Chapter 838: Giant Octopus, Simple Dungeon?

Emperor Qi’s expression grew increasingly unreadable at this moment. His cultivation realm was already ripe for a breakthrough. Logically, he had already undergone a qualitative change. The difference between him and a Ninth-Order being was merely quantitative; a simple analogy would be his energy being 1, and the opponent’s being 1000. They both belonged to the same qualitative level, and theoretically, he should have been able to discern the other’s cultivation. However, being unable to see through anything at this moment was truly unnerving.

“It’s as if he’s an ordinary person, with no system whatsoever,” Emperor Qi murmured. Standing afar, his gaze flickered as he watched the Ancient God before the tombstone, unable to resist analyzing closely. “Only when I silently sensed the Creator God who descended to mend the heavens, with their mysterious cosmic laws, did I experience a similar, utterly unfathomable sensation.”

And now, for the second time, he encountered this elusive feeling. This made his heart sink deeply. The Ancient God’s existence was far more powerful and mysterious than he had imagined! Indeed, Emperor Zun had not lied to them before. The Ancient God and his opponent were not ordinary Ninth-Order combatants; they were extraordinarily formidable. Although they themselves claimed to be the strongest Ninth-Order beings and believed their newly pioneered system was no less than those of the ancient prosperous eras, their current development was too short and their cultivation too low. They were likely not yet a match.

“Once I break through to the Ninth Order, it will only take some more time... Even such beings can be surpassed.” His expression was calm, yet his heart harbored grand ambitions, and he possessed strong self-confidence.

Immediately, he retracted his gaze and, without a change in expression, joined the worship. After all, he wasn't a madman like Medusa, audacious enough to step forward and provoke, or even engage in open conversation and interrupt the ritual at the tombstone. That would be a grave act of disrespect, no different from seeking death! He merely followed the gazes of the Ancient God and the other deities, turning toward the entire tombstone and joining the worship, though his heart felt no sorrow.

“Though I do not act for the common people, I am indeed in the same camp, seeking to forge a new world, to see what lies beyond, to cultivate for myself and for Ruyun, to take her to the peak of the universe.... Hermes truly bestowed kindness upon me and upon this entire era; he is very venerable, but that has no bearing on me.” However, he naturally wouldn't show this.

After the worship, no one spoke, waiting for the Ancient God to speak first. The Ancient God quietly gazed at the tombstone and finally sighed, murmuring, “He opened up a brand new, flourishing world civilization, and such a new civilization can now rest in peace.... We were once like one, two bodies with a single purpose, yet I never imagined this day would come.”

The surrounding deities were all filled with sorrow. A companion who had journeyed with him through the ages, yet only one remained. Nearby, a blunt deity couldn't help but ask, “Could you please tell us about Emperor Hermes's ancient cultivation system? After all, it would be good to gain some strength when facing unknown powerful enemies.”

The Ancient God pondered for a moment, then looked around and smiled, “The path of the ancients was, in the end, forged by the ancients. For a civilization to be truly prosperous, it must depend on the essence and spirit of its own era, its own innovation.... That is also why I did not grant you knowledge of our civilization before. However, you have already revived some of our two systems and are now on the right track....”

Everyone was astonished. They had already revived ancient methods? They were very confused. Was it Buddhism and Taoism? Or the Inner World and Sea of Consciousness? Or Demonic Core Arcanists? Perhaps, the Great Dao is one, and the same type of transcendent bloodline will also follow a correct path similar to those of ancient times.

Only Cute Girl, Akina Mountain Speed, and Alchemy Emperor beside them felt a great sense of bewilderment. They exchanged glances, a hint of shock flashing in their eyes. The Alchemy Emperor said, “So it is! Our previous speculation has come true. This Ancient God, the ancestor of the Demonic Core lineage, might be the Buddha of the ancient West, and the Thrice-Great Hermes is indeed the Dao Ancestor!”

“After all, it perfectly matches the two: Buddha and Dao,” Cute Girl’s heart sank. “We should have thought of it long ago, but we kept overlooking it.” Akina Mountain Speed, meanwhile, had an expression of someone who had already foreseen this.

“Anyway, I guessed it long ago but just didn't say anything. Which 'thrice-great' is Hermes? It's the greatness of protium, deuterium, and tritium. That's in the West. And in the East? It's clearly the legendary 'One Qi Manifests into Three Pure Ones!' The ancient Taoist Three Pure Ones!”

Cute Girl instantly gritted her teeth. The three whispered amongst themselves. They felt that the netizens' deductions were truly impressive; indeed, true masters are often found among ordinary people. To have guessed the facts and the truth beforehand gave them a strong sense of prophetic accomplishment, enough to be proud of.

At this moment, the Ancient God looked at the tombstone and, with his back to the crowd, said, “This world of his was not originally guided by me. I was only responsible for guiding civilizations in worlds like the Lava Land... However, now that this world has matured, it no longer needs a guide. You are free to develop.... Even the Lava Land, I am gradually ceasing to oversee it now.”

Everyone nodded. No wonder the previous cosmic wars hadn't appeared; everything was allowed to develop freely because civilizations had become highly mature, leading to a gradual cessation of interference in their development. A guide merely sets things on the right path.

“Ancient God, what do you think of our era?” Emperor Qi couldn't help but ask.

“It is a very brilliant and prosperous age, developing to this point in less than ten thousand years—too rapid.... As for what this era truly holds?” The Ancient God looked at the tombstone, his expression incredibly calm. “That will depend on you, the younger generation. The Ninth Order is a realm full of wonders.”

The Ancient God chuckled softly and spoke no more. He took another careful look at the tombstone, then sighed softly. People could perceive a desolation of ages within that sigh.

*Swish—*

With a turn, he gradually dissipated without a trace. Left in his place were Emperor Qi and the others, their expressions far from calm, standing rooted to the spot.

“Ninth Order...” Emperor Qi closed his eyes, filled with ambition. “I must build an unrivaled foundation, perfect all four genes, reach the limits of my potential, and only then break through! If not like this, how could I aspire to the supreme? To be the strongest in my realm?”

In the mini-universe, Caroline had not gone to see the Ancient God at this time, feeling she had no face to do so. Her defeat had been very humiliating. After all, many resources had been poured into her, yet she had lost to Emperor Zun. “After this trip outside, I will surely transform into a new me.” Caroline shook her head, silently healing in the dark, already preparing to set up a teleportation array.

In the distant Lava Domain, the Three Pillar Gods also sensed all this, whispering softly, “Indeed, a new era, with great enlighteners transcending the laws of the universe....” Hermes's remnant soul had completely departed, and the Ancient God had descended. This day marked the complete commencement of the new era's handover. The Ninth Order was about to emerge, and Journey to the West would thus begin!

Less than a month after Journey to the West began, a terrifying upheaval occurred. Caroline suddenly disappeared, entering an alternate dimension and embarking on an interstellar journey beyond their realm. Caroline took Ermin, the Alchemy Emperor, Cute Girl, and others on this "octopus-hunting" trip, a leisurely outing filled with relaxation. After all, they had seen many worlds across the myriad realms. Worlds like Ancient Wood, Lava, Primeval... and so on. Even with the "country bumpkin" octopus, they naturally knew that with Caroline overseeing, they were simply invincible. Who could contend with such a powerhouse? That country bumpkin octopus?

At this time, only Akina Mountain Speed couldn't get away and had to continue working. “That guy is too pathetic; he can only obediently develop Journey to the West, sticking to the rules. How can that compare to our exciting and pleasant trip outside?” Cute Girl was very excited internally. In the language of the current Six Paths Reincarnation online game players, in online gaming terms:

“Version update! New expansion pack released!”

“The Hell mode dungeon of the three monstrous heaven-defying battles is over. The casual 'Octopus' simple, leisurely vacation dungeon has arrived.”

At this moment, Xu Zhi slowly opened his eyes and revealed a smile. “Hermes, this clone, has finally been retrieved. After all, it was originally used to absorb the incense of all beings for cultivation...” With its current cultivation, leaving it there wouldn't be of much further use.

“Caroline and the others are ready to depart on their journey to explore the universe and 'harm' the great octopus... I can also take this opportunity to make some preparations.” Xu Zhi’s expression grew peculiar. “I don't need to stop them, nor is there any reason to. What are the myriad realms? Sooner or later, I won't need to act myself; they will roam the heavens, sow civilization, establish beliefs, research systems, and open up one civilized world after another....” The myriad realms, first and foremost, represent freedom. Xu Zhi also thought this cosmic outing might be interesting. Retrieving the clone was also a contingency plan, as he didn't know what might happen. This was the outside world. It wasn't his sandbox, so he naturally couldn't be omniscient...

Of course, the retrieval of the clone was just a secondary matter; his primary intention at this moment was the present. Xu Zhi sat in his study, looked at Medusa curled up in the large glass bottle, and smiled: “Perhaps Medusa from the Crystal Wall System world can also be brought to see it in advance, or even for some strategic arrangement, in the land where the great octopus is heading.... The Cthulhu Evil Gods should have descended by now.” After all, the Crystal Wall Universe on his bookshelf had developed sufficiently by now; it was time for it to access the endless cosmic energy and enter a period of rapid growth.