The scorching golden light of the blazing sun illuminated a thousand kilometers. Blazing scarlet flames dyed the scattered clouds red across the sky. Three hundred kilometers of mountains fell under the soaring Yao qi. The nine-layered palace showed not a shred of sanctity.

  Corpses everywhere.

  Bones covered the mountainsides.

  Large and small Yao monsters captured humans from all sides, tossing them into pots simply because Blaze Great King adored consuming humans. In just a short time, the surrounding tribes were almost entirely devoured.

  Terrified, humanity had no choice but to flee to distant lands.

  "Delightful!"

  Drinking fine wine,

  A blue-feathered, bird-headed Great Yao laughed loudly. Within these three hundred kilometers of mountains, he indulged nightly in revelry and daily pleasure. The Yaos dared not disobey, for this bird Yao was truly formidable.

  Not only capable, but also possessing significant lineage.

  This blue-feathered bird Yao was Blaze Great King. His true form was a three-legged azure bird, anciently named Three Cyan Swallows. The original Three Cyan Swallows in this world always resided at the very center of the sun.

  It controlled the rising and setting of the sun, making it an Innate being of immense merit, bestowing grace upon all things and benevolence upon sentient beings. The myriad beings of the world held it in utmost reverence for its great virtue.

  Though both shared the name Three Cyan Swallows, only the one controlling the sun's movement was worthy of that title in this world. Blaze Great King was indeed a Three Cyan Swallows, but he never dared to claim that specific title for himself.

  He was the second son of the Three Cyan Swallows.

  His cultivation had already surpassed the Taikyoku realm. Although he did not command the sun like the original Three Cyan Swallows, he possessed the Solar Golden Essence, and his "Departure Fire" divine power was superb.

  Hence, he called himself Blaze Great King.

  Such a background.

  It could be considered heaven-defying.

  If he invoked the name of Three Cyan Swallows, even a Taikyoku expert would treat him with utmost courtesy, showing deference to Three Cyan Swallows. With this backing, Blaze Great King could act as he pleased, leaving everyone else powerless to intervene.

  Empress Crimson ignored the affairs of the Yao race. What did he care for Reverend Primnity? Blaze Great King repeatedly disregarded Reverend Primnity's warnings, never paying heed.

  This reflected the current state of the Yao race.

  Reverend Primnity was acutely aware that this faction of Great Yaos committed evil deeds and accumulated monstrous sins by neglecting virtue, but he genuinely could not control them. Each one possessed a formidable lineage.

  How could he possibly restrain them?

  "Why is there no more delicious food on the table!"

  Blaze Great King angrily smashed his wine bottle and roared, "My wine is nearly depleted! Are you all moving so sluggishly because you wish to starve this king to death?"

  Amidst his angry outburst,

  Yao qi surged outward.

  Before long, the minor Yaos anxiously rushed delicacies to the table. Blaze Great King was about to devour them when he was suddenly impaled directly through the forehead by a spear, nearly piercing his skull.

  Boom!

  A figure, wielding a red and gold long spear, ripped through the void. His eyes were bloodshot and wide, he gnashed his teeth, his face contorted like an Asura ghost, his killing intent soaring to the heavens. It was undoubtedly Doan.

  "Beast is beast; sentient or not, it remains a beast! Today I will certainly disembowel and skin you, ensuring you taste a fate worse than death!"

  "Ah!"

  Blaze Great King screamed, clutching his profusely bleeding eye. He retaliated by unleashing a torrent of scarlet "Departure Fire," forcing Doan back, utterly enraged.

  "Do you know who I am?"

  "My fallen kin!"

  Doan said nothing, raising his spear to deflect the "Departure Fire." The Crimson Spear contained a wisp of Solar Golden Essence, which, upon contact with the "Departure Fire," immediately rendered the fire incredibly docile.

  Blaze Great King was terrified.

  "Where did you obtain Solar Golden Essence?!"

  His "Departure Fire" divine power relied entirely on mobilizing Solar Golden Essence. If his opponent also possessed Solar Golden Essence, this divine power would struggle to harm them effectively.

  Doan had no desire to waste words; he only wanted to flay and disembowel Blaze Great King. Seeing this, Blaze Great King felt a chill run through his soul and hastily conjured a tripod cauldron.

  Before he could even complete his defensive maneuver, the cauldron was sent flying by Doan's spear strike. After only a few exchanges, Blaze Great King was wounded all over his body.

  Irresistible force!

  Blaze Great King had no choice but to unleash his trump card, his innate divine power: he spat out several golden needles, refined from Solar Golden Essence, which easily pierced Doan's "Indestructible Vajra" body.

  He was about to display a look of satisfaction,

  But Doan completely ignored the pain, recklessly fighting for his life, striking Blaze Great King squarely on the forehead with his spear, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

  Regaining his senses,

  Blaze Great King cried out in horror, "I am the son of Three Cyan Swallows!"

  "I care nothing for who you are! Today, I demand blood for blood!"

  With that declaration,

  Doan pinned Blaze Great King to the ground with his spear. Then, the minor Yaos outside heard only Blaze Great King's heart-wrenching, excruciating screams.

  ...

  On the other side,

  A visitor arrived at Boundless Palace.

  "Reverend Primnity?"

  Within the palace halls,

  Beneath the Honored Seat, Zonhi was meditating and cultivating. Hearing the report, he opened his eyes and inquired, "We have no established dealings with the Yao race. What business does Reverend Primnity require?"

  The junior disciple's expression was one of surprise.

  "He states he has come to pay respects to Master."

  The disciples of the three sects all knew that Boundless Celestial Venerable had been suppressed into the primordial chaos by the Four Taikyoku, her location unknown. Yet, this Reverend Primnity arrived at Boundless Palace to pay respects to Master.

  It was truly bizarre.

  Before long,

  The junior disciple invited Reverend Primnity into the palace. It was Reverend Primnity's first time witnessing Boundless Palace in such a serene and peaceful state. He could sense the difference.

  Beneath Honored Boundless's seat, the few residing disciples all possessed extraordinary cultivation and heaven-piercing methods. They were in no way comparable to the ordinary disciples of the three sects, especially Zonhi.

  His cultivation level and divine powers were likely on par with his own.

  Reverend Primnity, with impeccable etiquette, clasped his hands and stated, "Today I have troubled you all, disturbing the tranquility of Boundless Palace. I ask for your forgiveness, fellow Daoists."

  "It is nothing."

  Zonhi knew that Reverend Primnity had been in the primordial chaos even before the world opened; he was one of the original 3000 Divine Demons. His Master had mentioned this individual to him previously.

  Their relationship couldn't be called true friendship, but in terms of familiarity, Reverend Primnity was closer to Mei than the Four Taikyoku. Had it been any other Yao, they might not have been granted entry into Boundless Palace.

  "I am afraid you will be disappointed, Reverend. Master has not appeared in Boundless Palace for many years. If you came specifically to pay respects to Master, how is it you are unaware of this?"

  "I am, of course, fully aware."

  Reverend Primnity took a turtle shell from his sleeve. Coins rattled inside as he spoke, "I have an important matter to discuss with the Honored One. I can only come here and attempt communication. There might be a momentary disturbance to this current tranquility."

  "But attempting is permissible."

  Hearing this,

  Zonhi felt a surge of curiosity.

  He had not seen his Master in a long time and missed her greatly. If Reverend Primnity possessed a method to contact the Master, then allowing him to try first was acceptable. Anything was seemingly possible now.

  Outside the door,

  The junior disciple curiously poked his head in.

  Clatter!

  Reverend Primnity, positioned beneath the Honored Seat, first respectfully clasped his hands and bowed, showing deference to a Taikyoku. Then, he shook the turtle shell in his hand, causing the coins within to rattle.

  "After parting ways with the Honored One in the past, I never imagined countless ages would flash by. Today, Primnity has come to pay respects. Regarding the issues of the Yao race, being unable to see the Honored One, Primnity can only resort to this method to negotiate. I hope the Honored One will grant [me] pardon."

  Clatter!

  As he spoke, Reverend Primnity shook the turtle shell and coins in his hand once more.

  "Primnity understands that the Yao race has committed no good deeds and accumulated no virtue, thereby incurring monstrous sins. The next cycle of Calamity will surely fall upon the Yao race. Primnity dares not excessively demand the Honored One's leniency. Such karma must be borne by the Yao race. However, as the Empress possesses the virtue of cherishing life, I hope the Honored One can spare a glimmer of hope for the Yao race. If the Honored One agrees, the Empress is willing to permit the Yao race to enter the Honored One's grand design."

  With that declaration,

  Reverend Primnity carefully released the opening of the turtle shell, allowing the coins inside to fall onto the ground, clinking and scattering. There were five coins in total, representing the Five Elements based on Heluo numerology.

  At this moment, four coins landed face up.

  Representing metal.

  It signified "yielding the way."

  What "yielding the way" implied was that all things must renew themselves, and all things, having developed to a certain zenith, needed to discard the old form and embrace the new. The world has four seasons, the sun and moon rise and set; this is the fundamental Way of the world.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  As this divination result emerged, Reverend Primnity immediately understood that the Yao race’s impending doom was unavoidable. Just as he stated, this Calamity was the Yao race reaping what they sowed; they could not escape it.

  On that fateful day,

  The Yao army had already been defeated once.

  He already knew it was the scheme of a Taikyoku; ordinary cultivators absolutely did not possess such transcendent methods. Even Reverend Primnity himself could only barely evade the edge when confronting the army led by a Yao Marshal.

  Who possessed the ability to annihilate an entire army composed of three Marshals?

  The implications were profound.

  He had gone to consult Empress Crimson. Even a Taikyoku couldn't locate that person's current precise whereabouts. Given this revelation, Reverend Primnity now knew precisely who had orchestrated this event.

  Boundless Celestial Venerable!

  There was no one else but her.

  Boundless Celestial Venerable's cultivation and divine powers far surpassed those of the merit-based Taikyoku. It was unsurprising that she left such formidable contingency plans to manipulate the Yao race. Obeying the Empress's solemn command, Reverend Primnity came here seeking a trace of hope for the Yao race.

  The meaning of "yielding the way" suggested abandoning the old to establish the new. But to what extent would this yielding extend? There might still be some margin, perhaps a sliver of possibility.

  He gathered the scattered coins from the floor and placed them back into the turtle shell.

  Clatter!

  Reverend Primnity shook the coins within the turtle shell once more and respectfully addressed the unseen presence: "Primnity understands the Honored One's decree. There is absolutely no desire to exempt the Yao race from consequence. The sun and moon follow their cycle; all things experience birth and death. This is the world's principle. Those who fail to cultivate virtue must face tribulation. However, Heaven evolves forty-nine cycles, yet one thread may yet escape. I only implore the Honored One to spare a single trace of the Yao bloodline. The rest, if entangled by karma, can all dissolve into ash and vanish."

  He dared not issue demands.

  Empress Crimson, being a merit-based Taikyoku, certainly could not aid Boundless Celestial Venerable in locating the Innate Five Primes. It was fundamentally impossible to use that as a condition to request anything from Boundless Celestial Venerable.

  Reverend Primnity was merely attempting, truly holding little hope. He knew deep down that the Celestial Venerable, whether she chose to spare the Yao race or not, owed them no explanation.

  If she chose not to spare them,

  What recourse did the Yao race possess?

  The Four Taikyoku had nearly been annihilated by Boundless Celestial Venerable before. Why would she feel obligated to show Empress Crimson any respect?

  Clink!

  The coins fell to the ground again.

  The count of face-up coins was one.

  "Sigh—"

  Reverend Primnity sighed inwardly. The attempt had indeed failed. If the Honored One had been favorably inclined, this divination would have yielded a "rhinoceros" result. The absence of an auspicious sign signaled dismissal.

  "Fellow Daoist, I have troubled you greatly today. I shall take my leave."

  Reverend Primnity departed.

  Zonhi returned the clasp of his hands, contemplating whether he should study Heluo numerology himself. He hadn't anticipated such a method could be employed in relation to Master, though he wondered about its actual efficacy.

  After all, not everyone possessed Reverend Primnity's cultivation level. Others attempting this method might lack the necessary divine powers or magical artifacts, meaning the technique couldn't simply be learned.

  Leaving Boundless Palace,

  The accompanying Great Yao hastily stepped forward and inquired, "Reverend, did the Honored One offer any reply?"

  "Alas, the Yao race is in peril."

  Reverend Primnity sighed, then controlled his divine light and fled eastward.

  The accompanying Great Yao was confused.

  "Reverend, where are you going this time?"

  "Heaven evolves forty-nine cycles, yet one escapes. To Evasion of Unity!"

  Perhaps,

  The Yao race's glimmer of hope lay within Evasion of Unity.

  Below the Taikyoku realm, everyone could freely observe the river of time and discern causality and the future. However, anything involving a Taikyoku made heavenly secrets difficult to predict. Reverend Primnity also didn't know precisely where the Yao race's glimmer of hope resided.

  But the more he considered it, Evasion of Unity seemed like the most viable sanctuary.

  ...

  Above the mountains and seas.

  A figure, seemingly shrinking distances into mere steps, was vaguely indistinct.

  Mei offered praise,

  "This Primnity is rather astute."

  At this moment,

  Chirp!

  A sharp bird cry echoed across the world. A streak of golden divine light traversed the nine heavens, sweeping across the clear sky. Like the celestial movements of the sun rising and setting, it carried scorching heatwaves across the land.

  "Elder Brother, save me!"

  Within Mount Ignis, Blaze Great King screamed. He had finally been disemboweled and skinned by Doan, then impaled to death. Doan continuously extracted Blaze Great King's Solar Golden Essence, and then set the remains ablaze, leaving nothing behind.

  Still not satisfied,

  He simply slaughtered all the Yaos on Mount Ignis until a bird Yao, whose appearance was strikingly similar to Blaze Great King, flew over.

  This bird Yao was the eldest son of the Three Cyan Swallows, Blaze Great King's elder brother.

  Celesture.

  At this moment, the Yao tribe on Mount Ignis was utterly annihilated, a scene of absolute devastation. Celesture's gaze searched frantically, unable to locate his second brother's shadow, and his eyes turned icy cold.

  He demanded of Doan, "Where is my second brother?"

  "Another feathered beast!"

  Doan, however, paid him no mind. Seeing Celesture's identical appearance to Blaze Great King, he raised his spear, intending to impale him. But unexpectedly, Celesture conjured a golden branch that struck Doan, flaying his skin and tearing his flesh.

  He had been reconstituted by Taesu energy, having transcended the Five Elements of the world, free from birth, old age, sickness, and death. Yet, just moments ago, Blaze Great King had used golden needles to pierce his "Indestructible Vajra" body.

  The golden needles had not yet been removed. Facing Celesture's golden branch magical artifact, he was utterly defenseless for that critical moment. After only a few strikes, his bones and flesh were visible, drenched in blood.

  Celesture was also not having an easy time.

  This madman fought recklessly, completely oblivious to the pain of his skin being flayed and flesh torn, yet he still managed to inflict several wounds on Celesture.

  He had nearly been impaled by him.

  "Those golden needles embedded in your body... it seems my second brother is more likely deceased than alive."

  Celesture grew increasingly enraged as he fought, no longer holding back. Like Blaze Great King, he manifested his innate magical artifact, refined from Solar Golden Essence.

  He drew a large bow.

  Celesture's eyes were glacial. He placed a golden arrow, refined from Solar Golden Essence, onto the bowstring: "Since it has come to this, I shall take your life!"

  ...

  Following this devastating encounter,

  Doan vanished without a trace.

  Though his golden body was shattered, he still possessed an immortal essence. Even a Taikyoku would find it challenging to end his life. The outcome was either that he was captured by Celesture, who transported him to an unknown location.

  He could not be killed.

  Speaking of Reverend Primnity,

  After his pilgrimage to the Evasion of Unity sect, several Great Yaos possessing merit subsequently joined Spirit Void Celestial Venerable's ranks, receiving his divine blessing.

  Thus,

  He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

  The reason he went through such exertion was not to sacrifice his life for the Yao race. He was not a fated Taikyoku, destined to have no hope in this era. And not being a Taikyoku, he naturally could not resist the Calamity.

  What cultivators feared most was the Calamity.

  Beneath the Calamity, all living things would turn to ash and vanish.

  Why join the three sects?

  Beyond seeking the Dao and cultivation, it was purely to gain the blessing of a Taikyoku, to secure a sliver of life during the Calamity. Reverend Primnity was not acting purely for the Yao race.

  But under Empress Crimson's command.

  Not for the Yao race's survival.

  But acting on the Empress's explicit orders.

  Only under Empress Crimson's command could he, a Primordial Daemon who survived the creation of heaven and earth, escape successive Calamities and continue to live freely and unconstrained.

  The Calamity was not a disaster that simply descended upon the world. Rather, it was the ultimate and complete eruption of contradictions and accumulated karma among all living beings, reaching a critical saturation point.

  Specifically, the Calamity was not a natural phenomenon, but a man-made one.

  At this point in time,

  The Yao race's sins were towering; their power was overwhelming the world, oppressing the myriad sentient beings. The world's beings were already filled with deep resentment. The actions of Yaos like Blaze Great King were countless.

  How could this not provoke the hatred of all beings?

  One day,

  A Great Yao, audacious enough to loudly insult a Taikyoku outside the Immeasurable Sect, immediately infuriated the disciples under Immeasurable Celestial Venerable.

  They instantly apprehended this Yao.

  Still not satisfied,

  A vast multitude marched towards the Yao race, vowing to demand an explanation. Immeasurable Celestial Venerable vaguely sensed someone's intricate calculations at play.

  However,

  The Yao race was fated to undergo tribulation, so he remained silent regarding his disciples' actions, allowing the situation to escalate toward an increasingly severe direction, marking the true beginning of the Calamity.

  A Taikyoku feared no Calamity.

  Naturally, he remained calm and unperturbed.

  On the other side,

  Mei sat observing the tides ebb and flow, winds rise and clouds surge, leisurely fishing by a lake, content in her solitude. Before long, she heard an angry roar shaking heaven and earth, and a gigantic beast galloped past.

  It crashed directly into the South Pole of the world, instantly tilting the heavens and shifting the earth. The sun and moon hung inverted in the great wilderness, and all living beings were alarmed, unaware of the cataclysm that had occurred.

  All because that Great Yao and another entity engaged in a battle using divine powers. After revealing its true form, it carelessly slammed into the planet's South Pole. Seeing this, the Great Yao knew in its heart that it had caused an unparalleled disaster.

  For a moment, it was utterly flustered.

  Rumble!

  Amidst the violent shaking of the world,

  The Great Yao was distraught, paying no heed to anything else. Unseen, a wisp of grey qi escaped in panic from the collapsing South Pole of the world, then plunged into a nearby lake.

  The fishing rod trembled.

  Something bit!

  Mei reeled in the fishing rod, revealing a palm-sized goldfish hooked on the line. Its eyes darted about, exceptionally lively, filled with spiritual essence despite its fright.

  "Got it."

  Mei's face held a gentle smile.

  She unhooked the goldfish.

  A green lotus platform materialized. The goldfish in her hand immediately transformed into a petal on the platform. Undoubtedly, this represented one of the Innate Five Primes, the Taishui energy.

  Mei had acquired three of the Innate Five Primes!

  【Upgrade Task 3 · Complete】

  【Path of Taikyoku: 3/5】

  The lotus platform vanished without a trace.

  With only the remaining two Innate Five Primes—Taichu energy and Taiyi energy—Mei could truly step into the rank of Taikyoku, ascending to Tier 8.

  The instant the Taishui energy manifested, the Five Taikyoku immediately perceived it. Unfortunately, Mei's speed was too great; she had once again obtained it a step ahead of them.

  Ethereal red brocade floated into view.

  Empress Crimson appeared at the South Pole of the world. Her gaze immediately fell upon the crumbling sky and fractured earth. Looking to the side, the figure by the lake was gone, leaving only a fishing rod behind.

  The Empress couldn't help but sigh softly.

  "Ultimately, I was a step too slow."

  She then looked at the terrified and bewildered Great Yao.

  "Vile beast, do you comprehend the massive calamity you have unleashed?"

  "Empress!"

  The Great Yao immediately knelt and prostrated itself, confessing its grave error: "Empress, I admit my mistake!"

  Finally,

  The Great Yao willingly accepted punishment. Empress Crimson utilized its true form's spine to physically prop up the South Pole of the world, thereby stabilizing the globe once more. However, this matter did not conclude there.

  Although the Empress intervened to stabilize the South Pole, the Yao race's conduct had thoroughly ignited the long-accumulated resentment of the myriad races, who were no longer willing to tolerate the Yao race's rampant arrogance and destruction.

  The first to instigate conflict was the Western Sect. With the South Pole compromised, countless sentient beings perished. The sins accumulated by the Yao race had reached a point where the Western Sect could no longer ignore it.

  The next day,

  True Person Lingyue, a disciple under Wheel Celestial Venerable, came forward to challenge the Yao race. Soon after, disciples from the Immeasurable Sect, already dissatisfied with the Yao race, followed suit.

  Next, the Evasion of Unity Sect became involved.

  Before long,

  A colossal battle erupted.

  The Taikyoku sat high upon their cloud lotus platforms, choosing not to intervene, allowing the disciples of the three sects and the twelve Yao armies to fight until the sky darkened and the earth blurred. Countless beings perished, their souls scattered, in this unfolding tribulation.

  Above the clear sky, the wind and clouds changed hue.

  Streaks of divine light, like shooting stars pursuing the moon, swept across the battlefield.

  In the mountains,

  Mei played chess with a child. The child looked up at the sky, puzzled: "Elder, what is happening? Recently, it seems many immortals are fighting, and the commotion is quite significant."

  Dong dong dong!

  As he spoke,

  It was as if dark clouds pressed down upon the city. A Yao army, obscuring the sky and earth, swept past. Drums thundered, trumpets shook the heavens, and wind, rain, thunder, and lightning obeyed the commands of the three allied armies.

  Battle flags swayed in the wind, millions of banners fluttering wildly. The three armies were strictly disciplined, their momentum overwhelming the world, possessing the might to devour mountains and seas, striking fear into all.

  "This is the combined force of the three sects against the twelve Yao armies fighting."

  "They command heavenly might with their actions. Truly formidable!"

  The child exclaimed in awe.

  Humanity was born weak, unlike Yao monsters and Innate beings who were born endowed with divine methods. With only minimal cultivation, they could wield Daoist techniques.

  Truly enviable.

  Suddenly, the vast world's sun and moon seemed to rapidly rise and fall. Flutes played a chilling tune, zithers a melodious one. The Nine-Bend Yellow River descended from the heavens, its vast might enveloping and momentarily blocking that Yao army.

  Catching the Yao army completely off guard.

  The child was startled.

  "Elder, what is this?"

  Mei calmly stated, "This is the Byloss Great Formation, an extremely powerful and lethal formation belonging to the Evasion of Unity Sect."