Chapter Eighty-Five: The Origin of the Darkness

“Rise! You have endured much all these years.” The tone in Morningstar’s voice carried a hint of complexity.

Upon arriving in this realm, Pangu, with the cultivation of a Saint of the Great Dao, had vaguely sensed certain events unfolding in this world. Naturally, Pangu understood that Morningstar’s immense power was now sealed by his own hand, his current realm no more than that of a Quasi-Saint. Though his strength surpassed most Saints, he could not perceive the hidden truths of this world. Thus, he shared some information from his mind with Morningstar.

Facing the one before him who claimed to be a bosom friend, Morningstar’s heart was filled with conflicting emotions. When Pangu had earlier shared some secrets of this realm, Morningstar felt guilt; perhaps if he had arrived sooner, he could have helped him break free much earlier.

Both Willow God and Desolate were stunned by what unfolded before them! For two centuries, they had watched Pangu perform his deeds. Though the two had speculated in many ways, they never imagined that after Pangu had condensed the blood mist and the tides of darkness, a living being would appear.

Desolate approached Morningstar and asked quietly, “Master, didn’t you say there were no living beings in this world? Then who is he?”

Morningstar gave a wry smile, helplessly replying, “Even I can’t say for certain now. Better let him tell you himself.”

Desolate turned his gaze to the newly appeared Daoist. The Nameless Daoist smiled warmly at him, and seeing Desolate’s attention, he did not speak, but simply extended his hand and pointed!

Instantly, the void seemed to ripple, and scenes appeared, drawing everyone’s attention.

Within the images, amidst chaos, a vast world operated under the protection of the Great Dao and the Heavenly Dao, countless cultivators roaming freely. Hundreds of clans coexisted on the continent, with prodigies emerging in an era of cultivation prosperity.

As the creatures of the world strove toward higher realms in pride, from the endless chaos, two figures—one golden, one silver—arrived, riding a blood-red planet, their presence oppressing the ages. Behind them spread two enormous wings, like twin suns of gold and silver, seeking to seize this world and enslave its beings.

Just as these two figures were about to enter the world, two black-robed individuals intercepted them beyond the world’s barrier, unleashing a shocking battle in the chaos.

Countless chaotic stars were shattered, and the battle nearly pierced the chaotic wall, spilling into other worlds!

Under the interception of the two black-robed ones, the golden and silver figures ultimately failed to enter the continent.

Endless ages passed, and their battle gradually neared its end. The golden and silver figures, fighting in foreign territory, eventually began to fall behind.

Just as the black-robed pair were about to suppress the intruders, without warning, the two outsiders approached and self-destructed their true forms.

In an instant, the bodies of the black-robed ones were obliterated by the self-destruction, leaving only two primordial spirits, which were swept up by golden and silver light and cast into the blood-red planet the outsiders rode. The planet then vanished into the chaotic currents of time and space.

The people of the great world knew nothing of what transpired in the chaos; only a handful of supreme beings sensed that something was lost within themselves…

From that moment, the cultivators of the continent advanced ever more slowly, and none could reach the pinnacle of the realm again.

Until, after endless ages, on a day in a place called the Boundary Sea atop the continent, a figure defied the heavens and rose, destined to become the sole supreme being in countless aeons of this world!

Yet, just as he achieved supremacy, a tiny spatial crack appeared overhead, and a drop of black blood fell upon him, instantly corrupting him…

The vision abruptly ended. Desolate stared blankly and muttered, “Is this… the Corpse Immortal Emperor?” He suddenly turned to the Nameless Daoist and asked in shock, “Are you one of those two black-robed people?” The Daoist gave a bitter smile and nodded.

Morningstar nodded and explained, “The golden and silver figures in the vision were invaders from other planes, and the two who stopped them were the Great Dao and Heavenly Dao of your world.

To prevent outsiders from enslaving the beings of your world, they and the invaders perished together.”

“Then why are they here?” Willow God asked in confusion.

Morningstar shook his head and said, “This world is the blood-red planet driven by those two invaders. Though all fell at that time, they were beings above the Heavenly Dao. Even in death, their essence would last forever.”

Willow God understood; the vision showed the primordial spirits entering the blood-red planet. Still puzzled, she asked, “Since they returned to their essence, how can they still oppose each other in this world? Have they not lost all divine thought?”

“They have returned to their essence, but as supreme beings, it is not strange for a trace of consciousness to remain. Besides, the two invaders did not lose their awareness!” Pangu interjected.

At that moment, Desolate, who had been silent, spoke in a cold voice, “May I ask you a few questions?” He stared fiercely at the black-robed Daoist.

The Nameless Daoist paid no mind to Desolate’s coldness, still smiling gently. “Please speak, young master.”

“Are you the Great Dao or the Heavenly Dao? Where is the other person now?” Desolate asked coldly.

“Little brother, let me answer this,” Pangu replied softly, glancing warmly at Desolate. “The Heavenly Dao is derived from the Great Dao; they are essentially one. Where the Great Dao exists, so does the Heavenly Dao—such is all.”

Desolate nodded and bowed slightly. “Thank you, elder brother.” He then looked to the Daoist and asked, “I once heard Master say that the Heavenly Dao is merciless, while the Great Dao is compassionate. Why is it that the dark tide created from your true form is filled with ominous aura? That does not seem fitting for the benevolence a guardian of a world should possess.”

The Daoist gave a bitter smile and explained, “As the Great Dao, even reduced to mere essence, I should have been able to recover.

Yet what I did not expect was that this blood-red planet harbors great anomalies. When we first entered this world, we found ourselves unable to recover; some unknown force prevented it.

While my consciousness remained somewhat clear, I tried to destroy the planet completely to free myself, but ultimately failed. Helpless, I fused with the Heavenly Dao, becoming the tide of destruction! I thought that even without awareness, I might one day destroy this world.”

Desolate nodded, accepting the explanation. Yet as silence lingered, his emotions grew turbulent, his face twisted in fury. Suddenly, he roared, “Then why did you let that damned black blood mist fall upon the world you once protected? Do you know what that world suffered?

Countless prodigies went to their deaths, generation after generation, just to eliminate that cursed calamity of darkness! How many geniuses died over endless aeons? Is this what you wanted?”

Fire Spirit and the others, seeing Desolate suddenly enraged, hurried forward to restrain him, but they too glared angrily at the black-robed Daoist.

The Daoist’s face showed astonishment, as if he did not understand Desolate’s words.

Morningstar sighed deeply, looking at Desolate’s fury and Willow God’s resentful gaze, and said, “Enough, child. You cannot blame him for this!”

“How can I not? He is the source of the darkness—how could he not be at fault?” Gradually calmed by the others, Desolate still spoke with indignation.

“Do you know why you and Willow God were unharmed in the dark tide? Do you really believe that the Primordial Lotus could shield you from misfortune?

Without reaching the Saint realm, no matter how the Lotus protected you, you would not have lasted a moment. Your cultivation is still too low—this is suppression at the level of essence,” Morningstar said coolly.

Desolate was incredulous. “Master, isn’t that a bit terrifying? Willow God and I together couldn’t last a moment?”

Morningstar gave him a sideways look, annoyed. “Would I lie to you?”

Desolate fell silent, embarrassed. Of course he trusted his master; Morningstar was the one he trusted most in his life.

“Then why were we not corrupted by the darkness?” Willow God asked, puzzled.

“Have you ever seen a parent, even on the verge of death, with a shred of consciousness, willingly harm their own child?”

Morningstar spoke with emotion, “It is instinct.”