"So many books, even a lifetime wouldn't be enough to finish reading them."
Guo Chen Sa casually sat on the ground, flipping through a worn-out book. Around him were layers upon layers of grand halls, each room within the halls stacked with books that formed mountains.
This was the compilation of the Heavenly Talisman Compendium, the place where the world's books were gathered.
He had been punished to organize the archives for three days.
The Emperor, proud of his governance and martial accomplishments, had two aims: one, to expand the territory for military achievements; and two, to compile books for literary achievements.
In the fourth year of the Heavenly Talisman Era, countless erudite scholars were summoned to collect books from across the land and compile a grand compendium.
Over the following decade, carts of books from all over the country were transported to the capital, filling large areas of the palace.
Naturally, valuable martial arts manuals and Daoist scriptures were carefully selected and stored in the royal family's secret archives, while the rest, considered miscellaneous, were left neglected.
Since these were leftover books, they were poorly managed and eventually became infested with insects.
Although he was punished to organize the books for three days, the young eunuchs nearby came and went without bothering him.
Here, he casually read. The book he was holding was an old notebook from the previous dynasty, detailing cultivation and martial arts.
"Cultivation is divided into the Mortal Realm and the Dao Realm. The Mortal Realm consists of four stages: initial insight into the path,
advancing step by step, reaching a state of transcendence, and ultimately achieving the peak. Beyond this is the Dao Realm, which consists of thirty-six transformations.
For example, the first transformation, Fuk Qi Tuo Gu, involves not consuming worldly food, but absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
The second transformation, Jiu Niu Er Hu, grants the body the strength of nine bulls and two tigers.
The third transformation, Ming Dong Da Tie, makes the body impervious to swords and spears.
The fourth transformation, Hun Jin Hua Shi, strengthens the internal organs to the point where they resemble a furnace, capable of melting metals and stones.
The fifth transformation, Bai Xiu Tu Ling, unlocks the body's hundred and eight acupuncture points, making one capable of absorbing spiritual energy from all these points, which leads to a transformation where the body changes, becoming stronger and more powerful.
The sixth transformation, Lun Qi Cheng Gang, allows the gathered spiritual energy to circulate endlessly within the body, gradually growing stronger until it can be released and form Gang Qi, which can be projected to kill at a distance, hitting targets with the force of a divine strike.
The seventh transformation, Li Di Deng Kong, further enhances the Gang Qi, allowing the practitioner to levitate and briefly fly.
The eighth transformation, San Mie Zhen Huo, produces internal True Fire that burns outward, refining the body from within.
The ninth transformation, Liu Li Yu Sheng, after the body has been tempered by True Fire, reaches a stage where the entire body becomes as transparent as glass, free from disease or injury, and one can live for five hundred years without aging.
As one continues to cultivate, the abilities increase, leading to transformations that include Duān Chí Zài Shēng (Resurrection from Death), Xīng Xuè Chóng Shēng (Rebirth by Blood), Bù Sǐ Zhī Shēn (Immortality), Yuán Shén Chū Xiāo (The Original Spirit Exits the Body), Tā Shēn Huí Líng (Soul Returning to the Body), Dà Xiǎo Rú Yì (Perfect Control of One's Destiny), Xū Kōng Chuàng Wù (Creation from the Void), and Kāi Yì Dòng Tiān (Opening the Heavens). These are the true abilities of immortals..."
After reading through the notebook, Guo Chen Sa closed it and murmured, "The transformations of the Dao realm are truly wondrous. Too bad my martial arts are ordinary, and I'm still only at the stage of beginning to explore the path. Well, these ordinary words aren't worth much."
He threw the notebook aside and began looking for another book.
There were many records of the thirty-six transformations in Dao cultivation, but only a few could achieve such feats.
He glanced left and right, searching through the books when suddenly, clack, the entire pile of books collapsed, dust filling the air, blinding his vision.
"Somebody must be cursed if even drinking water goes wrong."
Quickly, he began sorting through the mess of books, feeling something unusual on the books' surface.
"What material is this book made of? It's not silk, not leather, and not paper."
He pulled out an old, yellowed scroll from the corner. It had no title, and it was full of tiny holes, the writing so small it resembled the wings of flies.
"Ha Wei Tianzi? This is about a person who achieved great knowledge and was honored as the 'Son of Heaven,' just like the ancient sages of the Hundred Schools. The title 'Son of Heaven' refers to someone who achieved ultimate mastery of the Dao of Heaven, wielding the Heavenly Authority and speaking the Heavenly Will, their thoughts creating life and death, controlling all laws, and even appointing gods. And here, it refers to the emperor. Today, the Emperor uses intrigue and war to establish the nation, ruling over mortals, and also calls himself the 'Son of Heaven.' Isn't that laughable..."
"So this is what the 'Son of Heaven' truly means!" Guo Chen Sa found these lines in the famous book interesting, "The Son of Heaven is indeed the embodiment of the Dao of Heaven. It is clear that no mortal emperor can compare to that. The emperor of the world cannot truly be called the 'Son of Heaven.' The term 'Son of Heaven' was used for someone who achieved great mastery, even the founders of schools like the Legalists or Confucians were referred to as 'sons.' The true Son of Heaven was the founder of the Dao of Heaven itself. The strongest among them could even appoint gods. Many of the True Gods of ancient times were appointed by such 'Sons of Heaven,' and they still receive offerings."
Thinking to himself, he continued to read.
"In ancient times, there was a ritual known as Tí Tiān Fú (Heavenly Talisman Offering), a decree of the heavens. The one who received it was blessed with the essence of the Dao of Heaven, granting them the opportunity to become a Son of Heaven. Anyone who could receive the Tí Tiān Fú and communicate with the heavens could gradually cultivate and comprehend the Dao of Heaven..."
Guo Chen Sa reached the end of the scroll and closed it, thinking, "I know about the Tí Tiān Fú. Whoever receives it is truly a Son of Heaven. Later, when the talisman was lost, emperors used jade seals to replace it. The jade seal had the words 'Mandate of Heaven' inscribed on it, which was originally written on the Heavenly Talisman."
The Emperor, in his ritual, would begin by saying: "By the order of the Heavenly Talisman, I govern the entire nation..."
But since ancient times, the Talisman had disappeared, and the emperors had not truly received the heavenly decree. Instead, they relied on military power and political schemes to secure their reign.
Currently, the Great Eternal Dynasty's Emperor was attempting to reclaim the Heavenly Talisman with the reign title Tian Fu, meaning he sought to find the Talisman and legitimately become the Son of Heaven.
"This book is worth taking with me." Guo Chen Sa patted the dust off his clothes, tucked the book into his pocket, and turned to leave the small courtyard.
At just fourteen, he was confined to a quiet corner of the palace.
At the age of fifteen, when he came of age, he could establish his own household, take a title, and receive fixed land taxes, which would improve his standard of living.
Of course, with his status, it was unlikely he would receive the titles of Prince or Duke, but a position as a favor-granted General would not be bad.
The imperial family distributed titles such as Prince, Duke, and various generals, but only those who were especially favored could become Princes. Usually, princes were granted lower titles at first and didn't pass them on to their descendants.
His little courtyard was located on the northern border of the palace, consisting of just two or three empty rooms, with no servants or eunuchs to attend to him.
He was not favored, and his monthly allowance was often cut short. Without the support of a powerful maternal family, who would be there for him?
It was not like the favored princes who had rich families backing them, generously fostering their power, and ruling the palace.
The courtyard was also quite messy. Weeds grew everywhere, sprouting between cracks in the stones, swaying in the wind, while scavenging birds searched for seeds to eat.
At night, the foxes roamed, and snakes and insects slithered.
On the northern side of the Imperial Palace, the population was sparse. It was connected by patches of forests and lakes. Even during the day, it felt gloomy, but at night, it became a realm of eerie shadows, so much so that even the boldest guards felt their hearts race.
Guo Chensha didn't mind; hiding here seemed like the safest way to avoid disaster.
As he entered the small courtyard, a young eunuch approached him holding a large rooster, which was clucking loudly. Upon seeing him, the eunuch immediately turned around and said, "Ninth Prince, we have chicken to eat today. The Imperial Kitchen bought many new delicacies today, and after much begging, they finally gave us a whole chicken."
Guo Chensha didn't feel the slightest joy, sighing deeply: "Little disciple, you've been loyal and devoted to me for so long. I've never rewarded you, and yet, people bully you from all sides."
This little disciple was the only eunuch who had followed him for many years.
"Master, please don't say that. I was just a stray dog. It doesn't matter if I have something or not. It's enough that you consider me a person. How could I not be loyal?" The little disciple hurriedly knelt down. "Master, this courtyard is too desolate. Would you like to clear the weeds and tidy it up? It would be more comfortable to live in."
Guo Chensha responded nonchalantly: "If you don't sweep your room, how can you sweep the world? I want this place to remain desolate so that people will think I'm miserable and dead. The fewer things there are, the fewer troubles there will be." Guo Chensha was adept at hiding his emotions. "Get up."
"Yes, understood."
As the little disciple got up, he suddenly slipped, and the rooster flapped its wings and flew toward Guo Chensha, striking him in the face with its claws.
"Ha ha ha...!"
The rooster's claws fiercely scratched his face.
Guo Chensha hurriedly raised his hand to block, but the rooster's claws savagely scratched his skin, tearing off a large chunk.
With a swift motion, he drew a dagger from his sleeve and used the "Sweep the Heavens" technique to slash the rooster's neck.
Guo Chensha was not particularly skilled in martial arts, but he had trained hard, and his strength, though modest, was enough to kill the rooster.
The rooster's neck was severed, and chicken blood splattered onto Guo Chensha's clothes.
"Damn it, damn it!" The little disciple was so frightened, he almost lost his senses.
"Get up, what's the big deal?" Guo Chensha, surprisingly calm, said. "You clean up the rooster and cook it. I'll go back to my room to bandage the wound and change my clothes."
His clothes were now stained with chicken blood, looking far from presentable.
Once in his room, Guo Chensha stripped off his clothes, and when a book fell from the shelf, it landed on the floor, stained with blood and glowing faintly.
Guo Chensha bent down to pick it up.
As soon as his fingers touched the book, a blue flame erupted from it, and the book was completely consumed by the fire, leaving behind a blue scroll. This scroll was not made of gold, iron, silk, or paper, and it bore four words that seemed to fly in the air.
"Ancient Bird Hieroglyph?" Guo Chensha recognized it instantly. This was the most mysterious script of the ancient world, a symbol of communication with the heavens.
The bird-shaped characters followed the will of Heaven.
"Obeying the will of Heaven! This is… the Heaven-Offering Edict!"
Guo Chensha stammered, unable to believe his eyes.
The four words on the scroll were "Obey the Will of Heaven."
Incredible! The thing that emperors of all ages had pursued was hidden in this tattered book.
The Heaven-Offering Edict, if one could cultivate it with hard work, could turn them into the Heavenly Emperor.
Without this edict, no matter how great one's power or territory, one could still be called Emperor, but not the Heavenly Emperor.
An Emperor rules over mortals, but the Heavenly Emperor holds the power to ordain the gods.
Only with this edict could one decree and promote the gods. This was the power of the Heavenly Emperor.
Even the great Emperor of the current era, who had achieved numerous feats, had only cleaned up the evil gods that had not been properly ordained by the ancient Heavenly Emperor, and not officially promoted them to true gods, for he did not possess the Heaven-Offering Edict.
The true power of the Heavenly Emperor does not lie in governing mortals, but in ordaining the gods.
Otherwise, how could they be called the Heavenly Emperor?
Guo Chensha carefully stored the scroll and, after calming his excitement, sighed deeply: "The divine artifacts of the nation, only those with virtue can inhabit them. Perhaps the Heaven-Offering Edict is not needed after all."
As he put the scroll away, an image of the rooster appeared, swirling and being absorbed into the scroll.
Buzz... As the figure of the rooster disappeared, a warm current flowed out of the scroll, entering Guo Chensha's body.
He couldn't help but moan, feeling his strength grow as if infused with the power of the rooster.
"Is it true that the ancient records are correct? The ancient emperors sacrificed living creatures on the Heaven-Offering Edict to communicate with the heavens and gain power?" He suddenly realized.
The blood from the rooster he had killed earlier had mixed with the blood on the book, creating a small sacrificial offering.
This was like Guo Chensha offering a sacrifice to the heavens, which was rewarded by the divine power.
The Heaven-Offering Edict was activated because of this.
Guo Chensha was a prince and had accompanied the Emperor to offer sacrifices to the heavens many times. But he had never seen any strange phenomena or received any divine gifts because the Emperor did not possess the Heaven-Offering Edict.
Without this edict, no one could communicate with the heavens.
Now that Guo Chensha had obtained the Heaven-Offering Edict, he did not intend to present it to the Emperor. Attempting to seize power with such a small force would undoubtedly lead to death.
Moreover, he had no desire for the throne yet, as he was still in the early stages of his life.
Guo Chensha, after all, was a prince. Over the years, although he had pretended to be mad, he had quietly read books and practiced martial arts. His martial skills had reached a certain level.
"As a prince, I should have received medicinal supplements for my training, but everything has been cut off. With the Heaven-Offering Edict, I could follow the example of the ancient emperors, hunt beasts, offer sacrifices to the heavens, and gain divine favor to achieve supreme martial arts. However, I cannot perform the Heaven Offering within the palace, or I would be accused of using forbidden techniques and sentenced to death. It seems I must go to the Southern Mountains to hunt beasts."
The palace strictly forbids the use of ancient sacrificial techniques.
Guo Chensha could never allow others to discover his weakness.
He had no intention of offering the Heaven-Offering Edict to the Emperor.
If he did, it would certainly cause a stir among the court and the people, and while he would likely be granted the title of Prince, it would be of no use. Without real strength, he could be overthrown at any moment. Furthermore, he might even be accused of plotting to overthrow the throne, leading to a charge of treason.
"I'll wait until I have the strength to cultivate to a higher level and then take action. Only then will I have the power to defend myself," Guo Chensha muttered, determined.