Chapter 679: The Path to the Heavens
Qi Xuansu finally took the bait and could not help but say, “This is even worse than the legendary severance of heaven and earth, when immortality will no longer be possible. Even magic and mystical abilities will vanish. That’s why Sage Donghua keeps going on about where to go from here in the post-Daoist era.”
Madam Qi replied, “Daoists don’t believe in reincarnation. When people die, their souls return to heaven and earth. But if we assume reincarnation is real, then this life will be your last chance to gain immortality. If you fail to attain immortality in this life, you’ll be trapped in this mortal realm for all eternity, never able to transcend.”
Qi Xuansu had not felt much at first. He was still young, after all. Though he had witnessed many deaths, most were violent or untimely. He had not really grasped the natural process of aging and dying.
But after hearing Madam Qi say all that, an inexplicable sense of urgency welled up in him.
Madam Qi continued, “As the paradises descend, the Ancient Immortals will return.”
Qi Xuansu was momentarily stunned. But thinking it over carefully, it did make sense.
Madam Qi explained, “Godly Immortals die three times. The first is when their golden body decays. The second is when their divine kingdom collapses. The third is when no one remembers them anymore. Many immortals have only died the first or second deaths, lying dormant while awaiting a chance to return. This era of uncertainty is exactly that chance.
“They no longer rely on incense offerings. Instead, they revive effortlessly through the surge of karmic fortune, the last burst of radiance before death. Once reborn, they secretly establish cults, gather incense power again, and rebuild their golden bodies and divine kingdoms, all in hopes of ascending before the end of the era.
“This is their last voyage. If they miss it, they will sink into the sea of suffering. Their golden bodies will rot, their divine kingdoms will collapse, and they will enter the second death, falling into eternal slumber with no hope of resurrection. Once they’re completely forgotten, they’ll enter the third death—their true and final death.”
Qi Xuansu finally understood why the Ancient Immortals were so desperate. This was truly a matter of life and death. Even if the Three Religions tried to stop them, they would still make the attempt since it was better than waiting around to die.
But a new doubt arose in him. “Madam Qi, these are undoubtedly monumental matters, earthshaking even. But still, they’re 100 years away, so what’s the rush? What do they have to do with what we’re doing right now?”