HSSB1164: Heavenly Lords of Daoism
âThe Exalted Solar Luminary, Gao Hanâ¦â Yan Zhaoge felt rather dissatisfied as he considered this.
It was doubtless that he was a part of someoneâs scheme.
While the other partyâs actual target might not be him, he was being used as a part of the process.
Yan Di too frowned.
âNo matter,â Yan Zhaoge suddenly laughed after pondering for a bit, âWe can all just take what we need. Most importantly, let us see who will still be laughing at the end.â
âHe wishes to borrow your hand, mother, to sweep the Exalted Fire Luminary into this. There must surely be a reason for this. If we can understand where the problem lies, there might still be room for us to manoeuvre.â
Xue Chuqing said slowly, âThe greatest possibility still lies with the ideological split in the World beyond Worlds from back then.â
As there was only a single disciple per generation and their predicament was perilous, descendants of the Bright Connection Emperorâs lineage would often unreservedly transmit all they knew to their disciples lest the knowledge be lost for good.
Therefore, Xue Chuqing knew of many secrets which others were not privy to.
âThe most initial World beyond Worlds experienced much bloodshed and dark times before things gradually stabilised,â Xue Chuqing said, âEven then, there was still an ideological split between the bigwigs at the top till irreconcilable differences ultimately appeared and they split apart.â
âSome left while others remained. Those who remained ultimately solidified the World beyond Worldsâ current state which has persisted till today.â
Here, Xue Chuqing suddenly halted.
âI already know of the matters regarding Buddhism, the Immortal Court and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord,â Yan Zhaoge smiled.
Hearing this, Xue Chuqingâs expression instantly changed greatly, âYou have yet to reach the Human Exalt stageâ¦â
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands dismissively, âRelax, Iâm fine. Just as you are unaffected due to the half of the River Diagram that you possess, I too have my ways.â
âWhile the Dim Radiant Emperorâs Dim Radiant Wheel remains uncompleted, I carefully analysed the concept of peerless infinity within such that with the help of the treasure, the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord cannot plant a seed within me.â
Hearing this, Xue Chuqingâs expression eased greatly though she still looked somewhat worried.
âSo what were you saying regarding the World beyond Worlds?â Yan Zhaoge changed the topic.
Xue Chuqing gazed deeply at him before exhaling slowly.
âSince you already know about it, I can speak freely then,â She said slowly, âThe Grand Clear direct lineage is rare as the new Kunlun Nine Luminaries who established the World beyond Worlds were all of the Jade Clear direct lineage.â
âStill, there were divisions amongst them which became irreconcilable in the end, leading to them ultimately splitting up.â
âOne faction preferred stable development and accumulation as we silently await the chance to lead our orthodox Daoism back to its former glory.â
âThe other was radical in comparison as they believed that even as we accumulate our strength, there is still a need for us to hinder the development of the external daoâs Immortal Court.â
Xue Chuqing said, âThe Earthly and Concealed Sovereigns are obviously under the former. The Astro Sovereign who later stayed in the World beyond Worlds as well held a relatively neutral stance.â
âAs for the latter faction, it consisted of the Exalted Solar Luminary, the Exalted Lunar Luminary as well as my Great Grand Master.â
âFather-in-law and the Exalted Rahu Luminary need not be mentioned as they died rather early. The Exalted Fire Luminary was neutral just like the Astro Sovereign,â Xue Chuqing paused momentarily before saying, âAccording to Grand Master, rather than saying that the Exalted Fire Luminary was neutral on the subject, it is more like he did not have a definite stance.â
Yan Zhaoge looked at Xue Chuqing, âWait a moment, mother. If the Exalted Wood Luminary was of the radical faction, the lineage of the Bright Connection Emperor that you are fromâ¦â
âWe deliberately concealed it, of course, and lay low over here,â Xue Chuqing said matter-of-factly.
Yan Zhaogeâs face twitched slightly, âYes, a very successful undercover job. Even the Dim Radiant Emperor was dragged into thisâ¦â
Xue Chuqing said solemnly, âMay the sacrifice of the Dim Radiant Emperor never be forgotten. These merits of his should be remembered by all disciples of orthodox Daoism.â
âSo the rumours were true?â Yan Zhaoge immediately turned solemn too, âWhat exactly does that Heavenly Essence Stone do?â
Xue Chuqing said slowly, âIf the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord obtains the completely Heavenly Essence Stone, he will be able to easily illuminate and convert all of our orthodox Daoism. Even Immortals will have seals embedded within their souls when they hear of his name. So long as the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord is willing, just a single thought would be sufficient to turn us all into his believers!â
Yan Zhaoge tapped on his forehead as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
There had not been any information regarding the Heavenly Essence Stone amongst the records of the Heavenly Courtâs Divine Palace.
Was it that this had only appeared after the Great Calamity or were its origins even more obscure and mysterious than he thought?
âMother, where exactly is that Heavenly Essence Stone fragment now?â Yan Zhaoge asked, âIs it really in your possession?â
Xue Chuqing shook her head, âIt once was, but no longer.â
She pointedly scanned the surrounding heavens and earth with her gaze, âNow, it is everywhere.â
âSo junior apprentice-sister Sikong and the others are reallyâ¦â
âSo junior apprentice-niece Sikong and the others are reallyâ¦â
Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di realised what this entailed at once.
âIt looks like a child amongst them entered Broad Creed Mountain? You have also interacted with more than a single one?â Xue Chuqing nodded, âYes, thatâs right. It is exactly as you are guessing.â
Yan Di said slowly, âIn that case, the World beyond Worlds also benefited from the Dim Radiant Emperorâs actions.â
âThe Earthly Sovereign and the others may well be aware of this,â Xue Chuqing sighed, âEven so, they cannot admit it lightly on the surface. Maybe only time can return justice to the Dim Radiant Emperor and Grand Master.â
âWhat exactly are the origins of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord?â Yan Di asked in a heavy tone, âSince when did Daoism produce such a figure?â
Xue Chuqing shook her head slowly, âNo one knows exactly how this came about, but it is definite that he was once one of Daoismâs Heavenly Lords!â
âOtherwise, even with the Heavenly Essence Stone, it would be impossible for him to illuminate us descendants of orthodox Daoism so easily.â
Yan Zhaoge gazed into the skies, âHeavenly Lordâ¦is it?â
Heavenly Lord here was more of a title rather than referring to a cultivation realm.
The three Heavenly Lords who were the founders of the Three Clear lineages were naturally incomparable to the likes of the Broad Accomplishment Heavenly Lord and the (Heavenly) Lord of Plentiful Treasure.
As for the legendary Daoist Suppressing Land, Primordial Suppressing Immortal and the Four Imperials of Daoism etcetera, no one would doubt their strength despite âHeavenly Lordâ being absent from their titles.
Not all peak experts would be called Heavenly Lords.
Still, all experts who had the title of Heavenly Lord would be extraordinary.
âSince he is able to fight toe-to-toe with the Future Buddha, he must have advanced atop his original foundation?â Yan Zhaoge murmured, âBut if he has advanced his cultivation base, doesnât it meanâ¦â
He rubbed his temples, âHow many of Daoismâs peak figures made it through the Great Calamity? One of these limited few people who also has the ability to achieve this-that narrows it further.â
âStill, most of Daoismâs bigwigs vanished as whether they are dead or alive is unknown. Thus, it is difficult to guess which of them the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord was,â Xue Chuqing said, âAs for those who can we know for sure are still alive, I am aware of three of them.â