Chapter 982: All clans face war, the eve of catastrophe
In the sky, the golden road extended directly, with Qing Feng positioned behind the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan. Spotting Cen Shuang in the hall, Qing Feng couldn’t contain his excitement, a weight lifting from his heart. As long as his junior sister remained safe and sound, he could breathe easy. He had journeyed with apprehension, fearing the worst.
“It seems this is the junior sister you’ve spoken of, Senior Brother Qing Feng,” observed Fen Ruo, noting Qing Feng’s expression with a hint of amusement.
“Junior sister’s penchant for worry is quite something. I feared she might act rashly in my absence. Seeing her now puts my mind at ease,” Qing Feng remarked wryly.
The other disciples of the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan remained silent, their disdain for the denizens of this real world thinly veiled. Hailing from the Nine Heavens, their perspective differed vastly from that of the natives of the Dao Chang Realm.
While the Nine Heavens housed numerous powerful individuals, including Dao realm existences who pursued Daoism in seclusion, they paid little heed to worldly affairs. Despite the uniqueness of the Dao Chang Realm, it remained a fledgling realm, lacking the prestige to capture their attention.
Although Gu Wuwang, Ming, and Jiu Jianxian were aware of the purpose behind the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan’s visit, they maintained their vigilance. After all, Yuan Chan was also a Dao realm existence, and Gu Wuwang sensed that the ancient cultivator’s strength seemed only slightly inferior to his own.
The ancient cultivator Yuan Chan clasped his hands together, a solemn aura emanating from him, infused with a compassionate essence. “Fear not, esteemed Daoists. I have been entrusted by my disciples to venture into this world and aid in resolving this calamity. Knowing that you three Daoists are present here brings me great reassurance.”
“Many years ago, I, too, emerged from the Immortal Domain and unexpectedly found myself in the Nine Heavens. It has been a journey of twists and turns, blessed with good fortune,” he added, reflecting on his own unexpected trajectory.
Initially, Yuan Chan had been taken aback, assuming that this fledgling realm housed no more than half-step Dao Realm entities, including the feared demon lord mentioned by his disciple, Qing Feng. With his senior disciple, Fen Ruo, capable of handling such entities, there seemed no need for his intervention. However, upon closer inspection, he discovered the presence of three Daoists, one of whom surpassed him in strength.
This revelation surprised Yuan Chan, prompting him to realize the significance of Daoist Eternal Monarch’s observation. “With the aid of the Daoist, our prospects for victory in the Dao Chang Realm are greatly improved,” Gu Wuwang acknowledged with a nod. Having established their identities during their earlier interaction, he acknowledged the unexpected encounter. It was a revelation for him to learn that Yuan Chan hailed from the Nine Heavens.It was imperative to ascertain whether the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan was aware of the Gu family lineage in the Nine Heavens. However, the answer eluded “Wang Wushang” as the proceedings unfolded swiftly. Soon, everyone convened in the main hall, their anticipation palpable, tinged with surprise and skepticism.
The leaders of various ethnic groups, along with the unfamiliar faces accompanying Yuan Chan, including several whose auras resonated with a palpable intensity, seemingly transcending worldly confines. It was evident that they were immortal emperors, their cultivation spanning countless eras.
“Senior, may I inquire about their identities?” “Wang Wushang” ventured cautiously, his heart racing with uncertainty.
Gu Wuwang regarded him briefly before addressing the assembly. “This ancient cultivator, Yuan Chan, hails from the Nine Heavens. He has come to aid us in the face of external threats and forestall impending disaster. The individuals accompanying him are his apprentices, formidable in their own right.”
Apart from Yuan Chan’s prominent disciple, Fen Ruo, on the cusp of achieving Dao realm status, the remainder boasted Immortal Emperor or Quasi-Immortal Emperor status, ranking among the Dao Chang Realm’s elite.
“Old monk Yuan Chan extends his greetings to all,” Yuan Chan offered with a serene smile, his presence exuding a tranquil Buddha nature capable of soothing like a gentle spring breeze. His words seemed to inspire those around him, prompting some to consider the path of Buddhism.
The leaders of the ethnic groups in the hall reacted with astonishment, many struggling to conceal their disbelief at the turn of events.
“From the Nine Heavens?” “Wang Wushang” echoed, his astonishment mirroring that of the assembled leaders. The revelation of their origins was beyond his expectations, leaving him grappling with the magnitude of their backgrounds.
In his time in the Underworld Realm, Nine Heavens had already held legendary status as the cradle of Immortal Dao, shrouded in mystique and boasting unfathomable secrets. Its prestige eclipsed even the mightiest of realms, rendering them insignificant in comparison.
The arrival of ancient cultivator Yuan Chan exceeded “Wang Wushang”‘s expectations, signaling a shift beyond his control. Throughout the hall, leaders from various races and factions struggled to digest the astounding news, while figures like Ao Teng and Ao Ling’er, steeped in the lore of innate mythology, shared in the collective astonishment.
Unlike the typical aloofness associated with Dao realm existences, Yuan Chan remained affable as he elucidated his origins within the immortal domain. Qing Feng, too, rose to recount his journey to the Nine Heavens, guided by clues left by the former sages of the Immortal Palace, culminating in his apprenticeship to Yuan Chan.
With doubts dispelled, jubilation swept through the gathering. The realization that Yuan Chan, akin to Gu Wuwang and others, possessed formidable disciples imbued the assembly with renewed hope for the Dao Chang Realm’s defense against foreign incursions.
While Yuan Chan initially maintained a detached demeanor, upon hearing the mention of the “Heaven Slaying Alliance,” his countenance shifted, brows furrowing in consternation. His benevolent expression gave way to solemnity, eliciting a sense of foreboding among his disciples, whose expressions mirrored his own disbelief.
“Brother Dao, please don’t be alarmed. The choice of name was not ours, but that of our leader himself,” Gu Wuwang reassured, sensing the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan’s unease. He understood the weight carried by the three words “Heaven Slaying Alliance.” Even he had been taken aback initially, recognizing the magnitude of the karma it entailed.
“It’s audacious indeed, to adopt such a name and witness its establishment with such grandeur. This enigmatic leader must be an extraordinary figure,” remarked Fen Ruo, the great disciple of Yuan Chan, her surprise evident.
In the Nine Heavens, the immortal force established by the Daoist Eternal Monarch bore the name Heavenly Sect, symbolizing a defiance against the heavens and rallying powerhouses for a celestial battle. As for the Lord of Immortality, his appellation hinted at an epoch-spanning existence, unparalleled in cultivation.
Only an individual of such caliber could shoulder the weight of such karma without succumbing to fear of repercussions like Dao collapse or heavenly resistance. The Heavenly Sect’s reputation reverberated through the Nine Heavens and beyond, instilling awe in many powerful realms.
To witness a nascent realm dare to adopt such a name without apparent repercussions intrigued Fen Ruo. Only the mysterious Eternal Monarch’s fortune seemed a plausible explanation. This realization piqued her curiosity, indicating that the demon lord mentioned by Qing Feng transcended mere approaching Dao Realm status.
With the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan regaining his composure, he offered, “If given the chance, I must meet this mysterious leader in person.” Qing Feng, too, found himself stunned by the staggering changes that had unfolded since his departure from the Immortal Domain.
“Senior Brother Qing Feng, I’ll fill you in on all the details later,” Cen Shuang assured him. Even she found the recent changes akin to a dream.
The arrival of the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan caught everyone off guard. Once it became clear that no immediate danger loomed, the leaders of various ethnic groups departed one by one, taking their clansmen with them to prepare for what lay ahead.
For the time being, the ancient cultivator Yuan Chan and his companions remained within the Heaven Slaying Alliance. Ni Chen found it challenging to ascertain their origins immediately, so he opted to observe the situation and focus on addressing the impending catastrophe.
This event sparked ripples throughout the Dao Chang Realm, quickly disseminating across all universes. Every race commenced preparations, and a palpable sense of tension pervaded the cosmos. Armies, clad in armor and wielding an array of weapons, surged through the starry expanse from all corners, converging for the imminent conflict.
An air of solemnity permeated the hearts of beings across all races as they braced for the impending war. Many observed a strange, foam-like substance looming on the horizon, its desolate emptiness seeming to engulf the light itself.
Buzz!
Across various universes and within the depths of different races’ territories, among divine islands, bright gates of light began to open, immortal mist billowing forth, and the air was permeated with the power of teleportation.
From these gates emerged ancient soldiers, as if they were emerging from a realm of death and bloodshed. These formidable immortal warriors, renowned for their prowess in ancient wars, brimmed with murderous intent as they rallied once more to confront the impending catastrophe.
Rumble!
Elsewhere, in distant regions of the sky, a multitude of ancient warships and flying vessels converged. Strange beasts galloped below, while raptors soared overhead, their vast numbers obscuring the sun. Divine light soared into the heavens, creating a spectacle of magnificence.
Additionally, countless knights and warriors assembled, forming dense formations comprised of hundreds of millions of giants. These individuals were trained by various tribes and factions within the Dao Chang Realm.
A haunting wail echoed through the sky as massive ancient copper warships streaked across the heavens, hurtling towards the expansive battlefield of the Immortal Domain. These vessels teemed with cultivators and warriors exuding a palpable aura of aggression and determination. Leading them were formidable figures at the pinnacle of immortality, guiding their forces into the fray.
Across mountains, rivers, marshlands, and vast ancient forests, a multitude of powerful ancient beasts roamed freely, their colossal forms casting imposing shadows over the landscape. Mounted atop these primordial creatures were towering figures adorned in animal skins, their sinewy frames and pulsating energy evoking an aura reminiscent of ancient deities.
Originating from a distant and remote universe, these individuals bore the hallmarks of ancient gods, distinguished by star-shaped markings between their brows. Elsewhere, divine light pierced the heavens, emanating from an ancient planet situated within the cosmos. Here, the Ancient Immortal Clan, Heavenly Dao Sect, True Immortal Academy, and other prestigious factions congregated, marshaling their most formidable forces in preparation for the impending cataclysm.
Throughout the ages since the era of taboo, countless powerhouses either secluded themselves or immersed themselves in cultivation. Now, spurred by the urgency of the situation, they emerged from their retreats and embarked on the journey to confront the looming threat.
Even ethnic groups from the era of innate mythology, such as the Jin Peng, Huang Niao, Shi Long, and Shi Qilin, mobilized their strongest warriors. It was widely understood that the impending catastrophe spared no one. In the face of such peril, unity was paramount, for the downfall of the Dao Chang Realm would bring devastation to all.
In a remote corner of the universe, a brilliant flash of divine light caught Gu Xian’er’s attention. Having just arrived from the upper realm to the immortal domain, she hadn’t yet had the chance to inquire about Gu Changge’s whereabouts at the headquarters of the Heaven Slaying Alliance. However, she swiftly learned of the impending battle.
Throughout the Dao Chang Realm, all ethnic groups were mobilizing and amassing their forces in preparation for the imminent catastrophe.
As Gu Xian’er traversed the immortal domain, she witnessed numerous ancient warships hurtling past, their momentum shaking the very fabric of the universe as they surged towards the depths of the immortal domain. These vessels were commanded by at least a few real immortals, with countless cultivators filling their ranks.
This development forced Gu Xian’er to recalibrate her priorities. Whether she sought to locate Gu Changge or rescue Tao Yao, she first needed to address this pressing challenge. Failure to do so would not only imperil the Dao Chang Realm but also jeopardize her own survival and any subsequent endeavors.
“I’ve learned that these ancient warships and armies are bound for a place known as the Boundless Battlefield,” Gu Xian’er reported, swiftly gathering information. “There, an outpost for foreign enemies is stationed, and all ethnic groups are continually dispatching powerful warriors to defend it.”
Though her current strength might not decisively sway the outcome of the battle, Gu Xian’er recognized that she still had a role to play in the unfolding events.