Above the Great Dao

Chapter 1187 549: The Heavenly Venerate's Weakness

Xinxiang Imperial City.

Chen Yindou set down the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace, slowly reducing his stature.

Though the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace is mightier than the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence, wielding this treasure is arduous. Even crafting a single batch of Heavenly Soldiers demands eight Immortals and several dozen Heavenly Dao Practitioners, working together for a hundred days. For one person to activate it is nearly impossible, unless they are quite proficient in the Creation Technique.

Chen Yindou excels in this art.

With a flick of his finger, he lifted the lid that required two Immortals to raise together.

Yang Bi and Li Tianqing each awoke from their contemplation, exchanged a glance, and shook their heads.

Both felt desolate, as neither had discovered a solution to undo the Heavenly Venerate's Technique.

Everyone gazed into the furnace, seeing that the Phoenix Strange Fire within had diminished significantly, unable to completely obscure the Furnace World.

Looking down from above, they could see the world inside the furnace, where countless Creation Little Fives, as tiny as ants, flitted about and clashed with humans.

"Heavenly Soldiers are the Creation Little Fives?" Yang Bi was somewhat shocked.

Chen Yindou nodded, "I designed them, but left Despair Slope before ever using this furnace to craft them."

His expression turned mournful as he recalled past events.

At this moment, Little Dun Fairy and Zhong Wuwang flew out from the furnace, landing on either side of the furnace's edge.

Zhong Wuwang was covered in wounds, clearly experiencing danger inside the furnace, and said, "The Heavenly Soldiers within the furnace have completed, and are slaughtering each other! Several Immortals of Despair Slope died at their hands!"

Little Dun Fairy said, "Those Heavenly Dao Immortals inside the furnace suddenly underwent Evil Transformation and were killed by the combined forces of the Creation Little Fives."

She frowned slightly, uncomfortable with the thought of the Creation Little Fives devouring the Heavenly Dao Immortals, and asked, "Where is Master?"

Li Tianqing shook his head, "Wu Qi did not escape."

Little Dun Fairy, shocked, hurried to the Imperial Garden, found the Purple Heaven Vine, and saw only one Wu Qi, happily swaying.

Little Dun Fairy called for Little Chengzi, who said, "Wu Qi inquired about some things and then left."

Little Dun Fairy was quietly anxious, "My husband has yet to appeal to him emotionally and logically to repay the life-saving debt, and he left. If he means harm to Great Ming, what should we do?"

She quickly returned, seeing everyone gathered around the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace, waiting silently, seemingly for the internal battle to end.

Little Dun Fairy saw Chen Shi still sitting at the furnace edge, unmoving, intending to approach when Chen Yindou raised a hand to stop her, shaking his head.

"Do not disturb him; he is observing the battle between the Heavenly Venerate and Wu Qi, and needs to organize these insights."

Chen Yindou said, "He is using the power of the Innate Dao Embryo to comprehend the Daoist Divine Powers of the Heavenly Venerate and may gain something."

Little Dun Fairy hesitated briefly, silently leaving, thinking, "Master might go to two places, first to the Da Shang Heavenly Court to pay respects to ancestors, second might be Despair Slope! He would want to see my father there!"

She immediately rushed towards the Southern Border.

"I mustn't let him go to Despair Slope, or he will surely die again at the Heavenly Venerate's hands!"

Having previously accompanied her to view the Da Shang Heavenly Court ruins, Chen Shi brought Little Dun Fairy to the Southern Border, reaching the seas, finding the court ruins, and activating her Primordial Spirit to search, but found no trace of Wu Qi.

She immediately flew to Heavenly Dao City.

Upon arrival at Heavenly Dao City, she found the Heavenly Bridge broken, and Despair Slope's whereabouts unknown.

Little Dun Fairy also delved into the underworld, searching for a long time, yet never finding Wu Qi, returning crestfallen to Xinxiang Imperial City.

After ten days, upon returning to the Imperial City, she saw the Creation Little Fives from the furnace had emerged, accompanying Chen Yindou, studying the mysteries within the Immortal Furnace together.

Meanwhile, Chen Shi still sat at the edge of the Immortal Furnace, contemplating in silence.

Zhong Wuwang had not left, seemingly waiting for Chen Shi to awaken to reclaim the Innate Dao Embryo.

Little Dun Fairy said earnestly to him, "The Innate Dao Embryo is my husband's. Your master cut into my husband, stole the Embryo, and grafted it onto you. You have gained many benefits from the Innate Dao Embryo; if you try to take it back, I'm afraid this time next year will be your death anniversary."

Zhong Wuwang, furious, laughed, "Princess, are you planning to kill the donkey after it has done its job? When I entrusted the Innate Dao Embryo to the True King, I said he must return it, and he agreed!"

Little Dun Fairy shook her head, "He would never have agreed."

Zhong Wuwang snorted, his expression shifting, "If it comes to a fight, they have the advantage in numbers; I'm at a disadvantage. Besides, at that time, Chen Shi never agreed to return it to me..."

As he wrestled with his thoughts, Chen Shi's voice came, "No need to trouble him, Princess. In times of crisis, Brother Zhong was willing to forgo the Innate Dao Embryo to lend us aid, showing true righteousness. If I claim the Innate Dao Embryo and do not return it, would this not betray the name of a wise ruler?"

Little Dun Fairy was both surprised and delighted, looking up to see Chen Shi standing atop the Immortal Furnace, looking down below.

She swiftly flew up, landing beside Chen Shi.

Chen Shi summoned the small temple and raised the Innate Dao Embryo, returning it to Zhong Wuwang.

Little Dun quickly said, "Husband, it was originally yours..."

Chen Shi smiled, "Give it back to him, then kill him again to take it back. I'm still the True King with a clear sense of right and wrong; it's not worth staining my reputation for this."

Zhong Wuwang was in the process of reclaiming the Innate Dao Embryo, shivered upon hearing this, and thought to himself, "Chen Shi says that, he will definitely come for me. Now we're in this together, it doesn't make sense for me to seek death over the Innate Dao Embryo... But without it, what will I offer him for an alliance?"

Creation Little Five smiled, "Little Ten, did you find the flaw in the Heavenly Venerate's technique?"

Yang Bi, Li Tianqing, and others hurried over upon hearing the news, eyes falling on Chen Shi with a look of hope.

Chen Shi, smiling, met their gaze, nodded slightly, and said, "During my retreat and contemplation, I deduced the Heavenly Venerate's demon technique, and it finally allowed me to complete the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection and comprehend its flaw."

The crowd was elated, cheering as one.

Chen Tang, Wu Qingyu, Dragon Traveling Wanderer, Mu Daozi, and others also gathered, and upon hearing Chen Shi found the Heavenly Venerate's flaw, couldn't help but be moved to tears of joy.

There was a joyous cheer among them, resonating to the Nine Heavens.

"There is hope!"

They spread the news, shouting, "The True King has deduced the flaw in the old devil Heavenly Venerate's technique; our West Bull New Continent can be saved!"

The civil and military officials were excited beyond measure, celebrating this victory together.

Chen Shi, smiling, entered the Imperial Study Room and wrote down his comprehension of the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection, allowing Li Tianqing, Yang Bi, and Zhong Wuwang to each copy it.

They each made a copy and studied it, indeed discovering it to be a profound and unfathomable technique of Immortal Demon Dual Cultivation, extraordinary and unmatched, the likes of which they had never seen!

"True King, where is the flaw you comprehended?" Zhong Wuwang inquired.

Chen Shi smiled, "I cannot tell you this flaw. I must keep this secret to personally kill the Heavenly Venerate. Er Niu, you will surely practice this method, but as long as I hold this secret, I'll have the means to restrain you."

Zhong Wuwang's expression changed, sneering, "Who would have thought Chen True King to be so petty, despite my lending you the Innate Dao Embryo!"

He flew away, his voice carrying from afar, "Chen Shi, if the Heavenly Venerate breaks free from Despair Slope, in his fury, he will surely come for revenge! I'll hide for now! You all are too conspicuous here; it might be better to avoid the situation temporarily elsewhere!"

Chen Shi watched him leave and said, "Tianqing, have the Hanlin Academy print thousands of copies of this Immortal Law and distribute them in the Little Heavenly Realms, without restricting anyone from studying it. The Heavenly Venerate regards this technique as a treasure, yet I shall instead spread this most powerful Immortal Law of the era!"

Li Tianqing's eyes lit up, smiling, "That's a good idea, I'll do it immediately!"

Yang Bi hesitated, and said, "Your Majesty, the Immortal Demon Dual Cultivation Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection is indeed extraordinarily powerful, I have deduced it for a long time but still cannot find the flaw. Please grant me guidance, Your Majesty."

Chen Shi shook his head and laughed, "Brother Yang, I only reached this point because of the Innate Dao Embryo. If you can deduce the flaw, wouldn't that mean you're even mightier than me? As for where the flaw lies, I won't tell Zhong Erniu, nor will I tell you. Being the True King means I'm alone; how could I not have ways to control you and Zhong Erniu?"

Yang Bi's expression slightly changed, giving him a deep look.

Suddenly, outside came the voice of the Grand Sacrificial Butler, "Chen True King, I wish to ask for a copy of the Heavenly Venerate's technique too!"

Chen Shi smiled, seeing the Grand Sacrificial Butler leading Chu Feng over, and said, "If the Grand Sacrificial Butler desires, I will naturally provide. Someone, give the Grand Sacrificial Butler a copy of the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection!"

The Grand Sacrificial Butler browsed the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection, his expression growing increasingly serious yet with a hint of joy, swiftly putting away this skill, and bowing, "True King, I have another matter in coming this time."

Chen Shi's gaze landed on Chu Feng, smiling, "You've discovered the Profound Yin Nine Heavens Technique I passed to you, though capable of Demon Transforming the Outer Heaven True God, yet the Outer Heaven True God cannot transform this world, right?"

The Grand Sacrificial Butler said gravely, "Indeed. Chu Feng has already tainted the Outer Heaven True God, urging it to activate the Profound Yin Nine Heavens Technique, yet finds he can only drive it to the eighth layer, with the ninth layer unable to be completed, nor capable of mobilizing the Outer Heaven True God's power."

Chen Shi walked to Chu Feng, smiling, "Then naturally there's only one possibility, that I've tampered with the Profound Yin Nine Heavens Technique. What I've done is simple, ensuring you cannot invoke the Outer Heaven True God's power. The ninth layer of the technique, only I can perform. Only I can mobilize the Outer Heaven True God's power!"

He stroked Chu Feng's head and smiled, "Grand Sacrificial Butler, back when I was still a ghost, you couldn't defeat me, and having resurrected, you're even less a match. Take the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection, cultivate it as you wish. The flaw in this technique remains under my control, and you will always be a vassal in my presence; your Demon Path Great Shang will forever remain unrealized!"

The Grand Sacrificial Butler was shocked and angered.

Chen Shi withdrew his hand, speaking faintly, "You and your apprentice may thank Your Majestic Grace."

The Grand Sacrificial Butler's expression was uncertain, glancing at the surrounding masters, yet he suppressed his anger and led Chu Feng in bowing, "Thank You Majesty for Your Grace!"

At night, Chen Shi sat alone in the Imperial Study Room, reviewing memorials as the light flickered and the Demon Qi thickened. A large black dog silently emerged from the underworld Demon Domain, silently entering the study under the moonlight.

"Black Pot, you're back?" Chen Shi was overjoyed, setting down the vermillion brush and stepped forward to hug the black dog's neck.

The man and the dog sat on the steps outside the Imperial Study Room. Chen Shi poured wine for Black Pot, and the two raised their cups, drinking one after another until they were soon drunk.

"Black Pot, I couldn't find the flaw in the Heavenly Venerate."

Chen Shi, with one hand around Black Pot's neck, faced gloom, "I can't find any flaw, I don't dare to tell them the truth. Black Pot... I don't have any assurance against the Heavenly Venerate!"

He threw back his head, draining the wine from the jug, his eyes reddening.

"Lady gave me a ship, capable of carrying eight people to the Earth Immortal Realm, good brother, let's leave West Bull New Continent together!"