The meeting would drag on for a while longer discussing other topics. The demon-divinity conflict being one of huge contention. In it, Haotian didn't speak much, but understood Jieyin wanted an intervention while the Three Pure Ones wanted to let nature take its course.
IE, they wanted the two titanic factions to fight it out of their system. An impossibility as the Divine Ancestors didn't dare confront Eastern Emperor Taiyi(Grand One) on their own. At this Haotian stood up and vernantly rejected. As both factions had relations to royals of the human race, it is possible for them to reach an accord.
"After all these years, you come home spouting such nonsense." Yaochi spat at him after the meeting. She'd stopped him when he moved to leave.
"Have you forgotten all our lessons together? Are you my senior brother or a lowly human?"
Haotian took a step back. The cold emptiness of Zixiao palace only added to Yaochi's frosty presence.
"Forgotten my lessons? I remember always educating you on things you'd forget."
"Don't play coy with me." Her eyes flew a threatening gold. The power of a saint leaked out from her. The threat of violence was palpable in the air.
"As successors of Ancestor Tai Chu, we inherit the godfiend civilization's truest teachings. We should be cultivating to ascend with master."
'Would a saint even be capable of ascending?' Haotian forced himself back from the cruel remark.
"Junior sister, what I do with my life is my business," he said. "Do you know the universe is on the cusp of total war? I have people I'd rather not see running into it. Let me repeat, I do not want another anti-devil war to erupt ever again."
The saint cultivator almost growled. "Just toss them into your bag."
"And deprive them of their freedom?" Haotian bit back. "I cannot stomach there."
Yaochi took a deep breath. Years ago, she longed for her beloved senior brother to come back from his funk. She didn't understand why he'd done so in the first place and Hongjun's words were confusing at best.
Deciding on the spot, she reached for his robe. "You're coming with me to see master." Her magical abilities stretched around Haotian causing him to raise an eyebrow. She was surprised he didn't even react with fright from the display of a saint, dimmed as she was outside the Three Realms.
She wasn't sure how he acted with other saints, but regular people should be deathly afraid of omnipotent beings like her. Yet Haotian was unflinching, almost as if he didn't care about living.
Hongjun's location was largely unknown by all except her, and that was only because she'd see him often.
The other saints were clueless. But she was a beloved disciple of his. They had assumed he'd dissipated after becoming Heavenly Dao's spokesperson merging to complete it. They'd never realise that Hongjun was currently in conflict with Heavenly Dao again.
Hongjun had always described privately to her and Haotian, that the Heavenly Dao was equivalent to a petulant child. It takes without thinking and never gives, even if it owes others. Hongjun had aided it so much after its fallout with the Oceanic Heavenly Lord, yet it refused to let him go.
When Hongjun refused to become its eternal puppet, the Heavenly Dao moved take take back the throne of sainthood from him, thus reneging their relationship. Then the two giants went to war.
The other saints were not trusted with this information. She alone acted as Hongjun's guardian just outside the Three Realms. Her connection to the Chaos World dulled as a result.
She is Yaochi, seldom remembered as the Purple Empress of the Purest Golden Vital Breath Beyond the Heavens.
Dragging Haotian to the deepest layer, into a chamber where an elderly man sat in a meditative position surrounded by purple clouds. A formation lay at his feet, put there by Yaochi's own saintly energy.
"This suppresses Heavenly Dao's manipulation of karma and distorts its ability to lock on to Zixiao Palace with punishment lightning," Haotian mused after observing the formation. He felt himself be freed, followed by a compulsion to kowtow.
Side eyeing Yaochi, he did so anyway towards Hongjun. "Master, your unfilial disciple returns."
Slowly opening his eyes, Hongjun drew in Haotian's form with an unreadable look. Yaochi stood diligently on the side, hoping for some punishment to be dealt. Otherwise, the hurt in her chest would not go away. Yet Hongjun did not do so, instead a small smile emerged on his lips.
"Beloved disciple, get up." The Dao Ancestor did not move from his meditative position. He appeared transcendent, above the definitions of any mere immortal.
While the outside world regarded him as a Saint of Heaven, Haotian knew the truth. He was someone who sat on the throne of the Dao realm. Beyond the final realm of cultivation, an elevated state of such scale that they were essentially omnipotent. Even the greatest of Limitless Supreme Chaos Immortals, those with half a foot into the Dao realm could do nothing against them.
Haotian did not actively think about his other side, not unless Hongjun forcibly dragged it out. Then again, the Dao Ancestor had shown time and again that such a reality wasn't even on his mind. Haotian remained as himself because Hongjun didn't fathom his beloved disciple that he raised could possibly be his enemy's clone. Even with omnipotence, if one did not seek, they would not know.
"Yaochi, I wish to speak to your senior brother alone," Hongjun said, leaving no room for objection. Even if Yaochi voiced it, it would be pointless, so she gritted her teeth and walked out.
"It seems junior sister has had it rough these days," Haotian mused.
"She performs her duty well," Hongjun said dismissively. "Tell me of your time in the secular world."
"The Heavenly realm can hardly be called secular, but okay…" so Haotian spoke about the thousands of years he'd spent with Xuanyuan, and Youxiong before that. He then moved on to the establishment of Xuanyuan's dynasty but mostly stuck to what he did, and the travels he had breaking apart incidents.
Hongjun listened patiently, showing no signs of his internal struggle with the Heavenly Dao. But ultimately, his mood turned sour. Raising a hand, he paused Haotian.
"All these years, you have still yet to learn the most important lesson." Hongjun sighed, Haotian was too kind in his opinion. He reassembled the infant godfiends of old, even himself back when he was a fresh cricket that emerged from the Chaos Sea. That was before he'd learn Tai Chu's scripture and truly embarked on the path of cultivation.
Opening his eyes in a disappointed gaze, he scolded Haotian. "My dear disciple, you are confused. Your path has swayed from the Dao. I had hoped these isolated years tempering yourself would help you realize how pointless the secular world is." Haotian twitched, finding the speech aggravating.
"I have upheld order, guided a civilization, and shielded mortals from catastrophe," he whispered mostly to himself. Hongjun heard it and sneered.
"That is an ill illusion," he said, voice cold. "All things decay. All things fall. The only truth is to ascent. Tai Chu taught us to seek the Dao, and I taught you to cultivate in order to seek the Dao.
"Your love for your oathbrother Xuanyuan is nothing but a worthless distraction. You waste your time keeping yourself tied in so many relationships. It's all a trick of the mind."
"Am I a trick of the mind?" Haotian blurted.
"Hm?"
"Master, your love for me is the same no?" Haotian said.
"A surface level comparison at best," Hongjun chuckled, waving Haotian's question away like a child's failed riddle. "You equate the depthless web of mortal sentiment with the refined clarity of my regard?
"I remember when you first bowed to me. So earnest to understand the Heavens. You reminded me of myself. We were both ignorant once, and just like me, you've begun the process to grow. We are beings destined to transcend even the Dao, casting off the mud stains.
"The reality is, for beings like us cultivation should be everything. Without the Dao? What are we but clueless chickens? I will transcend, and you will become a Dao realm being following my footsteps. If you raise a disciple yourself, that person will do the same. Everything exists in service to this cause. Everything else is just a distraction to it."
Haotian listened, relaxing his body. "Master, dare I ask."
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"Ask away. What are you confused about?"
"What is the point of existence?"
Hongjun outright laughed. "Have I not spelled it out? To seek the Dao is all that matters."
"Nothing else?"
"Of course not, all things are irrelevant before the Dao. Friendships, romance, wealth, power, society, ethics, none of it matters. Even cultivation is a means to an end to obtain the Dao."
"All methods are valid right…" Haotian appeared slightly zoned out. He smiled at his master nodding his head. "Innumerable methods to find the Dao, all kinds of systems are valid no matter the cost."
Hongjun nodded feeling satisfied. "The Three Realms are chaotic by nature. All individuals fight for themselves. Severing your karmic ties is for the best."
"But master, I…," Haotian finally said. "What Xuanyuan want to achieve, I want it too. I've realized after my seclusion."
"Hahaha," Hongjunlaughed while one of his eyes glew. "Your oathsworn brother has spiraled far more sinisterly then you think. He dares plan with the remnants of Luohu's ilk. Humans may be the protagonist in Heavenly Dao's eye. But just like it, they are arrogant."
Haotian went wide eyed.
"Why the shock? You already knew the type of person he was. You do yourself a disservice lying to yourself."
"May I be excused?"
"Naturally, I won't disrupt your movements. I am still tied down after all," Hongjun said in satisfaction. It seemed Haotian understood and processed everything he'd said perfectly. "Off you go my child.
"Remember, above all others. You are my one and true heir."
Haotian exited the chamber to an annoyed Yaochi tapping her foot. Upon seeing him, she moved to ask him for the result. Yet Haotian was feeling a storm of emotions.
He moved past her which only served to answer her. How could her master love him so much when she was here the whole time? She was a saint while Haotian remained as strong as he was eons ago.
"Are you ignoring me?" she dared him.
"Please Yaochi." She instead heard a low desperate voice. "I have to confirm something."
Startled, she stepped back. She'd had never…no she had seen him like this once before. Just shortly after, even during her master's immensely kind lecture to three thousand guests.
"Thank you," Haotian thanked her once she let go, transforming into a stream of light towards the Three Realms.
Along the way, Haotian could only utter one thought.
…
Yaochi watched her senior brother fly away for a long while. Rooted in place, she ignored a child carrying a broom walking towards the vacant courtyard with a curious glance.
"Mother who was…"
Yaochi turned her head to glare, scaring the child into taking a step back. If Haotian were here, he'd realize that this child resembled greatly. The only exception was a third eye on his forehead.
"I'm sorry for my insolence lady creator," he corrected himself. Yaochi scoffed and turned her attention away from the child, her own creation.
A doll she'd commissioned from an immortal sculptor surnamed Yang before she achieved sainthood to numb the pain of Haotian disappearing. Who knew that doll would be granted life when she transcended.
"Go clean the great hall," she commanded him in a cold voice.
…
In Xuanyuan's court, Shaohao the oldest prince and among humanity's most talented experts stood by numerous siblings and their mothers. Noble lords and isolated experts of the human race, as well as ministers who made up the court's bureaucracy socliaized.
Unlike a far more distant tribal past, everyone present was at the very least an immortal. True Immortals now existed by the millions, Profound Immortals roamed in the hundred thousands. Heavenly Immortals numbered in the many tens of thousands. Though Golden Immortals existed in a low amount, much less stronger experts, it was far better off then time long past.
By Shaohao's side, his friends he'd worked tirelessly to make among the demon races stood by as part of his party. It cannot be said to be an influential part of the Demon court, but his positive relation with them was clear.
"That's lord Shaohao, he's reached Golden Immortal in record time."
"For his age, he's just as good as primary disciples of the three big Doaism sects."
Shaohao meanwhile, greeted the other great talent of the imperial family. Zhuanxu the Crimson Phoenix had unearthed a legacy from a deceased phoenix from the previous era. In his own territory, he'd also brought in many avian demons as vassals. In that regard, Shaohao and Zhuanxu are quite similar in their friendship with demons.
"Announcing, her highness Gongsun Heng'e and her consort Houyi of the Earth lineage."
Both princes smiled at their sister's return. Shaohao often found it cruel how his father punted her off to the edges for her trials. But through clever diplomacy, she'd been able to make peace with some of the Earthly Divinities. Not enough to get over the bad blood between their races, but it was a start.
"So that's Houyi," he mused. The archer appeared no different from any human except for his height. He easily towered over the others with an extremely muscular build. Even from this distance, his divine blood made Shaohao somewhat uncomfortable.
"Little sister married? So the rumours are true," Zhuanxu said from beside him. "A divinity, what was she thinking? Father would not be pleased."
A demure feathered woman behind Zhuanxu glared hatefully at Houyi. "My lord, that is a butcher of us birds," she warned.
"There's no need to remind me things I'm perfectly aware of," Zhuanxu replied in an annoyed tone.
"I was in the capital when the news reached. Father wasn't pleased by the news," Shaohao admitted. "She didn't notify him at all. But just as well, uncle Zhang should've been there so I guess he doesn't mind."
On his throne, Xuanyuan skimmed his daughter and son in law before moving on. If Houyi was nervous about the meeting, he didn't show it. He presented himself with politeness and courtly finesse among the socialites.
All but one was impressed. Hu Jiaren sneered Heng'es way while drinking his soda. Not wine, he hated that shit and had his own system bought drinks. From a distance, he noticed Heng'e didn't talk much. It was Houyi and her companions who made small talks. She'd simply tap them if they did something she disliked.
The transmigrator sneered. Even after so many years that spoonfed woman was still a brain addled idiot. She'd clearly used what little brain power she had to hide her annoying stutter. Obviously it was fake to garner sympathy, he was too smart to be fooled.
[Ding!]
[Abnormal excess lunar qi detected]
[Click to absorb excess(show cost)]
It was from the cultivation leaking from Heng'e so Hu Jiaren scoffed. Why would he need her sloppy seconds? He mentally scolded the system.
"Our daugther has grown," Xuanyuan finally said in acknowledgement. "The western ridges have grown prosperous and wounds have been healed. We are proud of what you've achieved."
"Daughter thanks emperor fatherrr…er." She dragged out her sentence suppressing her odd speech.
"Weak," Hu Jiaren muttered. For a normally person, they could not possibly detect that sound. But everyone here was an immortal. Hence he found himself the centre of attention.
"Would you like to repeat that?" Houyi asked. And Hu Jiaren's entire being spasmed from his glance.
"Repeat what? I didn't say anything," he tried to hide.
Xuanyuan suddenly tapped his armrest, slamming Hu Jiaren face first into the floorboard. The transmigrator cried in pain, he couldn't believe his patron would betray him like this.
[Shock!]...
[Amazement!]...
The stream of points coming in did nothing to alleviate his anger. He also missed Heng'e covering her mouth and looking away.
"Explain yourself," Xuanyuan ordered him.
[Ding!]
[Health in critical condition.]
[Consume 1 eternal supremacy yin yang sea revolution health pill transcendent grade?]
'Yes, ah fuck this hurts.'
Hu Jiaren quickly got to his feet with the same confident expression and bowed to Xuanyuan. "Your servant was just surprised is all. After witnessing the majesty of lord Shaohao and lord Zhuanxu's Golden Immortal state. Lady Heng'es Heavenly Immortal cultivation base isn't even crowned. I just…"
Xuanyuan's attention drew to Heng'e who openly frowned. How dare that freak make light of her? From her uncle's recordings, his common sense was warped to begin with.
"What a compliment," Houyi grinned and notched an arrow. It lit ablaze with the cry of a bird.
"Enough, you will commit no violence in my household," Xuanyuan said. "Hm?" he perked up sensing Haotian's qi.
"Return to your abode, you're clearly intoxicated," Xuanyuan said to Hu Jiaren with a clear tone of disappointment. 'Reflect on how to act in public,' he made sure to mentally remind him.
"Yeesh, even a heaven defying talent like him can't get away. His majesty is truly firm," a scholarly minister began praising. Soon after, many others began praising Xuanyuan's decision.
"That's it? You're his daughter." Houyi asked his wife with confusion. "My divinity extended family would've bashed their brains out of they insulted me like that."
"Humans are uu..u…timately too weak. Every ss…strong is needed...ed," Heng'e reminded him.
…
In the sky above, Xuanyuan would've personally greeted Haotian had he not been immediately intercepted by said innate god. Two streams of light teleported out of sight and into the depths of the palace complex where a secluded garden was.
The scenery would've been nice were it not for Haotian holding Xuanyuan's bicep and glared at him. "Devils."
"Hello to you too brother." Xuanyuan ripped himself out of Haotian's grip and straightened his clothes.
"Have you been communicating with devils?" Haotian demanded of him.
Xuanyuan remained quiet aside from a surprised gasp. Haotian tightened his fist in remembrance of the anti-devil war. "I saw this dark abyss attached to the underbelly of the Three Realms. Turns out that's where the saints sealed the remnants of Luohu's descendants. Have you found a way to reach out to them?"
"Be honest with me Youxiong," Haotian all but begged. Hearing his boyhood name again, Xuanyuan sighed.
"Consorting with them? Do you think so low of me? All I did was take a few techniques."
Whatever happiness Haotian felt faded quickly. "Techniques?" he gasped. "Have you lost your wits? Devil technique?"
"Humans are weak, still is even with my formations. More high end cultivators are needed. Thankfully, a few fallen immortals emerged where I could find them. They were connected with the Dark Abyss so had some inheritances embedded in their minds," Xuanyuan explained.
"Devils may be morally bankrupt. But they knew methods of raising cultivation quickly. I didn't use the same sequence either. I modified it from a route to a Devil Great Emperor into a Saint to Be."
Haotian felt like laughing. It sounded like the greatest joke in the world.
"I know the risks and would've told you had you stuck by the capital," Xuanyuan said accusatorily. "For the next stage of humanity's ascension, we needed all the help we could get."
"Next stage? You had your kingdom, things are settled. Shaohao, Heng'e, and Zhuanxu are making peace with your rivals…" Haotian reminded him. He was no longer calm, just openly exhausted.
"Ha," Xuanyuan shook his head disbelieving. "You actually think the divinities would let us go? You think the demons would let their incense generator go? Youren, brother, we are on the precipice of extinction. I must protect humanity at any cost, malefactors must be brought to heel.
"The mistakes of the Three Sovereigns was to let this species grow too large too fast letting too many slip through their grasp. But my descendants are on the path to reach where I am. I am the Yellow Emperor at the head and I will raise more emperors.
The Five Emperors are prophesied by the Heavenly Dao and I learned this the night it acknowledged me as gifted. Shaohao and Heng'e contributes, but even they haven't completely woken up to reality. They will help Zhuanxu when the time comes, that kid has a better head on his shoulder."
Haotian stopped. "But Zhuanxu also…wait." He turned to draw a diagram of a lotus flower. Then he pinched his fingers and calculated. Tears began trailing down his eyes. "Oh you poor birds."
"Youren, did you divine Zhuanxu's pets just now?"
"So you used them as fuel for devilish rituals. You would not have touched Shaohao's friends because they were that, friends. But Zhuanxu's birds are captured and tamed. Oh, why did I never check?" Haotian sagged in shoulders.
"I personally escorted their souls into reincarnation. Would a devil do that?" Xuanyuan said in frustration. "Come on, your absence has been felt. I have this ten thousand year old peach wine I wanted to try with you."
"No." Haotian started floating. "I really didn't want to see it. I'm the idiot for letting you get this far. So Zhuanxu is your successor huh? Tame all beasts, eliminate all divinities, all lifeforms in the world bow to humanity's might as it grows to encompass all of reality. Then you'll cast down Eastern Emperor Taiyi and the Divine Ancestors too right?"
"Zhang Youren what are you doing," Xuanyuan said slowly. "That was the plan all along. We agreed together to bring civilization to the Three Realms. You agreed that it'll establish the peace you've sought for so long."
"Zhang Youren of the human race," Haotian laughed. "What a joke this has all been."
"Of course you're Zhang Youren of the human race," Xuanyuan replied. "You helped me reach my peak all those years ago and helped me again to establish my footing. Together, we will prevent all past tragedies from every happening again."
"But you are the tragedy," Haotian said plainly. "My name is Haotian, Zhang Youren never existed. I am an innate god who saw the dawn of the time, not a human man. We are through."
"Youren."
"If you continue this path Xuanyuan, then I will abandon any love I had for you and do what must be done."
He did not wait for Xuanyuan's answer, merely blasting off to parts unknown. He did not see Xuanyuan's hurt gaze, nor the gripping of his fists until he drew immortal dao essence.
In the void between realms, Haotian laughed like a lunatic. "I hate this world."
"I hate this world so much."
"And I also love this world so much."
"I love cultivation, I love immortals, I love the Three Realms."
"I hate cultivation, I hate immortals, I hate the Three Realms."
Haotian cracked his neck and stretched his limbs. Then he began thinking of older friends and acquaintances. "Yeah, I think know what to do."
"Da Hai was never cut out for a leader and I don't think I am either. But whatever the case." A rather lethargic Haotian took a huge drink from his aged wine. He walked off to parts unknown.
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