43: Tianwaitian

Among the group, Bull Demon King was relatively more familiar with Saint Nuwa, as Nuwa's status as one of the Yao Race's progenitors was undoubtedly among the top. So, the group divided tasks, and Bull Demon King went to Nuwa Palace. Brick was also considered a member of the Yao Race, so Tang Ku had it accompany Bull Demon King to see if Saint Nuwa could find a way to make Brick's intelligence higher, at least enough for it to learn to speak.

Yang Jian had previously been to Doushuai Palace in Thirty-Third Heaven but gained nothing. It seemed he had always had intricate connections with the Three Saints of the Human Sect from Fire Cloud Cave, so he went to Fire Cloud Cave. Nezha, also a Jade Void Disciple, went directly to Kunlun Mountain's Jade Void Palace to meet Primal Celestial Lord.

As for Tang Ku and Shi Jingmo, the two headed straight above Thirty-Sixth Heaven, to Jade Morning Palace, to find Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord.

Along the way, Tang Ku told Shi Jingmo about Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord's identity and status in the Dao Sect. Shi Jingmo listened, captivated, nodding repeatedly, filled with longing for Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord, one of the Three Pure Ones Saints.

Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord's abode in Thirty-Sixth Heaven is the highest point of the entire Immortal Realm, and also the highest place in this world. According to the journey to the west worldview, this place already belongs to the outer heavens.

Let alone Thirty-Sixth Heaven, even Thirty-Third Heaven was considered the most incredible place by people in the past.

Above the Heavenly Court, beyond Thirty-Third Heaven, each heaven actually has specific interconnected passages. Of course, journey to the west didn't mention this point, so it's very possible that the 'Master' who understood this world through journey to the west actually had no idea how to reach Thirty-Sixth Heaven, just as he didn't know about the existence of Avici Hell.

The Master and Disciple first arrived at the location of the Heavenly Palace in the Immortal Realm, then found a Formation passage leading to the upper world on a huge square west of the Lingxiao Hall.

Unless one was a Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm cultivator, they simply couldn't open this Immortal Formation. But once one's strength reached that level, entering the Immortal Formation would immediately initiate teleportation.

Tang Ku thought it seemed to be some kind of sensing mechanism, like an elevator needing a password to reach a specific floor. To reach above Thirty-Third Heaven, one had to use Immortal Power of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm to activate it.

Of course, for Buddhists, as righteous cultivators in this world, their Buddha Power and Immortal Power shared a similar efficacy.

Within the Formation, the two figures vanished in a flash, and when they reappeared, they were outside a massive palace.

"It's even a smart Formation! I thought of coming to Jade Morning Palace, and unexpectedly, we arrived directly at its entrance!"

Tang Ku looked at the grand hall, a strange expression appearing on his face.

"Master, it seems... there's no one here!"

Shi Jingmo sensed for a moment, then gave a helpless bitter smile, "It seems that 'Master' really didn't know about this place!"

"Not necessarily!"

As if remembering something, Tang Ku had already quickly ascended the steps and walked into Jade Morning Palace.

The entire hall was originally used by Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord for preaching, but it was now deserted, empty and silent, with only Tang Ku's footsteps echoing in the vast hall.

"Look over there..."

Tang Ku pointed directly opposite, at Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord's lotus platform and the hundreds of meditation cushions below.

Shi Jingmo observed from behind, then seemed to understand something, and said in a deep voice, "They disappeared without any reaction or defense. At that time, Heavenly Lord must have been preaching..."

"Exactly!"

Tang Ku said, "Jade Morning Palace is a Daoist Holy Land, so it naturally has dedicated personnel for management and cleaning. If the preaching had ended, these cushions should have been tidied up. But it seems now that they didn't even perceive the arrival of danger and had already completely vanished!"

"So, that Master really knows about this place?"

Shi Jingmo was shocked, "Then you said he didn't know the location of Avici Hell, was that also false?"

Tang Ku pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No... He doesn't know the location of Avici Hell, so he also doesn't know how to reach Jade Morning Palace in Thirty-Sixth Heaven, because none of these were explicitly stated in that book... But, just because he doesn't know, doesn't mean the people around him don't know. In fact, the power he controls, which can control and strengthen you, is very likely an omnipresent power that can reach almost any corner. Although Thirty-Third Heaven appears to be layer upon layer, it is actually within the same space. It's just that each layer is too far apart, so teleportation Formations are needed to avoid wasting time and energy flying."

"So, it's very possible that the energy that wiped out the Immortals and Gods actually covered the entire Heavenly Court... No, the entire Immortal Realm!" Shi Jingmo said, "The world structure in Hell is different from the Immortal Realm; they are truly separated layer by layer. So, once they reached below the Eighteen Levels of Hell, they didn't know there was still space below!"

"Exactly... This also proves how incredibly powerful their forces are!"

Tang Ku nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly: "But... did the Saints truly leave no contingencies behind?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a dazzling white light suddenly shone from the lotus platform opposite, followed by a figure in a blue Daoist robe sitting cross-legged, appearing there.

Shi Jingmo was greatly astonished, because in his perception, he hadn't felt any person or life signs on the lotus platform opposite, only a faint, obscure energy fluctuation.

Tang Ku was immediately overjoyed. He slowly walked closer, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply, and respectfully said, "Buddhist Realm Disciple Tang Sanzang, greets Heavenly Lord!"

A divine light seemed to flash in the figure's eyes, then he spoke, "Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, there is no need for such formality. This is merely a residual image left by this Venerable One. Given your identity, you and I can address each other as equals. Since you were able to guess that I had left a contingency, you must be a wise person capable of great responsibility. Therefore, according to Tathagata's wishes, there are some things you must know, and knowing them means you will bear the burden of the entire Three Realms on your shoulders! Without further ado, my remaining power is limited, so I won't say more. Take this..."

Tang Ku was about to politely decline, when he suddenly saw the figure transform into a beam of white light, which directly shot into his head. In a flash, a massive amount of information flooded into his mind.

Shi Jingmo, standing beside him, was greatly alarmed, but saw that Tang Ku's current state was very peculiar. His body stood motionless, faint white light shimmering all over him, his eyes fixed blankly in one direction, the entire person like a statue.

Upon closer inspection, light seemed to continuously flash within his eyes.

After calling out a few times with no response from Tang Ku, Shi Jingmo couldn't help but frown slightly: "Could it be that the demons haven't gone far and are lurking around to ambush? Hmph, come out and face death, demons, or I'll tear down this grand hall and leave you nowhere to hide!"

"No, no... please don't. This is their territory, and they'll need to live here when they return!"

Just at that moment, Tang Ku finally regained his ability to move. Seeing the enraged Shi Jingmo about to act, he hurriedly spoke to stop him.

"Master, are you alright!" Shi Jingmo said, "The situation with your body just now was truly terrifyingly strange. I was genuinely scared!"

"Don't worry, not only am I fine..." Tang Ku suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "I also learned some incredibly important news!"