Above the Great Dao-Chapter 1518 - 705: Mutiny

"Brother Xi personally came to face death; the camaraderie among fellow sect members is truly moving."

Chen Shi was quite touched and said, "You came at the right time; you can accompany Brother and your junior sister to the other side."

Xi Muran's expression remained unchanged: "You've indeed progressed significantly compared to before. I've lost three junior brothers and sisters to you, haven't I?"

Chen Shi nodded: "Xun Jiangmu, who claimed to be the Heavenly Venerate, wreaked havoc in our West Bull New Continent, and I killed him. Shao Guang, the new Xun Jiangmu, committed evil in Guiyuan World and also perished at my hands. Just now, this Miss Qi claimed she came to kill me, but her life was also lost. Adding Brother Xi to the count, that makes four."

Xi Muran frowned slightly, displeased with his aggressive tone, and said: "The time we clashed before, you had just emerged from the Xuanhuang Sea and were ranked second on the Immortal Slaying List, having killed nearly two hundred victims, which earned you the top spot on the list."

Chen Shi recalled the past, saying: "At that time, Brother Xi, your skills and divine arts were admirable. Your guidance made me realize I wasn't invincible in my Realm."

Xi Muran also felt much sentiment: "Back then, Junior Brother Chen mentioned that after the Small Circulation Tribulation Array, there was still another move, which made my hair stand on end. It was then I realized that the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection passed down by our Master wasn't complete. You heightened my awareness; even among fellow sect members, caution was necessary. Truth be told, my view of you isn't bad; I was even grateful for your reminder."

His sincerity was undeniable.

Previously, he had no suspicion towards the Immortal Emperor, but the experience of battling Chen Shi served as a sudden awakening, leading him to become wary of the Immortal Emperor ever since.

Chen Shi inquired: "Since Brother Xi knows the Immortal Emperor is dishonest with you all and even harbors ill intentions, why remain in the Immortal Court? Why not leave and establish yourselves independently?"

Xi Muran shook his head: "My Master's private virtues are one thing, while leading the immortals against the Heavenly Court is a matter of public virtue. His private virtue may lack, but his public virtue is above reproach. How could I turn against him for that?"

With a serious expression, he involuntarily showed admiration when speaking of the Immortal Emperor, and his tone gradually became fervent.

"For thirty-six thousand years, the oppressive Heavenly Court has enslaved Immortals, taking life at whim, treating them as expendable. Immortals have suffered the Heavenly Court's tyranny for too long. Throughout the ages, countless immortals have resisted the Heavenly Court, yet all have ended in failure. The Three Pure Ones Sect members and the Western Heaven Buddha stand aloof, detached from the matter. My Master could have chosen a life of ease like them, but he resolutely stepped forward, inviting heroes and righteous figures to resist the Heavenly Court. Despite his personal shortcomings, his righteous actions are unparalleled; I will never betray him!"

Xi Muran looked towards Chen Shi and said, "If you were to meet him, you too would admire him and follow him wholeheartedly."

"I will not."

Chen Shi shook his head and said, "I was born in the West Bull New Continent, and from the time I could remember, I knew that outside the village lurked Evil Spirits that devoured people. When someone died, they had to be immediately burned or taken somewhere untouched by the Moon's light, or else they'd become Evil Spirits.

"Around our village, many villages were ravaged by Evil Spirits, sometimes even breaking out into Demon Transformation, where every living being in a radius of hundreds or thousands of miles would turn into Demons and be devoured. As I grew older, I realized that for six thousand years, people have lived like this.

"Later on, I discovered that for the past sixteen thousand years, not only have we suffered, but the Great Shang Remnants experienced even more misery. They had to transform into Evil Spirits and into the Ghost Clan, living in the underworld. Eventually, I learned that the thing which nearly destroyed our world was merely a worm!"

His face showed an ambiguous expression, of humor mixed with sorrow, perhaps lamenting the absurd fate of the people in West Bull New Continent, or perhaps regretting that a single worm could wreak such havoc.

"Do you know how it felt when I discovered that a mere worm caused our sixteen thousand years of tragic fate?"

"Do you know how immense my hatred was when I found out that the Heavenly Venerate sought to raise this worm, thereby wanting to destroy the world we rely on for survival?"

"You don't know. Xi Muran, stop flattering yourselves. Facing the Ancestral Court, you could still release the freezing cold and let countless people freeze or starve to death, you could still let the Great Demon Seed loose, slaughtering far and wide."

Chen Shi scoffed: "And you dare call yourselves the righteous army? And you wish to topple the Heavenly Court? You are worse than the Heavenly Court!"

Xi Muran sighed, feeling quite disappointed: "Your understanding of the Immortal Court is too superficial; you've misunderstood us. Master does everything for the Immortals, to allow us Immortals to fully control the Earth Immortal Realm! It's a noble ideal, but achieving this goal sometimes requires committing necessary evils."

Chen Shi's lips curled into a mocking smile, leisurely saying: "Your so-called necessary evil has brought us sixteen thousand years of disaster, with countless deaths... that is why I must kill you."

Xi Muran's expression darkened, but suddenly broke into a smile, saying: "Heavenly King Chen, I salute you."

He raised a cup, and Chen Shi raised his cup too; the two drank it all at once.

Xi Muran lowered the cup, saying, "Where is Kun Dulun?"

"Kun Dulun is here!" Chen Shi tossed Kun Dulun to the ground.

Xi Muran glanced at Kun Dulun, then withdrew his gaze, lamenting: "When we first met, you were spirited and alone against hundreds of Immortals, your methods were countless, earning admiration. Yet who would've thought today we'd face each other in life and death."

He stood up and said, "I wonder if the extra move you comprehended can break the gap in realms and match me?"

Chen Shi stood, lifting his hand as the Sword Nurturing Gourd flew over, hanging inverted in the sky; his expression solemn as he said, "Sorry to disappoint Brother Xi. To kill you, I'm ready to employ swordsmanship."