Gu Changxiang gave the order to the crowd:

"I need a moment to calm down. If you have nothing important to do, please do not disturb me."

Long Huo and the others, along with the six slaves, respectfully replied:

"Please rest assured, Divine Lord."

"The humble servant knows the name given by his master."

Looking at the respectful group of people, Gu Changqing closed his eyes again and slightly activated his divine sense to probe the Dao Tian Mirror in his ring.

This mirror can be activated without being taken out of the ring, and the moment the celestial mirror came into contact with Gu Changqing's divine sense, it trembled violently within the ring space.

Then, the Daotian Mirror sensed the aura of the Holy Emperor within Gu Changqing's consciousness and emitted a burst of golden light, drawing Gu Changqing's consciousness into it. Gu Changqing did not resist and allowed the suction force to pull him into the mirror.

At this moment, Gu Changqing, who was sitting cross-legged on the black dragon, seemed to pause for a moment, but the people around him did not notice, and were just observing whether there were any enemies around.

As Gu Changqing's consciousness and soul entered the Dao Heaven Mirror together.

With his feet gently landing on a patch of lush green grass, Gu Changqing released his divine sense to survey his surroundings, discovering that all around him was an endless expanse of grassland.

There was only one unknown creature dressed as a shepherd and a swarm of speechless beings surrounding it.

Ordinary people would probably not know what these creatures are, but Gu Changqing does. These creatures are those recorded in the murals of the sacred site and are called the Imperial Tomb Stock Disaster.

According to the mural, this creature was sealed away by the Holy Emperor beneath the Nine Heavens, and now it is unknown why it has appeared here.

And why are those shepherd-like creatures surrounded by this being?

Just as Gu Changqing was pondering, the creature dressed as a shepherd vanished from the spot.

In an instant, the creature reappeared, but this time it was in front of Gu Changqing. The group of people who had been affected by the Huangling stock market crash also sensed the creature's departure and gathered here.

Gu Changqing looked indifferently at the creature in front of him that resembled a shepherd, without saying a word. He knew that since this person had appeared in front of him, he would definitely say something.

Sure enough, the creature dressed as a shepherd made a sound using what appeared to be a mouth.

"The last Holy Emperor of the world, I know your doubts. This place is the inner world of the Dao Heaven Mirror. You can call me the Shepherd."

"And these imperial tomb stock market crashes were also raised by me. However, the imperial tomb stock market crashes here have been tamed by me and will no longer deceive others. Now they only know how to wander around and play with each other, just like children."

As soon as the words fell, Gu Changqing and his companion were surrounded by the numerous "Royal Mausoleum Stock Crashes." However, these "Royal Mausoleum Stock Crashes" were not as vicious as the murals described. Instead, they rubbed against their bodies between their legs, like pets.

The shepherd gently stroked a small, exquisite goat that was circling beside his legs, then whispered to Gu Changqing:

"I wonder what brings Your Majesty here? There are no other living beings left here, only me and this group of imperial tomb stock market disasters."

Gu Changqing shook his head slightly, ignoring the few stocks of the Imperial Mausoleum stock market crashing at his feet, and said indifferently:

"I've come here not for treasures or creatures, but simply to ask you a few questions."

Upon hearing this, the shepherd paused slightly, but quickly recovered and continued stroking the royal tomb stock.

"What questions does Your Majesty have for this forgotten man?"

"Where did you get these imperial tombs? The inscription on the stone wall says they were all sealed away under the heavens by the previous Holy Emperor."

After chasing away the few Huangling stock market crashers who were scratching at his Taoist robe, Gu Changqing asked.

The shepherd shook his head slightly. "This creature was born in this world with me, but I cannot reproduce. This creature splits every thousand years. The previous Holy Emperors came here and, seeing that this creature was not aggressive, allowed me to raise it."

This wasn't the answer Gu Changqing wanted, but he didn't care. After all, the power of the Imperial Mausoleum Stock Market Crash was useless against him. He then asked the shepherd his second question.

"How long have you existed? Can you exist forever?"

Upon hearing this question, the shepherd merely smiled, if that was a smile.

“I probably existed when the first Holy Emperor was alive. But you are strange. Other Holy Emperors exude a holy and warm aura, but you have a very strange aura. I don’t know what it is.”

"As for whether I can exist forever? Of course not. Nothing in this world can exist forever. The Dao will die, and living beings will die too. It's just a matter of how long it takes."

Gu Changting frowned upon hearing the shepherd's reply. Could it be that this world was not a place to attain enlightenment? No, perhaps it was simply a matter of the shepherd's limited understanding.

After thinking it over, Gu Changqing ignored the persistent scratching at his black and white Taoist robe and continued to ask the shepherd:

"Why would the Holy Emperor come here? Is it merely because you can answer questions?"

"Of course not. This boundless grassland is a resource for the Holy Emperor to advance his realm. The Holy Emperor loves all living beings in the world and does not want to compete with them. He can only come here to cultivate his mind."

The shepherd answered slowly, responding to every question Gu Changqing posed without showing any annoyance. And rightly so, since there was no one else around to talk to, only the tamed, speechless Huangling Guchao.

"State of mind?"

Upon hearing Gu Changqing's question, the shepherd also revealed the state of mind that the Holy Emperor cultivated.

“Mindset is a necessary cultivation for every Holy Emperor. The first Holy Emperor was personally bestowed with the inheritance by the Heavenly Dao. Every Holy Emperor deeply loves all living beings in the world.”

However, sometimes the Holy Emperor would be confused when he saw the creatures of the world killing each other, so he came here to cultivate his mind. I am the only living being here and I have communicated with all the Holy Emperors, which is why I find you strange.

After all, other holy emperors love all living beings; your indifferent demeanor doesn't seem like one that loves the world's creatures.

The shepherd then spoke at length, answering Gu Changqing's question while also expressing his own curiosity.

However, Gu Changqing did not satisfy the shepherd's curiosity. After chasing away those annoying stocks, he continued to ask:

"What is the path to enlightenment? And what is the one who attains enlightenment?"

Upon hearing Gu Changqing's question, the shepherd stopped stroking the imperial tomb and stood quietly in place, his eyes darting around as if he were thinking about something.

Gu Changqing remained silent, his eyes fixed indifferently on the shepherd lost in his memories.

After a long while, the shepherd's lifeless eyes regained their color, and his previous smile vanished. He looked at Gu Changqing with a hint of regret and said:

Before I get to that, let me tell you a story, a story about the Holy Emperor.

"Please speak," Gu Changqing said softly, then ignored the endless stock market crash at the imperial mausoleum and sat quietly cross-legged in front of the shepherd, his black and white Taoist robe fluttering in the wind behind him, waiting for the shepherd's answer.

...