Chapter 1658: The Great Era Arrives

The Golden Age has dawned, bringing with it a multitude of powerful experts. A vast era, permeated with the aura of conquest and great battles, has arrived, and everyone in the cultivation world can feel its pervasive atmosphere.

Whether they were cultivators residing on planets or saints traversing the cosmos, all felt a growing tension, unsure if they would be caught in the widespread conflict.

The Undying Empress, whose power resonated through history, unleashed laws that swept across all directions. Her formidable might was felt by many, even striking terror into Quasi-Emperors.

Ye Fan gazed up at the starry sky, falling silent for a moment.

The expressions of the Heavenly Court's members were grim. She was too powerful, reminiscent of the era of dark turmoil, and her unparalleled fluctuations brought despair.

This battle seized the attention of every powerful individual; all were watching, desperate to know the outcome.

After a day and a night of fierce battle, the supreme laws weakened. This demonstrated the brutal intensity of the confrontation, where both sides employed every means at their disposal, fighting to the point where their Dao and their very beings were on the verge of destruction.

Everyone trembled with fear; it was a fierce battle waged beyond the Nine Imperial Passes. The heavens and earth resonated, and the chains of order propagated so far, causing all hearts to pound.

That was originally an Imperial Road prepared for countless heroes, where numerous contenders vied for supremacy. The ultimate victor was destined to stand at the pinnacle, ascending the highest peak beyond the Nine Imperial Passes.

Yet now, it had become a battlefield for only two individuals, leaving the younger generations within the Nine Imperial Passes in stunned silence.

This was a glorious era, simultaneously bringing joy and despair, full of contradictions.

"Boom!" Heaven and earth crumbled, ghosts shrieked and gods wailed. A momentary fluctuation sent shivers through everyone in the entire universe, affecting all realms and myriad domains.

Finally, the battle concluded, but no definitive outcome was reported.

A massive phoenix nest, stained with blood, slowly flew away from beyond the Nine Imperial Passes, scattering blood along its path as it headed towards an unknown destination.

No one dared to follow, simply because it was the divine nest of the Undying Empress, her dwelling place. People didn't know if she had won or lost, and no one dared to disturb her.

This world-shaking battle concluded, leaving many terrified.

"On the phoenix nest, a great sun and a great moon revolved, exuding the aura of a supreme expert. A legendary divine general was guarding it!"

Not long after, well-informed individuals received this news, claiming to have witnessed it firsthand.

Everyone's heart sank. The eight divine generals who had followed the Undying Sovereign were indeed still alive; these deified beings were guarding the place. Who in the world would dare to trespass?

A cloud of unease settled in everyone's hearts: Had the powerful individual who blocked the Undying Empress died?

If that were the case, who could still stop her? Severely wounded today, she would undoubtedly return another day, and by then, she would truly reign supreme over the world.

Who exactly was capable of contending with the Undying Empress?

With the battle concluded, many made various conjectures, which also somewhat eased the tension.

Many claimed that both the Undying Empress and that individual were nearly dead, destined never to recover in this lifetime and to meet their end, so the world had no need to worry.

Later, some compared the initial fluctuations of the battle with the later remnants of laws and Dao fragments, finding that the news might be reliable: both had definitely suffered unimaginable, severe injuries.

After this result emerged, many people breathed a sigh of relief.

"Was it really the Divine Court Emperor Lord who blocked the Undying Empress?"

Many wanted to verify it, but the Divine Court gave no response.

It wasn't until much later that someone managed to struggle past the Nine Imperial Passes. Although they couldn't enter the center of that mysterious area, they still brought back shocking news.

Two types of blood were scattered across the battlefield, suggesting that the two combatants might not live long after this battle.

"We have confirmed news: the Emperor Lord is still alive."

"Was it truly him who confronted the Undying Empress? Such profound power is truly rare throughout history! He truly lives up to his name as one destined to achieve Dao!"

"Although it cannot be confirmed that it was him, the Divine Court has not denied it. Perhaps it really was the Divine Court's Lord who confronted the Empress. Indeed, what a great feat!"

News spread widely. People lauded the Divine Court Emperor Lord, acknowledging his remarkable capabilities, which allowed everyone to witness the demeanor and divine might of a peerless master. This was truly world-shaking power.

"Did the Emperor Lord really make a move?" The people of the Heavenly Court were also discussing this, all with furrowed brows.

"If he had such courage, he wouldn't have cowered during the era of dark turmoil. I don't think this was his doing!"

"But the Divine Court hasn't denied it."

"They haven't admitted it either; they are waiting for the best moment. If both combatants are dead, wouldn't acquiescence be even better?"

The Heavenly Court members believed it wasn't the Divine Court Emperor Lord who made the move. Even if he was one destined to achieve Dao, the powerful performance of that individual in this battle didn't resemble his style.

Outside, there was a buzz of activity, with many people hotly debating the matter.

Imperceptibly, the Emperor Lord's prestige rose significantly. Although many didn't believe it was him, numerous lesser cultivators, unaware of the inside story, firmly believed that only he currently possessed such ability.

The impact of this battle was immense; it sounded an alarm for all Emperor-level figures, instilling in them a sense of urgency. They realized that encountering such an individual might leave them with no option but to flee, as they certainly couldn't win.

The Dragon Maiden and the Golden Goddess arrived, and Shen Ming also appeared. Coincidentally witnessing this battle, their bodies and minds were profoundly shaken, and they did not act immediately, instead becoming cautious.

In this Golden Age, masters were abundant and powerful individuals emerged one after another, making everyone vigilant. No one dared to claim to be the foremost under heaven, and all became cautious.

Meanwhile, Ye Fan also began arduous cultivation, knowing that pressure begets motivation. He hoped to achieve another breakthrough, for in this grand era, strength was the most fundamental guarantee, everything else superficial.

Half a year later, the Saint Prince emerged from seclusion, shaking that ancient battlefield and instigating fierce struggles and great battles. Undoubtedly, he had already advanced to Quasi-Emperor, and his strength was even greater.

Two years later, Yin Tiande entered the Emperor Son battlefield to hone himself, battling against ancient Imperial Princes with an aura that swallowed mountains and rivers, contending for supremacy under heaven.

In these two years, the battle between Huo Qilin and Dao Yi was the most captivating, astounding the entire world. They fought from the ancient battlefield to the outside world, traversing countless star domains and leaving behind numerous remnants and legends.

In the most brutal battle, Huo Qilin was reduced to just a head, his blood spilling across the universe, yet he miraculously survived. He then used a primordial spirit sword to cleave Dao Yi into two halves. Both were severely wounded, nearly perishing.

Such brutal combat made their names on the monument between the Nine Imperial Passes increasingly brilliant, growing brighter day by day. Some speculated that their strength was rapidly escalating.

Not long after, in an unknown star domain, the Central Emperor let out a long howl heavenward, his thick hair flying wildly. Some heard the name "Gai Jiuyou" in his words.

Two individuals of the same era embarked on two different paths: one had shaken the world for nine thousand years, his name echoing throughout the human realm, revered by all, destined to be inscribed into the history of cultivation.

The other was still young, with vigorous vitality, just embarking on the path of Imperial Dao contention, having only just set sail.

On this day, the Quasi-Emperor tribulation descended, and the Central Emperor powerfully broke through, causing all stars in the sky to tremble as various heavenly and earthly phenomena erupted. These were auspicious signs seen only when ancient Great Emperors underwent tribulation at this realm in their youth, profoundly shocking to witness.

Nine phoenixes arrived in homage, true dragons pulled chariots in welcome, chaotic laws bathed his combat body, and Dao flowers bloomed across the sky in starlight—all profoundly shocking the human realm.

Half a month later, the Central Emperor swept through the multitude of heroes, his name resonating throughout the starry sky. Stepping onto the Emperor Son battlefield formed from the Heavenly Venerate's body, he was invincible wherever he went, slaying a Quasi-Emperor and shaking the starry sky, terrifying the human realm.

Time flew by; twenty years passed in a flash. Conflicts were continuous, powerful experts clashed, and Quasi-Emperor blood was spilled, news of which spread throughout the world. These passionate battles inspired many younger experts who hoped to join in.

The struggle for the Imperial Road was the most captivating spectacle, with the entire world watching, as it might foreshadow who would be the foremost individual in the universe.

For twenty years, Ye Fan rarely made a move, remaining in seclusion or wandering among mountains and nature to comprehend his own Dao.

The fragments of the Great Dao within him were active, and some of their power was revealed, but he had been unable to break through the shackles. This was a terrifying factor that restricted his ability to fight with full strength and unleash his peak potential.

This shortcoming had always troubled Ye Fan, and he had been unable to find an effective solution, making even his advancement a problem.

For twenty years, ancient Imperial Princes made further breakthroughs, making great strides in their cultivation, while Ye Fan, with furrowed brows, constantly pondered, perfecting his own Dao and methods, evolving them in his mind.

Sometimes, various secret techniques and Dao fruits were clearly in his mind, yet he could not manifest or verify them, causing him immense trouble.

To comprehend Dao without being able to verify it: was this path correct or wrong? This was most prone to major problems.

"This must be resolved," he thought. "If there's no other way, I will eventually fall behind, or even wither away on the Imperial Road."

As a great silver waterfall cascaded down, Ye Fan sat cross-legged on a mountain peak opposite it, beginning a difficult battle of breaking through and comprehending Dao.

In the past twenty years, many things happened in the outside world. The Human Devil made his move, deterring a group of people. Most importantly, he once wandered around the Ancestral Planet of the Myriad Dragon Nest. From then on, the Dragon Maiden no longer dared to carry Imperial Dao artifacts to suppress and kill.

Over the years, Ye Fan's name on the giant monument between the Nine Imperial Passes had somewhat dimmed. It was now certain that the number of battles fought and significant battle results greatly influenced this monument.

For twenty years, Ye Fan had rarely engaged in combat, constantly trying to resolve his own predicament, urgently needing to forge a new path.

Not only was the outside world speculating, but a cloud of unease also appeared in the hearts of the Heavenly Court members, giving rise to a bad premonition. Could it be that Ye Fan could only become a Quasi-Emperor through his physical body, and his Dao cultivation had dried up forever? Could the negative impact of the ancient Supremes no longer be dispelled?

Especially in recent years, the Heavenly Court had abandoned many territories, rapidly consolidating its forces, gathering many of its members together, and going into hiding.

This was a signal that further convinced the outside world that Ye Fan's path to Quasi-Emperor was not smooth, but filled with hardship and obstacles. Many sympathized, knowing that he had paid too great a price fighting the Supremes back then.

The Heavenly Court might be in decline!

Another five years passed. This was a consensus among many: the Heavenly Court rapidly consolidated its positions, retreating again and again, with no trace left of their headquarters and other important strongholds.

People believed the Heavenly Court itself had a premonition and was preparing for the worst. At a time when all Imperial Princes had emerged and the struggle for the Imperial Road was in full swing, a problem with Ye Fan, one of the Heavenly Court's leaders, was absolutely fatal.

Now was unlike the past; a Quasi-Emperor must oversee affairs. Otherwise, they could only endure within one region and could not become a pivotal transcendent power in the universe.

The Heavenly Court's current performance indicated that they might fall out of this rank.

The silver waterfall flowed like a dragon. Ye Fan had been sitting on the small peak opposite it for many years; the few small mountain beasts he first saw had long since grown strong, yet he remained motionless.

"Break through the obstruction, forge my own path!"

A soft shout echoed like a dragon's roar through the nine heavens, shaking the cosmos into a rumble. His body began to glow. The two Qis of Yin and Yang in his Wheel Sea intertwined, forming a Tai Chi diagram. His four limbs connected to the heavens, like the four poles of the universe, shaking heaven and earth, emanating an aura capable of world destruction. The Five Elements essence in his Dao Palace boiled, giving rise to five divine beings, which then merged and decomposed, transforming into the most primordial Qi, replenishing his own body.

Finally, his spine lit up, corresponding to the Quasi-Emperor Realm secret realm. It was a great dragon, raising its head to roar, shaking the nine heavens!