A Hollow Victory and a Mad Ambition

“Yes. Once the Realm War is over, I’ll prepare for the Empyrean Tribulation,” Ji Ning sent his voice to her. His original plan had been to wait until the Heartforce Soul Nourishing Art was perfected before attempting the tribulation, as that would give him the greatest confidence. But a plan could not keep pace with the changing world. This time, his Heartforce had risen from the third level to the fourth level—a qualitative transformation.

A powerful Heartforce made the ‘Heartforge Tribulation’—the part of the tribulation that tested the soul—even more dangerous.

Since he had reached this point, there was no need to delay any further.

“If I’m not mistaken, you haven’t just broken through to the Pure Yang True Immortal stage. You’ve broken through in Heartforce as well,” the Seven Radiance Empyrean God sent back.

“Mm,” Ji Ning admitted the truth.

When he had unleashed his full power, commanding the Karmic Punishment Deity alone to hold back and suppress a Daofather Puppet, he knew it well—any cultivator in the Three Realms with true vision and experience would have been able to guess the truth. To secure the final victory in this Realm War, and to slaughter the Seamless Gate freely, Ji Ning did not care about revealing his strength.

What mattered was that the revelation had value.

And now…

It was extremely valuable.

“So many of the Seamless Gate have died,” the Seven Radiance Empyrean God said with a sigh as she stood by his side, looking out at the endless wilderness covered in the blood of Immortals and demons. Countless corpses were scattered across the battlefield, along with magic treasures that had been dropped by the fleeing army.

“Not enough,” Ji Ning said calmly, also looking out. The army of the Crimsonbright Realm was busy cleaning up the battlefield, gathering their spoils of war. The enemy had broken and fled, and naturally the Crimsonbright Realm forces had seized every moment to pursue and increase their kills. They hadn’t had the time to torment the surviving Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals or fully collect the treasure.

“Fall back!”

After a long time, the command of Daofather Crimsonbright echoed across the battlefield.

“Haha…”

“Time to go back.”

“Heading back!”

“What a pleasure!”

The sound of joyous laughter was everywhere. The warriors of the Crimsonbright Realm were wild with excitement and relief. The entire army, clustered around the Karmic Punishment Deity of Ji Ning and the Seven Radiance Empyrean God, began their triumphant return to the Eight Dragons Cloud City.

While the Crimsonbright Realm was filled with euphoria, the Seamless City was shrouded in misery. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

The losses had been too tragic.

“Alas.”

“This time, really…”

Apart from the three Devouring Mountain Demon Gods, all of whom had survived the battle, the six Demon Gods of Tonglian Mountain had lost four; of the nine Cloud-Cloud Fairies, only the youngest survived, while the other eight had fallen in battle… Bai Ji True Immortal, Sanyang Empyrean God, Qishou Empyrean God, Wanmo Cave Lord, Bloodcloud Manor Lord, all of them had died on the battlefield. Only Qinghu Gate Leader, skilled at escape, had managed to survive.

If all of the Empyrean Gods and True Immortals on their side were counted, including the Evergreen Sword Immortal, only eleven remained alive.

As for the other Fiendgods, Celestial Immortals, and lesser Immortals…

The casualties were incalculable.

“Tragic.”

Those fortunate few who had survived counted themselves lucky to be alive, but a deep sorrow lingered in their hearts.

In the main hall of the Seamless City, the surviving Empyrean Gods and True Immortals were gathered. All of them sat in silence.

Daofather Ink Bamboo gazed down at them. When his eyes swept over the Evergreen Sword Immortal, there was a trace of coldness in his gaze. He said calmly, “This Realm War… we have lost.”

The atmosphere grew even heavier.

“However, there are always winners and losers in war. We have fought Realm Wars several times now. We have won before, and we have scattered their armies, slaughtering them mercilessly,” Daofather Ink Bamboo said calmly. “This time, it was merely a war within a single one of the myriad realmverses. Those of you who have survived have your own means. The Seamless Gate and the Nuwa Alliance will continue to struggle. I will still need you to do battle for our Gate.”

“Yes.”

The Evergreen Sword Immortal was the first to call out in agreement.

The other Empyrean Gods and True Immortals followed his lead, but all of them could not help casting a glance at the Evergreen Sword Immortal.

“Evergreen,” Daofather Ink Bamboo said, looking at the Evergreen Sword Immortal with a cold expression. “This time, you have truly disappointed me. Let alone defeating both Ning and Red Snow together… Ning alone managed to intimidate you.”

The Evergreen Sword Immortal had a cold sweat on his forehead. He understood that the losses in this Realm War had been too severe. Of course, the blame would have to fall on someone. The Evergreen Sword Immortal quickly kneeled and said respectfully, “I have disappointed the Daofather. The truth is, Ji Ning’s strength caught me off guard, putting me in such a predicament. Please rest assured, Daofather. I will devote myself to meditation and insight, to increase my strength and better bring out the full power of the Daofather Puppet. The next time we fight, I will surely slay Ji Ning.”

“No need.” Daofather Ink Bamboo shook his head. “The mighty ones have spoken. From now on, the Daofather Puppet will no longer be yours to command.”

The Evergreen Sword Immortal’s face instantly turned white. Commanding the Daofather Puppet had elevated his status above even the three Devouring Mountain Demon Gods. Without the Daofather Puppet, he would be far weaker. Moreover, in this great calamity, possessing the Daofather Puppet had given him a thousandfold chance of survival. As long as a Daofather didn’t personally act, slaying him while he was protected inside the Puppet was nearly impossible.

Thus, the Evergreen Sword Immortal valued the Daofather Puppet immensely. From the moment he had been granted the right to control it, he had resolved to hold onto it forever.

Refusing to give up, he said desperately, “Daofather, I merely lacked sufficient time this time. If you give me enough time, the Daofather Puppet will certainly be able to display far greater power…”

“Enough.”

Daofather Ink Bamboo shouted.

The Evergreen Sword Immortal closed his eyes, respectfully kowtowed in apology, and said no more.

“Focus on your meditation and cultivation. The Godking and I both believe in you. If you become a Daofather, you will be far more powerful than merely commanding a puppet,” Daofather Ink Bamboo instructed.

“Yes.” The Evergreen Sword Immortal answered respectfully.

Daofather Ink Bamboo nodded, then looked toward the three Devouring Mountain Demon Gods with a notably better attitude. “Devourer of Heaven, the three of you will make the arrangements. From now on, lead the Seamless City away from the Grand Xia World and return to the Fifth World.”

“Understood.” The three Demon Gods answered respectfully.

The Evergreen Sword Immortal felt a surge of hatred in his heart.

In a great calamity, those with more power naturally held higher status. Even the Daofather’s attitude reflected this.

‘This is all Ji Ning’s fault! If it weren’t for that variable, I would have killed the Seven Radiance Empyrean God long ago, and I would have led our Seamless Gate army in destroying the Crimsonbright Realm army!’ The Evergreen Sword Immortal hated it. ‘Just wait. I, Evergreen, will cultivate. I will grow stronger, until I kill you. And the three Devouring Mountain Demon Gods, every single one of you—I will grind you under my feet. Daofather Ink Bamboo? Hmph… he’s nothing more than an ordinary Daofather. When I become a Daofather myself, even he will have to bow his head to me!’

Evergreen had fierce ambition.

He was different from Yu Wei.

Yu Wei and many others had been loyal to the Godking from the very beginning. They had been reincarnated irregularly into the many major worlds of the Three Realms, growing as fate dictated. Naturally, it was impossible for the Nuwa Alliance to track them.

The Evergreen Sword Immortal, however, had sworn loyalty to Daofather Crimsonbright long, long ago. He had been part of the Nuwa Alliance. But his talent had stagnated; he had struggled for years without progress. Daofather Crimsonbright was not a particularly attentive teacher. Evergreen’s fierce thirst for power… had seduced him. The Godking was, after all, the sole disciple of the greatest ‘King’ of the Seamless Gate. When the King, who had merged with a Heavenly Dao, taught his disciple, the results were naturally extraordinary.

The Godking used the same methods with his own disciples. He was an excellent teacher. Evergreen was seduced. In a dream world, the Godking taught him powerful techniques and personally explained the Dao to him. Of course, Evergreen had paid a price. The price was—abandoning the Nuwa Alliance and joining the Seamless Gate.

‘Nuwa Alliance? What does it matter which side I’m on? My own strength is the foundation!’ Evergreen had not hesitated. He had sworn loyalty to the Godking.

His Dao-heart was truly mad.

Even Daofather Crimsonbright had noticed the madness of the Evergreen Sword Immortal’s Dao-heart. He had even believed that Evergreen had the potential to become a Daofather! What Daofather Crimsonbright didn’t know… was that Evergreen’s insane, almost demonic Dao-heart was what had led him into the Seamless Gate.

To Evergreen…

The Nuwa Alliance? The Seamless Gate? They meant nothing.

He himself was the only thing that mattered. He harbored a fierce desire, an ambition: one day, like Mother Nuwa, he would become the strongest being in the Three Realms.

‘When that day comes, the Nuwa Alliance and the Seamless Gate will be nothing but dung at my feet. I will be the strongest.’ The Evergreen Sword Immortal buried his fierce ambition deep in his heart, for it was far too great. But he never stopped pursuing it, never gave up.

RUMBLE…

The canopy of heaven split apart, revealing a massive rift. The shrinking Seamless City flew directly into that giant rift and vanished from sight.

“They’ve left.”

Ji Ning stood alone on the city wall of the Eight Dragons Cloud City. He turned his head and looked back at the city, which was roaring with celebration. Because of their great victory, millions of Immortals and countless more Fiendgods were reveling inside the Eight Dragons Cloud City.

“Ji Ning.” A figure approached from the distance. It was the black-robed Xia Emperor.

“Your Majesty,” Ji Ning said.

“Just call me Xiamang,” the Xia Emperor said with a smile. “Your status and influence now far surpass my own. If you call me ‘Your Majesty,’ I suppose I might be brazen enough to accept it, but I’m afraid the other Empyrean Gods and True Immortals would call me shameless.”

Ji Ning nodded faintly.

“Everyone is celebrating now. The war is over; we are alive; and we’ve slaughtered countless Immortals and Fiendgods of the Seamless Gate. You should also join the celebration. Let loose,” the Xia Emperor said.

“Better not,” Ji Ning said, shaking his head.

The Xia Emperor did not press. He could feel that, ever since the matter of Yu Wei, Ji Ning’s entire aura and temperament had changed. The Xia Emperor understood very well… that event had dealt a devastating blow to Ji Ning.

“Ah, yes. After the Realm War, the armies will begin to return to their own major worlds. The Immortals of our Grand Xia will return to the capital city,” the Xia Emperor said. “All the Immortals will gather in the capital. By uniting like this, we can better handle the Seamless Gate. After all, the branch led by Qinghu Gate Leader has suffered severely this time. They probably won’t be able to launch a large-scale infiltration.”

“What about you? Are you coming to the capital?” the Xia Emperor asked.

Of course, he hoped Ji Ning would come to the imperial palace.

And the Seven Radiance Empyrean God always followed Ji Ning. One Ji Ning represented one of the strongest Karmic Punishment Deities and a Seven Radiance Empyrean God. This was nearly half the combat power of the entire Crimsonbright Realm.

“No. I need to attempt the Empyrean Tribulation,” Ji Ning said with a shake of his head. “Other places aren’t safe. The Seamless Gate likely won’t let me undergo the tribulation in peace. I need to go to my master’s place.”

“The Empyrean Tribulation?” the Xia Emperor laughed. “Haha, it’s time.”

The Xia Emperor felt very fortunate.

He was glad that he had always maintained good relations with Ji Ning. Regarding the matter between the Shaoyin clan and Ji Ning, he had always stood on Ji Ning’s side. He had even personally acted to help Ji Ning. These were acts of great kindness! Now that the great calamity had arrived, if he asked Ji Ning for help at a critical moment, how could Ji Ning stand by?

…

“Ji Ning, you, Hongxue, and the other seven Empyrean Gods have made tremendous contributions. Furthermore, when the Seamless Gate fled in disarray at the end, we slaughtered a great many of them,” Daofather Crimsonbright said, personally meeting with Ji Ning, Hongxue, and the seven other Empyrean Gods. He urged them, “We have acquired a great many magic treasures. You deserve them. How can you refuse?”

Ji Ning shook his head. “That is unnecessary.”

He really didn’t need them.

He had gained enough in the war.

Once he became the master of the Starseizing Manor, he wouldn’t be lacking for anything.

“Haha, I know you’re preparing for the Empyrean Tribulation,” Daofather Crimsonbright said with a laugh. “Once you become an Empyrean God, you can train the Eight-Nine Arcane Art to the ninth cycle. You’ll need some powerful Grand Empyrean Pills! Say no more… I will take responsibility for the Grand Empyrean Pills you need for the ninth cycle of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art. But I still need to prepare them. I will send someone to deliver them when you face your tribulation.”

“This…” Ji Ning was taken aback.

This was a tremendous gift. The magic treasures from the battlefield were many, but all together, they might not have been enough to train the Eight-Nine Arcane Art to the ninth cycle.

“Disciple, accept it. You have helped Crimsonbright greatly this time. Accepting this gift is only right,” an old man with white hair and a white beard said as he appeared out of thin air.

“Master.” Seeing him, Ji Ning quickly bowed with respect.

“Your master has spoken. You should accept this small token of gratitude, shouldn’t you?” Daofather Crimsonbright felt genuine gratitude toward Ji Ning. He had learned from Bodhi that Ji Ning had inherited Daoist Threelives’ legacy, and that the Seven Radiance Empyrean God had followed him… If it hadn’t been for Ji Ning and the Seven Radiance Empyrean God, the war would have been lost long ago.

The losses would have been tragic. In comparison, although the Grand Empyrean Pills were precious, this True God who had been born from chaos could still afford them.

“Yes.” Ji Ning did not refuse again.

“Are you all set?” Bodhi looked at Ji Ning. “If you are, come with me to Mount Innerheart and prepare for the Empyrean Tribulation.”

“Everything is ready. I can leave at any time,” Ji Ning said respectfully.

He had already bid farewell to his master, the Diancai Immortal, and his sworn brothers, Tonghe and Wanshou. The Diancai Immortal, Tonghe, Wanshou, and Wufeng all had very deep feelings for Ji Ning. However, the safest place to undergo the tribulation was Mount Innerheart. It was a place so secure that even other Daofathers would find it hard to intrude.

Ji Ning could not bring Tonghe and the others to Mount Innerheart. He could only say goodbye. The Diancai Immortal and the others were now following the Xia Emperor to the capital city. They would be able to see each other often in the future.

“Since you’re ready, let’s go. Crimsonbright, get those Grand Empyrean Pills ready quickly. When you’ve prepared them, come find me. I will come and pick them up from you,” Bodhi said. With a wave of his hand…

WHOOSH…

A dark spatial vortex appeared in the great hall. Bodhi led Ji Ning and the Seven Radiance Empyrean God directly into it.

‘Looks like he’s going to undergo the Empyrean Tribulation. I need to prepare those Grand Empyrean Pills immediately.’ Daofather Crimsonbright stroked his beard anxiously, lost in thought. Since he had spoken so confidently, he naturally had to be ready. ‘I’ll have to go see Daoist Three Purities. He has the most pills. I’ll trade some treasures with him for them.’

Daofather Crimsonbright stroked his beard, feeling quite pleased. At the very least, his realm had won.