Chapter 2392 - 2360: News Brought by the Elder

Chapter 2392: Chapter 2360: News Brought by the Elder

There was nothing domineering or oppressive about the old man; he was just like an ordinary elder pouring his heart out to a friend.

But the words he spoke still made Netherworld feel a chill run through his heart.

This problem was something he himself had actually noticed, yet in a place like the Ancient Battle Realm, in the midst of war against the Era-Ancient Civilization, he simply had no Time to make any adjustments.

Likewise, perhaps it really was because of Li Chen’s influence that, over the years, the Malignant Qi accumulating in his heart had grown more and more severe.

Others might not understand, but he himself knew very clearly what sort of Way his own Palm Realm was walking.

The Way of Slaughter!

Back then, even Li Chen, when he saw Netherworld’s Way, had felt infinitely complicated.

Because this kind of Way was simply too dangerous.

With a single misstep, even an existence at the current Dao Saint Level could become trapped in Slaughter, unable to extricate themselves.

Netherworld had considered resolving this problem, but given the situation as it stood, he simply did not have the Time to solve it.

Perhaps the Twelve Saints could help him, but for certain reasons, he had absolutely no desire to come face to face with those so‑called Twelve Saints.

Back then, it was his father alone who shouldered the pattern of the Starry Universe; whether opposing the Era-Ancient Civilization or meeting the Doomsday Beast Soul head‑on, his father was forever standing on the front line.

But what were those so‑called Twelve Saints, those powerhouses of the previous age, doing?

They were merely shrinking back into their own tiny plots of land.

So in all these years, even though the Starry Universe had already entered a trend of great Fusion, Netherworld had barely crossed paths with the Twelve Saints.

He had hardly even seen their faces, much less gone to them to ask for help with such personal issues.

But this old man...

"Senior San Qing, why have you come to warn me?"

Netherworld couldn’t help but ask. The old man’s words had made Netherworld understand his current condition, and what he understood even more clearly was that, back then, when the old man struck and defeated his father, perhaps it hadn’t simply been to spar with his father, or to snatch away that so‑called title of first under the Starry Sky.

Perhaps, at that Time, the old man had been helping Li Chen temporarily take off that burdensome crown.

But why would this man help them?

"Maybe, from others’ perspective, there really were all sorts of factors." The old man smiled at Netherworld, his smile exceedingly kind.

"But as far as I’m concerned, following my heart in all things is enough. You may have seen that Tao Te Ching I left behind when I was still weak. Tao and De—Dao and virtue—what it speaks of is precisely Dao and De. The things you father and son have done, others may not know, but I remember."

"As lifeforms born from the same Earth, as members of the Starry Universe, whether it is you or your father, you both deserve the help of anyone at all." The old man spoke with a gentle smile: "There is no ’why’. In my eyes, this is what you are owed."

"Though the paths you walk are not exactly the same, upon both of you there exists a ’De’ that corresponds to the Way of my Palm Realm. Therefore, I have an obligation to help you correct your Dao. Likewise, this is my Dao and my De. When these two are both gathered together, then those two characters ought to be reversed."

Netherworld was stunned.

Reversing ’Dao De’...

’De Dao’... ’attaining Dao’?!

"Senior, could it be that you..."

The old man lightly waved his hand: "I still fall a little short."

Netherworld froze for an instant, then said no more.

This old man was walking a path that no one else dared to walk!

Perhaps, in the past, many of the powerhouses of the Starry Universe had placed heavy hopes upon Li Chen, feeling that, after the Supreme, Li Chen was the one most likely to achieve the Founding Realm.

Yet now, Li Chen had vanished for Eighty Million Years; everyone had already decided he was dead, and that heavy hope had turned into disappointment.

Then, what of the Starry Universe’s future?

The situation of today’s Starry Universe could be called an excellent one, but it still could not escape one truth.

Within the Starry Universe... there was no Origin Realm Powerhouse.

Even if, at the Palm Realm Rank of combat power, the Starry Universe truly could occupy an advantage.

Without a Peak combat power like the Founding Realm, what would the Starry Universe’s final outcome be?

No one knew.

Because although many people could vaguely guess at the terror of the Founding Realm, there were very few who truly knew just how terrifying a single Origin Realm Powerhouse was.

If that day really came when a Founding Realm powerhouse invaded the Starry Universe...

With the Starry Universe as it was now, could it truly hold?

Netherworld did not know, nor did he know whether Lin Yi and the Twelve Saints knew.

But without an Origin Realm Powerhouse, in the end, the Starry Universe would have no escape route.

Yet today, Netherworld had learned that there was such an old man seeking a path of retreat for the Starry Universe.

The old man rarely appeared; even when, over these years, Netherworld had led the Nether Army in slaughtering the Doomsday Beast Soul and blocking the Era-Ancient Civilization, he had never heard any trace of this old man making a move.

But the old man was indeed, unmistakably, striving to secure a retreat for the Starry Universe.

"Senior, how much confidence do you have?" Netherworld couldn’t help but ask.

"Less than thirty percent." The old man shook his head with a wry smile. "After all, in this Era’s entire history, there has only ever been that one success. As one who came later, I merely wish to attempt it at this final juncture. As for how it turns out, all I can do is exhaust human effort and leave the rest to Heavenly Fate."

Netherworld fell silent.

Even this enigmatic and unfathomable old man had less than thirty percent confidence in that threshold?

In other words, the Starry Universe really had no way out?

"Enough, let’s not talk about me." The old man shook his head slightly. "Let me help you solve your issue first. Work with me properly. Once we’ve resolved your problem, I may be able to tell you some good news."

"Good news?" Netherworld was taken aback.

"Mm." The old man nodded, but said nothing more, clearly intending to wait until Netherworld cooperated in solving the problem before explaining.

"Alright!"

Netherworld was decisive; he brought the old man to his place of Closed-door Cultivation.

Facing the old man, Netherworld gradually lowered his Defense. He was indeed someone with a strong sense of wariness, but toward this elder, he seemed to have no need for such guardedness.

Because he could faintly sense that, if this old man wished to defeat him, it likely would not be very difficult.

A few days later, Netherworld and the old man walked out from the Closed-door Cultivation site.

The old man’s face was a little pale, but still carried a smile.

As for Netherworld, the Malignant Qi gathered between his brows seemed to have vanished in an instant; his whole being appeared much clearer and brighter.

"Many thanks, Senior!" Looking at the old man beside him, Netherworld bowed deeply.

This old man had truly resolved the greatest problem in his body; this salute was one the old man absolutely deserved!

"A trifling matter—compared to what you’ve done for the Starry Universe, it’s not worth mentioning." The old man remained as leisurely as drifting clouds and flowing water, his smile serene.

"By the way, I said I had good news to tell you. Do you want to hear it?"

"Please speak freely, Senior." Netherworld nodded.

"Your father, that clansman of mine—may very well... still be alive."

In Netherworld’s mind, it was as though a bolt of lightning flashed, leaving him completely stunned where he stood.

Then, without even realizing how, Netherworld’s hands seized the old man’s sleeve. Trembling, he asked, "What you said—is it true?"