Chapter 287: Five Tribes' Secret Plot, Gu Jin Nian Becomes the Heaven's Mandate Saint, the River of Time, Killing Intent Lurks Everyw

Stop war.

A majestic voice sounded, transmitting throughout the great era.

This voice came from the ancient human race.

The speed of declaring war was fast.

Likewise, the speed of ceasing war was also fast.

The great era grew calm, yet many understood in their hearts that this struggle would absolutely not end so easily; the ancient races and the present-day human race would inevitably have another battle, and this battle might very well begin when the Ten Thousand Races Assembly opens.

The Ten Thousand Races Assembly, on the surface, appears to be a peace conference.

But in reality, the five tribes are not resigned to peace, so the outcome can only be one of two.

First, Gu Jin Nian suppresses the myriad races, forcing all tribes to calm down and sign a treaty under duress, guaranteeing peace under heaven.

Second, Gu Jin Nian fails to suppress the myriad races, demanding excessively, likely leading to bloodshed and an early declaration of war.

In short, three months later, whether it is war or peace, there will be an outcome.

But fortunately, for now it remains tranquil, and the world is at peace.

Thus.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.

I thought Gu Jin Nian had disappeared and would immediately go to the Qilin Pavilion or the Da Xia Dynasty, but I found that Gu Jin Nian never appeared.

Over these seven days, the great era has indeed become much calmer; both the ancient clans and the present-day human race are very at peace.

The biggest matter is merely that the Sever Heaven Sect changed its sect leader.

It is said that he is a disciple of the Upper Dwelling Saint, cultivating the Buddhist path, with a mysterious origin; upon taking over the Sever Heaven Sect, he took away Jian Jiutian and others, and no one knows where they went.

However, there are also some rumors circulating.

Someone saw the Ancient Human King return from the Divine Clan; it is clear the ancient human race has begun to move, wishing to persuade the five tribes to act together and pressure Gu Jin Nian at the Ten Thousand Races Assembly.

Someone also saw a Human King head to the sea.

What exactly this is, no one knows, but it is certainly related to the Ten Thousand Races Assembly.

And at this moment.

The ancient human race, within the Divine Mountain.

Inside a majestic hall.

Several figures appeared one after another.

The eight human kings sat upon their thrones, while below them five supreme human experts sat cross-legged.

The East Sea Dragon Kings, the two great elders of the Divine Clan, the supreme of the Demon Clan, and the Monster God Jieran all appeared here.

They were invited and came in person to the Human Clan Palace; it is their true selves, not mere avatars, showing how dreadful today's conspiracy is.

"Ten Thousand Races Assembly, how do you all plan?"

As everyone gathered, the God-Slaying King's voice sounded, asking the leaders of the other four tribes, breaking the silence.

"We are the ancient strong tribes; Gu Jin Nian, a present-day person, actually dares to set up a Ten Thousand Races Assembly—truly laughable."

"If we agree to this Ten Thousand Races Assembly, would we not become a laughingstock?"

The Demon Clan Supreme's voice sounded, showing great discontent.

Such a reaction is quite normal, after all Gu Jin Nian first targeted the Demon Clan, so they naturally bear a grudge against him.

But after the Demon Clan Supreme expressed his stance, the other tribes appeared very calm; the two dragon kings remained silent, and the Monster and Divine Clans also said nothing, making the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

The kings watched them, knowing clearly what these people were thinking.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

"Now Gu Jin Nian is a powerhouse of the great era, giving confidence to the present-day human race; this is the true terror."

"He has now reached the Nine Heavens and also possesses the great era's fortune; it is very likely he will hold the future Heaven's Mandate."

"I would like to ask you all, if Gu Jin Nian becomes a saint, what will you do? Will you submit, or will you proclaim yourselves?"

The Upper Dwelling Saint's voice sounded, directly asking everyone's opinion on the future.

But as soon as this was said, the Monster God's voice involuntarily sounded.

"We have been slaughtering each other since ancient times, yet no one has ever held the Heaven's Mandate; why is the Upper Dwelling Saint so certain that Gu Jin Nian can become a saint?"

"This might be somewhat exaggerating Gu Jin Nian, wouldn't you say?"

"Of course, I also know that this Ten Thousand Races Assembly is meant to humiliate our ancient clans; the Monster Clan will not participate."

The Monster God spoke, he does not believe Gu Jin Nian can hold the Heaven's Mandate; although it seems likely, in reality, how many people from ancient to modern times have ever been glorious?

Among the five tribes, who has not produced a stunning, world-shaking talent? Yet how many have truly held the Heaven's Mandate?

The clearer it becomes, the more one knows how difficult it is to obtain recognition of the Heaven's Mandate.

Of course, the Ten Thousand Races Assembly convened by Gu Jin Nian is viewed unanimously by the five tribes.

Humiliation.

"The great era's fortune bestowed upon one person naturally makes them extraordinary; look closely, in this era Gu Jin Nian stands out alone, which proves much, but it does not mean he can hold the Heaven's Mandate."

"It is not to say there is no need to worry, but rather that excessive worry is unnecessary."

At this moment, the South Sea Dragon King's voice sounded, his meaning being the same.

One can choose not to attend the Ten Thousand Races Assembly, but to insist that Gu Jin Nian poses a great threat to them, they do not accept.

"My Divine Clan's Divine Son has not yet been born, so there is no need to worry."

The Divine Clan Great Elder's voice sounded, even more direct than the previous two, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the Divine Son.

Upon hearing these words, the Upper Dwelling Saint fell somewhat silent.

How could he not know what these people think? Simply put, they feel the current conflict is between the ancient human race and the present-day human race; they would rather sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, for whether the present-day human race loses or the ancient human race loses, it is good for them.

Doing nothing would mean one less great enemy; who would not wish to sit back and reap the benefits?

The Upper Dwelling Saint truly didn't know what to say, or rather, he didn't know whether to adopt a colder attitude.

But just then, a grand voice sounded.

It was Xuanyuan King's voice.

"Do you all really think this time is a struggle between the present human clan and the ancient human clan?"

"You're thinking too optimistically, aren't you?"

Xuanyuan King's voice rang out; he also clearly knew the attitudes of the sea clan, monster clan, and divine clan, so at this point he did not choose to waste time with the other side—if he let the Upper Dwelling Saint speak tactfully, the eventual outcome would be to separate on bad terms.

That was not what he wanted to see.

"I have no such thought; please, Xuanyuan King, don't overthink."

The Divine Clan Great Elder spoke; the strongest human king, they still felt reverence for him—he was a powerhouse of the Ninefold Heaven Peak and the embodiment of the ancient human clan's strongest will; offending him was not a good thing.

"Xuanyuan King, don't overthink."

The sea clan and monster clan also spoke up.

"This is not a threat from this king."

"Think carefully: if the present human clan and ancient human clan truly went to war, would Gu Jin Nian spare you? Would we spare you?"

"Whether it's a unilateral or full-scale war, to us the meaning is the same; indeed, Gu Jin Nian might even welcome a full-scale war."

"Once fighting begins, there will be no winners; it will certainly be a preemptive settlement."

"This point doesn't need this king to remind you, does it?"

Xuanyuan King spoke; his words were telling these people that wanting to reap the benefits without effort was out of the question—undoubtedly a daydream.

Afterward, Xuanyuan King stood up, gazed at the crowd, and then spoke slowly.

"I believe that, regarding full-scale war, you are not afraid; in ancient times we have indeed crossed blades before, and this conflict will surely come—everyone knows it deep down."

"But this time I invited you here for another matter."

"Gu Jin Nian indeed shows signs of mastering Heaven's Mandate."

"Look back at what has happened; never mind Gu Jin Nian's early conduct—those don't count. What he has done, at our level, his actions are not much worse than ours."

"But since we came into existence, problems have only begun to arise; haven't you noticed anything at all?"

"The Netherworld, Heaven-Reaching Sword Mountain—none of these are unsolvable predicaments, yet Gu Jin Nian not only resolved them but also gained many benefits."

"This is no longer simply the Great World's assistance; it is very likely that many Heaven's Mandates from past and present acknowledge Gu Jin Nian."

"Could it be that we are simply ignoring these?"

Xuanyuan King asked the crowd.

Upon these words, the hall became especially quiet; the South Sea Dragon King and North Sea Dragon King exchanged a glance, the two Divine Clan Great Elders appeared calm, while the Monster God's eyes held some heaviness.

What Xuanyuan King said was correct.

In fact, how could they not know that Gu Jin Nian is currently in the limelight; regardless of whether he can master Heaven's Mandate, to them such a person should not exist in this world.

Even if there is only a ten percent chance that Gu Jin Nian could master Heaven's Mandate, he should not be allowed to live.

However, they would prefer that, in this move against Gu Jin Nian, they contribute less force, letting the ancient human clan provide the main strength; if something truly goes wrong, they can withdraw, and if nothing happens, it still counts as eliminating a great enemy.

That is their thinking.

"Then, according to the king's intention, what should be done?"

Finally, the Divine Clan Great Elder spoke, asking the other side,

"Ten Thousand Clan Assembly, kill the saint."

Xuanyuan King's voice rang out, simple and direct: kill Gu Jin Nian.

At that moment, the great hall fell completely silent.

They knew the Eight Kings would certainly not let Gu Jin Nian off, but they didn't expect it to be so direct.

"The divine clan will help, but not too directly; Gu Jin Nian bears the mark our divine clan needs."

"Furthermore, the divine clan does not fear Gu Jin Nian."

"On the contrary, he possesses the Great World's fortune; if we truly were to kill him, it would affect our divine clan's fortune—please, your majesty, understand."

The Divine Clan Great Elder was quite direct; suppressing Gu Jin Nian a little would be acceptable to them—it's just a game.

"But if we directly kill the saint, let alone whether Gu Jin Nian has other means, even if not, slaying a saint who also possesses the Great World's fortune is not a good thing."

The ancient human clan is now in a passive position; not acting would lose face, and they are not stuck in a stalemate, so they naturally would not agree. But before the sea clan and monster clan could speak, the Upper Dwelling Saint's voice sounded.

"Since you won't act,"

"then the divine clan can just wait to be destroyed."

"More accurately, all clans can just wait to die."

"Do you believe it or not? Within three years, Gu Jin Nian will surely master Heaven's Mandate."

The Upper Dwelling Saint spoke; after saying this, he himself also appeared somewhat heavy-hearted.

Yet these words made everyone feel alarmed.

Even the kings were somewhat moved; they had only guessed that Gu Jin Nian might master Heaven's Mandate, but that was merely a possibility.

But no one expected the Upper Dwelling Saint to say such a thing; the kings hadn't thought of it either.

"Why use this to threaten us regarding the strife among humans?"

However, the North Sea Dragon King's voice sounded; he also harbored enmity toward Gu Jin Nian, and upon hearing this, his instinctive reaction was still disbelief.

He thought the Upper Dwelling Saint was threatening them.

"Alas."

The Upper Dwelling Saint sighed, then gave a wry smile.

"Do you all think I'm threatening people?"

"I can swear on a saint's heart oath that if my earlier words were not from my true heart, I will destroy my saint's path."

The Upper Sage spoke, and a single sentence made everyone turn pale.

If previously the Upper Sage had existed only to frighten them and thus exaggerate the facts, but now the Upper Sage dares to make such a statement, they have no choice but to take it seriously.

"Why?"

The South Sea Dragon King looked at the Upper Sage, said nothing else, and simply asked that question.

Why? "The great era's fortune, being a Confucian‑Daoist saint, has received Heaven and Earth's blessings, and thus inherently possesses great qualification."

"At present, what Gu Jin Nian needs is enlightenment; he has already reached the Ninth Heaven Realm, and in a sense, whether a minor summit or a great summit, he already has the qualification to wield Heaven's Mandate."

"In this Grand Assembly of All Races, Gu Jin Nian simply wishes to stall; he needs some time to settle down quietly."

"If he can carefully settle, truly let himself settle, and comprehend many truths, he only needs to do one thing, and he can almost obtain Heaven's Mandate."

The Upper Sage spoke, voicing his speculation and thoughts.

"What thing?"

The Great Elder of the Divine Clan could not help but ask.

"Step into the Time River."

"By comprehending the myriad truths of past and present and accomplishing such a feat, he can step into the Eighth Realm and become the fifth‑generation Heaven's Mandate Saint."

The Upper Sage explained the reason.

Time River.

"That's impossible."

"Given his current state, stepping into the Time River would inevitably lead to death; he would dissolve into the Dao and merge with the ages."

At this moment, the Great Elder of the Divine Clan's voice rang out; he was blunt, deeming it impossible.

"Time River? Is it really that simple? Not to mention Gu Jin Nian, how many of us would dare step into the Time River? Upper Sage, you must think Gu Jin Nian too highly."

Even the South Sea Dragon King could no longer hold back and spoke up.

Upon hearing that one must step into the Time River to wield Heaven's Mandate, everyone inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

The Time River is the most mysterious thing; it contains the will of Heaven and Earth, and stepping into it would make one experience countless lifetimes.

One would sink within others' enlightenment, develop huge doubts about one's own Dao, easily stray onto the wrong path, and ultimately see through everything, lose fighting spirit, and feel no desire to contend.

Throughout history, there have indeed been people who entered the Time River and emerged safely.

But such people are exceedingly rare, and there are no concrete records; it may be mere speculation—perhaps there were one or two at most from antiquity to the present.

Those one or two individuals endured countless hardships, their hearts as solid as iron.

To put it bluntly, can Gu Jin Nian even compare to such beings?

"If I can safely withdraw from the Time River, I, too, can become the Lord of Heaven's Mandate," the king declared.

The Xuanyuan King's voice rang out; he was not contradicting for its own sake but describing the terror of the Time River.

Deep down, he also did not acknowledge that he could become the Lord of Heaven's Mandate.

"Different."

"Gu Jin Nian is a saint of this age, recognized by Heaven and Earth; most importantly, he has achieved the Three Immortals, which can become three Daoic seals of a saint, granting him three chances within the Time River."

"If we were to step into the Time River, a single sinking would mean endless ruin, whereas if Gu Jin Nian sinks, he has three chances to preserve his life, which will awaken his will."

"Let me ask, are those three chances enough for Gu Jin Nian to emerge safely?"

The Upper Sage asked the assembly.

None of those present were foolish; they knew the terror of the Time River, yet also understood what those three chances implied.

Indeed, there is a great possibility that, upon exiting the Time River and comprehending the true essence of all beings, combined with the Confucian‑Daoist realm, Heaven's favor will be unique, making wielding Heaven's Mandate not difficult at all.

"Then what should we do?"

At this moment, a Divine Clan strongman could no longer hold back and spoke, no longer the arrogant tone of before.

"Execute the saint."

"During the Grand Assembly of All Races."

"Spare no cost to slay Gu Jin Nian."

"Regardless of whether Gu Jin Nian can enter the Eighth Realm, he already poses a threat to our ancient races."

"If you all do not exert your full strength, what can be guaranteed is that Gu Jin Nian will find a way to suppress us; he has already reached the Ninth Heaven, is protected by the great era, and the Human Tribe alone may not be able to slay him."

"But if we give him enough time, and he truly enters the Eighth Realm to obtain Heaven's Mandate, even if you make no effort, you will have offended him."

"Then, no one will escape this reckoning."

"A reckoning from the Heaven's Mandate Saint—who can withstand it?"

The Upper Sage answered seriously.

"Only by exhausting all effort to slay him is the sole solution."

"You mean, employ holy artifacts?"

The South Sea Dragon King spoke, slightly frowning.

"It's not just about using holy artifacts."

"All four Dragon Kings must act, setting up the Ten‑Thousand‑Dragon Killing Formation."

"The Divine Clan must also deploy the Myriad‑Calamity Divine Array."

"The Demon Tribe, the Devil Tribe, and even our Human Tribe must all employ the strongest formation."

"Combined with holy artifacts, give Gu Jin Nian no chance at all."

"This time, a contest of supremacy and life or death; if there is any concealment, or at a critical moment, we must withdraw."

"Then just wait to be slowly reckoned by Gu Jin Nian."

The Upper Sage was extremely ruthless; he not only demanded the five races act together, but also to employ the strongest means, giving no chance at all.

"Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"

The Monster Tribe's Monster God spoke up, feeling that the Upper Residence Sage was somewhat too exaggerated.

"There is no margin for error."

"Only this one chance."

"If Gu Jin Nian becomes a Heaven's Mandate Sage, you will all regret not having given your all earlier."

The Upper Residence Sage argued.

Such words are indeed correct.

For a moment, the representatives of the four tribes glanced at each other and finally gave a response.

"Good."

"Myriad Tribes Assembly, execute the sage."

They agreed in will and accepted.

This situation, they are not foolish; they know how to choose.

But just then, a voice sounded, icy cold.

"Hope all tribes can fulfill their promises."

"If at the Myriad Tribes Assembly any tribe changes its mind temporarily, I would rather not contend for Heaven's Mandate than not annihilate that tribe."

The Xuanyuan King's voice sounded.

At the last moment, he also counted as warning them, lest at the critical moment someone changes sides and betrays.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

The leaders of the four tribes replied in unison, their expressions calm.

It is obvious that this time the five tribes truly revealed their killing intent.

And at the same time.

Outside an ancient city.

Gu Jin Nian's figure appeared near a farmland.

______Recommends a book, 《Great Ming: My Father Is the Ninth-Ranked Prince》

Recommends a book.

Great Ming: My Father Is the Ninth-Ranked Prince, everyone can take a look!

(End of chapter)

Now produce glossary list.

We need to output