Chapter 2038: Saying Dreams

"The Heavenly Realm is gone; there is no path upwards."

"No matter how you all struggle, I assume you've been waiting for this moment. I have arrived."

In a forgotten corner, the Medicine Ancestor led Xu Xiaoshou's consciousness away, but that was utterly irrelevant.

Everyone watched Kong Yuhen, standing atop the River of Time. They watched him turn, address the Five Domains loudly, and wondered what he intended to do. In the current situation, it seemed even the Holy Emperor's personal arrival would change little. How dared Kong Yuhen show his face? What good would his arrival do? Could he save Bazun An?

Silence fell over the Holy Divine Continent. Everyone waited expectantly. Then, Bazun An, who had entered the Zero State in one step, having casually severed even Ancestor Hua, showed surprising respect towards Kong Yuhen, who wasn't even an Ancestor God yet. He raised a hand and gestured:

"Please!"

That single word "Please" immediately piqued everyone's curiosity. What were they planning?

The River of Time was blurry and indistinct; spirit refiners in the Five Domains could only vaguely discern a silhouette, unable to make out the true scene within. This was even more true for Kong Yuhen, who stood upon the river. But when he raised his hand, everyone clearly saw the Six Gates pendant he held. Six small wooden doors, each radiating extraordinary power, seemingly of extremely high caliber?

"Indeed, it's him!"

Pill Saint Lu Shiyu's gaze sharpened, a hint of shock in his expression. Even though he felt Kong Yuhen looked quite unfamiliar, as if he had seen him before, yet also not. Meeting the numerous gazes from all directions, and the curious info-gathering devices in the hands of various sect masters, he hesitated slightly. After exchanging glances with Tie Dameng and Daoist Shangfeng, knowing that these things were no longer secrets, he spoke frankly:

"You should all know that within the City of Life and Death exists the Void Tower."

"Legend has it that at the top of the tower is the 'Gate of Void,' one of the ancient Six Gates. Over the years, many have visited the Void Tower, but no one has ever managed to acquire the Gate of Void."

His opening words carried the tone of revealing a monumental secret, immediately captivating all the curious minds throughout the Five Domains.

"What's the Gate of Void used for?"

"And what can the Ancient Six Gates be used for?"

Aside from those from inherited families like the Grand Void and Half-Saint families, who reacted with a slight difference, nearly ninety percent of the spirit refiners in the Five Domains had never even heard of the Ancient Six Gates. This thing, like the Ancestor Gods, was until recently a legend among legends, having no connection whatsoever to the average hero or master. Its existence was less sensational than a third-grade spirit sword suddenly dropping to a fourth-grade price. How did it just pop up? This made people feel that it wasn't just a matter of blocked information; it seemed ninety-nine percent of cultivators on the continent had been cultivating in a well!

"Why are people always quietly stirring things up behind the scenes?"

"So Kong Yuhen was also a troublemaker? As expected, none of the Ten Esteemed Ones are simple."

"Shut up, have you forgotten about my aunt?"

A sect master aimed his info-gathering device at the Six Gates pendant in Kong Yuhen's hand, and sharp-eyed observers immediately noticed that one of them was engraved with the characters "Void." This naturally sparked speculation: what could the Six Gates do?

Lu Shiyu also gazed at the River of Time, his expression very solemn:

"To be honest, four months ago, someone visited the Void Tower in the City of Life and Death and seemed to have successfully entered the tower."

"Even we Half-Saints can no longer clearly recall his appearance."

"However, we vaguely remember that at the time, he was already wearing three gate pendants: 'Time-Space,' 'Guidance,' and 'Dao Law.'"

These three terms could all be found on the wooden gate pendants in Kong Yuhen's hand. Counting the Gate of Void obtained from the Void Tower, only the 'Sub-Plane' and 'Reincarnation' gates remained.

Li You of the Yin Ghost Sect was stunned. Not long ago, she had only briefly discussed the Ancient Six Gates with the Grand Elder, and in a blink of an eye, someone had collected them all? Four months ago, four gates were already gathered, and now, in another blink, the remaining two were acquired. What kind of speed was this? Where were the specific locations of the Ancient Six Gates? Wasn't it hard enough just to pinpoint them?

"The Gate of the Sub-Plane..."

"That's right, the Gate of the Sub-Plane on Void Island, wasn't that on Bazun An?"

"I get it, so Kong Yuhen and Bazun An teamed up. But what about the Gate of Reincarnation?"

"The Ghost Ancestor! It must be connected to the Ghost Ancestor!"

The curious minds from various factions joined the discussion. But in the end, even with the combined wisdom of the Five Domains' heroes, not a single person knew what could be done once the Ancient Six Gates were assembled. When asked, even a powerful Half-Saint like Lu Shiyu shook his head in ignorance.

"The Time Realm!"

Above the River of Time, Kong Yuhen spoke again. It was rare for anyone to know about the Ancient Six Gates, and even if the explanation wasn't perfectly clear, it served to propagate the names of the Six Gates in another way. He pointed at Bazun An in front of him and declared loudly:

"The Heavenly Realm is no more; there is no path to ascension. An Ancestor God who enters the Zero State also loses their footing, their existence fading with time."

"After their power naturally recedes, the lighter outcome is to leave the Zero State and remain an Ancestor God; the heavier outcome is to become assimilated by the Great Dao, dissolving into nothingness."

As these words were spoken, everyone looked at the already semi-transparent Bazun An and realized the gravity of the situation. Would Ancestor Bazun die with the passage of time even if he didn't act? Entering the Zero State in one step had such a limitation? What about the other Ancestor Gods?

"If I am like this, then so are all of you."

Bazun An suddenly spoke, and his words carried far more credibility than Kong Yuhen's. Moreover, he wasn't addressing the Five Domains or the Ancestor Gods; rather, he seemed to be issuing a reminder. From the elevated perspective granted by his Zero State, he reminded the Holy Slaves, the Ten Esteemed Ones, and other fellow cultivators:

"The power of the Zero State fades extremely quickly, but the more perfect one's Dao, the smaller the cost of taking action."

"After the Heavenly Realm ceased to exist, the planar levels of all the myriad realms declined, and the Holy Divine Continent is no exception."

"In fact, even Two-in-One forms are affected, though this impact is less severe than for those in the Zero State."

*Boom!*

Under the Ancestor God's Dao Obliteration Tribulation, Kui Leihan, whom no one dared to openly obstruct anymore, had actually progressed to the late stage of his Dao Tribulation. Hearing this, his movements involuntarily slowed, and his thoughts wavered.

"Is he telling me not to be too fast?"

Kui Leihan naturally understood Bazun An's reminder. Driven by helplessness and ignorance, Bazun An had entered the Zero State, which essentially meant being out of the game. Therefore, anyone who achieved Ancestor status hereafter absolutely must not do so overnight. And if even Two-in-One forms were affected, it was no wonder the Demon Ancestor had been reluctant to revert to his original state after splitting into three. The Life-Death Medicine Ghost had also been slow to recombine. Even Sui Yin, after entering the Holy Divine Continent and having his power scattered, chose to passively accept his weakened state. Not one of them had spoken of this! They had even suppressed the information! Were they all waiting for this final opportunity?

A bunch of sons of bitches... Kui Leihan glanced at his Dao Tribulation, but a Dao Tribulation wasn't something he could simply slow down just because he wanted to.

"What Mr. Bazun An said is true."

"If there is no radical cure, the situation will only worsen over time, reaching a point where even Ancestor Gods will find it difficult to achieve their status."

Kong Yuhen took over, and in front of all the cultivators in the Five Domains, he raised the Six Gates pendant high:

"Therefore, I will reforge the Time Realm!"

What exactly could the Time Realm do? Everyone had vague guesses, but it was too grand, too terrifying. It might be acceptable if Bazun An were to act, but you, a mere Kong Yuhen...

"The Time Realm is similar to the Heavenly Realm, yet different."

"I will use the Ancient Six Gates as keys, and the Time Realm fissure as a foundation, to first recast a corner of the Zero State Ancestor Gods' foothold, equal to the Heavenly Realm. I will then continuously improve it."

"This realm shall be named 'Time Realm'."

Kong Yuhen's words were astonishing. He completely ignored the dropped jaws across the Five Domains and proceeded to lay out his plan:

"The name of the Five Domains, with the Time Realm as its anchor, will lock down the path of return."

"The revolving power of the Time Realm can reflect the past, present, and future, over the River of Time, from the lowest ant and speck of dust to the highest Ancestor Gods' Dao and laws—everything."

"That is to say, amidst the chaos, the Time Realm has a chance to reflect the perfectly complete Thirty-Three Heavens of the past Heavenly Realm."

He paused.

The Five Domains took a long time to process this, but couldn't quite grasp it. Was Mr. Kong Yuhen a dreamer? What was he talking about? Was he just spouting nonsense? He didn't stop! The dream continued!

"Mr. Bazun An will enter the Time Realm. I will assist him with the power of Time-Space and the Time Realm. He will be responsible for pouring all his efforts into tracing back the Heavenly Realm, with two possible outcomes."

"First, the Heavenly Realm is traced back, and Mr. Bazun An returns. The Dao and law levels of the Holy Divine Continent will be elevated, and from this point forward, cultivators, up to Ancestor Gods, will have an unhindered path."

"Second, if the Heavenly Realm cannot be traced back, and the time limit is reached, to prevent him from getting lost, I will recall Mr. Bazun An. If all Ancestors then work together to build the Time Realm, its future achievements will be no less than the Heavenly Realm's."

Kong Yuhen finished speaking loudly, staring intently at the Five Domains, gripping the Six Gates pendant tightly. After a moment of silence, the Five Domains erupted into an uproar. Everyone looked at the two figures above the River of Time as if watching a joke.

Leaving aside the question of... Why dared you, a mere Kong Yuhen, to spout such grand words, discussing things that even the Demon Ancestor, Medicine Ancestor, and Sui Yin might find unattainable? You constantly spoke of the Heavenly Realm and Time Realm, and you articulated it so clearly. But Kong Yuhen, what weight do you carry?

Leaving aside the question of... How exactly would the Ancient Six Gates and Time Realm fissures—things that looked and sounded utterly unreliable—construct a corner of the Time Realm that could equal the Heavenly Realm? Could it truly hold? The Divine War in the Holy Divine Continent was imminent, the situation as tense as a drawn bowstring at full moon. A single ripple of aftermath could shatter everything. Who would bother with your broken Time Realm?

Leaving aside the question of... The Heavenly Realm collapsed during the Divine War, and before that, all Ancestors coexisted. Bazun An was indeed powerful, strong enough to enter the Zero State with one sword strike. But where was the path once he entered that Time Realm? Even if he found a path and located the Heavenly Realm within the Time Realm, whether he could bring it back was another matter entirely!

Alright, let's set aside these three "leaving aside" points. Even if your delusional dream, Kong Yuhen, succeeded, and Bazun An brought back the Heavenly Realm, or the Time Realm became the next Heavenly Realm.

"Who would be the master?"

Where there are people, there are rivalries. The Holy Slave Continent was not short of shrewd individuals who immediately saw the limitations of this plan. Even if everything succeeded, would this Heavenly Realm or Time Realm be led by Bazun An, the meritorious pioneer, or by you, Kong Yuhen, the founder of the Time Realm? Or would it be based on seniority, with the Demon Ancestor, Medicine Ancestor, Sui Yin, etc., leading, then followed by Kong Yuhen and Ancestor Bazun, with newly ascended Ancestors taking their places in sequence? Was that even possible? Who would willingly live under another? The schemes of the Demon, Medicine, and Sui were so obvious. Everyone could see their ambition... not just in the Dao, but to be the *only* one!

"Me, not him."

As soon as an opportunity presented itself, like hungry wolves eyeing meat, who wouldn't pounce and take a bite until the other was completely devoured?

But then again! If Bazun An did not go, those who entered the Zero State would forever lack a stable foundation. If Kong Yuhen didn't pursue this seemingly deluded dream, the possibility of even having a dream come true in the future would be zero. Would the Three Ancestors do it? A moment's thought would tell anyone they wouldn't show up. If no one bore the burden and pressed forward, where would the so-called peaceful haven of Jade Capital come from, where peace would reign for ten thousand generations?

*Whoosh!*

On Mount Lingyu, a biting cold wind blew. The Five Domains fell silent, but a myriad of thoughts surged within everyone's minds. Once upon a time, Emperor Cangsheng's arrow sought to strike down the Heavenly Ladder, but what he wanted to seize yet couldn't was the selfish ambition of the hand covering the sky outside the cage. There was the Resentful Buddha, whose heavenly fate led him to willingly descend and guard the inverted Buddha Tower, then merge into the Holy Slaves, severing the Heavenly Ladder, but what he wanted to protect yet couldn't was the Holy Divine Continent's fleeting thirty years of prosperity and peace. The Ten Esteemed Ones, possessing astounding talent, one in a hundred generations, converged in this era, each displaying their brilliance. Excluding those who were mere accessories and those who acted as accomplices, were the remaining talented and capable ones, who had even delivered results, merely striving to become Ancestor Gods, ushering in the next golden age of Ten Ancestors, only for it to decline again? At least from the two points of "Kong Yuhen's delusional dream" and "Bazun An's unwavering advance," some people thought deeper and looked towards the future.

"If I don't enter hell, who will?"

This was certainly moving, but could reality truly be so beautiful? If the only Ancestor who had entered the Zero State, Bazun An, truly focused on the future, whether he found that future was one thing; what about the battlefield behind him? With the "Sea-Calming Divine Needle" gone, could the Holy Divine Continent still be stable? Could the Three Ancestors behave themselves, wait for Bazun An's return, shake hands, sleep side by side, and coexist peacefully? Who could stand firm, blade drawn, and suppress everything?

"What kind of hero are you playing at now?"

Below Fusang City, Yue Gongnu lowered her gaze, her heart full of pain. She finally understood why, on Mount Lingyu, just before Bazun An took that step into the Zero State, his gaze towards her had been so complex. He knew that once he took that step, there would be no turning back. Hua Changdeng, in his Two-in-One form, having merged with the Ghost Ancestor, was not someone an ordinary Ancestor God could suppress or kill. If Bazun An didn't instantly enter the Zero State to eliminate him and awe everyone, the Medicine Ancestor would follow, and he would be even more troublesome. A single slow step would throw the situation into chaos, leading to continuous subjugation by the Three Ancestors. But once he entered the Zero State, Bazun An was inevitably out of the game. The Holy Divine Continent could not bear his power, preventing him from remaining there for long. Upon seeing him enter the Zero State, the Three Ancestors feared him and fled faster than rats. To get rid of the Three Ancestors was difficult; they had survived from ancient times and had too many contingency plans to be dealt with quickly. Forming an alliance with Kong Yuhen and reforging the Time Realm was indeed the best, and only, option.

But what about her? Everyone else saw "the setting sun is the most beautiful evening glow, and return is simply the sword's rise," but Yue Gongnu only read "the green mountains do not envy white hair, yet this feeling is hard to control." She gazed blankly upwards, towards the River of Time, and stammered for a long time before she could speak:

"How long will it take?"

Bazun An turned his head to look at her, his eyes incredibly complex, yet also incredibly resolute. An ancient sword cultivator always pressed forward. Moreover, he had no retreat. Amidst these conflicting emotions, Bazun An's lips moved, but no sound emerged. Kong Yuhen took a deep, long breath, looked at Bazun An, then back at Yue Gongnu, gathered his courage, and loudly replied:

"I don't know."

Yue Gongnu wished she could draw the Rage Immortal Buddha Sword and stab three gaping holes into him. She lowered her head, not wanting to look at Bazun An anymore. Then she suddenly snapped her head up, staring intently at the figure, so faint it was almost invisible, as if she wanted to flay him, refusing to blink.

"However, there's still a drawback."

Kong Yuhen dared not look or respond casually anymore. He looked towards the distant sky:

"Once the Time Realm emerges, it will inevitably be unstable. It will require the Three Ancestors' effort to stabilize it together."

"I hope the Three Ancestors will prioritize the greater good and temporarily put aside their conflicts."

"Mr. Bazun An's actions will benefit this generation and countless generations to come."

Dead silence.

Silence.

No response.

It was as if the Demon, Medicine, and Sui Ancestors had left no contingencies whatsoever in the Holy Divine Continent and were completely oblivious to Kong Yuhen's request.

Bazun An's sword-like brows furrowed, and he flipped the Qingju in his hand:

"Speak! Now!"

With a thunderous roar, a massive rift tore open in the sky of the Holy Divine Continent, even causing Kui Leihan's Dao Tribulation to pause. This time, not even half a breath passed before three hurried voices came from beyond the continent:

"Good."

"Feasible."

"Agreed."

Please visit: m.bqq999.cc