Chapter 1609: Emperor's Throne

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“Great Chu Emperor?” The strange dragon really had the nerve to say that.

“The first year of the Great Chu Calendar, before the Two Worlds Battlefield, Ouyang Hama died suddenly!” Old Gu said.

The strange dragon jumped high when he heard this, his hair standing on end, clearly startled. He said, “Old Gu, why would you curse me like that? Or have you discovered some danger?”

“If you provoke various races like this, you’re likely to die young,” Old Gu remarked, glancing at him.

“It’s about time. A Heavenly Emperor should be established. What are everyone’s thoughts?” Jiu Dao Yi spoke, clearly setting the tone.

Regardless, a decision should be made today. This is destined to be a momentous event that will affect all heavens.

“Indeed, it’s time for this to conclude. And you all should be on your way too.” The Dog Emperor also spoke, looking at the beings from the Heavens, signaling that it was time for them to leave.

The evolvers from the Heavens felt a complex mix of emotions. They had mobilized such a large force to contend for that position of creation, only to be defeated again and again, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths.

Everyone knew that this time, only a small portion of evolvers from a specific region of the Heavens had descended; it was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The true Heavens were unfathomable. If their full power were to manifest, it would be enough to overturn all heavens.

However, retreating in such defeat still made them feel deeply embarrassed. If the news got back, other evolving civilizations that hadn’t participated in today’s events would likely mock them.

“Do you want to fight again? If you lose this time, don’t run away!” Three old soldiers beside Jiu Dao Yi spoke, their words and demeanor fierce, absolutely crude and impolite.

These three old men had recently gone mad chasing down Immortal Kings from the Heavens. Their fists and weapons were drenched in kingly blood, each more uninhibited than the last, crushing their opponents into silence.

After having their bodies tempered by the blood of an Immortal Emperor, even the Immortal Kings from the Heavens couldn't faze them!

“Indeed, there’s some reluctance. I’ve come, wishing to spar with fellow cultivators of the same level.”

Among the evolvers from the Heavens, someone actually spoke up.

It was a young man, at least outwardly, but his eyes carried an aura of accumulated age. He stood behind the younger established generation.

Many evolvers turned their heads. Someone immediately recognized his identity, their pupils contracting in a shocked exclamation: “It’s actually Dao Son — Yun Feng!”

Dao Son Yun Feng, ranked eleventh, was a top-tier expert of high cultivation among the younger established generation, and highly renowned.

Many were surprised, unsure when he had arrived.

According to the evolutionary hierarchy, he was equivalent to a quasi-Great Cosmos level being in the Yang Realm, already considered a peak expert.

“Alright, I’ll spar with you!”

It wasn’t Chu Feng who stepped forward, but Yaoyao. With light steps, ethereal as a fairy, she arrived at the center of the battlefield.

This time, a quasi-Great Cosmos level Dao Son had come from the Heavens. Among the younger established generation, such an evolutionary level was truly formidable.

“Good!” Dao Son Yun Feng nodded. Intimidating runes bloomed in his eyes, and his entire being exuded the aura of the Great Dao. With one step, as if the starry sky inverted and mountains and rivers dissolved, he traversed the sky and appeared directly in the center of the battlefield.

However, a soft sigh was heard, stopping Dao Son Yun Feng.

“No need to fight. Dao Son Yun Feng, return!” an Immortal King said.

Dao Son Yun Feng frowned. He wanted to reclaim some face for the Heavens. With his strength, he was confident he could sweep aside all opponents from all races across all heavens.

After all, having scoured historical records, freaks like Chu Feng were exceptions. Across vast stretches of time and endless eras, it was rare enough for even one to appear.

However, Chu Feng’s cultivation realm was currently lower than his!

An Immortal King spoke, looking at Yaoyao with surprise, sighing, “This is likely another Emperor Child level being.”

Another… Emperor Child level? Such an assessment truly left people dumbfounded.

Afterward, all sides were in an uproar, utterly shaken!

Had something gone wrong with this world? After a monstrous freak like Chu Mo appeared, how could there be a woman so similar? It was unbelievable!

The Immortal King from the Heavens spoke again, saying, “If I’m not mistaken, she has already fused the essence of two evolutionary civilizations. If such a person doesn’t collapse herself, she will surely embark on a path that surpasses all limits.”

Yaoyao initially walked the Pollen Path, but after falling into the Great Netherworld, she also obtained the Empress’s legacy, cultivating paths from two evolutionary civilizations, ultimately achieving successful fusion.

In fact, throughout history, there have been those who tried, but attempting to master all paths across different evolutionary civilizations either led to mediocrity or self-destruction. Only exceptionally rare and brilliant individuals could pass that hurdle, break through the ceiling, and surpass all limits!

Dao Son Yun Feng turned and left, quite decisively. He didn’t insist on fighting, not out of cowardice, but because he himself felt that the ethereal, fairy-like woman was exceptionally terrifying. His instincts told him that if they truly fought, he would likely be unable to regain face for the Heavens.

Rather than that, he might as well decisively give up!

Yaoyao smiled, no longer pressing the issue, and lightly retreated amidst a shower of light.

Now, the younger established generation from the Heavens looked at the evolvers from the lower realms with completely different eyes. Besides the ferocious Chu Mo, they hadn't imagined there would be another!

Some old monsters from the Heavens also felt their faces burn with shame. They had come to seize the Heavenly Emperor position in the lower realms, never expecting such a situation.

“If no one is willing to take on this great responsibility, I shall nominate myself. With great reluctance, I will temporarily ascend to that position,” Jiu Dao Yi declared.

Such shamelessness… was truly unparalleled. Many looked at him. Everyone else was fighting tooth and nail to compete, yet he acted as if he was doing it reluctantly!

From beyond the domain, an extremely ancient, hunched-over Immortal King spoke: “Fellow Daoist, don’t trouble yourself. This old one is willing to bear the cosmos, to support the collapsing azure sky with my frail body!”

“My heavens!” people exclaimed, marveling that these old fellows were more shameless than the last.

The benefits of competing for the Heavenly Emperor position were immense, even capable of allowing invincible titans among Immortal Kings to advance, potentially becoming quasi-Path’s End level beings.

Especially, this Heavenly Emperor position was not merely the lord of a great world, but an imperial throne jointly endorsed by all heavens.

Some ambitious, unparalleled Immortal Kings even hoped to gaze upon the true Path’s End realm through this opportunity!

Why did some evolvers from the Heavens disregard their dignity and rush down to the lower realms? Was it not precisely because they coveted this great fortune?

Some Pathfinders from the Heavens believed that such a jointly endorsed position, supported by all heavens, could potentially create a Dao Ancestor level being.

At this moment, a young Immortal King spoke: “I believe that all you seniors have experienced much tribulation and hardship throughout your journeys, and have paid too great a price. You should no longer bear the pressure of the heavens about to collapse. There is still us, the younger generation. We are willing to share the burden. It’s time for us to step forward and take on this heavy responsibility!”

What was considered “young” in the Immortal King realm were absolutely beings from prehistoric times, but compared to old monsters like Jiu Dao Yi and the Dog Emperor who had lived through more than one epoch, they were indeed “full of vigor.”

His words immediately caused a group of aged, withered old monsters to darken their expressions. Wasn’t he clearly saying they were old, asking them to abdicate and leave the opportunity to the young?

“Indeed, there’s some truth to that. I believe it’s time to give the younger generation heavier burdens!” someone echoed, an ancient Fallen Immortal King from prehistoric times speaking.

The truly younger established generation of evolvers curled their lips. “Couldn’t you show a bit more decorum? Old fellows from prehistoric times dare to call themselves young?”

At this moment, Old Gu interjected timely, saying, “If we’re nominating young people, I think the Black Emperor is most suitable!”

The Dog Emperor, whose fur was as black as ink all over, heard this and put on a show of modesty, saying, “Hmm, for you to nominate me like that… you truly have excellent discernment.”

Everyone was speechless. They had thought it would be modest, but it ended by saying others had good discernment for choosing it, implying it should indeed be chosen!

Old Gu was somewhat stunned, saying, “Senior Dog Emperor, I… I wasn’t nominating you. I was talking about the Black Emperor, Immortal King Li, who achieved the Dao in prehistoric times!”

As he said this, he looked at Li. This was a typical move to help his elder brother, referring to Li, the Great Dark Hand, as the Black Emperor.

The Dog Emperor’s eyes blazed with fire. “You’ve gone too far! This Emperor once used 'Black' as my title. Are you trying to usurp titles like Black Emperor and Black Sovereign?!”

In fact, Li showed no gratitude whatsoever. His face darkened, and he glared at Old Gu, wanting to say, “What kind of terrible title is this, Black Emperor? Is this bringing up my past as the Great Dark Hand from prehistoric times? It’s practically digging up my dark history!”

“Since it’s a joint endorsement by all heavens and realms, why not simply vote? Each Immortal King faction gets one vote.” An old monster from the Four Calamity Sparrow Clan stepped forward. Their clan resided beyond the domain, with a peak Immortal King overseeing them.

“Precisely, that’s how it should be. With all races jointly endorsing, fairness and impartiality must naturally be demonstrated.” The Immortal King of the Yuan Clan nodded, personally stepping into the fray.

Jiu Dao Yi scoffed on the spot. Was this a typical attempt to snatch the fruits of victory? Just now, his three old brothers had been fighting tooth and nail, acting as the absolute main force; having been tempered by Immortal Emperor blood, they had intimidated the Immortal Kings from the Heavens.

The three of them were the primary reason the Heavens were forced to retreat!

Of course, Chu Feng suppressing the younger established generation from the Heavens and defeating Dao Sons from several evolutionary civilizations was also an incredibly brilliant feat, playing a huge role.

It could be said that their faction had the merit of settling things this time, yet the Yuan Clan, Four Calamity Sparrows, and others were clamoring for a “general election.”

Evidently, this group intended to unite and exclude First Mountain.

“What a joke! I’ve never heard of a Heavenly Emperor being chosen this way!” Jiu Dao Yi sneered repeatedly.

The limping old soldier beside him had an even hotter temper, saying, “Who wants to cause trouble? Come here, you sparrow, what are you looking at? I’m talking to you! I’ll pluck your feathers, wash you clean, and prepare you for the pot!”

The old soldier pointed at the Four Calamity Sparrow, actually calling it a sparrow, and threatened to cook and eat it.

“Exactly! Where did this house sparrow come from? If you keep squawking, we’ll roast you and eat you directly!” The Dog Emperor chimed in, baring its fangs at the Four Calamity Sparrow.

The Four Calamity Sparrow Clan’s expressions were unsightly, but they truly dared not speak again.

“Hmm, how lively! I haven’t returned for many years, and today I come back to such a grand event. I am willing to contribute my part!” Someone walked from the horizon, their figure indistinct, causing the surrounding space to distort. They seemed not to exist in the present reality.

Most people didn’t feel much, but all the Immortal Kings’ expressions changed. This was definitely a peak Immortal King, whose power was exceptionally formidable.

This being must have already reached the pinnacle of the Immortal King realm.

What was surprising was that he was accompanied by someone everyone recognized: the Martial Lunatic!

The Martial Lunatic, known as Martial Emperor in the Yang Realm, had suffered a huge loss in the Two Worlds Battlefield. He was captured by the short Immortal King who had recovered from a famous mountain and left behind the ‘Time Sutra,’ intending to make him a Dao child. As a result, the Martial Lunatic abandoned his physical body, and his soul light escaped.

Now, he had returned, and was following a mysterious powerful being.

“This is my master!” the Martial Lunatic announced, introducing the newcomer’s identity.

Everyone was greatly astonished. He was actually the Martial Emperor’s master?!

“This scent is a bit familiar, isn’t it?” the Dog Emperor smacked its lips.

At the same time, the indistinct figure who had arrived from the horizon looked at the Dog Emperor, its mouth twitching slightly. It said, “Fellow Daoist, could you please return my bone to me? Although it’s a discarded bone I shed, it wouldn’t be good if it were eaten, would it?”

Others were still clueless, but Chu Feng, not far away, instantly understood the situation!

Back then, when he raided the Martial Emperor’s dojo in the far north of the Yang Realm, that day, he inadvertently attracted the Dog Emperor at the same time. It then… snatched away the Martial Lunatic’s master’s discarded Dao bone!

On that day, all of the Martial Lunatic’s disciples and grand-disciples cried out in sorrow to the heavens: “Grand Ancestor’s bone was carried off by a dog!”

For the Martial Emperor lineage, that day was truly their darkest hour, unbearable to recall.

And during the Soul River War, the Dog Emperor even released that Dao bone and controlled it in battle.

Now, the aggrieved party had arrived!

“What piece of trash bone are you talking about? You’ve got the wrong person!” The Dog Emperor adamantly denied it, and quickly added, “Even if I did have it, it’s probably all burned up as firewood by now.”

What had this bald-tailed dog done? Too savage! Burning an Immortal King’s bone as firewood?!

The Corpse understood it best: no matter what treasure fell into this dog’s paws, one should never expect to get it back. There was no chance, even if it was something utterly worthless!

“These are minor matters. We’ll look for the bone later!” Jiu Dao Yi interjected.

The Martial Lunatic stood beside his master, his face twitching slightly upon hearing these words. However, he was no longer truly lunatic; he was very proper and honest. It wasn’t appropriate for him to step forward against a group of old monsters.

His master, that indistinct figure, fell silent for a moment. It was clear he was restraining himself, not erupting. After a moment, he said, “That was my body, carried off… and burned. How can that be considered a minor matter to me?!”

He truly couldn’t hold back anymore. Having traveled and adventured through chaos for endless years, even when battling primordial Chaos Fiends and the like, he had never been as agitated as he was today, his fury surging.

Jiu Dao Yi spoke calmly, “Isn’t it just a bone? My bones, my flesh and blood, have been gone for one or two epochs, and I’m not worried. You young ones are just too impulsive; calm down!”

Everyone: “…”

What else could the Martial Lunatic’s master say? He originally had many things he wanted to say, but they were all stifled back.

“Our personal grievances are insignificant before the surging tide and the grand scheme of things,” an Immortal King said. “Now, all heavens might collapse. These private matters can be discussed later.”

An Immortal King spoke, not to defend the Dog Emperor, but to quickly nominate someone for the Heavenly Emperor position.

The void trembled. Several indistinct figures appeared one after another, affecting the stability of space-time. They manifested, projected from another great world!

“Greetings, Master!” Some people before the Two Worlds Battlefield bowed in salute.

Among those who bowed were even Tai Yi, Nantuo, and others!

Like the Martial Lunatic, they were known as one of the dark sources of the Yang Realm.

At the same time, some of them had passively participated in the Soul River War that day. In that battle, they had already been exposed, with mysterious worlds connected behind them and indistinct figures supporting them.

Undoubtedly, today they fully revealed themselves, communicating with the great worlds behind them and summoning their respective masters, all of whom were peak Immortal Kings.

“We are also interested!”

“The Heavenly Emperor position is no small matter. We are willing to witness and uphold it!”

Those several projections expressed their stances one after another.

The world was awestruck. Immortal Kings from all heavens and realms, who had been lying dormant and hiding their power, finally began to emerge today.

In the past, it was rare to see such beings even once in an entire epoch!

“Buddha!”

At this moment, a golden-bodied Buddhist walked forth. He was skin and bones, yet his entire being radiated golden light, illuminating the heavens, and the sound of Buddhist chants boomed.

Even the Buddhist clan, a powerful race known for being detached from worldly affairs, could no longer hold back. They broke their seals, released the sariras from the previous epoch from their stone pagodas, manifesting an Immortal King-level old monk who came to the Two Worlds Battlefield.

The Heavenly Emperor position involved great fortune, capable of allowing peak Immortal Kings to advance further, becoming quasi-Immortal Emperors, and thereafter remaining high above, immortal through countless eons.

Who among all parties wouldn't be tempted? Thus, even some slumbering old monsters and reclusive beings appeared one after another today.

“There’s no point in all this squabbling. I propose inviting the Human Emperor clan to take the throne!” an Immortal King from beyond the domain said.

“Human Emperor?” Chu Feng was surprised. He had always been very interested in this clan.

After all, he had once evolved a Human King bloodline, and it was said that if he continued, it would become a Human Emperor bloodline.

However, today he had dissolved that rare bloodline, returning to his origin and regaining his vibrant red, normal human bloodline.

In fact, he had no regrets and felt nothing amiss, as he now felt more aligned with himself and with the heavens and earth. His strength had clearly increased, breaking through the highest ceiling of the Pollen Path at this realm.

The Dog Emperor was displeased, saying, “Who dares to call themselves a descendant of the Human Emperor? The true descendants of the Heavenly Emperor haven’t even spoken yet.”

As it said this, it looked at Yaoyao and Elder Yu Huang, for they were the true descendants of the Heavenly Emperor.

Then it continued, “Which supposed imperial blood descendant from some remote corner has popped up? Are they descendants of *this* Emperor?!”

Others could tolerate the first half, but the latter half made the Human Emperor lineage intolerable. “Damn it, you’re called the Dog Emperor, and you want to be our ancestor?!”

“Presumptuous!” someone from the Human Emperor lineage shouted.

“Who are you calling presumptuous? Are you looking for death? This Emperor will crush you with one paw!” the Dog Emperor said chillingly, immediately preparing to strike.

It had been many years since anyone dared to reprimand it like that.

Everyone felt a chill. Neither side was to be trifled with.

The Human Emperor lineage resided beyond all worlds, in a place known as the Thirty-Three Heavens, adjacent to chaos, possessing an exceptionally transcendent status.

“Oh, a somewhat familiar scent!” The Dog Emperor’s nose was exceptionally keen. It sniffed again and again, then suddenly its large, bell-like eyes widened. “You have the scent of the Heavens?!”

“Never mind. Fellow Daoists, you should also retreat and return to the Heavens. Don’t interfere any further,” an Immortal King from the Heavens said, looking at the so-called Human Emperor lineage.

Everyone was astonished. The Human Emperor lineage actually came from the Heavens?!

“We originally intended to travel through various realms, experience the mortal world, and gain enlightenment in different worlds. Since we’ve been exposed, then so be it. We shall also return to the Heavens today,” an Immortal King from the Human Emperor Clan said.

“I nominate Elder Yu Shang! He is a descendant of the Heavenly Emperor!” Chu Feng spoke.

“His strength is insufficient for such a great responsibility!” The Yuan Clan immediately retorted. It was precisely they who had caused Elder Yu Shang’s family to be destroyed back then, so naturally, they couldn't possibly watch him ascend to power.

The various clans whispered, acknowledging Elder Yu Shang’s lineage and identity, but also admitting the truth of what the Yuan Clan said: Elder Yu Shang’s strength was indeed insufficient, and such a great fortune would be wasted on him.

“Who is willing to help me, to nominate me for the Heavenly Emperor position? Through this, I might transform into a Path’s End level being!” From afar, amidst boundless darkness, an aged Immortal King spoke. He was a Fallen Immortal King who had completely fallen into the abyss.

Jiu Dao Yi snorted coldly. “You, whose heart has forever lost its light, do you still wish to become a Fallen Immortal Emperor? Even if you were given this fortune, you wouldn’t be able to transform!”

Suddenly, points of light glimmered in the distance, and a figure walked forth. Though ancient and decrepit, he carried an imperial aura. Four spirits circled him, and sacred Dao runes enveloped him, causing the entire world to tremble under the pressure. Despite his advanced age, he indeed possessed the majesty of an emperor.

Who was this? Another unknown peak Immortal King?

“Grand Ancestor!” Yu Huang, known as the undefeated myth of prehistoric times, exclaimed, and actually prostrated himself directly.

The old man nodded, bidding him to rise.

Then, this mysterious old man bowed to Jiu Dao Yi and then performed a deep bow to the Dog Emperor and the Corpse, saying, “This junior greets you, two seniors.”

“You are…” Both the Dog Emperor and the Corpse felt a sense of familiarity, yet they couldn’t recall who he was.

“It’s him! The former False Heavenly Emperor of the Yang Realm!” someone exclaimed, revealing his identity.

What False Heavenly Emperor? Many were confused.

“In this epoch of the Yang Realm, there was once a Heavenly Emperor Calendar. According to that calendar, over nine million six hundred thousand years have passed. But do you know who that Heavenly Emperor was? It’s this person right before you!”

An old monster revealed his identity. In the minds of these super ancient beings, they did not acknowledge the so-called Heavenly Emperor Calendar of that time, considering him a False Emperor.

“What, it’s really him?!” Many from all sides were shaken.

“Didn’t he perish? Unable to bear the great karma, he died from the collapse of his Dao. And today, he has appeared again?!”

“It’s likely he withdrew early, which is why he didn’t die!” someone speculated.

The former Heavenly Emperor, or the False Emperor in the words of many old monsters, spoke, looking earnestly at the Dog Emperor and the Corpse, and spoke again.

“Two seniors, I have prepared for many years, intensely desiring and wishing to contend for the Heavenly Emperor position in this era. I am confident I can advance further, and in the future, suppress the ominous and the strange!”

“Who exactly are you?” the Corpse asked, frowning.

“Two Martial Uncles, my father was a true Heavenly Emperor, who once fought alongside the Three Heavenly Emperors, but he… unfortunately perished.” The newcomer spoke.

Everyone gasped, taking a sharp breath. Was this a true Emperor Child?!

The Dog Emperor and the Corpse also felt a violent tremor in their hearts, and likewise gasped coldly, fixing their gaze on him completely.