Chapter 438: Already Appeared Ninth Rank? (Two in One)

The deities of this world, just like those in the previous Wizard World, accumulate energy within small spaces to achieve godhood. They then use their mortal bodies to walk among humanity, descending personally to the mortal realm to intervene when necessary.

"It's just that they cannot remain in the mortal realm for long."

Xu Zhi turned his head, vaguely sensing space tearing in the distance and terrifying air currents rippling out. That was the direction where Emperor Dafan and the other deities were clashing.

Booming sounds echoed!

That clash was merely a prelude, a mutual probing for the true battle to the death that was about to begin.

Their mortal bodies were fighting, each at the Heavenly Emperor realm. The sky was heavily overcast, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Space occasionally tore, accompanied by lightning and thunder. Occasionally, an arm of a descending deity would stretch out to attack the opponent, but they had not fully descended in person!

They were probing each other, because any deity who first descended completely to the mortal realm, fully exposing their true form, would inevitably be at a disadvantage and would be seized upon by other deities. Just like the previous clash between Medusa and Ermin, both remained hidden in the void. Whoever descended first, allowing their true form to fully enter the mortal realm, would be at a disadvantage, vulnerable to a preemptive strike. This seemed to have become a rule in deity clashes; no one dared to descend easily first.

Black clouds blanketed the sky, and the earth trembled.

The wind howled, violently impacting the entire forest and towns. The terrifying shockwaves spread visibly across the sky like concentric rings of tree growth.

"Oh, please win!"

The entire land was in chaos. Cries filled the tribes and towns as the tall humanoids continuously prayed, looking up at the sky.

Emperor Dafan had returned.

He was about to re-establish dominion over the entire land, rebuild the Twelve Cities, and gather all women under his control. At this moment, humanity's last hope lay in the deities who had risen in resistance. This battle would decide humanity's future.

"Don't panic! We have the advantage!"

On the ground, the entire tribe was terrified. A Heavenly Emperor stood before a thatched hut with his tribesmen, his expression solemn. "Emperor Dafan's mortal body is indeed strong," he said, "but in the end, it's merely a Heavenly Emperor. It cannot withstand the encirclement and attacks of several Heavenly Emperors around him. He will surely have to descend first. Once he descends, he will face the five deities who have already prepared their offensive, striking his divine body together. Even if he is a Middle God, it will be hard for him to endure!"

"Yes! We have a chance to win!"

Countless men and women embraced, watching the sky with worried expressions.

Ordinarily, although Emperor Dafan was powerful, the deities besieging him were also incredibly strong. The probability of victory was still not low, but they were simply too afraid! The psychological pressure of potential defeat was immense.

"Living in small spaces seems to be the most common method for breaking through to the eighth stage."

Xu Zhi walked through a forest, occasionally glancing back at the sky. Surrounded by vibrant green flowers, it felt like a fairyland. Dressed in a wizard's robe, he looked like a long-distance traveler.

The fate of the world hung in the balance at this moment. The beings on the land held their breath, but he paid them no mind.

"Other methods of achieving godhood were merely extensions of this approach. For example, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art also involved an internal space. Even the Death God's Immortality was sustained within the demonic core space. The difference in energy concentration between Eighth-Stage deities and the world's space was still too vast! A low-concentration world simply couldn't sustain such beings."

He calmly turned his head and observed his surroundings.

Even plants, vines, and wild grasses were generally at the third to fourth stage. Although most had not yet developed sentience, they still posed an extremely powerful and terrifying threat, even a desperate situation, for ordinary third or fourth stage humans.

Humans were no longer at the top of the food chain; they were, in fact, among the weakest beings.

"When even plants, animals, and humans in a world reach such terrifying levels of third and fourth stages," Xu Zhi took a sharp breath, "this is truly a high-level supernatural world!"

"Furthermore, because these beings are generally powerful," he continued, "the difference in energy concentration across this land is no longer so vast! It is not considered barren. This means that deities can remain in the mortal realm on this land for longer periods than in other worlds!"

"Perhaps in another thousand or several thousand years, this land will become completely rich in energy. Perhaps even deities will be able to reside permanently in the mortal realm here. This place will become a truly high-level supernatural world!"

"No, that's not right. The Wizard World, with the pervasive presence of aberrations constantly filling the air and the establishment of the earth's dragon veins, has also become as energy-rich as this lava world! No, it's countless times richer!"

"However, the method of concentration is different. It's not scattered in the air or universally distributed, but rather centrally managed... It's primarily concentrated in the endless earth's dragon veins in the mortal realm, the Heavenly Dao and Longevity of the Immortal World—Azure Sky Red Sun, and Medusa's true body in the Demon World. Take Medusa, for example: 110,000 Sixth-Stage beings and 10,000 Heavenly Emperors. Just their presence is chilling... The rich aura they bring is even more terrifying than here!"

You might think the Three Realms have been surpassed, but in reality, they haven't.

The sheer depth of Medusa's power alone almost crushed all the low-level strong individuals in the entire Lava World.

This is truly a high-energy world, having escaped barrenness.

Ordinary transmigration protagonists from online novels, if they were to arrive in such a terrifying, high-energy supernatural world, before they could even rise to power, even a common third or fourth-stage plant could beat them to death!

This is normal; this is the true chasm of a high-level supernatural world!

"The Three Realms Sandbox, the Ancient Lava Sandbox... in both these worlds, energy is rapidly concentrating," he mused, "marking the beginning of a qualitative change. The birth of deities will also become easier. In the future, deities might even be able to reside permanently in the mortal realm. Only then will such a supernatural world be truly formed; otherwise, it was like child's play before. Perhaps, the conditions for the birth of a Ninth-Stage being are already in place!"

He continued to ponder, looking at the combat energy emanating from the sky.

"Furthermore, because the world's structure is improving," he thought, "the disturbances from these deities' battles are no longer as terrifying as before. This is not only because the Lava World is a hundred times larger, giving them more space to unleash their power, but also because the general power level of this world has increased."

For them to shatter a mountain, it was no longer as simple as before.

Because throughout the mountain, third and fourth-stage plants were rooted in the earth. Moreover, the plants seemed to form an energy field, converging into a "mountain range" or "mountainous power" that collectively resisted. They also possessed an instinct for survival, forming the aura of a spiritual mountain, capable of withstanding the aftermath of battles.

And deities would not deliberately expend energy to destroy a passing mountain during a battle.

At their level, when descending to the mortal realm, they had to restrain their energy even more, ensuring it didn't spill out during combat and trying not to unleash residual waves.

"Their battles are indeed terrifying," he thought, "but they no longer shake the surrounding plants and creatures to death. Clashes between gods are like battles between two Heavenly Emperors, only destroying a few continuous mountain ranges at the core."

"Is this the world's ascension in dimension?"

Xu Zhi silently pondered; after all, it was a world sandbox he had created, and this information was invaluable to him.

"Since the Ishudarians died, there has been too much energy," he considered. "The world has even begun to fill with spiritual energy. The energy field generated by third and fourth-stage plants on a mountain has already transformed it into a spiritual mountain. It's a geomantically auspicious place rich in spiritual energy, where one can claim territory and establish a sect! And some spirit stones on the mountain might even become infected, coincidentally gaining sentience and transforming into demon beasts, embarking on the path of cultivation!"

He had already envisioned a brilliant era in the future!

On this vast, boundless land, a hundred times larger than the ancient desolate world.

Indeed, the surface of Earth was too constrained. The world sandbox within the Earth's core allowed for unrestrained creation; it could be so vast that no one would interfere with him.

He came here not to observe the battle between Emperor Dafan and the deities. The alternation and iteration of eras happened naturally. Even future wars of gods, with deities falling, being born, and clashing, would continue for a long time in every era.

They would become his sustainable energy source, as common as Heavenly Emperors.

The beings of this current era, seeking to overthrow the Grand Bliss Dynasty, were merely a small ripple in the long river of history.

His purpose in coming this time was to observe the future of this historical river!

And to plan the prospects of this supernatural world!

Strong individuals, Heavenly Emperors, deities, and dynasties were all just matters that happened while he slept.

"It has been more than two months of development, over six thousand years," he mused, "it's time to begin deducing and guiding the emergence of Ninth-Stage deities! And to investigate that mysterious virus."

What was the Ninth-Stage?

He had asked the intelligent sub-brain, but its description was very vague.

In its concept, the Eighth-Stage was an invincible creature on a planet, capable of traversing the void of the universe. The Ninth-Stage, however, could destroy a planet, a terrifying, planet-annihilating existence.

After all, ruling a planet invincibly and being able to destroy a planet were two completely different concepts!

The gap between the Eighth and Ninth Stages was like the gap between a Seventh-Stage Heavenly Emperor and an Eighth-Stage deity.

"If the Eighth-Stage is merely the basic threshold," he pondered, "the entry into the world of true powerhouses, allowing you to break free from the constraints of a planet's atmosphere and travel through the vacuum of space... then the Ninth-Stage is when one truly begins to be considered a powerhouse."

Since he was already a Seventh-Stage Heavenly Emperor, deducing the Ninth-Stage realm was imperative.

"I need to find a creature from this era and study its body," Xu Zhi thought for a moment. The giant humanoids, over three meters tall, certainly required study.

He slowly walked out of the forest and looked at a town in the distance.

Built with stone walls and with clothing woven from animal hides, it had the aura of an ancient tribe. Clearly, they were just starting out. Many towns struggled greatly to defend against the terrifying trees, flowers, and various demon beasts of the ancient forest outside, which could easily kill them.

The entire town was enveloped in an oppressive atmosphere; many within it were terrified and praying.

"It feels a bit like ancient wilderness and tribal humans," Xu Zhi said softly. He took small steps out of the forest and entered the town, planning to begin his research during this period.

"Ancient savage tribal humans, is this the ancient era of the primordial gods?"

A low, husky voice emerged from the mysterious, eerie deep forest behind him, speaking in ancient Ishuldar.

A green shadow, seemingly merged with nature, slowly emerged from the depths of the dense forest.

"A treant?" Xu Zhi turned his head to look. "What should I call you?"

"Sheng Lin."

It was a slender tree maiden. Her hair was composed of colorful flowers and willow branches. She wore a long grey dress woven from vines and grass sandals. Her attire was simple and primitive. Her legs were smoothly rounded and long, but her skin was dark green, possessing an unusual beauty.

This was the mortal body of a deity walking in the mortal realm.

Xu Zhi clearly knew that her true form was hidden in an alternative dimension, and she didn't seem to be an ordinary deity.

She was a Middle God!

A deity at the same stage as Emperor Dafan...

Xu Zhi had already sensed that the world's structure was not as the online users outside perceived it. Even if they considered it deeply, they still underestimated this world. Or perhaps, Balloon Fish's realm was too low; despite his efforts, he couldn't reach the deepest level of understanding.

His perspective was limited to humanity, unable to consider the overall world structure!

They thought there were seven or eight deities preparing to besiege Emperor Dafan, and with Du Xue capable of covert assassination, the outcome was uncertain. But what was the reality?

He only accounted for human deities, but what about the beast race and plant race? There were a dozen more, hidden in the shadows, who had secretly achieved godhood!

In total, there were over twenty deities, plus Corpse Sword Immortal Du Xue. Her terrifying, heaven-defying combat power, which integrated cultivation methods from several worlds, seemed capable of certainly killing Emperor Dafan. But was it truly that simple?

The mystery and unknown of this world, and the emergence of the virus, made this world too vast and complex.

"How did you know I was here?" Xu Zhi asked curiously.

"It was destiny. I felt an unseen fate drawing me here." She gave a slight curtsy, elegant and poised, as steady as a plant, possessing a static beauty.

But her expression was serious. Upon truly seeing this being, her heart couldn't help but become tense.

The terrifying Eighth-Stage High Deity, Sacred Cherry Blossom Emperor, had fallen easily without any residual battle energy. This primordial deity, who had spanned two eras, was likely a Ninth-Stage existence!

Choosing her to come, and not others, or a man...

It must have been an unseen destiny. Would her personality gain the favor of this primordial deity more?

"You, are you here to witness a new era in this land?" Sheng Lin smiled, looking at the distant town. "A great war is about to begin. The entire human tribal clan is praying, the atmosphere fraught with apprehension... The final battle is coming, affecting the evolutionary future of all beings in this world."

Xu Zhi glanced at her. "Evolution?"

"What do you think?" the Daughter of Sheng Lin gently smiled.

Xu Zhi did not answer.

This was an internal strife among human deities. The quiet arrival of the plant-race deity itself signified many things.

The Daughter of Sheng Lin, respectfully, sighed bitterly, "Emperor Dafan, perhaps even with our help, will be difficult to defeat. Because he is the strongest, he is invincible, and he wields the world's most terrifying ultimate power."

The strongest power in the world?

Xu Zhi was curious internally, but smiled and asked, "What is the most powerful ultimate force in the world?"

The Daughter of Sheng Lin whispered slightly, "You mean, the most powerful force in the world is an invincible cultivation talent that can be mastered instantly?"

Emperor Qi flashed through Xu Zhi's mind.

Undoubtedly, his terrifying power was considered the strongest.

"No!" she said. "Being born sacred, with cultivation talent that encompasses ancient and modern knowledge, is certainly formidable, but it still cannot be called the strongest."

The Daughter of Sheng Lin murmured to herself, "Then, is it an innate powerful bloodline?"

The Phoenix flashed through Xu Zhi's mind.

Undoubtedly, its rebirth from fire was currently the most invincible talent among all genetic talents.

"No!" she replied. "A powerful bloodline is merely an extremely high starting point, offering an advantage over everyone else, but it is still not the strongest."

The Daughter of Sheng Lin then asked, "Then, is it exceptional resilience and determination?"

Medusa flashed through Xu Zhi's mind.

Her aptitude wasn't outstanding, yet she managed to reach her current heights through sheer tenacity.

"Still no!" she said. "It is indeed precious for an ordinary person to endure hardships and reach the peak, but something is still missing."

The Daughter of Sheng Lin looked towards the terrifying battle raging in the sky, a hint of fear on her face. "The several deities up there, who could reach this stage among hundreds of millions of beings, are undoubtedly the strongest of this era. Among them, some possess instant mastery talent, some have powerful bloodlines, and some have resilience and willpower. They are all figures who look down upon an era, yet they are still far inferior to Emperor Dafan!"

What she said was indeed the truth.

The Daughter of Sheng Lin said hoarsely, "Because he wields a truly invincible and ultimate power. This power is called..."

"Destiny!"

An almost uncontrollable fear welled up in the Daughter of Sheng Lin's heart.

In any era, too many people can rise. In life, there are too many uncontrollable factors. Personal effort might only account for forty percent. It's not enough to merely have good talent, strong power, a terrifying background, exceptional wisdom, or cunning to stand at the peak. Such people are countless, like carp crossing a river. How can you assume that others don't work hard, or that their talents are inferior to yours, guaranteeing your rise?

Life itself is full of accidents and various uncertain factors: enemies, grudges, fortuitous encounters. Such accidents might account for sixty percent of one's entire path to becoming a strong individual. These unexpected factors that influence success or failure... can be called destiny.

To do one's best and then leave it to fate is precisely this.

Destiny is the strongest talent in the world.

And those who master destiny itself, those favored by destiny, those pushed to the forefront by their era—their luck is like an irresistible torrent.

"Even being born with exceptional talent, an invincible bloodline, or astonishing wisdom... these themselves are part of destiny."

The Daughter of Sheng Lin sighed,

"Therefore, he is invincible."

"Anyone who obstructs him will encounter misfortune. Anyone who defies him will face disaster."

"Because he is driven by destiny," she continued. "His nature was chosen by destiny, just as you once chose Caroline... Behind him stands a great existence at the same realm as you, named Despair and Great Unification. Among humanity, it is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent... the ultimate." The Daughter of Sheng Lin knelt slightly, incredibly devout. "No living being in the world can stop him, unless it is you, a great ancient forbidden existence at the same realm as it."

"The destiny behind me is unwilling to die," she pleaded. "It invisibly compelled me to find you. Please defeat it... and save the future of this era."

Xu Zhi: "..."

He looked at the Middle God kneeling before him.

*I just came to secretly watch the battle from the sidelines, and then, I planned to study the bodies of the new humans...*