Twilight's Threshold Chapter 846: Return to Homeland, Three Realms of the Nether Palace - Novel Cool

Chapter 846: Return to Homeland, Three Realms of the Nether Palace

Chapter 846: Return to Homeland, Three Realms of the Nether Palace

"You want to send me in there?"

The State Tutor lowered his hand and his gaze fell upon Hu Ma's face.

Without any unnecessary movements, this brief pause was enough to convey his astonishment and confusion.

If, after deliberation, Hu Ma were to make such a decision, he might accept it. However, in his understanding, ever since Hu Ma heard about the Nether Palace, and now, with Qing Yun's casual suggestion of entering it, there seemed to be a few crucial steps missing...

Shouldn't ordinary people first gain understanding, then feel fear, and finally analyze the strategy before, out of desperation, making such a decision?

"I'm learning from someone's efficient thinking."

Hu Ma looked at the State Tutor and smiled, "The Nether Palace might be a headache, but thinking it through, shouldn't I be the one to resolve it?"

"The Heaven-Earth Transformation, the Grand Sky Ritual, is the only way for us in this world to gain a glimmer of hope before the Grand Heavenly Lord. Naturally, I should take the initiative to push for and complete it."

"But in this matter, I took a lazy approach and have already sent them out."

"Now, with the Duke of Mingzhou as the foundation and the outsiders as the guide, they will accomplish the Heaven-Earth Transformation, a significant event, and they will do it even better than I could."

"Since it's like this, what I want to do is to ensure they have no worries and can focus on completing this great slaughter."

"Whether it's the Nether Palace or other threats, as long as I'm here, I will shield them from beyond the mortal realm."

"..."

After saying all this, he looked into the State Tutor's eyes and said, "Moreover, didn't you also say that if you want to complete the return to the mortal world, you can't skip the Nether Palace?"

"In fact, I can roughly guess why it can't be skipped and the solution to it."

"That's right."

The State Tutor gazed deeply at Hu Ma for a long time before speaking softly, "Return to Homeland, you can't skip the Nether Palace."

"In the end, the Return to Homeland realm is the first generation of Reincarnators and the Great Dharmic Religion's jointly discussed realm."

"Initially, Reincarnators didn't understand the techniques, and in this life, they entered the peak of the mansion without the Bridge Technique. They merely deduced the existence of the Bridge Realm through the Heavenly Oddity, and after crossing the bridge, they would also have the Return to Homeland realm."

"To put it bluntly, crossing the bridge is to steal the authority of heaven and earth, and the Return to Homeland naturally requires taking a further step, becoming the Embodiment of Origin."

"The Ten Clans are able to comprehend up to this step, which is why they must break through the obstacle and occupy the Eight Scenes of Hell."

"It's just a pity that, in my opinion, they still fall short."

"Their personal wisdom, vision, and understanding of heaven and earth are all insufficient, and their comprehension of the Buddhist Truths is far from enough. In fact, there's a lot to learn from the wisdom brought by these outsiders."

"Merely with our language of this life, it's difficult to break through these barriers."

"But the Ten Clans are undoubtedly too arrogant. In these twenty years, they had the opportunity to absorb the wisdom of the outsiders, and even transform it for their own use..."

"But they didn't."

The State Tutor spoke up to this point, and his expression seemed to carry a hint of regret, as if he had reflected a lot after leaving the capital city, "The most absurd one is the esteemed Zhang."

"Back then, the Dragon Well Scholar was confined by them in his home for twenty years. These outsiders had the desire to confide, so they were destined not to hide crucial matters. They even deliberately persuaded the Zhangs, who had the chance to fully understand, and thoroughly comprehend the wisdom of the other world, using it to attack the Jade."

"But the Zhangs were too arrogant. They only thought of refuting the other world and trampling it into the mud, without heeding the lessons."

"The esteemed Zhang became the first to fall among the Ten Clans, which can only be blamed on their own actions."

"..."

As Hu Ma listened to his words, he was momentarily stunned, gazing deeply at the State Tutor.

Due to his unique identity, he sometimes wanted to chat with someone about the group of Reincarnators, but unfortunately, no one else understood, and there were too many preconceptions. Moreover, the Reincarnators themselves were not suitable as conversation partners for such topics.

Hence, Hu Ma often felt a sense of loneliness, and it was during this conversation with the State Tutor that he heard many words that resonated deeply with him.

"I've heard the Unchanging Li Family's understanding of Return to Homeland."

He fell silent for a while before slowly saying, "Undoubtedly, the Li Family has begun to realize the importance of the other world's words for this world's Spell Techniques, and they want to use this battle to have the other world's people solve their problems. But it's quite clear that they're too late."

"And what about you? How do you understand the concept of Return to Homeland?"

"..."

The State Tutor slowly raised his head and said, "Return to Homeland is the Embodiment of Origin, the only genuine and effective path."

"But realms have no superiority, only visions do."

"In my opinion, even if everyone reaches the Return to Homeland realm, there will still be three different visions."

"The first is the current Ten Clans, who have broken through the obstacle and can borrow the Eight Scenes of Hell to extend their bloodline and coexist with the world."

"This is the first realm."

"The second is what I and the Wang Family pursue—the White Jade Capital, the Immortal Body, escaping the Grand Heavenly Lord, and Coexisting with the Universe."

"This is also the true Immortality."

"..."

Listening to his explanation, Hu Ma was slightly moved, even though he didn't agree with it.

Then, he spoke softly, "Then, what about the third realm?"

"It's the Heavenly Father."

The State Tutor's voice also lowered, "Embodiment in the world, coexisting with heaven and earth, governing the Life and Death Cycle, creating wondrous palaces and mountains with a thought, changing dynasties with a word, the origin of all possibilities and impossibilities."

"Able to open heaven and earth, travel the universe, transform dreams into reality, turn the real into the void, control the sun and moon with a finger, and have millions of lives under one's feet. This is the Heavenly Father, the source of all possibilities and impossibilities."

"Just like the Heaven Opening One of the other world, and like the ultimate worship of millions of lives, the embodiment of all origins."

"..."

"This..."

Even Hu Ma felt these words were absurd, and he subconsciously sensed the absurdity.

What was the State Tutor talking about? Was it that Elder Lord Eyebrow and the others had once deceived him by talking about the other world's cultivation novels, causing his mind to become chaotic?

'Thought Creates All' sounded incredibly absurd.

Not to mention 'Thought Creates All', it's even impossible for someone to create from nothing. Even the Trickery Sect couldn't do it.

All Spell Techniques have a basis.

Even the first step of 'Creation from Nothing' couldn't be achieved by anyone, let alone...

...Wait!

He had the urge to refute instinctively, but just as this thought arose in Hu Ma's heart, he immediately thought of another crucial point, which was precisely the key that gave his vague and unbelievable thought a solid foundation.

So, he suppressed the urge to refute and slowly spoke, "Purple Qi...?"

Dragon Well Scholar had once solemnly told him that Purple Qi could create all things!

If one were to interpret the words of the State Tutor based on Purple Qi, it seemed theoretically possible...

"Indeed, the Purple Grand Heavenly Lord is the ultimate key."

The State Tutor saw that Hu Ma listened to his outlandish words without refutation, and surprisingly, he spoke the key point, even revealing a faint smile.

Speaking softly, he said, "What we are discussing is the Human World Bridge Technique for Returning to Homeland. Naturally, we must aim directly at the origin, and the origin of the human world is the creation of all things through Purple Qi. This is also why we cannot avoid the Nether Palace."

"The Nether Palace of Du Yi initially stole too much human world weight..."

"... "

He slowly shook his head and turned to Hu Ma, "This world has already lost its weight and is now a remnant of what's left."

"This world is like a grand hall, built with great effort by generations of people, providing shelter from wind and rain. However, Du Yi has already stolen three-tenths of the stones from this grand hall. Although the Ten Clans have tried to make up for it, it's barely standing, and it's no longer stable."

"For the Ten Clans, they just want to patch up this grand hall, hoping it can still provide shelter from the rain."

"But people from the Other World want to tear down this grand hall and rebuild a new house, one that is more stable and can withstand greater storms."

"Knowing this, I have this thought about the Human World Slaughter Tribulation..."

"... "

He paused slightly and didn't continue directly. Instead, he looked at Hu Ma and said, "But neither of these paths is suitable for you."

"If you want to return to your homeland in the human world, you need to glimpse the original appearance of this world."

"Without the portion stolen by the Nether Palace, you won't be able to see the complete picture, and it's destined that your journey won't be complete."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ma suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the State Tutor, asking, "Really three-tenths?"

Just the Nether Palace had stolen three-tenths of the world's weight, and it was already shocking.

But Hu Ma clearly remembered that when he was in the capital, he had seen the World-Seeing Incense of the Great Dharmic Religion.

It had already diminished to one-third.

Hearing Hu Ma's question, the State Tutor seemed a bit tired, and slowly closed his eyes without answering, which was already a response.

"For nearly two hundred years, the Ghost Cave has been feeding heavenly souls to the thing deep within the cave..."

Hu Ma continued to look at him and said directly, "Whether they are reincarnators or members of the sect, they all believe they are feeding the Grand Heavenly Lord, hoping to postpone the great tribulation."

"But since you've admitted the existence of the Nether Palace and that it once stole a significant amount of weight, I have a question... Was this weight stolen by the Grand Heavenly Lord, or by the Former Emperors of Du Yi?"

"There's no difference."

The State Tutor remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "The Former Emperor of the Nether Palace was the first to become the Grand Heavenly Lord..."

At this moment, Hu Ma felt a sense of indescribable bewilderment.

Perhaps, in this world, there has always been a huge joke that no one has yet discovered...

Someone had already taken over half of the world's weight, claiming it as their own, while others were diligently trying to sort out the remaining weight, attempting to resist that colossal being from beyond the world.

Some things in this world were not to be probed too deeply; once you started to investigate, you'd realize that everything was a joke.

Because of this, even the respect he once had for the State Tutor's abilities was now almost completely gone.

After a long silence, he slightly curled his lips and asked, "Then, how can I enter the Nether Palace?"

The State Tutor also remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "It's simple."

"In the beginning, I left the capital and, in my moment of defeat, my jealousy and resentment led me to think of the Nether Palace. I started dreaming about them at night."

"And you, because I told you about this, also thought of the existence of the Nether Palace."

"If my guess is correct, when you fall asleep tonight, you'll also dream of things from the Nether Palace coming to give you a dream."

"Once you dream of the Nether Palace, many things will become easier for you, just as you should now have the ability to block others' Techniques for them. So, you should also be able to block the Nether Palace and prevent others from contacting it."

"If you're truly willing to do this, it will ease my burden. At the very least, I won't need to keep burning those Ten Pillar Incense to watch over the Nether Palace's Emperor Ghosts in this world that has abandoned me."

"... "

'Block the Nether Palace with my body?'

Hu Ma understood the State Tutor's words, and his heart stirred slightly.

With the help of the Ten Pillar Proficiency, he could distort the world, redirecting Techniques meant for others to himself. Could he do the same with the Nether Palace?

If so, it would be much more convenient.

As he digested the State Tutor's words, he remained silent for a long time before asking, "Is there a way to avoid danger or something to be cautious about?"

The State Tutor was taken aback, seemingly surprised, and a mocking expression appeared on his face, "No."

"The Nether Palace is such an existence that once it's remembered, it seeps into the human world. Moreover, one of the Ten Clans has already started secretly offering incense to the Nether Palace, and it could descend upon the human world at any time."

"Do you think there's a way to deal with such an existence without resorting to the methods of the Elder Lord Eyebrow and others, who could destroy it without raising arms?"

"No!"

"If the Nether Palace reappears, there's only this one clumsy method, and only someone with your Ten Pillar Proficiency can possibly block it."

"Since you came to ask me, I'll tell you."

"With your current Ten Pillar Proficiency and understanding of the world, you can discern whether what I say is true or false."

"It can't be that, at this moment, you regret asking and are afraid?"

"... "

"Afraid?"

Hu Ma smiled. Although the State Tutor understood the Other World, he seemed to have a poor understanding of certain matters, always showing disdain in his attitude but taking action seriously.

However, Hu Ma was too lazy to teach him and just smiled, nodding, "If that's the case, then I'll wait for them in my dreams. There should be a place to rest on Great Sorrow Mountain, right?"

"You don't need to ask me; you are the Grandmaster of the Great Dharmic Religion, and Great Sorrow Mountain is originally your sect's sacred ground."

Seeing Hu Ma's decision, the State Tutor was surprised again and shook his head slightly, replying briefly. Then, he passed over the box containing the remains of the previous High Priests of the Great Dharmic Religion, saying, "Take this with you when you enter the dream."

"In the world, various techniques and extraordinary methods flourish, but it's only been two hundred years. However, the ancestors of our Great Dharmic Religion have all been able to perceive the essence of the universe and its myriad things. Though they may not possess extraordinary abilities themselves, they are the ones closest to the origin of the universe."

"When they are present, they can guide you at critical moments."

"..."

Hu Ma took the box and found an ancient pine tree, where he sat cross-legged, holding the box. He asked Little Hong Tang and Senior Abacus to guard him.

"When I close my eyes to sleep this time, there may be some twists and turns. But if I encounter danger, I will use the Year-Guarding Gate Earthly Still Seal to temporarily escape. I will leave my belongings in the human world."

As he instructed Senior Abacus, a faint smile appeared on his face: "At that time, you can bring my remains back. Although I may die, my body still has great use, and it can still help this world to transform heaven and earth."

"I've already written down the specific techniques on paper. At that time, you will bring this letter to the protector of the Red Lantern Lady Association, Hu Shancuan."

"..."

Hearing his sudden words, Senior Abacus was stunned: "You... are you giving your final instructions?"

"Don't speak such inauspicious words. It's just that I have some things to arrange."

Hu Ma scolded Senior Abacus and handed the letter to him. Then, he calmly sat down and slowly closed his eyes.

Senior Abacus had no choice but to listen, but his worry intensified.

Little Hong Tang, who rarely showed concern or restlessness, also listened and sat next to Hu Ma, tightly hugging her bamboo basket.

"National Teacher, what... what is he doing now?"

As Hu Ma sat under the tree, the National Teacher had gone halfway up the mountain to adjust the incense flame. Only then did the Wang family members find an opportunity to speak with him, their expressions anxious and flustered:

"Why did he come to the mountain to find you? Did you... really teach him everything from the Great Dharmic Religion?"

"..."

Facing their worries and confusion, the National Teacher fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly: "People living in this world should have some pursuits. For me, there are only two."

"Initially, I wanted to forge a path that no one before me had taken—to build the White Jade Capital. If I succeed, I will surpass my teacher, the founding ancestor, and even the ancestors of past generations, as well as those exiled immortals from beyond the world."

"But I have already failed, and this path has become an empty dream, a laughingstock."

"..."

Hearing this, the Wang family members' hearts were in turmoil, and they hurriedly asked, "Then, what about the second pursuit?"

"The second pursuit..."

The National Teacher sighed softly and said, "It's to see what this path is like."

"As long as someone can walk out of it, even if it's not me, it doesn't matter..."

"..."

The Wang family members couldn't understand his words, and they looked at each other in confusion. The National Teacher slowly closed his eyes and waited in concentration. Great Sorrow Mountain became quiet, with a deep and quiet valley and a dark sky.

After an unknown amount of time, a cold wind suddenly blew through the valley. The National Teacher opened his eyes and saw the ten pillar incense he had lit earlier, emitting wisps of green mist.

The mist slowly drifted towards the mountain, where Hu Ma sat cross-legged, holding the bone staff. Like some strange creature, he quietly opened his eyes.

Senior Abacus hadn't noticed, but Little Hong Tang, who was beside Hu Ma, suddenly felt anxious. She raised her small face and looked at Hu Ma with concern.

...

...

"The young people nowadays are so straightforward in their actions..."

In front of the ancestral hall in the capital.

Originally, there were ten ancestral halls here, but after the National Teacher left the capital, the other clans took back their incense flames, leaving only the Hu family's incense flame remaining.

However, the elder of the ancestral hall still worked diligently as before, sweeping and offering incense daily, as if waiting for something. Until a cold breeze blew through the Great Sorrow Mountain, he hugged his broom and sighed softly, his face showing a hint of relief and even anticipation.

Inside the ancestral hall, the old woman's wailing ghost was unstable, filled with worry: "But they are all emperors, and my grandson is alone, and also..."

"Those ten ghosts were emperor's fate, but isn't the Hu family now?"

The elder of the ancestral hall smiled and said, "Those who can build ancestral halls here and enjoy the incense flame are all emperor's fate. Before, this fate was shared by the ten clans, but now that they've left, only the Hu family's incense flame remains."

"Now, the Hu family is the emperor, above fate, and there's no difference between them and those ten ghosts."

"Moreover, since he has cultivated the tenth pillar Dao arts, he has already prepared to cross the bridge. It's just that before this, he discarded his personal desires and hasn't taken a step out yet..."

At this point, he paused for a moment, then continued in a soft voice: "Of course, before this, he could have stolen the power that the Li family and others yearn for, but he didn't mention it at all. Now, he's willing to take risks and even block the Nether Palace himself..."

"This child has a strong obsession with returning to his homeland now..."

"..."

"..."

At the same time, on Great Sorrow Mountain, Hu Ma sat quietly, waiting for the Nether Palace to descend. His expression was calm, and he faced the impending encounter with the utmost tranquility.

He knew that Senior Abacus didn't understand his actions, and the National Teacher might not either, let alone the Wang family.

But this time, he had come prepared. Although his heart was in turmoil, he suppressed it and didn't show it on his face.

The reincarnator entered the world to save people, triggering the slaughter tribulation.

After realizing this, he could only think of one thing, which constantly occupied his mind: "Those who carry firewood for others should not be allowed to freeze to death in the snow."

"I must return to my homeland."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

Report