The Blood Sea, western gateway to the Netherworld, had long been in Qing Ling's sights for incorporation into the Earthly Path. However, the seventeen Blood Heaven tribes were vassals of the Qilin clan, and the Blood Worm tribe were dependents of the Dragon clan. Neither of these situations afforded him the convenience to act directly. Thus, he thought of Ming He as his enforcer.
During the thirteen Yuan Hui, the Blood Heaven seventeen tribes, all Great Luo immortals, had once sought him out, even offering immense treasures in exchange for his intervention. Yet, Daoist Qing Xuan had refused. This was Qing Ling's directive. Although Daoist Qing Xuan possessed foresight, his heart was soft. Qing Ling's true self, while cold and rational, possessed a vision too lofty to perceive all sentient beings. The two complemented each other, their strengths harmonizing.
On the Blood Sea, Daoist Qing Xuan chuckled, "Ming He, this Blood Sea is ultimately yours, though not yet."
Ancestor Ming He's voice was cold, "Why?"
"Because the overlords of this realm are the Three Clans. If you were to control the Blood Sea without reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, you, as a local lord, would inevitably be oppressed by the Three Clans and forced to join one of them. Once you do, you will be embroiled in calamity."
"And if I am embroiled in calamity?" Ming He sneered, "Since I am destined for it, I shall end violence with violence, achieve my own freedom, and advance my path of slaughter."
Daoist Qing Xuan smiled faintly, but the curve of his lips held a distinctly mocking tone. "Ming He, you overestimate yourself. Do you truly believe you are beyond harm within the Blood Sea?"
Daoist Qing Xuan raised his head to gaze at the heavens. "The heavens have thirty-three layers, and beyond them lies more heaven. How can it merely be thirty-three layers high? A mere Great Luo dares to speak so boldly in an era where ancestors are everywhere and Dao Masters contend for supremacy? You will only drag the Blood Sea down with you, and only damage the destiny of our Earthly Path."
Ancestor Ming He's anger had reached its zenith. To hear more would be to ignite himself without needing a spark. "Are you viewing the Blood Sea as something within your grasp?"
Daoist Qing Xuan chuckled in disbelief, shaking his head. "The Blood Sea inherently belongs to the Earthly Path, it is not a matter of my opinion."
Ancestor Ming He seethed, "Then today, I shall learn about the power of the Earthly Path!"
A faint glint flickered in Daoist Qing Xuan's eyes. He sighed, "It seems I must revert to playing the villain. Although I consider the Earthly Path, I am also doing this for your own good, Ming He."
Ancestor Ming He exploded instantly, a sea of flames engulfing him and spreading outwards. The surrounding Great Luo immortals retreated, unwilling to be contaminated. The crimson flames burned eerily across the Blood Sea, and within the inferno, a red lotus bloomed serenely, like the king of flames.
Seeing this, Daoist Qing Xuan sighed, "The Karmic Fire of the Red Lotus is indeed terrifying. While I may not be able to defeat you, if my true form arrives, you will suffer far greater misfortune. Poor..."
Before he finished speaking, a bridge of time and space descended from the heavens. Without completing his sentence, Daoist Qing Xuan stepped onto the white bridge and vanished. Ming He, seeing this, was about to laugh, believing the opponent was all show and intended to flee. However, he saw that the white bridge remained, untouched, within the Karmic Fire of the Red Lotus. A figure emerged from the other end of the bridge.
As he clearly saw the newcomer's appearance, a sense of unease settled in his heart. Qing Ling stepped onto the bridge of time and space, standing at its highest point. He cast a cold glance at Ming He, remarking inwardly, "So young and impetuous." This was Qing Ling's way of treating Ming He as one of his own, given how few powerful beings the Earthly Path possessed, and how renowned Ming He was among them.
Ming He looked at the newcomer, a man of breathtaking handsomeness, yet felt as though he were a senior lecturing a junior. "And who might you be? If one cannot win, they call another? How utterly laughable."
Qing Ling's robes fluttered, his demeanor as chillingly indifferent as ice, causing the temperature of the Blood Sea to drop several degrees. Qing Ling beckoned, and three thousand red threads flew from his waist, like myriad chains, locking down an area of a hundred million li, encompassing even several Great Luo immortals of the Blood Worm tribe.
The elder's expression shifted slightly. "Luo Gong, this..."
Luo Gong reassured him, "It is fine. This senior is not one who kills indiscriminately. He is the true master of the Netherworld."
The assembled great beings were stunned, only then realizing that the powerful being who had crushed a myriad of sword lights moments ago was merely a clone. The Black and White Impermanence guards were also taken aback, but they respectfully bowed in salutation.
Ancestor Ming He felt a flicker of relief seeing his four Blood Generals remaining relatively composed, a testament to his teachings. Wu Mo transmitted, "My lord, the space of a hundred million li has been sealed. What shall we do?"
Ancestor Ming He chuckled, "It is of no consequence. He cannot kill me."
With that, the Karmic Fire surged, burning through the hundred million li of space and reaching the Heaven-Mending Ropes. Simultaneously, he drew his twin swords, slid his palms, drawing blood that merged with the blades, further enhancing their sword intent. The Abi sword was unleashed, exuding an aura of infinite terror, accompanied by vast purple light and the power of the killing path. The Yuan Tu sword was swung, unleashing boundless killing intent, manifesting the ultimate path of slaughter that could exterminate all beings. The twin swords alone seemed to imbue the heavens and earth with killing intent, striking towards the figure atop the bridge.
Qing Ling beckoned again, and a parasol slowly unfurled. Green lotuses bloomed everywhere, emitting a misty aura, their breath long and continuous. The parasol hovered overhead, a screen of green light, barely half a foot thick.
Subsequently, the two ultimate treasures of the killing path struck against it. The green light screen rippled, waves spreading like water. Yet, there was no sign of it breaking. The twin swords radiated terrifying killing intent, while the green screen possessed resilient life force, a constant interplay of life and death. The killing intent, though powerful and overwhelming, casting a pall over the world, was met by the inner, concealed life force within the light, which neither revealed nor exerted itself, not even a trace of its spiritual power leaking out or disturbing the natural order.
However, with Qing Ling at the center, the void within a radius of a million li collapsed. The fierce winds could not penetrate the space, which was shattered countless times by the infinite sword energy, resembling broken glass suspended in the sky. Not only did Ancestor Ming He's expression change drastically, but even several of the Great Luo immortals were somewhat astonished.
Luo Hua watched the figure who had once fought alongside her in disbelief. With great difficulty, she managed to speak, "The divine is not outwardly displayed, the magic does not disrupt the world, the Dao subtly hides within the grand era. This is the mark of an ultimate great being."
Luo Gong, regaining his composure from his shock, said, "Indeed. But this individual who has stepped into the ranks of such great beings has not been doing so for long!"
Ming He's heart was struck with apprehension, and he dared not act rashly. Ultimate great beings were the pinnacle of existence in the heavens and earth, masters of the Dao, masters of the world, masters of all Daos – legendary figures.
Qing Ling flicked his hand, and the bridge of time and space beneath his feet flowed, transforming into two white pythons that coiled around the Yuan Tu and Abi swords, instantly dragging them into the bridge and making them disappear.
Ancestor Ming He's face contorted. "Return my twin swords, and Ming He shall immediately withdraw, no longer disturbing you, senior."
Qing Ling glanced at him and uttered his first words since arriving at the Blood Sea. "Such a young age, wielding treasures and acting with impunity."
Ming He bristled with anger but dared not speak such insolent words again. He suppressed his rage and said, "It is I who have failed to recognize your esteemed virtue and have offended you. I beg for your magnanimity, senior."
Qing Ling looked at him again, but did not reply. Instead, he transmitted, "Ming He, Lord of the Blood Sea, disobeys the Earthly Path. Today, I shall suppress him beside the Three-Life Stone for thirty Yuan Hui, as a lesson to future generations!"
His consort, Wu Mo, immediately prostrated herself. "Senior, please quell your anger. It is I, your junior, who has failed to recognize your eminence. I beg you to show mercy."
Ming He roared, "Based on what?"
Qing Ling pointed a finger, and divine patterns suddenly appeared on Ming He's forehead. Within his body, a Rākṣasa flower seed rapidly grew, consuming his blood and spiritual power. Simultaneously, the will of the Earthly Path manifested on Qing Ling, and a beam of reincarnation light emanated from the Three-Life Stone, descending upon Ming He. Even the Karmic Fire of the Red Lotus could not impede it.
Ancestor Ming He's expression changed dramatically. He transformed into a thousand bloodlights, fleeing in all directions. However, the Heaven-Mending Ropes that enveloped the area contracted instantly. Not a single bloodlight escaped, all being drawn within. Wood Dao light appeared, and a radiant shore flower floated into view. Ming He was no more.
Qing Ling ignored the others. With a single step, the bridge of time and space flowed, and his figure vanished. However, from the head of the bridge emerged Daoist Qing Xuan. He looked at the shore flower and uttered the words he had left unfinished. "A pitiable child."
With that, he waved his hand and collected the flower. He glanced at the Black and White Impermanence, who, understanding the signal, quickly flew to his side. Daoist Qing Xuan took a step, ready to depart, but Heavenly Consort Wu Mo anxiously asked, "Senior, when will my husband return?"
Daoist Qing Xuan continued walking but replied, "Naturally, after thirty Yuan Hui. He is merely undergoing a period of hardship."
Luo Gong quickly inquired, "Then, senior, does my Blood Worm tribe belong to the Earthly Path, or to the Dragon clan?"
Daoist Qing Xuan paused but still answered, "The Blood Worms belong to the Blood Sea, the Blood Sea belongs to the Earthly Path, and the Earthly Path leans towards the Dragon clan."
With his words falling, and before anyone could ask further questions, the three figures vanished into the heavens and earth.
Returning to the side of the Three-Life Stone, Daoist Qing Xuan planted the flower seed beside it. With the power of the Earthly Path, it was now firmly suppressed. He chuckled, "You refused to heed my words. My true form is not as merciful as I am. If my true form had not come, you would not merely be suffering thirty Yuan Hui of quiet contemplation."
Ming He, trapped within the flower, was momentarily stunned, remaining silent for a long time. Daoist Qing Xuan then instructed the two beside him, "Remember to guard this flower well, and do not let it be harmed in the slightest. Water it with Yellow Springs water once every thousand years, and drench it with Forgetfulness River water once every ten thousand years."
The Black and White Impermanence heard this and promptly agreed. However, White Impermanence curiously asked, "Sir, he is not a spiritual flower that has taken human form. Why water it?"
Daoist Qing Xuan said meaningfully, "It is merely because he is ignorant of the vastness of the world that he must endure the suffering of the Three Paths. In the Primordial World, to exist without high cultivation is a sin. To possess supreme cultivation is to have the right to slaughter entire clans and destroy Daos. He had low cultivation but dared to defy the heavens. If it were not for my intervention among the Dragon clan, someone among the Twelve Dragon Elders would have already dealt with him. Even so, the great being from the Qilin clan who had once returned to the Blood Sea is still seeking him to settle the score, and by then, it might not be just one person."
Black Impermanence listened and said, "Sir is truly kind-hearted. He offended you so greatly, yet you still protect him like this."
Daoist Qing Xuan shook his head and smiled. "It is for him, and also for the sake of the Earthly Path. It is my true form's will that protects him, and my true form aligns with the will of the Earthly Path. Ming He provoked the Dragon clan and the Qilin clan. It would not be he alone who suffers, but the entire Blood Sea, and the Earthly Path as well. Now that he is with me, the Qilin clan, out of respect for the Dragon clan, will not come to demand his return. This debt and this enmity can only be postponed."
Black Impermanence, with his sharp intellect, asked, "So, the settlement will be after thirty Yuan Hui?"
Daoist Qing Xuan glanced at him, rose, and stroked a few fallen shore flowers. The flowers instantly withered and then reborn. Only then did he reply, "Some words are best kept in one's heart once known, not spoken aloud."
He had not hidden these words from Ming He, who could naturally hear them from within the flower world. Qing Xuan was not one to act benevolently and keep silent. Once an action was taken, it should be stated; otherwise, if others remain ignorant, it could lead to unforeseen repercussions.