Chapter 975 - 60: Steps Within the Dao Light (Third Update)

Chapter 975: Chapter 60: Steps Within the Dao Light (Third Update)

Divine Emperor Zhong Shan’s question made everyone’s gaze gather on those few elders of the Zhuoyu Domain.

Only then did they come back to themselves. After the incident, Yan Quan died cleanly, yet the few of them hadn’t said a single word. This clearly didn’t fit common sense.

The ones who’d been called out finally stepped forward under the eyes of the crowd.

"Ahem, Divine Emperor Zhong Shan, with such a thing happening, my heart is also in turmoil and hard to untangle at this moment. Sigh..." One elder of the Zhuoyu Domain spoke first, then let out a heavy sigh.

He looked as if he didn’t know what to say.

Another one spoke as well: "It’s truly shameful that this matter actually happened like this. Yan Quan should never have used Fire Bath Heaven, which in the end harmed others and himself. His death is, after all, his own doing."

"Exactly. If Yan Quan hadn’t given rise to the intent to kill, he would probably still be alive right now." Yet another elder sighed.

Uh!

What the hell!

What just happened?

The reaction of the Zhuoyu Domain elders shocked everyone. Even Divine Emperor Zhong Shan slightly furrowed his brows, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Privately, the crowd had already started whispering.

"Are those Zhuoyu Domain elders all right in the head? Yan Quan is dead, and they’re still this calm."

"It really doesn’t feel right! Yan Quan is dead—going by the Zhuoyu Domain’s usual style, shouldn’t they be punishing the killer? How can they be saying something so reasonable?"

"It’s really off! There’s something wrong, something wrong—there has to be some problem in this. But what on earth is it?"

"The reaction of those Zhuoyu Domain elders is just too strange."

Since outsiders already sensed something off, how could Mu Qingge not notice?

She’d already prepared herself for how she would cross words with the elders of the Zhuoyu Domain, yet she hadn’t expected them to be so ’understanding and reasonable.’ This was simply abnormal!

Originally, she hadn’t planned to kill Yan Quan, because her goal was the Dao Light, not these petty grudges.

But Yan Quan wanted to kill her!

The moment that move Fire Bath Heaven came out, she felt the thick killing intent in it. If her Fire Spirit Root hadn’t mutated from Abnormal Fire, and if she hadn’t had the Flame Armor, she would already have ended up with the same fate as Yan Quan in that move.

So, at that moment, she decided to kill Yan Quan.

Since the other party wanted to kill her, how could she just offer up her neck? Who keeps their enemy around to celebrate the new year... Of course, if she could kill, she would.

Afterward, within Yan Quan’s magic, she used her powerful Divine Sense to comprehend the trajectory of the Laws within it and dashed off a high-imitative version of Fire Bath Heaven.

In truth, what she used wasn’t Fire Bath Heaven at all—it only looked like it.

However, because her Fire Spirit Root had mutated from Abnormal Fire, the Fire Spirit she summoned and the Power of Laws she controlled were much stronger than those of ordinary people with a Fire Spirit Root.

The special abilities that the Abnormal Fire Yuanyuan had once devoured—all of them were present in her flames.

That was how she silently killed Yan Quan.

After the fact, she had also planned out how to clean up the mess.

It was just that the reaction of the Zhuoyu Domain elders made her freeze for a moment. In her puzzlement, she also muttered in her heart: ’Well, that saves me a lot of trouble.’

"You all, are these your true thoughts?" Divine Emperor Zhong Shan spoke in a low voice, seeking confirmation from the elders of the Zhuoyu Domain.

Those few nodded seriously and replied in unison, "They are."

"Stewards!"

"Senior Qiu! Senior Hai!"

"Honored elders, how can you just watch Senior Brother Yan Quan die like this?"

The disciples of the Zhuoyu Domain were stunned, completely in a dazed state. Weren’t they supposed to wait for the elders to take charge and seek justice for them?

"Shut up!" One of the Zhuoyu Domain elders barked.

Another added, "Yan Quan first ignored the rules, and now that he’s died under his own magic, that’s also a lesson. You must not imitate him!"

The crowd was in an uproar!

All of a sudden, the same thought sounded in countless hearts: had the people of the Zhuoyu Domain turned over a new leaf?

"What trick are the people of the Zhuoyu Domain trying to pull?" Zhuang Shan frowned.

The Fourth Young Master slowly shook his head. He couldn’t guess what kind of play was being staged right now either.

Mu Qingge slightly furrowed her brows, her gaze drifting toward where Si Mo was. When she saw the smile at the corner of a certain person’s mouth, her eyes flashed, and she instantly understood everything.

"Very well, since you all have said as much. This emperor will go along with you—this round, Huan Yue’s Mu Qingge wins. Let the competition continue." Divine Emperor Zhong Shan spoke mildly. He lifted his hand and gave a casual wave; the arena that had previously been blasted full of holes instantly returned to its original pristine state.

’Such powerful Ice Element Law!’ Mu Qingge’s eyes abruptly narrowed, shock rising in her heart.

She had won; Li Chao and Yu Lv still had to continue.

However, after that brief bout between Mu Qingge and Yan Quan, when the crowd watched other fights, they all felt a bit bored.

In the end, this match concluded with Li Chao’s victory.

Now, Mu Qingge and Li Chao had each won one round, Yu Lv had lost one, and Yan Quan was dead. As for the next part of the competition...

"Hmm..." Divine Emperor Zhong Shan fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Since that’s the case, the three of you will fight over the top three." By that, he meant he had no intention of adding another person to fill the slot.

As soon as his voice fell, his majestic tone sounded again: "Mu Qingge, Li Chao, and Yu Lv will compete for the top three. Whoever wins two matches will be first place. The remaining two will fight one more round to determine second and third place."

The rules were already clear. Now that Li Chao and Yu Lv had already fought once, Mu Qingge could only fight each of them in turn. If Mu Qingge won both, then the remaining bout would be another match between Li Chao and Yu Lv. If Mu Qingge lost one, they would still have to fight again. In short, the one to win two rounds first would be the champion.

Yu Lv looked at Li Chao, then suddenly smiled faintly and shook his head. "I’m not your match. No matter how many times we fight, it’ll be the same. How about this—if I win against this Third Young Master of Huan Yue, I’ll take second. If I lose, I’ll take third. We won’t need to fight again."

What he said wasn’t without reason.

Li Chao thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Standing between the two, Mu Qingge took the initiative to say, "Who’s first?"

"I’ll go first." Yu Lv stepped forward.

Since Yu Lv had spoken, Li Chao withdrew a step, leaving the battlefield to them.

"Please." Yu Lv said to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge gave an almost imperceptible nod and likewise said to him, "Please."

The Wind Law suddenly rose on the arena. In an instant, it was as if a gale had descended, scattering the Power of Laws Mu Qingge had just gathered.

Mu Qingge raised her eyes to look at him, a trace of shock in their depths, along with battle intent.

She hooked her lips into a smile, Star Beginning Step flashing under her feet as she kept shifting position within the raging wind. At the same time the Wood Element Law unfolded, fusing with the Wind Law, adding weight to the wind and slowing down Yu Lv’s Magic.

Mu Qingge gripped the Linglong Spear, rushed in close, and didn’t clash Magic with Yu Lv, but instead did the opposite—initiating close combat. Yu Lv was startled, but didn’t panic; he quickly met her attack.

Their speed was extremely fast, their figures constantly shifting across the arena.

They weren’t competing in Magic, but in Close Combat Skills.

On the arena, two figures flashed nonstop. The spectators gradually pulled themselves out of the shock of Yan Quan’s death, drawn in by the battle before their eyes.

"Yu Lv’s speed is very fast. I didn’t expect this Huan Yue Third Young Master to actually keep up with him!"

"Yeah! This Huan Yue Third Young Master’s close combat style is actually this fierce as well. Huan Yue Domain really has produced quite a few good seedlings."

"Huan Yue Domain is originally the strongest existence among the Four Divine Domains. The Divines who enter East Divine Land, when they choose where to go, naturally all pick Huan Yue Domain. They definitely don’t lack talent."

Bang—!

A violent collision sent the two of them rebounding away.

Divine Emperor Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression unchanged.

"I lost." Yu Lv said calmly.

On the front of his chest, his robes still bore a black footprint. Meanwhile Mu Qingge’s body remained spotless, not even slightly disheveled.

This just... ended?

The crowd fell silent in surprise.

Then, that majestic voice sounded: "Mu Qingge wins one round."

It seemed Divine Emperor Zhong Shan had already acknowledged this result. How they fight on the arena is entirely up to the two combatants. Since Yu Lv had said he lost, then he had lost.

Who cares what they were actually competing in?

Yu Lv stepped back a few paces, looked at Li Chao and Mu Qingge, a trace of slyness flashing in his eyes. "I lost, so that makes me third place. This first and second place, I’ll leave them to you people of Huan Yue Domain to fight over."

Li Chao was stunned, then came to his senses.

But Yu Lv had already turned and stepped off the arena.

On the arena, only Mu Qingge and Li Chao remained.

Li Chao stood opposite Mu Qingge and said with a wry smile, "Looks like Yu Lv sincerely wants to see us make fools of ourselves."

"That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Qingge also wants to experience Eldest Young Master’s Cultivation Technique." Mu Qingge said with a smile. Li Chao had a Metal Spirit Root and a deep understanding of the Gold Law. Her own Spirit Roots also included metal, so in battling him she should be able to gain quite a bit of insight.

As long as there are gains, it won’t be a wasted effort.

However, just as she wanted to fight, Li Chao shook his head. "You’ve already fought two consecutive battles, whereas I’ve only fought once and rested one. My Cultivation is higher than yours; fighting you would be unfair."

Mu Qingge raised a brow, not understanding what Li Chao meant.

Li Chao restrained his expression and asked seriously, "Do you really want to take first place?"

Mu Qingge was taken aback. Although she didn’t understand why Li Chao was asking this, she still nodded honestly. Before, the top three were enough. But once she learned the difference between the top three, she started wanting first.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll forfeit this match and let you have it." Li Chao suddenly said.

"Why?" Mu Qingge asked in surprise.

Li Chao gave a faint smile. "The Elixir you gave me healed an old hidden injury I’ve had for years, and my Realm that has been stagnant for so long now shows signs of loosening. I’m choosing not to fight to repay you this favor. You don’t need to feel uneasy about it. You and I are both disciples of Huan Yue Domain; we’ll have plenty of opportunities to spar in the future. There’s no need to fight to the death in front of disciples from other Divine Domains."

His words carried two meanings.

One was repaying Mu Qingge’s favor.

The other was that he didn’t want people from other Divine Domains to watch them make fools of themselves.

Mu Qingge thought it over and nodded.

To be honest, the Gold Law was extremely solid, and the gap between her Realm and Li Chao’s was too great. At this moment she also had no confidence in defeating him. Since the other party proposed such a resolution, all the better.

"In the second round, Huan Yue’s Li Chao forfeits. Huan Yue’s Mu Qingge obtains first place in this Dao Debate!"

...

The result seemed unexpected, yet also felt reasonable.

Mu Qingge got what she wanted and took first place. What she cared about was what she could gain in ten days of seclusion within the Dao Light.

Once the competition ended, the hundred disciples of the Four Divine Domains, under the guidance of Zhong Shan Domain’s Steward, went to the place where they would bathe in Dao Light.

When she saw that beam of gold-silver light that seemed to rise from nowhere and fall to nowhere, Mu Qingge finally understood that the Dao Light lay within a small world, not within the Divine Land at all.

The Dao Light was like a waterfall, pouring straight down from above.

Mu Qingge tilted her head back and saw faintly discernible steps of different heights within the Dao Light.

The leading Steward said to her, "You are this session’s first place. Everyone’s bathing height in the Dao Light will be determined by you. Once you enter the Dao Light, however far you can go will be the end point. The others will have their positions set according to your height. Second place will be two layers lower than you, third place five layers lower, and the remaining people will be ten layers lower."

He paused, then added, "If you can’t even reach ten layers, starting from fourth place, everyone can only sit here at the very bottom and bathe in the afterglow of the Dao Light."

’So first place comes with this kind of responsibility!’ Mu Qingge was a bit surprised, but she didn’t object.

Being able to choose the height herself was a result that delighted her.

Without any extra nonsense, Mu Qingge stepped into the Dao Light and, under the gaze of the remaining ninety-nine people, began her climb within it. It’s worth noting that with Yan Quan’s death, one slot had opened up, and in the end the beneficiary was a disciple from Zhong Shan Domain.

Upon entering the Dao Light, Mu Qingge immediately felt herself enter a Void state. Everything around her seemed to vanish; it was as if she stood at the beginning of the primordial cosmos, before heaven and earth had split. In front of her there was only a staggered, crisscrossing flight of steps stretching upward without end.

Mu Qingge began her climb.

In the eyes of those outside, they saw Mu Qingge within the Dao Light, calm and composed as she ascended, step by step, layer by layer. In just moments she had already reached the Eighth Layer.

The accompanying Steward from Zhong Shan Domain watched in silence. He knew that the higher the layers within Dao Light, the harder it became; after the Eighth Layer, each additional layer was like ascending to the heavens.

He was very curious to see how far this dark horse of the Dao Debate could go.

"The Ninth Layer!"

"The Tenth Layer! That was close—at least we won’t be stuck bathing at the bottom."

When Mu Qingge stood on the Tenth Layer, the disciples of the Four Divine Domains outside the Dao Light couldn’t help letting out a sigh of relief.

But the Steward from Zhong Shan Domain frowned in puzzlement, feeling that Mu Qingge’s climb seemed a bit too easy. What he didn’t know was that climbing these steps relied primarily on Divine Sense.

And Mu Qingge had been tempering her Divine Sense with the Divine Strategy Middle Volume all along. Her Divine Sense had long since grown powerful enough to rival that of a Saint Realm Divine Emperor, so naturally the ascent felt easy.

"I heard that the highest layer climbed in history is the twenty-third."

"There are ninety-nine layers in total here, right?"