Chapter 3321: The Jade Bow Celestial Emperor
The Heavenly Emperor Palace in the Solitary Destructive Heaven was located in the sky, high above a barren land. It would be almost impossible for someone who had not been to the palace to find it.
However, Meng Hao Xuan was a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Mountain, a heaven-grade force in the Solitary Destructive Heaven. Even if he had not been into the Heavenly Emperor Palace, he had seen it before.
When Duan Ling Tian and Meng Hao Xuan were near the Heavenly Emperor Palace in the Solitary Destructive Heaven, Meng Hao Xuan grew more and more excited. He said enthusiastically, “There are many people like me who would come to the Heavenly Emperor Palace even if we can’t enter it. It’s almost like a pilgrimage…”
Most of the sword celestials in the Solitary Destructive Heaven revered and wors.h.i.+ped their Heavenly Emperor. Therefore, the residence of the Heavenly Emperor had become a special place to them.
“I see.” Duan Ling Tian nodded in response. When he was still in the Boundless Heaven’s Heavenly Pool Palace, he had read up about Feng Qing Yang. He knew that Feng Qing Yang was not only the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven, but Feng Qing Yang was also idolized by most sword celestials in the Solitary Destructive Heaven.
In fact, most Heavenly Emperors were not idolized or revered to this extent. Usually, only those who had become G.o.ds would receive this level of adulation and reverence. It was rare for Heavenly Emperors to have almost half of the population in their Devata Realms to wors.h.i.+p them so much. Perhaps, only a handful of Heavenly Emperors received this kind of adoration.
“Duan Ling Tian, before we arrive, I should remind you that you might not even make it past the gates. Perhaps, at most, you can get someone to help you send a message,” Meng Hao Xuan said when they were almost at the Solitary Destructive Heaven’s Heavenly Emperor Palace, “Although you have a connection with our Lord Heavenly Emperor, the connection is from your time in the mundane realm. To a Heavenly Emperor, the legacy they left behind in a mundane realm might not mean anything to them. Moreover, such a long time has pa.s.sed, it’s likely that he might not place much importance on things from the mundane realm anymore.”
Although Meng Hao Xuan had learned about Duan Ling Tian’s connection to the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven during their journey here, he was not optimistic about Duan Ling Tian’s chance to meet the Heavenly Emperor.
Nevertheless, Duan Ling Tian was undeterred and wanted to give it a try anyway.
“Don’t worry, I know.” Duan Ling Tian knew Meng Hao Xuan’s intentions were good. Therefore, he responded with a slight smile on his face even though he was feeling troubled. Naturally, he hoped Feng Qing Yang would be willing to help him, but he was also prepared to be turned away. If he failed to obtain Feng Qing Yang’s help, he would have to rely on his own strength to save Huan’er’s parents.
After some time, Meng Hao Xuan’s voice rang in Duan Ling Tian’s ears. “That’s the Heavenly Emperor Palace!”
Duan Ling Tian regained his senses. He looked in the direction of Meng Hao Xuan’s gaze and saw a floating island in the air that was shaped like an upside-down sword. Apart from that, there were many floating islands around the sword-shaped island like the stars around the moon.
“It’s said that one of the smaller islands around the main island is the Lord Heavenly Emperor’s cultivation ground,” Meng Hao Xuan said as he looked at the Heavenly Emperor Palace with a burning gaze. Although he had been here more than once, he was still in awe.
‘This aura feels very familiar…’ Duan Ling Tian, who was standing next to Meng Hao Xuan, thought to himself when he sensed a faint hint of sword Qi from the main island that was shaped like an upside-down sword. After a moment, he realized why it seemed so familiar.
‘This sword Qi is similar to the Sovereign Heart Sword that Senior Feng Qing Yang left behind in the mundane realm. However, the sword Qi here is naturally much more piercing and powerful…’ Duan Ling Tian did not even realize that his eyes had begun to s.h.i.+ne with antic.i.p.ation at this moment.
“Let’s go to the entrance,” Meng Hao Xuan called out to Duan Ling Tian before the duo made their way to the entrance of the Heavenly Emperor Palace in the Solitary Destructive Heaven.
This was in fact the first time Meng Hao Xuan was so close to the Heavenly Emperor Palace. In the past, he would only stand in the distance and look at the palace like what they were doing earlier.
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As soon as Duan Ling Tian and Meng Hao Xuan entered the range of the Heavenly Emperor Palace, a figure swiftly appeared in front of them, blocking their path. Soon after, a few more figures joined the first figure.
“This is the Heavenly Emperor Palace. Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter.” The person who blocked their path was a heavenly guard. It was no surprise that his aura was oppressive. After all, the heavenly guards here were all Celestial Emperors.
Duan Ling Tian was rather surprised by this discovery, ‘It’s true! Even the heavenly guards are Celestial Emperors!’
During their journey, Meng Hao Xuan had told him the Heavenly Emperor Palace was different from ordinary sects that had many members and disciples. The Heavenly Emperor’s force was only made up of various t.i.tled Celestial Emperors and their disciples, and the heavenly guards.
Most of the heavenly guards willingly volunteered to become part of the Heavenly Emperor’s face. Naturally, one would only be accepted if one successfully pa.s.sed the a.s.sessment. Once accepted, one had to stay a heavenly guard for 1,000 years at least.
Many cultivators who were being hunted would volunteer to become heavenly guards as a means to seek refuge. However, in exchange for the protection of the Heavenly Emperor and the other t.i.tled Celestial Emperors, these people would have to sign an agreement that bound them to their positions for 10,000 years.
This had always been the way of the world. There was no free lunch in the world. To obtain something, one would have to give up something as well.
“Senior, we’re here to see Lord Heavenly Emperor,” Meng Hao Xuan said politely. Although the heavenly guards were not Celestial Emperors, they were still stronger than ordinary Celestial Emperors. How could the Heavenly Emperor’s guards be ordinary Celestial Emperors?
“You’re here to see Lord Heavenly Emperor?”
The heavenly guards seemed taken aback by Meng Hao Xuan’s words. They sized Meng Hao Xuan and Duan Ling Tian up before one of them finally stepped forward and said, “Both of you, follow me.”
Upon hearing these words, the other heavenly guards left and returned to their duties.
Meanwhile, the heavenly guard who had spoken led Duan Ling Tian and Meng Hao Xuan away. He did not speak as he led the duo to the entrance of the Heavenly Emperor Palace.
After they arrived at the entrance, the heavenly guard said to the four heavenly guards at the entrance before he left, “They said they’re here to see the Heavenly Emperor… I’ll leave them to you.”
After that heavenly guard left, the four heavenly guards guarding the entrance turned to look at Duan Ling Tian and Meng Hao Xuan.
At this time, Duan Ling Tian was looking at the majestic entrance of the Heavenly Emperor Palace in the Solitary Destructive Heaven. Even the grand Thousand Tribulations Sword Sect in the Jade Emperor Heaven paled in comparison.
“You’re here to see Lord Heavenly Emperor?” one of the heavenly guards asked solemnly. In his opinion, since these people were here to see the Heavenly Emperor, they must not be ordinary cultivators. Therefore, he was not rude to the duo.
“Yes.” Duan Ling Tian nodded.
The heavenly guard asked, “May I know how you’re connected to Lord Heavenly Emperor or what business you have with Lord Heavenly Emperor?”
Upon hearing this question, Meng Hao Xuan turned to look at Duan Ling Tian.
“I inherited Senior Feng Qing Yang’s legacy in the mundane realm…” Duan Ling Tian replied honestly.
“Oh?”
The heavenly guards were slightly surprised when they heard this. Based on what they knew, their Heavenly Emperor did not accept any direct disciples and only had two nominal disciples. They did not know their Heavenly Emperor had left his legacy in a mundane realm nor did they hear anything about someone inheriting any legacy.
“May I know your name sir?” the heavenly guard asked respectfully. Although Duan Ling Tian was just someone who inherited Feng Qing Yang’s legacy in a mundane realm, he did not dare to make things difficult for Duan Ling Tian.
“Duan Ling Tian,” Duan Ling Tian replied.
“May I know why you’re looking for Lord Heavenly Emperor?” the heavenly guard asked again.
“It is a long story… Can you announce my arrival to him? If he’s willing to see, I’ll speak to him myself. If he isn’t willing, it’s fine as well.” Despite his words, Duan Ling Tian was in fact very anxious. He really could not say for sure if Feng Qing Yang would see him. With Feng Qing Yang’s current status, would Feng Qing Yang care about some inheritance in a mundane realm?
“Alright, I’ll send the word.” The heavenly guard nodded. In just a blink of an eye, he disappeared from Duan Ling Tian and Meng Hao Yuan’s sight.
The duo waited patiently for the heavenly guard’s return.
After roughly 15 minutes, the heavenly guard returned with a green-clad middle-aged man whose appearance and body were average and ordinary.
Despite his average appearance, based on the heavenly guard’s att.i.tude, it was apparent that his status was not ordinary.
“This is the Jade Bow Celestial Emperor from our Heaven Emperor Palace,” the heavenly guard said respectfully, “He’s one of the t.i.tled Celestial Emperors who’s close to Lord Heavenly Emperor.”
The middle-aged man did not beat around the bush and asked, “You said you inherited Lord Heavenly Emperor’s legacy in the mundane realm?”
The middle-aged man stared at Duan Ling Tian intently as he waited for Duan Ling Tian’s reply. At the same time, an extraordinary aura surged out of his body.