417 - Senior Sister Is on Top

"The markings of the undead... Now that all three fragments have fallen into her hands, if she manages to complete them, the gates to the netherworld will be wide open. The balance of yin and yang will be restored, and the forces of the countless souls we painstakingly gathered through many tribulations will return to reincarnation. With just a few divine artifacts in our possession, how can we dominate the world?!" Yin Sheng had watched the East Territory's gradual downfall over the past few months, yet Zhao E did nothing to stop it. Every time he was questioned, Zhao E would act smug and confident. Yin Sheng believed Zhao E had some ingenious plan, but who would have thought that even now, he still hadn't taken action! Had Yin Sheng not witnessed Zhao E's brutal sacrifice of tens of thousands of souls, he might have suspected that the Ghost Emperor had already betrayed him and returned to the side of the God Emperor. Zhao E remained unmoved by Yin Sheng's outburst and merely smiled, saying, "Your Highness the Demon Emperor does not trust me? Rest assured, our grand plan is already in motion. All we need to do now is stay put. Once the God Emperor pieces together the Undead Mark, he will personally drag the Demon Realm into the mire, clearing the path for us." Drag into the mire?! Yin Sheng paused. This was the first time he'd heard such a plan from Zhao E’s mouth. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Zhao E’s expression and posture while weighing his words in his mind. If Zhao E were lying, there would surely be some anomaly. Yet, he found none. No matter how he used his spiritual senses to observe, he detected no discrepancy. Zhao E’s breathing and heartbeat were as usual. "Hmph, grand plan? I'd never heard of it before now." Yin Sheng said domineeringly, staring intently at Zhao E. Zhao E chuckled, "Indeed, my fault. But I was forced to conceal it. Do you remember, Your Highness, I once mentioned that a hidden master has been guiding us from the shadows?" Yin Sheng's face darkened. He remembered, but he had never believed it. Given their near-equal power, affected perhaps slightly by their respective bloodlines and artifacts, neither he nor the Ghost Emperor could defeat each other. In such a scenario, he found it hard to believe that anyone, barring the pinnacle God Emperor, could stand above them and issue commands from afar. Zhao E seemed to anticipate Yin Sheng's reaction. He extended a finger towards the sky, saying, "It is that master, the Dao beyond the Heavens." Chapter 238 “It is that master, the Dao beyond the Heavens.” Zhao E’s words left Yin Sheng utterly shocked. Cultivators spend their lives seeking immortality and understanding the Dao, essentially relying on Heaven and Earth’s blessings to gain insights. Regardless of their cultivation or status, all beings are but pawns of the Dao, unable to resist it. The Dao is the absolute existence, determining life and death with mere thoughts. Be it spirit cultivators or demon cultivators, each breakthrough in cultivation, each baptism by lightning, is a step through the Dao's trial. Only by continually pushing oneself can one gain greater power. However, excluding the primordial divine beasts, all sentient beings have a lifespan of 1,500 years. This is an endpoint set by Heaven and Earth, one that all life forms must abide by. When Zhao E had previously spoken of gaining eternal life and dominion, Yin Sheng had already pondered this issue. Eternal life means breaking the shackles of Heaven and Earth, but when seeking immortality and understanding the Dao is already a blessing from the Heavens, how can one surpass such limits? He had an inkling but never dared to delve deep into the thought. Even as a supreme ruler, he had never considered challenging the Dao. The reason was simple: the more one sought the Dao, the more one understood the insignificance of cultivators. Altering the heavens and earth, reversing the cosmos, was easier said than done. Throughout countless ages, among millions of people, how many have ever succeeded? Yet now, his premonition was becoming a reality. “You mean... there is... a Dao beyond the Heavens?” Yin Sheng hesitated, unable to utter the word "Dao," "But why..." "Why?" The Ghost Emperor sneered, "For that honor, for eternal existence. A mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, yet this world has two Daos struggling against each other. Only one will remain in the end." As he said this, Zhao E’s words slowed, looking meaningfully at Yin Sheng, "It’s time to choose. If you bet right, you'll rise to the heavens in one step. We will become legendary figures, just like the great heroes who created the world. I have made my decision long ago, hence the collection of divine artifacts and the venture into the empty void. All for the day when our master triumphs, and I can bask in some of that glory. Your Highness the Demon Emperor? Your ancestor — the great demonic progenitor, was the first to rebel. If you seek power and status, you might as well stop now. But if you aspire to eternal greatness, weigh your decisions carefully." Yin Sheng clenched his fists, his eyes cold yet undeniably shaken. He thought it was too late to regret, but knowing the truth, he found it hard to answer immediately. Zhao E did not press him. Standing in front of the grand hall, he gazed at the vast world outside, a confident smile on his face as if the heavens and earth were already in his grasp. "Once you step forward, there is no turning back. Your Highness the Demon Emperor, think carefully, but remember, time is of the essence. The God Emperor has cleared all barriers. It won't be long before he completes the Ghost Mark. By then, no matter your choice, I will proceed with all my strength. If we delay, it may... be too late." Saying this, Zhao E slowly departed, leaving Yin Sheng standing alone before the palace of the Demon Emperor. * Clearing the dark spots was no easy task. Their overwhelming number and extensive formation required a significant amount of work. It took Tang Mu Xi and Jiang Yizhen three whole days to thoroughly complete the job. After three days of intense focus, the two were exhausted. They planned to return to the palace for a well-deserved rest, not expecting to encounter such an unforeseen visitor. “Where is Mu Xi? Why isn't she here? Could she still be injured?” As Tang Mu Xi entered the hall, he heard a commotion. Approaching with his senior sister, he saw that Bai Ling and Wen Fei had unexpectedly arrived at the palace. Having just learned of Mu Xi's injury, the fox and bird both looked anxious. Their target of questioning, unfortunately, was the taciturn Si Jun. Without Qing Ling’s presence, this divine officer remained silent. Tang Mu Xi paused and hurried to mediate. “Bai Ling, Master, were you looking for me?” He entered leisurely, energetic despite everything, subtly showcasing his recovery.