Chapter 84: I Won’t Pretend Anymore... (Part One)

Page (1/3) Chapter 84: I'm Done Pretending... (First Update)

The world slipped into the folds of illusion, as if glimpsing the primeval ages of countless eons past. One must understand, this is the Great Desolate Universe! Moreover, it is a high-tier Great Desolate Universe, not the kind where even a Golden Immortal of the Dao could not shatter a single star—a low-grade scenario. Nor is it a mid-tier scene, where even Saints cannot conquer a timeline.

In this Desolate Universe, the heavens reach heights unfathomable, the earth is layered beyond counting, and the vast cosmos buries untold stories. The weakest here are not truly weak; even a humble Earth Immortal of the Dragon Clan can command colossal beasts to traverse the seas, as easily as shepherding planets in the starry heavens.

As for the mighty, they reside in the heavens beyond heavens, within the Purple Cloud Palace, where the Patriarch of the Dao toys with the universe and its fate. A grand world is but a chess piece for his amusement—such vast powers are unimaginable, inscrutable.

Here, all myths find their origin. Any deity, immortal, demon, ghost, Buddha, or Saint—one can trace their roots in this place. All ancient legends and tales might unfold here, shrouded in ambiguity, wavering between truth and falsehood.

One detail illustrates this: In orthodox Daoist tradition, there is no such divinity as Hongjun; the Three Pure Ones are the true orthodox Dao Ancestors! The Three Pure Ones are incarnations of the Great Dao itself—how could the Great Dao have a master?

Yet, in this Desolate Universe, there exists the Dao Patriarch Hongjun, the very executor of the Heavenly Dao! He accepts incarnations of the Great Dao as disciples, takes the supreme Lord of Heaven as his attendant, and commands three thousand guests in the Purple Cloud Palace, all famed beings from myriad legends and myths.

He embodies countless myths in one form, reigning high in the Purple Clouds, and has yet to be defeated—such a fact alone proves how extraordinary this Dao Patriarch must be. At the very least, in this world, the Three Pure Ones, the Two Saints, Fuxi, Nuwa, and their ilk are no match for Hongjun.

Otherwise, how would he be titled Patriarch of the Dao, master of the Great Dao itself, and sit enthroned as the teacher of all nature?

As for Hongjun’s origins, one can only interpret the name literally. What is “Hong”? It signifies imperial power, the throne of the emperor—thus, Emperor Hong. What is “Jun”? It suggests both balance and entirety. Emperor Hong wields balance and brings peace to all under heaven.

As for deeper secrets...

Hongjun, Hongjun, hongjun.

Or perhaps, like the tale of Laozi splitting into the Three Pure Ones—neither purely moral nor simply the Lord Lao.

Luo Feng dared not guess, dared not ponder, dare not inquire. In such an advanced version of the Desolate Universe, how could he not tread carefully? He feared that, one day, he might step out and the random sprite or wandering Daoist he met—seemingly weak and easily bullied—would turn out to be a Golden Immortal playing a minor role.

Staring at the fainted Thousand-Spirit Demon King, Luo Feng could not help but sigh.

At the very least, you’re a disciple of the Sect of Interception! How could you venture out before achieving immortality?

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I always thought you were an Interception Sect immortal disguised as a Spirit Soul cultivator! Now that things have come to this, how am I supposed to explain it?

The silver snake coiled around his wrist leapt down, transforming into a rosy-cheeked Daoist child. The child took a few steps forward, surveyed the unconscious demon king, and exclaimed in surprise, “Master, it really is the Thousand-Spirit Demon King!”

Upon confirming the demon king’s identity, the cautious Daoist child felt a thread of doubt arise. If this truly was the Thousand-Spirit Demon King, how could he be knocked out by the aftershocks of Master’s magic?

For the first time, the Daoist child harbored doubts about his master’s cultivation.

Under the child’s questioning gaze, Luo Feng glanced at the somewhat feeble Demon King, and a thought flashed through his mind. Inspiration struck.

Luo Feng composed his expression. “Since you’ve discovered me, I’ll stop pretending! I’ll come clean!”

“In truth, I am but an Earth Immortal. I disguised myself as a Spirit Soul cultivator only to test your temperament.”

“If your character proved suitable, I would have accepted you as a personal disciple.”

“Child, as you roam the world, remember: never be arrogant or impatient, and never underestimate anyone.”

The Daoist child was taken aback, hesitating to speak, still feeling something was off. For someone like himself—a minor demon general—was there really any difference between an Earth Immortal and a Spirit Soul cultivator?

Luo Feng cleared his throat. “Child, help our friend the Thousand-Spirit up.”

With that, he deftly changed the subject, turning the page on the matter.

Suppressing his doubts, the Daoist child nodded obediently and helped the demon king to a seat in the nearby pavilion.

“Great Star of Supreme Virtue, responding to change without ceasing, dispelling evil and binding phantoms, protecting life and body, wisdom bright and mind serene, three souls forever, no loss of spirit…”

Luo Feng formed a Daoist seal with his hands, recited a divine incantation, and with a ripple of vital energy, condensed a drop of divine nectar. With a flick of his finger, it flew into the demon king’s brow.

“Ow, ow, ow…”

The Thousand-Spirit Demon King jolted upright like a dying man suddenly revived, staring about in terror. “Who dares ambush me?”

“Friend, do not panic!” Luo Feng apologized with a sincere face. “I was in a hurry and accidentally wounded you. I have just healed your injury.”

“You—!” The demon king was about to curse, but, suddenly sensing Luo Feng’s Earth Immortal aura pressing down, changed his tone. “What’s the meaning of this, Daoist? Why rush about so carelessly and injure me? You owe me an explanation!”

The demon king was not one for arduous cultivation and was naturally quick-witted. He knew that revealing his background should be timed well. Before a quarrel, it serves as deterrence; after a quarrel, it only invites disaster, as the other might kill to silence you. Even if one’s elders seek vengeance later, what good is that to the dead?

Seeing the demon king provide himself an escape, Luo Feng feigned a sigh. “Please forgive me, friend. I was searching for someone and lost my head in the moment.”

The demon king casually asked, “May I ask who you seek?”

Luo Feng shook his head. “I heard there was a Thousand-Spirit Demon King in the Sea of Ten Thousand Isles, a disciple of the Interception Sect’s sacred lineage. I came in admiration, hoping to exchange teachings.”

The demon king arched an eyebrow. He was no fool and did not take Luo Feng’s words at face value.

He tried to probe further. “I heard the Thousand-Spirit Demon King is just a Spirit Soul cultivator. As an immortal, why bother seeking him out…?”

Luo Feng’s face turned solemn. “You are mistaken, friend. The Thousand-Spirit Demon King, coming from the Interception Sect—what a sect that is! A lineage of Saints! Surely, the demon king must be a hero among peers.”

...

After a while.

The demon king’s gaze flickered uncertainly between truth and falsehood. Still, everyone enjoys flattery, and the more he heard, the more he nodded along. His wariness faded, and he was convinced Luo Feng was not here to stir trouble.

Seeing this, Luo Feng sighed and changed his tone. “To be honest, I have my own selfish motives. As everyone knows, the Interception Sect stands tall in the East Sea, its power vast, its arts profound. If I could befriend the Thousand-Spirit Demon King, learn of the sect’s wondrous ways, and make a connection, what luck that would be.”

The demon king was overjoyed. “So, you too hold the great sect in esteem! I am indeed the Thousand-Spirit. If you do not mind, let us exchange our teachings.”

Luo Feng feigned astonishment. “So it is you, my friend! Forgive my prior rudeness.”

Thus, a Spirit Soul demon king and Interception Sect disciple, eager to befriend an immortal, sought to win Luo Feng over; while Luo Feng, feigning to be an Earth Immortal, warm and upright, sought to gather intelligence and forge a connection.

Before long, the two were deep in lively conversation.

The Daoist child looked on in confusion, utterly bewildered. Just moments ago, the two were practically strangers, with a vague air of hostility—how had they suddenly become confidants?

What on earth had happened?

After some time, Luo Feng breathed a sigh of relief. The Thousand-Spirit Demon King truly was just a registered disciple of the Interception Sect, and those he knew were not yet true immortals either.

He was certainly not a disciple of that great Interception immortal, nor a pet or servant.

Earlier, Luo Feng had worried that, in the East Sea—a stronghold of the Interception Sect—everyone might be closely related, and offending one could bring a mob in retaliation.

Now, things were much simpler.

People always say the protagonist is sly, but this isn’t slyness—it’s caution!

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