Chapter 1408: The Calamity of Annihilation

"Senior Brother, does my wife know about this?" Chen Mobai asked, a little awkwardly, as the question popped into his mind after he finished listening.

"Junior Sister Guiling failed in her attempt to prove Creation and suffered a backlash from the Three Thousand Great Daos. It was already incredibly difficult for even a fragment of her soul to escape. Although she was reincarnated as Qing Nü, she retains no memories of her past life, only an inherent connection with this turtle shell."

Listening to True King Taixu, Chen Mobai nodded, glanced at Gui Bao, and made a decision. "Senior Brother, since this belongs to my wife, I've decided that after I've handled matters in the Immortal Realm, I'll go back down and return it to her. With its help, she should be able to recover her past life's cultivation in the shortest possible time, right?"

Although he was reluctant to part with Gui Bao, which had accompanied him for hundreds of years, Chen Mobai felt that he should not keep Qing Nü's good fortune after learning the truth. Moreover, after realizing he was truly a Void Spirit Body, Chen Mobai believed he could achieve higher realms on his own in the future. Besides, it was also good for Chen Mobai if Qing Nü became more powerful, as husband and wife are one.

"I've only encountered a situation like your Junior Sister's once in my lifetime, so I'm not sure what will happen if you give her the turtle shell," True King Taixu said. "However, there's something I need to tell you in advance. The Calamity of Annihilation of the Xuan Palace has not ended. In fact, it's becoming stronger with the passage of time. Initially, I could seal the power of annihilation deep within the Xuan Palace, but over the past few centuries, as Qing Nü, who is your Junior Sister's reincarnated fragmented soul, has grown stronger in cultivation, this tribulation seems to have awakened from its dormancy. It's gradually consuming and destroying the Void Ring I set up. I suspect this Calamity of Annihilation might only cease or even dissipate after completely eradicating your Junior Sister's fragmented soul. Therefore, I suggest you hold onto this turtle shell for now, at least until I find a way to resolve the Calamity of Annihilation."

True King Taixu's words left Chen Mobai stunned. He had thought the Xuan Palace's annihilation was a concluded event, but he never expected it hadn't ended. Didn't that mean that the closer Qing Nü got to her past life's cultivation, the more dangerous her situation became?

"Senior Brother, with my wife's talent and the resources of the Five Elements Sect, her reaching the Void Refinement stage is only a matter of time. How about I bring her up to Taixu Heaven to meet you, tell her the truth, and have her stop cultivating?" Chen Mobai naturally didn't want to see Qing Nü heading towards death, so he immediately thought of revealing the truth.

"It's best not to," True King Taixu said, shaking his head repeatedly. "The Calamity of Annihilation seeks to eradicate Junior Sister. Although Qing Nü is the reincarnation of Junior Sister's fragmented soul, in a sense, she is not Junior Sister herself. If you truly allow her to return to her original essence, the Calamity of Annihilation might spread instantly under the pull of the Great Dao, and I wouldn't be able to stop it." Although he was a Pure Yang Grand Being, that Calamity of Annihilation had even destroyed Guiling, who was half a step into Creation. He dared not test it himself.

"Senior Brother, what should be done about this?" Chen Mobai's face was filled with worry. At that moment, he almost wished Qing Nü was just an ordinary woman.

"Let's take it one step at a time. Based on the current progress, I can control the Calamity of Annihilation for at least another ten thousand years. However, to resolve it completely, only a Creation-level being can intervene. It's a pity that there's been no news from Senior Sister Tianhai since she left. But you don't need to worry too much. It's only if Junior Sister retraces her past life's path that the Calamity of Annihilation is most likely to spread along the Great Dao. When she cultivates to the Void Refinement stage, tell her not to choose the innate Great Daos of Taiji and Morality. Furthermore, it's possible I'm mistaken, and the expansion of the Calamity of Annihilation might not be related to Junior Sister. However, it's best not to let Qing Nü know about her past life's identity, as the Calamity of Annihilation is a tribulation that Junior Sister Guiling failed to overcome!"

After hearing True King Taixu's words, Chen Mobai felt a little more at ease. Qing Nü had already switched to cultivating the Primordial Source Flow Scripture, with the Primordial Great Dao as her first choice for Void Refinement. Only if that failed would she choose the Water Great Dao as a secondary option. However, the Water Great Dao was versatile and also connected to the innate Great Daos of Taiji and Morality. If Qing Nü were to use it for Void Refinement, caution would be necessary.

"Thank you for your troubles, Senior Brother," Chen Mobai said gratefully to True King Taixu. If the latter hadn't informed him of these things, Qing Nü would likely have walked into a dead end the moment he returned to the Tianhe Realm and gave her Gui Bao. Furthermore, Diyuan Star was on the edge of the Xuan Palace; if True King Taixu hadn't intervened to control the Calamity of Annihilation, it would probably have been affected and destroyed by now.

"Before Master transcended, he instructed me to look after the fellow disciples of the Purple Heavens Palace and the universe he created. This is merely my duty," True King Taixu said, waving his hand, indicating it was his responsibility.

"Next, I will merge with the Dao as quickly as possible, hoping to assist Senior Brother." After learning these truths, Chen Mobai's sense of urgency once again fueled his motivation for cultivation.

Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, he asked another question: "Senior Brother, the Great Dao of Sage Virtue in this world is already occupied. That shouldn't affect my merging with the Dao in the Purple Heavens Universe, right?"

"Naturally, it won't affect it," True King Taixu replied. "However, if you merge with the Great Dao of Sage Virtue in Master's universe and then return here, you'll need to control yourself and not bring that Great Dao of Sage Virtue with you. Otherwise, it will trigger a conflict of Great Daos in this world." True King Taixu, having frequently traveled between the two realms, was most familiar with this aspect. He himself had merged with his own Great Daos in both realms, so there was no conflict for him. But if Chen Mobai were to merge with the Dao in the Purple Heavens Universe, since Saint Qianqiu already existed here, he could, if he wished, contend with Saint Qianqiu for the Great Dao of Sage Virtue in this world. However, it would most likely fail, as Saint Qianqiu was already deeply entrenched. Yet, there was a minuscule possibility of dislodging Saint Qianqiu.

"Senior Brother, if I merge with the Great Dao of Sage Virtue in Master's universe and then merge with the Great Dao of Doomed Fate in this world, would it be possible to cleverly combine positive and negative, thus achieving the Pure Yang realm?" Chen Mobai asked the question that concerned him most. This idea had been lingering in his mind ever since Daoist Master Zixiao passed the Pure Yang Scroll to him. And only the person before him could answer this question.

"Theoretically, yes, but I haven't tried it myself," True King Taixu said. "If you intend to merge with the Great Dao of Doomed Fate then, I'll be watching nearby and can intervene in time if any issues arise." True King Taixu was one of the creators of this world, and some of the Three Thousand Great Daos evolved from him. He naturally held sway over his related Great Daos and hadn't experienced anything like Chen Mobai's situation. However, he was also very curious about this idea and wished to verify it.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Chen Mobai thanked him first upon hearing this.

"You're welcome. The Central Dao Hall is still in session, and if there's nothing else, I should be heading back." As True King Taixu spoke, he put down his teacup, preparing to leave this world.

"I've bothered Senior Brother for too long." Chen Mobai immediately stood up to take his leave, but as he was about to depart, he suddenly remembered something: "Oh, Senior Brother, when I attained enlightenment on Diyuan Star, I received the Demonic Lord's inheritance, and a phantom of the World-Ending Great Mill appeared in my Sea of Consciousness. But when my divine sense broke through the sixth stage and I comprehended the Great Dao in this world, it suddenly disappeared..."

Hearing this, True King Taixu paused slightly, then shook his head dismissively: "The Demonic Lord is suppressed by me, his true body unable to move. He's been spreading his inheritance everywhere, trying to cultivate powerful demonic avatars to break the seal. You don't need to worry about it, as long as you don't follow the Primordial path." Chen Mobai possessed the inheritance of Daoist Master Zixiao, making him a direct descendant of the Xuanmen (Mystical Gate) lineage, so he would certainly not fall into cultivating the demonic path. Therefore, after hearing True King Taixu's words, a weight was lifted from his mind. With such a powerful Senior Brother present, even if the Demonic Lord were to revive here, he would merely be suppressed again.

"Kongkong, please escort Junior Brother." The voice belonged to the spirit of the Sky-Measuring Ruler.

"Young Master, this way please." The child attendant Kongkong immediately led the way with his short legs. Chen Mobai bid farewell to True King Taixu and the spirit of the Sky-Measuring Ruler once more, then followed Kongkong out of Taixu Heaven.

"What I just said, there shouldn't be any logical problems with it, right?" Seeing Chen Mobai's back disappear, True King Taixu suddenly asked the spirit of the Sky-Measuring Ruler beside him.

"It connects perfectly from beginning to end, without any discernible flaws that I could find," the spirit of the Sky-Measuring Ruler replied, causing True King Taixu to nod.

"Then I'll leave things here to you. Make sure to use this opportunity to resolve all issues at once." As he spoke, True King Taixu transformed into a phantom and vanished from his seat.

"Yes, Master!" The spirit of the Sky-Measuring Ruler respectfully bowed towards True King Taixu's empty seat.

Guided by the child attendant Kongkong, Chen Mobai easily returned to Miluo Heaven.

"Nephew, if I want to come up to Taixu Heaven to visit Senior Brother again in the future, how should I contact you?" After escorting him, just as Kongkong was about to leave, Chen Mobai immediately called out to him and asked. Having finally found such a powerful backer, he would definitely need to visit frequently in the future.

"Young Master is too kind. This is my communication talisman. If you wish to come, just ask me in advance. Whether Master is in Taixu Heaven or not, I will respond once I receive your message." Kongkong and Chen Mobai were not yet that familiar, so their interaction was formal and proper, unlike Kongming True Lord's casual demeanor.

"Thank you, Nephew." Chen Mobai took Kongkong's communication talisman and thanked him with a smile. After returning the bow, Kongkong transformed into a silver light and vanished.

Left alone, Chen Mobai felt a bit lost. When Immortal Monarch Wuwei took him to register his Daoist lineage, it was in Taihuang Heaven, the first of the Eight Eastern Heavens. Theoretically, he should report there and find an immortal official of Taihuang Heaven to claim his cave dwelling and spiritual meridian. However, he hadn't yet claimed his True Immortal Pool and Creation Immortal Pills. Having finally secured fairness and justice through True King Taixu's influence, it was certainly impossible for him to leave Miluo Heaven now. Chen Mobai knew very few immortals in Miluo Heaven, and Immortal Monarch Wuwei was still in the Immortal Prison. That left only True Lord Kongming, his senior nephew.

Following his memory of Immortal Monarch Wuwei's path, Chen Mobai soon arrived at the Emptiness Department.

"Please excuse me, fellow Daoist, True Lord has gone to the Ziwei Palace and has not yet returned." An immortal official from the Emptiness Department attended to Chen Mobai, as the latter held a command token previously given by True Lord Kongming, indicating he was either a close friend of the True Lord or someone with connections.

"The Emperor of Heaven's matters are more important; I don't mind waiting a bit." Chen Mobai expressed his understanding. Hearing his words, the immortal official's mouth twitched slightly, wondering who this person was to speak with such confidence. It seemed as if Chen Mobai's matter were more important, their department's True Lord would put the Emperor of Heaven's affairs aside? Adhering to the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble, the immortal official served Chen Mobai a cup of tea and returned to his reception desk.

Soon after, a female immortal, dressed in robes similar to Kongming's style, walked in expressionlessly. Upon seeing her, the reception official immediately teleported before her: "Immortal Monarch, why have you returned? Has something major happened in the Land of Exile?" This woman was Immortal Monarch Ji Yuhan, second only to Kongming in the Emptiness Department. As her name suggested (Yuhan meaning "cold rain"), her personality was aloof and stern. However, she had always led the immortal soldiers and generals of the Emptiness Department guarding the Eastern Land of Exile, and she might not return even once in a century.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." After saying this, Immortal Monarch Yuhan saw Chen Mobai sitting to the side, looking curious. She couldn't help but frown slightly and reprimand the official: "This is the Emptiness Department hall. Why are there idlers here?" The official, named Chu Jinyuan, looked distressed upon hearing the Immortal Monarch's words and could only secretly transmit a message stating that Chen Mobai held True Lord Kongming's command token.

"It's bad enough that he neglects his duties all day, but how can he just hand out such important items indiscriminately..." Immortal Monarch Yuhan spoke in front of Chen Mobai. At this point, Chu Jinyuan also realized she was in a bad mood and could only lower his head, keep silent, and accept the scolding obediently.

"Immortal Monarch, perhaps I don't understand the rules of the Emptiness Department. Please don't trouble this young man; I'll leave now." Chen Mobai immediately spoke, standing up and preparing to depart, to save Chu Jinyuan from further difficulty.

"If I see this again in the future, next time you'll be sent directly to guard the Land of Exile..." However, Immortal Monarch Yuhan ignored Chen Mobai's presence and continued to reprimand Chu Jinyuan. This caused Chen Mobai to frown slightly.

Just then, a flash of silver light appeared, and True Lord Kongming's figure materialized outside the hall. Seeing Immortal Monarch Yuhan standing at the entrance, he was slightly surprised: "Junior Sister, why have you returned from Moyi Heaven?"

"Senior Brother, under your leadership, the Emptiness Department's discipline is far too lax. When I'm not here, anyone can just walk in..." Upon seeing True Lord Kongming, Immortal Monarch Yuhan couldn't help but start lecturing, as if it were simply her nature. True Lord Kongming listened with a helpless expression, then stepped into the hall. He then saw Chen Mobai, who had just stood up and was standing in a corner of the hall, and his expression instantly changed to one of surprise: "Junior Martial Uncle, why didn't you notify me when you descended from Taixu Heaven? I would have come to pick you up." As he spoke, True Lord Kongming bypassed Immortal Monarch Yuhan and respectfully approached Chen Mobai.

"Junior Martial Uncle?" Hearing True Lord Kongming's address for Chen Mobai, Immortal Monarch Yuhan's face was filled with confusion.