When did I start to think that showing off was unnecessary?
In the void, Wu Wang sat alone behind the chessboard, his body leaning to the left, the back of his hand propping up his cheek as he looked down at the great battle below.
He had joined the battle, but not completely. At the moment, he was maintaining the balance of the power of the Heavenly Dao, aiding the gods in suppressing the Candle Dragon.
The one in control does not need to charge into battle unless necessary. This way, not only can I conjure a sense of mystery around Eastern Emperor Taiyi, but I can also minimize the Spiritual Power expended in the process of suppressing the Candle Dragon.
The Candle Dragon. On the earth below, its dark dragon body was like the most indestructible thing between Heaven and Earth.
The Grand Heavenly Cycle Formation composed of hundreds of Divine Spirits; the full suppression by several Strong Gods; the encirclement and interception by the powers of water and earth; the all-out surge by Human Emperor Shen Nong—all of these joined forces, yet only managed to temporarily hold down the Candle Dragon.
Even with the 'mortality' trait granted by Xiong Ming, the God of Death, they still couldn't reach the Candle Dragon's kill threshold. Moreover, that divine body, fused with the Dao of Chaos, even seemed to grow stronger as the battle raged on.
The Candle Dragon had been tricked by Emperor Shun once again. It had effectively sacrificed its Divine Soul and the Dao of Yin Invasion to the higher-level Dao of Chaos. At this moment, the Candle Dragon was the envoy of chaos, representing the chaotic side of the balance between movement and stillness, chaos and order, in this world.
Wu Wang reflected silently.
The Heavenly Dao had scoured the entire Great Wilderness World eight times, and every trace of Emperor Shun had been thoroughly erased.
Even if I wished, I could simply allow the Blood Sea to spread out a little further. Then, I would be able to erase the memory of Emperor Shun's existence from the hearts of all beings and gods.
There was, of course, no need for such action; it's just that I could do it.
Within the Great Wilderness World, among the gods of the Eastern Wilderness, some Divine Spirits had their Divine Souls controlled by Emperor Shun. Wu Wang seized the opportunity when the Head Manager and his Young Master gathered troops to lay siege to the Eastern Wilderness. He had already 'precisely cut out' the Divine Souls of those old gods.
By the way, when my Young Master duels and fights, she is exceptionally transcendental, ranking among the best in splendor.
At this moment, the situation in the Eastern Wilderness had stabilized.
Xihe was placed under house arrest by the Head Manager. She did not resist the Celestial Court's suppression of the Eastern Wilderness, only clinging tightly to the last remaining Golden Crow, refusing to let go.
By the way, in the Moon Palace, Chang Xi is now sitting dazedly under the laurel tree, her expression somewhat vacant.
The Heavenly Dao had begun to hint to Chang Xi that reincarnating and starting over might be a good choice.
As for whether this hint would take effect, that will depend on Chang Xi's own enlightenment.
Thus, about an hour passed.
Wu Wang saw that the Heavenly Gods from the Outer Sky had officially joined the siege against the Candle Dragon. Although they were only circling the outskirts and launching attacks from the battle's edge without a decisive effect, they were still contributing.
If not for the need to prepare for the great calamity in the future, I wouldn't have bothered so much.
Glancing at the Eternal Profound Ice in his sleeve, Wu Wang channeled a wisp of Spiritual Power and began to summon his mother back from this state of 'self-defense.'
This was a communion between Great Daos, and it indeed took some effort.
A wisp of mysterious Dao charm enveloped his mother. This Dao charm was all too familiar to Wu Wang; it came from a Great Dao that would only manifest in the future, named Taiyi, originating from the Eastern Emperor's Bell.
The Bell was indeed constantly guarding his mother and Jingwei.
At this moment, I am somewhat unclear whether I am pursuing a perfect conclusion, or if the Bell Spirit is chasing a perfect story about its master. Or perhaps, the Bell Spirit's obsession with perfection is just a reflection of another 'bitterly victorious me' and the persistence deep in my heart.
In the void of the Outer Sky, Wu Wang's gaze rested on Liuli City. The Bell Spirit was floating up and down next to Jin Wei's Divine Soul, seemingly whispering something.
With a thought, their conversation flowed into Wu Wang's mind.
Jingwei was admiring, "The Candle Dragon is so strong! Even with so many Strong Gods attacking, it can still counterattack continuously."
The Bell Spirit replied boastfully, "That's just a drizzle; it's nothing! This is because my master wants to train these Innate Gods. At this moment, he's watching from the void and hasn't intervened directly.
"If my master made a move, HMPH!
"I estimate he could squash the Candle Dragon within four hours, or maybe six..."
The last part of her sentence lacked conviction.
Jingwei chuckled lightly, then sighed with emotion. "A dream in the Outer Sky has allowed me to understand him more. I know it hasn't been easy for him, and I can empathize with the difficulties he has faced on this journey. After all, I wasn't able to help him much. Deep down, I find myself wanting to call him 'brother' even more."
"Lady Jingwei, please don't scare me!" Zhong Ling hurriedly said. "The affection between you and Master must be the pure love of a married couple!"
"Hmm... marriage and such, that's for later. As for his feelings on the matter, I... I haven't heard him say directly."
At this moment, Jingwei must have looked bashful and timid, her pretty cheeks tinged pink.
"You are often Master's spiritual support, you know."
"Is that so?"
"Of course it is!"
Zhong Ling giggled and muttered softly, "Even though it's across other parallel timelines."
"What timelines?"
"Ah, look! The Martial God is starting to trim the Candle Dragon's claws! As expected of the Martial God, he has quickly grasped the essential methods for fighting large creatures. The title of 'Head Claw Trimmer of the Outer Sky' belongs to none other than the Martial God!"
Jingwei's Divine Soul blinked, cooperatively changing the subject.
Zhong Ling's ability to change the subject seemed to be the only weak point among her many talents.
The fierce battle outside the city continued, while the city itself was desolate. Very few beings could witness the grand spectacle: 'Five Hundred Divine Spirits Subdue the Vile Dragon.'
Because the fight erupted within the 'Heaven and Earth Sphere' that Wu Wang had blasted into existence, creatures below the Transcendent Realm could only see a splendid fireworks display and hear a distant CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Deep within Wu Wang's mind, the two clear and ethereal female voices, each with its unique characteristics, were also continuously conversing.
They talked about everything under the sun, like old friends who had known each other for many years.
Wu Wang could clearly feel Zhong Ling's unconcealable respect for Jingwei. He then suddenly realized that the only one capable of crossing the various timelines was Zhong Ling herself.
Reality is singular; possibilities are parallel. The present 'reality,' though shaped and gradually brought about by Zhong Ling's constant adjustments, still holds Zhong Ling's emotional attachments from the timeline of her birth.
I seem to have always overlooked Zhong Ling's emotional needs.
Wu Wang stroked his chin in contemplation for a while, the back of his hand cradling his cheek. He looked down at the battle outside Liuli City, his thoughts drifting off to some unknown place.
Treating an old senior like the Candle Dragon this way... it's quite disrespectful.
...
"Why is this Candle Dragon so tough?"
During the battle, Shen Nong landed a punch on the Candle Dragon's forehead, making it stumble. He was himself thrown back by the rebound force, turning into a shooting star that streaked a thousand miles before he dashed back in the blink of an eye.
Shen Nong did not rush forward. Instead, he stood aside, pondering strategies to counter the enemy.
He could not yet say victory was assured, but it seemed within reach.
The Candle Dragon's frenzied struggles put the surrounding gods on the edge of danger. However, with the Heavenly Dao's power supporting them across the battlefield, the gods could now advance and retreat with composure and order.
What did the support of the Heavenly Dao's power entail?
Imagine having an endless reserve of Divine Power. A strong premonition would arise when imminent danger approached. When a fellow Innate God launched an offensive, one would experience a stroke of inspiration—even before one's Spiritual Mind could react, their divine body would have already executed a complementary strike.
Moreover, the three hundred and sixty Divine Spirits, positioned according to the Grand Heavenly Stars Formation and guided by the Heavenly Dao, constantly changed their positions with such precision that the formation exerted almost perfect power.
This was the support of the Heavenly Dao's power.
If one looked at it from another perspective, for the Candle Dragon to still grow stronger with battle while facing the Heavenly Dao and the collective strength of hundreds of gods... it truly lived up to its name as a supreme expert.
A single glance at the Martial God, wielding eight Divine Weapons, bloodied yet fighting valiantly against the Candle Dragon head-on, was enough to inspire the other gods. An inexplicable surge of passion would well up within them, making them yearn to join the fray and fight the Candle Dragon to the death.
The fear that once weighed heavily in their hearts was dwindling. The shadows that had loomed over their heads were now fading.
Some gods cried out the Candle Dragon's crimes. Some Transcendents berated the Candle Dragon's inhumanity. On the southwestern highlands of Liuli City, a group of Priests led the local populace in continuously chanting the Martial God's name. They bolstered him with the collective power of will from all living beings, adding a glimmer of light to the Martial God's strength.
Beneath Shen Nong's feet, layers of luminous circles emerged, his body shining with a radiance too intense to behold directly.
LISTEN TO THE WIND HOWL!
Behind Shen Nong, numerous strange visions appeared. His figure suddenly grew, and in a flash, he transformed into a thousand zhang tall. His Dao body radiated a dazzling light, as if it were about to explode at any moment!
Behold the Human Emperor's Dharma Form! Its face and seven apertures burst with golden light, its left hand held high as if grasping the firmament itself! Then, gripping a long spear in his palm, his divine gaze locked onto the Candle Dragon's neck, he plunged the spear down from the high sky.
The Martial God let out a loud roar, suddenly wrapped his arms around one of the Candle Dragon's massive claws, and yanked it violently to the left. This momentarily fixed the dark divine body in place as it tried to dodge. Hundreds of Divine Spirits in the sky bathed in endless starlight, and chains formed in an instant. Wu Wang waved gently in the void. The power of the Heavenly Dao pressed down, and the Dao of Heaven and Earth at the site of the fierce battle erupted once again, firmly suppressing the Candle Dragon.
Shen Nong's spear smashed down. The Candle Dragon's black blood sprayed for a hundred miles, its divine body staggering severely. But it quickly struggled, charging and biting at Shen Nong's Dharma Form.
Shen Nong suddenly inhaled. A ball of fire seemed to flicker on his forehead as his figure swelled once again. In this moment, before Shen Nong stood the ferocious, raging vile dragon. His feet were planted on the ground, drawing power from the Earth, listening to the voices of the Human race.
No, it was not just the Human race. All living beings within the Outer Sky—those dwelling upon the ground who had awakened their Spiritual Wisdom, understood guardianship, knew rites and teachings, and recognized the meaning of honor and love—all heard that deep call.
They looked toward the place where the Candle Dragon was trapped and being suppressed. Instinctively, they closed their eyes, responding to that call. Across Heaven and Earth, faint glimmers of light converged towards Shen Nong. They started as flickering dots, grew into trickling streams, and then solidified into mighty rivers and waves, surging and billowing, obscuring the sun and sky.
Shen Nong's towering Dao body grew more solid. His blows against the Candle Dragon became heavier, steadier, and more powerful, causing new cracks to spread across the immense, pitch-black dragon body.
The pinnacle of the Human Dao!
In the void, Wu Wang watched his father-in-law display his divine might, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Old Senior Shen Nong's ambition had been to overturn Emperor Shun's Heaven Palace. Since I took care of Emperor Shun, letting Old Senior Shen Nong vent some energy on the Candle Dragon isn't a bad pastime for his age. Besides, it'll give him more to boast about to the next Human Emperor.
"Hmm?"
Wu Wang suddenly frowned, his gaze focusing on the edge of the divine battle. Just beyond the Heaven and Earth blockade, the Goddess of Fortune, clad in a long black and white dress, was staring blankly at the scene within. Her eyes flickered between conflict and despair.
Wu Wang's finger flickered. The power of the Heavenly Dao silently enveloped the Goddess of Fortune as he made a quick deduction.
"Zhong?"
"Master, I am here!" Zhong Ling's response was quite swift.
Wu Wang asked directly, "Is Xiaolan's acquisition of the Way of Fortune one of the necessary conditions for overcoming the great calamity in the future?"
"Not at all," Zhong Ling replied slowly. "The role that Mistress Xiaolan fulfills can be taken by other Strong Gods. Do you remember the process you witnessed earlier, her rescue?"
"I remember."
Several images flashed through Wu Wang's mind.
Zhong Ling chuckled. "I cannot explain too much to you, or it will trigger a backlash from the Great Dao of Karma. You just need to make some deductions yourself."
Wu Wang nodded slowly.
He said, "In that case, let me try to save the Goddess of Fortune."
"Ha!"
Zhong Ling appeared before Wu Wang. Her semi-transparent girlish figure and slightly petulant expression made Wu Wang momentarily believe she was a living, breathing person.
Zhong Ling huffed, "So, we're going to have another Mistress, are we!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Wu Wang chastised with a laugh. "What dealings do I even have with the Goddess of Fortune? There are plenty of beautiful Divine Spirits in this world. Do I fall in love with every one I see? Don't slander the character of this Heavenly Emperor!"
"Who knows! I'm off to accompany Lady Jingwei!"
Wu Wang chuckled. "You two seem to get along quite well."
Zhong Ling giggled and vanished with a WHOOSH.
Wu Wang rose from the void. The surrounding table, chair, and cushion turned to dust, returning to nothingness. He looked down at his own form and took a step. Light and shadows shifted around him, and he found himself standing at the edge of the great battle. He spoke gently to the Goddess who was lost in thought not far ahead, "Goddess of Fortune, would you like to talk?"
The Goddess of Fortune's body trembled slightly. She didn't turn fully, only twisting her head slightly to see the young Heavenly Emperor behind her: simple black clothes, a tall and graceful divine body, a handsome face, and a confident, composed smile.
Wu Wang walked forward with his hands behind his back until he stood beside the Goddess of Fortune. He looked up at the scene of the gods besieging the Candle Dragon and inhaled a whiff of gentle fragrance.
"Your Majesty, Eastern Emperor." The Goddess of Fortune bowed slightly. "Are you not going to take action?"
"Let's give everyone a chance to train. I've already dueled too much in the Outer Sky," he said. "I owe you many thanks for your previous assistance, and for that Divine Art, 'All Enemies Suffer Misfortune.'"
"I was a bit reckless," the Goddess of Fortune said with a wry smile, her peach-blossom eyes filled with a faint helplessness. "Later, may I ask Your Majesty, Eastern Emperor, to bury my remains in a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters?"
Wu Wang fell silent for a moment.
"I might have a way to help you."
"My life is tied to the Candle Dragon's," the Goddess of Fortune said with a bitter smile. "This was a life-saving measure my mother put in place for me. I never expected it to become the predicament I must face now."
Wu Wang said solemnly, "I can help you sever this Divine Art."
"There's no need." A trace of confusion flickered in the Goddess of Fortune's eyes.
"I have existed for countless eons, and my heart has grown weary. To accept the Heavenly Dao's dominion again, to toil for it... I simply cannot bring myself to do it.
"Moreover, my Fortune Dao is inherently incompatible with the Heavenly Dao.
"Even if I survive today, misfortune will inevitably follow me.
"Now, I have only one question for you."
"Auntie, please ask."
"Ah!" Black lines seemed to appear on the Goddess of Fortune's forehead.
Wu Wang gestured to his sleeve, revealing his mother's true form—the Profound Ice.
A look of realization dawned on the Goddess of Fortune's face. She smiled, "You truly are my nephew... Cang Xue is fortunate to have a descendant like you."
"Auntie."
"Could you please not call me that!"
"Alright, Aunt," Wu Wang said, his eyes full of sincerity. "There's a much grander stage awaiting you. There are too many things in this world you haven't yet experienced."
"Ultimately, I am the Candle Dragon's daughter, just like the children of Emperor Shun."
The Goddess of Fortune smiled and continued, "Just because you don't mind, doesn't mean your subjects won't. Just because you wouldn't ostracize me, doesn't mean they wouldn't.
"Your Majesty, Eastern Emperor, I know you value relationships, understand righteousness, and possess a warmth many Innate Gods lack.
"But in this matter, please respect my choice.
"Besides, I have some grievances to settle with the Candle Dragon... for my mother's sake."
Wu Wang said no more, simply standing beside the Goddess of Fortune, watching the great battle unfold.
After a moment, he suddenly said, "You know, due to a misunderstanding, I resented you for a very long time."
"Oh?" The Goddess of Fortune asked, "Why was that?"
"As I said, it was a misunderstanding," Wu Wang smiled. "Is there anything I can help you with now?"
"Help me restore my Great Dao."
"Certainly."
As Wu Wang finished speaking, the power of the Heavenly Dao enveloped the Goddess of Fortune. Lotuses bloomed around her, her aura rapidly replenished, and pink petals materialized in the air. Her Great Dao was reviving.
"Aren't you afraid I might go and help the Candle Dragon?" the Goddess of Fortune murmured, a flame igniting in her eyes as bloody images flashed through her mind.
Wu Wang sighed. "Then I would have to consider myself a poor judge of character in choosing friends."
She pursed her lips, saying no more. Her eyes remained fixated on the Candle Dragon's head. She took a step forward, her form trembling several times as if she might retreat. Then, she suddenly slapped her own face and let out a choked growl from her slender throat. Her figure transformed into a beam of black and white Divine Light, hurtling straight towards the Candle Dragon.
"Candle Dragon! What exactly did Mother do to deserve what you did to her?!"
...
(Note 1: Chapter 414 plot point.)
