Life and Death

　　“In the Land of Nine Prefectures, the world is even more realistic than it was in my past life. The winner takes all!” Teng Qingshan believed in this conviction even more firmly.

　　He had to become stronger!

　　He had to become someone who controlled the lives of others, rather than someone who was controlled by others.

　　At noon on the day after the death of the Sovereign of Xiao Yao Palace:

　　Teng Qingshan was currently practicing the Three Postures repeatedly at a slow speed. Meanwhile, on a path nearby Teng Qingshan’s courtyard, there were two middle-aged men who resembled each other. The one wearing a brown coat was Pei San, while the other white-cloaked man looked like Pei San but was just a bit older.

　　“Third Brother,” the white-cloaked middle-aged man said with a smile, “The Huhe that you told me about is in the courtyard up ahead?”

　　“That’s right. It’s just up ahead.” Pei San smiled as well.

　　When they walked to the door of the courtyard, Teng Qingshan heard Pei San laughter ring out loudly from afar, “Huhe.”

　　The guards at the courtyard gate did not dare to stop Pei San, so they let him and the other man walked into the courtyard.

　　“Sovereign,” said Teng Qingshan, who had already stopped his training.

　　“Hmmm?” Teng Qingshan was surprised to see the person standing beside Pei San. Just then, when he sensed that there was an Emptiness Realm expert beside Pei San, Teng Qingshan had thought it was another Emptiness Realm expert from the Heavenly God Palace. At that moment, he merely exclaimed and thought that the Heavenly God Palace had many powerful experts.

　　However, the expert before his eyes actually resembled Pei San by 80% but appeared slightly older.

　　“Huhe, let me introduce you,” Pei San said with a smile, “This is my fifth younger brother. He is my biological brother. We share the same parents.”

　　Pei Hao was surprised to hear his seemingly humble but actually prideful third brother say words like ‘We share the same parents.’ These were things which were normally only disclosed to close friends.

　　“Greetings, Brother Pei Hao,” said Teng Qingshan with surprise.

　　Brothers…?

　　To think that one was an Insightful Emptiness expert while the other was an Emptiness Realm expert…! The brothers of the Pei Family were truly powerful.

　　“It’s sad that all of our other brothers have already passed away. If Eldest Brother, Second Brother and Fourth Brother were still here, we five brothers…” Pei San sighed, shaking his head.

　　Beside Pei San, Pei Hao smiled and responded, “Third Brother, Eldest Brother and the others all left this world happily. Don’t think so much. When we reach the end of our lifespans, we will all—”

　　“End of our lifespans? Don’t say such demoralizing words.” Pei San’s expression sank heavily.

　　Pei Hao was startled. He rubbed his nose and did not say a word more.

　　His third brother was the most powerful and most talented figure in the Pei Family. Indeed, the Pei Family had been able to rise and become powerful and intimidating because of Pei San.

　　“Huhe, what were you practicing just then? I felt that the changes in the Spiritual Qi of the Heaven and the Earth was quite peculiar,” Pei Hao quickly changed the subject.

　　“It is just a kind of fist technique,” answered Teng Qingshan with a smile.

　　“Oh?” Pei Hao’s eyes lit up. “Can I see you practice?”

　　Before Teng Qingshan even replied, Pei San, who was beside them, scolded, “Fifth, understand your own learning and that will be enough. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Don’t you understand this?” Actually, in Pei San’s opinion, Teng Qingshan had not even reached the Emptiness Realm Culmination. So, even if his fist technique was good, how good could it be?

　　Moreover, Pei San thought that the cultivation method he had taught his younger brother should be the best. He didn’t force his younger brother to walk a certain path, nor did he let his brother walk the wrong path.

　　However, Pei Hao was not angry and even winked at Teng Qingshan intentionally.

　　“This Pei Hao has the behaviour of a kid.” Teng Qingshan laughed.

　　“Huhe,” Pei San looked at Teng Qingshan and said with a smile, “According to my knowledge, you have gained insight on the Fire Elemental Dao and the Metal Elemental Dao. Am I right?” Actually, Pei San only knew of this through his disciple, Li Chao who had met Teng Qingshan several times.

　　“Yes.” Teng Qingshan nodded.

　　“What about the Water Elemental Dao?” Pei San asked.

　　“Not yet,” Teng Qingshan replied honestly.

　　Hearing that, Pei San began laughing. He then said, “Huhe, let me teach you a method so that you can learn the Water Elemental Dao very quickly. Moreover, the method will help you achieve the lowest internal dissipation of the different elemental powers of the heavens and the earth.

　　“Oh?” Teng Qingshan was curious now. “Please tell me, Sovereign.”

　　Like a teacher, Pei San began expounding distinctly, “The Transcendent Dao of the Heavens and the Earth can be divided into the Daos of Life and Death! The Dao of Death is the Dao that causes all deaths and destructions. The Dao of Life is the Dao that causes a small birth to the birth of all things, and even to the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. This is the Dao of life.”

　　Teng Qingshan shuddered. The Daos of Life and Death confused him.

　　Together, the Dao of Life and the Dao of Death form the Transcendent Dao of the Heavens and the Earth.

　　“The Dao of Life consists of the Wood Elemental Dao, the Earth Elemental Dao, and a portion of the Water Elemental Dao.”

　　TLN: I just want to say that earth in the Dao of the Heavens and “Earth” is different from the “Earth” Elemental Dao. The earth in the Dao of the Heavens and “Earth” represents the land, the vast ground with no ends… while the Earth in the “Earth” Elemental Dao means things like the dirt, the soil, and the clay.

　　“As for the Dao of Death, it consists of the most powerful Metal Elemental Dao, the Fire Elemental Dao, and a portion of the Water Elemental Dao,” Pei San explained while looking at Teng Qingshan.

　　Teng Qingshan’s heart shook, then everything suddenly became clear to him at once.

　　He had already learned the Metal Elemental Dao and the Fire Elemental Dao, and he knew well that these two Daos were the fiercest and most aggressive Daos. The legendary Dao of Death was the Dao of Destruction.

　　“If you want to destroy, of course, you have to use the strongest attacks.

　　“The Cloudy Dream Martial Immortal once said that a senior of their Mu Clan, the powerful expert Duanmu Yu, entered the Dao through the destructive fire of thunder and was able to control 50% of the Power of the Heavens and the Earth the moment he entered it,” Teng Qingshan thought about it. Then he suddenly realized, “Yes, fire of thunder. Fire of thunder… This thunder was formed by combining the Water Mist Qi and the Metal Qi, and then combining it with fire… That’s why the destructive fire of thunder Dao is the Destruction Dao.”

　　Teng Qingshan completely understood now.

　　“Huhe,” Pei San said with a smile, “Your Metal Elemental Dao and Fire Elemental Dao have reached culmination. And you only need to understand a portion of the Water Elemental Dao… It will be very easy for you to learn the Dao of Death. Once you have comprehended the Dao of Death, you can use what you have comprehended of the Dao of Death and culminate the Water Elemental Dao easily.”

　　Teng Qingshan smiled.

　　Pei San’s method was to let Teng Qingshan learn the Dao of Death first. The Dao of Death controlled 50% of the Power of the Heavens and the Earth. So, excluding the initial 40% of the Power of the Heavens and the Earth he already had from understanding the Fire Elemental Dao and the Metal Elemental Dao, Teng Qingshan would be gaining 10% of the Power of the Heavens and the Earth if he could comprehend the Dao of Death.

　　He had to gain that additional 10% first.

　　With the knowledge of the Dao of Death, Teng Qingshan could then complete the culmination of the Water Elemental Dao. Thus, he would gain another ten percent of the Power of the Heavens and the Earth.

　　If that’s the case, then the Wood Elemental Dao would be the only remaining Dao.

　　“Thank you, Sovereign,” Teng Qingshan said gratefully.

　　“Haha…” laughed Pei San.

　　After staying with Teng Qingshan for a while, Pei San and Pei Hao left together.

　　……

　　“Third Brother, why did you help Huhe?” Pei Hao asked bemusedly.

　　“Huhe improves at an incredibly fast speed. In the future, he might become my stepping stone and help me achieve the transcendent Dao,” Pei San answered with a smile. “Moreover, it would benefit him too. It’s sad that I am unable to locate that talented and gifted Teng Qingshan. Despite being less than twenty years old, Teng Qingshan was able to fight against Golden Dan Innate Experts. He could be my best stepping stone.”

　　“Death is destruction. One punch should destroy everything.” Teng Qingshan threw out a punch, and the air shook. He then took a step back and withdrew his fist before preparing to send another fist flying. “Life is conserving every energy to create all things. One move to conserve energy, storing the force and strength of the entire body.”

　　The Three Postures had one move which conserved the energy while another striking move.

　　The two moves alternated like the cycle of life and death.

　　Teng Qingshan had originally achieved culmination in the Metal Elemental Dao and the Earth Elemental Dao. Now, the seventh move of his 《Water Elemental Fist》 would soon be created.

　　At this point, one could say that he had already comprehended 90% of the Dao of Death. There was still one last thing he needed in order to comprehend and achieve a breakthrough.

　　“If I start from the Dao of Life and Death, reaching the culmination of the five elemental Daos will be a lot faster.”

　　Suddenly, Teng Qingshan stopped and asked himself puzzledly, “Why did Pei San help me?” Teng Qingshan knew well that if this seemingly simple advice had not been given, he might have gone about comprehending the Water Elemental Dao slowly and blindly. Therefore, such seemingly simple advice was priceless.

　　Based on Teng Qinghsan’s experience in his previous life, he had determined one thing—a person who was unaccountably solicitous was hiding evil intentions.

　　“He has already treated me courteously. Now, he even gives me cultivation advice?

　　“Hmph, whatever. Whether it is of good or bad intention, it does not matter.” Teng Qingshan’s heart was as hard as stone. “If he treats me out of good will, I will do the same in the future. If there are other intentions… I am not someone to be used and controlled by him.” Immediately, Teng Qingshan immersed himself in the cultivation of his fist arts.

　　……

　　This was the eighth day after the death of the Sovereign of Xiao Yao Palace, which was, in other words, the 8th of July.

　　After half a month of forceful attacks, the Heavenly God Palace successfully conquered Hong Tian County, the last territory of Hong Tian City. All that remained was the last city—Hong Tian City! Now, the members of the Heavenly God palace, as well as the great army of the God of Heaven Palace, had already encircled the entire Hong Tian City.

　　On 8th of July, at dawn:

　　Outside Hong Tian City, over millions of soldiers were blocking the city from all directions.

　　In the army camp of the Heavenly God Palace’s army, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun lived in one of the huge tents. As for the Six Legged Bladelike Chi, it slept deep underground, about 30 Zhang from Teng Qingshan.

　　“Is today the doomsday for one of the eight Supreme Sects?” Li Jun commented with a sigh.

　　“It’s hard to say,” Teng Qingshan responded with a smile. “I don’t think the Supreme Sects like Mani Temple and Emperor Yu’s Hall will let the Heavenly God Palace succeed so easily. Tsk, tsk. Many Emptiness Realm Experts are here today.”

　　“Brother Jing Yi,” a voice sounded in Teng Qingshan’s ears.

　　A light shot out from afar and landed in front of Teng Qingshan. It was a handsome silver-haired man dressed in purple clothes.

　　“Brother Li Hang.” Teng Qingshan smiled and stepped forward.

　　Of the Emptiness Realm Experts that cultivated freely, Li Hang was the only one who had gone to Yi City to meet Teng Qingshan after Teng Qingshan became famous.

　　“This must be your wife,” said Li Hang while smiling.

　　Then at this moment…

　　“Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!”

　　Three shadows flew here from afar and landed in front of Teng Qingshan’s tent at the same time. Among these three people, two wore long dark-purple robes, while the other one wore a golden robes. The man who wore the golden robes had a distinct red mole between his eyebrows. When the three people arrived, Teng Qingshan and Li Hang immediately stopped talking.

　　“Brother Jing Yi,” one of the purple-clothed men greeted as he walked over with a smile. He said, “It has been a while since we last met.”

　　“Haha, Brother Ying,” Teng Qingshan said with a laugh. This man was the Emptiness Realm Expert, Ying Haitong, who had tried to convince Teng Qingshan to join the Ying Family.

　　However, Teng Qingshan’s mind was on the man dressed in golden robes.

　　That man standing there frightened Teng Qingshan. As Teng Qingshan looked at him, the man seemed to be looking at a giant sword so huge that it could touch the heavens. When Teng Qingshan closed his eyes, he could feel the black hole, the same thing he had felt when he met Pei San.

　　“Brother Jing Yi, let me introduce to you…” Ying Haitong was just about to talk, when suddenly…

　　“Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!”

　　Pei San who was donned in white long robes, Li Chao wore black robes, and the great monk who was dressed in red Tibetan monk robes descended at the same time.

　　“Foreign Dignitary Huhe, you have good relations with many people.” Pei San said with a smile as he looked at Teng Qingshan.

　　……