The Taesu energy that was aiding Doan's transformation symbolized the tangible and material. It was not entirely suitable for reconstituting flesh and bone.

  Had it not been for Doan's entanglement, the Taesu energy might not have manifested for an unknown period. Fortunately, Mei's efforts this time were not in vain.

  After Doan completed his transformation, Mei gently drew the Taesu energy into her palm. A green lotus platform materialized in mid-air. The Taesu energy settled onto the platform, transforming into a lotus petal.

  The Dao's flow was natural.

  Profound beyond measure.

  【Upgrade Task 2·Completed】

  【Path of Taikyoku 2/5】

  The world sensed the breakthrough, showering auspicious light. Looking toward Mount Suang's summit, Mei's figure vanished, moving freely, her Dao seemingly perfected.

  One step closer to Tier 8 Taikyoku!

  At the same time,

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable felt a sudden premonition. He finally grasped the destiny and fortune associated with Mount Suang. When the fortune had not yet manifested, no one could have accurately guessed its true nature.

  His voice flowed like the serene current of the Dao.

  "Taesu energy..."

  ...

  The Spirit Void Celestial Venerable's eyes flashed with sharp sword intent.

  "Boundless!"

  He gazed toward the chaos beyond the heavens, filled with profound doubt. The Spirit Void Celestial Venerable could only conceive of Boundless as the one capable of seizing the Innate Five Primes before them.

  But,

  Boundless had long been suppressed into the chaos.

  Could it be that...

  The Spirit Void Celestial Venerable developed a terrible feeling.

  ...

  "Huh?"

  The Wheel Celestial Venerable, who had been planning to forge a connection between Doan and the Western Sect, immediately sensed the shift and returned westward. This matter could not risk contamination.

  "Fellow Daoist's divine powers are vast indeed!"

  He couldn't help but exclaim.

  To be suppressed into chaos, yet still manipulate affairs in the great wilderness—the Wheel Celestial Venerable would never dare provoke that person. That individual truly possessed contingency plans!

  ...

  At this moment,

  Below Mount Suang, Destiny's Crimson Spear was almost impossible to contain. Destiny simply let go, allowing the Crimson Spear to transform into a streak of crimson light and fly toward the summit.

  He followed closely behind.

  On Mount Suang,

  Clang!

  The sound of clashing blades echoed on the mountaintop, stirring the rolling mists. Auspicious light drifted ethereally. A figure, sensing the incoming projectile, reached out and caught the rapidly flying Crimson Spear.

  "Chirp!"

  The Crimson Spear emitted a great red light and a resounding bird cry. Doan gripped the crimson spear, his fierce and sharp killing intent making one shiver intensely.

  Taesu energy had reconstituted his flesh and bone. After this transformation, Doan completely transcended Yin-Yang and Five Elements, no longer subject to the world's control, becoming a major unknown variable.

  This was precisely the opportunity the Spirit Void Celestial Venerable had been searching for.

  But,

  Opportunity always arrived tethered to its own destiny.

  It could not be forced by mere cultivation.

  Even if one's cultivation pierced the heavens, even if one were fated for Evasion of Unity, the outcome would remain the same if the timing was forced.

  "Master, I understand; I comprehend everything now!"

  The Crimson Spear's red light bathed Doan's body, causing his eyes to glow with crimson light. Before today, these eyes had never appeared so clear, so bright.

  He finally understood his Master's unspoken meaning from that day. His Master had asked him why he learned martial arts, and he replied: to subdue Yaos and eliminate demons. After that, she inquired no further.

  Until today,

  Doan understood everything.

  The questions his Master hadn't asked that day, he had answered himself while seeking the Dao on Mount Suang, opening his own heart in the process.

  "It is not about subduing Yaos and eliminating demons!"

  Doan articulated his inner realization, each word distinct and solid. The crimson light in his eyes became corporeal, piercing through the misty immortal glow, firm and unwavering: "It is to fight against heaven, to fight against earth!"

  Heaven and Earth are impartial, treating all things as straw dogs.

  Therefore,

  One cannot survive without contending with the world.

  Suddenly,

  Two streaks of divine light parted the misty radiance. Two figures revealed themselves: Goldeght and Hang had just caught up to this location.

  Hum—

  A bronze mirror shone down, upon which Doan's name appeared. This was the True Spirit Mirror, capable of revealing the true names and forms of all spirits, specifically used to dispel illusions and perceive the void.

  They had found Doan.

  Goldeght immediately stated their affiliation, not attempting to snatch anything, but intending to invite him back to the Immeasurable Sect, showing courtesy before potential force: "Fellow Daoist, we two are disciples under the Immeasurable Celestial Venerable. By the Celestial Venerable's command, we specially invite you to accompany us to the Immeasurable Sect. How about it?"

  Doan's expression turned icy.

  "I know nothing of an Immeasurable Sect, nor do I know the Immeasurable Celestial Venerable."

  Goldeght and Hang exchanged glances.

  Is this kid merely hot-headed?

  Helplessly,

  They prepared to resort to force.

  "Then, forgive us for the imposition!"

  Hang immediately conjured a flying sword, but unexpectedly, Doan's movements were faster. Perceiving Goldeght and Hang's ill intentions, he immediately retaliated.

  Screech!

  With a single sharp cry,

  Doan, controlling the fiery red light, launched his spear, striking Hang's flying sword away. The irresistibly sharp attack came directly at them, threatening to tear them limb from limb.

  After his transformation, Doan's cultivation was comparable to a Tier 7 Innate being. This was the power of Taesu energy; ordinary Innate beings couldn't compare to him.

  If he had been Innate-born, Doan would likely have been the second Peacock. Unfortunately, he lacked that specific destiny and fortune, but an Acquired transformation reaching this level was exceedingly rare.

  Seeing Doan's ferocity,

  Hang was instantly terrified. He hastily scattered golden coins, which transformed into a dazzling sky full of golden light. However, the golden light striking Doan's body only produced a series of sharp, clashing blade sounds.

  This person possesses the Indestructible Vajra!

  The fiery red light arrived in a flash. Hang hastily dodged, but not quickly enough. He was impaled through the chest by the spear, lifted high on the Crimson Spear, then flung away by Doan.

  He turned to target Goldeght as well.

  Being targeted by those bloodshot eyes, Goldeght, though fearless, still involuntarily shivered. This person is simply too ferocious!

  Among the numerous disciples of the Immeasurable Sect, none were as ferocious as this one.

  Irresistible!

  Goldeght made a swift decision.

  "Submit!"

  He manifested a landscape painting scroll that expanded to cover the sky and earth, instantly trapping Doan within its confines. Then, he turned, grabbed Hang, and fled, without the slightest hesitation or delay.

  A few breaths later,

  Hiss!

  The Crimson Spear tore through the painting scroll, and its blazing crimson light incinerated the entire scroll-like magical artifact to ashes. The fierce, chilling aura filled the sky, sweeping away the lingering clouds.

  It seemed as if it intended to tear a hole right through the heavens themselves.

  Looking around,

  Goldeght and Hang were nowhere to be seen.

  Doan had to concede the pursuit.

  "What a ferocious young warrior!"

  Destiny, watching from the side, was utterly stunned. The Crimson Spear he had forged was already fearsome, and he had initially worried Doan couldn't control it. He never anticipated this individual would prove far more ferocious than the spear itself.

  Simply a perfect match.

  "I thank you, Elder, for bestowing this divine artifact upon me!"

  Doan approached to express his gratitude.

  "Haha."

  Destiny smiled, genuinely gifting the Crimson Spear to Doan. All things considered, he valued this karmic connection: "This item was fated to be yours. It is right that you should wield this treasure."

  "Doan offers thanks to Elder!"

  ...

  "Master, your two disciples lacked sufficient skill and could not bring back that Doan."

  Goldeght brought the severely injured Hang back to the Immeasurable Sect and sought pardon from the Immeasurable Celestial Venerable. The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable waved his whisk, sending out a beam of rainbow light.

  Hang instantly recovered.

  "Master, your disciple is incompetent."

  "It matters not."

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable did not reprimand the two. Even he had not anticipated that the destiny and fortune attached to Mount Suang was Taesu energy. Once Taesu energy manifested, it vanished without a trace.

  He did not know who had successfully acquired it.

  However,

  In the great wilderness, there was only one person of talent who was a step ahead of the few Taikyoku experts. With this person calculating and orchestrating events, the failure and return of Goldeght and Hang were quite predictable.

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable stated, "If you two had succeeded in bringing back the Taesu energy, that would have been genuinely strange. As for Doan, he is likely already part of that person's scheme."

  Goldeght and Hang were utterly bewildered.

  "Taesu energy?"

  "Who?"

  The disciples exchanged glances.

  It was only when the Immeasurable Celestial Venerable spoke that they realized the destiny and fortune on Mount Suang was actually Taesu energy. If they had known it was one of the Innate Five Primes earlier, they would have gone together.

  Goldeght respectfully inquired,

  "Master, could you enlighten your disciple?"

  "By all means."

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable calmly stated, "At the dawn of this world, before the Taikyoku masters emerged, this Venerable once engaged in conflict with several Taikyoku of that era. I recall it was a contention for a mere wisp of Taiji energy. We initially anticipated it would be an irreconcilable battle, but unexpectedly, we were all suppressed by a single entity."

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  The disciples were astonished.

  "Who?"

  "Boundless Celestial Venerable."

  "Boundless Celestial Venerable?"

  The disciples were puzzled. Among the five Taikyoku of that era, there was no such Venerable recorded: the Immeasurable Celestial Venerable of the Immeasurable Sect, the Spirit Void Celestial Venerable of the Evasion of Unity Sect, the Wheel Celestial Venerable of the Western Sect, the Miiama Celestial Venerable of the Yao race, and the Empress Crimson.

  Who was this Boundless Celestial Venerable?

  Some relatively ancient Innate beings, however, turned pale. They recalled a time when the Four Taikyoku collectively faced a single foe and were nearly slain by that person.

  One disciple offered, "I did hear mention of a mountain sect called Boundless Palace. Although that Boundless Palace is not famous, its disciples are extraordinarily formidable."

  After the disciples recounted the details.

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable concluded, "That Boundless Celestial Venerable is the first Taikyoku of this world, yet she is not a merit-based Taikyoku. Unconstrained by the world's limitations, she is a truly great and transcendent being of freedom. Her divine powers and cultivation are unfathomable. She is the very incarnation of the Great World Tribulation. Even if the Four Taikyoku appeared together, they would be no match for her. However, if she is not suppressed, all living beings in the great wilderness will turn to ash and return to chaos."

  Upon hearing this,

  The disciples finally understood the entire context.

  At this time, not much time had passed since the Taikyoku battle concluded. The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable recounted the karmic threads, and the disciples immediately grasped the underlying causality.

  The first Taikyoku of this world.

  She had suppressed the Four Taikyoku and nearly annihilated them.

  The disciples were terrified.

  It was difficult to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the Boundless Celestial Venerable's cultivation and divine powers. Goldeght and Hang were currently far away in the great wilderness, still awaiting their induction into the Immeasurable Sect.

  They knew very little about this event, only that the battle had taken place.

  Hang exclaimed in shock, "Master, are you saying that the Boundless Celestial Venerable was suppressed into chaos by the Four Taikyoku, and that is how the great wilderness survived that calamity?"

  "Merely fortunate timing."

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable elaborated, "Although that is so, it appears that fellow Daoist still possesses contingency strategies. I once encountered her Path of Taikyoku. The Innate Five Primes hold a special significance for her location. If she acquires the Innate Five Primes, she might manage to escape suppression within the chaos and return to the great wilderness."

  The disciples' faces tightened with apprehension.

  Calculating the situation,

  Two of the Innate Five Primes had already fallen into the hands of the Boundless Celestial Venerable. If she acquired the remaining three, the Great World Tribulation would almost certainly descend upon the great wilderness once more.

  "Then Boundless Palace..."

  "Is the Boundless Celestial Venerable's Dao field."

  Hearing this,

  The disciples finally understood.

  No one would have anticipated that such an obscure, small mountain sect would house a Celestial Venerable's Dao field. With that revelation, absolutely no one in the Immeasurable Sect dared to belittle Boundless Palace.

  Truly, this Celestial Venerable's reputation and divine cultivation were overwhelmingly terrifying.

  Her disciples were, without a doubt, extraordinarily formidable.

  Subsequently,

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable issued instructions: "Goldeght, you will travel to Evasion of Unity. Hang, you will proceed to the Western Sect. The two individuals from the Yao race must also be notified. Instruct them to maintain strict vigilance regarding the location of the Innate Five Primes. Fellow Daoist Boundless still has plans in motion."

  "Yes, Master."

  "Your disciple will depart immediately!"

  They had not anticipated the hidden truth lurking behind the previous Taikyoku battle. They had assumed it was merely a contest for Dao orthodoxy, never imagining it directly involved the existential survival of all life within the great wilderness.

  The Immeasurable Celestial Venerable's sustained silence had revealed nothing.

  Now,

  The disciples felt a profound weight on their hearts. Anyone aware of a Celestial Venerable currently trapped in chaos, plotting to escape suppression and plunge this world back into chaos, would surely be unsettled.

  They could only now focus intently on the Innate Five Primes, doing everything in their power to continuously delay the arrival of the Great World Tribulation by preventing the Boundless Celestial Venerable from acquiring them.

  Yes.

  Only delay was possible.

  Worlds experience birth and death; this is a fundamental, inviolable truth. Everyone knew this, and all the Taikyoku understood that the descent of the Great World Tribulation was merely a matter of when.

  That Boundless Celestial Venerable would surely return.

  ...

  A few days later,

  Three Great Yaos traversed the great wilderness. Their sole objective was to locate pockets of humanity, offer them aid, and secure a share of their associated destiny and fortune.

  Although Empress Crimson had explicitly forbidden the Yao race from further involvement with humanity, the Yao race was countless. Not every Yao monster would heed the Empress Crimson's command.

  Even Empress Crimson and Reverend Primnity could not exert control over every single one.

  Before long,

  A single figure intercepted the path of the three Yaos.

  Mei inquired, "The three of you seem quite hurried in your travels. Is there an urgent matter?"

  As the words left her lips,

  A prompt appeared on her vision:

  【Transcenders detected】

  【Elimination mission activated】

  【Elimination Mission: Transcendent Space is the rival faction of Hyperdimensional Space. Transcenders are mortal enemies. You must eliminate all Transcenders before you.】

  【Mission Reward: 50 billion Points】

  Three Transcenders!

  Simultaneously,

  The three Yaos also immediately realized the person confronting them was a Void Wanderer. Without hesitation, they unleashed their divine powers and manifested their magical artifacts, launching an attack toward the figure before them.

  Pure coincidence.

  Mei truly had not anticipated that these three Yaos would be Transcenders. She had intended to meticulously calculate the Yao race's current status, but since they had crossed paths, there was no reason to let them escape.

  "Roar!"

  One Yao revealed its true form, its power suppressing the surroundings as if the sky itself had tilted. Divine powers and magical artifacts burst forth, radiating a dazzling, magnificent light.

  However,

  Their divine methods were decent, but their magical artifacts were far inferior. The disparity was clearly indicated by the Mission Reward Points; the combined value of the three Yaos was merely 50 billion Points.

  Previously, Canang and Prismang, who wielded the Hole of Illusion Mirror, were collectively worth 100 billion Points.

  Subdue!

  Mei waved her sleeve. Instantly, the three Yaos vanished, trapped within her sleeve by the technique of holding the universe in her palm. In a mere instant, they were refined into a mass of primordial essence that returned to the world's flow.

  【Elimination Mission · Completed】

  【Points Acquired: 50 billion】

  【Remaining Points: 150,001,370,100】

  ...

  "Huh?"

  Thousands of li away, a Great Yao frowned, suddenly rising and gazing toward the horizon. Just moments ago, three Legion members had vanished from his sensory perception.

  This Yao possessed golden-red eyes, was clad in golden armor, and his outward appearance was indistinguishable from a human. His movements were powerful and domineering, with a fierce and tyrannical nature masked beneath a wild aura.

  His name was Bang.

  Someone beside him inquired, "Did something happen?"

  A sharp glint flashed in Bang's eyes.

  "Perhaps."

  Void Wanderers often concealed themselves within the Immeasurable, Evasion of Unity, and Western Sects, while Transcenders were predominantly found among the Yao race. The inverse was rare, though not entirely impossible.

  After all, the moment the two factions encountered one another, their identities would be instantly exposed, inevitably leading to a fight to the death. Gradually, the overwhelming majority remaining within each faction were their own kind.

  Both Void Wanderers and Transcenders were aware of this situation, but currently, with Taikyoku controlling the scenario, the three major sects and the Yao race could not yet engage in open warfare.

  The Taikyoku preferred not to become entangled in humanity's karma, but certain Void Wanderers and Transcenders paid no mind to such constraints. Opportunities for destiny and fortune in this world were becoming increasingly scarce.

  Gaining even a slight advantage was preferable to gaining nothing at all.

  Seizing the moment before the full ascent of humanity was considered an excellent strategic window. Bang held precisely this mindset. He was not merely a Transcender but also a high-ranking member of Transcendent Space's premier Legion: Decussate Star!

  Mei was not encountering this Legion for the first time. During her last Advancement Mission, she had previously engaged members of this faction. In this current mission world, Bang served as the temporary Supreme Commander of Decussate Star.

  He was an Innate being, possessing formidable cultivation and divine powers. Within the entire Yao race, he was nearly unrivaled, surpassed only by the Taikyoku and Reverend Primnity. He commanded numerous magical artifacts.

  It was precisely because of his heaven-defying cultivation and masterful methods that Bang commanded such a powerful Great Yao tribal force. He was supremely confident that as long as the Taikyoku did not intervene directly, he feared no one else in this world.

  "Shost, Chihuan, take my magical artifact and swiftly investigate the situation. I demand to see who dares slay my Yao race people."

  The three Yaos had gone out seeking opportunities from humanity. They had barely advanced from their own territory before they vanished. Losing three subordinates for no discernible reason while still within their bounds—how could Bang tolerate such an insult?

  He handed a black banner to Shost. This magical artifact was known as the Soul-Reaping Banner, a Tier 8 item comparable in might to an Innate Spirit Treasure. Wielding the banner allowed one to summon howling Yin winds, confuse the senses of others, and terrify their souls.

  "The intruder is likely quite resourceful. You two must not be careless. With this magical artifact to assist you, that person should struggle against the combined force of you two."

  "Yes, Great King!"

  "Subordinate obeys!"

  Transcenders were precious resources, and Legion members even more so. Bang could not bear to risk sending Decussate Star members to scout the situation. If they were lost again, the loss would be emotionally devastating.

  Shost and Chihuan, though not Transcenders, possessed formidable cultivation and divine powers, and were dispatched for the reconnaissance mission.

  Two streaks of divine light flashed across the mid-air.

  Chihuan, with his reddish face and fangs, exuded a fierce Yao aura. From a distance, his Great Yao energy was visible, covering half the sky, making no effort to conceal his presence.

  "How audacious! Daring to cause trouble in my Yao race's territory. You must be tired of living. In all these years, even the disciples of the three sects rarely dared to provoke me."

  Shost possessed fierce eyes, but his temperament was calm and cautious.

  "It's hard to say. I suspect a trap. Whoever this is, don't engage in excessive dialogue later. First, capture the madman and bring him back. Do not concern yourselves with anything else."

  "Understood!"

  Soon,

  A young girl's figure entered their sightline. Shost wasted no words, directly manifesting the Soul-Reaping Banner and stirring up howling Yin winds. Instantly, the sky darkened dramatically.

  The wind wailed like crying ghosts and howling wolves, directly confusing people's senses and ensnaring their minds.

  "Capture that person!"

  Shost roared.

  Immediately, within the darkened sky, swirling green smoke drifted forth. Chihuan unleashed his innate divine power; the green smoke blanketed the sky and earth, and any living being touched by it instantly had their six senses sealed.

  Those whose six senses were sealed became like inert puppets.

  Unfortunately,

  This failed to trigger a spatial prompt. The two scouts dispatched were not Transcenders. Mei waved her sleeve, dealing with both of them herself.

  Whoosh—

  With a mere sweep of her sleeve,

  Mei conjured a beam of blue light, utilizing a magical artifact. To be truthful, her cultivation and divine powers were unmatched, but she was currently still below Taikyoku level.

  Dealing with Tier 7 opponents when wielding a Special Tier asset was naturally effortless. Against Tier 8 items or Innate magical artifacts, she needed to employ equally powerful magical artifacts, otherwise contention would be difficult.

  The difference in tiers was akin to a massive chasm.

  Her current predicament wasn't severe enough to warrant using Demon-Quelling Manifestation. Why employ an ox-slaughtering knife to dispatch a chicken? Mei possessed more than just one or two treasures. Even with the Cloud Water Sword temporarily unavailable, she still had a vast inventory of other usable magical artifacts.

  Not to mention the years she spent mentoring disciples at Boundless Palace; during the Taikyoku battle, she had split the world into four sections. Countless living beings perished under her command, dropping an immeasurable amount of equipment and items.

  She simply hadn't had the time to sort through them initially.

  Mei possessed quite a few Tier 7, and even some Tier 8 magical artifacts.

  The blue light manifested.

  The world immediately snapped back to normal. The ghostly wails and howling Yin winds vanished without a trace. Shost was astonished. Focusing intently, he finally discerned that the blue light was a jade bead: the Stillness Orb!

  An Innate magical artifact.

  Without the aid of the Yin winds, Chihuan's green smoke remained static. This fellow bared his fangs and exhaled white mist: "What an excellent treasure! Indeed, she has some formidable tricks up her sleeve!"

  Seeing how resilient and difficult they were to deal with,

  Shost decisively activated an escape technique to flee.

  "This person is extremely powerful! Quickly report back to the Great King!"

  Escape?

  Mei executed the world-in-her-palm technique, flipping her hand down as if the heavens themselves had collapsed. In this vast world, there was nowhere left to hide. Shost and Chihuan were terrified out of their wits, leaving behind only a single scream of alarm.

  【Item Acquired: Soul-Reaping Banner】

  ——

  【Item: Soul-Reaping Banner】

  【Type: Item】

  【Description: When wielded, it can summon howling Yin winds. Within eight hundred li, all sentient beings' senses are confused, their souls destabilized, and their spirits can be easily controlled. This item damages heavenly virtue and diminishes merit.】

  ——

  At this moment,

  Mei had the opportunity to properly examine the prompts on her interface. She conveniently inventoried the magical artifacts currently on her person. Disregarding whether they were Innate or Acquired, including the newly obtained Soul-Reaping Banner, she now possessed ten Tier 8 magical artifacts in total.

  Putting away the Stillness Orb, Mei remained at the location. She gazed towards the Yao race's territory and remarked, "It is wise to maintain composure for the present moment. A major upheaval should be imminent."

  Just as she predicted.

  Shost and Chihuan had not returned after a prolonged interval. Instead, a wisp of black smoke flashed. This was a residual soul fragment escaping from the Soul-Reaping Banner. The Soul-Reaping Banner could not subdue Mei.

  But it had successfully carried a report back to Bang.

  Bang seized the black smoke, then dispelled it. Knowing that the intruder's methods were formidable, he decided not to march out directly to apprehend them. Instead, he immediately issued commands to his subordinates.

  "Sound the war drums, issue the mobilization call to the three armies!"

  Dong dong dong!

  Instantly,

  The sound of the drums resonated like true thunder.

  Bang's Yao army arrived from all directions; their sheer, incalculable numbers blanketed the landscape. Their earth-shaking presence silenced all living creatures, striking primal fear into everyone present.

  Yao energy soared towards the heavens.

  Wild winds roared in response.

  Bang had already understood that the intruder clearly intended to scheme against him. Though confident in his own strength, he would not recklessly walk into a prepared trap. He absolutely would not fight alone.

  He was the supreme commander of the Yao race, capable of mobilizing a million troops!

  Even as a mere Yao Marshal leading an army, he already possessed the might to shake heaven and earth. By this era, the Yao race was fully established, far surpassing the collective strength of the three sects.

  Although the three sects boasted numerous disciples, their power remained fragmented.

  The Yao race had no shortage of gifted individuals, and their overall numbers were vast. Their collective military might, amplified by battle formations, generated immense slaughter energy. If not for a Taikyoku intervening, who in the great wilderness would dare challenge them?

  Bang's eyes flashed with fierce light.

  "I wish to witness exactly how capable that individual is, daring to provoke the whiskers of the tiger!"