Chapter 299 218: Dayu Endgame (Part 2)
After wandering around inside the Celestial Demon Sect:
Zhang Yao arrived at the innermost sacred ground of the sect, where the Three Evils Daoist usually secluded himself for cultivation.
"Hmm? Found it!"
After carefully searching with his Divine Thought for a moment, he successfully located the spot of the Divine Split Puppet.
"Is this the Divine Split Puppet?"
Zhang Yao curiously examined it for a few moments.
The Divine Split Puppet was a puppet about the size of a real person, its material neither exactly metal nor wood, even having a warm touch very close to human skin.
The appearance of this Divine Split Puppet was almost identical to the Three Evils Daoist, clearly custom-made.
From a distance, it looked like another Three Evils Daoist was asleep.
"Such craftsmanship is indeed exquisite."
Zhang Yao sighed with admiration.
His Artifact Refining skills were also at the third grade, naturally recognizing the manufacturing method of this Divine Split Puppet as quite brilliant, the level of the maker was much higher than his own.
This thing was likely not from the Southwest Land, but rather from the Central Plains Countries.
"Go!"
He took out the Divine Soul Seed of the Three Evils Daoist and raised his hand to embed it into the head of the Divine Split Puppet.
"Boom..."
Instantly, the aura of Magical Power from the Divine Split Puppet began to rise, as if awakening from slumber, transforming from a dead object to a living one.
The Divine Split Puppet lying on the ground suddenly sat up, blinked its eyes, its expression swiftly changing from confusion to clarity.
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu."
He stood up, seeing Zhang Yao's face clearly, and immediately relaxed, bowing respectfully:
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for keeping your promise, your great kindness will not be forgotten."
"You flatter me."
After returning the gesture, Zhang Yao tentatively inquired:
"How do you feel now, Fellow Daoist?"
He smiled and said:
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, are you asking about any differences in my perception of self after being reborn using the Divine Split Puppet?"
As he spoke, his tone turned relaxed:
"Actually, I was mistaken before."
"Whether human or demon, all sentient beings with wisdom are creatures of memory, and everything in life is constructed from memory."
"I am the Three Evils Daoist, I have truly come back to life, and that is the best outcome."
Hearing this, Zhang Yao remained silent, his emotions somewhat complex.
From the moment he heard the word 'reborn,' he understood the other party's stance.
But regardless of the situation, the real Three Evils Daoist had died in the Jade Divine Palace, and the 'reincarnator' before him was indeed the original Three Evils Daoist.
"Please, Fellow Daoist."
After chatting a bit, the Three Evils Daoist invited Zhang Yao into the main hall, personally brewing Spirit Tea, and they sat together to drink and talk.
"Life truly is a miracle..."
Zhang Yao couldn't help but feel a bit of emotion in his heart.
Before entering the Jade Divine Palace, no one expected that among the nine Trial Takers, only 'two' would survive.
What he didn't expect more was that his allies 'Haihe Ancestor,' 'Fairy Dawn Light,' and 'Fairy Feiyin' would ultimately die by his hand; and yet, the Three Evils Daoist from the opposing side became his friend.
"... Mani Kingdom?"
During their conversation, Zhang Yao brought up the matter of Mani Kingdom, the Three Evils Daoist said:
"I am quite familiar with the Mani Kingdom."
"To be honest, the 'Divine Split Puppet' I currently inhabit comes from the Mani Kingdom."
As he spoke, a hint of reminiscence appeared:
"It was more than two hundred years ago."
"I had been to the Mani Kingdom several times back then, gradually accumulating decades of Good Deeds, and finally exchanged them for this Divine Split Puppet."
"I must say, the Golden Body Arhat techniques at the Mani Temple are extraordinary, after taking my flesh, bones, and a trace of the Divine Soul, it was refined successfully in just a few months, granting me a second life, which really made a significant impact..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn't help but curiously ask:
"So what is this Good Deeds List of the Mani Kingdom all about?"
His understanding of Mani Kingdom and the Good Deeds List was quite limited, with many aspects only half-understood.
Although he had gathered some information through the Lingyang Sect and other channels, it certainly couldn't compare to the firsthand knowledge of the Three Evils Daoist.
"Hmm..."
The Three Evils Daoist stroked his beard:
"The Good Deeds List of the Mani Kingdom is actually quite intriguing if you think about it..."
He eloquently discussed the situation in Mani Kingdom, with Zhang Yao taking the opportunity to pose numerous questions, all of which the Three Evils Daoist answered.
After more than an hour of conversation, Zhang Yao decided to stop, rising to prepare to bid farewell.
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu."
Before departing, the Three Evils Daoist raised a critical question:
"Many Golden Core Cultivators fell during the trip to the Jade Divine Palace."
"Especially Elder Yuanxu and Bai Hong Sword Immortal who perished, while Haihe Ancestor and Fairy Dawn Light, both were slain by you, Fellow Daoist."
"The previous structure within the Da Yu Cultivation Realm is destined to collapse, what does Fellow Daoist plan to do about it?"
Upon hearing the question:
Zhang Yao pondered for a moment before speaking:
"The issues within the Da Yu Cultivation Realm will be Fellow Daoist's responsibility in the future, I do not intend to interfere."
"However, I had a good relationship with the Fuhai Sect back in the day, a close friend of mine even served as the Sect Leader, sharing strong ties."
"So, I plan to take the Fuhai Sect with me, and have them move their Mountain Gate back to Da Li; as for the remaining Luoxia Sect, Changbai Sword Sect, and others, I have no interest."
Upon hearing this, the Three Evils Daoist nodded:
"I understand, also thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your righteousness."
Understanding Zhang Yao's true stance relieved him significantly.
Soon after, Zhang Yao formally rose to say farewell, and the Three Evils Daoist personally escorted him out of the Mountain Gate of the Celestial Demon Sect.
......
Several hours later.
Above the Luoxia Mountain Range, within the Floating Island on the sky.
After Wan Chuan Ancestor had been slain by Zhang Yao, the soul lamp posing as Lord Haihe left behind in the sect had already extinguished.
The death of a Golden Core Ancestor instantly shook the leadership of the Fuhai Sect, causing chaos within the sect, with senior members trying hard to reassure everyone.
In the midst of panic and anxiety, Zhang Yao flew in and explained the situation within Da Yu before proposing to take the Fuhai Sect back to Da Li.
"Thank you, Elder Qingxu, for your kindness."
The Grand Elder of the Fuhai Sect, along with numerous high-ranking members, knelt in gratitude, their expressions full of appreciation.
In their view:
Zhang Yao's actions were clearly out of respect for the late Haihe Ancestor, offering them protection and a home.
With the demise of the only Golden Core Ancestor, the decline of the Fuhai Sect was inevitable, until a new Golden Core emerged, the sect's position remained perilous.
As a Golden Core Level force, lacking a Golden Core Ancestor to oversee, it would inevitably become a target for others.
Hence, Zhang Yao's willingness to take them back to Da Li naturally provided some protection, far better than staying within Da Yu where survival was uncertain.
"No need to thank me."
Zhang Yao waved his hand, sighing:
"The untimely passing of Fellow Daoist Haihe is truly regrettable."
"The Fuhai Sect has done much for me over the years, offering some care now is only right."
After speaking, he paused, signaling:
"I give you three days, hurry up with handling internal and external affairs, and gathering disciples, we depart as soon as time's up."
"This..."
The Grand Elder of the Fuhai Sect hesitated, speaking:
"Ancestor, may I speak?"
"Although the Mountain Gate Array of the Floating Island on the sky provides power, it requires Golden Core Magical Power to drive, Foundation Establishment Stage cannot activate it."
"When we previously fled to Da Li, it was because the former Wan Chuan Ancestor was severely injured and unable to awaken, no one could control the Floating Island on the sky, leaving it adrift on the Fubo Sea."
"Now that Haihe Ancestor has unfortunately fallen... To bring the Floating Island back to Da Li, assistance from you, Ancestor, is the only option."
He was not worried about surrendering control of the sect's core array hub to an outsider.
After all, given Elder Qingxu's stature and power, if he truly intended to harm the Fuhai Sect, he wouldn't need to deal with them in this manner.
"Hmm."
Zhang Yao nodded slightly, flicking his sleeve:
"Then proceed, but ensure you handle miscellaneous matters promptly."
"Depart from Da Yu in three days."