Doubts swirled and thoughts churned as Meng Qi reined in his emotions, shedding subjective biases to re-examine the matters concerning Gu Xiaosang and the Golden Emperor from the beginning.
As his scrutiny deepened, his extreme calmness allowed him to gradually discern certain issues:
“Before Xiaosang’s resurrection, although the Golden Emperor had been sending subordinates to hunt for her lingering clues—intent on erasing her completely to eliminate the greatest threat—it seemed that every move inadvertently achieved other purposes…”
“In the matter of the Primordial Chaos Green Lotus Seed at the Jade Void Palace, He had sufficient reason to awaken Sha Wujing prematurely. Not only did this avoid provoking extreme reactions from other major figures, but it also made Sha Wujing himself willing, preventing other divine envoys from feeling ‘the fox mourns the death of the hare’ and harboring discontent. Sha Wujing’s early awakening allowed the Luo Sect to become the first force in the world to possess the power of legend, retrieving a mysterious corpse from the depths of Spirit Mountain. There must have been other arrangements completed as well…”
“In the battle of the Ancient Fusang Tree’s realm, through Sha Wujing, He somehow resolved the hidden dangers there using unknown divine abilities, obtaining a fruit with a special connection to the Green Emperor, which was then ‘gifted’ to me at just the right moment. At the critical juncture of the Green Emperor transcending the Sea of Bitterness and reaching the Other Shore today, it played a pivotal role…”
“The four divine envoys’ visit to test was more about tying up the Jade Void Palace’s forces, buying time for Maitreya and the demon race…”
Recalling the Hongmen Banquet at Golden Turtle Island, the Old Mother Without Birth sent the Dharma King of Crossing the World and Yuan Hong to discuss something, likely related to the East Emperor Bell. They happened to encounter the Green Emperor, sparking a clash. She then used this to descend a sliver of power, triggering subsequent changes that sent us back to the Middle Ages. While the hand of the Moral Heavenly Venerable was undoubtedly involved, the instigator was unquestionably the Golden Emperor. The outcome was the awakening of the Medicine King Buddha, allowing the Green Emperor to take the crucial step toward proving the Other Shore.
Combined with his judgment that the Green Emperor and the Golden Emperor shared a relationship of mutual trust, the truth was almost glaringly obvious!
Meng Qi mused inwardly: “The Golden Emperor of the past, now the Old Mother Without Birth, seems exceptionally adept at using seemingly natural events to conceal other schemes, thereby achieving her true goals. And these ‘natural events’ were likely manufactured by her own hand!”
“The Golden Emperor’s killing intent toward me was not strong, often showing leniency. As for Xiaosang’s resurrection, while it appeared to be of great importance, it was only brought up when needed—either Xiaosang was never truly a threat to Her, not an obstacle to Her perfection, or She had a hidden trump card unknown even to Xiaosang, giving Her absolute confidence to resolve the issue effortlessly before Xiaosang could pose a real threat. Thus, She could use this as a move in advance for convenience.”
“Given the attention of numerous Other Shore figures, if Xiaosang were not a threat to the Golden Emperor, not an obstacle to Her perfection, it would never escape their discerning eyes. After all, this was a matter of utmost importance—it couldn’t possibly be that if the Golden Emperor said so, they would simply believe it.”
“Eliminating all other possibilities, only one explanation remains: the Golden Emperor had absolute confidence in eliminating the threat before Xiaosang could truly endanger Her…”
Just as Meng Qi considered waking Gu Xiaosang early to share this judgment, his heart suddenly stirred:
“From her recent behavior, Xiaosang herself seems to have other hidden cards, concealing many secrets. But whether they can counter the Golden Emperor’s trump card remains unknown…”
“Since her resurrection, Xiaosang has often exhibited traits reminiscent of the Golden Emperor. While some of this stems from the inevitable influence of her inherited memories and insights, there are also traces of deliberate imitation. In her heart, to defeat the Golden Emperor and break free completely, she must become another Golden Emperor. This speaks volumes about the deep shadow the Golden Emperor has cast over her—the more she understands, the more insurmountable the Golden Emperor seems, leaving imitation and emulation as the only way to resist.”
“Yet, by imitating the Golden Emperor, she can never develop something uniquely her own, never break free from Her shackles, never truly defeat Her…”
At this thought, Meng Qi sighed softly, feeling a deep pang of pity for Gu Xiaosang.
In his own struggle against the Devil Buddha, lacking inherited memories and insights, severing ties and resisting only required considering external strength, realm, and martial techniques—his body and mind were one. But Gu Xiaosang, while benefiting from the Golden Emperor’s memories and insights, allowing her to plan with vision, cunning, and wisdom far beyond her peers and even her elders, now faced a battle with the Golden Emperor that was not only external but also internal. The torment, hesitation, and pain she endured were beyond words, forging her into an inscrutable figure.
Having endured such torment for so long, it was no wonder she felt a kinship with him when they met.
For now, Meng Qi set aside the idea of disturbing Gu Xiaosang’s seclusion. He believed she, too, could discern the Golden Emperor’s true intentions and would have her own countermeasures. It was best to wait until her cultivation was complete before discussing it in detail.
For the first time, Meng Qi felt that Gu Xiaosang was not entirely beyond understanding.
Setting aside his thoughts, he took out the All-Knowing Token and contacted Qi Zhengyan, deliberately avoiding the earlier conflict over the Fengtian Platform and getting straight to the point: “I want to resurrect Senior Chonghe.”
Their conflict with Gao Lan stemmed from differences in paths, ideals, and obsessions—something he had no immediate solution for. Since he couldn’t fully side with either, it was best left unmentioned.
Qi Zhengyan’s voice came through, devoid of emotion: “Most of the power of the Fengshen Bang has been ingeniously sealed by the Ancient Bodhi Buddha. Though its strength is diminished, its profundity is unparalleled. Even with the Demon Lord’s knowledge, I cannot find a way to dispel it immediately. It must be undone gradually—at least five years before success is possible.”
“What does the Ancient Bodhi Buddha intend?” Meng Qi didn’t hide his confusion.
He could understand the separation of the Fengtian Platform, Fengshen Bang, and the Ghost and Spirit Register—given their ties to the Heavenly Court, the mortal world, and the underworld, it was natural for Other Shore figures to intervene. But why seal the Fengshen Bang? Was the Ghost and Spirit Register also sealed?
Qi Zhengyan replied frankly: “I don’t know. But those at the Other Shore never act without purpose. There must be a deeper reason.”
“Fair point…” Meng Qi nodded, pondering the true motive behind the Ancient Bodhi Buddha’s actions while silently grumbling to himself: Who says those at the Other Shore never act without purpose? Once I reach the Other Shore, I’ll do a few pointless things just to prove them wrong!
Qi Zhengyan continued: “Old Fifth feels guilty, but he doesn’t regret it. Next, we plan to retreat into the Nine Nethers.”
“Retreat into the Nine Nethers?” Meng Qi had been about to suggest mediation for peaceful coexistence when the words “Nine Nethers” stopped him.
With parting imminent, Qi Zhengyan elaborated: “Gao Lan’s momentum is too strong—we must avoid confrontation. In the Nine Nethers, the Great Freedom Heavenly Son and several Demon Saints will gain strength and realm advantages. Moreover, the demonic beings there, corrupted by the Nethers and bound by their nature, rarely unite. Even if we can’t defeat them one by one, we’ll have enough space to establish ourselves and grow.”
As the inheritor of the Demon Lord, he naturally knew of hidden passages. The Demon Saint’s return to legend had been achieved through a breakthrough in the Nine Nethers, hence the lack of external phenomena.
“What about the Southern Wilderness?” Meng Qi considered but didn’t dissuade him.
For the Demon Lord’s inheritor, returning to the Nine Nethers was like a dragon returning to the sea.
“My initial wish was for all under heaven, regardless of wealth, status, or talent, to have access to martial arts no worse than others’, as long as they were willing to strive. That has been roughly achieved,” Qi Zhengyan said with rare emotion. “Thanks to your All-Knowing World, this cause is now rooted in humanity. It won’t fail just because I leave. The demons and evil spirits of the Nine Nethers, trapped by their nature and fate, are also living beings who deserve a chance.”
Even if the Southern Wilderness fell under Great Zhou’s rule, he trusted Meng Qi to maintain the current state of martial arts accessibility—and Gao Lan would too, for it benefited humanity.
Meng Qi felt a surge of mixed emotions. Senior Brother Qi valued his beliefs above life itself. He opened his mouth but could only say: “Take care.”
“We’ll meet again.” Qi Zhengyan smiled faintly before turning to address the gathered Great Freedom Heavenly Son, Zhao Heng, Demon Saints, and subordinates: “Let’s move out. Our destination—the Nine Nethers!”
…
Setting down the All-Knowing Token, Meng Qi sighed and refocused on his own affairs.
This experience as a mere bystander had made him acutely aware of the terror of the Other Shore and the might of the great supernatural beings. It also highlighted his own inadequacies—at critical moments, he was powerless to act. Even his earlier plans to seize the Fengshen Bang or “assist” Han Guang in establishing the Heavenly Court had been effortlessly erased by the Ancient Bodhi Buddha’s casual intervention. Such was the will of heaven. Thus, his most urgent thought now was to improve himself as quickly as possible.
Additionally, helping his master secretly establish another underworld had to be prioritized.
With the Green Emperor, an Other Shore being who could walk the earth, overseeing the world, the coming period would be one of peace—perfect for seclusion and self-improvement… Meng Qi’s thoughts settled as darkness enveloped him, and his spirit once again wandered the myriad worlds, leaving “other-self” imprints.
In the quiet chamber of the Jade Void Palace, tranquility and profundity reigned once more.
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