Chapter 198

198. Chapter 198: A Hundred Years in a Flash

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Jiang Xuan

After experiencing a hundred years of vicissitudes, Jiang Xuan finally returned from that god's game world, once again fully setting foot in the Zhetian World.

His figure was like a towering mountain peak, standing between heaven and earth, exuding endless pressure. A hundred years of time had carved deep marks on his face, but those eyes had become even deeper and brighter, as if containing a sea of stars.

At this moment, Jiang Xuan had already stood at the pinnacle of the Human Dao. Every step he took caused heaven and earth to tremble, wind and clouds to change color. The familiar aura of the Zhetian World rushed toward him, yet his state of mind had long since become different from the past.

"The event should be over; I wonder how Yao Xi and the others are doing?"

Taking a step out, his figure disappeared.

……

Zi Xia rushed over first, tears in her eyes, complaining with a sobbing voice: "Jiang Xuan, you heartless one, leaving for so long, do you know how bitter our days have been?"

Yao Xi followed close behind, biting her lip, her eyes filled with both longing and reproach: "You roamed outside, did you ever think of us at home missing you day and night, the taste of worry and fear?"

Although their mouths were full of complaints, in those eyes fixed tightly on Jiang Xuan, there was an undeniable deep affection and longing.

Jiang Xuan walked forward guiltily, pulling them into his embrace, his voice low and gentle: "Zi Xia, Yao Xi, it's my fault, I made you suffer. From now on I definitely won't leave you again, I'll properly make it up to you."

Zi Xia and Yao Xi leaned in Jiang Xuan's embrace, tears soaking his clothes, yet their hands held him tightly, as if afraid that letting go would make him disappear once more.

Time flew by, and in a blink another hundred-plus years had passed.

Tiny living beings do not recognize the changes of years. A hundred-plus years, mortals can pass several generations, dynasties also exchange old for new.

For Cultivators, a hundred-plus years is enough to change heaven and earth.

In the current situation of dramatic change in heaven and earth, even ordinary Cultivators can step onto the peak. Those originally gifted younger generation have now achieved fame and success.

Ye Fan, Pang Bo, the Ji Family God Body, Yaoguang Shengzi, Nan Yao and others all resounded through the nine heavens, establishing brilliant reputations on the ancient path of cultivation.

Worth mentioning, the name Middle Emperor was brought up again. In the past, Middle Emperor and North Emperor shook the world for a time; after North Emperor passed away, this name was once mocked. Some said that although their aptitude was extraordinary, their strength was limited; claiming the titles of Emperor and King, they could not bear the fate of an Emperor, and would inevitably fall. But in recent years, the name Middle Emperor has been mentioned more and more frequently, and Xiang Yufei no longer rejects it, as if he has accepted it.

"Someone has shockingly revealed a Chaos Body!"

"Yin Tian De is about to become invincible under heaven!"

"Is Yaoguang going to dominate the world?"

Rumors rose in the world one after another, one dazzling star after another rose, illuminating the vast heavenly vault, breaking through this era's horizon, blooming with the most resplendent light.

……

This is a world-shaking generation rarely seen in ten thousand ages, this is a brilliant and splendid golden age, this is an incomparable glorious prosperous time; people living in this era are fortunate to witness its arrival! However, for those determined to prove the Dao, this world is equally full of hardship; they must defeat numerous geniuses to become the leader.

The vast starry sky is boundless; the ancient path each person walks is not the same. In the past, Ye Fan, in order to search for Jiang Xuan's traces, stepped onto this ancient path, becoming invincible in the world, reaching the end, leaving behind many legends. Yet he still could not find Jiang Xuan's tracks.

"Jiang Xuan, where exactly are you?" Ye Fan muttered to himself.

"Perhaps, at the final pass we can meet Jiang Ge; we'll go there. If Jiang Ge has been there, he would surely have left his name!" Beside him, Pang Bo said with some emotion.

Ye Fan and the others, borrowing the Human Race Ancient Path, successfully leaped into the ultimate place. Before them, a majestic pass stood towering, chaotic qi swirling around it; despite the long years, its traces do not extinguish, displaying a magnificent grandeur in the ethereal.

This pass is Nameless, yet the names of Human Emperor, Amitabha Buddha, Ruthless Person, Void, Wu Shi, Qing Di and other powerful ones are all engraved on the stone pillars; the past wind and clouds are self-evident.

Pillars prop up the sky, straight into the star clouds, like pillars of the heavenly vault, standing quietly before the majestic pass. On them, the patterns of years interweave; the weight of history rushes toward the face.

Human Emperor's pillar, Taiyin qi permeates, Heavenly Dao rumbles faintly, as if narrating past majesty. On Mount Sumeru, traces of Great Thunder Sound Temple, manifesting Amitabha Buddha's supreme Dharma.

On Ruthless Person's pillar, ghost face mark tear stains still remain, sourness and smile accompany each other, telling a lifetime of legend. Void's pillar, ancient mirror remnant shadow, warred until death, quelled Forbidden Zone turmoil, the finale also heroic.

The stone pillar accompanied by the Chaos Bell, without beginning or end, back facing all living beings, life and death a mystery, only supreme qi and bearing remain. Green Lotus pillar, standing alone, shaking the ancient blue sky of ten thousand ages, Qing Di's bearing, gazing until the Xian Yu is cut off.

There are also ten-odd stone pillars standing side by side, inscribed with the marks of powerful ones of various races from Self-Emperor to Great Emperor; past glory and honor have all become a touch of brand in the years.

Many Great Emperors once stepped on this ancient path; although they never met each other, the state of mind in leaving their names here makes one ponder, only sighing at the long flow of years, the past hard to pursue.

Ye Fan's group arrived at the Ultimate Ancient Path's First Pass.

Great Emperors are born from tragic competition, all the way tempering, finally transcending to become holy, standing above ten thousand realms; looking around, hard to find an opponent, only able to mutually reflect in spirit with ancient passed-away Emperors, regarding them as peers.

Ye Fan and the others walked slowly along the stone pillars, gazing at ancient traces, staring at divine stones, their hearts receiving a strong shock, as if before their eyes emerged one lonely Great Emperor figure after another who once stood here.

The majestic pass before them was completely silent, not a single person guarding it; the heavy great doors were tightly closed, on them hung a huge beast-head copper ring; the city walls towered, yet had no luster, exuding a desolate air of long being untrodden.

This is the Ultimate Ancient Path's First Pass.

This Ultimate Ancient Path's First Pass has various names. The name Xianlu, revealing spiritual charm, seems to lead to Fairyland, making hearts yearn;

Emperor Road reveals domineering air, the conquest path of the strong becoming kings; called Chengshen Road, seems able to help people transcend to become holy; called Tianlu, again feels lofty and mysterious.

This road is extremely terrifying; below Great Sage, facing the city gates they are helpless; not to mention breaking through the pass, even pushing open the doors is difficult. Therefore, those with insufficient realm and strength fundamentally cannot come here.

The number of Emperor Road passes, rumors differ. Some say nine passes, like nine layers of cloud sky setting barriers, each pass killing tribulations heavy, like surging waves;

Some say eight passes; some even say endless. All are guesses of various races' Path Protectors. Only ancient Great Emperors know the truth and where the endpoint lies.

This is the place where heroes meet their doom, more cruel than the Human Race Ancient Path. Because it is where the strongest races of the entire universe compete for supremacy; race glory and personal destiny intertwine here, hot blood and tragedy coexist, terrible to the point of stars losing light, heaven and earth mourning together.

Behind the majestic pass, many who would become Emperors unexpectedly fell; tragedy from ancient times to now has never ceased.

Pang Bo said: "One pass if one day, to ascend the Nine Heavens, sweep all gods, defeat all enemies, strike the Emperor Bell to spread through Ten Thousand Domains." Previously he had inquired hidden secrets from the Human Race Ancient Path Path Protector; at this moment he was deeply moved.

"Also transmitted: one pass one world, using nine pieces of ancient universe as battlefield." Ye Fan secretly thought the people on the road ahead are all strong enemies.

The people on this road are few, yet all cannot be underestimated. "Minimum fifty-five people entered inside, maximum number has no record."

Ye Fan's group walked toward the great door wanting to ascend Tianlu for a decisive battle; before the door a giant stele suddenly appeared, silently emitting Great Emperor Qi that made everyone's hearts palpitate.

That stone stele stood tall, as if piercing the heavenly vault, majestic and solemn.

Its front was like a smooth crystal mirror, faint light halos floating, able to reflect a person's outline. In comparison, the stone stele's four corners and side back faces appeared dark and lusterless, exuding a simple ancient aura, no different from ordinary stone.

Ji Ziyue's expression was heavy, she said softly: "This road at this moment has not yet opened; the crystal stele still blocks the door."

The Human Race's Path Protector had once solemnly informed everyone of the precautions at this place one by one.

The Heavenly Road will not open easily; it requires the many trial participants of this era to gather together before it will open — this gives everyone sufficient preparation time.

Before this, the mighty pass was tightly sealed and could not be opened; the crystal stele stood majestically before the city gate. Cultivators who came here needed only to inscribe their names on the stele and leave an imprint of their true bodies.

Later, when the mighty pass opens, no matter where a person is — at the ends of the earth — a divine gate will flash into existence for them to step into. With just a single step, they can arrive at this place.

Therefore, this crystal wall holds extremely great significance for cultivators. Those able to reach here are all outstanding figures within their clans.

The moment one inscribes their name on the crystal wall is the day a peerless powerhouse announces their birth; this person can dominate a domain, and within their clan will enjoy supreme glory and lofty status, revered by all.

This is the lifelong pursuit that countless cultivators yearn for day and night. Putting aside the Emperor Road, simply being able to inscribe one's name on the crystal stele is already enough. This symbolizes a form of affirmation — the highest glory.

"Look for whether Jiang Xuan left his name; if he came, he certainly wouldn't miss it."

"This era has only just opened its curtain, and already fifty-five people have gathered!" Ji Haoyue wore a face full of astonishment.

The crystal stele thrust straight into the clouds; upon it fifty-five names radiated brilliant light, their brushstrokes vigorous like silver hooks and iron strokes, enveloped in auspicious light.

This crystal wall is quite special; its light halo seems illusory and dreamlike, making these names appear as if endowed with life, like eternal divine lamps.

"Fifty-five people is merely a beginning; the quantity is truly not many. In the past, the fewest instance also had fifty-five people; now in such a golden prosperous era, who could predict how many powerhouses will ultimately emerge?" Pang Bo exclaimed with emotion.

Back then, the fewest number of people was fifty-five, and this time that number was reached in the blink of an eye; inevitably more powerhouses will come in succession — this era is undoubtedly a golden age.

The era with the most people in the past had no exact statistics; it is heard that it was because it coincided with a period when dark turmoil and a prosperous era coexisted, which is why so many heaven's prides emerged.

The fifty-five names are like brilliant stars; and the numbers before each name mark the order of their arrival here.

"The one ranked first is actually named Taichu!" Everyone was utterly shocked; this name is by no means ordinary — after all, in the Northern Dipper Region, the Taichu Ancient Mine is a famously notorious forbidden zone.

"However, this name may not necessarily have an inevitable connection with that forbidden zone existence..."

The crowd then examined them one by one, yet did not discover Jiang Xuan's name; disappointment instantly showed on their faces.

"Jiang Xuan, where exactly are you? Could it be that even this critically important final pass cannot attract you here?"

Deep in the hearts of Ye Fan and the others, they firmly refused to believe Jiang Xuan had already perished. They believed that beneath this vast starry sky, even if one cannot assert he is unrivaled under heaven, he is absolutely worthy of being called rarely having an equal.

"You look at these two names — Yao Xi, Zixia!" Pang Bo suddenly called out loudly.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan subconsciously cast his gaze over, and his heart also stirred with a trace of subtle waves.

"They actually also..."

"It must be Jiang Ge!" Pang Bo's face was full of excitement; Ye Fan also overflowed with joy.

Suddenly, a long sigh seemed to come crossing time and space.

In the distance, a figure slowly approached, chaotic qi surging ceaselessly around them, their true appearance hazy and hard to discern — only their mysterious and unfathomable bearing was fully revealed.

Their gaze was like a torch, locked onto the fiftieth and forty-ninth positions on the crystal stele; then they sighed deeply, the sound shaking the surroundings, as if filled with infinite emotion.

The newcomer's silhouette floated ethereally, like an immortal treading the void; mist swirled around them — clearly no ordinary person. Those able to set foot here must have undergone layer upon layer of trials; all are of the transcendent and saintly sort.

"Fellow Daoist, why do you sigh?" Ye Fan's expression was serious; he cupped his fists and asked.

"The number of Great Derivation is fifty; this is the heavenly number. What everyone contends for is only that escaped one. At its root, it is actually competition among peers — all because of obsession with this number, hoping to resonate with it to seek the opportunity to prove the Dao. Yet this person's name seems like lingering immortal notes, ethereal and elusive, nearly possessing the divine charm of the Great Dao; it actually naturally resonates with that escaped one — such coincidence, how could there not be deep meaning? Could it be they are truly the one uniquely favored by the Great Dao in the dark?"

"Fellow Daoist, have you ever personally seen this person?" Ye Fan raised his hand, pointing at the names Yao Xi and Zixia on the crystal stele, wishing to get to the bottom of it.

Zhang Bairen's face was solemn; he slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I have also never personally seen their appearance, only heard of them. Rumor has it that at this pass, many heroes competed for this position, yet they were actually swept away by two women. Although these women did not take anyone's life, they cast them into the depths of the starry sky like discarded worn shoes with supreme divine might — their power can shake heaven and earth, terrifying and awe-inspiring. By the time I heard the news and rushed over in haste, they had already departed flutteringly; only from afar could I faintly sense their supernatural aura. The abilities of these two women have likely reached the Quasi-Emperor realm — truly extraordinary people of the current era."

Behind the Ninefold Emperor Pass, it is as if a mysterious bridge is erected, connecting the mortal world with the vast immortal domain; within that immortal domain, immortal light surges like torrential tides, endlessly overflowing and shining upon the boundless universe.

"Past secrets are like an unfathomable abyss, impossible to fathom; present truth seems veiled behind layers of mist, blurred and unclear; the future's appearance is like a pavilion hazy amidst a sea of clouds, impossible to grasp — just what kind of fantastical place lies behind these nine emperor passes?"

The current great era is like a tightly shut giant gate not yet opened; even those outstanding figures who gloriously inscribed their names on the crystal wall can only be like a group of travelers bitterly waiting outside the gate, needing to patiently wait for the emperor pass to open before they can step into that unknown realm.

Countless cultivators were once like a group of explorers surrounding a riddle, racking their brains and guessing before the crystal wall, not one of them not wanting to unveil the mysterious veil behind it.

At this moment, behind the Ninefold Emperor Pass, there happens to be a figure like a nimble bird, soaring freely across the vast heaven and earth.

"Boom!"

Behind the emperor pass, it is as if the end of the world has arrived, erupting with a shocking, world-shaking great explosion.

Endless lightning is like an angry heavenly river bursting its banks, or a roaring tsunami sweeping everything; in the end it is simply like a brilliant star river losing balance and pouring down inverted.

That boundless lightning is like a primordial giant beast choosing people to devour, filling the endless void; even the vast boundless star sea, with stars like an ocean, before it would be like a fragile sandcastle, instantly leveled to nothing by thunder.

Behind the Ninefold Emperor Pass, the terrifying atmosphere is like substantialized dark fog, permeating every inch of space — no wonder, for a non-Quasi-Emperor to enter this place is like a fragile ant stepping into a blazing purgatory, nine deaths one life.

In fact, even a Quasi-Emperor stepping into this realm is like walking on a sharp blade's edge — likewise fraught with danger, life and death hanging by a single thread. (Chapter End)