Chapter 1084: Sword Remains in the World

In the heavens resided the ancient Immortal Xia.

He had reached the pinnacle of Hou Tu, forging his own path. To Hou Tu, he was a hero who once led its cultivators to expand into Wang Gu.

He suppressed the Glorious Sky God Race in Wang Gu, established the Heavenly Dao there, and enabled countless cultivators from Hou Tu to reach the peak of their lives.

Furthermore, to protect Hou Tu, to propel the Immortal Path deeper, and to create higher levels within the cultivation system, he and his companions had to venture into this unfamiliar starry sky.

They sought enlightenment, seeking opportunities.

This journey lasted for countless eons.

Now, one has returned.

And on Earth, there was the newly ascended Immortal Xia!

Though his status was not as high as the former, he too forged his own path and was equally a hero to humanity!

After the departure of Ancient Emperor Xuanyou, he slew gods, suppressed other races, fought for humanity, and safeguarded its peace.

His entire life was dedicated to humanity.

In his heart, Hou Tu was not important, the myriad races were not important; only humanity was his sole focus!

At this moment, as the gazes of these two Immortal Xias, old and new, met across the heavens...

The heavens shattered.

The firmament roared, first rippling like fish scales. Soon, these ripples turned into fragmented patches, which then shattered completely under deafening sounds.

The entire sky curtain was affected.

It was as if gigantic mandalas bloomed across the sky.

Accompanying this bloom was an ancient and indifferent voice that came from beyond the heavens, echoing throughout Wang Gu.

All the seas of Wang Gu surged, and the myriad races of Wang Gu trembled in their souls.

Divine spirits below the True God realm found their divine fires and even their divine pedestals shaking.

Even the rare True Gods... at that instant, felt their divine wills roaring in their respective abodes.

This was because... the oppressive aura accompanying the voice surpassed the peak of Immortal Xia, seemingly just a wisp of mist away from the Immortal Lord realm—a rank equivalent to a God Lord, and beyond Immortal Xia.

“You are not without a chance of resurrection.”

The moment these words were uttered, Xu Qing's breathing quickened, and the Empress suddenly looked up at the firmament. Her heart, which had been desolate all this time, wavered at this instant.

“Submit to me. Once I obtain what I need from Wang Gu, break through the mist before me, and fully claim the Immortal Lord's position, I will help you truly resurrect.”

From the firmament, the voice spoke again.

All beings fell silent.

The Sword Wielder spoke softly.

“I grew up listening to the stories of you nine seniors. Your names are etched in my memory, and your deeds are the source of light in my heart.

I respect you, and even now, I still truly respect you.”

“Lord Ji Zun.”

As the Sword Wielder spoke, he bowed deeply. Upon straightening, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes, and his voice, at that same instant, became stern.

“But are you... truly Lord Ji Zun’s true form?”

“I absolutely refuse to believe that any of the nine seniors who emerged from Hou Tu, suppressed the Glorious Sky God Race, and pioneered Wang Gu, with their supreme ideals, would ever fall so low, or raise a butcher’s knife against a junior for personal gain.”

“I do not believe it.”

Emperor Sword Wielder’s voice was firm and resolute.

Above the firmament, the black-robed elder standing in the high tower of the Celestial-grade Holy Land, expressionless, looked down upon Wang Gu. His gaze fixed on Emperor Sword Wielder as he spoke indifferently.

“Considering you’ve reached this stage and your difficult cultivation journey, I shall speak a few more words to you.”

“For Wang Gu, for Hou Tu, my claiming the Immortal Lord position is an innovation of the cultivation system.”

“This matter holds extraordinary significance. All efforts made throughout this process are for a beautiful future.”

“Therefore, junior, do not let your heart, your thoughts, or your ambition be so narrow-minded.”

“The Grand Dao is ruthless. If you wish to advance relentlessly, then your eyes must look forward.”

The voice, like heavenly thunder, echoed throughout Wang Gu.

All beings heard, all things knew.

Some agreed with this reasoning, while others did not. But ultimately, regarding the sudden arrival of the Holy Land, the myriad races finally formed a judgment.

However, given that what the opponent sought was initially pursued through descent, suppression, and war, it was conceivable that what he needed... might not be material objects.

It could be life, blood sacrifice, death... everything was possible, currently unknown.

But the only certainty was that this matter had nothing to do with divine spirits.

And the opponent could not remain in Wang Gu for too long.

The existence of the Incomplete Face was far beyond his ability to contend with.

Therefore... this descent of the Holy Land, combined with the previous actions of the Mortal and Profound grades, further confirmed their judgment.

The Sword Wielder shook his head, withdrawing his gaze from the firmament. He looked out at the surrounding lands, towards the direction of humanity, and spoke softly.

“My heart is narrow, for it contains only humanity.”

He raised his hand, the Emperor's Sword pointing to the sky, and the firmament trembled.

“My thoughts are simple, for they contain only humanity.”

Winds surged, fierce gales swept across the land, forming a storm that became a vortex centered around Emperor Sword Wielder, covering all directions and spreading rapidly.

The momentum was vast.

“My ambition is naive, for it still contains only humanity.”

A profound light shone in Emperor Sword Wielder's eyes, revealing determination and resolve. He gripped the Emperor's Sword tightly in his hand.

The aura around him was erupting.

Consequently, the heavens and earth changed color, and the rumbling sound of muffled thunder echoed throughout Wang Gu.

“The Grand Dao may be ruthless, but there is affection in the world.”

“On the path of relentless advancement, one's gaze should not only be fixed ahead... but also on the scenery along the way, and on accompanying family and friends.”

“If this path leads to trampling the corpses of races and drinking the blood of citizens, then... I refuse!”

The moment Emperor Sword Wielder uttered the last three words, a powerful light burst forth from his eyes. He suddenly looked up, locking his gaze on the space beyond the heavens.

His aura, at this moment, surged skyward.

The power transformed from the lives of all emperors and enemies he had absorbed continuously burned and erupted. Even as the aura of death on him reached its peak, this ascent and combustion continued.

Instantly, the vortex around the Sword Wielder rapidly expanded, spreading across regions. His figure, at this moment, grew infinitely tall, rising higher and higher, like a giant.

The Emperor's Sword, which had grown along with him, was slightly raised in his hand.

A vast sound emanated from his mouth.

“The sword techniques I have created in this life are born from insights at different ages and stages.”

“There are five swords in total.”

“Earth Repository, Sky Rift, Heavenly Palace, Starlight...”

“As for this final sword, it was revealed to me amidst the extinguishing of life during the battle when I protected Xia'er. I originally thought I would never have the chance to wield it.”

“But today, this sword can finally make its debut in Wang Gu.”

“This sword is named... Mortal World!”

The Sword Wielder murmured, and vague ancient memories surfaced in his mind.

In his memory, he saw a prosperous world.

There were no wars, no divine spirits. Countless races, under the leadership of the Ancient Emperor, reached their peak.

That was the flourishing Mortal World before the arrival of the Incomplete Face.

The Sword Wielder sighed softly. With his raised right hand, he brought the sword he held down towards the sky.

A 'Mortal World Sword', imbued with the vibrancy of life and earthly fireworks, shot skyward.

Subsequently, in the Sword Wielder's eyes, the darkest period after the Incomplete Face's arrival and Ancient Emperor Xuanyou's departure appeared.

Corpses lay everywhere, and mournful wails were omnipresent.

The sky was dim, and humanity was in despair.

That was... the Mortal World in despair.

With a bitter expression, the Sword Wielder waved his hand, and another 'Mortal World Sword', imbued with the despair of all beings, surged directly towards the firmament!

Next, there was the difficult Mortal World after the defeat of the Human Emperor of Dongsheng.

There was the struggling Mortal World during the Sacred Heaven era.

There was the reviving Mortal World under Jing Yun's rule.

There was the unyielding Mortal World when Dao Shi was on the throne.

There was the chaotic Mortal World during the ten thousand years of Profound War.

In Emperor Sword Wielder's memories, every stage of the Mortal World at this moment transformed into a sword, illuminating the sky.

Finally, what appeared in Emperor Sword Wielder's eyes was the figure of Empress Lixia.

It was the rising Mortal World after her ascension to the throne!

The Sword Wielder smiled.

“This is the Mortal World I protect.”

His body began to blur, and as the aura of death enveloped and consumed everything, the sword formed from the rising Mortal World soared into the heavens, shocking the world.

In the firmament, all the swords representing humanity's history, as experienced by the Sword Wielder, suddenly overlapped, converging into a single, true 'Mortal World Sword'.

With Emperor Sword Wielder's final strength, it struck towards the firmament, towards the space beyond the heavens, towards... the Holy Land!

This sword tore open the sky curtain, sweeping all before it with devastating force, causing the entire world to roar.

It was astonishingly brilliant, arguably the only dazzling sight in the present world.

If the Ancient Immortal represented heavenly will, then this sword was the will of humanity, fighting against heaven!

In an instant, it surged out of Wang Gu, colliding with the four Earth-grade Holy Lands obstructing its path.

The sounds from outside Wang Gu seemed swallowed by nothingness, but the scene imprinted on the eyes of all beings became an unforgettable masterpiece, powerful enough to shake their memories for a lifetime.

The four Earth-grade Holy Lands... each swayed, their descent instantly disrupted, all sent reeling back, utterly overwhelmed!

A hint of regret appeared in the Ancient Immortal's eyes.

“This sword is extraordinary. If you were not in your current state, but a true Immortal Xia, then this sword might indeed make me wary.”

“But as it is...”

The Ancient Immortal shook his head, raised his right hand, and gently pressed towards the sword.

He was about to shatter it.

But the next instant, his eyes suddenly narrowed. His press, unexpectedly, met empty air.

Because...

The target of this sword was not him at all!

Instead, it was the seal on Wang Gu’s firmament, which restricted all beings, allowing entry but no exit!

The sword light flashed, landing on the seal. With the will of the Mortal World and the Sword Wielder’s intent, it fused into the seal, one end locking onto the closed-eyed Incomplete Face in the desolation.

Once it erupted, the Incomplete Face would be the first to bear the brunt, inevitably opening its eyes.

As for what situation would unfold after it opened its eyes, everything was unknown.

But it would certainly be uncontrollable.

Even the Ancient Immortal's expression instantly darkened.

He realized that the integration of this Mortal World Sword was specifically designed against him; others touching it would not trigger it, but if he approached, it would explode.

Thus, with profound eyes, he looked across the seal towards Emperor Sword Wielder.

“What a remarkable junior. You originally had a sliver of a chance for true resurrection, but you gave it up in exchange for me to slow my descent.

Very well. Your sword intent will only persist for half a Jiazhi year (30 years)... I grant you that.

I shall wait outside until your sword intent dissipates.”

The Ancient Immortal spoke slowly, his body gradually blurring. Along with the Celestial-grade Holy Land where he stood and the four Earth-grade Holy Lands that had finally stabilized, they all retreated.