Chapter 311 - 294: Apologize
The endless Demon Mountains that filled Heaven and Earth suddenly "opened" their eyes in unison.
Every jagged mountain contour, every deep and shadowy ravine, transformed into an extension of the Black Mountain Master’s cold, indifferent pupils.
Ten thousand mountains, ten thousand eyes, devoid of sorrow or joy.
All of them simultaneously locked onto the deep blue figure at the center of the Thunder Domain.
Then.
The majestic mountain silhouettes collapsed inward, shifting from "substance" to "void." They shed all color and texture, becoming pure, jet-black silhouettes.
These silhouettes intertwined and overlapped, weaving themselves into a spinning, all-encompassing Ten Thousand Mountains Returning Ruins Seal in the Celestial Vault above Qi Yun’s head.
The great seal rotated slowly, emitting no light or sound, yet it radiated a Dao might that sent a chill through the hearts and souls of every observing Master.
The Black Mountain Master had not appeared, but his voice—as cold as ancient Profound Ice grinding together—seeped out from every Mountain Shadow silhouette, echoing between Heaven and Earth:
"In the struggle for the Dao, there are no elders or juniors. Transgressions must be repaid."
"This seal is called the Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins.
It is perfectly suited to bury your Dao Foundation and annihilate your True Spirit."
As his voice faded, the Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins "fell" gently toward Qi Yun.
There was no violent torrent of energy, no brilliant radiance of Magic.
There was only a process of "finality" that could not be resisted or defied, like the final Chapter of fate being written ahead of time, slowly pressing down.
In the distance, Qian Xin, Chi Yang, Qing Li, and the others felt their Purple Mansions tremble and their Dao Foundations turn cold just by witnessing the Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins descend, even through their multiple layers of self-protection.
Yet Qi Yun, at the very center of this apocalyptic scene, appeared utterly composed. He merely brushed non-existent dust from his Deep Blue Daoist Robe, then... clasped his hands behind his back.
He lifted his head slightly, his gaze calm as he watched the Ten Thousand Mountains Returning Ruins Seal, which reduced all things to nothingness in its path, slowly descend.
’Is he scared stiff?’
’Has he given up resisting?!’
’How can this be?!’
All kinds of shocked, perplexed, and even slightly regretful thoughts flashed through the minds of the distant Masters.
Even though Qi Yun’s previous performance had been world-shocking, was he ultimately outmatched and choosing to accept death calmly when faced with the genuine, annihilating killing intent of a Peak Great Master?
Just as the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins was about to touch the space three feet above Qi Yun’s head—
"Alas."
A sigh, extremely light and faint yet resounding directly in the depths of everyone’s Dao Heart, emerged without any warning.
In the next instant.
The space in front of Qi Yun rippled like a tranquil lake after a stone is tossed in, spreading out in soft, gentle, milky-white waves that carried the faint scent of sandalwood.
From the center of the ripples, a figure "floated" out, silent and unseen.
It was a middle-aged man with an extremely robust, one might even say "rotund," physique.
He wore a loose, plain white linen robe, unadorned with any patterns, yet it naturally flowed with a layer of Treasure Light as gentle as jade.
His face was ruddy, and the corners of his mouth were naturally upturned, as if always holding a kind and magnanimous smile.
Most striking were his eyes. They were large and round, with pupils as clear as a newborn’s, yet as deep as an ancient well, reflecting all the phenomena of the world.
His timing was impeccable, appearing in the sliver of a moment just before the might of the Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins was about to be fully unleashed upon Qi Yun.
The white-robed man unhurriedly raised a hand that was just as plump and thick, its skin like the finest Mutton Fat Jade. He aimed it at the terrifying great seal capable of returning all things to ruin and causing the Great Dao to wither, and gently swatted it aside.
The motion was as casual as brushing a fallen leaf from his shoulder or pushing open a loosely shut wooden door.
There was no earth-shattering collision, no roar of collapsing Dao Principles.
The Ten Thousand Mountains Return to Ruins, which seemed to carry the final weight of ten thousand mountains, under this light and casual wave, was like morning mist brushed away by an invisible warm breeze, or a drop of ink absorbed by the vast ocean. Silently, it—
dissipated.
There was no transition between ultimate destruction and complete tranquility.
The suffocating pressure between Heaven and Earth instantly dissolved, and the void regained its color and sound.
If not for the fact that everyone present was an accomplished Master, they almost would have thought the world-destroying scene just now was merely an overly realistic mass hallucination.
Atop Dome Peak, the Black Mountain Master, who had merged with the Ten Thousand Mountains Demon Heaven Realm, suddenly re-materialized. He stared at the white-robed figure who had abruptly appeared, a flicker of something unusual appearing in his eyes for the first time.
Not a speck of dust was raised; all was perfectly still.
The white-robed man withdrew his hand, tucking it into his sleeve. The natural smile on his face seemed to deepen slightly as he glanced around, his gaze finally landing on the pale-faced Black Mountain Master. His voice was gentle and mellow, like fine aged wine:
"Black Mountain, it’s been many years. Your Cultivation Realm has risen, but how has your temper gotten even worse?"
"Lord... Lord Bai?!"
At almost the exact same moment this figure fully appeared and his voice sounded,
everyone from the Black Mountain Master perched on Dome Peak to the still-shaken Holy Sect Masters in the distance—Qian Xin, Chi Yang, Qing Li, Ming Yu, and all the rest—had a drastic change in expression.
Without the slightest hesitation, everyone, including the Black Mountain Master whose expression was shifting rapidly, quickly retracted all fluctuations of their Magical Power, straightened their robes, and bowed toward the white-robed man in a deeply respectful and unified gesture. Their voices were filled with heartfelt reverence:
"Greetings, Lord Bai!"
The sound was not loud, but it echoed with particular clarity through Taixu Hall, which had just witnessed a world-shaking confrontation and was now deathly silent.
Bai Yuntian!
The mount of the Desolate Halberd Splitting Sky True Monarch.
A Supreme Being who had served the True Monarch for over two thousand years and, having been enlightened by him, had long since achieved the realm of a Great Demon King.
His true form was a Six-Tusked White Elephant, an Ancient God species long thought extinct.
In a sense, he was a special existence that even the true Acting Sect Leader of the Wuji Holy Sect had to treat with utmost respect.
This Great Demon King, who usually lived in seclusion and was spoken of as a figure of legend, had actually appeared here and now, in such a manner, during a dispute between disciples in Taixu Hall!
Everyone’s gaze couldn’t help but turn toward Qi Yun, who still stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression as calm as ever.
’Just who is this young man... to have "Lord Bai" personally come out to protect him?!’
"Alright, alright, you may all rise."
Bai Yuntian, his face still holding that kind, gentle, almost Maitreya-like smile, made a light gesture with his hand, signaling for everyone to rise.
He slowly turned to look at Qi Yun, who stood behind him with his hands clasped. A hint of exasperation and indulgence showed in his round, clear eyes as he gently chided:
"You, you really don’t give the True Monarch a moment’s peace."
Hearing this, Qi Yun shrugged, a slightly lazy smile appearing on his face. He cupped his hands toward Bai Yuntian and said, "Lord Bai’s lesson is well-received. It won’t happen again."
"Mm."
Bai Yuntian gave a noncommittal nod, his smile unchanging. His gaze shifted to the Black Mountain Master on Dome Peak, and he suggested in a level tone:
"Since it’s come to this, apologize, and we’ll let this matter end here."
’Just an apology and it’s over?’
When these words were spoken, the distant Holy Sect Masters were all shaken, their expressions turning peculiar.
Such a heaven-shaking conflict, such undisguised killing intent that nearly demolished Taixu Hall... all to be settled with a single apology?
’The favoritism is a bit too obvious, isn’t it?’
It really is true that having friends in high places makes things easy, the crowd sighed internally, but no one dared to say a word.
Hearing this, the Black Mountain Master’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He fell silent for a moment, the fingers beneath his dark robes slowly clenching and then unclenching.
Finally, the surging violence and unwillingness deep in his eyes were forcibly suppressed.
He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, tinged with a repressed calm:
"Since Lord Bai has personally stepped in to mediate, I... Black Mountain... have no objections."
He paused, his gaze piercing Qi Yun like a physical object. The lingering coldness deep in his eyes was almost enough to freeze the air.
"Qi Yun, you should apologize."
"What are you talking about?"
Bai Yuntian tilted his head slightly, the kind smile on his face unchanging, his tone laced with a hint of confusion.
He raised a plump finger, pointed gently in the Black Mountain Master’s direction, and repeated with perfect clarity:
"I meant... for you to apologize."
His voice was not loud, still gentle.
But it was like a silent bolt of Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, striking viciously into the depths of every Master’s Purple Mansion!
"Am... am I hallucinating?" a relatively old Master murmured, his lips trembling and his eyes vacant.
"Oh no! My Heart Demon is invading! My five senses are in disarray, and my hearing has gone haywire!" Another’s face turned deathly pale as he subconsciously began to circulate his Purifying Heart Technique.
"What do you mean, haywire?! It’s real! Lord Bai is making the Vice Sect Leader apologize!" someone cried out in a hushed voice.
The distant Holy Sect Masters, every single one of them, were practically petrified on the spot.
Their eyes were wide as they stared fixedly at the rotund, white-robed figure, then glanced in disbelief at the dark figure on Dome Peak, who had suddenly frozen, his aura in turmoil.
What... what in the world was happening?
The aura that the Black Mountain Master had forcibly calmed suddenly became as deathly still as the air before a flash flood. He slowly tightened his brow, a chilling coldness born of utter offense surging in the depths of his narrow, icy eyes.
Taking a deep breath, the Black Mountain Master spoke word by word, his voice dry and raspy:
"Lord Bai, are you saying... that *I* should apologize?"
Every word sounded as if it were painstakingly chiseled from the depths of an ice cavern.
"That’s right."
Bai Yuntian nodded, his expression as normal as ever. The amiable smile on his face even grew a little wider.
His hands were tucked into his wide, plain white sleeves, and his physique remained plump and affable, but the instant he nodded—
BOOM!!!
An immeasurable pressure, like a behemoth from the Primordial Chaos that had slept for eons, completely "awakened" in utter silence!
With Bai Yuntian as the epicenter, the entire space of Taixu Hall, and even everything visible beyond—the Holy Sect Mountain Gate, the continuous mountain ranges, the flowing sea of clouds, the blowing Clear Wind...
Everything, absolutely everything, was forcibly suppressed by this immense might!
His gaze remained gentle.
Yet it felt more piercing and... disempowering than the sharpest blade in the world.
In this frozen space between Heaven and Earth, filled with an intangible pressure, time seemed to stretch into a painful ordeal.
Every breath felt as long as a century.
Finally, amidst the suffocating silence, the Black Mountain Master slowly, and with extreme difficulty, unclenched his fist.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, the raging tempest in their depths had been forcibly frozen over, becoming a bottomless, dark, dead silence.
His voice was hoarse and dry, like grinding stones, but it echoed clearly in the hall where one could hear a pin drop:
"Today’s matter... it was I... Black Mountain... who was presumptuous."
"I apologize... to Nephew Qi."
At these words, absolute silence reigned.
The distant Holy Sect Masters all held their breath, not daring to even breathe too loudly.
A hint of satisfaction was added to the amiable smile on Bai Yuntian’s face. He nodded lightly, and the terrifying might that had enveloped Heaven and Earth receded like the tide, as suddenly as it had appeared.
Light began to flow again, dust motes drifted down slowly, Spiritual Qi resumed its circulation, and the stagnant Magical Power and Divine Thought within everyone’s bodies became active once more.
Everything returned to normal.
Bai Yuntian straightened his sleeves and looked at Qi Yun with a grin, his tone returning to its previous lightheartedness:
"Satisfied now?"
...