BOOK 2: CHAPTER 434: THE HEAVENLY DAO’S ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, I DO NOT FORGIVE

Vol 2 Chapter 434: The Heavenly Dao’s Absolute Justice, I Do Not Forgive

Mist swirled thickly over Yin Mountain, and in the City of the Wrongfully Dead, ghostly wails echoed endlessly.

It seemed that the mention of the Heavenly River Venerable by Lu Mo had stirred great resentment and anger.

Sect Master Yan and his three companions stared uneasily at the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor. The expression on the Demon Ancestor’s face was one of extreme fury and ruthless determination, as if he was ready to fight Lu Mo to the death.

This was by no means a wise decision.

Sect Master Yan turned his head and glanced at the Netherworld Immortal beside him.

His meaning was clear—try to persuade him.

The Netherworld Immortal remained motionless, as if he had not seen anything, and the other two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Nine Nether Demonic Sect also stayed silent, seemingly afraid to offend the Demon Ancestor’s wrath.

Sect Master Yan felt helpless in his heart.

The Nine Nether Patriarch was never one to listen to advice;

his personality was eccentric and extremely stubborn.

Even those Nascent Soul cultivators who had always followed him had no choice but to bow their heads in obedience.

Moreover, Lu Mo had mentioned the Heavenly River Patriarch, which was like stabbing a needle into the Demon Ancestor’s heart.

But Lu Mo was definitely doing it on purpose!

He opened his mouth to say something more but was interrupted by the Demon Ancestor’s transmitted voice: “Do you still have any strength left?”

Sect Master Yan’s breath caught, and he bitterly smiled:

Strength left?

If the four of them had not dodged quickly just now, Lu Mo’s slap would have killed them instantly. Now their spirits trembled, their bodies weak and their energies drained.

“My disciples truly... have the will but lack the strength.”

The Demon Ancestor’s gaze swept over his face, then the other three, and after a moment, fixed on him again. “Do you regret it?”

Sect Master Yan fell silent.

The Patriarch’s question clearly meant that all means had been exhausted, with no hope of turning the tide.

Lu Mo’s words must have struck the core of the Patriarch’s thoughts.

“Patriarch, wait for Zheng Fa’s return…”

“Lu Mo is right.”

“Even if Zheng Fa’s cultivation improves slightly, it will not change the overall situation.” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor glanced at Lu Mo. “At this point, even if the Heavenly River Method has a next step, where do I have the time to cultivate?”

Sect Master Yan wanted to comfort him further but didn’t know what to say.

He shared the same thought.

The next step of the Heavenly River Method was promising, but Lu Mo had already denied the Patriarch the opportunity to cultivate.

Now the Nine Nether Patriarch likely had the worst plan in mind.

“Send a message to Zheng Fa. Tell him not to come back.”

Suddenly, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor said.

“Ah?”

“Why send him to his death?”

Sect Master Yan pursed his lips, knowing the Patriarch wanted to leave a spark of hope for the Heavenly River Sect.

After all, Zheng Fa’s identity had not been exposed, and he had not offended the Four Sects. There might still be a slim chance.

“Patriarch…”

“Prepare yourselves.” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor said coldly.

The meaning was clear—they were going all out!

It seemed Lu Mo had truly provoked him.

After a brief pause, the Demon Ancestor added, “What are you hesitating for? Isn’t your son also in the Jiushan Realm? Are you afraid to die?”

“...Yes!”

Sect Master Yan took out the Tongjian, preparing to send a message to Zheng Fa.

“Forget it.” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor suddenly interrupted his action. “He’s back.”

Sect Master Yan looked at the smile on the Demon Ancestor’s face and was momentarily confused. Did this Patriarch want Zheng Fa to come back or not?

...

Zheng Fa passed through the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation and, taking advantage of the mist’s cover, landed on Yin Mountain.

His gaze swept over the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor and Sect Master Yan.

Why did these two look at him so strangely?

“Demon Ancestor!”

Zheng Fa reached to take out the Reincarnation Compass.

“What is there inside the Myriad Swords Realm?”

Unexpectedly, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor asked about his experiences within the Myriad Swords Realm.

“There are the Heavenly River brothers who died in battle, and the remnants of the Heavenly River Venerable’s soul…”

Seeing the Demon Ancestor’s greater interest in this, Zheng Fa straightforwardly recounted the banquet he had with those disciples.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor listened quietly, his eyes reflecting a rare longing. His expression toward Zheng Fa grew noticeably more familiar than before, by about seventy percent.

“So, you have obtained the Heavenly River Method?”

“Yes, and I…”

“Then leave.”

...

Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned. Delivery refused?

“Since the Heavenly River has recognized you, then you are the heir of our Heavenly River Sect.” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor said softly, “You should leave here first and preserve your useful self.

“Don’t dilly-dally.” The Demon Ancestor’s tone was firm. “That Lu Mo wants to refine the Life and Death Register, but today I will destroy this treasure so he cannot prove the Dao! You still have some time to cultivate the Heavenly River Method.”

It was clear that after hearing Zheng Fa had obtained the inheritance, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor had already regarded him as his own disciple and even wanted to buy him some time.

As for destroying the Life and Death Register, for the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, it was tantamount to suicide.

Zheng Fa wanted to say something else.

“Life and death are but a great dream to me.” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s face showed a rare calmness. “After so many years of running and hiding, I’m tired.”

“But…”

“Leave. There is no ‘but.’ My mind is made up.”

The Demon Ancestor’s expression was indifferent, with an inexplicable aura of embracing death.

Clearly, he was truly ready to fight to the death.

“What about the Reincarnation Compass?”

...

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s gaze paused as he looked at Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa took out the Reincarnation Compass from his sleeve and sighed deeply: “Still at the Taiyi rank. Such a treasure, what a pity.”

...

The Demon Ancestor held the Reincarnation Compass, bowing his head in silent study, seemingly avoiding Zheng Fa’s gaze.

Sect Master Yan and the others felt the atmosphere awkward and did not know why. They stood silently like chickens, afraid to speak.

After a long time, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor finally lifted his head and said, “This is... refined by the Heavenly River?”

“Yes. The Heavenly River Venerable once secluded himself to refine this treasure. Using the resources within the Myriad Swords Realm and his own dharmakaya, he created the Reincarnation Compass.”

Essentially, the Heavenly River Venerable invested nearly an entire era’s worth of accumulated resources to create this Taiyi-level treasure.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor quietly observed the Reincarnation Compass.

“The Heavenly River Method passed down to me said that after you severed me, Demon Ancestor, you fused the Life and Death Register with the Reincarnation Compass. This treasure has the power of Taiyi, enough to alter the laws of Xuanwei.”

Zheng Fa looked at the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor with hope.

Although he could not use the Reincarnation Compass himself, the Demon Ancestor’s Taiyi breakthrough would benefit him greatly—it meant gaining a powerful backing.

Moreover, from the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s decision earlier, it was clear he regarded Zheng Fa as the legitimate heir of the Heavenly River Dao lineage. There would be some connection and favor.

Most importantly, it could still stop Lu Mo from proving the Dao.

The one proving the Dao was the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, but the one who won would be Zheng Fa!

“The Heavenly River’s dharmakaya...” The Demon Ancestor murmured, “The Dao Fruit may perish.”

He cast his light toward the Life and Death Register floating above Yin Mountain, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “Show me the Heavenly River Method.”

Zheng Fa handed over a jade cylinder.

The Demon Ancestor, while resisting the invading Buddha light, pondered the secret method. After a while, as if he understood it, he raised the Reincarnation Compass in his palm and began to explore it.

Zheng Fa stood quietly beside him, watching Lu Mo warily.

He was not worried about the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s control of the Reincarnation Compass—this was a tailor-made, plug-and-play artifact for him.

However, the more the Demon Ancestor examined it, the deeper his frown grew, and in the end, his face showed outright rejection.

What was going on?

After a long while, the Demon Ancestor opened his eyes and stared into the void, seemingly lost in thought.

“Demon Ancestor?”

“This Reincarnation Compass...” The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was silent for a long time. “It does not suit me.”

Not suitable?

Was it really rejected?

“Why?” Zheng Fa was extremely puzzled.

This was a treasure the Heavenly River Venerable refined for the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor;

how could it not suit him?

The Demon Ancestor’s tone was solemn: “To prove the Dao of Reincarnation, one must uphold the Heavenly Dao’s absolute justice.”

“Heavenly Dao’s absolute justice?”

What did that mean?

The Reincarnation Compass was not Zheng Fa’s, and he had never comprehended it.

Why did the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor look as if this thing was a trap?

His eyes circled the Reincarnation Compass, then turned to the Life and Death Register.

The Buddha light on the register was blazing fiercely, almost blinding.

Lu Mo’s threat was visible to the naked eye and imminent.

This made Zheng Fa even less able to understand the Demon Ancestor’s choice—it would mean death!

Seemingly sensing his confusion, the Demon Ancestor looked at Lu Mo, his gaze cold.

“To uphold the Heavenly Dao’s absolute justice means I cannot interfere with the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Unless a cultivator violates the law of reincarnation, I can no longer act.”

Zheng Fa was stunned. Following the Demon Ancestor’s gaze, he looked at Lu Mo.

Suddenly, he somewhat understood the Demon Ancestor’s thoughts.

“The attachment I must sever is my Heavenly River blood hatred.”

“...”

“I refuse.”

Zheng Fa was at a loss for words.

The influence of Dao methods on cultivators was profound.

Moreover, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor had lived all these years chewing on hatred.

Zheng Fa already knew this person’s mentality could not be judged by normal standards.

“After proving the Dao of Reincarnation, I cannot even attack Lu Mo anymore.”

“What about the deaths of those Heavenly River disciples?”

Zheng Fa was also puzzled: “Is it like this for all Taiyi cultivators?”

He had always thought Taiyi was just a more powerful cultivation stage.

Now, hearing the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, he realized something—the Taiyi Golden Immortal was akin to a part of the Heavenly Dao itself, so naturally, they could not violate the Heavenly Dao’s absolute justice.

The conduct of the Dao Venerable and the Thunder Sound Buddha was worthy of deep reflection.

“I do not know.” The Demon Ancestor shook his head. “This method was not achieved by myself alone. After proving the Dao, though I have the might of Taiyi in the underworld, it may not be the same outside.”

Zheng Fa nodded lightly.

This had both pros and cons.

The downside was that the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s backing was limited.

The upside was that if all Taiyi cultivators were like this, his pressure would be much less.

The Four Sects had a long history;

what he feared most now was the young attacking the old.

Now he realized that although the old were strong, they were not fully capable. He felt much more at ease.

Zheng Fa looked at the Reincarnation Compass, thinking about how to persuade him.

“The Heavenly River had this kind of magnanimity. I do not.” The Demon Ancestor said softly. “I... do not forgive.”

The Demon Ancestor’s choice left Zheng Fa somewhat helpless.

As he said, this Demon Ancestor and the Heavenly River Venerable were completely different.

The Heavenly River Venerable never told Zheng Fa about revenge.

But it could not be said they were entirely different:

The Heavenly River Venerable was a path-opener, willing to sacrifice for the Heavenly River Method.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was a revenger, willing to sacrifice for revenge...

...

In the Jiushan Realm, the Heavenly Emperor Body and the others looked at each other.

Uncle Pang was speechless: “Because he won’t give up blood hatred, he even rejects the Taiyi-level treasure?”

Senior Sister Zhang frowned: “This Demon Ancestor can sacrifice his life. There must be an influence from the Heavenly River Method.”

Xie Qingxue nodded softly nearby, clearly agreeing that this made sense.

“I know cultivators of the Heavenly River Method are single-minded... but I didn’t expect it to be like this.” Uncle Pang scratched his head. “What do we do now?”

Senior Sister Zhang looked at the image of Zheng Fa and shook her head: “This depends on how Zheng Fa persuades him.”

“Demon Ancestor, only by establishing reincarnation can we truly take revenge on the Dao Fruit of the Four Sects.”

Zheng Fa thought for a moment. Since the Demon Ancestor cared so much about revenge, he could only appeal from that angle.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor raised his eyes and looked at Zheng Fa.

“If there is no reincarnation, the Dao Fruits of the Four Sects are almost immortal. Even if they die briefly, they have a chance to revive.” Zheng Fa smiled. “They can’t be wiped out.”

As the Heavenly River Venerable said, there should have been hundreds of Golden Immortals throughout the ages of the heavens. Now, only a few dozen remained “alive.”

But that did not mean they were truly dead. If given the chance, they could return to life.

Deep thought flashed in the Demon Ancestor’s eyes.

These things were not unknown to him, but he was still resisting Lu Mo’s invasion and had no time to contemplate the meaning of the Reincarnation Compass.

He needed Zheng Fa to point it out.

“Only with reincarnation established can the Dao Fruits of the Four Sects truly pay the price.”

The Demon Ancestor was silent for a moment.

He seemed moved.

Zheng Fa continued:

“Back then, the Heavenly River disciples fighting among themselves was caused by the Four Sects’ provocation.”

The Demon Ancestor’s expression turned cold.

“The Four Sects have always schemed against each other. If the Dao Fruits can die, perhaps in the future they will slaughter one another. That is karmic retribution.”

“How can you be sure they will slaughter one another?”

Zheng Fa’s figure flickered in the mist, taking on Lu Mo’s appearance.

The Demon Ancestor’s eye twitched.

“Demon Ancestor, rest assured, I will help them.”

...

Zheng Fa’s meaning was clear: the Jiushan Sect would bear the hatred!

He would take responsibility for killing;

the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor would handle the burial—a complete chain.

This was not just to please the Demon Ancestor.

Because of the Fusang Wood, he and Lu Mo had an irreconcilable grudge.

His inherited Heavenly River Method was even more sensitive.

It would be difficult to coexist peacefully with the Four Sects.

“Demon Ancestor, since I inherit the Heavenly River Dao lineage,” Zheng Fa said, “then the karmic cause of the Heavenly River is also the karmic cause of Jiushan.”

“One day, the Heavenly River Method will be revived in Jiushan and spread throughout Xuanwei.”

This was Zheng Fa’s persuasion and his promise.

As for other matters, he had little more to say.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor closed his eyes, seemingly pondering.

After a while, he opened his eyes and pointed toward the void.

The Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram slowly flew to Zheng Fa’s hand.

Zheng Fa looked down at the diagram, then back at the Demon Ancestor.

The Demon Ancestor nodded gently at him.

The Formation Diagram?

I never asked for the diagram!

“Since the Heavenly River chose to pass the Dao lineage to you, this diagram is the token of the Heavenly River Sect leader and should rightfully be in your hands.”

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor said to Zheng Fa, “Besides, this thing is of little use to me now. Take it for protection.”

That was true.

According to the Demon Ancestor, he was Taiyi within the underworld, but it would be hard for him to leave.

If Jiushan Sect ever faced danger, he could lead people to the underworld to escape, but that was not reliable.

Having the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram would ensure greater security for the Jiushan Realm.

Seeing Zheng Fa did not refuse, the Demon Ancestor extended a finger and shot a beam of blue light into Zheng Fa’s forehead.

In Zheng Fa’s mind appeared the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram and its most complete control formation spell.

Previously, the formation was somewhat distant from him, but now it stuck to his hand like a loyal companion, ten times more obedient than before.

“You control this Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram. Cut down that Lu Mo. The grand momentum is yours!”