Chapter 1333: Pushing Forward the New Generation

"Another force has landed and set up camp."

Xu Zhi clearly felt that the era was entering a high-speed development phase. Before, it was all brewing; now, after a brief period of accumulation, it has fully erupted.

It can be said that traditional Saints from beyond the Chaos Heavens are almost non-existent now. They no longer reside in their dojos; once Saints leave the Chaos Heavens, they settle into one of the myriad heavens and universes, effectively entering the Worm Race's dominion.

Outside the nine major multiverses, the Chaos Heavens are almost entirely Xu Zhi's territory. The vast Chaos Sea and the surface of the great continents have all become the 'Zerg Evolution' sandbox. Life forms are continuously evolving, giving rise to more fascinating and unique cosmic life.

"However, all of this will soon be broken. It's merely a temporary, false prosperity," Xu Zhi mused with a heavy heart. "This flourishing era of myriad heavens I've created will soon be shattered by the true Chaos Sea era."

In the center of the Underworld.

Colossal beings, tens of thousands of light-years in size, sat in the hall. Surrounding them were ancient overlords from various parts of the Underworld, while on the thrones above, Zhi Ji and Di Zun sat side by side, overseeing the affairs of the myriad heavens.

"Report any matters, otherwise, the court is adjourned." The great octopus, clad in a black robe and hidden in the shadows of a cloak, exuded an eerie sense of evil and death as it looked down upon the Saint subjects.

Bai Xiaojun stepped forward and said, "Over the years, major forces have settled in the surrounding areas. Although we don't have enough energy to develop other lands – merely managing and developing our tens of billions of light-years of territory has exhausted us – it's natural for them to seek a foothold. However, we have also allowed them to join our trade alliance. As a power of the myriad heavens, we now exert influence across boundless realms, making us the strongest force among them. Our four major multiverse strongholds—Fengdu, Youdu, Ghost City, and Spirit Gate—have become primary trade ports, welcoming Saints from countless heavens and myriad worlds. Among them, there are 1,700 'Cosmic Dao Wills' and 180,600 Saints officially registered and disciplined."

Upon hearing this, Zhi Ji nodded. "This already accounts for most of the overt forces. It's almost as if all the powers of the myriad heavens have intersected with us."

Bai Xiaojun nodded again and added, "As for the other five universes, although we have also occupied territories there, they are secondary... our overall influence isn't significant, yet we still hold half the power."

Next, Bai Xiaojun continued to detail the distribution of other forces, their territorial encroachments over the years, and various actions, leaving nothing out. At the same time, he also described the development of their own civilization: "Our Underworld Heavens emphasize 'karma,' achieving sainthood through merit, and guiding people towards good, not seeking combat prowess or slaughter. This characteristic has attracted many aspiring young heroes and talents who wish to serve all living beings, and they continue to join us."

Zhi Ji sat on her throne, listening attentively.

For any force, talent is the most crucial asset. Whoever controls the pivotal geniuses of an era will control the next major trend.

And she clearly knew: We have grown decadent. The future will be an era for the youth, so cultivating the next generation of geniuses and those in power is very important.

Zhi Ji listened carefully, then spoke aloud, looking at her subjects below:

"I once said that this is a super-prosperous era the likes of which has never been seen! Originally, the universe still had four layers of empty Great Dao seats. Now, this era is equivalent to condensing all four layers of seats into itself. It brings together all the Saints, heroes, and talents of the multiverse's future 40 eras. The epoch has now truly begun... It would not be surprising for any level of prodigious talent to emerge. We cannot resist them; we can only nurture them and seek out successors with good character."

The members of the Underworld clans below listened carefully.

Some of them were already the first generation of 'Merit Saints,' becoming Saints of the 'Underworld Heavens' by continuously accumulating achievements through their contributions to the world's civilizational reforms.

Zhi Ji continued, "I know it's frustrating to say we will be replaced by these newcomers, but it's already the prevailing trend. We are controlled by the old cultivation system's inherent ideas and cannot compare to the open-minded concepts of the new era's geniuses... In the future, we will be elders. It's time for the young generation to emerge."

The surrounding Saints nodded in agreement, sighing.

Xu Zhi also revealed a faint smile.

This Zhi Ji is using the same tactics as Rong Cheng! She acknowledges her own decline, allows the younger generation to rise, and retreats behind the scenes. When the younger generation competes for dominance in this prosperous era, she will provide strong support. Her demands aren't high: she just wants a share of their achievements to achieve transcendence, because she holds the 'core technology.' She is the ancestor of this civilization, and they are successive generations of inheritors.

However, this also aligns with the human concept of "raising children to provide for old age."

"Our five major forces are all attracting talent... By the way, what about the Immortal Guiding Pool, the channel established from the lower realms?" Zhi Ji suddenly asked, already planning to retreat behind the scenes.

"It has been properly established. Saints ascending from the lower realms across the boundless star fields nearby will all be guided here," Bai Xiaojun said with a smile. "This place is filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the Immortal Realm."

The Immortal Realm can indeed be considered a general term for the Chaos Heavens. However, the Immortal Realm here is terrifyingly vast; every blade of grass, every tree, is a universe in itself. It truly is different!

Zhi Ji discussed some current affairs, then chose to adjourn the court.

"The era has matured sufficiently. The landing of species means that the myriad heavens and worlds have fully entered their proper course. The new system should also be perfected and pioneered... The monstrous talents are almost ready to emerge."

After the court adjourned, Zhi Ji felt uneasy, because the eras were overlapping too quickly, yet it was also natural. No era slowly consolidates; rather, it explodes in an instant, completing its shift and transition in a flash! A sudden change in an era, a new heaven by tomorrow, could happen overnight.

Zhi Ji softly said to Di Zun, "Now, monstrous talents belonging to this era are about to appear, similar to, or even more terrifying than, us during the Immortal Realm era! Back then, the Immortal Realm merely had one layer of Great Dao seats advanced. Now, there are four layers—it's unimaginably terrifying! Don't look at how firmly established we are now. Those monsters, chosen ones, and children of destiny are defying the heavens in an unreasonable way! To prevent us from being overthrown, we must first win them over and make preparations."

Xu Zhi nodded. Dragon Aotian... He naturally understood this protagonist archetype. After all, the universe is too vast; there will always be some anomalies, just like Emperor Qi back then, born divine from childhood, who retreated behind the scenes because he felt too lonely.

Zhi Ji was like this back then.

However, with too many monstrous talents, they will eventually fight each other to reach the peak.

Yet, this great trend is unprecedented.

The crude cultivation stage divisions—infancy, growth, maturity—planned by the Saints now, will likely all be overturned. A group of next-generation geniuses, destined to forge a new era, has appeared.

"The beings of our era are merely the transition point between the old and new... Is the new grand trend about to set sail?"

Xu Zhi smiled, standing in the Chaos Heavens and looking down. "I wonder how many geniuses will be born in response to this calamity, accompanying the arrival of the Dharma-ending Age... As Saints gradually wane, what complete transcendent system will be pioneered? I'm somewhat looking forward to it. After all, we've also thought of condensing the entire future hope of the universe and choosing to fight with our backs against the wall!"

"Will we be eliminated with the changing times?" Zhi Ji suddenly asked, her expression complex and filled with anxiety. "Even if we aren't eliminated by the bloodline beings of the new era, we might still be eliminated by the Chaos Sea life of the next great trend. This is too difficult."

Enduring even one of these dual challenges would be incredibly difficult. Perhaps it's her own selfishness. She is clearly decadent and should be eliminated, allowing the virtuous to rule and the next generation of young people to ascend and control the era of the 'Myriad Heavens and Worlds' in Chaos. Only then might they have a chance to overcome the unseen grand trend!

But who isn't selfish? To reach this point, to abdicate and yield to the virtuous, is too difficult.

"We don't need to be modest or feel guilty. It's normal for us to have selfish desires. Besides, if they can't even overthrow us, how will they defeat the final great enemy?" Di Zun comforted her.

Zhi Ji nodded, but still felt something was amiss with that statement.

If they can't even overthrow us... Were she and her husband merely experience points, small bosses for others to train against on their journey?

"In the tide of eras, who can guarantee they won't be eliminated? We can only do our best." Xu Zhi himself knew better than anyone the unstoppable torrent of cosmic eras; no one is eternal. He comforted her, saying, "The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, and its waves wash away heroes. This proverb best describes the law of cosmic eras... Don't worry, brilliance will fade after its peak. I will also try my best to ensure that those around me are not eliminated, and even if they are, they will still have a glimmer of hope and a way out."