NOVPUBKnowing that this matter could no longer be stopped, Sun Erlang’s thoughts hurriedly turned, wanting to return as quickly as possible and inform his Master.
"Young Man, there’s no need to rush. Once we part this time, who knows when we will meet again. Why not meet the Stone Mother?" Chen Tianhai suggested to Sun Erlang, looking his way.
Sun Erlang hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded.
The moment he agreed, the scenery of the surrounding room disappeared with it, as if he were in the midst of the Star Sea, surrounded by pitch darkness.
Only a brilliant blue light came from the depths of darkness. It turned into a thin line and sped through the Star Sea.
The moment he saw the blue thin line, a realization dawned upon Sun Erlang.
This was the Transformation Stone Mother.
The very first Stone of Transformation.
"I am not originally from Xuanhuang. However, by a quirk of fate, I came to this world while traveling through the Star Sea."
A voice emerged in Sun Erlang’s Spirit Consciousness.
It wasn’t through the five senses or divine sense communication but directly through the resonance between the Transformation Crystal Bodies within Sun Erlang’s Spirit Consciousness.
Sun Erlang adopted a solemn expression to show respect.
The Stone Mother narrated of its own accord: "Where I come from is no longer traceable. However, where I am destined to go does have an answer."
These words from the Transformation Stone Mother sent shockwaves through Sun Erlang’s mind.
"Where are you going? What do you mean by that, Stone Mother?"
"Beyond the Star Sea, it is not the end. It is but a corner. If it weren’t for the High Wall blocking the way, I should have fled far away ten thousand years ago. Moreover, having been cut and differentiated, I also lost the ability to traverse the starry sky. Left with no choice, in the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."
The scenery in front of Sun Erlang changed abruptly.
The blue thin line that had been flying straight through the Star Sea suddenly changed direction and crashed toward Xuanhuang.
In the Xuanhuang World, it was discovered by cultivators, and with its aid, the Taiyan Sect leaped to fame as a renowned sect.
The originally divided entity no longer had the principle of return.
Unexpectedly, there were cataclysmic changes in Xuanhuang World Heaven and Earth, and a catastrophe descended. In order to resist the Tribulation of Incompatible Cultivation, the Monks of Tai Yan Sect decided to merge with the Stone of Transformation.
Information immortal, Creation reemerged.
After tens of thousands of years of division and union, the Stone of Transformation returned to its original state when it first came to the Xuanhuang World.
...
Scene after scene changed rapidly, shaking Sun Erlang’s spirit.
He couldn’t help but ask, "Having spent so much time in the Xuanhuang World, nearly omniscient, ’unchanged by ten thousand tribulations’ while staying in Xuanhuang is not an empty phrase. Why, then, are you so intent on leaving? Beyond the Star Sea, the variables and unknowns are too numerous, even for you, there must be no absolute certainty of survival, right?"
"Why must I leave? The answer to this question is the same as why you cultivators must pursue cultivation."
The words transmitted by the Stone Mother left Sun Erlang at a loss for words.
"The High Wall blocks the Star Sea. But there are some things it cannot stop." The tone of the Transformation Stone Mother was enigmatic.
A mixture of bewilderment and some inexplicable confidence.
"You don’t need to worry too much, Young Man. I’m just planning to take a look first; if truly we can’t cross the High Wall, we may very likely come back again. As for the reason why I wanted to see you this time..."
Before Sun Erlang, the illusory blue line suddenly became as solid as reality, and fiercely shot toward Sun Erlang’s head.
Without any time to react, Sun Erlang was struck by the blue ray.
Sun Erlang checked his body but didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary. Only the Transformation Crystal Body in his Spirit Consciousness seemed to have changed somewhat.
"Young Man, there’s no need to be nervous. It’s just a mark left behind to ensure, in case we decide to return in the future, that we can find the way back."
"Of course, we won’t treat you unfairly. Focus your mind..."
As the Transformation Stone Mother spoke, synchronized with the flashing of the Stone of Transformation, countless images cascaded down upon Sun Erlang’s Spirit Consciousness, nearly submerging it completely.
He quickly focused his spirit and slowed down the influx of images.
These numerous scenes included the Holy Dynasty embroiled in bitter battles, suffering heavy casualties, and others depicting the Holy Dynasty achieving consecutive victories while the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals could only struggle to survive in the Central Four States. But without exception, all of them were things from the real world that had yet to occur.
"These are all the products of my deductions; I give them to you as a reference."
Sun Erlang felt a sense of relief and quickly expressed his gratitude to the Stone Mother.
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"However, what I must warn you about is, don’t put too much faith in these divinations," the voice cautioned.
"The Xuanhuang World is like a deep pond whose bottom cannot be seen. If the surface is calm, every ripple can be predicted. But if the fierce creatures from the depths all emerge, causing unrest…"
"The prediction of the ripples will inevitably be vastly different from reality. Your Master most certainly understands this principle."
"So, in truth, having our Taiyan Sect or not won’t make much difference."
The voice of the Transformation Stone Mother still echoed in his ears, but Sun Erlang found himself already standing outside the Taiyan Sect.
That layer of Crystal Wall, which wasn’t very distinct before, was now enshrouded in a layer of mysterious blue light.
The entire Taiyan Sect was becoming increasingly transparent, as if it might disappear from the world completely at any moment.
"Young Man, you must survive."
"Otherwise, our Taiyan Sect really won’t be able to find the way home," came Yishu’s words, tinged with a smile that was not quite a smile.
It was as if an illusion had taken place.
In his daze, the Floating Sky City had already completely vanished from Sun Erlang’s perception.
"To leave just like that, it’s too sudden."
Sun Erlang muttered under his breath, yet a sense of loss welled up in his heart.
He stood idly for a long while before returning, reporting the incident in detail to his Master.
Gazing up at the silent, seated Faceless Saint Emperor, Sun Erlang could not help but feel nervous.
But the Emperor’s subsequent words left him somewhat stunned.
"What markings, they’re nothing but the Stone Mother’s jest. The Stone of Transformation is an extraordinary object of this age. That Rainbow Sword Letter, even your teacher could not decipher it at first, yet She managed to unravel it in such short time…"
"Being able to trace back to the source, crossing the Starry Sky, how could She possibly not find the way."
"Master, what exactly…" Sun Erlang was puzzled, "The blue thread’s collision with the Stone of Transformation in my Spirit Consciousness and the profound feeling it gave are indeed real."
The Emperor, however, showed a rare smile.
"It’s your Creation."
"All the Stones of Transformation in the world, strictly speaking, are but fragments separated from the Stone Mother. Although a cultivator can use the law of the Taoist Divine One to claim them, fragments are still fragments, and even the High Grade Stone of Transformation cannot surpass the Stone Mother. However, the blue radiation the Stone Mother used on you is like Turning Stone into Gold…"
The Emperor’s tone was somewhat peculiar, "Although currently only High Grade, it has been imbued with potential, limitless possibilities for the future."
"Given time, it might even become a second Stone Mother."
"This…" Unprepared for such an inheritance, Sun Erlang was astounded.
"No need to worry. Everyone has their own Creation; perhaps the Stone Mother simply found you pleasing to the eye," the Emperor stated indifferently.
"Yes…" Although Sun Erlang responded as such, his expression clearly showed that he had not yet adapted to the news.
"By the way. Master, about those predictions the Stone Mother made…"
"Analyze them and report back after you have calmed down."
"I shall follow your command."
Sun Erlang was somewhat dazed as he left the Saint Emperor Seat.
Unknowingly, he arrived at the residence of the literary man who wrote [Tale of Xuanhuang Divided into Three], as mentioned by Yishu.
He saw that the doorway was still crowded with masses.
They did not make any excessive moves, but their gaze was intense, firmly fixed on the exit.
It was as if the literary man inside was their sworn enemy.
Upon seeing Sun Erlang, their faces brightened immediately, eagerly moving forward, wishing to report on the writer’s evils.
But Sun Erlang’s slight frown halted them.
The crowd dispersed wisely.
Sun Erlang strode into the house.
The literary man was drunk, and Sun Erlang picked up the manuscript from the table and began to read.
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