Chapter 233: Chapter 185: The Theory of Surveying Heaven and Determining the Origin, the Assembly of the Purple Apex Imperial Heaven

The clouds dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky.

Jiang Yi’s body was enveloped in a warm, brilliant light, a magnificent pillar piercing the sky. It parted the tide-like layers of Qingming’s astral winds as he sped toward the gates of the Innate Sect.

The Nanzhan Continent was immense, yet they crossed thousands of miles in an instant.

Such a feat was possible only for an Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage.

The white-haired old man carrying an eight-foot bronze drum on his back had a smug look on his face as he asked:

"Daoist, not bad, eh? This ’Ascending the Heavenly Ladder’ technique."

Jiang Yi gazed outside. His perspective climbed higher and higher, reminding him of when his Divine Sense had previously leaped into the great void. It was as if he had been transported to a completely different world.

Above Qingming, the astral winds were immense.

The magnificent pillar of light gradually narrowed, becoming a glowing circle several feet in diameter that enveloped him, Qiao Yu, and the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum.

Various forms of condensed Yang astral Essence Qi battered against the outside of the glowing ring with a ceaseless PITTER-PATTER, yet they couldn’t shake it in the slightest.

"Ascending the Heavenly Ladder?"

Jiang Yi turned to look at the white-haired old man and thought to himself:

’Being guided like this really is like climbing a long ladder to the heavens.’

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was clearly a chatterbox. He was more than happy to cozy up to the future Daoist and immediately spoke up.

"Let me enlighten you, Daoist. Our Eight Demonic Sects govern the Nanzhan Continent. This ’governance’ isn’t about oppressing the various Dharma Lineages and forcing them to pay tribute. The true power, the one that really matters, is ’Rectifying Heaven and Earth’."

Jiang Yi mulled over the words. Just hearing them, he could feel the astonishing weight of those last four words.

But he didn’t ask further, not wanting to reveal his own ignorance. Besides, he knew the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum had a loose tongue and would surely be unable to stop himself from explaining.

And sure enough, when Jiang Yi remained silent for a long moment, the white-haired old man couldn’t bear to hold it in any longer and sputtered:

"Whether Immortal or Demon, all are part of the ’True Inheritance of the Dao.’ Only with the permission of the Celestial Lord can one be called a ’True Ruler of Yanfu.’ Thus, every Daoist Lineage that manifests in the world is a pillar of the continent, a titan that establishes the very axis of heaven and earth. It’s just..."

This time, the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum deliberately drew out his words.

He didn’t believe the Daoist could simply sit there and not ask him to continue.

"It’s just that the Great Dao is in constant flux. Like the rise and fall of purity and turbidity, the spread of calamities, and the flow of fortune, the very fabric of heaven and earth changes with it."

"That is why the Daoist Lineages are needed—to ’enact the laws of heaven and establish the true order.’ That is what ’Rectifying Heaven and Earth’ means."

A soft, clear voice chimed in, startling the white-haired old man so much that his face twitched.

Such a secret should only be known to those with the True Inheritance of the Sect!

’Who is this girl?’ the Artifact Spirit wondered.

"Thank you for the clarification, Miss Qiao."

Jiang Yi said with a smile. ’As expected of the daughter of the Sword Discussion Pavilion’s True Monarch. Her knowledge far surpasses that of someone with a standard True Inheritance of the Sect.’

His thoughts began to wander. ’So, does this mean the struggle between Daoist Lineages is for the right to ’Rectify Heaven and Earth’?’

’Are all the schemes and gambits of the Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers just moves on the great chessboard of the Yanfu Vast Land, all to seize more ’territories of the Great Dao’ to rule?’

’Tai Yang possesses the power to illuminate all, Tai Yin has the nature to nourish, and Shao Yang holds the virtue of both receiving and emitting light...’

’Tai Yang possesses the power to illuminate all, Tai Yin has the nature to nourish, and Shao Yang holds the virtue of both receiving and emitting light...’

’Is the reason the Great Dao reveres Yin and Yang because their influence touches all living things, their symbolism is the most encompassing, and their radiance reaches the furthest?’

Jiang Yi was lost in thought. He felt his "Lower Cultivator’s perspective" had broadened considerably. He was no longer so ignorant, seeing the world as if through a thick fog.

"Well, missy, it’s impressive you know about ’Rectifying Heaven and Earth.’ Let me test you again: how exactly do the great Daoist Lineages establish the true order of heaven and earth?"

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was rather indignant. How could he let a little girl show him up?

Qiao Yu’s expression was animated. She shot Jiang Yi a look, signaling him to keep quiet.

Then she slowly answered:

"By instigating great calamities, of course, to accord with the natural principles of the Great Dao. Once the elements of earth, wind, water, and fire have run their course again, and all the calamitous energies have been dispelled, the Yanfu Vast Land can be set in order anew."

"If no one ever ’Rectifies Heaven and Earth,’ then countless eons of calamities will accumulate, and that would be a true disaster."

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was inwardly horrified, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

’How bizarre! Where on earth did this girl gain such insight?’

’He was an old veteran who had lived for a full eight thousand years!’

’He had only amassed such a wealth of secret knowledge by frequently being around Qin Baiyu and even Patriarch Mingxuan.’

"Heh heh, now it’s my turn to test you, little old man."

Qiao Yu’s eyes twinkled with a vibrant energy as she asked:

"When the great Daoist Lineages ’Rectify Heaven and Earth,’ it’s a grand event for the entire cosmos, a monumental undertaking for all the heavens. Do you know the specific details of how it’s performed?"

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was dumbstruck. He opened his mouth, then vigorously scratched his head.

A moment later, he slumped to the ground, dejectedly replying:

"I... I do not know."

Qiao Yu crossed her arms, lifting her chin. Her smooth forehead practically had the words "Go on, ask me" written across it.

"Then please, young lady, enlighten me."

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum wasn’t one to stand on ceremony. Half-doubting, he cupped his hands toward Qiao Yu and asked his question.

’Could this girl really know the inner workings of ’Rectifying Heaven and Earth’?’

’To know that, she’d have to be at least at the Daoist Level of an Ancestral Sect—someone who was already a designated Crown Prince, destined to inherit the Sect Leader’s authority!’

"Of the Yanfu Five Domains, only the Zhonghuang Continent has been refined by Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers using their Great Magical Power. On that continent, Great Powers can manifest and walk freely, without having to worry that their leaking Qi Mechanism will cause the world to shatter."

A faint smile played on Qiao Yu’s lips.

"On the Zhonghuang Continent, there is a supreme treasure called the ’Purple Pole Imperial Heaven Map.’ The titans from every great Daoist Lineage go there to pray to the Great Dao and inscribe their names upon it... The right to ’Rectify Heaven and Earth’ simply goes to whichever side has the most names inscribed. It’s as simple as that."

THUD!

The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was utterly stupefied. He fell backward right onto the ground, his legs kicking wildly at the air.

"You... you can’t have more than a decade or so of cultivation age! How could you possibly know these things?"

Qiao Yu sniffed dismissively, then leaned affectionately toward Jiang Yi and whispered:

"My maternal grandfather once presided over one of these ’Rectifications of Heaven and Earth.’ He even left his name on that Purple Pole Imperial Heaven Map. What would this little Artifact Spirit possibly know about it."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, once again astonished by Miss Xiaoqiao’s "family background."

"This ’Ascending the Heavenly Ladder’ is simply carving a ’tunnel’ through the Gangfeng Layer," Qiao Yu said with a grin. It was clear that leaving Fengdu and traveling the Mortal World had brought a smile to the green-robed young woman’s face. "As long as you hold a Talisman Decree, you can be received by the sect gate. Only an Ancestral Sect that wields the worldly authority of a Daoist Lineage can use it."

"The cost is immense, though. I doubt anyone less than a True Disciple gets to enjoy this kind of treatment."

Jiang Yi nodded, all the while continuing to draw upon and refine the qi of the Foundation Establishment Pill within his Inner Mansion to consolidate his Merit.

After this little interlude, the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Mystic Drum was much more subdued. He no longer dared to underestimate Daoist Jiang.

The green-robed young woman at his side was so unfathomably mysterious, it was clear that his own origins must be equally extraordinary.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, a RUMBLE sounded. The ring of light plunged downward, as if locking onto a target, and fell toward the gates of the Innate Sect.

Jiang Yi gazed down. A vast expanse of water vapor merged with the sky, and a dense white mist formed a boundless sea of clouds with no visible end.

A majestic silhouette emerged before them, seeming to occupy the very axis of heaven and earth. It was a gateway connecting to the boundless void, its form reflecting the myriad heavens.

They had arrived at the Innate Sect!