The Gualong Platform was drenched in blood, with dark yin winds swirling ominously. Illusory true dragons with antlers and snake-like bodies coiled and roared, their resentment and hatred almost tangible.
As Meng Qi passed through, he felt not the slightest hint of a celestial realm. Instead, it was as if he had plunged into the abyss of the Nine Netherworlds, a bone-chilling cold seeping into his very being. His inner landscape was suppressed, making it nearly impossible to resonate with heaven and earth. This was not a condition that could be altered merely by changing one’s race—unless he had solidified his Dharma Body, allowing his inner landscape to truly manifest its own heaven and earth, capable of both drawing upon external forces and standing independent of them!
Roar!
The golden-scaled true dragon’s tail connected to the Gualong Platform, its body stretching forth as it came roaring toward him. Its eyes, like two miniature suns, its sharp teeth like swords, and its blood-stained whiskers all came into Meng Qi’s view. The dragon’s overwhelming will and irrepressible hatred pierced directly into his spirit.
Within Meng Qi’s Niwan Palace, a golden lotus emitted countless rays of light, resisting the invasion of resentment. Calmly, he took a step to the left, perfectly dodging the illusory dragon. The cold yin wind from the near miss merely caused him to shiver slightly.
The true dragons killed at the Gualong Platform had long since perished beyond resurrection. What remained were only their hatred, lingering attachments, and a bit of essence. Normally, celestial deities would gradually dissolve these, eventually rendering them formless. However, after the fall of the Celestial Court and the shattering of the Nine Heavens, celestial beings became scarce, allowing these remnants to evolve into their current state. Yet their essence remained unchanged—without sentience or physical bodies, they merely roared and circled mindlessly, mechanical and predictable. Thus, Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang only needed to observe, calculate, and wait, passing through the gaps in their circling to proceed unimpeded.
Of course, Meng Qi dared not let them touch him. If the true dragons’ resentment and attachments latched onto him, his current Yuan Shen cultivation might not be able to resist, and he would immediately become tainted, assimilated, and transformed into fertilizer for their hatred—an irreversible doom.
Gu Xiaosang moved lightly, her white dress fluttering, always slipping through the narrow gaps between two illusory dragons as effortlessly as strolling in a courtyard, far more composed than Meng Qi.
“Is she superior in predictive techniques, or is she familiar with such situations?” Meng Qi speculated inwardly, though his focus remained unwavering, fully concentrated on the illusory dragons.
After an unknown duration, Meng Qi’s vision brightened slightly. The gloomy clouds had thinned, revealing an eerie gray-white hue, indicating they had finally exited the Gualong Platform’s range.
Not far ahead, two platforms stood side by side—one named “Zhan Yao” (Demon Slaying), the other “Zha Mo” (Devil Beheading). On each platform’s left, condensed purple lightning and azure electricity pierced through the void, striking their surfaces. On the right, purple flames and azure blaze tore through space, encircling the platforms. Above, dark whirlpools absorbed even light itself, as if capable of tearing and devouring everything, occasionally descending to the platform, consuming thunder and flames.
Their leaking energies formed three distinct paths: one resembling a thunderous forest, another akin to a fiery hell, and the third dark and ominous, seemingly awaiting its “demons” as prey.
The remaining void was shattered, impassable without an extremely high cultivation level.
Meng Qi’s gaze immediately fell upon the “Zhan Yao Platform”—the place where the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had once been punished!
…
Outside the Tianfa Gate, the Solar Deity “Xi” and the Northern Dipper Star Lord arrived swiftly.
Glancing inside, the Northern Dipper Star Lord said in a hoarse voice, “They passed through not long ago.”
“Do you intend to ambush and kill them directly?” Xi’s tone was calm as still water.
The Northern Dipper Star Lord replied coldly, “Certainly not.”
Although Xi had already crossed the second Celestial Ladder, becoming a Grandmaster, and the Northern Dipper Star Lord himself was confident at the peak expert level, their opponents were the Great Luo Demoness and Kuang Dao Su Meng, both having ascended directly to the highest level—beyond ordinary comprehension. Moreover, the demoness had a Dharma Body as support, surely concealing terrifying life-saving treasures. Kuang Dao was known for his abundant treasures and robust resources, having once repelled the Divine Envoy of the Luo Sect with a nearly ruined divine weapon. Even with reincarnation and secret treasures, they dared not underestimate these two in the slightest!
This thought flashed briefly before the Northern Dipper Star Lord continued, “The Heavenly Emperor and others are about to arrive. We needn’t directly ambush or confront them, risking our lives. We merely need to harass them occasionally, delaying their progress.”
Even though he had cultivated the Sha Sheng Sword Technique to this level, he was not a mindless killer obsessed solely with carnage!
Xi glanced at him indifferently: “You know it’s the Great Luo Demoness, yet you still dare to harass and delay her? Do you think your life is too long?”
“You mean…” The Northern Dipper Star Lord’s body trembled slightly.
Xi withdrew his gaze and stepped into the Tianfa Gate, speaking calmly, “Just wait patiently for the Heavenly Emperor and others.”
…
Inside the Peach Garden, two figures appeared on the blood-red ground. One wore wide robes and a “Heavenly Emperor” mask, while the other wore black silk robes and a featureless mask—conveying a cold, imposing aura rather than eerie dread. These were none other than the “Demon Sage” Han Guang and the “Mad King” Gao Lan!
Han Guang glanced at the inscriptions on the ground, pondered briefly, then clasped his hands behind his back with a smile: “Indeed, this place has changed.”
“You certainly have well-informed subordinates,” Gao Lan replied noncommittally.
Han Guang strode forward, smirking: “Who doesn’t have secrets? As long as they are loyal and capable, it’s fine.”
Gao Lan focused his gaze into the distance, his vision piercing like tangible eyes, revealing clear scenes before him: “The Star God is dead, his head empty.”
…
The Zhan Yao Platform was repeatedly cleansed by thunder and fire, leaving no residual essence, will, or attachment behind. Meng Qi found no trace of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
“The Monkey King’s Vajra Body would leave no trace on the Demon Slaying Platform. How could there be lingering will or attachment?” Meng Qi couldn’t help but mock himself.
At this moment, the Path of Dao Tree within his Jiezi Ring stirred once more, albeit faintly—unlike its voracious behavior in the Southern Gate Garden.
Does it have interest in the Gualong Platform, Zhan Yao Platform, and Zha Mo Platform too? Meng Qi felt slightly confused, increasingly unsure of what this green sapling truly was or what it liked to consume!
Gu Xiaosang’s dimples faintly appeared: “Husband, quickly activate the thunder mark. We’ll take the thunder path—it’s the farthest, but also the safest.”
The thunder mark on Meng Qi’s wrist reappeared, purple and dripping with power, exuding a solemn, sacred, and supremely yang aura.
Before he could react, the thunderous forest stirred, crackling sounds erupting as the energy parted to both sides!
Meng Qi plucked a strand of hair, using a clone for testing before cautiously stepping forward. To his astonishment, the purple lightning and azure electricity on both sides coalesced into illusory human figures, seemingly welcoming him!
“This area was overseen by the Thunder Deities, naturally governed by the ancient Thunder God,” Gu Xiaosang followed half a step behind Meng Qi, smiling as if she felt no danger, more like a young lady on a spring outing.
I know that already… Meng Qi remained silent.
Gu Xiaosang’s steps quickened, her voice cheerful: “In the ancient celestial court’s heyday, great demons and evil spirits were often captured here, chopped by blades, pierced by spears, struck by thunder, burned by fire, and consumed by chaos—enduring heavenly punishment.”
I know that too—I didn’t waste time watching Journey to the West for nothing! Meng Qi remained silent, focused on guarding his surroundings, his pace steady without hesitation.
Gu Xiaosang pursed her lips slightly, sending a smiling telepathic message: “The Tianfa Gate was chosen for executions because it is the physical manifestation of ‘Heavenly Dao Punishment,’ upholding the Dao to enact divine retribution. Like the distant ‘Zhexian Pond,’ once one falls into it, their immortal bones and Dharma Body are stripped away, leaving only mortal flesh, inner scenery gone, cultivation lost—this was the Heavenly Emperor’s punishment for those violating heavenly laws.”
Meng Qi listened in secret shock, half-reminding himself to beware of “Heavenly Dao Punishment,” while his thoughts raced—if one could take some water from the Zhexian Pond, wouldn’t it become “the deadliest poison”?
Gu Xiaosang’s expression remained calm as she continued: “Initially, even those about to reach the Other Shore could perish here. However, before the Heavenly Emperor dominated the ancient era, using the Nine Heavens as fertile ground, the Tianfa Gate gave birth to a peerless divine weapon that flew away on its own, lost in the mortal world. Since then, the Thunder, Fire, and Dou Bu deities have replaced it, significantly reducing its power.”
Meng Qi’s heart stirred: “A peerless divine weapon symbolizing Heavenly Dao Punishment?”
It sounded strangely familiar!
“You guessed right, husband,” Gu Xiaosang replied with a knowing smile. “It’s the Tianzhu Axe in Gourdo’s hands. Unfortunately, he can only barely awaken this peerless weapon. Otherwise, figures like Daoist Chonghe or Master Lu would be nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot.”
Born in the celestial realm… symbolizing the Heavenly Dao’s Punishment… even those on the verge of reaching the Other Shore might perish here… Meng Qi had never anticipated the Tianzhu Axe to be so formidable. A doubt surfaced in his mind, prompting him to silently inquire of Gu Xiaosang through telepathy: “Both the Tianzhu Axe and the Overlord’s Blade rank among the top ten peerless divine weapons of the Six Realms. Yet, whether in origin, material, or creator, the Overlord’s Blade clearly pales in comparison. How can they be considered equals?”
In the environment of the Middle Ancient Era, the Overlord was barely a legend at best. Otherwise, with the combined power of all Dharma Bodies, they should have been able to contain him. Meanwhile, the Thunder God’s strength was half a step below the Demon-Slaying Venerable, and his body couldn’t compare to the phrase “nurtured within the Nine Heavens”!
“Don’t underestimate the Primordial Thunder Pool,” Gu Xiaosang seemed delighted to explain. “It should be a remnant from the previous eon, from which the Thunder God was born.”
No wonder it’s called the Primordial Thunder God, not the Ancient Thunder God… Meng Qi realized, understanding that “Primordial” and “Tai Gu” were similar terms. From Gu Xiaosang’s previous words, this meant the previous eon.
Purple lightning and azure electricity crackled on both sides. Meng Qi walked swiftly, feeling slightly strange—why was Gu Xiaosang so willingly revealing these secrets?
She had repeatedly emphasized pursuing enemies behind them, warning not to stop, yet she kept introducing and explaining things. Although her pace hadn’t slowed, it seemed she was somewhat distracted!
Past experiences with Gu Xiaosang told Meng Qi that the demoness likely had ulterior motives!
Just as this thought surfaced, two terrifying presences suddenly surged from behind, vast and mighty, dispersing the gloomy clouds and shaking the thunder, dimming the flames, and repelling the chaos.
Dharma Bodies!
Two Dharma Bodies!
Meng Qi recognized one immediately as “Heavenly Emperor” Han Guang!
He had actually broken free from encirclement and caught up so quickly!
At that moment, space behind Gu Xiaosang rippled, revealing a nearly transparent figure. Moments later, another Dharma Body emerged!
The Dharma King of Salvation? Meng Qi’s heart sank. Though he had anticipated this, he hadn’t expected the Dharma King of Salvation to be so close!
The Dharma King of Salvation blocked Han Guang and Gao Lan, his voice hollow: “You two go ahead and retrieve the treasures first!”
Hearing this, Gu Xiaosang suddenly quickened her pace, nearly leaving Meng Qi behind. A deafening explosion erupted behind them, the shockwaves rippling outward. If not for the Tianfa Gate’s unique suppression, Meng Qi felt he would have been reduced to dust without using his divine weapon’s core material.
Gu Xiaosang suddenly turned her face sideways, her lips curving into a clever smile:
“We originally expected Tai Li, but it turned out to be an unfamiliar Dharma Body.
“But that’s not important. With the Tianfa Gate’s unique environment, the Dharma King can temporarily hold them off.”
“And with the Dharma King distracted, my husband and I can return home together.”
Expected Tai Li? Distracted the Dharma King? Meng Qi couldn’t help but look at Gu Xiaosang. Her long lashes lowered slightly, concealing her star-like eyes, appearing pure and harmless.
The demoness truly had unfathomable schemes!
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