Chapter 159: The Wind is Rising (Please Subscribe!)

Upon receiving Yaochi's secret voice transmission, a myriad of thoughts flashed through Hongyun's mind. After making a brief reply to her, he made up his mind and said:

"Brother, please wait a moment."

Oh?

Zhenyuanzi had originally intended to return straight to Wuzhuang Taoist Temple to comprehend the Dao of slaying corpses to attain sanctification and the underlying principles of the cosmos as soon as he stepped out of the Zixiao Palace.

Unexpectedly, Hongyun called out to him. A trace of doubt arose in his heart, and with a slight ripple of his divine sense, he transmitted his voice back:

"Does my younger brother still have pressing matters to attend to?"

Hearing this, Hongyun did not hesitate and informed Zhenyuanzi of the message he had just received. After pondering for a moment, the two of them sat quietly inside the Zixiao Palace.

After all, the doors of the Zixiao Palace were about to close, and no one was allowed to remain here indefinitely. Though lingering a little longer might not serve any major purpose, it was still preferable to stepping straight out into the chaotic void.

Although Zhenyuanzi did not quite understand why his younger brother, whose cultivation level was virtually on par with his own, had not directly slain a corpse to become a first-corpse Quasi-Sage, he still placed his trust in Hongyun's plans.

After all, having attained the realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal for such a long time, which among them did not calculate a myriad of steps ahead in everything they did?

......

"I have long known that fellow Daoist Eastern Wangong possessed innate talents surpassing our own, but I never expected him to have such profound origin and background. Truly remarkable!"

"Indeed, precisely so! We are all among the three thousand guests of the Zixiao Palace, and originally there was no distinction between us. Who could have imagined that only fellow Daoist Eastern Wangong would be held in such high regard by the Sage and be granted a specific title? Truly a fortune bestowed by heaven!"

"What you speak of is nothing. Fellow Daoist Eastern Wangong and I have been acquainted ever since we first took human form. Now I have only reached the mid-stage of the Great Luo realm, and though my good fortune is considerable, how can I possibly compare with the Daoist..."

"......"

Before they had even fully emerged from the Zixiao Palace, a small circle had already formed. Although it consisted of only a dozen or so Great Luo Golden Immortals, Eastern Wangong's expression was already one of utmost gratification.

At first, he was still able to exchange polite retorts such as "Fellow Daoist flatters me," "You are too kind," or "I am truly unworthy."

Yet, as wave after wave of flattery washed over his ears, it inevitably caused him to drift a little on cloud nine, leaving him to burst into hearty, uninhibited laughter.

Watching this group depart, Hongyun saw that once they reached the outside of the Zixiao Palace, a rather ostentatious carriage was summoned. Without the slightest pretense of caution, Eastern Wangong took along the younger generations who had never been able to enter the Zixiao Palace and departed directly.

As he left, his words echoed unreservedly, spreading in all directions amidst his continuous, resounding laughter:

"By the decree of the Sage, a millennium from now, I shall be formally enfeoffed as the Head of Male Immortals! Any Daoist cultivator who wishes to do so is entirely welcome to visit my Penglai Island as a guest!"

With these words lingering in the air, he departed with supreme elegance, accompanied by numerous Great Luo immortals whose figures transformed into long rainbows trailing behind him, creating a dazzling and majestic spectacle.

As for those juniors, they remained dazed and bewildered, utterly failing to grasp the true meaning behind these events.

To enter the primal chaos required nothing less than the realm of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

For a Great Luo Golden Immortal, merely shielding these younger ones just to let them witness the grand scene was already an immensely arduous task, let alone understanding the profound currents swirling beneath such a magnificent spectacle.

......

The Zixiao Palace finally grew quiet and empty.

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi stepped out from within. Gazing at the vast, desolate expanse outside, their expressions shifted subtly.

Here, they sensed the lingering aura of the Great Dao.

It was not the superficial aura of prestige flaunted by those Great Luo immortals, but the genuine traces of supreme methods executed by a true Great Luo expert.

Since Zhenyuanzi's cultivation had already reached the realm of a first-corpse Quasi-Sage, he gave a flick of his wide sleeve, as if turning the river of stars upside down. The sea of chaos before their eyes began to shift and ripple slightly.

First, they witnessed the gathering of various Great Luo Golden Immortals who exchanged a few polite yet guarded pleasantries before departing with mutual wariness.

Then, they saw the departing figure of Eastern Wangong leading his retinue of Great Luo immortals.

Moving further back, and further still.

A strange and ominous vision materialized, causing the expressions of both men to change slightly.

A vision of blood rain falling from the heavens amidst weeping deities appeared, immediately followed by a Dao fruit that shot forth, enveloped by a spiritual sword, and vanished into the void.

Following that came the vision of another Great Luo Golden Immortal perishing, whose Dao fruit was gathered by a solitary figure before gradually fading into obscurity.

There was even a Great Luo Golden Immortal who chose to self-detonate along with his Dao fruit, an explosion whose shockwave threatened to sweep across the surroundings, only to be effortlessly neutralized by Chisongzi with a casual wave of his hand.

Further back still, figures with blurred faces began to emerge. Seemingly sensing something, one of those figures offered a faint nod before casually scattering and erasing the remaining traces.

In the distance, twelve towering figures stood proudly, directly stirring the long river of time and space into turbidity.

Seeing this, Zhenyuanzi did not probe or disturb the space-time currents of that region any further; instead, he nonchalantly withdrew his divine powers.

"A Quasi-Sage has intervened. Judging by the traces, it should be Eastern Emperor Taiyi."

"Indeed. It seems he has just advanced to the realm of a first-corpse Quasi-Sage and wished to seize this opportunity to test his strength in a battle against the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Yet, judging by the outcome, he does not appear to have gained any real advantage."

Hongyun frowned slightly as he replied, then shook his head with a soft sigh:

"It is merely a pity. Although the Sage's method of slaying three corpses to attain sanctification is unfathomably profound, it has plunged the primeval world into endless turmoil.

Some Great Luo immortals stepped out of the Zixiao Palace and immediately disregarded all karma, launching sneak attacks in attempts to seize treasures. That alone speaks volumes about what is to come."

"The methods of the Sage are not to be lightly discussed," Zhenyuanzi reminded him in a deep voice, saying no more on the matter as he ultimately let out a heavy sigh.

Seeing this, Hongyun also fell into a brief silence:

"The wind is rising."

"Yes, the wind is rising."

......

Haotian looked at Yaochi holding the phoenix-headed walking stick before him, his expression a mixture of confusion and helplessness:

"Senior Sister... are you leaving?"

"Yes."

Yaochi did not attempt to deceive him. After pondering for a moment, she spoke softly:

"Mas... master said that since I have obtained the authority of the Head of Female Immortals, I must leave the Zixiao Palace. For an entire eon, I am not permitted to return..."

She had almost referred to him as 'Teacher', but thought better of it and kept the familiar address she used in front of Haotian. Reaching out like a little adult, she patted Haotian on the head:

"When Master next expounds the Dao, I will return."

"......"

"......"

"Alright."

Haotian remained silent for a long moment before giving his assent. He watched as Yaochi walked step by step out of the Zixiao Palace, and then, as he had always done, he put his weight into pushing the heavy doors of the Zixiao Palace to close them.

This time, however, he felt a weariness far greater than usual.

Right. Originally, these doors were pushed shut by two people; now, only he remained.

Rumble—

The massive doors closed with a resounding crash, shutting Yaochi's retreating figure entirely from his view.

Haotian stood in silence, turning to walk back down the familiar path, yet his solitary figure appeared exceptionally lonely.

Why? Why couldn't I go out together with Senior Sister?

He could not understand it. No matter how hard he thought, he simply could not fathom the reason.

Because such a possibility had never once crossed his mind.

He had always believed that he and Yaochi would remain by the side of the Sage Master, continuing thus forever.

Yet, things were not turning out that way.

Why?

Why?

Why!

He dared not direct these thoughts toward the Sage Master deep within his heart, for he knew that the moment any such rebellious notion formed in his mind, the Master would instantly hear it.

Even so, this did not prevent other thoughts from taking root within him.

At that very moment, the usually obedient Haotian gave birth to emotions entirely alien to his former self.

That sentiment seemed to be called doubt.

Or perhaps, it could be termed resistance.