Chapter 1247: Stone Mother Returns Beyond the Stars

Chapter 1257The Stone Mother Departs for the Stars

The Sacred Emperor’s meaning was clear.

With war between the Sacred Dynasty and the Myriad Immortal Alliance imminent, it was time for the Taiyan Sect to finally declare its allegiance.

When Sun Erlang found Yi Shu in the Sacred Capital, Yi Shu was already prepared and waiting with a smile.

“Young Sir, let us depart.”

Sun Erlang didn’t hesitate; he cupped his hands, and the two headed straight for the Taiyan Sect.

“Senior, did you gain anything unique during your time in our Sacred Dynasty?” Sun Erlang cautiously asked on the return journey.

Yi Shu smiled. “The Sacred Dynasty’s landscape is different from the Myriad Immortal Alliance, and even more distinct from the Xuanhuang Realm of millions of years ago. We have benefited greatly. The sect has now reached a consensus and received the Stone Mother’s approval. You will know more when the time comes.”

“Oh, and this time, you might even have a chance to meet the Stone Mother.”

Yi Shu’s words stirred something in Sun Erlang.

Though Sun Erlang wanted to probe for more information, Yi Shu changed the subject, discussing his recent observations in the Great Qi.

“The people of the Sacred Dynasty live in abundance, with plenty of food and clothing, leading them to pursue higher spiritual endeavors. Although their cultivation realms and strength are unremarkable, some of their ideas are truly fascinating. This time, I met a scholar who wrote a strange tales novel. It describes what would happen in the Xuanhuang Realm without the existence of a Law-Imparting Celestial Venerable…”

Sun Erlang was slightly taken aback, then heard Yi Shu continue: “Unlike the simulated world you experienced, in that novel, although the transmission of laws isn’t evident, calamities still descend, causing chaos in Xuanhuang.”

“Three Venerables rise from obscurity, gaining momentum to sweep across the land and stand as equals. One nurtures the people through education, becoming a teacher to heaven and earth. One, through the pure and noble virtues of a sage, wins over hearts, forming an unshakeable alliance. This is the Human Sage. One, with infinite power, establishes an Immortal Dynasty on earth. Where its forces point, all things surrender. This is the Grand Profound Immortal Emperor…”

As Yi Shu spoke, Sun Erlang’s expression became quite subtle.

“The three Venerables engaged in a fierce struggle, battling for centuries without a clear victor. The details, though a bit rough and not thoroughly refined as they were deduced by a single individual, are still very interesting and offer a unique perspective…”

Sun Erlang couldn't help but ask, “So, who won in the end?”

“This book, *The Three Kingdoms of Xuanhuang*, hasn’t been finished yet. The author’s home was besieged by people claiming he showed great disrespect to the Sacred Emperor and demanding he be taught a lesson. Although the Sacred Dynasty’s officials didn’t intervene, as the *Romance* depicted some flaws in the Grand Profound Immortal Emperor, the controversy grew, almost leading to bloodshed.”

“The scholar dared not write anymore. The plot is stalled, so I don’t know who the final winner is,” Yi Shu said with a knowing smile.

Sun Erlang lightly coughed. “When I return, I’ll dismiss those people and let him write in peace. It’s just a strange tales novel; how could Master be so narrow-minded as to not tolerate such things?”

Yi Shu hinted meaningfully, “While the Sacred Emperor truly might not care, the people of the Sacred Dynasty don’t necessarily think the same way.”

Sun Erlang was about to argue further, but they had already arrived within the Taiyan Sect’s territory.

Sun Erlang once again stepped into the floating city within the crystalline wall in the sky. Unlike his previous visit, all the cultivators he encountered on the way greeted him with smiles.

It was as if they were all intimately familiar with him.

Sun Erlang knew that the Taiyan Sect shared all information, essentially operating as a single entity. However, this feeling of others knowing him while he knew nothing about them still made Sun Erlang uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the journey was short, and Sun Erlang soon arrived at the Taiyan Sect’s central hub, where he met Chen Tianhai.

Chen Tianhai was holding a scroll, reading intently.

Yi Shu, however, did not enter.

“Greetings, Senior.”

Sun Erlang bowed, but Chen Tianhai remained unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard.

After a long silence, Chen Tianhai finally spoke, getting straight to the point: “Regarding the war between the Sacred Dynasty and the Myriad Immortal Alliance, our Taiyan Sect has decided…”

“To remain neutral.”

This answer utterly surprised Sun Erlang, leaving him stunned on the spot.

Even a modest show of support would have been better. While being a fence-sitter and watching tigers fight might ensure temporary peace, once everything settled, they would undoubtedly face the most severe reckoning.

Logically, the Taiyan Sect should not have made such an unwise move.

Sun Erlang looked at Chen Tianhai, full of doubt.

“We made this decision not only because the Stone Mother’s tens of thousands of deductions resulted in almost equally balanced outcomes for all potential victors…”

“But more importantly,” Chen Tianhai declared, astonishingly, “we have decided to temporarily leave the Xuanhuang Realm.”

“Huh?!” Sun Erlang was abruptly dumbfounded.

“Is it because of the recent uproar over the Ethereal Rainbow Light?” Sun Erlang asked.

“Yes and no. In truth, our Taiyan Sect has long planned to venture across the starry sky. However, the dangers of the star sea always led us to postpone it indefinitely. But the recent sword message that traveled across the star sea changed our minds,” Chen Tianhai said with a faint smile.

“The sword message illuminated the Xuanhuang firmament for seven days, during which we conducted a detailed analysis. We had some minor breakthroughs. Since the sword message could traverse the star sea, our Taiyan Sect can trace its origin, following its path to locate its source,” Chen Tianhai said with full confidence.

“The other side of the star sea, beneath the high wall, is truly a place to yearn for,” Chen Tianhai sighed.

Sun Erlang felt as if he perceived the unified will of the entire Taiyan Sect.

Knowing that this matter was irreversible, Sun Erlang’s thoughts raced, wanting to return quickly and inform his Master.

“Young Sir, there’s no need to rush. After this parting, we don’t know when we will meet again. Why not take this opportunity to meet the Stone Mother?” Chen Tianhai suggested, looking at Sun Erlang.

Sun Erlang hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

The moment he agreed, the scenery of the surrounding room vanished. It was as if he were in the midst of the star sea, with darkness all around.

Only a brilliant blue light emerged from the depths of the darkness, forming a fine line that streaked across the star sea.

The instant he saw this thin blue line, Sun Erlang had an epiphany.

This was the Path-Transforming Stone Mother.

The original Path-Transforming Stone.

“I am not originally from Xuanhuang. Through a fortuitous coincidence, I arrived in this realm while traversing the star sea.”

A voice emerged in Sun Erlang’s mind.

It wasn’t communication through the five senses or divine consciousness, but rather a direct connection via the resonance between the Path-Transforming Stone crystals within Sun Erlang’s sea of consciousness.

Sun Erlang’s expression became solemn, showing his respect.

The Stone Mother continued her narrative. “Where I came from is no longer ascertainable. However, where I am ultimately going—that, I have an answer for.”

The Path-Transforming Stone Mother’s words greatly shook Sun Erlang’s heart.

“Where are you going? What do you mean, Stone Mother?”

“The other side of the star sea is not the true end; it’s merely a corner of the universe. Had it not been for a high wall obstructing me, I should have long since departed ten thousand years ago. Additionally, after being cut and divided, I lost the ability to traverse the starry sky. There was nothing to do but let it be, and in a blink, so many years have passed.”

The scene before Sun Erlang suddenly changed.

The thin blue line, which had been flying straight through the star sea, inexplicably changed direction and plummeted towards Xuanhuang.

It was discovered by cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm, and with its aid, the Taiyan Sect rapidly rose to become a renowned sect in the world.

That which had been cut could logically never be restored.

Unexpectedly, the Xuanhuang Realm underwent dramatic changes, and calamities descended. To resist the tribulation where laws could not coexist, the Taiyan Sect cultivators voluntarily decided to merge with the Path-Transforming Stone.

Information remained immortal; the Path-Transforming reappeared.

After tens of thousands of years of separation and reunion, the Path-Transforming Stone returned to its original form, as it was when it first arrived in the Xuanhuang Realm.

Scene after scene rapidly changed, shaking Sun Erlang’s mind.

He couldn't help but ask, “Senior, you’ve been in the Xuanhuang Realm for so long that you’re almost omniscient. It’s not an exaggeration to say that if you remained in Xuanhuang, you would be unharmed by any tribulation. Why insist on leaving? Beyond the star sea, there are too many variables and unknowns; even for you, Senior, I doubt there’s absolute certainty of survival, is there?”

“Why must I go? The answer to that question is the same as why you cultivators must cultivate.”

The Stone Mother’s words left Sun Erlang speechless.

“The high wall obstructs the star sea. But some things, it cannot stop,” the Path-Transforming Stone Mother said with an inexplicable tone.

There was a hint of bewilderment, yet also an unknown confidence.

“Youngster, don’t overthink it. I merely intend to go and see for myself first. If we truly cannot cross the high wall, it’s highly probable we’ll return. As for the reason I wanted to meet you this time…”

The illusory blue line before Sun Erlang suddenly became corporeal, shooting rapidly towards his head.

Before he could react, Sun Erlang was struck by the blue ray.

Sun Erlang checked his entire body but felt no abnormality. Only the Path-Transforming Stone crystals in his sea of consciousness seemed slightly different.

“Youngster, there’s no need to be nervous. I merely left a mark. This is so that if we decide to return in the future, we won’t lose our way back.”

“Of course, we won’t shortchange you. Focus your mind…”

The Stone Mother’s words, accompanied by the Path-Transforming Stone’s synchronized flickering, brought forth countless overwhelming images into Sun Erlang’s perception, nearly submerging his sea of consciousness.

He quickly focused his mind, slowing down the reception of the images.

Among these numerous visions, some showed the Sacred Dynasty embroiled in bitter battles and suffering heavy casualties. Others depicted the Sacred Dynasty winning consecutive victories, leaving the Myriad Immortal Alliance clinging on in the Central Four States. Yet, without exception, all of them were events that had not yet occurred in the real world.

“These are the results of my deductions, given to you for reference.”

Sun Erlang felt relieved and hastily thanked the Stone Mother.

“However, I must warn you, youngster, do not trust these deductions too much.”

“This Xuanhuang Realm is like a bottomless pond. If the waters are calm, every ripple on the surface can be deduced. But if the fierce creatures at the bottom of the pond all emerge and stir up chaos…”

“Then the deductions of ripples will inevitably deviate greatly from reality. Your Master surely understands this principle.”

“So, in truth, whether our Taiyan Sect is here or not will not significantly change anything.”

While the Path-Transforming Stone Mother’s voice still echoed in his ears, Sun Erlang, regaining his senses, found himself already outside the Taiyan Sect.

The crystalline wall, which had previously been inconspicuous, was now enveloped in a mysterious blue light.

The entire Taiyan Sect became increasingly transparent, as if it could vanish from this world at any moment.

“Young Sir, you must live well.”

“Otherwise, our Taiyan Sect might not find its way home,” Yi Shu’s words, accompanied by a knowing smile, drifted over.

It felt like an illusion.

While he was still dazed, the floating sky city before his eyes had completely vanished from Sun Erlang’s perception.

“Just like that, they’re gone. That was too fast.”

Sun Erlang muttered to himself, feeling a sense of melancholy and loss.

He stood there dazed for a long time before returning to report the entire incident in detail to his Master.

Gazing at the Silent Faceless Sacred Emperor seated above him, Sun Erlang couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

However, the Sacred Emperor’s next words left him somewhat dazed.

“What mark? That was merely the Stone Mother's jest. The Path-Transforming Divine Stone is an unparalleled wonder. Even I could not fully comprehend that rainbow sword message immediately, yet She deciphered it in a short time…”

“If She can trace its origin and traverse the star sea, how could She possibly lose Her way?”

“Master, then what exactly…” Sun Erlang asked, puzzled. “The profound sensation when the blue line collided with the Path-Transforming Stone in my sea of consciousness was certainly real.”

The Sacred Emperor, however, smiled a rare smile.

“It is your good fortune, young lad.”

“Strictly speaking, all Path-Transforming Stones in the world are merely fragments separated from the Stone Mother. Although cultivators can claim them for themselves through the Method of Path-Transforming Unity, fragments are ultimately fragments. Even the finest Path-Transforming Stone cannot compare to the Stone Mother herself. However, the blue ray She used on you was like touching stone to gold…”

The Sacred Emperor’s tone was peculiar: “Although its quality is currently only high-grade, it has been enlightened, and now possesses infinite possibilities for the future.”

“Given time, it might even become a second Stone Mother.”

“This…” Sun Erlang was stunned, having never imagined that the other party would leave behind such a great fortune for him after departing.

“Don’t overthink it. Everyone has their own destiny. Perhaps the Stone Mother simply found you agreeable,” the Sacred Emperor said nonchalantly.

“Yes…” Although Sun Erlang responded as such, his expression clearly showed that he hadn’t quite processed it yet.

“Oh, Master. About the Stone Mother’s tens of thousands of deduced outcomes…”

“Analyze and report them after you’ve calmed down.”

“As you command, Master.”

Sun Erlang, still somewhat dazed, left the Sacred Emperor’s seat.

Unconsciously, he found himself at the location of the scholar Yi Shu had mentioned, the one who wrote *The Three Kingdoms of Xuanhuang*.

He saw that a crowd was still gathered at the entrance of the house.

Though they weren’t doing anything excessive, they watched the exit menacingly, staring intently.

It was as if the scholar inside shared an irreconcilable grudge with them.

Upon seeing Sun Erlang, their faces lit up, and they eagerly rushed forward, wanting to recount the scholar’s alleged misdeeds.

But Sun Erlang interrupted them with a slight frown.

The crowd wisely dispersed.

Sun Erlang strode into the house.

The scholar was heavily drunk. Sun Erlang picked up the manuscript from the table and began to read.