In the night sky, stars clustered densely like shimmering ripples, forming dazzling Milky Ways and radiant clouds. Deep within them, a planet covered in blue and green quietly revolved around its star, larger than normal yet maintaining an environment suitable for human survival.
At this moment, a faint golden sword beam pierced through layers of space and time, distorting the distance as if twisting reality itself, arriving instantaneously. It descended upon the summit of the most ancient and majestic structure on the planet, bringing a golden glow surpassing sunset, accompanied by a mighty low shout:
“Where is the descendant of the Human Emperor!”
Inside the grand halls, the human cultivators who had been meditating with closed eyes suddenly opened their eyes, grasped their weapons with their right hands, and stood up in unison like a sudden rising wave.
Their auras were mighty, each movement capable of influencing the heavens. Together, their power illuminated the entire planet as bright as day, with colorful ribbons dancing across the sky!
Within the ancient and towering building, the deep and tranquil palace suddenly trembled. The great doors opened without wind, releasing an ancient aura, as a voice echoed across the planet:
“Does the current Human Emperor summon?”
Their clan had once received the guidance of the current Human Emperor, sacrificing themselves to gain the chance to escape like a golden cicada shedding its shell, finally avoiding the great calamity of the Demon Buddha. Their lineage had not perished, their cultivation continued, and legends still protected them.
After the elder chief perished at the hands of the Demon Buddha, it was himself, and after him, there was still a junior descendant!
This mighty aura solidified into reality, piercing through the clouds, making the planet shine as if it were a star. Thus, within this vast stellar system, every star as mighty as the sun erupted into solar storms, flames bursting forth, scorching like water, and within them flew forth various shaped entities, all nurtured deep within the stars.
These entities gathered one by one, rapidly forming an ancient vessel larger than the planet itself. Its color resembled jade, covered in Daoist traces, floating between reality and illusion, like navigating through a sea of suffering, capable of protecting those aboard to reach the other shore.
It was the “Ark of the End” that the Human Emperor had attempted to forge in his later years, to protect life during the final catastrophe. Unfortunately, before its completion, the Human Emperor had no choice but to pass away, leaving behind this flawed creation, difficult to accurately rank, for some of its effects surpassed legends, while others were merely at the level of a Celestial Immortal.
The “Ark of the End” hovered deep in the cosmos. From the planet occupied by the descendants of the Human Emperor, two mighty and vast auras first soared forth, surpassing even galaxies within the Real World’s starry expanse. Upon descending into the Real World’s land, they would likely rival the descent of the moon itself. Then, one powerful aura after another followed, nearly occupying half of the planet’s similar “light.”
The Daoist traces covering the Ark of the End gradually illuminated, its form becoming hazy and ethereal. Then it gently trembled and abruptly vanished, traversing space-time toward the Real World’s land.
Within merely a dozen heartbeats, the Ark of the End, now the size of a normal pleasure boat, emerged quietly within the Changle Palace, shifting from ethereal to solid, standing still as if emerging from ancient times or the future.
Simashi and the other Six Gates detectives gazed at this boat sailing through the “sea of suffering,” instinctively holding their breath, their hearts mysteriously quivering, like mortals encountering a Bodhisattva’s manifestation.
From the cabin of the Ark of the End, two anciently dressed humans emerged first, their attire between the Upper and Middle Ancient styles, one male and one female. The male had white hair, a vigorous spirit, and eyes reflecting the stars, each point of brilliance seemingly a human figure. The female was in her prime, mature and elegant, her eyes bright and expressive. Upon closer inspection, one could see countless star rivers rotating and converging within her gaze.
“Shaohsuan pays homage to the Emperor.”
“Xi’e pays homage to the Emperor.”
The two bowed in unison, their voices filled with reverence. Even with their auras restrained, they faintly disturbed the void.
Gao Lan slightly nodded, stepped forward a few paces, and extended his hand to assist them: “I appreciate your efforts, my lords.”
Following Shaohsuan and Xi’e, one after another, the powerful figures of the Human Emperor’s descendants emerged, leaving the detectives, who had witnessed the flourishing talents of the Real World, awestruck and astonished.
“You may spread this news outward, half true and half false will suffice. There’s no need for special verification,” Gao Lan gazed deeply at the detectives, giving his indifferent command.
…
Within the Void Homeland, “Night Emperor” Huolishang rose from the White Lotus Platform, facing the depths, as if welcoming someone.
There, the aura of countless star rivers growing increasingly strong and evident finally suddenly receded, becoming calm and tranquil, and a handsome man stepped forth, his face pale and delicate, like a scholar in operas who seduces young maidens into elopement. He smiled, holding a glass lamp in his palm, its wick quietly burning, almost illuminating the Three Realms and Ten Directions.
“Greetings, Divine Lamp Bearer,” Huolishang saluted casually, while his mind raced with other thoughts:
“It is said that among the myriad worlds, there are three most wondrous immortal lamps: one transformed into the ancient Buddha of the Lamp, one in the Jade Void Palace, and one in the Virtue and Morality Venerable’s possession. Which of these does the Divine Lamp Bearer hold? Or is it a ‘late bloomer,’ crafted by the Old Mother?”
The Divine Lamp Bearer smiled slightly as a return greeting, his voice gentle: “This one must visit the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain.”
“Kunlun Mountain’s Jade Void Palace? Which Kunlun Mountain’s Jade Void Palace?” Huolishang instinctively asked.
If an ordinary person mentioned the Jade Void Palace of Kunlun Mountain, they would naturally be referring to the abode of the Primordial Heavenly Lord. Since the Divine Lamp Bearer had just awakened, he was likely referring to the Jade Void Palace from the world of Fengshen.
The Divine Lamp Bearer chuckled lightly: “Of course, it’s the Jade Void Palace of the Primordial Emperor Su Meng on Kunlun Mountain. These years, the Lamp Bearer has searched many places but has not found the hidden traces left by the previous Holy Maiden. However, the Old Mother still feels incomplete, so she has sent me to visit the Jade Void Palace, to take a look, search around, and find any clues.”
“The Primordial Emperor is involved in many things, and the great figures have mutual concerns, unable to observe him without restraint. Divination is also disturbed. Hiding clues elsewhere is indeed an excellent method.”
He spoke lightly, as if searching for lost items in his own home.
The Night Emperor’s face revealed a smile. After pondering for a moment, he said, “The Primordial Emperor hasn’t made a public appearance for several years. Recently, he obtained information about ‘Anan’s Other Self’ from the demon race. Given his track record of creating miracles, he might have secretly attained legendary status. The Divine Lamp Bearer must proceed with caution.”
The Divine Lamp Bearer’s smile did not fade: “Legends are not so easily achieved? Countless Celestial Immortals have been stuck at the final step of ‘Who I Am’ for ages. Su Meng has probably only gathered the required number of Other Self projections for his breakthrough. Legend? Hmph, he is still on the path.”
After speaking, the Divine Lamp Bearer took a step forward, disappearing from the Void Homeland and reappearing before Kunlun Mountain.
As he was about to step into the Jade Void Palace, a layer of emerald-green glazed tiles suddenly materialized before him, while the chant of “Namo” reverberated in his ears.
Raising his gaze, he beheld the Jade Void Palace enveloped in layers of radiant Buddha light, appearing distant yet majestic. Surrounding it were five hundred Arhats, with lotus blossoms suspended midair upon which numerous Bodhisattvas sat in serene meditation. High above, the resonant chanting voices unveiled a transcendent presence—one who was not a Buddha yet emanated the aura of one, a supreme Bodhisattva.
The Pure Land’s “Buddhas” guarded the Jade Void Palace!
“Venerable Moonlight Bodhisattva, you have cultivated your Reward Body with great difficulty. Are you truly determined to wade into this murky water?” The Divine Lamp Bearer was not surprised, speaking leisurely, “Moreover, I do not intend to kill Su Meng. I merely wish to take a walk, take a look, and search around.”
“Namo Venerable Medicine Master Tathagata, every action has its cause and effect,” came the solemn voice along with the moonlight pouring down from above.
In ancient times, Mengqi returned to the Middle Ages, aiding the Green Emperor in awakening the Medicine Master Buddha, further protecting the Moonlight Bodhisattva through the chaos of the Demon Buddha, allowing him to survive until now, repaying the karmic debt through the path of Buddhism.
The Divine Lamp Bearer’s expression grew slightly solemn as he extended his right hand, the glass lamp he held suddenly shining brighter.
He was no match for the Moonlight Bodhisattva, but the Old Mother had anticipated this, directly sending him with this immortal lamp!
At this moment, a heavy lion’s roar echoed in his ears, layer upon layer, as if multiple lions were roaring together, shaking the lamp’s light and unsettling his mind.
“The Nine-Spirit Primordial Lord?” The Divine Lamp Bearer glanced around, inexplicably startled.
Had the Green Emperor become more lucid and sent the Nine-Spirit Primordial Lord to repay a favor?
The Nine-Spirit Primordial Lord was terrifying, but the Green Emperor was even more fearsome!
Standing before the Jade Void Palace, his expression changed, and finally, with a long sigh, he turned and departed.
The Green Emperor was already considered to be between the other shore and creation, with the Virtue and Morality Venerable behind him. Naturally, the Old Mother could not account for everything.
Inside the Jade Void Palace, a quiet chamber was dimly lit, and around Mengqi, one after another, clear figures were returning to their places.
There were monks and various shaped Primordial Deities.
In the Shaolin Temple, Xuanbei was meditating in front of the Buddha, with Mahakasyapa in a fist salute on one side and Ananda, the source of Shaolin’s lineage, on the other.
Due to Ananda becoming the Demon Buddha, Xuanbei and the Abbot gradually reduced their reverence toward him, but to avoid unsettling the Shaolin monks, the process was gradual. Now, only the statue in the Great Buddha Hall remained.
Suddenly, Xuanbei heard Buddhist chants in his ears and his eyes shot open, seeing Ananda’s statue gently tremble, with two streams of crystalline tears flowing from its eyes.
Even Buddhas have tears, shedding tears of repentance and kindness!
Witnessing this scene, Xuanbei’s heart suddenly became clear, his long-standing confusion swept away. There is good and evil, and seeking pure goodness is heresy.
He closed his eyes, and from his body emerged countless glazed flames, forging his golden form and refining the Earth Treasury.
There was regret in the threshold, even reaching Nirvana—it was only after arduous trials and profound insights that he finally took this step.
In many universes, Ananda statues in Buddhist halls and creator deity statues in temples and Daoist monasteries trembled simultaneously, as if alive, drawing astonished gazes. The illusions around Mengqi merged one after another, reaching the limit of his Other Self below the legendary level—nine hundred and ninety-nine, seventy percent imitating Ananda’s Other Self, and thirty percent absorbing the Primordial Projection.
When quantity reaches its limit, it becomes quality, but Mengqi opened his eyes, still feeling something missing. He understood that “Who I Am” was his true nature, but how to penetrate this point still had a layer of paper-thin barrier.
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