Chapter 296: Irrepressible, Summon the Four Saints, Confront Heaven and Earth, Eradicate the Ten Thousand Tribes

A calm voice sounded.

In the main hall.

In an instant, many eyes turned, and the Great Emperor Yongsheng and others showed delight; it was Gu Jin Nian's voice. At the crucial moment, Gu Jin Nian truly did not disappoint, always arriving in time.

For the others, Gu Jin Nian's arrival added a fair amount of pressure.

The strong of the Five Tribes exchanged a glance; regarding Gu Jin Nian's arrival, they had some expectations and had prepared everything, just waiting for Gu Jin Nian to step forward.

Today is far more than just a Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Tribes.

More importantly, they intend to execute Gu Jin Nian.

They have made all preparations, be it formations or each tribe's sacred artifacts.

Thus, Gu Jin Nian's arrival actually pleases them.

They only fear that Gu Jin Nian might not appear.

"The bearing of an ancient overlord—today I, Gu, truly get to appreciate it; indeed, it is extraordinary."

Outside the main hall.

Although Gu Jin Nian's figure is obscured by the Eight Kings, his powerful aura brings reassurance.

Whenever he appears, everyone falls silent, as if no matter the threat or circumstance, his presence eliminates any fear.

Upon hearing Gu Jin Nian's voice, the North Sea Dragon King reined in his earlier arrogance, though he did not become overly humble; after all, Gu Jin Nian is a peer, and he cannot treat him as he would the Great Emperor Yongsheng and others.

"Whether he is a ruler or not is irrelevant. We have come to this assembly, waited long, and finally Gu Saint graces us. Who the true overlord is need not be further explained by this king."

The North Sea Dragon King said calmly.

"In my pursuit of the Dao, I delayed the appointed time; that is indeed my fault, and I ask you all to forgive me."

"However, the delay was minor; you are all world‑class elites, so you should not fuss over it. If you do, it would truly make Gu look down upon you."

Gu Jin Nian seemed casual; delaying the time was wrong, an apology is fine, and one can correct the mistake.

But the Five Tribes came this time clearly not for negotiations; they simply came to cause trouble.

As soon as he spoke, the North Sea Dragon King tried to say something, but the Sage of Shangju cut him off directly.

"Enough."

"It's only a slight delay; that's nothing. You are all reputable figures, and there's no need to waste time on such matters."

"May I ask Gu Saint, what is your view on this territorial division?"

The Sage of Shangju went straight to the core, unwilling to waste time on peripheral issues, and directly asked about the division.

"I have."

"The Five Tribes are now history; this era should be governed by the present Human Race, but since the Five Tribes are our predecessors, the Far North and the Western Desert are the only lands they may be sent to."

"Of course, Mr. Wenjing may not have explained clearly; the reason for sending the Five Tribes to the Far North and the Western Desert boils down to two points. The Far North is a bitterly cold region; if the present Human Race went there, casualties would be massive."

"Moreover, the Five Tribes are all strong; in this great world, territories are not divided by region, so it's pointless to claim the Central Continent is good or bad."

"Second, the present Human Race outnumbers the Five Tribes by a hundredfold. Compared to that, the Five Tribes' population is less than one hundredth of the humans'. Granting them two lands is already the greatest respect; Gu does not understand why you are dissatisfied."

Gu Jin Nian spoke up, stating that this division was actually agreed upon by them, not a marginalization. Of course there is some favoritism, but it is reasonable.

After all, although the present Human Race has benefited from the heavens and earth, they are still ordinary people; most would essentially be waiting for death if sent to the Far North.

Under such circumstances, it is impossible to relinquish the Central Continent, the Southern Barbarians, or the Eastern Wilderness.

But as Gu Jin Nian finished speaking,

the latter's voice rose involuntarily.

"So, according to your meaning, the weak should be protected?"

"The strong should look after the weak?"

This time, the speaker was not the North Sea Dragon King but a prince of the Sea Clan, his gaze arrogant and wildly overbearing.

"This has nothing to do with strength or weakness; the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Tribes distinguishes no hierarchy, nor any notion of nobility."

Gu Jin Nian said gently.

"It has nothing to do with strength? If it doesn't, then why do you fear our ancient clan?"

Among the Demon Tribe, a strong one spoke, still appearing lofty.

Their demeanor and arrogance are innate, an unerasable trait; wherever they are, they remain supreme.

Boom—

In almost an instant, a terrifyingly supreme aura spread, the Sage's aura like a divine mountain crashing down; the two who just spoke instantly contorted, their bones cracking with a 'crack—', about to shatter piece by piece.

Their faces twisted grotesquely, eyes leaking fear and despair, more painful than suffocation.

"Gu Saint, what do you mean?"

"To strike first at the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Tribes?"

In an instant, figures rose, gazing at Gu Jin Nian with cold eyes.

"As you say, must the strong look after the weak?"

"Then may I simply execute you all?"

"By your own logic."

"I have done nothing wrong."

"Why do you react so strongly?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, questioning the crowd.

As soon as he said that, the younger members of the Five Tribes fell silent, not expecting Gu Jin Nian's sharp tactics, using their words to attack their own actions.

That truly is a clever method.

"No, no."

"Gu Saint, this is fallacious reasoning."

"You and I are saints, understanding the way of peace and knowing what the Great Assembly of the Ten Thousand Clans represents; the younger ones are ignorant because they lack insight. You have insight and have completed the heart seal, yet you fight them and have become inferior."

The Upper Saint spoke; faced with Gu Jin Nian's methods, he cared not at all, but instead lectured Gu Jin Nian.

"Isn't lacking insight a fault?"

"You claim to be from the ancient era, looking down on the present age, yet you do not realize that the ancient moon was seen by ancient people, the present moon is seen by people today; everything you have seen and experienced is still being lived by later generations. On what right do you place yourselves above?"

"Is it merely because of the length of time?"

"If we give the present people enough time and the same environment, would they be inferior to you?"

Gu Jin Nian voiced his thoughts; he truly did not understand where this ancient group's arrogance came from. If you say the present has no strong ones, he could tolerate that, but now the present has him—still not enough? How many saints emerged from the era they despise? And now one like himself appears—on what basis do they still look down? He faced the accusations.

The so‑called Crown Prince, the Demon Clan Junior Commander and others fell completely silent—not because they had nothing to say, but because a person of Gu Jin Nian's level cannot be confronted forcefully, lest the outcome be disastrous.

"Fine then."

"The emotions are endless, the arguments never cease; Gu Jin Nian, you always like to counter in this way—what's the point?"

"I won't waste more words with you; this world is inherently ours, the Five Clans'. If you concede, you must concede; otherwise you must concede. Stop here talking about how the Human Clan should be…"

"This has nothing to do with us."

"The Northern Land, given to your Human Clan; the only concession we can make is to help you expand territory there, at least sparing some of your people. This is our final bottom line."

"As for other matters, they are not much our concern. Gu Jin Nian, the Great Assembly promotes peace—we acknowledge that, but peace does not mean unfairness is allowed."

At that moment, the voice of the Demon Clan Supreme rang out; he did not wish to ramble, and stated directly the Five Clans' viewpoint.

"Peace does not mean unfairness is permissible."

The East Sea Dragon King's voice followed, agreeing with this view.

"The Divine Clan likewise acknowledges this."

"The Northern Land, given to the present Human Clan, is the best choice and the most amicable option for both sides."

The Divine Grand Elder also spoke, expressing his thoughts.

"Saint Gu, you should understand better than anyone what this Great Assembly truly signifies. The Ancient Human Clan was suppressed by you for other reasons; no matter how fierce your conflicts, they are merely matters of your Human Clan."

"Yet establishing the Great Assembly involves the Five Clans; you indeed have the power to clash with the Ancient Human Clan to mutual ruin, even possibly spark a world war, but I can assure that anyone could be a victor— the present Human Clan will certainly not be one."

The Demon God's voice followed, adding pressure.

"Also, don't threaten us with talk of mutual destruction; the Five Clans are not afraid. You may as well trouble my Demon Tribe directly— I can guarantee the first to die will be you."

If earlier it still carried a hint of threat, now it is a direct showdown.

Tear the face apart.

It even gives the impression that even if Gu Jin Nian concedes now, the other side will not simply be satisfied.

Facing the Five Clans' statements, Gu Jin Nian's gaze fell upon the Upper Saint.

"Does the Human Clan mean the same?"

Gu Jin Nian looked at the Upper Saint; among the Five Clans, only the Ancient Human Clan had not spoken, so he asked directly to avoid a mistaken killing later.

"Naturally so."

"However, as fellow Humans, willing to lend the Wind Pearl to the Human Clan, setting the Northern Cold Wind, it is also a mercy toward our shared origin."

The Upper Saint spoke, more conciliatory than the other four clans, yet his stance was clear.

"Then if today I, Gu, say I won't agree?"

"What do you all intend to do?"

Receiving the expected reply, Gu Jin Nian inhaled deeply; his gaze instantly turned icy as he looked at the Five Clans' strongmen.

"This matter is no longer up to your dissent."

"Today you call it the Great Assembly, but in fact it is the day the Ten Thousand Clans are born."

"Gu Jin Nian, you are overly confident; though you are among the strongest in this world, the fastest to reach the Ninth Heaven, before the Five Clans you remain an unripe prodigy."

"Accept defeat; before the Ten Thousand Clans you have no right to bargain with us."

The Upper Saint spoke again; his tone was calm, but behind that calm lay another signal.

"Then let's see what methods the Ten Thousand Clans truly have."

Gu Jin Nian stood inside the great hall, his expression unafraid; he could hear the threat, yet he was fully prepared.

Seeing Gu Jin Nian's posture, the Five Clans' strongmen were naturally not foolish; they knew Gu Jin Nian must have hidden cards. Otherwise, why would the Five Clans adopt such an attitude while Gu Jin Nian remained unflustered? If he lacked confidence, who would believe? Regardless of whatever confidence Gu Jin Nian possesses, the Five Clans simply did not believe he could, by himself, oppose them.

Unless Gu Jin Nian becomes a Heaven's Mandate Saint.

"The Ancient Human Clan is willing to negotiate, but they never imagined Saint Gu doesn't care at all; thus we must resolve it using ancient methods."

"Revival."

The Upper Saint's first half seemed gentle, but at the end his expression suddenly changed.

Boom—boom—boom—boom—boom! In an instant, five terrifying pillars of light erupted from the East Sea Dragon King, the Divine Grand Elder, the Upper Saint, the Demon God, and the Demon Path Supreme; these are five seals that can awaken the sacred artifacts within their clans.

"Punish."

At the same moment, Xuanyuan King's voice exploded, without any hesitation, as if fully prepared.

The Eight Kings acted together.

The Four Sea Dragon Kings also struck at the crucial moment.

The Demon Clan Supreme, the Ten Great Demon Gods, and the two Divine Grand Elders.

This is a world‑shattering force; the Five Clans' Supremes acting together can annihilate everything of the present.

Thud.

Yet at the crucial moment, a small tower appeared above Gu Jin Nian's head—a Ninth Divine Tower, imbued with boundless creation, bearing the Seven Great Seals, the Divine King Seal, and the support of Heaven and Earth.

The Ninth Divine Tower had already transformed into an ultimate divine artifact.

Facing such assault, Gu Jin Nian did not hesitate to unleash the Ninth Divine Tower, blocking the enemy's attacks.

Bang—bang—bang.

Nine thousand nine hundred ninety‑nine formation phantoms appeared atop the Nine‑Layer Divine Tower; these are the formations Gu Jin Nian has engraved during this period, and he knows the Myriad Tribes Assembly will inevitably involve a fierce clash, and the Five Tribes will inevitably unite to assassinate him.

So he prepared.

However, Gu Jin Nian knows that with these nine thousand nine hundred ninety‑nine formations plus the Nine‑Layer Divine Tower, he cannot possibly block the assaults of the various strong ones.

Above the Divine Tower, the formations cracked one by one, collapsing in ruin, and the tower emitted a trembling sound as if it might shatter at any moment.

It was terrifying.

But thinking it over, if all the strongest of the Five Tribes strike together, anyone else would surely die here on the spot.

"You are truly despicable, having already plotted to assassinate Jin Nian?"

Su Wenjing roared in anger, rebuking the Myriad Tribes' strong ones.

"Is this the Myriad Tribes? How shameless."

Great Emperor Yongsheng could not help but curse.

But that was meaningless; the Five Tribes' intervention was inevitable, yet they did not expect such direct decisiveness, with everyone striking together—far too direct, truly murderous intent.

Bang bang bang.

The formations shattered one after another, seemingly countless, but under these circumstances they could not endure more than ten breaths.

Gu Jin Nian stood beneath the Divine Tower.

He waited, awaiting the most critical moment.

"Do not delay time."

"He is gambling with our fortune; we cannot slay him in an instant, for the cosmic fortune would tilt entirely toward him, which would be extremely detrimental to us."

"By exterminating Gu Jin Nian and sharing the Great World Fortune, we would still be the masters of Heaven and Earth."

At this moment, the Supreme Sage of the Upper Realm seemed to sense something—Gu Jin Nian was indeed gambling with their fortune.

All fifty Daoist wills sensed this place; Gu Jin Nian, knowing the Five Tribes would strike, chose not to flee but to wait here.

This is indeed gambling with fortune.

With a single person's strength opposing the Myriad Tribes, if he truly held on, it would inevitably create a certain impact.

Thus the Supreme Sage of the Upper Realm realized this and urged everyone to act quickly, without hesitation.

Dong.

Dong.

Dong.

At this instant, the Five Tribes' sacred artifacts also exerted terrifying pressure; the void shattered, the heavens and earth darkened instantly as if twisted, looking especially horrifying.

Five beams of light enveloped heaven and earth—these are the Five Tribes' sacred artifacts, possessing incomprehensibly incredible power.

Their methods were astonishingly shocking, undeniably bearing lethal intent.

The Great World trembled.

The Myriad Tribes were terrified.

Countless gazes turned toward them; most people did not know what had happened, yet they understood that this Myriad Tribes Assembly would determine the future direction of the Great World.

Seeing the current situation, many realized that the Myriad Tribes Assembly was highly likely to collapse.

Sea Tribe.

Divine Tribe.

Monster Tribe.

Human Tribe.

Demon Tribe.

Within the divine mountains of the Five Tribes, countless strong ones gathered around the tribe's sacred artifacts; the Five Tribes' sacred artifacts possess incomprehensible power, and to fully awaken this power, all the tribe's strong ones must congregate to revive it.

The strongest individuals themselves ascend here, and by harnessing the sacred artifacts' power, they can unleash terrifying, world‑shaking force, not weaker than the Eighth Realm.

Perhaps even the power of the Eighth Realm is no more than this.

Boom boom boom.

As divine light seeped into the Great Hall, an aura of annihilation emerged, and heaven, earth, and all things seemed to stand still.

No light is needed, nor any setting.

Everything shattered until it reached Gu Jin Nian, ignoring the Nine‑Layer Divine Tower and coming straight forward; this is the ultimate annihilation, the Five Tribes' supreme killing move.

It is almost a convergence of the Five Tribes' power, the five great sacred artifacts, plus the combined might of countless strongest ones.

Honestly, this is a glory; to them it is a lofty honor.

Ordinary people could never enjoy such treatment.

Being exterminated by the united Five Tribes is indeed a glory.

The Supreme Sage of the Upper Realm, the eight Human Tribe kings, the four Sea Dragon Kings, the ten great Monster Gods, and the Demon Tribe supreme each fixed their gaze; this is a deadlock, a deadlock within a deadlock, impossible for anyone to break, even if the Dao were to arrive.

But at this moment.

Gu Jin Nian also held his breath.

The critical moment had arrived.

The Great Reckoning arrived.

"I am Gu Jin Nian."

"May I wield the Great World Fortune."

"Summon the Human Tribe saints to appear."

"Exterminate the Myriad Tribes."

A majestic voice rang out.

The Great World Fortune within Gu Jin Nian instantly formed a seal, breaking the deadlock, Holy Punishment's Light Shooting Upwards.

Summon the saints?

In an instant, the Saint above furrowed his eyebrows, and his expression changed in a flash.

He had calculated countless possibilities, yet did not expect Gu Jin Nian to use this move.

It was completely outside his scope of consideration.

Gu Jin Nian intends to summon the saints.

That is an impossible thing.

Only, it didn't even wait for him to speak.

Dong.

Dong.

Dong.

Dong.

An ancient bell rang.

Shattering all delusion.

Between heaven and earth, golden auspicious clouds covered the sky and earth, piercing all darkness.

Petals fell from the sky one by one.

Four beams of golden light rose from the firmament, piercing the earth.

The chanting of sutras resonated throughout the world.

Four figures also emerged along with them.

The silhouettes of the four Heaven's Mandate saints appeared at this moment. — saying a few things.

First, the fever is gone, but still yang; the temperature rose to about 37.4, 38.4, 39.4, with a peak of 39.7, yet fortunately there was no body ache nor sore throat, the fever lasted three days, I took ibuprofen for three days, received two antipyretic shots, slept yesterday, felt better today, so I posted an update.

Second, the novel will be finished by the end of the month; these past few days of fever made me think a lot. The long work failed again. If I have to say something, it's only a little better than the previous book; at least the previous book collapsed at 1.8 million words, and this one collapsed at 2.4 million words.

Third, I sincerely apologize to all the readers, dear lords. My eagerness to write a long novel caused the issues. If the target word count were 3 million, it would actually be fine; writing around three million words wouldn't cause major problems. It was because I wanted to write four million words that the plot became too sprawling, I couldn't flesh out details, and I over‑pursued conflict and sensational points, leading to big problems.

In the final ten days, it should be completed; it won't end tragically, but with a normal grand finale. Please rest assured; now I'm just patching the previous holes.

Readers, please forgive me!

(End of chapter)