HomePull StringsChapter 716: Shou Wins a Round Against the Primordial Lord!

Chapter 716: Shou Wins a Round Against the Primordial Lord!

“What’s wrong with Sister Bell? Why did you suddenly cover me? I wasn’t about to win just now.”

Inside the Chaos Bell, Ling’e asked carefully.

The Chaos Bell trembled twice, transmitting a somewhat panicked spiritual sense.

“Shh! Don’t speak! Our Little Jade Peak is in big trouble!

The Lord Primordial has come… Who said he couldn’t leave the Purple Jade Palace?

It’s over, it’s over, if your Senior Brother can’t handle this, I’ll have to take you and run quickly.

The Lord Primordial is the primordial world’s number one fierce character, the ancient ultimate winner. Among the Six Sages, except for Sacred One Tai Qing, the other four Sages must respectfully call him ‘Teacher’ when they see him!”

Ling’e’s small face was written with ‘false shock’ as she whispered:

“Sister Bell, don’t panic, I feel things aren’t that simple;

If the Primordial Lord were omnipotent, he should understand Senior Brother completely.

Given Senior Brother’s nature, if he hasn’t left at this level, he must have some assurance.”

“What assurance? What assurance could there be against the Lord Primordial?”

Sister Bell’s spiritual sense continued trembling:

“Do you understand what kind of opponent this is?

In wisdom he can calculate you to death, in combat he can strike you dead!

Usually, he can handle the entire Three Realms with various schemes, and that’s only because direct action would be too unchallenging!

If your Senior Brother has been ignoring the Primordial Lord’s actual strength all this time, today will truly be terrible.”

Ling’e blinked and hurriedly asked: “What’s the situation now?”

“Now…”

The Chaos Bell maintained its power while looking outside, falling into contemplation itself.

It was a bit hard to understand.

“For now all is calm, but beneath this calm lurk surging waves!”

“Don’t read the narration out loud!”

“Eh, that’s it, seemingly peaceful but extremely dangerous in reality!”

Bell Spirit pondered for a moment: “Should I take you and escape first?”

“No,” Ling’e nervously clenched her small hands, “At the crucial moment, go help my Senior Brother. Sister Bell, you’re an existence on par with Boss Tu, you must be able to help somehow.”

“Though what you say makes sense…

Hehe, leave it to your big sister!”

Bell Spirit smiled proudly as the Chaos Bell’s power slowly increased, ready at any moment to grab Li Changshou and Ling’e and flee.

Whoosh—

In the forest tea room, the ten-foot-tall mighty Daoist smiled at Li Changshou;

Li Changshou leaned forward, his lips also carrying a modest smile.

If the Chaos Bell didn’t know that one represented Heaven and one the anti-Heaven faction’s core, it would have thought this was a meeting between a close grandfather and grandson!

Li Changshou swept the fallen leaves from the seat before him with his sleeve, smiling: “Since Ancestral Master enjoys this place, why not stay a few days? This disciple could also seek guidance on some cultivation difficulties.”

“Hahaha!”

Hongjun stroked his beard and laughed lightly, sitting naturally on the tree stump, saying:

“What difficulties could you have? You’ve nearly stolen all the Heavenly Dao.

Your Simulated Divine Soul technique, compared to your predecessor’s Second Divine Soul technique, is equally impressive, and truly remarkable.

Before you actively revealed that strand of Chaos Purple Qi to give to Zhao Gongming, in my perception, that Chaos Purple Qi had always been within the Kun Peng divine soul.

I never expected to be outmaneuvered by you in the end.”

Li Changshou said: “This disciple’s Dao compared to the Ancestral Master’s Dao falls short by no less than a hundred thousand miles.”

“A hundred thousand miles, this phrase sounds so familiar.”

Hongjun sighed lightly: “I had thought I would see many shadows of that good friend in you, yet discovered you are completely different from him.”

Li Changshou said: “Every being has their own unique characteristics, this is the charm of living beings.

Ancestral Master, is it alright to be away from the Purple Jade Palace for so long?”

“It’s fine,” Hongjun Primordial Lord smiled, “The inability to leave the Purple Jade Palace was something I casually mentioned in ancient times, meant to make certain schemes easier to advance.

After all sometimes, if you want to utilize beings’ selfish desires and evil thoughts, you can’t give them too much pressure and intimidation.

Standing outside the Three Realms, overlooking heaven and earth’s periphery, just needing to give a push at crucial moments to achieve the effect of moving a thousand pounds with four ounces.

Finding joy in it, just a small pleasure of mine.”

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head: “Ancestral Master’s preferences are truly somewhat…

This disciple dares not agree.”

Hongjun Primordial Lord spoke gently: “Let’s not discuss these ideological disputes. Changshou, do you know why I came today?”

“This disciple naturally does not know.”

“Still hoping to persuade you once more,” Hongjun spoke slowly, “I am perfectly clear about the trump cards in your hands, and you are perfectly clear about my purpose, nothing more than the relationship between living beings and heaven and earth.

In your hometown’s words, it would be how humans and nature can coexist harmoniously—humans destroyed nature, inviting nature’s revenge, nothing more than that.

If you and I come into direct conflict, it will benefit neither heaven and earth nor living beings.

Changgen, leave. Take Yun Xiao, Ling’e, and anyone else you wish to bring.

Later I will arrange for Yun Xiao to pass through her tribulation, letting her settle matters with the Severing Sect, so she can leave with you without worry. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Li Changshou’s eyes filled with emotion, but just as he was about to speak, the Primordial Lord raised his hand to stop him.

The Primordial Lord smiled: “No need to act, let’s be sincere with each other.”

Li Changshou instantly reverted to a cool expression, a polite smile hanging at the corners of his mouth.

“Ancestral Master, this seems somewhat inappropriate. This disciple hasn’t even played his cards yet, why would Ancestral Master want to sweep this disciple out of the game?”

“You mean to say, you want to have a magical duel with me.”

A warm smile appeared in Hongjun Primordial Lord’s eyes as if discussing ordinary small matters.

But when he spoke these words, Li Changshou couldn’t sense any mockery or disdain and even felt that he… had received the Primordial Lord’s full respect.

Shou inwardly stayed alert.

“Ancestral Master jests, how would this disciple dare to duel with you?”

“Changgen, I truly am wary of you. Just the secrets of the Heavenly Dao you possess could put me in an extremely passive position.

Moreover, you’ve become The One Who Departed.

I too can miscalculate sometimes. I originally thought your temperament was cowardly and extremely afraid of death, never expecting… Hahaha!

Marvelous, truly marvelous.

Being able to deceive my eyes, since ancient times, you are the first among living beings.”

Li Changshou: …

“Ancestral Master, I truly am afraid of death.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment before continuing: “But my education since childhood doesn’t allow me to stand idly by when I could help with minimal effort.

Cultivation seeks transcendence, and the primordial world only allows one being to completely transcend, stepping into the realm of混元无极 Sacred One.

This disciple naturally also has aspirations for this position.”

“Hahaha! Transcendence is nothing but a lie!”

Hongjun Daoist stroked his beard and laughed heartily: “I’ve always felt that you aren’t so eager for transcendence.

Your original goal should have only been to cultivate Daoism Zenith, then find a place to hide in the Chaos Sea, neither noticed nor observed, ending this remnant life after living became meaningless.”

“You know me well, Ancestral Master.

I did think that way for a time.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Then what about you, Ancestral Master?

The ancestral Master is now bound to the Heavenly Dao, merged with heaven and earth’s origin, and becomes the incarnation of this world, with even the Heavenly Dao obeying the Ancestral Master’s will.

Is transcendence still what Ancestral Master seeks?”

“So-called transcendence is nothing but a beautiful dream left by the Pangu God for us followers.”

Infinite emotion flowed across Hongjun’s face:

“Everyone says I am the winner, but the true winner can only be your master, must only be your master.

Your master was transformed from Pangu God’s divine soul, wielding the Dao of Yin-Yang Infinite, leader of the Three Pure Ones. If I hadn’t suppressed him back then, your master would have already advanced to the realm of Tai Qing Infinite.

And now, your master has a disciple like you who has escaped my control.

Countless years ah, since the creation of heaven and earth, countless years of schemes and vigilance, at the crucial moment, about to be destroyed by a few intimidating words from a young upstart like you.

How can I accept this in my heart?”

Li Changshou smiled: “Ancestral Master thinks too highly of this disciple.

I merely stand on the shoulders of philosophical giants.”

Hongjun fell silent, quietly gazing at Li Changshou, suddenly taking out a jade tablet from his sleeve.

“Great Tribulation Immunity Decree, the highest authority of the Heavenly Dao, can ensure Yun Xiao will not die.”

Hongjun said: “Let’s use this as a stake. You and I shall have an abstract duel today. If you win, this object is yours, and I cannot go back on this promise.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and asked: “What do you mean by an abstract duel?”

“Just reveal one of your trump cards, simply state it, no need to demonstrate.”

Hongjun smiled: “If you can make me feel extremely uncomfortable, put me in an absolutely passive position, I’ll willingly admit defeat and have another abstract game with you.”

Li Changshou: …

“I suppose it’s been a long time since anyone played cards with you after Senior Wanderer’s death, Ancestral Master.”

Hongjun: …

“Never mind the duel then.”

“Ah, Ancestral Master,” Li Changshou raised his hand to take the jade tablet, sensing the Heavenly Dao rules contained within it, smiling as he stored it in his treasure pouch.

Hongjun smiled: “Such confidence?”

“Since you want to test this disciple’s trump cards, if I were to retreat now, it would be more than just a matter of a jade tablet.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “This disciple wishes to let Ancestral Master know that I am not bluffing.”

“Speak.”

Li Changshou carefully considered for a moment, then said: “This disciple’s first trump card against the Heavenly Dao is precisely the Nine Pollution Springs.”

Hongjun remained silent as Li Changshou spoke deliberately, word by word:

“Whether the concept of the Nine Pollution Springs has been passed down since ancient times or suddenly appeared in the primordial era cannot be determined, but all-powerful beings know of the Nine Pollution Springs, and can sometimes even sense their power.

According to legend, the Nine Pollution Springs receive the filth of living beings’ desires.

The greater the desires of living beings, the harder it becomes for the Nine Pollution Springs to be suppressed. Thus the Heavenly Dao sends down great tribulations to restrict the power of living beings, otherwise, the Nine Pollution Springs would overturn all of heaven and earth.

This is common knowledge in the primordial world.

But this is just false information you deliberately spread to confuse people, Ancestral Master.”

Li Changshou casually summoned a strand of water vapor, dipped his finger in it, and drew a line on the stone slab before him, then drew nine small circles below and one larger circle above.

“The Nine Pollution Springs theory has many loopholes, but most cultivators assume they simply lack the realm or insight to understand.

There is one fatal flaw here: since the great battle that shattered the primordial world in ancient times, the overall power of living beings has been trending downward. If the Nine Pollution Springs drew power from living beings’ desires, why would they keep growing?”

The Primordial Lord said deeply: “That is because the Springs’ resentful power has not dissipated, but continues to accumulate.”

“If that were truly the case, Ancestral Master, your chosen path would be standing from heaven and earth’s position.

Ancestral Master would certainly let the Nine Pollution Springs overflow and release once before their power could destroy heaven and earth.

You’ve already admitted that in your eyes, living beings are merely projections of true spirits—when one batch vanishes, another can be regenerated.

Time has no meaning to you; what you see are merely waves on the river of time.”

Li Changshou mercilessly exposed the Primordial Lord’s words, “Ancestral Master, let us be frank today. Please hear me out.”

“Very well,” the Primordial Lord closed his eyes in concentration, his expression now impassive as he listened to Li Changshou continue.

Li Changshou said:

“Thus this disciple began comparing and cross-referencing, using the small amount of information I could be certain of, trying to restore the truth.

I quickly discovered that there indeed exists a spring formed from living beings’ desires and evil thoughts, but that place is known to all in the primordial world.

The Blood Sea.

The Blood Sea once reached its peak in ancient times precisely because of the polluted power corresponding to living beings’ power gathered in the deepest parts of the earth. Living beings’ power reached its peak at the end of ancient times, exceeding what heaven and earth could bear.

After the battle with Ancestor Minghe, the Blood Sea was dried up by heavenly punishment, but it could no longer continue expanding, barely maintaining its original state. This was because living beings’ power was far inferior to ancient times, unable to produce such a vast Blood Sea.

The spring formed from living beings’ desires and evil thoughts is the Blood Sea.

The question then becomes whether the Blood Sea is truly the Nine Pollution Springs.

The Blood Sea can only count as one of the Nine Pollution Springs or a small part of them.

How could the Blood Sea alone overturn the primordial world? It was already part of the primordial world.”

Li Changshou paused, glanced toward the game room, then pointed at the simple diagram he had drawn on the stone table.

“Another clue about the Nine Pollution Springs lies in the Four Seas’ Eyes.

The Dragon Clan clearly knows something, but they refuse to speak of it, dare not say much, and all related texts have been burned.

What exactly is sealed beneath the Sea Eyes?

Why do the Nine Pollution Springs have only four outlets through the Great Sea Eyes?

These questions troubled this disciple until I reached the Daoism Zenith realm and gained a deeper understanding of heaven and earth. Then suddenly everything became clear.

The Sea Eyes are just a front.

If the Nine Pollution Springs could overturn the primordial world, or even destroy half of the Five Continents, their contained power would far exceed what the Dragon Clan could suppress.

The scale is completely different.

The Four Seas’ Eyes are merely evidence you set up, Ancestral Master, to constantly remind living beings that ‘the Nine Pollution Springs hang over all beings’ heads,’ thus explaining the necessity of the Heavenly Dao’s tribulations.

Incidentally, the Four Seas’ Eyes also helped you deal with your ancient followers, the Azure Dragon clan.

What truly helped this disciple understand what the Nine Pollution Springs is was when the Eastern Sea Eye was broken and the Jade Emperor’s Merit Golden Body made that leap.

That time, you arranged everything perfectly, Ancestral Master. The Jade Emperor, myself, Earth Store, and the Western School all became your pawns.

At that time, my strength was shallow and wouldn’t have concerned you.

You guided the Jade Emperor’s avatar to reach the right position at the right moment, making that leap to fill the Sea Eye with his Merit Golden Body, thus gaining the Dragon Clan’s loyalty to the Jade Emperor.

Little did you know that this disciple, who witnessed this scene firsthand, would use it as a clue to reveal the true face of the Nine Pollution Springs?”

Li Changshou tapped his finger on the table, but the Primordial Lord showed no sign of opening his eyes.

Li Changshou’s voice grew increasingly clear and passionate:

“There are four questions here, forming the equation in my thoughts at the time.

First, why did the Ancestral Master insist on preventing this disciple from condensing a Merit Golden Body?

Second, how could a Merit Golden Body seal a Sea Eye?

After being sealed, the Eastern Sea Eye directly became part of the primordial world’s water cycle, filling the seas’ evaporation with water’s spiritual power, restoring the Sea Eye’s original appearance. This proves that the Sea Eye was previously contaminated by some force.

How could a gap in the Nine Pollution Springs be plugged so easily?

Third, how could the Heavenly Dao help the Western School’s Two Sages achieve Sagehood directly? Why does Heavenly Dao Merit have so many wonderful uses, able to advance treasures?

Fourth, what is the fundamental difference between Incense Fire Merit and Heavenly Dao Merit?

As this disciple linked these questions together in thought, I quickly reached an absurd conclusion.

Heavenly Dao Merit is essentially purified Incense Fire Merit.

Incense Fire Merit is the power of living beings’ prayers, in other words, the faint light produced when true spirits’ beliefs burn!

This touches upon the essence of Heavenly Dao Sages and the Heavenly Dao’s control over Sages.

The disciple will state the conclusion directly.”

Li Changshou casually pointed at the pill room, having the formation there shield it from hearing their conversation.

Then, gazing at the Primordial Lord who had slightly opened his eyes, he said firmly:

“To maintain your transcendent position and prevent the emergence of a Mixed Origin Infinite Sage, Ancestral Master not only pushed forward the script of heaven and earth but also established a system.

A system of merit and karmic obstacles, serving as the Heavenly Dao’s rewards and punishments.

According to the Heavenly Dao’s fundamental principles, yin and yang generate each other, pure and impure eliminate each other, with yin and yang maintaining overall balance.

If merit and karmic obstacles could offset each other, then the total amount of merit and karmic obstacles in heaven and earth should be equal.

But what’s the reality?

Not counting the Six Sages, the merit existing in heaven and earth, even without counting Incense Fire Merit, far exceeds the existing karmic obstacles!

Why is Incense Fire Merit mottled?

Because it contains not only living beings’ prayers but also their resentful power.

Why is Heavenly Dao Merit pure?

Because this merit is directly produced by the Heavenly Dao, and the cost is that producing one portion of Heavenly Dao Merit must produce a corresponding portion of Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles!

The Heavenly Dao uses Heavenly Dao Merit to create the Six Sages and Heaven, promoting its authority.

In reality, creating each Heavenly Dao Sage produces massive amounts of Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles! But Heavenly Dao Merit combined with Chaos Purple Qi can lock down Heavenly Dao Sages like my master!

The main body of the Nine Pollution Springs is not living beings’ desires, but the Heavenly Dao’s desires!

The Heavenly Dao burns endless true spirits attracted by the primordial world, decomposing true spirit power into Heavenly Dao Merit and Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles.

Of course, the Nine Pollution Springs keep expanding, because you, Ancestral Master, keep distributing Heavenly Dao Merit.

When the Nine Pollution Springs must be suppressed, you initiate great tribulations, releasing Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles, letting them become tribulation power, and then resolving these karmic obstacles through the death of living beings.

Therefore, the death of the Sixth Sage released massive Heavenly Dao Merit, and this Heavenly Dao Merit could fill the corresponding Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles.

This is why the power of the great tribulation receded!

You wouldn’t give me a Merit Golden Body simply because you feared I would leap into the remaining three Sea Eyes and expose the secret of the Nine Pollution Springs.

Of course, these were all speculations—I needed evidence.

So I went searching for how to create Heavenly Dao Merit.”

Li Changshou’s voice paused as the Primordial Lord’s eyes half-opened.

Li Changshou lightly flicked his left hand, producing a flame in his palm. He drew a symbol in the air, and firefly-like streams of light flew in from the air, being devoured by the somewhat demonic flame in his palm.

After a moment, they transformed into a strand of golden light, a strand of black qi, and a faint gray qi.

The golden light was Heavenly Dao Merit.

“This disciple’s trump card is indeed the Nine Pollution Springs.”

Li Changshou exhaled softly: “This disciple can now accumulate Heavenly Dao karmic obstacles to summon the power of the Nine Pollution Springs into the world. This power won’t destroy any innocent beings, but it will destroy the current Heaven system.

When that happens, all those with Heavenly Dao Merit will suffer the Five Declines of Immortals and bear the hatred of true spirits.

What do you think of this trump card, Ancestral Master?”

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