Chapter 408: Earth-Fire Darkening, Water-Fire Fulfilling!

"The demonic path of water qi, the monstrous path of fire qi!"

Hearing this, Wang Ping couldn't help but narrow his eyes, though he felt little surprise. If anything, he had been mentally prepared for this for a long time.

After all, what good could come from mixing with water qi?

Even though back in the Zhaoming Realm, it had played the innocent victim so convincingly.

It claimed its fall to such a state was entirely the Living Buddha's fault, putting on a pitiful act of how fire qi had treated the Living Buddha as its own, giving endlessly, only to be abandoned in the end.

Yet Wang Ping hadn't believed a single word. After all, they both cultivated the Immortal Dao. Who was truly pure and innocent? How could fire qi not have schemed against the Living Buddha? Impossible. And the Living Buddha cutting ties couldn't have happened overnight. The two sides must have fought both openly and in the shadows, only for fire qi to ultimately lose.

Now, Yi Xuangong had offered his version of events.

Wang Ping felt this was likely the closest to the truth. He immediately asked, "What profound mystery allows fire qi to swallow lineages, and how does it augment itself?"

"Put plainly, it is nothing special."

Yi Xuangong explained, "Since you are the Dao Child of water qi, Fellow Daoist, you should be aware of the Immortal Dao's eight great transformations and doctrinal struggles centered around the Heavenly Honored One's Nine-Word Mantra."

"The matter traces back to the first transformation—when the 'Sorrow' lineage was eliminated. That doctrinal struggle was fire qi's first attempt. They supported the newly born 'Transformation' lineage, helping them overthrow 'Sorrow' and accomplish the great deed of dismantling the old and establishing the new."

"From then on, the 'Transformation' character became the orthodoxy."

"And the 'Sorrow' character was eliminated."

"However, of these two great lineages, one received fire qi's sponsorship and shone brightly because of its fire, while the other was eliminated by fire qi, serving as the kindling to fuel its flames."

"In essence, both only served to feed the fire qi, allowing the great figure orchestrating everything to take another step forward. He was the greatest victor of that doctrinal struggle."

"Having tasted the marrow, that great figure thirsted for more. Thus, when destiny emerged, fire qi immediately pivoted to support the newly born 'Tribulation' lineage. Exploiting the 'Transformation' lineage's trust, fire qi turned on them at a critical moment, eliminating 'Transformation' and establishing 'Tribulation' as the master, reaping the greatest benefits once again."

"The later rise of 'Destruction' followed the exact same pattern."

"Qi-ingesting and qi-nourishing were no exception. Relying on the accumulations from the previous transformations, that great figure directly became the first True Person among the qi-ingesting practitioners during the doctrinal struggle!"

"Thus, qi ingestion flourished."

As a qi-ingesting practitioner, Yi Xuangong had not been affected by the lifespan-seizing nature of Qi Refining, living through a long expanse of time. He shockingly revealed a secret buried deep in history:

"However, it was at this very moment that a monumental error occurred."

"The Living Buddha was born."

Saying this, a hint of profound satisfaction flickered in Yi Xuangong's eyes. "He was a truly mighty figure. His natural talent, comprehension, and shrewdness were all of the absolute highest caliber."

"As a mere lower cultivator, I have no way of knowing the exact process. But regardless of how it happened, the Living Buddha ultimately broke away and founded the Brahma Nation. He did not become fire qi's kindling, nor did he add to its glory. Instead, he severed a portion of the Li Trigram and took it with him. Fire qi's accumulations from multiple transformations were exhausted in a single day."

"Only then did it fall to its current state."

"Of course... the Brahma Nation isn't any good either. It was a dog-eat-dog fight that ultimately left both sides heavily injured, and both that great figure of fire qi and the Living Buddha passed away."

"Since then, immortals have been nearly extinct."

"It wasn't until the Great Rebellion emerged and the Human Emperor stabilized the realm—only to vanish like a fleeting night-blooming cereus—that three Immortal Decrees appeared, manifesting supreme immortal might once more."

His voice trailing off, Yi Xuangong looked at Wang Ping.

"Fellow Daoist, do you think fire qi, with such a tarnished track record, is worth it?"

"..."

Wang Ping didn't answer. His thoughts had already drifted in another direction. The First Seat... Looking at it this way, fire qi accepting her most likely serves an ulterior motive as well.

This was not a good thing.

Of course, Yi Xuangong's words weren't necessarily the complete truth. He was, after all, merely a lower cultivator, not a majestic existence who had actually participated in those grand events.

A lower cultivator's perspective was always somewhat biased.

Immediately after, Yi Xuangong continued, "Therefore, I believe fire qi is not worth it, and the Dao Lord cannot pin all his hopes on it either."

"That is why, when Fellow Daoist Xia Qinghou came knocking on behalf of the Protector Courtyard, I chose to take him in. I wanted to plan an alternative way out for the Dao Lord. However, since the Dao Lord didn't expel Fellow Daoist Xia Qinghou and tacitly approved of my actions, it shows that the Dao Lord also agrees with my line of thought."

Hearing this, Wang Ping secretly shook his head.

In his view, this Dao Field sect master thought a bit too highly of himself!

I'm afraid contacting the Protector Courtyard and seeking an alternative path was that ancient Dao Lord's plan all along. He's simply using Yi Xuangong's identity as a lower cultivator to carry it out.

That included Xia Qinghou.

Wang Ping looked at the Yaoming Pot in his hand, his gaze shifting slightly. This is Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang, after all. How could his placement of pieces on the board be so casual and simple?

At this thought, a sudden realization struck his mind:

This chess piece wasn't played for the Dao Lord.

It was played for me!

The Daoist Master was telling Wang Ping that he was also participating in his life tribulation, playing a part in this grand scheme—making sure Wang Ping knew of his presence within the tribulation.

As a result, Wang Ping had to consider one question:

Was this True Person a friend or a foe?

And it wasn't just Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang. There was also the fire qi lineage. After Yi Xuangong's recounting, his trust in fire qi had similarly wavered.

If his trust in fire qi was shaken, what about the water qi cooperating with it?

Was it worthy of trust?

In extreme scenarios, his own True Monarch... might very well turn out to be his enemy!

Take Xianfu, for example. Wasn't his life tribulation enemy originally Daoist Master Xuanxiao Yingyuan, who had supported him? It was just that they had turned from enemies into friends in the end.

This was a game of chess, a struggle revolving around himself as a piece on the board.

Every faction has its own schemes. All of this is being shown to me. Who is my enemy, and who is my friend? Is there anyone else still hiding in the shadows?

Fuck!

Thinking back and forth, Wang Ping felt as if his head was about to explode. He simply felt this damned life tribulation was far too treacherous. He couldn't tell who was who! He really couldn't tell!

After a moment of such chaotic thoughts, Wang Ping suddenly took a deep breath. He activated Golden Sea Desiccation, dragging all stray thoughts out of his sea of consciousness.

In an instant, his mind was clear and refreshed.

That's right. There's no need to agonize over it, or rather, it's not the time to agonize yet. Every faction is still laying out their boards. At a time like this, how could a mere chess piece like me see the full picture?

If he could see the full picture, he would be a chess player himself.

Therefore, what he needed to do now wasn't to try and guess the thoughts of those higher cultivators—that would be too arrogant. He should first accomplish the things within his immediate reach.

For instance—

"The destruction of the Dao Field."

Wang Ping raised his head, looking at Yi Xuangong once more. "Senior, you have said so much, yet you still haven't explained why you want me to sit back and watch the Dao Field be destroyed."

Yi Xuangong: "..."

This kid was too good at grasping the main point. He had revealed so many secrets in succession, yet Wang Ping hadn't been fooled, still clinging stubbornly to the crux of the matter.

It was true. Whether it was the secrets of the monstrous fire qi path, or the tale of the Living Buddha and the fire qi, Yi Xuangong hadn't lied. But in essence, they were all simply means to change the subject, to avoid Wang Ping's question. He didn't want to answer why he was willing to watch the Dao Field be destroyed.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring; he had to fire.

If he didn't answer now, Wang Ping was highly likely to kill Xia Qinghou outright. If that happened, it would cut off the Protector Courtyard, severing the retreat path of earth qi.

Weighing his options, Yi Xuangong could only sigh.

"...Because of Earth-Fire Darkening."

Rumble!

Before Yi Xuangong's words even faded, the previously bright grand hall was instantly plunged into darkness. The light was broken, and Wang Ping abruptly raised his eyes.

The Kan Trigram was reacting.

Extreme danger!

Yes, from a mere name alone, Wang Ping felt as if he had been thrust into mortal peril, as if countless monsters and evil spirits were lurking within the darkness.

This was absolutely no ordinary name.

For a mere name to cause the Kan Trigram to shift... it's a cosmic alignment!

Wang Ping's heart trembled violently, while Yi Xuangong continued to narrate, "Light sinking into the earth, Ming Yi. In times of adversity, one must veil one's own light, governing the masses by using darkness to achieve clarity."

Every word was a pearl of wisdom.

Every character spoken from Yi Xuangong's mouth felt like a heavy iron hammer smashing into the darkened hall, ultimately manifesting into a tangible Daoist theorem:

"The destruction of the Dao Field is exactly 'light sinking into the earth.' Only when the lineage reaches its darkest point can it resonate with this cosmic alignment. If our lives alone can buy a broad and smooth path for the Dao Lord, then there is nothing wrong with that. Moreover, compared to the path provided by fire qi, having an additional choice is undoubtedly better."

Wang Ping looked up. "What path... did fire qi offer?"

"...Water-Fire Fulfilling!"

As Yi Xuangong spoke again, the darkness rapidly receded. The yin and yang qi of heaven and earth swarmed in to replace it, manifesting the brilliance of water and fire and illuminating the hall completely.

"Water over fire, yin and yang fulfilled. Prosperity. The firm and the yielding are correct and in their proper places; the matter is completed. However, if it halts, chaos will follow, and its path will inevitably reach a dead end. One must anticipate peril and take precautions."

"Fire qi hopes the Dao Lord can make the Dao Field glorious once more. Furthermore, it seems to have discussed another major matter with the Dao Lord. By accomplishing that major matter, it intends to create the imagery of 'completion' to resonate with Water-Fire Fulfilling. I don't know what that major matter is, so I can only seek the answer from you, Fellow Daoist."

It was suddenly crystal clear!

Wang Ping closed his eyes, allowing the Daoist knowledge within his sea of consciousness to be stirred. The resonance from two cosmic alignments was enough to rupture an ordinary cultivator's sea of consciousness.

Fortunately, he had utilized Golden Sea Desiccation.

With all stray thoughts emptied out, he could efficiently organize the many profound principles Yi Xuangong had spoken of. After a long while passed like this, Wang Ping finally opened his eyes again.

So that's how it is. No wonder he has the mood to chat with me here. He must have realized from Water-Fire Fulfilling that water qi is also involved in this...

He certainly knew what the "major matter" Yi Xuangong spoke of was.

To kill the Master of Secret Traces!

The Dao Lord was teaming up with the two True Monarchs of water and fire in an attempt to lure out the Master of Secret Traces and kill him. Such a monumental event was enough to resonate with a cosmic alignment.

Yi Xuangong probably won't like this answer.

After all, this meant hunting down a Bodhisattva. Furthermore, teaming up with the two True Monarchs of water and fire was like asking a tiger for its skin. It was actually extremely dangerous for that ancient Dao Lord.

Because no one knew whether the two True Monarchs of water and fire would conveniently finish off the Dao Lord as well after killing the Master of Secret Traces.