My longevity simulation

The Holy Emperor’s intention was clear.

War between the Holy Dynasty and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was imminent. It was time for the Taiyan Sect to make its final choice of allegiance.

When Sun Erlang found Yi Shu in the Holy Capital, the latter had already prepared everything and was waiting with a smile.

“Young Master Sun, let us depart.”

Sun Erlang did not hesitate. He cupped his hands in greeting, and the two set off directly for the Taiyan Sect.

“Senior, did you gain any special insights during your time in our Holy Dynasty?” Sun Erlang asked tentatively on the return journey.

Yi Shu smiled: “The sights of the Holy Dynasty differ from those of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and are entirely unlike anything the Xuanhuang Realm has seen in hundreds of thousands of years. We have benefited greatly. The sect has now reached a unanimous decision and has also obtained the Stone Mother’s approval. You will understand when the time comes.”

“By the way, you may have the chance to meet the Stone Mother this time.”

Yi Shu’s words stirred something in Sun Erlang’s heart.

He wanted to probe for more inside information, but Yi Shu changed the subject and began chatting about his recent experiences in Great Qi.

“The people of the Holy Dynasty enjoy abundant food and clothing, so they pursue higher spiritual needs. Although their cultivation realms and strength are ordinary, certain ideas of theirs are truly intriguing. I recently befriended a scholar who wrote a supernatural novel. It describes what would happen in the Xuanhuang Realm if the Immortal Ancestor Heavenly Sovereign had never appeared…”

Sun Erlang was slightly stunned. Yi Shu continued: “Unlike the simulated worlds you experienced, even though the Immortal Ancestor does not appear in that novel, disasters and calamity still descend and throw the Xuanhuang Realm into chaos.”

“Three venerables rise from humble beginnings and grow into forces that sweep across the world, standing as equals in opposition. One uses education to nurture the people and becomes the [Teacher of Heaven and Earth].

“One uses the pure and noble character of a sage to win heartfelt submission from those around him and forms an unshakable alliance. This one is the [Supreme Sage of the Mortal Realm].

“One uses boundless might to establish an immortal dynasty on earth. Wherever his soldiers point, all things submit. This one is the [Taixuan Immortal Emperor]…”

At this point, Sun Erlang’s expression grew rather subtle.

“The three venerables fight like dragons and tigers for several hundred years without a clear victor. The details are derived through personal effort, so they are somewhat crude and cannot withstand close scrutiny. Yet they are quite interesting and offer a fresh perspective…”

Sun Erlang could not help asking: “In the end, who wins?”

“This book, ‘Romance of the Xuanhuang Tripartition,’ is not yet finished. The scholar’s doorstep has been blocked by crowds of people. Everyone claims he has shown great disrespect to the Holy Emperor and wants to teach him a lesson. Although the Holy Dynasty’s officials have not intervened, once the Taixuan Immortal Emperor makes some mistakes in the ‘Romance,’ the uproar grows even larger and nearly results in loss of life.”

“That scholar dares not continue writing. The plot has stalled, so I do not know who ultimately wins.” Yi Shu smiled enigmatically.

Sun Erlang gave a light cough: “Once I return, I will disperse those people and let him write in peace. It is only a supernatural novel. How could Master possibly mind such things?”

Yi Shu spoke with deeper meaning: “The Holy Emperor indeed would not care, but the people of the Holy Dynasty may not think the same.”

Sun Erlang wanted to argue further, but they had already arrived within the territory of the Taiyan Sect.

Inside the floating city within the crystal wall in the sky, Sun Erlang stepped in once more. Unlike the previous visit, every cultivator he encountered on the way smiled and greeted him warmly.

They all seemed extremely familiar with him.

Sun Erlang knew that the Taiyan Sect shared all information as a single collective entity. Still, the feeling of everyone knowing him while he knew nothing about them left him somewhat uncomfortable.

Fortunately the journey was short, and Sun Erlang soon reached the central area of the Taiyan Sect and met Chen Tianhai.

Chen Tianhai was holding a scroll and reading it attentively.

Yi Shu did not enter.

“Greetings, Senior.”

Sun Erlang bowed, but Chen Tianhai remained motionless as if he had not heard.

After a long silence, Chen Tianhai finally spoke and went straight to the point: “Regarding the war between the Holy Dynasty and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, our Taiyan Sect has decided…”

“To remain neutral and help neither side.”

This answer caught Sun Erlang completely off guard, leaving him stunned on the spot.

Would they not at least pretend to offer some support? Playing the fence-sitter and watching the tigers fight from the mountain might preserve peace for a time, but once the dust settled later, they would surely face the harshest reckoning.

Logically, the Taiyan Sect should not make such an unwise move.

Sun Erlang looked at Chen Tianhai with full of puzzlement.

“Besides the fact that the Stone Mother’s tens of thousands of derivations have all yielded nearly equal chances of victory for either side as the reason for our decision…”

“The greater reason is that we have chosen to leave the Xuanhuang Realm for the time being.” Chen Tianhai’s words landed like a thunderclap.

“Hmm?!” Sun Erlang froze in shock.

“Is it because of the recently sensational Voidbright Rainbow Light?” Sun Erlang asked.

“Yes and no. In truth, our Taiyan Sect has long harbored the intention of crossing the stars. However, the dangers of the Star Sea have always caused the plan to be postponed indefinitely. Yet the sword message that crossed the Star Sea previously has made us change our minds.” Chen Tianhai smiled faintly.

“The sword message illuminated the Xuanhuang sky for seven days. During that time we conducted a detailed analysis and gained some small insights. Since the sword message could cross the Star Sea to reach us, our Taiyan Sect can trace it back to its origin and follow the path it took to locate the place from which it was sent.” Chen Tianhai spoke with full confidence.

“The far side of the Star Sea, beneath the High Wall, is truly something to yearn for.” Chen Tianhai sighed.

Sun Erlang felt the unified will of the entire Taiyan Sect.

Knowing the matter could no longer be stopped, Sun Erlang’s thoughts raced. He wanted to return as quickly as possible and report this to his master.

“Young Master Sun, there is no need to hurry. After this parting, who knows when we shall meet again. Why not meet the Stone Mother?” Chen Tianhai suggested as he looked at Sun Erlang.

Sun Erlang hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

The instant he agreed, the surrounding room scenery vanished. He felt as though he stood within the Star Sea, surrounded by pitch blackness.

Only a brilliant blue light came from the depths of the darkness, turning into a thin line that sped through the Star Sea.

The moment he saw this blue line, understanding dawned in Sun Erlang’s heart.

This was the Dao Deviation Stone Mother.

The original Dao Deviation Stone.

“I was never a thing of the Xuanhuang Realm. By coincidence, while traversing the Star Sea, I arrived in this realm.”

A voice emerged in Sun Erlang’s mind.

It was not through the five senses or divine sense communication, but directly through the resonance between the Dao Deviation Stone crystals in Sun Erlang’s sea of consciousness.

Sun Erlang’s expression turned solemn to show his respect.

The Stone Mother continued on her own: “Where I came from is no longer traceable. Yet where I am going has an answer.”

These words from the Dao Deviation Stone Mother shook Sun Erlang’s mind violently.

“Where are you going? Stone Mother, what do you mean by that?”

“The other end of the Star Sea is not truly the other end. It is merely a corner of the world. If not for the High Wall blocking the way, I should have fled far away ten thousand years ago. Moreover, having been cut and divided previously, I also lost the ability to cross the star ocean. Helpless, I had to let it be, and in the blink of an eye so many years have passed.”

The scene before Sun Erlang suddenly changed.

The blue thread that had been flying straight through the Star Sea suddenly changed direction for some unknown reason and plunged toward the Xuanhuang Realm.

It was discovered by cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm, and with its help the Taiyan Sect rose to become a renowned sect under the heavens in one leap.

What had been cut apart could no longer be restored.

Unexpectedly, a great change occurred in the Xuanhuang Realm’s heavens and earth, bringing disaster. To resist the calamity that forbade joint cultivation of techniques, the Taiyan Sect cultivators voluntarily decided to merge as one with the Dao Deviation Stone.

Information is indestructible; the Dao Deviation reappears.

After experiencing tens of thousands of years of separation and reunion, the Dao Deviation Stone had once again become the same as when it first arrived in the Xuanhuang Realm.

…

Scene after scene changed rapidly, shaking Sun Erlang’s heart and mind.

He could not help asking: “Senior has stayed in the Xuanhuang Realm for so long and is nearly omniscient. As long as you remain in Xuanhuang, being impervious to ten thousand tribulations would not be empty words. Why insist on leaving? Beyond the Star Sea, there are too many variables and unknowns. Even for Senior, there is probably no absolute guarantee of survival, right?”

“Why must I go? The answer to this question is the same as why you cultivators must cultivate.”

The words from the Stone Mother left Sun Erlang speechless.

“The High Wall blocks the Star Sea. But there are some things it cannot stop.” The Dao Deviation Stone Mother’s tone was enigmatic. Some confusion, yet also some inexplicable confidence.

“Little fellow, do not think too much. I am simply going to take a look first. If I truly cannot cross the High Wall, we may very well return. As for the reason for meeting you this time…”

The illusory blue thread before Sun Erlang suddenly became solid and shot fiercely toward his head.

Before he could react, Sun Erlang was struck by the blue ray.

Sun Erlang checked his entire body but felt no abnormality. Only the Dao Deviation Stone crystal in his sea of consciousness seemed somewhat different.

“Little fellow, do not be nervous. It is merely a mark left behind. So that when I plan to return in the future, I will not lose my way back.”

“Of course, we will not treat you unfairly. Concentrate your mind…”

The Stone Mother’s words were accompanied by the synchronized flickering of the Dao Deviation Stone. In Sun Erlang’s perception, countless images surged toward him like a tidal wave, nearly flooding his sea of consciousness completely.

He hurriedly focused and slowed the reception of the images.

These numerous scenes included some where the Holy Dynasty fell into bitter battles with heavy casualties, and others where the Holy Dynasty achieved continuous victories and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could only linger on in the central four prefectures. Without exception, all were events that had not yet occurred in the real world.

“These are all products of my deductions, given to you as reference.”

Sun Erlang felt relieved and quickly expressed his thanks to the Stone Mother.

“However, I must warn you: do not place too much faith in these deductions, little fellow.”

“This Xuanhuang Realm is like a bottomless pond. If the waters are calm, every ripple on the surface can be deduced. But if the ferocious creatures at the bottom all emerge and stir up unrest…”

“The deduction of ripples will inevitably differ greatly from reality. Your master certainly understands this principle.”

“So in truth, whether our Taiyan Sect is present or not will not change things too much.”

The Dao Deviation Stone Mother’s voice still echoed in his ears. When Sun Erlang came back to his senses, he had already appeared outside the Taiyan Sect.

The crystal wall that had not been very noticeable before was now shrouded in a mysterious blue glow.

The entire Taiyan Sect became even more transparent, as if it could disappear from this world at any moment.

“Young Master, you must survive well.”

“Otherwise, our Taiyan Sect will not be able to find the way home.” Yi Shu’s half-smiling words came through.

It felt like an illusion.

In his daze, the floating heavenly city before his eyes had completely vanished from Sun Erlang’s perception.

“They left just like that, too quickly.”

Sun Erlang grumbled inwardly, yet felt a sense of loss in his heart.

He stood there dazed for a long time before returning and reporting the entire matter in detail to his master.