Chapter 193: Great Terror!

Wang Ping truly did not know.

The Heaven-Stealing Thief's words also made him think of another, even more important matter: the "Six Harmonies" suppressed by the Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron were actually the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens.

If so, how exactly did it suppress them?

The only thing that could counter a heaven and earth qi was another heaven and earth qi. Could it be that, just like the qi belonging to the Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron, it was suppressed using Wu Earth Qi?

That begged the question: which strand of Wu Earth?

'Purging the Stale Qi of the Six Heavens and the independence of human qi were the same event, and both were connected to the Great Rebellion.'

'In that case...'

Thinking of this, Wang Ping looked up at the Heaven-Stealing Thief and sent a spiritual sense transmission. "The Wu Earth you speak of refers to the strand located within humanity among the Three Powers, right?"

"You really do know about the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens."

The Heaven-Stealing Thief gave a slight nod. "Correct. The heaven and earth qi belonging to the Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron is Wu Earth, which is also the yang earth within humanity."

"Wu Earth is yang in nature. In heaven, it manifests as sunset clouds, titled the Sun-Dwelling Mysterious Rainbow Inconstant Qi. On earth, it forms mountains, known as the Thousand Towering Peaks Demon-Subduing Qi. In humanity, it governs destiny, manifesting as the Origin-Governing Battle-Axe-Wielding Fate-Governing Qi. Back then, the Dani Great Ancestor relied on this very strand of qi to rebel against the immortals, forcefully purging the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens."

"Unfortunately, since then, this qi hasn't produced a single Qi Refining practitioner."

Wang Ping froze upon hearing this.

"No more Qi Refining practitioners? Why?"

"Because they feared someone might release the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens again." The Heaven-Stealing Thief sneered. "Just like a prison, it naturally needs to be locked."

Wang Ping looked thoughtful after hearing this.

But soon after, he shook his head. "That won't work. Although the Divine Power I want to cultivate is yang earth, it isn't the yang earth within humanity. It is the heavenly Wu Earth."

"The Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron cannot explain its origins."

"Oh?" The Heaven-Stealing Thief's gaze shifted slightly. "Heavenly Yang Earth... what Divine Power is it?"

"The Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart," Wang Ping answered frankly.

"...So it's that Divine Power." The Heaven-Stealing Thief spoke in a relaxed tone. "No matter. As long as it is a yang earth Divine Power, the Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron can explain it."

"In short, you are the most suitable person to deal with Xuanyin."

The Heaven-Stealing Thief's figure gradually turned ethereal.

"Of course, the prerequisite is that you must first successfully cultivate a Divine Power... The Crimson Glaze should be useful to you. If you have further needs, you can speak to me again."

As he spoke his final words, for some unknown reason, this True Transmission who had betrayed the Immortal Gate suddenly let out a bizarre, spine-chilling laugh.

"It seems this trip wasn't made in vain after all."

"Here's to a pleasant cooperation."

...

The Heaven-Stealing Thief left just like that.

He came in a hurry and left in a hurry, as if he had genuinely come specifically to deliver the Crimson Glaze to his 'good disciple' and help him cultivate a Divine Power.

Naturally, Wang Ping wouldn't believe such nonsense. Moreover, in his view, the Heaven-Stealing Thief's confidence in him seemed rather baffling.

'True, if the spiritual qi environment turns into Turbid Earth and Darkened Heavens, it would indeed provide a massive boost to my Latent Concealment dharma power. But it would severely weaken my Divine Power, the Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart. With the two canceling each other out, why is he so certain I can defeat Xuanyin?'

'Though Xuanyin would also be weakened himself...'

Wang Ping felt a headache coming on.

He kept feeling that something was wrong, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. He felt like a butterfly caught in a spider's web, struggling desperately in vain.

'I get the feeling everyone is out to get me.'

The Heaven-Stealing Thief and Kunyun—neither of them were clean. There might even be stronger masterminds behind them, and it wasn't impossible for Qi Refining practitioners to be involved.

'This is truly Pulling Chestnuts From a Fire.'

Wang Ping sighed inwardly. At this point, his resources were genuinely stretched thin. His Martial Dao cultivation had stagnated, leaving immortal cultivation as his only viable path forward.

Furthermore, opportunities only arose in chaos.

'If I really just ignored everything and cast it all aside, I suppose it wouldn't be impossible to use the Outer Heavenly Demon to change my identity, go to the Immortal Gate, and start completely anew.'

But what meaning would there be in that?

Not to mention anything else, the Five Thieves Heaven-Stealing Series and the Void Joy Non-Dual Guardian Consort Talisman in his sea of consciousness doomed him to never escape the chessboard.

No matter how many times he resurrected, they would find him.

Not to mention he still carried Kunlun's True Transmission Destiny Pattern on his back. If he didn't deal with Kunyun this time, once the man became a Qi Refining practitioner and came looking for him, he would truly be finished.

Therefore, his only option was to press forward relentlessly!

At this thought, Wang Ping completely cast aside all hesitation and thoughts of retreat. At that exact moment, he clearly sensed a spike in his mental activity.

'My Divine Intent has improved.'

Wang Ping gained a faint realization and subconsciously tried to further stimulate his Divine Intent, but when he actually did so, it stopped changing altogether.

Right then, an ethereal voice drifted in on the wind:

'There is no need to rush for success.'

'Martial Dao cultivation lies in the "self." This step requires the tempering of time and the mortal world. The time you have spent practicing martial arts is simply too short for you to casually break through.'

'Take it slowly.'

'Sometimes, suppressing it is a good thing. The harder you press down and the longer you take, the greater the reward will be on the day you finally break through.'

The voice was like a pool of clear spring water, extinguishing the anxiety Wang Ping felt over the treacherous situation. His eagerness for quick success smoothed back into a steady calm.

"This disciple understands. Thank you, Master."

Wang Ping cupped his hands in thanks.

No matter what plans the Heaven-Stealing Thief had, no matter what dark conspiracies lurked behind everything that had happened so far, what he needed to do remained unchanged.

Get stronger, and climb higher.

Only by climbing to the very top, step by step, would he earn the qualifications to see the truth of everything. Only then would he possess the genuine confidence to control his own destiny.

Gathering his thoughts, Wang Ping turned to look at Xuanhe:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanhe, earlier you mentioned there was an important matter you needed to discuss with me regarding the history of Great Shun, and that it would help in killing Kunyun... May I ask what this important matter is?"

Xuanhe paused for a moment before finally reacting.

It couldn't be helped; the Heaven-Stealing Thief's sudden appearance had been far too terrifying. He was still reeling from the shock and had nearly forgotten all about it.

Now that Wang Ping brought it up, he finally remembered.

"The Dashun Imperial Family... is connected to the Immortal Prescription Courtyard, one of the Three Great Academies."

Xuanhe said in a deep voice, "Or rather, the founding Grand Ancestor of Great Shun was actually the disciple of a Qi Refining practitioner from the Immortal Prescription Courtyard. Later on, he seized the opportunity to establish the dynasty."

"From there, he ascended to the Immortal Gate."

"Ultimately, he became a Corpse Dissolution Immortal under that Qi Refining practitioner's jurisdiction. To this day, he remains the channel of communication between the Dashun Imperial Family and the Immortal Prescription Courtyard, as well as their greatest backer."

A Corpse Dissolution Immortal!

Wang Ping's pupils shrank upon hearing this. So the Dashun Imperial Family actually had real backing! No wonder the First Seat hadn't fully fallen out with them yet; the weight of a Corpse Dissolution Immortal was undeniable.

Although, theoretically speaking, a Corpse Dissolution Immortal was far inferior to an orthodox Qi Refining practitioner, they still stood far above those below them. No matter how weak a Corpse Dissolution Immortal was, striking downward to kill a Tribulation Transcending cultivator was effortless. With the Dashun Imperial Family having such a background, it was no wonder they had sat securely on the throne for so many years.

"But... how does this help us kill Kunyun?"

"Did you forget, Fellow Daoist?"

Xuanhe sneered. "The Heaven and Earth Pavilion is backed by the Divine Weapon Courtyard... Kunyun may hail from the Xuanyi Immortal Peak, but his master is a Qi Refining practitioner from the Divine Weapon Courtyard."

"And the Divine Weapon Courtyard and the Immortal Prescription Courtyard are mortal enemies!"

Realization dawned on Wang Ping. "You mean to say, the Immortal Prescription Courtyard most likely doesn't want to see a true transmission disciple of the Divine Weapon Courtyard successfully survive his life tribulation?"

"But isn't that just infighting?"

Wang Ping reconsidered, a bit doubtful.

"Not to mention they'd be plotting the death of a True Transmission. Is the conflict between the Three Great Academies really that intense? Would Dashun Taizu truly go to such lengths?"

At these words, Xuanhe burst out laughing.

"Hahaha!"

"Conflict? Fellow Daoist, you still underestimate the Immortal Gate. Infighting is the Immortal Gate's finest tradition! Besides, how does the death of a True Transmission count as an intense conflict?"

"Back when the conflicts were truly intense, even Corpse Dissolution Immortals died on a whim, and there were even a few true Qi Refining practitioners who fought until their bodies perished and their Dao was extinguished!"

...

The Dashun Imperial Palace.

Wang Ping contacted the Treasure Cauldron Spirit, and with a flash, he returned to the alchemy room, simply leaning back to sit beside the Ever-Suppressing Six Harmonies Cauldron.

Actually, he had originally intended to take the opportunity to view the Heavenly Work Spiritual Treasure inside the Tribute Hall—the Three Sovereigns World-Observing Mirror. However, he was informed that the treasure was temporarily absent from the Capital.

After asking around, he learned that Chou Niu of the Tribute Hall had taken it out on an expedition to subjugate a massive evil phantom. With no other choice, Wang Ping could only regretfully drop the matter.

"...Lord Treasure Cauldron."

"What is it?"

Wang Ping thought for a moment before asking softly, "Is the heaven and earth qi you belong to the yang earth within humanity? That is, the Origin-Governing Battle-Axe-Wielding Fate-Governing Qi."

"Yeah."

The Treasure Cauldron Spirit's response sounded slightly dopey, yet calm. It made Wang Ping let out a long sigh of relief, his thoughts gradually stabilizing as he separated a strand of spiritual sense.

"Then, Lord Treasure Cauldron, could you take a look at this Divine Power for me?"

"This is also a yang earth Divine Power, called the Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart. I heard that all yang earth Divine Powers are connected to you. Perhaps you recognize this one?"

"You've made a mistake."

The Treasure Cauldron Spirit's voice carried a hint of confusion. "You already said that the qi I belong to is the yang earth within humanity. Since that is the case, I am naturally limited to it."

"The Heavenly Yang Earth and the earthly yang earth—one forms sunset clouds and the other mountains—neither has anything to do with me. How could I possibly know about them? Your question is so strange."

"Is that so..." Wang Ping furrowed his brow tightly.

Clearly, the Treasure Cauldron Spirit's words contradicted what the Heaven-Stealing Thief had said. Compared to the Heaven-Stealing Thief's one-sided claims, he naturally trusted the Treasure Cauldron Spirit more.

But why would the Heaven-Stealing Thief lie?

Just as Wang Ping was pondering this, he heard the Treasure Cauldron Spirit continue: "Ah, but I actually do recognize the yang earth Divine Power you just brought out."

"...What?"

Wang Ping froze.

"That doesn't make sense... This is a Heavenly Yang Earth Divine Power. Lord Treasure Cauldron, didn't you just say it has nothing to do with you? How do you recognize it?"

"Heavenly Yang Earth?"

The Treasure Cauldron Spirit's reply was even more perplexed than Wang Ping's. "You must be mistaken. The Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart... is clearly a Divine Power of the yang earth within humanity."

"...Huh?"

Hearing this, Wang Ping immediately stood rooted to the spot.

Shortly after, an immense, terrifying dread gripped his heart like an invisible hand: he had obtained the Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart from You Xuexin!

If there was something wrong with this Major Divine Ability...

Then what about You Xuexin!?

And what about all the other things he had received from You Xuexin? Could they all be compromised? Which ones could he trust, and which ones should he doubt?

"Are you kidding me?!"