Madam, please ascend.

Chapter 436 Everything is turned upside down
Zhang Guo and Yuan Lingguan faced each other from a distance, their expressions quite different; the former was filled with sorrow, while the latter was filled with hatred.

The two were once the closest of fellow disciples, and have been inseparable friends for thousands of years, their relationship as close as that of blood relatives.

Therefore, the old Celestial Master was especially heartbroken.

The old man sighed softly, "I have witnessed the vicissitudes of life and know that people's hearts are fickle and unpredictable. I also know that you have been painstakingly seeking ascension, and that you will surely be dissatisfied after learning the truth of the Heavenly Way."

"But I really don't understand why you would use the entire Righteous Qi Sect to blackmail me? Even if I die on the spot, is this no longer the home you have cultivated for thousands of years, your hometown?"

Yuan Lingguan stood high above, appearing much younger than the old Celestial Master, and dressed in gold and purple robes of immeasurable nobility. Yet, at this moment, his expression held not only anger and resentment, but also deep sorrow.

He countered, “We are both cultivators, and all we seek in our lives is ascension. Yet, after thousands of years of diligent work, the places we pass through are littered with bones. Looking back, there is no one left but ourselves. How lonely is that?”
"I thought that after experiencing so many separations and deaths, I would one day be able to transcend life and death and escape the suffering of reincarnation forever. But I found that the way of Heaven had already blocked the way. It turns out that ascension was just a pipe dream. How can you expect me to swallow this insult?"

Zhang Guo's body trembled slightly; he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

Yuan Lingguan continued, “I pride myself on having lived a life of integrity and righteousness. Why has Heaven punished me with such a vicious end?”

“Zhang Guo, do you know that after I learned the truth about the ascension, I would see my master in my dreams every night. That year, the Righteous Qi Sect respectfully sent my master to heaven, thinking it was a great thing, but now it seems... it was a final farewell.”

"The Righteous Qi Sect is no longer my home. I have long lost my homeland. I am just a lonely ghost in this mortal world. I do not submit to the will of Heaven. I want to turn the Three Realms upside down!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his aura surging, directly knocking those with slightly weaker cultivation levels to the ground, causing them to vomit blood.

Zhang Guo was unable to refute, and asked hesitantly, "Are you willing to sacrifice the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect for this?"

Yuan Lingguan replied, "I have already put my own life and death aside."

Even Yun Yi, after hearing Yuan Lingguan's words, felt that he might not be wrong.

Although the actions of the Futian Pavilion were absurd, they were not entirely without reason.

As for the current situation, it's not really about right or wrong, it's just a matter of different perspectives.

Yuan Lingguan lowered his eyes, composed himself, and said expressionlessly, "If you disperse, I will spare the lives of the entire Righteous Qi Sect."

Upon hearing this, the world fell silent.

Then a piercing roar broke the silence, and Yuan Duoqing cried out, straining her neck, "Grandpa, no!"

Yuan Lingguan's eyebrows twitched, and instantly a golden light fell straight down from the sky. Even though Feng Mo was the first to move and draw his sword, he could only block seven or eight parts of the force, while the remaining golden light entered Chu Qiaoqiao's body.

Sensing the impending killing intent, the girl desperately tried to protect Yuan Duoqing with her own body, but both she and Yuan Duoqing were pierced by the remaining golden light.

"Qiaoqiao?" Yuan Duoqing's injuries were slightly less severe, but the woman in his arms was already on the verge of death.

"Don't move around." Su Qing hurriedly protected Chu Qiaoqiao's heart.

Now that things have come to this, the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect have finally seen through Yuan Lingguan. It turns out that this Grand Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain can be so ruthless.

If Chu Qiaoqiao hadn't sacrificed her life to save him, he would have killed even his own bloodline without hesitation.

Zhang Guo said helplessly, "Why bother?"

Yuan Lingguan, however, said, "Rather than becoming a mindless evil cultivator, it's better to die cleanly."

His gaze swept over everyone present, and he said disdainfully, "Although the righteous and demonic paths did not engage in a major battle as expected, it wouldn't be unreasonable for the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect to wipe you all out today?"

The sect leaders, including Qiu Haoran and Dao Cheng, were all on high alert, but for a moment they couldn't come up with a solution.

Yuan Lingguan has cultivated in the Righteous Qi Sect for thousands of years and is the person in the world who understands the sect's techniques best, apart from Zhang Guo.

His method of "turning good into evil" was far beyond what this group of Dao Integration Realm cultivators could crack.

Seeing that Zhang Guo was wavering, he sighed and said, "Forget it, I'm an old codger who's tired of living anyway. Don't hurt my disciples."

Jiang Hongye and Zhong Wanxin, who were standing beside her, exclaimed in surprise, "Master Celestial!"

Zhang Guo looked melancholy: "Today I have accepted my last disciple, and my wish has been fulfilled. If I were to die here, I would have no regrets."

Yun Yi sighed helplessly. Although he had anticipated this situation and had sent away the less powerful disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect beforehand, he was powerless to do anything against Tianlang's move, which was enough to destroy the Righteous Qi Sect.

At this moment, Feng Mo suddenly called out loudly, "Where are the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect?"

Perhaps it was because their bodies had become familiar with their senior brother's voice over the years, but all the disciples instinctively responded, "Disciples are here!"

Feng Mo: "Once you turn from good to evil, you will lose your mind and only have the desire to kill... But you and I are not powerless to resist."

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!"

"We will use the Righteous Qi Technique to set up a restriction in your dantian. It will take effect as soon as you lose your mind, destroying your cultivation and even your life. The two Celestial Masters, Jiang Hongye and Zhong Wanxin, are already prepared. Let's see if you have the will and the courage!"

The disciples exclaimed, "What is there to be afraid of?!"

The next moment, the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect, both on and below the mountain, sat cross-legged, their hands forming hand seals, and chanting:

Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, which manifests in various forms.

The lower part is Heyue, and the upper part is the sun star.

To others, it is said that it is vast and overwhelming.

In an instant, the righteous spirit of the world was stirred, as if everyone was flocking to the Righteous Qi Sect. All the disciples voluntarily set up a restriction: if they were controlled by evil people, they would commit suicide on the spot before doing anything evil.

Faced with Yuan Lingguan's deadly question, this is the answer given by all the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect.

With tears in his eyes, Zhang Guo listened to the "Song of Righteousness" that he had heard countless times. His already aged and withered heart was suddenly filled with an indescribable emotion.

The people of Futian Pavilion in mid-air were also shocked. The surging righteous energy here was so strong that it could faintly suppress the "Futian Absolute Earth Formation".

Truly worthy of being the number one sect in the human world!

Yuan Lingguan looked at the group of disciples and laughed loudly, "What a bunch of fools! So many years have passed, and the Righteous Qi Sect still can't get rid of this problem!"

His expression was ferocious; he was clearly the one who had turned from good to evil!

The disciples simply looked up at the once highly respected Grand Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain.

Each pair of eyes held a different emotion: hatred, sorrow, and grief, but no fear.

Seeing this, Yuan Duoqing wanted to say something, but was slapped away by the old master's sleeve, her figure breaking through the layers of clouds, and she barely managed to regain her footing.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhang Guo's figure rose into the air and flew to the center of the "Heaven-Covering and Earth-Severing Array," which was also the place where the killing intent was most intense.

He was taller than ever before, and his eyes were full of satisfaction as he looked at his disciples.

"Since the founding of the Righteous Qi Sect 33,000 years ago, it has taken it upon itself to protect the Righteous Qi Continent. The world has experienced countless vicissitudes and human beings have suffered greatly, but the Righteous Qi Continent has survived life-and-death crises several times and remains intact to this day."

"I have been cultivating for a very long time, and now I can't remember it clearly. Even though I have been favored by the Heavenly Dao and forced to remain in the mortal world with my ascended body, I have already tasted the bitterness and joy, coldness and warmth of life countless times, and there is no taste left."

In the end, I felt that I was just a passerby in this world, raising my cup to the swaying moonlight, and that few of my old friends had passed away.

Suddenly, a beam of golden light burst forth from the old Celestial Master's body, reaching the heavens and the earth. It then continued to expand, gradually transforming into the shape of a pillar of heaven.

The entire Zhengqi Sect was enveloped within it, and the people of Zhengqi Continent gazed into the distance at the immortal mountain that had protected the continent for countless years. They seemed to see an old god stroking his beard and sighing.

Zhang Guo said, "The Righteous Qi Sect can do without Zhang Guo, and without all the Celestial Masters, but it cannot do without you. The human world can do without the heavens, without mountains and rivers, without rain, snow and frost, but it cannot do without a breath of righteousness."

"The Three Realms are in turmoil, and the mortal world is in the midst of a great struggle. One wrong step could mean life or death. But it is precisely at this time that the disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect must hold fast to their principles!"
"Don't listen to people saying that things will turn around when they reach their extreme, or that being too rigid will easily break you. It's easy to be a good person for a while, but difficult to be a good person for a lifetime. This difficulty is no less than cultivating oneself and ascending to immortality!"

"Disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect, do you understand?"

The disciples responded, "Disciples thank our master for his kindness."

Zhang Guo laughed heartily, "Now that you understand, don't be coy. The Righteous Qi Sect didn't exist because of me, and it won't disappear from the world after I'm gone!"
"From this day forward, there will be no more distinction between the three lineages of Longhu Mountain, Shenxiao Dao, and Fenglu Sect. Feng Mo will be the only Grand Celestial Master. You all need to work together to overcome this difficult time."

The Heavenly Pillar took shape, but this time, instead of the earth-shattering sound of an Ascension Realm cultivator attacking it, a cracking sound emanated from within.

Zhang Guo lightly straightened his clothes, his gaze sweeping over Feng Mo, Jiang Miaojin, and the other disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect.

Then he looked at Yun Yi and nodded slightly.

At this moment, he was no longer the only Celestial Master in the mortal realm, nor was he in the unattainable realm of ascension.

He was just an old man who had lived too long and was therefore somewhat tired.

Finally, Zhang Guo looked at Yuan Lingguan and said with a half-smile, "Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

Yuan Lingguan showed no smile, but instead bowed and said, "Thank you... Senior Brother for your kindness."

"It's easy to turn from righteous to evil, but difficult to turn from evil to righteous. In my opinion, you are the one who has been hurt the most in the entire Righteous Qi Sect. Why can't you speak properly? We have known each other for thousands of years. When have I, as your senior brother, ever made you suffer any injustice?"

Yuan Lingguan's eyelids and the corners of his mouth trembled uncontrollably.

“I know you hate that Master seems to have ascended to the Dao, but it was all just a dream, like a mirage. You forget that he also raised you and me. You also hate that I am now one with Tianzhu, and it is impossible for us to separate. I am trapped in the Righteous Qi Sect for life and cannot move. You forget that I still have you and all of you.”

“Spirit Officer, the road ahead is treacherous, and even your senior brother cannot see clearly. Please proceed with caution and take care of yourself.”

After saying that, the golden light bursting from Zhang Guo's body soared straight into the sky. As countless cracks spread silently, the golden light did not fade but instead became even more brilliant and dazzling.

Feng Mo knelt down and kowtowed, shouting loudly, "Respectfully bidding farewell to the Old Celestial Master!"

The disciples of the Righteous Qi Sect respectfully bid farewell to the Old Celestial Master!

Regardless of whether it's the righteous path or the demonic path: "Respectfully seeing off the Old Celestial Master!"

The sound reached Zhengqi Continent, and men, women, and children throughout the continent echoed, "Respectfully bidding farewell to the Old Celestial Master!"

Like shattered glass, the pillar of heaven peeled away piece by piece, each fragment turning into golden, shimmering raindrops that fell upon the Continent of Righteousness.

The sky was no longer gray, and the righteous spirit surged even more. The entire Righteous Qi Sect stood firm in silence, like an unyielding backbone of humanity.

……

“The sky is about to collapse.” Wang Shenlai put down the white brush in his hand, looked at the sky, and couldn’t help but sigh.

As Chunli ground the ink, she asked, "What will happen next?"

Wang Shenlai continued to focus on his painting, saying, "Then we'll have to see how I finish this painting."

His expression was calm, but every time he put pen to paper, his head and even his eyebrows seemed to be covered with a layer of snow, a touch of white.

This will be the last painting he ever created.

……

In the Yunmeng Marsh, a figure slowly emerged from the bottom of the water, as if it had been asleep for millions of years.

The Lord of the Overturning Heaven Pavilion opened his eyes and watched as the nine heavenly pillars were completely destroyed, finally revealing the scene hidden behind the azure sky.

In the Nine Heavens, that precious land with endless spiritual energy, a serene and aloof moon palace appears in the distance on the horizon.

From then on, there was no longer any barrier between heaven and earth; we were intertwined, each containing the other.

……

The celestial realm, the moon palace.

Song Xinci looked down upon the human world, watching the old celestial master turn to dust along with the Heavenly Pillar.

She exclaimed, "In this world, there are still people who prevent me from feeling disappointed and hopeless."

The golden phantom had dimmed to the point of being like a wisp of smoke, shattering at the slightest touch. He asked, "Yes, the more the world loses its color, the more conspicuous the remaining lights in the human world become."

He handed over a ball of pure light, which was the last Great Dao in the Heavenly Realm.

Song Xinci casually took it and, without thinking, directly refined it.

At this moment, all three thousand Great Daos belong to me.

And "I" also belong to all sentient beings in the Three Realms.

The golden phantom is about to vanish into nothingness. As the former "Heavenly Dao," he has completely handed over his authority to the next person.

It is a human being, not a god.

This was the only thing that wasn't in his plan.

He said, "I vaguely heard you mention last time that you wanted to encounter something from beyond the three realms, in the void?"

Song Xinci's eyes softened unusually: "That's true."

"But you're missing a suitable weapon."

"Yes."

Although the golden phantom had no facial features, one could almost see a smile on its face: "Then let me accompany you... on your final journey."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure materialized into a golden sword, which landed in Song Xinci's hand.

This sword is entirely golden, and is engraved with the ultimate principles of Heaven. As its name suggests, it is the "Heavenly Dao Sword".

Song Xinci ran her fingers over the sword and gently tapped it, instantly causing the sword's gleam to resonate throughout the three realms.

She remained expressionless as she looked up at the figure that was getting closer and closer in the void.

Although she was eager to fight, she did not rush to leave, because she was waiting for someone.

That madman who relentlessly destroyed the Heavenly Pillar and wanted to kill the Heavenly Dao at all costs!

The figure of the Overturning Heaven Pavilion Master soared into the sky from Yunmeng Marsh, no longer hindered by the layers of solid heavenly barriers, and finally arrived at the falling heavenly realm, where he saw the one he had longed for for countless years...

Heaven!

(End of this chapter)