Chapter 785: On the nth Day After the Azure Dragon Left, Thinking of Him……

The River Chart appeared, the Luo Script emerged, revealing the ancient era.

This became a tribulation.

This is a stern questioning aimed at the hearts of countless human subjects, the final tribulation for humanity's rise to become the protagonists of heaven and earth!

It lacks great killing intent, yet if spoken of danger, it surpasses all previous wars.

The ancient era, crossing the heavenly moat between void and cosmic light, descended its projection, criticizing and shaking the foundations of humanity.

Once.

Humanity established the Dao with lofty ideals; the word 'Wu' represents a group of people who stand tall and firm.

They sacrificed, they contributed, they guided the future, hoping only that each generation would live better than the last, each generation stronger than the previous.

Such a great belief shaped humanity's camp, attracting countless races dwelling in darkness, who came forward in succession, following behind the ancestral witches and the human king.

They feared no sacrifice, shunned no hardship; even if every inch of land and blood was spent in the era's heavenly court campaigns, too many heroes perished and too many families were shattered.

Yet they regarded it as sweet as candy.

Because they firmly believed!

In the end, they will welcome a brilliant dawn, leaving a beautiful era for posterity!

And finally, today!

They broke through the Heavenly Court's defenses, nearly slaying its supreme military commander!

However……

It is also today.

Xihuang, who had been in hiding for many years, descended.

He did not wield weapons or slaughter wantonly…… merely pulling a historical scroll from the void, causing all beings to suddenly awaken as from a dream, recalling something.

He had never killed a single person, yet his presence was more terrifying than the edge of the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, making heroes tremble and their dreams shatter.

Xihuang, he pulled forth humanity's dream, holding up the bloody reality of the era, smiling as he gazed upon all beings, upon humanity.

This is as if saying——

Hey, boys who slew the dragon, your dream…… it's time to wake up.

Who is the true evil dragon?

Is the beautiful future you promised to the myriad peoples truly comparable to the once most glorious Heavenly Court?

If not……

Then……

Are you, in fact, telling the greatest lie to all the myriad peoples under heaven, deceiving them into waging bloody war throughout an era, paying the price of shattered homes and lost lives?

This is the message conveyed to the heroes and champions.

Yet for the myriad peoples, there is another expression.

——You strive, you struggle, you contribute, you sacrifice…… Surely, did you truly change the era and realize the glorious revival of the Human Dao? Or did you merely add how much fate and merit to the private treasuries of those ancient gods and sages who rule the era, high above, gaining how much war profit?

Human hearts are in great turmoil.

Weapons are instruments of slaughter in the world.

But there are always some things that harm people more than weapons.

Countless heroes and champions, ancient gods and sages, soar into the sky, unleashing supreme divine powers, seeking to overturn what, deny what, smash the scroll of historical civilization, rebuking Xihuang's nonsense, spouting absurdities.

But!

With a sword's ring!

"Clang!"

Donghuang's shattered Witch-Slaying Sword came into Xihuang's hand; he gave a light smile and then casually tossed it——

"Hum!"

The sword's light illuminated myriad ages, transcendent and above all.

It envelops the scroll of historical civilization, as if standing in an untouchable utopia, allowing countless divine powers to never reach it, only able to sit and watch it reflected in the hearts of the myriad peoples.

For this sword is inherently attuned to the myriad peoples!

"Di Jun forged this sword; the idea is wonderful, the starting point is good."

Xihuang watched this scene and commented calmly.

That is high praise…… after all, he is a generation of Pangu!

Counting the three thousand deities of this world, how many could be worthy of his glance?

"A pity."

"His capacity is insufficient, his vision slightly lacking; he sought quick profit via shortcuts…… but the shortcut failed, leaving him in a sorry state."

Xihuang shook his head, "If he could only be upright and magnanimous like me…… with his heavenly court authority in hand, combined with the Witch-Slaying Sword, he could restore the ancient Heavenly Court's glory—whether witch or human, could they even leap about to this day?"

"He's long been struck down by a dimensional blow, leaving him without temper."

This is crushing dominance!

Just look at this moment and you'll know.

Even with the advantage of the Mountain-Splitting Divine Axe and the solidity of the Nine Provinces Boundary, human hearts are already in great turmoil, and humanity's fate is scattered!

Yet the Heavenly Court's fate is a flickering revival, infinitely condensed, like nirvana, reborn in fire!

Fate…… what is it?

This is the inclination of the Human Dao!

It is not an illusory concept, but can be transformed into tangible mighty power, the strongest spear and shield in the Honghuang world!

Now, humanity's fate is scattered, the Human Dao's support wanes, while the Heavenly Court flourishes…… this back-and-forth creates a double gap, which will directly affect the ultimate showdown!

If one were to return to the former.

The East Emperor was beaten by a mob, beaten to the brink of death…… If there were now such a gap in fate, it could fully counterbalance and stay even.

Interpretation: The East Emperor was beaten by a mob, beaten to the brink of death…… If there were now such a gap in fate, it could fully counterbalance and stay even.

In the primordial world, the Human Dao is supreme.

Translation: "In the Honghuang world, the Human Dao is the strongest!"

This is an ironclad rule.

Translation: "This is an ironclad rule!"

From ancient times to now, each power that dominated Honghuang has been diligent, working hard to manage, educate and cultivate, pressing forward…… What are they after? They seek to draw the Human Dao's favor.

And in the past, there was such a power that monopolized the Human Dao.

Translation: "And in the past, there was such a power that monopolized the Human Dao."

Precisely… the Heavenly Court.

Translation: "Exactly…… the Heavenly Court!"

The Heavenly Court achieved beauty in many matters.

Translation: "The Heavenly Court achieved beauty in many matters."

And when it was pulled from the ruins of history today, it almost overwhelms, becoming a life‑or‑death trial for those who come after.

Translation: "But when it was pulled from the ruins of history today, it almost became an overwhelming crush, a life-and-death tribulation for those who came after."

A splendid civilization becomes the tribulation of the next splendid civilization.

Translation: "A splendid civilization becomes the calamity of the next splendid civilization!"

Only civilization itself is worthy to be the tribulation of civilization.

Translation: "Only civilization itself is worthy to be the calamity of civilization."

Humanity, do you wish to become the protagonist of heaven and earth?

Translation: "Humanity, do you want to become the protagonist of heaven and earth?"

Then prove that you have surpassed the ancient Heavenly Court!

Translation: "Then prove that you have surpassed the ancient Heavenly Court!"

Otherwise, each generation falls short of the last—what use is it to be the protagonist of heaven and earth?

Translation: "Otherwise, each generation worse than the last—what use is there in being the protagonist of heaven and earth?"

This is the trial set down by Xihuang.

Translation: "This is the trial bestowed by Xihuang."

And humanity…

Translation: "And humanity……"

Seems unable to carry on.

Translation: "Seems unable to carry on."

At this moment, even lying is impossible…… because lies can deceive others but not oneself.

Translation: "At this moment, even lying is impossible…… because lies can deceive others, but not oneself."

Even if a strange kind has managed it.

Translation: "Even if some oddball managed it."

But what about all the living beings under heaven?

Translation: "But what about all the living beings under heaven?"

Most cannot deceive their own true hearts.

Translation: "Most cannot deceive their own true hearts!"

In the dark they touch the imprint of history, then look back at their own era—great rifts and defeats leave them disheartened.

Translation: "They touch the imprint of history in the dark, then look back at their own era; the great rift and defeat leave them dispirited."

Untold numbers of beings, brave warriors, whose lifelong convictions are shaken, cough up blood mouthful after mouthful, and collapse to the ground.

Translation: "Untold numbers of beings, brave warriors, whose lifelong convictions were shaken, cough up blood mouthful after mouthful, collapsing to the ground."

Their kin and family have died in the chaotic age…… yet they have fought on to this day solely because a belief sustains them.

Translation: "Their clansmen and family died in the chaotic age…… being able to fight on to this day is solely due to a sustaining belief."

——We cannot let our departed kin and comrades down!

Translation: "——We cannot let our deceased kin and comrades down!"

——We must take up their banners, prove their sacrifice was worthwhile, and look toward a brilliant new era for them!

Translation: "——We must take up the banner they held, prove their sacrifice was worthwhile, and go glimpse a brilliant new era for them!"

Countless mausoleums.

Translation: "Countless mausoleums."

Countless graves.

Translation: "Countless graves."

Countless steles.

Translation: "Countless steles."

Every act of worship, every passing, carries a silent message to the living—of lament, encouragement, and blessing.

Translation: "Every act of worship, every passing, silently speaks to the living, offering counsel, encouragement, and blessings!"

Let them die in peace.

Translation: "Let them die in peace!"

Let them die with eyes closed in contentment.

Translation: "Let them die with eyes closed in contentment!"

Let future generations live happily and healthily.

Translation: "Let future generations be happy and healthy!"

But now.

Translation: "But now."

Someone seems to have laid bare a bloody reality, laying it before everyone's eyes.

Translation: "Someone seems to have laid bare a bloody reality, exposing it before everyone."

You…… seem to be doing pointless work?

Translation: "You…… seem to be doing futile work?"

The fallen heroes…… seem to have sacrificed in vain?

Translation: "The fallen heroes…… seem to have sacrificed in vain?"

You have fought to this point, shattering the world into ruins, countless wrecks lie about, war's ashes drift…… ten families, nine broken, the one left is all wounds—what are you aiming for?

Translation: "You have fought to this point, shattering the world into ruin, countless wrecks lie about, war's ashes swirl…… ten families, nine broken, the one left is all wounds—what are you aiming for?"

Look at the past glory of the Heavenly Court!

Translation: "Look at the past glory of the Heavenly Court!"

Look at the highest achievements of the past!

Translation: "Look at the former supreme achievement!"

How brilliant it was, too dazzling to look at directly.

Translation: "How brilliant it was, too dazzling to look at directly!"

There, living beings lived in harmony, busily pursuing their own happiness.

Translation: "There are living beings in harmony, busily striving for their own happiness."

There, the gods governed the world, serving the age diligently.

Translation: "There are gods governing the world, diligently serving the age."

There sat the most just and greatest Heavenly Emperor, who guided the living beings and, from time to time, struck down those divine beings whose hands were too long and whose leaps were too joyous…

Translation: "There sits a most just and greatest Heavenly Emperor, who guides the living beings, and occasionally strikes the divine whose hands are too long and whose leaps are too joyous……"

How does that compare to today's shattered ruins?

Translation: "Compared to today's ruined wrecks, how is it?"

The anguished cries of the living beings weigh upon their hearts like an unbearable burden.

Translation: "The anguished cries of the living beings, their hearts seem to bear an unbearable weight."

Killing a person is nothing compared to exterminating their heart!

Translation: "Killing is no match for exterminating the heart!"

Xihuang appears and expounds the doctrine.

Translation: "Xihuang appears and expounds the doctrine."

One after another, human emperors and kings grow dim‑eyed; they are wounded without fighting, blood trickles from their mouths, their bodies stagger, and they retreat.

Translation: "One after another, Human Emperors and Kings, their eyes dim, they are wounded without battle, blood trickles from their mouths, their bodies stagger, retreating."

By contrast, the ancestral and great witches remain relatively unfazed.

Translation: "But the Ancestral and Great Witches, they can still look on rather calmly."

When they act, the Great Sage Candle Dragon turns the ages, trying to erase this period after Xihuang's appearance from the memories of all beings.

Translation: "They act, with the Candle Dragon Great Sage turning the ages, trying to erase this period after Xihuang's manifestation, wiping it from the memories of all beings."

There is the Great Sage Yu Huang—phoenix spreads its wings, reborn from fire, letting heaven and earth be renewed from decay, turning ruins into pure land, restoring green mountains and clear waters, and the prestige project begins…

Translation: "There is Jumang—Primordial Phoenix Great Sage, the phoenix spreads its wings, reborn from fire, letting heaven and earth renew from decay, turning ruins into pure land, green mountains and clear waters reappear, the face-saving project begins……"

The powerful display their divine abilities, striving to do something.

Translation: "The mighty display their powers, striving to do something."

Some help the living beings to 'forget'.

Translation: "Some help the living beings to 'forget'."

Some display poetry and distant horizons.

Translation: "Some display poetry and distant horizons."

In short, they all aim to break this divine ability of Xihuang.

Translation: "In short, they all want to unravel this divine ability of Xihuang."

However……

Translation: "However……"

The Witch‑Slaying Sword is merely average in the hands of Emperor Jun and Taiyi, but in Xihuang's grasp it can literally take everyone's life.

Translation: "The Slaughter Witch Sword is merely ordinary in the hands of Di Jun and Taiyi, but in Xihuang's grasp it can practically take everyone's life."

Fact shows that sometimes strength lies not in the weapon but in the person.

Translation: "Fact shows that sometimes strength lies not in the weapon, but in the person."

Even if he isn't wielding an axe, merely holding the Witch‑Slaying Sword, Xihuang remains nearly unstoppable.

Translation: "Even if not wielding an axe, holding the Slaughter Witch Sword, Xihuang remains nearly unsolvable."

Using the characteristic of the Slaughter Witch Sword, it is innately in harmony with the human Dao, truly impossible to defend against; at this moment it brought down a civilizational catastrophe upon humanity.

He truly displayed what is called — Slay Wu!

Using the Slay Wu Sword, it is far more nimble than Heavenly Emperor Di Jun.

Xihuang dealing with the Wu Clan is just like a father disciplining his son…… This seems not wrong at all?

Pangu versus the Wu Clan — isn't that just a father‑son situation?

The joking rumor once circulating among the Wu Clan has actually come true——

We Wu Clan must be wary of the Heavenly Court playing the Pangu card!

When the glorious ancient Heavenly Court showered its radiant light, the Wu Clan exploded, causing the ancient god sages supporting this side to curse.

"Outrageous!"

"Di Jun, this bastard, harms people!"

"He forged such a huge killer weapon, yet performs so poorly?!"

"He's screwed us over!"

The ancestral Wu and great Wu, eyes brimming with tears.

Once, nobody thought the Slay Wu Sword was that formidable.

Even if in Donghuang's hands it had a slight special effect, able to influence the state of Daluo, weakening and suppressing, causing the achievement of the eternal, free Dao fruit across endless spacetime to be affected.

But that's all it was!

Even stronger, could it be stronger than the "Opening Mountain Divine Axe"?!

What weakening! What suppression!

I just split you dead with one axe — isn't that enough?!

But now……

The great situation, because of this sword's reversal, everyone is still unprepared…… the game board is about to be overturned!

"If only we had known…… we should have forged a wall!"

This is the consensus in dire straits.

The Slay Wu Sword's edge at this moment is fearsome, but the gods are no pushovers.

Soon the means of countering it were known.

Set up a wall in the annals of history!

Facing the impact of past glorious civilizations, first isolate, then filter, finally open…… sufficient to ensure people's hearts gradually accept, the situation remains under control.

Rather than like now, caught off guard, suffering a deadly blow.

The Great Dao of humanity is withering, its fate in disarray.

The people remain, but their will begins to collapse!

——Do you want to reshape the world? Become the ideal?

——No, this world doesn't need you to reshape it; just follow the usual course and it'll be fine!

——So, you go to become the protagonists of heaven and earth; what's the meaning? Is it ambition?

——What? Contribute to the world? Working a job is fine too! Why must you be the protagonist?!

The ancient god sages, seeing it in their eyes, anxious in their hearts, yet helpless.

Wenming stayed silent, then boldly wielded his axe and charged forward, only to be shaken off by Xihuang's indifferent sleeve wave; the Opening Mountain Divine Axe's spiritual light shattered — "Imitating my weapon to fight me? What were you thinking?"

"Step back!"

With a flip of the hand and a press, Wenming stumbled backward, stepping on the years, leaving a line of bloody footprints.

He's not even in the same league as an opponent!

Xuanyuan watched, and he was furious!

He drove the Human Dao War Chariot, about to charge forward.

But seeing Xihuang look with a half‑smile, the chariot halted instantly, while he himself almost flew out.

"Pangu banner? Taiji diagram? Are you here to deliver goods to my door?"

Xihuang gave a slight smile, causing Xuanyuan to change color and hesitate to advance.

This is too unsolvable!

This sovereign, facing the combined assault of the human and Wu armies, is simply a heavenly counter!

The Opening Mountain Divine Axe is ruined.

The Human Dao War Chariot is ruined.

These two top‑tier pieces of equipment are now useless.

As for peak combat power?

It's not much either.

Xuanyuan must guard against his equipment vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Goumang Ancestral Wu…… she just stared at the Fuxi Qin.

Alright, this is also no good.

Only the Candle Dragon Great Sage remains…… but Báizé and Kun Peng have now surrounded it!

These two slackers of the "two‑five‑sim" way, the heavenly kings of loafing, now neither bend their waists nor pant; they're fierce enough — the Candle Dragon Great Sage's head is about to be knocked off!

"On the nth day after Gong Gong left, I miss him!"

Looking back suddenly, the ancestral Wu recalled that once‑ironclad Dragon Ancestor, and now they actually find him pleasing to the eye!

Hard‑headed?

Hard‑headed is great!

Right now, we need a strong hard‑headed kid to break the stalemate!

But……

Why isn't he here?!

This time, the ancestral witches reached a consensus, believing that the Dragon Ancestor Great Sage is an indispensable part of the human race's endeavor to defy heaven, a keystone that can turn the tide.

His capture is a major loss for the entire Wu Clan!

Belated regret mingles with endless resentment.

——Di Jun you damn noob!

——Slay Witch Sword, how did you forge it?

——And you've been using it as ordinary equipment for so many years?

Such resentment caused even Di Jun's younger brother——Taiyi, to be implicated, feeling chills all over.

Stimulated, he struggled back from the brink of death a bit, facing Xihuang's sigh, the resentment of the gods, he gave Di Jun a brief defense.

「This can't all be blamed on my elder brother……」 Taiyi said softly, 「It's not that his capacity and vision are truly lacking, and he also likes to take shortcuts…… but there's nothing to be done. 」"

「With greater capacity and higher vision…… the one seated on the position of the Heavenly Dao, can they hold it? 」"

「It's true that the Heavenly Court has Four Emperors, but above them still lies a Grand Emperor Emeritus! 」"

「Capacity and vision are what only the sole emperor of all ages can consider…… as for his elder brother, just being able to secure a position is already good. 」"

「Cannot have a selfish autocracy, cannot be self-exalted; sometimes one can only compromise and seek another path…… if the righteous path cannot be walked, then take the rugged side path. 」"

「Even taking the side path, one naturally cannot produce such a brilliant sword as Xihuang Majesty…… This is a sword of Pangu's pattern; how could a mere demon emperor produce it? 」"

「Naturally causing divine weapons to gather dust. 」"

「But mistakes are mistakes…… now displaying divine might, it's not bad either. 」"

Donghuang finds it hard to express joy and sorrow, 「The Wu Clan has fallen, the human race has collapsed…… this is already settled. 」"

He felt the Heavenly Court's fate converge and surge; even with a crippled body, his combat power is soaring!

However, the next moment!

「Boom! 」

With a tremendous roar, a fist blasted through the Three Realms and Six Paths, coming straight like that!

(End of chapter)