Chapter 358: Destiny Lies With You

His gaze also fell upon that magnificent endless tower, and he slowly introduced:

"Within the tower lie infinite worlds, encompassing all phenomena, each with its own mysteries, evolving myriad great Dao."

"Countless masters, seniors, and sages of the Great Thousand Divine Universe, as well as some reclusive ancient entities, mostly cultivate, comprehend the Dao, and guard within the various world layers of the tower."

"This tower is both a cultivation sanctuary, a treasury of scriptures, a trial battlefield of the Great Thousand Divine Universe, and also... one of the ultimate bulwarks that eternally protect the Great Thousand Divine Universe!"

Ye Wuque stared at the Tai Gu Shen Yu Ta that seemed to bear infinite worlds, and a strong intuition rose within his heart.

It is likely not merely a tower, nor a priceless treasure; it may instead be an immeasurably powerful... peerless weapon!

A supreme war artifact capable of subduing the Zhutian and overturning the universe!

Seven Yu Elder did not linger, and led the two onward upward at great speed, yet they still flew for a considerable time before gradually approaching the tower's apex region that seemed to lie at boundless heights.

The aura emitted by the tower-layer worlds here grew ever deeper, ancient, and unfathomable; evidently those who dwell or guard here are the pinnacle beings of the Great Thousand Divine Universe.

Finally, they arrived at an extraordinarily unique place.

It appeared to be the tower's highest level, yet it felt as if it were independent of the tower itself, a self-contained realm beyond the mundane.

The portal was not resplendent; instead it displayed a primitive, unadorned simplicity, crafted from unknown ancient wood, its surface bearing simple yet profoundly mysterious natural grain, as if the Tiandao's imprint had etched itself upon it.

Upon arriving here, even the esteemed Seven Yu Elder became unusually reverent, even a touch restrained.

He adjusted his robe, bowed deeply before the simple portal, and reported in a clear and deferential voice:

"Lord... the newly appointed Holy Son of this era... Ye Wuque, Feng Caichen... have been brought, awaiting audience outside."

The voice fell, and silence filled the interior.

A moment later, a voice came from within the door.

The voice was not particularly loud nor imposing; instead it possessed a faint magnetism, a calm tone, like a mountain stream flowing, like a spring breeze through bamboo, bearing an uncanny ethereal gentleness that resonated directly within the three hearts:

"Enter."

Just a single word, yet it made Seven Yu Elder's expression even more reverent.

He slowly straightened, carefully extended his hands, and gently pushed open the simple portal.

"Creak—"

A soft sound, the portal opened inward, emitting no dazzling glare but a tranquil, harmonious aura.

Seven Yu Elder stepped in first, with Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen following closely.

The moment they stepped through the portal, it was as if they passed an invisible membrane; the scene before them brightened, starkly different from the vast, law‑rigid view of the Tai Gu Shen Yu Ta outside.

Beyond the door lay a hidden realm.

What met the eye was not the imagined golden‑splendid, ethereal Supreme Divine Hall, but rather a secluded, idyllic paradise.

The sky was a pure, deep blue, with a few wisps of white clouds drifting leisurely.

Warm but not scorching sunlight poured down, bringing a comforting warmth to body and mind.

In the distance, verdant mountains rose and fell like ink wash, their slopes lush with green, ancient pines and cypresses, with waterfalls and streams cascading.

Nearby, fragrant grass grew thick, wildflowers bloomed abundantly, and a crystal‑clear brook babbled through, its waters teeming with lively fish.

Along the stream were several neatly tended garden plots, planting some subtly fragrant spirit plants—not particularly rare, yet full of vitality.

A few simple thatched cottages dotted the landscape, their smoke curling, portraying a tranquil, natural, back‑to‑roots rural life.

The spiritual qi here remained abundant, yet gentle and peaceful.

Dao Rhythm was still everywhere, blending into the mountains, waters, flora, wind and bird songs, subtly nourishing all without sound.

Compared with the overwhelming, solemn, orderly grandeur of the Great Thousand Divine Universe outside, this place resembled a personal pure land where a supreme being cultivates self‑refinement and comprehends the Heavenly Dao.

Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen's gazes were soon drawn to a not‑tall but exceptionally graceful mountain ahead.

At the summit, a smooth green‑stone platform extended outward.

On the platform, a man sat cross‑legged at ease.

He appeared about thirty‑or‑forty years old, his face not strikingly handsome but bearing an indescribable scholarly elegance and gentle temperament, brows relaxed, eyes half‑closed, as if taking a short rest or wandering the Grand Void.

He wore the simplest teal cloth robe, his long hair casually tied with a wooden pin, a few strands falling across his forehead, exuding an air of leisure and serenity that blended perfectly with the idyllic scenery.

If one were not informed beforehand, who could have guessed that this man, who seemed like a reclusive scholarly gentleman, is in fact the Supreme Universe Lord who commands the massive Great Thousand Divine Universe, overlooks the shifting epochs, and stands at the Absolute Peak of Zhutian Wanjie?

Seemingly sensing their arrival, the man on the green stone slowly opened his eyes.

In an instant, both Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen felt an illusion, as if two boundless starry skies were slowly rotating and evolving within those deep eyes, reflecting the grand scenes of Transcendent Cycles, the birth and death of civilizations, and the shifting of the Tiandao!

But that vision flashed and vanished, immediately turning into a gentle, clear gaze that fell upon them.

"Hehe, you have arrived."

The Universe Lord spoke, his voice identical to the one heard at the door, bearing a magnetic warmth that felt like a spring breeze.

A faint smile appeared on his face, and his gaze carefully examined Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen.

Under the Universe Lord's gaze, Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen felt an invisible, gentle yet boundless force brush over them, as if all their secrets—cultivation, foundation, Extreme Realm, even parts of Tiandao insight—were exposed under this stare.

But this was not probing; it resembled an elder's concern and appraisal of juniors, causing no offense or discomfort.

The Universe Lord examined them for a moment, admiration deepening in his eyes, nodding repeatedly, his voice filled with unabashed joy and amazement: "Good! Good! Good!"

Three consecutive "Good"s clearly showed his satisfaction.

"Flawless physique, Pure Yang Blood Qi, containing Time and Space within, forming a Prototype of the universe... not bad, not bad."

His gaze first fell on Ye Wuque, precisely articulating Ye Wuque's core traits of the Extreme Path Space and the Human King Extreme Realm.

Then his gaze shifted to Feng Caichen: "Sword Heart Clear and Bright, Sword Intent Pure, cutting through delusion, pointing directly to the true heart... Sword Dao Extreme Realm, also reaches perfection. Rare, rare."

Finally, his gaze moved back and forth between them, clapping his hands and sighing lightly: "Astonishing brilliance! One who has taken the Flesh Dao to its theoretical extreme, opening the cosmos within; another who has refined the Sword Dao to flawless purity, heart and sword united. Even more rare, both of you have, within the foundational five great realms, achieved the epoch‑shaking 'Complete Ultimate Realm'... truly... extraordinary!"

The Universe Lord's appraisal was clear and affirmative.

Obviously, regarding all of Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen's performances in the trial, he already understood them fully.

"Congratulations, you are now officially Holy Sons of this era of the Great Thousand Divine Universe."

The Universe Lord smiled and offered formal congratulations.

But his next words made the Seven Yu Elders beside him twitch their expressions, a flash of shock in their eyes.

The Universe Lord, in a calm tone, slowly said, "I observe the flow of fortune in this world, the Mandate of Heaven is clear… the Epoch's Mandate of Heaven and fortune… I fear a large portion must fall upon the two of you."

The Mandate is upon you!

This appraisal could be called the highest possible!

This is not merely praising innate strength, but also involves the hidden Epoch fortune and the great trend!

From the mouth of the Universe Lord who governs the Great Thousand Divine Universe, its weight is incalculable!

Even beings like the Seven Yu Elders, upon hearing it, felt ripples in their hearts, and their gazes toward Ye Wuque and Feng Caichen became even more distinct.

However, the gentle smile on the Universe Lord's face slightly receded, his tone shifted, becoming plain yet profound, as he gazed toward the distant sky, as if seeing a future mist that ordinary people cannot glimpse:

"But…"

"This Epoch… is destined to be anything but simple."