Chapter 1079: Unbroken Past Forty-Eight

Ji Yuan felt utterly unburdened at this moment; even the oppressive weight of the world vanished from him. He looked around the sky, and after his sword strike, the universe was clear.

Only then did Ji Yuan turn to look at Mihuang, whose aura was ferocious and demon body monstrous, yet paradoxically, he wore a battle robe and purple-gold armor.

Ji Yuan's gaze was calm, but the pressure it exerted on Mihuang increased exponentially compared to before. Even though Mihuang was boundless in his arrogance and believed he had cultivated an indestructible body, after witnessing the power of that sword, it was hard to imagine anyone in the world could withstand it.

The ferocity Ji Yuan observed in Mihuang was also partly due to Mihuang's extreme tension, which caused his muscles to strain across his face and his fangs to protrude from clenched teeth. Yet, despite this, Mihuang still harbored the will to fight.

To snatch the golden wheel treasure from Ji Yuan's grasp? That possibility was practically nonexistent.

But he could at least still engage Ji Yuan in a fight, ensuring his lifelong arrogance wasn't in vain. Who else in the world, after witnessing Ji Yuan's boundary-defining sword strike, would still possess the courage to attack him?

As if answering himself internally, Mihuang's entire demon body, muscles and bones alike, strained. Demonic blood oozed from his ferocious lips, and terrifying wisps of demonic energy emanated from his blood and pores, coalescing into a giant ape silently roaring at the heavens.

"At least I, Mihuang, dare!"

Mihuang roared aloud, taking a single step that propelled him charging towards Ji Yuan.

"Boom—"

Shattering the void with the speed of thunder, Mihuang swung his weapon at Ji Yuan. This sight astonished even Lu Shan Jun, and all beings throughout heaven and earth capable of perceiving this region were utterly horrified.

He had once heard the saying, "If one understands the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret." Though Mihuang had always been diligent in his cultivation, he hadn't truly grasped this adage and, after achieving great mastery, had even scoffed at it. Yet, at this moment, Mihuang felt as if he had finally understood the Way.

If you're going to be arrogant, be utterly arrogant!

"Even if heaven and earth fear you, Ji Yuan, I, Mihuang the Great Sage, do not fear! Die, roar—"

Ji Yuan's pale spiritual eyes fully opened. As he gazed at the charging Mihuang, he could not only perceive the convergence of his aura and power but also the very Way within his heart.

After wielding that sword, Ji Yuan now understood that he had broken through what should have been impossible shackles, reaching another realm. He was no longer bound, nor did he feel any weakness. His perception of the world's Way, of who was strong or weak, resembled a painting within a dream—like a butterfly in a dream, both dreamlike and real.

The one charging might be Mihuang the Great Sage, or perhaps more than just Mihuang the Great Sage; it might be the condensed essence of his Way, or perhaps simply an obsession.

As myriad thoughts flowed through his mind, Mihuang had only just reached him. That strike, which surged to the heavens and wielded the power of thunder, lost all its profound Yin-Yang and Five Elements aura the moment it reached Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan simply extended his hand, pressed the tip of the weapon, and with a gentle flick, diverted Mihuang, his demon body, and his weapon to one side.

Distant clouds were torn apart by the aftermath, and a thousand miles of energy parted to either side.

But apart from that, there were no other changes.

Mihuang stumbled far away, like a novice practicing martial arts. His mind still reeling, he turned back, intending to resume the fight. However, the golden wheel reappeared in Ji Yuan's hand. Then, with a flash of golden light, a golden thread reached Mihuang's eyes, transforming in an instant into a long, boundless rope.

The Immortal Binding Rope immediately coiled around Mihuang. He struggled desperately with his immense strength, and at first, each tremor caused the rope to loosen. But Ji Yuan exhaled a breath of pure qi that infused the Immortal Binding Rope, making Mihuang's struggles increasingly ineffective until he was completely locked motionless in mid-air.

"Roar—Ji Yuan, what kind of skill is this, what kind of skill is this? Release me and fight again—"

Mihuang's roar was filled with indignation as he swept his gaze across the sky in every direction, as if sensing countless eyes watching him.

"You weaklings, if Heaven weren't against me, who among you could contend with me for destiny!"

Ji Yuan grinned. Already by Mihuang's side, he spoke in a low voice.

"That's where you're wrong; it's Heaven that doesn't tolerate *me*."

As he spoke, a brush appeared in Ji Yuan's hand. He lightly waved it beside Mihuang, drawing out a hazy trail of ink light. When he swept it to one side, streams of mystical, colored mist began to emanate from the surface of Mihuang's demon body, which had previously been sealed of all demonic energy.

These mists continuously streamed out, then quickly merged, transforming into picturesque scenes of vast, beautiful, mist-shrouded light wheels. They depicted mountains and lands, the Five Elements and Yin-Yang, and even a colossal furnace resting in the sky like a blazing sun.

"What are you doing? Stop, stop—"

Mihuang was hysterical, but Ji Yuan remained unmoved. The hand holding the brush drew back, finishing its stroke. Then, with a wave of his hand, the mist transformed into a painting that landed in his grasp.

"Your Way has its merits, but I cannot spare you. I will demote your cultivation and abolish your demon body."

While Ji Yuan appreciated the painting, his other hand lightly tapped Mihuang's brow. In an instant, Mihuang's demon body, confined by the Immortal Binding Rope, shattered directly, but his demon ape true spirit continued to roar incessantly.

"Disperse your true spirit."

The next moment, Ji Yuan withdrew his finger, and Mihuang's true spirit also shattered.

Ji Yuan put away the painting and looked at the specks of spiritual light still held by the Immortal Binding Rope.

"Return to heaven and earth."

The Immortal Binding Rope retracted, and the specks of spiritual light instantly dissipated. Some sank into the earth, some merged with the heavenly essence, and others vanished with the wind as they dissolved.

Ji Yuan's gaze drifted with the wind as he watched the last wisp of spiritual light vanish with it at the edge of his sight. He mumbled something unintelligible, then looked at Lu Shan Jun, who took a step and instantly appeared before him.

"Master, what are your commands?"

"Go invite Lord Qin."

"Yes!"

Lu Shan Jun transformed into a streak of light and departed. Ji Yuan looked around, seeing distant streaking lights hurrying towards them. He also seemed to see through the celestial curtain, gazing directly at various heavenly deities. Finally, he looked towards the Underworld Emperor by the Yellow Springs.

"Handle the Underworld well; I won't meddle with the karmic flames. Just don't bother me without good reason."

Xin Wuyai felt as if he had received a great pardon, quickly bowing in response.

"As you command!"

By the time Xin Wuyai looked up again, Ji Yuan had already stepped on the wind and ascended into the high heavens. Though his figure was now soaring towards the highest reaches of the sky, the echo of his words still lingered.

"You may all disperse. Just don't bother me, whether or not there's a problem."

By the time Ji Yuan's figure completely vanished into the sky, among those who remained observing from various directions, some were confused, some were wistful, and some were even exhilarated. Others felt a mix of emotions, but most remained long lost in shock and bewilderment, unable to fully regain their senses.

Xin Wuyai let out a breath and looked at She Ji and Sun Yiqiu, who were not far from him.

"Karmic obstructions persist; even without you, other events would have ignited the karmic flames. I won't pursue this matter concerning the Underworld. You may leave."

"Very well then!"

Dizang Ming, chanting a Buddhist name, began to cast a spell to re-separate Yin and Yang.

Meanwhile, Old Dragon nodded to the powerful beings of the Underworld, then took Hu Yun and the others, and, joined by the descending old beggar, transformed into streaks of light and departed.

Not long after, a Heavenly Lord appeared once, placing a Sphere of Heaven treasure wheel in a forbidden area deep within the Heavenly Realm before disappearing again. The restraints of the Heavenly Way also dissipated from Qin Zizhou, and a cheerful old man became a frequent visitor to Ju'an Pavilion.

With the supreme treasure, the Sphere of Heaven, now acting as a link in the Heavenly Way, the legitimacy of the Heavenly Realm was further strengthened. The celestial gods, whose hearts had been subtly unsettled, all relaxed, and their respect for Mr. Ji deepened. Of course, no one dared to disturb Ji Yuan, nor was there a way to reach him.

Countless people speculated about what lay beyond the world Ji Yuan had cleaved open with his sword, and what it looked like. However, those truly close to Ji Yuan had, in a way, already grasped his character.

In that new realm, apart from half of the old beggar's cleaved mountain being moved there, the only structure that could be considered a building was a small Ju'an Pavilion.

Even more miraculously, Ju'an Pavilion still seemed to be in Ning'an County in the mortal realm; however, not everyone could find that courtyard.

A few days later, a woman wearing a golden crown adorned with tassels stood at the entrance of Ju'an Pavilion. Her garments, a blend of blue and cloud-red like ink, complemented her. She took a deep breath to calm her rising chest, feeling a touch of nervousness as she saw the door of Ju'an Pavilion open from within.

However, the first to appear from behind the door was a joyful Zao Niang. While the Dragon Girl was happy to see her, she still felt a little disappointed.

"Ruoli!"

"Zao Niang!"

After speaking, Ying Ruoli looked at the small courtyard. Its layout seemed unchanged, but it was much more spacious than before, as there were quite a few people inside. She felt a pang of regret that Liuli Palace was so far away and her duties had kept her, causing her to arrive too late.

When she finally saw Ji Yuan standing in the courtyard, the Dragon Girl's somewhat dazed unease settled into calm as the reality confirmed by her sight brought tranquility. It was enough just to see Ji Yuan there.

"Uncle Ji, if Ruoli bothers you, you can punish me, but please don't send me away!"

Devoid of her usual external solemnity and majesty, the Dragon Girl, with a hint of playfulness and a smile, spoke as she took Zao Niang's outstretched hand and entered Ju'an Pavilion.