Li Chang’an found this quite understandable.
Because from the old man’s description, those guys up in the heavens had been completely monstrous from beginning to end.
After a moment of thought, Li Chang’an asked, "So, what is the Human Emperor’s legacy? I came to Hell by accident. How do I leave?"
The old man calmed himself, taking a deep breath before replying, "The seventh Human Emperor was the most powerful one in history. He was also the first great being who sought to lead our people to the stars. As for what exactly he left behind... even we, his successors, don’t know the specifics..."
"However, the very fact that you were able to reach Hell proves you have already earned the Human Emperor’s recognition!"
"What you hold is likely just one-third of the Map of Mountains and Rivers. If you want to obtain the Human Emperor’s complete legacy, you’ll have to collect the other two-thirds to unlock it..."
"As for leaving Hell, as long as you have the Map of Mountains and Rivers, your departure is just a thought away."
Hearing this, Li Chang’an took out the Map of Mountains and Rivers and asked doubtfully, "I’ve heard that quite a few of these Maps of Mountains and Rivers are circulating out in the world. How can mine be considered one-third of the total?"
The old man shook his head. "Not quite. There are only three true Maps of Mountains and Rivers. The others are all fakes... No, it’s not that they’re completely fake. You can think of the maps circulating in the outside world as projections of the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Only by gaining its recognition can a fake map become a real one. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Li Chang’an thought for a moment before nodding. ’That’s not hard to understand.’
’No wonder the Celestial Realm went to such great lengths and still couldn’t invade Hell.’
’So that’s why. The keys to opening Hell could all choose their own masters.’
’Although I don’t know how the Map of Mountains and Rivers chooses its master, judging by the result, it didn’t pick the wrong person. I really do have a massive grudge and deep-seated hatred for those Immortals in the sky.’
Li Chang’an hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise from his trip to the Fire Realm. Not only had he reached Hell, but he had also discovered the proper way to use the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
Of course, this wasn’t the most important part in Li Chang’an’s eyes. What mattered most was that he realized he might have just found an army capable of sweeping across the Mortal Realm.
He glanced at the huge cavern above, then at a malformed, monstrous child not far off, who was peeking its head out to study him with curiosity. He spoke, "I am now at war with the Celestial Realm, and I need more forces to support me. Are you willing to leave this place and travel to the Mortal Realm?"
At these words, a violent aura erupted from the withered, gaunt clan leader, but it was just as quickly withdrawn. He shook his head and said, "Of course, we want to leave. However, we will not depart until the Human Emperor’s legacy has been claimed by a worthy successor..."
He paused, his tone laced with a hint of helplessness. "And you cannot expect us to help you fight those beasts from the Celestial Realm. Back during the Human Emperor’s war, they placed a curse upon our bloodline. The moment we set foot in the Mortal Realm, we will be discovered instantly. Our leaving would only implicate you."
The old man seemed disheartened.
It was a mix of anger and helplessness.
’They have a blood feud with their enemies, yet because of this curse, they can only hide away in Hell, not even daring to return to the Mortal Realm.’
’It’s a truly helpless and tragic fate.’
But Li Chang’an felt no sympathy. On the contrary, his expression grew stern. "Struggle means people will die. And many, many people at that. Entire clans, wiped out one by one..."
"If you’re staying here to guard the Human Emperor’s legacy, that’s one thing... But if you truly don’t dare to leave Hell and fight them just because they placed a curse on your bloodline, then no matter how many years pass, no matter how many generations go by, you will be trapped here until you die out, with no hope of ever seeing the light of day!"
The old man shook his head and sighed. "We are well aware of what you say. In fact, it’s not that we haven’t tried. But ever since those creatures swept the Mortal Realm clean and established their so-called Celestial Realm, their already formidable power became even more terrifying. We may have some combat strength, but compared to them, we are but a firefly against the bright moon..."
"Whether out of our duty to guard our ancestor’s legacy or out of fear of death, our only choice is to lie low and wait for the right time."
This was the answer Li Chang’an had been waiting for. He smiled. "Then the time has come. The foundation of the Celestial Realm’s cultivation is the Incense and Candle Divine Dao. As long as I can occupy the Mortal Realm and cut off their supply of Incense, the Celestial Realm will become like a tree without roots. By then, they’ll be so busy just suppressing rebellions that they won’t have time for anything else. That’s when you can leave Hell and return to the Mortal Realm!"
The old man gave a wry smile. He didn’t argue, but simply sighed. "Those beings’ power isn’t as simple as you imagine. While the Incense and Candle Divine Dao is their primary path, you would be gravely mistaken to think it’s their only one. Your best course of action right now is to collect the other two Maps of Mountains and Rivers as quickly as possible and claim the Human Emperor’s legacy. For only the Human Emperor, who fought them himself, truly understands all their methods!"
At these words, Li Chang’an grew pensive.
’From the very beginning, I had a feeling this world’s Power System was stronger than I’d anticipated,’ he thought. ’But now, it seems even that was a conservative estimate.’
’If the Divine Spirits of the Celestial Realm cultivated more than just one Taoist Sect, then this was indeed going to be troublesome.’
...