Chapter 1449: Achieving the Promise

Fragments of time converged to form a blade, gleaming brilliantly, reflecting prehistory and illuminating the future.

During the primeval eons of prehistory, countless beings prayed, prostrating themselves at the feet of the Martial Lunatic, collectively forging this special blade.

The future was indistinct, yet it was undeniably reflected; various scenes flowed within the blade’s gleam, and prophecies appeared upon the Time Blade, shimmering and unfolding.

The instant the Martial Emperor raised it high, the river of time fractured, heaven and earth froze, the cosmic sea of stars fell silent, and only that streak of flowing light cut through, becoming the sole eternal existence.

The gleaming blade spanned across ancient and modern times, seemingly not existing within the current spacetime, rendering it irresistible.

At this moment, even ultimate beings were imprisoned, locked by time, unable to move and nearing extinction, left only to await the blade's descent, offering their necks for slaughter.

This was the power of time; who in the world could resist it?

Throughout history, countless heroes, even Heavenly Emperors who transcended epochal changes, ultimately could not escape time's reckoning, returning to dust, leaving not a trace.

Now, the Martial Emperor intended to use time as a blade to slay a great enemy; who could contend with that?

The blindingly brilliant blade light sent shivers down the spines of even ultimate beings. Ancient and modern times quivered in gentle turbulence; spacetime became unstable, about to be severed, to disintegrate!

The entire grand universe trembled, its foundations destabilized.

“Martial Lunatic!” someone roared.

Not only was Li attacked, but several nearby individuals were also severely affected. In a trance, the blade light also struck them, causing time to surge and ripples to spread, obliterating everything, truly sweeping across galaxies!

Someone conjured a shield, crimson as blood and resplendent like an evening sky, positioning it before them. This was a crucial defensive artifact belonging to a peerless expert.

Forged from Skyblood Mother Gold, it was dazzling, imbued with the power of the Great Dao, and reputed to be indestructible even if heaven and earth dissolved.

Yet now, after the Time Blade swept past, with a sharp crack, fissures appeared on the Skyblood Mother Gold Shield and rapidly spread.

Then, boundless cracks emerged. In an instant, it seemed to have endured several epochs—a span of time sufficient for worlds to change multiple times. The crimson shield was destroyed.

With a bang, a piece of the Mother Gold shield inexplicably exploded, sliced apart by the Time Blade, and then corroded into an unrecognizable state, like a withered flower falling.

Time, like the primordial genesis or an enraged imperial sword, severed everything, invincibly cutting through all. Where its light beam passed, all things were annihilated.

Nearby, a dark Primal Chaos Stone, imbued with world-creating energy and emanating chaotic qi, also exploded at this moment; another precious artifact was destroyed.

“Martial Lunatic!” another person shouted. Even beings of this caliber, peerless experts from the Yang Realm, were both astonished and enraged, their hearts aching. This was merely the outer area; one could only imagine the pressure Li was enduring at the center, as dozens of the Martial Emperor's immortal bodies moved in unison, collectively wielding the Time Blade.

Clang! Clang!

At the center of the battlefield, silence gave way to an explosion.

Heaven and earth shattered with deafening roars, as streaks of blade light, like silver waterfalls, cascaded down the fractured starry sky, reflecting across the cosmic frontier.

The blade light was unparalleled, its edge supreme, cutting towards the figure holding the great banner. Each strike possessed immeasurable power.

Li stood firm at the center. The staff of the great banner he held, forged from Mother Gold, was damaged, and the flag itself was tattered beyond recognition, continuously decaying after being struck by the blade light!

Of all tangible things, who could resist the power of time?

“Li, depart!” the Martial Emperor roared, his thick hair disheveled, eyes like lightning, and his bronze body awe-inspiring. He resembled a primordial chaos demon from before creation, radiating boundless pressure.

However, even under the erosion of time, Li still did not fall. A layer of light protected his body, simultaneously pulsating with dense, peculiar energy.

Earlier, a divine furnace had appeared at his feet. It had been tattered by the erosion of time, but was now being reshaped.

Clanging sounds resonated incessantly as Yin and Yang energies flowed into the furnace.

“Hmm?” someone exclaimed in surprise, saying, “Is he drawing in the two opposing substances from the Yang Realm and the Grand Yin Realm?”

The Martial Lunatic's eyes glowed with divine light. He was certain that it must be the Yin-Yang Wood!

A massive furnace emerged, standing between heaven and earth, fluctuating within the primordial chaos. From nothingness, tens of thousands of fragments were drawn in, each transforming into a symbol and entering the furnace.

The Myriad Daos materialized, each containing unique runes, solidifying into fragments that surged like a torrent into the furnace.

Instantly, ten thousand strands of divine light blossomed, each a rule of the Great Dao, capable of piercing the heavens, with the potential to reach the other shore at the end of the evolutionary path.

Li reforged the grand furnace, using the Yin-Yang Wood as its foundation, drawing in the Myriad Daos for collective refinement. The furnace instantly became colossal, almost filling the entire starry sky.

Even though the Time Blade was blinding and dazzlingly fearsome, when it struck, it couldn't instantly cleave the furnace. It merely rang loudly, sending sparks flying.

At this moment, the few present were stunned. Beings of their caliber naturally possessed far greater insight than others. Was Li truly going to defy the heavens?

He was directly resisting the Blade of Time, and it couldn't destroy him?!

The Martial Lunatic's eyes blazed. His unique breathing technique was operating at its peak, his soul light resonating with his physical form, erupting with supreme power.

When he opened his mouth, the entire shattered starry sky seemed poised to be swallowed, demonstrating his terrifying power, his vitality vast like a roaring ocean.

Dozens of immortal bodies collectively unleashed blade lights. In an instant, the Blade of Time erupted like world-ending lightning, one brilliant strike after another, all slamming onto the furnace.

It was shocking and horrific; any single strike could blast through a peak expert, causing them to decay under time's erosion and turn to dust.

Yet now, the furnace resisted, refusing to disintegrate. It was immeasurably vast, suppressing this universe, with Li floating inside its opening.

“Li, you possess the Yin-Yang Wood!” the Martial Emperor said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the others were stirred. That was an unrivaled treasure; they all desired it and wanted to strike again.

For a moment, blade light streamed like silk, like a river of stars, like primordial fragments pouring down. Dozens of the Martial Emperor's immortal bodies moved in unison, striking the furnace, making a resounding clang that echoed throughout the universe.

The furnace finally developed some minute cracks. Under time's erosion, indeed nothing could be immortal, nothing could endure forever.

However, Li's peculiar external light permeated, instantly repairing the furnace. Was that truly the Yin-Yang Wood?

Boom!

The galaxy exploded. The Martial Lunatic went berserk, his disheveled hair framing eyes that were chillingly formidable, like the light of a world-splitting axe rising from a celestial abyss, cleaving through all obstruction.

Around him, old events from the prehistoric era surfaced: myriad spirits kneeling and jointly worshipping him, all reflected upon the time-light blade.

Furthermore, the future was no longer indistinct; world-phantoms circulated, and fragments of various great realms were reflected in the blade light, imbuing it with immense power.

“Myriad spirits sacrifice, time severs eternity!” the Martial Emperor roared.

Various prayers and sacrificial sounds echoed in the void, from faint whispers to universe-shaking roars, like the booming of a great bell, baptizing and shaking the world!

This strike seemed to have cut from prehistory, slicing through ancient spacetime, traversing recent heavens, as the Time Blade descended upon the present, sweeping away all resistance.

With a 'clang,' Li's divine furnace cracked open, indeed cleaved apart. Instantly, time energy vast as an ocean surged towards the heroic figure within the furnace.

Li let out a muffled groan. In an instant, though his handsome face remained youthful, his hair turned grayish-white, losing its luster, and finally became disheveled white. This transformation was extremely stark.

Time had eroded him, draining a vast amount of his life force. He was in danger, caught in a perilous situation.

Li, too, had to take it seriously, going all out. He stood firm within the furnace, suddenly stretching his limbs, tracing unique and profound trajectories.

Instantly, the firmament shattered. The Thirty-Three Heavens, where ultimate beings were rumored to reside, appeared, were pierced through, and their immense power forcefully extracted and transferred.

“Who is stealing the power of heaven?” a being roared with a majestic voice.

However, no one paid any attention, no one acknowledged him.

The terrifying explosions caused this sea of stars to collapse.

Yet all this was merely Li's opening move, creating this scene. He was repairing the furnace while also launching fierce attacks against the Martial Emperor.

“Indeed, that scripture is in your hands!” the Martial Lunatic declared.

At this moment, the other individuals also grew agitated. Far from being intimidated by Li's might, their urge to act intensified. All wanted to enter the fray and capture Li. At the grand opening of the furnace, Li floated, his initial stance familiar to some: it was the Ultimate Fist!

In prehistory, some had obtained portions of its texts, but none could master it. Only Li had delved deeply, unleashing its unrivaled power.

However, for the Ultimate Fist to be merely an opening move now was truly terrifying.

Legend had it that the Ultimate Fist records were first documented in the 'Ultimate Sutra,' which expounded on the final outcome of the evolutionary path, deducing what forms evolution would transform into. Of course, to many, the Ultimate Sutra was too ethereal, perhaps nonexistent, merely a theoretical scripture. Yet now, the Martial Emperor believed that such a scripture existed and was in Li's possession!

In fact, in prehistory, they had suspected Li of plundering the heavens, having once lingered outside the Heavenly Emperor's Burial Pit, perhaps having indeed stumbled upon the scripture by chance. Now, Li used the Ultimate Fist as his opening move, manifesting a certain ultimate form, emanating dense and peculiar energy that resisted the Time Blade.

This gave them reason to believe that Li had indeed obtained some scripture.

The colossal furnace vibrated intensely, its cracks vanishing. Li's own white hair also turned black again, as dense energy emanated, rendering him fearless of the Time Blade.

“Lunatic, ignite it further! Time alone isn't enough. My true body is lost in the Grand Yin Realm, and even this obsession feels the cold. Burn me!” Li declared.

Throughout the Yang Realm, powerful figures were speechless.

As for the scene, the Martial Lunatic erupted in fury, truly conjuring the Great Void Flame. Since the opponent sought death, why not oblige and burn him to ashes!

The Great Void Flame reappeared, incinerating the starry sky.

All at once, the battle reached its most critical juncture.

The few outside the immediate combat area could no longer sit still, eager to seize the Ultimate Sutra.

Years ago, they had heard rumors that Li possessed a very special piece of Mother Gold, known as the Myriad Mother Gold Seal, forged from various Mother Golds of the world. This golden mass was said to be indestructible through ten thousand calamities, uncorruptible even through epochal changes, capable of enduring forever. They speculated that it might be the vessel for the Ultimate Sutra.

This was the purpose of their current appearance!

Ten thousand strands of flowing light flew out, sweeping across the entire firmament, enveloping all the individuals. Li took the initiative, launching another insidious attack against them.

“I already said it, come on, all of you at once!” he roared.

However, this time, the individuals were well-prepared; it was impossible for him to succeed with a sneak attack right away. Remembering their recent encounter, their eyes turned cold, and they prepared to unleash a massacre. “Kill!”

Regardless of whether you are Li or anyone else, you are merely prey potentially carrying the Ultimate Sutra. First, we will blast you apart!

“Boom!”

Boundless black mist surged. This was one of the ultimate beings, supremely powerful and vast, devouring all things, severing souls in the darkness.

Then, another person charged forth to kill.

A pristine white finger flicked out, and the Chaotic Tribulation Transcending Melody resonated, shaking the world. This was truly terrifying—a profound art not necessarily weaker than the Time Blade!

This firmament fell into chaos as the ultimate beings hunted Li.

At this moment, no one would hold back. Even if you were the great prehistoric dark hand returned in full might, today you would be annihilated! Furthermore, you were merely a wisp of obsession; how could they let you go? They would surely seize the Myriad Mother Gold Seal and uncover the Ultimate Sutra.

The battle was fierce, blood splattered, time severed all things, and the Tribulation Transcending Melody destroyed the world. The place was utterly chaotic, everything turning to void, save for a divine furnace, cracked all over, rumbling incessantly, on the verge of exploding at any moment.

“Burn incense, together sacrifice!”

Li whispered, his long hair disheveled, then suddenly looked up. Using the Ultimate Fist as a guide, he reached out into the void, and with a boom, seized tens of thousands of colossal light beams.

Instantly, this grand furnace connected to eternity, drawing in the immense power of all heavens.

To the shock of many, the starry sky, which had been reduced to void and utter darkness, suddenly blazed with unparalleled brilliance, becoming as bright as day, visible to all. People's scalps tingled; what did they see?

One Great Dao after another materialized into tangible forms, one end connected to the void's edge, the other submerged within the massive furnace.

Were these the Great Daos manifesting, truly revealed?

At this moment, countless people across the Yang Realm went wild. Through the images reflected by the famous mountains, they witnessed this scene in the cosmos, finding their corresponding evolutionary paths and comprehending countless insights. Runes flowed mysteriously on each Great Dao.

Even old monsters gasped quietly, asking, what did those Great Daos resemble? They looked like thick incense sticks, one after another. Was this an offering of incense? Tens of thousands of thick incense sticks, all condensed from different Great Daos.

At this juncture, the grand furnace violently shook, and ten thousand towering, thick incense sticks ignited with a boom, sending endless clouds of vapor soaring, enveloping this starry sky.

Burning incense for sacrifice, praying to whom?

Then, chanting sounds emerged. Above each massive, heaven-piercing incense stick, a Li was seated cross-legged, suddenly opening his eyes, and then attacking the several enemies. “All of you, come inside!”

In an instant, including the Martial Emperor, all several individuals inexplicably fell into the colossal, boundless furnace, assaulted by swarms of Li's phantoms. Throughout the Yang Realm, many were dumbfounded. One person transformed into ten thousand; this was truly defying the heavens, beyond belief.

The Martial Lunatic and the others were forced onto the defensive. Amidst the chaotic battle, someone was struck, letting out a muffled groan.

However, they quickly stabilized.

Someone said coldly, “Li, what's the point? You're not your true body, nor can you grasp all heavens in your hand. Deluding yourself that you can suppress us with this is futile. You are merely a phantom body; even ten thousand of you cannot kill us!”

“How would you know without trying? If I can't kill you, I'll still blast you to pieces!” Li laughed, though with a hint of melancholy. He wasn't his true body, just a wisp of obsession, and now... it was becoming unstable!

“Kill! The final battle, let me have my fill!” Li roared. He seemed to sense that his time in the world was short, about to completely dissipate, and began to rage. “Li, weren't you going to blast my head apart? Come on, is that all you've got? Too weak!” The Martial Lunatic also went wild, fighting among the phantoms.

“As you wish!” Li growled.

At this moment, the void exploded, and a shower of blood splattered, shimmering with nine-colored brilliance, then transforming into a vibrant crimson hue. With a boom, several physical bodies coalesced—Lis. “His blood essence from back then, his heart's blood?!” Even the Martial Lunatic was surprised.

The physical bodies of Li erupted in fury, charging forward with full power, each leading many phantoms, ganging up on the Martial Lunatic. The golden crown on the Martial Lunatic's head was knocked off, and his large sleeves were blasted apart. Under such reckless assaults, he was in disarray; even the Time Blade dimmed.

“I'll blast your dog head!”

Li roared, disregarding all else, swiftly locking onto the Martial Emperor, pounding his head with ceaseless fist imprints.

“I'll brutalize all your dog heads!” Li roared. From all directions, countless figures attacked the Martial Lunatic's other immortal bodies. For a time, the scene was intense. Most crucially, the grand furnace was burning, sacrificing the Daos, seemingly drawing forth even more terrifying power.

Both the Martial Lunatic and Taiheng and the others felt a sense of dread; their bodies grew much heavier.

Li attacked frantically. Not only were the heaven-piercing incense sticks within the furnace burning, but Li's phantoms also ignited, and the entire furnace body burned collectively.

This was virtually sacrificing a world to take down several grand masters.

Bang, bang, bang!

At this moment, the faces of the several individuals were grim. Li's heart's blood, having taken form, astonishingly possessed extremely terrifying offensive power, piercing through their defensive light barriers.

Someone was blasted, left with a bruised and swollen face, their forehead split open.

Finally, the Martial Lunatic could no longer evade. Even after his dozens of immortal bodies merged into one, he was still relentlessly pursued and bombarded. This was a gang-up, leaving his head covered in blood, his frontal bone showing cracks. “Heh heh, I, Li, am thoroughly satisfied. What I said about blasting your dog heads apart, I must certainly achieve, fulfilling my promise!”

Li burst into laughter, his entire being radiating brilliant light. His figure had become much more ethereal, and the grand furnace grew somewhat transparent.

The Myriad Daos burned, and his form was nearing extinction!

The several individuals were furious, intent on blasting him to death.

At this point, Li disregarded all else. After ganging up on the several individuals once more, a streak of flowing light shot out, coalescing into his form, and headed towards the land of the Yang Realm.