Mu Changqing’s expression was calm. After a moment, he spoke.
“Dao Ancestor, if you don’t awaken now, when will you?”
As the words fell, all was silent, and heaven and earth entered a state of stagnation.
Immediately after, endless brilliance pierced the sky, tearing through this world and the starry expanse.
Light and darkness illuminated all sentient beings in the universe.
The Postnatal beings seemed to fall under his control.
Three thousand distinct supreme primordial Dao rhythms flowed out, tearing through eternity, cascading like the Milky Way from the nine heavens, pouring madly into the coffin.
Rumble!
In an instant, heaven and earth shattered, and stars exploded like fireworks.
Bang!
Following this, the coffin, vast as a star, cracked open, and a hand with skin like gnarled old roots emerged from it.
Crack!
The entire coffin split apart and exploded into pieces.
Amidst the boundless Dao rhythms, a figure clad in a somewhat faded Daoist robe emerged.
With a slight wave of his hand, all the myriad phenomena of heaven and earth vanished and converged upon him.
Within his eyes, three thousand primordial Dao rhythms pulsed, as if he were the master of the three thousand Great Daos.
“Have you succeeded?” Mu Changqing asked calmly.
At this moment, the Dao Ancestor’s aura had undergone a complete transformation compared to before. Although his appearance had not changed, he exuded an unfathomable sense of transcendence. If the Dao Ancestor’s original form was merely a barren universe, then the current him was more like a universe brimming with infinite immortal spiritual energy, supreme fortune, and a prosperous era.
The Dao Ancestor nodded slightly with a detached expression upon hearing this.
“Rest assured, I already know your purpose. I will act shortly and will not disappoint you.”
The Dao Ancestor spoke with the demeanor of an otherworldly expert, detached from worldly affairs, exuding an invincible confidence, much like the Human Ancestor.
Mu Changqing’s eyelids flickered. Just as he was about to speak, the Dao Ancestor’s demeanor shifted dramatically. He revealed a slightly lewd expression and said with a fawning smile,
“How is it? Am I like that old fellow, the Human Ancestor? Heh heh, pretending all day long, he really has a certain gravitas, doesn’t he?”
Mu Changqing’s expression darkened, feeling speechless. Even after recovering his former peak power, or even surpassing it, this fellow could not shed his true nature. While Mu Changqing was unsure if this was intentional or his inherent disposition, anyone who could cast aside the dignity of a powerful being at any moment was no simple individual.
Subsequently, Mu Changqing, too lazy to dwell on the Dao Ancestor’s words, spoke directly.
“To what extent have you reached now?”
Upon hearing this, the Dao Ancestor’s expression gradually became serious. After a slight ponder, he looked up at Mu Changqing and said,
“I will not disappoint you. Even when facing the Demonic Ancestor and the Human Ancestor, I have no fear.”
“But…”
“Hmm? But what?”
“I fear the Heavenly Dao might interfere. Even if the Heavenly Dao has not fully recovered and cannot act, it still has many subordinates.”
The Dao Ancestor sighed lightly. Before Mu Changqing could speak, he continued,
“The Heavenly Dao is the ruler of the Primordial Chaos. Innumerable years have passed since the era of the Emperor’s Fall. What it has planned, we do not know. What terrifying means it still possesses, we also do not know. Therefore, are you truly planning to face them head-on this time?”
Internally, the Dao Ancestor was more inclined to remain within the heavens and not emerge. After all, whether it was the Demonic Ancestor, the Human Ancestor, or the subordinates of the Heavenly Dao, none were simple beings and possessed terrifying, unknown methods.
Mu Changqing cast a nonchalant glance at the Dao Ancestor, his terrifying aura subtly emanating, evoking fearsome phenomena.
In an instant, the Dao Ancestor’s expression shifted slightly, and his body involuntarily retreated several steps. Such a terrifying aura was overwhelmingly dominant, as if it were the master of all things, demanding submission.
“Dao Ancestor, it is not for you to question my actions. You only need to obey my orders. If you dare to harbor any ill intentions, do not blame me for being ruthless.”
As the words fell, Mu Changqing’s figure slowly vanished, leaving only an echo.
“Tomorrow, we go to the Heavenly Court to jointly attend the Grand Meeting of the Innates.”
After Mu Changqing’s aura had completely disappeared, the Dao Ancestor finally awoke from his momentary terror. He rubbed his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat, with a helpless expression and sighed.
“Still as overbearing as ever. But… your aura is becoming more and more terrifying. Even if I recover my peak strength, facing you, I cannot help but feel a tremor of fear.”
Murmuring to himself, the Dao Ancestor shook his head helplessly. He understood that he had no choice. If he did not go all out this time, Mu Changqing would certainly not let him off. Facing the current Mu Changqing, he would rather confront top-tier Innates like the Human Ancestor and the Demonic Ancestor alone.
Upon returning to the Heavenly Court, Mu Changqing went directly to the world of Empress Xuanyue. Stepping into it, the place lacked excessive embellishments. The starry sky adorned the heavens, and a bright moon hung in the sky, like white frost, casting its light upon the sea of stars. A clear, pale blue sea of stars, with the bright moon overhead. Begonia flowers, scattered by the wind, floated on the sea of stars. Begonias grew in the sea of stars, and immortal boats drifted on the bright moon.
On an immortal boat, Empress Xuanyue, clad in a white silk and glazed long dress, reclined lazily with her bare jade feet resting on the edge of the boat. Her dark hair cascaded freely over her fair, translucent shoulders. She held a wine pot in one hand, drinking immortal wine alone. With her other hand, she leisurely caressed the sea of stars. Occasionally, cranes would cry out and land on the immortal boat.
This scene perfectly matched the ancient verse: “Drunk, I knew not the sky was on the water; my boat, filled with clear dreams, pressed down the starry river.” Her serene and leisurely demeanor made it impossible to associate her with the high and mighty Innate beings. It was as if she were merely a transcendent immortal dwelling outside the world.
Mu Changqing’s appearance did not surprise Empress Xuanyue. She continued to drink alone under the moon, teasing the spiritual beasts in the sea of stars. Mu Changqing’s figure traversed space and gracefully landed on the immortal boat.
“You are indeed different from other Innate beings. You are without desire, unrestrained and at ease. It is quite interesting.” Mu Changqing brushed his long robe and sat down on the immortal boat.
Empress Xuanyue smiled, a smile that could stun all, and said faintly,
“What, should Innate beings be cold-blooded and heartless, constantly plotting and scheming?”
Empress Xuanyue gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, adjusted her white silk dress that had slipped from her shoulder, and looked at Mu Changqing with a clear, cold gaze. She shook the immortal wine in her hand and said,
“Would you like some? I’ve always felt that the lives of Postnatal beings are more interesting. They have desires, emotions, and they know how to enjoy.”
After a pause, at Mu Changqing’s signal, Empress Xuanyue handed him the immortal wine and continued,
“Unlike Innate beings, who know not why they were born, plotting against all beings? Playing chess against heaven?”
Shaking her head, Empress Xuanyue leaned back lazily on the soft couch and continued,
“That is too uninteresting, a life too bland. For my entire life, I knew not what I sought. Only after you appeared did I find a goal. Perhaps witnessing your future brilliance can be considered a pursuit, a desire. What do you say?”
Hearing this, Mu Changqing took a long drink of the immortal wine and casually lay down on the immortal boat, savoring this rare moment of peace.
“Perhaps you are right. Life must have a pursuit, a goal, to have the courage to embark on the journey.”
“If one is truly without desire, then living is indeed meaningless. Witnessing the brilliance of others is a pursuit. As for my pursuit, it was to survive from the very beginning, struggling amidst life and death.”
“Later, I began to contend with mortals, then with immortals, then with Immortal Emperors, and finally, with Heaven. From then on, I discovered that perhaps controlling the destinies of all beings and burying all that is knowable is also quite interesting.”