Chapter 57: The Conspiracy Theory of the War of the Gods, Part 2

At this point, perhaps Li suddenly recalled something, though it was merely a matter of intuition on his part. He put away his pleasant expression and spoke in a serious tone, “Perhaps that beautiful immortal of the Nine Heavens from the Sect of Severance knows something, but let me say this first: this is only my own opinion.”

“Bai Ling?”

Li’s sudden mention of Bai Ling made Hao Dan’s heart tighten. Although Bai Ling had escaped the perils of life and death, she remained in a coma. If she awoke and found him gone, he could not guess what she might think. Back at the Prince Wu’s residence, the Celestial Soul had threatened him with the merging of three souls, and at the time, Hao Dan had been unable to refuse. The Celestial Soul insisted on coming here, and Hao Dan suspected there was something it knew. Otherwise, it would not have come, given its usual ways. Perhaps the Celestial Soul had absorbed the memories retained by the Human Soul during its devouring, and knew that a priceless treasure was hidden here. Thus, Hao Dan felt there was something strange about all of this.

“Yes, regarding your past life, that beautiful immortal who is still unconscious is entangled with you in ways both clear and obscure. Though I have not met her, I have heard some things from others. She has lost part of her memory, and once she regains it, you will surely learn more about your previous incarnation from her.”

Li was truly knowledgeable and resourceful; even such hidden matters could not escape his keen insight.

Hearing Li’s words, Hao Dan shook his head sharply. Bai Ling’s situation could wait; he had come here for the sake of the Celestial Soul’s intentions, as well as the current chaos among the Nine Yi tribes. Even if he returned to Shangqiu now, he could not get the answers he sought from Bai Ling. Besides, Li had repeatedly answered questions with questions. Hao Dan recalled Li mentioning that the matter of the three souls was preordained by fate, and so he asked again, “Earlier you said, Master, that the matter of the three souls is destined by Heaven. Why do you say so?”

Li’s smile broadened upon hearing this, and he replied calmly, “For mortals, when the three souls disperse, they return to the underworld. But for the Eight Great Divine Clans of antiquity, the three souls can be freely gathered through innate cultivation. If one possesses formidable divine power and profound cultivation—as you did in your previous life—one can use the technique of dividing the three souls to remain in the world. However, your Earth Soul possesses a special spiritual power. If your own will desires, it can enter the underworld and the cycle of reincarnation. Even the Earth Empress Nuwa and the Human Emperor Fuxi have cast themselves into reincarnation. But to escape the boundless sea of reincarnation, one must pass the Heavenly Tribulation, which is infamous in the underworld. Only the Eight Great Divine Clans know its power to destroy souls. Once the Earth Soul enters the underworld, it must first reach the other shore of the River of Darkness, then traverse the Yellow Springs Road, the Forgetting River, the Bridge of Helplessness, the Stone of Three Lives, the Pavilion of Dreams, and the Hill of Rebirth. These are the six spiritual mediations of the underworld that every soul must undergo, followed by the Gate of Ghosts, the Underworld Court, and the Ghost City of Fengdu. If even the Ten Yama Kings of the underworld dare not accept the soul, then only the souls of the Eight Great Divine Clans remain. Therefore, your Earth Soul must have passed through the boundless sea of reincarnation, for in that endless sea there is neither direction nor guidance, only perseverance and the burdened march forward. Along the way, one encounters all manner of soul-destroying disasters, and the Heavenly Tribulation is the final calamity that can annihilate both body and soul. If you succeed in crossing it, you can return to the living world. You have returned through the Heavenly Tribulation, but your reincarnation was not Heaven’s will; you forced your way back with your defiant power. Even so, you could only return as a human, unable to restore your former abilities directly. Now, possessing the Earth Soul, you are merely a mortal. Fortunately, a thousand years ago you deliberately used the technique to split your souls, leaving the Human Soul within the Eastern Emperor Bell, and the Celestial Soul, being too powerful, was imprisoned by your teacher, the Ancestor Hongjun, within the Tower of Heavenly Guidance. Now, do you understand?”

“Know this: for a mortal soul to return from the underworld as you have is impossible. Since time immemorial, no human has ever succeeded. Among all the powerful beings who have crossed the boundless sea of reincarnation in the underworld, only you, Nuwa, and Fuxi have done so!”

“In these centuries, the mortal world has been in turmoil. Though Nuwa and Fuxi have long since reincarnated as mortals, the damage suffered in their previous lives has made it difficult to restore their cultivation quickly. Moreover, with their accumulated merit, Nuwa and Fuxi have ascended to sainthood and no longer concern themselves with the mundane world, choosing instead to retreat and focus on their cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, Hao Dan was silent for a long time. Li and Su Moran did not disturb him. After a while, Hao Dan asked earnestly, “So, Nuwa and Fuxi became saints through their merit, while I returned to mortality after escaping reincarnation. Isn’t this too trivial? In my previous life, I was a ruler; why has Heaven treated me thus?”

“Why? In your past life, you were overbearing and arrogant, solitary and untouchable. You showed neither reverence above nor kindness below, ignored the words of your master, neglected the masses, and pursued sainthood at any cost, stubbornly seeking to break the impossible barrier of Heaven. Thus, your three souls became separated, you entered mortal flesh, and neither the immortals nor mortals recognize you!”

“All of this is your own doing!”

…

Li’s words, though sharp, were not without reason.

Even Su Moran, standing nearby, could imagine how domineering the Eastern Emperor Taiyi must have been a thousand years ago—he even attempted to risk everything against the forbidden zone of the gods, the Heavenly Barrier.

Perhaps all of this had been meticulously planned by Taiyi back then, or perhaps he knew he could not break through the Heavenly Barrier, and so, at the moment of his death, he used the soul division technique to seal the Human Soul within the Eastern Emperor Bell, while the Earth Soul, unable to withstand Heaven’s pressure, was cast into the underworld, and the Celestial Soul was unexpectedly imprisoned by Ancestor Hongjun.

Fortunately, the Earth Soul managed to pass the Heavenly Tribulation and return to the living world.

Only Taiyi himself knew how many hardships this required; until Hao Dan awakened and the three souls were reunited, it was impossible to know how the Earth Soul crossed the endless sea of reincarnation and survived the tribulation that destroys all souls.

Hao Dan, once again plunged into silence, could not calm his heart. After today’s summit conversation, his mind began to change. He gained some understanding of his past life. If the Eastern Emperor Taiyi himself were here, Li would never have dared speak so boldly. It was fortunate the Earth Soul had reincarnated as a mortal with independent consciousness; with proper guidance before awakening, he could face future crises rationally.

At last, Hao Dan broke the silence, staring at Li with expectation and solemnity, “Here, I ask you, Master, to help me reunite my three souls!”

…

Under the anxious gaze of Su Moran and Hao Dan, Li feigned contemplation, then shook his head calmly, “Impossible. This concerns the fate of all beings, greater than Heaven itself. My cultivation is weak; though I previously sealed your Celestial Soul, to intervene and help you fuse the three souls is absolutely forbidden! The consequences are far greater than you imagine. Only you, and you alone, can do this.”

“Back then, your teacher Ancestor Hongjun said this:”

…

“The true strength in this world lies in conquering oneself. Only then can one advance without hindrance!”

“You do not need anyone’s help. You must overcome yourself! The Celestial Soul may be strong, but it is still you. Your own flaws and weaknesses are best known to yourself!”

Li’s words struck Hao Dan like a revelation. Indeed, all beings—humans, gods, immortals, demons—must take charge of themselves. A true conqueror is omnipotent!

Previously, Hao Dan lacked resolve. He was resentful and overly reliant on external help. If a person needs others to vanquish his inner demons, how can he ever truly overcome himself?

Suddenly, at that moment, in a basin somewhere on Nine Yi Peak, a crimson light soared to the heavens.

All three were astonished. Such a phenomenon was terrifying—the vast red light, like the descent of a demon god, turned the sky dark crimson, transforming the drifting white clouds into blood-red masses surging across the heavens.

Within the blood-red glow, a massive bolt of lightning gathered energy, as though it would strike a tomb. Su Moran could no longer sit still.

“Not good!”

It was Su Moran, previously silent, who spoke. Seeing the scene, he immediately judged the gravity of the situation. He had secretly overheard the mysteries of the White Emperor’s tomb before his father left the clan. When the Emperor left, Su Moran was still in Qingqiu, not yet grown, and unable to follow his older siblings and father. He had heard them discuss it in private.

“What is wrong?” Hao Dan asked, concerned. In the days spent with Su Moran, he had never seen him so unsettled; he suspected it concerned Su Su.

“My little sister is in trouble! I must quickly seek an audience with the Ancestor. Your Majesty, I hope you will make preparations in advance!”

Su Moran knew he could not go to the White Emperor’s tomb to assist Su Su himself. Only the Ancestor might be able to help. He had intended to share some old stories and send Hao Dan into the temple, but circumstances had changed unexpectedly.

“Haha! It seems matters have exceeded even Li’s expectations. From here on, it is up to you. My task is done; it is time for me to depart. Farewell, young friends!”

Li gazed at the blood-red spectacle, quietly divined the situation, and smiled. His mission complete, it was time to leave.

The two heard his words and turned to see that Li had, without their noticing, stepped onto a cloud. His figure gradually faded and vanished before their eyes.

…

Moments after Li’s departure, a grand voice resounded from the ancient temple atop Nine Yi Peak, echoing beyond the temple, warm yet majestic, powerful and resonant!

How events unfold next, please see the following chapter.