The Thirty-Six Heavens and the Final Farewell

“What a marvelous treasure.”

Ji Ning gazed at the thirty-six Stargold Beads floating around him. After the three thousand six hundred were smelted down into thirty-six, each one now possessed overwhelming power. Each bead contained a Heavenly Realm, one that was comparable in size to the Grand Xia World itself! These Thirty-Six Heavens, however, could only exist for a brief period of time.

Only when all three thousand six hundred Stargold Beads were completely fused would they transform into the Thirty-Six Heavens.

Once Ji Ning withdrew his mind, the Thirty-Six Heavens would disperse once more, reverting back to the original, countless Stargold Beads.

“These Thirty-Six Heavens are each comparable to a major world. Even just using them to smash people would have limitless power. But controlling them is rather exhausting. It’s comparable to controlling a Karmic Punishment Deity.” Ji Ning realized how difficult it was to maintain the supreme ‘Thirty-Six Heavens’ form. He was only able to do it because of his powerful Heartforce and his Heartforce Soul-Art. Amongst Empyrean Gods and True Immortals, there were very few who could accomplish this.

“Transform.”

Ji Ning willed it.

The Thirty-Six Heavens that had been floating in the air changed shape. From pearl-like spheres, they transformed into thirty-six flying swords. Then they became thirty-six war-flags, then thirty-six rings…

“Master, these Stargold Beads are capable of endless transformations,” the handsome child said.

“Oh?” Ji Ning stopped and looked at the handsome child. He said with a faint smile, “I didn’t mishear you. You called me ‘Master’ just now, didn’t you?”

The palm-sized boy was standing in midair, his expression solemn. “Master, you were able to refine the first layer of the Ninefold Chaos Seal, and you were able to fuse all three thousand six hundred Stargold Beads into the Thirty-Six Heavens. Looking across the entire Three Realms, I doubt even one in a hundred Empyrean Gods or True Immortals can compare to you. To be able to follow a master like you is my good fortune as well.”

“Eh?” The old man on the wooden boat widened his eyes.

“He was so fierce before… now he’s actually being obedient?” The bald little monk muttered.

“The master is this formidable.” The handsome child swept his gaze across them, his voice cold. “To follow the master is your good fortune as well. We should all serve the master with peace of mind. Perhaps in the future, that will bring us our own opportunities.”

The handsome child looked back at Ji Ning, his eyes blazing with fervor. “Lord Laozi once had his disciples try it. But none of those powerful disciples could directly fuse the Thirty-Six Heavens. Lord Laozi himself even said that not even True Gods or Daofathers could do it. But you, Master… you did it!”

This little fellow was quite skilled at flattery.

“Let me ask you something.” Ji Ning said directly. “What is this treasure called?”

“The Heavenly Stargold Beads,” the handsome boy replied. “Ever since I was born, before the Ninefold Chaos Seal attached itself to me, I was already capable of transforming into the Thirty-Six Heavens! But it is extremely difficult. Once it is accomplished, however, transforming into the Thirty-Six Heavens is akin to bringing the power of thirty-six major worlds to bear against an enemy. Of course, how much power one can unleash depends on the master’s skill.”

“Heavenly Stargold Beads?” Ji Ning nodded. “Is fusing into the Thirty-Six Heavens the absolute limit? I have a faint feeling, however, that there might be something beyond that.”

“Master, you noticed that too?” The handsome child was astonished.

Ji Ning looked at him.

“Lord Laozi and Lady Nuwa noticed it as well.” The handsome boy hurriedly continued. “My Heavenly Stargold Beads have three basic layers. The first and most common form is three thousand six hundred beads. The second layer is fusing them down to three hundred and sixty beads, completing the cycle of the heavens. The third layer is fusing them down to thirty-six beads to form the Thirty-Six Heavens. That should be the limit. However, both Lord Laozi and Lady Nuwa sensed… that the three thousand six hundred beads should be capable of fusing into a single one. At that point, it might even be able to transform into a star, like the Sunstar or the Taiyin Star. But neither Lady Nuwa nor Lord Laozi could ever figure out how to achieve that final fusion into one.”

Ji Ning understood. Fuse all of them into one? His feeling had been correct. But since even Lady Nuwa and Lord Laozi had failed, this path was clearly extremely difficult.

As for what the result of fusing them into one would be, the ‘evolving into a star, akin to the Sunstar’ was merely a guess from Nuwa and Lord Laozi.

“This treasure is extremely hard to control, making it unsuitable for most people. But for me, it is a perfect fit.” Ji Ning was overjoyed. “In the entire Three Realms, when it comes to control, I should be number one amongst Empyrean Gods and True Immortals.” Although his divine abilities were formidable and his Heartforce was powerful, that only helped him in close combat. Using Heartforce to attack directly consumed an astonishing amount of it.

A divine archer, for instance, would have his Heartforce completely depleted after firing a dozen or so arrows.

Thus, long-range offensive treasures were extremely important. In particular, when he used his Heartforce to command his soul and direct his technique power, he only consumed technique power. It had little to no impact on his Heartforce.

…

After refining the three innate supreme-grade spirit-treasures, Ji Ning finally left the room. The others in the main hall of the aquatic manor—Red Snow and the rest—had long been waiting impatiently.

“Wow.”

“Impressive.”

Ji Ning only publicly revealed the Void Boat and the Heavenly Stargold Beads. He kept the Nine-Life Tower a secret. The more secret the Nine-Life Tower was, the better. The other two treasures he would need to use frequently, so there was no point in hiding them.

“I have obtained all of the powerful Pure Yang treasures left behind by my master, Daoist Threelives,” Ji Ning said. “He also left behind a message for me, entrusting me to treat the Empyrean Gods and True Immortals who remained behind to guard the Starseizing Manor with kindness. If any of you need any treasures, speak up. The Pure Yang treasures are all listed in this book.”

Ji Ning directly produced the book that the yellow-furred bear had given him earlier.

“Take a look, all of you.” Ji Ning urged them. These Pure Yang treasures were of very little use to him. His loved ones, like Autumn Leaf, Uncle White, Little Qing, Qingya Xiaoyu, and his junior apprentice-brother, hadn’t even reached the Celestial Immortal level. The only exception was his master, the Diancai Immortal, for whom Ji Ning had already selected a suitable treasure.

After all, the Diancai Immortal was merely a Celestial Immortal. Getting an earth-shatteringly powerful treasure like the ‘Eight Fire Chaotic World’ would likely bring him disaster rather than fortune.

“Let me take a look.” Red Snow was the first to examine it.

“Me too.” Yuan Guang also craned his neck to look.

“What fine treasures.”

“The treasures left behind by the Godking are all quite good.” They praised as they looked over the items.

Red Snow looked at Ji Ning. “Ji Ning, Lie Yang and Xuan Yue were the Godking’s personal attendants his entire life. The Godking long ago gave them suitable treasures. Yuan Guang is the Godking’s son, that goes without saying. As for me and Snow Scorpion… we were commanders back then as well. The Godking blessed us with our treasures long ago. There’s not much here that appeals to us. But the Viper Serpent should need something, and Nine Jaws only recently broke through from a Void Fiendgod to an Empyrean God. He probably needs something too.”

The Viper Serpent and Nine Jaws were both hesitant. In the end, however, they nodded.

The Viper Serpent chose the Pure Yang treasure ‘Yin-Yang Dual Polarity Disk’. Amongst the many Pure Yang treasures in Ji Ning’s possession, it was merely above average. Red Snow and the others nodded their approval, however, clearly agreeing that the Yin-Yang Dual Polarity Disk was well-suited for the Viper Serpent. The strongest treasure wasn’t always the best; the most important thing was suitability.

During his time serving under the Godking, the Viper Serpent had not been one of the most important figures.

This was because the Viper Serpent was a venomous divine beast. He seemed gentle on the surface, but was in truth ferocious. His temperament hadn’t been to Threelives’ liking. Threelives preferred straightforward, open-hearted individuals. Even if one was treacherous and cunning, he preferred that they be upfront about it.

Nine Jaws, meanwhile, selected an extremely powerful top-grade Pure Yang treasure set, the ‘Myriad Bloodshadow Formation’.

Nine Jaws’ true form was actually a bat.

The Myriad Bloodshadow Formation was indeed very suitable for him. This set of treasures was amongst the most supreme in Ji Ning’s possession. Nine Jaws was still very hesitant, and had to be urged on by Red Snow before he finally accepted it. This made Nine Jaws feel immense gratitude towards Ji Ning, and he became much more loyal. After all, Ji Ning had said it was because of the Godking’s charge, but the Godking was dead. It was entirely Ji Ning’s decision whether he was willing to give them away or not.

…

Ji Ning himself didn’t care.

All of these Pure Yang treasures would just be sitting idle in his possession anyway. Having his subordinate Empyrean Gods equipped with powerful treasures would also increase their strength. That was a good thing.

…

“Master.” After arranging everything, Ji Ning went to see Patriarch Subhuti alone.

“Mm?” The Dao-robed Patriarch Subhuti was sitting cross-legged. He opened his eyes.

Ji Ning said respectfully, “Your disciple is prepared to go down the mountain and leave the Tristar Crescent Major World.”

“Have you arranged everything?” Subhuti asked.

“Everything is arranged.” Ji Ning replied respectfully. “My Primaltwin will stay behind in the Tristar Crescent Major World, along with Brightmoon, Uncle White, Little Qing, Qingya Xiaoyu, my junior apprentice-brother, and the others. The Tristar Crescent Major World is currently one of the rare paradises of the Three Realms. I don’t want to risk Brightmoon’s life, so I will have my Primaltwin travel the Tristar Crescent Major World with her, letting her gain more experience and grow better.”

Subhuti nodded. “Ah, right. The army of Immortals in your Starseizing Major World… what formation have you decided on? The Karmic Punishment Deity formation. Mother Nuwa has already nodded in approval and permitted you to teach it. I have some formation options here as well, but their power is comparable to the Karmic Punishment Deity’s. Would you like to change?”

“No need.” Ji Ning shook his head. “Your disciple is already very familiar with the Karmic Punishment Deity. I also have another matter I wish to ask of you, Master.”

“Speak.” Subhuti looked at Ji Ning.

“Your disciple is preparing to deal with the Seamless Gate. But first, I hope to deal with Shaoyin Chou and that Evergreen as soon as possible.” Ji Ning said respectfully.

“Those two? Very well. Once an opportunity presents itself, I will inform you.” Subhuti nodded. “Once you leave the Tristar Crescent Major World, you must be careful on your own. When I find an opportunity, I will notify you.”

“Understood,” Ji Ning said respectfully. He then asked, “Should your disciple have Red Snow stay behind?”

“No need. What I needed to teach, I have already taught. What they needed to learn, they have already learned. They need to comprehend the rest on their own now.” Subhuti said.

Ji Ning nodded.

This time, he was leaving with his entire Starseizing Major World. The seven Empyrean Gods were to follow him as well. After all, he was the master of the Starseizing Manor.

“Then I will go summon Red Snow and the others, and then ask Master to send us off. Your disciple will take his leave now.” Ji Ning said respectfully.

“Go on.” Subhuti closed his eyes.

Ji Ning bowed and retreated.

“Be careful in all things.” Subhuti’s voice rang out beside Ji Ning’s ear.

“Yes.” Ji Ning was startled, and he responded before leaving.

…

The black-robed Ji Ning led his daughter, Brightmoon, along with Autumn Leaf, Uncle White, Little Qing, Mu Northson, Qingya Xiaoyu, and the others, one by one beginning to travel and explore the Tristar Crescent Major World.

“Your daughter has gone down the mountain.” Ji Ning, Red Snow, and the others all stood on Mount Innerheart, gazing into the distance.

Whoosh~~~

In front of Ji Ning and the others, a twisted vortex of space appeared above the grass. The spatial passage led to an unknown location.

“It’s time to go.” Ji Ning said.

Immediately, Ji Ning led his seven Empyrean Gods into the spatial passage, leaving this paradise behind. On the other side of the passage, a storm of blood and slaughter awaited Ji Ning.