Chapter 817 - 806: Black Serpent
Ding Ling then repeated it once more.
Daoist Yhiuu Ji murmured, somewhat lost:
"Nanhua Old Immortal, Zuo Ci, are both, both dead?!"
In his eyes, Zuo Ci was a mysterious figure like a Divine Dragon.
Nanhua Old Immortal was even more so, in his heart akin to an Immortal God.
Yet such legendary Venerable figures.
Were killed by Ding Ling?!
How could that be possible?!
However, Ding Ling wouldn’t lie, Daoist Yhiuu Ji believed in Ding Ling’s character, and knew Ding Ling wouldn’t kill without reason. Ding Ling understood righteousness and repays kindness; he couldn’t be someone who kills the innocent indiscriminately. Thus, after a moment of panic, he composed himself and fixed his bright gaze on Ding Ling:
"Can you tell me the details?"
"Of course."
Ding Ling nodded.
He briefly pointed out what Nanhua Old Immortal and Zuo Ci had done.
Upon hearing this, Daoist Yhiuu Ji took a breath and said:
"If that’s truly the case, their deaths are not regrettable."
He sighed deeply:
’I never expected these characters I admired to be such people. Truly, knowing a person is far more intricate than understanding their outward appearance. Indeed, in this world, the human heart is the hardest to fathom.’
Ding Ling neither agreed nor disagreed, saying:
’Therefore, I came to find you this time to see if Nanhua Old Immortal tampered with your cultivation in Taiping Qingling Dao. If it was tampered with, it may need to be abolished, or serious consequences could ensue.’
Daoist Yhiuu Ji nodded, signaling Ding Ling to check it.
Ding Ling then approached for a detailed inspection.
With the Celestial Heart Mark to assist.
Ding Ling’s abilities had now reached an unimaginable level.
Even if Immortal Gods descended to earth, they would be no different.
The various Powers of Rule from the Secret Manual bestowed upon him, allowing Ding Ling to instantly comprehend the mysteries within others.
He was like having been born with Eyes of Golden Flame, when he laid hands on Daoist Yhiuu Ji, he discovered a trace of unfathomable Soul Power flowing in him.
This Soul Power was deeply hidden within Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s organs and Sea of Consciousness, even if he cultivated to the Golden Core or Primordial Spirit Realm, he would certainly not detect it.
Unless his Cultivation surpassed that of Nanhua Old Immortal, otherwise, as time passed this Soul Power would act, causing Daoist Yhiuu Ji to be controlled by others.
Ding Ling informed Daoist Yhiuu Ji of this matter.
Daoist Yhiuu Ji was astonished and saddened:
"To think I always greatly revered Nanhua Old Immortal. He intended to use me all along."
What did he want to use Daoist Yhiuu Ji for?
Ding Ling didn’t know.
However, Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s intelligence was extraordinary and his Taoist heart steadfast, perhaps this Soul Power struggled to be effective, leading Nanhua Old Immortal to abandon him? Consequently, allowing Daoist Yhiuu Ji to be killed by Sunx Ce?
The original plotline was indeed that Yhiuu Ji was killed by Sunx Ce.
However, now the storyline had drastically changed.
Sunx Ce ascended to the Upper Realm.
Daoist Yhiuu Ji remained well in this Daoist Temple.
"Must the cultivation of Taiping Qingling Dao be abolished?"
Daoist Yhiuu Ji felt deeply troubled:
"I am already old, if I abolish my cultivation, I fear I may not survive this winter."
"Best to err on the side of caution."
Ding Ling said:
"Your Soul Power subtly interlocks, I fear that even if you die, it will follow you into Reincarnation. If that happens, should Nanhua Old Immortal’s mastermind emerge, continuing to manipulate you, whether you live or die, you may become helpless."
Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s expression changed slightly upon hearing Ding Ling, he sighed deeply and said:
"If that’s the case, then I shall abolish my cultivation."
"Once your cultivation is abolished, you could consider becoming a deity in the Celestial Court. As a deity, free from death or aging, you could naturally do what you love."
"Can I really become a deity?"
Daoist Yhiuu Ji was astonished and surprised.
Ding Ling explained the reason.
Daoist Yhiuu Ji inhaled deeply, looking at Ding Ling in disbelief yet gratefully nodded:
"Nothing could be better."
With that, Ding Ling used the Power of Rule from the Celestial Heart Mark to abolish Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s cultivation, stripping away the tight strands of Soul Power entwined around his organs and Sea of Consciousness.
After these Soul Powers were stripped away, they rolled and hissed in the void like a black python, looking quite frightening.
Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s face turned pale, unable to believe such malice lurked in his body.
Ding Ling used the flame from the Power of Rule to incinerate the black python.
Afterward.
Ding Ling took Daoist Yhiuu Ji and flew to the skies, heading towards the Celestial Court to prepare for Divine Enthronement.
Unexpectedly, halfway there, Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s vitality visibly waned.
He said:
"Ding Ling, I’m nearing my end, the end is nigh."
Ding Ling sensed it carefully, utterly shocked.
Yet Daoist Yhiuu Ji had indeed died, and speaking with him now was Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s soul.
"How could this be?"
Initially, Ding Ling was puzzled.
Soon after, he grasped it.
It turned out Daoist Yhiuu Ji was bonded with the strands of Soul Qi.
The black python died, so must Daoist Yhiuu Ji!
Daoist Yhiuu Ji was dead.
Divine Enthronement was naturally impossible.
Ding Ling, without The Investiture of the Gods, couldn’t enthrone others’ souls.
Hence, he pondered and took Daoist Yhiuu Ji to the Netherworld.
"Is this the Underworld?"
Daoist Yhiuu Ji glanced all around, sensing something.
"Yes."
"Remarkable."
Daoist Yhiuu Ji’s heart was shaken:
"Ding Ling, your Cultivation has already reached such heights? Youthful talent indeed!"
Ding Ling sighed.
Originally, he intended to enthrone Daoist Yhiuu Ji.
Instead, he ended up killing Daoist Yhiuu Ji.
This was yet another unexpected event.
He trusted too much in the abilities of the Celestial Heart Mark, forgetting that behind Nanhua Old Immortal was a powerful, unbelievable mastermind.
How could the methods of such a strong adversary be underestimated?
"You need not blame yourself."
Daoist Yhiuu Ji viewed it lightly, laughed heartily:
"Life includes birth, aging, sickness, and death, daily fortunes and misfortunes. Years ago, I sensed my end approaching. Even if you hadn’t acted, I doubt I’d live much longer. So, you needn’t.
He paused, adding:
’Speaking of which, I ought to thank you for removing the black python. If not, even through reincarnation, I might be controlled by others. Now I’m liberated, feeling unprecedentedly free and relieved.’
Ding Ling knew Daoist Yhiuu Ji was comforting him, and without extra words, he led Daoist Yhiuu Ji onto the Yellow Springs Path, walking forward together.
The Ghost Souls on the Yellow Springs Path were growing more numerous, a dense long queue.
Some colossal figures occasionally emerged and vanished in the void, appearing in the forest beside The Yellow Springs Path. To the troubling Ghost Souls, they gave a lash, crack!
Crack!
The sound of lashes on Soul Bodies went straight into the heart, and every Ghost Soul hearing the whip instinctively shivered, becoming more obedient, not daring to act out.
Ding Ling nodded silently.
These Puppet Soldiers, after receiving merit and fortune, were growing more intelligent and spirited.
They seemed to have seen Ding Ling, each one knelt in the void, paying respects to Ding Ling.
Causing the Ghost Souls from Late Sui, Late Qin, and Three Kingdoms’ worlds to be perplexed and uncertain.