A man arrived clad in a blood-red robe, his attire slightly disheveled. Three bloody claw marks marred his face. For a Quasi-Saint of his caliber, it was an exceptionally disheveled state.
This was no other than the Lord of the Nine Trillion Li Blood Sea, Ming He.
He heard Qing Ling's playful remark and quickly said, "Dao Master, when the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner first appeared, you said that once I achieved the status of a Heaven and Earth Great Power, I should return it to you.
But a few days ago, I sent someone to Bei Ming to retrieve the banner, and they were nearly swallowed whole by that old rascal Kun Peng.
So, I went to reason with him myself. I never expected this old fellow to show no mercy and fight me. Although I have already severed my evil self and am comparable to a Heaven and Earth Great Power, how could I be a match for this ancient, cunning monster?
Having exhausted all other options, I can only come to you for help! After all, my Blood Sea is within the Earthly Dao, and my Blood Sea is under your command. If this ancient monster Kun Peng acts this way, it's as good as disrespecting you!"
Qing Ling chuckled, "In the end, you just want me to get the spiritual treasure back for you, right? Kun Peng is a supreme power who achieved the Dao in the Primordial Era. Even I have to show him three parts of deference. How dare you fight him?"
Ming He remained silent, bowing his head as if receiving a scolding.
Seeing his demeanor, Qing Ling shook his head. "As the dignified Lord of the Blood Sea, you cannot lose your sharpness. I will retrieve it for you this one time. Whether you can defend it afterward depends on yourself!"
Ming He immediately beamed and said, "Thank you, Dao Master! Ming He understands."
Qing Ling nodded and murmured, "It is time."
He slowly rose and said, "Let's go. We'll take a trip to Bei Ming together."
Ming He respectfully agreed.
Qing Ling's feet glowed, and with a single step, he traversed trillions of miles. Though the Primordial World was vast, for a great power on the move, distance was merely a number.
Outside the colossal monument of Bei Ming, the sky was a canvas of falling snow, and the biting wind howled. Gradually, two figures emerged.
As they walked, Ming He grumbled, "Such a short distance, and yet not a single step? Why did we have to walk all the way?"
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Before arriving at another's dojo, to walk on foot is a sign of respect and courtesy.
If he does not come to greet me, then it is he who has lost courtesy. You achieved the Dao through killing; remember this and do not be too concerned with these trivial rites."
Ming He asked, perplexed, "Kun Peng is an ancient and eternal power. Will he care about such courtesies?"
"Whether he cares or not, once one enters the Purple Cloud Palace and cultivates the three selves, the Dao Ancestor's rites cannot be transgressed."
The two reached the massive stone monument. Qing Ling extended a finger, and a cascade of emerald light poured onto the Bei Ming Sea, suddenly bringing forth an image of spring warmth and vitality, with myriad trees reaching towards the heavens. This was a signal that guests had arrived from afar.
In the next moment, a piercing鹏鸣 (peng ming - roc's cry) echoed for ten thousand miles and approached. A handsome and upright man emerged from Bei Ming, his face contorted with displeasure. "This venerable one is currently in seclusion and cannot receive guests."
Ming He's face flushed with anger, and he was about to speak when Qing Ling said, "Then it seems Kun Peng Daoist does not want this Heavenly Roc's evil self anymore."
The man's expression changed. "This is Bei Ming, how dare you!"
Qing Ling flipped his hand and pressed down with a palm. Three thousand crimson threads appeared in his palm. These threads stretched for a hundred million miles, filling the heavens and forming a realm, enveloping the Heavenly Roc that had fled into the void. In an instant, it was suppressed within the realm.
"What is there that I dare not do?"
In Qing Ling's palm was a small world, within which the Heavenly Roc's evil self was suppressed by the Heaven-Mending Rope.
Ming He, witnessing this, couldn't help but think, "Truly, a ruthless person who speaks little."
The Bei Ming Sea churned, and a colossal palm suddenly tore through the void, approaching Qing Ling within three feet.
Qing Ling met it with a palm strike of pure white light, as radiant as jade. It appeared unhurried, but in reality, it moved with the speed of time, clashing with the incoming blow.
*Boom!*
The two palms collided. Qing Ling did not retreat a single step, but the immense power that diffused from the impact caused thirty thousand miles of land on the shore of Bei Ming to sink, including the large boundary marker.
Ming He couldn't help but exclaim, "A formidable technique!" So the Dao Master was this devious.
With his supreme power, his mastery of both pháp (dharma/techniques) and lì (strength) was already perfected. How could he have allowed such power to disperse?
This was clearly intentional. He not only destroyed the entrance to someone's abode but also shattered their signboard, yet he himself did not directly cause the destruction.
A voice filled with ancient power emerged, roaring, "Dao Master of the Eastern Wasteland, what great authority you wield!"
Qing Ling, however, was somewhat surprised because the true form of Kun Peng he saw was an old man with silver hair!
Yet, the aura emanating from the newcomer was undeniably that of the terrifying thirty-third heaven of Da Luo.
Qing Ling feigned no surprise and replied, "Daoist, you did not keep your promise and even slighted me. How then should I treat you with courtesy?"
Kun Peng suppressed his anger and said, "The Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner is not being withheld indefinitely, merely that it is still of some use.
Once my cultivation is complete, I will send it back to the Blood Sea."
Ming He retorted indignantly, "You have already broken your promise. How can anyone trust you?"
A fierce glint flashed in Kun Peng's eyes. "Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant.
I ask that Daoist return my evil self."
Qing Ling glanced at the Heavenly Roc's evil self in his palm and suddenly smiled. "It can be returned, but will Daoist not invite me into your abode for a chat?"
Kun Peng replied indifferently, "Today is not a suitable day for visiting friends and discussing the Dao. Daoist, please return."
Qing Ling's eyes twinkled with a smile, and he said meaningfully, "What if I said I understand a thing or two about your predicament?"
Kun Peng glanced at him sideways. "Though you have advanced rapidly, your understanding of the Dao is not profound."
Qing Ling looked at Kun Peng and slowly said, "But I have also seen the new opportunities within the Great Dao, and I have walked the path beyond the three selves."
Kun Peng hesitated slightly, but his attitude softened considerably. "Then I will trouble Daoist!"
Qing Ling smiled. "I am naturally willing to go."
With that, Qing Ling and Kun Peng stepped together into the depths of the Bei Ming Sea, leaving Ming He alone in the swirling snow, utterly bewildered.
*Wasn't the Dao Master here to help me reclaim my spiritual treasure? Weren't they on the verge of a fight just moments ago? Weren't they about to clash?*
*How did they end up walking together so quickly?*
Ming He found it utterly incomprehensible.
Within the Bei Ming Sea, Qing Ling and Kun Peng walked on its surface. Through the deep waters, colossal creatures could be seen swimming below.
Qing Ling spoke first. "Has Daoist embarked on the path of the three selves?"
Kun Peng nodded. "But I have also retained the nine great avatars from the Primordial Era."
Qing Ling extended his palm, retracted the Heaven-Mending Rope, and the Heavenly Roc's evil self flew out. Instantly, fierce winds erupted, like countless swords and blades swirling.
Kun Peng frowned and struck out with a palm, sending the evil self flying. "Retreat!"
The Heavenly Roc's evil self paused, then quickly fled afar.
Qing Ling smiled. "If I have guessed correctly, Daoist's evil self is the Primordial Wind, and your good self is the Primordial Water. These are within the three selves.
As for the nine avatars, they are the Dao of Daoist from the Primordial Era. These nine avatars were transformed from your scales and feathers, forming the foundation of Bei Ming."
Kun Peng's eyebrows twitched. "Daoist speaks the truth."
If he were to perish, then the nine avatars of Bei Ming would merge into a new Kun Peng Ancestor, which would also serve as his second life force.
Qing Ling continued, "Daoist is now walking the path of your ancient self and the path of the three selves concurrently.
However, the path of your ancient self is merely for self-preservation, while the path of the three selves has become your fundamental Great Dao."
Kun Peng nodded in agreement. "In my pursuit of transforming my Dao into the three selves, I have depleted a vast amount of my essence and spirit, leading to the descent of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, resulting in my current withered old age."
As he spoke, a trace of desolation appeared in his eyes. He thought of how he had meticulously planned since the Primordial Era, becoming one of the few supreme powers in the heavens and earth amidst the transformations of the myriad Daos. Yet, fate played its hand, and he could never grasp that sliver of Hun Yuan.
And those who followed in the Primordial World had already gained the opportunity to become Saints, their paths clearer than his, an elder. Naturally, his heart was filled with resentment.
Qing Ling also sighed with emotion. Was not his own situation similar to Kun Peng's?