Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 624 The Four Great Tangible Treasures: The Woman's Mural at Fangcun Mountain!
After the text on the mural was worn away, you slowly withdrew your gaze.

[You don't think Zizhu did anything wrong. The Dharma is not to be passed on to six ears, and the Way is not to be lightly bestowed; this is an unwritten rule in the cultivation world.]

[This is not yet apparent among the nine righteous sects of Yuzhou in the Central Plains, but if one looks at the barren southern frontier and overseas islands, the methods for selecting disciples are far from so lenient.]

True Taoist teachings are never sold cheaply. Even those with the aptitude for cultivation must undergo rigorous trials, including three prostrations and nine kowtows, before they can hope to enter the Taoist path.

Among the native inhabitants of the Southern Frontier of the Demonic Sect, countless others are treated as mere "expendable resources" throughout their entire lives.

They, with mortal bodies, climbed thousand-foot snow-capped peaks. Even if they were blessed with good fortune and reached the summit, in the end, they would most likely only become servants of the demonic sect's disciples.

[However, even so, the natives of the Southern Frontier continued their relentless assault. Above the "Muran Snow Mountain," where the Demonic Sect of the Common People resided, hung thousands of cold iron chains, and almost every moment, people were struggling to climb them.]

Those who seek the Way, desiring to change themselves and escape their mire, will throw themselves into the fray without hesitation, like moths drawn to a flame, even if there is only a sliver of hope.

A mayfly trying to shake a giant tree—it's both pitiful and admirable.

Those who cultivate the Tao seek nothing more than "ascension to immortality" throughout their lives.

[Among the nine righteous sects, seven demonic sects, and nine heretical schools in this world, how many geniuses have devoted their entire lives to the illusory goal of "ascension," and what difference is there between them and the natives of the southern border facing the thousands of chains hanging from the snow-capped mountains before them?]

[Lord Zishan was clearly in a very good mood at this moment. Seeing your calm expression, he couldn't help but smile and say, "It seems that you are not as delighted with this Heavenly Emperor Heart Sutra as I am."]

"Please enlighten me, Lord Zishan."

[You ask, what is it that is so profound that it would make an immortal being, who took human form in ancient times, willingly abandon their physical body to obtain this "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra"?]

[Zishan Jun explained in detail: "The heart is the Dao heart and divine treasure. This is a power that belongs uniquely to oneself, transcending the four great divine treasures of primordial energy, longevity, essence and blood, and ultimate strength."]

You asked, "The Four Great Tangible Divine Treasures?"

According to Daoist records, the methods of cultivation used by ancient cultivators were quite different from those used today.

This is reflected in the term "divine treasures," which are recorded as comprising nine great divine treasures.

Although you know this, you are not from ancient times, so you can only understand it in general terms.

"As if sensing your confusion, Lord Zishan explained, 'In the primordial chaos, before the separation of heaven and earth, there were three thousand innate deities who were born alongside the universe.'"

[Innate divinity?]

You recall fragments of ancient texts: the so-called innate deities are actually manifestations of the Three Thousand Great Daos. There are three thousand Great Daos, and three thousand deities; each is a unique being in all the heavens.

They are completely different from true spirits; in the eyes of the primordial deities, true spirits are as insignificant as ants.

[After the three thousand saints, all living beings born of heaven and earth are postnatal beings, including true spirits.]

[The voice of Lord Zishan rang out again, "Among the three thousand holy beings, there is one who is honored with the title 'Emperor,' who wishes to emulate the evolution of the Great Dao, to create all races, and to create a race as perfect as himself. However, the souls of the innate races are incomplete, and they cannot, like the innate beings, ascend to the Heavenly Dao, merge with the Dao, and bear the true meaning of the Great Dao."]

"The Emperor's achievements were so profound that he created a mysterious art that allowed postnatal beings to draw upon the power of the divine treasures of heaven and earth, gradually evolving towards innate forms."

"And it was based on this profound manual that Daoist Dingxu comprehended the three great secret techniques."

"These are the Three Secrets of Fixed Void, the innermost of which was obtained by the Heavenly Emperor."

You can't help but wonder: "Ancient times, medieval times, primordial times... why is there someone called 'Emperor' in every era?"

[Zishan Jun smiled calmly: "This is the will of Heaven. The 'Emperor' is the head of all races, the one with the greatest fortune in this world. Those who can obtain this honor will naturally have everything go smoothly and be blessed with good fortune."]

As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the last mural in the Hall of Tranquility.

"The ancient Heavenly Emperor was the supreme ruler of all races among all living beings."

"The Middle Ages were the age of Daoists, where primordial beings roamed the land. How could the power of the Middle Ages Heavenly Emperor possibly surpass that of the Ancient Heavenly Emperor?"

[You gradually understand: the title "Heavenly Emperor" symbolizes the destiny bestowed upon this realm. However, the weight of these two words varies drastically across different periods—just as there are "emperors" in the mortal world, known as "Sons of Heaven," they are nothing more than ants or dust beneath the feet of cultivators, vanishing in an instant with a mere step.]

[The Purple Mountain Lord said, "If we trace back to the ancient, primordial era, then the rulers of heaven and earth were not the Heavenly Emperors, but the Sages."]

"The sage sits in the central heaven, governing all things. The so-called Heavenly Emperor was at that time nothing more than a page before the sage."

You nodded slightly. The Daoist canon does indeed record: In the primordial era, sages ruled over heaven and earth, and all things and living beings were under their rule.

"Lord Zishan, haven't we gone a bit off-topic?"

[Zishan Jun smiled calmly: "It hasn't deviated. The theory of the Nine Divine Treasures must be placed within each era to reveal its true meaning."]

"In ancient times, there were four tangible divine treasures: the primordial energy treasure, the longevity treasure, the ultimate strength treasure, and the essence and blood treasure."

"The Primordial Qi Treasury is one of the four tangible treasuries, representing the ultimate manifestation of the 'Qi' attribute in the path of cultivation. Opening this treasury eliminates the barrier between one and the primordial qi of heaven and earth; upon reaching perfection, one holds the entire primordial qi of an entire realm in one's palm."

He gently raised his eyes and said, "In your world, it should be called 'magic power,' shouldn't it?"

You nodded slightly, practicing the profound techniques. According to ancient teachings, this is the opening of the divine treasure, the so-called primordial energy divine treasure, which corresponds precisely to the foundation of magical power cultivated by immortals.

[This Lord Zishan must have just emerged from seclusion, yet he already possesses such profound understanding of this world; his character and wisdom are extraordinary.]

"The Purple Mountain Lord continued, 'The Longevity Treasury within the Formless Divine Treasury can be opened nine times. Each opening adds ten Jiazi (60 years) of lifespan. When all nine are combined, it is considered complete, and one attains immortality.'"

[You frowned upon hearing this. Nine cycles of ten Jiazi equal five thousand four hundred years. After reaching perfection, one attains immortality?!]

In this era, even the most supreme grandmasters rarely live past a thousand years.

As for immortality? That's utterly illusory. Even the ancient Heavenly Emperors couldn't achieve immortality and still needed to refine elixirs of immortality to prolong their lives.

Seeing your changing expression, Lord Zishan calmly said, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be surprised. The mysteries of the Divine Treasury are inherently boundless."

"Although the Primordial Qi Divine Treasury can control the primordial energy of a realm, no living being in this realm has ever cultivated it to its fullest potential."

"Similarly, no one has been able to unlock the nine levels of the Longevity Divine Treasury. The fundamental reason lies in the fact that in that great era of antiquity... there was no true method to be passed down."

"To attempt to create unparalleled profound skills within a limited lifespan without the true teachings is nothing short of a fool's dream."

"Legend has it that the Daoist Dingxu achieved perfect merit after establishing the four poles of heaven and earth, and his cultivation reached an unknowable realm. Yet even he devoted the rest of his life to creating these three secrets."

"For us, beings born after death, how incredibly difficult it is to create a profound technique capable of unlocking the divine treasures nine times!"

He gazed at you with a smile, "And the 'Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra' that you just saw contains a complete record of the method to open one of the Nine Divine Treasures—the Dao Heart Divine Treasure."

"Its preciousness... you will understand in time, fellow Daoist."

[Reflecting on this, you appreciate even more the preciousness of the "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra," for this sutra completely records the nine methods for opening the Dao Heart's Divine Treasury.]

[The Purple Mountain Lord's gaze swept over you, scrutinizing you from head to toe, before slowly saying, "Fellow Daoist, your fortune is truly remarkable. To have cultivated the Four Divine Treasures to such a level is the only way to unlock the Myriad Manifestations Divine Path below the Profound Core Realm."]

[Your eyes flickered slightly. The Myriad Manifestations Divine Path, that is, the method that Zishan Jun just used, far surpassing the Dragon Court realm, yet without breaking through the profound realm of the Great Dao Golden Core.]

[It seems the Myriad Manifestations Divine Path is related to the four tangible divine treasures!]

[Zishan Jun said, "The subsequent Divine Treasures of Power and Essence Blood, which are the four tangible divine treasures, both belong to the ultimate realm of 'Body'. When the Divine Treasure of Power is cultivated to a high level, even a human with a naturally weak body can possess the power of an ancient azure dragon to seize stars and grasp the moon."]

"If the essence, blood, and divine treasures reach their peak, one can emulate the heavens and the earth, and be reborn from a drop of blood." You nodded slightly. Currently, regardless of whether it's the righteous path, the demonic path, or the unorthodox path inheriting the traditions of ancient Qi cultivators, all three schools' profound techniques and secret methods possess the ability to unlock the four divine treasures. The only difference lies in the degree of their power, which also distinguishes the level of their lineage.

Even the introductory-level "Five Elements Escape Technique Sword Manual" from Xiao Qingfeng of Fangcun Mountain, though named a sword manual, is in fact the true foundation for cultivating the two divine treasures of primordial energy and longevity.

Not to mention, the Taihua Sect's "Pure Yang Technique" is a method that allows one to cultivate all four tangible divine treasures.

[As you talk, you arrive before the last mural in the main hall.]

[In this meditation hall, the front features a large cauldron, the left side is inscribed with the full text of the Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra, and the right side features a mural depicting a woman.]

This woman wasn't particularly beautiful; she was rather ordinary, with unremarkable features, but her expression was quite gentle.

She was dressed in ancient attire, wearing a hairband woven from fresh flowers, and was squatting in a field bursting with blossoms.

Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her face radiated a genuine, heartfelt smile.

The mural itself is not supernatural; it is merely an ordinary painting, except that the brushstrokes are exceptionally delicate and refined.

The lightning and fire in Zishanjun's hand illuminated the entire mural, and the flickering light and shadow stretched your and his shadows long on the floor of the hall.

You slowly raise your head, gazing at the woman's radiant smile in the painting.

A thought arises in your mind: it seems that the ancient Heavenly Emperor lingered on this wall for a long time.

Zishan Jun smiled sarcastically, "The Heavenly Emperor has married countless wives throughout his life, including noble ladies from the ten great clans and jewels from various prominent families, and the number of children he has borne is beyond counting."

"However, he ultimately killed all his children and wives with his own hands."

"I originally thought he was completely ignorant of love... but I never imagined that the last mural in this Tranquil Heart Hall would depict a woman."

"How ridiculous!"

Purple lightning once more condensed in Zishan Jun's palm, threatening to incinerate the woman's portrait as if it had destroyed the Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra.

But you slowly spoke: "In this world, only deep affection cannot be ridiculed."

Upon hearing this, Lord Zishan's expression shifted slightly, and the flickering arcs of electricity in his hand gradually dissipated.

"Since you say so, fellow Daoist... then please stay."

He glanced around, his tone returning to its usual calm: "It seems there are no other treasures left in this Hall of Tranquility."

"The artifacts and creatures that have survived to this day in the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury are all extraordinary."

You looked at Lord Zishan and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened back then?"

Lord Zishan strolled back into the hall, his gaze falling upon the large cauldron before the mural.

What happened back then?

He gently shook his head. "I don't know either. At that time, Zizhu was already suppressed in the Zizhu Temple... If the Heavenly Emperor had known earlier that Zizhu possessed the talent of rebirth, perhaps... Zizhu would have died completely."

"Although I do not know what happened afterward, I can guess some of the Heavenly Emperor's plans."

"He wants to—devour the heavens!"

"And so... heaven and earth were enraged!"

Zishan Jun's gaze slowly shifted to the ancient, square-shaped cauldron in the center of the mural.

You whispered, repeating, "Swallow the heavens?"

[The Purple Mountain Lord's gaze fell upon the futon on the ground, the very object used by the Heavenly Emperor for meditation in the past.]

He lightly kicked it away, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Bad luck."

Seeing this, you know that this Lord Zishan harbors deep resentment towards the Heavenly Emperor.

[Lord Zishan sat down on the ground, cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing: "Although the ascent to Heaven has begun, the true time has not yet arrived; there is no need to rush."]

"Fellow Daoist, you might as well take this opportunity to further comprehend the Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra."

Seeing his demeanor, it's clear that Lord Zishan is determined to go to Mount Dengtian, yet he seems unhurried. It appears that Mount Dengtian hasn't truly opened yet. After a moment's thought, he responded.

He walked a few steps away from him before calmly sitting down.

[Now you can multitask, leaving a wisp of your primordial spirit to observe your surroundings, while immersing the rest of your mind in the "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra."]

~

Heavenly Emperor's Palace.

Outside the Hall of Tranquility, on the steps.

Tian Jingxu and the others stared at the tightly closed palace doors. A purple lightning bolt formed a barrier at the entrance, like a cascading waterfall separating the inside from the outside.

A day and a night have now passed.

The Heavenly Emperor's Treasury is perpetually shrouded in bright daylight, where the sun and moon never revolve.

Scorpion's figure was completely hidden in the reddish-brown cloak, his expression unreadable, but his posture of gazing at the hall had not changed in the slightest for a long time.

Lu Beiyou and Zhuang Xiuyin stood side by side, each taking a pill and adjusting their breathing to heal their injuries.

Cao An, Gu Yu, and other disciples stood at the rear, their gazes occasionally sweeping across the main hall of Jingxin Temple before quietly returning to Tian Jingxu and the others, an undercurrent surging in the silence.

The group had recovered from the near-death experience.

Facing this residence of the Heavenly Emperor, a few different thoughts inevitably arose in my mind.

With such a heaven-breaking opportunity as the "Heavenly Emperor Heart Sutra," which cultivator in this world would be willing to give it up so easily?

What's more, it's right in front of us right now!
The descending purple lightning bolt appeared particularly dazzling in everyone's eyes at that moment.

At this moment——

Scorpion and Tianjingxu seemed to sense something and turned to look down the steps.

Everyone sensed something and turned their gazes downwards.

From the depths of the clouds and mist, faint fluctuations of energy could be heard.

It seems someone else has trespassed into this secret realm.

Zhuang Xiuyin recognized the people below: "Longquan Sword Sect, Fangcun Mountain..."

Tian Jingxu noticed one of the voices and slowly said, "Xu Wuji!"

(End of this chapter)