Chapter Forty-Eight: The Grand Emperor of a Thousand Chrysanthemums

Wuyun spoke as he gestured to his own face above, smiling, “This is no ordinary thing—it is the aura of misfortune. Once it gathers, calamity befalls anything it touches. I must clear it quickly, or else…”

Before he could finish, the entire Celestial Tortoise Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Formation Diagram surged toward the rift in hyperspace. Ordinarily, after replenishing its energy, the diagram should have returned to the Third Immortal Realm.

Everyone hurriedly urged Wuyun to control the diagram, but he devoted himself to cleansing the black aura. At last, as the dark energy was drawn into a prayer bead, the ashen bead became pitch black, emitting a faint, eerie glow before being sealed away in a treasured vessel.

With the aura of misfortune gone, the formation diagram immediately began to struggle. It was Liucai who, ever the opportunist, frantically tried to control it—having just taken charge, his mastery over it was tenuous, but he exerted all his strength to demonstrate his worth.

At that moment, the treasured vessel was corroded by the dark glow and damaged. Exhausted, Ancestor Dragon Liucai let out a long sigh, seeking respite.

Wuyun then enveloped a broken Dao artifact, scolded Liucai a few times, and forced him to exert himself again, halting the diagram's awakening.

“We must find the Tiger-faced Immortal quickly. We have time, place, and unity on our side, and the karmic power of this cat demon is strong. I fear he may be exiled by the Spirit of Space!”

Any powerful artifact seeking entry to the Qianluo Space must endure the battering of spatial rifts. The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Diagram was no exception. Suddenly, as Wuyun chanted, the diagram split into nineteen minor formation spirits, automatically downgraded to Dao artifact level, and after slight damage, was gathered into Wuyun's palm.

In his left hand, he held the broken Dao artifact that concealed misfortune; in his right, the nineteen formation diagrams. Triumphant, Wuyun turned to glance at the shrinking rift—only for his expression to freeze.

For the spatial rift was suddenly blocked by a battered little boat.

This boat, just over twenty meters long, forced open a portal a thousand yards wide. A profound and mysterious thought flashed in Wuyun's mind, and he blurted, “All three I least wished to see have gathered!”

Indeed, this small boat was one of the three beings in the Magnetic Void he most dreaded.

“You and I were never meant to meet, but you are too formidable. The mightiest formation in the entire Magnetic Void has fallen into your hands; I had no choice but to come. If not, I would be forever lost in Qianluo Space, devoured by the Spirit of Space.”

Wuyun sighed deeply and said to the others, “This is the Spirit of Space, the very food of space’s order. Tell me, what difference is there between snatching food from its maw and stealing a dog’s bowl? That fierce dog would hardly let me live!”

“How dare you insult the Spirit of Space! You bear its mark as well—are you not afraid it will cast you into endless cycles of torment?”

From within the boat came a languid, elegant voice that was oddly pleasant. Wuyun was about to retort when he realized something was amiss and cut off Xiong Laosan’s noisy complaints. “Spirit of Space, since you are here, surely you won’t let him trouble me? He is picking a fight unprovoked. If I help him, it harms you; if I do not, it harms me now!”

Having secured the formation diagram, Wuyun wished to avoid further trouble, but the boat seemed to read his mind. “If you help me, that Demon Emperor will perish in your formation. If you refuse, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Diagram will become the Seven Heavens and Eight Earths. Perhaps, I exist solely for this day.”

Wuyun was at a loss, and the presence behind the boat lingered in silence.

“This boat bears imperial might—could it be an Immortal Emperor’s artifact?” Long Yi watched for a long time, but saw nothing amiss, though it was clearly a weapon forged through countless tribulations.

“Far more terrifying than an imperial artifact. This is the soul of an Immortal Emperor who failed his tribulation in the Divine Realm, hiding within the imperial vessel, hunted by divine calamity and forced here. He can only cling to life in this small space, fearing even to struggle, lest the Spirit of Space drain him dry and hasten his end.”

Wuyun’s explanation left him feeling troubled. He knew almost nothing about this boat or the Spirit of Space’s intentions.

Perhaps in the next instant, the Spirit of Space would banish him to an alien realm—turning bliss into utter darkness in a heartbeat.

The Spirit of Space’s attitude was ambiguous. After a long silence, a voice from the boat spoke: “I hail from the vast Fourth Immortal Realm, the Scarlet Hundred Immortal Domain. I once traveled through thirteen Immortal Realms, and I know the laws of space. I am an ancient Immortal Emperor, existing beyond the emperor’s rank, yet stranded at the threshold of the Divine Realm.”

“My burdens of karma are too great. Just as I was about to step into the Divine Realm, I was cast down from the Ninth Heaven! Were it not for my refining the Threefold Life-Bound Sky-Piercing Boat, able to roam the worlds, I would have perished in that tribulation.” At this, the boat fell silent, then continued, “I am the Grand Emperor Qianju, founder of the Qianju Slaughter. In the Fourth Immortal Realm, I am counted among the top hundred.”

“My request is simple—take me back to the Fourth Immortal Realm. I have the coordinates to a spatial passage. As long as I can see my daughter and wife once more, I could die content.”

When Qianju finished, Liu Ruyan was moved and shook Wuyun’s shoulder, urging him to agree. Wuyun frowned deeply and rebuked her, “The First Immortal Realm is already inescapable. Am I to flee to the Fourth, courting death?”

“And do you think it’s that easy?”

Wuyun pointed to the countless wounds on the boat, each a formation’s eye. “This boat is at the end of its road. Soon, the Spirit of Space will devour and refine it. First, the Spirit of Space must consent.”

A long silence fell, and Wuyun’s expression grew grim, for Qianju seemed prepared to abandon the treasured boat and leave only his remnant soul.

First, the Spirit of Space agreed!

“Cough, cough!” Wuyun forced down his apprehension, wagging a finger. “Second, the passage ahead is fraught with disaster. Should you be discovered and obliterated, it’s no concern of mine.”

“Third, you must enter this formation spirit and submit to my command.”

“And finally, if the Fourth Immortal Realm isn’t on my route, I’ll send you off midway… if it is, then so be it…”

As the boat, resplendent in imperial might, nearly collided with him, Wuyun’s voice cracked with despair, “You contribute nothing, yet want a free ride. Aren’t you afraid the diagram might erase you along the way?”

“If you promise, I will believe you. I trust no one but you.” Qianju’s words were profound. Wuyun nodded helplessly. Without agreement, the Tiger-faced Immortal could not be dealt with.

The immediate priority was to eliminate the cat demon.

A flash of light burst forth from the boat, and before it could settle into Wuyun’s palm, the vessel vanished, claimed by the Spirit of Space.

When Qianju’s remaining three souls and three spirits fell into the formation diagram, Wuyun immediately sealed them away, announcing, “When the time comes to destroy the cat demon, I may need your soul’s strength, my friend!”

“Do as you will—just leave me a breath to see my family!”

“So be it.”

Having agreed, Wuyun sighed, pondering the nature of love that moves mortals to offer life and death. Should Qianju ever emerge, divine lightning would annihilate him instantly, for those who fail to ascend to the Divine Realm are doomed to obliteration, denied even the cycle of reincarnation.

Cultivation itself defies the heavens. To seek greater longevity and power is to pay the heaviest price.

Of course, there are ways to evade fate…

With the diagram in hand, the spiritless Astonishing Blade, and Qianju’s final aid, all was set. It was time to seek the Tiger-faced Immortal.

The faces of the group now glowed with delight. Along their journey, Wuyun had scolded and threatened them so relentlessly that even the young eagles quivered with fear and changed their expressions.

“See these two little eagles? If you so much as smirk, I’ll pluck them and roast them!” Wuyun was extremely displeased with the unruffled demeanor of Jiaoying. This cat demon was most adept at reading faces; should he sense anything amiss, how could he be caught?

Looking at the snow-feathered hawks squawking under his grip—even though they were born knowing the Light Mysterious Formation Art—they were bullied so long that the little eagles finally showed pain and grievance on their faces.

Wuyun walked another round and nodded. “Learn from Long Yi—look as though you’ve lost your father: somber and heavy-hearted!”

“Uhh…” Ancestor Dragon Liucai shuddered within the formation, unable to escape his predicament.

Leaving the passage, Wuyun summoned the Astonishing Blade, now without a spirit, and carefully slipped away from the Magnetic Star. When he had arrived, his face had been pressed to the ground under immense pressure; departing, he was at ease.

“Wherever a predecessor treads, a storm of blood must surely follow!” Liu Ruyan noted the weakened gravity in several places—due to the disappearance of treasures, the fields had shifted, opening a path of escape.

In the future, all the major and minor powers in Qianluo Space would follow this safe corridor to explore, where danger and opportunity walked hand in hand. The three threats Wuyun most feared were gone—twenty-two more terrors remained…

Space was tranquil. The group moved with utmost caution, steering clear of any spot the Tiger-faced Immortal might use for an ambush and summoned a spear-shaped, battered Dao artifact to speed their escape.

They had scarcely left when the Tiger-faced Immortal appeared, puzzled. With a wave of his hand, he swallowed the three hundred thousand hidden troops in one gulp and silently followed.

Dealing with the Tiger-faced Immortal required truth and illusion, feints and reality. Advance and he retreats; flee and he pursues—any slip would bring a thunderous strike.

After traveling for some time, Wuyun, who should have returned by the original route, hesitated at the ruined teleportation array. He gave up repairing it and headed straight for the next teleportation point.

They journeyed beneath the stars without rest. Yet, even so, the Tiger-faced Immortal did not test them. The next teleportation point was much farther from the first, giving everyone time to desperately cultivate; even Liu Ruyan showed signs of breaking through to the Spirit-Gathering Stage.

“That damned Tiger-faced Immortal—why hasn’t he caught up yet? When the fighting starts, do not reveal your cultivation. Don’t let the Spirit of Space send you to a middling realm!”

Wuyun repeated his warnings. When they passed an unknown small planet, he had Jiaoying release the two young eagles.

“Will these two snow-feathered hawks attain enlightenment?” Xiong Laosan asked cautiously. Wuyun first shook his head, then nodded. “They will, but suffering will be their constant companion.”

He closed his eyes, and clouds rose about him as he described the future of the two eagles: growing up on the grasslands, captured to become hunting tools after being imprisoned, later escaping to become totems for a tribe, dedicating their lives to protecting their people. Time flowed swiftly, years flickered by, yet the two eagles became objects of faith—each time they fell in battle, they would be reborn in the tribe’s totem…

Seeing this, Jiaoying cheered, exclaiming, “So this, too, is a way to atone!”

“Alas…” Wuyun sighed. Such cycles of life and death, all because of the karma of past lives’ sins.