The conversation suddenly took a heavy turn

Heavenly Court exploded?

Even though the Miss Jiudeng later explained that this Heavenly Court was not the Heavenly Court in the mythology that Song Shuhang knew, the words "Heavenly Court exploded" still had a great impact on Shuhang.

"How did it explode?" he asked curiously. Since it could be called the 'Heavenly Court,' even if it wasn't as exaggerated as the nine heavens in mythology, it should at least be a very large territory, right? What kind of explosion could destroy the 'Heavenly Court' in one fell swoop?

Jiudeng replied, "There are many theories. The first is that the powerful Heavenly Emperor who single-handedly established the Heavenly Court was researching a terrifying Dao technique. Then the technique malfunctioned, and he blew up the entire Heavenly Court. It's said that even the Heavenly Emperor himself was reduced to ashes! But in reality, the powerful figures in the Cultivator World all know that someone as strong as the Heavenly Emperor certainly wouldn't be reduced to ashes in an explosion. However, so many years have passed, and there has been no news of the Heavenly Emperor since, which makes people feel that something is very wrong."

Song Shuhang: "..."

The Heavenly Emperor didn't even find a safe place to study the terrifying magical technique that accidentally blew up the entire Heavenly Court? It's like he's researching an atomic bomb in his own backyard! How much does he enjoy courting death?

"The second theory is that the Heavenly Court was besieged by several terrifying forces, including the 'Nine Netherworld,' the 'Beast Realm,' and the 'Ghost Domain.' During the ensuing battle, the Heavenly Court was bombed," Jiudeng explained, raising his second finger.

Song Shuhang nodded silently. This possibility made sense! He couldn't help but imagine a grand scene of demons, monsters, ghosts, and beasts besieging the Heavenly Court, with the Houtian. That should be an epic spectacle!

"The third theory is that the Heavenly Court was ambushed by the 'New Heavenly Dao.' Overnight, a massive explosion occurred, and all the past prosperity vanished." Jiudeng raised his third finger.

After saying that, she narrowed her eyes and asked in return, "So, of the three possibilities, which one do you feel is closest to the truth?"

Song Shuhang honestly shook his head. "Miss Jiudeng, I am just an ordinary working person who has only been involved in cultivation for a few months. I don't even know what the 'Heavenly Court' is like. I simply cannot answer this question."

"Boring, can't you just guess?" said the Miss Jiudeng, releasing her grip on Song Shuhang's hand.

At this moment, Shuhang discovered that the Cloudmist beneath his feet were actually quite substantial, and he could stand on them with peace of mind.

After curiously stepping on the clouds a few times, he casually replied, "There's no point in guessing randomly... Besides, compared to the three possibilities, I'm more concerned about what you meant by the third point you mentioned, Miss Jiudeng. What exactly is this 'New Heavenly Dao'? Can there be a new and an old Heavenly Dao?"

The term "Heavenly Dao Way" represents ultimate truth, origin, essence, law, principle, realm, and so on. It refers to the rules and principles of all things and has a close and inseparable relationship with cultivation.

But can the Heavenly Dao, as an existence, be divided into 'new' and 'old'?

If the Heavenly Dao are constantly changing, how can cultivators still cultivate their true nature?

Today it's 'eating watermelon grants Longevity,' tomorrow it's 'eating pumpkin grants Longevity,' and the Houtian it's 'eating winter melon grants Longevity.' Wouldn't cultivators be driven to their deaths by this?

"The Heavenly Dao remains unchanged throughout the ages, but those who wield its Heavenly Dao Will have changed several times throughout history." Jiudeng gazed ahead, speaking calmly, "Our goal as cultivators is Longevity, to attain our true selves—ultimately, to suppress Myriad Heavens and Realms, to bear the Heavenly Mandate, to become the Myriad Realms Uniqueness, wielding the Heavenly Dao Will. From then on, we transcend Longevity, forging true Immortality, undying and indestructible. It can almost be said that we become the 'Heavenly Dao' ourselves!"

Song Shuhang asked in confusion, "If it is truly Immortality and indestructible, why did the one who wields the Heavenly Dao Will undergo several changes?"

The Miss Jiudeng shrugged and said, "Who knows? I don't know either. I'm just relaying the knowledge I heard from my predecessors, like a megaphone. How much you understand depends entirely on how imaginative you are."

Song Shuhang nodded and asked the next question, "Then, why does the 'New Heavenly Dao' want to deal with the Heavenly Court?"

Suddenly, the Miss Jiudeng laughed happily, "Young man, that's a good question! This is the correct way to 'ask questions along the topic.' Your previous conversation was too erratic and didn't align with my description. And your question made me feel like I had something stuck in my throat, and I had to get it out."

Song Shuhang: "..."

"Ahem, why would the 'New Heavenly Dao' target the Heavenly Court? It's because the Heavenly Court was the most powerful force among us cultivators at the time. And if you want to deal with cultivators, the first thing to strike is naturally the 'Heavenly Court'," the Miss Jiudeng sighed.

"Striking down cultivators, striking down the Heavenly Court? Why?" Song Shuhang frowned in confusion, then suddenly a thought struck him, "Could it be that the New Heavenly Dao isn't about cultivators?"

This world contains cultivators, as well as demons, monsters, ghosts, and other strange beings.

If the 'New Heavenly Dao' that bears the Mandate of Heavenly Mandate, becomes the Myriad Realms Uniqueness, and wields the Heavenly Dao Will, is not a cultivator, or even has grudges against cultivators, then attacking cultivators becomes perfectly logical.

"Your mind works really fast!" Miss Jiudeng said with a pained expression. "The way you guessed the answer so quickly makes my job of explaining it much less satisfying."

"I'm sorry," Song Shuhang apologized decisively.

"You guessed right. The one who became the 'New Heavenly Dao' wasn't a cultivator. We don't even know the origins of the 'New Heavenly Dao', its race, or its affiliation. Overnight, the 'Heavenly Dao' that was originally on our side as cultivators was replaced by the 'New Heavenly Dao.' Speaking of which, that was a very long time ago... but the old seniors in the Cultivator World who survived all have a look of unbearable sorrow when they talk about that history," the Miss Jiudeng said dejectedly.

Song Shuhang rubbed his temples.

How did it suddenly become such a heavy topic?

It seems like there's an employee working tirelessly overtime, hoping to gain the boss's appreciation, a promotion, and a raise, and the boss also appreciates hard work. But just when things look bright, the boss is suddenly replaced, and replaced by someone who has a grudge against the employee?

Moreover, he was just a First-Grade Cultivator first-grade cultivator, and learning such a terrifying fact had a great psychological impact on him.

As the Miss Jiudeng recounted the history of the Cultivation World, she led Song Shuhang into the South Heaven Gate.

Upon entering, Song Shuhang looked around and saw a sea of clouds with many palaces floating on it. But in many other places, there were only foundations, and no palaces yet existed.

"This is the Heaven Realm. The Great Senior is in the deepest part of that bronze palace." The Miss Jiudeng pointed to a huge bronze palace in the deepest part of the sea of clouds.

"The Heaven Realm... the Heavenly Court... Miss Jiudeng, could it be that you intend to rebuild the Heavenly Court?" Song Shuhang asked.

His tone was quite certain; anyone who saw the scene before them could guess that Jiudeng and the powerful forces behind her wanted to rebuild the Heavenly Court!

"Yes, we are rebuilding the Heavenly Court." Jiudeng did not hide it; this was the information she originally wanted Song Shuhang to know.

After leaving Heavenly Island, Song Shuhang's memories will be temporarily sealed away. Only when Song Shuhang makes a decision in the future will this seal be automatically broken, and he will be able to visit Heavenly Island once again.

At that time, Song Shuhang will have the opportunity to become a part of Heavenly Island...

"I see. Because the 'New Heavenly Dao' outside can't know that you're rebuilding the Heavenly Court, all the cultivators who leave here have chosen to seal their memories?" Song Shuhang guessed.

"It's not that simple," said the Miss Jiudeng with a smile.

This alone is not enough to make the cultivators leaving here willingly seal their memories.

After all... Memory-Sealing Spell can easily lead to a deficiency in the mind. If the mind is incomplete, the difficulty of a cultivator's future advancement will increase significantly.

"The matter of rebuilding the Heavenly Court concerns the future of every cultivator. If you want to know, go ask the senior." As the Miss Jiudeng spoke, she led Song Shuhang past a palace.

In an instant, Song Shuhang felt as if he had passed through an invisible barrier and entered another world.

"Real Illusion!" Song Shuhang blurted out.

This feeling couldn't be wrong. He had personally experienced the Venerable White's 'Real Illusion,' and that was exactly the feeling.

"It is indeed Real Illusion. It seems you have come into contact with Venerable-Tier cultivator." Jiudeng smiled slightly, "Furthermore, the Real Illusion was also the greatest secret of the Heavenly Court back then."

As they spoke, Jiudeng led Song Shuhang onward, and soon they arrived at the entrance of the Bronze Ancient Hall.

Song Shuhang a deep breath.

Having made up his mind, he decided that once inside the ancient palace, he would not say a word, ask a question, or show any curiosity. After sealing his memories, he would simply leave Heavenly Island.

I always feel that being too curious can lead to trouble.

On the other side.

In the jungle of Heavenly Island.

The old professor was bending down carefully to cut off a leaf, then gently tucking it into his pocket, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Just then... suddenly, a huge, worm-like monster crawled out from underground, swallowed the old professor whole, and bit him.

Blood spurted wildly... The old professor screamed repeatedly.

The passengers behind him were so frightened that they huddled together, screaming and crying.

Just as the old professor was about to die, flame-like light suddenly burst forth from his body, and moments later, his body turned into light particles and disappeared.

The third way to leave Heavenly Island is to die once and be sent Free Return to Base. Moreover, upon being sent back, you'll receive a highly effective healing spell, giving you a completely new lease on life from head to toe.

Of course, there's a small fee for this healing spell; after all, Heavenly Island is a place that values 'absolutely fair trade'.

Yes, this is also the correct answer to Miss Jiudeng's assurance to Song Shuhang that "ordinary people's lives will absolutely not be in danger."