Chapter 157

In the depths of the Immortal Tomb, the stifling dead Qi was so dense it could not be dispelled, and the auras of forty‑nine ancient supreme beings converged, grinding the fragmented Dao of this broken world until it creaked.

It was a weight capable of collapsing a star system, but in Gu Cangsheng's eyes it was merely a pile of rotting flesh.

Just as that destructive force was about to touch Gu Yuan, a sudden change occurred.

From the depths of the void came a soft sigh, bearing a sorrow and resolve that spanned ten thousand ages.

Above the once death‑silent Immortal Tomb, a few sparks of will that had long since been extinguished flickered.

Yet at this moment they were ignited by the pure human‑sacred body essence that emanated from Gu Yuan.

They were the lingering souls of the great emperors who had died defending humanity and suppressing the Forbidden Zone.

They were interred in the Imperial Star Realm.

Even with only a single thread of resolve left, they refused to watch this realm be wholly devoured by darkness.

A shattered ancient mirror projected itself into the void.

Though its surface was riddled with cracks, it emitted a vibration that resonated with myriad Dao.

Immediately, an illusory cauldron and a broken black‑gold great halberd materialized in midair, one after another.

"Future generations... actually have such immortal sprouts..."

"The disaster of the Forbidden Zone has plagued ages; today, even if our souls scatter, we will still protect the Dao of humanity!"

Several illusory figures appeared before Gu Yuan.

Their faces were vague, but their spines stood as straight as mountains; that will to protect all beings even after death and dissolution of the Dao instantly calmed the once‑raging Immortal Tomb.

These are the true human emperors.

Unlike those supreme beings who cut themselves for mere survival, they fought until the last drop of blood was shed, their spirits merging with the void, ready to lend a hand when the world is in peril.

The Ancient Emperor of the Underworld sneered, his voice grating: "Xu Yu, Heng Kong... you dead old ghosts, your corpses are rotted through, yet you still try to block our path to survival? How laughable!"

He waved the death scepter in his hand, intending to erase those lingering souls completely.

Gu Cangsheng stood his ground, watching the manifested souls, and for once a hint of respect flashed in his eyes.

In the Primordial Immortal Realm he had seen many heroes, but few could, even after ten thousand years of death, still guard their race through sheer resolve.

"Yuan'er, watch closely."

Gu Cangsheng did not rush to strike down the opposing supreme beings; instead he turned his head to Gu Yuan and said, "This is the true emperor; the Dao may be fragmented, but as long as the heart remains whole, the Dao is present."

Gu Yuan's expression grew more solemn than ever before.

He could feel the myriad temporal lights within his body trembling violently, and the three thousand Dao seemed to sense a certain resonance.

"Grandfather, I want to try."

Gu Yuan stepped forward, standing beside the lingering souls of several human emperors.

The souls seemed to sense Gu Yuan's intention, and the illusory ancient mirror dripped myriad auspicious colors, shielding him.

"Young one, cease your bravado and step back!" From behind the illusory ancient mirror, an elder's voice rang with both compassion and resolve.

Gu Yuan did not retreat; instead he placed his hand upon the illusory mirror image.

The myriad temporal lights in his Sea of Knowledge flared suddenly, flowing through his fingertips, pouring a great temporal power that did not belong to this world into it.

"Esteemed seniors, today I borrow your strength; together we shall cleanse the portal."

Gu Yuan's voice was soft, yet it echoed deep within each soul.

The once dim and broken imperial relic, after receiving Gu Yuan's temporal law, began to exhibit the miracle of time reversal.

The cracks faded, divine light was reforged, and those illusory figures solidified within moments, as if they had traversed time from their pinnacle ages of antiquity.

"This... is this the power of time?!"

The lingering souls of the human emperors were shocked.

They felt their long‑depleted spirits suddenly rekindling with new vitality.

Opposite them, the forty‑nine supremes were utterly panicked.

A single Gu Cangsheng could already drive them to despair, and now these dead old ghosts were attempting to revive?

"Kill! We cannot let them complete the reversal!"

A survivor of the Primordial Ancient Mine brandished a stone bell; its resonant waves solidified into tangible surges, aiming to crush Gu Yuan's entire area.

Gu Cangsheng let out a cold snort; that single snort froze the bell's wave—capable of shattering a saint's soul—in mid‑air.

He seemed to mutter to himself, yet also to warn this realm:

"My grandson is training his skills; anyone who dares to move recklessly will be denied even the chance to self‑detonate."

The pressure of a quasi‑Immortal King, like a prison, forcibly locked the forty‑nine supremes in place.

They discovered that although they could strike, every attack range was confined to a tiny space, turning them into live targets for Gu Yuan and the human souls.

Gu Yuan inhaled deeply; he did not employ the True Immortal Command, relying solely on his own insight.

His eyes gradually turned to void, and the three thousand Dao interwove around him.

"The myriad Dao as guide, time as sword."

Gu Yuan pointed his fingers like a blade, lightly slicing toward the supreme formation ahead.

That slash activated the remaining Dao of those human emperors.

The void mirror's light swelled, Heng Kong's furnace fire scorched the heavens, embodying the supreme imperial might that once protected an era.

Under Gu Yuan's temporal power, a dazzlingly brilliant multicolored river formed.

This river entered neither the Five Elements nor the cycle of reincarnation; it washed away the supremes' lifespan and severed their already precarious Imperial Dao fruit.

The Ancient Emperor of the Underworld realized in terror that his already dwindling life force...

... was being eroded by this colorful river at a terrifying speed.

His skin grew even more withered, and the divine fire in his eyes began to extinguish.

"No! What kind of demonic technique is this!"

Gu Yuan watched those Supreme beings struggling in the Long River, his gaze indifferent.

In his eyes, these people were no longer lofty strong ones, but tumors growing in the flesh of this star domain.

"This is not demonic sorcery, it is karma," Gu Yuan said softly, "What you owe this world, today must be repaid."

The lingering souls of those human emperors let out hearty laughter.

Though they knew it was only a fleeting moment, being able to see such a junior before they completely vanished, and to see these arch‑enemies trembling in fear, was already enough.

"The younger generation is fearsome! Ha ha, exhilarating!"

The Void Mirror Image burst forth its final burst of supreme brilliance, and together with Gu Yuan's Sword of Time, instantly pierced the chest of the Underworld's ancient emperor.