Chapter 957: Great Emperor

Inside a secret chamber beneath the Sword-Wielder Palace in the Human Imperial Capital, the Sword-Wielder Emperor, who had remained alone in the mortal realm protecting humanity until now, let out a sigh that echoed through heaven and earth. At that moment, a blurry soul-figure stepped out from his withered body.

This figure was that of a middle-aged man, neither tall nor imposing, yet possessing an unshakeable sense of steadfastness, as if capable of bearing the immense burden of the entire world, inspiring awe in all who saw him. With a single stride, he emerged from the Sword-Wielder Palace, stepped into the world, appeared on the Ancient Emperor Star, and stood before Xu Qing!

At this very moment, the world's colors shifted dramatically. The Human Race erupted in commotion. Even the Empress's expression showed emotion for the first time. All the gods present turned their gaze, the sky and earth seemingly fading into the background. Only this voice, only this sword intent, commanded all attention.

"Young friend, I ask to borrow your body, and your sword as well!"

Xu Qing's mind buzzed, and the Emperor's Sword within him let out a resounding hum that soared to the heavens. The next instant, his body trembled as a warmth spread throughout him. He felt a will as vast as the cosmos merge with his own body, not domineering, nor causing him the slightest harm. It simply took temporary control of his form. He offered no resistance, allowing this will to permeate him entirely.

The next moment, under the gaze of everyone present, including all the gods, Xu Qing lifted his head. His eyes held the weariness of ages. An boundless aura erupted from him, stirring the winds and clouds, shaking the very foundations of the universe. The sky seemed to tilt, and mountains and rivers vibrated in resonance.

All the heroic spirits of humanity prostrated themselves, and all ancestors knelt in reverence. The human race's destiny qi surged forth, gathering around Xu Qing's body, forming dragons of destiny that continuously coiled and condensed. Finally, they sculpted for him a thousand-zhang-tall body. This body had mountains for bones, rivers for blood, the earth for skin, ancient forests for hair, and the heavens as armor. The destiny qi became his flesh and blood, forming the supreme body of a Great Emperor, with all living beings aiding his soul. The Emperor's true form had returned to the mortal realm.

His face was resolute and profound, like a bronze sculpture carved by the passage of time. His eyes gleamed brightly, like the most luminous stars in the night sky, flickering with endless light. As he stood there, the sky itself paled, and all other gods dimmed. He was the only Quasi-Immortal existing in the current era of Wanggu. He was the sole Great Emperor left after Xuanyou's departure. He was the Sword-Wielder who had protected humanity for tens of thousands of years, slain countless gods, and even now, with only the last breath of a split soul remaining, sought to establish eternal peace for the human race. He was, without a doubt, the Human Emperor. A majestic aura, world-shaking, arose from him. The Sword-Wielder Emperor had descended upon the world.

"Great Emperor," the Empress spoke, bowing her head with unprecedented reverence, though her expression could not hide a trace of sorrow. She knew that the moment the Great Emperor manifested, it would also be the moment of his demise. This last breath was both to protect his own path and to fight for the destiny of the human race.

All the human officials around them now gasped, their hearts turbulent, as they collectively knelt. Regardless of their past thoughts, at this moment, their respect for the Great Emperor was unified. All the citizens within the Imperial Capital followed suit, prostrating themselves. Cries of "Great Emperor" echoed throughout the capital, filled with utmost devotion.

The three gods present also chose to lower their heads. The three deities from the Netherworld Origin Bone Clan, the Northern Fate Royal Clan, and the Scarlet Earth Great Luo Clan retreated at this moment, daring not to act rashly. Though gods themselves, they had all heard of the Sword-Wielder Emperor's might, and in the long annals of time, had even witnessed this slayer of gods.

Amidst this universal reverence, the Sword-Wielder Emperor's gaze swept over humanity, over the mortal realm he had protected for tens of thousands of years, and finally, he raised his right hand. With a grasp into the void, the Emperor's Sword within him surged forth with an earth-shattering hum, manifesting between heaven and earth and settling into the Sword-Wielder Emperor's hand. Its sword energy rent the sky, and its blade light astonished the ages. Within its hum, there was yearning, sorrow, and reluctance.

"Old friend, let us walk this last path together!" the Sword-Wielder Emperor said with a smile, stepping towards the sky. The heavens roared, and the void shattered, yet no thunder appeared. It seemed that, at this moment, even lightning dared not flash. Only the Great Emperor, step by step, walked alone towards the million-mile blade-shadow that was now descending from the peak of the sky. His steps were steady and powerful, each one shaking the universe. His majestic posture and resolute stride filled all of humanity with a profound sense of security and reverence. With the Great Emperor present, humanity was safe. His back was like the heavens, his figure like light, cutting through the dark night sky after the sunset, bringing illumination to humanity even in the deepest night.

At this moment, countless hearts surged with emotion. They had almost all grown up hearing tales of the Sword-Wielder Emperor, maturing under his guidance. The Sword-Wielder Emperor was for them an eternal paragon, an everlasting legend.

Thus, under the gaze of all beings, amidst the convergence of heaven and earth, the Sword-Wielder Emperor arrived at the peak of the sky, before the million-mile Heavenly Blade that swept with destructive power, descending from the heavens as the Holy Land's punishment. Standing there, he raised the sword in his hand. With one strike, he cleaved the sky. As the sword light rose, the firmament tore; as the sword gleamed, the ages shone. As the sword's shadow emerged, gods were startled; as the sword's edge chilled, the Heavenly Blade trembled. The Heavenly Blade and the Emperor's Sword, at the peak of Wanggu, shattered endless time, broke all laws, and transcended the power of the cosmos, seemingly intertwined by fate, colliding and interweaving. They formed a dazzling ribbon of light.

It appeared like a majestic rainbow, moving with unstoppable momentum and power that transcended ancient and modern times, ignoring all obstacles and barriers, spanning the skies of all great domains across the Wanggu Continent. This light connected Wanggu. In an instant, the sky over Wanggu became as bright as day. Even beyond Wanggu, brilliant light shone. Its radiance illuminated the surrounding starry sky, and even the "Remnant Face" was engulfed in light at this moment. From a distance, it resembled a colossal dragon thrashing at the zenith, emanating world-shattering, ferocious power. The Heavenly Dao trembled, and all races across the Wanggu Continent, looking up at the sky, witnessed this profound change and felt profound terror in their hearts.

Ultimately, the Emperor's Sword and the Heavenly Blade simultaneously vanished, forming a colossal nebula that continuously dimmed and reformed, creating countless vortices, like a magnificent scroll that replaced the entire sky of Wanggu. It lingered for a long time.

The residual power transformed into countless bolts of lightning, radiating in all directions from the human sky as its center. Showers of powerful torrential rain also poured down in multiple great domains. This scene rendered all parties in the Human Imperial Capital speechless.

"The power of a God Platform's peak," the gods murmured.

Above the sky, the Emperor's figure stood there, gazing at the nebulous sky, saying nothing.

After a long silence, a voice, ancient and weathered, emerged from the Holy Land, echoing through the firmament. "Sword-Wielder, do you insist on this?"

The Emperor spoke calmly, his voice faint. "The moment you left, today was predetermined. In Dongcheng back then, I was silent. When Jingyun rose, I was also silent. When Daoshi fell, I too was silent. But I will not remain silent forever. Today, the Empress achieved godhood; I permitted it."

This time, the Holy Land fell silent. After a long pause, a sigh emanated, then dissipated.