Destiny is ashes

Chapter 1110 The Three Emperors' Law (4600)

"True Lord Xuanjing is also looking forward to meeting you."

Huo Qing didn't know who "Sister Jin and True Lord Ye Po" were, but just from the way they were addressed, he felt that they had a close relationship. He subconsciously replied, "When I was on Liu Cui Island, I heard True Lord Xuan Jing lament several times that it was too lonely to start from scratch and expand one's territory alone."

“He won’t be lonely anymore soon.” An Jing was very confident about this: “And it will be very lively. I believe this is a great gift I, as your disciple, will give to my master. Haha, I hope my master can be happy in the Great Wilderness Realm!”

Although Nianquan didn't quite understand why Anjing was so happy, he smiled when he heard the word 'cultivation' and got up to lead the way: "Since you're going into seclusion, let's go to our company's headquarters."

"Thanks to you, the approval process went smoothly all the way. That place is now almost the place with the most abundant spiritual energy in the entire safe zone, outside of the four major groups' grotto-heavens." He paused here and sighed, "But now it seems that the groups' grotto-heavens themselves are filters for purifying demonic energy, so there's no need to trouble the four saints."

“Then let’s go to our company.” An Jing had no objection to this, but he asked expectantly, “How’s the company doing now?”

“Not bad,” Huo Qing said, while An Jing raised an eyebrow but didn’t say “not bad in what way”.

Because he will be able to see it soon.

It's really not bad.

Ping An's headquarters building is located in Chonggang Town, which is situated between the edge of the safe zone and the wilderness. It has an excellent geographical location and would be the best rendezvous point if Beitian Cave returns to Tianyuan in the future.

The company building stands tall and straight, like a sharp sword. If I had to describe it, it would be like a sharp, acute angle, with a transparent top that radiates light because it has gathered so much spiritual energy.

More like a defensive tower than a building, the kind that will immediately start attacking if you buy goods from a non-peaceful general store.

The three entered the building and found the usually bustling office area unusually quiet. Most of the employees were gathered in front of the water screen, watching the live broadcast of the celestial descent and the subsequent news.

The announcer, speaking in a slightly trembling and somewhat agitated tone, urged everyone to remain calm and announced that all work was temporarily suspended and that everyone could rest and await further instructions.

The arrival of An Jing and his group immediately attracted everyone's attention, and the staff recognized Huo Qing and Nian Quan, their two direct superiors, at the first opportunity.

They were initially hesitant about An Jing, but soon they recognized him as the real mastermind behind the scenes.

"Director An!"

The first employee to react exclaimed, followed by a chorus of greetings. An Jing's lips twitched slightly. He had been called a True Man, a Grandmaster, and a Mandate of Heaven, but when he heard the word "Director," he couldn't help but think of the military novels he had read in his previous life. He wanted to laugh a little, but he kept his expression in check and did not lose his composure.

Arriving at the top floor of the building, the core of the entire structure's formation, a spacious hall surrounded by several independent quiet rooms, one can clearly see the still-lingering Taixu Abyss Cave and the afterglow of the eleven Celestial Venerables above the sky through the huge, sharp, transparent dome.

Just now, the Celestial Venerables temporarily left the Tianyuan Realm to discuss matters in the void—they have already said what they could explain to the public, but the specific strategy for dealing with the Holy Demon still needs to be kept secret to prevent the remaining demons in the Tianyuan Realm from leaking the information.

Huo Qing walked to the edge of the dome, looking down at the entire Chonggang Town and the seemingly boundless wilderness that stretched to the ends of the earth.

He couldn't help but say, "I used to think that this world was very, very small... A small town in the safe zone was my whole life. Every day I would go home from the office, and then go from home to the gang's office. On the way, I would eat some delicious mutton soup and vegetable balls. Occasionally, I would go out and fight with monsters and spirit beasts. That's how my life went by."

"But after I met you, I entered Xuan Ye City and No. 3 Middle School. Every day I saw and experienced things that I had never seen or experienced in the past ten years. Because of you, I know what the wilderness outside the safe zone looks like, what the cave heavens beyond the wilderness look like, what the Tianyuan Realm looks like, and even beyond the Tianyuan Realm... Huai Xu Realm, Great Wilderness Realm, and even a larger world."

He turned to look at An Jing and smiled, "I always feel a sense of unreality, because this doesn't seem like the kind of life I could have lived. Perhaps, somewhere, I should have died long ago."

"Among other possibilities."

An Jing looked down at the land and said calmly, "You will indeed die. Because of some wrong choices, because I wasn't strong enough at the time, or... to protect me at the crucial moment of my breakthrough."

“But now, none of this will happen. I resist that future, and I hope you can resist it too.”

"exactly."

Huo Qing raised his hand, and the Hundred Images of the Furnace in his hand swirled and solidified, like a five-pointed star that kept spinning and melting. Because Huo Qing's body and foundation were not damaged, the Hundred Images of the Furnace did not merge with him immediately.

Huo Qing didn't care. He was sensing the attributes of the Furnace of a Hundred Forms and found that it was extremely compatible with him. He didn't need to merge with it; he only needed to learn from it. He could vaguely feel An Jing's control over the power of the five elements.

Nianquan also held a Hundred Forms of the Furnace. His Five Elements complemented the Hundred Forms of the Furnace. In his hand, the Hundred Forms of the Furnace actually took on some form, vaguely transforming into a constantly changing small metal dragon.

He gazed at the small dragon and said softly, "After you came this time, I was actually a little sad. Because I knew you would definitely purge all the evildoers in the big companies, but this is not what I expected."

"My original plan was for the three of us to rebel against the four major groups together, slaughtering those evildoers until their blood flowed like rivers, leaving no one alive..."

But now, that imagined, grand revenge and revolution has been overwhelmed by an even grander torrent.

Under the power of the Celestial Venerable, reform is inevitable, but it will not be so intense. All the trials, reforms, and bloodshed will occur, without exception, but... it will have nothing to do with him.

Nianquan slowly clenched his fist and put the five-colored dragon into his arms. He raised his head and looked at An Jing: "Perhaps among other possibilities, we have accomplished this."

“Yes.” An Jing nodded seriously, giving an affirmative answer: “Of all the other possibilities, we did manage to do it.”

“Since that’s the case,” Nianquan smiled with relief, “then let’s just forget about it for now.”

"If you keep looking back at the past, even a sword will rust."

An Jing didn't say much, but simply patted Nian Quan on the shoulder.

“Begin your training,” he said. “It’s okay if you can’t keep up with me, but it’s best not to fall too far behind—otherwise, I’ll have a hard time in the future.”

"It will not let you down."

The three exchanged a smile, and then tacitly walked in different directions.

Huo Qing and Nian Quan each found a quiet room to experience the grotto-heaven techniques taught by An Jing and the insights gained from the Hundred Forms of the Furnace, while An Jing remained in the center of the main hall.

The cyan jade disc containing the laws of the Three Emperors floated in front of him.

Without the slightest hesitation, An Jing probed into it with his divine sense, and at that very moment, an extremely mysterious feeling descended upon him.

His already completed 'Tai Bai Hao Ling Divine Restriction' involuntarily began to operate, with streaks of platinum-gold divine light flowing around him. Simultaneously, the 'Imperial Book of Heavenly Constitution Profound Imperial Expedition Returning to Origin Secret Scripture,' originating from the leaves of the Undying Tree and containing a portion of the 'Black Emperor's' true techniques, also soared up, manifesting a powerful and awe-inspiring light. At the same time, three vast Daoist auras naturally emerged from the jade disc!
In that instant, An Jing's vision was filled with endless light.

He vaguely saw five towering figures standing at the far end of time and space.

The crimson light was condensed, almost like a born deity, yet generously holding fire, illuminating the ten directions of the world to pave the way. He held talismans in his hand, ignited them into flames, and transformed them into radiance. Within them, countless Dao patterns and divine talismans were born and died, evolving into endless flowing fire.

Talismans

The so-called 'talisman' is a power that requests the arrival of power. Its original meaning is to request, to exchange, and it is also a primordial power, an evolution of the Tao and Qi. Practitioners use the talisman as the source to command the heavens, and use the talisman of heaven and earth to shape the Qi, thereby borrowing great power and forming thousands of incredible abilities.

However, for this 'Emperor Yan', the object of the talisman was not heaven and earth, but himself.

He is a born god, a sacred being among mortals from the moment of his birth. He is made of steel and iron, impervious to swords and blades. His eyes can unleash fiery light that melts everything, and his breath can absorb all heat and freeze all things. Even simply by bathing in sunlight, his body can grow stronger without end.

At that time, the human race was at war with a great enemy, who were also born spirit beasts and divine beasts. In order to protect the tribe and to enable other vulnerable people to become 'sacred' like himself, the 'Child of Flame' decided to share his power.

That is the origin of the 'symbol'.

Just like the sun, its light shines on everyone. As long as there is a 'talisman' and permission, the power of the Child of Flame can be shared with all other cultivators who hold 'talismans'. They can possess the power of the Child of Flame, release divine light, transform into a copper-headed, iron-armed being, absorb heat energy, and unleash all sorts of incredible divine power.

Based on the primordial power of the Son of Flame, people developed thousands upon thousands of different supernatural abilities, and all these supernatural abilities, experiences, and insights were fed back to the Son of Flame, making the source of talismans even more powerful.

The Child of Flame does not need to ponder more complex 'heretical paths'; He only needs to cultivate His mind, that 'mind' that can bear countless powers and be used freely. This is the Flame that 'illuminates the world', the 'original seal of the true spirit'.

Because He believes in all living beings, and all living beings believe in Him, He can reach infinity.

This is the essence and origin of 'talismans'.

【——The blazing light illuminates the true essence of the world——】

Then, the light of Qinghua condensed, becoming the compassionate one who saves all beings from suffering and seeks the path to immortality and freedom. It transformed into a divine tree, its branches and leaves blocking out the sun. Countless plants and trees rose from the ground, giving rise to endless creations. Between the withering and flourishing of plants and trees, life cycles, and then a point of immortal and indestructible true spirit nature is condensed.

【Dan】

The so-called elixir is a refined and sublimated essence. Its source is the unchanging, the original, the rising essence and qi. Cultivators continuously refine, cultivate, and polish their acquired things, thereby restoring the inherent, decayed acquired to the original, innate, and immortal, and thus achieving self-realization.

But where did the original 'elixir' come from? Was it from boiling herbs or smelting metals and stones?

The answer is neither.

The true elixir originates from reincarnation, from the enlightenment that comes after the soul is reborn and the mystery of the womb is solved.

Without the birth of life, there would be no death; and without the contrast of death, life would be nothing more than an ordinary phenomenon. It is because of death that happiness has meaning, and suffering can be perceived as grief.

However, in that era, there was too much sorrow, too little joy, too much death, and too little life. No matter how long one lived, it would be meaningless, because every living being had to suffer, and was born again and again from a state of confusion, beginning to suffer from the moment of ignorance.

Since that's the case, let's hope that enlightenment comes sooner rather than later.

A mind, a soul, or rather, the first person in recorded history to unravel the mystery of the womb and complete reincarnation, decided to pass on his experiences and lessons to everyone, condense his soul, true spirit, and mind, and melt everything into a 'golden, round, indestructible, unchanging, and immortal elixir'.

That was the beginning of 'Dan'.

From refining oneself into an elixir, to refining external objects into an elixir, from fusing all differences into one elixir, and from one elixir evolving into all things, the elixir is the elixir, the essence of life, the condensation of the soul, immortality, sublimation and liberation, rebirth after death, longevity, salvation from suffering, perfection, and the source of enlightenment.

Because of enlightenment, one can transcend suffering; because one can awaken again after death, longevity is imprinted on the soul; because the withering and flourishing of plants is a manifestation of reincarnation, Qinghua is His name.

Because they firmly believe that the immortality and liberation of the soul is the ultimate path, they practice it without hesitation, and thus they can reach infinity.

This is the essence and origin of 'Dan'.

【——The True Scripture of Qinghua for Salvation from Suffering and Longevity——】

A profound, dark yellow radiance flowed forth, enveloping everything. It was the one who stood tall, reaching to the heavens, suppressing the world with his body and protecting it with his heart, creating the primordial peace of the world. Where he stood, mountains were the foundation, hills were the symbols, rivers were the veins, lakes were the eyes of spiritual convergence, and billions of living beings were all part of the array.

【Formation】

The so-called formation is the power of transforming the power of heaven and earth and the intelligence of all beings into one's own power. It is a method of returning the infinitesimal to oneness through order and coordination. Just as infinite particles constitute matter, and infinite dust builds earth and stone, and infinite earth and stone build the stable earth that bears all things, the earth and stone that bear the power of heaven and remain unmoved is the manifestation of the Dao.

The original formation did not originate from the great formation of heaven and earth, but from a massive flood.

It was an unbelievable disaster. Endless floodwaters poured down from the cracks in the sky. It is said that it was a consequence of a fierce war. A world filled with water was connected to the homeland. The endless floodwaters threatened to submerge everything. In its presence, mountains were submerged, towns were washed away, and even dikes became fragile and vulnerable with each erosion.

At that time, only people could fill in.

First came cultivators, then mortals, carrying sand, mud, rocks, and even mountains. The gods who could move mountains contributed their strength, and the mortals who could carry sandbags also contributed theirs. Regardless of strength or size, everyone was reinforcing that final dam. Those billions of coordinated figures, that will that merged countless details into one, that belief that elevated all individuals into civilization, that determination that condensed all wills into sacredness...

That magnificent power that, without prior agreement, embraced all differences, all forces, and all distinctions, and ultimately created a new world...

That was the beginning of the 'array'.

How to coordinate disparate forces, how to categorize them, promote each other, and direct them to where they are most needed, thereby condensing numerous minute forces into a larger and more concentrated torrent; how to integrate the will and wisdom of heaven and earth, and humanity, to create entirely new creations...

From the very beginning, what was needed was not just oneself; to protect the world, it required the divine power of the entire world itself. The so-called Tianyuan is everything under heaven and earth, because only 'one' is His pursuit, hence 'one beginning' is His name.

Because it is with everyone from the very beginning, this great love that transforms the power of all beings into an array can reach infinity.

This is the essence and origin of the 'array'.

【——The Primordial Heavenly Origin, Protecting the World with Profound and Spiritual Dharma——】

(End of this chapter)