BOOK 2: CHAPTER 432: DA LUO TAIYI, REWRITING THE CHESSBOARD

Vol 2 Chapter 432: Da Luo Taiyi, Rewriting the Chessboard

Zheng Fa couldn't help but look outside the Astronomical Observation Platform.

A heavenly sun hung far away in the chaos, its golden light raging wildly in the darkness, as if silently protesting.

No wonder, when the people of Haori Mountain saw the Fusang Wood, their eyes were red.

No wonder, at the gate of Jiuyao Heaven, he had that strange feeling.

Thinking further about the special status of the sun in modern world legends of various countries,

even the solar system, the human home, might be related to this Heavenly River Venerable’s sword.

Zheng Fa suddenly realized a crucial question and turned to the Heavenly River Venerable, his face tense: "So that jade pendant belongs to Lu Mo?"

This was downright life-threatening.

If the jade pendant was Lu Mo’s, it would be a huge problem.

The Fusang Wood was already a hidden danger.

If the jade pendant was connected to Lu Mo, the modern world’s exposure risk would be too high, and it might already be unsafe.

“No.”

The Heavenly River Venerable’s answer made Zheng Fa even more confused;

his mind felt murkier than the surrounding chaos.

“The jade pendant is not a Tongtian treasure. The Tongtian treasure has already been shattered by me.” The Heavenly River Venerable explained, “Only then can the spiritual energy be severed.”

That made sense.

For example, in the Jiushan Realm, the Sun and Moon Bell is the source of all spiritual energy.

“So the jade pendant is…”

“The jade pendant is to hide that world.” The Heavenly River Venerable pointed to the stars in the sky, “To make these people unable to see it.”

Zheng Fa nodded lightly and asked again,

“Where does the jade pendant come from? And why did it come into my hands?”

This was Zheng Fa’s deepest doubt and greatest worry—was he a pawn?

“I don’t know.” The Heavenly River Venerable’s face showed calm, “I also obtained this jade pendant by chance. As for who it can fall into, I don’t know.” ŕÁΝŎ𝐛ÊṤ

“I know even less about whether those who come can shoulder the Heavenly River lineage.”

So that’s why the Heavenly River Venerable said he wanted to sever the Xuanwei spiritual energy?

This venerable was also gambling?

“By chance?”

It wasn’t that Zheng Fa was paranoid, but since it concerned himself, he couldn’t help but overthink.

Besides, the jade pendant was absolutely not an ordinary treasure. In Zheng Fa’s eyes, it was at least of the scattered immortal rank, no, even a supreme treasure surpassing scattered immortal rank.

Who would just throw it around everywhere?

“I also think it’s too coincidental.” The Heavenly River Venerable nodded, “I obtained the jade pendant when I destroyed a small sect back then... By rights, that sect should not have such a profound background.”

Zheng Fa frowned, just as the Heavenly River Venerable said:

“In fact, I suspect one person.”

“Who?”

“Yin Yang Fish, who else can you think of?”

Zheng Fa’s head felt as if struck by a hammer, buzzing loudly. He gripped the railing beside him, looking down at Xuanwei to steady himself.

His voice was a little dry as he asked, “Dao Venerable?”

“The only ones in this world who can scheme against me are just a few.”

The Heavenly River Venerable’s smile was a bit cold, tinged with resentment.

Zheng Fa could deeply understand. Previously, he had worried he was just this venerable’s pawn, feeling uneasy and even somewhat resentful.

Especially considering the Heavenly River Venerable’s personality.

He had thought Lu Mo was the greatest mastermind behind Xuanwei in these few eras.

Who would have guessed that the Dao Venerable was also secretly moving pieces?

Thinking like this, that sword strike by the Heavenly River Venerable might have been part of the Dao Venerable’s plan...

Previously, Zheng Fa had thought Taishang Dao was always getting beaten around, practically a fool.

Now he understood that underestimating the Dao Venerable was the real foolishness.

This man moved silently, without showing his face, using the Heavenly River Venerable’s sword to cut off Lu Mo’s chance to become a True Immortal—a perfect killing blow.

Thinking of this, Zheng Fa asked, “Venerable, what exactly is the relationship among the Four Sects?”

The relationships among the Four Sects were extremely complicated, often betraying each other, but when facing the Heavenly River Sect, they were most united.

The Heavenly River Venerable pondered slightly, but did not speak immediately.

Could there be some secret in this?

“My understanding of the disputes among the Four Sects isn’t very deep.” The Heavenly River Venerable slowly said, “Some things I only speculate on. Whether right or wrong, you will probably have to find out for yourself later. Don’t be reckless, or you’ll easily get trapped and schemed against.”

Zheng Fa clearly heard the goodwill in these words.

From the perspective of the Dao Venerable, the Four Sects must not be underestimated—be cautious to the utmost, no mistakes allowed.

It was clear that these were heartfelt words—the Heavenly River Sect had been schemed against terribly.

“The disputes among the Four Sects, in my view, are actually disputes of Da Luo.”

“Da Luo disputes?”

Previously, Zheng Fa had heard the Heavenly River Venerable say that Da Luo was the orthodox method of Xuanwei, the ultimate Dao Fruit.

But what exactly the Da Luo dispute was, he was unclear about.

“After Golden Immortal comes either Taiyi or Tianluo. Do you know the difference between Taiyi and Da Luo?”

Zheng Fa shook his head blankly.

“Taiyi means supreme;

Yi means the origin of primordial essence,” the Heavenly River Venerable explained.

Zheng Fa felt a little lost.

Seeing his expression, the Heavenly River Venerable shook his head: “Taiyi refers to the most fundamental composition of the Heavenly Dao, the root law contained in chaos.”

That was easier to understand.

Zheng Fa paused, then suddenly thought of something: “Innate divine ability?”

“You can be taught.” The Heavenly River Venerable paused, then said, “Actually, before the Era of Lawlessness, there should have been great beings in existence. The innate divine abilities we comprehend, even those Tongtian treasures, are likely related to that time.”

Xuanwei had five eras.

The Era of Lawlessness was the second;

virtually no one understood the first era.

Saying this, the Heavenly River Venerable shook his head again with regret: “These are things I knew when my relationship with the Four Sects was close, unfortunately…”

Zheng Fa didn’t know what to say.

“I also don’t know much. That’s off-topic;

let’s continue with Taiyi and Tianluo.”

Zheng Fa nodded and listened carefully.

“Therefore, Taiyi Golden Immortals are cultivators who hold a fundamental great Dao. They exist with the Dao, and are even part of the Heavenly Dao itself.”

“What about Da Luo?”

“Although Da Luo and Taiyi have no superiority in realm, Tianluo controls the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Only with Tianluo’s birth is the Heavenly Dao truly complete.”

Zheng Fa pondered for a long time before finally sorting out the connection.

If the Heavenly Dao was a living being, then Taiyi and Tianluo were organs.

Da Luo was special—it was the brain, coordinating the organs.

Orthodoxy meant that Da Luo Golden Immortals coordinated, even commanded all parts of the Heavenly Dao.

Seeing Zheng Fa seemed to understand, the Heavenly River Venerable continued, “The disputes among the Four Sects, especially between Leiyin Temple and Taishang Dao, lie in this.”

“A struggle for power.” Zheng Fa suddenly realized, “Taiyi may not fear Tianluo, but in terms of lineage, Da Luo must hold the advantage.”

“Exactly. The Four Sects, especially Taishang Dao and Leiyin Temple, have been fighting openly and covertly, endlessly.” The Heavenly River Venerable nodded, “I never expected that when facing me, they could put aside old grudges.”

Zheng Fa looked at the Heavenly River Venerable.

That statement seemed meaningful.

The Heavenly River Venerable looked at his disciples and quietly said, “Do you know why I am waiting here with them?”

“To preserve the Heavenly River Method?”

“That’s part of it.” The Heavenly River Venerable shook his head and said, “But far more than that.”

Zheng Fa was even more puzzled.

“Do you know why I died?”

“No.”

This was also one of Zheng Fa’s doubts.

The Heavenly River Venerable had killed him with a sword, struck Lu Mo once, then died.

It sounded like he was avenged by Lu Mo or the Four Sects.

But it didn’t seem so;

after all, the Four Sects seemed confused and even afraid of the Heavenly River Venerable’s resurrection.

“Before I discovered Lu Mo’s identity,” the Heavenly River Venerable recalled, “the Four Sects had already secretly united.”

“They were even preparing to attack the Heavenly River Sect.”

“Lu Mo coveted the Life and Death Register and had his eyes on the Heavenly River Sect.”

“I don’t know if the Four Sects and the Demon Sect secretly cooperated.”

Hearing this made Zheng Fa’s heart cold.

They definitely joined forces—after all, Lu Mo’s identity was numerous, as the Original Demon Ancestor and Haori First Ancestor, secretly pushing the Four Sects to attack the Heavenly River Sect was easy.

The Heavenly River Venerable’s sword strike cutting the sun was perfectly timed—he was undoubtedly connected to the beginning and end of the Heavenly River upheaval.

He could even imagine how dangerous the Heavenly River Venerable’s situation was back then—truly all the world’s enemies against him.

“At that time, I was only a Golden Immortal. Although I had some means, it was impossible to defeat the combined forces of the Four Sects and Demon Sect.”

The Heavenly River Venerable’s tone was somewhat heavy.

“Moreover, if I were still alive, and the Heavenly River Method still existed, they would never be at ease.”

Even after an era passed, hearing this part of the past from the Heavenly River Venerable, Zheng Fa felt depressed. He was silent for a long time before saying to the Heavenly River Venerable,

“The Dao Fruit, originally one entity, would naturally fight among themselves without external threats, but the Heavenly River Method...”

“They absolutely would not tolerate it.”

In the Xuanwei Realm, Dao Fruits were lofty, and other cultivators were powerless to resist.

Simply put, this was a power struggle, but the power still revolved among the Dao Fruits.

These Dao Fruits and cultivators as well as mortals were practically different species.

But the Heavenly River Method was completely different.

Though just beginning, the Heavenly River Method’s performance had already united the Four Sects and even the Demon Ancestor to jointly try to extinguish the Heavenly River Sect.

This situation was the inevitable result after the emergence of the Heavenly River Method.

The Heavenly River upheaval was always a predetermined outcome.

Even failure was ultimately inevitable for the Heavenly River Venerable.

“I hid away.”

“...”

The Heavenly River Venerable’s tone was calm.

Zheng Fa was surprised and puzzled: “Why?”

“Refining a treasure.”

“Refining a treasure?”

“Together with them, refining a treasure.”

Zheng Fa looked blankly at the lower ranks of Heavenly River disciples;

all of them smiled proudly.

Seeing his confused expression, the Heavenly River Venerable laughed and raised his hand, a familiar compass appearing in his palm.

“What is this?”

“The Reincarnation Compass.”

“Reincarnation?”

Zheng Fa’s tone rose, unable to contain his surprise.

“Having only the Life and Death Register, the Nine Nether couldn’t contend with the Four Sects.” The Heavenly River Venerable chuckled lightly, “Using my own life’s spirit treasure, combined with resources accumulated over an era, I refined this treasure together with these disciples.”

Zheng Fa looked at the compass.

“Life’s spirit treasure? Isn’t this... you, Venerable?”

The Heavenly River Method could refine a person into a spirit vessel, so the Heavenly River Venerable’s life spirit treasure was almost his Dao body.

“So I died.”

“...”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa was silent for a moment, feeling a knot in his heart.

The Heavenly River Venerable seemed not to notice and smiled, “This treasure, combined with the Nine Nether’s Life and Death Register, forges the Reincarnation of All Heavens, which will have the power of Taiyi.”

“Taiyi...”

Zheng Fa could already guess the function of this Reincarnation Compass.

“After the Reincarnation of All Heavens is formed, in the chaos of myriad worlds, billions of living beings must enter reincarnation after death!”

“Even Dao Fruits?”

“Even Dao Fruits.”

Zheng Fa let out a deep breath, calming the turmoil in his heart.

The Heavenly River Venerable’s decades of thousands of years of planning, sacrificing himself to refine a treasure, left him momentarily at a loss for words.

Killing Dao Fruits was actually not rare.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor had done it too,

But that relied on the Life and Death Register.

The Reincarnation of All Heavens was decisively different in meaning:

According to the Heavenly River Venerable’s words, Dao Fruits would not be able to resurrect in the future!

Once killed, they would truly die!

On a small scale, this was the Heavenly River Venerable’s harshest revenge on the Dao Fruits of all heavens.

But Zheng Fa would not underestimate the Heavenly River Venerable’s ambition.

Revenge on Dao Fruits was probably only a trivial effect of the Reincarnation of All Heavens.

Dao Fruits dying would completely change the Xuanwei pattern:

For example, cultivators of the Four Sects, no matter how much they fought before, essentially had no mortal enmity—after all, Dao Fruits would not die;

at worst, they would come back later, playing house.

But with the Reincarnation of All Heavens?

Could they still get along so harmoniously?

If in the future, the Jiushan Sect became the common enemy of the Four Sects, taking the position of the Heavenly River Sect, would the Four Sects still unite like they did against the Heavenly River Sect?

The significance of the Reincarnation Compass could not be overstated.

The Heavenly River Venerable stroked the compass, his gaze distant: “Only after I died did the Heavenly River Method come to life.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa closed his eyes.

He understood the Heavenly River Venerable’s meaning—this was the greatest and most profound significance of the Reincarnation of All Heavens, and the Heavenly River Venerable’s ultimate purpose:

At worst, even if the Four Sects remained close and friendly for generations, the Reincarnation of All Heavens would still change the entire Xuanwei and the entire Immortal Dao.

The Myriad Immortal Formation gave ordinary cultivators power to resist Dao Fruits,

but it was difficult to change the power gap between cultivators and Dao Fruits:

After all, ordinary cultivators die and die for good, but Dao Fruits could resurrect—which meant as long as Dao Fruit cultivators were willing to risk their lives, the Myriad Immortal Formation had no chance to win.

But with the Reincarnation of All Heavens, everything would change:

Cultivators could truly kill Dao Fruits with the Myriad Immortal Formation!

When Zheng Fa first encountered Dao Fruits, he heard several iron rules:

First, cultivators cannot betray their own lineage.

So the Heavenly River Method decentralized.

Second, only Dao Fruits can counter Dao Fruits.

The Myriad Immortal Formation granted power to ordinary cultivators to resist Dao Fruits.

Later, he learned of the iron rule that Dao Fruits do not die. This iron rule has now been shattered by the Reincarnation of All Heavens.

The Heavenly River Venerable completely overturned three iron rules.

When the Heavenly River Venerable raised his sword to kill me back then, he was truly at his wit’s end, his life’s achievements about to turn to dust.

If this was a chess game, he had indeed reached a dead end with almost no chance of turning it around.

But this venerable, at the cost of himself, forcibly opened a new path for the Heavenly River Method.

Or rather, he completely changed the rules of the Xuanwei chessboard—after several eras and millions of years, cultivators and mortals below Dao Fruit finally gained the qualification to hold the chess pieces.