Chapter 1134: Crossing the Past and Present

## Chapter 1144: An Encounter Across Time

"After finding Elder Yin, persuade him and bring him back to Great Qi."

Wang Xuanba couldn't help but scratch his head, looking at the sparse instructions for persuasion. Although he didn't quite understand the full meaning, it didn't prevent Wang Xuanba from believing it implicitly.

With a low growl, the shadow beneath him began to slowly writhe. Soon after, a body identical to Wang Xuanba emerged from it. This was an ability he had awakened after merging with and absorbing the exotic beast "Like Shadow." The shadow body possessed half the strength of the main body, and its death would not affect the original. It was perfectly suited for such a potentially risky errand. Thinking this, Wang Xuanba's shadow body transformed into a dark, soaring dragon and shot through the air.

Ten-odd days later, he finally located Yin Yin Island. The faint wails emanating from the island made Wang Xuanba's heart uneasy. He called out a few times, but received no answer. Wang Xuanba entered the building, and the sight of various bizarre and grotesque creatures made his scalp tingle. "These things are even more disgusting than the exotic beasts I've merged with," he thought. Going deeper, he finally found the person he was looking for in front of a transparent cage.

"Sir, my master wishes to invite you for a meeting," Wang Xuanba said, neither subservient nor arrogant. Elder Yin showed no reaction whatsoever. Wang Xuanba repeated himself several times to no avail. Seeing this, Wang Xuanba simply followed the Holy Emperor's instructions and directly stated, "Sir, do you wish to know who created the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?"

Elder Yin's body trembled. He slowly shifted his gaze from his experimental subjects and turned it towards Wang Xuanba. "You said... what?"

The overlapping double voice made Wang Xuanba swallow. Nevertheless, he bravely repeated himself. Then, without waiting for Elder Yin to speak, he added, "Sir, would you like to know the perfect 'Foundation Establishment Through Self' method?"

Elder Yin's previously hunched body slowly straightened. He stared at Wang Xuanba, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Who exactly are you?"

Wang Xuanba chuckled. "I'm just an errand boy. If you wish to know the answers, just come with me."

"Lead the way!"

To Wang Xuanba's surprise, Elder Yin agreed so readily this time. Thick mist sprayed from the cage behind him, and several mortals screamed and vanished. Wang Xuanba tensed up, then quickly nodded.

"Oh, and my master also reminded you, Sir, not to forget that rib bone. Please bring it along."

Elder Yin's gaze turned cold, and the murderous intent in his eyes could no longer be concealed. However, seeing Wang Xuanba's fearless demeanor, he forcibly suppressed his killing intent. He searched his person but couldn't find the rib bone. He finally found the rib bone in the nest of that small dog with human-like hands. Kicking the dog aside, Elder Yin gestured that they could leave.

Wang Xuanba then flew ahead, leading the way, passing through the entrance to the minor world concealed by a formation, and returned to the Great Qi Dynasty. Although slightly surprised by the dense spiritual energy here, Elder Yin's attention was still drawn to the tallest tower-like building in Shengjing City. He could sense that an extremely powerful being resided there.

Soon, Elder Yin stood before Li Ping, the Faceless Holy Emperor.

"Fellow Daoist, what is your intention in going to such lengths to bring me here?" Elder Yin's expression was not particularly pleasant.

"I merely admire your talent, Sir," Li Ping said indifferently, looking down at Elder Yin from his high Holy Emperor's throne. "May I present this method?" Without waiting for Elder Yin's reaction, Li Ping lightly clapped.

A screen of light unfolded before Elder Yin. Originally, Elder Yin wasn't very interested, but after a quick glance and understanding the content, his expression suddenly became serious. Seriousness quickly turned into shock.

"This..." He watched it repeatedly several times before, with some disbelief, turning his gaze towards Li Ping.

"I hear you possess a treasured rib bone, Sir?" Li Ping asked again, offering no explanation.

Elder Yin nodded. "It is the bone of the first cultivator in this world to be infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma..."

"May I borrow it for a moment?"

Elder Yin hesitated, but eventually took it out and handed it to Li Ping. Li Ping held the rib bone, lost in a moment of reminiscence. Then he sighed deeply, seeming a little desolate and sad. He then returned the rib bone to Elder Yin.

Li Ping's behavior left Elder Yin feeling bewildered and uncertain. "You..."

"To see an old friend again in this state... I am simply filled with emotion. Please forgive me, Sir."

Li Ping's words struck Elder Yin like a bolt of lightning. "What? An old friend?" His eyes filled with suspicion, Elder Yin stared intently at Li Ping.

Li Ping was unconcerned, his voice low. "Heh, besides me, who else in this world still remembers him now? The Grand Heavenly Venerate of Xuanhuang, the true perfect man of this world. Su Bai, Master Bai..."

As he spoke, a figure appeared before Elder Yin. It instantly captivated Elder Yin's gaze. The person in the image had such perfect features, without a single flaw. His eyes were filled with gentleness and love; even though it was a phantom image, meeting its gaze would cause one's heart to tremble.

Elder Yin was lost in thought for a long time. Then, recalling Li Ping's words, his body trembled violently as he reacted. "What did you say? The Grand Heavenly Venerate of Xuanhuang?" He unconsciously gripped the rib bone in his hand, as if struck by lightning. His eyes unfocused, he muttered to himself, "Against the principles of heaven and earth, against the principles of heaven and earth... Immortal-Mortal Miasma, Dual Heavenly Venerates... Could it really be like this?"

Elder Yin staggered, then fell weakly to the ground. As if suffering a great blow, he seemed to have lost all purpose, completely bewildered.

Li Ping waited for a long time, until Elder Yin slowly recovered from his shock. Only then did he speak again, revealing his true intention. "Before us, the Immortal Path cannot be trodden, for the Teaching Heavenly Venerate stands above. Sir, would you help me fulfill Master Bai's unfinished wish, to use a new method to break the foundation of the teaching, and save Xuanhuang from calamity?"

Li Ping descended from his throne, approached Elder Yin, helped him up, and asked with utmost solemnity. Elder Yin quickly understood the meaning of Li Ping's words.

"Are you saying this flawless 'Foundation Establishment Through Self' method is his work?" Elder Yin's voice trembled slightly.

Li Ping nodded, sighing. "Indeed. In the entire Xuanhuang Realm, who else but him could possess such talent?"

Elder Yin's heart was even more deeply shaken. "Yes, yes," he kept repeating. Looking once more at the characters on the light screen before him, Elder Yin seemed to cross time through the words, meeting Master Bai's gaze.

"My thoughts and ideas, incredibly, align with his from thousands of years ago? And what's more, he was even far superior to me..."

Li Ping watched Elder Yin, who was completely lost in thought, knowing that the plan had succeeded.

(End of Chapter)