Chapter 336: The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell, Escaping to the Third Layer!

The torrent of destiny.

With a shift of Wang Ping's consciousness, the towering Dormant Dragon Kun crashed into destiny, releasing a joyous whale song.

Drawing a destiny form was only the beginning; it still needed to merge with the torrent of destiny and withstand its scouring to be considered complete. This was the most dangerous step. If the condensed destiny form was not strong enough and collapsed under the torrent, the cultivator risked death.

The crux of this step depended on the substance of one's life.

Because of this, many cultivators with Major Divine Abilities at the Tribulation Transcending Second Layer did not dare attempt the breakthrough, even when they were capable of condensing their destiny form. Instead, they traveled the world.

This was all to accumulate the weight of their lives.

Living in this world, the more one experienced, the heavier their life became. Consequently, the final destiny form they drew would be better equipped to endure the scouring of the torrent of destiny, significantly increasing their chances of a successful breakthrough.

"Blindly engaging in bitter cultivation and isolating oneself from the world will never lead to the Tribulation Transcending Third Layer."

"It's almost as if destiny is encouraging lower-level cultivators to venture out and stir up trouble. I suppose that's one way to indirectly reduce the difficulty of cultivation."

After all, compared to the raw talent required to comprehend the Heavenly Dao, stirring up trouble was far easier. Shrewdness and scheming could be tempered through experience, making the actual difficulty much lower.

Naturally, this hurdle was meaningless to Wang Ping. The weight of his life was so immense that even if his destiny form had been drawn poorly, he could have established a firm foothold in the torrent of destiny based on that weight alone. Not to mention, his destiny form was near perfect and of superior quality, rendering the process entirely devoid of difficulty.

"You get what you put in."

All the hardships and countless obstacles he had previously experienced became fuel for his cultivation in this moment, adding luster to his destiny form.

A moment later, Wang Ping opened his eyes.

As his consciousness returned, an unprecedented sense of omnipotence filled his heart. Only now had his long-stagnant Immortal Dao cultivation finally caught up to his Martial Dao.

In fact, it had even surpassed it!

However, unlike the rainbow-like blood vitality of the Martial Dao, Wang Ping's breakthrough triggered no outward anomalies. Instead, he appeared even more ordinary.

The only difference was a gentle, watery spiritual light rippling in the depths of his eyes. The once unattainable destiny could now be clearly seen just by looking up. It was as if the Dormant Dragon Kun dwelling within it was his true main body, while his mortal flesh was nothing more than a worthless vessel of flesh he could discard at any time.

"Destiny forms truly are the foundation of the Great Dao."

Wang Ping sighed softly. "Serving as a footnote to one's life, blessing one's cultivation, and transcending the mortal coil. No wonder the ancient era called this step Foundation Establishment. The description is remarkably apt."

Of course, this was just an illusion.

Without reaching the Refining Practitioner tier, the physical body would always be irreplaceable. This was merely a misconception born from breaking through to the Tribulation Transcending Third Layer, as his cultivation approached the Refining Practitioner level.

After all, once the physical body died, destiny would reach its endpoint. No matter how strong a destiny form was, it would become water without a source. It could not persist for long and would sooner or later fade into oblivion.

When the body dies, the Dao vanishes. That was simply the way of things.

Turning his head, Wang Ping looked at Crown-Stroking Mountain, which had played a crucial role in his breakthrough. A hint of eagerness inadvertently slipped into his eyes. "What a fine treasure... it is fated to be mine."

Unfortunately, it belonged to the Heaven-Stealing Thief.

He then glanced in Kunlun's direction. The man had long since abandoned his perception of the outside world, dedicating himself entirely to extinguishing the Earth Yang Fire.

"It is time to go out for a walk."

Wang Ping raised his eyes. He could clearly feel that, after breaking through to the Tribulation Transcending Third Layer, the identity of the Great Rebellion pressing down on him was no longer so heavy.

He could shed it at any time.

Just like a golden cicada sheds its shell.

In other words...

As long as I wish it, I can escape karma right now by killing myself and reincarnating!

The divine power lockdown would cease to exist!

However, after calming down, Wang Ping suppressed the urge. Having received such a massive benefit from the Water Qi True Monarch, he couldn't just commit suicide and run away.

Otherwise, he would be offending that exalted figure.

After all, even though he no longer needed to worry about being tracked down after reincarnation through the Ten Thousand Gods Terrestrial Chart, there was still the grand divine power When the Gentleman Conceals His Weapon to consider.

Others might not be able to find him, but the Water Qi True Monarch, who had personally designed that Major Divine Ability, definitely could.

Thus, he absolutely could not afford to offend him.

"I still need to finish what must be done... Besides, after toying with me for so long, it's about time I get my payback." Wang Ping let out a sinister laugh.

With that, he stepped out of the Heavenly Craft Cave Abode.

Outside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, in the Cosmic Deep Space.

Two figures sat cross-legged with auspicious clouds above their heads. Both were manifested from the qi of heaven and earth, each bearing distinct imagery: one of flickering candlelight, the other of clashing weaponry and war.

They were none other than Mingyou and Tianxing.

"Hm?"

Right at that moment, Tianxing suddenly looked up and turned excitedly toward the Eight Trigrams Furnace. "The aura of the Great Rebellion seems to be fluctuating."

Tianxing pinched his fingers and calculated for a moment before realization dawned on his face. He looked at Mingyou. "The aura of the Great Rebellion was perfectly fine, so why would it suddenly waver? An unforeseen event must have occurred. It should be the doing of that good disciple of yours. However, his Martial Dao is incomplete. Judging from the situation, perhaps he still used the Heavenly Yin Metal to break through!"

Hearing this, Mingyou cast a sidelong glance at Tianxing.

"...What?" Tianxing frowned.

"Nothing."

Mingyou offered a gentle smile and affectionately patted Tianxing's shoulder. "I just think, Daoist friend, that your current cultivation is a bit too rushed. You should let it settle a little more."

Tianxing: "???"

Ignoring the glaring, wide-eyed Tianxing, Mingyou lowered his eyelids and looked toward the Eight Trigrams Furnace. After pinching his fingers to deduce for a moment, he reached his own conclusion.

That little beast never releases the hawk until he sees the hare. Now that the Daoist Master's layout has clearly gone awry, a major figure has intervened, sealing off the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the Eight Treasure Table, the entire sword duel battlefield, and the surrounding Cosmic Deep Space. With such a grand stroke, how could they not have placed a piece on him?

In all likelihood, that little beast has caught the favor of a great figure.

What tremendous luck!

At this thought, Mingyou couldn't help but grit his teeth. Back when he crossed his Eight-Crossed Fate Tribulation, he had never received such treatment. Such dog-shit luck was truly enviable.

However, no matter what, he reasoned, the current wavering of the Great Rebellion's aura definitely has nothing to do with the Heavenly Yin Metal. In fact, it is the exact opposite. I fear that little beast has found another way out!

The Daoist Master is in trouble.

Mingyou shook his head. He wasn't panicked, though. After all, he had long since shifted his foundational focus toward the Martial Dao. He wouldn't lose out either way, naturally allowing him to sit firmly on the fishing terrace and watch events unfold.

However... the Daoist Master must definitely be aware of the things I can see.

What does he make of it?

With this thought in mind, Mingyou couldn't help but look up. His gaze landed on a deep, profound ocean; currently, they were situated at the very bottom of this sea.

Yet, as time passed, this ocean was dissipating at an increasingly rapid rate. Clearly, the time for the three True Persons to return was rapidly approaching.

Meanwhile.

Up in a higher dimension, Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang, Daoist Master Xuanxiao Yingyuan, and Arhat Shengle—three towering figures—stood in slight silence.

By now, Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang was no longer hiding anything. The Mysterious Wood Qi Daoist Master had been retracted by him. Mysterious profound energies circulated around him as the Gen Trigram and Xun Trigram collided in alternation. Every collision unleashed a terrifying, heart-palpitating mighty power, yet the two could never merge into one to truly manifest the ultimate position.

Because his grand enterprise was incomplete.

"Taking the Gen Trigram as the host and the Xun Trigram as the guest, with Gen above and Xun below, what he seeks is the Mountain Wind Gu. No wonder he is so obsessed with restoring the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens."

Arhat Shengle pressed his palms together, quietly evaluating Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang.

What was the Mountain Wind Gu?

Wind beneath the mountain constitutes Gu. The gentleman uses it to stir up the people and nurture virtue.

As the name implied, wind traveling beneath the mountain resulted in the chaos of Gu. Only by rising up, eliminating corruption, curing the chaos, and demonstrating virtue could a cultivator ascend to this ultimate position.

What massive ambition!

Arhat Shengle marveled inwardly. Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang's chosen target was to treat the great enterprise of the Great Rebellion as the Gu at the foot of the Immortal Dao's mountain!

The Great Rebellion Purging the Stale Qi of the Six Heavens and shattering the thirty-fold framework of heaven and earth—this was the chaos of Gu. Returning the Ancient Qi of the Six Heavens to its rightful place would be bringing order out of chaos. If he actually succeeds in pulling this off, an event capable of altering the very framework of the world, he will complete his enterprise. Ascending to the ultimate position would be practically guaranteed!

However, ambition alone was not enough.

Having empty ambition without the means to execute it... if this layout fails, he will simply be someone with a heart higher than the heavens, fate thinner than paper. He would only be leaving himself open to ridicule by experts.

But...

Reaching this thought, Arhat Shengle cast another glance at Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang, pondering deeply.

Variables have sprung up out of nowhere, and the ancient Water Qi True Monarch has even acted personally. With his very Dao path on the line, he still looks as though he holds all the winning cards.

What is the source of his confidence?

Right at that moment, Daoist Master Xuanxiao Yingyuan spoke up.

Compared to the calm and composed Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang, he seemed far more impatient. "Danyang, if we wait any longer, the entire grand scheme is going to fall apart."

With the return of the human-yang wood to the sequence of heaven and earth at stake, along with the continuation of the wood Dao path, and even his own cultivation, he couldn't help but be anxious. This was especially true regarding the situation inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace. Xianfu clearly had enough momentum gathered, yet they still hadn't initiated the mass ascension of the court. This made him feel that something was terribly wrong.

Following this, the twenty-four-colored radiant light rippled, transmitting a light chuckle. "Daoist friend Xuanxiao, you worry too much."

"Oh?" Daoist Master Xuanxiao Yingyuan looked toward the radiant light. "You still have a way? If you do, then hurry up and use it. Stop hiding it."

"What I mean is that there is no need to wait. The grand scheme has already been broken. We have lost this piece."

"...Huh?"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the thunderous rumbling across the world instantly intensified, symbolizing the fury of a True Person. "You plan to give up?"

"Of course not."

Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang laughed. "In cultivating the true through the false, there will always be wins and losses. Gan Wujiu and that chess piece are not ordinary mortals. They have quite the means, certainly no lesser than those Refining Practitioners. What's more, with a True Monarch intervening, errors are inevitable. Keep an open mind. Immortal cultivation has always been measured in millions of years. Why the rush?"

"Furthermore..."

Pausing there, the radiant light flickered brightly and dimly, and a hint of a smile crept into Daoist Master Hanguang Danyang's tone. "How can the grand scheme be dictated by the victory or defeat of a single piece?"

"If we lose here..."

"...we simply need to find a way to win it back somewhere else."