Chapter 219: Chapter 174: [Shao Yang] Enters Fate, Yi Dares Not Hate

In the boundless, profound darkness, Jiang Yi’s consciousness drifted, sinking and floating, like he was adrift in a vast ocean, rising and falling with the undulations of the great void.

A few towering figures that reached from heaven to earth flashed by in succession. Immediately after, a majestic Daoist voice boomed like a series of thunderclaps:

"[Shao Yang] has injured the [Thunder Core]. A practitioner of [Qi Cultivation] has struck down a [True Monarch]. This deserves a great reward..."

Jiang Yi’s heart stirred, and a feeling of relief washed over him. ’I didn’t endure those nine bolts of profound lightning for nothing. I’ve finally accomplished something unprecedented in the [Yanfu Vast Land].’

’It’s just a shame I can’t feel my physical body right now. I can’t even laugh.’

HUMMM. A gentle tremor.

The brilliant golden ray of light that descended from the great void seemed to respond to him, gently wrapping around his weak, unanchored [Divine Sense] and continuously emitting a nourishing intent.

Layers of overlapping brilliance scattered down. It wasn’t dazzling like the [Great Sun]; rather, it flowed like the gentle light of dawn. It reminded him of the blissful sensation from the first time he begged the [Celestial Book], drank the moon-pulp, and increased his [Cultivation].

’I’ve finally achieved [Shao Yang].’

That [Inverted] [Slaying Sword] had cut through his own body, extinguishing all signs of life. In doing so, it had also severed the residual [Tribulation Qi] from the profound lightning and the curse of a shortened life, ensuring the [Thunder Core] could never control him again.

He had dared to do this entirely because of the two primary aspects of [Shao Yang]’s golden nature: nascent life, and ebb and flow. To be slain but not die is to flourish; to be weakened but not extinguished is to wax full.

’To win the favor of [Shao Yang] and keep its gaze fixed upon you, you have to walk the edge of a bottomless cliff and steer a boat through a raging sea. You have to face mortal danger time and again, yet emerge unscathed every time...’

As [Shao Yang]’s golden nature fused with his body, all sorts of insights welled up in Jiang Yi’s mind. A fleeting thought suddenly solidified.

’Could the fundamental reason for all the actions of the first [Shao Yang] have been to ’cater to’ the [Golden Position]?’

’According to [Cat Master], that [True Monarch Yu] first ascended to [Shao Yang] and only then changed its aspects.’

’He took a [Golden Position] that was beneath [Tai Yang] and forcibly elevated it to become its equal.’

’Cultivate the five [Life Essence]s to their peak, obtain the [Five Elements] [Dao Fruit], and then ’ascend to the Position’ before ’solidifying the Position’.’

Jiang Yi digested the rich feedback that [Shao Yang]’s golden nature was giving him. It was equivalent to a [True Monarch Level] "empowerment," clarifying many of the profound mysteries and core tenets of [Cultivation].

’So, when a [Foundation Establishment Grand True Master] seeks to ascend, there is a distinction between master and subordinate.’

’The ’subordinate’ path means the [Golden Position] is supreme. Gaining its favor is difficult; you must act like a subject having an audience with a monarch, following its will in all matters.’

’The ’master’ path is to attain complete enlightenment in a single stroke, making the Great Dao itself bow. One’s own nature becomes complete, and one rules over the great position... However, the dynamic between master and subordinate is not fixed.’

Jiang Yi felt as if he had pushed open a door and stepped into a whole new world.

The master-subordinate relationship between a [True Monarch] and a [Golden Position] was constantly shifting, like that between a subject and a [Lord].

For example, [Tai Yang] has been manifest in the world for five thousand years. The more dazzling its majestic light becomes, the more powerful its [Golden Position] grows.

The exalted [Immortal Dao] [Emperor], [Ji Fuyao], must have attained complete enlightenment in a single stroke, occupying that great position as a dominant master.

But as the aspects of [Tai Yang] continue to grow in brilliance, [Ji Fuyao] in turn becomes suppressed by the [Golden Position]. If his [Merit] falls even slightly behind, he will transform from "master" to "subordinate."

’The more supreme the venerable position, the more demanding it is of one’s cultivation. The [True Monarch] and the [Golden Position] are in a constant tug-of-war until complete [Perfection] is reached. How profoundly mysterious... No wonder it is revered by all the heavens and its title designated by the [Celestial Lord].’

Jiang Yi was lost in thought. That [Immortal Dao] [Emperor] seemed to possess limitless glory, but in reality, his situation was delicate, like treading on thin ice over a deep abyss. The moment he fell from being a "[Lord]" to a "subject," it would become impossible for him to ever rule supreme again.

Because [Tai Yang], elevated by the [Immortal Dao], could be called the single most supreme and venerable position of all time. It could not tolerate the slightest flaw; it had to be the greatest without exception, utterly invincible.

’Therefore, beneath ascending to a position, there is also ’seeking a position’ and ’sacrificing for a position.’ The former is for those with insufficient cultivation and damaged [Life Essence], who cannot gain the favor of a [Golden Position]. They adopt a begging posture just to barely gain recognition. This is what’s known as a ’Half-Step [True Monarch]’—they possess the status but lack autonomy.’

’As for the latter, it’s an even lesser path. They willingly offer their own lives to a [Golden Position] in exchange for [Great Magical Power] and [Great Divine Techniques]. In ancient times, they were called ’Rogue [Immortal]s.’

’These two paths are likely the only avenues for advancement available to those who aren’t [True Disciple]s within the [Grand Sect]s and [Ancestral Sect]s.’

An unknown amount of time passed. With no sensation of the years flowing by, Jiang Yi immersed himself in comprehending the golden nature of [Shao Yang].

After this great tribulation, the name of Jiang Yi—the [Qi Cultivation] practitioner who wounded a [True Monarch]—spread like wildfire. As his fame grew, that brilliant speck of golden light grew ever brighter.

That wisp of perfected golden intent—immortal, undying, and indestructible through countless tribulations—gradually fused with his [Divine Sense] until they were impossible to separate.

BOOM!

One day, relying on that bit of golden nature, Jiang Yi’s drifting [Divine Sense] was suddenly bathed in rays of rosy light, as if he were ascending to become an [Immortal].

His field of vision continuously expanded, as if he had broken free from the shackles of his physical body. He rode the infinite [Spiritual Energy] between heaven and earth, ascending layer by layer.

’Is that... some kind of immortal realm?’

Jiang Yi’s [Divine Sense] stirred greatly as he glimpsed flashes of divine light. Looking closely, he saw carefree travelers in five-colored robes riding dragons and worldly [Immortal]s soaring on azure luan birds. They moved with absolute freedom among halls of gold and jade and magnificent tiered towers.

Suddenly, he saw divine lamps flickering and streams of light dancing. Starlight descended, enveloping everything in all directions.

He saw grand, layered gates and towering palaces of gold. A marvelous energy illuminated the heavens, and a spiritual elegance marked the celestial domain.

Jiang Yi’s [Divine Sense] turned west. There, he could faintly make out towering, jeweled trees made of gold, silver, and colored glaze, as well as a great pool of [Merit]. Its waters were clear and sweet, capable of nurturing the roots of good deeds. Lotuses as large as chariot wheels bloomed within the pool, each radiating a corresponding light.

After "ascending" for an unknown amount of time, another tremendous crash resounded. He felt as if he had smashed through a heavy, thick barrier. Fortunately, the golden nature protected him, and he suffered no harm.

The sensation was like breaking through the membrane of a great realm and falling into a vast, boundless, and dimly lit void.

Immediately, Jiang Yi saw a towering figure sitting cross-legged, its head touching the [Profound Dome] and its body covering the earth. The gray [Daoist Robe] it wore seemed to cover an entire continent, its surface radiating an infinite light. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the light was composed of trillions of flashing seal script characters of all different shapes.

"This is the ’Great Void.’"

The majestic Daoist voice rumbled down, shaking Jiang Yi’s [Divine Sense] so violently it felt like a candle flame in the wind, on the verge of being extinguished.

Fortunately, the [Shao Yang] golden nature had fused with his soul, making it more condensed and solid than ever before and allowing him to withstand the pressure.

’The [Daoist Scripture]s say, "The Great Void is vast and empty, the foundation from which primal energy is born. It is where the sun, moon, and stars move, where heaven and earth are positioned. Below, it connects to the [Netherworld]; above, it reaches the universal heavens."’

’A [Daoist Monarch]?’

Jiang Yi’s thoughts were a complex, indescribable mix. ’The greatest of the "[Upper Cultivator]s" in the [Yanfu Vast Land] is finally willing to grant an audience to a mere "[Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator]" like me.’

He quickly collected his stray thoughts. Compared to the colossal figure that reached from heaven to earth, his [Divine Sense], the size of a mere pellet, was as insignificant as a grain of sand.

"I pay my respects, my lord."

The golden nature flickered, barely managing to transmit a faint voice.

All manifestations within the Great Void depend on [Life Essence] and [Magical Power]; it was a place a [Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator] should never have been able to reach.

"Heaven and Earth honor me as ’[Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan].’ From now on, you are the [Daoist] of the [Innate Sect]. You may simply call me ’Ancestor Mingxuan.’"

Jiang Yi’s heart trembled again. ’So this is the [Daoist Monarch], the [Great Power] who used the position of [Daoist] to connect with [Shao Yang].’

"[Lower Cultivator] Jiang Yi thanks the Ancestor for this great honor. This grace and kindness are beyond words..."

The gray-robed Daoist cut him off nonchalantly:

"You and I are both [Demon Cultivator]s; there’s no need for such tedious formalities. That deep-seated hatred of yours was so strong it even called to the [Slaying Sword]. Did you think I wouldn’t understand?"

Jiang Yi was silent for a moment before slowly speaking:

"This [Lower Cultivator] does not yet dare to hate you, Ancestor."

But the gray-robed Daoist laughed.

"’Not yet dare to hate?’ You’re an interesting little rogue. Hate me if you will, so long as that hatred can help you solidify your position and merge with the Dao."

"The source of our [Demon Dao], our founding ancestor, also established our [Daoist Lineage] out of hatred. ’Sooner abandon this body than abandon the Dao; sooner lose this life than lose the truth.’

"As [Demon Cultivator]s, that is what you and I both seek."