Chapter 1443: 断绝天人之路

Zu'an was stunned. "He wasn't trying to gain the Zhulong's inheritance?"

Wu Xian shook his head. "We initially thought so, until he killed Bao Jiang and stole the elixir of immortality. Only then did we realize his true motive."

Zu'an was confused. "That doesn't make sense. Since he's the son of the great god Zhulong and his sole heir, why would he still compete for the elixir of immortality?"

Wu Xian looked at him deeply. "Even gods are not immortal. The elixir of immortality allows one to live for another lifetime."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes. So that's what the so-called elixir of immortality was. Even living an extra lifetime was incredibly valuable, as lifespans varied, and some powerful beings lived for thousands or even tens of thousands of years. An extra lifetime could add thousands or tens of thousands of years to one's existence!

"Of course, after achieving immortality, lifespans increase dramatically, so the desire for the elixir wouldn't be as strong in the short term," Wu Xian explained. "But Gu couldn't achieve immortality."

"Why?" Zu'an and the others asked in surprise. It was unimaginable that the biological son and sole heir of a great god like Zhulong couldn't achieve immortality in this era.

Wu Xian hesitated, but finally said, "I shouldn't have told you these things, but since you saved Ya Yu, you are destined to know. There's no harm in telling you."

"It's because Emperor Zhuanxu severed the path between heaven and mortals."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue pondered this, while Zu'an and Yu Yanluo were completely bewildered. "Severed the path between heaven and mortals? What does that mean?"

Wu Xian explained, "A long time ago, there was a passage between the heavens and the mortal realm. Although it was extremely difficult to traverse those paths, it wasn't impossible for some powerful individuals."

"After Zhuanxu became the Heavenly Emperor, he felt that maintaining a passage between heaven and the mortal realm posed too great a hidden danger. Firstly, heavenly beings descending to the mortal realm often caused great calamities; secondly, the various mortal clans would ascend to heaven whenever something happened, disturbing the tranquility of the heavens. So, he dispatched the great gods Chong and Li to sever the path between the heavenly and mortal realms."

"From then on, heaven and mortals were forever separated, and those in the lower realm lost all hope of achieving immortality."

Zu'an and the others were profoundly shocked, especially Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen. So that was it! No wonder, for thousands of years, although brilliant and talented individuals emerged continuously in the cultivation world, no one had ever truly achieved immortality. This had led more and more people to believe that so-called immortality was just a hoax. It turned out the path to immortality had been severed by the Heavenly Court in ancient times!

Zu'an thought to himself that Zhuanxu was truly unkind. No wonder people slandered him, portraying his sons as various ghouls, demons, or fierce beasts—anything evil or villainous was attributed to them. He had initially thought it was merely a struggle between the Xuan Emperor and Bai Emperor's factions, but now he suspected that Zhuanxu's action had completely enraged the various mortal clans. Unfortunately, all they could do was rage impotently and slander Zhuanxu's descendants. It was a pity that Zhuanxu in the Heavenly Court didn't care, or perhaps didn't even know any of this.

After the group had somewhat processed this astonishing news, Wu Xian continued, "Zhulong is indeed a transcendent great god, but his son, Gu, was young when the path between heaven and mortals was severed. He hadn't yet achieved immortality and wouldn't be able to in the future, which is why he sought the elixir of immortality."

"I see. Did he succeed later?" Zu'an asked eagerly.

"He ambushed Bao Jiang and indeed successfully stole the elixir of immortality. Unfortunately, he was exposed before he could consume it. After all, the elixir of immortality was of immense importance. The Heavenly Emperor was furious and had him executed." Wu Xian, holding a green snake in one hand and a red snake in the other, showed no discernible emotion as he spoke, making it impossible to tell his true thoughts.

"But what does all this have to do with Jinwu and Nüba?" Yu Yanluo asked, puzzled.

"Because Nüba is Gu's mother," Wu Xian sighed deeply.

Zu'an and the others were dumbfounded.

They had never imagined such a connection. What a tangled web.

Wu Xian continued, "Back then, Nüba helped the Yellow Emperor defeat Chiyou. Unfortunately, due to the immense toll it took on her, she couldn't return to the heavens and had to remain in the mortal realm. Wherever she appeared, severe drought would follow, so the people didn't thank her for her role in defeating Chiyou. Instead, they drove her away wherever she went."

"The Heavenly Emperor pitied her and arranged for her to stay north of Chishui, which was conveniently close to Zhongshan, where Zhulong was residing at the time."

"As the saying goes, 'proximity breeds affection'..."

Zu'an's expression was strange. "'Proximity breeds affection'?"

"What's wrong?" Wu Xian looked at him, puzzled.

"Nothing, senior. Please continue." Zu'an's old face flushed. If they knew the chaotic thoughts running through his mind, wouldn't they be furious enough to tear him apart?

"Zhulong and Nüba then came together and had Gu," Wu Xian said.

Zu'an secretly marvelled. Great gods truly were formidable; they could even be intimate with someone as devastating as Nüba without suffering any harm.

"Are Ya Yu and Er Fu not her children?" The women were more concerned with other questions.

"No, we don't even know who Ya Yu and Er Fu's mother is," Wu Xian shook his head.

Zu'an thought to himself, no wonder Gu instigated his two brothers to fight each other; they didn't share the same mother.

"I understand now! The Heavenly Emperor who executed Gu was Di Jun, so Nüba, out of her fierce love for her son, hated Di Jun and his son Jinwu. She sought revenge but was accidentally killed in return?" Zu'an suddenly realized.

The other shamans looked strange and shook their heads in unison. "That's not it. The Heavenly Emperor who executed Gu was Zhuanxu."

Zu'an was baffled.

So, was Nüba out of her mind? Why would she seek revenge on Jinwu instead of the actual culprit?

Wu Xian hesitated before saying, "What I'm about to tell you is merely speculation; we have no proof. Just listen to it as a story."

Zu'an's spirits lifted. He loved hearing gossip.

Yun Jianyue, however, secretly frowned. They had no particular connection with the Ten Shamans of Lingshan. Was there a trick behind their willingness to reveal such deep secrets to mere acquaintances? Were they trying to use them for something? She wanted to warn her companions but was wary of the shamans' cultivation and methods, fearing they might be discovered. So, she could only suppress her doubts.

The other shamans then began to speak, one after another:

"Lingshan, where we Ten Shamans reside, is adjacent to Zhongshan and Chishui, so we are essentially their neighbors. Coupled with the incidents involving Ya Yu and Bao Jiang, we know more than ordinary people."

"Gu assassinated the heavenly god Bao Jiang and stole the elixir of immortality. Nüba also knew his crime was unforgivable, so although she was grieved, she didn't resent Heavenly Emperor Zhuanxu."

"However, later, by chance, Nüba discovered that Gu had been incited by someone else."

"Upon investigation, Nüba found traces of Di Jun's involvement."

"Di Jun?" Zu'an was surprised. So he was the mastermind all along? But why would a dignified Heavenly Emperor involve himself in such matters?

"Didn't we mention earlier that Zhuanxu severed the path between heaven and mortals? This meant that not only Gu, but also Di Jun's sons, would be unable to achieve immortality."

Zu'an was speechless.

Even the Heavenly Emperor's sons couldn't achieve immortality?

That was indeed quite strictly enforced.

As if guessing his thoughts, Wu Xian explained, "With the path between heaven and mortals severed, the Grand Dao's laws became incomplete. It was a foregone conclusion that mortal clans could not achieve immortality, independent of anyone's will, unless the path was repaired and the Grand Dao's laws were made whole again."

"If both are Heavenly Emperors, why could this be implemented even if Di Jun disagreed?" Zu'an frowned.

"Because severing the path between heaven and mortals was in the common interest of a large portion of the heavenly beings. Moreover, Zhuanxu became Heavenly Emperor before Di Jun. Di Jun had only recently ascended to the position at that time and his foundation was shallow, making it difficult for him to contend with Zhuanxu."

"So, there's a theory that Di Jun, unable to stand alone, intended to use Gu to draw Zhulong into the situation. After all, Zhulong holds a transcendent position and possesses great power; with his help and support, the situation would improve significantly."

"Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, Zhulong never took a stance on the matter. And after Gu's accidental death, Nüba naturally directed all her fury toward Di Jun's lineage."