I Can See Through All Things' Information Chapter 1463 - 874: Demon Abyss Changes, Calamity Prophecy (Part 2)
Previously on I Can See Through All Things' Information...
Qiu Ruofeng’s smile remained, unchanged.
He appeared to have foreseen Lu Qing’s inquiry, calmly raising a hand.
"No need for concern, Fellow Daoist," he stated with a grin. "Having extended an invitation, I naturally intend to disclose everything. However, this matter is of profound significance and requires a comprehensive explanation from the outset. I request your patience."
Addressing Lu Qing, he inquired, "May I venture to ask, Fellow Daoist, have you ever encountered mention of a prophecy long whispered among the stars?"
"A prophecy?" Lu Qing’s eyebrows lifted subtly.
He pondered for a moment, recalling certain passages within the ancient records of the Holy Alliance.
The history of the Human Race throughout the Heavenly Origin Great World was indeed extensive. During his time in the Holy Alliance, he had delved into numerous ancient texts, one of which documented various legends from antiquity.
It was true, that particular text had referenced a prophecy.
"Are you perhaps referring to... the prophecy concerning a celestial catastrophe?"
Lu Qing posed the question.
Qiu Ruofeng’s head nodded, a flicker of appreciation crossing his eyes: "Precisely, that very prophecy. I was not expecting you to be familiar with it."
Lu Qing offered no verbal response, simply observing him with quiet intensity.
Within the Holy Alliance’s archives, the prophecy was described with notable brevity, merely hinting at a future calamity descending from the stars, devastating all living things and annihilating countless Life Realms.
Specific details regarding the nature of this catastrophe, its timing, or any potential countermeasures were notably absent.
Consequently, the majority of cultivators dismissed it as an archaic fable, failing to attribute any serious weight to its pronouncements.
With Lu Qing's acknowledgment, Qiu Ruofeng's demeanor seemed to further relax.
"Since you are acquainted with it, this simplifies matters," he articulated slowly. "But do you possess knowledge of its origin?"
Lu Qing responded with a negative shake of his head: "The texts offered no such information."
Qiu Ruofeng drew a deep inhalation and declared in a resonant tone: "Then allow me to enlighten you. This prophecy was painstakingly deduced in ages past by a Transformation Immortal, at the immense cost of their very Life Energy."
"At the cost of their Life Energy?" Lu Qing’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Indeed," Qiu Ruofeng affirmed with a nod. "That immortal sacrificed their entire accumulated cultivation, burned away all their Life Energy, and even relinquished their Dao Foundation, merely to attain a fleeting glimpse into the Heavenly Mechanism of the future.
Upon completing the prophecy's deduction, they were utterly depleted, perishing instantly and leaving behind only a vestige of their True Spirit, destined for reincarnation."
He paused, then continued his account: "It is for this reason that this particular prophecy has endured through the ages, its presence felt across the stars.
Were it otherwise, an ordinary prophecy would have been long swallowed by the ceaseless currents of time.
Understand this: it was a vision of the future purchased with the life of a Transformation Immortal, inherently imbued with a certain potent, ineffable power."
Lu Qing remained silent for a beat, then inquired: "Yet, in the present day, most factions across the star systems regard this prophecy merely as folklore, questioning its veracity. Why do you, Fellow Daoist Qiu, specifically choose to bring it forth?"
Qiu Ruofeng’s expression grew grave.
Gazing directly at Lu Qing, he stated each word with deliberate emphasis: "Because that prophecy is unequivocally real."
Lu Qing uttered nothing, maintaining his quiet observation, awaiting his further explanation.
Qiu Ruofeng declared: "The basis for my certainty lies in the fact that the individual who first deduced this prophecy was none other than a patriarch of our Netherworld Palace."
A rare trace of astonishment finally surfaced on Lu Qing’s face.
The patriarch of the Netherworld Palace?
That Transformation Immortal hailed from the Netherworld Palace?
He directed his gaze toward Qiu Ruofeng, a discernible skepticism coloring his eyes.
Qiu Ruofeng, seemingly perceptive of his doubt, offered a wry smile: "You need not harbor skepticism, Fellow Daoist. Though our Netherworld Palace may currently be in a diminished state, our lineage does indeed boast a Transformation Immortal ancestor.
Were this not the case, how could we have established a foothold within the surrounding Immortal Domains, forging a power that spans numerous Life Realms?"
He exhaled a sigh and resumed: "However, since the passing of that venerable patriarch, our Netherworld Palace has failed to produce another cultivator at the Unity Realm stage.
Through the intervening years, each succeeding generation has proven less potent than the last, and now, despite possessing a certain foundation, we are a far cry from our former glory in ancient times."
Lu Qing inclined his head, refraining from further interrogation.
The descendants of a Transformation Immortal certainly possessed the inherent qualifications for such an achievement.
It was akin to the Great Origin Immortal Domain, which was once the dominion of a Transformation Immortal.
Subsequently, after that Transformation Immortal's departure, it fragmented into the present state of independent survival for each Life Realm.
Furthermore, without their ancestral lineage boasting a Transformation Immortal, it was improbable that the Netherworld Palace would possess intimate knowledge of so many profound secrets.
"The contents of that prophecy, I have also encountered within ancient texts," Lu Qing stated. "It speaks of an impending cataclysm, though its exact nature and timing remain veiled in mystery. Since you possess greater insight, Fellow Daoist Qiu, I implore you to share it openly." Qiu Ruofeng observed Lu Qing for a moment, his expression unreadable, before speaking slowly. "Indeed, many specifics of that prophecy were not widely revealed at the time; beyond the venerable Supreme Elders of our Netherworld Palace, few are privy to its full extent." He met Lu Qing's gaze, his eyes holding an unfathomable depth. "Specifically, the catastrophe foreseen by our patriarch is drawing near." "Drawing near?" Lu Qing's brow furrowed slightly. Qiu Ruofeng affirmed with a solemn nod. "According to the patriarch's estimations, the timeframe could be as brief as a few hundred years, or extend up to a millennium. While the precise moment eludes us, we are certain it is not far off." A few hundred years, a thousand years. For ordinary mortals, these durations are beyond comprehension. Yet, for cultivators, particularly those at the Unity Realm, such spans vanish in an instant. "What would transpire if this catastrophe were left unaddressed?" Lu Qing inquired. Qiu Ruofeng offered a wry smile. "You can likely surmise that when the catastrophe strikes, the entirety of the starry sky will face ruin. Consequently, not just the Life Realms, but even we cultivators would struggle to evade its devastating reach." He continued after a brief pause. "While our Netherworld Palace might not be renowned as a beacon of righteousness, and our methods may be considered... less than orthodox. We nonetheless abhor the prospect of the starry sky's annihilation. Furthermore, should this calamity truly manifest, our own survival would be impossible. As the saying goes, beneath an overturned nest, no egg remains intact." Lu Qing inclined his head, offering no verbal response. "What, then, is this catastrophe linked to?" he asked. "Frankly, we are also in the dark on that matter," Qiu Ruofeng confessed with a sigh. "Even our patriarch could not fully ascertain the root cause of the catastrophe during their time. Our current understanding is that one of its origins lies within the Dark Abyss." At this revelation, a profound silence descended upon the hall. The black-robed figures present adopted grave expressions, as if a particularly ominous subject had been broached. Lu Qing remained silent for a spell before posing his next question. "Are you suggesting that the Dark Abyss is the catalyst for a catastrophe that will engulf the entire starry sky?" Qiu Ruofeng confirmed. "Precisely, this is the prophecy our patriarch imparted upon their dying breath. They foretold that from the depths of the Dark Abyss, an unimaginably dreadful calamity would ultimately erupt. At that juncture, the entire starry sky would confront an existential threat." "What precisely is this disaster?" Lu Qing pressed. Qiu Ruofeng shook his head. "That remains unknown. The patriarch did not elaborate, merely stating in the prophecy that its terror was immeasurable, surpassing even the might of a Transformation Immortal. Should it be unleashed, the entire starry sky would be plunged into an irrecoverable state." He looked towards Lu Qing, a measure of earnestness evident in his gaze. "Throughout the years, our Netherworld Palace has diligently explored the Abyss, endeavoring to comprehend the source of this impending disaster. However, the Abyss is excessively profound; the further one descends, the greater the perils encountered. We have been unable to reach its core; even within this outer region, the primary bodies of several Unity Realm elders have been lost." "Only recently have we discovered a significant location." He indicated a conspicuous red marking on the map. "It was at this very spot that the Great Power Xuanhua the Mysterious Transformation met their end. Perhaps therein lies the path to uncovering the truth we seek." Lu Qing's gaze lingered on the crimson mark, his mind deep in contemplation. He recalled the shadowy figures pursuing Xuanhua and the presence of those blood-hued entities; could the prophesied disaster be connected to these unknown forces? With this thought, Lu Qing voiced his query, "So, the reason you summoned me here is...?"