What kind of object could endure the corruption of the Nine Nethers for an extended period?
Meng Qi recalled all the treasures he had seen or heard of, analyzing one by one whether they could achieve these two things. If the seal could be repaired, given Qing Emperor’s abilities and current state, and without the prolonged erosion of time like water carving stone, the barrier might last until the awakening of a Fiendish God or Devil King at the Creation level. At that time, great experts, powerful adepts, or even those who had crossed to the other shore might have returned. Forces would balance each other, and within the True World, there would likely be new self-proven Legend-level cultivators.
—As for who currently had the most hope and certainty of achieving Legend status, Meng Qi did not hesitate to place himself at the top, followed by others. But if it came to who could achieve it the fastest, upon honest reflection, there was only one answer: “Heavenly Sword from Beyond” Su Wuming. Su had begun connecting with his “Other Self” even before reaching the Dharma Body, reaching a quantity nearly sufficient for qualitative change. He already possessed characteristics of omnipresence typical of legends. After so many years of gradual accumulation, he could now be said to have almost laid the foundation for Legend status. Compared to Meng Qi, who still needed to leave different imprints across different universes and transform them into “Other Self Marks,” or Lu Da Xiansheng’s path of self-reliance, or the paths of Gao Lan, Han Guang, and others who only started cultivating and absorbing energy after reaching the Immortal level, Su’s path was far more convenient and efficient.
Perhaps in five years, ten years, or even twenty, as long as Su could penetrate his “True Nature” and understand “What makes me me,” he could easily gather his “Other Selves,” transforming quantity into quality, becoming the first self-proven Legend cultivator since the Ancient Era.
As these thoughts passed through his mind, a sudden inspiration struck Meng Qi, and he blurted out:
“The Sea-Stabilizing Pearl!”
It was a peerless treasure. As long as it wasn’t employed for offensive purposes, it could directly manifest the myriad realms. Though its intrinsic nature ranked slightly beneath the Ninth Heaven, the Boundless Abyssal Sea was merely an offshoot of the Nine Nether and thus capable of resisting its corruption. Could one of the Thirty-Three Heavens fail to contain the power of all beings?
Most importantly, after the fall of the Celestial Court, the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Pearls had scattered across the world, becoming unclaimed treasures. Even if some had been obtained by others and transformed into “Non-Birth Heavens,” there might still be some that slipped through the net. It would be worth trying to search for them, perhaps using something akin to the “Moonlight Treasure Mirror” to retrace history and witness their original dispersal, thus determining their current whereabouts.
“The Sea-Stabilizing Pearl?” Gao Lan, clearly familiar with the Twenty-Four Heavens, asked slowly while pacing with his hands behind his back. “Such a Creation-level treasure is extremely rare. Do you have any specific clues?”
Meng Qi shook his head: “None, but we must at least try.”
“Then I shall search for other treasures as well. We shouldn’t pin all our hopes on the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl.” Gao Lan spoke with the authority of an emperor.
Meng Qi smiled: “Once Yanran, your elder sister-in-law, returns, all the accumulated intelligence of the Su Nu Sect over countless eons will be at your disposal. What other treasures could we not find?”
“Insight” was part of a sect’s foundation, not easily destroyed like other legacies. As long as the transmission remained, the insight remained. After the chaos of the Demon Buddha, the Su Nu Sect might not be able to claim much else, but at least their accumulation of strange tales and treasure legends spanning eons remained intact.
“True!” Gao Lan took a step forward, reaching the palace entrance, his back straight, his voice deep: “Better to act today than wait for tomorrow. Brother San, let us go to the Su Nu Immortal Realm today!”
Meng Qi was momentarily taken aback, then smiled: “Fine!”
It seemed that his eldest brother had long intended to do this, but because Meng Qi had been constantly traveling, either secluded in retreat or wandering the cultivation world, it had been difficult to contact him and find a reliable companion. Hence, they had waited until today.
With auspicious clouds forming beneath their feet, two beams of light soared directly into the void, without causing even the slightest ripple in the Zhou Imperial Palace.
…
Above the Eastern Sea, on a remote island teeming with savage beasts and fierce birds, deep within a hidden valley, mist and clouds swirled, and waterfalls cascaded diagonally, resembling a secret immortal paradise.
A refined man in a plain green Daoist robe, with a short beard, stood at the entrance. Though he stood motionless like a mountain, his eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of anxiety and unease.
Suddenly, his vision blurred, and two men of distinctly different auras appeared before him. One wore imperial robes and a celestial crown, his figure tall and handsome, exuding coldness and majesty. The other wore flowing robes and a cloud-patterned hat, his demeanor elegant yet powerful, subtly commanding. Standing there, they seemed like the masters of this world, yet the island’s forbidden laws and savage beasts showed no reaction.
The refined man immediately lowered his head respectfully: “Your Majesty, and Your Highness Yuan.”
Though Yuan Huang was merely the Crown Prince-Designate of the Zhou Dynasty, his reputation had long surpassed that title. As the master of the Myriad Worlds Universal Knowledge Realm, a saint who had brought about earth-shattering changes, a strong contender for the top spot on the Heavenly Rankings, a direct disciple of Yuanshi, and the head of the Yuxu Sect, each of these titles far outshone that of Crown Prince-Designate.
“Thank you for your efforts. Leave quickly after this,” Gao Lan nodded slightly, his tone calm but his words warm.
Without another word, the refined man turned and led Gao Lan and Meng Qi into the valley, moving through the swirling mists. A special token in his hand emitted a hazy glow, connecting to the entrance of the Su Nu Immortal Realm. Meanwhile, Meng Qi and Gao Lan temporarily concealed their auras, appearing like ordinary Exo-level cultivators.
“Who are the people behind you?” A voice descended from within the Su Nu Immortal Realm.
The refined man’s expression remained unchanged: “The Bodhisattva’s medicinal pills.”
Before his words had fully faded, a sudden, powerful heartbeat echoed in his ears—strong, subtle, and irresistible. His own heart involuntarily began to synchronize. Following the connection through the voice, the inquirer’s heart also began to beat in rhythm, their thoughts becoming hazy. Instinctively, they opened the passage.
The scene shifted. White clouds formed the sky, radiant light poured down, and misty vapor became the ground, presenting a grand immortal spectacle. However, the guardian at the entrance appeared slightly dazed, seemingly oblivious to Meng Qi and Gao Lan’s figures.
“Your Majesty, a few days ago, the current Xuan Nu entered the Su Nu Hall and activated the forbidden laws, cutting off all communication and preventing anyone from approaching. My subordinates suspect she is making her final preparations,” the refined man transmitted mentally.
Gao Lan nodded slightly, his expression solemn, and strode directly toward the Su Nu Hall, with Meng Qi, his Daoist robe fluttering, closely following behind.
The goal of this mission was to act swiftly and decisively, snatching away the current Xuan Nu of the Su Nu Sect before the others could react!
After all, the Su Nu Sect had been passed down for eons. Even though it had suffered during the chaos of the Demon Buddha, surviving that very chaos could prove much. If they managed to activate their remaining legacies, such as the remains of the Nine Heavens Xuan Nu, even a Legend-level expert within the Su Nu Immortal Realm might not withstand it. What more for himself and his joker of an elder brother?
In such a den of dragons and tigers, there could be no hesitation or distractions. The best course of action was to head straight for the Su Nu Hall!
Palaces stretched endlessly, interspersed with flower fields and medicinal gardens. Meng Qi and Gao Lan merely concealed themselves slightly to evade the scanning formations, approaching the Su Nu Hall at a pace that wouldn’t trigger the defensive laws.
Along the way, many elders and disciples of the Xuan Nu lineage were present. Though they were not entirely unguarded against strangers, as soon as they raised their suspicions, a sudden, thunderous heartbeat echoed in their ears. The surrounding void resonated with a distant, mystical chant:
“Yu Qing Zi Xu Gao Miao Tai Shang Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun!”
At the mention of “Yu Qing Zi Xu, Gao Miao Tai Shang, Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun,” their minds buzzed, overwhelmed by a sense of utmost sincerity and transcendence. Their inner selves echoed the chant repeatedly.
Others felt the overbearing imperial aura that ruled over myriad worlds and suppressed the entire universe, their bodies and minds subjugated, respectfully allowing Meng Qi and Gao Lan to pass through the palace halls and pavilions, arriving together at the Su Nu Hall.
Soon, the two spotted the ancient, dilapidated hall. Time had eroded the scars of lightning and fire, leaving the surface blackened. Three ancient inscriptions floated silently above, sealing the entrance.
At the sight, several thoughts flashed through Meng Qi’s mind. Would the Dao-body and Dharma-body formed by the Manifestation Technique differ after one’s meditation into Nirvana? Would there be a powerful remains left behind? For example, did the fifth-generation Xuan Nu leave any remains? And if so, where?
As these thoughts surged, he and Gao Lan swiftly pierced through the layers of forbidden laws surrounding the Su Nu Hall, arriving at the entrance.
The grand doors were tightly shut, ancient and profound.
Gao Lan’s gaze darkened, and he suddenly drew the Emperor’s Sword. Meng Qi, on the other hand, smiled faintly and raised the Supreme Saber, his arm blurring like the Pangu Banner.
Golden sword light ignited the darkness, illuminating ignorance. Purple lightning-like saber qi crackled with thunderous pressure.
Their weapons struck together, radiant and dazzling—one embodying the triumph of human will over fate, the other manifesting the birth of the cosmos. With a thunderous roar, the forbidden laws of the Su Nu Hall shattered piece by piece, and the grand doors vanished entirely.
Yet, within the wide hall supported by four pillars, there was nothing but emptiness—no sign of the Xuan Nu!
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