Chapter 284

Chapter 284: Ancient Mysteries

"How many years has it been?" The woman in simple robes murmured, her eyes filled with a trace of reminiscence. "Should be over three million seven hundred thousand years?"

"This humble one reports to Your Highness, it has been three million seven hundred eighty-nine thousand two hundred years," answered the true immortal ancestor kneeling on the ground.

"Not having returned for so long, I wonder if the Divine Court remains as it once was?"

The woman in simple robes rose slowly, her gaze like stars. "Leave eight behind to guard Yaoguang Realm. The rest, follow me to Canglan Prefecture, Qingyang Realm."

Within mere breaths, the woman in simple robes had pinpointed the location of the Divine Ruins.

"As you command."

"Eighth Elder to Eleventh Elder, you shall remain," ordered Hall Master’s Elder. He vanished into the Secret Realm alongside the woman in simple robes and the others.

…

"Legends say the Ancient Divine Court possessed the Thirty-three Heavens. The place we stand now must be the First Heaven, right?" Yu Ziwei muttered to herself.

Gu Daojin nodded.

As the group entered the Divine Ruins, their eyes were met with dilapidated palaces permeated by a decayed aura.

Hum!

At this moment, an anomaly stirred within Ye Xu’s Purple Palace. The Divine Slaying Platform trembled faintly, seemingly sensing something and straining eagerly to burst forth from the Purple Palace.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ye Xu’s expression as he released the Divine Slaying Platform.

Whoosh!

The Divine Slaying Platform shot out from his Purple Palace, transforming into a streak of light that flew deep into the First Heaven.

"Junior Brother Ye, what’s happening?" Qin Fei Yan asked curiously.

"The Divine Slaying Platform was a fierce weapon forged by the Ancient Divine Court," Ye Xu explained. "Returning to its birthplace must have awakened a resonance, activating its own consciousness."

"Follow it!"

Heavenly Talisman Old Man and Gu Daojin pursued it into the depths.

Half a cup of tea later, the group arrived at the deepest part of the First Heaven. Before them lay an execution ground. Though utterly ruined, it was saturated with terrifying murderous intent and deep resentment.

Every inch of the ground bore the stain of divine blood—even vast amounts of golden blood remained.

Returned to its origin, the Divine Slaying Platform emanated wisps of crimson light. Gradually spreading across the execution ground, it began to absorb the murderous intent and resentment lingering upon this ancient Divine Court site. Being a fierce weapon born of this very execution ground, this place was its primal source.

Gu Daojin scrutinized the golden blood, frowning slightly. "Though the Divine Court perished over three million years ago, the aura within this golden blood remains concentrated and undiminished, harboring immortal power. These undoubtedly belong to a true immortal."

"Could true immortals have lingered in the lower realm over three million years ago, never ascending to the upper world?"

Hearing this, Heavenly Talisman Old Man and the others were equally astonished.

"This Divine Slaying Platform… it actually executed a true immortal?" Yu Ziwei exclaimed in greater alarm, her eyes fixed upon the platform now filled with dread. A weapon that had slain a true immortal—this was truly worthy of being called a fierce weapon.

"This is only to be expected," Ye Xu stated lightly. "Perhaps the flaws in the Immortal Realm crafted by the Heavenly Emperor existed from the very beginning. These true immortals were merely those who slipped through the cracks."

Gu Daojin’s expression darkened; he couldn’t help but feel he was being mocked too.

"If the Divine Slaying Platform had slain immortals, then the Ancient Human Emperor must also have been an immortal—likely the strongest in the lower realm. Have any of you considered why the Ancient Spirit Garden would fall if that were true?" Ye Xu continued.

"Heaven’s punishment!"

The Heavenly Talisman Old Man’s gaze turned sharp. The power of divine punishment enveloped the Divine Ruins, its essence permeating every corner. This confirmed that the Divine Court had indeed faced divine retribution.

It explained the fall of the Divine Ruins.

"Since ancient times, there have been a few individuals struck by divine punishment. But the only faction to suffer such a fate was the Divine Court governed by the Ancient Human Emperor."

"The Ancient Human Emperor must have committed actions that angered both heaven and the people, inviting punishment from the Heavenly Dao."

Gu Daojin declared this with a confident look.

Ye Xu just shook his head, chuckling lightly.

"Am I wrong?" Gu Daojin frowned. "In my view, it’s quite possible the Human Emperor grew too powerful. He defied ascension to the higher realms and was therefore punished by the Heavenly Dao."

Ye Xu replied lightly, "The human ancestor has always remained in the lower realms."

"How would you know that?" Gu Daojin scoffed in disbelief.

"It’s true."

Yu Ziwei whispered softly, "Master, the human ancestor once met privately with Brother Ye and Nangong Zhandao. Brother Ye undoubtedly knows secrets beyond our reach."

Ye Xu smiled. "We’re already within the Divine Ruins. By exploring further, the mystery behind the abrupt end of the Human Emperor Era will surely unveil itself."

Ye Xu dismissed Gu Daojin’s theory for one pivotal reason.

Having conversed with Li Ruoyu, he knew that over ten million years prior, the Celestial Sovereign had deceitfully usurped the Heavenly Dao. Whether the current will was that of the Heavenly Dao or the Celestial Sovereign remained indistinguishable.

Amidst this chaos engulfing the Heavenly Dao, whether the divine punishment that obliterated the Divine Court emanated from the true Heavenly Dao or the Celestial Sovereign was utterly unclear.

Wu!

Having absorbed the dense, swirling streams of slaughterous resentment and grievances, the Divine Slaying Platform’s murderous aura grew terrifyingly acute. Its blades shimmered coldly, radiating a ravenous thirst for blood.

"Brother Ye, can you suppress it?" Yu Ziwei cautiously ventured.

"No problem."

Ye Xu channeled his energy, casually raising a hand.

The next second, the Divine Slaying Platform offered no resistance and obediently vanished into Ye Xu’s Purple Palace.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital exchanged complex glances.

"It appears this fierce weapon has been fully subdued by you, Daoist friend," remarked the Heavenly Talisman Old Man with undisguised envy. This was no ordinary immortal artifact; wielded skillfully, its power could prove immeasurable.

"Just fortunate timing," Ye Xu conceded simply. The last time he had visited Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, his true self had intervened with transcendent power, physically communicating with the spirit of the furnace. In that confrontation, it was Ye Xu who dictated the terms.

Since that day, the Divine Slaying Platform had remained utterly docile, no longer daring to stir chaos.

"The next level should contain the Four Great Celestial Gates. I wonder if they truly lie within these Divine Ruins?" Gu Daojin mused as he proceeded. Ancient legends told of the Divine Court mirroring the sacred layout of the Ancient Heavenly Court; each Celestial Gate was forged with incomparable treasure, their worth beyond measure.

A quarter of an hour later…

The crowd arrived at the second level of the heavens. Amidst swirling clouds, a colossal celestial gate pierced the sky, towering like a pillar holding up heaven itself. Its oppressive aura blocked their path.

"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion really has some talent," Gu Daojin remarked with admiration. "He hasn’t missed a single location yet."

"Master, it’s not just ‘some’ talent," Yu Ziwei corrected gently. "It’s immense talent."

"You insolent brat! Are you lecturing your old man?!" Gu Daojin flushed with embarrassment and immediately berated Yu Ziwei.

Yu Ziwei remained unfazed.

Gu Daojin had nothing left but stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

"This Western Celestial Gate blocks the way," the Heavenly Talisman Old Man stated. "Only Brother Gu himself can move it."

The Four Great Celestial Gates of the Ancient Divine Court were peerless immortal artifacts. Only Gu Daojin was capable of subduing the Western Celestial Gate.

Bang!

Gu Daojin was more than happy to be the porter.

This was an excellent treasure.

He immediately channeled his power. His body surged with draconic might as his arms wrapped around the Western Celestial Gate. With sheer brute force, he tore it from its foundations and stored it within his own Purple Palace.

A magnificent divine palace complex came into view.

Perhaps shielded by the Four Celestial Gates, the palace structures within the second heaven remained utterly unscathed by the celestial punishment. Every building stood intact, resplendent and monumental, like palaces from an Immortal Palace above the clouds.

"Don’t forget the other three gates," Gu Daojin stated.

Gu Daojin split into three avatars, each streaking towards the east, south, and north. His voice echoed from afar, "You go on ahead to the next heaven. I’ll catch up once I’ve secured all Four Celestial Gates."

"Then let’s be on our way," Qin Fei Yan suggested with a smile. "Senior brother’s breakthrough to true immortal is the priority right now."

"Agreed. Let’s go."

The group headed straight for the Three Heavens.

…

"Your Highness, someone has already breached the Divine Court."

Streaks of light descended as the woman in simple robes and her companions landed within the Qingyang Realm, specifically the Canglan Mountain Range.

The Hall Master’s Elder discerned the lingering energies in the void; his expression subtly shifted.

"There’s an expert here at the peak of True Immortal Realm."

"A cultivator this powerful exists in the lower realm?"

Murmurs of surprise rippled through the true immortal ancestors. Their seclusion often spanned millennia—many were oblivious to the changes in the world beyond.

The woman in simple robes gazed skyward. Beneath the scars of the heavens, the aura of heavenly punishment was oppressively dense. Frowning, she observed, "The celestial phenomenon known as the scars of the heavens has breached the world barrier of Qingyang Realm. It’s likely many have sensed this disturbance."

"If too much time passes, surely more will flock to the Qingyang Realm."

"With Your Highness’s immense strength, what threat could even an Immortal King pose?" one true immortal ancestor flattered. "We’ve guarded this secret for millions of years. We cannot allow the Divine Court to fall into others’ hands."

The woman in simple robes moved.

Sleeves fluttering, she gestured gracefully. Divine patterns materialized above her palms and merged with the void, weaving a shimmering barrier that instantly masked the aura emanating from the Divine Ruins.

With the barrier complete, the woman in simple robes led the ten true immortal ancestors past it and plunged into the heart of the Divine Ruins.