Chapter 1473: Attaining Perfect Enlightenment

A silence spread for a while.After the mountain rending ended, the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain, split into two, appeared even quieter.At this time, Moon Slave said, "Do you remember what Dou Zhao said when he came to find us?"Zuo Guangshu pondered, "He said that Zhu Yan had disappeared, unknown changes had occurred in the Mountain Sea Realm, and he couldn't guarantee harvest, so he had to start snatching the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets."The disappearance of Nine Phoenix and Qiang Liang was not an isolated incident; the target Dou Zhao sought had also vanished.This immediately made Jiang Wang think of a question he had considered earlier—If he hadn't come to the Mountain Sea Realm, stripping away the impact he brought, what would have happened in this world?For example, Trident.With Trident's cunning, there was still a high chance of killing Bi Fang in the end. And in the future, if someone were to go to Mount Zhang'e again, wouldn't they only see Zheng?Any true world is constantly evolving. As a realm whose reality is hard to discern, the Mountain Sea Realm should naturally be no exception—if the Mountain Sea Realm of today were identical to the Mountain Sea Realm of nine hundred years ago, then this place would not be real enough, and it would not have perplexed generations of Heaven's Chosen.Clutching a copy of the *Classic of Mountain and Sea Beasts* and searching by the book is inherently unreliable.Jiang Wang asked, "Must we find Nine Phoenix?"Zuo Guangshu said, "According to the original plan, I needed to first obtain a feather of Nine Phoenix, then seek out Diaonanyuan. Lighting the Nine Phoenix feather in Diaonanyuan would yield clues to the Nine Chapter.""Diaonanyuan must be at the extreme south of this realm?" Jiang Wang asked.Zuo Guangshu said, "The so-called Diaonanyuan, 'to this point, the south withers,' is naturally the southernmost point of this realm. However, the Mountain Sea Realm is immeasurably vast, and it's difficult for us to reach it quickly on our own. So to go to Diaonanyuan, we must take the Path of Divine Descent in this realm, which is the Rainbow Bridge."One must first go to the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain to seek Nine Phoenix, find a way to obtain a feather of Nine Phoenix. Then, one must find the Path of Divine Descent, and only by traversing this path to Diaonanyuan and lighting the Nine Phoenix feather can one obtain related clues... The difficulty of acquiring the Nine Chapter is likely sufficient to demonstrate its preciousness.Plucking a feather from Nine Phoenix itself is a task of suicidal difficulty! Jiang Wang had already deeply felt how powerful the Mountain Gods and Sea Gods of this Mountain Sea Realm were. If Zuo Guangshu didn't have items specially prepared by Duke Huai to deal with Nine Phoenix, he wouldn't have held any hope for this trip.There's no need to even mention what the Path of Divine Descent is; who knows which passing Mountain God or Sea God one might encounter, and if they're in a bad mood, they might just crush them.And Diaonanyuan... just hearing the name sounds extremely unsafe.Little Guangshu's goal is set so high, it's definitely a bit of an overestimation, with insufficient understanding of his own strength and the difficulty of the Mountain Sea Realm. But Duke Huai didn't warn him, and even helped solve the difficulty of the Nine Phoenix step, so he must have his own considerations...According to Zuo Guangshu's plan, while things were difficult, at least there was a train of thought.But now, the Mountain Sea Realm has undergone inexplicable changes, Nine Phoenix has disappeared, the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain is empty, and the first step of the plan has been severed.No wonder Zuo Guangshu was utterly bewildered.After thinking for a moment, Jiang Wang asked again, "Nine Phoenix has already disappeared, is there any other way to obtain the Nine Chapter?"Zuo Guangshu was naturally considering this question: "After the Skyfall, those who can survive safely and successfully reach the Central Mountain can obtain Huang Weizhen's legacy with the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets in their hands. What those legacies include is unknown, but I think, perhaps there's also a chance to obtain the Nine Chapter from them.""What is Skyfall? The sky here... will it collapse?""You can understand it that way. Skyfall generally marks the final stage of the Mountain Sea Realm journey. At that time, various signs of world-ending will occur. Mountain Gods and Sea Gods must remain in their territories, relying on the power of the mountains and seas to hold firm, and outsiders cannot survive outside the Central Mountain.""That is to say..." Jiang Wang analyzed, "Ultimately, all survivors will converge at the Central Mountain?"Zuo Guangshu nodded."Does Skyfall happen every time?""According to the information I've gathered, it happens every time," Zuo Guangshu said, "Unless everyone leaves before that.""Then there's a chance, a very good chance," Jiang Wang said with certainty, "If the three of us join forces, we don't need to fear anyone."This certainty was undoubtedly very confidence-building.The difficulty of this journey in the Mountain Sea Realm far exceeded everyone's imagination.After entering the Mountain Sea Realm, almost everyone learned a profound lesson.Zuo Guangshu, from a famous lineage, began to question life, even denying himself.Moon Slave, with a mysterious background, also lost control of her emotions at one point under repeated blows.Only Jiang Wang, although he also suffered continuous defeats and was repeatedly beaten into fleeing in disarray, with wounds piling up one after another... still stood tall with a straight spine and full of confidence in the road ahead."What is the situation inside the Central Mountain?" Moon Slave asked.Zuo Guangshu shook his head, "I don't know, no one knows. All the information only indicates that such a place exists. In the past, those who participated in the Mountain Sea Realm journey seemed to have naturally obtained the legacy after successfully reaching the Central Mountain. It shouldn't be that simple, but it's unclear.""Holding the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets, entering the Central Mountain." Jiang Wang pondered, "More jade tablets, more choices?"Zuo Guangshu thought for a moment and said, "Huang Weizhen's legacy is like a nine-compartment dark box covered with a black cloth. Each Nine Chapter Jade Tablet can open one compartment. People cannot see what is inside, they can only reach in and grope, only taking one item of legacy. Of course, the more Nine Chapter Jade Tablets, the more choices there will be. The more Nine Chapter Jade Tablets you control, the greater the chance of getting what you want.""Why can't all the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets be gathered together, with everyone taking turns to control them and choosing one by one?" Jiang Wang asked.Zuo Guangshu said, "Because in the Mountain Sea Realm, each jade tablet can only be used once. Any 'compartment,' once opened, will disappear."Jiang Wang nodded.Zuo Guangshu had already described it very vividly.There are two ways to obtain something in the Mountain Sea Realm. One is the conventional way, such as Zuo Guangshu's plan, first going to the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain, then to Diaonanyuan... The other is a fallback option, which is to survive the Skyfall, enter the Central Mountain, and obtain Huang Weizhen's legacy using the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets.The latter option involves a lot of luck. The compartment you open may not contain the item you need.Because the information about the Central Mountain is uncertain, in theory, everyone who enters the Mountain Sea Realm should first choose to obtain what they seek through conventional means.In this way, as long as the desired items are different, there generally won't be any conflicts.But there are always exceptions; people don't always follow rational choices.For example, Tai Yin wanted to expel Jiang Wang immediately, and Wu Ling and Ge Fei also targeted others, with the intention of expelling the strongest first.Another example is Dou Zhao, who, after confirming the disappearance of Zhu Yan, immediately began to clear the field with his blade.Moon Slave said, "On the way here, Benefactor Jiang said that he saw on the Mountain God Stele that the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets have already gathered in the Mountain Sea Realm. So according to Young Master Zuo's theory, all the 'compartments' can be opened. If we can successfully withstand the Skyfall and reach the Central Mountain, this time Huang Weizhen's legacy should include the Nine Chapter.""I imagine so," Jiang Wang said, looking at Zuo Guangshu again, "Can the things Duke Huai prepared for you be used against Dou Zhao?"Although he believed that with the help of Moon Slave and Zuo Guangshu, he should be able to compete with Dou Zhao again. But firstly, Dou Zhao might not necessarily fail to find allies, and secondly, it's better to be as safe as possible.The items Duke Huai prepared to deal with Nine Phoenix must be quite powerful; dealing with a single Dou Zhao should be more than enough.To his surprise, Zuo Guangshu fell silent.After a while, he shook the silver cylinder in his hand, and the liquid inside made a sloshing sound.Then he said, "The way to use this thing is to twist the base, and the liquid inside will fly out and automatically spray onto the target. As long as it touches a bit, its feathers will fall off.""..." Jiang Wang was speechless for a moment, "Hair removal liquid?"Who would have thought?The dignified Duke Huai of Great Chu, preparing something specifically to deal with Nine Phoenix, and it's so down-to-earth!But upon closer thought, too powerful means cannot be brought into the Mountain Sea Realm, otherwise it would have been in chaos long ago. Almost everyone who can enter the Mountain Sea Realm has a background. Under limited conditions, Duke Huai's method is indeed very "targeted"..."Regardless, to avoid any oversight or missing anything, we should still personally search the mountain again. We can increase the speed, but the necessary effort cannot be spared," Jiang Wang said in the end.What he was thinking in his heart was—Skyfall, will it be that "opportunity"?In the time of heaven falling and earth collapsing, in the time of world destruction, will it be possible to clearly see the true appearance of the Mountain Sea Realm?Boom, boom, boom!The waterfall still hammered the river circling the mountain. Ice splinters flew chaotically, and water splashed everywhere.The three people who had found nothing flew away from the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain."We should have a plan for where to go next," Jiang Wang said, looking at Moon Slave, "There's no way to get Nine Phoenix feathers for now. Does the Zen Master have any goals coming to the Mountain Sea Realm?"Moon Slave shook her head gently, "I only came to witness Huang Weizhen's scenery; I seek nothing else."She originally had the idea of bringing Qu Shunhua to sweep through the Mountain Sea Realm, but later found that the new generation replaced the old, and Qu Shunhua was eliminated right in front of her, so she couldn't say anything more.Jiang Wang then said, "How about we first seek the Path of Divine Descent and go to Diaonanyuan to take a look. Since there are clues to the Nine Chapter there, we shouldn't ignore it. Perhaps there's a way to bypass the Nine Phoenix feathers to catch the clues."Zuo Guangshu naturally knew that Jiang Wang was thinking of him, but still refused, "Even the southern direction withers there, which shows the danger of Diaonanyuan. Without the Nine Phoenix feather for protection, and without definite clues, the danger is too great, and the harvest is too slim. This is not a correct decision. Big Brother Jiang, don't think too much about me. Let's wait for the Skyfall, rush into the Central Mountain, and try our luck with the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets we have.""How much time is there from now until the Skyfall happens?" Jiang Wang asked.Zuo Guangshu shook his head, "Skyfall doesn't have a fixed time; we only know it will happen, not when it will happen.""If Skyfall happens in three to five hours, then so be it. But if it's three to five days or eight to nine days..." Jiang Wang said, "Such a long time spent waiting in vain is a waste for you, for me, and for Zen Master Yue. If we are just looking for a place to cultivate and wait, why did we come to the Mountain Sea Realm?""Furthermore, the Mountain Sea Realm has clearly undergone immeasurable changes, changes whose cause is unknown. Past experiences are no longer applicable. If we don't find a way to uncover the truth, and just blindly wait for Skyfall, when the crisis comes, we can only be at the mercy of others..."Jiang Wang patted Zuo Guangshu's shoulder, "I'm deciding this not just for you. Since Diaonanyuan has clues to the Nine Chapter, and the Nine Chapter is so important, I imagine Diaonanyuan is also a very important place in the Mountain Sea Realm. Perhaps there's an answer to why the Mountain Sea Realm has changed to this extent. Without entering that abyss, how can we understand that principle?""Benefactor Jiang speaks with reason," Moon Slave clasped her palms together, "Just as it is said, 'If I don't enter hell, who will enter hell?' The more difficult and dangerous the place, the more we of our generation must go.""..." Jiang Wang said, "It's not as dangerous as the Zen Master says. We have the Nine Chapter Jade Tablets on us; if we see something wrong, we can find an opportunity to leave early."Zuo Guangshu still hesitated, "But...""There are no buts," Jiang Wang interrupted, "Do you have a better option? If so, I will listen to you. If not, the current option is the best one; just move forward."Zuo Guangshu was speechless.Moon Slave then said, "Namo Precious Moonlight Buddha. The so-called will of Heaven is the will of the Buddha. Benefactor Jiang's words are deeply in line with Buddhist principles."He didn't know what was wrong with this puppet Zen Master, why she suddenly became... a bit too complimentary.Jiang Wang mused for a moment, saying, "I'm thinking... if the Mountain Sea Realm is a test left by Huang Weizhen. Then, with the disappearance of Nine Phoenix and the Northern Pole Heavenly Cabinet Mountain becoming an empty mountain, will the test of obtaining the Nine Chapter change?"Zuo Guangshu was also stunned for a moment.The answer to this question might directly point to the truth of this world!Moon Slave clasped her palms together, a Buddhist light on her face, "Following the path of reality to attain enlightenment. We cultivators should prove this. Benefactor Jiang speaks too well..."Everyone knows Tathagata, but how many truly know Tathagata?Moon Slave's origin is not simple at all; she is far more than just a junior disciple of Wash Moon Temple.Jiang Wang thought for a moment and asked, "Wash Moon Temple definitely doesn't accept male disciples, right?"A rare hint of playfulness appeared in Moon Slave's eyes, and she slowly said, "If Benefactor Jiang is interested, it's not impossible to make an exception."Jiang Wang had a serious expression, "Wash Moon Temple is a prestigious sect, with an ancient inheritance. What virtue or ability do I have to dare to spoil the clean name of this treasure mountain?""If you consider these things, gender is not an issue either. For example, my puppet body is genderless..." Moon Slave said very calmly, "There are many ways."Jiang Wang laughed dryly, "Zen Master really knows how to joke!""Guangshu!" He quickly said, "There's no time to lose; let's discuss how to get to the Path of Divine Descent as soon as possible."Some things cannot be stated clearly at this time.But waiting without doing anything is not his style.At Diaonanyuan, there might be an answer, or there might not. He has to try to be content.