The Fengtian Platform stood tall to the left of the city, encircled by the altars of the Five Emperors, emanating a faint glow that imbued the entire Changle with a solemn aura of imperial majesty and overwhelming dominance.
Meng Qi glanced at this scene, his figure manifesting as he descended before a certain palace hall within the imperial city.
Creak—the palace doors swung open without a breeze, as if in welcome. Inside, the beams, pillars, and various furnishings were bathed in golden sunlight, resplendent and magnificent, exuding an awe-inspiring regal presence.
Gao Lan, unusually dressed in casual attire, stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back, his entire figure tinged with gold, radiating a sense of sanctity and solemnity.
“Third Brother, you never visit unless there’s a purpose. What brings you here today?” Gao Lan spoke without turning his head, his voice as if coming from beyond the heavens, devoid of joy or sorrow.
A faint twitch flickered at the corner of Meng Qi’s eye. Adopting a tone of “aloof indifference,” he replied, “We often communicate through the Myriad World Talisman. How can you say I never visit unless there’s a purpose?”
It seems Big Brother is reminiscing about Yanran again. A man of his stature, wallowing in melancholy, forcing himself to sound sorrowful just to set the mood, even falsely accusing me of being a cold-blooded brother who only visits when he needs something…
Gao Lan slowly turned his head, his face veiled in sunlight, his expression calm and unreadable. “If communicating through the Myriad World Talisman counts as a visit, then why have you come in person today?”
Big Brother’s logic is truly peculiar, defying common sense… Meng Qi was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. Should he admit that he only visits when he needs something, or should he retract his earlier explanation?
After a brief contemplation, Meng Qi played to his strengths, cutting straight to the point and ignoring the other questions. With a solemn expression, he asked directly, “Big Brother, what kind of ‘Human Path’ do you envision in your heart? What kind of ‘Human Path’ do you wish to practice?”
Gao Lan’s gaze suddenly deepened, a sharpness and indifference brewing within, as if he had instantly transformed from a sentimental man reminiscing about the past back into the rational and cold emperor.
Meng Qi did not avert his gaze. Though his presence remained restrained, there was an unfathomable depth about him, as if all sharp edges had dissolved into the void.
Gao Lan pondered for a long time before his thin lips slowly parted.
Sensing the shift in energy, Meng Qi’s thoughts tightened, his demeanor growing even more solemn as he awaited the answer.
“You should address me as ‘Imperial Brother,'” Gao Lan calmly pointed out Meng Qi’s earlier mistake.
Meng Qi’s mouth opened slightly, his expression momentarily blank. Fortunately, he could rein in his thoughts and quickly regained his composure.
At such a solemn moment, why bother with such trivial details?
Just as he was about to speak, Gao Lan turned back to the window, his tone so detached it seemed as if he were discussing someone else’s affairs:
“Yanran once asked me this question as well. At the time, my answer was: to ascend the throne, wield authority over the myriad worlds, and thus govern the human race, protecting my subjects from the calamities of natural disasters and demonic invasions, elevating humanity to the foremost among all intelligent races in the heavens, ensuring its prosperity and flourishing.”
Meng Qi suppressed his emotions and listened quietly without interruption.
“After hearing this answer, Yanran did not bring it up again. I suppose she was somewhat disappointed, but I couldn’t understand why. What followed were years of imprisonment, the cultivation of the Human Emperor’s Golden Tome, and finally obtaining the Human Emperor’s Sword, unifying the world, and becoming the Human Emperor of this era,” Gao Lan spoke faintly, his voice devoid of fluctuation. “Having endured hardships and weathered the vicissitudes of life, I have finally witnessed glory and developed my own deeper understanding of the ‘Human Path.'”
“In the late ancient times, when demons ravaged the earth and humans lived in misery, the Human Emperor’s Path was to resist demons, expel evil spirits, and isolate deities, carving out a path for humanity to thrive for generations. Today, humanity in the real world is no longer living on the brink of survival. Instead, it occupies a prominent position. Mere protection seems insufficient to uphold the complete ‘Human Path.’ Thus, I chose expansion, chose to march into the myriad worlds.”
“But this is not enough. Limiting the ‘Human Path’ to humanity alone is too narrow. Based on my experiences over the years, the ‘Human Path’ is also the light of civilization, the flame of wisdom, the ‘Path’ collectively upheld by all intelligent life capable of contemplating the heavens and earth, passionately exploring the unknown, and pursuing the Great Dao. After the creation of the world, aside from the innately powerful, the myriad worlds were cold and silent. Even with sunlight, the darkness remained. It was only with the birth of intelligent life, pooling their wisdom and strength, that civilizations were created, illuminating the pitch-black universe.”
“The ‘Human Path’ is about gathering the masses, about order, uniting the thoughts of all intelligent life, their love for life, their exploration of the unknown, and their pursuit of the Great Dao. Only thus can we resist external enemies, resist all forces that seek to disrupt or hinder this civilizational progress, resist the evil gods and demons that represent the paths of destruction and chaos. This is why I tacitly allowed the expansion of the Mo Palace, the development of machinery, and the growth of the Myriad World Talisman. As long as they are willing to abide by the laws of Great Zhou and refrain from internal sabotage, all intelligent and orderly life can be included in the ‘Human Path.'”
Gao Lan turned back, his eyes like deep pools, and said slowly, “This is the ‘Human Path’ I desire.”
Meng Qi gave an almost imperceptible nod and said steadily, “I understand.”
With that, he turned and left without hesitation, his Taoist robe gradually fading from view.
Watching Meng Qi depart, Gao Lan suddenly murmured, “My ambitions are vast. I do not wish to see inexplicable paths of demons, monsters, or deities. I will encompass them all within the ‘Human Path’…”
…
Guangchengzi descended into the world of *Journey to the West*, riding a beam of light straight to the “Tushita Palace” beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
As the exotic flowers, rare herbs, spiritual springs, and immortal birds came into view, he saw the Golden Horned Boy approaching.
“Senior Brother Guangcheng, the Grand Elder has instructed me to assist you,” the Golden Horned Boy said with a smile, cupping his hands.
Guangchengzi was momentarily stunned, then turned toward the Tushita Palace and bowed solemnly:
“Thank you, Uncle-Master, for your support.”
As expected, nothing escapes the notice of Uncle-Master Virtue!
After paying his respects, he turned to the Golden Horned Boy and smiled slightly. “Junior Brother, I must trouble you to visit the Fusang Ancient Tree Realm and ask the Green Emperor for his thoughts on the matter of the List of Deification.”
The Golden Horned Boy chuckled and, without further ado, immediately departed beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
After waiting patiently for a long time, Guangchengzi finally saw him return leisurely, beaming as he said, “Senior Brother Green Emperor says you may proceed as you wish.”
Such a definitive answer, devoid of any ambiguity, filled Guangchengzi with joy. He promptly bid farewell to the Golden Horned Boy and returned to the Jade Void Palace, which resided in the infinite heights.
…
The ‘Human Path’ is the method of gathering the masses, the power of order… Meng Qi reflected on Gao Lan’s words, his heart now at ease. Upon returning to the Jade Void Palace and seeing Guangchengzi’s joyful expression, he chuckled and said, “Senior Brother Guangcheng, it seems the Green Emperor supports our acquisition of the List of Deification?”
“Indeed. This will simplify matters greatly,” Guangchengzi replied with a smile.
With the sole Nirvana Realm being in the world giving his approval, who would dare cause trouble?
At this moment, Manjusri Bodhisattva interjected, “While it may be easier, we must not let our guard down. In this era, there may still be individuals or treasures capable of briefly obstructing the Green Emperor.”
Meng Qi’s heart stirred, and he nodded. “Senior Sister Manjusri speaks wisely. We must guard against anyone unsealing the Spirit Mountain and releasing the Demon Buddha, and we must also consider the Heavenly Dao Monster and Fu Huang.”
Though the Green Emperor could borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao Monster through divine abilities, suggesting some connection between them, others might be capable of the same!
“Fu Huang?” Guangchengzi asked, slightly surprised.
Upon hearing Manjusri’s words, he had immediately thought of the Demon Buddha and the Heavenly Dao Monster, but what of Fu Huang?
“From the words of the Emperor of Fengdu, I learned that Fu Huang’s condition is highly abnormal. We must be wary of unexpected developments from that quarter,” Meng Qi stated frankly.
The Emperor of Fengdu is one of the Three Corpses of the Ancient Buddha of Bodhi. His words are certainly not baseless… Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, and the others nodded slightly, acknowledging Meng Qi’s concern.
With lightning-fast thoughts, Meng Qi glanced around and said with a smile, “The Human Emperor of this era has an inclusive heart and may be open to cooperation with other factions. Why don’t we form alliances early to guard against surprises?”
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Manjusri Bodhisattva. “Senior Sister Manjusri, your ties to the Buddhist sect run deep. Could you send someone to sound out their stance?”
Manjusri’s eyes gleamed with wisdom as she smiled and said, “Wanlin, go to the Maitreya Pure Land and make some inquiries.”
After Jian Wanlin departed on her mission, Meng Qi instructed the Howling Celestial Dog to liaise with the demon race, Chijingzi’s disciple Qixi Shanren to communicate with the lineage of the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning, and Nezha, in his capacity as the God of the Three Altars and Seas, to visit the Pure Maiden’s Paradise and discuss matters with the reincarnated Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, the current leader of the ancient Heavenly Court’s lineage.
“As the Sect Leader commands!” they chorused before leaving.
With his orders given, Meng Qi turned to Guangchengzi, Manjusri, and the other great supernatural beings with a knowing smile:
“Time is of the essence. Please, Senior Brothers and Sisters, create a diversion here while I, your junior brother, transform with the wind, slip out of the Jade Void Palace, and infiltrate the Nine Nethers to see if we can deceive the heavens!”
On one hand, they would use probing alliances to obscure the truth; on the other, they would attempt a private transaction!
Guangchengzi, Manjusri, and the other great supernatural beings had long since grasped the plan and laughed in unison: “Rest assured, Sect Leader Junior Brother!”
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