The grey-robed elder self-destructed, although not directly dead, he paid a considerable price, and seems to have fallen into slumber.
Yet he has already become part of the Heavenly Dao.
Li Ping'an's earlier words weren't too definitive; many speculated assumptions were left unsaid.
For instance, this grey-robed elder is Hongjun's Evil Corpse. Using the inner Heavenly Dao as a foundation, Hongjun's Evil Corpse polluted the Heavenly Dao. His plot today likely aims to let his Evil Corpse take full control over the Heavenly Dao.
Using the Heavenly Dao as his own Three Corpses.
This is far more ingenious and challenging than fully merging with the Dao.
Li Ping'an indeed has a question here.
Whether it's the inner Heavenly Dao or Hongjun's Evil Corpse, they are merely parts of the Heavenly Dao, not its entirety. How can they control the whole Heavenly Dao?
Hongjun wants the inner Heavenly Dao to swallow his father; the motivation is clear.
