Chapter 1674: When the World's Pride Emerges

For the first time in eons, so many people arrived here. In the past, only small groups, the victors of the Imperial Road competition, ever made it. This era is vastly different; many are now awaiting their opportunity!

Immortal medicines flew about the ancient mountains—brilliant golden Fusang, fiery red Vermilion Bird plants—all appeared incredibly tempting. “No, they are most likely condensed from lightning elements, not real,” Ye Fan said. “The golden Fusang is definitely not here; the Sun Saint Sovereign’s immortal medicine is buried in the Ziwei Starfield.” He had seen it with his own eyes and was fortunate enough to refine one of its branches. Similarly, it’s unlikely that the other immortal medicines are real; they are probably manifestations of terrifying lightning elements. Great Emperors once ascended here, leaving their imprints on this place.

Within the ancient mountains, an immortal cave released a rain of symbols that imprinted themselves upon the void, becoming carriers of the Grand Dao. A deafening hum, a resonant sound of the Dao, filled the air. In that instant, everyone felt an overwhelming sensation, becoming entranced as they comprehended a profound scripture. This wasn’t just for one or two individuals; an entire group gained insights, though their comprehension varied based on their cultivation level and innate understanding.

“The Emperor’s Scripture!”

Some received a passage that felt like an epiphany, immediately sitting down in meditation. Others resolved long-standing cultivation dilemmas, dancing wildly as if in a frenzy. This was a profound and extensive scripture, flowing through the minds of everyone like a stream. Many gained insights, immersing themselves in a wondrous state. However, few could grasp the actual text; most only comprehended a fragment or a few pieces of order runes, leading to varied experiences for each individual. This was no illusion, but the true essence of a scripture, etched within the mountains ahead. It radiated from the gushing ancient cave, scattering across the high heavens. Symbol after symbol glittered with dazzling light, deeply shaking all the powerful cultivators, who gained immense benefits.

“Unbelievable. The Emperor’s Immortal Scripture truly exists, and it seems we can all acquire it!” Many grew excited, especially the ordinary cultivators who wouldn’t normally qualify to reach this place but had arrived due to this unique era and the mysterious opening of the nine Imperial Passes. They were all overjoyed. This was a huge surprise!

Runes flickered, and the Grand Dao resonated. Passage after passage of scripture transformed into true dragons and dancing phoenixes. They were only arm-length, yet they stirred up heavenly winds and astonished the world. Was this the Emperor’s power? Countless eons had passed, yet the scriptures he left behind resonated here as if alive, stirring in everyone the urge to worship.

“This is merely a test from the Emperor,” Ye Fan murmured softly from the Quasi-Emperor battleship, revealing the truth and causing Li Heishui, Huahua, and others to become alert and then thoughtful.

“Only an idiot would pass up such an opportunity!” the Black Sovereign declared, completely captivated as he carefully pondered.

“This scripture is suitable for humanoid beings,” Dongfang Ye reminded.

“This Sovereign is more human than humans, and some people are more ‘me’ than I am. Take those fellows, for instance; they are just common pawns, yet they imagine themselves to be above it all, when in reality, we are all just pieces in a painting,” the Black Sovereign scoffed, scanning the crowd ahead.

“Grandpa, that black dog looks so fierce. It won’t bite me, will it?” a little boy nearby asked timidly.

“No, it’s very well-behaved,” the old man chuckled, revealing a mouthful of gap-filled yellow teeth. He held the hand of a five or six-year-old boy, standing at the edge of the crowd.

“It’s fierce,” the boy stubbornly insisted.

“He has a point. Ultimately, everyone is self-important. Whether human or dog, we are all just pawns in a painting, yet some presume to dictate the world,” the old man with yellow teeth burst into laughter.

Ye Fan, the Human Demon, and the Saint Sovereign Prince turned around. They hadn’t heard the specific conversation, but instinctively sensed an extraordinary and astonishing aura. It wasn’t a terrifying fluctuation, but a remarkable presence, undoubtedly indicating a peerless master.

“Oh, the people in the painting saw us!” the little boy exclaimed.

“We are all pawns in the painting,” the old man said, patting his head before turning and leading him away without delay.

The Emperor’s Scripture flickered, and everyone gained something, but eventually, they realized they couldn't acquire more; only a small portion emanated from the immortal cave. However, this only made people more excited. There were definitely traces of the Emperor here, leaving his indelible mark. Most likely, complete ancient scriptures lay deep within the mountains and the chaos, and everyone desperately wanted to obtain them.

“That mountain has a statue of the Sun Saint Sovereign, and another has a sculpture of the Lunar Human Emperor!”

“There’s also a brilliant golden monkey, seemingly the Battle Saint Sovereign, on another great mountain!”

People were astonished. Statues of ancient Great Emperors and Primordial Sovereigns appeared faintly, emitting a mysterious fluctuation. People believed they might contain principles of the Dao.

Aboard the Black Pearl, the Saint Sovereign Prince couldn't remain calm. With his fiery golden eyes, he gazed at one of the mountains, divine light flashing in his gaze. “Someone else is making a move; we should also press forward,” someone urged, “Perhaps we can secure an imperial destiny for this lifetime, or at least gain more scriptures!” Some were willing to take the risk.

In fact, powerful battle divisions had already begun to move, leading the charge and creating countless ripples. Several major clans, historically at odds, continued to clash fiercely here, splattering blood and further intensifying the chaos. With such a vast crowd, a full-scale battle would be terrifying and could easily escalate into a bloodbath. Many retreated, fearing entanglement in the terrible vortex. Ye Fan and his companions held back. Their Quasi-Emperor ship shrank, becoming dim and lusterless, and remained parked at the periphery as they calmly observed everything.

“Boom!”

Within the mountains, chaotic energy surged as two figures battled fiercely. They had burst forth from the chaotic immortal land so suddenly that everyone was shaken. “What? They broke out from inside? When did they go in? Have they been fighting for years?” People clearly remembered that several individuals had ventured inside over the past few years but had never reappeared. The sudden emergence of these two naturally caused immense commotion.

“It’s Dao Yi and Fire Qilin Son!” Ye Fan whispered.

Dao Yi, ethereal and transcendent, emerged. He was tall and slender, refined and otherworldly, just as before. Every movement he made exuded a divine grace that surpassed the mundane, yet his attack power was incredibly strong! Fire Qilin Son’s aquamarine hair cascaded like a dancing waterfall. His physique was long, massive, and powerful, and with every strike, an immortal qilin surged forth, terrifying the mortal realm and shaking the world with its might. These were two Quasi-Emperors, extremely powerful and unfathomable supreme experts. After countless trials, they were like peerless immortal swords drawn from their scabbards, revealing their most brilliant edge.

“So powerful! Even the dragons and vermilion birds formed by lightning elements couldn’t stop them. It’s terrifying that they can enter and leave this place so freely!” Everyone was stunned. The sons of the ancient emperors had now grown to the Quasi-Emperor realm. These two, natural adversaries, had battled and fought their way to become the most formidable cultivators of this era.

“Boom!”

In the chaos, a great mountain trembled, and a graceful figure appeared: Fire Qilin Princess had fought her way out. She shattered a Quasi-Emperor artifact with a single palm, clearly having just dealt with a formidable enemy. “Too terrifying! That was a sharp Quasi-Emperor blade, yet she broke it with her bare hands,” people exclaimed.

After Fire Qilin Princess appeared, she immediately rushed towards her brother, intending to join forces with him to fight Dao Yi and eliminate him. “Don’t come over! This is a battle for the Imperial Road,” Fire Qilin Son shouted. “I have resolved my inner turmoil and let go of my grudges. I will face this opponent alone!”

Fire Qilin Princess, with her graceful figure, snow-white skin, and exquisite beauty like a divine jewel adorning a blossoming tree, radiated brilliance. Stunningly beautiful, her blue hair swayed as her nimble, intelligent eyes swept across the scene before she turned and re-entered the ancient mountains. This sparked heated discussion among the onlookers!

“Have all the ancient sovereign’s children arrived? Who will reach the peak?” The Saint Sovereign Prince, Dao Yi, Fire Qilin Son, Huang Xudao, the Divine Silkworm Daoist, and many others. Too many extraordinary individuals have emerged in this era, including potential human imperial children. Heaven itself seemed destined to be shattered.

It could be said that this would be the most brutal Imperial Road competition in history. Every participant was an unparalleled hero from their respective era, now gathered together, destined for the most terrifying clashes. In a sense, this would be a campaign among ancient sovereigns and great emperors, with their descendants representing their respective Daos, completing a peak showdown and fulfilling their unfulfilled wishes.

As expected, quite a few ancient sovereign’s children arrived. Huang Xudao appeared, transforming into a blood-colored divine phoenix, and plunged into the chaotic ancient mountains, shaking the entire area.

With a hum, a jade coffin exploded, and a figure shrouded in green mist surged into the mountains. His mere presence caused everything around to tremble. “It’s someone from the Underworld! A Quasi-Emperor, possibly the next Lord of the Underworld!” Upon hearing this, many were shaken, for the terror of the Underworld was deeply ingrained in their hearts. The sayings, “At the end of reincarnation, all things conclude,” and “The Underworld is the destination of all beings,” had circulated through the world, instilling fear.

“Whoosh!”

A streak of sword light cleaved the sky, slicing through the chaos and piercing directly into the ancient mountains. A man with snow-white hair stepped into the battlefield in a single stride, holding a black sword, and charged in. The sword light was incomparably sharp, rarely seen in the mortal world, making everyone’s hair stand on end. It was too terrifying; was he a sword immortal? The hairs on many Great Sages were falling off with a rustle. A chilling aura of killing intent swept past, leaving streaks of blood on many people's skin, almost causing them to burst apart! Yet this was merely the aura that naturally flowed from him as he passed, not his actual attack power—it was the might of an immortal sword.

“It’s him, God!” Ye Fan exclaimed in surprise, astonished to see him again after so many years. Years ago, on his way to the Eternal Starfield, Ye Fan had encountered a desolate ancient star. There, he saw a heaven-opening giant, with suns, moons, and galaxies circling him like tiny ants. He was almost like a creator god, but sadly, he failed in his pursuit of Dao and perished there. At that time, an incredibly terrifying white-haired god had been worshipping there.

“It was actually him!” Ye Fan naturally recalled. In fact, when the Immortal Ascension Road opened, this white-haired god had also appeared, wielding one-third of the Green Bronze Cauldron. He hurled it violently, shattering the Immortal Ascension Road and almost burying the Longevity Heavenly Venerate within it. Now, this person had reappeared, undoubtedly a peerless master. He harbored great hostility towards the Underworld, and his charge into the mountains was clearly aimed at the Underworld’s successor.

Several figures flashed simultaneously, with a few more plunging in. Each possessed boundless magical power, capable of plucking suns and moons with a mere raise of their hands.

“I sense the aura from the forbidden life zones; their descendants have gone inside!” the Saint Sovereign Prince declared. The immortal iron rod in his hand trembled; it had been broken in a previous battle and was most sensitive to the auras of certain forbidden lands, now yearning for a fight. Ye Fan silently sensed, knowing that at least Dark Bodhi from Undying Mountain had arrived and entered the fray. The Saint Sovereign Prince acted first, charging directly into the chaotic ancient mountains. He intended to visit his father’s statue, fulfilling a long-held wish.

Soon after, the entire area erupted. No one had anticipated that with so many prodigies entering, an inevitable struggle for supremacy would lead to a sudden and terrifying war, far exceeding their expectations! The descendants of various emperors clashed fiercely—an alternative evolution of the grand decisive battle that ancient supreme beings once yearned for but never engaged in!

“Alas!”

Suddenly, an aged sigh echoed, startling Ye Fan. It came from within the chaotic mountains, as if a Great Emperor was looking down upon his descendants, imbued with profound age and weariness.