Chapter 1390: Heaven and Earth Are Not at Fault, Nor Am I

When Chen Changsheng woke again, he was back at the foot of Green Mountain.

The peach grove remained, yet it felt different from before.

But the woman who shared a name with Green Mountain was still there. She stood beneath the peach tree, seemingly lost in thought.

When she turned around, she saw the man in green robes standing not far away.

Aqing stared blankly for a moment before a smile spread across her face.

Just as in years past, they drank, chatted, ate peaches, and admired the moon.

There were always endless words to share and endless wine to drink.

Dressed in a green skirt, Aqing danced with her longsword beneath the moonlight. A single dance startles the swan, and the flashing sword light left the green-robed Mister beneath the tree mesmerized.

The years seemed to slowly grow better, yet also slowly decay.

She was always there.

Chen Changsheng thought.

What a profound honor.

In the years that followed, Chen Changsheng finally had a place to call home at the foot of Green Mountain.

...

Decades passed in the blink of an eye.

Another upheaval arose between heaven and earth. The cultivator who sought to revitalize the Literary Dao finally comprehended the Great Dao and stepped out from the Purple Bamboo Grove.

Just as he had back then, he began to travel the four corners of the world. However, unlike before, he now spread his teachings, carrying the ideals of the Literary Dao into millions of households.

He visited famous mountains and Immortal Sects everywhere to demonstrate his abilities. In just a few years, he defeated the prodigies of every major Immortal Sect without a single loss.

At Sword Mountain, he claimed a Literary Sword. At Lingyue Immortal Island, he comprehended the Great Dao of the literary lineage. And upon Tianji Mountain, he struck the ancient bell and entered the path of a Half-Saint.

"My name is Kong Ru!"

His voice rang out alongside the toll of the bell.

"I inherit the will of those who came before, to revitalize the Great Dao of the literary lineage!"

"Born in this world, standing in this world, walking in this world—this is the foundation of humanity, the Dao of humanity, the method of humanity..."

"The Literary Dao was severed, so I shall continue the path forward, building a long bridge to revitalize the Great Dao!"

"To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue lost teachings for past sages, and to create peace for ten thousand generations!"

On that day, this tiny figure spread those words across the entire world.

Countless people looked up, only to see that man step into the realm of a Half-Saint with a single stride.

The qi destiny of the Literary Dao, which had been declining for nearly a millennium, suddenly rose in this instant, shooting straight up into the heavens like a pillar of light.

The expressions of the many cultivators of the Mysterious Gate shifted slightly upon seeing this scene.

"This man wants to establish a sect and found a new teaching!"

In the beginning, no one thought highly of this cultivator. They only believed his ambitions were nothing more than wild fantasies.

But when he stepped into the posture of a Half-Saint upon Tianji Mountain, the crowd finally snapped back to reality, realizing exactly what they had let slip by!

"The qi destiny has changed..."

Someone frowned deeply. The world should revere the Mysterious Gate above all else, yet now, out of nowhere, such a Literary Dao cultivator had emerged.

Silently and without warning, he had stepped into the realm of a Half-Saint.

"This brat! He absolutely cannot be allowed to live!"

Murderous intent sprouted in someone's heart. They knew clearly that this wasn't just a Literary Dao cultivator; this was an existence that would impact the Mysterious Gate. In this vast world, the Mysterious Gate ought to be the undisputed master!

But now, an anomaly had appeared!

Kong Ru let out a long breath and walked down from Tianji Mountain.

He was met by countless cultivators of the Mysterious Gate gathering together, intending to attack him.

Ning Bufan stood behind him and said, "There are quite a few people who want to kill you."

Kong Ru calmed his heart and simply replied, "Those who come are guests."

Ning Bufan felt somewhat anxious, but seeing Kong Ru's calm expression, he figured the man already had a countermeasure.

He thought for a moment before saying, "I can't help you this time."

Kong Ru shook his head. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. If I die, then it is the fault of this world!"

Ning Bufan let out a long sigh and took three steps back.

At this moment, dozens of Dongxu Realm cultivators arrived one after another. They hailed from various Immortal Sects, and without exception, possessed profound Dao Cultivation.

They were a group of old monsters, yet today, they summoned their Dharma Instruments and Immortal Swords to stand before such a junior.

More cultivators arrived in succession. Before Kong Ru stood hundreds of cultivators, with even more riding their swords in the sky. At this moment, everyone's gaze landed squarely on him.

And yet, he stood there all alone.

Kong Ru closed his eyes, just about to speak.

Suddenly, a cold snort echoed through the air.

"Hmph!!"

"You bunch of old fogeys, how utterly shameless! To actually gang up on a junior like this!"

A few people flew over on their swords. The old man riding the Immortal Sword at the front wore an expression of mild anger, followed by several disciples and elders.

One look at their attire was enough to reveal their origins.

"Sword Mountain..."

Everyone who had arrived from Sword Mountain was a Sword Immortal.

Led by Jing Wuya, the group included the Dongqing Sword Immortal, the newly risen Sword Immortal of the younger generation Jiang Chengxiu, and several other elders of Sword Mountain. At this moment, they all stood firmly in front of Kong Ru, shielding him.

However, Sword Mountain was not part of the Mysterious Gate. The path of Sword Mountain had never merged into the Mysterious Gate like the rest of the Immortal Sects; it stood entirely on its own. For many years, they hadn't intervened in worldly affairs, yet now they were thrusting themselves right into the middle of this.

Watching this scene unfold, Chen Daoqiu felt the worry in his heart ease slightly.

"This way, the pressure on the boy will be a little less."

Kong Ru looked at the many Sword Immortals who had arrived and cupped his hands. "Thank you, seniors."

The Old Sword Cultivator laughed. "Don't be afraid. With us here, we'll definitely make this bunch of old fogeys feel exactly why Sword Cultivators are called the most lethal path in the world!"

Just then, another figure stepped forward.

"Well said, senior."

Xiao Dongxu arrived riding on a cloud, facing the many cultivators of the Mysterious Gate.

One of them spoke up. "Xiao Dongxu! You are a Dao cultivator of our Mysterious Gate, yet you stand on the other side?"

Xiao Dongxu looked at the crowd and asked, "I walk alone between heaven and earth. When did I ever become a Dao cultivator of the Mysterious Gate?"

"Could it be I have to act like all of you, relying on having entered the Great Dao earlier to block the path of juniors? Is this the style of the Mysterious Gate?"

Xiao Dongxu's words fell upon the ears of everyone present, causing them all to furrow their brows.

"Xiao Dongxu, we both know why we're here. There's no need to spout such nonsense."

"This brat absolutely cannot be allowed to live today!"

Xiao Dongxu took a step forward, and suddenly, a wave of yin and yang energy swept out to cover the area.

His Dharma Manifestation domain unfurled.

In an instant, the many cultivators present were all pulled into a Dharma Manifestation domain formed by the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams.

Startled, the crowd's expressions changed drastically.

But Xiao Dongxu, his face serene, simply said, "In earlier years, you all called me the number one prodigy of this era. Over all these years, haven't you all wanted to see what I'm truly capable of? Now is the perfect time."

Shock appeared on the Old Sword Cultivator's face; he was incredibly astonished.

"What a formidable Dharma Manifestation domain..."

It could even rival some of the old monsters who never left seclusion.

Yet, how many years had Xiao Dongxu even been cultivating?

As that Dharma Manifestation domain opened, the area suddenly grew a bit quieter.

Xiao Dongxu's gaze swept over the crowd.

He asked, "Today, Sword Mountain and I intend to protect this man. If any of you have an objection, there is no need to waste breath on nonsense—just draw your swords!"

Xiao Dongxu and the many Sword Cultivators of Sword Mountain stepped forward.

Kong Ru looked at the several people standing in front of him, and in that moment, all the worry in his heart was completely swept away.

Heaven and earth are not at fault!

And neither am I!