Chapter 210

Jiang Xuan was like a lord patrolling his borders, then turned and strode toward the remaining Forbidden Zones. Such conduct was like a boulder cast into water, stirring thousand-layer waves that shook the universe.

"Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor intends to storm the Life Forbidden Zones, crushing them one by one and sweeping across all the Forbidden Zones?"

Countless thoughts surged in, and innumerable faces wore expressions of utter disbelief.

Within the several great Forbidden Zones, the atmosphere was tense and bristling.

If Jiang Xuan truly dared to act so recklessly, they ought to emerge and meet him in battle to defend their dignity.

However, Jiang Xuan did not resort to arms; he merely strolled leisurely before the gates of each Forbidden Zone. Wherever his figure passed, all Supremes held their breath, not daring to breathe heavily.

"In this Dark Turmoil, any Forbidden Zone that has sent a Supreme into the world must pay a price!" Jiang Xuan finished speaking and drifted away.

"Hmph, I thought he truly dared to act; if he is really this arrogant, I will surely make him know the cost..." a Supreme seethed indignantly.

"Since you have such courage, why did you conceal your aura just now and dare not make a sound?"

A Supreme beside him sneered mockingly,

"The Heavenly Emperor reappears in the world; such a powerful figure, and so young besides—his future achievements may well exceed imagination. I have no wish to oppose him; as long as the Heavenly Emperor yet lives, I shall remain hidden in seclusion..."

As the words fell, his aura gradually dissipated, returning to stillness.

Grass and trees waxed and waned, wind, snow, and green shoots succeeded one another; in the Mortal World, generations changed, and countless mortal lives passed like smoke before the eyes, dissipating into the Long River of Time.

The Long River surged, endless and ceaseless; in the blink of an eye, three hundred years had passed.

After the storm of the Dark Turmoil subsided, the universe knew spring's return to the Dadi, and various Heaven's Prides, like spring shoots after rain, one after another emerged into prominence.

The Golden Age arrived; in this world, talent and gift intertwined, opportunity and challenge coexisted, and the Young Generation each displayed their grace, contending for the highest.

Yet, astonishingly, those Imperial Sons and Ancient Emperor Princes of bygone renown seemed to have evaporated from the Mortal World, leaving no trace.

Most chose to hide within the Years, using sealing arts to temporarily bury themselves, silently awaiting the arrival of the Next Life.

……

Jiang Xuan, as the Years drifted by, often remained silent and wordless; most of the time he sat cross-legged on a towering mountain cliff of ink-black like an abyss, his whole heart immersed in silent contemplation.

Each time he sat, it would last for dozens of years, motionless and silent, his expression without ripple or wave; occasionally his eyes opened, revealing ancient flow-light.

This place is Undying Mountain, its cliffs ten thousand ren high, like ink jade piercing the sky, with Sun Moon Stars circling as guards. Once a Life Forbidden Zone, it is now Jiang Xuan's Dao ground; Jiang Xuan named it Fenbao Cliff, though in truth only Jiang Xuan, Zixia, and Yao Xi are there.

Recalling those years, when Undying Mountain launched the Dark Turmoil, the whole world was shocked, and all spirits of the universe trembled uneasily. Jiang Xuan, with his peerless ability, pacified this place, occupied Undying Mountain, and made it a magnificent Dao ground—truly the might of Heaven descending to the world, causing all living beings to sigh in awe.

Over three hundred years, another powerful force rose mightily.

The Golden Crow Great Emperor stood proudly atop the Heavenly Vault; golden radiance burst from his eyes, like substantive flames licking the horizon. With a raise of his hand, endless demon power, like a surging black tide, swept forth; wherever it reached, space trembled and twisted.

The Golden Crow Great Emperor sought to establish the Demon Race!

Majestic buildings condensed into being from the Void one after another. The Great Demon Tower soared into the clouds, inscribed with Demon Race runes, mysterious and awe-inspiring.

Immediately, streaks of commanding demon light shot toward the four directions; this was the Golden Crow Great Emperor summoning the scattered rare treasures of the Demon Race from all corners of the universe, filling the Treasure Vault, and laying a firm foundation for the Demon Race's glorious era about to begin.

A living Great Emperor—few have the chance to witness his true countenance.

In this life, someone was fortunate enough to witness a Great Emperor undergoing tribulation and becoming a Supreme Existence. He intimidated the Eight Wastelands of the universe; all races held him in reverence. Whether or not they had ties to the Golden Crow Clan, all went to pay their respects, for who would wish to offend such a true Great Emperor?

In recent years, the Golden Crow Clan has dominated Tianxia, looking down on all races, and has become a Supreme Royal Clan.

Yet there is one person who is a Thorn in the Flesh to the Golden Crow Clan: Jiang Xuan. Jiang Xuan can slay Supremes within the Forbidden Zones, and his Combat Power is suspected to exceed even an unflawed Great Emperor—undoubtedly this has taken away some of the Golden Crow Great Emperor's Prestige.

In truth, over the years, countless people have gone to Fenbao Cliff to pay homage, mindful of Jiang Xuan's supreme achievement in pacifying the Dark Turmoil three hundred years ago.

He opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping the Eight Wastelands. In the depths of the universe, war flames blazed; the Golden Crows roamed freely, locked in fierce battle with a woman.

At this moment, Yao Xi waved her hand, and the Guanghan Palace, now become an Emperor Weapon, appeared in the air. The Zhu Shi has not yet Proven the Dao, but the weapon has first become an Emperor Weapon; the Guanghan Palace can be called one of only two under Heaven, the other named Shan He Tu.

The palace flickered with dim light; moonlight flowed within, and Law runes appeared and disappeared. Yao Xi gave a light cry, and the palace emitted a powerful suction, like an ancient black hole, instantly drawing a powerful Golden Crow inside.

For so many years, only Fenbao Cliff would dare do this; which other clan has such gall?

The Demon Emperor holds sway over one region; the Imperial-blood Golden Crow Clan is mighty and imposing, its Aura able to swallow Shan He, and all races must make way upon seeing them.

Fenbao Cliff has never actively sought trouble, but if the Golden Crow Clan provokes them, they will surely strike back powerfully—taming the Golden Crows as Mounts is no problem at all.

Thus the relationship between these two forces is tense, full of contradictions.

Jiang Xuan turned his head to look elsewhere; his strength is formidable, and having reached this Realm, he can roam the universe without leaving his door, with star system scenes filling his eyes.

Beneath the Heavenly Vault, nine flood dragons, majestic and imposing, drew a splendid palanquin as it glided past; the dignity of an Emperor was like an abyss, like the sea, and a surging aura spread in all directions.

Wherever they passed, the Void trembled, and the Great Dao wailed mournfully.

At this shocking moment, a graceful figure, like smoke and illusion, drifted in.

The arrival was Fairy Zixia; her face was like peach blossoms, her figure graceful, yet she bore an otherworldly, refined temperament. Her vermilion lips parted slightly, her voice like an oriole's song, yet every word was clear: "Ahead, is it the Golden Crow Crown Prince, Highness? This place is already the territory of Fenbao Cliff; please halt, and do not intrude by mistake."

Across five hundred years of Years, Fairy Zixia cultivated with single-minded devotion; with Jiang Xuan's guidance, she and Yao Xi had long since reached Quasi-Emperor Peak. Zixia was united with the Dao; her magic power was like a deep, vast sea, boundless and endless, and with every gesture she possessed the might of Destruction of Heaven and Earth.

Yet her nature was purely kind, gentle as jade, showing not the slightest sharp edge; she had no interest in the world's conflicts, only wishing to quietly guard her original heart and remain with Jiang Xuan.

In the Ancient Era, Da Yi possessed godly power that reached the heavens; nine suns fell together, and only one Golden Crow luckily escaped, fleeing back to Fire Mulberry Star.

This Golden Crow, having endured hardships, has passed down its Inheritance to this day and is the sole remaining descendant of the Golden Crow Great Emperor; his status is naturally incomparably noble. Now that the Demon Emperor has risen, this Golden Crow Crown Prince rides the trend to wield power; in this universe, his Status is transcendent, and he holds the balance of power.

Fairy Zixia stood there quietly, her gaze calm as she looked ahead.

"Hmph!"

From within the palanquin came a cold snort; the Golden Crow Crown Prince, displeased, said: "I am merely patrolling the Divine Realm of the Demon Race; what is it to you?"

Fairy Zixia smiled faintly and spoke gently: "Golden Crow Crown Prince, you have crossed the border; please withdraw. That Golden Crow spoke insolently and deserves this calamity; if you insist on interfering, I fear it will stir up trouble."

Yet the Golden Crow Crown Prince did not appreciate it.

"Boom"

With a boom, as if in provocation.

Seeing this, Fairy Zixia shook her head slightly, extended a slender hand, and brushed forward; the movement was light yet carried undeniable power. Nowadays, Jiang Xuan's Prestige is unmatched by anyone; facing such an overstepping matter, though gentle, she could not shrink back.

"Crack"

The palanquin shattered, and a golden rainbow shot up. The Golden Crow Crown Prince's eyes flashed with cold light; he opened his mouth and spat out a Fire Mountain Great Seal, bearing the might of Suppressing Heaven and Earth, truly terrifying.

Fairy Zixia sighed softly: "This is a treasure your father refined for you? Not bad, but still not enough!"

After speaking, she slowly lowered her jade palm, appearing to gently pat that enormous Fire Mountain Great Seal; instantly magma surged, the Shen Shan shattered, and the patterns on the Great Seal gradually wore away.

Zi Xia appeared gentle, but her strength was unfathomable.

Zi Xia's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile; her slender hand seemed like a feather riding the wind, lightly landing on that Fire Mountain Great Seal where an ancient primordial beast lay dormant.

In a flash, the magma, like an awakened spirit snake, slowly wound its way; the Shen Shan could not bear the disturbance and emitted a faint low moan, and the ancient patterns on that Great Seal were directly erased.

Seeing this, the Golden Crow Prince coldly rebuked, "Are you forcing me?"

After speaking, he rose from his shattered palanquin, golden light suddenly appeared above his head, and a brilliant Golden Crow Bell emerged into the sky.

This bell was a divine object personally forged by the Demon Emperor, its might intimidating Qian Kun.

Zi Xia's voice was like a secluded spring, calmly saying: "Not bad; this Emperor Bell can be forged from Immortal Gold, only its refining is somewhat lacking."

Having long associated with Jiang Xuan, her vision had become much higher.

Inside the bell, an Emperor-level divine sense was like Hong Zhong Da Lu, deafening: "This matter is our Demon Court's fault."

A dazzling golden radiance like the sword that opened Heaven shot furiously from within the bell, piercing the Universe; in an instant it cut this Tian Di into the two realms of Yin and Yang, and then the Golden Crow Bell rang again, auspicious colors in thousands of strands, like auspicious dragons protecting the body, carrying everyone slowly into the depths of the Demon Domain.

Zi Xia's expression was calm as water, with no intention of pursuit, appearing like a transcendent immortal beyond the world, detached from material things.

……

In Fenbao Cliff, Jiang Xuan sat in meditation on a black cliff, calmly observing everything in the Universe.

In another region of Fenbao Cliff, plants were lush and full of vitality. There stood an ancient tree, its trunk vigorous like a horned dragon, with auspicious light flashing among its branches and leaves.

The Tao Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree shone with colorful light; it could only grow in the Undying Mountain, and had now become the Supreme Emperor Fruit Tree in Fenbao Cliff.

Jiang Xuan's gaze pierced the endless Star River, only to see a vast Heavenly Tribulation suddenly appear. With a single strike, it shattered ten thousand stars, and that region instantly became a shattered land, filled with boundless terror.

The boundless Heavenly Tribulation suddenly appeared; with one strike, it destroyed ten thousand stars, turning that region into shattered Void, terror spreading, vast and boundless.

Zi Xia, Innate Dao Body, Jiang Xuan's Dao Companion, was now calmly facing the Heavenly Tribulation.

She wore a purple robe dancing in the wind, her blue hair like a waterfall falling over her shoulders, her features clear and indifferent, appearing like an immortal standing alone apart from the world; facing the Nine Heavens Great Tribulation that blotted out the sun and sky, unfathomable and shocking the Universe, she merely moved her starry eyes slightly, calm and unperturbed, as if such scenes of Destruction of Heaven and Earth were to her nothing more than the ordinary blooming and falling of flowers in a Courtyard.

The whole world was shocked, everyone knew Jiang Xuan was invincible; now Zi Xia would also step into such a realm, and in the future join hands with Jiang Xuan—who could block the way?

"Last time, he already broke through to the Nine Heavens Realm, but forcibly suppressed it; this time, does he intend to use this to advance to the Emperor Realm?" Outside, speculation ran rife.

"Boom!"

The Heavenly Tribulation was vast and boundless, the stars of the Myriad Realms brilliant like torches. Zi Xia ascended the Nine Heavens, freely striking and impacting, breaking through the Thirty-Three Heavens above, and probing the Nine Serenities below.

"Such a powerful Heavenly Tribulation, such a terrifying junior—could it be another person capable of conquering the Forbidden Zone?"

"The previous Innate Dao Body was the Yaochi Holy Mother, right!"

Zi Xia's gaze was calm, allowing the boundless Heavenly Tribulation to temper her; divine and demon shadows wailed as they passed through, the stars trembled, and myriad phenomena came one after another, yet she remained unmoved.

"A sign of becoming Emperor! In the past, all who showed this sign proved the Dao and became Emperor!"

"Sister Zi Xia's Innate Dao Body is in harmony with the Universe's Great Dao; she will surely prove the Dao!" Yao Xi rubbed her fists together, full of confidence; she too was about to prove the Dao.

She was eager to try, wishing she could take her place. This was not jealousy, but trust; with Jiang Xuan, she and Zi Xia possessed the best cultivation resources in the entire Universe.

Zi Xia was tranquil as water; amidst the chaos of the Heavenly Tribulation, she was like an Immortal Flower standing alone apart from the world, detached from the clamor.

She moved lightly with lotus steps, floating upward; wherever she passed, the Sea of Thunder was like paper, and the Heavenly Tribulation was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, easily pierced through by her.

She traveled against the Universe, shattering the Thirty-Three Heavens' gates with her hands, showing not the slightest anxiety or panic; as if this great tribulation of Heaven and Earth was merely a small trial on her path to proving the Dao.

"Huh?!"

Within the Forbidden Zone, several ancient existences were also alarmed, their eyes showing surprise; they awoke from their slumber, gazing intently toward where Zi Xia was.

Could this woman actually defy Heaven and change fate, achieving that supreme Emperor's Way?

"Boom!"

Jiang Xuan still sat steadily on the stone cliff; divine light suddenly appeared in his eyes, the force of the divine light tore through the Myriad Realms, instantly annihilating a strange light and shadow that attempted to ambush Zi Xia.

"Not emerged for three hundred years; have you forgotten me, daring to act against my Dao Companion?"

Like thunder suddenly sounding, the various Star Seas trembled. Three hundred years had passed, yet Jiang Xuan had still not appeared in the world, causing many powers to grow suspicious.

"Could he have been severely injured in that world-shocking Dark Turmoil?"

However, the power Jiang Xuan now displayed was like the bright sun in the sky; the extent of his might made all races tremble with fear.

Recalling the past, Jiang Xuan shook the Universe, like a peerless killing god; patrolling the territory of the Forbidden Zone Supremes, harvesting Supremes' heads as easily as taking something from a bag, ruling Tianxia with an invincible posture; wherever his name reached, all races feared.

Even though Great Emperors now appeared in the world, Jiang Xuan's radiance was still dazzling, like the brightest star in the Star River, causing countless experts to feel awe.

The Heavenly Tribulation surged and roared, shaking the Universe; Zi Xia was like a phoenix reborn from fire, constantly striking within the Purgatory of the Nine Heavens Tribulation, each advance seeming to break the rules of Heaven and Earth.

She actually transcended this Nine Heavens Tribulation capable of destroying all things in the World; however, this was not the end, and even more terrifying lightning surged forth like the Day of Judgment.

"Could she truly rely on this power to step into the Great Emperor Realm?"

This thought arose, and the whole world was shocked.

The power of the Fenbao Cliff lineage was intimidating enough to make one's heart race.

Jiang Xuan held the town at Fenbao Cliff, like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, already making various powers dare not act rashly; now his Dao Companion was like adding wings to a tiger, nearly desiring to grow to the Great Emperor Realm. Simply terrifying.

Even the Forbidden Zone Supremes, who always looked down from above and regarded all living beings as ants, now showed worried expressions at this moment.

If Jiang Xuan were allowed to develop like this, a group of helpers would gather around him; then Jiang Xuan would be like possessing the Heavenly Axe that opened Heaven and Earth, and it was highly likely the Forbidden Zone, regarded as a forbidden land, would be trampled flat in one go.

(Chapter End)