Chapter 519 - 456: Conferring the Title of... True Monarch

"You mean..." The Netherworld Blood Sea True Monarch’s eyes, usually as cold as eternal ice, narrowed slightly as his brow furrowed.

"Aside from the World Honored One..." His voice carried a heavy tone. "There is another... existence Above the True Monarch covertly coveting and plotting to lay hands on Profound Yellow?"

This speculation alone made the hearts of the three Dharma Bodies present sink.

A single World Honored One, even without descending in his true form, had nearly played all the True Monarchs of Profound Yellow in the palm of his hand and locked down All Marvelous Heaven for fifty years using merely his pre-arranged seals and avatars!

If there was more than one such terrifying existence...

Wouldn’t the Profound Yellow Origin Realm be in a precarious situation, surrounded by enemies on all sides?

It was like a pile of eggs, ready to topple and shatter at any moment!

Qi Yun looked at their solemn expressions but did not answer immediately. He slowly raised his gaze, peering once more into the deepest recesses of the unseen void, as if meeting the eyes of some indescribable entity across space.

A moment later, he retracted his gaze. His expression was so calm it was almost unsettling. He spoke softly, uttering words that sent a violent tremor through the Heart and Spirit of the three Dharma Bodies.

"In truth, there is more than just one."

More than just one!

A single World Honored One was already so difficult to deal with.

If there were two, three... If these beings Above the True Monarch joined forces to scheme against Profound Yellow...

An unprecedented, crushing pressure—like facing the impending collapse of the entire world—washed over them. Even with their current Status and state of mind, they couldn’t help but feel a chill of dread.

"The Profound Yellow Origin Realm... holds a unique position," Qi Yun’s voice rang out again, breaking the suffocating silence.

"For some reason, those existences ’Above the True Monarch’ want to destroy Profound Yellow.

"However, due to the restrictions of the Profound Yellow Origin Realm, they cannot directly descend in their true forms to act personally.

"Therefore, they must lay down layers of contingencies to trigger great internal chaos within Profound Yellow, create boundless slaughter, and weaken the origin of this realm. Only then can they seek that fleeting opportunity to achieve their ultimate goal."

Qi Yun paused briefly to give the three of them time to process before continuing.

"This process might be very short—if their schemes are exquisite enough to succeed in a single strike—or it might be extremely long, requiring countless years of brewing and waiting.

"At least for now, because of me, the several major contingencies the World Honored One placed in Profound Yellow have been repeatedly thwarted and ultimately failed.

"The other existences ’Above the True Monarch’ are still watching from the sidelines."

Having offered this brief explanation, Qi Yun didn’t delve any deeper into the topic.

He raised a hand and gently pressed down. Formless Daoist Intent rippled outward, diffusing any unseen scrutiny that their conversation might have drawn.

"Those entities are all terrifying figures who have transcended karma and stand aloof from worldly matters," Qi Yun said, lowering his voice.

"Even if we don’t directly mention their True Names or titles, discussing them too much or speculating too deeply might stir karmic ripples in the unseen world, drawing unnecessary attention.

"It’s enough just to know and keep it in mind."

Hearing this, the three Dharma Bodies felt a jolt in their hearts and nodded in unison.

Next, Qi Yun carefully detailed many situations that might arise after his departure, things they needed to watch out for, and some emergency communication and handling methods. The three Dharma Bodies listened with utmost seriousness, nodding occasionally as they committed every instruction to memory.

Once everything was properly arranged, Qi Yun waved his hand.

"Go now, and make your respective preparations.

"When the time comes for me to pluck the Dao Fruit, I will summon you."

"We strictly obey your decree!" The three of them bowed once more. Their figures gradually faded away, vanishing like ink blending into the void.

Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple returned to silence.

Qi Yun sat alone beneath the withered tree and slowly closed his eyes.

The chaotic, multi-colored aura that had been endlessly circulating around him gradually drew inward and settled.

Time flowed quietly through this secluded mountain.

One day, as the morning sun rose, its golden radiance spilled over Cyan Mountain.

WHOOSH—

WHOOSH—

WHOOSH—

Three incomparably condensed streaks of divine light, each a different color, tore through the sky from three separate directions. They flew straight over Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple’s domain before descending from the clouds, landing steadily on the bluestone terrace in front of the temple.

The divine light receded, revealing three figures.

The one at the forefront wore a profound black Daoist Robe. He had a gaunt face with three long strands of beard. His steady gaze betrayed a hint of unconcealable nervousness. It was Thousand Heart Daoist.

The second person wore a brocade robe and a jade belt. He was burly and imposing, but at this moment, he kept adjusting his collar and cuffs. He even couldn’t help but tug at Thousand Heart Daoist’s sleeve, whispering:

"Fellow Daoist, do I look... presentable? Is there anything improper?"

This was Situ Huaji.

His sleeve rustling from the tug, Thousand Heart Daoist couldn’t help but frown. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head in forced composure and softly chided, "Fellow Daoist Situ! No matter what, we are still Masters who have successfully reached Foundation Establishment and made a name for ourselves in our respective regions!

"What kind of decorum is this, panicking like this?! Do not lose your manners in front of the True Monarch!"

As he spoke, he discreetly hid his left hand—which was trembling slightly from nervousness—deeper into his wide sleeve.

Standing at the back, Master Ling glanced at the two clearly fidgeting characters in front of him and shook his head helplessly. He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the turbulent emotions surging in his own heart.

"Enough. Don’t delay here and make the True Monarch wait."

The three said no more. They straightened their clothes and, harboring a complex mix of apprehension, excitement, and awe, walked up the plain bluestone steps in front of the Daoist Temple one by one.

The mountain path was serene; only the sound of their footsteps and slightly rapid breathing could be heard.

It didn’t take long before the simple wooden doors of the Daoist Temple came into view.

At this moment, beneath the withered old tree in the temple courtyard—one that had lived for an unknown number of years—a peaceful scene greeted their eyes.

Qi Yun, dressed in an ordinary coarse gray Daoist Robe, sat across from a young Daoist who was equally plainly dressed with clear-cut features.

Between them was a simple stone table. On it sat a pot of clear tea and two coarse earthenware teacups, steaming faintly. The two of them looked serene as they conversed in low voices.

The instant they saw Qi Yun—

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The three of them, almost in perfect unison and without the slightest hesitation, dropped straight to their knees!

With their foreheads pressed tightly against the freezing bluestone ground, their bodies trembled slightly from tension and excitement. Their voices, slightly hoarse from exertion yet incomparably clear and reverent, shouted in unison:

"Disciples pay their respects to the Primordial Grand Encompassing True Monarch!

"We respectfully wish the True Monarch boundless longevity and eternal prosperity in the Great Dao!"

Their voices echoed through the silent Daoist Temple.

Hearing this, Qi Yun exchanged a smile with the young Daoist across from him.

He slowly turned his head. His gaze fell upon the three figures prostrating at the courtyard entrance, and a nostalgic smile played on his lips.

"Alright, rise," his voice was peaceful, carrying a power that involuntarily calmed their Heart and Spirit.

"Th-thank you, True Monarch!"

The three felt as if they had received a great amnesty. They respectfully kowtowed once more before cautiously standing up.

But even after rising, they kept their heads bowed, looking down at their noses and focusing inward. They didn’t even dare to breathe heavily, let alone raise their eyes to look directly at Qi Yun.

After all, the person before them was no longer the "Little Friend Qi" or "Fellow Daoist Qi" they had once shared some camaraderie with, or even called a brother.

He was a bona fide Primordial Grand Encompassing True Monarch—one who had ascended to the throne, taken command of the Primordial, crushed the World Honored One’s avatar in a single move, and made a name that shook the heavens!

He was one of the Supreme Beings standing at the absolute pinnacle of Profound Yellow and the broader world beyond!

The natural pressure and awe born from this massive disparity in Status made it impossible for them to maintain a normal state of mind.

Seeing their extremely restrained behavior, Qi Yun couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.

He reached out to pick up the coarse earthenware teapot from the stone table, took three clean teacups, and personally poured three cups of clear tea.

"Come over and sit." He pointed at a few stone stools beside the table.

The three exchanged glances. After hesitating for a moment, they took careful steps and shuffled over to the stone table. However, they only dared to perch on the very edge of the stone stools, sitting with their backs perfectly straight.

"Do you know why I summoned you all here today?"

Qi Yun pushed the three cups of tea in front of them and asked casually, his tone as relaxed as if he were making small talk.

Hearing this, the three looked at each other in dismay, temporarily at a loss for words.

Ultimately, it was Thousand Heart Daoist—the oldest and most steady of the three—who respectfully answered.

"To answer the True Monarch... we disciples are dull. We truly do not know what instructions you have for summoning us.

"But please give us your clear directive, True Monarch. We disciples will definitely not decline, even if it means dying ten thousand times over!"

Situ Huaji and Master Ling nodded repeatedly as well.

Seeing their nervous state, Qi Yun couldn’t help but smile. He picked up his own teacup and took a light sip before speaking unhurriedly.

"It’s actually nothing major.

"It’s just that it’s been a long time, and I miss some old friends." His gaze swept over their faces with a hint of reminiscence. "I wanted to... catch up with you all."

The three were taken aback, their taut heartstrings involuntarily relaxing just a fraction.

So... it was just to catch up?

A look of relief couldn’t help but appear on their faces, and their bodies relaxed slightly.

Right at that moment, Qi Yun set down his teacup, looked at them calmly, and continued.

"In addition, I plan to help the three of you become True Monarchs."

"...?!"

Time seemed to freeze at this very moment.

The teacup that Thousand Heart Daoist had just picked up dropped onto the stone table with a CLATTER. Tea splashed everywhere, but he was completely oblivious. He just stared with wide eyes and slightly parted lips, as if he had just heard an absurd fantasy.

The hint of a relaxed smile that had just surfaced on Situ Huaji’s face instantly froze.

On Master Ling’s usually cold and composed face, his eyes were now bulging wide, unable to produce a single sound.

Help... help us... become True Monarchs?!

Those few casually spoken words were like world-destroying divine lightning striking down from the highest heavens, ruthlessly detonating deep within their Seas of Consciousness. In that instant, it blew all their thoughts, cognition, and emotions to absolute pieces!

The Daoist Temple was silent. There was only the rustling of the mountain breeze brushing through the dead branches, and the sound of three hearts—nearly stopped by extreme shock—beating wildly against their chests.