After escaping the Four Symbols Hall, the path ahead was dim and winding, as if leading directly into true chaos. Meng Qi seemed like a phantom, flickering between voids, and his mind had already received the true essence of the Four Symbols Seal.
In the beginning of creation, Yin and Yang separated, and earth, fire, wind, and water raged, tearing apart substances and living beings. This era was wild and chaotic, only slightly better than primordial chaos itself. It was not until the Dao and virtue stabilized the world that true existence emerged from “nothingness.” The Four Symbols Seal explained the fundamental principles of this stage, sharing certain similarities with the “Zhu Xian Sword Formation,” which returned “existence” to “nothingness.” These two techniques stood in distant opposition, perfectly embodying the principle of Taiji.
At this moment, Meng Qi’s mind suddenly exploded with understanding. He saw red, green, black, and white swirling like boiling water and violent hurricanes, indistinct and chaotic, with no clear substances or natural laws.
This scene gradually merged and condensed into the size of a palm, forming into a smooth and translucent jade box. When the lid was closed, the heavens and earth were clear and peaceful, but when opened, the Four Symbols emerged and the universe was thrown into chaos.
At this point, the true essence of the inheritance was complete, awaiting personal realization and gradual cultivation. However, at this moment, Meng Qi’s soul and physical body were subtly affected by the Four Symbols Seal’s true essence, causing a few instinctive transformations.
His eyes connected with the ancestral orifice and inner landscape, each displaying half of an ancient lamp. Without color, they emitted alternating beams of black and white light, constantly transforming and blending, narrating the Dao of causality from one to infinity. That flickering flame represented the first cause, the origin of all effects.
The threads of causality shone like infinite light, illuminating Meng Qi’s right hand as its acupoint opened, forming a heavy ancient seal from a gleam of radiance. In his left hand appeared a black-and-white immortal mirror. Golden lotuses bloomed on his right foot, while a small ochre-yellow flag swayed before him. His left foot stepped into the void, his back revealing a terrifying emptiness, and a purple bell at his heart swayed, producing an ancient, rhythmic sound.
These elements were interconnected but not yet complete. When the black, white, purple, and golden lights converged, they suddenly stimulated Meng Qi’s internal organs. His liver generated wind, his spleen nurtured earth, his kidneys stored water, his heart contained fire, and the other organs followed, manifesting the inner landscape of the Four Symbols.
Instantly, red, green, black, and white hues appeared across Meng Qi’s chest and abdomen, symbolizing the chaotic world of earth, fire, wind, and water within his body. Emerging from the black and white Yin and Yang, a slight portion sank into the Yi Ji Seal.
Under the dominance of the Dao Yi Seal, the Seven Seals gradually showed signs of unification.
Even without cultivating the Four Symbols Seal, possessing six seals caused Meng Qi’s soul and body to instinctively change, acquiring faint characteristics of the Four Symbols Seal. This would make future mastery significantly easier.
Meng Qi was first astonished, then delighted. The more of the Primordial Nine Seals he mastered, the closer he approached the Primordial. The remaining seals would become easier to cultivate, resonating subtly with the others, especially since the latter six were derived from transformations.
“If I can master all nine seals, triggering mutual stimulation and influence, what might happen…” Meng Qi mused, his figure continuing forward, flickering in and out of view.
…
Duke Huan of Qi was inferior in spatial movement techniques to King Zhuang of Chu. By the time he arrived at the Four Symbols Hall, both Chu and Meng Qi had already vanished, leaving only Duke Mu of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han, with Ming Liegong rapidly approaching.
The three Dharma Bodies had no intention of fighting at this moment. Would it not be too convenient for King Zhuang of Chu if they fought before even seeing the Heaven-Sundering Seal?
However, Duke Huan of Qi suddenly turned his thoughts, his white eyebrows twitching. He abruptly raised his sleeve, enveloping Duke Mu of Qin.
The world spun, and chaos swirled. Duke Mu of Qin was instantly drawn inside, sensing a phantom heartbeat erupting within his soul—thump, thump, thump—never ceasing, dizzying him and preventing him from exerting his full strength to escape.
After trapping Duke Mu of Qin within his sleeve, fused with the Primordial Heart Seal, Duke Huan of Qi didn’t even glance at Emperor Wu of Han transforming into the Yellow True Dragon. He turned instead, raising the Spirit-Beating Whip and lashed it at Ming Liegong.
The wooden shell of the whip instantly peeled away, revealing its golden body. Then, talismans emerged, radiating countless golden lights that enveloped Ming Liegong.
Ming Liegong did not dare to delay. He swung forth the Sword of Unconsciousness in his palm.
Emperor Wu of Han, seeing Duke Huan of Qi not attacking him, felt puzzled. Was this a temporary alliance?
With no time to think, he expanded his True Dragon Dharma Body, gliding through the void toward the Heaven-Sundering Hall.
…
Meng Qi, whose internal organs had undergone subtle transformations, swiftly advanced deeper into the dark, lightless “chaos.”
Suddenly, he sensed the aura of King Zhuang of Chu. It had split into eight figures, positioned above and below, gradually but determinedly closing the distance with him!
The difference in cultivation realms and the superiority in void control allowed King Zhuang of Chu to surpass Meng Qi in speed. After being slightly delayed by King Wen of Tang, Meng Qi was finally caught up to.
“He’ll catch up in at most two breaths, or even strike from afar right now!” Meng Qi’s heart tightened. His thoughts raced, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of various plans he had prepared, trying to find the most suitable approach for the current situation.
The journey to the Jade Void Palace would certainly not be smooth, inevitably involving competition with the other six overlords. Last time, Meng Qi had discussed contingency plans with Duke Huan of Qi. Now, those discussions were proving useful.
Before he could fully organize his thoughts, he noticed a several-hundred-meter-long Yellow True Dragon coiling toward him. Its scales gleamed with radiant light, exuding both merit and the presence of all beings—it was Emperor Wu of Han, whom he had just encountered.
“He’s chasing too…” Meng Qi murmured inwardly, yet felt somewhat relieved.
With Emperor Wu of Han behind him, King Zhuang of Chu would certainly not strike from afar to slow Meng Qi down, hoping to catch up before the Heaven-Sundering Hall, because doing so would also slow his own speed. Even if his speed decreased less than Meng Qi’s, Emperor Wu of Han could exploit the difference. Therefore, King Zhuang would not engage in self-harm without benefit.
Under these circumstances, the best course for King Zhuang of Chu was to maintain his speed, closing the distance while gathering momentum, waiting for the Heaven-Sundering Hall to appear and seize the advantage in an instant.
What should Meng Qi do? Reflecting on various plans, he had already decided.
Thump, thump, thump—suddenly, his heartbeat quickened during his flight, like a war drum echoing with the Yellow True Dragon.
“Senior Emperor Wu, King Zhuang of Chu is formidable, skilled in spatial movement. We can both benefit by cooperating, each obtaining the true essence of the Heaven-Sundering Seal. Separately, we will both suffer, giving him an easy advantage!” Meng Qi transmitted his thoughts, seeking an alliance.
Although he had just exchanged blows with Emperor Wu of Han, circumstances changed with time. There were no eternal enemies. With the possibility of sharing benefits, it was natural to unite the majority against the minority!
It felt great to act alone, but not necessarily the best choice.
The Yellow True Dragon hummed: “King Zhuang made the same proposal, to eliminate you, the Mohist Juzi, first.”
King Zhuang of Chu was also seeking an alliance? Meng Qi’s heart suddenly grew heavy. His thoughts raced as he smiled and spoke: “Without me here as an external force, would you and King Zhuang cooperate sincerely without scheming or sudden attacks?”
“King Zhuang’s strength is no less than yours, and he excels in spatial techniques. If he betrays you, he would have an advantage in competing for treasures. You’d have at most a forty percent chance of victory. But with my help, we could defeat King Zhuang and seize the Heaven-Sundering Seal. Even if I break my promise later, my cultivation and strength are inferior to yours. Wouldn’t I be easier to deal with than King Zhuang? Thus, you’d have at least an eighty percent chance of obtaining the Heaven-Sundering Seal’s inheritance. With forty versus eighty, Senior, don’t you know how to choose?”
Meng Qi used the urgency of the moment—when no formal contracts could be made—to persuade Emperor Wu of Han through analysis of trust and interests. Although forming alliances with others was good, uniting with the weaker was better.
At this point, Meng Qi added another decisive factor:
“Even if the Heaven-Sundering Seal allows only one inheritance, I can still share the Four Symbols Seal with you, Senior!”
Emperor Wu of Han hesitated before responding with a deep hum: “I’ll trust you this once! I’ll first feign cooperation with him.”
In a situation where his strength was nearly equal to King Zhuang of Chu’s, naturally, he would choose to ally with the weaker party!
Feign cooperation… Meng Qi dared not relax, using the Primordial Heart Seal to sense Emperor Wu of Han’s subtle mindset. If after driving away King Zhuang of Chu, he did not display sufficient strength or if Emperor Wu of Han found an opportunity, he would definitely choose to seize everything for himself!
As the two prepared to discuss strategies against King Zhuang of Chu, suddenly, light appeared ahead. Within the chaos stood a pavilion, entirely dark and colorless, its eaves hanging with chaotic mist. On its plaque radiated a hazy, clear glow, displaying three ancient and obscure yet instantly understandable characters:
“Heaven-Sundering Hall!”
As if sensing someone’s approach, the doors of the Heaven-Sundering Hall moved without wind, slowly opening with creaking and clanking sounds, revealing the interior.
Inside was chaotic, without beams or pillars. Deep within floated a phantom “flag,” neither banner nor axe, surrounded by swirling chaotic mist. Time, space, matter, and energy appeared and vanished intermittently!
“The Pangu Banner…” Meng Qi had long suspected that the corresponding treasure image of the Heaven-Sundering Seal was this.
And King Zhuang of Chu and Emperor Wu of Han simultaneously whispered:
“Heaven-Sundering Axe!”
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