Chapter 1681: Beidou

Over the past two decades, the Dao Palace was established, bringing stability to a corner of the universe. While there were campaigns and bloody battles during this period, the Dao Palace itself remained largely unaffected.

Over the past twenty years, the Divine Organization and the Underworld have been at war. This conflict revealed to the world the terrifying power of these two legacies, capable of overturning the cosmos. Had there not been such deep enmity between them, either side could have dominated the universe.

The Underworld dispatched several legions, numbering in the millions, which appeared across various regions. Sweeping through like a destructive force, they destroyed numerous divine statues and engaged in a major war with the Divine Organization.

What was truly terrifying was that many of the experts dispatched by the Underworld were famous figures from antiquity, some even recorded in history and still remembered today. These were their very corpses, which, after hundreds of thousands of years, had developed consciousness, regained vitality, and emerged as new life forms.

All of this was the work of the Underworld, a truly terrifying legacy. They hold a significant position throughout the entire history of cultivators, meticulously tracking each generation's heroes and taking their bodies after death. Such a grand and extensive undertaking sends shivers down one's spine.

In this war, a divine statue from the Divine Organization also startled the mortal realm. It was heard that an important ancient corpse commander from the Underworld had exclaimed it was a divine general from the Heavenly Court era. A stone figure, sculpted into a statue that developed consciousness after millions of years of worship, truly shocked the world. In reality, it was not a divine general from the Godly Emperor era, but merely an artificial Holy Spirit. Its body was inscribed with various Dao runes, originally sculpted to commemorate a divine general of the Heavenly Court. However, through the evolution of long ages and continuous worship, it developed divine consciousness and manifested as a deity through collective thought.

After twenty years of warfare, these two colossal entities fought until galaxies collapsed, both suffering heavy losses. The powers and trump cards they employed were equally chilling. Chaos reigned, and blood flowed like rivers.

While the Dao Palace developed and the Undying Empress's dynasty remained dormant, with no bloody battles erupting, everyone knew that a conflict between them was inevitable.

The universe has clearly been divided into spheres of influence by four major powers. No one dares to act rashly, and it is unlikely that another major war will erupt in the short term.

During this period, numerous Five-Color Altars and Ancient Imperial Platforms were repaired across various regions. Star gates rose again, making travel between different parts of the universe less difficult.

Although the Heavenly Court is very strong and has annexed much of the Divine Court's territory, it still appears insufficient compared to the four colossal powers. Neither its top master nor its overall strength can be truly compared to them. They have the potential to become a fifth major power, but currently, they are not considered one. While there are many promising experts within the Heavenly Court and its future is bright, it cannot yet truly dominate the world. There are many variables, and it is not considered a colossal power of the same caliber as the others.

Of course, no one would dare to underestimate them. The Godly Emperor, once so strong, had to flee in disarray from the Heavenly Court. This place instills caution even in those on the verge of achieving Daohood.

The Big Dipper was once shattered, ruined beyond recognition, with corpses strewn across the land and blood flowing like rivers. Later, someone melted the fragmented stars into a single entity and moved in suns, moons, and stars to fill the void where the starry sky had been obliterated. It was akin to recreating a galaxy and reopening heaven and earth.

Centuries have passed, and both the cracks in the mountains and earth, and the wounds in people's hearts, have almost healed. Mortals have come and gone for generations... Although the world still speaks of the bloodshed and chaos of those years, beauty and peace ultimately endure, and people's hopes have not been extinguished.

The Eastern Wasteland is vast, containing seven great life forbidden zones, which are the sources of dark turmoil. The mountains of bones are long gone, having turned into piles of yellow earth. Now, this place is still beautiful, just as it was in the past, with magnificent mountains and rivers, wonders of the world, and legends of immortal medicine, attracting people from all over.

By now, star gates have revived, and various complex teleportation arrays, such as the Five-Color Altars and Ancient Imperial Platforms, have gradually been unearthed from ruins. Some later masterpieces from the Post-Archaic era have also been put to use. This starfield is no longer exclusively the domain of the Big Dipper people; cultivators from all corners of the universe also frequent it. People come here with mixed feelings, eager to see the so-called Burial Emperor Star.

Some come for pilgrimage, prostrating every three steps as they head towards the former seclusion sites and cultivation grounds of ancient Great Emperors. Others arrive driven by vengeance and hatred. They gaze at the great life forbidden zones from afar, not daring to approach, lingering outside and cursing silently. It was from these very places that Supremes emerged, killing their ancestors and causing the deaths of so many people.

"This is the Ji Family's ruins," someone exclaimed in admiration, "what a magnificent mountain range, what grand mountains and rivers!" Another person added, "These mountains were once divine islands, suspended in the sky. They were later shaken down by the aftershocks of the Supreme war; otherwise, they would be many times more magnificent than this."

Many people mourned before an ancient relic in the Southern Domain, lamenting how the Void Great Emperor had fought selflessly in those days, only to have half of his immortal mirror stained with blood and buried in the void, bringing tears to people's eyes. Many traveled south to gaze upon the Primordial Forbidden Zone, perhaps the only forbidden zone not reviled by people. It is rumored that the dark turmoil was quelled by the entity residing there.

The nine holy mountains have long been destroyed, the divine medicine's whereabouts are unknown, leaving only ruins beneath the abyss. No one knows if the Empress is still there, and no one dares to enter, because the aura that strips away years still lingers, seeming to portend something.

"I heard that Ye Fan of the human race rose to prominence here back then. Is that true or false?" said a powerful expert from the Pegasus clan.

"Naturally, it's true," someone sighed softly. "He entered and exited several times, plucking the Immortal Holy Fruit, which allowed him to break through the Sea of Suffering and embark on the path of cultivation."

"It's a matter of timing and fate," someone added. "If he hadn't had such great fortune here back then, perhaps there wouldn't be the current generation's Quasi-Emperor, the killer of ancient emperors' children." Many regretted being born at the wrong time, believing that if they had lived in that era, perhaps they might have taken his place and become the great opportunists of that time. Some people are always like this, always full of regret and longing for the past, while true opportunities lie ahead, yet they can never grasp them.

"Master, you are well. Your disciple is relieved." Outside the crowd, a figure stood still, silently gazing at the horizon, seemingly lost in thought.

"Oh, isn't that Long Yuxuan?" someone exclaimed with surprise. "He's one of the few top experts among the Big Dipper's demon race." Long Yuxuan said nothing and walked away into the distance.

"I heard he's the disciple of the Sacred Body, Ye Fan. Is that true?"

"Back then, he was adopted as a godson by the Old Roc King," another person explained. "The king spared no effort, opened the Heavenly Pass of the Sky Roc lineage, and imparted secret techniques to him. Unfortunately, the Old Roc King himself failed in his secluded death-cultivation; otherwise, the demon race would undoubtedly have produced another Great Saint."

People sighed with emotion. Long Yuxuan heard them, a hint of sadness on his face, and walked away without looking back. "It's time to meet up with my junior brother," he sighed softly.

A Daoist named Zhang Qingyang, who had returned from beyond the realm after the dark turmoil, was walking among mortals, earnestly attending to every believer. Like an ascetic monk, he did not use his magical power or divine arts, but preached among the mortals. Over these years, his research into faith had reached an astonishing level. It must be said that his talent in this area was rarely seen throughout history. Over hundreds of years, apart from Long Yuxuan, no one knew that such a peerless genius existed among mortals, achieving accomplishments that would shake the past and illuminate the present. This achievement was not reflected in his combat power, but in his analysis and understanding of the power of faith, which surpassed all previous sages.

"Junior brother, have you made any new discoveries?" Long Yuxuan asked.

"I've made an astonishing discovery! We must immediately tell Master," Zhang Qingyang exclaimed, having emerged from his research, visibly excited and unlike his usual solemn preaching self. "I've found that the power of faith can allow one to live in the hearts of all beings. It's truly a path to longevity!"

"Is that feasible?" Long Yuxuan asked doubtfully.

"Yes, it's feasible!" Zhang Qingyang grew more agitated as he spoke, "It's not without reason that some ancient Supremes studied the power of faith; it's incredibly useful! The so-called afterlife is related to this!" Finally, he put forth a shocking hypothesis: "I suspect Amitābha is still alive, awaiting reincarnation. The Undying Sovereign might also not be dead and will appear one day. Throughout history, these two have gone the furthest on this path!"

Long Yuxuan was shocked. What kind of prodigy was his junior brother? What exactly had he researched?

"My hypothesis might be true," Zhang Qingyang said, vigorously clenching his fists in excitement. "Amitābha has always resided in the hearts of his followers, never fading. The so-called reincarnation, the so-called afterlife, is truly feasible!"

When passing through a spot in the Southern Domain, the two brothers both stopped and gazed at the Yaoguang Holy Land, where auspicious mists surged and rainbow light streamed. The current leader is a woman named Weiwei. Not only is her prestige unmatched within Yaoguang, but she also vaguely possesses the potential to be the Big Dipper's top master, her power unfathomably profound.

"This woman is too special, so quiet and unassuming," one of them remarked. "I heard she's already a Quasi-Emperor."

"Oh, right, the people from Zhuo Peak have also returned," Long Yuxuan said, a strange expression on his face as he mentioned the martial uncle. "Let's take him with us to see Master."

Zhuo Peak has long been destroyed and no longer exists; it is now just a newly established peak. Zhang Wenchang is now very peaceful, no longer saddened by the past, and has fully embarked on the path of cultivation. However, his cultivation level was truly exasperating. After hundreds of years, he finally reached the second layer of the Immortal Platform. In this era of great cosmic changes, where cultivation is easier, he was considered a unique anomaly even among Ye Fan's camp, which produced numerous prodigies.

"Martial Uncle, how much longer until you reach the Immortal Three Slashes and become a King?" Zhang Qingyang asked.

"Probably another five hundred years," Zhang Wenchang responded after thinking seriously.

Zhang Qingyang and Long Yuxuan both stumbled simultaneously. This martial uncle was hopeless, yet so serious about cultivating, leaving two individuals, who could be called prodigious geniuses in their respective fields, truly speechless.

"Let's go take another look at the divine embryo in the Jade Pond," Zhang Wenchang suggested. "When Ye Fan left back then, he was very worried about it. The Jade Pond returned decades ago, so presumably, the divine embryo was brought back too."

"Alright, we were planning to look around anyway," Long Yuxuan nodded.

The Jade Pond had been reshaped, and its scenery was still beautiful, filled with auspicious energy. Under the ancient peach tree, they saw the Nine-Aperture Divine Stone, inside which the divine embryo had not yet been born.

"You've come at a good time. I have something here for Ye Fan, which can be delivered to the Ji Family," said the Saintess of the Jade Pond. She had long become the Holy Lord of her sect, peerlessly graceful and beautiful, one of the most stunning women of her time. Her slender figure was graceful and elegant, and her fair, delicate face was filled with solemnity as she solemnly handed over a stone box to Zhang Wenchang and the others.

When they opened the stone box, they saw half of a broken copper piece, mottled with rust and almost rotten. Looking closely, they realized it was half of a bronze mirror, pitted with holes. More than rust, the marks looked like dried bloodstains.

"This is..." They were all shocked.

The three left the Jade Pond with complex emotions, their minds unsettled, and hurried to their next destination—the Western Desert.

Back then, Mount Sumeru shattered into pieces when it collided with the Path to Immortality. Now, its fragmented remains stand here. For a long time, this place was a haunted land. In the deathly silence, ghostly flames flickered faintly, and occasionally, chanting could be heard. Centuries have passed. Bodhi trees grew everywhere, and Mount Sumeru no longer lacked vitality. Some temples glowed, and grand chanting resonated periodically.