Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 590 - 505: Those Who Obey Heaven Mourn, Those Who Defy Heaven Die! (Part 2)

His gaze was distant. After the journey to the Southern Ming Wasteland, Qi Xiu gained many insights, not only in cultivation but also in his mental state.

Daoist Yunxiong looked at him with slight surprise at his words. His lips moved slightly but he said nothing more.

After a minor incident.

The master and apprentice smoothly returned to the Shenxiao Sect Gate, and Dongfang Qing was the first to appear, directly welcoming them to Sect Master Peak.

In the Endless Azure small world that covered the sky.

Dongfang Qing flicked his sleeves and produced three cups of wine, looking at the two who returned intact with a satisfied expression:

"Not bad, the Dao Alliance has already informed me of some details from the Southern Ming Wasteland.

Our True Monarch Qi has indeed set a precedent this time.

The Young Master of the Hu Family responsible for this mission spoke highly of you, considering your contribution to be tremendous.

The Dao Alliance is already drafting a commendation for you, which should be delivered soon.

This time, you've truly brought honor to our Shenxiao Sect.

Though I do not usually drink.

For you two today, I'll make an exception.

This is an immortal brew that has been cellared for nearly ten thousand years, do try it."

Looking at the wine cup before him, Qi Xiu leaned forward to take a peek, seeing a river of stars seemingly merging inside, glistening with dazzling light.

Soon, a rich and mellow fragrance wafted into his nose.

Just smelling it, he felt a slight dizzying intoxication.

While Qi Xiu hesitated to pick up the wine cup, Daoist Yunxiong already tipped his head and swallowed the immortal brew in one gulp.

"Ha...what a good wine!"

After downing a cup of immortal brew, Daoist Yunxiong's face visibly turned red, and after exhaling a mist-like breath, his eyes turned sleepy and he fell into a slumber, snoring with his chin propped up.

"Master..."

Unexpectedly, a cup of immortal brew put the master to sleep, and Qi Xiu was momentarily stunned, holding the cup.

"This old gourmand, drinking ten-thousand-year-old immortal brew in one gulp for quick satisfaction."

With a chuckle, Dongfang Qing waved his hand, and several lotus leaves swiftly enveloped Daoist Yunxiong, placing him in a comfortable position to rest.

"It's just as well Yunxiong slept. There are things better discussed alone between us."

Hearing this from Dongfang Qing, Qi Xiu put down the wine cup.

"Do you know how many years you've been gone?" Dongfang Qing asked, taking a slow sip from his cup.

"About eight or nine years, I suppose."

Counting the round trip and the time spent at the Southern Ming Wasteland, Qi Xiu estimated and replied.

"Eight or nine years? Haha, you've actually been gone for thirty-seven years." Dongfang Qing's light laugh left Qi Xiu stunned in surprise.

"Impossible, while there might be slight differences, it shouldn't deviate this much." Qi Xiu frowned.

"To your perception, indeed, only over eight years passed.

Yet someone, with great mana, moved the time branches of the Southern Ming Wasteland, creating a discrepancy in time flow with Central Earth.

Thus you only felt it was eight or nine years, while thirty-seven years passed in Central Earth."

Dongfang Qing's explanation deepened Qi Xiu's frown:

"But what reason would there be, and someone capable of such means would have to be at least a Primordial Spirit True Honor, right?"

"Not a Primordial Spirit True Honor, but close.

Exactly who it is, I can't tell you now. You'll understand upon reaching Primordial Spirit.

What I can reveal is that this person used such earth-shattering methods intending to trap you in the Southern Ming Wasteland awhile.

To let the Ruins of Return between the two continents form a Cosmic Light Abyss, burying you within.

Alas, things went awry.

The battle in the Southern Ming Wasteland ended too soon, and before the Cosmic Light Abyss formed, you returned, foiling his plans."

Dongfang Qing spoke lightly, yet danger dripped between the lines as if drawing blood.

If Qi Xiu and the other True Monarchs of the Dao Body had been delayed too long in the Southern Ming Wasteland, dragging until the Cosmic Light Abyss formed.

No matter their victory or defeat there, they would have been annihilated on their return.

After hearing, Qi Xiu was silent a while before unexpectedly saying:

"Was it those people from Upper Capital?"

His right hand froze mid-lift towards the cup, Dongfang Qing looked at Qi Xiu with complex eyes, squinting slightly, his expression bizarre.

"You..."

"When we returned, we encountered an attack from the Mystic Monarch's incarnation, learning from him that the Divine Sword, which previously pierced the muddy fog of the Southern Ming Wasteland, is currently controlled by the Zhao Family as the Godslayer Platform.

This Divine Sword, after breaking the fog, also opened the seal of the Mystic Monarch, releasing the sole remaining deity.

As the reigning royal family, the Zhao Family would not release it without reason, nor is there any nonsense about a miss aimed action.

The only explanation is they purposely mis-aimed to release the Mystic Monarch."

The light in his eyes grew intense as Dongfang Qing set down his cup, folding his sleeves, with a slight curve at the corner of his lips:

"Go on."

The previously scattered clues in Qi Xiu's mind gradually linked together, forming an outline of a grand scheme:

"The Mystic Monarch was pinned in the Haiyan by Li Zhexian for over ten thousand years.

Now that Li Zhexian has vanished, dissipated into the Dao.

His greatest hatred is towards us of the Human Race.

And wiping out hundreds of True Monarchs in one move would be a huge blow to the Human Race.

Released, he would seek vengeance first against us humans in the Southern Ming Wasteland.

However, having been suppressed so long, he couldn't directly strike us down.

Thus he aimed to create a Cosmic Light Abyss, as you said, Sect Master.

Whether victorious or not in the Southern Ming Wasteland, we would ultimately perish in the Cosmic Light Abyss.

The Zhao Family, aware that once the Mystic Monarch broke free, he would wreak havoc upon us.

Yet they went ahead with the plan.

Evidently, at the core, they did not wish for our return.

Though the Zhao Family is the ruling dynasty, they follow Dao Alliance's orders.

They committed such heinous acts, risking global wrath, just to see us great Dao practitioners fall.

Thus bringing great harm to every sect aristocracy of the Great Xuan Dynasty.

This, clearly, was a forceful counterattack against the Dao Alliance.

Only, it did not succeed."

Clap, clap, clap—

Dongfang Qing clapped briskly, nodding repeatedly while gazing at the elegantly refined young Daoist before him:

"Yunxiong mentioned more than once to me, saying you seem carefree and unrestrained, lazy and unambitious, yet you possess a subtle and insightful mind.

Today proves his words true.

You're correct; that's roughly the situation.

The Zhao Family was dissatisfied with the Dao Alliance's arrangements, feigning compliance!

In appearance, they followed Dao Alliance's directive by activating the Godslayer Platform, but secretly colluded with the Mystic Monarch, breaking his seal to release the Ancient God.

The Eternal Dynasty...how bold their thoughts.

Now the Dao Alliance is furious, and conflict has erupted within the entire Great Profound Realm, with many factions vying for power, each Military Governor claims allegiance to the throne while committing rebellion.

The so-called Great Xuan Dynasty exists in name only.

This round of dynastic change has begun, but who will ultimately take the Central Imperial Court remains unknown."

"And we..."

"The waters are too deep this time. The Dao Alliance might directly intervene in this dynastic change, ensuring no repeat of a Zhao Family scenario.

All major sects and ancient sects have closed their doors, waiting for this reshuffling to conclude.

Regrettably, common mortals are dragged into another cycle of strife, leaving countless innocents ensnared.

Destiny...it's destiny..."

Dongfang Qing spread his hands, eyes tinged with sympathetic helplessness.

Despite not favoring the Dao Alliance's cold grip-like control, he, even as a Primordial Spirit True Honor, couldn't halt the tradition enforced for tens of thousands of years.

'He who follows the heavens weeps, he who defies the heavens perishes.'

Destiny is invoked once more...

Upon hearing Supreme Sect Leader's resigned sigh, Qi Xiu clenched his fists inside his sleeves, a vague feeling slowly emerging from deep within his heart.

...