With these words, several people immediately spurred their horses and set off for the Thirteenth Heaven.
On the way, many passing immortals mentioned that the Thirteenth Heaven had changed.
It was said to have become more beautiful, and the original laws and heavenly principles were no longer present.
Yue Zhiyin listened, utterly bewildered: "If the original heavenly principles and laws are gone, who is in charge of the Thirteenth Heaven now?"
How could he not know about this in the Ninth Heaven?
The immortal Yue Zhiyin inquired of scratched his head upon hearing the question:
"To be honest, while the Thirteenth Heaven has beautiful scenery, it seems to be unmanaged. We thought there would be someone there when we went up earlier, but we didn't see a soul."
"Impossible. After the old heavenly principles and laws fell, new ones would be born," Yue Zhiyin vaguely felt that something was amiss. "Moreover, the Three Realms would not have remained ignorant of the emergence of a new heavenly principle."
At the very least, as the Heavenly Emperor, he should have been the first to know.
Yet, he was completely unaware of this matter.
Jin Yan, overhearing from the side, casually added: "Little Heavenly Emperor, how long have you been alive? Such things are quite normal. The transition between new and old heavenly principles isn't always as you imagine. There's another possibility: the 'E' Heavenly Principle. However, this situation is rare, so you are not very familiar with it."
"The 'E' Heavenly Principle is an ominous symbol. As a bearer of sin, the 'E' Heavenly Principle is and is not the Heavenly Principle. They exist for a very short time, and their sole purpose in becoming the Heavenly Principle is to benefit the land. When the spiritual energy of their primordial spirit is depleted, they dissipate, and a new Heavenly Principle will emerge."
Jin Yan finished his explanation as if lecturing and then turned to look at the stunned Yue Zhiyin, An Nuo, Shao Feng, Si Qing, and the others: "So, you all have lived for too short a time to have witnessed many things."
Si Qing suddenly asked: "But I don't understand. Before the 'E' Heavenly Principle ascended, were they bad people? If so, how could such a bad person be qualified to ascend to the Heavenly Principle?"
In essence, this was unfair.
There were so many good people in the world who were not qualified to be the Heavenly Principle, so why should a wicked individual have that qualification?
"Who said the 'E' Heavenly Principle was created by bad people?" Yan Hua corrected Si Qing. "Most 'E' Heavenly Principles are unfortunate souls, often framed and forced to be scapegoats due to bad luck."
"The primary reason these individuals become the 'E' Heavenly Principle is their kind hearts."
"However, it has been a long time since an 'E' Heavenly Principle appeared in the Three Realms. I wonder why one has suddenly appeared this time. I suspect the problem is definitely related to the old heavenly principles and laws. I don't know if these two have naturally dissipated or what has happened to them."
Si Qing looked at Yan Hua: "The fate of the 'E' Heavenly Principle is so bitter. Is there no other recourse? Do they only await their demise?"
"The 'E' Heavenly Principle sacrifices their primordial spirit's spiritual energy to benefit the Three Realms, and they became the 'E' Heavenly Principle solely due to injustice, without having committed any wrongdoing. They should not suffer such a fate. Why is this world so unfair? Is there no solution?" Si Qing felt this was incredibly unfair. If he or his loved ones were in the position of an 'E' Heavenly Principle, he would likely go mad.
"Hmm... For an 'E' Heavenly Principle to find release, someone from the mortal realm must be willing to kneel and plead with the heavens on their behalf, requesting a decree of vindication." Yan Hua recalled: "In my memory, a similar event did occur once, but only once. It is extremely difficult to vindicate an 'E' Heavenly Principle."
Si Qing did not understand.
An Nuo and Shao Feng also did not understand.
Yue Zhiyin was even more confused.
"To request a decree of vindication for an 'E' Heavenly Principle, it depends on the collective will of all beings in the Three Realms," Yu Yuan explained slowly. "It's not as simple as a few people gathering and begging the heavens. It requires the 'E' Heavenly Principle's relatives, along with all beings in the Three Realms, including mortals, to disregard the danger to their lives and kneel and pray on the steepest ice mountains, facing the rising sun, to succeed."
"This task sounds simple, but it is actually very difficult. This is because the 'E' Heavenly Principle's relatives must find a way to understand the cause of the 'E' Heavenly Principle's formation and persuade all beings in the Three Realms to voluntarily join in the kneeling and praying for there to be any hope."
"Furthermore, there is no set duration for the kneeling and praying. It might take one day, one month, or even half a mortal lifetime. The more people who leave during this period, the less likely it is to succeed."
Yu Yuan paused at this point and then looked at Si Qing with a knowing glance: "Mortal lifespans are short, at most a few decades, with very few reaching a hundred years. This task requires them to dedicate half their lives. It is conceivable that not everyone will be willing. Even if some are willing at the beginning, with the passage of time, they will most likely choose to withdraw after a year or two, and that is considered a relatively long period."
"Some mortals, even if persuaded and moved, can only persist for three days at most, as this matter is entirely unrelated to their lives."
"Therefore, throughout history, there have been many 'E' Heavenly Principles, but only one has ever been vindicated."
"Even if they manage to meet these arduous requirements, there is still another condition," Jin Yan said to Si Qing. "The formation of an 'E' Heavenly Principle always has a reason. The culprit responsible for making the 'E' Heavenly Principle what they are must be found, and they must be willing to clear the 'E' Heavenly Principle's name for true vindication to be achieved."
Looking at the Thirteenth Heaven, which was now within reach, Si Qing pursed his lips: "Why is it like this? Does the current Thirteenth Heaven have an 'E' Heavenly Principle?"
"There likely is, assuming what they say is true," Yan Hua mused. "The 'E' Heavenly Principles are usually imprisoned in the main hall of the Thirteenth Heaven. As for what happens inside? No one knows, as outsiders cannot enter."
Si Qing nodded.
As they pondered, they entered the heavenly gate of the Thirteenth Heaven.
Just as the passing immortals had said, the Thirteenth Heaven now felt like another world.
Flowers bloomed in profusion, ethereal mist swirled, long corridors and ancient pavilions, vermillion walls and pillars, terraces and towers. Although there was no one around, it did not feel as tense as before. Instead, it exuded a sense of relaxation and comfort.
Jin Yan casually remarked: "It seems the Thirteenth Heaven truly has an 'E' Heavenly Principle. Otherwise, these plants and trees wouldn't be so well-cared for. The spiritual energy of the Thirteenth Heaven has all been replaced. This is all nurtured by the spiritual power from the 'E' Heavenly Principle's primordial spirit."
Look at how lush and verdant it was, a stark contrast to when the Heavenly Principle was still present.
Shao Feng involuntarily asked: "Then, what if the 'E' Heavenly Principle's spiritual energy is insufficient?"
"...They will be whipped by the main hall of the Thirteenth Heaven to extract it from their primordial spirit," Yu Yuan said to Si Qing, deliberately elaborating to frighten him. "Primordial spirits are fragile, as you know. Therefore, the 'E' Heavenly Principles suffer greatly. If their spiritual energy is insufficient during their imprisonment, they will be subjected to cruel treatment until their primordial spirit loses its radiance and becomes completely worthless."
Shao Feng did not believe him: "Lord Yu Yuan, don't try to scare the children. How is that possible? Even the 'E' Heavenly Principle is a form of Heavenly Principle."
"You don't believe me even after I've said it?" Yu Yuan pouted pitifully. "Do you think I'm joking? While there's an element of scaremongering, that's indeed how it is. I've done many things in my youth. I even spied on the place where the 'E' Heavenly Principle was held, so I saw all of this with my own eyes."
Upon hearing this, Yan Hua couldn't help but roll his eyes.
This was probably considered a past dark history for him, and Yu Yuan had the nerve to bring it up in front of the younger generation.
An Nuo mused: "So, according to this, the 'E' Heavenly Principles are all worked to death and tortured to death."
Yu Yuan nodded.
Si Qing couldn't help but shiver: "Enough, let's not think about this anymore. Let's hurry and find the Heavenly Immortal Pond. Where is that pond? There are ponds of all sizes everywhere in the Thirteenth Heaven. We won't have to drink from each one, will we?"
Chen Xi also looked around and finally pointed to a spot not far away: "That one bubbling with immortal energy is the Heavenly Immortal Pond. The Heavenly Immortal Pond contains Immortal Pearls. Unlike other ponds, wherever an Immortal Pearl is placed, that pond becomes the spring of the Heavenly Immortal Pond."
Si Qing suddenly understood and walked over to fill two bamboo tubes.
But just as he finished filling them and was about to leave after putting them into his storage pouch, he suddenly heard the sound of chains from the locked main hall not far away.
Si Qing froze for a moment, recalling the recent discussion about the 'E' Heavenly Principle, and involuntarily walked towards it.