Chapter 249: World‑Shattering Divine Weapon

Wushen Palace.

Various lights interwove, flooding the place and turning it into a divine realm; the ancient, broken structures automatically repaired at that moment.

Three thousand ancient scripts surged into Gu Jin Nian's body.

These are the ancient divine scripts nurtured by the Witch Clan for tens of thousands of years, each script possessing a special power.

To a sorcerer, such ancient divine scripts are equivalent to natural array devices; the characters commune with spirits and wield extraordinary power.

Some elder sorcerers set arrays, often arranging familiar formations such as the Spirit‑Gathering Array, which they usually inscribe with array scripts that can replace magical implements.

Thus, the stronger the sorcerer, the more potent the array scripts they master, though the number remains limited; array scripts can only be condensed and forged by top‑tier sorcerers, typically requiring at least a hundred years for one script.

However, the Witch Clan, using supreme divine methods, cultivated three thousand array scripts, each character of which would normally need a thousand years of gestation to condense.

Now, all this destiny, like a torrent of enlightenment, poured into Gu Jin Nian's body, allowing him to skip the lengthy gestation of the scripts.

Combined with Gu Jin Nian's inheritance of the Witch Clan's array techniques, he has effectively stepped into the Array Emperor Realm; with a wave of hand or foot, he can condense sun, moon, mountains and rivers into an array.

Moreover, each of the three thousand array scripts contains a surge of "force"—the Witch Clan's inheritance cultivated over tens of thousands of years; each script is like a rare medicinal king, granting Gu Jin Nian a massive transformation.

Inside the Wushen Palace.

Gu Jin Nian absorbs the terrifying spiritual energy; the three thousand ancient divine scripts give him a sense of rebirth.

Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow, Sun, Moon, Mountain, River.

The ancient characters outline a universe, encompassing all things, and Gu Jin Nian's cultivation aura is enormously amplified at that moment.

Now, Gu Jin Nian stands at the peak of the Seventh Realm, Fourth Heaven.

With the infusion of the three thousand ancient divine scripts, Gu Jin Nian's cells undergo a tremendous metamorphosis.

Roar! Roar.

Roar.

Dragon‑like roars echo within his body, all light churns and pours into his flesh; his blood undergoes terrifying changes, each of Gu Jin Nian's cells becoming like true dragons.

Crack!

Crack!

At this moment, inside the Wushen Palace, Gu Jin Nian's flesh radiates endless light, and his aura climbs step by step.

Tenfold.

Hundredfold.

The process is shocking; previously, Gu Jin Nian's power increase from Third Heaven to Fourth Heaven was merely a tenfold boost.

Now, moving from Fourth Heaven to Fifth Heaven, his strength suddenly jumps a hundredfold, even several hundred times.

At this moment, Gu Jin Nian feels an omnipotent illusion; between heaven and earth, with a single thought—especially regarding strength—he believes a light finger could shatter a tiny star.

The gap between the two is enormous.

"Between Fourth Heaven and Fifth Heaven the difference is far beyond a hundredfold, a feeling akin to the gap between Sixth and Seventh Realms."

Gu Jin Nian feels the power amplification, while silently noting the disparity between them.

It's that huge.

The gap is unimaginably vast, comparable to the difference between Sixth and Seventh Realms.

Indeed, the leap from Fourth to Fifth is that exaggerated; Gu Jin Nian now feels a single breath could annihilate mountains and rivers across thousands of miles.

Such an ascent is terrifying, surpassing Gu Jin Nian's imagination.

"No wonder the ancient Five Clans have such confidence, no wonder they look down on later generations; as a saint, they never even consider me."

"Before the Fifth, I felt nothing; after the Fifth, true upheaval occurs. My current strength can easily crush a hundred of my former selves."

Gu Jin Nian is shaken; after careful contemplation, he senses his current power has far, far surpassed his previous limits.

Of course, crushing a hundred of his former self is obviously an exaggeration.

Gu Jin Nian, as a saint, possesses the supreme ability to reach the heavens' ear, which is not directly tied to strength; even now, attempting to annihilate his former self would not be easy.

Cannot resist heavenly will.

One cannot judge solely by realms.

"Between the Seventh Realm and Ninth Heaven, the greatest watershed is the transition from Fourth Heaven to Fifth Heaven."

"The Witch Clan's tens of thousands of years of destiny, obtained by this humble friend, elevates him to Fifth Heaven; this luck is truly undeniable."

"But then again, saints always have strong luck."

Senior Tie Bing speaks, praising Gu Jin Nian's formidable luck.

And inside the Wushen Palace.

The light dissipates.

All aura is drawn inward by Gu Jin Nian, who lets out a long breath.

He contemplates his own power and gives a reply.

"Thank you, senior, as always."

"Since you did not deceive me, I have previously offended you; please forgive my transgression, senior."

Gu Jin Nian is a reasonable person; his initial threat to Senior Tie Bing stemmed from fearing deception, but now that he has received destiny, there is no need to be overbearing.

"No problem; one must always be wary, and I understand that principle."

"However, little friend, if you don't mind, I wish to leave here with you."

The latter speaks, putting forward this idea.

"Very well."

Hearing that, Gu Jin Nian naturally agrees; Senior Tie Bing's origins are mysterious, surely hiding secrets, and he is well‑versed in the sorcery path, so taking him away will naturally be of great benefit to Gu Jin Nian in the future.

"By the way, I still don't know your name, senior."

Gu Jin Nian asks curiously.

Call me whatever you like; didn't you already call me Senior Iron Biscuit before? Just call me Iron Biscuit, it's only a name, any name is fine.

Senior Iron Biscuit seemed very casual and didn't care about the address.

"Senior, you really are carefree."

Gu Jin Nian could only flatter with a single sentence, and said nothing beyond that.

"First, stabilize your realm."

Senior Iron Biscuit spoke, reminding Gu Jin Nian to slightly steady his realm.

"Alright."

"Senior, there are a few matters I'd like to ask you."

Gu Jin Nian was multitasking: on one hand stabilizing his strength, on another asking Senior Iron Biscuit some questions, and on the third pondering what to do next.

"Go ahead."

"I retain some memories and have lost others; I don't know how long I stayed in the Taihao Immortal Realm, the details are vague, so I don't know everything."

Senior Iron Biscuit spoke, deliberately reminding Gu Jin Nian, though whether the words were true or false was unclear, perhaps he simply didn't want to elaborate.

"May I ask, Senior, why did the ancient war begin?"

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat curious; this was his first question.

"The Immortal Race."

"People of the world seek enlightenment; more precisely, they are the strongest among all under heaven. To attain it, one must go beyond the Eighth Realm, not merely reach it."

"They believe our world is a cage, its possibility of transformation sealed; a lifetime ends at the Eighth Realm, yet the Eighth Realm cannot die nor be destroyed. Thus they aim to use the cosmic qi to forge a person—or a group—who can truly leave this world."

Senior Iron Biscuit spoke, noting that this explanation was not much different from what Gu Jin Nian had heard before; Confucius held the same view.

"Why would they have such a notion?"

Gu Jin Nian showed slight curiosity and asked the other party.

"Who can say? It's very possible that the Demon Race spread the rumor, after all, they stand to gain the most from it."

"However, it may not be false; at least through various verifications, the fact appears to be true."

"Moreover, before the Eight Realms existed, conclusions were reached step by step through verification."

"Why are you pondering this? Whether it exists or not holds little meaning for you; even if you prove it false, what then? Would the world believe?"

"For those who have reached the end, refusing to verify the final outcome, they will not be satisfied."

Senior Iron Biscuit opened his mouth and said thus.

"Just curious, simply finding it odd."

Gu Jin Nian nodded; he had always remained skeptical about this matter—mutual slaughter, plundering the great world's qi? The logic was hard to follow.

Yet, as Senior Iron Biscuit said, what use is verification? The significance is indeed small; for some, falsehood matters little, but they must demand a result, persisting until they reach the Yellow River, their heart will not die.

"However, regarding this matter, there are two things you can study carefully."

"Since antiquity, the Eight Realms have been the limit; the Buddhist Sect, Immortal Sect, Martial Path, Sword Path, and Demon Path have all produced Eight Realm strongmen."

"But only the Confucian Path once produced four Heaven's Mandate Saints in quick succession; this is unusual and may hide a great secret. You are now a saint yourself; if you must research, this should take precedence over the source."

"Secondly, the Technique Path has no Eight Realm Heavenly Venerable; at least I have never heard of one."

"The Seven Realm Array Emperor is already considered the limit, and upon reaching that stage one can merge with heaven and earth, arranging arrays beyond imagination."

"Moreover, some ancient peoples must hold secrets, surely knowing information ordinary people cannot; otherwise they wouldn't be so reckless in mutual slaughter—aren't they truly afraid that the Demon Race would benefit?"

Senior Iron Biscuit reminded Gu Jin Nian of these matters.

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian vaguely sensed some issues.

Indeed, after Confucius, three Heaven's Mandate Saints emerged in succession, all of the Eighth Realm; in other systems, only one or two appear across ages, rotating, and no one has ever been said to produce four consecutively.

Being a saint oneself, one must indeed pay attention to certain things.

As for the Technique Path, Gu Jin Nian set it aside for now; it has nothing to do with him.

"Senior, are there truly any immortals in this world?"

"Or, is there an Immortal Realm at all?"

Gu Jin Nian posed the final question; he was very curious whether immortals truly existed in this world.

Or whether there is another world at all.

"Unclear."

"I truly don't know; later you can ask the Sea Clan or the Ancient Human Clan—they might know some possibilities."

The latter spoke firmly: not knowing is simply not knowing.

"Understood."

"Thank you, Senior."

Gu Jin Nian nodded and then said nothing further.

While stabilizing his strength.

Some matters also surfaced before Gu Jin Nian.

The road ahead.

Gu Jin Nian knew that once he left the Taihao Immortal Realm, he would inevitably confront the five ancient races, so he had to settle several matters.

"Unify the dynasty."

"Suppress the five races."

"Enter the Eight Realms."

"Bring peace to the world."

Gu Jin Nian muttered to himself; these were the tasks at hand.

Unifying the dynasty does not mean one dynasty ruling the world; it means establishing a common order, uniform rules, standardized script and gauge, so that the greatest beneficiaries are the common people.

At the same time it also eliminates future trouble, so that in the great war to come we won't have to deal with petty matters, nor will others be able to exploit us.

Suppressing the Five Tribes would be even more direct; the ancient Five Tribes have fundamentally flawed thinking, using killing to prove the Dao, which is unacceptable, and they have already gone mad. Only by exterminating them all can the world be pacified.

They have now become the greatest hidden threat between heaven and earth.

And to achieve these two goals, the simplest way is to reach the eighth realm oneself.

Pacify the world.

Gu Jin Nian perceives his own realm: the fifth level, still four levels away from the final.

Boom.

At that moment, three thousand divine scripts coalesce, forming a National Fortune Dragon Cauldron, known as the Qian Kun Cauldron.

It is hidden within the Witch God Palace.

The nurturing of the three thousand ancient divine scripts relies on the Qian Kun Cauldron.

The Qian Kun Cauldron appears, indistinguishable from the other Nine Tripod Cauldrons, except that the characters "Qian Kun" are engraved on its body.

With the emergence of the Qian Kun Cauldron,

Gu Jin Nian's surroundings manifest one National Fortune Dragon Cauldron after another.

The Eastern Wilderness Cauldron, the Southern Barbarian Cauldron, the Central Continent Cauldron, the Northern River Cauldron, the Li Yang Cauldron, the Qingzhou Cauldron, plus this Qian Kun Cauldron.

A total of seven cauldrons.

Now two are still missing: the Western Desert Cauldron and the Zao Hua Cauldron.

The Western Desert Cauldron lies within the Buddhist sect; obtaining it is not difficult.

In other words, only the Zao Hua Cauldron remains.

Sss.

"You son of a bitch, you've collected so many Dragon Cauldrons?"

At that moment, Senior Tie Bing's voice rang out, incredulous; he never expected Gu Jin Nian to have gathered seven Dragon Cauldrons—it was simply unbelievable.

"Senior, are you familiar with this thing?"

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat surprised; logically, Senior Tie Bing had been in the Taihao Immortal Realm for so many years that he shouldn't know about the Nine Tripod Cauldrons.

"I'm unaware of other matters, but I do know the Nine Tripod Cauldrons; they are divine artifacts birthed by the great world."

"Gathering all Nine Tripod Cauldrons will trigger unimaginable events, and each cauldron embodies the blessing of heaven and earth's qi. You alone possess seven, which means you alone command seven portions of the world's qi."

"No, you are a saint, naturally bearing one portion of qi; if you obtain the other two Dragon Cauldrons, the era's qi will be fully bestowed upon you."

"That's incredible."

When the latter said this, he couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva, feeling an unparalleled shock.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin Nian also clicked his tongue in surprise.

Monopolize the world's qi?

How terrifying.

"Senior, some of these Dragon Cauldrons weren't obtained by me; they were gifted to me by others."

Gu Jin Nian began to explain.

"No, if it's obtained, it's obtained, regardless of the method."

"Everything is destined by Heaven."

The latter replied, telling Gu Jin Nian not to overthink.

"Understood."

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

Thus, in the blink of an eye, another three days passed.

During these three days, Gu Jin Nian mastered his own power, and his physique improved again.

Roar.

A dragon's roar sounded.

Every drop of blood inside Gu Jin Nian burned and boiled; his aura directly affected the entire Taihao Immortal Realm.

A terrifying aura descended, as if an invincible divine king had been born.

People shouted in shock, instinctively thinking the guardian of the Taihao Immortal Realm had revived, their faces turning pale.

But soon, countless precious herbs rose into the air, and many celestial artifacts also materialized.

All surged toward Gu Jin Nian.

Inside the Witch God Palace.

Gu Jin Nian presented the Li Yang Cauldron and the Qian Kun Cauldron.

He refined everything once; for Gu Jin Nian, having previously harvested so many resources, there was no need to be sparing.

Now Gu Jin Nian's immortal Dao realm has reached the seventh level; using the Li Yang Cauldron is effortless. After refining thousands of precious herbs, he tosses each celestial artifact into the Li Yang Cauldron for further strengthening.

Three Sacred Instruments, three Celestial Artifacts, three Buddhist Artifacts, as well as the obtained celestial items, are each refined.

The entire process took less than half a day.

When all the treasures have been refined, Gu Jin Nian simultaneously begins two tasks.

He activates the God‑Slaying Technique, urging his mortal body to absorb the essence of these precious herbs, thereby allowing his flesh to undergo metamorphosis again.

Moreover, he intends to forge a divine weapon.

The Qian Kun Cauldron can be remelted.

Gu Jin Nian places all the treasures inside, forging a divine weapon uniquely his.

Boom—boom—boom.

The Qian Kun Cauldron radiates, and all celestial artifacts instantly transform into shafts of divine light within—it is the remelting.

Senior Tie Bing, standing nearby, was completely speechless.

An ultimate artifact, which an ordinary person might obtain only once in a lifetime, Gu Jin Nian somehow possessed so many, and he forged all those into a single Divine Weapon; it's hard to imagine what might be born from it.

Buzz—! Soon, Divine Light recast, and a pagoda appeared inside the Qiankun Cauldron.

Yes, Gu Jin Nian was forging a pagoda.

The whole pagoda had nine levels.

Pagoda.

It itself signifies peace and carries a mysterious meaning.

Divine Light intertwined, forming the pagoda.

All celestial artifacts merged, and the nine‑level pagoda exuded strands of chaotic aura, looking truly terrifying.

Each strand of chaotic aura was like a mountain range, imparting a tremendous sense of oppression.

This was even more terrifying than the Xuanhuang Pagoda; the Xuanhuang Pagoda was merely a single celestial artifact, whereas Gu Jin Nian's pagoda was a fusion of many.

The pagoda stood nine zhang tall; atop its summit the sun, moon and stars flickered, and around its body a scene of dragons and phoenixes bringing auspiciousness unfolded.

Nine‑level pagoda.

Crack!

But soon, the pagoda body cracked.

It then turned into streams of Divine Light that could not coalesce.

"What is happening?"

Gu Jin Nian was curious; he did not understand why such events occurred during the forging.

"The celestial artifacts have not merged; moreover, fusing so many together will produce something that shakes Heaven and Earth, and Heaven and Earth will not permit such a thing to exist."

"But there is a way. Aren't you a Confucian‑Daoist saint? Engraving saintly scriptures could try to stabilize the pagoda body and help you forge the Divine Artifact."

Senior Tie Bing spoke; he immediately identified the problem and thus reminded Gu Jin Nian to engrave the scriptures.

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian did not dawdle.

He directly gathered his literary skill, engraving poem after poem onto the pagoda body with ancient divine script, infusing his own saintly will.

These verses, all timeless, gave rise to countless auspicious phenomena inside the Qiankun Cauldron, leaving onlookers speechless.

"Sss! Using timeless writings as adornment—only a saint could manage that, I suppose."

"No, even saints have never done that, I think."

Senior Tie Bing was somewhat shocked, finding it unbelievable.

But that was not enough; on the first level of the pagoda, Gu Jin Nian engraved the I Ching, making the entire pagoda even more terrifying, and above the Witch‑God Palace a dreadful Heavenly Tribulation appeared.

Such a scene only appears when a Divine Artifact is born.

On the second level he engraved the Dao De Jing, on the third the Heart Sutra, on the fourth the Sutra for Delivering People, on the fifth the Huangting Sutra, and likewise on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth levels.

Gu Jin Nian employed almost his entire life's learning, engraving all the scriptures in order to forge an invincible Divine Weapon and firmly secure its foundation, so that no future alterations would be needed.

The nine engraved scriptures caused the pagoda to burst forth with unparalleled radiance, and this radiance Holy Punishment's Light Shooting Upwards made the Taihao Immortal Realm shudder repeatedly.

Even beyond, strange lights projected across the heavens.

"Is a peerless Divine Artifact being born?"

"Is the ultimate treasure of the Taihao Immortal Realm about to emerge?"

"What kind of Divine Weapon is this?"

People gasped, and for a moment they did not know what had happened.

Only Senior Tie Bing knew what was happening.

"If this Divine Weapon is forged, it will truly be invincible,"

Senior Tie Bing felt moved; he grew increasingly amazed by Gu Jin Nian, yet upon reflection realized that the great world's fate was almost entirely on his shoulders, and such an achievement was indeed not a huge matter.

Under such empowerment, the nine‑level pagoda finally stabilized its body.

It did not continue to disintegrate.

The Divine Weapon emerged.

The pagoda body displayed a pure golden hue.

But soon, another bolt of thunder struck inside the Qiankun Cauldron, causing the pagoda body to crack again.

"The weapon you wish to forge is too terrifying; Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate it. You could temper its power a bit."

Senior Tie Bing spoke, marveling at Gu Jin Nian's ambition while also warning him not to become too powerful.

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian did not choose to reduce it.

With his will, Gu Jin Nian entered the Qiankun Cauldron; his mortal body appeared within the pagoda, on the first level.

"I will anchor the pagoda with my body."

"What tremendous courage."

The latter could not help but exclaim.

He did not expect that Gu Jin Nian, to forge this Divine Weapon, would anchor himself to the pagoda, a move that would merge him with the weapon; should the Divine Weapon shatter, Gu Jin Nian's life would end.

It is a merging into one.

Yet this indeed is a solution.

And as Gu Jin Nian's mortal body settled on the first level, the pagoda body stabilized again and re‑merged. However, this only secures the first‑level body.

The subsequent levels still could not.

To forge a Divine Weapon demands a great price; even if Gu Jin Nian possesses Heaven and Earth's fate, it is unlikely to gain Heaven and Earth's approval.

But Gu Jin Nian seemed to simply enjoy testing his limits.

He gathered his Primordial Spirit and imbued it onto the second level.

He again stabilized the second layer of the treasure pagoda.

In this way, this treasure pagoda became Gu Jin Nian's natal magic treasure.

Boom.

Since he had mastered the method, Gu Jin Nian no longer hesitated.

He condensed his own fortune and infused it into the third layer.

Then three flowers of fortune appeared above Gu Jin Nian's head, representing his past, present, and future.

Will of three lifetimes.

They were respectively infused into the fourth, fifth, and sixth layers.

This is truly inconceivable.

"Having reached this point, it is actually enough; this divine weapon surpasses everything from ancient to modern times. If you insist on forging it, once it shatters, you will be injured, and all immortal artifacts will shatter as well— not worth the loss."

"You must be cautious."

"At this very moment, Senior Tie Bing could not hold back and spoke, urging Gu Jin Nian to stop, saying that the six-layer treasure pagoda was enough and was already an invincible divine weapon."

"If you continue, it will be meaningless; you might as well stop here."

"After all, this has already broken the limit."

"With the will of the world, forge its brilliance."

But Gu Jin Nian understood in his heart that the great era was approaching, and he did not know how many terrifying beings would appear in the future; his enemies would be even more terrifying.

Before reaching the fifth-layer realm, Gu Jin Nian did not care; he even simply thought that he could suppress everything.

But upon reaching the fifth-layer realm, Gu Jin Nian deeply understood that this path for him was extremely long.

His enemies are few, perhaps only one or two in the end, but those one or two possess inconceivable power; each has endured endless tribulations, each is an existence of hegemon level.

To surpass them, he himself must continually break limits, doing what others think impossible and completing what others cannot finish.

Otherwise, in this lifetime he would never think of surpassing everything from ancient to modern times.

Boom! Blazing light shone upon the entire Taihao Immortal Realm.

Beyond the immortal realm, the path of the extreme north, myriad paths of chaotic light surged outward in all directions.

"Has the creation of the extreme north come into being?"

The will of the demon clan's experts sounded; they did not know what had happened, and instinctively thought that the creation of the extreme north had come into being.

"It is very likely; always be ready to act."

The will of the demon god sounded; he also believed that the extreme north's creation had been transmitted into being.

Otherwise, such a terrifying scene could not be possible.

This is too inconceivable.

East Sea Border.

Some wills were also communicating.

"What sort of heaven-shaking creation does the extreme north possess?"

"It is very likely that the demon clan is sealed in the extreme north; logically they should have emerged, but their delay must mean there is some shameful secret."

"Send people to the extreme north to see if there is any creation."

"The struggle of the great era has already begun; the great divine mountains have not yet fully recovered their divine objects, and now may be an opportunity."

This is the will of the sea clan.

Within the Central Province.

There were also god clans watching.

"Is it the cauldron of creation?"

"If this item comes into the world, we truly must contend for it."

"Send people quickly to the extreme north."

One after another, wills emerged.

All major forces sent people to the extreme north, expecting a divine object to be born.

Meanwhile,

Within the Taihao Immortal Realm.

Gu Jin Nian's will reached its peak at this moment.

The seventh layer of the treasure pagoda had already been forged.

Now only the final two layers remain.

"With the aspiration for eternal peace, forge its brilliance."

Gu Jin Nian condensed the Four Sayings of Hengqu, using these words to exchange for vast merit, which he infused into the treasure pagoda.

The eighth layer of the treasure pagoda condensed forth, with thunderous might and chaotic qi exploding; heaven and earth trembled.

Having already condensed the eighth layer, this was already inconceivable among the inconceivable.

Senior Tie Bing did not continue speaking; he knew how strong Gu Jin Nian's will was, that persuasion had no effect, and it would be better to wait for this miracle.

Gazing upon the brilliant and splendid treasure pagoda.

Gu Jin Nian's gaze instantly became extraordinarily resolute.

"I am Gu Jin Nian; I wish to sweep away all evil for heaven and earth, and hope that heaven and earth aid me in forging the divine pagoda."

For the final layer of the treasure pagoda, Gu Jin Nian did not use his will or merit to forge it, but let heaven and earth forge it for him.

Only with heaven and earth's approval could this divine pagoda be forged.

If he did not gain heaven and earth's approval, then even if he gave everything, it would be of no use.

This can be considered a transaction.

Boom! In an instant.

Within Gu Jin Nian's body, the Tree of All Beings reverberated with Heaven's Mandate seals, the very seals he had obtained earlier.

At this moment, they were all infused into the Treasure Pagoda.

Heaven and Earth formed its roof.

The Nine‑layer Divine Tower was born.

Myriads of light pierced all darkness.

At the same time, Gu Jin Nian's aura was further strengthened at this instant.

His mortal body reached its pinnacle, the peak of his growth phase, leapt directly into the prime of life; every bone shone like a star, and the one billion eighty million pores across his body erupted with immortal aura.

He inhaled and exhaled the spirit of Heaven and Earth.

A single drop of blood can extend a life by several hundred years.

His realm already brushed the Fifth Peak; with a little more effort, he could step into the Sixth Level.

"The Fifth‑level Kunpeng, the Sixth‑level Fuyao; the Fifth is already a great power. To break into the Sixth requires at least a thousand years. He forged this divine artifact to coexist with it, gaining Heaven and Earth's approval and shattering all shackles."

"It won't be long before he steps into the Sixth Level, and this item possesses the creation of the Heaven‑and‑Earth Cauldron, able to devour all things and thus evolve on its own."

"This divine weapon will become the strongest artifact across ages; its bearer will ascend to the Eighth Realm and become the Fifth Heaven's Mandate Saint."

Senior Tie Bing gazed at it all, giving Gu Jin Nian his highest appraisal, his heart trembling.

And at this very moment.

Within the Heaven‑and‑Earth Cauldron.

The Divine Tower was born, bathed in Holy Punishment's Light; the sun, moon, and stars alternated, wind, thunder, earth, and fire churned into chaos, and strands of nine‑colored light fell, each layer of the Treasure Pagoda containing a silhouette.

Gu Jin Nian's mortal body, primordial spirit, will, past, present, future, grand aspiration, sacred Dao, Heaven and Earth.

This Divine Tower is Gu Jin Nian's exclusive divine artifact.

Moreover, the nine layers of the Divine Tower each nurture different things, offering unimaginable benefits.

The first layer cultivates Gu Jin Nian's mortal body, integrating the Divine Tower into him, constantly suppressing his flesh, merging the two, and multiplying his combat power severalfold.

The second layer cultivates his primordial spirit, with effects similar to the first.

Each layer nurtures Gu Jin Nian; honor shared, loss shared, and they can also evolve other divine weapons, boundlessly versatile, a single instrument shattering myriad techniques.

Finally.

All the light converged.

Gu Jin Nian exhaled, the breath turning into rolling spiritual energy, gradually restoring vitality to the devastated land.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian stood up and bowed before the altar of the Wushen Palace.

"Senior Tie Bing, how do we depart?"

After the bow.

Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded calmly.

He has already reached the ultimate state; now, to advance, he needs no further insight.

He wishes to leave.

He has been in the Tai Hao Immortal Realm for a little over three months; he does not know what has transpired outside, and can only pray that nothing too terrible occurs.

"This is the exit."

"There is a teleportation formation."

"Once you sense it, you'll understand."

Senior Tie Bing, the Daoist, spoke, providing an answer.

"Alright."

Gu Jin Nian merged the Nine Tripod and the Divine Tower into his body; instantly, his mortal form grew even stronger, each movement capable of destroying heaven and earth.

He closed his eyes and instantly sensed the formation of the Wushen Palace.

Boom.

Strange runes appeared, a door materialized—this is the teleportation array.

Without any hesitation, Gu Jin Nian took a step and entered the teleportation array.

At this moment.

He completed a world‑shaking metamorphosis.

He now possessed the right to challenge the Five Clans.

Stepping out of the array, Senior Tie Ban immediately followed, hovering around Gu Jin Nian.

"Huh."

Yet at that instant, a familiar breathing sound rose behind his body.

Even having reached this realm, Gu Jin Nian still felt a chilling sensation.

"Do not look back."

"Walk forward; he cannot get out."

Senior Tie Ban shrank, lying on Gu Jin Nian's shoulder, his voice solemn.

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian dared not act rashly; he fixed his gaze ahead, ignoring what lay behind, and plunged directly into the teleportation array.

In an instant, layers of light and shadow formed, and a spatial tunnel emerged.

And that chilling aura gradually vanished.

Indeed, one cannot follow oneself.

It was just that Gu Jin Nian was too curious—what on earth was this? Even after reaching this realm, he still felt fear.

"Don't overthink."

"And don't ask."

"When you reach the eighth realm, you'll understand everything you need to."

Senior Tieban seemed to know what Gu Jin Nian was thinking, so he told Gu Jin Nian not to ask too much and just move forward honestly.

"Mm."

After a simple reply.

Gu Jin Nian also calmed his mind and did not dwell on the matter.

Thus.

About a quarter of an hour.

The spatial tunnel seemed endless until a strong white beam appeared.

The next moment.

What came into view was a field of white snow.

This is the far north.

A biting cold wind blew, lifting Gu Jin Nian's hair.

Like a world in decay, this area held no life; all living things were buried here.

Very lonely.

He emerged from the Taihao Immortal Realm.

Gu Jin Nian let out a long sigh; he was impatient and wanted to return to the Da Xia Dynasty at once.

But at that very moment,

tens of thousands of figures appeared within a thousand li around him.

Rows of silhouettes stared at him within the thousand li.

Among them were no shortage of Seventh Realm strongmen.

"Ancient Tribes."

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian realized they were Ancient Tribes, because he was familiar with every contemporary Seventh Realm strongman.

In the distance.

Sea clans, divine clans, and demon clans were all watching Gu Jin Nian, waiting for fate in the far north.

The light had vanished an hour ago, replaced by spatial fluctuations in the area, so they rushed here.

What they didn't expect was not some earth‑shattering destiny, but a lone figure.

"It's Gu Jin Nian."

"Human Saint."

"Da Xia Saint?"

Some wills spoke up; a keen‑eyed one instantly recognized Gu Jin Nian's arrival.

"He came out of the Taihao Immortal Realm?"

"Friends, the world‑shaking fate may lie within him. Shall we hunt him, raise the prestige of our ancient clan, and seize the destiny?"

"Agreed."

Some powerful wills communicated; in their view, Gu Jin Nian's aura was restrained and his strength weak, making him a suitable target for joint execution.

But they hadn't moved to act yet.

Suddenly,

a terrifying aura instantly suppressed a thousand li.

Within a radius of a thousand li.

All ancient strongmen's bodies went rigid.

They could not move; the surrounding space seemed locked, and a suffocating aura made them tremble.

"Has he broken through to the fifth layer?"

"A great practitioner aura, this is a great practitioner aura."

"Impossible. How could a single trip to the Taihao Immortal Realm let him break to the fifth layer?"

A scream rang out.

All these ancient strongmen were astonished.

And in the void,

Gu Jin Nian did not act directly; instead, he closed his eyes and, using the saint's method, listened to what had transpired during this time.

He did not know what had happened during his disappearance, so he refrained from rash action.

Soon, voices and images flooded his mind.

The Da Xia Duke fell in battle.

A million‑strong army perished.

Ancient cities were destroyed one after another.

The Great Jin Dynasty suffered countless casualties, and humanity lost all dignity.

The Fuyu Dynasty saw its empress slain and its emperor skinned.

Humans turned into beasts, slaughtered at will; women were enslaved and abused to death.

Twenty million civilians were sent to the East Sea Realm, about to be offered as sacrifices.

The Central Continent Dynasty, with ten supreme divine clan strongmen, despised all, razed ten ancient cities, divided territories, and perched aloft.

Southern barbarian mutations, and in the western desert, demon soil expanded unchecked.

As he gradually comprehended each matter, a thread of murderous intent surfaced on Gu Jin Nian's unruffled face.

Until the end.

Gu Jin Nian opened his eyes.

These eyes.

were filled with cold.

When hatred and murderous intent reach their peak, they transform into this earth‑shattering cold.

"Ancient Five Clans."

"You all shall die."

A roar shook heaven and earth.

Bang bang bang! Within a thousand li, all the strong ones of the Sea Clan, Demon Clan, and Divine Clan instantly turned into blood mist, their bodies exploded, and their souls were directly sealed by Gu Jin Nian.

Boom.

Under a shaft of golden light, tens of thousands of souls were sealed—these were the souls of the ancient strong ones.

Fear.

Terror.

Within a thousand li, these strong ones never imagined that Gu Jin Nian had broken through to the Fifth Heaven.

They were merely Second Heaven strongmen; facing Gu Jin Nian's Fifth Heaven, they could not possibly contend.

Icy murderous intent.

pierced the whole universe.

Gu Jin Nian's roar, at this moment, resonated across the world.

This moment.

the world boiled.

"Gu the Saint has returned?"

"Our human saint has returned."

"Hahaha, our human saint has returned, our human saint has returned."

"Damned Sea Clan, you will wait for death."

"Human Clan invincible."

Voices rang out, exploding at this moment.

Da Xia Dynasty, Emperor Yongsheng gripped the Ancestor's Great Sword, his aura reaching its zenith at this moment.

"By the national fortune of Da Xia, I sacrifice the Ancestor's Great Sword; all Da Xia soldiers, follow me to slaughter the alien races."

At this moment.

Emperor Yongsheng was so excited his breath quickened; he had been waiting, waiting for Gu Jin Nian's emergence.

Now that Gu Jin Nian has emerged, he will also take revenge and erase his grievances.

Zhongzhou Dynasty.

The Great Emperor of Zhongzhou, Son of Heaven Sword in hand, gazed at Moon Mountain, his voice thundering.

"All Zhongzhou soldiers and the great royal houses, lead the massive army to capture Divine Mountain."

The voices of the two great emperors rang out.

Two imperial seals, at this moment, transformed into war drums.

Dong! Dong! Dong! The war drums sounded, shaking heaven and earth; the national fortune coalesced, empowering every soldier—this is the final trump card of the two great dynasties, the might of national destiny.

And public opinion, at this moment, gathered like a sea.

The far north.

Gu Jin Nian's figure vanished; the souls of numerous strong ones, trailing behind him, were tightly controlled by him, utterly unable to resist.

Boom.

Earth‑shattering might.

In an instant, the East Sea border was locked.

At this moment, Sea Clan strongmen turned pale.

"Kunpeng Realm."

"Impossible."

A trembling voice rose from deep within; even the Third Prince of the North Sea turned pale at this moment, hesitating barely before flying straight toward the East Sea to escape.

After all, who could have imagined that Gu Jin Nian, emerging from Taihao Fairyland, would reach the Fifth Heaven? This was something no one could have foreseen. — Another chapter before midnight! (Chapter end)