Qing Ling had no intention of lending the treasure to Kun Peng before their encounter.
It was only after their battle that Qing Ling understood Kun Peng sought not just another spiritual treasure, but the Great Dao itself.
For ancient ancestors like them, a single spiritual treasure perfectly attuned to their Great Dao was sufficient. Other treasures were merely incidental.
Kun Peng valued the Great Dao of Water within the Xuan Yuan Banner, not the treasure itself.
This was why he dared to lend the treasure to Kun Peng.
This spiritual treasure could not remain in the Blood Sea at present.
As for Qing Ling himself, his Great Dao attuned treasure was Jian Mu.
More spiritual treasures were merely adding embellishments.
Zhen Yuan and Hong Yun, standing behind Qing Ling, showed him even greater reverence. Zhen Yuanzi even secretly erased Qing Ling from the records of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
In the world to come, not a single trace of him would remain on the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
Qing Ling said to the crestfallen Ming He, "No matter how good a spiritual treasure is, it is not the fundamental essence.
Ming He, do not forget your original intention!"
Ming He’s mind wavered, and he nodded in agreement. He had indeed become too engrossed in spiritual treasures!
But he couldn't be entirely blamed. Thirty-six layers of Dao restrictions on a congenital spiritual treasure were truly enticing.
Qing Ling turned to Zhen Yuan and Hong Yun. "You two, accompany me deeper into the Netherworld!"
The two bowed. "We shall gladly accompany you!"
A bridge of light formed beneath Qing Ling's feet, and he was about to leave the Blood Sea.
Suddenly, the Blood Sea churned with great waves, and a blood-red light shot into the sky.
A handsome youth, a long saber on his back, with eyes as scarlet as fire, clad in red, stood tall and straight, his spine as unyielding as a blade.
His red short sleeves revealed muscles imbued with immense power. He was like a ferocious beast.
Or like a peerless treasured blade, honed through countless battles, its mere presence exuding lethal intent!
The youth's stern aura caused the void for thousands of miles to tremble.
"Zhan Shen," hidden within Qing Ling's Dao Realm, also trembled slightly.
"Elder Brother!"
The youth's deep, magnetic, yet cool voice startled Qing Ling.
Qing Ling looked at Qi, whom he had not seen in many years. If not for that address, the youth before him bore no resemblance to the chubby-cheeked child he once knew.
He sighed gently. "Qi, are you willing to return to Xi Shan with me?"
Qi shook his head. "Elder Brother, it is not yet time."
"You are now a mighty being, you need not remain in the Blood Sea."
"No, the Da Luo realm is far from enough."
Qing Ling shook his head. "The path to the Great Dao cannot be solely achieved through slaughter.
Even if you walk the path of killing and hone your blade, there must be a limit. Beyond that limit, you will only descend into madness."
Qi's scarlet eyes flickered slightly. "Then, if I were to become a demon, would Elder Brother kill me?"
A trace of guilt flashed in Qing Ling's eyes, but his tone was unyielding. "Then I would enter the Primordial Demonic Lands and directly destroy your demonic source. The notion of becoming a demon would be but a fantasy."
Qi remained silent for a moment, then turned and plunged back into the Blood Sea.
Seeing this, Ming He also hastily retreated into the Blood Sea. He had guided Qi onto the path of the Great Dao, albeit excessively.
He recalled the youth who had slaughtered a million soldiers, the youth who had cleaved through a sea of corpses and mountains of bones, the killing intent that struck fear even into the Asura King of the Blood Sea!
If not for his innate divine authority and his early emergence, perhaps the progenitor of the killing path would have been someone else!
Qing Ling looked at the calmed waters of the Blood Sea, his expression solemn.
Although Qi had broken through his limits to achieve Da Luo, this Qi was not the one he remembered.
Yet, without being born amidst blood, Qi would have faced the Five Decays of Heaven and succumbed to tribulation. Even if he could protect him for a time, it would not be for a lifetime!
After a long while, the腥风 of the Blood Sea blew back, bringing a sense of clarity.
Qing Ling sighed. "Let us go."
Zhen Yuan and Hong Yun naturally did not ask further questions and followed closely.
Beside the terrifying and eerie Blood Sea lay a sea of flowers.
The blood rivers branching from the Blood Sea wound around the Yellow Springs of the entire Underworld, as well as the Forgetfulness River leading to reincarnation. On the island at the confluence of these three rivers stood the Palace of the Underworld Lord, housing the supreme treasure, the Three-Life Stone.
In the Underworld Lord's palace, only the Black and White Impermanences remained, all other ghostly servants having been dismissed.
Upon seeing Qing Ling's arrival, the Black and White Impermanences were overjoyed and bowed respectfully. "Black and White Impermanences pay respects to the Underworld Lord!"
Qing Ling smiled and shook his head. "Rise. It is rare indeed for you two brothers to steadfastly guard this vast Underworld Lord's palace."
The Black Impermanence said, "My brothers once swore that whether in heaven or earth, whether in ancient times or the present, we would only obey the Underworld Lord!"
Qing Ling sighed. "Since you two have kept your promise, I shall not treat you poorly.
Henceforth, you brothers may cultivate beside the Three-Life Stone."
The Black and White Impermanences' faces lit up with joy, and they knelt to express their gratitude. "Your Excellency's immense kindness, Black and White Impermanences shall not disappoint you."
Qing Ling nodded and gestured to Zhen Yuan and Hong Yun. "You two fellow Daoists, be guided by them on a tour of the Underworld's scenery."
"Yes!"
"Thank you, senior."
Qing Ling watched them depart and then turned towards the Three-Life Stone. A cold glint appeared in his eyes. "Who are you? How dare you trespass upon my Earthly Dao?"
Amidst a patch of shore-hmp flowers by the Three-Life Stone stood a figure.
The figure was that of a middle-aged man, his temples grayed, clad in a dark robe, appearing as if untouched by the dust of the world.
The robed figure smiled. "My apologies for the intrusion. Dao Master, please do not disturb others."
Qing Ling took a step forward, positioning himself beside the Three-Life Stone, and faced the newcomer.
Though the other's aura was as faint as dust, Qing Ling could still sense him within the Earthly Dao.
This robed figure was at least a supreme mighty being of the thirty-third heaven!
Qing Ling scrutinized him for a moment and said, "It would be best if you revealed your origins, otherwise, the Earthly Dao is not a place for you to linger."
The robed figure could not help but chuckle, shaking his head, then sighing, he slowly spoke, "Primordial God of Chaos, Tai Li."
Qing Ling's heart jolted. During the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, Tai Shen and Tai Mo had been annihilated. He had not expected another Tai Shen to be so deeply hidden!
"Qing Ling, greetings, fellow Daoist."
Tai Li smiled. "As I expected, I judged correctly. A mere 'fellow Daoist' distinguishes friend from foe."
Qing Ling felt a sense of relief. This person had appeared in the Earthly Dao so discreetly, living in seclusion between heaven and earth. He was naturally not aligned with Hong Jun. Since the other recognized the term "fellow Daoist," he must be of the same path.
"May I inquire, Daoist Tai Li, what business brings you personally to the Earthly Dao?"
Tai Li's tone was heavy. "I am about to embark on a long journey, and thus have come to inform Daoist of certain matters."
"Please, proceed, Daoist."
"Although you are the Lord of the Earthly Dao, heaven and earth are in opposition. Yet, you must also consider the broader picture!
Hong Jun's Heavenly Dao unifies all, and though it has seized the destiny of all under heaven, it has thereby gained the ability to protect all beings in heaven and earth, to protect the Primordial World.
After all, the Primordial World still faces many enemies from beyond!"
Qing Ling's heart stirred, and he asked, "What exists beyond the Primordial World that could threaten it?"
Tai Li sighed. "The Three Thousand Divine Demons!"
"Were the Three Thousand Divine Demons not annihilated by the Great God Pangu?"
Tai Li cast him a glance and said calmly, "The Three Thousand Divine Demons are manifestations of the Dao. As long as the Great Dao endures, the Divine Demons will never perish!
Perhaps after eons of time, the Great Dao will once again conceive new Three Thousand Divine Demons from the depths of chaos.
At that time, not only the Primordial World, but even we, the surviving Divine Demons, will face a fully restored version of ourselves.
Therefore, the conflict between heaven and earth, and between all Daos, is natural. However, to contend with measure and to curb selfish desires is magnanimity.
Among all Daos under heaven, only the Earthly Dao still has a sliver of a chance to contend with the Heavenly Dao, which is why I speak to you."
Qing Ling's mind was greatly shaken. After a long silence, he asked, "Are your words known to all Divine Demons?"
Tai Li chuckled lightly. "Do you doubt my words?
There is no need.
The Primordial World belongs to Pangu's Primordial World, not to Tai Li's Primordial World, nor Hong Jun's Primordial World, and certainly not to the Three Thousand Divine Demons' Primordial World.
Whether the Primordial World exists or perishes is of little consequence to us Divine Demons.
It is merely that we, the surviving Divine Demons, wish for the Primordial World to endure, so that when we face our future selves, we will not be entirely the same."
Qing Ling's brow furrowed, and he asked, "Are there worlds beyond the Primordial World?"
Tai Li shook his head. "There are none.
Unless a being more powerful than Pangu were to create heaven and earth, a world similar to the Primordial World would not be born from the primordial chaos.
The withered and flourishing Tai Shen stole Hong Jun's good corpse, hindering Hong Jun's attainment of Hunyuan, which allowed me to linger in the Primordial World for a longer period.
Now, the Four-Nine Yuan Hui is approaching, and Hong Jun is about to achieve the Dao. The Primordial World can no longer accommodate me.
It is time for me to depart."
Qing Ling asked, "Where in the chaos will you go?"
Tai Li sighed. "Naturally, to the periphery near the Primordial World, where we can create our new world by borrowing the plane of the Primordial World, and thus not be suppressed and schemed against by the Heavenly Dao."
Qing Ling looked puzzled. "Will the Heavenly Dao permit it?"
"Naturally, it will. When we Divine Demons create worlds at the edge of the Primordial World plane, it is akin to guarding the borders of the Primordial World.
The Heavenly Dao will not only not obstruct us, but it will also provide us with the power of worlds," Tai Li said with a hint of resignation. "After all, we are the losers."
Qing Ling felt a pang of emotion and bowed. "Thank you for informing me, Daoist Tai Li."
Tai Li waved his hand. "Just one word: the Heavenly Dao and the Earthly Dao are not irreconcilable. Do not truly provoke the Heavenly Dao to the point of wanting to kill you.
The Heavenly Dao can destroy all the Divine Demons of the heavens and all the Daos in the world, so how could it truly not be able to destroy the Earthly Dao?
Heaven and earth coexisting is the true path."
Tai Li sighed, and after saying these words, he seemed to have aged several years.
With one hand behind his back, Tai Li strode away. Behind him lay scenes of the profound secrets of heaven and earth, the magnificence of the ancient era, and the unfolding events of the primordial age.
He left behind for the beings of the Primordial World only his departing figure, nameless and without a title.