Chapter 277: Seven Seals United, Nine‑Tier Celestial Execution Tribulation, Life‑Death Decision, Ascension Tribulation Myth

Boom.

A terrifying sword‑cloud Heaven Tribulation falls.

It slashes toward the Silent Extinction Sword God.

In the eyes of Heaven and Earth, the Silent Extinction Sword God broke a promise, so a terrifying punishment was bestowed.

However, the Silent Extinction Sword God was too proud; faced with Heaven and Earth, he did not choose to compromise but fought against them.

He used his own sword intent to oppose the will of Heaven and Earth.

Such spirit shocked and impressed people, but upon calming slightly they realized it was meaningless, as Heaven and Earth were not affected at all.

Instead, he was covered in scars.

He stood atop the firmament, feeling the pain of ten thousand arrows piercing his heart, letting out a roar, howling to the heavens, both unwilling and defiant.

Boom! Endless flying swords pierced his spirit again, causing unprecedented pain.

People were silent, watching quietly; they admired the Silent Extinction Sword God, yet felt even more sorrow.

Even a being as powerful as the Silent Extinction Sword God is controlled by Heaven and Earth, with no chance of a counterstrike.

That is the part they find hard to accept.

Boom.

Heaven Tribulation bolts fell.

Striking the Silent Extinction Sword God, his Primordial Soul was already riddled with countless wounds; a strong one opened his heavenly eyes, gazing at him with sympathy.

"Why must Heaven and Earth bring about annihilation? Is the world truly so unbearable?"

A voice sounded.

Full of anger, insisting it should not be, why must it be destruction?

But Heaven and Earth gave no answer, nor needed to.

The Silent Extinction Sword God endured unspeakable suffering.

When the Heaven Tribulation had condensed to the seventh layer, the Silent Extinction Sword God could no longer bear it; his Primordial Soul was dissipating, and the sword shadows encircling the Sword Sea began to wane.

This was an ominous sign.

If the Silent Extinction Sword God fell, this Sword Sea could truly destroy Heaven and Earth, and no one could escape the calamity.

Within Tongtian Sword Mountain.

Gu Jin Nian's expression changed; he did not want the Silent Extinction Sword God to die in this tribulation, and he wanted to act, yet Senior Tie Bing was not wrong.

If he intervened, he could not help the Silent Extinction Sword God and might even hinder him.

He furrowed his brow.

For a moment, he truly did not know what to choose.

Regardless of purpose, the Silent Extinction Sword God must not die; if he perishes, under this spreading calamity, not to mention other things, at least half the world would be bathed in blood.

Thinking this, Gu Jin Nian inhaled deeply and stepped forward.

"Don't be reckless; it's of little meaning. If you advance, you'll only bring huge trouble upon yourself."

"I know your thought; you wish to use the world's fortune to aid the Silent Extinction Sword God."

"But it's of little significance, even meaningless."

"The Silent Extinction Sword God differs from the Ten Hall Kings; they have grand aspirations, while he is formed of obsession, so the era's world‑level Heavenly Dao cannot protect him."

"It has no meaning at all."

Senior Tie Bing spoke, warning Gu Jin Nian, fearing an impulsive move to help.

"That would be completely pointless."

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian did not hesitate; he guessed Senior Tie Bing would offer many reasons to stop him, yet Gu Jin Nian understood even if success was uncertain, he could not give up and must act.

But just as Gu Jin Nian was about to step forward, the Silent Extinction Sword God's voice slowly sounded.

"You need not aid me."

"I have my own way."

"Merge the Seven Great Seals to protect your path."

A calm voice rang out; it was the Silent Extinction Sword God's imposing aura. At that moment, he sensed Gu Jin Nian's will and thoughts, chose to refuse, yet still vowed to protect Gu Jin Nian's path.

"Senior."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, uncertain what to say; the Silent Extinction Sword God was not a villain, merely driven by his obsession, choosing to compromise with Heaven and Earth, reflecting the era.

Everyone has their own dark side; the Silent Extinction Sword God also has one, born of his obsession.

Now letting go of obsession, in Buddhist terms, it is like laying down the butcher's knife and attaining instant enlightenment.

"I have always refused to accept the title of Sword God."

"But today, I will take on this name."

"Do not worry about merging the seals; with me here, Heaven and Earth cannot fall into chaos."

The Silent Extinction Sword God spoke calmly.

Between his words, his entire aura underwent a massive shift.

Boom—boom—boom! Immortal sword qi surrounded him, golden sword qi flashing against the sky; the surrounding mountains and rivers for a hundred thousand li roared, every space trembled and resonated with this sword qi.

The sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, grass and trees all sensed his sword qi at that moment.

His overall strength surpassed before, many times stronger than when he first appeared.

People were shocked; some sword cultivators were dumbfounded, never expecting this to be the Silent Extinction Sword God's true power.

It was unbelievably terrifying.

It was thought that Heaven and Earth had weakened the Silent Extinction Sword God, as expected, but unexpectedly he possessed genuine depth.

The supreme of the Mythic Age.

Invincible of the Sword Dao.

Boom! The sky clouds part; just this sword qi alone steadies the Sword Sea instantly, terrifyingly awe‑inspiring.

This is the might of the Silent Extinction Sword God, and also his terror.

The entire world trembles, affected by him; the sun, moon, mountains and rivers seem to breathe.

A blazing golden sword aura behind him.

This is the Silent Extinction Sword God's ultimate strike.

"Dare to ask Heaven and Earth."

"Can you bear this sword?"

The Silent Extinction Sword God speaks; his white hair, though clearly waning, shines with an unusual brilliance and an unusual terror.

Clang.

Endless radiance blankets the entire heavens; the glare is blinding and unbelievable, covering all of heaven and earth, and the light of all things under his sword appears utterly dim.

Even Gu Jin Nian's brilliance at this moment pales before his.

People stare dumbfounded, and countless sword cultivators show unparalleled respect in their eyes.

These words.

So domineering.

"Dare to ask Heaven and Earth."

"Can you bear this sword?"

A mortal body contending with Heaven—that is the ultimate goal of a sword cultivator.

The supreme of the mythic age.

Indescribable in words, their Dao heart, their will, everything about them is extraordinarily astonishing.

Like a divine mountain.

Rising in the hearts of all.

Thud.

The calamity cloud that shrouds the world splits in two at this moment; all sword souls suffer a fatal blow—technique of the invincible.

A staggering technique from a mythic supreme.

Inconceivable.

Unmeasurable.

Also incomparable.

Within the Heaven-Connecting Sword Mountain, Gu Jin Nian appears slightly stunned; his spirit shaken, he finds the immortal utterly unbelievable.

Such power is no longer a cultivation realm but a spirit, an unprecedented spirit.

A world‑shaking force that transcends past and present.

The will of the Sword Dao permeates all things.

The sword clouds of the heavens are forcefully split; all sword souls are buried in his hand—this is his tyranny, the tyranny of the Silent Extinction Sword God.

The supreme of the mythic age.

Such dominance is unparalleled.

"Dare to ask Heaven and Earth."

"Can you bear this sword?"

Under the heavens, the Silent Extinction Sword God stands proudly among mortals, yet his qi and physique are wildly deteriorating.

This is visible to the naked eye.

There is no way.

His use of this move is already at the limit.

And at that moment.

The Sword Dao Seal floats above Gu Jin Nian's head.

He gathers the Sword Gate.

He paves a path for sword cultivators worldwide, gaining the Sword Dao Seal's approval; now he must merge this sword seal to fully solidify the seven great realms.

Boom boom boom.

Endless golden daggers pour down from the Sword Dao Seal like a waterfall, flooding Gu Jin Nian's mind.

At this moment, myriad sword techniques fill his mind.

Various insights.

They give Gu Jin Nian a new layer of understanding of the Sword Dao.

In the end, as Gu Jin Nian breathes, his aura begins to fluctuate, sword qi spreads, and the feeling of the invincible emerges.

Finally, when Gu Jin Nian opens his eyes.

An intensely blazing holy sword appears.

The Nine Great Divine Swords fully merge into Gu Jin Nian's body, empowering the Sword Dao Seal, and his entire aura undergoes a massive transformation.

He is metamorphosing.

His breath, together with the world, moves as one; when he breathes, the whole world breathes.

They rise and fall together.

Seven seals appear together, encircling Gu Jin Nian's head.

Boom boom boom! The entire world trembles; Gu Jin Nian is about to breakthrough—if the seven great seals fuse successfully, he will ascend to the eighth heaven.

Seven realms, nine heavens.

The Ninth Heaven is the supreme; as long as one obtains Heaven's Mandate, one can step into the Eighth Realm.

Through ancient and modern times.

Those who hold Heaven's Mandate are exceedingly rare; often in a single era, only one Heaven's Mandate bearer may appear.

Gu Jin Nian has been cultivating for just over three years, and now he must break through to the Eighth Heaven.

This speed is beyond belief.

At this moment, the great strongmen of all ten thousand races grew uneasy—whether sea races, divine races, or even the ancient human race—when they sensed Gu Jin Nian edging toward the Eighth Realm, they could no longer sit still. The Four Dragon Kings of the East Sea.

The Ancient Nine Kings, and other strongmen among the human race.

Their realms and strength are all at the pinnacle of the Eighth Heaven, with some even being Ninth Heaven strongmen.

Take the East Sea Dragon King, for example; no one knows his strength, and he could very well be a Ninth Heaven strongman, merely lacking Heaven's Mandate.

If Gu Jin Nian truly reaches the Eighth Heaven, he will be their equal, and more terrifying is that Gu Jin Nian now also carries the Great World Fortune.

If Gu Jin Nian is given enough time, he may indeed become a Heaven's Mandate Saint.

In that case, the purpose of their lying in wait for a generation would be meaningless.

Only that.

When the Seven Great Seals appear.

Abruptly, the calamity clouds above the firmament coalesce once more.

These calamity clouds had already dispersed.

Having been swept away by a single slash of the Sword God of Extinction, they were thought resolved, yet the calamity clouds reappeared.

Somewhat absurd.

They were all slain, yet they reappear now? What does this mean? Must one be utterly exterminated before release?

Boom Boom Boom.

Moreover, what's more terrifying is that this calamity cloud is far scarier than before.

Layer upon layer of thunder gathers above the firmament, like Eternal Night approaching, filling hearts with great dread.

"Why do the calamity clouds still appear?"

Someone speaks, full of curiosity.

"There were nine Heavenly Tribulations, just now eight, is this the final one?"

Others begin to speculate, believing this to be the final calamity cloud.

But soon, a voice from the ancient clans sounds, giving an answer.

"No."

"It's not like that; the previous calamity clouds have already dispersed. This calamity does not belong to the Sword God of Extinction, but to Gu Jin Nian's."

"Look for yourselves, what Gu Jin Nian is doing."

An ancient strongman speaks, and his words cause everyone to stare at Gu Jin Nian.

All the great strongmen turn their gazes.

Within Tongtian Sword Mountain.

Above Gu Jin Nian's head, seven seals float, as if embodying the order and law between heaven and earth; they intertwine, bursting into a different law.

It seems like the creation of heaven and earth, yet also like a reenactment of the universe, appearing extraordinarily wondrous.

"What is this doing?"

"Seeking Heaven's Mandate?"

"It looks too miraculous, doesn't it?"

Some voices rise, the world is baffled; they truly do not understand what is happening now. In their eyes, Gu Jin Nian can cause celestial anomalies by merely doing something.

Thus such anomalies do not seem strange to them.

Only this heavenly tribulation is overly terrifying, somewhat unlike the rest.

"Legend says that if the Seven Great Realms are jointly cultivated to the Seventh Realm, an incredible event will occur."

"The Seventh Realm represents seven different Dao between heaven and earth; Gu Jin Nian now undertakes a deed unprecedented before and after."

"For the present age, it is a good thing."

"But for some, it is not a good thing; the will of all eras, past and present, does not permit it."

"It even touches the ultimate secret of this world."

"Thus, his desire to unify the Seven Seals may be difficult and could cause major problems."

An ancient strongman speaks, revealing some hidden secrets; many frown, some remain puzzled.

Seven Seals Unity.

Will there be major problems? Boom—.

At that moment.

The heavenly tribulation above the firmament erupts with an earth-shattering thunderclap.

Looking up.

People stare in astonishment.

In the past, even the strongest heavenly tribulation was only a single layer.

Now, the thunder tribulations above the firmament stack, each surpassing the last, totaling nine thunder tribulations.

"How is this possible?"

"Where are such thunder tribulations? The Ninth Thunder Tribulation, each layer lethal."

"This hardly seems like a breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven; calling it the Great Heaven's Mandate Tribulation, I can believe it."

Some voices rise; no one dares to believe what they see, their eyes filled with astonishment and countless incredulities.

This moment.

Even the Ancient Five Tribes fell completely silent.

East Sea Dragon Palace.

Even the gaze of the Four Seas Dragon King was filled with shock, and the voice of the North Sea Dragon King could not help but sound.

"Ninefold Execution Immortal Tribulation."

"Such a Heaven Tribulation never appeared even in the Mythic Era; even if one were to slaughter all living beings of the Great World, one could not encounter such a calamity, could one?"

The North Sea Dragon King swallowed a mouthful of saliva; as a strong one of the Eightfold Heaven, also the North Sea Dragon King, king of the sea race, at this very moment, he could not help but feel shocked.

This is the terror of the Thunder Tribulation.

Looking closely.

This Thunder Tribulation: the first layer is composed of Sword Soul, the second layer is a human silhouette, the third layer is a palace formed by thunder, the fourth layer consists of ancient runes; the higher it goes, the scarier, and by the eighth layer, terrifying figures appear.

It resembles a Divine Residence.

High above.

Such a Heaven Tribulation has never appeared throughout history, not even in the Mythic Era, and no one has ever seen it.

Today, Gu Jin Nian triggered such a Thunder Tribulation; this is destined to be a great disaster.

Beyond Tongtian Sword Mountain.

The Ten Hall King, upon seeing this scene, could not help but speak immediately.

"Jin Nian, my junior brother."

"One can choose to give up; the Seven Seals Unity might bring unnecessary trouble. No one has ever accomplished it from ancient times to now; perhaps it's not that no one can do it, but that it is fundamentally impossible."

"If you stop now, this Heaven Tribulation will also dissipate."

Qin Guang Wang spoke, informing Gu Jin Nian of this matter, urging him not to act rashly; previously they believed that the Seven Seals Unity would cause unimaginable events and could also comprehend the secrets of this world.

But now it appears to be merely speculation.

It is very likely something that Heaven and Earth do not permit.

After all, no one has done this before, so many things are just their conjectures.

But given the current situation, not merging is the best.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince."

"Indeed, one need not force it."

"You have already obtained the Seven Great Seals, which can activate the effect of the Divine King Seal; the Seven Seals Unity is somewhat terrifying."

"At this moment, one must not take risks."

"Of course, if you wish, I will not hinder you."

At this moment, Su Huaiyu's voice rang out; he also recognized some issues, but he further supported Gu Jin Nian's own ideas.

Just make one's own analysis, and let Gu Jin Nian decide the rest.

"Jin Nian, do not act rashly; stay calm."

Su Wenjing's voice also sounded; he still worries about Gu Jin Nian and does not want him to take risks.

"One can choose to yield; this Heaven Tribulation is indeed terrifying, Jin Nian; some matters cannot be forced."

The Eternal Prosperity Great Emperor, the Central Continent Great Emperor, Gu Jin Nian's old master, and others all sent messages, hoping Gu Jin Nian would not take risks.

It's not that they distrust Gu Jin Nian.

Rather, this Heaven Tribulation is truly extraordinary, many times more astonishing than previous tribulations.

If one truly acts recklessly, the trouble and consequences would likely be unbearable for the world, including Gu Jin Nian himself.

Hearing these voices.

It is impossible not to be shaken.

Within Tongtian Sword Mountain.

Gu Jin Nian sensed that he had obtained the Seven Great Seals; he could completely withdraw, yet he felt that merging the Seven Great Seals into one would greatly aid him.

It could even quell this turmoil.

This intuition is very strong.

He glanced at the tribulation and understood in his heart that he might not survive this Heaven Tribulation.

Because it truly is astonishing.

He fell silent.

He hesitated, indecisive.

Only then, at this moment, the voice of the Silent Extinction Sword God slowly sounded.

"Do what you wish to do."

"There is nothing to worry about."

"A true sword cultivator never knows fear."

"If you are willing, I will protect your path."

The Silent Extinction Sword God spoke.

He knows Gu Jin Nian is in an extremely hesitant state, but he does not demand Gu Jin Nian to do anything.

Instead, he gives him confidence.

How to choose specifically.

It still depends on Gu Jin Nian.

Inside the Sword Mountain, hearing this.

Gu Jin Nian took a long, deep breath.

He knows that dragging out many things is pointless.

The future will bring countless changes.

Now.

A huge opportunity lies before him; if he succeeds, he can save a great deal of time.

If he fails.

He lets out this breath, unconcerned about failure.

Boom! With his resolve firm, the Seven Great Seals also collide wildly together at this moment.

This produces tremendous friction.

(End of chapter)