Chapter 226 Sage Shangqing Takes Action
As the giant sword was swung, the terrifying black crack continued to advance. In an instant, it arrived beside the Nine Heavens Tribulation. It was like a gigantic maw, ready to devour it.
However, the Emperor's Shadow was the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, its strength unfathomable, far surpassing ordinary Quasi-Saints, and rivaling the top-tier Great Divine Powers of the Primordial Era. How could it fear the Innate Sword Dao?
Whoosh whoosh whoosh…
Heavenly Dao power flowed within the Emperor's Shadow's purple eyes, emitting nine beams of tribulation light, drawing upon the thunder of the Nine Heavens and all kinds of tribulation energy, transforming into a vast celestial domain, blotting out the sun, pressing down upon the giant sword.
Rumble!
Terrifying shockwaves resounded, the surrounding void collapsed layer by layer, and the sky above the North Sea shattered completely; nothing remained except the giant sword and the Emperor's Shadow.
One side, aided by the very essence of heaven and earth and embodying the insights of countless sword cultivators, possessed immense power; the other, secretly aided by the Heavenly Dao, gathered endless thunder and countless tribulation energies, vast and boundless.
Thus, the two sides clashed, locked in a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand.
"Still not enough?"
Feng Zichen frowned, watching the Innate Sword Dao locked in a stalemate with the Heavenly Tribulation in the air.
Originally, the power of the Heavenly Tribulation was limited; once the 108 bolts of heavenly lightning passed, its power would be exhausted. This Heavenly Tribulation would then be over.
However, the very essence of heaven and earth had given the Innate Sword Dao a boost, causing the Heavenly Dao to secretly amplify the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, making its power inexhaustible.
If the Innate Sword Dao wanted to overcome this Heavenly Tribulation, it could only shatter the Emperor's Shadow above, completely destroying the Nine Heavens Realm.
However, looking at the situation above, the Innate Sword Dao was completely evenly matched with the Emperor's Shadow, neither able to gain the upper hand, and there was no hope of shattering it.
Moreover, the power of the origin of heaven and earth cannot manifest in the world for long. If it continues to drag on, it will be extremely detrimental to the Innate Sword Dao.
Once the power of the origin of heaven and earth dissipates, the Innate Sword Dao will be no match for Emperor Ying, and its only fate will be destruction.
At that time, unable to survive this tribulation, the Innate Sword Dao will completely vanish and cease to exist in the primordial world.
.........
"Innate Sword Dao? How interesting!"
"This child is truly talented!"
"It's a pity he is not from my school!"
On Kunlun Mountain, after learning about Feng Zichen's origins from Taiqing Saint, the Shangqing Saint couldn't help but give him a deep look, sighing with regret.
This person's opportunities are truly heaven-defying. If he could join his Jie Sect, he would surely cause the Jie Sect's fortune to soar, surpassing the other three sects and flourishing in the primordial world.
Of course, the Shangqing Saint was not the only one who thought this way. At this time, the Yuqing and Taiqing Saints also had this idea.
Furthermore, as a direct descendant of Pangu, Feng Zichen was clearly more suited to inherit their mantle.
Under their tutelage, becoming a Grand Luo Golden Immortal was certainly within his reach. Taking him as a disciple would be incredibly beneficial.
Unfortunately, the Three Pure Ones lacked this destiny.
When the Taiqing Daoist attained sainthood, he wished to take Feng Zichen as his disciple, but Feng Zichen refused. The Taiqing Saint wasn't angry; he simply smiled and didn't insist, planning to consider the matter of taking a disciple later.
However, things changed too quickly. In the blink of an eye, Feng Zichen became a direct descendant of Pangu, a primordial god-demon.
Now, taking him as a disciple was much more difficult.
How could Nuwa possibly let someone go!
"Sigh!"
"Unexpectedly, Junior Sister Nuwa got a windfall."
The Shangqing Sage withdrew his gaze from Feng Zichen and said with some envy.
Indeed, Nuwa did nothing, simply staying peacefully in the Nuwa Palace, and yet she gained a direct descendant of Pangu. How could anyone not envy her?
Humanity was created by Nuwa and is inherently inextricably linked to her.
Therefore, no matter what form Feng Zichen transforms into, his connection with Nuwa is unbreakable.
Because without Nuwa, there would be no human race, and certainly no Feng Zichen. How can the grace of creation be so easily severed?
Not to mention, Feng Zichen received Nuwa's remote transmission of teachings in his childhood. He also received Nuwa's help repeatedly on his cultivation path, forming a profound karmic bond with her.
Considering all this, it's even more impossible to sever his connection with Nuwa.
Logically speaking, if a human wants to become an apprentice of someone from another race, they must first obtain Nuwa's consent before performing the apprenticeship ceremony and establishing a master-disciple relationship.
However, the human race is vast, and cultivation is difficult. If everyone had to obtain Nuwa's consent before becoming an apprentice, it would not only be troublesome for Nuwa but also cause considerable trouble by wasting time and missing opportunities to become an apprentice.
Therefore, this seemingly reasonable practice has never been truly implemented, and Nuwa has never cared.
But strictly speaking, becoming an apprentice without Nuwa's consent is, in principle, invalid.
This is especially true for someone like Feng Zichen, who has a deep connection with Nuwa. If he were to become an apprentice without Nuwa's consent, not only would it be invalid, but he would also incur significant karmic debt.
For sages, who are untouched by calamities and untainted by karma, there are few things in the world that can threaten them.
And karma is one of them!
This object will not cause them any harm, but it will affect their cultivation, preventing them from progressing.
This is the most fatal thing for a sage. To be unable to advance on the path of cultivation is no different from death!
Therefore, once a sage forms a karmic bond with someone, they will try every means to resolve it, so as not to hinder their own cultivation.
The two sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, were unable to resolve their karmic debt to Hongyun Daoist and feared it would affect their own cultivation. That's why they stood by and watched Hongyun perish when he was in danger, thus resolving the karmic debt.
The Shangqing sage didn't want to owe Nuwa a karmic debt, which is why he uttered such a lament. Of course, even if he were willing to incur a karmic debt, Nuwa might not agree.
After a moment of reflection, the Shangqing Daoist's expression suddenly turned serious. Gazing at the Innate Sword Dao above the North Sea, he murmured,
"The Innate Sword Dao is now facing a calamity that obstructs its path, and its fate hangs in the balance." "As the master of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, and wielding the Qingping Sword and several other innate spiritual swords, I cannot remain indifferent. I must lend a helping hand!"
With that, the Shangqing Sage first retrieved the Qingping Sword from beside him, then successively took out the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, the Immortal Trapping Sword, and the Immortal Annihilation Sword—four innate killing swords—from the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.
"The Innate Sword Dao has rendered great service to the Primordial World and is of great use to all living beings; it should be Stabilished!"
"Innate Sword Intent, go!"
The Shangqing Sage pointed at the five innate divine swords beside him. Instantly, the five swords shone brightly, and innate Daoist energy flowed around them.
An unparalleled sword intent erupted, soaring straight into the heavens, shattering the clouds above Kunlun Mountain.
(End of Chapter)