The phenomenon of translocation across space only lasted an instant, yet even in that fleeting moment, Meng Qi already sensed the surging counterforce rushing toward him. This force aimed to cast him out of the Illusory River of Time, throwing him into the chaotic currents of temporal flux, and returning him forcibly to the “present node” of the future. Whether he would be torn to shreds by the chaotic currents or whether his reentry into the River might trigger vortices that would erode and scatter him were entirely beyond the concern of this overwhelming power.
At this moment, Meng Qi and Master Da appeared to be rejected by Heaven and Earth itself, battered by rolling waves, nearly losing control. Fortunately, his “Cause of All Fruits” activated naturally, and his characteristics of reaching the Other Shore reacted instinctively. The illusory River of Time manifested around him, barely resisting the wrath of Heaven and Earth.
This was the self-correcting mechanism of Heaven and Earth and the converging force of the timeline.
During the fierce battle at the mausoleum of Master Chunyang, Meng Qi had already sensed something similar, though not nearly as terrifying. At that time, he had not yet significantly altered the course of history, and there were still many possibilities for reversal. But now, having fled with Master Chunyang’s legacy, exceeding the normal scope of natural evolution, he was immediately struck by a fierce backlash.
Were it not for the possibility of rebuilding the mausoleum and reestablishing the lineage, Meng Qi was certain that unless the Supreme Blade awakened to protect him, he would absolutely be unable to resist the River of Time’s correction. Only beings of the Other Shore could achieve such feats; even those who had attained Cosmic Perfection would still require corresponding treasures attuned to the flow of time.
As the “waves” surged, Meng Qi’s mind suddenly felt a momentary blur, then clarity. He was astonished to discover that he had nearly forgotten Master Chunyang and Senior Chonghe. His very existence felt somewhat unreal.
Was this a sign that history itself was being distorted and altered?
Without simultaneously possessing the “Cause of All Fruits” and the characteristics of reaching the Other Shore, even with the chance to rebuild the lineage, Meng Qi suspected his memories would have become significantly more hazy—just like how ordinary people gradually lose clarity over past details. Meng Qi now fully understood the cost of recklessly interfering with ancient times. His thoughts raced, quickly forming several ideas.
First, the disturbance at Master Chunyang’s mausoleum would not have gone unnoticed by nearby experts. It would inevitably become a “public location.” He would need to find a hidden spot nearby to reconstruct the mausoleum, personally crafting a bronze coffin and setting up formations to create a convincing replica. This would allow future generations of the Chunyang Sect to inherit the true legacy. Compared to reenacting a history where the Chunyang Sect and Master Chonghe never existed, leading the sect’s founding ancestor astray into this counterfeit mausoleum, the degree of change required was vastly different. Since the timeline’s convergence naturally sought the smallest possible alteration, this would significantly reduce the corrective force, preventing the constant surges currently battering him.
Second, the backlash and corrections he had already suffered could not be undone. His time remaining in the Middle Ancient Era was dwindling, no more than half a month at most. He needed to find a way back as soon as possible.
Third, Gourdo and his allies would not let this go so easily. Protected by the Celestial Axe, they would certainly stir up trouble again—perhaps spreading word of the approximate locations of the True Martial Sect and the Sword-Purifying Pavilion’s hidden treasures, using the strength of the Middle Ancient Era to strike against Meng Qi and his companions. Therefore, they could not remain on the defensive. They needed to strike first and eliminate Gourdo to root out the threat.
Fourth, with so many tasks at hand, he could not manage everything alone. They must divide responsibilities and work together. Upon returning to Luo City, he should be able to reunite with most of the “future Dharma Bodies.” As fellow strangers in a foreign land, they should unite with those from the Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Worlds who were sincere in their intentions. Meng Qi, Master Da, Brother Didi, and Senior Su could each lead a team to act independently. To enhance their combat effectiveness and prevent another situation like the one inside Master Chunyang’s mausoleum—where they were overwhelmed by powerful enemies—they should check how many times the Great Art of “Manifesting the Three Pure Ones from One Breath” could still be passed down. If there were many remaining, the team leaders could sharpen their skills at the last moment, even if it meant “polishing without shining.” However, since few in the history of the Chunyang Sect had successfully mastered this technique, any progress made in such a short time would be left to fate.
Likewise, with the foundation of this collaboration, if they could safely return to the future, the Dharma Bodies from the Real World and most of the Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Worlds could unite, exchanging information and coordinating efforts to confront the return of the Great Adepts and eliminate potential dangers before they could arise.
Before Meng Qi could delve deeper into his thoughts, he and Master Da had already appeared in a secluded courtyard. Master Da’s form flickered slightly, then stabilized.
The surroundings were silent and empty. After a brief inspection, Master Da solemnly said, “Regarding the Chunyang Sect and Senior Chonghe, I find some memories slipping from me.”
“This is the result of historical correction,” Meng Qi sighed. Unlike Meng Qi, who possessed the “Cause of All Fruits” and the characteristics of reaching the Other Shore, Master Da had suffered less backlash because he had indirectly obtained the legacy. Meng Qi had helped shield him during the initial surge, so he had not been directly cast into the temporal chaos.
As for the others, aside from Gourdo and Su Daji, who had been directly involved, most were only indirectly affected. Their backlash was minor, causing only partial memory blurring due to the potential alteration of history.
“There’s no time to lose. Let’s wait for Senior He Qi to arrive first, then gather the Dharma Bodies in Luo City to discuss our next steps,” Meng Qi said, leading the way toward the main house.
This location was where he had arranged to meet Senior He Qi, and he had left behind causal connections to facilitate translocation. Since He Qi needed to evade pursuit from the Cult and other factions drawn by Meng Qi, he could not maintain stable causal links. Thus, they had chosen this indirect method—He Qi would visit once daily to check if Meng Qi had returned or left any signs.
As Meng Qi approached the main house door, he suddenly halted. A strange sensation arose in his heart. Master Da, whose “Only Me” characteristic was unique, also grew more solemn, sensing something amiss.
Meng Qi slightly raised his head. The Dao’s One Lamp of Lapis Lazuli appeared in his eyes, illuminating the illusory karmic world within the main house. After confirming there was no ambush, his consciousness extended inward, and he opened the door.
Creak—the door swung open. The beams were revealed, and on one of them was a white paper with black ink. The calligraphy was wild and ornate, carrying a faint sense of filth and heresy. It read only two lines:
“To Master Su Meng from the Island of Ghost-Terror in the Eastern Sea, my sincere congratulations.”
“— Wu Daoming, the ‘Supreme Heaven Demon.'”
Wu Daoming? The Supreme Heaven Demon? The fifth-generation inheritor of the Devil Emperor’s Claw? Meng Qi and Master Da exchanged glances, understanding that He Qi’s location had been discovered by the Supreme Heaven Demon, leading to his capture.
“Didn’t the Supreme Heaven Demon still need ten more days to complete his transformation?” Meng Qi frowned in confusion. If Wu Daoming had already completed his transformation, Meng Qi had no doubt that the opponent could track He Qi down. After all, as a powerful Immortal with the Devil Emperor’s body and the aid of the Devil Emperor’s Claw—an unparalleled divine weapon—with its many mystical and sinister abilities, such tasks were his specialty.
Master Da replied, “The forty-nine-day transformation period was a rumor spread by the Cult. It may not be reliable.”
“That’s true,” Meng Qi nodded. He mused inwardly: the Devil Emperor’s Claw was also an artifact of a being from the Other Shore. It surely recognized Senior Qi and himself now, across past, present, and future. Should he try to appeal to their past connection? No—Senior Qi was currently suppressing the Claw’s corruption. There was no “connection” to appeal to.
“First, let’s see which allies have arrived in Luo City. We should coordinate with them before heading to Ghost-Terror Island,” Master Da suggested.
Exactly. Let the Supreme Heaven Demon witness the upgraded power of the Sword Array Formation of Zhuxian! With a plan forming in his mind, Meng Qi and Master Da found another secluded location where Master Da could recover first. Meng Qi then changed his appearance and aura, stepping into the streets to search for the “future Dharma Bodies.”
Just as he entered the city’s most bustling market district, Meng Qi suddenly saw a grand ancient warship soaring overhead, exuding solemn majesty and filled with the aura of human dominion. Many Luo City experts were respectfully welcoming it.
“What is that?” Meng Qi muttered instinctively.
“That is the ancestral immortal ship of the Human Emperor’s descendants. They guard the Dragon Platform and rarely venture out. No one knows why they have come to Luo City,” someone nearby boasted knowledgeably. “The Human Emperor led our race from the brink of survival to the peak of the universe, so all revere him. That’s why the experts here are rushing out to greet them.”
“Oh, the descendants of the Human Emperor?” Meng Qi suddenly understood. The ship’s cabin door opened, and two men emerged like guards—dressed in ancient attire, exuding powerful auras, and carrying themselves with a hint of arrogance, befitting their status as descendants of the Human Emperor.
Then, with utmost reverence, they escorted a man in imperial robes out of the ship. He was tall and imposing, strikingly handsome, with thin lips that gave him an air of coldness and depth. It was none other than Gao Lan!
Brother Didi always traveled in such grandeur… Meng Qi was momentarily stunned, then twitched his lips in amusement.
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