Chapter 569: Chapter 480: Continuing the Path

Ascending the path was always a perilous endeavor, for the power of the Great Dao was vast. For a living being to bear the essence of the Dao itself was an act against the Heavenly Dao—subject not only to the arrival of the Heavenly Tribulation but also the dreadful Five Declines of Heaven and Man.

If one could not escape, one would perish and the Dao would vanish; if one could, one would naturally reign with the world.

And those with discerning eyes all knew that the Jade Emperor had taken this step too hastily, not quite achieving perfection, meaning the likelihood of his failure was great.

Thus, many watched coldly from the sidelines, waiting for this emperor to meet his end. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Jade Emperor, of course, knew the dangers of taking this step at such a time, but time was not on his side. Lately, his transformation into the Dao had been growing more severe. If he did not act soon, it might not be long before a puppet of the Heavenly Dao sat upon the throne of the Heavenly Emperor.

"Indeed, it is hard to cross the bitter sea!" the Jade Emperor sighed faintly.

He had heard the Buddhist Sect’s teachings on the bitter sea—people thought it referred to the human hardships of birth, aging, sickness, and death, but they did not know the suffering of unfulfilled desires. Even immortals like himself were not exempt from such worldly emotions.

Though they could suppress them with their great will on normal days, the truth in their hearts was hard to deceive, and only transcendent beings could avoid these feelings.

Yet, transcendence was so difficult to achieve; throughout the ages, only a handful had managed to do so. He himself had not even stepped into the Unity of Dao—how could he aspire to a higher realm?

"Your Majesty!" the Divine Exorcist Great Sage also called out with complex emotions.

He and the Jade Emperor shared a bond deeper than most. There was a time when one was a carefree little monkey in the mountains, and the other was a young cultivator deeply engrossed in ascetic cultivation.

Supporting each other along the way, they had reached their present stations. But now, as the Jade Emperor faced a situation of life or death, the Divine Exorcist Great Sage felt as if he had reverted to the oblivious little monkey of Mount Kunlun.

"Little monkey, if I do not return from this journey, you should go back to Mount Kunlun. I have left some contingencies there, enough to safeguard your life," the Jade Emperor said with less authority and more tenderness in his voice.

The nickname ’little monkey’ was what they used when they were together in Mount Kunlun. The Divine Exorcist Great Sage could not remember the last time the Jade Emperor had called him that.

Sometimes, he thought that perhaps they should never have left Mount Kunlun; maybe they would still be living carefreely.

The Jade Emperor seemed to read his thoughts and said with a smile, "Do not dwell on the past. If we had not left Mount Kunlun, we probably would not have survived to this day."

"Besides, having roamed the Three Realms for so many years, I have indeed fulfilled my lifelong wish," the Jade Emperor stated calmly.

He was not one to wallow in self-pity; even in such dire circumstances, he was still seeking that slim chance for survival, even daring to take this crucial step, seeking life within death.

The Divine Exorcist Great Sage was very familiar with the Jade Emperor and naturally knew that this time the odds were heavily against him. He sighed and asked, "Is there a chance for us to reunite in the future?"

According to his understanding of his friend, there shouldn’t be just this one path available.

"Perhaps!" the Jade Emperor smiled faintly.

He had indeed prepared some contingencies, but he could not guarantee their success; after all, such a thing was unprecedented. If he succeeded, it would also pave a way for all living beings in the conjunction of Heaven and Earth to find a path to survival.

Upon hearing this, the Divine Exorcist Great Sage’s eyes lit up. He knew his dear friend was not one to surrender without a fight. He nodded and said, "That’s good, that’s good. In that case, it is time for me to return to Mount Kunlun; from now on, the grievances and disputes of the Three Realms have nothing more to do with me."

After speaking, he did not wait to see how the Jade Emperor’s situation would unfold; he turned and left the Heavenly Court.

He was going back to the paradise of his youth, perhaps to wait one day for the return of his old friend.

The Jade Emperor watched him leave and sighed quietly to himself. Although he had intentionally made it sound easy, letting the Divine Exorcist Great Saint believe he was as confident as always, he actually had no confidence at all.

It was a trial of the Great Dao, the Five Declines of Heaven and Man. He had no certainty that any of his methods could reverse these effects.

However, at this moment, he also hoped that the little monkey, who had accompanied him through countless years, would have more thoughts in the days to come.

Only after the Divine Exorcist Great Saint had left did the Jade Emperor firm his gaze, preparing to make his final attempt.

As he merged with the Great Dao, suddenly the voice of the Dao echoed throughout the Three Realms. All who heard this voice felt enlightened, a blessing for all living beings.

The emergence of the Dao’s voice also meant that the Jade Emperor had officially taken that step.

Throughout the Three Realms, countless eyes focused on the sky above. Since ancient times, the Jade Emperor was the first to take this step, thus it was highly significant as a reference. Were it not for his Dao being incredibly special, holding the foremost position, all other Dao would bow down to it. For this alone, countless powerful beings in the Three Realms owed him a karmic debt.

The Jade Emperor took a step, and above the Nine Heavens a ladder to ascend was revealed. He climbed slowly, one step at a time, preparing to reach for the pinnacle of the Dao.

At this very moment, the Dao manifested above the Nine Heavens, turning into an imperial crown. As soon as the Jade Emperor put it on, it would mark the beginning of Unity with the Dao.

Each manifestation of the Great Dao was unique; the Path of the Stars would take the form of a constellation that needed to be plucked if one pursues it, while the Great Dao of Fire naturally showed itself as flames.

As for the Imperial Dao that the Jade Emperor pursued, it naturally manifested as an imperial crown.

The Jade Emperor took a deep breath. By this point, there was no turning back for him. He had to press forward bravely, seeking a sliver of hope in the impossible.

As he took the final step, he placed the imperial crown upon his head and began to bear the power of the Great Dao.

An infinite force of the Great Dao instantly enveloped him.

Heaven and Earth trembled, countless laws manifested as if they were in fear, yet also in celebration.

"It has begun!"

Everyone knew that the most critical step had arrived.

Just then, the previously clear sky suddenly clouded over with dark clouds, instantly obscuring the sky. Hidden within these clouds was a terrifying power, enough to make even an immortal’s hair stand on end.

This was a fear stemming from the soul.

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight; to bear such a special Dao, how could there be no trials?

This Heavenly Tribulation was merely the first challenge.

Ever since the establishment of the Heavenly Court to regulate the order of the Three Realms, the Heavenly Tribulation had come into being to test cultivators. Over time, it had become the most dreadful tribulation in the eyes of cultivators.

However, that was merely the tribulation for ordinary cultivators, usually overseen by the gods from the Department of Thunder as a divine punishment. For a being of the Jade Emperor’s level of Great Divine Power, it was far from sufficient.

This emerging Heavenly Tribulation was a true tribulation. With the intent to kill, thunder coalesced, naturally harboring the terrifying power to destroy all things and shatter everything. For those of ordinary cultivation levels, merely facing it could overwhelm their minds and they could not even think of withstanding it.

But for the Jade Emperor, this heavenly punishment was still within his capacity to endure. He gave a slight smile and drew his treasured sword from its sheath.