Chapter 1408: Seasoned Elegance

Is she about to awaken?!

She had slumbered for an unknown number of ages, perhaps even billions of years, but now she was awakening. Her long eyelashes trembled faintly.

She was beautiful beyond description, like an ethereal being walking forth from the very end of the immortal path. She was perfect, without a single flaw.

Her white robes billowed as she floated in the air, exquisitely beautiful, with an unparalleled grace!

Her eyes were closed, her long lashes resting. Her beauty transcended the mortal realm, embodying the spiritual essence of the heavens and earth. Yet, it was not merely an ethereal beauty; she was not delicate. By all appearances, she was a supreme being who dominated all ages, past and present!

Even as a woman with the appearance of an immortal and a jade-like physique, her robes fluttering, she was by no means a mere celestial maiden. Instead, she possessed the aura of an empress, looking down upon all ages—past, present, and future—supreme and unparalleled.

If there truly was someone of peerless splendor in this world, it had to be her!

This was a truly unparalleled demeanor; even as millennia passed and the river of time surged and then fell silent, she remained herself, her grace undiminished, just as she was in ages past.

Her dark hair pulsed with vibrant life, untouched by the dust of ages, flowing luminously and naturally. Her skin was radiant and white. Even though she wore tattered armor from a world-shattering war, her slender immortal form remained exquisitely serene and unparalleled. There was no trace of discomfiture; instead, she appeared even more magnificent, spotless and pure, transcending all of history.

Was this the Empress? The black monstrous beast had searched for her for untold years, roaring even in its dreams, and yet, she was here!

Chu Feng’s mind trembled because, for some unknown reason, he felt an unexpected closeness. Seeing this woman of supreme splendor, he experienced a unique sensation.

He had never seen her before, so why did he feel this urge to approach her now? Why?

However, an unparalleled Dao rhythm also emanated from her. The white-robed woman was peerless. Even though she had restrained all her aura, if anyone came close, white immortal mist would billow from her body, seemingly capable of tearing apart all heavens and myriad realms!

What astonishing power was this?

It was as if it could pierce the heavens and suppress all eternity!

“All her aura is dormant, completely restrained, yet she is still like this!” Chu Feng had never been so shocked. He could hardly imagine how strong this woman would be once she fully awakened – truly boundless, overshadowing all of history; this was such a person!

An ultimate being?!

Chu Feng was certain: this was an ultimate being, or even beyond!

It had always been said that there were no true ultimate beings in the Yang Realm; it was all just rumor. In truth, no living creature had ever reached such a realm, which was only spoken of by ancient elders.

But now, Chu Feng was convinced: this had to be a supreme ultimate being, a living example!

Of peerless splendor, astonishing to behold, she floated in the air, flawless and pristine, appearing almost unreal, as if she belonged in a magnificent painting.

“Empress!”

Chu Feng spoke, wishing to gently awaken this supreme Empress who had astonished the ages.

In fact, the white-robed woman showed an instinctive reaction. Her long eyelashes trembled, and her beautiful eyes seemed on the verge of opening at any moment, yet they did not fully do so.

Chu Feng’s heart trembled violently. This was certainly strange; this peerless Empress had not awakened immediately. What had happened to her?

What kind of great battle had taken place here back then?

There was no need to ponder it deeply; it must have been an unprecedented war, one that overwhelmed heaven and earth, spanning the primordial wilderness. Even now, the white-robed woman could not awaken.

But she must be alive!

Her mother-gold armor was shattered, but there were no wounds visible on her. She had no obvious injuries; only enemy blood stained the ground!

Looking closely ahead, Chu Feng gasped. On the ground beneath her were several traces of melted mother-gold, accompanied by remnants of biological matter, with fragments of time swirling around them.

What were they? Several sets of mother-gold armor had been obliterated, leaving behind fragmented bones after being melted down. Only traces of their wearers remained.

Chu Feng’s hair stood on end because even those mere traces seemed capable of crushing the cosmos, the primordial wilderness, and all future existence. They were utterly terrifying.

How powerful must those individuals have been?

Yet, judging by their state, it seemed they had all been suppressed and killed by the white-robed woman!

Those capable of fighting her must have been beings of the same caliber. Yet, several terrifying creatures were crushed with such overwhelming force that their bodies and bones vanished, even their mother-gold armor melted and evaporated, leaving only fragments!

That area was practically the most terrifying historical record of all time, chronicling the most brutal and horrific battle ever fought.

Yet, few in the world knew of this battle!

Chu Feng called out softly, hoping she would awaken quickly. But at that very moment, he suddenly felt a chilling sensation all over his body, as if he had fallen into the cold waters at the end of the Soul River, or descended into the ancient, eternal darkness of the true underworld.

His entire body was overcome with a bone-chilling cold; his bone marrow felt as if it were freezing solid. Chu Feng was under attack; something was wrong with him!

He immediately became alert, recognizing the source of the ill omen: it was the Great Cosmos-level flower bud!

He had just tried his best to repel that thing, using the Heaven-Bestowed Armor and other items to isolate it. He hadn't expected that with just a moment of carelessness, it would actively begin to erode him.

Was this still pollen? It could actually penetrate his protective runes and violently surge toward him! It was a cloud of blue mist, with pollen scattering everywhere!

Chu Feng’s pupils contracted. This thing was too sinister, too terrifying. Could even order runes not defend against it?

This was unprecedented. In the past, he had absorbed super pollen and consumed rare exotic fruits, but he had never encountered pollen that seemed to possess a living will.

Was this the bizarre phenomenon caused by the blooming of a Great Cosmos-level flower bud?

Rumble!

The heavens and earth trembled faintly. Immortal lightning bolts struck one after another beside the plant. Its branches, leaves, and roots looked ordinary, but only the flower bud glowed with a deep blue, swaying as it released a fragrant scent. It was like a sky full of dancing blue light, incredibly dazzling.

The Great Cosmos-level flower bud was a true worldly marvel, a peerless treasure. In countless eras, it was difficult to find even two or three of them. It drove countless individuals insane and made generations of prodigies bend their knees in pursuit.

Contact with this pollen meant advancement, transformation, transcending certain worldly limits, and becoming an ultimate existence, high above all others in the Yang Realm.

So many people had desperately sought it, so many heroes had grown old with gray hair in their pursuit, yet none had ever heard of or seen it. Now, one was right before Chu Feng, but he was dodging it, wishing he could immediately flee to the ends of the earth.

He had a premonition that if he were to absorb the fragrance from the blue flower bud now, he would most likely undergo a grotesque transformation and die without a burial place.

The void itself was trembling!

Chu Feng’s entire body armor hummed and glowed. More than just one piece of Heaven Armor, all of it erupted with dazzling light, blocking the pollen’s erosion.

Moreover, several domain artifacts resonated, their countless patterns intertwining to form a protective light barrier, shielding him from erosion.

However, it was still a little too late. The faint fragrance he had inhaled earlier had entered his nose and mouth, penetrated his lungs and internal organs, and seeped into his skin pores. This caused his blood vessels to swell, his blood to surge violently, and even his bone marrow to gleam with an extremely enchanting radiance. Even a wisp of the scent made him feel as if he was transforming!

Or rather, he was about to undergo an ominous transformation!

“No, I haven’t reached this realm yet; I cannot evolve now, or I’ll die!”

Chu Feng desperately resisted. He didn’t want to die unexpectedly. The Great Cosmos-level flower bud was an invaluable treasure, but one had to be alive to enjoy it!

If one hadn't reached that threshold and absorbed it rashly, death was certain; there would be no exceptions.

Even at that level, countless heroes and prehistoric magnates had still met tragic ends because they couldn’t withstand the bizarre transformations induced by the Great Cosmos-level.

Even if they survived, they would be monsters, their forms indescribable.

Since ancient times, creatures that could successfully advance without undergoing grotesque mutations were exceedingly rare, almost unseen.

“Argh…”

Chu Feng screamed in agony; the pain was truly immense. His bones felt like they were tearing apart, his bone marrow gushed forth, and silver-colored Human King blood was furiously being produced, surging throughout his entire body.

“Am I evolving?”

“Am I about to become a Great Cosmos-level expert?”

Chu Feng was speechless, questioning the heavens. If he truly took this step, he was sure to die, and it would be a miserable end.

“Young friend, what’s happening to you?!”

Outside, several elders of the Fire Spirit Race roared. This was a rare talent, carrying their hopes, and they had sent him on this expedition. How could he already be in trouble so soon after entering?

“It’s caused by the Great Cosmos-level flower bud!” one elder exclaimed, seeing the core of the problem.

“How is that possible? It can be isolated!” another silver-haired elder of the Fire Spirit Race cried out in alarm.

This was because, throughout history, they had continuously experimented, and some had even entered. Although they encountered deadly dangers, they had always been able to block the Great Cosmos-level pollen’s erosion.

“The situation is abnormal today! The pollen is like immortal lightning, flying and rumbling continuously. Look, blue light and mist are merging, with lightning and thunder, as if it’s consciously attacking him! Even order runes can hardly stop it!”

“What’s going on? Is the Great Cosmos-level flower bud more sinister than we imagined, impossible to approach? Was our tribe simply too lucky before, or is he simply too unlucky today?”

The people of the Fire Spirit Race were stunned, all staring ahead. Was this explorer they had found actually about to die so quickly? Their Heaven-Bestowed Armor and all the sacred artifacts from their domain were still on him. Would they all be lost here? That would be a tremendous pity, an enormous loss!

“Young friend, how do you feel? What’s happening to you?!” several elders of the Fire Spirit Race shouted.

They knew this young man was doomed. Their shouts now were merely to ascertain his feelings and understand the grotesque transformation he was experiencing after coming into contact with the Great Cosmos-level flower bud, to accumulate more experience for the Fire Spirit Race.

Chu Feng’s lips trembled. As he spoke, his entire body glowed brilliantly. His bone marrow was furiously producing blood, intending to replace all the vital essence in his body. This was a deathly metamorphosis, leading to the end of his life.

“I feel…” Chu Feng’s voice trembled. He knew he was going to die. He looked up at the white-robed Empress not far away, saw her unparalleled grace, and then looked at himself. He couldn’t help but shout to the Fire Spirit Race, “I feel… I’m about to become peerlessly magnificent!”

The Fire Spirit Race: “…”

He was about to undergo a grotesque transformation, suffer ominous changes, and then shatter into pieces and die miserably, yet he was still narcissistic enough to think he’d become peerlessly magnificent? It seemed he had gone mad, undergoing mutation!

“Young friend, hold on! Perhaps you can survive!” an elder of the Fire Spirit Race shouted.

The others paused, then showed surprise. Perhaps something truly extraordinary was happening. After all, he was merely a Divine King, and yet he hadn't undergone a fatal grotesque transformation; he was still alive. This in itself was a miracle!

“Survive, you must survive! Get out of there, come out!” the people of the Fire Spirit Race roared. This concerned their interests.

If Chu Feng survived and emerged, his blood and flesh would have already purified that pollen beforehand. Perhaps his body could then provide safer evolutionary material for future generations!

“Of course I’ll live! I’m going all out! Today, I will evolve into a Great Cosmos-level expert, charge forward, break free from all restraints, and achieve an unparalleled legend!”

Chu Feng roared, no longer passively neutralizing it. Instead, he began to furiously circulate the Daoist Breathing Technique, refining the pollen and actively cooperating with this evolutionary process. He wanted to break through, shatter the limitations of heaven and earth, achieve a cross-level leap in life, and realize true super-evolution!

Although he knew the path ahead was grim and death was a clear possibility, he was still fighting with all his might.

“I will be peerlessly magnificent!” Chu Feng roared.

Then, the Fire Spirit Race was stunned, because Chu Feng’s body was indeed undergoing a violent transformation; his appearance was changing.

“This magnificence truly is… peerless!” an elder of the Fire Spirit Race murmured.

Because Chu Feng’s appearance was changing violently, it was truly shocking.

A bloody light shot skyward from Chu Feng’s head, and then with a bang, another head sprouted on his left shoulder, bloody and indistinct.

Next, two fangs, over a foot long, grew from his mouth, stark white and terrifying.

A cascade of bloody hair scattered, then brilliant white light flashed as his hair rapidly grew, one part bloody, one part silver, and one part gray – three distinct colors!

A terrifying aura erupted from between his heads!

Yet, he was unaware of these changes; he didn’t even feel his fangs growing. He only felt energy surging like a mighty river throughout his body. He gazed at the white-robed woman ahead, feeling light-headed himself, convinced that he was truly about to become transcendentally graceful, beyond the mortal world.

“I’m really changing; I’m becoming peerlessly magnificent,” Chu Feng said.

“Young friend, what are you experiencing? Tell us quickly! You have two heads now!” the Fire Spirit Race reminded him, shouting for him to describe his transformation for their experience.

“Two heads?!” Only then did Chu Feng feel the abnormality on his shoulder. With a roar, “Go back!” he slapped his shoulder, actually forcing the head back into his body, making it disappear.

The Fire Spirit Race was utterly shocked. This was possible?

Then, someone quickly reminded him, “And fangs!”

“Thump, thump!”

Chu Feng punched his own fangs twice. Those two horrifying fangs, over a foot long, quickly shortened significantly. The effect was obvious.

“How is this possible?!” Outside, the people of the Fire Spirit Race felt their scalps tingle, all struck speechless.

“Six arms now, eight legs!” someone shouted.

Chu Feng looked down and found he had several extra pairs of limbs. This was somewhat like a prehistoric divine spider, and he absolutely did not want to look like that!

He used his original hands to punch those extra arms and long legs. With a rumble, bloody light and silver light intertwined, and dark red blood shot skyward as his limbs were forced back.

He then looked at the area between his legs and, with two direct palms, declared, “I am peerlessly magnificent!”

Outside, the Fire Spirit Race members were shocked, then felt a wave of numbness. *This* was peerless magnificence? It was terrifying! A violent mutation was fully unfolding at that very moment.

In an instant, Chu Feng’s form became indescribable!

Yet, he still wasn’t dead. While horrified and his hair standing on end, he gained a chilling realization: perhaps he was approaching a partial essence of evolution.

More precisely, he might be gaining insight into a part of the truth behind Great Cosmos-level evolution—why the grotesque transformations occurred. The ultimate secret within it might be slowly revealing a corner!