Chapter 218: Redemption
Chapter 218: Redemption
News of the assassination attempt in the Forbidden Palace swiftly spread across the realm.
What shocked everyone more was how the assassin escaped from the Fighting Emperor Ancestor himself. This outcome caused widespread uproar. The Blood Cultivators’ prestige soared to unprecedented heights, while hushed rumors began circulating throughout the Divine Dynasty.
The Fighting Emperor Ancestor was weakening.
The aging of this pillar of stability left the already fragile Divine Dynasty – battered by Ye Chen’s forces – teetering on collapse. Ambitious figures emerged from the chaos. During this critical moment, the southwestern lord Ning Wang became first to raise the banner of rebellion. He even listed the Divine Dynasty’s “Ten Great Crimes,” preparing to seize the throne under the pretense of justice.
Just as people thought this would spark open warfare, a glowing palm imprint suddenly emerged from deep within the capital’s Forbidden Palace.
This handprint traversed countless mountains and rivers across tens of thousands of miles before crashing down upon the southwest. At the peak of his momentum, while conducting grand sacrificial rites and military parades in his territory, the crimson-flamed handprint descended like Buddha’s palm from heaven.
Instant silence gripped the land.
When the imprint vanished, Ning Wang’s palace had disappeared. The elevated platform now became a massive crater.
Viewed from above, only a cliff-like palm imprint remained.
Every last Rebel perished.
This spectacle crushed all ambitious thoughts. The world remembered the Fighting Emperor’s terror. Though aged, he remained beyond the challenge of mere ants. The Blood Cultivator only escaped because he already surpassed Fighting Saints – and even then, capital reports confirmed he fled gravely wounded.
This single slap restored the turbulent world to its former order.
Yet now everyone waited.
They waited for the Fighting Emperor to weaken further. They waited for the Blood Cultivators’ strong individuals to grow stronger.
Capital City.
Forbidden Palace.
Zuo Meng’s avatar reappeared in this world. His laws had already consumed nearly half the world’s origin. When the Fighting Emperor died, he would claim majority control.
“Meeting time has come.”
Clad in white, Zuo Meng walked unimpeded into the world’s seat of power. Though sharing the same space, none in the Forbidden Palace sensed him – not even the Fighting Emperor Ancestor.
What mattered a generation-dominating Fighting Emperor?
Merely a pond fish, blind to the world beyond its waters.
Zuo Meng stood outside the pond.
“You’ve come.”
A blue-robed young man bowed respectfully. This deity once followed the Nameless Heavenly Dao, having transcended the world himself – thus able to perceive Zuo Meng.
“My teacher requests your brief patience.”
“Hm.”
Zuo Meng’s arrival marked the final transition.
Accepting gifts required reciprocation. The difficulty would determine his response – he’d flip the table if inconvenienced. Not truly Heavenly Dao, he existed higher: a Creator. Through his chaotic journey, Zuo Meng never encountered his like. The sole giant Creator he met in the Origin World was devoured before awakening. Now that giant Creator’s true form still lived there, calling Zuo Meng “master.”
Entering the chamber, Zuo Meng found three waiting.
Two deities like the young man, and the Nameless Heavenly Dao who gifted him this world.
Within the room.
Hun Tiangang lay on the bed, his wrinkled skin folded like tree bark, eye sockets sunken deep. A thin quilt covered his body, his breath far weaker than before. Now he looked like a true old man – though his will remained strong, he could no longer resist time’s erosion.
“The lamp’s nearly out.”
Staring at the oil lamp, Hun Tiangang’s spirit wavered.
A figure materialized from emptiness, footsteps suddenly sounding in the room. The guards outside hadn’t noticed anything when this person appeared out of thin air.
Seeing the immortal by his bedside, the nearly unconscious Hun Tiangang’s eyes lit up with sudden clarity. A spark of hope flashed in his gaze. During his centuries as Fighting Emperor, he’d searched the Entire World without finding any immortals. Now at life’s end, this being’s appearance proved it was a true transcendent.
“Great Immortal! Have you come to save me?”
Remembering the immortal’s previous mission, Hun Tiangang’s breathing quickened. No trace of Fighting Emperor’s majesty remained – he seemed like desperate patient seeing a doctor.
“I completed your task. Battle Qi has become this world’s mainstream cultivation method.”
He struggled to rise and bow, but failed. After quelling the last rebellion, he’d exhausted his final strength.
“You did adequately.”
Nameless Heavenly Dao glanced down at the bedridden man, then nodded at Zuo Meng who’d just entered. Originally planning to contest this world’s ownership, he’d abandoned those plans after sensing energy radiating from Zuo Meng – realizing deeper truths, he’d traded this world for Zuo Meng’s cooperation.
“Can I gain eternal life?”
Hun Tiangang swallowed dryly, voicing his deepest desire.
Zuo Meng silently observed the scene.
This was mortal longing for immortality.
“My promise holds. From today, you’re my fourth registered disciple.” Nameless Heavenly Dao pressed an index finger to Hun Tiangang’s forehead.
Buzz!!
A pale shadow emerged from Hun Tiangang’s body as Nameless Heavenly Dao’s laws infused the spectral form. The shadow solidified, its aged features rejuvenating until – when the finger withdrew – Fighting Emperor Hun Tiangang stood restored to youth.
“Thank you, Master.”
Glancing at his lifeless corpse on the bed, Hun Tiangang understood his rebirth.
“All leave now. I’ll converse with my friend in the Dao.”
Settling Hun Tiangang’s affairs was incidental – today’s true purpose was confronting Zuo Meng.
“Yes.”
Though ignorant of circumstances, Hun Tiangang imitated Nameless Heavenly Dao’s other disciples and withdrew.