My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1251: The Holy Emperor Steps Across Du'e

Boosted by the Flowing Light Armor and the Seven-Colored Jade Void Glimmering Light, his velocity ascended to an astonishing degree.

Despite his ostentatious flight, enveloped in a brilliant seven-colored radiance, his speed was so immense that not a single cultivator throughout the entire Nine Mountain Prefecture could detect his presence.

Not even the Dao Integration guardian affiliated with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

Initially proceeding with caution, Ou Shangtian gradually eased his guard once he confirmed his anonymity.

He even relished in the exhilarating sensation of unbridled freedom.

“So exhilarating! Truly beyond compare!”

Within the expansive Nine Mountain Prefecture, he completed several circuits in mere moments, the sensation of soaring with the wind and lightning leaving Ou Shangtian slightly inebriated.

Simultaneously, a question arose in his mind: “Will merely traversing this vast area at such a pace truly succeed in luring out that Stone Tablet?”

“Is it truly that enigmatic? Can it truly fail to pinpoint me even with my speed?”

“Perhaps I should reduce my velocity and observe?”

Just as Ou Shangtian's contemplations began to drift, an inexplicable premonition of danger surged within him.

A vivid image suddenly flooded his consciousness.

The world around him plunged into abrupt darkness.

As if ensnared by an unseen force, he found himself unable to escape the encroaching gloom, regardless of his flight path.

In his helplessness, his form slowly drifted towards the epicenter of this oppressive darkness.

“!”

Ou Shangtian's heart was violently seized.

He recognized this as the spontaneous alarm triggered by the Book of Ten Thousand Deaths, another peculiar artifact alongside his Kun-Qian Bone Hand.

“What on earth is this? Is it the Stone Tablet?”

The foreboding vision sent shivers down Ou Shangtian's spine. Without a second thought, he activated one of the pre-prepared formation crowns.

Instantly, a multitude of formations materialized, forming a protective cordon around Ou Shangtian at the center.

Only then did the ephemeral vision conjured by the Book of Ten Thousand Deaths begin to recede.

However, the sense of peril within Ou Shangtian did not diminish. As the architect of these formations, he could keenly sense that the hundreds of thousands of arrays he had meticulously established were being dismantled at an alarming rate.

Yet, from start to finish, he never perceived the entity responsible for their destruction; it was as if something was silently consuming them.

His dread intensified. While the initial protective formations still held, Ou Shangtian unleashed several more formation crowns in his vicinity.

Concentric layers of defense expanded outwards, and amidst them, a hazy figure gradually materialized.

Ou Shangtian dared not linger to observe further.

“Earth Veins!”

With a silent invocation, Ou Shangtian plummeted from the sky, plunging directly into the earth.

He vanished instantaneously.

Meanwhile, the myriad formations he had deployed were bizarrely compressed into solid, page-like constructs and began to drift towards the figure that had materialized.

This figure gradually resolved into its true form: a scholarly individual bearing a conspicuous stone tablet upon his back.

With each page acquired and perused, it would vanish from his grasp in a flicker of luminescence, seemingly absorbed into the stone tablet.

The scholar did not pursue the retreating Ou Shangtian with haste. Instead, he calmly continued to read through all the pages in his possession.

A frown gradually creased his previously serene countenance.

“Since when did formations within the Xuanhuang Realm attain such sophistication?”

“That luminescence encompassing the world…”

“Could it be an outsider?”

Having absorbed all the pages, the scholar turned his gaze towards the location where he had sensed Ou Shangtian.

“Such remarkable speed. He even possesses the Earth Vein Ancient Tree as an auxiliary.”

The scholar consulted the recent chronicles within the Stone Tablet.

He found no pertinent entries.

“The proliferation of external prefectures is escalating. Even the Stone Tablet, which purports to possess omniscience, is incrementally falling short of its claims.”

“Carefree, your assessment was indeed correct. Nothing is truly immutable. Not even immortals, nor the prowess that we Longevity Immortals hold in such high regard.”

Despite the clear indication of orchestration, as if strategically lured, the Stone Tablet harbored no apprehension.

On the contrary, his curiosity intensified.

With a single stride, he arrived at Ou Shangtian’s former position.

However, Ou Shangtian, seemingly anticipating this, had already burrowed into the earth veins moments prior.

The surging earth veins roared and churned. Even for the Stone Tablet, locating a minuscule ant within their depths proved exceedingly difficult.

Yet, the Stone Tablet remained unperturbed. He was confident that his quarry would eventually resurface, and thus, he simply waited.

“Intriguing. It appears the individual orchestrating this possesses a modicum of understanding regarding me.”

There was no trace of anger at being manipulated; rather, a subtle smile graced the Stone Tablet’s features.

Under these circumstances, the Stone Tablet found itself guided toward a secluded mountain Daoist temple.

Ou Shangtian ceased his flight and stood with deference behind a commanding individual.

The Stone Tablet's focus, initially on Ou Shangtian, then shifted to this imposing figure.

After a period of silent scrutiny, the subtle smile that had graced the Stone Tablet's surface completely vanished.

In its stead, a palpable sense of bewilderment and gravity took hold.

The person before it evoked a sensation that was both strangely familiar and tinged with an undercurrent of peril.

“I cannot discern any aura of a unified body and Dao. Is he not within the Longevity Immortal realm? Or, similar to myself, does he cultivate the ancient path to Longevity?” the Stone Tablet mused inwardly.

“Standing there so still, aren't you getting weary? Come inside and rest for a moment,” Li Ping finally spoke, breaking the palpable tension.

With a single utterance, he dissolved the atmosphere that felt akin to swords drawn and ready for battle.

The encounter didn't resonate as a clash between adversaries, but rather as a warm reunion between old companions.

An inexplicable feeling began to stir within the Stone Tablet's core.

Nevertheless, it responded with a subdued, “Very well.”

It proceeded to follow Li Ping into the Daoist temple nestled below.

Li Ping, not pausing at the temple's entrance, continued his path toward a small, tranquil pond situated behind the structure.

“For how long have you borne that Stone Tablet upon your back, Fellow Daoist?” Li Ping inquired.

The Stone Tablet experienced a slight start but answered without concealment, “Thirty-six thousand, nine hundred and forty-two years.”

“Thirty-six thousand, nine hundred and forty-two years,” Li Ping echoed the duration.

“It sounds like an immense span of time. Yet, it is merely a little over thirty thousand years. In the grand scale of the Xuanhuang Realm's lifespan, it is utterly insignificant. Such a duration is even less when considering the Star Sea that lies beyond,” Li Ping remarked with a hint of philosophical reflection.

The Stone Tablet concurred, “Indeed, thirty thousand years pass as swiftly as a fleeting moment. For the very fabric of heaven and earth, it may count as nothing. But for an individual like myself, it has been a truly protracted period.”

“An ordinary person…” Ou Shangtian couldn't help but murmur these words softly at that juncture.

Li Ping offered a smile, “Shangtian, show some respect. This senior speaks the truth. He is, in essence, just an ordinary individual.”

Ou Shangtian, unwilling to defy the Holy Emperor, quickly bowed in apology toward the Stone Tablet.

Far from taking offense, the Stone Tablet's gaze remained fixed upon Li Ping, “You… seem to possess considerable knowledge of me?”

Li Ping offered no direct confirmation, stating instead, “It is merely a sense of shared experience I perceive.”

“I too am but an ordinary soul, burdened with a destiny I must fulfill.”

Upon hearing this, Ou Shangtian lowered his head even further, apprehensive of betraying even the slightest hint of impropriety.

The Stone Tablet, however, became lost in contemplation, continuing its meticulous examination of Li Ping.

The imposing stature of Li Ping presented a figure distinct from that of common cultivators.

The interwoven strands of aura surrounding him possessed a profound depth, instilling in the Stone Tablet a sense of caution, forbidding any underestimation.

“Fellow Daoist has purposefully led me here. What precisely is your objective? Is it simply to exchange pleasantries?” the Stone Tablet finally asked directly, bringing an end to their subtle parley.

“My aim is to assist you in attaining liberation, Fellow Daoist,” Li Ping declared in a resonant voice.

These direct words prompted Ou Shangtian to lift his head, a spark of eager anticipation visible in his eyes.

The Stone Tablet, however, narrowed its eyes, its wariness escalating.

“It appears, Fellow Daoist, that you may have misinterpreted my intentions. I genuinely wish to help you find your freedom,” Li Ping expressed, a subtle disappointment coloring his tone.

The Faceless Holy Emperor gestured to their immediate surroundings.

“Have you perchance failed to notice the peculiar nature of this place, Fellow Daoist?”

At this prompt, the Stone Tablet finally diverted its attention from the Faceless Holy Emperor, scanning the area.

Its gaze eventually settled upon the placid expanse of the small pond.

Despite its unassuming appearance, devoid of any overt signs of mystery, the Stone Tablet's intuition strongly suggested the presence of a hidden secret.

The Stone Tablet proceeded with slow steps to the pond's edge. The crystal-clear water mirrored the visage of a scholar, causing it to momentarily falter.

It then shook its form, and in an instant, its appearance underwent a complete transformation.

“I confess a certain curiosity as to your original form, Fellow Daoist,” the Faceless Holy Emperor, Li Ping, commented from behind.

“Heh, even I can scarcely recall it now,” the Stone Tablet replied with a self-deprecating chuckle.

With that, it recommenced its focused observation of the pond.

The pool was shallow; a single glance was sufficient to perceive its entirety.

“Hmm?”

The Stone Tablet scrutinized the scene for an extended duration but remained unable to uncover the pond's enigma, finding itself questioning its own judgment.

It turned its attention back towards Li Ping.

Li Ping offered no explanation. Instead, a question laced with deeper meaning emerged: “Prior to the great Xuanhuang Realm calamity, myriad immortal treasures were said to grace the world. Now, after more than ten millennia have elapsed, these treasures have long since vanished without a trace. The very existence of immortal artifacts has become the stuff of legend, rarely even a topic in casual cultivator discourse.”

“Does Fellow Daoist possess any knowledge regarding the whereabouts of these immortal treasures?”

The Stone Tablet's expression remained utterly impassive: “Immortal artifacts? I have never concerned myself with…”

Mid-sentence, a realization seemed to dawn, and his gaze unexpectedly shifted towards the Fishing Pond once more.

After a brief moment of contemplation, his visage underwent another transformation.

An ancient fisherman, donned in a straw raincoat and carrying a basket of fish, materialized instantly before Li Ping.

A flash of verdant light emanated from his hand. The Stone Tablet, now in the form of the fisherman, cast out his fishing rod.

In the very next instant, his body stiffened with shocking intensity.

Without even attempting to reel in the line, the Stone Tablet stood utterly immobile, as if encased in solid ice.

Only after a considerable duration did he manage to step back, freeing himself from the illusion that had ensnared his vision.

“What was that?” The Stone Tablet fixated his stare upon Li Ping.

“What do you mean by ‘what was that’?” the Holy Emperor inquired, feigning ignorance.

“The fish pond? The starry expanse?” the Stone Tablet pressed, his voice demanding a clearer answer.

Li Ping offered a slight shake of his head: “That, Fellow Daoist, is the .

“Bait?” The Stone Tablet appeared momentarily dumbfounded.

“Even the angler may find themselves ensnared,” Li Ping declared, his tone chillingly cold.

“Even if Fellow Daoist remained unmoved upon witnessing treasures from the entirety of the starry sky, what if your very path to liberation were at stake? Could you still maintain such composure?” Li Ping’s voice was barely a whisper.

Having resided within the Xuanhuang Realm for an immeasurable expanse of time and having borne witness to countless events, the Stone Tablet—

Upon hearing Li Ping's words and reflecting for a moment, he swiftly grasped the underlying meaning.

“With the immortal path irrevocably severed, the star sea beyond the Xuanhuang Realm should have long since crumbled into ruins. That is, unless…” A sudden spark of understanding ignited in the Stone Tablet's eyes.

“Why, do you too harbor a desire to venture out and investigate?” Li Ping inquired.

The Stone Tablet vehemently denied this: “The affairs of the world remain largely consistent. Even in another realm, what significant difference would it truly make? My sole wish is to cast off this heavy burden from my back and finally attain a measure of sound sleep.”

He steered the conversation back to the Fishing Pond: “I cannot ascertain when this object first arrived in the Xuanhuang Realm. However, it can be definitively stated that its arrival occurred subsequent to the great calamity.”

“More precisely, it appeared after the Immortal Ancestor resurfaced and established the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”

The Holy Emperor elucidated further: “In other words, this Fishing Pond was most likely introduced into the Xuanhuang Realm alongside fragments from other immortal cultivation realms.”

“That is a plausible conclusion… However, the treasures of the immortal path have long surpassed our current comprehension. Certainty remains elusive,” the Stone Tablet conceded, leaving a sliver of ambiguity.

“The path to liberation you alluded to, is it intended to make me bite this bait?” The Stone Tablet directed a somewhat peculiar gaze at the Holy Emperor.

Li Ping responded with unvarnished honesty: “Precisely. Does Fellow Daoist not experience an unending cycle of suffering? You are intrinsically fused with the Genesis Stone Tablet. Across this entire world, I believe only immortal path treasures that transcend the power limitations of the current immortal cultivation realm could possibly sever your connection to the stone tablet.”

“As for the ultimate fate that awaits once one is ensnared by the power behind the Fishing Pond, that is something I cannot offer any guarantees about.”

The Stone Tablet felt an overwhelming urge to voice: “I bear you no ill will, so why seek to bring about my harm?”

Yet, the words halted at the precipice of his lips.

It became unequivocally clear that this Faceless Venerable harbored no malicious intent, otherwise, he would not have laid bare the entirety of his plan so openly.

Conversely, the Stone Tablet found the person before him to be remarkably forthright.

Furthermore, a distinct and familiar aura emanating from the other party’s being instilled within him an inexplicable sense of peace.

“My desire stems from an exhaustion with existence and a wish to shed this immense burden, not from a lack of will to live,” the Stone Tablet politely declined the Holy Emperor’s implied offer.

“If Fellow Daoist is merely troubled by the ceaseless deluge of information continually emerging from the Genesis Stone Tablet, then said matter can indeed be resolved with relative ease.” Only at this juncture did Li Ping reveal his true objective.

“Oh?” The Stone Tablet’s eyes clearly betrayed his skepticism.

“Does Fellow Daoist recognize this artifact?” Li Ping extended his hand. A resplendent azure crystal floated serenely within his palm.

“The Dao Deviation Stone. Naturally, I am acquainted with it. You propose…” The Stone Tablet began, only to shake his head in negation.

“To be quite frank, I’ve explored numerous avenues to alleviate this suffering. My attempts even included the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Transformation Divine Art. Yet, the Genesis Stone Tablet is the very embodiment of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao’s might. The Heavenly Dao reigns supreme, observing all beneath it. Once it merged with me, no room remained for anything else.”

“That was then. The times have shifted,” Li Ping interjected, cutting off the Stone Tablet.

The Stone Tablet paused, taken aback.

“Furthermore, I can provide assistance.”

As these words were uttered, the emanations surrounding the Faceless Holy Emperor underwent a transformation.

Above the Daoist temple, the winds and clouds converged. An unusual resonance spontaneously manifested, aligning with the Holy Emperor.

The profound and familiar connection within the Stone Tablet's core intensified.

“You are…?!“

Despite his ten thousand years of existence, a gasp of astonishment escaped him at this precise moment.

“The Great Celestial Venerable of Xuanhuang?!”

However, he swiftly dismissed the notion. “No, that’s impossible. Moreover…”

Raising his gaze to the heavens, the Stone Tablet’s countenance transitioned from shock to profound seriousness.

The authority wielded by the Great Celestial Venerable of Xuanhuang, while distinct from the Genesis Stone Tablet, existed above it.

Though the Stone Tablet still held records of his achievements, only fragmented lines persisted, offering merely the barest outline.

Yet, the aura emanating from the Faceless Holy Emperor at this juncture was markedly different from the historical accounts of the Great Celestial Venerable of Xuanhuang.

“The Great Celestial Venerable of Xuanhuang commanded the Nine Heavens Dao. While deeply intertwined with the Heavenly Dao, he functioned more as an independent entity. With specific empowerments, he could manipulate the Heavenly Dao’s laws as effortlessly as moving his own limbs. But this individual before me…”

A sudden realization dawned upon the Stone Tablet.

“A Heavenly Dao incarnation?”

Although seemingly far-fetched, this presented the most plausible explanation.

Li Ping, sensing the Stone Tablet’s contemplation, ceased displaying his connection to the Heavenly Dao.

He offered no direct explanation.

Instead, he steered the conversation back: “With the Dao Deviation Stone aiding you in processing and organizing the occurrences within the Xuanhuang Realm, it should alleviate some of your burden.”

“However, relying solely on the Dao Deviation Stone is insufficient.”

The Stone Tablet’s gaze sharpened slightly, awaiting his further words.

“The Du'e Sect. A fellow Daoist should be acquainted with it,” Li Ping inquired.

Upon hearing these three words, the Stone Tablet’s expression grew noticeably displeased.

“The World-Observing Divine Eye of the Du'e Sect functions similarly to the Genesis Stone Tablet. Coupled with their myriad paper figures, the Du'e Book can likewise chronicle all it observes.”

“The Du'e Book, in conjunction with the Dao Deviation Stone, should suffice to roughly…”