"Yes, why?"
"Perhaps, because of compassion."
Ji Xiang sighed, his eyes holding a distant, profound color, reflecting the existence of this Supreme.
"All have reached the extreme of the world, yet for the sake of one or two matters, they fight to the death. Although I am unwilling to yield, and even eager for a fight, this does not mean I lack compassion."
"Moreover, your path and methods are of great use for my continued progress. In the techniques just now, I have glimpsed all your thoughts and the manifestations of your evolution. You have no secrets from me, and my Dao will only become broader. This act of compassion can be considered my repayment to you."
In the myriad phenomena world just experienced, the Supreme, in order to break free, continuously perfected the Supreme Dharma, while simultaneously evolving myriad phenomena and thoughts, extending them infinitely. All of this was obtained by Ji Xiang within 'One Realm'. Although not fully absorbed, the reflected scenes were eternal and unmarred, and the insights returned to Ji Xiang along with the myriad phenomena, sealed within his consciousness.
To the extent that Ji Xiang could now recreate a similar "Supreme Dharma," and this was obtained from the Supreme Wubai.
The Supreme understood Ji Xiang's meaning, but he was instantly filled with immense anger.
"Are you pitying me!"
"As a strong individual who has reached the extreme of the world, do I need pity from another strong individual?"
Ji Xiang: "You are merely a new thought born from a borrowed body, not the original Jiajing Emperor. For you, there are still many scenes and phenomena in the world to explore. You do not need to die here and become a ' tuyệt cảnh' (unique/final scene)."
"And your understanding is too little, far too little."
The Supreme's gaze swept towards the distant emptiness, where before 'One Realm', Mr. Gu had already transformed into a unique scene.
After a brief silence, the Supreme's anger did not diminish; instead, it surged higher:
"You wish to show me pity, calling it compassion?"
"This is charity, not compassion!"
As his words fell, boundless radiance erupted from his body. One Dharma transformed into a concrete manifestation, bursting forth from his form! The Supreme tore open his chest, and the brilliance born from the convergence of the Three Pure Ones enveloped the Supreme Dharma as it flew out. At this moment, the Supreme's thoughts dissipated.
"My thoughts are insufficient to bear my Dao and Dharma. You have won, you are the Supreme!"
The Supreme vanished. Ji Xiang watched this scene in astonishment. Although he could now utilize the myriad phenomena he had just acquired to restore the Supreme instantly, Ji Xiang did not do so.
He simply watched the Supreme's thoughts disappear, and as the Supreme Dharma fell into his hands, the Jiajing Emperor's thoughts also returned.
He was utterly bewildered, not knowing what had just happened. He had been suppressed by the Supreme's thoughts, and now, the Supreme's light was before his eyes. The Jiajing Emperor stared blankly for a moment, then became ecstatic.
But immediately, he saw whose hands held the Dharma.
"Beiji? Why are you here? Here... here?!"
As the Jiajing Emperor frowned, filled with extreme vigilance, he belatedly realized his surroundings.
Mr. Gu was gone, the hundred paths had vanished, and time itself had disappeared.
The surroundings were empty, neither void nor real.
No, time still existed. The Jiajing Emperor narrowed his eyes and saw, far, far behind Ji Xiang, a great expanse of time manifesting.
The New Era Time!
The evolution of time and the previous chaotic battle had completely ended!
The Jiajing Emperor's heart pounded. His thoughts spread out in all directions. He checked his body, confirming the demise of the Supreme's thoughts and the loss of the Human Dao Dharma Realm, but none of this mattered.
"True Immortal Beiji... no, Senior Brother? Is that the New Time?"
"The Supreme Dharma is in your hands, then... the Supreme has been slain by Senior Brother?"
The change in the Jiajing Emperor's address made Ji Xiang chuckle instantly.
Senior Brother?
Back then, when the Jiajing Emperor's avatar, Old Man Lei Xuan, first met him, because Ji Xiang had falsely claimed to be a Han Immortal, Lei Xuan addressed him as Senior Brother. This was a respectful term within Taoism for older cultivators, not necessarily fellow disciples.
The change in address also reflected the other person's attitude towards himself.
The Jiajing Emperor was ambitious. Now that all enemies had disappeared, although he didn't quite understand the current situation, Ji Xiang's reappearance and his settling of affairs meant that everything within the old time should also be concluded.
He had lost the power of the Three Pure Ones convergence and the Supreme Dharma, but the Jiajing Emperor let out a sigh of relief, because the Supreme Path he possessed was incomplete, and his cultivation was insufficient, leading to him being almost possessed by the Supreme's thoughts. This path was at least not viable for him at the moment.
Even as a True Realm of Heavenly Dao, there was such immense risk. The Jiajing Emperor decided to set this matter aside for now and proceed to the New Era Time.
Yes, setting aside the irrevocably lost Supreme Path, transcending the extreme of time also became a distant hope. The next thing to do was to head to the New Era Time.
And those cultivators in the Heavenly Heart Realm, they should not have arrived in the New Era Time yet. They would have to rely on the destiny-holders of the mortal world as vessels to cross to the next era, like pitiful and helpless refugees.
As for himself, who had already reached the True Realm of Heavenly Dao, the establishment of an unprecedented immortal dynasty was an foreseeable event.
The Jiajing Emperor looked at Ji Xiang, knowing that the primary task at hand was to persuade Ji Xiang to join his side.
"The Human Dao Dharma Realm is with Senior Brother?"
"Yes, do you want it back?" Ji Xiang asked deliberately.
The Jiajing Emperor laughed it off: "Senior Brother is joking. Junior Brother has no such intention. Refining the mortal world into a Dharma Realm was a last resort, after all, facing formidable enemies like Mr. Gu, even as a True Realm of Heavenly Dao, I could hardly cope."
Ji Xiang sneered: "You attacked the Underworld first, killed Tai Chi, then attacked Yuan Huang. It was your fierce assault on the Underworld and the destruction of the Tai Xu Treasure that caused Yuan Huang to summon Mr. Gu to descend. How can you say that you made the mortal world into a Dharma treasure specifically to deal with Mr. Gu?"
The Jiajing Emperor also laughed: "Senior Brother! These words are meaningless! If I don't attack the Underworld, will Senior Brother not? Senior Brother's non-aggression with Yuan Huang is only temporary. The Underworld has harmed the mortal world many times, and Senior Brother was already going to attack the Underworld. I was merely acting on your behalf. Why is Senior Brother so angry?"
"Now the Underworld has been dealt with, and the eighteen hells no longer exist. The Abi Hell has gone far away, and the Yin realm has been re-established as the Yin manifestation, perfectly suited for reorganizing the Tai Yin."
"As for Mr. Gu! If Senior Brother had gone to attack the Underworld, Yuan Huang would have summoned Mr. Gu at a critical juncture.
"Furthermore, by refining the Human Dao into a Dharma Realm, with countless beings within a single manifestation, with Senior Brother's abilities, going to the New Era Time and liberating these beings would be like living another life, wouldn't it be wonderful?"
Ji Xiang's smile remained undiminished, as if truly persuaded: "What you say seems to have some truth. The Underworld indeed needs to be dealt with, and Yuan Huang has not died. Now that Mr. Gu 'no longer exists,' and the Supreme has been destroyed by me, the Human Dao Dharma Realm has been reclaimed. It is indeed time to head to the New Era Time."
The Jiajing Emperor's eyes flickered, and he quickly said:
"In the past, during my Ming Dynasty, many storybooks circulated. They frequently mentioned a fictional power that governed the nine heavens and controlled the ten earths, bound the gods in the east and slew demons in the west, unified the immortal path in the north and sealed the gods in the south, manipulated wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, controlled the yin and yang of stars, possessed the land and mountains, presided over the central hub of heaven and earth, and cared for all worldly matters..."
Ji Xiang interrupted him, getting straight to the point: "It seems you want to establish a 'Heavenly Court'?"
"Indeed!"
The Jiajing Emperor became excited, attempting to persuade Ji Xiang:
"Now that the old time has ended, it is time to reorganize the grand manifestation of yin and yang. In the New Era Time, there will be no more mortal dynasties, but a Heavenly Court will be established to oversee all phenomena of heaven and earth. Gods, humans, ghosts, scales, feathers, and insects, all will be included!"
Ji Xiang feigned curiosity and asked: "Then, if a Heavenly Court is truly established, what position will I hold?"
"The Three Pure Ones are above the Heavenly Emperor. Do you want me to be the Three Pure Ones, or the Heavenly Emperor?"
"The Three Pure Ones are superior to the Heavenly Emperor, yet they are still nominally his subjects. How will you assign roles?"
Such directness immediately gave the Jiajing Emperor a sense of reassurance. He immediately began to speak volubly:
"Senior Brother's cultivation is profound. Naturally, you will be the Three Pure Ones. The Three Pure Ones are not subjects of the Heavenly Emperor, but above him, like gods above gods, with supreme and unattainable status. Moreover, Senior Brother has already merged the Three Pure Ones, perfectly fitting the name."
"If a Heavenly Court is established, heavenly laws will be set. Thus, the world will be initially pacified, and those Heavenly Heart Realm cultivators who arduously crossed over from the old time will also be enfeoffed one by one, giving them a place in the Heavenly Court and bringing them under control. Otherwise, the scenes of conflict among dozens of heavenly palaces in the old time will reappear."
"Abolish all those heavenly palaces, and let there be only one Heavenly Court in the world, with commands originating from the Heavenly Court. All Heavenly Hearts must obey and not harm the New Era Time. This will further prevent repeated conflicts for the sake of dynastic destiny, causing bloodshed and frenzied battles among the Heavenly Hearts."
The Jiajing Emperor's eyes gleamed. The more he spoke, the more impassioned he became. This new Heavenly Emperor would naturally be him. As the only True Realm of Heavenly Dao in the world, if he didn't occupy this position, those Heavenly Hearts wouldn't be able to either. As long as Ji Xiang was persuaded, those Heavenly Hearts wouldn't matter at all.
And the Heavenly Court was another path that the Jiajing Emperor envisioned, perhaps one that could once again transcend the extreme of time.
Myriad immortals coming to pay homage, myriad gods worshipping, myriad ghosts kneeling, myriad demons welcoming, myriad people offering sacrifices.
"You are thinking that this might be a new path to transcend the extreme of time."
The sudden voice brought the Jiajing Emperor's speech to an abrupt halt.
He looked at Ji Xiang in astonishment, completely unaware that his thoughts were exposed in Ji Xiang's eyes.
Ji Xiang nodded: "Heavenly Court... The masters of the grand manifestations in every old time are actually non-interfering with the evolution of the world. And you, presiding over the New Era Time as the Heavenly Emperor, will undoubtedly have the revered status of myriad immortals coming to pay homage and myriad gods worshipping."
"This way, 'end-of-the-road' individuals like Mr. Gu will no longer be born, because in this way, you are both the opener and the end-of-the-road person, gathering the power of all phenomena into yourself. Even a blade of grass, a single gust of wind, will worship you. Thus, although you are not the master of the grand manifestation, you can infinitely approach it."
"This way, even without the help of the Supreme Dharma, you, as a True Realm of Heavenly Dao, unconstrained by time, over a long period, after the next new era undergoes an extremely long evolution, might truly forge a new path for you."
The Jiajing Emperor was somewhat bewildered, but he quickly understood what Ji Xiang was saying. His expression trembled violently, filled with astonishment.
"The... the Master of Grand Manifestations?"
"You know about the realm of transcending the extreme of time?!"
The Supreme Path could no longer be walked, and the True Realm of Heavenly Dao stopped there. But at this moment, the title "Master of Grand Manifestations" was not difficult for the Supreme to understand, but the Jiajing Emperor had not yet heard this specific title.
"Of course, I know. The Supreme after the convergence of the Three Pure Ones is basically at this realm."
"You were possessed by the Supreme, which was actually a breakthrough. And your thoughts returned; this was the Supreme's compassion for you. He also left you his last thought, not completely destroying you. And you yourself, having lost the Supreme Path, have fallen back to the True Realm of Heavenly Dao."
The Jiajing Emperor's face showed intense ecstasy: "Then let's hurry..."
"Unfortunately."
Ji Xiang's eyes held pity: "You cannot go to the New Era Time."
The Jiajing Emperor froze.
Ji Xiang sighed: "The old grand time has long since ended, and the new grand time has opened. The master of this time has already been decided, and it is me."
"It's a pity. Although the old time has ended, the myriad phenomena within it are still in operation. The Master of Grand Manifestations said that the new era within the old time, without the evolution of grand manifestations, might be even more brilliant, even creating scenes that surpass the old world."
"But you, in your cleverness, refined the mortal world into a Dharma Realm, even encompassing all the heavenly Dharma Realms. As a result, immortals and gods were annihilated, ghosts and demons died, all thoughts turned to ash, and Fu Li was extinguished."
"You and Yuan Miao Great Sage, through words, summoned the deathly energy of time, causing all Heavenly Hearts to perish. You also fought with Mr. Gu, destroying the hundred paths, thereby completely severing the operation of myriad phenomena."
"Now, I will not kill you. I will take the Human Dao Dharma Realm to the Second Yuqing, which is the new grand time. And there, without past or future, without beginning or end, there will naturally be no place for you. You can only remain in the old time, within this old time where myriad phenomena have been severed."
The Jiajing Emperor stood there blankly. Ji Xiang "comforted" him:
"However, you need not worry. Although you have lost the Supreme Path and have been rebuked by Yuan Shi, the True Realm of Heavenly Dao still genuinely exists. Furthermore, because you have been rejected by Yuan Shi, you cannot regress in your realm, nor do you need to worry about falling back."
"The path ahead is not without a way. You can forge your own."
"Although the myriad phenomena here have been severed, for a True Realm of Heavenly Dao, they can be re-evolved. You only need to transform into 'Pangu' and once again create heaven and earth. Your blood will flow as rivers, your corpse will become mountains, your eyes will rise as the sun and moon, and your breath will return as wind, clouds, sound, and lightning."
"Using you, a single True Realm of Heavenly Dao, as the source, re-evolve myriad phenomena. In this way, after a long period of time, if you can survive and return, perhaps you too can become a Master of Grand Manifestations."
Ji Xiang's body disappeared as he finished speaking, taking all the relics of the old time with him. The brilliance of the new time gradually faded. The Jiajing Emperor had already fallen into a daze. After a moment of shock, he cried out madly and lunged towards the direction where the light of the new time was blooming!
"Wait... wait a moment!"
But no matter how frantically he advanced, he could never touch the light of the new time, because it was infinite, without beginning or end. Without a beginning, it could not be touched; without a first birth, there was no final end. Until the Jiajing Emperor watched the brilliance of the new time disappear into the old time, leaving no residual traces.
And here, the old time, which could have evolved into a new world, now lacked even 'time' itself.
The hundred paths were severed, all laws were extinguished, there were no phenomena, no objects, and no time.
It was as if heaven and earth had not yet been created, and the Xuan Xiang had just descended.
Heavenly Heart Realm cultivators could create Dharma Realms, and reaching the True Realm of Heavenly Dao made one almost omnipotent. This was real, but one could not "create something from nothing." The creation of a Dharma Realm, the phenomena within the Dharma Realm, were also evolved from the grand manifestations. Omnipotence was also generated by mobilizing those Daos from within the grand manifestations.
"I want to become the Heavenly Dao, to be Pangu myself, I want to... die again?"
To advance further, one had to evolve myriad phenomena, but in evolving myriad phenomena, one would perish, gradually being stripped away by the myriad phenomena.
Missing one step, why could even the True Realm of Heavenly Dao not re-complement the myriad phenomena?
What step was missing!
"Mortal world! Mortal world! My time!"
The Jiajing Emperor's thoughts continuously spread out, just like the Supreme back then, spreading out infinitely, trying to salvage everything.
He fell into madness, shouting loudly, repeating his words:
"New Era Creation! Heavenly Court Creation! I am the Heavenly Emperor!"
"Even without myriad phenomena and sentient beings, I am the Heavenly Emperor! I am the Heavenly Emperor of the only existing old time! I can still communicate with the heavens above, the divine heavens' methods are still here, I will surely succeed!"
........
The Jiajing Emperor was eternally trapped in the old time. Before arriving at the new time, Ji Xiang plucked one person from the residual phenomena of the old time.
The Zhaoming World appeared, and he behaved extremely respectfully.
"You are not dead yet. Although the lineage of Confucianism was altered and no longer exists, the cultivators of Yuqing still remember these matters. This means you still exist."
This was the same as the disappearance of Primordial Heavenly Lord. Primordial Heavenly Lord had merely disappeared, not ceased to exist entirely.
"I..."
This was also the first time the Zhaoming World saw Ji Xiang. Before, he had only seen the Qing Yang, who resembled Ji Xiang. He wanted to say something, but Ji Xiang said:
"The Four Manifestations within the New Era Time have not yet been completed."
"Qing Yang is the cause and method, Ling Bao is the past."
"You, then, shall become the 'Future'."
The Zhaoming World was greatly terrified and hastily called out to stop him. He knew that the Ji Xiang before him was by no means the Qing Yang he had seen before:
"Your Excellency, please wait! I am willing to manage the historical records for you! Confucianism still endures and can bring peace to the world again..."
Ji Xiang responded indifferently: "No need."
"Within the Second Yuqing, the New Era Time is without past or future, and naturally, there is no historical record."
As his words fell, Ji Xiang reached out and lifted the Zhaoming World for the second time. The latter instantly transformed into a manifestation, which Ji Xiang tossed into the New Era Time. The Zhaoming World then returned to its original meaning. The so-called Zhaoming was a hope for the goodness of the world, the so-called "World of Light."
"The Heavenly Changes Scripture, the Earth's Form Unchanged, the Sun and Moon Shine Bright, the Constellations Are in Their Proper Places!"