Chapter 1182: Sacred Emperor's Might

The black-gold iron rod glowed with brilliant immortal light, casting millions of auspicious rays into the Forbidden Land, illuminating it with an eternal radiance as ultimate imperial power erupted!

However, what was most astonishing was the golden giant ape, awe-inspiring and unparalleled, dominating all realms. Its momentum soared to the heavens, suppressed the netherworld, and its roar shook the Big Dipper ancient star!

"The Fighting Saint Emperor..." A gasp of astonishment came from deep within the Primordial Ancient Mine.

The moment this imperial power emerged, it swept forth like a tsunami, as if to sever three thousand realms, covering the sky and earth. Its formidable might shook antiquity and the present, causing all saints to tremble in fear.

"What... the old Saint Emperor who passed away in the ancient era, how has he reappeared?"

Some ancient clan patriarchs, watching from afar, trembled in fright at the sight, almost collapsing to their knees. That majestic figure filled them with dread.

"The Saint Emperor, it's really him. After so many years... he's still alive!?"

Some had previously had an audience with the Fighting Saint Emperor and had seen his true appearance. Now, seeing that towering golden figure in the Forbidden Zone, they were all stunned.

The Fighting Saint Emperor was the subject of countless legends. He was undefeated throughout his life, competing with Di Que on the path to becoming an Emperor from his youth. Later, he sought to transform into a Battle Immortal; his accomplishments reached the pinnacle of creation, and his divine might shook antiquity and the present. Who wouldn't be awed, who wouldn't be afraid?

He astonished the world with his fighting and stood unrivaled in battle throughout history, hence he was known as the Fighting Saint Emperor!

In terms of combat strength alone, it was hard to find an equal. He was the emperor of battle, unparalleled.

The killing intent that surged from the Primordial Ancient Mine was shattered by a single roar from this golden giant ape, causing the entire Primordial Forbidden Zone to boil as golden light surged towards and engulfed the ancient mine.

The Victorious Fighting Buddha stood there, his expression lost in thought. He felt a mix of nostalgia, joy, and regret. After a long time, he sighed, acknowledging that what was lost was truly gone and could not return.

His elder brother had passed away, unable to become a Battle Immortal in the ancient era. It was not due to insufficient talent, but because the environment did not permit it; this world would not allow it.

In this universe, no one could achieve immortality. It was not their fault; the path to immortality was blocked.

The black iron rod floated, hovering above the golden giant ape's head. It exuded majesty without rage, dominating the nine heavens and looking down through all ages, like a standing deity.

This, of course, could not be the true Fighting Saint Emperor, who defied heaven and earth and fiercely went against the current. He had perished over a million years ago while attempting to become a Battle Immortal.

This was merely the divine spirit imbued within the iron rod, recreating his divine might and magnificent posture. The ancient imperial weapon had autonomously revived, protecting the Victorious Fighting Buddha and preventing him from being slain by the existence within the ancient mine.

"Ancient weapon left behind by the Fighting Saint Emperor, what do you intend!?" A shout came from the ancient mine, seemingly in rage. It finally showed emotional fluctuation, unlike its previous indifference.

"Give it!" A cold divine thought was transmitted, consisting of only these two words.

"What do you want?" The existence in the ancient mine stabilized its emotions and returned to its ruthless and cold demeanor.

"The Primordial Life Stone!" The golden giant ape, holding the iron rod, gazed indifferently at the ancient mine shrouded in swirling mist.

"Who do you think you are, truly believing yourself to be the Fighting Saint Emperor? You are just an ancient weapon!" The voice from the ancient mine was majestic and domineering, revealing an aura of dominating all living beings.

"Give it!" The golden giant ape still uttered only those two words. His large black iron rod pointed forward, and as he strode forward, the entire Forbidden Zone trembled.

"An ancient imperial weapon, daring to challenge me to a fight..." The voice of the existence in the ancient mine was icy to the extreme. It unleashed a surging wave of power, shaking the Northern Region, ready to engage in battle.

Another existence spoke, its voice calm, saying, "Why have we waited until this era, paying so much, to quibble over these things? What does it matter to give him a life stone?"

The depths of the Forbidden Land suddenly fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

At the ends of the earth, the old patriarchs of several great ancient imperial clans were all very nervous, observing all of this. Some held ancient imperial decrees, seemingly wishing to approach.

"This is no longer the ancient era," they said. "Even the Victorious Fighting Buddha faces mortal danger by entering. We should stop here."

The ancient grandmasters who had survived to this era had experienced much. They did not wish to displease the existences in the Forbidden Land, so they silently retreated, not daring to advance.

After a long time, the supreme existence in the Primordial Ancient Mine, who had been constantly at odds, finally spoke, saying, "The Saint Emperor who defied heaven and earth, in the end, still has to come here to ask for something!"

A silvery-white life stone flew up, about the size of a fist. It contained the secrets of the Primordial Era and was imbued with the power of life. The moment it appeared, it became the focal point of the world.

Tens of thousands of silvery rays poured forth as it floated up and down, carrying vital Dao essence, and flew towards the Fighting Saint Emperor.

"Though he is not my brother, he also carries his intent, and his meaning was 'take it'," the Victorious Fighting Buddha said, correcting the statement.

Strands of boundless and terrifying killing intent overflowed from the ancient mine, spreading towards the old Saint Ape, capable of shattering the primordial spirit of an ancient saint.

The Fighting Saint Emperor, holding his great rod, stepped forward. With a bang, he shattered the killing intent and grasped the Primordial Life Stone in his hand, but still felt it was not enough and continued to demand more.

"Give it!"

At the ends of the world, everyone who witnessed this scene gasped in cold air. Although this was not the old Saint Emperor himself, his former might and domineering aura were clearly evident.

Because this was only his ancient weapon, yet it was so powerful. What supreme divine might would his true form from yesteryear possess?

"How dare you!"

A furious roar came from the ancient mine. Ancient imperial aura permeated the air, as if a supreme being was about to emerge, threatening to shatter heaven and earth.

In the Northern Region, all things fell silent, and all beings trembled. This was an irresistible pressure!

Within the Primordial Forbidden Zone, in Fallen Sun Ridge, where Emperor Hengyu once forged weapons, an ancient building still stood, remaining standing throughout the ages.

At this moment, the plaque on the ancient building emitted streaks of radiant light, bearing the words "Hengyu". It hummed, shaking the heavens, clearly stimulated by the ancient imperial power.

Inside the Primordial Ancient Mine, the imperial power surged, and the aura grew even stronger. That existence was actually willing to fight at all costs to reclaim the iron rod.

"Having come with three ancient imperial decrees," another supreme existence timely remarked, "what's the harm in giving a life stone? The request should be met, otherwise, it would mean we violated the agreement."

Clearly, the existence in the ancient mine did not wish for any mishaps, and even less did it want to break this calm. What had it been waiting for all these years? Only for the path to immortality.

"Very well. When I emerge from the mine and before I embark on the path to immortality, I will settle this with the Fighting Saint Ape lineage." A great battle was avoided, and the situation calmed down.

In Divine Silkworm Ridge, Princess Divine Silkworm and many others turned pale. This karma was too great. That was a supreme existence; who could resist it besides an ancient Great Emperor?

A great calamity might befall them in the future!

This cast a shadow over everyone's hearts. What would they do in the future? Unless they achieved Dao enlightenment, they could not possibly be a match for a supreme being.

"It's urgent. All of you must improve your strength sooner," an old man from Divine Silkworm Ridge kindly said.

The Primordial Ancient Mine felt like a great mountain pressing on their hearts. Heaven knew what would happen in the future.

"That supreme being must have an old grudge with my father," the Saint Prince said. "But it doesn't matter. I will embark on the path to the stars and return when I am strong enough!"

"Time is running out," Ji Zi said.

They possessed extraordinary talent, and given enough time, their rise was inevitable. However, to contend with a supreme being was another matter entirely, for that was the most terrifying master of the Forbidden Zones since ancient times!

Inside the Primordial Forbidden Zone, a life stone the size of a washbasin appeared in the golden Saint Ape's hand. The life essence and Dao radiance it emitted were even more astonishing.

Immortal qi cascaded down, enveloping him and the iron rod entirely.

Eventually, all of this vanished, transforming into a divine radiance that entered the Victorious Fighting Buddha's body. He slowly walked away, heading out of the Forbidden Land.

In the distance, some ancient grandmasters were silent, unable to speak, including one or two old patriarchs of ancient imperial clans. They were filled with reverence for this old monkey.

He entered the Primordial Ancient Mine alone, despite his brother's discord with the supreme existence in the ancient mine. He did not humble himself, yet he emerged alive and brought out what he wanted!

It was unknown how long passed until all sounds ceased and deep night fell. Only then did a whisper emanate from the depths of the Primordial Forbidden Zone, but the outside world could not hear it; it was completely isolated.

"That is the Fighting Saint Emperor's undying obsession," the whisper said. "His failure to transform into a Battle Immortal... Even after perishing for eons, he remains unwilling..."

The Victorious Fighting Buddha returned safely, and a cheer erupted in Divine Silkworm Ridge. Everyone was delighted; this was a major event, worthy of celebration.

"I wonder what became of Duan De," someone mused. "He turned into wisps of qi and merged with heaven and earth. Could he truly have perished?"

This was an unsolved mystery. Logically, given Duan De's nature, he would never seek his own demise. Yet, everyone had witnessed him being shattered.

The Victorious Fighting Buddha appeared in Divine Silkworm Ridge and handed them the washbasin-sized life stone.

"Uncle!" the Saint Prince said, his voice trembling. This stone was obtained by the old Saint Ape at extreme risk to his life.

"I am fine. As long as you don't become a Saint, I won't pass away. I will wait until you are strong enough," the Victorious Fighting Buddha said, preparing to return to the Western Desert with several Arhats and Vajras.

"If that's truly the case, I'd rather not become a Saint!" the monkey said.

The Victorious Fighting Buddha showed a hint of benevolence, saying, "My foolish child, everyone must die; no one is an exception, unless they become an immortal. Your uncle and your father both found it difficult to succeed. I hope that one day you can enter the Immortal Realm, transform into a Battle Immortal, and fulfill your father's wish."

What kind of existence truly lay dormant within the Primordial Ancient Mine? This was a question everyone wanted to know.

The old Saint Ape only said one thing: that it was a former supreme being whom he greatly feared and did not wish to speak more about, fearing it would bring great calamity upon his descendants, and then departed.

No one could escape death unless they became an immortal; otherwise, there would be no longevity. To break the norm, one must pay a cruel price!

With the Heavenly Mandate Stone, the Heart of the Death Realm, and the Primordial Life Stone in hand, and in ample quantities, their emotions stirred.

The number of divine main minerals meant that corresponding stages of evolution fluid could be refined.

The third stage? They were very unwilling.

They had several portions of precious liquid that were close to the fourth stage but hadn't quite reached it. They thought that nourishing it with the three main minerals would likely improve the quality of the divine liquid.

"Still, there's some reluctance," they murmured. "If we could find one more main ingredient, we wouldn't need to nurture it; we could directly extract and refine a large amount!"

"I've got it!" Ye Fan's heart stirred. He felt it should be possible to succeed and truly extract the fourth-stage evolution fluid.

Everyone looked over, a little excited. This was an opportunity to become a saint; if successful, many could take a crucial step.