Chapter 446: We Are Worthless

Above the vast world.

Within the Grand Sun Palace.

After hearing Meng Shenji’s message, the Shang Emperor’s body erupted in flames; as a Ghost Immortal who had endured nine lightning tribulations, he had forged his palace within the Grand Sun for thousands of years, accumulating immense power. Now, learning that someone in the vast world had mastered the power of the Sun—and not just slightly—he stirred his will and arrived outside the Sun Palace.

Thousands of golden crows circled the Shang Emperor, their radiance sufficient to melt metal into liquid.

“You intend to move against Gu Qing?”

The Shang Emperor’s voice rumbled, each word etched into heaven and earth like runes, taking the forms of golden crows and phoenixes before dissolving into fire.

Meng Shenji’s eyes held hidden calculation as he nodded and said, “Besides me, there are those from the Pan Star Great World.”

Logically, Meng Shenji, now at the eighth lightning tribulation, should have lain low for a time. But Gu Qing’s assault on the Pan Star World had shaken him profoundly: first, the Emperor’s mastery of Ghost Immortal power had undermined the Supreme Dao Sect’s authority, and shattered Meng Shenji’s own sense of being the undisputed number one.

If the Supreme Dao Sect can no longer be supreme, how can it ever reach Yang Shen?

More importantly, Meng Shenji had his own calculations.

The Shang Emperor’s gaze burned like the Grand Sun, seeing faintly in the void the figure of Xu Yi, and beside him, Meng Wuhen, head of the Meng Clan.

This coalition of forces was indeed formidable.

“Gu Qing’s power grows by the day. If we do not act now, no one will be able to stop him.”

As Meng Shenji spoke, he turned to the Meng Clan head and added, “I know the Pan Star Great World seeks to vie with the vast world for control of the human path and fulfill the Pan Emperor’s wager. But now, only my Eternal Realm can bring your people into the vast world.”

Xu Yi and Meng Wuhen remained silent.

“For our son!”

Meng Bingxin gritted her teeth and said, “Do it!”

The Ancient Nine Abysses.

This place is said to be the heart of the vast world, where time flows with excruciating slowness. It has nine layers, and in ancient, middle, and recent eras, many experts nearing the end of their lifespan came here—either seeking breakthrough or to perish in stillness.

Ten thousand years of accumulation have made this place a treasure trove of wonders.

Hong Yi, carrying Yang Shen thoughts, pierced through countless seals and wandered freely through the Nine Abysses, gathering information and learning the secrets of eight hundred years ago.

A thousand years ago, the Tianzhou region of the Great Gan plunged into chaos, with demons and evil cultivators rising everywhere. The righteous alliance fought two decisive wars against the evil sects—one a thousand years ago, another eight hundred years ago—eradicating all true evil from the world, but at great cost to the righteous, who thereafter withdrew from mortal affairs.

“It is said the battlefield of that eight-hundred-year-old righteous-evil war lies somewhere in one of these layers.”

Hong Yi moved swiftly, gathering treasures around him and forging his own artifacts as he passed through the Ancient Nine Abysses’ “Sunken Sand Black Water,” “Corpse Water Abyss,” “Ashen Water Abyss,” and “Blood River Abyss.” Along the way, he encountered remnants of ancient evil sects and collected their dao fruits.

In discerning right from wrong, Hong Yi’s thoughts grew purer, and the Ghost Immortal realm of the Creator drew within reach.

“The Yang Shen thoughts have improved too much.”

Hong Yi leapt into a new realm, his soul condensing slightly as he listened to the surroundings. He learned that after the battle eight hundred years ago, the Ancient Nine Abysses became a sanctuary for the righteous. Ninety-nine sects formed the Dao Alliance here, and among them, the Star Constellation lineage alone numbered over two million cultivators.

“One Emperor of the Demon Sect, Three Ancestors of the Dao Sect.”

Hong Yi murmured softly, then flew toward the Dao Alliance.

Among the Dao Alliance’s Three Ancestors—Chen Xingzi, Yun Yinzi, and Lian Yunzi—all were near the Creator realm. All three harbored the ambition to unify the ninety-nine sects under one banner. When Hong Yi arrived, Tang Hailong, who had suffered great losses in the mortal world, was lodging a complaint against Chen Xingzi.

Though he had been humiliated among mortals, if he could control the Nine Abysses Divine Realm and marry Yun Yinzi’s daughter—the peerlessly beautiful Celestial Melody Immortal—all would be restored.

“Gu Qing wants to become the Heavenly Emperor? Our Star Constellation Sect has two million members, countless of whom have achieved cultivation.”

Chen Xingzi said coolly, “If he wants to be Heavenly Emperor, he must first ask whether we agree.”

No sooner had he spoken than thunder flashed. Hong Yi’s five fingers struck out, radiating power enough to shatter the Nine Abysses Divine Realm, lunging toward the Three Dao Ancestors.

The sheer force of the palm strike forced the Three Dao Ancestors to brace themselves. When the storm cleared and the wind stilled, they saw Hong Yi standing tall upon the mountain.

“You’re all frogs at the bottom of a well! If you have the guts, come with me to the vast world!”

As Hong Yi spoke, he leapt upward.

“This man is the disciple of the mortal emperor!”

Tang Hailong hurriedly reported.

Seeing this, the Three Dao Ancestors exchanged glances, made their decision, and pursued Hong Yi relentlessly, gathering the Nine Abysses Divine Realm. The instant they burst free from the Nine Abysses and returned to the vast world—even though they were Ghost Immortals of the sixth level, nearing the Creator realm—their eyes nearly went blind.

Above the heavens, over a thousand golden crows roared, their radiance blinding even these observers. Yet even so, they saw a faint veil of light in the sky, suppressing the crows’ glare—otherwise, the crows’ light would have brought the vast world to ruin.

“Is this… a ninth lightning tribulation expert?”

Chen Xingzi of the Star Constellation Sect gazed upward, watching the array of thousands of golden crows, where several experts stood in confrontation. The divine light veil above filled them with awe.

Legend said that upon reaching the ninth lightning tribulation, one perceives the world as a sea of suffering, where all beings are imprisoned. The experts who wander this sea master the ultimate power of the Ghost Immortal realm.

Chen Xingzi had believed that, having approached the Creator realm and returned from the Nine Abysses, he was among the greatest of the great—that even Gu Qing would have to bow to him. But now, upon entering the vast world, he was struck down without warning.

Had it not been for the veil of light shielding them, Chen Xingzi would not have had the right to even witness the battle above.

Above the heavens, the golden crows formed an array.

After the departure of the Middle Age sages, the grandest war in the vast world had begun.

Gu Qing stood atop the veil, his fist channeling the Nine Yang Cycle, its power surging tenfold as he slammed it into the empty air—every realm, this or that, was crushed within that single punch.

“One dream turns into a butterfly…”