Chapter 967: How to Break the Deadlock

Hu Yun had initially believed he was cultivating diligently enough, but the mere thought of encountering Lu Shan Jun in the future instantly made him feel the need to redouble his efforts. He reasoned that he should at least have a chance to explain himself, otherwise, being swallowed whole upon meeting would be an unjust fate.

"Alas, even Mr. Ji remains silent… It seems my cultivation is still not diligent enough," Hu Yun thought sadly.

Ji Yuan was, in fact, well aware of Hu Yun's cultivation over the years. Hu Yun had been far more diligent and hardworking than ordinary demons, and his progress was remarkably swift. Ji Yuan simply chose not to interfere with Xiezhi's teaching methods, as he also knew that Lu Shan Jun would not genuinely harm Hu Yun. It was unclear what went on in Hu Yun's mind. While he clearly understood that Lu Shan Jun actually wished him well, his understanding was one thing, and his genuine fear was another. He always believed that Lu Shan Jun might casually devour him. What's more, even at his current level of cultivation, he would still walk around if he saw two or more dogs in Ning'an County.

Although Ji Yuan was playing chess, it was akin to his method of deriving principles from texts; he was using the game for calculations. The benefit was that he didn't need to constantly fix his gaze on the chessboard. Once the pieces were placed, they stayed put, allowing him to continue his deductions with a sense of continuity.

At this moment, Ji Yuan held a black piece, surveying the entire board. The chessboard, however, did not appear to be merely 19 by 19 lines. Instead, it seemed to stretch endlessly, evolving into mountains, rivers, and all things in heaven and earth. The black and white elements upon it did not resemble simple chess pieces, but rather the fortunes of all living beings manifesting on the board.

In one corner of the chessboard within his vision, boundless green waves stretched for thousands of miles across a vast ocean. Closer inspection, however, revealed a dazzling radiance within. As Ji Yuan dropped the black piece, a swath of red light churned, and golden threads scattered from the radiant source. The white pieces, previously connected as one, also seemed to ripple.

Ji Yuan pondered for a moment, then pointed to the white chess box. Instantly, a piece flew out, naturally settling next to where the black piece had just landed, and the ripples of the white pieces stilled.

"Beyond reason, yet within expectation."

Xiezhi, who had already approached the stone table, observed the board in front of Ji Yuan. Though he still saw an ordinary chessboard, he knew that Ji Yuan could not merely be playing a simple game.

"What have you seen?"

Xiezhi asked, and Ji Yuan looked up at him, nodding and then shaking his head.

"Actually, it doesn't surprise me to find individuals from the opposing faction within the immortal path, or indeed, among the righteous cultivators across various realms. After all, the secrets of heaven and earth present an irresistible opportunity, and even high-level cultivators may not be able to resist such temptation. However, there is still one thing I don't understand."

Xiezhi frowned, thinking, *Something even Ji Yuan doesn't know?*

"What is it?"

Ji Yuan looked at the chessboard, speaking in a murmur. "Times have changed, and the world is no longer as it was. The current era is no longer the ancient primordial age. It is they, not us, who truly need to break this deadlock. While proceeding slowly is certainly an option, time is on our side. So, how can they break the situation?"

The inherent pressure of heaven and earth persists, and it's impossible for their full, peak forms to be present here. Breaking the natural order would be exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, living beings and heaven and earth complement each other; while the negative aspects of beings can affect the world, under Ji Yuan's strategy, the overall trend is positive. So, if this situation isn't broken, how can the old heaven and earth return, or the great task of transcendence be achieved?

Xiezhi's eyebrow twitched.

"Why do I feel like you're more concerned about this than they are?" Xiezhi questioned. "If we can drag it out, let's do it for hundreds or even thousands of years. Perhaps in just a few decades or a century, we'll truly comprehend the power of this changing situation. By then, the structure of heaven and earth will be completely renewed, forcing evil and deviant paths into an ever-narrower space for survival. Wouldn't that be marvelous?"

Xiezhi was referring to the most crucial elements of Ji Yuan's strategy: in the human world, a hundred schools of thought would contend, shining brightly and influencing the natural order. Furthermore, the Underworld would become interconnected, allowing for the development of reincarnation, providing more opportunities to resolve even the most intractable grievances and resentments. This would also dissolve malevolence and guide people towards goodness. Simultaneously, the divine path would embark on a new chapter. In essence, it meant intervening in and even taking control of certain aspects of the Way of Heaven and Earth, guiding various paths towards righteousness, opening more avenues for living beings, and compensating for certain deficiencies in the cosmic order.

Ji Yuan's strategies, in their grand design, were an overt and righteous progression. Even if they were discovered, it wouldn't matter, because by the time they could be seen, the strategies would already be taking effect. In Ji Yuan's words, "I'm not employing any secret schemes or tricks with you; I'm simply advancing directly."

Often, Ji Yuan merely stirred things subtly from within, without needing grand, earth-shattering actions. By now, a situation of widespread flourishing had emerged, and even the Yellow Springs in the Underworld would inevitably become unstoppable.

Simply put, the power of the righteous path is currently strong in this world. Under this fundamental premise, those who can only act surreptitiously are utterly incapable of resisting Ji Yuan's overt strategy. Furthermore, this overt strategy is very difficult to discern; most people probably believe that the current changes are merely the natural course of history.

Yet, it's clear that those entities opposing Ji Yuan must have made moves in more than one place; the incident at Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion is certainly an example.

"Perhaps the breakthrough point is still in the Two Desolations?" Xiezhi stated this, and Ji Yuan did not refute it. After all, the words left by the patriarch of Yunshan Temple long ago were inextricably linked to the Black Desolation, but there was also the phrase "the sun wheel weeps."

Regardless of whether the patriarch of Yunshan Temple truly had the ability to make accurate predictions, assuming it's highly possible, then what Ji Yuan fears is that it might also be related to the sun. After all, resisting the Golden Crow is secondary; how can all living beings in heaven and earth exist without the sun's radiance? Ji Yuan doesn't believe the Golden Crow is equivalent to the sun, but the relationship between the two is certainly not trivial.

"You've already seized the initiative," Xiezhi scoffed. "If you figured everything out, what would they even be doing? At worst, we'll go head-to-head when the time comes. Who's afraid of whom?"

Ji Yuan also smiled. "Indeed, there's no need to fear. Even if I, Ji Yuan, cannot prevail, powerful individuals emerge endlessly in this vast world, and there will always be a glimmer of hope in every matter."

Not only was Hu Yun completely bewildered by Ji Yuan and Xiezhi's conversation, but Zao Niang, standing nearby, also struggled to understand. However, she knew that whatever her master was contemplating must be a matter of great importance concerning the Way of Heaven and Earth.

"Master will surely win!" Zao Niang interjected, and Xiezhi quickly chimed in, a hint of flattery in his tone.

"Right, right, right, Zao Niang is absolutely correct," Xiezhi agreed. "There's no need for such disheartening talk. Soon, we'll roll out the path of Dharma Coin, and then await the appearance of the Yellow Springs in the Underworld."

Ji Yuan set down the chess piece in his hand, concluding today's deduction.

"Speaking of Yellow Springs, I imagine quite a few people want to find me, Ji Yuan."

"Oh, absolutely, many are probably desperate!"

Hearing Xiezhi's slightly teasing tone, Ji Yuan felt that the last three volumes of "Yellow Springs" should also be sent out.

Meanwhile, far away in a mountain in Hengzhou, Northern Realm, Lu Shan Jun, whom Hu Yun constantly worried about, had just finished a battle. He and Old Ox, who had also participated, were now recovering their breath, their faces thoughtful.

The ghoul minions they had sent out earlier returned with troubling news: they were too late and had missed Lian Ping'er. Moreover, Ar Ze was still likely demonized; they had briefly encountered what appeared to be a demonized Ar Ze above Ruanshan Ferry, but communication had been impossible.

As the two ghoul minions spoke, Lu Shan Jun suddenly sensed something. With a roar, he attacked a spot in the void, forcing out a demonic shadow. It was unclear if it was Ar Ze, but it had clearly just attempted to invade Lu Shan Jun's and Niu Batian's minds with demonic thoughts.

When Lu Shan Jun and Old Ox encountered such a situation, they naturally launched a fierce counterattack immediately. Even if it were Ar Ze, they couldn't hold back after he had become demonized.

But that demonic shadow was extremely elusive, even attempting to incite Old Ox and Lu Shan Jun to attack each other. Only after this failed did it engage them in a magical duel, and then, realizing a direct confrontation was futile, it quickly vanished without a trace. It was truly bizarre.

The two were not concerned about Lian Ping'er discovering their absorption of the two cultivators, Xia and Liu. After all, Lu Shan Jun and Niu Batian's inherent natures were such that they might do anything when displeased. Furthermore, being on good terms with Beimu, they had ample reason to be upset about the Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion incident.

But if that demonic shadow was Ar Ze, then it would be somewhat troublesome.

"This demon takes on various illusory forms, and its demonic energy possesses an unprecedented purity. In terms of sheer pureness, it might even surpass the Northern Demons. It's highly likely that this was formed from Ar Ze's demonization! Old Lu, you shouldn't have held back just now!"

Old Ox sighed. Lu Shan Jun frowned slightly. In truth, he had had the opportunity to swallow the demonic shadow whole. With the power of his true Lu Wu form, the shadow would have had no hope of escape once devoured. However, recalling that his Master greatly valued Ar Ze, even Lu Shan Jun hesitated for a moment, allowing the demonic shadow to escape.

"It was indeed my fault! If I see it next time, I won't hold back..."

"No need for next time, I can still smell a wisp of demonic energy."

The usually jovial and emotional Old Ox now appeared even more resolute than the stoic Lu Shan Jun, as he fixed his gaze on Lu Shan Jun and said, "Let's pursue!"

Lu Shan Jun narrowed his eyes slightly at Old Ox.

"Don't look at me like that. If he really is Ar Ze, we should help him find release!"

Lu Shan Jun's gaze shifted to the distance. He sniffed the faint demonic energy, his eyes flashing as he spoke, "I just wonder, since Master values Ar Ze so much, did he really become demonized like that?"

"Alas, the Heavenly Dao is merciless; even Mr. Ji cannot foresee everything in the world!" Old Ox shook his head and sighed again. Then, he and Lu Shan Jun rode the wind into the distance. Perhaps the demonic energy was intentionally left by the shadow to lure them, but neither he nor Lu Shan Jun were truly afraid.

Far away, another Ar Ze continued to instinctively track Lian Ping'er. Much later, a demonic shadow identical to himself merged into his body, allowing him to understand the previous events.

Ar Ze recognized Lu Shan Jun and Niu Batian; those two formidable demons had been present at the undersea conference. Judging by the previous behavior of the two ghoul minions, these two great demons were, as he had observed that day, strongly at odds with Lian Ping'er. Although the demons' expressions remained unchanged upon seeing Ar Ze's demonic shadow, there was a faint emotional undercurrent of concern and anger. Nevertheless, Ar Ze did not trust them.

In this world, Ar Ze trusted only a handful of individuals: Ji Yuan, Jin Xiu, Lady Ying, and possibly A'Gu and others from Nine Peaks Grotto-heaven.

Although Ar Ze neither trusted nor wished to interact with the two great demons, he was quite willing to lead them to Lian Ping'er.