Chapter 1498: End One Day

Beyond the realm, boundless darkness stretched, illuminated only by the resplendent bronze coffin. At this moment, it trembled violently, its entire form becoming almost transparent.

"What level of being is that?" the Corpse asked.

"It should be... an Immortal Emperor!" the Dog Emperor said in a deep voice. An unspeakable suppression then filled the coffin, plunging it into complete silence.

That level was utterly terrifying, inspiring despair. Especially for a being who had transcended for so many years, only heaven knew the depth of their accumulated power and the extent of their abilities.

It was the supreme, insurmountable level!

Normally, when a new one emerged, the previous being would likely have dissipated, allowing the successor to stabilize and take their place.

However, this only applied to ordinary situations. By embracing a vaster cosmos, or if one was supremely powerful and unyielding, they could defy convention, forcefully ascend, stabilize themselves, and become eternally indestructible.

At least, this was true across the myriad heavens.

It was rumored that even beyond the myriad heavens, this rank was incredibly difficult to surpass, terrifying in its boundlessness. A single thought could touch upon them, and even if they had died, they could potentially be resurrected.

Truly being able to kill a being of this caliber—that would be the most terrifying feat!

What was most frightening was the Dog Emperor's speculation: this being might even be half a step beyond an Immortal Emperor, which would truly make them invincible.

"Heavenly Emperor, can he do it?" the bald man whispered, a hint of worry in his voice. He felt such overwhelming pressure for the first time, experiencing anxiety and a touch of fear for the future.

He wasn't afraid for himself; he was worried about his master, the owner of the bronze coffin!

If a battle was destined to occur one day, could the Heavenly Emperor truly defeat a being of that level?

"No worries, he has broken through. I believe he is now an Immortal Emperor!" the Dog Emperor declared solemnly and seriously, gradually gaining confidence and assurance.

"Most importantly, once he reaches that realm, he will be invincible among his peers!" the Dog Emperor added, his conviction firm.

The bald man also nodded. "Indeed," he said, "if my master becomes an Immortal Emperor, he will naturally suppress all enemies, whether they be in the heavens, on earth, or beyond all worlds!"

This was more than just a belief; it was akin to faith—an absolute trust in that man. They believed that once he broke through, he would have no equal in his domain.

"The Heavenly Emperor is safe and sound! He must have transformed, evolving to the supreme level, and remains invincible beyond all worlds!" the bald man declared loudly.

The title "Heavenly Emperor" was not a designation of cultivation or realm; rather, it was an acknowledgment of great merit, the highest honor bestowed by the world.

An Immortal Emperor, however, was a terrifyingly boundless existence—the supreme being in terms of both cultivation and evolutionary level. As far as was known, no one surpassed them!

"Where is the Empress?" the Corpse asked.

In his heart, that woman had astonished both ancient and modern times, illuminating the entire span of history with her unparalleled grace and talent, truly peerless.

Sometimes, he even believed that woman might be slightly stronger than the Heavenly Emperor.

But the two were not adversaries and had never competed.

In general, no one failed to admire the Empress who had astonished the ages. She was crossing that precarious single-plank bridge; how was she now?

"I think... she must already be an Immortal Emperor. If even she couldn't achieve it, then that level would be destined to close, never to reopen or be left for future generations."

The Dog Emperor was very serious and cautious, its bell-like eyes darting around. Surprisingly, it seemed a little afraid, as if fearing its words would be overheard.

Indeed, it was true; from past to present, the Dog Emperor had only ever held awe for one individual: the White-Clothed Empress. This reverence was ingrained deep within its bones.

It dared to be insolent to anyone, including the Heavenly Emperor, having nipped at his heels throughout their journey. In the past, there was no one or nothing in this world it wouldn't dare to bite.

However, only towards that Empress did it truly dare not be disrespectful. It was always well-behaved, and only ever quiet in her presence.

"I have a way to test her condition," the Dog Emperor proposed. "At that level, one cannot simply remain at peace by suppressing all thoughts and memories. Once various thoughts and emotions surface, trouble will arise. So, for a while, we'll intensely focus our thoughts on her and see what happens!"

For a moment, silence descended within the bronze coffin. Neither the Corpse nor the bald man dared to respond.

After a long silence, someone inside the bronze coffin finally spoke, saying, "One day, they will return!"

Meanwhile, on the First Mountain, Jiudao Yi also spoke, murmuring to himself, "This is a change unprecedented throughout history; more than one supreme-level being has arrived. The world has truly shifted; something monumental is about to happen, and the future might lead to despair."

He sighed, then, thinking of that particular individual, he said, "They will certainly reappear; one day, they will return!"

Because when that person departed, they had already attained the Immortal Emperor Fruit position, becoming truly invincible throughout history!

Furthermore, what was most terrifying was that soon after their Dao Fruit was formed, they had already slain an Immortal Emperor of the same level.

This was the only recorded instance throughout history of someone personally slaying an Immortal Emperor-level being. It was also why the sources behind places like the Ancient Underworld, Soul River, and Burial Pit all showed deference to his origins.

One might ask, looking far beyond the heavens, who else, having just attained their Fruit position, could boast such a battle record? In those days, none could compare!

Outside the massive hole in the sky, the small black boat and the blurry humanoid being gradually faded, disappearing from sight.

This time, his attempt at locating failed; he had been obstructed and obscured.

Nevertheless, he let out a faint chuckle, seemingly having gained something. His demeanor suggested great confidence in his return in the near future!

Ultimately, both he and the small black boat disappeared.

In the sky, outside the massive hole, thick gray mist billowed, and a faint blood-red light emerged, gradually deepening to crimson. People had no idea what was happening.

"Who cares about you all? I'll do as I please. Every day I live is a blessing. It's time for me to go."

Chu Feng stood up. After giving the gray creature another beating, he shoved it into a jar. Then he picked up Juntuo, which he had already beaten back into its original form.

At this moment, Juntuo's entire body was silvery-white and about a foot long. Its vital essence surged, and its life energy was so potent it seemed solidified.

Turtles, as creatures, were naturally potent tonics. Not to mention ancient saints or current divine-level spirit turtles, even ordinary mountain turtles that had lived for many years were extraordinary.

So Chu Feng picked it up, not to consume it himself, but as a token of goodwill—a grand gift.

He casually carried Juntuo, much like someone might carry an an old hen or duck, traversing the land and hurrying towards the three-way battlefield.

He was going to meet Heavenly Venerable Yushang to rescue someone. Additionally, this ancient turtle Juntuo was a supplementary tonic he had prepared, intended for the old man to boil into a nourishing soup.

The three-way battlefield had now become a two-way conflict, as Southern Zhanzhou had already been defeated and ceased to exist.

Chu Feng arrived like a ghost, silently and without a trace. He was searching for Yushang, feeling worried that the old man might not have survived until then.

He grew anxious. After a discreet investigation, he learned that Old Heavenly Venerable Yushang had left half a month ago. No one knew his destination, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Moreover, according to those in the know, when the old man departed, he was already very weak and frail, almost at the end of his life. He had therefore refused all attempts to make him stay and had left alone.

Some speculated that he knew his end was near and had gone to find a place to bury himself.

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng felt a pang of profound sadness. A descendant of the Heavenly Emperor, reduced to such a state, with no one to see him off in his final moments. His progeny had all been murdered, leaving him to travel alone in search of his own burial place.

Divine light burst forth, and Chu Feng vanished from his spot, departing swiftly.

Where could he go? Chu Feng was anxious. He carefully considered and identified a few potential areas: first, the ancestral land of Heavenly Venerable Yushang's family; second, the burial ground where Yushang had erected tombs for his children and grandchildren.

Of his descendants, some had left behind bones, while others, after being murdered, only had cenotaphs.

Ultimately, Chu Feng decided his first destination would be that quiet graveyard.

The old man had once bestowed upon him the family's imperishable Dao patterns and marks containing the Heavenly Emperor's secrets. Naturally, he had divulged many things, holding nothing back, so Chu Feng knew the location of the cemetery.

Chu Feng believed that in his final moments, with little life remaining, the old man would most likely yearn for his children and grandchildren—those extraordinary talents—and would go to be with them.

It was a quiet, picturesque place with beautiful mountains and clear waters. Patches of purple bamboo swayed in the wind, emitting a faint rustling sound.

Chu Feng arrived. He immediately spotted several grave mounds deep within the bamboo forest, which had been cleaned, weeded, and had their gravestones washed.

And beside the older graves, there was a new one!

This instantly stunned Chu Feng. After clearly reading the inscription, he felt a painful ache in his heart: Heavenly Venerable Yushang had died!

He was Yaoyao's kin. Had such a kind and amiable old man truly passed away alone like this? Chu Feng found it unbearable. The old man had protected him many times, and he hadn't yet repaid that kindness. He had wished to grant him a tranquil, peaceful, and sorrow-free old age, even hoping to reunite him with a beloved relative—Yaoyao!

Chu Feng felt a wave of despair. Engraved on the stone tablet was Yushang's name; the old man had truly passed away.

Life truly held no perfection; there would always be so many disappointments, helplessness, and regrets. Now, Chu Feng felt heartbroken and powerless, having ultimately arrived one step too late.

"Senior, I'm late!"

He wanted to punch himself; it was simply too late!

Although many things had transpired, only a day or two had passed since he had gathered the soul medicine. This fact only deepened his regret and heavy heart.

"Hmm!?"

Suddenly, divine light burst from Chu Feng's eyes. His spiritual perception was now incredibly sharp and powerful. With a sweep of his soul light, and his Fiery Golden Eyes shining brilliantly, he instantly peered through everything beneath the grave soil.

"Senior!"

Chu Feng was filled with excitement and joy; the sorrow and gloom in his heart vanished instantly.

The old man was withered, but a sliver of life seemed to remain; he had not completely died. He was merely heartbroken, having lived a life of solitude, and had prematurely buried himself!

Perhaps his heart had already half-died. For him, this life had brought too much suffering, with several heart-wrenching separations and deaths, and all his loved ones had met tragic ends. He had lingered for half a lifetime, powerless to seek revenge.

Now, he lay quietly in the grave, alone, awaiting the arrival of death.

"Senior, I've come to save you! You must believe that I can find Yaoyao, and one day, I'll bring her back to reunite with you—believe me!" Chu Feng cried out.

Then, in a single stride, he arrived deep within the purple bamboo forest!

***

It's New Year's, and many people are surely sending their blessings, so I won't add too much. I sincerely wish everyone health, good fortune, and happiness.

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