They had long suspected that the five sacrificial temples must hold secrets, but they never expected to have the existence of such a secret confirmed under these circumstances.
Mo Tiange suppressed the excitement in her heart. "May I ask, Senior, what is the secret?"
Amber let out a light laugh, his face growing even paler. "I don't know."
Both of them were stunned. If he didn't know, how could he call it a heaven-shaking secret? Was he playing with them?
Amber's gaze grew distant. After a long while, he slowly said, "Do you know why I lingered in the mortal realm, knowing it was impossible yet still defying the will of the higher realm, which led to my imprisonment?"
The two shook their heads in unison.
Amber said, "It was because of one person."
They were stunned again. Because of a... person?
"This secret was originally discovered by him. It's just that he didn't survive, leaving only me..." At this point, Amber lowered his gaze and fell silent for a long time.
Only after a long while did he continue. "When I was young, I was very restless. As soon as I barely achieved Human Transformation, I wandered everywhere to play. We Divine Beasts are blessed by heaven, born with considerable strength. With a little cultivation, we can achieve Human Transformation. At that time, although I had transformed, I was actually still very young and didn't understand the dangers of the world."
"...Whether they were Dao cultivators, demonic cultivators, or Buddhist cultivators, they all dreamed of subduing a Divine Beast. And a young Divine Beast like me, who hadn't yet grown up and was weak in strength, was their best choice. When I was at the end of my rope, about to be forcibly bound by a spirit beast contract, a child saved me and sent me back to my parents."
He revealed a smile. "He was the only one who harbored no designs on me. Many years later, when he became a top-tier great cultivator in the Human Realm, he still didn't want to subdue me. We remained the best of friends. With just a word, we would go through fire and water for each other."
Mo Tiange listened with fascination. Seeing him pause, she couldn't help but ask, "What happened later? What happened to that senior?"
Amber gave a bitter laugh and said, "Later, the Human Realm fell into great chaos. Evil thoughts sprouted in the hearts of all living beings. For the sake of profit, they waged wars everywhere. There was almost no place of purity left in the world. Seeing this, he was deeply worried. If things continued like this, the Human Realm would become a hell, and the entire world would collapse. He traveled everywhere, seeking a solution. Until one day, he came to find me and told me he might have discovered a heaven-shaking secret."
"And then?" Mo Tiange asked eagerly.
Amber said, "At that time, I had no interest whatsoever in the affairs of humans. We Divine Beasts, once our cultivation reaches a certain level, will Ascend. We do not belong to the Human Realm. And he was also almost ready to undergo his Heavenly Tribulation. No matter how chaotic the world became, it had nothing to do with us." He paused, closed his eyes, and his expression turned pained. "I just didn't expect that after he left that time, he never returned."
"Ah!" Mo Tiange exclaimed softly. "Wasn't that senior about to Ascend? Who could have taken his life?"
Amber took several deep breaths. Only after his breathing calmed did he continue. "I don't know. I only know he died in the chaotic wars. In our era, there were many great and powerful cultivators. Quite a few were facing Ascension. Although his strength was formidable, he wasn't the only one." He paused. "After his death, I began to do the things he hadn't finished. But it was too late. Not only was I unable to prevent the heaven-and-earth-shattering destruction, but I was also imprisoned here by the Immortal Realm for defying the higher command and harboring discontent."
So that's how it was... Mo Tiange never imagined that Amber's imprisonment was for such a reason. No wonder he was quite friendly towards humans. Even knowing that Xuanyue harbored hostility towards them, he didn't seek to exterminate them because of it.
Amber continued, "He left too suddenly. Many things, he didn't have time to tell me. Even the locations of the sacrificial temples, I only know roughly. However, I firmly remember one sentence he said."
"What sentence?" the two hurriedly pressed.
Amber said, word by word, "He said, 'This is a wager, an epoch-making wager. If we win, the Human Realm will have a chance of survival.'"
"...A wager," Mo Tiange murmured. "A heaven-shaking secret, a wager... Could it be the cause of the great chaos in the world, and the method to break it?"
"During the hundred thousand years imprisoned here, I have constantly recalled everything from back then. I think it's most likely so," Amber sighed deeply. "It's a pity I cannot personally uncover this mystery."
The two felt a stir in their hearts, hearing the implication in Amber's words.
Sure enough, Amber said, "Are you willing to take my place and continue doing this?"
The two did not answer immediately. Although they had always intended to pursue this answer, what Amber said exceeded their imagination.
"Senior," Qin Xi asked cautiously after pondering for a while, "Great powers like you were unable to find the answer. Can we?"
Amber smiled. "I cannot answer that question. I can only tell you that before this world collapses, the higher realm will not interfere with your attempts to save yourselves. Unless, like me, you deliberately rebel against them."
"..."
Amber added calmly, "I have already made arrangements for my descendants. This matter holds no benefit whatsoever for me. Whether to do it or not is your own decision."
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and asked, "Senior, why not let your descendants do this?"
Amber said, "I've said before, we Divine Beasts are actually quite lazy. This is the Human Realm. You humans are the dominant ones. There's no need for us to take the lead. As for you two, if I hadn't coincidentally discovered that you both carry the aura of Divine Beasts and should have some connection to the Five Spirit Sacrificial Temples, I wouldn't have told you these things."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance. They had to admit that Amber's words had moved them. If this truly was the precursor to great chaos and destruction in the world, then this was something they must do.
"Alright," Qin Xi nodded solemnly. "We accept this matter."
Amber revealed a smile, spread open his hand, and a ball of light slowly gathered in his palm. He said, "This contains all my memories regarding this matter. It includes the approximate locations of the major sacrificial temples, which should be helpful to you."
He released his hand. The ball of light drifted and swayed, dispersing into points of light that flew into their minds.
Suddenly, many thoughts appeared in their minds, even some special incantations and mental cultivation techniques of extraordinary sophistication, far surpassing any similar techniques existing in the world. Their hearts filled with joy, and they bowed sincerely in thanks. "Thank you for your gift, Senior."
Amber waved his hand. "I can only offer a meager effort. Everything still depends on yourselves."
He flicked a finger, dispelling the Sound-Isolation Barrier, and said to Xuanmiao, "Girl, come here."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi bowed once more before stepping back, making way for Xuanmiao. Xuari and Xuanyue were still unconscious. It was unknown how long the bloodline purification would take.
"Great-Great-Grandfather." Xuanmiao knelt respectfully before Amber.
"There is one matter I entrust to you."
"Please instruct me, Great-Great-Grandfather."
Amber raised his gaze, looking at Mo Tiange and Qin Xi, and said, "Those two have promised to handle a matter for me. Therefore, do not make things difficult for them. If possible, try to help them."
"Yes," Xuanmiao replied without hesitation.
Amber looked at her and sighed deeply. After a long while, he spoke. "Your two elder brothers—one is too immature and lacks intelligence; the other has intelligence but no desire for power. Neither is an ideal ruler. As for you, whether in intelligence or scheming, you are quite good. I'm afraid the future of the Xumi Sea will have to be placed in your hands."
Xuanmiao said, "I am honored by Great-Great-Grandfather's favor. Xuanmiao is confident that I will definitely ensure the Xumi Sea safely passes through this crisis."
Amber did not smile. He stared at her unblinkingly. "Are you certain? What you will encounter is a disaster that has been rare since the creation of heaven and earth. Although there is the Xumi Sea, it may not be foolproof."
Under his gaze, Xuanmiao did not retreat in the slightest. Her gaze was firm as she said, "Xuanmiao understands, and I am certain I will do my best."
"Good, good." Amber revealed a faint smile. "In that case, I can leave with peace of mind."
Xuanmiao knew this matter was unavoidable. She kowtowed, her expression sorrowful. "Great-Great-Grandfather..."
Amber wore a smile. His gaze swept over her, over Xuari and Xuanyue, over Jing Hu and Jing Tao, over Ni Qi and Die Yi, over Mo Tiange and Qin Xi. His gaze was still lingering, but his elegant white-clad figure slowly grew illusory until it vanished without a trace.
In mid-air, a silver ring fell down, emitting a light, crisp sound. With no one left to imprison, it had completed its mission and quickly dimmed.
Watching Xuanmiao pick up the silver ring, everyone felt a complex mix of emotions in their hearts.
When they entered the Immortal Palace and first saw Amber, how dashing and elegant he was. Who would have thought that in just half a month, he would meet such an end.
In the silence, Xuari and Xuanyue woke up, letting out a groan.
At this moment, surging with unfamiliar power within them, their strength had increased considerably. Once they digested this power, they could break through to the ninth rank.
Xuari sat up, looking at their silent group in confusion. "What's wrong with you all?"
"Elder Brother," Xuanmiao inhaled, controlling her emotions, and said softly, "Great-Great-Grandfather... Great-Great-Grandfather is gone..."
Xuari was stunned. He looked at the space in front of her where Amber had been sitting cross-legged. It was now empty.
The Six Paths Palace had been destroyed by Amber. The surrounding restrictions were swept clean. There was no sea of clouds, nor an endless pool of water—only a dried-up cavern.
The two humans and seven demons were all injured, so they simply rested and recovered on the spot.
Later, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi found Xiaofeng and Fairy Fengqing amidst the ruins of the Six Paths Palace. Both were severely injured, likely from being torn apart when the space collapsed.
After more than half a month, when their injuries were mostly healed, they bid each other farewell.
"Fellow Daoists." Xuanmiao walked over to the two of them, performing a slight bow.
Having received Amber's affirmation, whether it was Xuari and Xuanyue, or Jing Tao and Jing Hu, they all acknowledged her status. At this moment, she was in high spirits.
"Third Princess." Mo Tiange addressed her this way, thinking to herself: Xuari, Xuanyue... this third princess should be called Xuanxing, right? Why is she called Xuanmiao?
Xuanmiao, of course, didn't know what she was thinking. She said warmly, "Just call me Xuanmiao. Calling me Third Princess is too distant."
Mo Tiange thought again: We were already quite distant...
Although she held no ill will towards Xuanmiao, she instinctively kept her distance. She didn't want to get too close to such a scheming character—thinking too much was exhausting. Huh, had she somehow been infected by Amber's laziness?
Xuanmiao said, "We are about to return to the Xumi Sea. What are your plans?"
Qin Xi said, "We are also returning."
Xuanmiao nodded, took something from her sleeve, and handed it to Mo Tiange. "Great-Great-Grandfather commanded us to help you two as much as possible. This item is a token of our Qilin clan. If you have time in the future, you may come to the Xumi Sea for a visit."
This token was a faintly glowing seashell, containing abundant spiritual energy the likes of which they had never seen in their lives. Mo Tiange stored it away and clasped her hands. "Thank you, Princess Xuanmiao."
Xuanmiao smiled slightly and bid farewell. "Until we meet again."
"Farewell."
Led by Xuanmiao, the group of demons left the cavern. In just a moment, they were gone without a trace.