Chapter 4753: Trade

“Five fundamental laws! Sword Two—no, strictly speaking, Sword One—established seven fundamental laws and was one of the three great protectors of the ancient Immortal Court. Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan established nine fundamental laws.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong wore a nostalgic expression, as if recalling many past events.

“He established seven fundamental laws and was one of the three great protectors of the ancient Immortal Court? How are you unscathed when he’s dead?” Wang Changsheng was shocked that Sword Two had not mentioned any of this to him, only briefly alluding to the existence of the ancient Immortal Court.

“Indeed! He survived into another life, but unfortunately, before he could recover his peak strength, the Great Dao War erupted once more. His power was immense, making him a primary target for the Chaos Beasts. I wasn’t as significant; I was severely wounded, but thankfully, I endured. I had cultivated Dao Ancestor Shifang, but I never imagined he would also perish. How time changes everything; the world is no longer the same.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong sighed.

“Why did you attack me, honored sir? Could it be that some Dao Ancestors have defected to the Chaos Beasts?” Wang Changsheng continued to question.

According to the ancient texts compiled by Wang Qiuting, in the Chaos Era, there were indeed Dao Ancestors who defected to the Chaos Beasts, acting as their accomplices.

The Great Dao War erupted multiple times, each concluding with the Immortals’ defeat. Repeated failures can severely erode one’s Dao heart, and there will always be those who lack resolve.

“That’s partly why, and I also wanted to assess your strength. From now on, when facing enemies, do not reveal only two fundamental laws. Once you act, show no mercy. Otherwise, if word reaches the Chaos Beast Progenitor, it might awaken prematurely. It wouldn’t even need to intervene itself; it would dispatch Chaos Beasts who have established seven special fundamental laws to confront you. It would be very difficult for you to escape such a fate, as they possess top-grade Dao artifacts.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong warned, his expression grave.

“I understand. When will the Great Dao War erupt? Is there any indication?” Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know; that’s up to the Chaos Beasts to decide. If we were to initiate the Great Dao War, we would be no match for them. The Chaos Beast Progenitor has established ten fundamental laws, and also one supreme fundamental law. Most importantly, its natal Dao artifact, the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda, is a supreme-grade Dao artifact.”

“A supreme-grade Dao artifact? But it’s only a top-grade one now, isn’t it!”

“Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan severely damaged the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda, which caused it to be downgraded from a supreme-grade to a top-grade Dao artifact. It is incredibly difficult to destroy the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda. After each Great Dao War concludes, we old ones enter slumber to heal and recuperate. During this time, the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda extensively slaughters beings in the Immortal Realm to cultivate more Dao Ancestors, using them to contend against us.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong explained.

“I destroyed one sub-pagoda. Would it be useful if I destroyed a few more?” Wang Changsheng asked.

“It’s useful, but not significantly. As long as the mother pagoda exists, sub-pagodas can be regenerated. Fellow Daoist Lei once destroyed nine sub-pagodas, but after the Great Dao War ended, the mother pagoda generated nine more.”

“Fellow Daoist Lei! Who is he?” Wang Changsheng asked curiously.

“He was one of the three great protectors of the ancient Immortal Court. He achieved enlightenment through the fundamental law of lightning, established eight fundamental laws, and possessed a top-grade Dao artifact. He died in the Great Dao War.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong patiently explained.

“He didn’t survive into a new life?” Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.

“He *is* a new life. I heard that in his previous life, he had only established four fundamental laws, so it was extremely difficult for him to survive into another life. Some individuals can surpass their past selves, while others struggle to regain their peak. It truly depends on the person. And you? Whose reincarnation are you from the Chaos Era?”

Dao Ancestor Qihong narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Wang Changsheng.

“I am myself; I am not anyone’s reincarnation. Is there a problem?” Wang Changsheng’s tone was calm.

“No problem. New talents emerge with each generation, which is a good thing. Tell me about the current state of the Immortal Realm! For years, I’ve been waiting for Fellow Daoist Shifang, but alas, he perished.”

Wang Changsheng nodded and recounted everything.

“Go back and initiate a war between the Immortals and the Chaos Beasts. Destroy as many sub-pagodas as possible. Also, be careful. If I’m not mistaken, powerful Chaos Beasts are already lying in ambush and might attempt to ambush you.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong cautioned.

“Initiate a war between Immortals and Chaos Beasts? Wouldn’t that invite disaster? If Chaos Beasts wielding four or five fundamental laws were to attack, especially with mid-grade Dao artifacts, wouldn’t I be seeking my own death?” Wang Changsheng said with a frown.

“Do you think we have no powerful cultivators on the Chaos Continent? We haven’t fully recovered, and neither have the Chaos Beasts. Especially the Chaos Beast Progenitor, who was severely wounded by Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan and Protector Lei, will not recover easily.”

“I can initiate the Immortal-Chaos War, but if you provide me with one or two top-grade Dao artifacts for self-defense, I’ll feel more confident.”

“Top-grade Dao artifacts? What do you take them for? I assume you don’t possess any Dao artifacts, so I can give you two low-grade ones.”

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, then flicked his sleeve. The Grand Hao Spirit-Severing Blade, a golden seal, and a green shield flew out. These were all Dao artifacts he had refined, having integrated a large quantity of fifth-order immortal materials into the Grand Hao Spirit-Severing Blade to upgrade it to a low-grade Dao artifact.

“You actually possess three low-grade Dao artifacts?” Dao Ancestor Qihong asked, surprised.

“I do not lack low-grade Dao artifacts. I am an Immortal, but I will not sacrifice myself needlessly.” Wang Changsheng’s tone was cold.

Dao Ancestor Qihong pondered for a moment before saying, “How about this: I’ll give you a set of fifth-tier immortal formations. They’re sufficient for establishing the first five fundamental laws. Of course, for a Dao Ancestor like you, who has established two supreme fundamental laws, they might not be enough to fully support you through all five. Three would be fine, but four is uncertain. I have never encountered a Dao Ancestor who established two supreme fundamental laws before.”

“Two sets! Or mid-grade Dao artifacts; either would be a great help.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong pondered for a moment before saying, “The fifth-tier immortal formation I’m giving you is very special. In the Chaos Era, it was specifically used for establishing fundamental laws, and I only have one set left. If you manage to find ancient Immortal Court hidden treasures or ruins, you might obtain more sets. Besides this set of fifth-tier immortal formations, I’ll also give you some defensive fifth-tier immortal materials. I don’t have many mid-grade Dao artifacts myself.”

“Alright, but I will decide when to initiate the Immortal-Chaos War. Haste makes waste, but I won’t delay for too long.”

What he needed now was time, allowing his clan to produce more Dao Ancestors and enabling Wang Ruyan to establish her second fundamental law. Furthermore, he could refine Dao artifacts, Wang Ruyan could craft fifth-tier immortal talismans, and Wang Qingbai could concoct fifth-tier immortal elixirs, all in preparation for the great war.

“Alright! Don’t delay too long.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong flicked his sleeve, and a golden storage bracelet flew out, soaring towards Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng caught the golden storage bracelet, swept his divine sense through it, and found over a thousand pieces of fifth-tier immortal materials and a set of grand formations inside.

“Only this many fifth-tier immortal materials?” Wang Changsheng asked with a frown.

“I don’t have much myself. Inside, you’ll find my insights and those of some old fellows regarding the establishment of fundamental laws and the varying intensities of lightning tribulations. They should be of some assistance to you in establishing your own fundamental laws.”

Dao Ancestor Qihong explained.