Chapter 2546: Deathly Aura

As a transmigrator, he had heard and read many myths and web novel settings from his previous life, so when the Wushan Goddess spoke of these things, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity.

"Am I also in a virtual world...?" Zu An shook his head, dispelling the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

He began to ponder some real-world issues. He had been misled by some preconceived notions from his previous life, subconsciously assuming that the various legendary emperors were human emperors. Now it seemed these emperors, and even the Heavenly Court itself, were from the demon race.

The question then arose: where were the humans?

Hearing his question, the Wushan Goddess replied, "Back then, Empress Nuwa created the human race based on the characteristics of both the Witch and Demon races. However, humans were simply too weak, lacking the world-destroying abilities inherent in the bloodlines of the Witch and Demon races. Although there are now some thriving tribes, overall, they are insignificant compared to the Witch and Demon races."

As she spoke, she looked at Zu An with a puzzled expression: "Speaking of which, I've never seen a human as powerful as you."

"Perhaps I'm just lucky," Zu An said with a self-deprecating smile. It seemed that human civilization was still in a relatively primitive stage.

"Where is Empress Nuwa now?" Zu An wanted to confirm more information.

The Wushan Goddess shook her head slightly: "She hasn't appeared for a very long time. There are legends that she achieved sainthood through the merit of creating the human race. Others say she has already perished. However, neither claim has been substantiated."

"Achieved sainthood..." Zu An's heart stirred. "Is the Sagely Realm the state that those Heavenly Emperors have always pursued?"

Zu An had asked her this question before, but she hadn't answered then. Now, after a slight hesitation, she finally said, "Yes, they all pursue the legendary Sagely Realm."

"Who are the current saints?" Seeing that she was willing to answer, Zu An naturally seized the opportunity to inquire further.

"The Sagely Realm is truly elusive. The only ones we can confirm are the Qing Emperor from back then, and Empress Nuwa. As for other saints, I'm not sure who they might be," the Wushan Goddess explained. "Achieving sainthood isn't a step-by-step breakthrough. One must find a Dao suitable for oneself and simultaneously achieve resonance with the origin of the Great Dao. Only then can one prove their Dao and become a saint. Therefore, throughout history, there have been many powerful cultivators who have remained stuck at that stage. Though it's just a half-step, it's like an insurmountable chasm, impossible to cross."

Zu An thought of what she had just said: "Right, you just mentioned Empress Nuwa achieved sainthood through the merit of creating humans? Why would creating humans lead to sainthood? Aren't the Witch and Demon races the dominant ones now?"

"That's a point of confusion for many. Humans are indeed a weak race. Besides their ability to procreate and their aptitude for learning, they don't have anything special," the Wushan Goddess said, a faint puzzlement in her brows. "In terms of procreation, they can't surpass the Beast race. In terms of learning, no matter how much they learn, it's difficult for them to match the powerful inherent abilities in the bloodlines of the Demon and Witch races."

As she spoke, she suddenly looked at Zu An apologetically: "I'm not targeting you personally. In fact, your appearance has made me realize that humans seem to have infinite possibilities. You can learn both the cultivation methods of the Demon race and the bloodline abilities of the Witch race."

Zu An wondered if she was referring to the Witch race's essence blood given by Houtu. "Goddess, there's no need to worry," he said. "I would hardly mind such things. However, I broadly understand why Empress Nuwa could achieve sainthood. It must be that the human race is destined to flourish greatly in the future, and this immense merit was returned to her."

"Why are you so certain that the human race will flourish in the future, young master?" The Wushan Goddess looked at Zu An with her beautiful eyes.

"I once saw such a scene in a dream." Zu An couldn't very well explain that he was a transmigrator from the future.

The main reason was that this world truly had a Heavenly Court and immortals. He was worried that revealing his origin from the future would attract unpredictable dangers.

The Mermaid Queen, standing nearby, looked at the Wushan Goddess with a complicated expression. She had truly been flustered by her concern. Earlier, seeing her chatting and laughing with Brother Zu, she had felt a pang of jealousy.

She had completely forgotten that they weren't from the same time-space. Come to think of it, she and Brother Zu weren't from the same time-space either.

Thinking of this, her expression couldn't help but become a little forlorn. Her gaze towards the Wushan Goddess also turned to one of shared plight.

The Wushan Goddess smiled faintly: "Young master, don't belittle yourself. When cultivators reach a certain stage, dreams often hold prophetic meaning. Since you had such a dream, perhaps it truly will become reality in the future, and you will also become an existence of crucial importance to humanity."

The moonlight shone upon her face, causing her already crystalline skin to emit a captivating glow.

Zu An was stunned, not having expected such an explanation.

At this point, the Mermaid Queen also became interested: "Goddess, how are the cultivation realms divided in this world? And what realm are the Heavenly Emperors in?"

The Wushan Goddess had previously been unwilling to answer this question, but now that the atmosphere was right, she no longer concealed anything: "Mortals, whether through cultivation or other special encounters, who ascend to cross the Immortal Gate in broad daylight reach the Flying Immortal realm. Above the Flying Immortal realm is the True Immortal realm. Further up is the High Immortal realm, which people often respectfully call 'So-and-so High Immortal.' This is generally the limit most people can reach."

"Above that is the Golden Immortal realm. If the Flying Immortal realm is the chasm between mortals and immortals, then the gap between the Golden Immortal realm and the preceding realms is also like an insurmountable chasm. Most Heavenly Emperors are in this realm."

Zu An wondered what realm he was in. Although he had just ascended not long ago, he always felt that he should be stronger than an ordinary Flying Immortal.

But Heavenly Emperors were Golden Immortals, and he was far from reaching the oppressive power they displayed. Clearly, he could only be considered a True Immortal or High Immortal.

The Wushan Goddess continued to explain: "Above the Golden Immortal realm is the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, just one step away from the legendary sainthood. Heavenly Emperors, after abdicating, often cultivate to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm. However, whether they can achieve sainthood depends on their destiny and opportunities. Currently, the highest realm I know of is the Sagely Realm..."

After listening, Zu An thought to himself that it wasn't too different from the web novel settings of his previous life. It was quite cliché, but it did make it easier for him to remember and understand.

He suddenly felt a little doubtful: was this similarity merely a coincidence, or did it conceal some other important information?

Just then, the Wushan Goddess pointed into the distance, and her gentle voice sounded: "That's Shouyang Mountain over there. The Witch tribe of Shouyang Mountain is famous for its forging. Many renowned weapons in the world are crafted here. It's said that the incessant sound of their smithing can be heard from a hundred li away..."

The Mermaid Queen couldn't help but ask, puzzled: "Why is it so quiet?"

The Wushan Goddess's expression changed, as she also noticed something abnormal.

Zu An's expression became solemn: "I sense the aura of death."