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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
The extremely magnificent palace sat high above the clouds, overlooking Heaven. Seated within was an enigmatic and terrifying figure, with a gaze that seems to behold the cycle of creation and destruction. Endless Principles intertwined with each other on the powerful silk robe he wore.
He was none other than the Eternal Dao Monarch, who reigned supreme over the Nine Heavens. Eternal was both his Daoist title, and the name the world had known him by. He held an esteemed position in the hearts of all for his transcendent and fearsome power. From a certain aspect, Eternal was indeed a fitting name for him, for he was truly eternal.
The Nine Heavens existed long before the Mountains and Oceans True World was even conceived. Compared to many True Worlds, its status was incomparably transcendent. Even in other True Worlds, the name of the Nine Heavens spread far and wide. Countless cultivators constantly sought the Nine Heavens in search of the secrets of Immortality. The Mountains and Oceans True World, on the other hand, was just one of the many True Worlds.
“It appears that the Palace Lord of the World Creation Palace in the Radiant Yang True World has failed to transcend the Eighth Decay, resulting in the shattering of his Dao Fruit. There is inner turmoil in the palace now and regrettably, the other Vice Palace Lords are beginning to make their move.”
As these words reached the Eternal Dao Monarch, his deep eyes flickered with a hint of emotion. As one of the most powerful Realms in the vast cosmos, the Radiant Yang True World had once given birth to a true Transcendent.
Transcendents were those who had reached the Immortal Emperor Realm and had survived the Nine Immortal Decays. They ultimately transcended the limitations of the Immortal Emperor Realm, condensed their Great Dao Fruit, and thus achieved true eternity.
Such beings were truly invincible and capable of controlling multiple True Worlds. Even in the face of the Great Purge, they could seek refuge in a True World and remain unscathed. They were like the Great Sun that traversed the sky, illuminating the ancient Heaven.
Although he proclaimed himself to be indestructible and was known by others as the Eternal Dao Monarch, he was merely another who aspired to become a Transcendent. Throughout the ages, the number of true Transcendents could be counted on one hand. Just their name alone could enlighten all beings of the vast ocean of True Worlds and lead them to a cultivation Realm that was beyond their imagination.
“The Palace Lord of World Creation Palace suffered grave injuries ages ago during a fight over a precious primordial spirit treasure. Despite the passage of countless epochs, he has yet to fully recover. He must be running out of time and intend to push through the Eighth Decay, which is a challenge that all of us struggle to overcome.” The Eternal Dao Monarch had a hint of remorse in his voice, but his eyes remained completely indifferent.
The Palace Lord of World Creation Palace was not the only one stumped by the Eighth Decay, even the Eternal Dao Monarch himself lacked the confidence to overcome it. He could be killed or even disintegrate, both in body and Soul.
Despite being referred to as Immortal beings, they were no different from ordinary mortals in the face of the Immortal Decays. These Decay would drain their vitality, dry up their blood, extinguish the light of their Soul, and destroy their physical body. Apart from Transcendents, no one was truly Immortal and Eternal in this world. Then again, with the existence of the peerless Source Realm watching everything from afar, could the Transcendents truly claim themselves to be invincible?
“Your Majesty, the Vice Palace Lords from World Creation Palace have expressed their desire to cooperate with us. They intend to take over the World Creation Palace after their Palace Lord’s downfall, and have generously offered us the opportunity to freely select 30% of the resources within,” one of the figures kneeling before the Eternal Dao Monarch reported.
“We can freely select 30% of the resources from the World Creation Palace?” Upon hearing these words, the Eternal Dao Monarch’s eyes slightly lit up. After a moment of contemplation, he commented indifferently, “The World Creation Palace must have become a target of all other Forces in the Radiant Yang True World, which is why they are seeking to cooperate with the Nine Heavens at this time.”
Apart from the World Creation Palace, there were other ancient and powerful Forces in the Radiant Yang True World. Each of these Forces had a rich history that dated back to the birth of that True World, which all had weathered countless calamities over the ages. Among them were the Universe Destroyer Residence, Serene Peak, and the Cave of Rebirth. These Forces all boasted great heritage that rivalled even that of the World Creation Palace. They held control over countless universes with zillions of loyal subjects.
The Universe Destroyer Residence and the World Creation Palace were once a single entity that received a legacy left behind by the Transcendent from the Radiant Yang True World. Over time, they experienced a split due to various circumstances, resulting in the formation of the Universe Destroyer Residence and the World Creation Palace.
The Palace Lords of the Universe Destroyer Residence and the World Creation Palace were extremely remarkable figures, who had survived through Seven Decays and could be considered one of the most powerful in the vast ocean of True Worlds. Countless supreme experts had gathered in these two powerful Forces since ancient times, including Immortal Emperors, Immortal Kings.
A selected few were even on the Path of Transcendence and had survived several Immortal Decays. It was perfectly justifiable to say that the Radiant Yang True World was one of the most powerful among the vast ocean of True Worlds. After all, a True World that had given birth to a Transcendent was leagues above the rest. As a result, even the Nine Heavens refrained from needlessly offending those prominent figures in the Radiant Yang True Realm.
The Eternal Dao Monarch, a supreme being who had also transcended the Seventh Decay, presided over the Nine Heavens. Each Heavenly Layer has its corresponding Lord. The first few Heavenly Layer were ‘Heavens’ that fell during the Great War Against Heaven. Non-Immortal Emperors could never ascend to become a Lord.
Countless epochs had passed, and people who survived Immortal Decays had begun to emerge and walk on Path of Transcendence. With such formidable individuals, the Nine Heavens naturally stood above the rest. Apart from the supreme True Worlds like the Radiant Yang True World and the Ephemeral Yin True World, others were not worthy of the Nine Heavens’ attention.
Even the once-glorious Mountains and Oceans True World, with its many Immortal Emperors and True Spirits also on the Path of Transcendence, was hardly given a second thought by the Nine Heavens.
“30% is not enough. The Supreme Heaven Sect demands the primordial spirit treasure seized by their Palace Lord,” the Eternal Dao Monarch stated calmly from his throne, exuding an unwavering authority.
Apart from the Palace Lord, the other Vice Palace Lords of World Creation Palace had not even passed through the Fifth Decay. It was silly of them to even think about taking over the World Creation Palace given their current strength. If not, the Universe Destroyer Residence would definitely still have some reservation. But now, they would never let such an easy target like the World Creation Palace slip away so easily.
“Understood. I will convey Your Majesty’s words to those of the Radiant Yang True World.”
After saying that, the figures kneeling before the Eternal Dao Monarch began to fade away, vanishing into thin air in a matter of seconds. If any outsiders were present at that moment, they would have been left completely dumbfounded. After all, these people were Immortal Kings, revered by many. All of them possessed unparalleled power and influence that could easily control Star Territories or universes. Yet, in this place, they were reduced to mere subordinates, compelled to follow the orders of another.
The Nine Heavens was a magnificent pyramid-like structure, with continents overlapping layer after layer. For ordinary individuals, traversing the vast expanse between each Heavenly Layer was an insurmountable feat. The journey from the First Heavenly Layer to the Ninth Heavenly Layer was akin to reaching for the sky. It was an impossible task.
Qing Feng was now standing in the First Heavenly Layer, shocked by how vast it was. At the same time, he found himself halted at the city gates by a group of imposing soldiers donning immortal armour. He could not even enter the first city in the First Heavenly Layer. Although Qing Feng was not intimidated by these soldiers, who were merely in the Sacred King Realm, he wisely refrained from acting rashly in this unfamiliar place.
“The esteemed guest has been personally welcomed by my Master, please grant him entry into the city.” Fortunately, the boy in Daoist robe, who served the middle-aged man in white, known as the Gravekeeper, arrived just in time to inform the soldiers at the city entrance.
Before Qing Feng could express his gratitude, the boy had disappeared. His cultivation was too profound for Qing Feng to tell. Nevertheless, with the boy’s assistance, Qing Feng was finally able to enter the city.
As soon as he did, he felt as though he had been transported back to a million epochs into the ancient past.
…
The passage of time in the Nine Heavens and the outside world was exactly the same. While Qing Feng set out on his journey to search for the Ancestors of the Immortal Palace, violent winds howled beyond the Floating Nether Realm. Stars streaked across the sky like blazing comets before crashing onto the land. A menacing black hand descended from above, causing Heaven to tremble and certain parts to dissolve into utter chaos, vanishing without a trace.
“The world outside has been plunged into utter chaos, with destruction stretching as far as the eye can see… The Demonic Energy surrounding Azure Sea Realm is intensifying and the cracks in the ground are getting wider because of the tremor.” The people of the City of No Return gazed up at the sky. Some of them were filled with despair, some with bitterness, others remained calm, while some even started praying. Amidst this impending calamity, all beings stood united in the face of adversity.
The sky was dimming, and the stars were falling. Even more colossal hands appeared, sweeping across the sky and tearing the land asunder.
Even the mountains crumbled like dust in its wake. It was the Immortal Kings from the Immortal Domain, who had been tirelessly searching for the location of the Floating Nether Realm. When they finally found the crack in its Array, they attacked it relentlessly, determined to break through.
Cen Shuang stood tall, holding a spear. She wore soft armour over her robe that was as red as freshly spilled blood. From her vantage point in the sky above the City of No Return, she calmly gazed out at the world beyond.
The Elders of the city appeared behind her, each emanating the immense aura of Immortal Kings. All of them were prepared to battle the Immortal Kings from the world beyond the moment the Array shattered.
The dazzling Golden Winged Roc assumed human form, appearing as a heroic-looking middle-aged man. Surrounding him were the Ancestral Crocodile and other powerful ancient beasts, emanating an aura that rivalled even that of an Immortal King. They stood poised, patiently awaiting the inevitable shattering of the Array.
Initially, it was agreed that a small group of individuals from the City of No Return would evacuate after three days to ensure continuity. However, none expected that the Immortal Kings outside would discover the location of the Floating Nether Realm the very next day.
The destruction of the outside world made the unique traits of this location easily detectable. As a result, an Immortal King appeared before the city’s Array and attempted to break the protective Array.
With the energy of the Array Core of this city rapidly depleting over the past two days, the light of the curtain surround the Floating Nether Realm became increasingly dull and riddled with spiderweb-like cracks, indicating that it could shatter at any moment.
“It appears we cannot wait for Qing Feng’s return. The Array can only last for another day at most. Even if we were to allow the City of No Return to enter the void and depart, it would be too late…” A group of Elders shook their heads in resignation. They seemed to believe that the outcome had been preordained and there was no way to fight against it.
“We haven’t even used what my Father left behind… Even if the odds are stacked against us, I will inflict enough pain upon them to make them regret their actions!” Anger and resentment were etched on Cen Shuang’s valiant face as she clenched her teeth and tightened her grip on her spear. Flames ignited on one end as killing intent surged within her.
*Boom!*
All eyes in the City of No Return were fixed on the outside world as the colossal hands descended from above, raining down thunderous blows on the Array. The sky and land split apart, the stars shattered and the universe let out a mournful cry.
Even the Great Dao itself rumbled under the weight of the cataclysmic event. And then, there was silence.
The Immortal Kings, who had been attacking relentlessly, ceased their assault and transformed into beams of light, descending onto the land.
A slender and youthful figure appeared, dressed in pure white and moving with grace through the void. Despite his gentle appearance, every being in the Floating Nether Realm felt their hearts clench with fear. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the universe.
“It’s him…” The Elders present were also taken aback, their previously composed expressions giving way to a sudden sense of alarm.
“The Demon Lord…” Cen Shuang’s pupils constricted, her teeth almost grinding together as she saw the face that had been etched into her memory.
They had left the Floating Nether Realm that day and set out towards the Queen Lunar Residence with the bones of Immortal King, in hopes to uncover the elusive identity of this man. And now, here he was, standing before them once again.
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