"This item is rumoured to be known as the Heavenly Essence Stone."
Cao Jie said slowly, "I was only told of this after I had attained the Human Exalt stage."
Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di both focused their gazes on the Southeastern Exalt Cao Jie.
Cao Jie's tone was rather ethereal, "It is said that the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord is searching for a treasure known as the Heavenly Essence Stone."
"If this treasure falls into his hands, not only would martial practitioners beneath the Human Exalt realm be illuminated just from hearing its name, even those above the Human Exalt realm, even those of our orthodox Daoism who have already pushed open the door to Immortality, would not be safe!"
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows tightly, "Heavenly Essence Stone …"
This name was foreign to him as well.
Its name had not been circulated in the Heavenly Court's Divine Palace before the Great Calamity.
"Whether this news is true or just a rumour cannot be verified. Even now, it is still debated," Cao Jie continued, "Still, there were people who believed it to be true back then."
Yan Zhaoge said softly, "The Dim Radiant Emperor, Yin Tianxia!"
"That's right. The Dim Radiant Sect's expedition into extradimensional space that year was merely a feint," Cao Jie said, "The Dim Radiant Emperor's true goal was to try and find the Heavenly Essence Stone first."
"That was when the battle between Buddhism and the Immortal Court was at its most intense. Most of the Immortal Court's experts were locked in a fierce battle with Buddhism's experts, the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord and the Future Buddha also restraining each other."
"In the end, the Dim Radiant Emperor really did pull a tooth out of the tiger's mouth, obtaining a fragment of the Heavenly Essence Stone."
Hearing this, Yan Zhaoge basically understood, "Still, the Dim Radiant Emperor perished as a result?"
Cao Jie answered, "That's right, it is precisely so."
"While he perished, the fragment of the Heavenly Essence Stone still did not fall into the hands of the Immortal Court."
"The Immortal Court was naturally unwilling to let it go, and the World beyond Worlds suffered immense pressure as a result, paying a great price."
It was said that the Bright Connection Emperor Hu Yuexin and her descendant had obtained a fragment of the Heavenly Essence Stone. Therefore, they had always been wanted by the World beyond Worlds and the Immortal Court.
On the other hand, some people of the Immortal Court also suspected that there were clues hidden within the remains of the Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tianxia.
While those of the World beyond Worlds were basically certain that the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment was unrelated to the Dim Radiant Mausoleum and the Dim Radiant Wheel, those of the Immortal Court were not completely convinced.
Therefore, those in the World beyond Worlds had ignored the Dim Radiant Wheel as they had warned their disciples not to get involved with it.
"We originally thought that your mother had accidentally obtained the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment, so she got into trouble." Cao Jie looked at Yan Zhaoge, "Still, it was probably because of your mother that you were able to obtain the Dim Radiant Wheel. From the looks of it, the Bright Connection Emperor and the Dim Radiant Emperor were accomplices in the matter that year."
He let out a long sigh, "The World beyond Worlds keeps the Bright Connection Emperor a secret. I also know that she is ominous. I only know that many of her propositions are against the Earthly Sovereign's."
"From the looks of it, the main problem is the attitude towards the Immortal Court."
After hearing this, Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, "So, the Earthly Sovereign's attitude towards the Immortal Court is to appease them?"
Cao Jie answered, "Not exactly appeasing, but His Majesty the Earthly Sovereign doesn't like to take risks."
"The Great Calamity caused our Daoism's Three Clear lineage to wither. It will not be easy for us to regain our vitality."
"Ever since the Kunlun Nine Luminaries established the World beyond Worlds, much has been sacrificed to achieve the current stable situation. Under the leadership of the Three Sovereigns, we have gradually regained our vitality in recent years, with the Earthly Sovereign playing a part in this."
Yan Di raised his brows lightly, "Still, if the rumours are true and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord has gathered all the Heavenly Essence Stone, wouldn't all this be for naught, vanishing into thin air in a single night?"
Cao Jie said mildly, "The problem is that we cannot confirm whether the matter of the Heavenly Essence Stone is true or not."
"The Heavenly Essence Stone may indeed exist, and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord and the Immortal Court indeed desire it greatly."
"Still, is its use really as the Dim Radiant Emperor says?"
Cao Jie shook his head slowly, "No one knows whether the Dim Radiant Emperor acted out of righteousness or selfishness."
"Even if he selflessly sacrificed himself for our fellow Daoists, even destroying the dao tradition of the Dim Radiant Sect, no one can guarantee that he has not been deceived by others and made use of by them."
He felt rather despondent, "Therefore, while some support and acknowledge it, there are also those who reject it."
Yan Zhaoge muttered to himself, "Suspecting that it was a trap set up by the Immortal Court?"
He exchanged glances with Yan Di, both father and son frowning.
The Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tianxia's actions might have been selfless and selfless as he had sacrificed himself for righteousness. He could be said to have performed immeasurably virtuous deeds as the entire orthodox Daoism's Three Clear lineage owed him a debt.
Still, it could also be that he had found a dignified excuse for his own personal gain, implicating others due to his own selfish desires. In the end, he had taken a risk out of desperation, suffering the consequences of his actions in the end.
What was more sinister was that this was a trap set up by the Immortal Court. With the Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tianxia having stepped into it, not only had he perished, the World beyond Worlds had also fallen into a passive state.
Sadly, it was very hard to verify this now.
Therefore, this had become a rather controversial matter.
Xue Chuqing who was connected to the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment was in a worrying state as well.
Whatever the intentions of the Dim Radiant Emperor and the Bright Connection Emperor, they had both foiled the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord's plans. Even if the Dim Radiant Emperor had perished, this matter could not be considered settled as it would still have to be borne by the World beyond Worlds in the end.
As the head of the Three Sovereigns, the Earthly Sovereign who held the leading position in the World beyond Worlds' decision-making, it was not important whether he believed the Dim Radiant Emperor and the Bright Connection Emperor. He still had to give the Immortal Court an explanation on the surface, at least.
This was especially so when the whereabouts of the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment which the Dim Radiant Emperor had snatched away had always been unknown.
Therefore, the Dim Radiant Emperor's relic had become a taboo. The Bright Connection Emperor who had always been hostile towards the Immortal Court had become a dark history of the World beyond Worlds. Meanwhile, Xue Chuqing who might have obtained the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment had been arrested.
Still, it was precisely because this matter was rather controversial that the people of the World beyond Worlds had differing opinions about it.
Specifically speaking, there were those who were enthusiastic about the arrest of Xue Chuqing, some opposed it while others turned a blind eye to it.
When Xue Chuqing had first fled, her cultivation base had still been very limited.
It would not have been difficult for the peak figures to find her.
Those with differing opinions would have held each other back, thus giving her the time and space to move about freely.
"While you have your relationship with the Sword Sovereign, if you really are reunited as a family, it is best for you to keep a low profile in the current situation, not letting any news of this leak out." Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Cao Jie said earnestly, "Even if you obtain the Dim Radiant Wheel, you should still be mentally prepared. This supreme treasure might bring you a calamity."
"The past few years have been when the conflict between the Immortal Court and Buddhism has been at its most intense, with no time to be distracted. Still, after the peak comes the trough. Now that the two sides are no longer fighting so intensely, the Immortal Court will have the time to pay attention to this side."
"With the Sword Sovereign present, the pressure on you will be reduced greatly. Still, you still cannot let your guard down."
Knowing that the other party was speaking from experience, Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly before asking, "In your heart, you trust and respect the Dim Radiant Emperor, right?"
Cao Jie's tone was calm, "We are both of orthodox Daoism at the very least."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
