the depths of hell, ready to perish together.
A chill ran through his heart, fear creeping in. Gugeng tried to withdraw his right hand to block the blade but was held back by Meng Qi’s flesh, delayed slightly.
Even if he activated his secret treasure now, he would still be struck before escaping!
“Die!” Gugeng seemed to hear Meng Qi’s inner roar.
With no choice, he raised his left hand in front of him.
Silently, Gugeng’s left hand snapped off at the elbow, blood solidifying before it could spray.
Meng Qi’s other hand reached out, grabbing the “Dao-Yi Seal.” Using the force from Gugeng’s retreating hand, he surged past him toward the hall.
At this moment, the residual waves of the Star River Burial dissipated. Enraged, Gugeng struck backward. Yang Xizhi also took in the situation and raised her “Five Flames and Seven Birds Fan.”
Bang! Meng Qi’s back once again endured Gugeng’s palm strike, his body nearly shattered, his Eight-Nine technique broken. However, using the momentum, he turned, continuously spitting blood, while his hand previously holding the flame transformed into the Spirit-Striking Whip.
Then, without hesitation, he lashed toward Gugeng and Yang Xizhi.
Startled, Gugeng immediately dodged, and Yang Xizhi also attempted to evade.
“Haha!” One whip drove them both back. Laughing loudly like a blood-soaked figure, Meng Qi, while activating the Spirit-Striking Whip, prepared to use the Void-Piercing Talisman.
Suddenly, the “Dao-Yi Seal” emitted black and white light, enveloping Meng Qi, giving a sense of karmic entanglement.
The light vanished instantly, and Meng Qi was gone.
Gugeng and Yang Xizhi looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what had just occurred.
Yang Xizhi angrily said, “Forget it, anyway, there’s enough blood now.”
She was looking at the blood spilled inside the hall.
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