Conferred God: Got cramped at the beginning

Chapter 1032 Slaughter and Struggle for the Dao
When their minds and spirits merged with the sword energy, these immortals also connected with the authority of the Immortal Path, allowing their thoughts to slowly probe towards the foundation of humanity under the protection of that authority.

For other cultivators, to access the secrets within the foundation of humanity, they must venture deep into the human realm.

But these immortals were the most 'skilled' at dealing with humans among the Five Immortals.

One of their duties is to reconcile the conflict between humanity and the universe, to 'appease' humanity so that it follows the changes of the universe, rather than being ambitious enough to transform the entire universe into a place for humanity.

For them, if they want to peek into the changes within humanity... why should they personally venture into the depths of humanity and risk their lives?

All that's needed is to immerse their thoughts in the source of the immortal path!

This, however, is insufficient to reveal the profound mysteries inherent in the foundation of humanity.

But that's enough for them to use their power to spy on, and even interfere with, changes within humanity.

Even if one cannot obtain the greatest fortune in the Blood Maple Forest, it is enough to take some scraps and remnants for one's own use to strengthen one's foundation.

As for greed... the immortals who are still active in the world today and possess the Taiyi cultivation have basically abandoned their greed for the secrets of humanity.

It's not that they have particularly strong willpower.

That's simply the result of natural selection!

The path of immortals is connected to the path of humanity. The secrets within the path of humanity, as well as the power of the seven emotions and six desires within the vast ocean of the heart, are readily visible and tangible to the immortals.

In such a situation, if you have any greedy or covetous thoughts about the secrets of humanity, you don't even need to try anything; the power of humanity will already be rushing towards you on its own.

After all, it is the power of the vast ocean of the heart, the power that originates from the seven emotions and six desires—and it is precisely because of this that it can be easily stirred by the seven emotions and six desires of immortals.

Under the active 'search' of that power, those immortals who could not control their inner greed and desires were either corrupted and restricted by human nature early on, or became part of that vast ocean of the heart.

Under such circumstances, one can imagine how steadfast the minds of these immortals who can avoid the erosion of humanity, achieve the Taiyi state, and even move freely in the human world without worrying about being corrupted by humanity if they make a mistake.

That was in the true sense, to the point where one could maintain composure and absolutely not touch the secrets of humanity by not touching them—even if everyone knew that there were unparalleled opportunities and fortunes within humanity, opportunities and fortunes that could even make these immortals no longer care about the influences originating from humanity.

Even so, these gods remained unmoved.

As these deities acted, the fog surrounding humanity was slowly lifted.

The vast, boundless, seven-colored ocean of the heart appeared before everyone's eyes.

—Amidst the dazzling array of seven colors, the crimson blood stood out strikingly.

Almost instinctively, these deities turned their gaze toward the crimson color—and two indistinct, blurry figures came into view.

The next instant, shouts of battle rang in their ears, giving everyone who looked at the blood-red immortals the illusion of being on a battlefield.

Then, they heard the sound clearly.

"If you enjoy watching this so much, then come in and take a look."

The voice spoke without any attempt to conceal its anger.

That was the voice of Chi You!
……

On the island transformed from the Pixiu, Chi You sat opposite the White Tiger Guardian God, recounting the distant past and his distant old friends.

As he spoke, his brows furrowed.

It was one thing for the Azure Dragon to observe from the outside—as the husband and Daoist partner of the White Tiger before him, he had to watch over the changes within the human realm and ensure the White Tiger's safety.

Chi You could understand and comprehend this point.

But... what are those increasingly numerous, chaotic gazes?
When did it become possible for any creature to hide outside and spy on us?
So Chi You simply raised his hand.

He's a straightforward person; he does what he wants without considering the consequences or caring about what happens afterward.

And so, with an angry voice, as he raised his hand, the 'space' on the island seemed to distort for a moment.

A moment later, a string of rolling gourds appeared on the island with a clatter.

It is none other than those immortals who, in the land of gods, peer into the human realm!
For these deities, this sudden change was nothing short of a catastrophe!
The land of humanity is a forbidden zone for these immortals—in order to avoid this forbidden zone, they are willing to give up the opportunities in the place where Chi You is, and only dare to take a distant look at the changes in the land of humanity through the barrier of the divine path...

But who would have thought that just one glance would lead to this situation?
One of the people in that humane place raised his hand and captured them all, bringing them into the humane place.

—They are merely peeking at humanity with a thought that can be discarded at any time.

However, the powerful beings within the human realm, separated by the human realm and their thoughts, forcibly confined their true forms within the human realm, trapping these immortals in this forbidden land of the divine realm.

"Greetings, Your Majesty Chi You."

"We have acted rudely, and we beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

In an instant, these gods, who had been rolling around like gourds, straightened their postures and immediately bowed to the person who had brought them in.

—Those individuals were extremely clever, showing no sign of resentment whatsoever.

Because all of them had already guessed the identity of the person in front of them.

Aside from Chi You, who was the ancestor of mankind, who else possessed such supernatural power to capture their true forms from outside the human realm and bring them into the human realm?

In that instant, they pierced through the changes of yin and yang, reality and illusion, and the great terror originating from the mythical era of the human race suddenly appeared before their eyes, causing them to choose to follow their hearts in an instant.

This stemmed from their hearts, not only because they feared death and the corruption of humanity, but also because of Chi You's identity.

These are the predecessors within our own domain.

As for the immortals and gods of Pantian, everyone knows the nature of the Pantian elders—regardless of their reputation, fundamentally, the Pantian elders are all somewhat tolerant and kind towards their descendants.

Even if you offend him, as long as you bow your head quickly, politely, and respectfully, this senior will most likely not pursue the matter further. In fact, if you pique their interest, they might even give you some opportunities.

This is why the cultivators of Pantian have always had a habit that is incomprehensible to powerful beings from beyond the realm.

That is, when facing Taiyi or even Daluo level experts, the vast majority of the immortals and gods of Pantian are extremely fierce when facing experts from outside the domain, with an attitude of glaring at you even if it means death.

However, if they discover that they are facing a powerful expert from Pan Tian, ​​they will immediately put down their weapons and restrain their hostility.

Even if they were still fighting just a moment ago, they were no exception. However, in front of Chi You, this ancient and ferocious god, the act of bowing down seemed to be somewhat ineffective.

"After all these years, have all the gods and immortals in this world become so spineless?" Looking at the gods kneeling before him, Chi You's face grew increasingly dissatisfied.

In his era, mortals and immortals alike were not like that at all—they were the kind of people who, even if they died at your hands, would use their unyielding spirit to chip a crack in your weapon.

In that era, bowing one's head meant giving up everything, surrendering everything to the enemy.

Amidst the voices of discontent, the air of war, carrying with it the changes of humanity over countless millennia, swept towards the gods, threatening to completely engulf them.

Just then, another voice rang out.

"Your Majesty Chi You, times have changed."

"Your era is an era of fierce competition among all kinds of people, where there are enemies but no self."

"But in this day and age, although there is still no one to rely on but the enemy is not us, the enemy is no longer the enemy within the world."

"But it is an enemy from outer space."

"Therefore, it is not strange that the younger generation bows their heads before their elders." The voice of the White Tiger Supervisor God Lord rang out.

When Ao Bing was in seclusion in the East Sea, she personally guarded him there—at that time, it was common knowledge that Ao Bing disliked Buddhism.

Even so, when some old Buddhist monks, accompanied by young bald-headed monks, secretly slipped into the East Sea to listen to the dragon's roar in order to comprehend the Buddhist dragon chanting skills, neither Li Nu nor the other true dragons of the East Sea paid any attention to them and tacitly accepted their arrival.

The reason for this is not because they have let go of their grudges—it's just that those bald boys, although they are Buddhists, are also descendants of heaven and earth.

Before they make mistakes, as a senior, I naturally won't hold it against them.

As Li Nu spoke, a sword rang out again in the ears of the immortals, stopping the fierce killing intent.

It was as if an unprecedented divine weapon had been sheathed.

—Swordsmanship!
That's right, it's swordsmanship!
Once upon a time, the weapon used by Li Nu was also a long spear.

Even the weapon she uses now is still a spear.

She once thought that weapons like spears were the greatest symbol of the way of killing, the most representative weapon of killing in the world.

But as time went by and her understanding of the changes in the world of killing and destruction deepened, she gradually discovered that what best represented killing and destruction in the world was actually the sword, not the gun!
The spear is for advancing without retreating; that is not the true meaning of killing.

Those who wage war are soldiers!

The philosophers of the human world have already discussed this in detail.

Weapons are instruments of misfortune; even sages use them only as a last resort.

Weapons are inauspicious instruments, and all things abhor them; therefore, those who possess the Way do not use them.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state; it is a matter of life and death, a road to survival or ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

The different schools of thought among the philosophers shared a nearly unified understanding of warfare and killing—even the sages of military strategy believed this!

The true meaning of killing and conquest lies not in killing, but in restraint!
Therefore, the symbol of killing is the sword—the scabbard signifies the restraint of killing.

Similarly, it is precisely because of this restraint that, before the sword is drawn, the person wielding the sword—that is, the divine being in charge of killing—is, in considering whether or not to initiate killing, is questioning their own conscience, questioning the heavens and the earth, and questioning the situation.

During the interrogation, whenever they confirmed that there was a better way than fighting, their murderous intent would be suppressed.

The divine sword remained hidden in its sheath.

Similarly, in such a state, when they confirm that the weapon of slaughter is unavoidable and must be used, the resulting slaughter is extremely brutal.

Of course, in this world, "they" actually refers to the White Tiger Supervisor God.

And his 'sword-wielding' messengers.

They serve not the sword itself, but the power of killing that the sword represents!

Li Nu was very confident in her own understanding—she believed that her understanding was correct!
Before being bound, that killing and slaughter originated from living beings, from things acquired later in life.

But after being restrained, that killing and killing gradually evolved, little by little, from a conflict originating from living beings into a change rooted in the heavens and earth.

That is the change from man to heaven, the change from the acquired to the innate.

Amidst this change, Li Nu could clearly sense that the distance between herself and her mother—the Queen Mother of the West—had become slightly closer.

Therefore, she became more and more certain that she was on the right path.

And that is precisely why she came to find Chi You.

She has reached the pinnacle of this path.

—The final step, however, came down to Chi You.

As one of only two beings in the world who symbolize and wield the power of killing, her understanding of killing differs from that of Chi You.

In Chi You's mind, killing and fighting meant killing, fighting, and acting on impulse.

That's a means to achieve a goal, not an end in itself.

This contradicts Li Nu's understanding of killing and warfare.

—If she wants to unify the killing and warfare, she must come to Chi You and discuss this killing and warfare with him.

As a result, the definition of killing and warfare was elevated, shifting from human to divine.

That is the essence of her Great Luo Dao!

From a certain perspective, what she and Chi You faced was a struggle over the Dao.

It's two different people giving different definitions of the same thing—and they have to make sure that only one definition remains.

(End of this chapter)