Transcending the Nine Heavens - Chapter 1410

Chapter 1410 Innate Origin

When Ning Tianya saw the little fellow, the little fellow was in the midst of pottering about busily.

He was in front of a ball split down the middle into black and white that had been hung up, staring at it deep in thought as if a grown man.

Wearing his split pants, he got into a superbly bold pose, bending his legs into a mock-sitting position as his eyes stared straight ahead.

In front of him, that hanging black and white ball swung about leisurely.

At his hip, a tiny little lump was also hanging and swinging about leisurely.

Although the little fellow’s expression was very stern, this situation honestly made anyone who laid eyes on it unable to become serious.

Although Ning Tianya was a little troubled, he couldn’t help wanting to laugh too. Suppressing the urge, he walked over to the little fellow.

“Cough, little bastard…” Ning Tianya was exasperated. He had already walked to and fro in front of this fellow quite a few times, but he actually acted like he wasn’t there.

“Shhh~~~” The little fellow raised a finger, signaling for him not to speak.

Ning Tianya stopped in his tracks at once.

Reaching his arm out, the little fellow pointed to the side with the air of one who brooked no defiance and said fiercely, “Stand at the side and don’t make any sound.”

Ning Tianya glared at him, feeling as if his eyes were about to throb furiously.

All of a sudden, a poot could be heard. At once, Ning Tianya held his breath, a strange look on his face.

The little fellow heaved a sigh. “Why must you fart everyday when you’re so young? Even though you won’t find this smell terribly unbearable yourself, it’s still very embarrassing when others are around.”

Right away, Ning Tianya’s countenance turned even weirder, as if he had swallowed a fart alive.

Honestly speaking, even though that fart earlier was a little smelly, Ning Tianya could still bear with it. However, these words of his seriously made Supremacy Ning rather unable to tolerate…

“What are you doing?” Ning Tianya could only ask him seriously.

There was a look of deep contemplation on the little fellow’s face. “Take a look.”

Ning Tianya looked over accordingly. Then, he shook his head at a loss. “Hmm?”

“Look…” The little fellow said mysteriously, “Isn’t this… very visual?”

Ning Tianya’s brows furrowed. He tried his best to think about it from the perspective of the Great Tao, only to conclude… What kind of visuality was he talking about?

He shook his head in puzzlement.

The little fellow looked at him with great dissatisfaction. “Look at it — Doesn’t it look very much like a ball?”

Ning Tianya swallowed hard.

Then, he rolled his eyes intensely.

Look like a ball? What I want to do the most right now is to kick you out like a ball!

That is a goddamn ball right from the start!!

“This is a ball!” The little fellow’s smooth and delicate face, so tender as if water would ooze out if it was pinched, formed a deeply contemplative look as he said, “But this is a world!”

“A world?” Ning Tianya stared at him.

“There’s black as well as white on it.” The little fellow said dispassionately, “Just like how there’s day and also night in life, as well as life and death. Just like this universe where there’s heaven and also earth, Yin as well as Yang!”

“Oh?” Ning Tianya involuntarily turned his attention to this little black and white ball and observed it carefully.

The surface was indeed split down the middle into black and white. There were only two colors on it — black and white — just like two large strangely-shaped fishes with an eye each.

“But when all returns to its origin, life and death, Yin and Yang, heaven and earth, black and white, the north and south are all on the same little ball,” said the little fellow with his childish voice.

Ning Tianya suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

These words, to a regular person, would probably make one think this way —”What’s the big deal? That’s how it is right from the start. These words are very normal!”

But Ning Tianya was different.

He had already half-surpassed life and death. When he heard these words in this instant, all his attention was hooked.

Life and death, Yin and Yang, heaven and earth — They were all here!

One lived and also died here; whether alive or dead, he would never break away from this domain!

What did this explain?

Ning Tianya suddenly felt like he was in somewhat of a trance.

A regular person’s trance might have been because his mind was in an unsettled state, but Ning Tianya’s trance, at his level, was typically a sign of impending enlightenment.

The next moment, Ning Tianya felt himself entering a fascinating state of being.

With rapt attention, Tie Yang, with a strange light in his eyes, watched Ning Tianya sink into a sort of primal chaos state of being.

After a long while, he murmured to himself, “I wonder if it’s because the people in this world are too impoverished or if it’s because their aptitude is too good? In the other world… Everyone in the streets is full of supreme theories, yet they treated them merely as beginner textbooks… Other than studying and becoming literate, they can’t think of anything else.”

Sighing heavily, he murmured, “How could thousands of years of painstaking efforts of those who came before us exist merely to let one become literate?”

“The heavens against the earth, rain against the wind, land against the sky… How could they be mere innocent pairings?”

“The heavens are black and the lands yellow, the early primitive stage of the universe[1]… Could these be beginner literature that only elementary school children can read while adults stay away from it?”

“Once a treasure is exposed to all as though a common brick, it ends up looking as if there is no value in it… What a shame.”

…

Ning Tianya seemed to have experienced a dream.

In the dream, he saw a complete cycle of his life from the time of birth till his death; born here, bred here, and died here.

From start to end, he was in a strange circle. He remembered all the events from when he was alive, as well as possessed clear memories of everything that happened after his death. For a while, he couldn’t help but compare his life and death. Yet he felt bored to death and he heaved a heavy sigh.

As he sighed, his mind cleared up.

In front of him, a brat wearing split pants staring at him with his clear and bright eyes.

When Ning Tianya’s eyes met with this pair of eyes that was free of even the slightest impurities, he suddenly felt a sense of shame coming over him.

He had experienced too much filth in his life. Now, as he looked upon such pure and clean eyes once more…

“Your aptitude is not bad.” The little fellow sighed. Glaring into Ning Tianya’s eyes, he asked, “You broke through earlier, right?”

“No…” Ning Tianya was rather flushed with embarrassment. Being told by a one-year-old toddler that his ‘aptitude was not bad’… Cough, to Ning Tianya who was tens of thousands of years old, it was a seriously intriguing feeling.

If he had really broken through, then that would be fine and all. But the problem was that… he didn’t.

Which made it rather hard to justify.

“You didn’t?” The little fellow’s eyes bulged out of their sockets, as if this outcome was also greatly outside of his expectations. “You clearly benefited, but you actually didn’t break through? Even that eunuch Feng Qiliang broke through by one level when he first heard it…”

Ning Tianya was so miserable that he wanted to smash his head against a wall.

I’m the goddamn awe-inspiring number one expert, but in the eyes of this kid, I can’t even compare to a eunuch!

As if he wanted to throw up blood, he retorted, “What cultivation level is Feng Qiliang at? And what level is this old man at? If we were to draw an analogy, Feng Qiliang only needs a grain of rice to break through while this old man needs an entire rice field to do it! You little…”

When he reached this part, he suddenly shut up.

Damn it, what am I saying all these to a one-year-old baby for?

“That’s true.” The little baby nodded seriously. As he nodded, the little chicky in his crotch also swayed to and fro. Then, he said seriously, “Your cultivation can soon be considered rudimentary…”

Ning Tianya clamped his mouth shut, his temples throbbing, as though all the blood in him was about to rush to his head.

I’m about to be rudimentary…

Do you goddamn know that this person who’s ‘about to be rudimentary’ in your eyes is the current number one expert in the world of the Nine Heavens?!

“Is your father really Chu Yang?” asked Ning Tianya in exasperation.

The little fellow rolled his eyes in contempt. “Do you think other people qualify to be?”

Ning Tianya wanted to faint once again.

“This crown prince is well-versed in his studies and accomplished in his martial arts. Kind and wise, I will descend upon the world as a ruler in the future and bless the world with fortune for years and years to come as I unite the martial world!” The crown prince declared seriously. “Other than my father, who else is qualified to have a son like me?”

Ning Tianya coughed a couple of times and suppressed the urge to spray blood from his mouth. “Is the window open?”

The little fellow replied mysteriously, “This crown prince never goes through the window. I’ve always been open board and straightforward; I only go through the main door!”

……

After a long time…

Inspiration suddenly hit Ning Tianya. “Surely you’re not the reincarnation of some ultimate expert?”

The little fellow glanced at him contemptuously. “Did you see one?”

“One?” Ning Tianya was taken aback.

“I’m talking about that tree!” The little fellow said impassively, “That tree is the world and that pond the underworld. That region is the netherworld and that bridge is the passageway of humans and ghosts.”

“Humans were originally a speck of dust that didn’t amount to anything. As the water of the underworld flows into the passageway of humans and ghosts, the past life of a human steps onto the first level of the world. Only then does he start to possess a consciousness and begins his struggle.”

“No matter which level one climbs to, just by relying on one’s strength, he can never shake off heaven! Therefore, no matter which level it is, in the end, only demise awaits him… After his demise, he reenters the otherworld. No matter how high one has gone when alive, at that point, he would only be returned to his most primitive state by the waters of reincarnation… Which is to say, only dust that does not possess consciousness is able to go round and begin again!”

“Thus… Under such strict and stringent law and regulation of the universe, the reincarnation of so-called ultimate experts is no different from a typical infant! How can they… possibly be as much of a genius as me?”

Ning Tianya’s brows drew together tightly. “But this sort of thing definitely exists!”

“That’s because… due to external factors, they are able to retain a bit of their true soul!” The little fellow went on disdainfully. “However, making use of external factors to retain one’s true soul is ultimately not the same as one’s own innate ability. Thus… their future accomplishments are limited!”

Without waiting for Ning Tianya’s response, the little fellow smiled peculiarly. “This world has already existed for a hundred thousand years. Among the experts of each generation, is any of them who reached the pinnacle the reincarnation of an ultimate expert?”

Ning Tianya was stunned!

Regarding the reincarnation and rebirth of ultimate experts, Ning Tianya had heard of it when he went to the Nine Heavens Imperial Court. He could also be certain that it truly existed. But… according to what he knew, it seemed like there really wasn’t anyone like that among the few sovereigns who stood at the apex of the Nine Heavens Imperial Court!

“One’s inherent nature and conscience… are their strongest weapons! His original self itself is the sturdiest precious raft to cross the secular world!” The little fellow was filled with disdain for the concept itself. “Borrowing the power of external factors, be it artifacts or medicine… wouldn’t work! Where do spiritual artifacts come from? They are forged by humans! Where do elixirs come from? They are synthesized by humans! Where do heaven and earth come from? They are pioneered by humans! Borrowing the power of external factors and abandoning even one’s original self… how can they possibly reach the pinnacle!”

Ning Tianya was horrified and shaken.

He asked humbly, “May I ask the crown prince, what skill technique are you cultivating with that tree?”

The little fellow smiled. “That is the skill technique of Innate Origin. Making use of every source of innate origin in the universe, extracting its essence and discarding the chaff, attaining the Great Tao, and establishing one’s innate origin!”

Ning Tianya felt as if he had understood something.

“If that tree were the world, then the tree is still very small.” The little fellow said in a profound and unfathomable manner, “When one looks upon the tree when he is in the water, the tree would be the world. But one must know that while being in that position, outside of that world, there’s still the very broad and vast sky…”

Ning Tianya suddenly recalled — That tree was only a small existence in the pond in the imperial garden. On the other hand, outside of it, there was the entire palace, the vast Lower Three Heavens, the Middle Three Heavens, Upper Three Heavens and the Nine Heavens Imperial Court!

In that case… in this cosmic universe, was the Nine Heavens Imperial Court also just as small and insignificant as this tree?

[1] This line is the first line of ‘Book of Changes’, an ancient Chinese divination text and the oldest of the Chinese classics

1411 So-called Manners And Etiquette
The next couple of days, Ning Tianya naturally became the little fellow’s guardian spirit.

He followed him wherever he went.

The relationship between the old man and the young kid actually warmed up rapidly. They stayed together everyday, no one knowing what they were actually up to.

Tie Butian was greatly comforted by this situation.

With Ning Tianya by her son’s side, practically nothing could go wrong.

Needless to say, Tie Butian was unaware of the exact ongoings between the old man and the young kid. If she were, it was likely that this wise emperor would pass out.

“Cough, Tie Yang, shouldn’t you start on the story today already? What happened to that monkey? Has he come out from underneath the mountain?” asked Ning Tianya.

“What’s the hurry?” The little fellow rolled his eyes. “I need to cultivate today…”

“…” Ning Tianya heaved a sigh.

All of a sudden, he felt as if he had returned to his youth.

When he was teaching his disciple, he had to rack his brains to tell stories to his disciple. Now that he was here to protect this little fellow, he actually needed to rack his brains to beg this little fellow to tell him stories…

At last, one day, a puzzled Ning Tianya asked, “These things are all very deep and profound, but you told me all of it the very first time we met… Is it really because children are unable to keep things to themselves?”

“This is a kind of fate,” replied the little fellow mysteriously.

“Fate?” Supremacy Ning was rather pleased. Looks like he was still pretty likeable… This little kiddo actually felt like he was reliable and could hit it off with him the moment he laid eyes on him…

“But actually, it was my error in judgment!” The little fellow suddenly said rather dejectedly, “You’re here to protect us… but I kept thinking that your cultivation wasn’t very high and was only rudimentary… And so, I thought…”

Ning Tianya was stunned.

Then, his facial muscles twitched, and twitched again, and then once more…

He was even rather grudgeful in this instant.

How great would it be if you had only said the first part? Fate…

But adding on this part afterward…

You really might as well not have added it.

But these few days, in terms of benefitting, it truly was Ning Tianya who had benefited the most! He was just like a wanderer who was originally at the end of his path, yet all of a sudden, several paths appeared right in front of him!

When several paths suddenly appeared in front of someone who had come to a dead-end, not to mention that every path led to an oasis — What kind of feeling would that be?

That was exactly the kind of feeling Ning Tianya had.

Back then, when he had first gone to the Nine Heavens Imperial Court, Ning Tianya knew right away that his cultivation was far from enough.

Otherwise, Xue Leihan wouldn’t have especially gotten him to watch over the Nine Heavens. There were definitely a lot of other people who were suitable for this task… but why did he especially select him for it?

Firstly, it was because it was from here that he had gone up. Secondly… it was probably also because of his aptitude. Perhaps his future wasn’t terribly bright? Staying up there would have been a waste, so he might as well return to the Nine Heavens to carry out tasks…

Ning Tianya had come to understand this a long time ago. Although he was dejected and disappointed about it, he also knew very well that such things couldn’t be forced.

But now, a few words from Tie Yang the little fellow and a few words from Tie Butian, when put together, had given Ning Tianya a tremendous chance!

Perhaps his aptitude remained the same as ever without any changes.

But now, he could see a wide path to heaven and also knew how to get there!

To Ning Tianya, this was no different from an incredible opportunity!

…

On this day, the old man and the young kid sat under that world tree…

All of a sudden, Ning Tianya’s countenance shifted slightly. He had sensed something.

It seemed like something was out of the ordinary… People from the Lan Clan had come down?

To be honest, Ning Tianya had been puzzling over something the last few days — Why hadn’t anyone from the Lan Clan come down yet? Their speed and reaction were so slow…

Needless to say, Supremacy Ning was completely unaware that the first batch had actually made their way down a long time ago and that they had only been a step behind him. But that batch of people had also gone straight ‘down’ with nary a pause…

Feng Qiliang also sensed something. He came toward them in a hurry.

“Look after the palace.” Ning Tianya frowned. “I’ll go and intercept them!”

It was as if a huge load had been lifted off Feng Qiliang’s shoulders. He nodded repeatedly.

…

The Great Elder of the Lan Clan and the others didn’t meet with any obstacles as they made their way down.

All was calm the entire way to Iron Cloud Citadel. For a moment there, all of them were rather alarmed and doubtful. By right, they should have been ambushed or run into some kind of trouble during their way there…

Yet everything was calm and peaceful right now!

When they reached Iron Cloud Citadel, this feeling became even more prominent.

It was even more peaceful.

Moreover, the bizarre thing was that after searching throughout the whole city, they actually couldn’t detect even a hint of anyone from the Lan Clan!

Where was Eldest Young Master Lan Ruo? And the other few Supreme Martial Artist experts?

Where did they go? It wasn’t as if they could’ve dissolved into nothingness in these Lower Three Heavens, right?

After much investigation, they finally ascertained — There was absolutely no trace of them here!

“Great Elder, what should we do now?” asked one of the high priests, whose countenance was filled with murderous intent.

“Since we can’t find them, the only possibility is that this has something to do with the palace!” With a cold and sinister expression, the Great Elder said, “Let’s go to the palace and seize that emperor for interrogation. No matter what, we should be able to get some news.”

“Yes… Just that there’s no sign of the Eldest Young Master and the others. It’s highly likely that someone has already laid hands on them!” Someone said.

All of them remained silent, their expressions similarly cold and sinister.

This wasn’t ‘highly likely’ but rather, ‘definitely’! That someone had already laid hands on them!

From this, there was already not a chance at all of both parties cooperating!

“Let’s go to the palace!” With a wave, the Great Elder led the team and headed toward the palace. 110 men marched out simultaneously; in this instant, it was as if a great million-strong military contingent was charging forward as one!

Such a team of experts was definitely enough to overturn these Lower Three Heavens!

The entire way there, the crowd automatically separated out of their own volition. A wide path leading straight to the palace appeared right away.

Winds howled as murderous intent pervaded the entire atmosphere!

Since you don’t know what’s good for you, then don’t blame us for being cruel and vicious!

All of them thought this way in their hearts.

They had only walked out 1,100 feet when the crowd in front of them suddenly separated. A figure in soft robes appeared as light as a feather in the path that they needed to take to reach the palace.

It was an extremely ordinary-looking old man. With a smile, he looked at all of them.

As though it was such a pleasure to have friends who came from afar.

“Everyone, where are you going?” asked the old man who was all smiles.

“You are?” There was wariness in the Great Elder’s eyes.

Could this old man be from the palace?

The Great Elder found the old man somewhat familiar. But even if he were to rack his brains, it would never ever occur to him that the number one expert of the world, Ning Tianya, would actually show up here!

Besides, after raising his cultivation twice, the aura around Ning Tianya was now vastly different from before. In the first place, he was someone who existed in legends, not to mention that the memories of the Great Elder and the others were fuzzy and actually couldn’t recognize him.

“I’m someone who’s here to negotiate with you.” Ning Tianya smiled extremely amicably. “How about we find somewhere to talk?”

The Great Elder snorted. “You’re from the palace?”

“Yes, you could say that.” Ning Tianya nodded.

“Just as well. This old man also has something to ask you!” The Great Elder very stylishly waved. “Lead the way!”

“Come with me.”

Ning Tianya took his attitude in good stride and took the initiative to go first. His destination was shockingly identical to Chu Yang’s choice when he was here — The old site of the Heavenly Armament Pavilion!

After a short moment.

“How about here?” A smiling Supremacy Ning said, “This place is surrounded by water and quiet and tranquil. It’s very suitable for discussions.”

The Great Elder’s eyes swept across the area. Smiling slightly, he commented, “It’s also suitable to do other things.”

Ning Tianya’s eyes were slits as he replied, “Yes, yes… It’s also very suitable for other things.”

Supremacy Ning was also rather filled with annoyance right now.

Even though I only showed an average level of cultivation because I’m afraid of scaring all of you, it’s also already a good number of grades into the Supreme Martial Artist level…

Why are these people so rude?

“This old thing, your tone of voice is pretty headstrong!” The Third High Priest looked down upon him. “What, are you even thinking of doing something to us here? Come here and get on your knees! And answer my questions!”

He was already full of rage from the start, yet after coming down here, they actually discovered that everyone’s status here was unknown. Right in the midst of their frustration, they had to run into such an unbelievable old man…

Damn it, your cultivation is certainly something in the Lower Three Heavens.

But who are we?

What does that pathetic level of cultivation of yours amount to?

The Second High Priest hastily mediated. “Third Brother, keep your calm. Let’s get things clear before we talk about other things… Once the truth is out, this old fellow… isn’t his fate going to be entirely up to you to do as you see fit? In the blink of an eye, you’ll be able to put him into 365 different poses…”

“Feh!~” The Third High Priest spat. “You old bastard, you seriously don’t have a discerning eye at all! If I don’t teach him a good lesson later, this old man would seriously have lived all these years for nothing… To think there are half-baked goods like these in the world prancing back and forth thinking that they are already number one in the world… Damn, do you freaking think that you’re Ning Tianya?”

Right away, raucous laughter filled the place.

Ning Tianya’s countenance darkened.

What the hell is this manner of speech?

“Cough, everyone has also already cultivated for several thousand years…” With a displeased look, Ning Tianya said, “As Supreme Martial Artists, you need to have the bearing of a Supreme Martial Artist no matter what… If even you behave like a shrew on the streets… Aren’t you afraid of sullying your own status? And falling short of appropriate etiquette?”

“Feh, what goddamn nonsense! Etiquette? F*ck your goddamn ridiculous etiquette!” The Third High Priest spat at him. Then, he started to rant. “If I have to mind my etiquette even with lowly ants like you… Who do you think you are? Actually putting on a high and mighty attitude to lecture me? Come, come, grandson, let grandpa here show you what etiquette is!”

Right away, the look on Ning Tianya’s face became terribly dreadful.

The Great Elder had already found a raised area and taken a seat by then. He said fiercely, “Third Brother, don’t be rash. Get that old bastard over here first and let me interrogate him.”

Somewhat in disbelief, Ning Tianya turned over and looked at the Great Elder of the Lan Clan in astonishment.

He had once met this Great Elder many years ago. At that time, the other party’s manners and etiquette could be said to have reached a point where it was entirely natural and part of him, and respectful to an extent that was considerate right down to every little detail.

He had even praised him for such a long time.

He didn’t expect that after so many years, when he had forgotten him and saw him only as a normal person, he was actually this… abominable and filthy!

Or perhaps, when facing people weaker than themselves, this was exactly how these people behaved?

Whereas manners and etiquette… only came into play when facing people stronger than them?

At once, Ning Tianya thought of what Tie Butian had said —”If one disregarded the suffering of people in the world the moment they attain enlightenment, then what is the use of attaining enlightenment?”