Great Love for All Heavens Begins with Huang Yaoshi

Chapter 269 People all fear death and yearn for life, but they know that life and death are of the same origin.

"Chenxiang, you're quite the joker. Aren't you worried at all about not being able to borrow the Heaven-Opening Axe?"

But inside the cave, it was covered in ice and snow, extremely cold, and the voice of the Snow God echoed endlessly within.

"If you cannot borrow the divine axe, you will never be able to rescue the Third Holy Mother who is imprisoned on Mount Hua."

"You seem more concerned than I am about whether we can borrow the Heaven-Opening Axe," the white-haired, brown-robed youth said lazily.

"If that's the case, you might as well let me pass the first test, and then you can try to persuade the God of Power and the God of Death. That way, you can also gain your freedom."

"You should know that you have been guarding the Heaven-Opening Axe for millions of years. This is no different from being imprisoned."

“I feel sorry for you, and I think you have gone too far in blaming the gods. Once I get the Heaven-Opening Axe, I can help you get revenge.”

“Agarwood, don’t think you can get past the first hurdle by getting close to me. I, the Snow God, am omnipresent. I exist not only in the cave, but also anywhere in the Three Realms.”

The white-haired, brown-clad youth sighed:
"Having seen through human nature, one knows the thickness of paper; having traversed the world's paths, one finds mountains flat. I think you shouldn't be called the Snow God, but rather the God of Indifference."

"By sheer luck, I am the Snow God, and also the God of Indifference. You only need to melt the snow in one of my caves, and you will pass this test."

"Snow God, do you think I can melt a whole cave of snow?"

“I don’t think so. You’ve lived eighty years in this mortal world, yet you’ve neglected your own mother. While you appear to be dutiful to your father until his death, it’s actually just that you want a comfortable and carefree life.”

"Furthermore, you were born indifferent to many things and took a detached view of everything in the world except yourself."

"The reason you planned to cause chaos in the Heavenly Palace was simply because the Heavenly Court was pressuring you too much, so you stole the immortal pill for your own use, gained great magical power, and hoped to return to the peaceful days of the past."

Zhuang Bu Ran smiled and said:

"Then why do you think I should make a bet?"

"It's just a perfunctory act. You feel that since the Third Holy Mother gave birth to you, you should take some action. But whether you succeed or not, whether you can be rescued or not, you don't care at all, because you think that's enough."

“Chenxiang, you have no compassion for saving all sentient beings in the Three Realms, and you are even more perfunctory in trying to save your own mother.”

"You came to borrow the divine axe simply because you were willing, and you came on a whim."

The white-haired boy in brown clothes smiled.

"You, the God of Indifference, not only talkative, but also unlike the God of Snow, could it be that the extreme of Yin gives rise to Yang, thus giving you a warm heart?"

He opened his arms and said:

"Yet you do not know what it means to harm all things without being violent, or to benefit all generations without being benevolent."

Instantly, the ice and snow inside the cave melted at a visible speed, accompanied by the sound of dripping water. The Snow God spoke in a mysterious tone:
"Having comprehended the Way of Heaven, one's compassion is hidden in solemnity, and one's good intentions are concealed in austerity. This is not because one is cold-hearted or ungrateful, but because one follows the rules of creation and upholds the righteousness of the Great Void."

"Chenxiang, you've taught me a lesson today. You've passed this test."

The white-haired, brown-clad youth saw a passage appear inside the cave. He walked straight to the end of the passage and entered a pitch-black space, where he heard the voice of the God of Power:

"Agarwood, congratulations on passing the first test of the God of Indifference."

"Although you are an ancient god, please stop playing tricks and tell me how to pass the second level."

Why do you always have to go through the second hurdle?

"You mean I can borrow the divine axe without passing the second test? I didn't realize you were more humane than the Snow God."

God of Power: "."

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you helping me get the divine axe?"

“Chenxiang, this is not a place for jokes.”

"Oh, is it so."

The white-haired, brown-clad youth said listlessly:

"You're allowed to talk nonsense, but I'm not allowed to joke?"

"Alright, I just wanted to tell you that you don't need to borrow the divine axe to do what you want. You have completely refined the elixir you ate. You just need to eat the wick of the Lotus Lantern and then use your own blood to revive the Lotus Lantern and become one with it."

"Then you will possess boundless magical power that is unprecedented in history. At that time, how could Erlang Shen, Li Tianwang, Nezha, the Four Heavenly Kings and others be your match? You will be able to easily suppress them."

"With just a little more effort, the position of the Jade Emperor will be yours for the taking, so why would you need any divine axe?"

"When you become the ruler of the Three Realms, all matters in the world can be decided with a single word."

Zhuang Buran said with great interest:
“Your words are quite pleasing to the ear. Thinking about it, it makes sense. People often say that the emperor’s surname is Liu, so he should be the supreme ruler. Since I am surnamed Liu and have boundless magical power, I should sit on the throne.”

As he spoke these words, the atmosphere in the Lingxiao Palace became heavy. The Jade Emperor sighed deeply on his throne: "Your Majesty, I shouldn't have gone along with your wishes and made that bet with Liu Chenxiang about splitting Mount Hua. Now that he has obtained a method that can make him invincible in the Three Realms, there's no need for such trouble."

"If he's willing, Heaven will truly change its ruler. What do you think we should do now?"

"This"

The Queen Mother looked embarrassed and regretful, unsure how to answer.

On the other side, light appeared in the dark space, revealing layers of stairs leading directly to the throne at the top.

"Chenxiang, since you say so, why don't you sit on the throne above?"

"I don't know if you're stupid or I'm stupid. As beings capable of longevity, why would you go through the trouble of becoming the ruler of the Three Realms?"

"Wouldn't it be better to live a carefree life, doing whatever I want? For me, living unrestrained and as I please is much more comfortable than being the so-called Jade Emperor."

The white-haired, brown-clad youth said leisurely:
"When the sky falls, there are tall people; when the water floods, there are short people. I just like to stay in the middle, which saves me a lot of trouble."

"Of course, it's also because I don't like meddling in other people's business. My greatest ability is to lie still and not move. I feel that as long as I'm doing right by myself, I can leave the rest to karma."

The God of Power sighed helplessly:

"Alas, how can there be someone like you in this world, who has not a single desire for power?"

He paused and continued:

"I've come to understand that laziness is a privilege of heaven, and that good-for-nothings are the chosen ones. It's not easy for a person to do nothing with a clear conscience."

"Therefore, laziness is a talent, but more importantly, it is a powerful mindset. It is because of this that you have the composure to remain calm in the face of honor or disgrace, and the indifference to staying or leaving."

Zhuang Buran clapped his hands in praise:
"As expected of an ancient god, you speak so pleasantly to the Snow God. If you're so good at talking, then say more. What you're saying now is no nonsense."

“Chenxiang, I am the God of Power and the God of Temptation. You have passed my test, but you have truly missed an unprecedented opportunity.”

"How boring. It's as if just because I have the Heaven-Opening Axe, I can't dethrone the Jade Emperor from his position as the ruler of the Three Realms."

"Once I obtain the divine axe, with its earth-shattering power, I will follow the method you previously suggested and gain boundless magical power unprecedented in history. Without any major actions, not only will I become the new Jade Emperor, but I can even become the Supreme Emperor of Heaven, that is, the current Jade Emperor's father."

“Look at my full head of white hair, while the Jade Emperor has a head of long, black hair. The title of the Supreme Emperor of Heaven is clearly more suitable for me.”

God of Power: "."

Jade Emperor: "."

Queen Mother: "."

Immortals: "."

“Even if you have the will, and you do see the divine axe, you will not be able to lift it,” the God of Power said to the white-haired, brown-robed youth.

Zhuang Buran waved his hand and walked towards another passage that had appeared.

“Chenxiang, congratulations on passing the trials of the God of Indifference and the God of Temptation. If you can pass my trial, you will be able to see the Divine Axe.”

"So, as the Grim Reaper, you don't actually want me to die once, do you?"

"A person as eccentric and intelligent as you is truly rare in the Three Realms."

Death said in a low voice:
"Sometimes life has no value, but death does. In such a situation, would you choose life or death?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Buran couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Although I am a casual and lazy person, every time I dream, I dream that I am a good person who saves the common people."

"Among them are either world-saving heroes who risk their lives, or peerless sword immortals who uphold righteousness, ward off evil, and eliminate demons."

"Death, it seems you can finally grant me my dream today."

“Agarwood, I have to tell you, what I asked you to do is not a dream, you will really die. There is a place infected by a plague, and hundreds of people are dying every day. Only your divine blood can cure the plague.”

"Furthermore, because your divine blood possesses boundless elixir power, it can save countless people, but this means you must give up your own life."

Zhuang Bu Ran clapped his hands and laughed:
“Excellent. I have experienced all kinds of life and death in my dreams, but I have never experienced death like this.”

"Are you really not afraid of death?" Death asked with a hint of surprise.

"People all fear death and cherish life, but they know that life and death are of the same origin. Life is a temporary lodging, and death is the final destination. If one knows that one is a guest in heaven and earth while alive, one can enjoy a carefree journey when dead."

Zhuang Buran smiled brightly:
"Death, take me to the Plaguelands at once!"

(End of this chapter)