Chapter Thirty-Three: The House of the Extraordinary

Xuan Yangzi lowered his head and pondered for a while before saying, “As for the whereabouts of the Celestial Court, I fear that not a soul under heaven knows the truth. Even the Netherworld, so closely tied to the Celestial Court, cannot explain its disappearance.”

“The Path to Heaven has been severed—what kind of tremendous power could accomplish such a world-shattering feat? It’s unimaginable…”

Yi An’s heart tightened at these words and he asked, “If the Path to Heaven is broken and the divide between mortals and immortals is absolute, does that mean the Celestial Court might not have vanished, but merely lost contact with the mortal realm?”

The Path to Heaven, as the name implies, is the road leading to the heavens. It was forged when the Dao Ancestor Hongjun opened the outer heavens, creating a channel. Later, after the establishment of the Ancient Demon Court, this path became the crucial link between the Celestial Court and the mortal world.

Yi An couldn’t fathom how the Path to Heaven had been broken. The methods laid down by Hongjun were so profound that even a mighty Da Luo, exerting all their strength, would likely fail to move them even a fraction.

He couldn’t help but think of the Sages, for only they possessed the strength to accomplish such a thing.

Though in ancient times the relationships among the Sages were far from harmonious, and their shadows lingered over many catastrophes that befell heaven and earth. The most famous was the War of the Investiture of the Gods: disciples of the Sect of Interception and the Sect of Elucidation clashed fiercely. Among them, the twelve beloved disciples of Yuanshi—the Twelve Golden Immortals of Elucidation—were stripped of their spiritual crowns and scattered their five vital energies.

Looking at the defeated Interception side, their losses were even greater. The elite disciples of the entire sect were reduced to only one: the Sacred Mother of Wudang. Even the chief disciple of the Sect Leader of Interception, Duobao Daoist, turned to the Western Lands.

Thus, it was between Yuanshi and Tongtian that the animosity was born, and the other Sages had their own minor conflicts.

Could it really have been their doing?

Yet, there was no reason for them to act thus. Severing the Path to Heaven benefited them not at all.

“No… The Celestial Court might truly be gone. If it were merely a temporary break in the Path to Heaven, the Celestial Court should have repaired it quickly. But it has been several hundred years, and still there is no word. It just doesn’t add up.” Xuan Yangzi shook his head, finding the possibility unlikely.

The Celestial Court was once a vast entity, a paradise revered by countless cultivators. It housed innumerable mighty beings with powers that reached from heaven to earth. No matter how formidable the Path to Heaven was, it was still crafted by mortals. If the Celestial Court still existed, how could it remain indifferent to the mortal world and not open a new path?

Yi An fell into a deep contemplation at these words.

He had to admit, Xuan Yangzi’s reasoning had merit.

Those Sages could create worlds; reopening a channel would not be difficult for them.

Sages rule the universe, enduring countless calamities without harm, touched by karma yet unstained. They comprehend all things, witness the past, present, and future, and in their palms play out time, space, birth, death, and reincarnation. They exist eternally with the heavens and the Dao.

Such vast power—Yi An could not imagine what kind of existence could threaten a Sage.

“Do not aim too high. Cultivation requires steady progress, step by step,” Xuan Yangzi said earnestly, inwardly laughing bitterly. Even if the Celestial Court still existed, for a mortal to ascend to immortality was an unattainable dream.

Yi An replied gloomily, “I’m not aiming too high. I’ve only been cultivating quietly, my experience shallow. I hoped to learn from you, to hear some secrets, not out of any unrealistic ambition.”

“That’s best. We cultivators contend with the heavens…” Xuan Yangzi paused, recalling that Yi An was a man of profound fortune…

“To contend with the heavens”—those words did not apply to him.

At this thought, Xuan Yangzi felt a pang of gloom. He had labored diligently for a hundred years, and yet his cultivation barely amounted to this.

---

“Master, why did the court suddenly seek to exterminate the deities a few hundred years ago?” Yi An suddenly asked.

Xuan Yangzi’s expression turned grave. He seemed to guess something and asked, “Did you perhaps acquire the legacy of a deity?”

It was not surprising that he would think this way. Yi An’s curiosity about the Celestial Court was understandable—every cultivator revered and aspired toward the immortals who once ruled over all living things. But to involve himself with the wild gods hinted at something deeper.

Those deities may once have blessed their domains, but Xuan Yangzi had only seen the darkness they brought. Many deities were ruthless, causing countless families to be torn apart, their lives ruined.

“No, not at all,” Yi An replied.

“That’s good. Let me warn you again: those deities are not to be underestimated. Their foundations are deep, their methods strange and unpredictable. As the saying goes, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. If you ever cross paths with them, avoid conflict if you can.” Xuan Yangzi warned kindly.

Those wild gods favored young, inexperienced cultivators like Yi An. For them, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was worth years of ‘toil.’

“But I already encountered one outside Hangzhou,” Yi An said.

Xuan Yangzi was puzzled. “As far as I know, there are no weak deities near Hangzhou. Was it a passing… or foreign wild god?”

Yi An: “…”

Did Xuan Yangzi think that, when faced with a formidable deity, he could only run? Though, in truth, that was indeed the case—yet Yi An had ultimately turned misfortune to fortune and slain Xi Bai-jun.

So Yi An deliberately said, “That so-called Qiantang River God, Xi Bai-jun, was hardly worth mentioning. In my view, your methods surely surpass his.”

Xuan Yangzi was taken aback, as if he hadn’t heard clearly. “What?”

Seeing Xuan Yangzi’s flustered expression, Yi An smiled knowingly and repeated his words.

…

After hearing how Yi An had matched wits and courage with Xi Bai-jun, Xuan Yangzi’s envy grew even deeper.

Indeed, one favored by the heavens cannot be judged by common standards—such peril turned to triumph.

He knew the Qiantang River God well, having dealt with him many times. That wild god was extremely troublesome; their strength was about equal, if not slightly in the wild god’s favor.

That was why Xuan Yangzi had to tolerate him as a ‘neighbor’ for so many years.

At this thought, Xuan Yangzi sighed. The Qiantang River God, though guilty of many offenses, was once a deity, and yet in the end was felled by a mere youth.

“Master, after all this, you still haven’t answered my question.” Yi An prompted, seeing that Xuan Yangzi had wandered far from the main topic.

Xuan Yangzi hesitated for a moment, somewhat troubled. “That question is strictly forbidden by the court. It cannot be said, cannot be said.”

---

In truth, this matter was neither small nor large. If it were someone else, even if they had the right to know, they would not dare spread it.

The plan to exterminate the deities was fully documented in the files of the House of the Extraordinary. Only as its master did he have the right to review them.

Just as Yi An’s face fell in disappointment, Xuan Yangzi feigned contemplation. “However, it’s not entirely impossible…”

“Master, if you have something to say, please be clear,” Yi An cursed inwardly at this ‘old fox,’ knowing he was raising the price, though what Xuan Yangzi desired was unclear.

Xuan Yangzi stroked his beard and smiled, “It’s simple. This matter is a secret of the House of the Extraordinary, not to be disclosed to outsiders. However, if you join us, that would be a different story.”

“What is the House of the Extraordinary?” Yi An asked, his interest waning. If he must accept a binding commitment just to learn something trivial, it wasn’t worth it.

Sensing Yi An’s reluctance, Xuan Yangzi hurried to explain, “Don’t be so quick to refuse. Hear me out first, then decide if you want to join.

“At the founding of the Yanbei Dynasty, the court was in turmoil. Across the land, martial heroes defied the law, and some cultivators and evil spirits disturbed the peace. So His Majesty ordered the creation of the House of the Extraordinary, to manage these affairs.

“I am the fourth master of the House of the Extraordinary.

“And rest assured, once you join, I won’t force you to do anything. If you wish to fulfill some duties, I would be delighted.”

Yi An regarded him in surprise, unable to fathom why Xuan Yangzi was so intent on him joining this organization. But in truth, he would lose nothing, would he?

So Yi An confirmed, “You mean I would merely be a nominal member?”

“You could say so. What do you think? Interested?” Xuan Yangzi smiled.

In Yi An’s eyes, Xuan Yangzi now resembled an old man luring children away.

“Fine, I accept, but you must ensure the House of the Extraordinary imposes no constraints on me. Otherwise, I can leave at any time.” Yi An repeated his condition, looking at Xuan Yangzi with resolve.

Whatever Xuan Yangzi’s motives, this was his bottom line.

Xuan Yangzi agreed readily, “Very well, that’s enough.”

His original intention was merely to let the House of the Extraordinary bask in Yi An’s good fortune.

Their thoughts aligned: even if Yi An proved useless, he lost nothing, exchanging an insignificant secret for boundless opportunity.

The two, each harboring their own designs, quickly reached a consensus.

“This is the token belonging to members of the House of the Extraordinary. Be sure to keep it safe.” Xuan Yangzi produced a ring, engraved with the character for ‘Extraordinary.’ It was an important proof of identity among colleagues.