Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1227 - 20: The Great Venerable’s Wish, Tathagata’s Scheme

On the vast sea, the white mist stands like an endless wall, reaching straight into the sky.

And behind this wall of mist is the unceasing sound of waves, along with countless devil cultivators active above and below the sea surface.

Tens of thousands of devil cultivators are active, pushing rocks, piling up islands, and using their divine skills to connect with the earth veins.

A total of seventy-two islands are scattered across the thousands of miles of sea, with water currents between the islands either bright or hidden, connecting each other, like a natural great formation.

The Great Venerable, who has ascended to the second grade, is currently high above this vast sea area, appearing in the form of Candle Dragon. His dragon body now resembles a legless serpent more than ever, and his once dragon claws have disappeared, appearing from afar like a red long river traversing the sky.

Candle Yin is a clawless dragon, with a human face and serpent body. At first, Candle Dragon had claws due to the division of Dao Fruit. Now, the Great Venerable has ascended to the second-grade Candle Yin, resembling the legendary body of Zhong Mountain.

However, the combination of Fuxi Daoist Body and Candle Yin does not appear as strange as the true Candle Yin's form.

Just like now, the winding dragon body raised in mid-air, with the upper body covered in red scales resembling a human form, as if a mountain supporting the sky. The massive head, like a star, no longer hides in the clouds, revealing a face magnified ten thousand times compared to human form.

His eyes are closed, like the statue of a giant god, joyful yet indifferent, with his right hand outstretched flatly in front of him. On the plain-like palm, the Book of Luo River Map evolves into a brilliant star river, intertwining with the traces of space and time, forming a colossal model resembling the universe.

Various figures, whether old, young, or mature, stand on the palm, all looking toward the evolving Book of Luo River Map.

Among them is Elder Yun, who has hidden in the Dinghu Sect for many years.

He observes the changing trajectory and says, "The spiritual mechanism of Divine Country rises again, thanks to Emperor Jiang's aid, who surely desires to ascend."

"Expanding spiritual mechanism is indeed a quick path to restore national strength. Essence Qi can nourish plants, and likewise, benefit the people. When spiritual mechanism pervades the Nine Provinces, his Emperor Dao Fruit would reach perfection."

An older middle-aged man, resembling Elder Yun, says, "Daoist Lord and the main body have ascended to second grade, and Karma Tathagata is outside; Emperor Jiang naturally wants to ascend as soon as possible."

The remaining four figures nod in agreement.

Judging by their appearances, they all share similarities, with features becoming more alike as they approach similar ages, even two appearing identical.

Undoubtedly, all six are the Great Venerable.

Or rather, they are past aspects of the Great Venerable, divided out through Cosmic Light Divine Ability.

Though the same person, each one has an independent body, and each possesses calculation power close to the Great Venerable's peak period. When united, no one today should surpass the Great Venerable in calculation power.

This vast calculation power is the crucial foundation for the Great Venerable being the first in Yi Dao.

"It's not just about ascending, it's also about drawing Daoist Lord. That old Daoist has always sought to recreate the heaven before the End of Dharma. Emperor Jiang won't miss this chance."

"Yet the main body is capable of blocking it. The Great Formation is being laid out. If Emperor Jiang wants to use the revival of spiritual mechanism to demonstrate Dao Fruit, the main body can completely halt his transformation, even break his control over the Nine Provinces."

The others join in, analyzing the situation while proposing previously arranged countermeasures.

However—

"The Heavens already have their independent consciousness and body, what use is it to target them now?"

The previously silent young man sneers, "Do you think he can still channel the power of the heavens? We've already failed, played by Heaven."

"We've always ignored Heaven's presence. Now that Heaven has taken human form, we're in a dilemma. The best choice is to cooperate with Emperor Jiang to deal with Heaven, but we've long broken with him."

During the clash between the Great Heavenly Venerate and Jiang Li, neither Daoist Lord nor the Great Venerable appeared in Heaven but ascended at that time. This doesn't mean they were unaware of the changes in Heaven.

The Book of Luo River Map, a treasure of Yi Dao, has always been with the Great Venerable, enabling deduction. Though the Great Heavenly Venerate and Jiang Li have abilities to block divination and their strength is formidable, such blocking has prerequisites.

With such fierce battles, almost breaking through the Three Pure Ones and spreading across Heaven, how could it stay hidden?

Moreover, the Great Venerable has always sensed changes in Heaven, knowing full well of Heaven's transformation.

Now that the Great Venerable has ascended to second grade, his calculation power has further enhanced.

Yet, precisely because he understands the situation, he sees the current awkward dilemma.

To deal with Emperor Jiang is pointless now. For even if Jiang Li is forced to channel the power of the heavens, it can't be done.

In theory, cooperation with Emperor Jiang to tackle Heaven is possible, but after such a falling out, even wanting to, the other party may not.

No, even outward willingness may mask inner vigilance, possibly mutual harm.

All are thousand-year-old foxes, none can truly trust another. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

This dilemma encapsulates the current situation on the Great Venerable's side.

A single phrase brings a dark look upon the other five, momentarily ending any strategy arrangements.