Chapter 1641: Great Age Shines, Heaven Falls Silent

The Dog Emperor died just like that, a truly bleak end that left Chu Feng in a long silence, finding it hard to accept. After enduring so much to reach this era, the dog ultimately did not see what it had hoped for. It departed, desolate, sorrowful, and despairing, despite its lingering attachments.

Only a few knew of this, as its public disclosure would have immense repercussions. It was a symbol of an era, bearing the mark of a grand age. If its demise became known worldwide, it would trigger immeasurable panic and chaos. Imagine: if even beings who had shared time with the Heavenly Emperors withered away, what would become of others? Would this era be seen as destined for rapid extinction, with the end of the world imminent?

Chu Feng left with a heavy heart. Although the dog had never been glorious, its direct and impactful personality, along with its legendary past, left an indelible impression on him. The Dog Emperor's dying whispers and roars moved him deeply. “May your soul return to the ancient past, and may you find those you wished to see,” Chu Feng sighed softly.

He pondered the future, wondering if one day, those close to him—the Black Ox, the Eastern Tiger, and others—would also die one by one. Would some, like the Dog Emperor, endure in the world alone for a long time, only to depart with boundless sorrow and regret? He did not want to witness such a scene; he detested separation and death. He wanted to protect everyone. However, all of this required power; he needed to become strong enough!

In the following years, Chu Feng continued to journey through the world, seeking insights into the path ahead. During this time, he met with Yao Yao twice to discuss the future of Dao and cultivation. Beyond the Dust Immortal realm, before reaching the Immortal King domain, could there be even stronger Immortals? Both Chu Feng and Yao Yao were determined to advance far on the path of evolution, aspiring to reach the ultimate level. They wondered if they needed to further ascend in each major realm, repeatedly breaking through ceilings, to possibly attain the supreme domain. A single misstep or error could easily cause them to miss the ultimate opportunity for the final level.

They were both exceptionally serious and diligent, poring over ancient texts, searching for legends, and consulting with Nine Paths One and others. Subsequently, legends about outstanding figures from all eras were brought before them. Among these were partial accounts of that particular individual's experiences and the paths taken by the Three Heavenly Emperors—truly priceless treasures! Chu Feng and Yao Yao were both moved, studying and reading carefully. These were not scriptures or secret techniques, but they might be even more valuable. This was the result of profound heritage and undying legacies; some problems and deductions had already been resolved by predecessors. Especially for someone like Chu Feng, who followed an unconventional path, these experiential insights were even more precious.

In these past few years, promising talents, deemed “Immortal Seeds” or possessing special Dao bodies, have been discovered across various realms like the Yang Realm and the Grand Yin Realm. “From a few years old to their teens, they are like a crop of immortal seedlings waiting to flourish. Some children not only possess astonishing physiques but also remarkable comprehension. It’s hard to say how far they can go, but if given time, I believe a brilliant era will dawn!” Even Gu Qing was excited. After his retirement, he had more abundant time, traveling everywhere to preach and resolve doubts. Seeing these young talents moved him, showing how astonishing this group of gifted individuals truly was.

“Extraordinary talents always emerge in times of chaos, with heaven-blessed beings appearing in droves. Similarly, when a prosperous era returns, various divine embryos and immortal seeds also manifest,” Nine Paths One sighed. “If there’s ample time for these individuals to mature, it will undoubtedly be a brilliant and prosperous era!” Gu Qing stated with absolute certainty.

Indeed, their foresight was keen. After another decade, some geniuses had risen, their brilliance impossible to conceal. “Cultivate them well. Perhaps during the last chaos in the Land of Misfortune, they paid a huge price and need many years to recuperate. This is our opportunity. Let us not fail the efforts of the two Heavenly Emperors; this is the time they fought to gain for us.” “Ideally, we could have peace for half an epoch.”

The two old men wished for this, but they knew it was unrealistic. The end of days could arrive at any moment, and the myriad heavens might collapse at any time. The main reason was that beings at the ultimate level were too invincible; without strong individuals of the same caliber emerging, resistance was impossible.

Several more years passed, and the geniuses across the heavens grew incredibly fast. “Heaven-blessed Divine King Li Qing decisively slew the Eight-Armed Black Spider King Chen Guang, a dark creature who came to the Yang Realm to temper himself, in their duel!” “This must be Li Qing’s ninety-sixth major victory since his rise. Especially recently, as the ominous entities delve deeper into the heavens and frequently engage in duels with our side, Li Qing has consecutively killed over twenty of their geniuses. His radiance truly illuminates the world!” Subsequently, the newly promoted Heavenly Venerable Zhou Hong further solidified his fame by consecutively slaying six geniuses from the ominous creatures. Most astonishingly, rumors claimed that Li Chengzu was poised for a breakthrough, on the verge of advancing!

He had bound several complete chains of evolutionary civilization’s Grand Dao to his stone coffin, enduring from prehistoric times to this era. He was truly about to reap astonishing rewards. Chu Feng investigated the situation and confirmed it was not a rumor, which surprised him. Because, considering Li’s current age, if he succeeded, he could be considered a relatively “young” Dao Ancestor, with astonishing potential. For a time, across the heavens, a hundred schools of thought contended, and extraordinary figures emerged from various races. It was lamented that, without the threat of ominous forces, a splendid great era would truly be at hand.

During this period, the ultimate-level being who had returned from the Sacrificial Sea, stepping on imperial bones, and then fought their way into and out of the Land of Misfortune, reappeared once more. They dealt a severe blow to the Land of Misfortune, then tore open the Firmament, roaring, “The heavens have collapsed, is the Firmament completely dead?!”

Chu Feng, passing through Xia State in the Yang Realm, paused to visit the Corpse and pay respects to the Dog Emperor once more. He always felt that each glance might be his last, fearing that this grand era could collapse at any time, and some people and graves would be lost forever. “Doggy, open your eyes and see! In a blur, another grand era has arrived, producing a multitude of geniuses and competing prodigies. The new generation is rising, flourishing, and everything is so beautiful. If you were still alive, would you want to cultivate some youths with special bloodlines?”

In the courtyard, the Corpse was silently drinking, full of emotion, murmuring and speaking to the Dog Emperor. “Back then, Li, that dark-hearted, dark-handed fellow we tested, who was so much like you and me, is also rising and about to ascend to Dao Ancestor! In our current state, if we were to meet him again, it wouldn't be us tormenting him, but rather him beating us soundly.”

Chu Feng arrived, and upon hearing these words, he too sighed. The bond between the Corpse and the Dog Emperor was indeed deep. Although they had tricked each other throughout many eras, true affection revealed itself in life and death. The Corpse seemed to be in excruciating pain. “Hmm?” Chu Feng noticed that the Dog Emperor’s corpse had been dug out from the mountain forest outside the courtyard at some unknown time and was now placed on a stone table in the courtyard. “What is this?” He was puzzled, a little bewildered.

The Corpse’s voice was low and immensely sorrowful. He said, “Old friends are departing one by one. Though the dog and I tricked each other throughout, now that it’s gone, my heart is twisted with pain; I can’t bear it. Every day I think of our past. I couldn’t help but bring it out of its grave to keep me company. This way, even if the ominous races attack one day, and the heavens collapse and the earth shatters, my old pal and I won’t be separated; we’ll sleep together forever.” Chu Feng was touched, genuinely moved. The bond between these two was incredibly deep, so much so that hearing it made his nose tingle.

The Corpse stumbled to his feet, reeking of alcohol. Was he getting drunk every day to drown his sorrows? Chu Feng sighed again. It was a pity; the powerhouses of that era were now in their twilight years, crippled in great battles, their origins almost depleted.

The Corpse rose, found a brilliant bottle, and said, “Doggy, this is the nectar the Heavenly Emperor personally brewed back then, collecting the essences of the heavens and blending in rare Firmament species. You and I both drank it then; it truly was a creation of fortune. I couldn’t bear to drink it all and left a little less than half a flask. Today, I offer it to you.” However, he paused again and said, “But pouring it on the ground would be a bit of a waste; this is the only half-flask left in the world. Although you loved this nectar, you are ultimately gone. Since young friend Chu Feng is here today to pay his respects, proving he is a person of immense loyalty, let him drink it on your behalf. Perhaps it might even lead to a breakthrough for him, which would be good for both of you, leaving a lasting memory and not wasting it.”

Just then, quite abruptly, the shriveled Dog Emperor sat bolt upright, as if impatient. “Where is it? I think I can still be saved. I’m not completely dead yet; I’ll drink the nectar myself!” Chu Feng was instantly shocked, unable to believe his eyes, utterly dumbfounded! The Corpse, meanwhile, glared at it with eyes spitting fire. There was no nectar; the bottle was empty. Seeing this, the Dog Emperor’s face went blank. He lay stiffly back down and said, “So I really am dead. This last wisp of obsession should dissipate now.”

“Doggy, that’s enough!” the Corpse roared, lunging forward and directly grabbing the Dog Emperor. In fact, someone reacted even faster than him. Nine Paths One, whose arrival was unknown, pulled the Dog Emperor over with a dark expression, saying, “You little rascal, you even deceived an old man like me!” Without another word, he immediately started a fierce beating. “Woof, ow, stop hitting me! Stop! If you keep hitting me, I really will die!” the Dog Emperor shrieked. Not only did Nine Paths One strike, but the Corpse was also no benevolent figure, constantly adding fuel to the fire, and he too personally joined in, lashing the Dog Emperor.

Chu Feng was utterly bewildered. The dog wasn’t dead? He still found it hard to accept. Human nature, dog nature—Chu Feng felt like hitting the dog himself. He had grieved for it for nothing, only for it to jump back to life in the end. At this moment, the Corpse’s veins throbbed on his forehead. While beating the Dog Emperor, he yelled, “I let you trick me into tears! Damn it, for so many years, you’ve been scamming me. Is this a rehearsal? Even if you die, you still have to trick me one last time!” He was truly infuriated. Nine Paths One primarily felt disgraced. This dead dog, using some unknown method, had actually fooled him, a Dao Ancestor. It was too shameful, too hateful. It was Gu Qing’s arrival that finally rescued the Dog Emperor; otherwise, it would have been strung up and beaten for three days and three nights by Nine Paths One and the Corpse.

After being released, the Dog Emperor yelped in pain for a while. As it recovered, it seemed to come to its senses, regaining its composure. Its dog face drooped, and it glared disapprovingly at the Corpse. “You damned Taoist priest, did you see through it all along? Is that why you dug me out of the grave and put me out in the sun every day, while you hid in the bamboo grove in the courtyard, leisurely sipping wine?!” By the end, the Dog Emperor was practically gnashing its teeth. Upon hearing this, Chu Feng was stunned once more. These two were indeed troublemakers; it was hard to say who had tricked whom.

Then, Nine Paths One, ignoring their protests, simply picked up both the Dog Emperor and the Corpse and gave them a good beating together. Only then did the old man feel refreshed and walk away. The Corpse, bruised and swollen, felt indignant. To whom could he complain? He had actually been beaten up, dragged down by that dead dog. “Dare you say you didn’t trick me back?” the Dog Emperor demanded indignantly. It had always suspected that the Corpse sunning it wasn’t out of longing, but because he had seen through its ruse. The Corpse replied, “Indeed, I was tricked by you back then and shed wronged tears. But afterwards, I realized: you, this dead dog, are the most afraid of death, the least willing to die. How could you willingly breathe your last like that? Especially since the two Emperors have appeared, and we don’t know what has become of them, how could you be weary of the world? Even if you had to cling to life shamelessly, you would live to see the outcome!” Then, the two started bickering.

Chu Feng’s face was full of dark lines; these two rascals were truly something else. The Dog Emperor turned to him and spoke very seriously, saying, “Actually, I did it for you. Did my death move your heart? Did it make you yearn for power with intense desire, causing a transformation in your state of mind? By truly experiencing the cruelty of this grand era and the vicissitudes of the mortal world, I was completing you!” Seeing its solemn and righteous demeanor, Chu Feng almost felt touched, but ultimately, he ignored it. This trickster was trying to fool people again?! “Ah, you don’t understand me. This Emperor truly wanted to help you transform.” Only then did peace return to the courtyard.

After a long while, the Dog Emperor sighed, “I genuinely felt too tired living like this and wanted to hide in the grave to clear my head, but you, this grave-robbing tomb raider, actually dug me out again!” “Actually, I just wanted to see if any Heavenly Emperors would send me a dream to save me or send me off. I truly want to connect with them and see through everything in the mist, because there are so many things I can’t figure out!” At this point, the Dog Emperor became serious, saying, “Have you ever considered why the Heavenly Emperors haven’t shown themselves? Is something wrong with them, or is there an issue with this world, or perhaps with you and me ourselves?” The Corpse’s expression immediately turned solemn. He, too, had realized some issues and began to ponder them seriously. “For the past few years, I’ve been quietly lying in the grave, clearing my mind and seriously contemplating many questions,” the Dog Emperor whispered. The two monsters, who had lived since incredibly ancient times, looked at each other. From the depths of each other’s eyes, they discerned something that made their scalps tingle with dread.

Seeing them fall silent, Chu Feng didn’t want to stay any longer. He bid farewell to Gu Qing nearby and walked out. “Rely on the heavens, and they collapse. Rely on Emperors, and they fall. Trust a dog, and you’re sure to be fooled into confusion,” Chu Feng muttered, shaking his head as he disappeared into the mountain forest. Gu Qing was speechless; he had been included in the statement too.

This was a highly contradictory era. Blood and chaos could erupt in the myriad worlds at any moment, and ominous forces might completely flood the heavens without warning. Yet, against this backdrop, over the past one or two decades, the various realms of the heavens have flourished, with one dazzling star after another emerging among the new generation. Many physiques, Dao bones, immortal embryos, and sacred bloodlines recorded in historical texts have appeared in some young people, truly astonishing many old monsters. It can be anticipated that in a few more years, this will undoubtedly be a brilliant grand era. Whenever stars shine, the world of evolution is bound to expand fiercely, its overall strength, and even the entire evolutionary civilization, will significantly advance, radiating even brighter splendor.

However, the older generation grew increasingly anxious and worried. Some Immortal Kings even felt a bone-chilling coldness, an instinctive dread that made them tremble, as if in a daze, they saw a pair of eyes slowly opening from beyond the world, about to gaze upon the myriad heavens! “Is an ultimate-level being awakening, starting to pay attention to the various worlds? Are they about to act?!” Nine Paths One felt waves of chilling aura, sending shivers down his spine. The new generation, unaware of this, were full of passion and zeal, unleashing their boundless ambition, adventuring everywhere. Every day, new talents rose, stars shone, gleaming brilliantly. Time flowed in such a contradictory grand era. The older generation felt intense unease, a sense of impending collapse, while the new generation was full of fighting spirit, longing to ascend against the heavens.

Decades more passed, which, when translated to the alien realm, meant tens of thousands of years. Many of those who had originally entered had long since returned, no longer undergoing secluded cultivation here, because some bottlenecks could not be overcome by sheer passage of time. Most individuals had already reached their life’s bottleneck; breaking through required a certain opportune chance and a sudden profound enlightenment! Whether it was Ouyang the Strange Dragon, the Yellow Ox, Old Gu and the Black Ox, or Li Jiuxiao and Ji Caixuan, among others, all had striven to rise in these years, their strength rapidly increasing. They had truly exerted themselves, and their cultivation and realms had indeed advanced by leaps and bounds, achieving astonishing results. However, this was a brilliant and prosperous era, yet also the early stage of the apocalypse. No matter how strong they became, it might be futile, achieving little. Once the great sacrifice began, and ultimate-level beings opened their eyes and stepped into the heavens, everyone would perish, and even the Grand Cosmos would be overturned. If it truly reached that point, even Dao Ancestors might not have a chance to intervene.

Therefore, in recent years, Chu Feng, accompanied by Zhou Xi, gathered Old Gu, Monkey Mitian, the Yellow Ox, Eastern Tiger, and a group of others to journey across various regions, visiting renowned scholars, touring magnificent landscapes, and contemplating the ancient texts and relics of predecessors. In essence, he brought together a group of close friends and relatives to travel the world, ostensibly to appreciate the serene beauty of mountains and rivers, experience the myriad forms of mortal life, and completely relax the spiritual tension accumulated from years of arduous cultivation. In truth, he was worried, fearing that one day he might never see them again, wondering if they would survive if great chaos erupted and they were scattered to unknown places. Even Chu Feng himself didn't know his future fate. Could he endure? For he had resolved to kill the ominous Dao Ancestors! Since the great sacrifice was unavoidable, he would fight to the death, seizing any opportunity to kill as many as possible. He had long prepared to die in battle. He wished to spend more time with these people, unsure of what tomorrow held, his heart always filled with reluctance to part.

Initially, everyone was delighted to emerge from their arduous cultivation and travel the world together, filling their journey with laughter and joy. However, as time passed, they began to realize something, and their hearts became heavy. “Remember each other. No matter where you and I may be in the future, or whether we still exist in this world, our voices and smiles from today will never fade; they will forever remain in our hearts!” Upon hearing such words, Chu Feng sighed, feeling a heavy heart. Since they had already realized something, continuing on would be pointless, only adding to the sadness. However, when the group heard they would soon part ways, they were filled with reluctance. “Let's journey a bit further, for one last stretch!” someone proposed. Chu Feng nodded, saying, “Alright. This time, we’ll go to a special place to see if we can meet with friends from incredibly distant lands.”

In the Yang Realm, at the Supreme Bagua Forbidden Land, the beings there changed color upon seeing Chu Feng. This was no longer the young cultivator from back then; he had cremated a Dao Ancestor, which was truly chilling to behold. Naturally, they were fortunate that when Gu Qing’s Heavenly Court was first established, they had immediately responded and pledged their allegiance. However, Chu Feng’s return to this old place today was not to trouble them. He spoke kindly, negotiating to enter that special space, which had a connection to the Firmament. If the gate was opened, he might be able to converse with those above. By now, the imprint left by the Empress in this special space had vanished. As for the two Great Cosmos-level medicinal herbs, they had also been offered to the Heavenly Court. Gu Qing himself had visited earlier to deal with the ominous remnants there.

“Is anyone in the passage above?” Chu Feng called out. He even soared into the sky, personally shaking the void imbued with special Dao patterns. However, after a long wait, there was no response; the passage did not open. Finally, he pulled out his stone zither and gently struck the area a few times.

Long after, there was finally movement in the passage. A crack opened, and a being poked its head out, looking down. Chu Feng immediately frowned. He sensed a profound stillness; it seemed empty above, with very few individuals. “Who are you?” Finally, the being who had peered out of the passage spoke, asking somewhat blankly. “I am Chu Feng.” “Never heard of you,” replied the being in the passage, a burly man with three heads and six arms, whose racial bloodline was very powerful. “Might I ask if this place is close to Dao Child Zhen Teng’s abode, and how far it is from Luo Tianxian’s sect?” Chu Feng inquired. “You know Luo Tianxian?!” The person above showed surprise. “Yes. If it’s convenient and not too far from her, please convey a message: an old acquaintance, Chu Feng, wishes to see her.”

Chu Feng spoke, adopting a 'try and see' attitude. Success would be good, but failure wouldn’t incur any loss. No one knew what the future held, so if something came to mind now, he would try it. Chu Feng brought the Yellow Ox, Old Gu, and others here, hoping to communicate with a few Dao Children from the Firmament. Although it might seem presumptuous, he didn’t feel it was entirely inappropriate. Previously, the other party had extended an invitation for future discussions on Dao. In this peculiar era, he didn't know how much longer he would live or if he would have another chance to meet those Dao Children, so he came directly. Moreover, his evolution and cultivation had reached a critical juncture. If the Firmament possessed secret techniques, or records of predecessors' experiences, it might give him insightful breakthroughs and resolve many issues. Years had passed, and he had a good impression of Zhen Teng and Luo Tianxian. He wondered if he could meet them here.

He didn't have to wait long. Luo Tianxian actually arrived, along with Zhen Teng and several other young, unfamiliar cultivators. In a ray of vibrant light, several figures descended, appearing in this special space. However, upon seeing them, Chu Feng’s scalp tingled, and his heart felt uneasy, sensing something extremely strange! Why was this? He stood on high alert, shielding Zhou Xi, Old Gu, Ouyang the Great Dragon, and the others. Instantly, he knew what was happening. Was it not because of Luo Tianxian and the others? It was an anomaly behind him—had *that* ghostess appeared? This time, the stone jar did not revive, and no golden ripples appeared beneath his feet. Yet, an extra being was on his body! What was this situation? Had the ghostess appeared independently?

Chu Feng felt a chill run through him. He wanted to ascertain its form—was it truly a ghostess, or a monster with dense, long fur? Though his hair stood on end, his courage remained great. He reached his hands directly behind him. However, this time he neither touched steel-needle-like fur nor smooth, long legs, but rather heard a faint sigh. That being spoke? It was indeed a woman! What followed felt incredibly eerie, mysterious, almost dreamlike to Chu Feng. After he briefly introduced Luo Tianxian and Zhen Teng to his companions, both sides interacted with remarkable harmony. The individuals who descended from the Firmament were all Dao Children. They were very cordial, conversing happily with Zhou Xi, the Yellow Ox, Mitian, Old Gu, and others, discussing various issues on the path of evolution.

As for Chu Feng, he sat opposite Luo Tianxian, very close, clearly sensing her unusual aura. Strangely, those around them seemed to ignore the two, including Zhou Xi, who appeared to share similar interests with a female cultivator from the Firmament, occasionally letting out light laughter. Chu Feng noticed that he and Luo Tianxian seemed detached from the surrounding people; no one was affecting or disturbing them. The nearby people were clearly very close, yet they treated the two as if they were air, as if they had forgotten them.

“Sister, long time no see.” At this moment, Luo Tianxian finally spoke. She was still beautiful, with peerless grace, but her form of address made Chu Feng’s scalp tingle as if shocked by electricity. His hair stood on end, and goosebumps immediately covered his skin. This was definitely not addressed to him. Could Luo Tianxian see that ghostess?! “Many epochs have passed. I died, and you’ve had a very difficult time, supporting everything arduously, haven’t you?” A woman’s voice drifted faintly from behind Chu Feng. Indeed, Luo Tianxian was conversing with the ghostess! Chu Feng almost leaped up, not wanting to stand between the human and the ghost. This matter was far too unusual; deep thought about it was terrifying. How could Luo Tianxian know the ghostess behind him? And they were clearly conversing as equals—it was inconceivable. Chu Feng noticed that the surrounding people indeed ignored them, as if they hadn’t heard the conversation or seen them. He couldn’t resist turning his head. This time, he vaguely saw the ghostess, witnessing a terrifying truth!

It was indeed a woman, with disheveled hair, her true face indistinct, yet she inspired imagination, making one instinctively believe she was of unparalleled beauty. Terrifyingly, she lay in a pool of blood! Moreover, behind her, faintly visible, were several coffins, very distant and indistinct. “What the—!” At this moment, Chu Feng felt his scalp about to explode. He had seen this scene before; it was too chilling. He realized who this woman truly was. The blocker of the pollen evolution path, an ultimate-level being, suspected to have been killed by ominous creatures countless eons ago, contaminating the entire evolutionary path along with her! Although he had long held some vague suspicions, Chu Feng was utterly shocked and then horrified when it was confirmed today that the ghostess was indeed her. Hadn't this woman died? Why could she still speak? Moreover, she had been by his side all these years, and he had even carried her on his back. Then, Chu Feng sharply looked at Luo Tianxian. She could see the fallen woman on the pollen path, so what was her identity? Definitely not a Dao Child!

“Yes, I’m almost unable to hold on. The Firmament is empty; I should give up,” Luo Tianxian replied, showing a look of regret, which then deepened into boundless melancholy. What are you saying? I don’t understand! Chu Feng desperately wanted to shout, but knowing the level of these beings, he remained proper and did not act recklessly. Furthermore, positioned between the two women, he sensed that this special small realm was highly unusual. Threads of warm current flowed through it—was that their power? Yet, it did not harm him. It was at this moment, as the warm currents spread, that Chu Feng’s pupils seemed to briefly undergo a transformation unfathomable to outsiders. He witnessed numerous anomalies and extremely terrifying sights; it seemed as though what he saw before him was the true world?! The Dao Children not far away were completely devoid of color, as pale as paper. Their very bodies were faint and hazy, highly unreal. “Ghosts?!” Chu Feng couldn't believe it.

Then, he suddenly looked up towards the passage connecting to the Firmament, gazing intently, and saw glimpses of the Firmament’s scenery. What kind of world was it? It was dead silent. Although there was vital energy, it was intertwined with ominous substances, and the entire vast realm seemed to be on the verge of extinction. “You want to see the Firmament?” Luo Tianxian finally looked at Chu Feng, gave him a slight smile, and said this. “Last time we dueled…” Chu Feng couldn't continue. This was clearly an ultimate-level being. How could he have dueled with her years ago? “That was me in my youth, many epochs ago,” Luo Tianxian whispered, then added, “That you could fight my youthful self to a standstill and ultimately emerge victorious speaks volumes about your extraordinary nature.” Her as a young girl, many epochs ago? Chu Feng found that what he experienced today had too many inexplicable and subversive elements.

“I’ll take you to see the real Firmament,” Luo Tianxian said, then, taking Chu Feng, she soared into the sky, transforming into a kaleidoscope of colors. Below, Zhou Xi, the Yellow Ox, Old Gu, and the others remained oblivious. Soaring up through the passage, Chu Feng followed Luo Tianxian into a vast great world. Mountains and rivers remained, yet the entire world was desolate. Occasionally, stone tablets and ancient relics could be seen beneath the grass. Many mountains were broken, but the spiritual energy hadn’t diminished much. Yet, why did it give such an overwhelming sense of death and desolation? The aura was quite mixed; besides the essence of heaven and earth, there was also death energy, and even ominous substances, swirling with faint wisps of ill-boding power! “Look, this fractured giant mountain was once the birthplace of a certain evolutionary civilization,” Luo Tianxian pointed out. But what remained here now? Deep in the grass, beneath the soil, rubble lay scattered, and countless remains lay in vast ruins. “The small corner you see is enough to represent the entire Firmament,” Luo Tianxian said.

“The entire Firmament is like this?!” Chu Feng’s heart trembled. He still found it hard to believe. This was the Firmament, yet it had turned into ruins? Even the ancestral lands of some evolutionary civilizations were in such disarray? “But last time, I clearly saw the Firmament teeming with talent, numerous Immortal Kings, and Dao Ancestors even taking action. How can you say the Firmament has been dead for a long time?” Chu Feng had too many unanswered questions. “Last time? You even dueled with me then. Looking back now, do you still believe it?” Luo Tianxian asked him. “What exactly is going on?” Chu Feng asked, steeling himself. What he had experienced today was too mysterious, too bizarre.

“During that duel, we actually intended to draw in the power of the myriad heavens, inviting the will of all beings into the Firmament, but later we abandoned the idea, deeming it inappropriate.” Luo Tianxian said, “What you saw was the result of us few desperately holding on, causing ripples on the river of time, reflecting the present from antiquity.” She then added, “Only ultimate-level beings can see the true world of the Firmament; even Dao Ancestors lack the ability to peer through.” Then, she withdrew the warm power from Chu Feng’s body. He immediately saw a vast land, picturesque mountains and rivers, many cultivators flying across the sky. The tallest great mountain not far away radiated the splendor of the Grand Dao. Palaces and jade towers stretched far, with countless disciples, magnificent mountain gates, and numerous immortal birds and auspicious beasts guarding this pure land. Such clusters of spiritual mountains, radiant divine lakes, and peaceful immortal residences enveloped in ethereal mist, seemed more like the true visage of the Firmament.

“This…” Chu Feng’s heart trembled violently. This was the Firmament he had imagined in his mind; even a small corner already fully displayed prosperity and power. “That was an old scene from many years ago. All the brilliance you witnessed was due to our desperate struggle to maintain it,” Luo Tianxian stated. As the warm power flowed within Chu Feng, he once again saw the true world. There were no flourishing evolutionary traditions; it was all ruins, with broken walls and crumbling remains buried beneath vegetation and soil.

“Many years ago, the Firmament was defeated. Lives were devastated, blood flowed like rivers, over eighty percent of all races perished, and among the ultimate-level powerhouses, only I remained, along with the one who bestowed Gu Qing with the three imperial weapon projections—Meng Hai.” Even ultimate-level beings can be killed! The saying that 'as long as there is a thought, as long as someone thinks of them, they can reappear in the world' naturally also has methods of circumvention. Otherwise, from ancient times to the present, ultimate-level beings would not have suffered casualties. If all of them were indestructible, it would contradict the Dao itself. “Several deceased Daoist friends each left a trace of spirit, hoping to come back to life. Meng Hai and I also wanted to restore the Firmament, using great magical power to re-enact the past, hoping to turn the illusory into reality, and simultaneously guide the recovery and return of several other ultimate-level Daoist friends. However, the Land of Misfortune gave us no chance.” Reflecting the present from antiquity, re-enacting the past, making all the deceased believe they were still alive, still in their respective brilliant eras? What terrifying power this was! Her words were shocking. Was this the truth? However, they still failed.

“A century ago, from the deepest part of the Land of Misfortune, from the most mysterious and unfathomable ancestral land of the ominous races, came an unparalleled fluctuation. Ultimately, three coffins streaked across the sky, illuminating all eras in the long river of history, shattering all our efforts.” In this battle, let alone the few who hoped to recover, even Meng Hai died some years ago. Furthermore, nearly all of the remaining twenty percent of beings in the Firmament also vanished, leaving the vast, boundless land devoid of cultivators, almost utterly desolate. “The great sacrifice occurred in the Firmament,” Luo Tianxian said gravely. She barely survived, but her own cultivation was damaged, having suffered the most severe erosion. She struggled to hold on, manifesting old scenes from yesteryear, walking forth from the ancient river of time, seeking to recover. What kind of method was that? Reflecting the present from antiquity, emerging from death to return. If powerful enough, could it even partially "resurrect" the Firmament? “The Firmament is desolate!” Chu Feng muttered to himself, finding it utterly unacceptable, his heart trembling. “Alas, we failed. Only I remain,” Luo Tianxian sighed softly. Even if she could recover, she wouldn’t be able to lead the Firmament back to its past state. This place was already desolate!

At this moment, Chu Feng recalled the roar of the ultimate-level powerhouse who returned stepping on imperial bones: “The heavens have collapsed, is the Firmament completely dead?” At the time, both Chu Feng and other cultivators in the myriad heavens thought that the powerhouse was speaking out of anger, frustrated that the Firmament stood idly by and offered no help. Now, it seemed his shout was the most unadorned and essential… truth?! Afterward, Chu Feng recalled what the ominous beings had once said—that the Firmament was failing and would become a ghost realm! Many years later, this had actually come true!

“Are the beings in the depths of the Land of Misfortune so powerful? They even destroyed the Firmament!” Chu Feng sighed endlessly within his heart, finding it truly hard to believe. “Yes, because even after ultimate-level powerhouses of the ominous races die, they can reappear, remaining perpetually in the world. Even if we kill them many times, it’s futile. This is all due to their ancestral land; they can walk out alive from there again. This is their greatest reliance.” Immortal Emperors are difficult to kill, but there are indeed special zones in this world with terrifying methods capable of slaying beings of that level. However, the ancestral land of the ominous races was insurmountable!

Luo Tianxian led Chu Feng out of the Firmament, returning to the lower realm. In this special small world, the others were still discussing Dao, completely unaware, engrossed in their conversation. Chu Feng felt a sense of detachment from the world, as if watching scenes of tragicomedy within a painting, temporarily an outsider. “Sister, do you not truly wish to revive?” Luo Tianxian asked the woman in the anomalous place, lying in a pool of blood. “Although hope is slim, I have manifested a body. However, it is not a reappearance of my former self, but rather a re-sculpting, merging with the present world.” Upon hearing this, Chu Feng’s expression changed. Who was the ultimate-level woman on the pollen path whose manifestation was revealed? Did he know her?! Luo Tianxian said, “The figure I manifested from antiquity is still my youthful self—Luo Tianxian. She believes she still lives in that brilliant era of the past. I should let her integrate into this world now." “You did not die; you survived, reflecting the present from antiquity. Your cultivation will eventually recover slowly, but only if you stop desperately maintaining portions of the Firmament’s old scenery, otherwise it will implicate you,” the woman of the pollen path said. Afterward, she fell silent.

“How should I address you?” Chu Feng asked Luo Tianxian. “Daoist friends of the same level call me Luo. As for you, please call me by my youthful name, Luo Tianxian,” Luo said. Chu Feng quickly nodded. He wouldn't dare call her Luo directly even if it killed him. Few dared to utter the recognized names of ultimate-level beings directly, or various unpredictable events could occur. Although the true entity was right before him, she likely wouldn't do anything to him. However, Chu Feng felt it best not to violate certain established taboos.

“May I ask some questions?” Chu Feng inquired. Luo directly refused, saying, “You may not!” Chu Feng was astonished. He hadn’t even asked yet, nor stated what his questions were. Luo explained, “What you wish to know will inevitably involve ultimate-level beings. If I were to help you deduce, it might draw the attention of adversaries. With my cultivation severely damaged and facing potential demise myself, I must naturally refuse to take such risks.” Chu Feng fell silent. His questions indeed involved these matters. As for the ghostess beside him, there was even less hope; she hadn’t spoken to him for so many years.

When this gathering ended, both Zhou Xi and Old Gu, the Black Ox, and others felt a sense of reluctance and lingering desire, having found kindred spirits in the several approachable Dao Children from the Firmament, feeling a sense of having met too late. Although parting, they were already looking forward to their next reunion. What could Chu Feng say? He could only offer a bitter smile: Goodbye, people reflected from antiquity into the present. They departed, embarking on their return journey. What would the future hold? Chu Feng felt that, whether good or bad, everything was nearing its end; a conclusion was imminent. His heart palpitated with deep unease. Perhaps an earth-shattering upheaval was about to begin; the terrifying curtain was slowly rising!