Chapter 775: Mansion of Earth, Palace of Jade |
Days passed before Ming Yue's group arrived at the city of Heaven's Gate. It still looked the same as ever, with towering spires and beautiful architecture.
She entered the institute at once, garnering the attention of many who recognized her. And many of those looks were pointed toward Hongyu, who was the source of confusion to many.
"A sister, maybe?"
"Hmm, wait a minute, I've seen her before! Isn't that the little girl that the three elders care for? You know, the Medicinal Elder, the Spirit Elder, and the Blade Elder!"
"You're right... It could just be her junior disciple... or do you think... her daughter?"
There were a few whispers here and there, some rumors started to spread.
However, Ming Yue didn't care much for it.
She headed straight for the Spirit Hall, looking for Elder Shen. It was still quite empty, devoid of any decorations or life really.
As they moved deeper, going from one room to the next until they reached the last one. This one was brighter than the previous ones and unlike the others, it seemed much more comfier. There were ornate lamps hanging from the ceiling. Each piece of furniture like the table and the shelves was just carved from the stone. Every document and journal was neatly organized too.
There was even a cat bed for Bai Ying, Elder Shen's pet cat.
"Ah, Ming Yue, you're here."
His voice suddenly echoed in everyone's mind to which the cultivator looked around, seeing him in his cushioned stone seat, deeply invested in a book. He peeked over it, looking up at everyone.
Upon seeing him, Hongyu immediately ran up, holding the elder in a tight embrace.
"Ah, little one, it has been a while since you've come back. It's good to see that you're healthy."
He chuckled, putting his book away and stroking the child's head.
"What brings you back to Heaven's Gate? Here to visit?" he asked.
"I wanted to speak with the Grand Elder. Is he here?"
Elder Shen looked at her, stroking his white beard.
"Grand Elder Huang? He is at Heaven's Gate right now, what did you want to see him about?"
"There's something that I need to ask him. I was given something from the High Council."
"The High Council?!"
His face turned serious upon their mention, standing up almost immediately.
"This must be serious then, come."
He started moving at once, leading everyone out of the Spirit Hall and towards a set of stairs, ascending to the higher floors.
"For the High Council to have done this, this must be either a fortuitous opportunity or an ominous sign", he told her.
"Who are they exactly?" she asked.
Ming Yue wanted to know more. After all, she only ever knew of them but their origins, their reach, their power, all of that was shrouded in mystery. And Elder Shen didn't have much of an answer.
"The High Council... they've existed before even my time, most likely living since the previous Calamity a few thousand years ago. While they do not directly interfere with the world, they have their Thirteen Messengers do their bidding. No one truly knows the extent of their power but you could say that they are the reason why humanity has managed to flourish despite the last Calamity", he said.
The Spirit Elder looked over his shoulder.
"Most likely, they kept tabs on you. The same thing they would do for any outstanding figures of the newest generation. After all, their goal is to preserve humanity and to do that they'd need adequate strength and people."
"I see."
They soon reached the top floor where it was practically empty. There were a couple of doors at either side of the hall with a much larger and ornate one at the end.
Elder Shen brought the group to that door and stopped right in front of it. He was about to knock on it before stopping himself and looking at Ming Yue.
"Although I don't know what will come in the future, I have to warn you", he spoke in a solemn tone.
"What is it?"
Ming Yue looked concerned, not knowing what kind of warning Elder Shen was about to give her. He looked at her straight in the eyes.
"Focusing on the grand scheme of it all will blind you. Suddenly, no sacrifice would seem too small."
He then knocked on the door to which the Grand Elder's voice could be heard from within.
"Only you can enter, Ming Yue."
Once those words were spoken, the young cultivator looked to the others.
"Go, don't worry about them, I'll bring them back to the Spirit Hall."
With Elder Shen urging her, she nodded before saying a quick goodbye to the group.
"I won't be long."
She looked at Hongyu while saying this before finally opening the door and walking in. Closing the doors behind her, she came face to face with the Grand Elder, who was seated behind a giant table.
He looked the same as before, with golden hair and freckles.
A young appearance resembling that of a boy yet with eyes that seemed so old. There was just an air around him that seemed so ethereal and ancient. Perhaps that of the power of the Heaven Realm, something she had yet to achieve.
He looked at her with a small smile.
"So then, Ming Yue, are you here to ask about the Heaven Realm?"
She was slightly taken aback before shaking her head.
"I... not quite... I... wanted to ask you about something else, Elder Huang."
The Grand Elder looked surprised, raising a brow with intrigue.
"Interesting, i had thought you were ready to tackle the challenge of reaching the Heaven Realm but I suppose not. In that case, what are you here for?" he asked.
Ming Yue spent a moment thinking, trying to figure out how to ask him this.
"The... have yo- do you know what the Mansion of Earth and Palace of Jade is?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Ming Yue could feel the air go still. Looking forward, the young cultivator could see Elder Huang's stunned face.
"You... where did you learn of this?!"
In a matter of seconds, his golden eyes surged with power while looking at her warily. Sensing the impending danger, she immediately brought out the slip of paper given to her by the High Council.
"The High Council gave this to me. Told me to go there as there'd be an opportunity to reach the Heaven Realm this way!"
"What?"
Elder Huang's eyes immediately locked onto the slip of paper, examining it from afar. His eyes widened in shock before the glowing eyes weakened and the tense atmosphere vanished.
"That's their energy..."
He looked at her before leaning back and resting on his chair. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he already looked tired.
"The Mansion of Earth and Palace of Jade isn't so much a place than it is a key."
MIng Yue furrowed her brows.
"A key? To where exactly?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"Do you remember the gate that led to the Empyrean Paradise?" he asked.
"Yes but... if it's there, I believe that you can only enter once", she pointed out.
"Indeed, the Empyrean Paradise can only be entered once for each person as the energy and sensation can prove to be addicting and harmful. However, it's not the Empyrean Paradise that I want to talk about, it is the gate itself."
"What do you mean? What about the gate?" Ming Yue asked.
"That gate... the Empyrean Paradise isn't its only destination."
