Chapter 417: Discussion of the Dao
The resounding laughter on the Cliff of Dao echoed for a considerable duration before subsiding.
After finishing the last remnants of the aged wine, the three individuals prepared to depart.
Many times, words need not be spoken in a straightforward manner. A genuine friend can understand each other's intentions through a single glance or a lighthearted remark.
For Candle Dragon, this is a rare moment of unbridled joy and delight that he hasn't experienced in ages.
Especially now, as he stands upon the remnants of his fallen comrade, his emotions become ever more nuanced. Amidst the laughter, he cannot help but burst into a long, resonating laughter, the sound echoing throughout the expanse of the Dragon Falling Mountains, reverberating beyond the mountain, resounding across the plains.
Hearing the bewildered expressions of the many mortals in the city, they looked at each other, unsure of what had transpired.
After the weighty subject had been discussed, the three individuals proceeded to engage in conversation about lighter topics.
Jiu Mie casually inquired about the past of the Dragon Falling Mountains, confirming that Candle Dragon's companion was indeed a female.
Lu Heng, on the other hand, inquired with a cheerful smile about their shared history.
With Jiu Mie and Lu Heng exchanging words, Candle Dragon was left speechless and could only offer repeated explanations, insisting that they were merely close friends, not romantic partners.
Candle Dragon's explanations were earnest, fearing that Lu Heng and Jiu Mie might misunderstand.
And in the slightly old-fashioned and earnest explanation from Candle Dragon, the Cliff of Dao once again echoed with the hearty laughter of Lu Heng and Jiu Mie.
Amidst the laughter, there was a hint of subtle sarcasm.
In the end, amidst Candle Dragon's proclamation of "Would you two like to come down and settle things? Let's see who's truly capable," Lu Heng cheerfully changed the subject.
By successfully diverting Candle Dragon's attention with a crucial final topic, Lu Heng made him cast aside everything that had just occurred.
Lu Heng said, "As the saying goes, 'The River Map emerged from the river, and the Luo Book revealed from the land, the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King shattered the boundless sky'… I wonder if my dear friend is aware of the existence of the River Map and the Luo Book?"
Lu Heng once again shifted the topic, and effortlessly achieved success as well.
Candle Dragon immediately abandoned the previous topic, furrowing his brow as he said, "The River Map and the Luo Book… truly are ancient artifacts of my Celestial Desolation Realm."
"This is a divine artifact personally crafted by the Emperor Fu Xi, possessing an unfathomable divine power."
"According to legend, the River Map and the Luo Book, like the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King, bear the world's origin of the Celestial Desolation Realm. However, unlike the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King, the River Map and the Luo Book contain the secrets of the Emperor's breakthrough to the supreme realm."
"If one could obtain the River Map and the Luo Book, perhaps they could catch a glimpse of the realm that the Emperor once reached. This is a divine artifact that is even more important than the nine cauldrons."
"Fortunately, such divine artifacts didn't fall into the hands of external enemies. When the ancient Heavenly Court collapsed, although the enemy managed to seize the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King, they were unable to find the River Map and the Luo Book."
"Moreover, since then, the River Map and the Luo Book have completely vanished from the world, leaving no trace behind."
"However, when those supreme beings from beyond the heavens departed, they said that if the River Map and the Luo Book were to appear in this world, a supreme existence no weaker than the Emperor Fu Xi would be born in the Celestial Desolation Realm."
"They also left behind a warning."
Speaking up to this point, Candle Dragon paused for a moment before finally continuing to reveal that warning, saying, "With the demise of the Emperor, the descent of the Heavenly Lord is imminent. The River Map and the Luo Book, the annihilation of the Eight Wilderness…"
In the instant that this sentence was uttered, a deafening roar resonated through the firmament, and a blood-red thunderbolt streaked across the vast expanse of the sky.
The power of catastrophic retribution, surges mighty throughout the world.
Jiu Mie was startled, quickly glaring at Lu Heng beside him, and said, "He was in the middle of telling a story, what mischief are you causing?"
Lu Heng wore a helpless expression and said, "It has nothing to do with me, this heavenly thunder manifested out of thin air…"
Candle Dragon, observing the blood-red heavenly thunder streaking across the firmament, let out a cold snort and said, "This heavenly thunder is not the true God Slaying Heavenly Thunder, but merely a seal from the Thunder Roar Realm that blocks off the world. It is just an illusory display, incomparable to the celestial punishment bestowed upon Friend Lu Heng… hm…"
"The warning left by those supreme beings has kept this group of opportunistic scoundrels in constant fear, afraid even to discuss this matter for fear of triggering the prohibitions they left behind. Truly ridiculous."
Candle Dragon said, "Since then, this group of insignificant beings has been guarding the River Map and the Luo Book with utmost attention, fearing that someone may discover this tome and master the supreme techniques within, becoming the next Emperor and seeking retribution from them."
"Therefore, the proverb of the River Map and the Luo Book, along with the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King, has been passed down alongside the Earthly Catastrophe."
"From the emergence of the River Map, the revelation of the Luo Book, the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King shatter the vast expanse… Ordinary people perceive this as a warning of the arrival of the Earthly Catastrophe, as every time the Earthly Catastrophe arrives, the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King resurface in the world, harvesting the essence of living beings in the Celestial Desolation Realm."
"But only those who truly know the ancient secrets are aware that this proverb is not a warning to the beings of the Celestial Desolation Realm, but rather a proverb handed down by those insignificant beings from beyond the realm, offering advice to their descendants."
"If the River Map and the Luo Book were to emerge, there would be a supreme cultivator, no weaker than the Emperor, appearing in the world. At that time, they would wield the River Map and the Luo Book, recapture the Nine Cauldrons of the Yu King, and when they reestablish the order of the heavens and earth, they will undoubtedly exterminate all other realms as a retaliation for the countless years of blood feud against our Celestial Desolation Realm."
The words spoken by Candle Dragon in a seemingly casual manner, were nevertheless inexplicably stirring.
Lu Heng and Jiu Mie exchanged a glance, and Jiu Mie said, "Old Wolf, when you suddenly mentioned the River Map and the Luo Book, could it be that you know the whereabouts of these two precious treasures?"
Lu Heng chuckled and said, "Indeed, I do know their whereabouts."
After listening, Candle Dragon shook his head and said, "Impossible. After the Emperor's demise, the River Map and the Luo Book vanished without a trace. Throughout history, countless top cultivators have searched for them in vain, confirming that these items are completely lost. My friend, please don't joke… Oh… unless you truly know something?"
As Candle Dragon spoke, he noticed Lu Heng's confident and smirking expression, which left him dumbfounded.
He abruptly stood up and asked again in astonishment, "Do you really know?"
In the astonished and incredulous gaze of Candle Dragon, Lu Heng smiled and nodded, saying, "Indeed, I know."
At this moment, Candle Dragon felt somewhat bewildered and found it difficult to accept.
Is the day for the long-awaited counterattack, after countless ages of waiting, finally approaching?
Is that Heavenly Lord mentioned in the prophecy really going to descend upon the Celestial Desolation Realm? So swiftly? So abruptly?
Candle Dragon felt as though he doubted whether he was in a dream.
Silently gazing at Lu Heng, Candle Dragon slowly spoke, "Well then, my friend, please tell me, where are the River Map and the Luo Book?"
Lu Heng shrugged and didn't play coy with Candle Dragon and Jiu Mie, directly stating, "The River Map and the Luo Book are located within Sanxian Island, on the sea."
After finishing his words, and seeing that Candle Dragon still didn't believe, Lu Heng added, "This was spoken by those sixteen little creatures of Erba God Man before their demise. They once served the Emperor Fu Xi and were tasked with sealing the River Map and the Luo Book."
"However, they died at the hands of evil demons a few years ago, causing the seal of the River Map and the Luo Book to be broken. Therefore, they urgently sought help from the ruler of the Fire Pass Country and informed Lianshan Jing of the situation, entrusting her to retrieve these two divine objects and prevent them from falling into the hands of evil demons."
Next, Lu Heng casually recounted the story of how those sixteen little creatures sent a dying message, giving a brief overview of the events.
After hearing this, Candle Dragon's eyebrows furrowed ever tighter, and for a while after listening, he remained silent, sitting there in a dazed state without uttering a word.
