Chapter 2, The Secret of the Heavenly Emperor

Bai Sha is over a hundred years younger than Qing Sha, yet in terms of supernatural powers and abilities, he is already more formidable than Qing Sha. However, he has been unable to take the crucial step towards the divine land of the imperial capital. When he learned that Li Qingshui was about to take the final step, he could no longer resist seizing the last opportunity, which led to today's actions, a feat that perhaps no predecessor has ever accomplished

I have not done so; I merely caught a vague glimpse of a path, and it cannot be said that I have truly comprehended it, as I was interrupted by your disturbance.

The Qingshui clan could not resist the fate of destruction, yet even so, more than half of Bai Sha's subordinates were lost, including powerful individuals who possessed supernatural abilities and were slain. This indicates that there were similar experts within the Qingshui clan. Ordinary death warriors can be recruited and trained again, but those who have entered the initial realm and cultivated supernatural powers are often rare and hard to come by. This represents a significant loss for any force.

Bai Sha: "Please speak."

Although the Langgan fruit is extraordinarily rare, it is not unattainable for someone of Bai Sha's caliber. He understands that this is a miraculous elixir that can aid in cultivation, but it is not a panacea that guarantees immortality or instant ascension to divinity.

Li Qing Shui did not answer his question, but instead retorted, "Since when have you had your eyes on me?"

Clarifying the Water: "You wish to seek the source of the Great Way, and your ambition cannot be deemed insignificant. However, if you intend to guide the Bai E clan to ascend to the divine land, yet today you annihilate the innocent Qing Shui clan in hopes of finding it, if this Great Way truly exists, you will not be able to attain it, at least not through such means. What you desire, even if you were to witness it in this life, ultimately will remain unattainable."

Although he did not turn around, the distant sounds of battle reached his ears. Bai Sha was acutely aware of the heavy losses incurred. The corner of his eye twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, as if he had momentarily forgotten the brutal fighting in the city. When he spoke again, his tone resembled that of two old friends confiding in each other. He had so much to say and ask today that he could hardly contain himself. As long as the water remained clear enough to speak, he still held hope of achieving his goals.

However, obtaining the essence of the Jinghua Decision does not necessarily guarantee success, and achieving the Jinghua Decision does not ensure ascension to the heavens. Throughout history, successful individuals have been few and far between. In Bai Sha's view, the Taihao Heavenly Emperor may have merely stumbled upon a correct path by chance. The guidance he left behind may not enable future generations to replicate the same success, and those who succeed by luck may simply have coincidentally possessed the same fortune

The collection of legends regarding the White Shaka throughout history, in examining their authenticity, has not revealed any definitive patterns that can be referenced between those who succeed and those who fail. Moreover, it is crucial to note that the Essence Formula is not the only guide to ascension in this world, and the Divine Land of the Supreme Emperor Taihao is not the sole realm of eternal life.

Bai Sha's gaze grew increasingly intense as he pressed on: "It is said that the Great Emperor Taihao excels in divination and can perceive the changes of all things. The technique you are cultivating is the essence of the Great Emperor Taihao passed down to the mortal realm. Can it truly unravel such divine powers?"

I cannot answer why, but if there truly exists a fundamental path in the world, it would not contradict the simplest principles. This is what I have just come to understand, and it is the final statement I wish to convey to you

Ke Baisha did not intend to do so, as he was unwilling to accept it; the greater the cost he paid, the more reluctant he became. What he desired was the secret knowledge that resided in Qing Shui's heart. Even if the Qing Shui clan were to be completely annihilated, as long as Qing Shui remained, there would still be hope of obtaining it.

At this moment, the sounds of battle erupted from the distant fortress in the valley, as the fight reached its most brutal stage. People continued to fall amidst the pools of blood and flames, with some being the subordinates of Bai Sha, but more were the clansmen of the Qingshui family. The Qingshui clan comprised over 1,600 individuals, among whom approximately 300 were skilled and robust warriors. Although they were not exceptionally fierce or strong, there were still no fewer than 1,000 who could take up arms and fight to the death.

A sword-wielding man ascended to the peak, his dark attire made of animal hide, adorned with other peculiar materials, specially refined to be both form-fitting and resilient yet lightweight, a garb not suited for an ordinary person. He stood outside the jade forest, saluting Bai Sha with his sword, and though he did not speak, Bai Sha could hear his voice in his mind.

However, Bai Sha and Li Qing Shui, such high-level individuals, are well aware that legends are not necessarily true; they are merely metaphors. The Langgan fruit is the immortal elixir obtained by the Emperor Taihao in legend, yet the Qing Shui clan, which has long possessed it, has not attained immortality.

My kin do not know that I am still alive, nor do they know that I am the mountain deity. How could they provide news of me

You first served as a magistrate, then presided over the Academy of Ba. When the old sovereign passed away, the princes vied for power, and the academy was also abolished. You then concealed your identity and roamed the Ba region, astonishingly mastering the Essence Technique and earning the name of Pure Slaughter. But I know who you are, and I am aware that your later retreat is right here. When I encountered obstacles on the Path to Ascension and could not see the way forward, I thought of you

In this primitive clan tribe in the wilderness, ordinary tribesmen truly do not know what a spy is, and they probably have never even heard the term. They are also unaware of the concept of loyalty. People live in a simple and primitive state, where no one lies, and no one betrays another, nor do they violate the promises made.

Li Qing Shui Leng smiled and said, "What exactly do you want?"

With closed eyes and sitting upright, Li Qing Shui seemed to have seen through Bai Sha's thoughts at this moment, a hint of mockery appearing at the corner of his mouth. The voice echoed in Bai Sha's mind: "What I practice is not the method of ghost cultivation, but the Essence Technique passed down by the Great Emperor Taihao. However, the ability to take that step towards the divine land of the imperial realm is indeed related to the experiences of this mountain deity over the past century. This is what you want to know, isn't it? In fact, I have already told you!" The voice echoed again in Bai Sha's mind: "What I practice is not the method of ghost cultivation, but the Essence Technique passed down by the Great Emperor Taihao. However, the ability to take that step towards the divine land of the imperial realm is indeed related to the experiences of this mountain deity over the past century. This is what you want to know, isn't it? In fact, I have already told you!"

Bai Sha: "Please speak."

How did you know that I was precisely in seclusion to overcome my tribulation, arriving so accurately after traveling a thousand miles with someone?

Qing Shui sighed and said: "So it turns out they are using spies. Unfortunately, my Qing Shui clan members probably still do not understand what a spy is."

Li Qing Shui responded with a counter-question: "Bai Sha, your current state is also due to your cultivation of the secret technique of the Supreme Emperor Shaohao, and your divine powers are not inferior to mine. Why then do you seek the essence technique passed down by the Supreme Emperor Taihao?"

Bai Sha replied: "It is quite simple. There have always been individuals from the Qing Shui clan providing your information to the merchants who come to the city, in exchange for free goods. However, your clansmen are unaware of the merchants' true intentions, and they are even less aware that those merchants were sent by me."

If the Qing Shui clan were merely a weak tribe, I might not find it necessary to annihilate them, for I would neither fear nor worry. It is you who have made your kin strong, thus today I must eliminate any future threats. Over the years, you have been searching for a successor to the Essence Technique. Although some of your clan members, Mai and Tu, have passed the initial stage and understand cultivation, no one has been able to master the Essence Technique, correct?

Bai Sha looked up at the night sky, as if reminiscing: "Long, long ago, when the ruler of the State of Ba was still alive, there was no division of the land or contention among the princes as there is today. I know that the State of Ba was established by the descendants of the Great Emperor Taihao, and throughout the generations, the essence of the Jinghua Secret was passed down. However, the last ruler did not attain mastery. Yet, the esteemed official of that time did receive the teachings, and that is you

Li Qing Shui: "Isn't this just nonsense! It's a well-known fact across the world; could it possibly be the secret you have discovered?"

Bai Sha sighed and seemed to be speaking to himself: "The ignorant worship ghosts and deities, merely offering sacrifices to people like us, or to things whose existence they themselves are uncertain about. I have encountered many so-called mountain gods in this wilderness, most of whom are merely spirits and monsters of the mountains, possessing a slight degree of intelligence and minor supernatural powers, manifesting themselves to deceive people in order to seek offerings.

Li Qing Shui lightly said: "You may speak if you wish, but I will not promise you anything"

However, today, such an event occurred in the ancient and primitive clan tribes. Someone privately informed the outside merchants about the movements of the mountain deity, motivated by the merchants' desire to know this information, with the reward being free goods. The most primitive simplicity is also the easiest to disrupt; it is merely due to the simplest form of temptation that the unwittingly compromised tribesmen may not yet understand the implications of this.

I also have a question that I am very curious about, can you tell me?

Clarifying the essence of the water movement: "Your ambition is quite considerable! You also wish to establish a realm of eternal life and become a sovereign of a domain?"

Bai Sha: "They do not need to know, for I am aware that you are in seclusion at Shude Hill, which is right here. I have long suspected that you have been using the name of the mountain god to seek the heir of the Essence Sutra among the clansmen. I heard that not long ago, a priest heard the voice of the mountain god, and it is said that the mountain god they worship will soon fall into a slumber for a period of time, with no knowledge of when it will awaken. I understood that the time had come. What I did not expect was that you are indeed the mountain god, not merely disguised as one."

Bai Sha said: "Even if I do not kill you, you will become a perpetual invalid. However, if you can fully disclose the secret transmission of the Essence Formula, as well as everything you know about the path to ascension, including the gains you have made as the Mountain God over the years, I may be able to find a way to help you restore your cultivation in the future, and you may still have hope for longevity in this life"

Li Qing Shui remained silent for a long time before slowly saying: "Bai E Shi, the questions you ponder are ones I have also considered. In my view, there indeed exists a fundamental path that endures throughout heaven and earth. Whether it is the cultivation of the Essence Sutra or the Swallowing Form Sutra for ascending to immortality, it may simply be a matter of fortunate alignment with the source of the Dao. However, I have a secret to share with you as well"

Bai Sha shook his head and said: "You are mistaken; my purpose is not to enter the divine land of the Taihao Heavenly Emperor in pursuit of immortality. I merely wish to know what lies along another path to ascend to the heavens. After years of contemplation, I may have uncovered a secret of the various Heavenly Emperors. Would you like to hear it? If you agree to my conditions, I will tell you."

As the conversation reached this point, the sounds of battle from the distant fortress gradually faded, leaving only the wails of women and children echoing intermittently. Bai Sha could not help but glance back, then fixed his gaze on Qing Shui and said: "In today's battle, there are indeed many strong individuals among the Qing Shui clan, which must be attributed to you, the Mountain God. It is you who have taught them how to cultivate."

The white eyes revealed a burning light: "What did you tell me?"

Bai Sha looked at Li Qingshui, whose form was as if petrified, with anger and resentment in his eyes, even revealing a look of fury. However, after a while, this could only transform into a sigh. He suddenly felt that his earlier emotions were somewhat laughable; if there was hatred, it should be directed at him for having annihilated the Qingshui clan. It was Li Qingshui who should hate him, and the enmity in the other party's heart had likely surpassed what the world could imagine.

Each Heavenly Emperor has their own path to ascend to the heavens, guiding future generations to the divine lands they have opened. This is what mortals refer to as transcending to become an immortal. According to Bai Sha, there have been beings who, after failing to cultivate a certain immortal technique, attained another immortal method and ascended to eternal life; while in other cases, seemingly identical beings experienced the exact opposite.

Since no acts of betrayal have occurred, there is fundamentally no concept of trust among everyone, and they would not even consider the existence of spies in the world. Everything related to the mountain god is a secret of the clan; the priest does not need to remind anyone to keep it confidential, as people will naturally adhere to it

Thus, is there a constant mystery that can guide the essence of the Great Way, while the path to heaven, despite its myriad changes, remains true to its origin

Bai Sha pondered for a moment before finally speaking: "Then I shall tell you, the successive Heavenly Emperors after Taihao have all likely traversed the path to ascend to the heavens"

Li Qing Shui stated that the last sentence was indeed the last sentence, and his voice never echoed in Bai Sha's mind again. From beginning to end, he neither moved nor opened his eyes, and even the conversation was conducted through this peculiar form of mental communication.

Bai Sha looked at Li Qing Shui, and all along he had too many questions in his heart that he wanted answers to, yet he could not find anyone to communicate with. At this moment, the person opposite him, Qing Sha, was one of the few qualified individuals to engage in conversation with him, and also someone who might provide him with answers. He finally expressed the thoughts he had pondered for a long time, and only Li Qing Shui was able to hear them

In ancient times, it is said that the Human Emperor Taihao established the Jianmu tree to ascend to the heavens and opened up the divine land of the Imperial Capital in the celestial realm. As a result, Taihao was revered as the Heavenly Emperor. The so-called Jianmu is said to be a great tree that grows from the human world all the way to the heavens. Many mortals believe that if they can find the location of the Jianmu and climb to its summit, they will reach the divine land of the Imperial Capital and attain immortality.

The techniques they practice often stem from enlightenment or innate talent, diverse and lacking a fixed path. For individuals like you and me, there are secret methods unique to us, so why bother with the so-called mountain deities? Therefore, I was once uncertain whether you truly are the mountain deity here, but I have heard that you have already taken that step, about to tread the path to ascend to the heavens. Is there some profound mystery within this that the spirits and monsters of the world are unaware of, yet you have discovered?

They had a brief preparation, but ultimately, it was a hasty confrontation in the dead of night. Bai Sha brought over two hundred subordinates, all elite assassins specially trained for lethal combat, and the leaders among them possessed supernatural powers. At the beginning of the battle, both sides were in a stalemate; however, as those from the mountains rushed to the fortress, the situation gradually turned into a one-sided massacre

White Kill: "Why?"

Li Qing Shui endured what kind of pain and torment with his eyes closed, yet he did not reveal it to Bai Sha. What kind of iron-heartedness is this? Could it be that his cultivation is on the verge of taking the final step towards immortality, allowing him to see through everything in the mortal world with indifference? Or is it that his deep-seated hatred has rendered him unresponsive?

The unusual calm of Qingshui Li evokes an indescribable sense of oppression, and his quietly still figure even subtly reveals a chill. When Qingshui Li falls silent, the faint glow of dawn begins to appear on the eastern horizon, signaling the imminent arrival of dawn in the wilderness, while the wailing from within the city has ceased—no one from the Qingshui clan has survived

The Qingshui clan received a warning from the mountain god, knowing that they would face a great calamity today. The mountain god instructed them to muster all their strength to fight back. The clan tribe, which had worshipped and believed in the mountain god for generations, unhesitatingly followed the mountain god's guidance. This was the only thing Qingshui could do for his people at this moment

The Essence Formula mentioned by Bai Sha is a secret transmission obtained by Li Qingshui many years ago. At that time, there were others in the Ba Kingdom who received this secret transmission, but later only Li Qingshui succeeded in cultivating it. Such a secret transmission, even if one has received the teachings, cannot be passed on to others if one has not successfully cultivated it, because the individual neither understands the subtleties involved nor has mastered the secrets of the inheritance

The secret celestial scriptures left by the Heavenly Emperor Shaohao guide one towards the seemingly unrelated Swallowing Form Technique. The white evil, who has mastered the Swallowing Form Technique, appears to ordinary people as an immortal on the divine mountain, yet he is acutely aware that if he cannot take that final step on the path to ascension, his lifespan will come to an end in a hundred years.

White Kill: "Everything, all that you know!"

Therefore, to obtain the secret transmission of the Essence Formula, one must find someone who has mastered the Essence Formula. Within a radius of thousands of miles around Bayuan and the surrounding wild mountains, there is currently only Lichingshui.

Upon hearing this, the water, with eyes tightly shut, slightly revealed a look of emotion: "You have been unable to ascend to the heavens despite practicing the Swallowing Form Technique, and now you wish to take a different path by cultivating the Essence Technique. You not only seek the secret guidance of the Great Emperor Taihao but also wish to know everything I am striving to comprehend. Regardless of whether this approach will succeed, even if you do succeed and reach the divine land of the imperial realm, what will happen then? Do not forget how you embarked on this path; the Great Emperor Taihao will likely not spare you!"

There are legends in the world that Taihao was able to establish the divine land and ascend as the Heavenly Emperor because he found the elixir of immortality. If future generations can also obtain the elixir of immortality bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor Taihao, they will be able to ascend to the realm of the immortals.

The metaphor of the Jianmu and the Elixir of Immortality refers to the path to ascension that Taihao once traversed. The Heavenly Emperor Taihao left behind the Essence Sutra in the world; if one can cultivate the Essence Sutra and refine the Eight Layers, Nine Transformations, and Seventy-Two Stages of the path to ascension to its ultimate end, one can shed their mortal body and ascend to the imperial realm to enjoy eternal life. Thus, it is evident that the Essence Sutra is the true "Elixir of Immortality" left by the Heavenly Emperor Taihao.

The later emperors such as Xuanyuan, Gaoyang, and Shaohao must have had similar experiences. They had already taken that step, yet did not ascend to the divine land of the previous emperors, but instead remained in the mortal realm to carve out another path to ascend to the heavens. If I were to obtain all that you know and also take that step, I would not seek the divine land of the Great Emperor Taihao, but would also seek such a path.

Li Qing Shui: "I have lived long enough to witness the many births and deaths in the world, and so I know how many things will unfold. Such individuals are often referred to as sages, but for me, it is no longer the result of deep contemplation, but rather a natural clarity, as if the affairs of the world are evolving before my eyes. This is neither supernatural nor ordinary; it can also be described as a return to simplicity, which is the harvest I have gained over the years as a mountain deity."

They either take what they need for pleasure, or rely on scriptures and illustrations to offer their aspirations in the practice of ghostly cultivation, foolishly seeking the path to longevity. I have seen many powerful spirits and entities who consider themselves mountain deities, each employing different shamanic methods, walking entirely different paths to ascend to the heavens. Some may travel further, while others may never take another step in their lifetime. What confuses me is that it is not necessarily the more powerful beings that can journey further.

Hearing the sigh of Qingshui, Baisha said: "The affairs of the world are ever-changing, and the clans and tribes in the wilderness cannot remain primitive forever. What happened today is merely a beginning, and once there is a beginning, it will not end. The Qingshui clan will also learn lies and deception, but I will not give them this opportunity."

The Supreme Emperor Taihao opened up the divine land and left behind the Essence Decision. Subsequent emperors, including the Divine Farmer Emperor, the Xuanyuan Emperor, the Gaoyang Emperor, and the Shaohao Emperor, must have received the secret teachings from their predecessors. However, they did not embark on the same path to ascend to the heavens; instead, they established their own imperial realms in the divine land, leaving behind another type of secret immortal technique.

For instance, after a millennium of Taihao's existence, Shaohao was born, also establishing a divine land for the imperial capital. The legends among mortals are similar, believing that Shaohao also obtained the elixir of immortality. However, Shaohao did not ascend to the divine land of Taihao the Heavenly Emperor, but instead created a new imperial capital, thus being revered as the Heavenly Emperor Shaohao

At this point, it seems there is nothing more to say. Bai Sha should be aware that no matter how he threatens Li Qingshui today, the latter will not give him what he desires. He has paid a heavy price, annihilating the Qingshui clan, yet it was all in vain. At this moment, he could kill Li Qingshui and leave, while Li Qingshui would be utterly defenseless.

Bai Sha: "You are mistaken again; this is by no means nonsense. For instance, after Taihao, the Heavenly Emperor Shennong should have long since mastered the essence technique passed down by Taihao and taken that final step. However, unlike others who entered the divine land of the Heavenly Emperor Taihao to enjoy eternal life, he chose to remain in the mortal realm and made a different choice, ultimately embarking on another path, which is why he was able to become the Heavenly Emperor Shennong"

Throughout the ages, beings from various races and categories have entered the initial realm to cultivate. Many of these individuals have not received the secret celestial teachings from the Heavenly Emperor. Although they ultimately did not succeed in ascending to the heavens, they have already traveled a considerable distance. If they were given enough time and fortune, could they also achieve success?

This is similar to the communication style of Qingshui and Baisha, and this muscular man is surprisingly able to master it as well. This person has come to report and seek instructions; over one thousand six hundred members of the Qingshui clan have been completely exterminated, and among the more than two hundred people brought by Baisha, only about fifty remain, with more than ten of them injured

Bai Sha smiled: "This cannot be considered ambition; if it were to be called ambition, then mine is even greater! Any mortal fortunate enough to tread the path to ascendancy would wish to go further! If I could seek the proof of immortality, I would certainly want to know why. Perhaps in the end, what I desire is not only to achieve the status of a heavenly emperor but also to discover the common path that leads to the various routes of ascension—this eternal and unchanging fundamental way of the universe, to open up a realm of immortality that transcends the divine lands of emperors, guiding my Bai E clan to ascend to the heavens."

Although Bai Sha is cruel and cold, he is a person of great wisdom who contemplates questions that many dare not even think about. Why is it that those who cultivate the Essence Refinement Technique can ascend to the divine land of the Great Emperor Taihao, while those who cultivate the Shape-Devouring Technique can ascend to the divine land of the Lesser Emperor Shaohao? Both are referred to as longevity by the world; what similarities and differences do they share? If someone were to master both the Essence Refinement Technique and the Shape-Devouring Technique, what would happen then?