Chapter 257: with translation of chapter title

Beginningless Immortal Platform constructed a light gate, emanating a very ethereal spatial aura, as if connecting to a distant other place.

"If there's a chance, this emperor will come back to have a look."

The big black dog took one last look at Zi Wei, then followed Yang Zhu into the Immortal Platform, disappearing on the spot.

Several people, relying on the Beginningless Immortal Platform, traversed the eternal void; how fast their speed was is hard to imagine.

Even if a Saint wished to travel back and forth between two Gu Xing regions, it would take decades, and the journey was everywhere hurried and perilous.

As long as one is inattentive, even a Saint would be mercilessly eradicated.

After an unknown amount of time, when the light gate opened again, the three persons and one dog appeared high above ten thousand li.

Rich vital essence surged forth; a great star of life loomed close before the eyes, filled with an awe-inspiring aura, like an ancient deity's slumbering land.

From it, one could sense a desolate grandeur and atmosphere, an indescribable shock; if seeing it for the first time, one would surely be stunned for a long time.

"Woof! This emperor has finally returned; the ancient beasts of the Big Dipper, prepare to tremble!"

The big black dog shouted excitedly, continually looking west, trying to know where they had arrived.

Below was a red plain, bare and barren, with only a hint of green scattered about, appearing extremely desolate.

However, on this red plain lay many mountains rising and falling, interlocking; the terrain was divine and extraordinary, resembling coiled giant dragons, quite extraordinary and majestic.

"Could we have arrived at the Northern Plains?"

On the desolate ground, a special substance drifted about; the several people were not unfamiliar with it—it was the aura of 'Source'!

The Northern Plains, one of the five great regions of the Big Dipper, vast and boundless, yet extremely desolate; one could rush across tens of thousands of li and still not see a single cultivator.

Yet this place abounds in various strange Sources; it is a famed Source-producing land of the Big Dipper, its status among the five regions not to be underestimated.

"First find a place with human habitation to understand the current situation."

Yang Zhu and his companions turned into a divine rainbow, streaking across the sky; after traveling over a hundred thousand li, they finally discovered a habitat.

The oasis spans only a few dozen li, lush and verdant, filled with various vegetation; within it, a mountain wall protrudes, and on the protruding cliff gather many cultivators.

This place is a fixed trading venue; cultivators who find supreme treasures or divine Sources can bring them here to exchange with others.

Thus, although the area is not large, it is very lively; many cultivators come here to seek treasures or to rest awhile.

"Primeval beasts are too terrifying; half a month ago I personally witnessed a human powerhouse being torn apart alive by them."

"The ancient clans have revived one after another; those few of theirs are so stunningly brilliant that they suppress the contemporary human heavenly talents, causing them to suffer defeat after defeat—it's… sigh!"

Among them, two young men of decent ability were conversing; their words were filled with deep helplessness, shaking their heads and sighing repeatedly.

"Huang Xu Dao, Yuan Gu, Shen Can Daoist—each is stunning to the world; throughout ancient and modern times, few can compare with them."

"Our human race has many heavenly-talent divine bodies, yet none can truly oppose them; it's difficult, truly difficult!"

The others occasionally interjected a sentence or two, expressing their opinions.

"Two months ago, I heard that Hua Yunfei struck again; although he killed a strong Sword Dao practitioner, he himself was gravely wounded and barely escaped death."

"The Ji family's divine body, for the sake of his friends, has covertly acted many times, also suffering injuries repeatedly..."

Upon discussing these, the surrounding atmosphere instantly grew heavy; everyone frowned, as if a layer of inescapable dark clouds hung over them. "Why do we keep losing?"

Yang Zhu and his companions waited not far away, listening to the other cultivators' discussion; they never imagined that in the ten-odd years since his departure, so many major events had occurred.

Those heavenly talents who once shook a region have all been defeated, unable to contend with Huang Xu Dao and the like.

Hua Yunfei, to avoid bringing unnecessary trouble to the Yaochi Holy Land, directly left, wandering with Li Xiaoman and slaying many primeval beasts.

Yaoguang, Xi Yifei, Ji Haoyue, etc., although they rarely oppose the ancient clans, when they do act a few times, the Holy Child of Yaoguang is still fairly decent, while the others mostly struggle.

This is merely against ordinary young strongsters of the ancient clans; to this day, no one dares to challenge Huang Xu Dao and the like.

"The Saint Body Ye Fan returned half a year ago; although he turned the tide somewhat, relying on him alone also makes it difficult to reverse the situation."

Under the gaze of the myriad beings of the Big Dipper, Ye Fan returned to the Big Dipper half a year ago, causing quite a stir at the time.

He remained as domineering as ever, yet when facing the multitude of primeval beasts that have emerged, his strength is ultimately too weak to face numerous powerful foes.

"Although his strength is not weak, if he were to face Shen Can Daoist and the like, a single slap could kill him."

"Not bad; I've heard that Huang Xu Dao's cultivation is unfathomably profound—even if the Holy Lord came, he would still be no match!"

"Could it be that the human race truly has no one left…"

Most people nowadays think that if he were to face the Heavenly Prince or Huang Xu Dao, he would likely be defeated and slain.

As soon as these words were spoken, the air fell silent; everyone's heart felt as if weighed down by a huge stone, with a sensation of being unable to catch breath.

The primeval beasts are too strong; though they rose rapidly in just over a decade, their might almost crushed humanity—even the several great holy lands dare not declare an opposing stance.

It is like a boundless black cloud shrouding the hearts of the Big Dipper's people, extremely oppressive.

"Who says we have no one? Don't forget we still have the Saint Body Dao Embryo; if he returns, he will surely turn the heavens and earth!"

At that moment, an elder of sect-master level stepped out, his tone resonant and forceful; instantly everyone turned to look.

"Correct; with the might of the Saint Body Dao Embryo, one can absolutely overwhelm the present age and defeat the Heavenly Prince and the like."

People seemed to see hope; their eyes filled with anticipation, a strange light flickering in their depths, as if the hope in their hearts had been reignited.

The solemn atmosphere on the cliff eased considerably.

"Alas, Yang Zhu left for over ten years, unknown where he went, nor when he might return..."

Soon, another person spoke helplessly; the slightly eased atmosphere was once again doused.

Everyone firmly believes that if Yang Zhu can return, he will surely overturn the heavens and earth, overturn the current situation, for his fame has already spread to every corner of the world! Even those who have just set foot on the path of cultivation hold him in great admiration and awe, regarding him as a monument and wishing to become like him.

Yang Zhu's various deeds are all too shocking to the heart; even after leaving for over ten years, they are still being circulated.

"Are the primeval beasts truly this strong? Has the human race really fallen to such a state?"

The Daoist of Infinite Boundaries listened to the surrounding discussion and couldn't help but furrow his brow.

He had thought the ancient clans were strong, but never imagined they were this strong—even the Holy Child of Yaoguang and the like cannot match them; he can only endure in hiding, reducing direct confrontation.

(End of Chapter)