Chapter 448: Linya's Molt, Domineering Taihuang Palace!

Chapter 448: Lin Ya’s Shedding, the Overbearing Taihuang Palace!

Qi Yuan’s divine infant stood behind Ziyuan Daxue, his expression calm: “How can you slander an innocent man out of thin air?”

He certainly hadn’t reported it.

It was just—when you passed a message to the divine infant, wasn’t it only natural for the true self to overhear?

Ziyuan Daxue looked at Qi Yuan’s divine infant with suspicion, then sighed at last: “Aren’t you supposed to be amazing? Step it up, quickly comprehend a few supreme ultimate truths, take down that one from Taihuang Palace and Mochi too, and I’ll be your concubine!”

“Tsk, tsk…”

……

In the Realm of Ultimate Truth, the stronghold of the Mara clan.

Qi Yuan stood within his cave dwelling, his thoughts heavy.

He plunged his hand into icy water, and a biting, bone-chilling sensation came through.

This icy water was extreme cold.

One drop could even freeze a Purple Mansion cultivator to death.

Now, as Qi Yuan’s hand entered the icy water, he suddenly discovered that his palm was also changing at that moment.

“Is this adaptation—turning into the temperature most suited to the icy water?”

Qi Yuan looked at his hand; it seemed to have taken on the same form as the icy water.

He withdrew his hand, snatched at the air, and a cloud of mist appeared.

In an instant, a fine, drizzling rain fell.

In a flash, an umbrella suddenly sprouted above Qi Yuan’s head.

With the umbrella over his head, he pondered deeply: “This absolute adaptation… is a bit strange. It seems I need to stabilize this ultimate truth quickly, inscribe it well, and unearth its greater potential.”

Comprehending a supreme ultimate truth does not immediately make one a great ultimate truth.

Take Black Sword, for example—he had now comprehended a supreme ultimate truth, but he still needed to slowly refine his dharma power, then break through to the Ultimate Truth Realm, or even the Great Ultimate Truth.

This kind of cultivation had no bottlenecks, but it still required polishing dharma power and stabilizing the ultimate truth.

“What about ‘Do as You Please’?”

Qi Yuan began testing his second ultimate truth.

About an hour later, a gleam of brilliance surged in Qi Yuan’s eyes.

“Now I… should be fairly strong. If I get an offensive creation treasure, I should be able to protect myself in these Six Heavens.”

That afternoon, many major powers came to the Mara clan’s territory bearing gifts.

It could be said that among all the sacred lands in the Six Heavens, except for the Moon Goddess Palace, every major power sent a congratulatory gift to Mochi Heavenly Lord.

After all, comprehending two supreme ultimate truths was unheard of, unseen before.

These major powers naturally hoped to curry favor with Mochi Heavenly Lord.

“Time to go to this gathering,” Qi Yuan sighed softly.

If he had not comprehended a supreme ultimate truth, he would not have been qualified to attend tonight’s gathering.

Without further thought, Qi Yuan, in the form of Mochi Heavenly Lord, headed toward the gathering place.

The gathering place was a lake.

The lake was filled with drifting mist, scattering and swirling, an immortal atmosphere rippling.

As soon as Qi Yuan landed, he heard someone greet him: “Daoist Mochi, you and I share the same origin—why not return to the Black Demon Abyss?”

The speaker was none other than the refined-looking Black Sword.

After comprehending the supreme ultimate truth, his aura had grown even more obscure and profound.

Qi Yuan had a premonition that ordinary ultimate truths were no match for Black Sword.

He was somewhat curious about Black Sword’s supreme ultimate truth.

“No, I’ve always been too carefree,” Qi Yuan shook his head, declining Black Sword’s invitation.

Upon hearing this, Black Sword’s expression remained unchanged; he simply studied Mochi, as if trying to see through him.

“Both young friends have arrived. This small gathering is now complete. Please take your seats,” said Wusheng Heavenly Lord as his form materialized.

His expression was kind, with a faint trace of reverence.

Qi Yuan and Black Sword immediately stepped forward.

At the center of the lake, including Qi Yuan, there were twenty-seven figures.

Except for Qi Yuan, Black Sword, and Tai Ri, every one of them was a great ultimate truth.

As the saying goes: One Assembly, Two Palaces, Three Heavens, Four Abysses, and over a dozen Sacred Lands.

Now, nearly every sacred land in the Six Heavens had a great ultimate truth attending this gathering.

Or rather, some sacred lands, with only one great ultimate truth, had sent that very one to this gathering.

This showed the high level of this gathering—something Qi Yuan had never experienced before.

But at this moment, upon seeing Qi Yuan’s arrival, half of the great ultimate truths turned their gazes upon him.

Surprise, astonishment, goodwill—all kinds of expressions.

“Mochi Heavenly Lord, Black Sword Heavenly Lord, please take the main seats,” Wusheng Heavenly Lord reminded.

Within the lake, the seating arrangement was also very particular.

In the past, it was roughly divided into three tiers: the Ultimate Truth Society formed one tier, the forces with great ultimate truths who had comprehended supreme ultimate truths formed another, and the rest formed the last.

Of course, this assumed that those great ultimate truths who had comprehended supreme ultimate truths were not present in person, and only other great ultimate truths from their forces attended.

But now, with anomalies like Qi Yuan, Black Sword, and Tai Ri present,

the main seats had gained three additional places.

Qi Yuan took his seat beside Wusheng Heavenly Lord.

Black Sword and Tai Ri sat at the two ends.

Looking down from his high seat, Qi Yuan swept his gaze over these great ultimate truths, many thoughts flashing through his mind.

Each of these great ultimate truths was an ancient monster who had lived for who knows how long—a mere tremor of their legs could shatter a realm and shake the heavens.

Yet at this moment, as they looked at the three on the main seats, there was both admiration and wistfulness.

“I’d better disguise myself well; if I reveal that I’m a Purple Mansion cultivator, it’ll be too dangerous,” Qi Yuan mused.

Although he had comprehended two supreme ultimate truths and grown much stronger,

his ultimate truths were not yet stabilized, nor fully developed, and he still lacked his own offensive creation treasure.

He couldn’t defeat even one of these great ultimate truths.

Just then, Wusheng Heavenly Lord spoke, his voice resonant: “At this Ultimate Truth Discourse Assembly, a total of ninety-six Yang Spirit Heavenly Lords have comprehended ultimate truths—the highest number in millions of years. Congratulations are in order.”

As he spoke, his tone shifted.

Moreover, there were three fellow cultivators—Mo Chi, Hei Jian, and Tai Ri—who together comprehended the supreme principle, a first even in the Sixth Heaven.

Fellow Mo Chi, moreover, comprehended two supreme principles, unprecedented in history.

The four seas churn, clouds and seas rage; the six heavens shake, wind and thunder stir.

To count the truly remarkable, one must look to the present age!

Saintless Heavenly Lord sighed with emotion.

The Great Principles present nodded one after another.

This gathering on the principles of the Way was absolutely worthy of being recorded in history.

The Great Principles of the Sixth Heaven who had comprehended the supreme principle numbered fewer than two palms, yet now three more would be added at once.

“Since all are assembled, let me announce a matter of great importance concerning the Sixth Heaven.”

Saintless Heavenly Lord’s expression turned solemn at that moment.

The Great Principles present, hearing this, also grew serious.

The atmosphere on the scene instantly became heavy.

Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes, curiosity stirring in his heart.

What great matter could there be in the Sixth Heaven?

“The Immortal Path has a past and a present, but no future.”

“The Sixth Heaven originally had only five layers; the sixth layer was opened by us Great Principles.

To break the shackles, glimpse the future, and step into the third realm of the Yang God, we must open the Seventh Heaven, the Eighth Heaven, and even the Ninth Heaven!”

As beings of the Yang God realm, these Heavenly Lords naturally understood that this world was not limited to the Immortal Path, nor to the Sixth Heaven.

Within the Sixth Heaven, there were many strange lands.

Beyond those strange lands, they might connect to other worlds and universes.

Other universes and worlds cultivate the past and present, and glimpse the future.

Only the Sixth Heaven has no future.

The future of the Sixth Heaven seems to have been severed by a single person.

All Yang Gods can only stop at the second realm of the Yang God.

“The Unique Hall opened the Sixth Heaven, inheriting the will of the Immortal Path, and opened the future.

Now, the Unique Hall has issued a decree, the Star Realm descends, and the Sixth Heaven is unstable—it is time to initiate the Lin Ya Molt, to replenish the Unique Hall, and together open… the Immortal Path!”

Saintless Heavenly Lord spoke, his voice vast, like divine sound.

The Great Principles present, hearing this, all changed expression.

Although they had long received word that the Lin Ya Molt was imminent,

after all, it was only news—what if… it wasn’t true?

Now, hearing what Saintless Heavenly Lord said, all the Great Principles were moved, their minds quite complex.

As for Qi Yuan, he was utterly bewildered.

“What does this mean? What is the Unique Hall? What is the Lin Ya Molt?” Qi Yuan was quite curious. He knew nothing of what these people said.

At that moment, the Great Principle from Taihuang Palace spoke, his voice tinged with reverence: “The Unique Hall is located in the Seventh Heaven.”

“Wait, isn’t there only the Sixth Heaven?” Qi Yuan was stunned.

Where was there a Seventh Heaven?

“The Seventh Heaven is still being opened; living beings cannot enter,” explained the Great Principle from Taihuang Palace.

Seeing Qi Yuan still confused, the Great Principle from Taihuang Palace continued.

“The will of the Immortal Path is similar to the Heavenly Dao of the world, but it is a higher existence.

The Sixth Heaven has no future; Yang Gods stop at the second layer.

To break the deadlock, we must create the Nine Heavens.

But the construction of the Nine Heavens… is not something that can be built at will.

Thus, the Lin Ya Molt came to be, or rather, the Lin Ya Calamity.”

“Is there a simpler explanation?” Qi Yuan asked again.

“To put it simply, it is strife among Yang God Heavenly Lords; those who fall in battle have their true spirits enter the Unique Hall to build the Seventh Heaven,” said the Great Principle from White Dragon Abyss with a sigh.

The Lin Ya Molt is also called the Calamity of Yang God Heavenly Lords.

There are far too many Yang Gods in the world.

And the Sixth Heaven is too small.

Even if Yang Gods leave the strange lands, they cannot leave the Sixth Heaven to go to other worlds.

The meaning of the Lin Ya Molt is for Yang Gods to shed their lives, exist in another form, and go to the Unique Hall to build the Seventh Heaven.

The Great Principle from White Dragon Abyss explained.

Every Lin Ya Molt sees Great Principles fall; it can be said to be extremely perilous.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was taken aback.

Could this will of the Immortal Path be like Thanos?

Disgusted… that there are too many Yang Gods?

“If the Unique Hall initiates the Lin Ya Molt, does that mean… it will begin, and we must obey it?” Qi Yuan asked in confusion.

After all, things like opening the Seventh Heaven and the future were too far from ordinary Yang Gods.

How could ordinary Yang Gods support it?

“This is the decree of the Immortal Path’s will; how can we not obey? Unless… we no longer want our Star Projections?” said a Great Principle, his voice desolate.

It is said that the Star Realm is where the will of the Immortal Path resides.

All cultivators, to break through to the Yang God realm, must cultivate a Star Projection, send it into the Star Realm, and illuminate the heavens.

Without the Star Projection, the Dharma body of the Yang God cannot be sustained, and the full power of the Yang God will be limited.

“Not only that, the Lin Ya Molt is both a calamity and an opportunity.

When the Immortal Palace opens, treasures will fall, even creations and rare artifacts.

The Immortal Path is all about struggle—how can we… not dare to risk our lives for it?” Moonflower Heavenly Lord spoke, her voice thick with killing intent.

Of course, she left some words unsaid.

Within the Immortal Palace, there are special beings, like Root Demons.

Yang God Heavenly Lords who enter, even with hearts as deep as the sea, will have their inner demons surge, suddenly giving rise to killing intent.

It becomes easier to breed conflict.

Moreover, even if one does not seek conflict, the Root Demon Calamity will force you to.

Qi Yuan heard this and said no more.

After all, he was now Demon Blaze Heavenly Lord, needing to maintain his disguise and not speak recklessly.

Otherwise, if Taihuang Palace discovered his identity, it would be very dangerous.

"The Lin Ya Molt is imminent; the several Supreme Venerables will surely gather. Then, the date and related matters will be announced. You all go back and prepare first, lest you become those who die in vain and turn into true spirits of the Unique Hall," Saintless Heavenly Lord said with a sigh.

Supreme Venerable was the title for a Great Principle who had comprehended the supreme truth.

Every Lin Ya Molt, Great Principles fell, becoming true spirits in the Unique Hall for eternity, opening the Seven Heavens.

Such true spirits were no different from death; most importantly, their cultivation was fixed, like puppets.

These Yang God Heavenly Lords, free and unfettered in the Sixth Heaven, how could they be willing to perish and transform into a spirit?

Though the true spirits of the Unique Hall held noble status, to these Yang God Heavenly Lords, it was all illusory.

Just then, that Great Principle from Taihuang Palace suddenly smiled mysteriously: "Our Taihuang Palace also has a major matter to announce."

Qi Yuan looked toward that Great Principle of Taihuang Palace.

The other Great Principles did the same, their hearts stirred, wondering what matter was to be announced.

Moonlight Heavenly Lord narrowed her eyes, extremely wary.

"The Unique Hall's decree: this Lin Ya Molt..."

The Great Principle of Taihuang Palace smiled with his eyes, sweeping his gaze over the crowd, his expression proud and arrogant.

"Shall be presided over by Taihuang Palace!"

These words, resounding and weighty, fell upon the ears of the Great Principles present, and the expressions of all cultivators changed.

Saintless Heavenly Lord's expression was especially exaggerated, even shocked.

The Lin Ya Molt had never had anyone preside over it.

Now, how could there be a faction presiding?

After all, it could be said that all factions were contestants on the field, with the Unique Hall as the referee.

Now, Taihuang Palace, a contestant, had also become the referee—how could this be played?

"This matter... is it true? How can this be?" Saintless Heavenly Lord spoke, his voice anxious.

"How could the Unique Hall issue such a decree? The Lin Ya Molt... how can it be presided over by Taihuang Palace?"

"This... defies reason!"

Many Great Principles spoke up one after another, expressing their opinions.

After all, if Taihuang Palace were to preside over the Lin Ya Molt, what the outcome of this Lin Ya Molt would be, the Great Principles present could foresee.

Especially Moonlight Heavenly Lord, whose face turned pale.

For if it were truly presided over by Taihuang Palace, the Moon God Palace... would likely have to bleed heavily.

That Great Principle of Taihuang Palace smiled even more: "This matter, spoken by the Supreme Venerable, cannot be false."

Hearing this, the other Great Principles, no matter how puzzled or bewildered in their hearts, could only accept this fact.

After all, how could the Supreme Venerable deceive people over such a trivial matter?

The Great Principles on the scene accepted this reality, their expressions all rather unpleasant.

As for the inside story, they naturally did not know; it required judgment by their own Supreme Venerables.

Especially Saintless Heavenly Lord of the Principle Society.

Always, the Principle Society had been the top power of the Sixth Heaven.

Now, Taihuang Palace was about to gain another Supreme Venerable, and moreover, would preside over the Lin Ya Molt.

After the Lin Ya Molt ended, would the top power of the Sixth Heaven... become Taihuang Palace?

"And there is one more thing... to announce: this Lin Ya Molt, at least one Supreme Venerable... must molt into the Unique Hall," that Great Principle of Taihuang Palace spoke.

As these words were uttered, the entire venue fell silent.

This was... to have a Supreme Venerable die?

This was a Supreme Venerable!

In all these years of the Sixth Heaven, there had been fewer than two handfuls.

And now, at least one was to fall.

Moonlight Heavenly Lord's expression was especially grim.

The Moon God Palace had long been hostile to Taihuang Palace.

Now, with Taihuang Palace announcing such terrifying news, how could she not be shocked and panicked?

The other Great Principles, hearing this, also had their expressions greatly changed.

If an ordinary Great Principle fell, they might still be able to protect themselves, relying on the shelter of a major power.

But if even a Supreme Venerable was to fall, how could this Lin Ya Molt not affect them?

Black Sword's expression also suddenly turned complicated at this moment. He glanced at Sun and then at Demon Blaze, as if sensing a hint of conspiracy.

This time, three Yang God Heavenly Lords had comprehended the supreme truth, with hope of becoming Supreme Venerables.

Was this talent high enough?

Or was it the will of fate?

Or perhaps, it was actually a conspiracy.

Sun Heavenly Lord then also glanced at Black Sword and Qi Yuan, his expression inscrutable, as if with deep meaning.

This small gathering finally ended amidst such earth-shattering news.

Except for that Great Principle of Taihuang Palace, the expressions of the other Yang Gods were not very pleasant.

Qi Yuan glanced at Moonlight Heavenly Lord, very much wanting to ask about his master.

But thinking that he could not reveal himself now, he simply let it go.

Many Great Principles also left one after another.

Quite a few, however, increased their stakes, extending olive branches for Qi Yuan to join their factions, but Qi Yuan declined them all.

As he was leaving, Sun Heavenly Lord approached, his expression free and easy. He looked at Black Sword and Qi Yuan and said calmly, "The three of us have comprehended the supreme truth together; we should look out for one another."

Black Sword and Qi Yuan both cupped their hands in response.

Then they heard Sun Heavenly Lord's voice, desolate: "We were born at the wrong time. The moment we step into Great Principle, the Lin Ya Molt is imminent—we know not... where we will end up."

Having said this, Sun Heavenly Lord's figure vanished, his back appearing quite forlorn.

(End of this chapter)