Chapter 1238: Reversing the Mysterious Yellow Principle Again

Upon hearing Sun Erlang's words, the white-haired Daoist smiled slightly. "Indeed, everyone possesses their own independent personality and thoughts. It is an instinct for living beings to scatter when disaster strikes. It is quite difficult to make everyone united in purpose. The various events that have occurred throughout the history of the Xuanhuang World illustrate this point."

The white-haired Daoist lightly waved his whisk, and countless images instantly appeared in the pure white space before Sun Erlang.

Black shadows, representing the apocalypse, floated above the Xuanhuang World, threatening to descend at any moment. Yet, regarding how to confront this calamity, the various sects and factions within the Xuanhuang World still held different attitudes. Some were determined to abandon the world and flee, others chose to cower, while some actively campaigned, urging everyone to unite. There were also those who seized the opportunity to plunder and satisfy their selfish desires. The beings in the images had no specific forms; they were all depicted as faceless figures. However, the absurd farces unfolding in these scenes were incredibly real.

"But this was the Xuanhuang World of the past," the white-haired Daoist said, waving his whisk again. The scene abruptly changed. "A multitude with one heart, with unyielding will against fate, openly uniting divine power, fearless and carefree, a single word sets the nine cauldrons..."

As the True Reverend spoke, what appeared before Sun Erlang were detailed scenes of human life in the various territories of the Council of Five Elders. "What do you think of this place compared to the Myriad Immortals Alliance?" the True Reverend asked. "It's naturally far stronger than the Myriad Immortals Alliance," Sun Erlang replied without hesitation. He then added, "It's a pity that all of this is built upon the great divine powers of the five Reverends. Everything is as illusory and ephemeral as flowers in a mirror or the moon in water. If, one day, one of these five Reverends were to suddenly meet an unforeseen end, this seemingly beautiful scene would instantly collapse."

Within the territory of the Council of Five Elders, openly discussing the demise of a Reverend was an incredibly rebellious statement. Yet, the white-haired Daoist, who was likely the True Reverend, did not show anger. Instead, he nodded in agreement: "What you said certainly has some truth to it, but it also doesn't."

Sun Erlang was momentarily stunned, then bowed respectfully and said, "Please enlighten me, Reverend." "The reason I said you have a point is that from the perspective of an ordinary outsider cultivator, it is indeed true. The order here originated from the five Reverends. If a Reverend were to pass away, that order would also cease to exist."

"And the reason I said you don't have a point is because you haven't grasped the true meaning of the Longevity Realm in this world," the True Reverend said slowly, stroking his beard. "To defy the principles of heaven and earth to attain longevity." "After a cultivator defies these principles, they naturally become a part of the world's principles. Just like sunlight, water droplets, and air, they collectively form the world itself." "Humans are not isolated individuals. Denying the existence of the Longevity Realm and then discussing cultivators shrouded by it is meaningless."

Sun Erlang didn't quite understand the True Reverend's words. To him, it sounded more like a form of sophistry. However, a Longevity Reverend, an existence at the very pinnacle of this world, would clearly not engage in trivial verbal disputes with a junior like him. So, Sun Erlang furrowed his brows and pondered deeply.

After a long while, he thoughtfully said, "What we are discussing are the cultivators of the Xuanhuang World. That is the major premise. And a Longevity Reverend has already become an inseparable part of the Xuanhuang World, so..." "Wait," Sun Erlang suddenly realized, "the key is, your power doesn't seem to cover the entire Xuanhuang World? It's only confined to this specific area."

The True Reverend asked, "Have you ever perceived the existence of the Carefree Reverend's divine power?" Sun Erlang nodded, "Of course, I am aware of it." "As fellow Longevity Realm cultivators, Carefree's strength is not much greater than ours. What he can do..." "We naturally can do as well," the True Reverend said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Sun Erlang instinctively felt a little disbelieving at first. Then, as he thought about it, his expression gradually became more serious. "Then why?" he couldn't help but ask. "Naturally, the time has not yet come," the white-haired Daoist said with a light smile, waving his whisk again.

The white space of the True Fruit Tree gradually faded away. The True Reverend's figure also slowly blurred. "Reverend!"

At this moment, Sun Erlang suddenly remembered his master's instructions and quickly called out, "Reverend, do you know about the East Pole Reverend?" "Just watch, and you will know."

The white space shattered explosively. Countless light and shadow burst forth simultaneously, blooming within Sun Erlang's mind.

Back in the real world, Sun Erlang was still immersed in the images transmitted by the True Reverend. "Defy the principles of heaven and earth again? Are you mad? You've already come this far, just one step away from defying the principles, and you could attain longevity simply by following the normal course. Why would you do this?" The young Daoist, filled with incomprehension, spoke with fierce words.

"Longevity? It's merely integrating one's body with the Dao," replied the figure opposite, whose face was indistinct, but whose tone showed considerable disdain for the Longevity Realm. He continued, "If not for that being, it wouldn't matter if we integrated with the Dao to achieve longevity. But the entire cultivation system is built upon the framework he created..." "Xinghan, do you know what the consequences will be?"

The young Daoist remained silent. "Your talents are no less than mine. How could you not understand? You're merely holding onto a sliver of hope." "Let me be frank. One day, when the Xuanhuang World experiences its rebirth and transformation is complete, the so-called Longevity Reverends will fully become a part of the new world's Heavenly Dao... a state worse than death, or perhaps indifference to life and death." "They are nothing more than tools for world transformation."

The figure sneered. "That's just your delusion, your speculation..." After a long pause, the young Daoist weakly retorted. But the blurry figure paid him no mind, instead saying to himself, "But I don't believe it! I insist on fighting him!"

"Defying the principles of heaven and earth to attain longevity. This is the foundation of his enlightenment, but it is also his greatest weakness. If one can defy his principles again, one can instantly steal all his creations and replace him..." "East Pole! You..." The young Daoist frantically looked around, afraid that this rebellious statement would be overheard by others.

However, the blurry figure was full of ambition, with wild determination in his eyes. "Xinghan, don't be nervous. I am not alone on this path," East Pole suddenly said, comforting him. "Within the Immortal-Mortal Mist, there lies the hidden secret of defying the principles of heaven and earth once more. It originated from the previous Grand Reverend of Xuanhuang, who has already passed away..." "I've recently gained some insights. As long as..."

Before East Pole could finish speaking, the scene suddenly shattered. When the view became clear again, it was still East Pole's figure. However...

The once self-satisfied and vigorous East Pole now looked incredibly strange. His head was bowed, and his body was naked. His long hair flowed loosely, and countless threads extended from within his body, stretching out into the endless void beyond.

"East Pole!" This terrifying scene, accompanied by the True Reverend's exclamation, suddenly shattered and vanished. "What was that?" Sun Erlang's mind was shaken.

Though it was only a brief exchange of dialogue, the secrets revealed were all utterly astonishing. Sun Erlang first looked around and found that not much time had passed since he entered the True Fruit Tree's creation illusion.

On the fruit, there were still cultivators meditating, undergoing their trials. But Sun Erlang no longer had any desire to stay there. He had to return quickly and report what he had seen and heard to his master.

Fortunately, the attention of the city's cultivators was entirely focused on the prodigies still immersed in the illusion. There wasn't much attention paid to Sun Erlang, the "failure." He quietly left the city and headed straight for the entrance to the Great Qi Lesser World.

As he flew, Sun Erlang's thoughts raced. "The True Reverend had already discovered my presence?" "That's why he appeared in the illusion to meet me." "They already knew about the East Pole Reverend's situation, and it just so happened that I came here on my master's orders, so they used me to transmit these images to my master..." "What profound meaning lies behind this?"

Although Sun Erlang prided himself on having seen much of the world, he still found it hard to maintain his composure in the face of these top-secret truths concerning the Xuanhuang World. Sun Erlang couldn't help but accelerate his pace.

In fact, he didn't need to return to the Great Qi Lesser World in person. Thanks to the giant golden net woven from Source Energy Essences, the Faceless Holy Emperor had already simultaneously perceived everything happening to him the moment he entered the True Illusion.

Similarly, the True Reverend wasn't truly speaking to Sun Erlang, a minor cultivator who hadn't yet achieved Dao Harmonization. He was communicating with the Faceless Holy Emperor.

Li Ping carefully re-watched the images transmitted by the True Reverend. At the same time, the other party's seemingly profound words echoed repeatedly. "Tools for transforming the new world through the Transmission Method?" "It seems they have some self-awareness. Seeing me appear and contend with the Transmission Method, they subtly expressed goodwill..." "However, I can't fully trust them."

Li Ping snorted coldly. The five Reverends had indeed integrated their bodies with the Dao, that was true. But facing the pressure from the Transmission Method, Li Ping absolutely did not believe that after all these years, they would just sit idly by and do nothing.

"The Carefree Paradise, a world unto itself." "The True Realm, giving rise to countless worlds." "As for the others, they mostly maintain a 'sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight' attitude." "And those who are truly at their wits' end, like the current Heavenly Dao of Xuanhuang, will eagerly seize any glimmer of hope."

Li Ping's mind remained very calm, unaffected by the somewhat disturbing images from the True Reverend. "But East Pole Reverend's remark about the secret of defying the principles of heaven and earth again being hidden within the Immortal-Mortal Mist... that might be true."

"East Pole's Pure Body Spirit Pond can, like the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Incantation, dissolve the principles defied by Su Bai." "To defy the principles of heaven and earth again..." Li Ping pondered, mulling over these two sentences.

"I can't put all my trust in it, but it's still a way to shake the power of the Transmission Method." With this thought, Li Ping's figure flickered, appearing near Reverend Yin.

Xu Ke was also there. They were observing a delicate-looking little girl, both marveling at her.

Seeing Li Ping's arrival, Reverend Yin was the first to speak: "You've come at a good time. Come and see this little one." The majestic aura of the Holy Emperor and his faceless appearance made the little girl a bit nervous. However, she bravely gathered her courage and looked directly at Li Ping.

A divine sense instantly swept through the little girl's body, and Li Ping was slightly taken aback. He transmitted his question, "Weren't they all cultivating the New New Method?" "Why is this child cultivating the Transmission Method?"

Xu Ke answered the question with some emotion: "Holy Emperor, please don't misunderstand. No one here taught her this cultivation method; she figured it out herself." "Moreover, there's more than one child like her in this batch."

Reverend Yin's tone was also a bit strange: "It's a case of being at a dead end and finding another way. They couldn't establish their foundation with our methods, and seeing their companions constantly progress, in desperation, they instinctively stumbled upon and explored another cultivable path." "To avoid affecting the children who are cultivating the New New Method, we had no choice but to take them away."

The Faceless Holy Emperor remained silent upon hearing this. This time, his Source Energy Essence swept through, observing the specific conditions within these children's bodies. "It's no coincidence."

"The Transmission Method is already a part of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao." "It's like a naturally existing path in the world; even if one's eyes are covered, one will instinctively walk onto this path."

Li Ping recalled the situation in the world created by Sun Erlang not long ago. "This is the Dao of Xuanhuang. The Supreme Dao, whose influence even the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao itself cannot escape." "Following this Dao allows one to attain the highest in this realm, which is longevity." "To defy this Dao..."

"It's either your death or mine." Before Li Ping's eyes appeared East Pole's eerie, puppet-like body. But Li Ping felt no fear or hesitation in his heart.

"Su Bai, East Pole, they may fail..." "But that doesn't mean I will!" "Though the Transmission Method is powerful, it is not without a solution."

Li Ping's line of thought had not changed from beginning to end. "To successfully defy the Dao, one way is to defy its principles again, disrupting its foundation." "The second is to meet force with force, to break the deadlock with strength. The Dao of Transmission is indeed supreme in the Xuanhuang World. However, there is not only one Xuanhuang World in existence. Beyond this world, there is the Star Sea. And beyond the Star Sea, there are high walls..."

Li Ping's thoughts churned, and at the same time, he revealed his purpose to Reverend Yin and Xu Ke. "Immortal-Mortal Mist?"

Reverend Yin found it a bit strange that Li Ping suddenly brought up his former research subject again. "Mr. Bai only succeeded in defying the principles at the cost of his own demise," Reverend Yin explained. "Because he was deeply favored by the Heavenly Dao, the greater the entanglement, the greater the backlash. Ultimately, he could not escape and returned to the Dao of Heaven..."

"If it's already a defiance of principles, why can it be dispersed?" "Doesn't that mean every time the Immortal-Mortal Mist is expelled, it's equivalent to defying the principles of heaven and earth again?" Li Ping asked calmly.

This was a question Reverend Yin had never considered before, and he froze on the spot.