Chapter 951: Human Heavenly Dao Awakens

The calamity of night descended upon the Devouring Heaven Domain, ravaging all living beings. Meanwhile, the dawn's light was casting its glow over the human imperial capital. At this moment, light and darkness were exceptionally vivid within the vast panorama of Wanggu Continent. Yet, struggles persisted in the night, and obstacles appeared even within the dawn.

In the human imperial capital, on the Ancient Imperial Star, as the destiny drawn by the Holy Land backfired upon it, an imperial robe and crown reformed around the Empress, and raging divine flames began to ascend within the Ancient Imperial Star. These flames grew increasingly golden, as did the remains of successive human emperors within the five surrounding vortices. Within the pale golden flames, their forms became vibrant, and the dried blood in their bodies showed signs of revival. The aura of deities gradually emerged, most astonishingly from the Empress herself. The Empress's aura was now world-shattering, as if she were the sovereign of heaven and earth standing there. She seemed to have become a deity within this world, possessing omniscience, conveying a sense of vast infinitude. Especially golden light, which continuously shone upon the Empress. From afar, she felt like a blazing sun in the sky. Her aura shook the heavens in the clouds, her will could pierce the void, and her spirit could descend upon time. Accompanying the Empress's eruption was the destiny of humanity. The destiny surged in waves, creating endless clouds of mist and countless auspicious signs. At this moment, regarding becoming a god, there were already dissenting voices within humanity. The initial divine power of past human emperors, under this eruption, was shaking the cosmos and merging with the Empress's aura, clearly forming a bright divine lamp whose light illuminated Wanggu.

Countless powerful clans sensed it, and countless deities perceived it, leading streams of divine consciousness to converge upon the human imperial capital from all directions. The aura emanating from the Empress was truly astonishing. The Empress's actions were too overbearing. The Empress's resolve was enough to make all parties wary. A peak Dominator, already a formidable existence like a Calamity Fire God, though not flawless, was infinitely close. For such an existence to change their path and become a god was extremely rare throughout history. Once successful, judging by the power unleashed after igniting divine fire, the worst outcome would still be flawlessness. There was even a slight possibility, like Li Zihua, of directly transcending flawlessness and stepping onto the divine platform. This was akin to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm in the Xia Immortal system. Exactly how, it was hard to judge. But what was certain was that, although this opportunity was slight, it ultimately remained a possibility. Li Zihua was a precedent. So, how could all parties in Wanggu not be shocked! Even with just a slight possibility, Wanggu still would not allow another deity of such caliber to emerge. The powerful clans of Wanggu also did not wish for another clan to rise powerfully while the momentum of the Blazing Moon ascended. Therefore, the power obstructing the Empress's path to godhood this time was far greater than that faced by the Three Gods previously.

Among various causalities, in addition to the aforementioned, another reason was that the Blazing Moon itself was a powerful clan. Moreover, they were all of a superior celestial rank, which meant they somewhat qualified for achieving flawlessness, but humanity did not possess this qualification. Furthermore, the Blazing Moon only had one individual, the Grand Overseer, achieve godhood, whereas humanity, including the Empress, had six individuals ascending to godhood. More importantly, the Blazing Moon was not affiliated with the Holy Land. But humanity was different! To be precise, for many years, the Holy Land had maintained a dominant posture, always exercising shaky control over humanity; both Dongsheng and Shengtian had to bow to the Holy Land. Even Dao Shi, who harbored intentions of breaking away, managed to secretly slay a human emperor, making it an eternal unsolved mystery, which showed the extent of the Holy Land's control over Wanggu's human race. The Empress's decision to become a god represented the independence of Wanggu's human race, signifying that they would henceforth be uncontrollable. Therefore, even without the roar of the forty-nine Suns of Dawn, the Xuanyou Holy Land would still absolutely not permit it. Otherwise, they would not have once promised the Devouring Heaven Clan to use their emperor as a sharp blade to test the human emperor's combat power. Thus, at this moment, the power obstructing humanity's path could be said to be a combination of powerful divine clans and the Holy Land. To call it 'unpermittable through the ages' would be no exaggeration.

Consequently, there was the previous practice from the Holy Land, which, by imperial decree, defined and drew upon destiny. But that was merely the first layer. Now, the second layer of the Holy Land's counterattack arrived. The Holy Land, situated beyond the firmament, could not easily descend. Therefore, their methods had certain limitations and they could not personally intervene. However, relying on the legacies left behind from ancient times, their power was still astonishing. The next instant, as the sky over the human imperial capital rippled with sounds of thunder shattering, a colossal figure suddenly pierced through the void, replacing the human sky. It was a gigantic beast with a human face and a dragon's body, its massive form overshadowing the heavens and obscuring the sun. The moment it appeared, all cultivators felt a shock in their minds. A sense of worship seemed to rise from within their souls, causing most people's expressions to change. This terrifying entity, now in the sky, gazed at the human emperor with cold, emotionless eyes. Its face was genderless, its entire body exuded heavenly might, and every scale contained laws capable of shaking the cultivation foundations of all cultivators. It was a Heavenly Dao. One of the ninety-nine ancient Heavenly Daos of Wanggu Continent. And it was not alone. The next moment, a second Heavenly Dao materialized in the firmament. This second Heavenly Dao was a nine-headed lion, approaching from afar, stirring up wind, rain, and lightning, forming a tyrannical pressure that tore through everything. It wasn't over; in the blink of an eye, an ancient black statue also descended from the void. The power of suppression and sealing surged from this statue. Next was a snow-white mountain crane, emitting bright calls, flying from the horizon and circling above humanity. This was also a Heavenly Dao. The last to appear was not a living being, but a grand seal. This ancient seal exuded a sense of time. Carved upon it were the mountains and rivers of Wanggu, and countless human figures; within the formed totem, humans could be seen battling deities. This was the Seal of Humanity. It was the seal of the first Ancient Emperor of Wanggu Continent, later sent into the firmament to become one of Wanggu's Heavenly Daos. At this moment, including this seal, a total of five ancient Heavenly Daos simultaneously descended upon the human sky. This was the heritage left by the Xuanyou Holy Land in Wanggu, now activated to obstruct the Empress. Immediately, heaven and earth changed color, winds and clouds surged, and the vast might of the Heavenly Dao descended, forming an oppressive decree. The earth trembled, the void tore, and countless seals enveloped the Empress!

In the imperial capital, most humans, whether mortals, cultivators, or royalty and officials, looked bewildered and uncertain; only a few maintained their composure. The Empress was one of them. The Empress stood in mid-air, her aura not only undiminished but becoming even more astonishing under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao. It was as if no obstacle could sever the Empress's resolve. No power could crush the Empress's spine. And no one could make the Empress lower her head. At this moment, the Empress looked up at the five descending ancient Heavenly Daos, raised her right hand, and waved. Immediately, a colossal war drum materialized with a thunderous roar on the Ancient Imperial Star. This drum was forged from the mountains and rivers of humanity, with the will of humanity as its pinnacle, and the bloodline of humanity as its power. The moment it appeared, heaven and earth overturned, emitting a magnificent aura of humanity's triumph over destiny. It was precisely the Human War Drum.

"King Zhencang." The Empress spoke faintly, her voice falling upon the Ancient Imperial Star, echoing in Xu Qing's ears. "Given your status, you are most suitable at this moment. Are you willing to beat the drum for Us, to suppress these Heavenly Daos of the firmament?"

Since his previous action, Xu Qing had been observing this magnificent ritual of godhood ascension. Hearing the Empress's words now, he understood in his heart that her naming him specifically must hold profound meaning. He figured she must have known about the matter of the Heavenly Dao's son, understanding that there was a deep karmic connection between himself and the ancient Heavenly Dao. Xu Qing remained silent, sensing the Empress's current vast power, and dared not refuse. So he raised his head, swayed his body, and shot straight towards the firmament. After three steps, under everyone's gaze, he stood atop the massive Human War Drum. His cultivation circulated throughout his body, forty million soul threads erupted, forming an illusory grand world, while the Grand Profound Sky Armor appeared, surrounded by the Nine Li, and his own aura and momentum ascended to their peak. Then, a sharp light gleamed in his eyes, he raised his right hand, and punched down towards the Human War Drum. This punch broke through the void, creating world-shaking power, and struck the Human War Drum, emitting an earth-shattering, deafening sound. As this sound erupted, the firmament roared, and the earth rippled violently. Within the imperial capital, all buildings shook, and outside the imperial capital, the land undulated. Even rivers surged at this moment; ultimately, the colossal sounds of heaven and earth, the roars of rivers, converged with the drumbeat, forming the singular sound of heaven and earth. This immense sound formed a majestic wave, suddenly sweeping towards the five ancient Daos descending from the grand curtain. Not only was the drum sound overwhelming, but it also contained the karma between Xu Qing and the ancient Heavenly Dao. Vaguely accompanied by the cry of an infant, it echoed through the void. In an instant, the five ancient Heavenly Daos all trembled simultaneously. After Xu Qing's full-power strike landed, a terrifying force also rebounded from within the Human War Drum. As it spread from his fist, with crackling sounds throughout his body, this terrifying force swept through his flesh, meridians, bones, and soul. Xu Qing's whole body shook, and he spat out a mouthful of black blood. This blood was incredibly putrid, like potent poison, containing endless filth. With the expulsion of this blood, Xu Qing felt an unprecedented clarity throughout his being. A feeling of lightness appeared all over his body, transforming into waves of comfort. All of this stirred his heart, and a strange light gleamed in his eyes. Over these years, all the hidden injuries he had accumulated from countless battles were, under the rebound of the Human War Drum, mostly cleared as if by baptism.

Thus, without the slightest hesitation, he raised his hand again, channeling all his cultivation, and unleashed a second punch towards the Human War Drum. The drum sound rose again, the sky trembled, and human hearts roared; a wisp of red destiny ascended from all humans, converging into the Human Destiny Dragon. This caused the Destiny Dragon to grow immeasurably, roaring defiance at the Heavenly Daos. Sweeping the destiny of the clan, it roared towards the five Heavenly Daos. Moreover, within its roar, the surrounding valiant spirits and ancient sages who had submitted to the human emperor shone with light, forming endless murderous intent and astonishing momentum. A vast army charged towards the Heavenly Daos. In life, they were humans, fighting enemies; after death, they protected the Human Emperor's path. At this moment, heaven and earth changed color. The five Heavenly Daos in the firmament also trembled simultaneously, and the power of their seals and suppression showed signs of being shaken. As for Xu Qing, he only felt that all hidden injuries in his body had disappeared in this rebound baptism, and even his physical strength seemed to have improved. Especially the perfect fusion of body and soul gave him an inexplicable feeling of completeness. This feeling came suddenly, and he had no time to think much now; with a flash of sharp light in his eyes, he delivered the third punch. The drum sounded, heaven and earth collapsed, and from the imperial capital region, from the Seven Commanderies, from Sheng Lan, from the Black Spirit, and even from all the miserable humans scattered throughout Wanggu Continent—no matter what they were doing, at this moment, they were drawn by their bloodline, releasing their own will. A single spark can start a prairie fire. The will of all humans currently existing on Wanggu Continent erupted with the drum sound, invisibly merging into this third drumbeat, transforming into a low growl of human will. This character was extraordinary; it was historically known as the name of the Underworld. Later, when the Great Dao was established, apart from certain beings formed from artifacts, all others were gathered from valiant spirits who died in ancient battles. Thus, Xia Xian used this character to define the true names of the Daos of the Heavens. It is said that when humans die, they become ghosts, feared by humans; when ghosts die, they become wraiths, from whom even ghosts retreat—this is Heavenly Dao. At this moment, this character, cried out by the collective will of humanity, surged from earth to heaven, from human to Dao, impacting the Heavenly Daos. The Wanggu Heavenly Daos existed for the will of humanity and protected the living beings within this world. Yet now, from the powerful clans of the past, and from the human race that had unified Wanggu multiple times, their collective will, forming an impact, cried out the true name, naturally shaking the Heavenly Daos' very foundation. These five Heavenly Daos, controlled by the Holy Land, also had to follow their essence; they all trembled and took a step back.

Seeing this, the Empress's eyes gleamed with sharpness. When the Three Gods ascended, they possessed domain treasures and even immortal artifacts to repel divine obstructions; these were powerfully collected by the Blazing Moon and Xuanyou, forming the foundation of the Three Gods. But humanity, although previously rich in heritage, had fallen into decline over countless years, and its heritage was now scarce. However, the will of humanity still persisted in this cruel Wanggu, ignited by the war drum, now surging sky-high and roaring through the cosmos! As for Xu Qing, his aura surged, his body like a dragon, and with his peak power at this moment, and with that sense of completeness within him, he delivered the fourth punch. The drum sound shook the heavens, echoing in all directions, while human will resonated, destiny resonated, mountains and rivers resonated, and bloodlines resonated. Furthermore, eternal time connected, and past glories projected themselves in this brief resonance. It was a map of mountains, rivers, and territories. It was drawn from time by the drum sound, converging between heaven and earth. All domains of Wanggu were ancestral lands. All clans of Wanggu must worship.

The Empress raised her hand, grasping this illusory map of ancient mountains, rivers, and territories in her palm. "Heavenly Daos, in ancient times, were primarily established by our human race, with other clans being granted titles and assenting to their joint construction. Now that you have descended, this act is insubordination. Do not forget, our human race also has a Heavenly Dao—one that, apart from the Ancestral Dao formed by Xia Xian, ranks first among all Wanggu Heavenly Daos. After the Remnant Face arrived and Xuanyou departed, it fell into slumber and has remained so for countless years until now. Today, it is time for it to awaken. Xu Qing, beat the drum."

The Empress's voice was like heavenly thunder; with a wave of the territory map in her hand, it transformed into a colossal drumstick and was thrown towards Xu Qing. Xu Qing took a deep breath, his cultivation empowering his entire body, his vital blood surging endlessly. He reached out and caught the drumstick, which was the territory map imbued with humanity's glory. With all his might, he struck the Human War Drum.

The fifth sound. As it spread throughout Wanggu and echoed in the firmament, a roar seemingly from ancient times erupted from within time, reverberating through the void of the firmament. The next instant, heaven and earth turned golden. A seven-clawed golden dragon suddenly appeared among the clouds.