(Thanks to Heaven Will Daoist for the gift.)
—
“Tian’er, how are things going?” said a deep voice from the formation. Immediately, Ao Tianyi’s arrogant demeanor changed into a more respectful one.
“Father, this is what happened.”
Ao Tianyi told everything that had occurred since he arrived. The participant’s reactions, what everybody said, what he said, and even some basic analysis of the situation.
“I guess this should be expected of a Dao Overlord. *Sigh* The Wang Clan is truly blessed,” replied Ao Jing. He could not help but reminisce about what he read of the Wang Clan’s achievement in the Eternal Ascension World.
And if the clan did not break up and even fought in the upper dimension, their accomplishment might have been even higher.
“Father, what do you think I should do?”
“You might not have a choice but to swear.”
“What! Why?”
“You must accomplish both your missions–especially bringing back the Deceiving Heaven Longevity Art.”
“Isn’t it just a lowly Insurgent technique?” Ao Tanyi then remembered something.
“Even if it was a Longevity technique, is there a need to go through all this trouble–especially since it’s probably of the lowest level? Couldn’t our dragon race take it from Gu Xuan’s hand?”
Ao Jing paused for a moment before sighing. His son was the future leader of the Primordial Dragon Race, so he should start learning the world’s secrets and how to deal with them. So, he said:
“You are correct that this scripture is of the lowest level. However, it has tremendous potential. So, the Patriarch wants it.”
Ao Tinayi squinted his eyes. The dragon race’s patriarch was one of the Seven Ruling Paragons of the Eternal Ascension. So, he knew it was a big deal for the latter to want something.
“So, why didn’t the patriarch take it from Gu Xuan? Isn’t he just a Dao Monarch?”
“Gu Xuan has disappeared from the face of the world. He is most likely hiding inside the Lawless Zone, and he’s been using a proxy to communicate with us for this trial.
“On top of everything, he appears not to want anyone in the upper dimension to get their hands on the scripture. So, you must get it no matter what.”
Ao Tianyi frowned even deeper. “Father, why does it seems this mission is not as simple as it seems? Why do I have to observe these Heaven Chosens?”
He did not understand why he had to gather information on the lower dimension’s Heaven Chosens, focusing on the Myriad Emperor World.
“*Sigh* I guess there is no point hiding things from you since you are now involved. Great changes are about to take place in the Eternal Ascension World. There are rumors of the end of the Two Suns Seven Moons Era is approaching, and the return of the old era.”
“These rumors have existed ever since the era began. Why would that matter now?”
“Yes, normally, these would just be rumors of a bunch of unsatisfied individuals. However, some changes have taken place recently that have alerted the rulers.”
“What changes?”
“Heavenly Dao has begun to move. It has seal access to the lower dimension. Currently, Empyreans cannot even send in a projection. And with each day, the sealing is becoming more powerful.
“According to calculation, it’s only a matter of time before the seven rulers can not only interfere in the lower dimension, they might not even be able to see anything from there.”
Ao Jing did not tell his son that even the two supreme rulers might become blind to the ongoings of the lower dimension.
“Is this why the patriarch sent me on this mission?”
“Yes. The patriarch calculated that the rise of the Myriad Emperor World might be the cause of Heavenly Dao’s actions. So, he wants you to gather information on the Heaven Chosens to detect the people responsible for leading this new era.
“As for the Deceiving Heaven Longevity Art, the patriarch deduced the changes of the Myriad Emperor World might be the prelude to something else. So, he wanted another Longevity Scripture as insurance for the future.”
“I see.”
“So, if Gu Xuan wants you to swear the oath, do so.”
“I will,” replied Ao Tianyi with slightly gritted teeth. “What about Zhang Yuchen and Monk Wuzhi?”
“Don’t get involved in their conflict. They probably have no desire for the inheritance. So, as long as you stay out of their way, there should be no problem.”
“As you wish, father.”
“Alright, do your best.”
Ao Tianyi closed the communication array before heading to rest. But before he reached his destination, he sensed someone outside his mansion. He used his Divine Sense to determine who it was.
‘Her? Interesting.’
Then, he went to open the door.
Zhang Yucheng’s Mansion:
“Master, this all that happened,” he said to an array.
“This Wang Wei will be a problem as I expected,” said a cold and indifferent voice. “You know your mission?”
“Yes, eliminate Feng Heng and prevent him from spreading Buddhism.”
“Act fast, as you do not have much time.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Heavenly Dao has begun to revolt against my suppression. And it will not let you stay long in the lower dimension,” replied Daoist Supreme Unity.
“Master, are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just finish your mission,” Daoist Supreme Unity replied in his eternal indifferent voice. Then, he disconnected the communication.
Zhang Yucheng did not mind since he knew his master was always this direct and cold; he was used to it by now. Nevertheless, he was determined to succeed in his mission.
He knew his master was in a deadlock with Maitreya Mother Buddha. But if Feng Heng successfully spread Buddhism in the lower dimension, the luck and incense gathered by the Maitreya Buddha might be enough for her to surpass his master.
‘Feng Heng must die. And if that Wang Wei gets in my way, I will also annihilate him.’ After making a resolution, Zhang Yucheng went to rest.
Monk Wuzhi’s Mansion:
“You know what to do?” said a melodious voice.
“Yes, Great Buddha.”
“Remember to use a friendly approach; don’t rush or force things. And if things don’t work out, it’s okay to let it go.”
“I will,” replied Monk Wuzhi.
“I know I can count on you.”
After the communication ended, Monk Wuzhi bowed to the formation before going to cultivate.
Shi Ruolan’s Mansion:
She opened the door for someone outside.
“I did not expect to be receiving guess today.”
“I”m sorry for the late intrusion.”
“No problem. Come in, Miss Xu Shi, right?”
“That’s right.”
Shi Ruolan led her to the dining room and had her maid serve tea.
“So, to what do I owe this visit?”
“I wanted to know something and figured I had the highest chance of succeeding by asking you.”
“Oh, and why would I help you?” Shi Ruolan asked with a smile.
“You can ask me whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“It seems that desperation has clouded your judgment,” commented Shi Ruolan. “Very well. Let’s see what you want to know first.”
“I want to know how to revive someone that had their [Existence] injured?”
“Did that person die as a mortal?”
“Does that matter?”
“Of course.”
“Yes.”
Shi Ruolan thought for a moment. “Existence wounds are severe even for Emperors. However, most Eternal Emperors can heal their [Existence Injuries] by themselves, a few talented ones can heal others, and some extremely talented individuals can even use [Existence Reconstruction].
“That’s when they recreate a person’s [Existence] and revive them even after being completely erased from reality. However, such a talent has not appeared in a….”
Shi Ruolan suddenly remembered that peerless Empress that incurred fear in the seven rulers.
‘She might be capable of this.’
“Whoever you want to revive might require only healing their existence. However, since they are mortals and will probably be dead for a long period by the time you prove the Dao, you might need the ability of [Existence Reconstruction].”
“I see,” replied Xu Shi, deep in thought. She knew she had no choice but to prove the Dao in this generation because the longer she took, the less chance she had to revive her husband.
Furthermore, she must be an Eternal Emperor.
“Now, for my payment,” said Shi Ruolan with a mesmerizing smile.
Eternal Ascension World, Dragon Nest:
A long dragon with beautiful and noble purple scales suddenly opened his eyes.
‘Should I report things now to the Patriarch?’
Ao Jing did not want to, but he knew he had no choice. The current era was simply terrible. No Tier 12 powerhouses of any path were allowed to exist, forcing him to stay in the Empyrean Realm for too long.
On top of it all, he was not happy with the situation of the dragon clan. In ancient times, there were many tribes of dragons: Azure Dragons, Primordial Dragons, Fiend Dragons, and so many more. The dragon clan was united yet independent, with each tribe having its own autonomy.
But now, all dragons had to obey the Patriarch: a blood dragon. If anyone disobeyed him, they would be annihilated.
And this is not the only reason Ao Jing did not like the current era. He was born near the very end of the Golden Age and remembered how prosperous the Eternal Ascension World used to be.
But now, with the seven rulers promoting Heaven Will Emperors instead of Dao Emperors, the Eternal Ascension World was weak both regarding its high-end power and low-end ones.
If he were not for the two supreme rulers, the world would have long been invaded by foreign forces.
After thinking about these things, Ao Jing shook his head before heading to report to the patriarch. He also removed his idea of downplaying some of the information he received; he did not dare to lie to a Paragon.