Chapter 1033: Asura Battle
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument came to a halt.
A purple-black, corrupted karmic force seeped from the Evil Fetus's palm, infiltrating the instrument, attempting to alter its internal karmic decrees. The evil power spread. But in the next instant, an ancient force surged from within the instrument. Pure white, jade-like Celestial Sword Qi erupted, shredding the purple-black karmic corruption.
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument slowly resumed its rotation. Inside the poppy chains, the Evil Fetus's face contorted grotesquely—cold and ruthless.
Its bloodstained palms desperately clutched at the instrument, trying to stop it from moving forward. The instrument's movement slowed again.
Yet the Dao Discourse Mountain, with its ancient Celestial Core, remained steadfast. It persisted in carrying out its karmic deductions according to the decreed order.
The Evil Fetus extended its other palm, pressing it onto the celestial instrument.
A stronger karmic evil force coiled around the device.
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument seemed to sink into a mire of heresy, its operation slowing further. But in the next moment, its internal karmic patterns, akin to profound formation runes, trembled suddenly—
A vast surge of pure white Celestial Energy burst forth, continuing its slaughter of the Evil God's fallen power.
This ancient celestial treasure rejected all foreign invasions. Not even the Evil God's Fetus could overpower it.
Its twisted, infantile hands were ground to a bloody mess by the karmic power of the instrument.
The Evil Fetus's expression grew ferocious, enraged, and contorted.
It was the closest to the Evil God's essence, yet still only a fetus—a mere embryonic form of an Evil God's descent, lacking the full might of a deity.
To truly take form and revive, it needed to feed on slaughter, blood, fear, despair, and the darkest human desires. Until then, it could not break past the celestial seals laid down by powerful cultivators.
All it could do was delay the celestial instrument—not alter the inevitable outcome.
The Evil Fetus slowly closed its eyes, its expression indifferent. It was calling upon its "followers." Humans are greedy. Human nature is corrupt. And only "humans" could undo the shackles placed by other humans.
Soon, its summons were answered with devout loyalty. The Evil Fetus reopened its eyes—cold, with a hint of mockery. Once more, the void cracked open.
A strand of golden karmic power, tainted with evil aura, spread forth and coiled around the celestial instrument.
Golden Karmic Force—a supreme celestial technique—now entangled with the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument. And that was not all. Another rift appeared. A deep blue karmic force surged out. But this one carried a complex aura—the scent of humans, demons, and even a faint blood-stained "corpse" aura.
It was impossible to tell if it was human or ghost. The golden and blue karmic forces were the strongest. But more followed.
Several weaker, more chaotic karmic forces slithered through the fractured void, creeping toward the celestial instrument like vines.
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument became entangled in a dense web of corrupted karmic forces. Its motion visibly slowed, and then it slowed further.
Finally— It completely stopped. The Evil Fetus, leveraging its own power and that of its servants, successfully halted the operation of the Dao Discourse Mountain's supreme treasure.
Next— The Evil Fetus's purple-black hands began forcing the celestial instrument to turn in reverse. It sought to reverse karma, rewrite fate.
The tainted golden karma, the corrupted blue karma—like roots— The various other karmic forces, like branches and leaves—
All of them wove together into a dense, suffocating net, pressing down on the celestial instrument, creating an opportunity for the Evil Fetus.
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument was indeed suppressed.
But— It was still the supreme treasure of the Dao Discourse Mountain's founder.
Its internal karmic laws were immutable—it could be restrained, but it could not be reversed or altered.
No matter how powerful the Evil God's karma was— It could not overturn the celestial decree.
The battlefield fell into a deadlock.
The Evil God's chaotic karmic power and the pure white celestial force clashed— Neither side could overpower the other.
The Evil Fetus, consumed with rage, its purple-black, blood-drenched hands, furiously slammed and tore at the celestial instrument— But to no avail.
The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument remained unmoved.
And so— In this delicate balance— On the side of the Hanging Sky Peak, within the Dao Discourse Mountain—
The Dao Disc was completely unmoved.
Amidst this delicate balance— Beside Xuantian Peak in Dao Mountain— In the dead of night, from the towering Sword Observation Tower that reached into the starry sky, a nearly imperceptible wisp of energy drifted out.
This wisp of energy was like a speck of starlight from the heavens, profound beyond measure.
Yet, it was formless, traceless, and colorless.
It arrived unnoticed, blending seamlessly with the laws of causality, and seeped into the inner workings of the Dao Disc while the struggle between the Evil Fetus and the Dao Disc was ongoing.
No one detected it. The balance was thus broken.
The Dao Disc "conceded."
The Evil Fetus's immense aura began to dominate.
The power of the Evil God's minions surged unchecked.
The causal structure of the Dao Disc began to reverse.
One by one, its decrees were tainted by evil power, and causality was being slowly rewritten...
Bound in the Poppy Chains, the Evil Fetus revealed an ugly, cruel smile...
All of this occurred within the domain of causality, shrouded in layers of concealment. Except for those directly involved, almost no one in the entire Qianxue Prefecture was aware.
Only Mo Hua suddenly felt his heart lurch with unease.
It was as if he saw a hideous face grinning at him.
That face was too grotesque— purple and black, like a stillborn fetus, exuding evil, ferocious and terrifying, filled with hatred and greed for the mortal world. That ugly face shattered Mo Hua's concentration.
Mo Hua frowned.
"Something happened?" But he couldn't figure out what exactly might have occurred...
His comprehension of causality was far from advanced enough to meddle in the conflicts beyond the Hollow Void realm.
What he had was merely a keen instinct for causality— And a faint connection with the Evil Fetus due to their "shared origins."
Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
"Forget it, it has nothing to do with me. I just need to focus on the Sword Debate..."
There were so many matters in Qianxue Prefecture—he couldn't possibly concern himself with everything as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.
If the sky were to collapse, there were taller people to hold it up. And he certainly wasn't the tallest among them. In fact, among those involved, he was probably the shortest.
Mo Hua calmed his mind and continued contemplating the arrangements for the Heaven-tier Sword Debate.
Even though, at this moment, his chances of victory seemed incredibly slim, he still had to make thorough preparations and grasp even the slightest possibility of winning.
After all, his master's life was at stake. Yet, Mo Hua found himself unable to focus. Something seemed to be calling to him.
That hideous, evil grin kept surfacing in his mind, disrupting his thoughts. It was as if it had succeeded in something and was immensely pleased.
Mo Hua grew irritated.
"Still laughing?"
His face darkened, and he muttered under his breath, "Laugh again, and I'll collect your remains..." Perhaps it was Mo Hua's "threat" that took effect. Perhaps the Evil Fetus sensed danger. Or maybe— its time had simply come to withdraw.
Either way, the hideous face no longer dared to laugh before Mo Hua.
Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction and devoted himself fully to studying the Sword Debate once more...
Night passed, and the morning sun rose, painting the sky in brilliant hues.
On the surface, everything seemed peaceful.
Within Dao Mountain— The elder representatives of the Four Sects and Eight Schools gathered before the Dao Disc to examine the match list it had deduced.
This was for the final round of the Earth-tier Sword Debate.
For some sects, like the Taixu Sect— The outcome of the Earth-tier debates was already decided.
Winning or losing this last match wouldn't change anything, so they weren't particularly concerned. Other sects, however, were still tense.
Their standings were closely contested, and a single match could determine their advancement or retreat.
For those sects, the elders couldn't help but feel anxious.
But there weren't many such sects— Most of the gathered elders felt an inexplicable sense of relief instead.
Once this final match ended, the Earth-tier debates would be over.
It was like finishing the last subject of an exam—no matter how well or poorly one performed, the fact remained: the test would be over, and a break would follow.
Even though the Heaven-tier debates would continue after— There would be a period of rest in between.
Moreover, for the vast majority of sects, the Heaven-tier debates were an "elite arena" far beyond their reach.
Many sects didn't even have a single team that could qualify for the Heaven-tier debates.
To them, once the Earth-tier debates concluded, their participation in this Sword Debate event would effectively be over.
The Heaven-tier stage belonged to the truly outstanding sects and the most exceptional talents— their involvement was minimal.
So in a way, this truly felt like the "last match."
Regardless of their final ranking, after this, they could finally "relax."
No more nerve-wracking duels, no more racking their brains to outmaneuver rival sects.
And with that mindset—accepting the inevitable, resigned yet relieved— The representatives of each sect opened the Dao Disc's match list.
In an instant, their expressions changed. A chilling sensation spread through them.
The warm morning sunlight suddenly felt cold and eerie. Even the elders of Dao Mountain trembled, eyes filled with disbelief.
In the hall, across all sects and elders— Across every match list for every disciple— There were the same three words:
Shura Battle!!!
...
(Asura Battle).
"Impossible!"
"How could it be a Shura Battle?!"
"How Could It Be an Asura Battle?!"
In the discussion hall of Dao Discourse Mountain.
The elders of Dao Discourse Mountain, along with the representatives of the Four Sects and Eight Schools, were all visibly agitated, discussing heatedly:
"Isn't this ancient and brutal sword competition format already abolished long ago? Why has the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument deduced this outcome?"
"Did someone tamper with the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument?"
"Who could have such ability?"
"The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument is said to be the heavenly treasure left behind by the Dao Discourse Mountain's patriarch. To alter its causality and reverse its deductions—such individuals are few and far between in the entire cultivation world."
"These great beings are terrifyingly powerful—why would they even bother with such a thing?"
"And what would they gain from it?"
"Changing the tournament format to an 'Asura Battle'—what is the purpose? Are they trying to cause chaos?"
"Are they just bored and looking for entertainment?"
"Impossible..."
As the debate raged on, an elder spoke up:
"What's done is done. We can investigate the cause later. Right now, the real question is—what do we do about the upcoming sword duels?"
"Should we follow the result deduced by the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument?"
"If we follow it, then we must adhere to the ancient system and hold an 'Asura Battle'."
"That will surely cause massive controversy."
"If we don't follow it, then what?"
"Do we discard the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument's result and come up with our own rankings? Or do we try to make the instrument deduce a new outcome?"
At these words, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Everyone frowned in deep thought.
After a brief silence, someone firmly stated:
"We cannot use the Asura Battle system. It is an outdated ancient method—abolished long ago precisely because it was too brutal, too utilitarian, and filled with excessive slaughter. It embodies nothing but 'survival of the fittest,' which goes against the righteous path of unity among cultivators to eliminate evil and uphold justice."
"The purpose of the Sword Conference is to 'discuss,' not to 'kill'."
"If we reinstate this format now, we are essentially encouraging disciples to kill. What kind of message does that send about our sect's principles?"
Not everyone agreed.
A rugged-looking sword cultivator elder, with a stern expression, countered:
"Slaying demons and eliminating evil must be done with decisive force. To uphold justice, one must have the heart of an Asura."
"Demons and devils are ruthless and cunning."
"To defeat them, we must be even more ruthless, even more cunning."
"Without a resolute heart for slaughter, one will only fall victim to the demons."
"That is the essence of the Asura Battle."
"Without the decisive killing intent forged in Asura Battles, and the iron will honed through them, the righteous cultivators of our past would never have been able to overthrow the Demon Palace, establish the Dao Court, spread the righteous path, and protect the common people..."
But this view met with even more opposition.
"That's ancient history..."
"Times have changed. Back then, the world was plagued by demons, so decisive slaughter was necessary. But now that the world is at peace, must we still harp on 'righteous versus demonic' all the time?"
"Exactly! This is a Sword Conference, filled with righteous sects and countless prodigies. Where are the 'demons'?"
"Constantly talking about righteousness versus demonic forces is just fear-mongering..."
"The Asura Battle format does not seem appropriate..."
"I agree, I object to it as well."
"If we reject the Asura Battle, then what next? Are we going to deny the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument's deduction?"
"Well..."
The hall fell into hesitation again.
After all, the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument was a treasured artifact inherited by Dao Discourse Mountain, existing for thousands upon thousands of years. No one dared to outright deny its deductions.
"Not denial—just a temporary suspension," a pragmatic elder suggested.
"Yes, a suspension. We can arrange the final list for the Earth-tier sword duels ourselves..."
"That raises another issue—who will decide the list?"
"Who can guarantee there will be no favoritism or bias?"
"Who can ensure the decision remains uninfluenced?"
Most importantly—"Who can make a list that will convince everyone?"
Even the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument's deductions were not always seen as entirely fair. Many sects were often dissatisfied with its rankings, and many disciples harbored grievances.
Yet, no one dared to openly challenge it. Because it was the legacy of Dao Discourse Mountain's patriarch.
It was the system that had always been followed in the Sword Conference since ancient times. It was the one thing that "convinced the masses."
If they abandoned the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument, then no matter how they created a ranking—whether by the joint decision of the Four Sects and Eight Schools, or any other method—it would never truly earn widespread trust.
After all, human nature is too complex. In such an environment of competing interests, any decision made by cultivators through discussion would be riddled with loopholes.
No matter how the rankings were set, they would inevitably face "doubts." As for drawing lots? That was even more impossible.
These elders came from powerful sects, major clans, and prestigious schools— they had seen far too much of the world.
They knew that so-called "luck" was never truly random. Some prodigious cultivators could genuinely manipulate fate through mystical arts, altering their own destiny and reversing cause and effect.
If even fate could be changed, how much more so could "luck" in a draw?
"Then should we make the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument deduce the results again?"
"Impossible," an elder from Dao Discourse Mountain said.
"Once set, the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument cannot be altered."
"It's not that we don't want to change it—we simply cannot change it."
"Even if we assume someone really did tamper with the Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument, wouldn't a new deduction yield the same result?"
"If it can be altered once, it can be altered again..."
"This..."
The elders frowned deeply, now truly at an impasse.
No matter which path they took, there seemed to be no viable solution.
The discussion hall buzzed with murmured conversations as sect elders frowned and whispered among themselves in small groups.
No one knew how long had passed when an elderly Dao Discourse Mountain elder, with white hair and a long beard—having lived for countless years—slowly opened his eyes and sighed hoarsely:
"Let it be. Asura Battle it is. The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument's result cannot be changed..."
Seeing that some were still opposed, the elder continued:
"The Dao Discourse Celestial Instrument belongs to the patriarch."
"Its principles are complex, its causality unfathomable."
"Its greatest mystery lies in this—whatever it deduces is always the best choice for the present situation."
"No matter how strange or unreasonable the result may seem, unless one possesses the wisdom of the Dao Discourse Mountain's patriarch, it should not be easily overturned."
"Follow its result, and things may turn out bad."
"Ignore its result, and things will only get worse..."
"That is the way of the world—most choices are simply between 'bad' and 'worse'..."
"Do not overestimate yourselves. Maintain reverence for what the patriarch left behind."
His words carried profound meaning. The hall fell into deep silence.
"Do not overestimate yourselves. Show reverence for the legacy of our ancestors."
These words carried profound meaning, and upon hearing them, the hall fell into silence.
For a moment, the entire council chamber remained quiet.
"Moreover, for the vast majority of your sects, this matter is not necessarily a misfortune..."
The elderly Dao Mountain elder, with his hair and beard as white as snow, revealed a sharp, penetrating gaze.
"This is also an opportunity for you."
"The Asura Battle carries immense weight—it is significant enough to completely reshuffle the rankings."
"After all, in the past, the Asura Battle had another name..."
The elder's deep, solemn voice rang through the hall, each word like the strike of a drum:
"The 'Heaven Rank Advancement Battle'!"
Only those who survived the grueling trials of the Asura Battle and emerged victorious would earn the right to ascend the Hanging Heaven Peak, standing atop Dao Mountain to face their peers in the ultimate Heaven Rank Sword Debate.
That was once the true meaning of the Heaven Rank Advancement Battle.
The weight of these words pressed heavily on the chests of all the elders present.
At the same time, their eyes flickered with different emotions as they each harbored their own thoughts.
...
The debates within Dao Mountain finally came to an end.
In the end, the decision was made and conveyed to the various sects by dusk.
For the final match of the Earth Rank Sword Debate, the ancient battle format would be used:
"The Asura Battle."
"All Earth Rank contestants will engage in a chaotic, life-and-death battle."
"Whoever survives until the end shall be the victor."
As soon as this result spread to the sects and noble cultivation families, it sent shockwaves across the realm.
Even the cultivators who had come merely to spectate were in an uproar.
This decision was simply too astonishing.
It was something that no one had anticipated.
What had once seemed like a nearly settled Earth Rank Sword Debate was now thrown into complete upheaval, stirring up massive waves like a storm-tossed sea.
Now, truly, no one knew where the situation would lead...
...
At the same time, the Four Great Sects, Eight Grand Gates, Twelve Lineages, and even certain branches of the Hundred Schools that had qualified for the Earth Rank Sword Debate, all had their highest-ranking elders and even sect leaders convening emergency meetings overnight to discuss the sudden turn of events in the grand tournament.
At the same time, the Four Great Sects, Eight Grand Gates, Twelve Lineages, and even some branches of the Hundred Schools that had qualified for the Earth Rank Sword Debate all held emergency meetings overnight. High-ranking elders and even sect leaders gathered to urgently discuss this sudden turn of events in the grand tournament.
From dusk until deep into the night, the great sects remained brightly lit.
Almost no one could sleep.
Tai Xu Sect, Elders' Residence
Since the previous night, Elder Xun had been feeling restless. Now, as he gazed at the compass before him, his expression grew even more grave.
At last, the aging Elder Xun let out a deep sigh:
"The storm… has finally arrived."
This inevitable storm had descended so suddenly, as if falling from the heavens.
And now, even the very sky over Qianxue was about to change.
Disciples' Quarters
At that moment, Mo Hua stared blankly at the three words: "Asura Battle."
His mind was dazed, lost in a trance.
Then, a sharp wave of unease suddenly surged within him.
That faint, elusive thread of karma he had been longing for—
It had finally arrived.
Mo Hua's vision blurred.
In his dazed state, he seemed to see his master, smiling gently at him…
(End of this Chapter)