Refining the Mountains and Rivers

All nine Dao Masters had gathered in the ninth White Jade Capital. 

“Ninth Dao Master, why did you ask all of us to gather here?” First Dao Master asked in a low tone. 

All eyes converged. 

Ninth Dao Master spoke in a calm voice, “I made a discovery about the altar that is hidden in the depths of the Sea of Confusion in the Bounded Void Space.” His eyes swept across Seventh Dao Master emotionlessly, “However, I believe that Seventh Dao Master knows this very well.” 

Seventh Dao Master frowned, “Ninth Dao Master, what do you mean?” 

Ninth Dao Master said, “Seventh Dao Master, you are going overboard by wanting a single person to absorb the entire World Origin.” 

There was absolute silence in the air! 

The rest of the Dao Masters widened their eyes. There was a glint in them that was cold and shocked. They all knew what the entire World Origin meant. How could…this be possible? 

Seventh Dao Master was silent. His eyebrows knitted tightly together and he stared at Ninth Dao Master.  

“Your disciple, Cheng Haoran.” Ninth Dao Master spoke calmly, not hiding anything. 

Seventh Dao Master sighed out, “Since I have been exposed, there is nothing else to hide. Indeed, I am trying to get the entire World Origin.” 

He raised his hand and the World Heart instantly appeared in his hands. 

Ninth Dao Master’s eyes narrowed. He could instantly tell that the object was real. 

Luo Guan had not been lying! 

There were a few reasons why he chose to expose this matter today. 

Firstly, Seventh Dao Master had already chosen to take action and there was no time for him to waste to confirm the truth of this matter. The longer he waited, the higher the chance for Seventh Dao Master to succeed. Therefore, he went for the most direct way to force Seventh Dao Master to confess to what Qin Yu had claimed. 

Now, his goal had been achieved. 

Secondly, Qin Yu had been very direct and straightforward. Reviving two worlds and refining two complete World Origins required an exponential amount of power. Therefore, it was not as simple as requiring the combined strength of two White Jade Capitals. 

Since that was the case, there was no need to hide anymore. He might as well present the truth and bring everyone back to the same page. As for the splitting of World Origin in the end…Ninth Dao Master had a deal with Qin Yu and he would not suffer!

“World Heart!” First Dao Master exclaimed. A cold glare flashed through his eyes and he questioned, “Seventh Dao Master, what is going on? 

On the other hand, in the seventh White Jade Capital. 

The black mask chuckled in a deep voice, “Luo Guan, I hope that you will abide by the deal we made. Otherwise, the backlash from breaking a contract is something that even a Dao Master would not be able to withstand.” 

Qin Yu nodded, “Of course, but I also hope that Ninth Dao Master will accomplish what you promised me. I am on the Incense Great Dao Path and am fundamentally different from you human cultivators. I need a number of believers to have the purest incense power that can ignite my Great Dao successfully!” 

“Of course, I can do whatever Seventh Dao Master promised you and even do better.” The black mask turned slightly and a red flame was kindled in its eyes. There was a rough reflection of Cheng Haoran’s silhouette. 

“Cheng Haoran, I will complete my promise now and remove Seventh Dao Master’s projection from your body.” 

Buzz –

A red light shot out from the eyes in the black mask and penetrated Cheng Haoran’s forehead. His face instantly contorted in pain. 

Slap –

The projection that was forced out from his body was smashed into pieces instantly. 

Theft is never good, try looking at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

“Now, you can leave. Run as far as you can. Surviving will depend on your luck.” 

The black mask spoke calmly. 

Cheng Haoran bowed. He looked at Qin Yu and then secured the book at his waist tightly. Then, he stepped out and vanished.

“Luo Guan, you should leave with me now.” 

Qin Yu shook his head, “There is no difference wherever I go. I might as well remain here. I believe that Seventh Dao Master will understand that I had no choice in this matter today.” 

“Alright, you may stay here.” The black mask fell silent as he agreed with Qin Yu. 

The deal between Luo Guan and Seventh Dao Master was now public knowledge. There was no need to doubt how important he was. The Dao Master of the ninth White Jade Capital would not make things difficult for him before he got his hands on the World Origin. 

Buzz – 

Space shifted slightly as the black mask disappeared. 

Qin Yu looked in the direction that Cheng Haoran left in and shook his head. Although Ninth Dao Master did what he promised and abolished the projection of Seventh Dao Master for him, it would be very hard for him to survive. 

Cheng Haoran was a pitiful person! 

However, in this vast world, how many pitiful people were there? Qin Yu himself had also learned about his origins after such a long time. While he managed to seek vengeance for his past, he was still embroiled in a web of difficulties and he could not free himself easily. 

It was up to Cheng Haoran himself to determine his life or death, and Qin Yu would not interfere in that. 

“Senior Brother Cheng!” 

“Greetings Senior Brother!” 

Cheng Haoran calmly acknowledged them as he returned to White Jade Capital’s array hub. Projections of the two protectors that he met before appeared, “Haoran, what is it?” 

Cheng Haoran nodded, “There are some anomalies in the operation of the array. To prevent any accidents, I will head in to investigate it.” 

The two protectors frowned slightly. They had guarded the array for many years and had never heard of something like this happening…however, Cheng Haoran had spoken and he also had the jade ring in hand. 

The protectors of the array of White Jade Capital exchanged a look hesitantly. Then they nodded and backed down. 

“I guess since Dao Master is not around, there is no harm in being more cautious.” 

Cheng Haoran smiled, “That’s right.” 

He stepped into the array hub.

“For so many years, Dao Master was the only one who entered the array hub. Cheng Haoran entered it…hehe, it seems that the next Dao Master has been decided.” One of the protectors sighed in exasperation. 

“Mm, Cheng Haoran is good. He is composed and has a good personality. It is understandable that Dao Master chose him.” The other protector echoed, “However, I somehow feel that Cheng Haoran is acting out of the ordinary today?” 

“You must be overthinking it? Unless he is out to destroy his own path, Cheng Haoran will not do this.” 

“Mm, perhaps.”

Right at this moment, the two protectors were interrupted. Cheng Haoran smiled as he walked out from the array hub, “There is no issue. It seems I was too sensitive; thank you protectors.” 

“Don’t worry Haoran. You were considering safety for internal matters.” The two protectors smiled. 

Cheng Haoran cupped his hands together and bade farewell. His body flashed and he arrived at the border of White Jade Capital.

Shoosh – 

His body flashed again and he disappeared into the clouds. 

Very soon, Cheng Haoran stepped out of the vibrating space and walked onto a massive reef island in the boundless Eternal Sea. Strong winds blew from the sea, making his long robe fly. With a book in his hand, Cheng Haoran sat down. 

He lowered his head and read his book until the sky darkened. Then, he sighed out loud and reluctantly closed his book. 

He stood up and bowed, “Greetings Grandmaster.” 

Seventh Dao Master had appeared on the reef some time ago. He faced the sea with two hands behind his back. Wearing a calm expression, he asked, “So you already knew that I would catch up to you?” 

Cheng Haoran smiled, “I have already trusted Grandmaster.” 

“Do you hate me?” 

“At first I did, but I am more calm now.” Cheng Haoran continued, “After all, my life was given to me by you. It also makes sense if you want it back.” 

Seventh Dao Master’s eyes narrowed, “Then why did you still betray me?” 

Cheng Haoran said, “I can return my life to you. However, I need some compensation for the loyalty and respect that I have shown to you for all these years.” 

He placed a finger on his forehead, “Grandmaster, goodbye.” 

Bam – 

A hole appeared in the middle of his forehead and blood leaked out. His soul instantly disintegrated at that moment and his aura was gone. 

Seventh Dao Master lowered his head. He frowned slightly as he looked at Cheng Haoran’s corpse. 

Shoosh –

He stepped forward and arrived outside the seventh White Jade Capital. 

Boom –

A deafening explosion erupted near his ears and a terrifying shockwave instantly destroyed every cloud in a hundred kilometer radius around him. At that instant, the array that enveloped the entire White Jade Capital self-destructed! Numerous palaces were flattened at that moment. 

The entire area was thrown into chaos. 

Woosh – 

Woosh –

Numerous figures shot through the sky, fully enraged. When they saw Seventh Dao Master, they were fearful. 

“Dao Master! This is not related to us…the array had been operating smoothly and suddenly, there was an accident.” 

“Cheng Haoran! It is Cheng Haoran! Today, he entered the array hub!” A protector screamed. 

Seventh Dao Master glanced at him. Truly, it was only a simple glance and then, this powerful protector’s body froze. In the next instant, his body dispersed as though it was sand. 

Everyone was dumbfounded! 

Seventh Dao Master now understood that this was what Cheng Haoran meant by his ‘compensation’. In the end, he hid his stubbornness and viciousness in his heart; Seventh Dao Master had truly taught him well.

“Restore the array, and gather the number of dead and injured. Do I need to instruct you all to do this?” 

“Yes, Dao Master!” 

The group of protectors scampered away hurriedly. 

Shoosh –

Seventh Dao Master teleported to deep within the underground prison. He pushed the door open and entered. 

Qin Yu glanced at him and asked, “Cheng Haoran is dead?” 

Seventh Dao Master nodded, “He committed suicide and did not feel any pain…in the end, I was the one to let him down.” 

Qin Yu’s eyebrows raised, “I am quite surprised to hear these words from you.” 

Seventh Dao Master added, “Humans are not plants that do not have emotions…however, this is my cultivation pathway. Although I do not want to, I don’t have any other choice. 

“Alright, let’s forget about Cheng Haoran. I want to know what kind of deal you struck with Ninth Dao Master.” With Ninth Dao Master’s personality, he would not have exposed this issue to the public without a contract. 

Qin Yu answered, “He would take a portion of the refined World Origin…I agreed to it.” 

“If you did not agree to it, you would have died. I understand.” Seventh Dao Master slowly spoke, “However, I hope that you remember…Luo Guan, I was the first to establish a deal with you.

“Regardless of what schemes and arrangements you have, if I discover that you are planning to harm me, every living creature in all worlds connected to the altar will die!” 

Qin Yu was on the path of Incense Great Dao. Killing his believers was equivalent to destroying the foundation of his Great Dao. Therefore, using this to threaten Qin Yu would definitely be effective. 

“Dao Master, rest assured. I am not able to take on either you or Ninth Dao Master…at least, before I ignite my Incense Great Dao and gain strength comparable to the other Dao Masters, I will be careful with what I do.” Qin Yu continued slowly. He did not mind revealing his circumstances truthfully. 

“Of course. I have always known that you are a smart person.” Seventh Dao Masters smiled slightly and then turned to leave. 

There was a cold glare circling deep in his eyes currently. 

Qin Yu bade farewell to him. He rubbed his face and smiled bitterly. That encounter just now appeared calm on the surface, however, Seventh Dao Master had been treating him in a cold manner. 

In fact, Qin Yu knew that Seventh Dao Master was waiting in agony and he would probably kill Qin Yu at that very instant if he could.

This feeling of walking on a knife’s edge was very risky and exciting, but yet, no one would want to experience it again. 

He thought it over. In fact, Qin Yu knew that this would happen multiple more times in the near future. 

After all, there were nine Dao Masters of the nine White Jade Capitals. 

Qin Yu was in contact with the seventh and the ninth, but if the other Dao Masters learned about the World Origin, would they remain stationary? What would come would eventually come. 

Right as Qin Yu was mentally preparing himself, deep within the Bounded Void Space far away from his location, Soft Peach stopped. 

There was a helpless look on her face. Her time was up.

After looking back for one last time back then, there was no need for her to turn around again. There was no need for her to leave behind another clue anyway.

Therefore, she ought to just leave.

She closed her eyes and her body flickered continuously. Then, like a shadow, her body started to grow lighter and lighter. In the end, there was nothing left of her.

Boom –

A powerful aura was dissipating from Soft Peach as she disappeared. A projection appeared in the world and then it started to break apart and disperse the next instant.

Heavenly Center walked out. His face was as dark as the night and his eyes were icy cold. 

Damn it. 

He had locked onto the location of the other holder of a Blazing Sun Fragment. He just needed one more step before he could teleport through the boundless space and arrive in font of his target. 

Kill him and obtain the Blazing Sun Fragment. Once the two possessors merged, he would become one of the suns in the world! 

However, all of this was pushed backwards now. 

He sucked in a deep breath of air and then slowly spat it out. Heavenly Center scanned his surroundings and realized that he was deep within the Bounded Void Space again. 

All of a sudden, he reached forward and grabbed, Scarlet Sky and Qiu landed in his hands. 

Boom – 

Powerful force erupted as the two of them were reduced to dust. Heavenly Center devoured all the blood mist in the air. At this moment, his eyes were a deep red color. After devouring Scarlet Sky and Qiu, he used their aura to locate that far away world. 

Although he had not entered it yet, a sense of it left a mark in his mind. This method would heighten Heavenly Center’s tracking abilities. 

This direction! 

Heavenly Center waved his sleeve and a projection appeared deep within the Bounded Void Space in the Sea of Confusion. As wild shockwaves rolled out and exploded, the projection was shaken violently. 

In this chaos, Scarlet Sky and Qiu appeared again.

The two of them were unconscious but their auras were unharmed. It was if…they were revived. Or in other words, time had forcefully been reversed for the two of them! 

Heavenly Center grabbed ahold of the both of them. He stepped forward and instantly disappeared.