Chapter 824

Splash!

On this day, blood rain poured down upon the world.

The piercing blood-light carried fragrance and bore a divine aura, belonging to the eternal saints who have proven the Way.

Within the fresh blood, the killing intent was completely dissolved, bringing no calamity to the world and causing no mutation of living beings into grotesque forms.

All that remained was a sincere and pure blessing that baptized the war-torn heavens and earth.

At this moment, the gods harbored benevolent hearts and good intentions; they courageously faced death and challenged tyranny… They upheld the righteous path, defiantly glared at the Heavenly Emperor's command, and willingly bowed to serve as oxen for the young.

Thus, their blood, together with their hearts and intentions, even if their lord was wounded and defeated, still brought bit by bit of blessings to this vast heaven and earth, imprinting their spirit upon the souls of myriad beings.

The world flourished, vital energy surged, and the Great Dao thrived… It seemed as if the opening of a golden age.

The brilliant rainbow healed the universe's wounds, erased the remnants of war, bringing beauty and blessing… The essence of all living things grew, walking upon the road paved by the three thousand holy beings who willingly sacrificed their blood to open the way.

However, on the path of creation, there is endless sacrifice.

The gods were stubborn; inspired by Emperor Yan, they fought to the death for Nüwa, writing courage into the age… Such spirit is worthy of praise, but it is not advised to copy it blindly, for those involved suffered terrible casualties.

The Heavenly Emperor's incarnation, provoked by authority, looked down upon the world, executing punishment on rebellious wings that had hardened, and slaughtered throughout the mortal realm!

The gods bled profusely, yet none could withstand!

The demon race's commander, Heavenly Emperor Jun, had his blood and bones shattered, his skin torn, his limbs scattered and stuck upon Mount Buzhou, impossible to reassemble… The goddesses Xihe and Changxi sighed as they gathered his remains, toiling for half a day, yet still could not piece together a whole corpse.

Emperor Yan, who had devoted his life to humanity, had his heart shattered; furthermore, he was struck by a spear snatched from somewhere by August Emperor, which was casually nailed into the mountains and rivers, leaving him unable to struggle.

Facing one bearing the Heavenly Emperor's mark of Pangu's Way, and also blessed with immense Human Dao power… Such an opponent, even the peak experts of the Grand Simplicity could not contend with, would have to spill blood upon this world!

Not to mention those Ancestral Witches and Great Witches?

Chitian the Great Witch, brave and unmatched, roared his desire to attack heaven, whereupon his head was chopped off.

Chiyou the Great Witch shouted that he would clear a path for Nüwa, at least splattering the Heavenly Emperor with blood… Alas, even such a humble wish could not be fulfilled; a finger pointed from afar detonated him in the Star River, his head and limbs torn from his body.

…… - no.

Each top figure who roared across the primordial wilderness could only be considered the most ordinary unit of the Heavenly Emperor's battle strength in such a battlefield, being slaughtered in droves.

At the critical moment, the Phoenix Ancestor stepped forward… This goddess, who commanded the Nirvana Path, wore the thickest armor, stacked the most health bars, was the most resilient, and turned the heavenly stars, barely managing to block the frenzied footsteps of August Emperor Heavenly Emperor's slaughter.

But that was all!

When August Emperor drew an ancient zither from the River of Time, the Phoenix Ancestor could not restrain herself, feeling as if she might leap out at any moment and abandon the battle.

——That was the Fuxi Qin!

This zither was crafted from the Honghuang's top innate spiritual root, the Paulownia Divine Tree harmed by Fuxi… Moreover, the allure of paulownia wood for the phoenix is innate, like catnip for cats.

Whoosh!

The Fuxi Qin was flung away, flashing with dazzling light, its divine abilities shifting, it strongly controlled the Phoenix Ancestor, as the primordial source throbbed, impossible to suppress, causing her gaze to lock and chase after it; even the Heavenly Stars Great Formation she held faltered for a moment.

It was precisely this moment when the Heavenly Emperor seized the opportunity, and with casual ease tore apart the Stars Great Formation, like cracking open a walnut shell to scoop out the kernel.

Ha!

The Thunder Marsh Great Sage roared, stepping forward at the critical moment, his eyes brimming with tragic resolve; he shoved aside a comrade about to be slain, only to fall into August Emperor's grasp.

The Heavenly Emperor gripped his neck, his pupils fading, and said, 'A mantis trying to stop a chariot—you overestimate yourself.'

Having spoken, he exerted force, and this mighty one who had just returned from death exploded, shattering into a mist of blood!

Ah…

A Great Witch felt indignant.

But they could do nothing.

They say only with great sacrifice and lofty ambition can one dare to swap the sun and moon for a new heaven.

With resolute hearts, they stood beside the Human Dao, truly regarding life and death as light, returning to the right path, restoring truth, goodness, and beauty, and striving in a blood battle against an unparalleled foe.

Yet precisely thus, after being trampled and wantonly slaughtered, did the sorrow deepen and the loss become tragic.

Sacrifice—sacrifice is enough.

That day…

Yet they could not exchange it!

Even in a moment of blood‑courage, after August Emperor crippled several of the Grand Simplicity and slew a host of mighty divine‑ability wielders, the gods could only rely on the Heavenly Stars Great Formation for defense.

Alas… prolonged defense inevitably leads to loss.

August Emperor remained invincible, and the age was still not saved.

The traces of the Dragon‑Phoenix era's restoration grew ever clearer in this world.

I say, what are you struggling for?

The Heavenly Emperor chuckled, like a bewitching melody, 'The restoration of the Ancient Gods' Heavenly Court—what's wrong with that for you?'

You were once members of it!

Holding authority, enjoying rights… aside from fulfilling corresponding duties and observing the law, there's nothing bad about it.

Why resist?

Hongjun opposes, Nüwa resists—I can understand that… After all, one is a workaholic forced to labor year‑round without rest, the other is a miserable Nüwa driven by my strict demands for progress.

The Azure Dragon rebels—I can see the reason… He has never accepted defeat, feeling that in my victory over him there were some unchivalrous acts.

Those who aspire to be Pangu's successors, seeking to advance further by opposing me—I can fully accept that, but what about you…

If your minds turn wild, dissatisfied, craving more, so you seek to break the original pattern… then I can still understand.

Now, your generous, resolute sacrifices… yet they leave me bewildered.

Moreover, you… can't beat me in fight, dying over and over—is that fun?

He vibrated the gods' heartstrings, making their inner hearts sway.

——Yes!

——Is it worth it!?

——Returning to the past, isn't that good?

I only wish to set my heart for the myriad folk; naturally, I bear no resentment or regret.

Suddenly, someone refuted the Heavenly Emperor's words—that was Yandi.

He struggled to his feet, saying, "This era has bloodshed, but amidst the bloodshed the myriad folk also grow."

Lessons etched into the bone and heart surpass myriad words……

The ancient divine Heavenly Court of old bound all beings, arranged destinies; everything seemed beautiful, yet why must many things be done thus? The myriad folk only know the what, not the why.

Thus, after the Heavenly Court's downfall came the demons' decline, the witches' reflection, and division amidst contradiction.

The end of division is renewed fusion, growing through dialectic, gaining enlightenment amidst bloodshed.

For the sake of humankind, we must make the myriad folk understand a principle…… Do not rely on a savior!

One era, one mission…… The myriad folk of humankind must ultimately rely on themselves to walk the path.

Rise up, walk alone…… This is the humankind's mission of the demon-witch era!

Heavenly Emperor…… you cannot impose your will upon the myriad folk!

We have fathomed this principle; naturally we will swing our fists at you…… even if the end is death!

We cannot let the souls that have perished in this era, the tuition paid by humankind, be wasted in vain!

Yandi bled from his seven orifices, yet his will remained steadfast and flawless.

You do not support the new reincarnation model.

Thus, the demon-witch era prevailed; sacrifices were not in vain, the departed can be revived, with legal justification.

But if you win, everything returns to the old track…… what would that amount to?

For those who have passed, we…… must fight to the end!

His words resonated among the myriad gods, clarifying the fighting spirit and resolve of those lost in confusion.

There is some sense to it." August Emperor nodded in agreement without stint, then shook his head, "But your approach is of no use."

You people…… are too weak.

Different paths, no plot together.

After I slay you all, I'll settle the netherworld's inflation issue; then this lifetime can conclude, everything returning to the proper course.

The Heavenly Emperor's tone grew increasingly grim.

This lifetime ought to end……" Yandi murmured.

You just need to know." August Emperor smiled.

I know; I have long prepared to bury everything, even erasing the last traces with my own hands, merely to pass on the legacy to others……" Yandi's voice carried a hint of unspeakable sorrow, "But the ancient glory, the former Heavenly Emperor…… you too must pay the price!

Your actions have created enough formidable foes for yourself…… the variable lies within!" Yandi roared, shaking the cosmos, mountains and rivers, and myriad ages.

Formidable foes? Are there any left in this world? You lot can't manage it!" The Heavenly Emperor laughed to the heavens, "I look down upon the world, command the rise and fall of mankind, invincible through ages; all must kowtow and behold my true form!

August Emperor! The era has changed!" Yandi's gaze at this moment became overwhelmingly intimidating, "An age will forge a myth—that is the era's choice, that is the myriad folk's choice!

In the previous age, you were the protagonist, and this age……

His words had not yet finished!

I am the king!

A soft shout made ancient and modern tremble, and the myriad heavens stir!

Along with this proclamation, a streak of immortal light split eternity, illuminating the myriad heavens of all ages, as if also illuminating the moment when the gods' hopeless darkness was lit!

Boom!

A supreme immortal cauldron came hurtling sideways and struck the back of August Emperor's head!

Hum!

The Heavenly Emperor was flung sideways, suffering the most dreadful sneak attack at the moment of his greatest pride and self-satisfaction.

A goddess, eyes wide open, became the hero who would save the era from decline, descending upon the ages and striking sideways at the age of restoration and revival!

Nüwa!

Her descent was like opening a new epoch, illuminating past, present, and future, penetrating the eternity of all realms.

Lady Nüwa!

Majesty Empress Nüwa!

A shout like mountains roaring and seas surging echoed through the cosmos…… boundless faith of the myriad folk and vast thought power transformed into one brilliant immortal light after another, becoming substantial forms that illuminated the dim chaos of the void, tearing apart the universe's darkness.

All beings bowed, the common folk kowtowed, cheering for Nüwa, as if praying she could quell the turmoil and prevent this era from sinking.

Boundless mighty forces upheld her; this is the myriad folk's choice, even influencing humankind, between existence and non-existence a throne is condensing…… Nüwa stands upon it, as if seeking to transcend the entirety of Honghuang and ascend to stand equal with it!

Moreover, this is not yet the end!

Besides the surge of humankind, there is also the torrent of the Heavenly Dao.

The Heavenly Dao has six sages, who have conferred investiture upon six mighty adepts.

For ordinary mighty adepts, this is a blessing, a merit earned through cultivation.

But for those who aspire to Pangu and are peerless figures, it conversely becomes a burden…… Nüwa once was listed among them, which is naturally not a good thing; it is an eye ointment given by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, a tremendous karmic debt.

But at this moment, the shackles of that karma have snapped!

A supreme Dao embodiment, having its seal undone, gathered terrifying combat power, stacking onto Nüwa's Majesty's present battle form, making her even more astonishingly mighty!

Obviously!

August Emperor's dominance even startled the Dao Ancestor who oversees the Heavenly Dao, causing him to undo the checks and balances on Nüwa!

Boom!

The Majesty's aura at this moment blazed splendidly across the mortal realm.

The authority of creation, the laws of reincarnation, governing life and death of humankind…… Nüwa bears too many blessings, and all of humankind lifts her to the pinnacle of her ascension!

Her aura was vast; every snap of a finger brought sublimation and advancement... This was clearly the omen of marching into Pangu!

Fuxi!

Your path, I will block!

Your people, I will beat!

Nüwa's power infinitely sublimated, giving August Emperor a bump on the back of his head; she was exhilarated, her spirit soared, and she saw the dawn of overthrowing and ascending.

Fuxi! The times have changed!

She held aloft the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth, standing before all beings, standing before the gods!

Good good good...

August Emperor rubbed the fist-sized lump on the back of his head, confirming that Nüwa had truly held nothing back—she practically wanted to give him a concussion—and he laughed in fury, "You dare stand before me; you've made great progress!"

But, former defeated subordinate... who gave you the courage?

Just because you were the camp's leader for a few days?

Today I'll teach you a lesson!

Don't get cocky in front of me!

The Heavenly Emperor was furious, his might boundless.

Wielding the divine axe, as if it could cleave even the entirety of Honghuang!

Boom—

Nüwa showed not the slightest retreat; she summoned supreme divine power, the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth surged, without hesitation she unleashed her ultimate attack!

The boundless violent power shook August Emperor, Heavenly Emperor's divine vessel that sails through eternity across the void, the law of birth, death, creation, and reincarnation, causing the age to turn in reincarnation and illusion, without fixed constant, ever shifting.

Hum—

The divine axe and divine cauldron collided; though they left clear marks, the cauldron did not break, it held!

As expected!

You are not unattainable either!

Victory... will ultimately be mine!

Nüwa's gaze was brighter than ever, filled with the light of hope.

Nüwa is invincible!

The gods were even more excited; their power and intent turned into a great force that surged toward Nüwa at this moment, blessing her, making her even stronger, soaring above the heavens!

(End of chapter)