Xu Zhengyang had already arranged the work for the construction team. Huang Chen's Yongcheng Group in Beijing was engaged in real estate development. He could easily make a few connections with the construction companies under his command and make a little extra money, enough for Xu's construction team to live a life of luxury.
Xu Zhengyang told his mother that if he was away for an extended period of time, she should take over the task of donating to children who had dropped out of school.
Xu Zhengyang stopped worrying about Jinghui Logistics Company and Guxiangxuan Antique Shop, and just let his mother visit the antique shop occasionally.
As for Huayang Tourism Company, Xu Zhengyang entrusted the entire matter to Yao Chushun.
Yao Chushun really gave Xu Zhengyang a good scolding, but he was also helpless. Xu Zhengyang always seemed to be very free, but in reality he was busy all day long and often disappeared. He would not come to Guxiangxuan for ten days or half a month at a time, so Yao Chushun did not care much.
As for the City God Temple of Fuhe City, it will be temporarily managed by Elder Li. In any case, the city scroll is in Xu Zhengyang's hands, and even if his divine sense flies to the highest heavens, he can still control it at any time with the scroll in hand; besides, things in Fuhe City are much more peaceful now. Minor matters are handled by the ghost messengers or Captain Su Peng, so there is not much need for Elder Li to actually manage anything. It is just to let him gradually familiarize himself with how to handle matters in his divine duties.
To put it bluntly, Li Lao's current position as the acting judge of the Fuhe City God Temple is merely a figurehead.
Xu Zhengyang's explanation to Li Bingjie was rather mysterious. He said, "I need to go to the underworld to arrange some kind of official position for Grandpa..."
The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed, so Li Bingjie, who was extremely excited, naturally did not say anything.
But in the heart of a young woman, there was a tinge of reluctance and a touch of bitterness, because Xu Zhengyang had said that once he left, he didn't know when he would return.
In comparison, Chen Chaojiang's situation was much simpler. He simply left 200,000 yuan with his family and told them, "Zhengyang and I are going out these days. Don't contact me unless it's absolutely necessary."
As for how long they would stay, Chen Chaojiang didn't bother to ask. He simply stocked up on some necessities such as food, dried vegetables, and bottled water, planning to call and have them delivered if they ran out. Xu Zhengyang had already spoken to Zhan Xiaohui about this beforehand.
...
Opening his eyes, Xu Zhengyan finally realized that sitting cross-legged like this, even though no one could see him, was still uncomfortable and somewhat pretentious. Why was he trying to imitate the meditation of Taoist or Buddhist masters?
So Xu Zhengyang lay down, which was much more comfortable.
The thick curtains were drawn, making the room somewhat dimly lit.
Xu Zhengyang lay quietly on the bed, slowly closed his eyes, left a trace of his thoughts in his mind, and then his consciousness left his body.
According to the city scroll, the Imperial Censor Spirit Official could enter the Heavenly Gate directly without reporting to the Heavenly Court.
But where is this Heavenly Road? Xu Zhengyang didn't know. The city scroll said that if the Imperial Censor wanted to return to the Heavenly Court, he should fly straight into the clouds, where the Heavenly Road would be ahead.
In a flash, Xu Zhengyang used his divine consciousness as his body, passing through the rooftop and soaring straight into the sky. He intended to fly upwards in broad daylight, facing the blue sky and the rising sun, to investigate further.
Soaring high into the clouds, Xu Zhengyang's divine sense looked down upon the city. He saw skyscrapers and bustling traffic on winding roads, with villages scattered everywhere, resembling chess pieces on a chessboard against the backdrop of rivers and mountains. Gazing at the endless sky, he felt as if he would never reach the end.
Xu Zhengyang suddenly thought of the myths and legends, where Taoists cultivate for many years and, upon becoming immortals, shatter the void and ascend to heaven in broad daylight. Was this what it meant? But if his own physical body could also fly on a sword and ride the clouds like in the legends, then he would be incredibly awesome in this human world...
Maybe... it really can be done.
As Xu Zhengyang fantasized about one day actually doing that, his divine sense involuntarily soared upwards, breaking through the clouds and entering the deep and endless universe.
Looking out, the vast and dark universe stretches out before you. In the distance, the Milky Way glitters, and the sun shines like a blazing furnace. Below and behind, the Earth, with its thin clouds, truly appears as a blue planet, just like on television!
Looking around, you can see countless satellites—symbols of human wisdom and technological advancement—revolving around the Earth at high speed.
Where is the Heavenly Court?
The question had just arisen in Xu Zhengyang's mind when suddenly the scenery around him changed abruptly, and a white light flashed. Xu Zhengyang felt dizzy and disoriented, and in an instant, he found himself in an exceptionally beautiful world.
Like the universe, it stretches to the horizon.
The first impression it gives is one of light!
A clear sky? No, everything here is the sky, because in the distance, the towering mountains, the small hills, and the vast expanse of land look like islands floating in the air, with radiant sunshine everywhere and wisps of clouds drifting by. You can see pavilions and towers standing on both the mountains and the land.
Further away, a massive city stands tall, its walls towering high. The buildings within are all resplendent in gold and shimmering with light. The grand gate is merely a facade supported by two enormous white jade pillars, inscribed with "Eastern Azure Heaven Court Emperor's Palace." Below, the ground is empty, surrounded by auspicious clouds, with no actual gate.
Enveloped in mist, the Eastern Heavenly Court appeared ethereal from afar, yet it remained majestic and solemn. Even from a distance, Xu Zhengyang couldn't help but feel how insignificant he was.
Looking at the vast and boundless world before him, Xu Zhengyang truly felt the meaning of the lyrics: "Immortal mountains separated by clouds and sea, rosy peaks connected by jade belts..."
It is indeed a sea of clouds, and whether it is mountains, pavilions, towers, or land-based cities, they are all built upon this sea of clouds.
This is the real heavenly realm, a fairyland!
Stepping on clouds and mist, Xu Zhengyang flew freely towards the gates of the Heavenly Court, just like in myths and legends.
However, what seems to be only a few miles apart is actually more than a hundred miles away.
Even though Xu Zhengyang could sense that the current flight speed was very fast, it still took him quite some time to finally reach the Heavenly Court. However, he was unable to control his body and fell, as if some mysterious, invisible force was blocking him in mid-air. He was forcibly pulled down.
Xu Zhengyang stood in front of the Heavenly Court gate and then realized that the stone pillars on both sides of the gate were several meters high, and there were more than ten meters between the stone pillars.
Looking down, I saw that I was surrounded by clouds and mist, and that I was actually standing on solid ground.
Looking to either side, one sees towering city walls stretching endlessly. Between the empty gates, one can clearly feel a powerful energy fluctuation blocking the way, separating the Heavenly Court from the outside world.
Xu Zhengyang frowned slightly, summoned the city scroll, and said, "I can't get in."
The city official replied: "It is necessary for the Heavenly King guarding the courtyard gate to report this."
Xu Zhengyang angrily said, "Do you see any guardian kings at this gate?"
The scroll light flickered, and after a while, it finally displayed: No response.
"Then I came all this way for nothing?" Xu Zhengyang asked angrily, his eyes wide.
After a long silence, Cheng Juan replied: "The Heavenly Court is empty. The Spirit Official can use his great supernatural powers to break down the gate and enter."
Xu Zhengyang shuddered. Damn it, breaking down a door, what is that called? That's called trespassing, oh no, trespassing on official property... If the Emperor is inside having fun with his concubines, and I suddenly barge in and accidentally see something I shouldn't see... Damn it, he'll tear me to pieces.
Wait, the Heavenly Court is empty.
Xu Zhengyang curled his lip. Damn it, just pretend it's empty. The damn bird is facing upwards. Anyway, I've already reported it through the city's official document. It's just that you ignored it!
Thinking of this, Xu Zhengyang raised his right hand and gently extended his index finger forward. Sure enough, he touched a smooth and cool energy, just like touching the surface of calm water. Ripples spread out in circles within sight, shimmering and sparkling, exceptionally beautiful. In an instant, the light spread to the tall and thick stone pillars on both sides.
With a thought, Xu Zhengyang unleashed his divine power through his index finger.
The light surged, and the calm energy wall seemed unable to withstand the powerful impact. Like a piece of glass being struck, it shattered, and countless colorful lights flickered and disappeared.
Xu Zhengyang strode in.
Behind them, the shattered streams of light flickered and reassembled.
Xu Zhengyang suddenly turned around, pointed his finger, and a golden light shot out from his fingertip, striking the energy gate that had just calmed down. The light surged, and the energy gate shattered once more like glass…
Xu Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved.
He certainly didn't want to be trapped inside, unable to get out, like a dog locked in a cage and beaten by someone else; that would truly be walking into a trap.
It wasn't that Xu Zhengyang was suspicious; he simply didn't want to be trapped by some invisible, powerful force within the Heavenly Court, because he still had a home, family, friends, and a wonderful, happy life waiting for him.
However, when Xu Zhengyang stepped inside, the scene he witnessed left him speechless.
It is indeed beautiful.
Purple clouds and mist, colorful light flowing, all kinds of pavilions and towers, with flying eaves and upturned corners, red railings and green terraces; among them are small hills and pebbles, quiet pools, pebbly paths and lush fairy trees.
Amidst distant celestial clouds and colorful sunset glow, a grand hall stands tall in the center of the scene, with a plaque above it that reads "Palace of the Azure Heaven".
However, all of this...
The narrow path and wide road were in complete disarray. Even the white jade railings that were surrounded by clouds and mist were broken into pieces. Some trees were simply snapped in half. Some pavilions had collapsed halfway and were about to fall. The pond was even more chaotic, with fallen leaves and flowers floating in it. The broken wood and brick walls made the once tranquil pond filthy.
Looking at the Heavenly Palace again, it was originally a hundred feet away, with layers of steps leading up to it, majestic and solemn. However, the steps had been bombarded by some kind of powerful energy, resulting in countless irregular large and small pits. The railings on both sides of the steps were almost completely destroyed, and broken stones were scattered all over the ground.
The walls, doors, and windows of the Heavenly Palace were also covered in scars and were mottled and worn.
Fortunately, most of the buildings are still in relatively good condition.
Xu Zhengyang climbed the steps, bypassing the large and small pits, and finally reached the top. Standing in front of the main hall, he looked inside and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Poor thing, the old emperor must be dead, otherwise, how could his palace, which he used for meetings, have been ruined like this?
However, the two vermilion doors of the main hall were smashed to the ground and shattered into pieces. Three of the eight thick pillars inside the hall were broken. Fortunately, the remaining five thick pillars held up the huge hall and prevented it from collapsing.
A large dragon with golden scales and red whiskers, baring its fangs and claws, is coiled around a dark red pillar. Its head chases the sun, and auspicious clouds surround its body, making it majestic and extraordinary.
The dark gold floor inside the main hall was riddled with large and small pits.
Looking further inside, as you ascend the steps, you arrive at the Emperor's throne, a wide, golden chair inlaid with pearls and jade, shimmering and sparkling with iridescent colors.
Xu Zhengyang stood at the door, turned around and looked around. The main hall was located on a high platform, and the scenery below could be seen in its entirety.
How desolate, how desolate...
In short, Xu Zhengyang's current feeling is that this place has been ravaged by war, which is why it is in such a dilapidated state. Moreover, this war is like the result of modern warfare seen in historical documentaries. This place has been bombarded by countless shells, grenades, and even missiles, and the numerous craters are proof of this.
Could it be that a world war has spread here as well?
Xu Zhengyang turned and walked into the hall, somewhat annoyed.
The hall was unusually quiet. Although there was no dust everywhere, it was still desolate and miserable. Broken bricks, rubble, and tattered cloth littered the ground. The ceiling was several feet high, with auspicious clouds swirling around it and curtains hanging lightly, but the brocade curtains were torn into strips and were tattered beyond recognition.
Looking at the scene before him, Xu Zhengyang knew without even thinking that the pavilions and mansions on those immortal mountains or islands outside the Heavenly Court were probably not much better. Sigh.
While he was pondering, the scroll suddenly flew out of his body as if out of control.
Xu Zhengyang let out a soft cry, and then saw the city scroll fly above the throne, slowly expanding and growing larger...
Soon, the city scroll transformed into a snow-white screen over two zhang wide and more than one zhang high; then, colorful streams of light began to flash on the snow-white screen. Auspicious clouds inside the hall surged towards the white screen, swirling and churning around it like a cloud of white mist.
Golden light shimmered in the white mist, as if the morning sun had dispelled the thick fog and the auspicious clouds had dispersed.
The white screen formed by the jade city scroll, just like the movie screen Xu Zhengyang had seen in his village when he was a child, began to display scene after scene, accompanied by a majestic and solemn voice...
At that moment, Xu Zhengyang stood frozen in the center of the hall, staring blankly at the scenes playing on the huge white screen like a movie, and listening to the solemn, cold, mechanical, yet incredibly dignified and awe-inspiring introduction.
...
All things in the universe are natural and belong to the way of Heaven;
The six realms of reincarnation are immortal and indestructible. Those with spirits revere them, while those without spirits follow them. This is the cycle of all things.
In the beginning of chaos, spiritual energy gathered, thus giving rise to divine enlightenment. Drifting within the chaos, born of nature, and becoming one with the universe, they broke free from the chaos and began to see that space was different for each other...
...
Xu Zhengyang only half understood what he was hearing, but he did get a vague idea of what was going on.
However, the image clearly revealed the origin of the gods: the original gods were merely spirits that arose by chance in the chaotic primordial nature. Because the primordial world was rich in spiritual energy, these conscious spirits gradually gained awareness and, as their spiritual awareness grew, they became the first gods.
This period of time, however, is not hundreds of millions of years, but much longer.
The original god was actually a formless and imageless spirit. One day, when the spirit grew, it broke through the primordial chaos and created the universe. After the primordial world was shattered, the spirit stepped into another space and connected several spaces into one... It is roughly the same as the legend of Pangu creating the world, but it is not the Pangu god with hands, feet and head that people imagine and describe, who wielded a great axe to split the chaotic land.
The original gods were more in harmony with and integrated with nature, and had no human nature.
This primordial chaos is the universe that humans can observe today. In fact, each layer of space is different yet similar, varying in size, but overall, it is boundless.
In other words, there are universes beyond universes, and spaces beyond spaces; this is nature.