Chapter 190: The Heavenly Emperor's Ascension, Beginning the Division of Day and Night

**Chapter 188: The Heavenly Emperor Ascends the Throne, and Day and Night Begin to Separate**

Dao Changsheng, though young, already possessed a wealth of knowledge.

The path of cultivation, which involves cultivating one's inner world, places great emphasis on one's temperament and state of mind. To break through to the realm of a Void Emperor, one must challenge all the top powerhouses under heaven, achieving an unstoppable aura and an untainted Dao heart.

Therefore, the opportunity to become an Emperor usually arises only when there are no other Emperors in the world.

When a previous Emperor fell, the renowned sacred lands and rising talents of the current era would begin their journey on the Grand Emperor Path, competing for the position of the next Heavenly Emperor.

However, in an era where a Heavenly Emperor already exists, achieving unrivaled status in the current world is almost impossible.

Any successor, any member of the younger generation, would develop a mental block, a heart demon, due to the presence of the current Heavenly Emperor. Without overcoming this heart demon, it would be difficult to break through to the Void Emperor realm.

But to challenge a terrifying Void Heavenly Emperor in the Celestial Court, armed with only the Sixth Realm of the Grotto-Heaven, while unable to break through yourself...

"Teacher, are you serious?" Dao Changsheng let out a dry laugh. "With a new Heavenly Emperor suppressing the current era, how could I possibly ascend to the heavens to challenge him? And he's not a frail, aging Heavenly Emperor in his twilight years; he's just reached his peak..."

"Don't worry, we've already planned a unique path to emperorship for you," Green Vine Earth Mother shook her head. "You just need to study hard. Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you'll fear no one in the world."

Dao Changsheng was dumbfounded.

Carrying a gray satchel on his back, he strode along a vibrant green tree trunk. His small body felt incredibly heavy, and the burden on his shoulders was immense.

Inside the satchel were cultivation manuals provided by his teachers, secret texts with rather unique titles like "Analytical Geometry of Space: From Beginner to Giving Up" and "Calculus: From Vigorously Learning to Baldness." He felt his future looked bleak.

A few days later, the new Heavenly Emperor ascended the throne in the Celestial Court.

He entered the "Great Luo Heaven" to pay respects to the Ancient Heavenly Emperors, then officially ascended the throne and established his court.

He took control of the Sun Primordial Spirit, becoming the second Heavenly Emperor of the Kaiyuan Celestial Court, honored with the title "Grand Beginning Primordial Bright Saint Mountain Intent Emperor," and revered as Emperor Duan.

Seated on the imperial throne, this unparalleled and invincible being was holding court.

"All ancient beings have entered the Great Luo Heaven," he declared. "From this point on, there will be no nine suns in the heavens and earth, no constant cycle of nine suns perpetually illuminating the firmament. Therefore, this world shall gradually experience a division of day and night. During the day, I shall patrol the world; at night, the myriad stars shall emit their faint light, illuminating the heavens and earth!"

"Zhang Wuwei of the Witch Clan."

"Your subject is present!"

"I command you to be the God of Stars, to govern the Four Symbols, and to oversee the twenty-eight constellations in the sky: Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang..."

From the time the Dao Lord created this world, through the Age of Ancient Gods, and now the Kaiyuan Celestial Court era, nine suns had always hung in the sky, ensuring no darkness. The world had always been bathed in bright, pale golden light, with all things flourishing.

But in this new era, only one sun remained!

Naturally, a Heavenly Emperor could not tirelessly patrol the world at every moment, so the stars were assigned to take over half of that duty.

Thus, night came to this world.

On the imperial throne, Emperor Duan pondered for a moment.

Since there was now night and countless stars, there could not be a world without a moon.

However, the Moon God, as the Empress, had also entered the Great Luo Heaven to slow the aging of her life.

From his imperial throne, Emperor Duan spoke again:

"Fenteng of the Demon Clan, you are exceptionally gifted. You took form as a blazing divine flower, watered by the blood of the twelve innate Ancient Gods when they fell. You shine brilliantly, even surpassing the ancient clans, and can serve as the Moon of the contemporary Celestial Court!"

Fenteng trembled, then quickly stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands. "Reporting to Your Majesty, although my primordial spirit is indeed a blazing divine flower, it is difficult for me to constantly emit light. There are times when I am exhausted and my light becomes extremely dim."

Emperor Duan closed his eyes slightly.

After pondering for a moment longer, his thunderous, majestic voice echoed throughout the Celestial Realm:

"Fenteng, you shall still assume the position of Moon God! While the Moon God shines as a perpetual full moon, you, as the new moon, shall embody the phases of waxing and waning! You do not need to be constantly bright; you may have cloudy days and clear, be full and be new!"

"The Heavenly Emperor is wise."

In the Celestial Court's grand hall, Fenteng was astonished and couldn't help but sigh, "He truly lives up to his title as Heavenly Emperor." Having been defeated by him, Fenteng was now completely convinced by his quick thinking and immediately affirmed his acceptance.

Emperor Duan pondered again, then said:

"Since day and night are now divided, and stars have their twenty-eight constellations, and the moon has its phases, a year should also have four seasons!"

"Xu Wei of the Human Clan."

"Your subject is present."

"I command you to be the Goddess of Four Seasons, to distribute rainfall, to govern the seasons according to the waxing and waning cycles of the sun, moon, and stars, and to divide the year into twenty-four solar terms: Beginning of Spring, Awakening of Insects, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat... According to these solar terms, you shall spread the rainy seasons across the land, adding a touch of diverse color to the world."

Xu Wei affirmed.

This court session served to re-establish the cosmic order and reconstruct the world's structure.

Emperor Duan, with his extraordinary talent, subdued many dissenting voices throughout the land with his astonishing methods upon his ascension. One by one, ancient and reclusive sacred lands began to present their congratulatory gifts.

"The Western Chronicle" records:

"In the 287th year of the Kaiyuan Celestial Court, Emperor Duan ascended the throne. With his great vision and sagacity, he brought great governance to the world, establishing the twenty-eight constellations and dividing the year into twenty-four solar terms. From then on, after the initial chaos, day and night began to separate, and the moon gradually experienced its waxing and waning phases."

When Dao Changsheng heard this news, he was in his study, engrossed in reading.

The bookshelves were packed with books. He was working on calculations without a calculator, which made his head ache.

He suddenly exclaimed, "How incredibly visionary... This is a prodigy unseen for hundreds of years! To think he actually delineated the sun, moon, and stars, the twenty-eight constellations, and the twenty-four solar terms for the world's order..."

He marveled, as if witnessing the birth of a new era for a mythological Heavenly Emperor.

A voice echoed from the void, "He is indeed diligent and visionary. Without the cycle of nine suns, with only one sun remaining, from eight in the morning to six in the evening, he has to work ten hours every day... But it's precisely because he's such a strong and diligent Heavenly Emperor, not a foolish ruler, that causing a ruckus in the Celestial Court will be just a little bit challenging for you."

Dao Changsheng's face darkened again.

Another year passed, and Dao Changsheng turned fourteen.

By this time, he had broken through the Fourth Realm of Purple Mansion and reached the Fifth Realm of Dao Palace.

A Dao Palace realm at fourteen years old was unprecedented!

He was a disciple painstakingly nurtured by the combined efforts of five ancient beings from the old era.

Finally, Green Vine Earth Mother's voice resonated in the air, "Stop reading. You are fourteen years old now. It's time to embark on the Grand Emperor Path and challenge powerhouses along the way. No powerhouse became strong merely by reading books.

The path to becoming Heavenly Emperor is a bloody one. You should now start causing trouble in the cities of Jianmu, creating a disturbance all the way through the mortal realm. Then, you should raise your banner, claim a mountain as your territory, recruit soldiers and horses, and rebel against the Kaiyuan Celestial Court."

Dao Changsheng's head was buzzing completely.

"I'm only fourteen!"

"I'm still a child; I'll be beaten to death!"

There were six cities on Jianmu, each controlled by a sect from a major race.

The city of Kaiyuan Jianmu was established by the Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect, a branch of the ancient Human Ancestor Sect. At its bustling city gate, a cute, jade-like child appeared. Perhaps due to years of constant reading and lack of sun exposure, his skin was remarkably fair.

Even stranger, his translucent skin was completely devoid of hair, as if no hair could penetrate his tough dermis.

He had no eyelashes or eyebrows, resembling a perfectly smooth, shiny little bald head, topped with a small, round gray felt hat made of beast hide.

He arrived at the entrance of the Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect. Being unaccustomed to frequent social interaction for many years, he was a little shy and endearingly clumsy. "Sisters, I'm looking for a man named Mu Yuancheng. Just tell him a child born to Qing Yiran has come to find him."

"Where did this little child come from? So adorable!"

"Such a rosy little face, I just want to pinch it. And he's shy..."

Several female cultivators nearby immediately felt their hearts melt.

A moment later, Dao Changsheng was led inside the incredibly grand Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect.

Amidst the twisting, verdant branches and vines, immortal palaces stood tall, resembling an earthly paradise.

On the cultivation ground, a man slowly turned around, his face filled with guilt. He looked at the tender child, a bitter feeling in his heart. "I am sorry to your mother, Yiran, but I couldn't leave with her at that time. In that era, various prodigies were vying for emperorship, and I was our sect's genius. My father wouldn't allow it, nor would the sect. If I had left, it would have surely led to a chase... And now, I am the sect leader of Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect."

"It's alright, Father. I don't blame you. I just came to see you."

Dao Changsheng showed a childlike, innocent smile, awkward and nervous, wanting to hold his father's large hand, pure and kind. "I just wanted to come and see how you've been doing all these years. I heard you married a few more stepmothers for me."

Seeing the naive and innocent child, Mu Yuancheng's heart suddenly ached. He felt as if his cold heart, which had been closed for years, was vaguely shattering.

He couldn't help but say, "These past years, I was indeed forced by my father to marry thirteen wives. They will all be your mothers from now on. I'll introduce them to you next..."

*Boom!!*

Mu Yuancheng was sent flying with a mighty slap, crashing violently into a city wall, his teeth scattering across the ground.

"Hmph, hmph, you finally admitted it! You hateful scoundrel!" The child's voice was tender and innocent, yet a terrifying aura of energy spread from his dantian throughout his body, expanding inch by inch!

One meter,Two meters,Three meters,

His jade-like arms suddenly swelled with bulging veins. Large, bronzed muscles, like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree, twisted into black knots, and thick blood vessels pulsed slowly like black snakes beneath his skin.

*Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!*

Behind him, the faint phantom of a black dragon coiled, wrapping around him like a celestial ribbon.

This terrifying, bald giant, over ten meters tall, stood proudly between heaven and earth. His heavy breathing seemed to rumble with thunder, generating great gusts of wind. With a dragon coiled behind him and eight arms suddenly extending from his ribs, he resembled the legendary Witch Ancestor who contended with gods and emperors.

"I'm going to beat you until you're happy! To avenge my mother!"

He was still young, only fourteen, and his voice was still childish, unable to shake off its youthful innocence.

In an instant, his aura soared to the heavens.

This alarmed the reclusive old monsters of the Grotto-Heaven Sixth Realm from the Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect.

"What demon is this?"

"A monster! So grotesquely formed, yet daring to act wildly in our sect!"

"Just a mere Fifth Realm..."

Three powerful figures, radiating immense aura, stepped forward. They were all extremely ancient beings who had established the sect.

"Quickly release our sect leader, and we'll spare your life!" they shouted in unison, their terrifying auras erupting as they leaped into the air.

Several terrifying Daoist spells assaulted him.

The terrifying giant's body, standing tall between heaven and earth, delivered a fierce slap. His palm lines were astonishing, layered with Dao patterns, as if his fist had transformed into a wondrous Dao seal. With a mighty smash, their Daoist spells instantly disintegrated, shattering like glass.

Dao Changsheng himself was stunned. Could he truly fight across realms?

Could he use calculations to find the weak points in their Daoist spells' construction and dismantle them?

His eyes lit up, and he immediately felt invigorated, recalling his teacher's words: "Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you'll fear no one in the world."

"Ha..."

"So I'm already this strong?"

"What kind of monster is this? Immune to all spells!?"

"No, he saw through our Daoist spells and shattered their weak points!"

These ancient Grotto-Heaven realm beings all showed a look of disbelief.

This monster was only in the Dao Palace realm, yet he could cross a major realm and contend with them, these old monsters of the Grotto-Heaven realm.

"Bastards! Are you old men going to stop me too!" Dao Changsheng roared, his tone childish, innocent, and even a little cute, yet filled with anger. "My teacher told me that a scoundrel like him deserves a heavy beating and should be dragged before my mother to kowtow and apologize."

*Your son?*

*Is this actually our grandson, or great-grandson?*

The surrounding reclusive old monsters trembled and were stunned, looking at the savagely beaten Mu Yuancheng with faces full of questions.

Mu Yuancheng, filled with grief and indignation, screamed miserably, spitting out mouthfuls of blood. "Don't believe him, he's an impostor! How could I have such a big child?! Calculating his age from back then, my son is only fourteen... Look at this big bald head! These terrifyingly strong, massive muscles! His arm is as thick as my waist..."

*He stomped down fiercely with one foot.*

*Waaahhh!*

Mu Yuancheng screamed even more pitifully. Despite having Daoist spell protection, he felt as if his waist had been crushed, and he was spitting blood profusely. "This weight... he must weigh over three thousand catties! Have you ever seen a three-thousand-catty child!?"

*He was sent flying again.*

"Exactly! I'm only fourteen, I'm still a child!!" Dao Changsheng's voice was childish and angry. "Waaah, waah, I lost both my father's and mother's love at such a young age. For over ten years, I've been studying, becoming a well-read scholar. Can you adults understand this feeling?!"

His bronzed, tensed arms, as thick as ancient trees reaching the sky, fiercely swung his father's feet, thrashing him around wildly.

"My peers, they grew up with their parents' care, and now some are even attending private academies, eating candied hawthorns, and playing with rattles. But I had no parental love from a young age; I just kept studying, kept studying..."

As he spoke, he himself choked up, feeling utterly aggrieved. "Even if I'm just an honest, weak scholar who has never fought before, I can't help but beat a bad father like you!"

*You're fourteen?*

*A fourteen-year-old can grow into THIS?!*

*And you've just been studying all this time, a weak scholar who's never exercised?*

The eyelids of the reclusive elders twitched wildly, utterly stunned! They stared at the explosively muscular, massive giant over ten meters tall, with a gleaming, fierce bald head covered in bulging veins.

"Scoundrel! I'm going to take you to my mother's sect to apologize!" his childish voice roared. He strode forward rapidly, trampling countless palaces, and with another slap, he swatted away the attacks of the various elders behind him, then departed with a swagger.

"What was that?"

"What a terrifying giant."

Great commotion erupted throughout the cities of Jianmu.

"Just his body alone is so powerful, immune to all spells?"

"I didn't see wrong, did I? He's holding the sect leader of Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect in his hand?"

The monster then turned and headed towards another demon clan city belonging to the Kaiyuan Jianmu Sect: Northern Taisha City.

He arrived at the Taisha Demon Sect's headquarters, fighting his way inside. He found his mother, who had been imprisoned by the sect for fourteen years for committing a grave error. She had become a mortal, her hair white, and was near death.

"You scoundrel, kowtow and apologize!"

He pressed Mu Yuancheng's head down, making him kowtow furiously.

After Mu Yuancheng had kowtowed himself into unconsciousness, Dao Changsheng looked at his frail, aged mother, scooped her up, sent the Taisha Demon Sect cultivators flying one by one, and strode away. "Mother, today, I will lead you out of Jianmu and descend to the mortal realm. We'll find a place to claim as our own and live a good life together."

"Those who stand in my way shall die!!"

He fought his way out.

Bathed in blood, he endured an extremely brutal battle that lasted from dawn until dusk.

He ran downward along Jianmu, passing city after city, all of which had bounties on his head. Ancient Grotto-Heaven realm beings emerged to block his path, prompting the Witch and Demon clans to exert their full strength, unwilling to let the humiliation of their past leave.

It took him over ten days to fight his way out of that region.

His mother, with her mass of white hair, looked exceptionally old and frail. She gazed at the muscular giant, trembling. "Are you really my son? He's only fourteen..."

"Learning makes me strong; it makes me a great person," Dao Changsheng replied.

Dao Changsheng's expression was calm, and the energy throughout his body rapidly receded back into his dantian.

In an instant, his body rapidly shrank inch by inch like a deflating balloon, transforming back into an adorable, jade-like child, as delicate as a doll. "That was just my combat form, the Witch Clan's Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol!"

"The Witch Clan's Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol? How come I don't know about it?" his mother couldn't help but ask.

"Because the current Witch Clan practices a mistaken path," Dao Changsheng explained.

Dao Changsheng's small arm pulled his mother's aged hand, his tiny hand holding her large one. They slowly walked along the verdant lands and mountains. "Mother..." he said with a childish voice, "You've suffered these past years, but it's alright that your primordial spirit cultivation was crippled. I can help you cultivate physical strength... Learning makes us strong!!"

*Rustle!*

A gentle breeze swept across the grasslands.

Bathed in sunlight, a serene tranquility prevailed.

In the peaceful forest, a mother and son, after fourteen years, finally walked together again. Dao Changsheng quietly held his mother's hand, like a newborn infant, with a faint, lingering smile of happiness.

He vaguely recalled that year.

His mother's hoarse voice, filled with grief and despair, when she abandoned him right after his birth, had become a mental barrier he could not forget for fourteen years:

"In this life, though born with extraordinary talent, I am trapped in the mundane world, deviating from the Dao, abandoning it, and abandoning longevity... Let him be called Dao Changsheng, just as I have forsaken him."

All those years of effort had finally paid off.

Dao Changsheng suddenly smiled, a faint complexity in his heart.

He couldn't help but tighten his grip on his mother's arm, smiling brightly. "Mother, your Dao, your longevity, just like your son Dao Changsheng, has returned. Come, let's walk the path of seeking the Dao again..."

"My Dao, my longevity..."

His mother silently lowered her head, looking at the fourteen-year-old child. Her heart suddenly ached. His young shoulders carried too heavy a burden. Perhaps, he should not have been named Dao Changsheng in the first place.

Though she didn't know what extraordinary encounters he had experienced over the years to reach such a powerful state.

"Mother, here's an unrivaled cultivation manual. You can take a look first."

Dao Changsheng suddenly felt shy.

Like a child showing off his most cherished treasure from years past to his mother, he retrieved a satchel from the inner space of his acupoints and handed her a worn-out book, filled with notes and scribbles, titled "Linear Algebra: From Beginner to Grave." He gave it to his mother to browse casually.