Chapter 88: Madness, Utter Madness

“This is actually one of the legendary Ten Ancient Fiends, the True Dragon Divine Art?”

“How is that possible…”

“If this book is real, then it’s undoubtedly the greatest divine scripture of all ages. No, I must commit its contents to memory and ponder it slowly when I return.”

For a moment, everyone silently resolved to remember every detail of the book by whatever means possible. Yet… this book was exceedingly strange—whatever one managed to memorize, the moment it entered the mind, all sense of its profundity was lost. Only while gazing at the written strokes on the page could one truly perceive the essence of the divine arts. Perhaps this was the unique genius of Ye Qiu’s authorship.

Suddenly, a burst of golden light flared, and the withered Daoist’s body was suddenly enveloped in resplendent golden runes.

“Hmm?”

“What’s happening…”

“He… it seems he’s already grasped the first form of the Tathagata Divine Palm…”

“Heavens, is this… the first manifestation of the Buddha’s light?”

The crowd was inwardly astonished. The withered Daoist had truly comprehended the first form of the Tathagata Divine Palm. With his foundation as a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, he could now unleash an unparalleled aura of oppression.

For a time, everyone was forced to bow under this pressure, unable even to lift their heads. Even Yuechan furrowed her brow.

“That old fellow actually achieved it?” Yuechan’s heart trembled, a wry smile rising within. It seemed she had underestimated the world—these old monsters, in their prime, were unmatched prodigies, each one a supreme talent. Though their era had passed, their brilliance remained undimmed.

The Daoist’s enlightenment drew every gaze; all were rendered speechless with awe. Beneath the Buddha’s light, the withered Daoist seemed as sacred and inviolable as the legendary guardian of the Dark Realm, his presence unassailable.

“Has the Tathagata descended?”

“No, this is the Manifestation of Heaven and Earth! This venerable elder has grasped the true marvel of the Tathagata Divine Palm—this Manifestation of Heaven and Earth…”

An ancient elder from another holy land stroked his beard and nodded, unable to hide the envy in his eyes. They had lived through the same era, survived the primordial purge—but now, without realizing it, the withered Daoist had surpassed them all. Back then, only Ye Qiu could suppress him.

His combat arts were already formidable; now, with the Tathagata Divine Palm, it was as if a tiger had grown wings—he soared to the heavens.

Who in this world could stand in his way now?

At that moment, on the other side, an elder who was contemplating the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms suddenly radiated a golden glow from within. Eighteen golden dragons emerged, coiling and roaring.

“A True Dragon appears…”

“Heavens, is this truly one of the legendary Ten Ancient Fiends, the True Dragon?”

At the instant the eighteen golden dragons appeared, no one could remain calm; all hearts were unsettled and restless. The True Dragon was one of the mightiest beings in the primordial chaos. Though it had vanished after the great calamity, its legend endured to this day. Who could have imagined that today, someone would summon a True Dragon?

“No, that’s not a real True Dragon, but an incarnation brought forth by secret arts! Though not as terrifying as the true being, its power is nothing to scorn…”

“The Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms truly live up to their reputation…”

The entire tavern erupted in commotion. Even Ye Qiu was left dumbfounded, and Cao He, who was sorting through the boxes, gaped in astonishment, completely at a loss.

“What is going on here?” Cao He looked at the box in his hand, then at the books he had carelessly tossed aside, utterly confused.

“Are these really peerless martial arts? Impossible! I’ve seen every book here and never found any legendary secret arts. Could it be that I’m too dull to understand them?”

Cao He began to doubt his own life. He had thought the herbs were the real treasures, but in the end, it was the books that held true value.

Damn it, had all his efforts been in vain? He’d cleared out the books just to make room for herbs—what a waste…

“Shopkeeper, what is all this about? Can you explain it to me…” Cao He, at a loss, turned to ask Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu had no idea either. He shot Cao He a miserable glare and snapped, “Ask, ask, ask—do you have no mind of your own? Without me, would you even know how to take a crap? Damn it, what is all this? The original author can’t even read his own diagrams and books, and yet you all get the benefit. To hell with it—I quit…”

Ye Qiu was furious, truly at his wits’ end.

Why was it like this?

“Hell, are these books seriously peerless martial arts? Impossible! If I can’t use them myself, how could I have written them?”

Ye Qiu began to doubt his own existence. If he hadn’t written every stroke himself, he might have believed it, but since he had, how could he possibly accept it?

He gave up…

“Senior, your cultivation truly commands our admiration—to think you could write such divine tomes. Today, I have gained immeasurably. Please accept my respect…” The withered Daoist let his radiance fade, walked up to Ye Qiu, and bowed deeply with great reverence.

“Ah?”

Have I become all-powerful again?

Ye Qiu was momentarily stunned. “Ahem… no need for formalities. This is your fate, after all. Remember—destiny is decreed by the heavens and shaped by karma. I am heartened that you have gained insight. Now that great calamity looms, the Desolate Lands are in need of renewal. For you, this may be an opportunity. I hope you seize it well…”

He spoke as the situation required. Though Ye Qiu himself was bewildered, it did not prevent him from putting on a show.

Whether the books were genuine or not, the commotion they caused was real. Presented with such a perfect chance to show off, how could Ye Qiu let it slip by?

“Sigh, life is too hard! I have to put on airs every day—can’t you all be a little more real? Must you force me to act superior?”

Though he grumbled, inwardly Ye Qiu was delighted. A free chance to act high and mighty—how could he not seize it? He had profited greatly from this opportunity.

Hearing Ye Qiu’s words, everyone’s hearts trembled and grew excited. “Senior’s wisdom is truly profound. We are in awe…”

“A sage indeed! If we possessed such divine arts, we would surely hide them away, never revealing them to the world. Yet Senior shares them so generously for us to study—such magnanimity is truly staggering…”

“Exalted! This is the mark of a true master. The gulf between our state of mind and Senior’s is immeasurable…”

Ye Qiu’s speech utterly convinced the crowd, deepening their faith in his words. Unseen and unspoken, his image now loomed immense in their hearts—unquestionable and revered.

“To have Senior in the Desolate Lands is our greatest blessing. The curse of millennia will surely be broken in this era…”

All gazed at Ye Qiu with hope and longing, so much so that even his thick skin began to feel a little embarrassed.

Ah, what bliss—this act was just too satisfying…