132 The Primordial Spirit

The moment Da Hai began moving, Shiva and Vishnu were not immediately alarmed. But when he subsequently disappeared in incomprehensible speeds, that was when the two Dao Ancestors began moving.

For beings as powerful as them, nothing in the Chaos Sea or anywhere in all creation can surprise them. But the fact that Da Hai moved beyond their reach in less then a second did. A mere third step cultivator like him cannot possibly move that fast much less escape from a Dao Ancestor's periphery. Not even they themselves could manage it.

"Da Hai!" Wangshu called out in alarm.

The gargantuan form of Shiva was already where Da Hai previously was. His blue hard was outstretched and time seemed to move backwards. However, nothing more happened and Da Hai did not reappear.

"What is this?" He muttered with seriousness. He stepped forwards attempting to pursue Da Hai. Massive amounts of unidentifiable energies assaulted Wangshu's senses as Shiva began moving at high speed.

But as he did so, the Chaos Sea distorted with uncomfortable vibrations. An aura manifested around them with the appearance of a quadrillion floating spirits surrounding an archaic landmass that blanketed this area of the Chaos Sea. Quickly cut off the fleeing sight of Da Hai and trapped Shiva, Vishnu, and Wangshu within.

Shiva narrowed his eyes, he pulled back his fist and punched the aura. His strike shook the area with enough force to scatter billions of spirits. But just as quickly as he struck the wall of spirits appeared once again.

Shiva had not been serious, merely testing the aura. However from just the lone exchanged he identified whoever was behind this as a great threat.

In the distance, reality distorted violently. Before Shiva's very eyes, distance seemed to have been lengthened and direction disrupted. Da Hai's figure dropped off his divine sense and the Chaos Sea's geography shifted entirely.

It was to the point where Shiva suddenly could not identify where he even was. This was a feeling that greatly worried him but also enraged him. He held out his arm and drew forth a trident poised to strike.

"Fellow daoists, for your sakes and mine please stop."

All three deities heard the voice at simultaneously. An ancient withered voice who spoke of age countless aeons before their existence were even conceived. A voice that sounded like something who tethered on the edge of death by age related means.

Yet there was also a horrifying quality to it. Both Vishnu and Shiva felt their souls churn at the voice they heard. They felt as if they've regressed into their infant years and that al their progress up to now had been meaningless.

However, that was just an illusionary feeling. One that they both very quickly snapped out off with little effort. Rather it was Wangshu who was suffering from its effects the most.

"A Dao realm being," Vishnu said narrowing his eyes.

"But you and I are the only active Dao realm existences since the One World collapsed. It's impossible for…unless," Shiva said widening his eyes in realization.

"How silly of me to assume he had died just because I hadn't seem him in so long," Vishnu said in exasperation. "Senior, I believe this is the second time we've met. Though the first time we only witnessed you at a distance so I suppose this is the first time we're meeting."

Of the two, Vishnu appeared almost giddy. Who wouldn't be after discovering a being from the super ancient past who was also a Dao Ancestor to boot. Very few of such beings existed in this world and aside from Pangu, the sleeping rainbow serpent was probably the only other who had the potential of reaching the Dao realm.

The two of them were originally born in a time predating the Chaos Sea. Though they were incredibly young, little more then children when the One World collapsed they still remembered it's existence. They also knew some stories common in the One World.

In the past, when existence came to be from the scatterings of a fiery explosion. A primordial landmass was formed. From it rose the very first existence in this world. He was the first lifeforms, the first immortal, the first innate god. The very first person to have reached Dao realm.

He predated anyone who came after, supreme even when the oldest of living beings were born. Some say he was Dao realm at birth, others say he was just another innate god who managed to reach his height before the rise of others. Some individuals even claim he didn't exist at all and was just a hoax.

But his name was known by all.

Yuanling, the primordial spirit.

Upon Vishnu's and Shiva's realization, the barrier of spirits disappeared scattering into the wind. The primordial landmass which was only an illusionary manifestation disappeared along with it.

From out of the vast expanse stepped figure. Yuanling's physical appearance could not be identified as young or old, male nor female. His voice was the only aspect that could be identified as an elderly male yet even that was suspect.

"It is an honour to speak to you for the first time," Vishnu said. "I have always wondered where you've gone. I have been curious as to what happened to the One World and to the experts who existed in that time. I understand these information might be sensitive so I am willing to trade for…"

"Vishnu," Shiva interrupted shaking his head. He stood in front of Yuanling with a visible frown.

"Why did you obstruct me?" He asked Yuanling. "Da Hai is incredibly important to my goals. Doing what you did has not endeared yourself to me at all."

Yuanling tilted his head. "You are hardly a danger to me fellow daoist. I did only what was necessary."

"What?" Shiva felt angered and had to compose himself at Yuanling's dismissive response. "Maybe you are more powerful then me given your age and experience. But do you really think you can fight me and my brother as well?"

Vishnu closed in on Shiva, despite his own wishes he will defend the latter if it came down to it. As such he unleashed his own power and allowed it to mingle with Shiva as an attempted deterrence to Yuanling. Yuanling observed them both then shook his head.

"You two together will overwhelm me," he said in calm unconcerned conclusion. "Now are you willing to listen to my explanation?"

"It better be good. I do not have the patience otherwise."

Yuanling nodded and told them, "Unfortunately, a higher power has taken interest in the one you call Da Hai. You on your own will already tip the scales too much. Hence I am here to insure you do not interfere with his viewing experience."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"That is the truth. I understand your plight. But I have a job to perform too. In this scenario I cannot allow you to pursue Da Hai."

"So you scrambled the Chaos Sea and cost me the ability to find Pangu's Chaos World? You could not have just delayed me for a time? You have wasted precious years of hard work. Do you think the fourteen realms can last that long?"

Shiva raised his trident with crackling lighting and blazing fire. His posture was monstrous and the sheer power he exuded was enormously greater than anything Wangshu had ever believed possible. The only thing more impressive would've been Pangu's strike that tore apart the Chaos Sea before she was even conceived.

Shiva intended to strike Yuanling with every thing he had. For the first time in a very long time, he felt angered beyond belief. He had already mapped out a route to the Primitive World, but now not only is his ally missing but the route changed so drastically he was back to square one.

"Peace young Shiva," Yuanling said holding up his hand. "I may have stopped you but you are also mistaken. I am not the one who scrambled the Chaos Sea."

Those last words halted Shiva's actions and caught Vishnu's attention. The lightning and fire did not dissipate but were not as volatile as before.

"You did mention a higher power. What is it?" Vishnu asked stepping forward. "As Dao Ancestors are we not the highest powers in all existence?"

Yuanling starred at Vishnu then at Shiva without giving a response. Hence Vishnu continued rambling.

"Unless you mean the Grand Dao which represents the totality of all things and is the deciding will of the Chaos Sea from which all things spawned from including us and yourself. But the Grand Dao is mindless, little more then instinct incapable of complex thought nor desire."

Furthermore, there has never been another Dao realm being since us three. I know this for a fact else we would've felt it. Or is this a case of a future Dao Ancestor interfering with the past? Impossible, such temporal abilities cannot affect another Dao Ancestor's actions. Oh what could it be?"

It was at this point that Yuanling grew exasperated and interrupted him. "Young man," he began saying. "Your theories while interesting to hear are ultimately fruitless. Neither of you can ever know, not unless..."

He paused for a moment before taking a large gulp. He scanned around as if feeling something in the air. His sudden peculiar actions caused both Vishnu and Shiva to start scanning the Chaos Sea in tandem.

It was strange.

They sensed nothing, felt nothing and saw nothing. They could not identify anything. Yet there was a pit forming in their stomachs.

"Stop! You can neither perceive his existence nor would you desire to. Take my advice and just follow along," Yuanling demanded them.

"You've caught my curiosity, how could I give up on answers now?" Vishnu inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Yuanling sighed and shook his head. "I can tell you're both near the Supreme Boundary. No rather its better to say you are already right in front of that gap. The answer to your questions lies beyond that gate. But understand this. It is by his will and his whims that you exist."

"And this being blocks me?" Shiva asked trembling in anger. "You can hear me can't you? Have you no heart? My family, my friends, my world is on the cusp of disappearing never to exist again. And you would stop me from preventing that?"

Yuanling flinched as Shiva's angry voice riveted throughout the Chaos Sea. Lines of power swept across the chaotic space like whips, thrashing and striking. It was unclear if Primal Zenith Chaos Immortals could even survive under this pressure which would not even be aimed at them.

But as this happened, Yuanling suddenly received a message. The primordial spirit tilted his head to one side as if listening in to something.

"I see," he murmured. "Would be nice if you shared with me from the start."

He eyed his two contemporaries completely disregarding Wangshu with anticipation

As for Wangshu, she felt entirely out of place at the moment. Her best friend had bailed on her for what seemed like extraneous reasons which itself was a cause for concern. Then the apex lifeforms in all creation shows up for a threatening confrontation while completely ignoring her presence. Right now she just wanted to run back to her palace and drink some hot tea.

She could not really identify what the three Dao realm monsters were talking about. To her they might as well be speaking with a higher dimensional form of communication. It was a humbling experience for her who stood at the apex of the Primitive World.

Yet she could tell something strange was going on with them as well. Yuanling was unbothered by the combined pressure of Shiva and Vishnu. In fact he didn't seem concerned about anything at all.

But the ancient immortal's communication had come to an end. He stepped forwards and approached the other two Dao realm beings peacefully.

"Fellow daoist, I have a proposition for you," he said. Shiva and Vishnu looked over willing to at least hear him out. Yuanling motioned with his hands and a bright light encompassed the three.

It resembled the gears of a clock. The texture was similar to the earlier spirit aura barrier but now a similar sight to some time based abilities were visible. Wangshu could not identify them though as they were far too complex for her to understand.

But she did also hear some faint meditative chanting. Or was it prayers? It felt peaceful and soothing, not too extreme on anything except peaceful calmness.

"N…o…A…t…a"

"I see."

"This…the solution?"

"Fut…re…t…se…t…ne."

"I…fre…"

More words were exchanged in the sphere of light. Wangshu raised her arms to shield herself from the light but she after a while she heard Yuanling's archaic voice as well.

"Oh I completely overlooked you. Young lady, I'm afraid this isn't a discussion for you," she heard Yuanling say. All of a sudden she got really dizzy. Her feet was unsteady and she felt as if she was free falling.

"Return to Pangu's Chaos World, whatever you do doesn't matter. But let me give you some advice. Put on a good show."

Wangshu tried to respond, but the only words coming out of her mouth were screams.