Chapter 733 - 525: The Fall of Jiao Qi!
Pale Heaven Realm.
In the starry Small Thousand World, amidst a resplendent galaxy.
On a continental star.
Sun and Moon Lake, with waters clear as a mirror, reflecting the dual brilliance of sun and moon!
Deep underwater, a grand and majestic Dragon Palace silently stands, with jade pillars and jade-tiered steps, floor paved with pearls and shells.
Within the water palace’s grand hall, dozens of clam maidens stand with their heads bowed, their expressions cautious, fearful of disturbing the lord within the hall.
Spirit Rhyme around them is restrained, their expressions anxious, with fear hidden deep in their eyes.
A thousand years ago, a vicious Flood Dragon of unknown origin stormed in with the force of a thunderbolt, razed the Dragon Palace, slew the old Dragon King, and took over the water palace, becoming its ruler.
For a thousand years, they have grown accustomed to the tyrannical behavior of this lord and have only survived by being extremely cautious.
In the grand hall’s center, atop the shimmering Water Jade Platform.
A ten-zhang-long pitch-black Flood Dragon is wantonly indulging; as it stretches, its scales are black as ink, emanating a cold luster that sends a chill through onlookers.
After a long while, the black dragon suddenly contracts and transforms into a stream of dark light, landing on the Water Jade Platform. With a flash of Spirit Light, it reveals the appearance of a dragon-headed human body — it is Jiao Qi!
He stands tall, with a faint ferocity flickering in his eyes, his tone cold and bitter with a touch of gnashing teeth:
"Immortal Mountain!"
The emergence of the Immortal Mountain is a significant opportunity to countless cultivators, a shortcut to higher realms.
But for someone like Jiao Qi, wandering the Source Sea for years, waging battles and offending numerous forces, it is a nightmare, with nothing delightful in sight.
Though the Immortal Mountain has rules against wanton killing, it is no haven for the weak, nor a shield for evildoers.
There isn’t a reality where a Void Refining Cultivator who has offended a Tribulation Crossing Daoist Monarch can simply hide within the Immortal Mountain to remain safe and at peace.
The spirit of the Immortal Mountain inherently favors the gifted strong and always tilts its privileges toward them, showing partiality to those with exceptional talent.
Life and Death Frontier, Cause and Effect Platform!
Within the Immortal Mountain, these two arenas are tailor-made for those like him, burdened with cause and effect, who have offended formidable enemies.
If there is indeed an irreconcilable vendetta, one can clarify the causes and invite the opponent to the platform to battle, ending all grievances under the witness of the Immortal Mountain’s spirit.
If the invitee refuses to fight, they must either spend immense Contribution Points to delay the duel or be expelled directly by the Immortal Mountain’s spirit.
And as for Jiao Qi, he has offended far too many!
From Tribulation Crossing Daoist Monarchs to Dharma Master experts, spread across the Spirit Realm...
Among them, especially the Tribulation Crossing Daoist Monarch Jiao Li from the Flood Dragon Race, is the most relentless.
For years, he has marked his name on the Cause and Effect Platform, eager to crush his bones to dust to vent his hatred.
Due to this, every time Jiao Qi ventures to the Immortal Mountain, he has to spend Contribution Points just to barely delay the duel with Jiao Li...
He simply cannot reside in the Immortal Mountain permanently, nor can he focus on cultivation and seizing opportunities within it.
Tianmang Immortal Mountain, renowned as the greatest opportunity ground across Grand Thousand Worlds, is greatly coveted by Jiao Qi who has devoted his life to the Great Dao, how could he not yearn for it?
Yet, he could only watch helplessly as the gifted prodigies engage in diligent cultivation within the Immortal Mountain, achieving their ambitions.
While he himself does not even have the qualification to enter and stay long, this frustration and unwillingness only deepens his resentment.
Moreover, life in the Source Sea is becoming increasingly difficult for him.
The Shifting Power of the Immortal Mountain pervades the Source Sea, making it progressively harder for him to pillage and seize cultivation resources as he once did.
Until recent years, when the Pale Heaven Realm emerged, and Jiao Qi felt he finally encountered his opportunity.
"A new Grand Thousand World, with rules so distinct, and a cultivation system potentially profound, if not as the Immortal Mountain, then still a fortune."
"Once my cultivation reaches fruition, there will come a day when I can escape Jiao Li’s pursuit and boldly enter the Immortal Mountain."
Thus, Jiao Qi decisively utilized the Immortal Mountain and came to the Pale Heaven Realm.
Upon arriving, he dared not act recklessly, choosing to hide in this Small Thousand World, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Over the years, he vented his accumulated aggression while secretly immersing himself in understanding the cultivation Techniques of the Pale Heaven Realm...
Even amidst indulgence, he continuously deduced the Daoist Techniques of this realm in his mind, never once showing any slack.
His aspiration to the Dao has never wavered due to adversity; instead, it has only become more resolute.
Jiao Qi’s resolution remains firm:
"If there comes a day when I can break through the shackles, I will surely avenge my past humiliations!"
...
On this day, the void at the apex of the water palace’s dome rippled intensely without warning.
An oppressive force, like a collapsing sky, instantly engulfed the entire water palace, a suffocating sensation spread all around.
"This is bad!"
Jiao Qi, always vigilant like a fox, possesses an almost instinctual acute sense for danger.
As soon as that oppressive force touched his surrounding aura of malice, he instantly sensed a deadly threat.
Without a moment’s hesitation or a hint of delay,
the Dharma Seed of Space turned to the utmost, his figure became a shadow of void, merging instantly into the surrounding void.
Vanishing, dissolving!
Attempting to escape from this noted Small Thousand World.
"Too late!"
An icy, indifferent voice suddenly resonated throughout the water palace.
In the void, golden light burst forth, countless Buddhist Rhymes cascading down, a phantom of an enlightened king slowly emerged, enshrouded in boundless Buddhist Light.
"Arise!"
With a deep shout from this enlightened king, Buddhist sound boomed like thunder, echoing through the void in all directions.