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

Chapter 632 Old Friends Meet Again, the Road to Heaven Opens!

[As you travel along the night-ship summoned by Danling, you feel a spatial fluctuation, and your figure appears in another world.]

In just a few breaths, they had already traveled thousands of miles away.

This is the law of space!

Such supernatural abilities are almost extinct in this world. Even storage bags only exist in ancient ruins, and no weapon-refining sect can now forge them.

Each piece is a rare treasure; once used, it's gone forever.

[Whether it's the righteous path, the demonic sect, or the heretical sect, none of their cultivation manuals contain the slightest record of spatial supernatural abilities.]

[However, the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury is permeated with the aura of spatial magic, whether it's the Langya Heavenly Realm, this newly opened independent space, or the teleportation arrays scattered throughout the land.]

Even the night-traveling ship piloted by the Danling before us faintly exudes the mysteries of spatial power.

You couldn't help but ask, "Was the art of space already so prevalent in ancient times?"

"Just how many spatial magic arrays are still stored in the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury?"

[Zishan Jun gazed at the night-traveling ship and shook his head slightly: "Even in ancient times, such supernatural abilities were extremely rare."]

"Among the true spirits, only the Taotie and the Zhulong, one of the legendary ancestral dragons, possess even a slight understanding of this Dao."

[Dan Ling lightly withdrew her hand seals, and the night-traveling ship slowly emerged from the spatial passage, gradually slowing down until it came to a stop.]

He spoke calmly and slowly, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are unaware of this."

"Heavenly Emperor, my father is a master of spatial magic."

[Zishan Jun nodded in agreement, saying, "In ancient times, even without a Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Emperor could roam freely throughout the world, and all races treated him as an honored guest."]

[You nodded slightly upon hearing this, understanding dawning on you. That made sense—you couldn't help but recall the mummified corpse before you, its space swirling with fluid currents.]

[A Heavenly Emperor who cultivates both the "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra" and wields the divine power of spatial creation... Thinking of this, you couldn't help but feel even more cautious.]

The night-traveling ship slowly emerged from the void, like a light boat parting the waves.

The three of you looked up and saw three figures standing silently waiting not far away.

[Dan Ling's gaze swept over them; with his cultivation and eyesight, he naturally saw through the true nature of the three at a glance.]

[Danling let out a soft exclamation: "So it was a true spirit who attained enlightenment through cultivation with immortal herbs?"]

Lord Zishan raised an eyebrow slightly. He had seen these three men before at the Zizhu Temple, and out of consideration for their difficult cultivation, he had spared their lives then.

You glanced at one of the familiar figures, somewhat surprised, yet a smile involuntarily crept onto your lips.

[As Ant Master watched the fading, illusory ship silhouette, the figures of the three gradually became clearer in the dissipating light.]

[Especially since Lord Zishan's gaze had silently fallen upon them, as imposing as a mountain overlooking an abyss.]

Those who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Lord Zishan were no ordinary people. The three knew this, and dared not speculate, much less look directly at him.

[Master Duobao and Lady Qingshan were caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to step forward to pay their respects or pretend not to see them.]

[Recalling the terrifying nature of Lord Zishan, Lady Qingshan was about to speak, though she was hesitant!]

[Ant Master's voice rang out first, filled with surprise, blurting out: "Nian Wubei, Brother Nian!"]

[Lady Green Mountain and Master Duobao were both taken aback, their gazes falling on Master Yi's astonished donkey-like face.]

Could it be that this old ant is acquainted with one of those three?

You raised your hand and touched the tip of your nose, only then remembering that when you met the Ant Master at Fangcun Mountain, you had borrowed the identity of "Old Man," Nian Wubei.

Danling and Zishanjun, standing to the side, remained calm. They already knew you hadn't revealed your real name initially, and were used to it.

You greeted him with a smile, "Brother Ant, how have you been?"

If it weren't for this Ant Immortal, you wouldn't have been able to cultivate the "Seven Treasures Mystic Manual."

The Ant Daoist clicked his tongue, momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. After a long pause, he asked in surprise, "Fellow Daoist Nian... Fellow Daoist Zhou, how did you come to this Eastern Qingzhou?"

You smiled and cupped your hands in greeting: "Brother Ant, you're too kind. Just call me Zhou Jing."

"This is a long story. But Brother Ant, how did you get into the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury? As far as I know, shouldn't this place only house the Three Paths and the Dragon Clan?"

[Hearing you address me as "brother," Ant Master felt somewhat reassured—in the world, one's reputation is earned through one's own efforts.]

He hesitated slightly, glanced at the silent Duobao Zhenren and Qingshan Niangniang beside him, and finally recounted in detail how he entered the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury and went to Huanghua Temple.

[You never expected that the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury could be breached by the True Spirit Treasure Rat, the Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant, and even a Green Mountain Lady.]

As for the snakehead fish that accompanied them, which was killed by Lord Zishan, True Person Ant wisely refrained from mentioning it.

[Huang Huaguan's subsequent account largely aligned with Danling's words, except that the white-clad woman's methods were even more astonishing: not only did she easily seize the gourd vine, but she also cleaved through the void, bringing her entourage across the boundary, and vanished without a trace in an instant.]

[After Master Ant finished speaking, you had already brought Lord Zishan and Danling to the three of them.]

Lady Qingshan curtsied and respectfully greeted the black-haired youth, saying, "Greetings, Lord Zishan."

[Since both being bamboo cultivators, she held this being who attained enlightenment through purple bamboo in the highest esteem, especially since she herself had once harbored lustful desires for its physical form.]

[Lord Zishan simply nodded slightly. This time, his acquisition of the "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra" at the Meditation Center was far smoother than in his previous life. Now, with Danling and Zhou Jing accompanying him on their journey to Mount Tian, ​​his mood was quite pleasant.]

[I have no intention of killing Lady Qingshan and her two companions.]

Seeing this, Master Duobao quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Zishan."

Only Ant Master remained rooted to the spot, seemingly still in shock.

In the world of cultivation, strength reigns supreme; this is an unshakeable truth.

The three women, including Lady Qingshan, were quite uneasy upon arriving at this point. Having encountered Lord Zishan and then the even more mysterious woman in white, they could only stand still, not daring to utter a sound.

【Just at this moment——】

The entire Mount Dengtian suddenly trembled, the violent shaking drawing everyone's attention.

Four staircases descended vertically, each topped with a treasure enveloped in radiant light.

You look up and whisper, "Is this... the path to heaven?"

[After the Dharma-ending Age, a spiritual tide rises again, and there have only been two instances of ascension in the world—the sinking of the Three Immortals and the Xie Temple of the Great Qi.]

Only when the path to heaven is revealed can one have the chance to ascend to immortality.

Could today be the day of ascension?

The three Ant Immortals were visibly shocked. Six thousand years had passed, and yet someone else was about to tread the path to heaven!

[But you noticed the four ladders to heaven, and a thought flickered in your mind: Could it be that all four are allowed to ascend together?]

Ancient texts record that for every ladder to heaven that appears, a certain number of people ascend to immortality.

[Could it be that only four people will attain enlightenment today?]

At this moment, Danling's voice rang out: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, is this your first time seeing the Path to Heaven?"

He sensed your doubt and patiently explained, "This is not an opportunity for ascension. This path to heaven has been opened three times since ancient times."

The three Ant Masters were shocked. The ancient era had actually manifested three times?

[Zishan Jun's voice was deep as he continued, "The ancient Heavenly Emperor opened the path to Heaven three times, but alas... all ended in failure."] ["This time, it must be the fourth."]

[You suddenly realize—this path to heaven wasn't a natural occurrence, but rather forcibly opened by the Heavenly Emperor with his supreme power.]

The Heavenly Emperor desires to ascend to the heavens!

Danling suddenly interrupted, "This isn't the fourth time, it's the fifth."

His voice was low and somber: "The fourth attempt to ascend to heaven... has failed, and the Heavenly Emperor perished as a result."

"On that day, all living beings in the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury... were wiped out."

"With the death of the Heavenly Emperor, the spiritual tide receded, and all races perished, thus ushering in the Age of Dharma Decline for this world."

Danling's words slowly echoed through this space.

The crowd fell silent, as if drawn by those words, as if transported back to the distant past, witnessing firsthand the great annihilation that shook the universe.

[The Purple Mountain Lord's gaze burned as he looked at the four Heavenly Ladders, and he said in a deep voice, "With the Heavenly Ladders reopening this time, the Heavenly Emperor... will surely appear again!"]

Upon hearing this, you looked up into the depths of the heavens. With your keen eyesight, you glimpsed a gigantic, illusory square cauldron suspended atop the four ascension platforms.

[The Kunxu Cauldron!?]

[The moment this thought arose, you immediately rejected it. The great cauldron before you is completely different from the ancient, magnificent artifact within the Meditation Center, which exudes a primordial, chaotic aura.]

Could it be... a defective product?

[The Heavenly Emperor forged it!?]

Dan Ling's expression was complex as she gazed silently at the illusory cauldron floating in the air.

At this moment, the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury shone brightly in all directions, and four magnificent and transparent staircases leading to the heavens appeared majestically, projected across the entire world, like divine bridges connecting the ages.

[In the Four Heavenly Emperors' Palaces, the Heavenly Emperor's Garden, the Heavenly Emperor's Ranch... across all regions, long-dormant teleportation arrays lit up one after another.]

The cultivators who had originally entered the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury, scattered in various locations, were all enveloped in rays of light and instantly transported to the vicinity of Mount Dengtian.

Thousands of beams of light shot into the sky, illuminating the heavens and earth, making the entire world seem as if it had returned to a magnificent ancient scene.

You survey the gradually lighting teleportation arrays around you, and understand that all disciples from various sects, or other beings, currently within the treasure vault will be transported to this Ascending Heaven Mountain.

Suddenly, ripples spread out in the distance, revealing a group of figures amidst beams of light.

[These were Tianjing Xu, Xu Wuji, Lu Beiyou, Fairy Yaotai, Fangcun Mountain, Ziyang Academy, Daoling Sect, and their remaining disciples.]

They had just been searching for the teleportation array when they were suddenly enveloped in spatial light and found themselves in this world against their will.

Even Feng Qingyun and the remaining disciples of the Taihua Sect, who originally did not want to get involved.

[Beams of light gradually appeared.]

[Yue Yunqing and the remaining disciples of the Heretical Supreme Dharma Sect also appeared not far away.]

[There were also some unfamiliar people, including members of the righteous Tianxuan Sect, who had also suffered casualties, leaving only a few survivors.]

All disciples from various sects who entered this place have gathered here.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, all fixed on the four staircases leading to the heavens atop this magnificent sacred mountain.

Your gaze swept around, but you couldn't find the woman in white or the group from Golden Gourd Mountain.

[It was also noted that the three supreme grandmasters of the human race who were trapped here, as well as the West Sea Dragon King, were not here.]

Even if you recall that there were members of the Four Seas Dragon Clan inside the treasure vault, not a single one was to be found.

The crowd's gazes shifted and then quickly settled on where you were.

[Yue Yunqing glanced at you and saw you standing side by side with Li Luosheng and a strange man, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.]

[Tian Jingxu and the others also turned their gazes over, lingering briefly on the three of you, a hint of apprehension flashing in their eyes.]

However, someone in the crowd quickly recognized the identities of the other three people beside you.

"Master Duobao..."

"Lady Qingshan! And who is that old Taoist priest beside you?"

"Having survived the Second Heavenly Tribulation, how did they enter the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury?"

Some disciples familiar with the East Sea gasped in low voices, their tone filled with disbelief.

[The three Ant Masters kept their eyes down, seemingly indifferent, quietly following behind Zhou Jing and his companions like servants.]

Just then, on the westernmost ladder to heaven, a figure began to ascend, stepping through the air.

【"This is……?"】

Everyone looked up and saw two figures appear on the Heavenly Ladder. A barefoot boy in black stood against the wind, his sleeves fluttering, ascending the steps; closely following behind him was a young man with dragon horns on his head, respectfully following step by step.

Master Duobao's gaze sharpened, and he immediately recognized the latter: "It's the Crown Prince of the East Sea!"

"And who is that person ahead? Could it be... also a member of the True Dragon Clan?"

The disciples of all the other sects recognized the Crown Prince of the East Sea, but none of them recognized the young man in black; they were filled with surprise and uncertainty.

"Is it him?"

A knowing smile appeared in Zishan Jun's eyes. "Unexpected... but then again, only he could sleep here forever, living to this day."

Danling frowned and said in a deep voice, "This is troublesome!"

A thought stirred within you; from their conversation, you deduced that this barefoot, black-clad youth must be a figure from ancient times.

[Zishan Jun turned to you and solemnly explained, "Ao Ming of the Dragon Clan, a distant ancestor of the Dragon Clan. In ancient times, he reversed his bloodline, pushed the five-clawed golden dragon to its ultimate form, and ultimately gave birth to a peerless being with a sixth claw."]

"He was defeated by the Heavenly Emperor and imprisoned forever in the treasure vault."

"Ao Ming has cultivated the four tangible divine treasures to their peak in this realm... The Heavenly Emperor used his essence blood to activate the entire treasure vault."

[Ao Ming, the ancient ancestor of the dragon race! The true dragon who gave birth to the sixth claw.]

Your gaze swept over the dragon prince who followed closely behind, and you understood—the dragons' entry into the treasure vault was likely to awaken this ancient dragon ancestor.

【At this very moment!】

On the northern ladder to heaven, another figure quietly appeared.

[Tian Jingxu and the others' expressions changed drastically.]

[Both Zishan Jun and Dan Ling's pupils constricted, their eyes fixed intently on the figure—]

It was a mummified corpse!

[The remains of the Heavenly Emperor are enshrined in the Meditation Hall!]

Zishan Jun's voice trembled as he murmured, "Heavenly Emperor..."

The desiccated corpse ascended the steps, and suddenly two clusters of scarlet will-o'-the-wisps ignited in its empty eye sockets.

PS: The Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault storyline should be ending soon, and the ending will be unexpected.

(End of this chapter)