Inside the Shaolin Temple's meditation hall.
Cao Ya noticed the familiar movement; his eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't open them.
Meng Qi, Master Lu, and Su Wuming are definitely safe; they each have their own trump cards to protect themselves, and they are under the watchful eyes of powerful figures. Their karmic entanglements are unlike those of ordinary people…
Cao Ya continued his calm cultivation, pondering the Seven Swords of Heaven's Interception.
At that moment, a thought suddenly struck him, and the Samsara Seal in his inner world trembled, conveying a unique message.
Cao Ya's expression changed drastically, and he quickly opened his eyes, startled.
Suddenly, a shimmering, illusory figure appeared in the Zen temple. Its features were indistinct, but its demeanor was quite dignified, exuding a sacred aura.
Cao Ya's pupils constricted.
Heavenly Emperor!
The Heavenly Emperor of this era, who dominated this one from the ancient times!
The Heavenly Emperor who once killed the Demon Lord of the Other Shore in a one-on-one duel!
Cao Ya couldn't help but stand up abruptly, the Samsara Seal appearing on his palm. His face was filled with fear as he stared intently at the illusory figure.
"The Heavenly Emperor?!" Cao Ya whispered.
The man seemed to nod with a smile and slowly said:
"As expected of someone recognized by the Reincarnation Seal, they are indeed extraordinary. Without any powerful backup plans, they were able to forcibly attain the status of Celestial Immortal at an extremely fast speed before the final tribulation, and possess the characteristics of a legend. They are expected to take another step or two further."
"Haha, in ancient times, there weren't many people like you."
Without a doubt, he admitted that he was the Heavenly Emperor!
In fact, when Cao Ya sensed the feeling of time flowing like water and each stroke of the sword aging people, he immediately understood that this person was definitely the Heavenly Emperor and could not possibly be an imposter!
Within the Xuantian Sect, one of the three major sects of Taoism in the real world, there exists the Time Blade. If the Heavenly Emperor's illusory figure before them were an imposter, the Time Blade would likely be the first to become enraged and unleash a powerful slash from afar, erasing its very essence!
However, the Time Blade remained unchanged.
Cao Ya took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and forced himself to remain composed. Holding the Samsara Seal, he stepped out of the meditation room and into the courtyard. Standing beside the illusory figure of the Heavenly Emperor, he looked directly at him and asked in a deep voice:
"It is said that the Heavenly Emperor has long since perished, and the Heavenly Court has fallen into oblivion. I never expected that I would have this opportunity to see the Heavenly Emperor in person today."
"As expected, rumors are mostly unreliable."
"But I wonder what brings the Heavenly Emperor here? I will do my utmost to help him as much as I can!"
Cao Ya left himself an out, only saying "I will do my best" without saying "I will definitely complete it".
As for what constitutes "doing one's best," that's up to him to decide.
The arrival of the Heavenly Emperor is not to be taken lightly; utmost caution is required.
If the Time Blade, intact and under the control of the Heavenly Emperor, were willing, it could actually be fully revived and unleash a blade of light of the other shore level, destroying all the heavens and myriad realms!
However, the Samsara Seal, burdened by the Demon Buddha Mark, has lost most of its power and can only maintain itself at the peak of the Celestial Immortal level. Although it is strengthening every day, the threshold of legend is not so easy to cross.
Cao Ya estimates that it will take at least several years before the Demon Buddha's Mark can be suppressed and worn away to a greater extent, allowing the Reincarnation Mark to revive to the legendary level.
Even if we assume that the Reincarnation Seal is not burdened by the Demon Buddha Mark and can cancel each other out with the Time Blade, how can Cao Ya, a mere Celestial Immortal, possibly rival the Heavenly Emperor, who is a being from the Other Shore?
Celestial Immortals may seem very powerful, but in the eyes of those on the other side, even legends and fortunes are nothing more than slightly larger ants. What are Celestial Immortals anyway?
Even though the Heavenly Emperor was in poor condition and had many concerns, the dignified being of the Other Shore, even if half-dead or on his last breath, was still far above the Heavenly Immortals!
"What do I have to do?" the Heavenly Emperor murmured, and smiled.
He raised his head and tilted his face up. The moonlight was as clear and bright as water, cool and transparent, and even colder to ordinary people.
His eyes were as deep as the night sky. After a long silence, he sighed softly.
"What I want is to truly come back to life, to take revenge, to reach the pinnacle, to attain enlightenment, to... transcend!"
Cao Ya listened, her face stiffening slightly.
Heavenly Emperor, you overestimate me. None of the things you mentioned are things I can do... No, it's not a question of whether I can do them or not!
Rather, I am simply not qualified!
Even those with great supernatural powers at the Creation Realm are not qualified!
"You didn't attend the banquet; that's quite prudent," the Heavenly Emperor's illusory figure suddenly said, changing the subject and smiling at Cao Ya.
"Jin'ao Island has too much of a reputation, and they even sent a celestial being as an envoy. To be honest... I'm quite scared!" Cao Ya said frankly.
"Hey, you're quite honest." The illusory figure of the Heavenly Emperor chuckled.
"To lie in front of someone like you, the Heavenly Emperor, is just asking for trouble, isn't it?" Cao Ya opened his eyes wide, looking completely sincere.
“It’s better not to go. That banquet involves two people with great potential and some people from the other shore. Beneath the turbulent sea, there are undercurrents and the water is very deep. Even I don’t dare to get involved.” The Heavenly Emperor’s illusory figure chuckled and said, “However, I won’t get involved on Golden Turtle Island. But I don’t have such concerns in other places.”
Cao Ya's heart skipped a beat.
Damn it, could the Heavenly Emperor be referring to me?!
"The fact that you have gained the approval of the Samsara Seal shows that your character is relatively in line with the values of the Samsara Seal."
"I am familiar with Houtu. In ancient times, we were called Huangtian Houtu."
"Her reincarnation mark is the remains of Houtu after she reached the other shore and died to perfect the rules of all the heavens and myriad worlds. Therefore, it contains a certain wish of Houtu."
“In ancient times, I was in charge of it for a period of time and studied it carefully, but I was not recognized by the Reincarnation Seal. Later, the situation changed drastically, and I had to integrate everything, forge the Time Blade, and slumber within it. It was at that time that the Reincarnation Seal escaped, and I don’t know when it was obtained by the Demon Buddha.”
"If Houtu were alive, she would probably be quite resentful and very angry."
The Heavenly Emperor was moved.
How could a world-destroying demon like the Demon Buddha possibly meet the conditions for the Reincarnation Seal to recognize its master?
Of course, he also had to admit that Ananda and the Thunder God before the Demon Buddha were both very generous and righteous, or compassionate.
In ancient and prehistoric times, the Thunder God was known for his righteousness and integrity, and was praised by almost everyone. Even the Heavenly Emperor regarded him as a confidant and was willing to tell him many secrets.
It is highly likely that such a person, before being fully exposed, would wield the Samsara Seal with the power of creation.
Later, the Reincarnation Seal sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. The Demon Buddha was born and ascended to the other shore. With his complete body on the other shore, he could easily suppress the Reincarnation Seal.
Objects can never compare to living beings!
"I was unwilling for Houtu's Reincarnation Seal to fall into the clutches of the demons, and I did not want to strengthen the power of the Demon Buddha... Alas, it is a pity that I am not in good condition and cannot make a move. Only now, at the point when the final calamity is approaching, can I barely break free from the restraints, take form, and see the scenery of heaven and earth with my own eyes again." The Heavenly Emperor sighed.
"So, when I learned that the Samsara Seal had broken free from the Demon Buddha's control and fallen into your hands, I was incredibly surprised!"
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