Chapter 1610: Great Unification

The Corpse King looked at him, a conflicted expression on his face. “You… you couldn’t be my son, could you?!”

Everyone was speechless.

The former False Heavenly Emperor’s face immediately froze. He had already shown great respect, even calling him “Martial Uncle,” yet you… you still want to be my father?! Even with his excellent composure, he found it somewhat unbearable.

Many looked at the Corpse King with strange expressions, wondering about the old man’s background and his audacity.

The Corpse King’s old face flushed, realizing his impulsiveness. But he still spoke stubbornly, “What are you looking at? You simply don’t know that in a certain epoch, my true form stood shoulder to shoulder with the Three Heavenly Emperors. What remains today is merely a remnant soul, not my true self!”

“My father, Gu Tuo!” the former Heavenly Emperor of the Yang Realm stated, his expression serious.

The Corpse King was startled. “Gu Tuo, what an ancient name. We met him when we fought our way into the shattered Immortal Realm and became allies.”

“Indeed, in that era, I was fortunate enough to witness the unparalleled grandeur of the Three Heavenly Emperors,” Gu Tuo’s descendant said. He still remembered how, at that time, nine dragons pulled a bronze coffin, carrying the disciples and followers of the Three Heavenly Emperors, majestically entering the Immortal Realm. It was an era when becoming an immortal was deemed impossible, yet the Three Heavenly Emperors from beyond the domain forcefully broke through their limits, shattered myths, and led their followers into the Immortal Realm. Gu Tuo was considered the strongest in the Immortal Realm at that time, truly able to stand alongside the Three Heavenly Emperors. However, he unfortunately fell in battle after the great catastrophe arrived.

The Corpse King stared at him. “It really is you, young Gu Qing, who was in his prime back then. I can’t believe I’d see you again after several great catastrophes; you actually survived.”

“Come, let me see this child,” the Dog Emperor said, also surprised, as this was the son of an old acquaintance. Although its friendship with Gu Tuo wasn’t particularly deep, they were both beings who had survived from that era.

Many were shocked. The former Heavenly Emperor had not died, and now he was here to contend for the position, possessing a truly formidable background!

In the distance, Chu Feng was also astonished. Earlier, the overlord of Yongzhou had sought to rule the Yang Realm, subsequently revealing powerful backing: his senior martial ancestor, the Unbeaten Feather Emperor, who later emerged. Now, it seemed the Feather Emperor was merely a junior, a descendant of the former Heavenly Emperor Gu Qing. This explained why the Yongzhou lineage had always been preoccupied with unifying the world.

“Your Great Chu Imperial throne might not be safe,” Ouyang the Eccentric Dragon whispered to Chu Feng.

At this moment, Nine Dao One sent a telepathic message to Chu Feng, asking, “Do you really want to try for that imperial position? Honestly, it’s not a good thing.”

Chu Feng asked, “Ascending to that position, does one truly become a Dao Ancestor-level being? Will there be significant karma as a result?”

The atmosphere at the Two Realms Battlefield grew subtle. All forces were secretly conspiring, forming alliances, and continuously negotiating, all coveting that supreme position. Nine Dao One telepathically informed Chu Feng that the position was useless for beings below the Immortal King level. Anyone truly sitting on it would definitely be unable to bear the immense karma, and their own Dao would inevitably collapse. After all, this was no minor matter; it was a position jointly endorsed by all the heavens. Immortal Kings, however, should be able to advance another step through this, their strength surging!

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng immediately supported Nine Dao One in contending for the position, or suggested that the three old soldiers by his side could also take it.

Nine Dao One’s expression was exceedingly solemn. “That position is not easy to sit upon; it signifies boundless karma and might even clash with my own Dao fruit. Don’t let the current eagerness of the kings fool you; once they truly understand its fundamental nature, many will likely back off.” Many knew that the position was precarious; the higher one stood, the more tragic their potential fall.

“This position is suitable for powerful individuals who collect the wishes of all beings and condense the faith of various races. Our lineage simply doesn’t follow that path. Although Immortal Kings can advance further through this position, it’s most effective for traditions like the Buddhist and Daoist sects, which are venerated in temples and monasteries, as well as beings like Gu Qing, who have made all sorts of preparations.”

“As for me and that black dog, we merely mentioned it casually; we’re not truly interested in contending for it.”

“What do you think this great fortune is? It’s the blessing of the boundless sentient wishes of all the heavens, it’s ‘Dao Luck.’ While integrating such external power clearly yields significant effects, what happens one day when you clash with the endless wishes, or when Dao Luck no longer resides within you? Some immense karma isn’t something just anyone can bear.”

“Gu Qing, the Buddhist clan, the Yuan clan, the Fallen Immortal King clan, and others, they are all here fully prepared and have been planning for this position for a long time.”

After Nine Dao One’s private explanation, Chu Feng frowned, profoundly understanding how murky and deep the waters of this affair were. In his current state, he could not participate.

The Dog Emperor looked at Gu Qing and said, “This Emperor originally wanted to be the co-ruler of all the heavens just once, even if only for a moment before passing on the position. After all, it would still be a mark in history. However, since you, my virtuous nephew, are here today, I won’t contend with you. But you must be absolutely certain. Sitting on that position definitely carries a great terror behind it. One wrong move and you could be irredeemably lost, with no place to be buried!” As expected, it had only wanted to contend for the position to sit on it briefly and leave its name, not truly to become the co-ruler.

The former Heavenly Emperor Gu Qing sighed. “I have no retreat. In the past, my Dao almost collapsed. Now, only by harnessing the blessings of the endless sentient wishes of all the heavens and attracting Dao Luck to possess me can I heal my old injuries and break through my shackles to become a Dao Ancestor-level being.”

“Since that’s the case, virtuous nephew, I’ll help you contend!” the Corpse King also stated. Soon, he frowned again, saying, “Strange, I feel like I’ve lost many important memories. I only noticed it upon seeing the descendant of an old friend. What’s going on?”

The Dog Emperor was startled. “I have that feeling too, as if… another me was completely lost, and I’m only now becoming aware of it.”

At the Two Realms Battlefield, all parties were fiercely debating, with various Immortal Kings participating, seemingly all wanting to ascend to the top position.

“What’s happening? Didn’t they say that those unsuited for the position might not have a good end?” Chu Feng wondered suspiciously.

Old Gu spoke, “This is for bragging rights! Whether it works out or not, in the future, you can tell your descendants and future generations that ‘I, your old man, once vied for the Heavenly Emperor’s throne!’” His elder brother, Li, turned and glared at him because Li was also participating, though not for bragging rights, but to earn “chips.”

“I, Heavenly Emperor Li, can give up this position, but you must compensate me!” Li was… doing business!

Old Gu covered his face, unable to bear watching. He felt that Heavenly Emperor Li was utterly disregarding decorum!

Seeing this, Chu Feng immediately walked over with his head held high, saying, “I, Heavenly Emperor Chu, can also withdraw, but you all must copy out the wondrous Time Art and the Spatial Origin Scripture for me to see!” However, no one paid him any attention! He wasn’t an Immortal King, so he was discriminated against!

“What kind of decorum is this? Is the Heavenly Emperor title to be argued over like this?!” Nine Dao One couldn’t stand it and finally let out a loud roar. Everyone looked over, because many knew that Nine Dao One’s three old soldiers had exerted great power this time, possessing incredibly terrifying deterrent force. Few dared to openly defy his words.

“Our lineage withdraws; let it be him then!” Nine Dao One personally designated the former Heavenly Emperor Gu Qing, clearly out of consideration for the Dog Emperor and the Corpse King.

For a moment, the scene was once again filled with commotion.

“Naturally, we support him too!” the Dog Emperor and the Corpse King declared.

Gu Qing had come prepared. Some Immortal Kings in the heavens had already reached a consensus with him and formed alliances countless years ago, and they immediately expressed their support.

“The time for great unification has arrived!”

Ultimately, after compromises, secret discussions, and the vying of various factions resulting in agreed-upon terms, Gu Qing ascended. The former Heavenly Emperor was about to reascend that position.

On this day, thunder fell from the vast sky, Dao flowers bloomed in the void, and the heavens resonated, manifesting boundless phenomena. When the decrees of the various Immortal Kings were relayed back to their respective great worlds, and when all races across the heavens learned of the new Heavenly Emperor’s establishment, immense wishes surged, and the light of the Great Dao steamed forth, rolling in and descending towards the Two Realms Battlefield.

On that day, Gu Qing was engulfed by mottled beams of runic light of various colors! All the great worlds across the heavens resonated, the Great Dao harmonious, and astonishing auspicious light surged through the heavens and earth like an ocean, continuously converging towards the Two Realms Battlefield. Everyone was awe-struck; this was a being transcending the Immortal King level undergoing transformation!

“As a favor to the lower realms, I shall lend you a few streams of light from my weapons!”

At this moment, a voice came from the High Heavens. The lingering images of the three Emperor Weapons that had once helped Gu Qing ascend to the False Heavenly Emperor position truly manifested today, coalescing into a single artifact. Then, three rays of light scattered down, appearing beside Gu Qing and enhancing his good fortune! Faintly, one could see the three weapons merging into the vast sea of wishes, potentially becoming usable by him.

“I… I can sense it again. That place, vaguely appearing before me. Did they think that by not thinking or desiring, they could make me forget, severing my path home? I, who once walked upon imperial bones, shall eventually return!”

In the boundless ocean of worlds in the High Heavens, the one who claimed to have returned by treading on Immortal Emperor bones once again sensed something and accelerated forward!