Chapter 826: The Great Sage Negotiates Peace

There would be a period of relative peace; they should make sure to seize it. Elder Gai Jiuyou spoke very lightly, yet his words left Ye Fan feeling both touched and heavy-hearted.

This peace was truly hard-won, a situation forged by several Saints. How many could truly know the difficulties and dangers involved? At any moment, one could perish.

The attack by two Ancient Imperial Weapons, in particular, instantly threw the situation into chaos. If not for someone like Gai Jiuyou, who would have had the courage to eliminate those wielding Imperial Weapons?

With Ancient Imperial Weapons revived, even Great Sages would meet a bitter end if they fought them head-on. Powerful as Gai Jiuyou was, if he hadn't mastered the 'Soldier' Secret Art, he would likely have faced a grim fate this time.

“Elders like you worry for the world, which is admirable. There was no need for me to intervene rashly before,” Ye Fan said.

“No need to be modest.” Gai Jiuyou truly didn't look like a peerless figure; he was sickly, without any of the bearing of a supreme master. He smiled and said, “We merely refined things a bit.”

Ye Fan said no more. The truly humble ones were these human Saints. They must have had detailed plans long ago; though they didn't appear publicly, they saw far into the future.

True sages always stand at the highest peak, gazing upon paths unseen by others.

Beside them, Xia Jiuyou, in her white robes, was captivating, as stunning as ever, making even celestial maidens pale in comparison. She had transformed from the stubborn, willful, and even arrogant little girl of the past into a peerless beauty.

Now, many things became clear. Xia Jiuyou's past threats to refine Ye Fan's Saint blood into a precious elixir were likely meant to extend her master's life, driven by filial piety.

The ailing elder's life force was waning, so the young girl must have been desperately seeking ways to let him live for a few more years.

After realizing this, Ye Fan found the formerly overbearing girl less annoying; in fact, she seemed rather endearing, and he couldn't help but smile.

“If you dare look at me one more time, I’ll refine your eyes into divine lamps.” Xia Jiuyou's lips curled slightly, and a cold glint flashed in her lively, large eyes.

Ye Fan: “...”

He had just been thinking the girl had changed and become much more likable, but was immediately met with a threat, leaving him speechless.

It was truly a case of "a leopard cannot change its spots." Although her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful and somewhat softer, her proud heart and strong will remained unchanged.

The ailing elder, supported by the gifted young woman, walked forward to attend a small, restricted meeting, open only to Saints and Ancestral Kings, which concerned the future peace of the world.

Outside the Jade Lake, an ancient war chariot arrived. It was covered in axe marks and arrow holes, clearly having undergone the baptism of many bloody battles.

Nine primordial fierce beasts pulled the chariot. Each one exhaled monstrous divine light, terrifyingly powerful with intimidating auras. One or two of them were even close to the Saint realm.

“It’s him! Ancestral King Lin Tian has arrived, from the Ancient Imperial Clan of Fire Kirin Cave!”

“Indeed, it’s King Lin Tian, on the same level as King Jiuhuang. Both are formidable beings with the potential to become Great Sages, who once swept across various regions in ancient times with hardly any rivals!”

King Jiuhuang was once praised by the supreme Battle Saint Emperor. For the newcomer to be his equal, he was naturally a towering figure among the ancient clans, like a blazing sun.

Many ancient clans stepped forward to pay their respects. They felt that this Jade Lake gathering was truly extraordinary, with both Jiuhuang and Lin Tian present, indicating the ancient clans’ extreme importance.

However, to everyone's surprise, as soon as King Lin Tian dismounted his chariot, he seemed to freeze in astonishment. Then he quickly walked forward and bowed deeply to an old man.

Many ancient clan powerhouses were stunned. What kind of existence was King Lin Tian? Yet he bowed to a seemingly ordinary old man.

“Greetings, Great Sage Huntuo!” As soon as King Lin Tian uttered these words, everyone present was petrified. Then came a chorus of thuds as all the ancient clans knelt, hailing the Great Sage.

This was a very ordinary old man. He looked more like a human, a village elder, than an ancient clan member; even his clothes were simple.

A Great Sage had truly arrived, making this assembly all the more extraordinary and astonishing everyone that such a figure had been moved to attend.

One must know, how many Great Sages could a single ancient star possibly have? In eras when Ancient Emperors did not appear, they were absolutely invincible, with no one able to contend with them under heaven.

Great Sage Huntuo was renowned throughout ancient times, suffering only one defeat in his life. He was suppressed with merely one hand by his opponent, but it was by no means shameful, for that opponent was an unconquerable existence—the Battle Saint Emperor.

Who would dare challenge an Ancient Emperor? Regardless of the outcome, such courage alone commanded admiration, causing a great stir in ancient times!

Although Great Sage Huntuo later self-mockingly said he was simply seeking death, utterly unaware of his own limitations, this did not diminish his prestige; instead, it shook the entire world.

Back then, the Battle Saint Emperor merely smiled, harming him not at all, and even said he was 'not bad,' which counted as praise and an acknowledgment from an Ancient Emperor.

No one had expected that a Great Sage with only one defeat in his life had truly arrived. Though there were rumors, people initially didn't believe them.

Great Sage Huntuo bid King Lin Tian rise, and together they walked towards the Jade Lake Pure Land. Upon seeing Gai Jiuyou at a glance, his body trembled.

He no longer allowed King Lin Tian to accompany him, walking ahead alone, catching up with the ailing elder's pace. He said, “The human race… is truly awe-inspiring.”

“What is there to speak of awe?” Gai Jiuyou said with a smile. “All races coexist, and the world is at peace.”

“Indeed,” Great Sage Huntuo nodded with a sigh. “Ancient Emperors and Human Great Emperors all possessed great breadth of mind and spoke similar words.” He continued, “Figures above the Great Sage realm should refrain from appearing in the future. Let the world be left to the descendants.”

Gai Jiuyou, still sickly, also nodded. He said, “I think even Saints shouldn't appear. For instance, with my old bones and limbs, it’s still possible to ruthlessly wipe out an imperial clan. How much more so for those vigorous Ancestral Kings? If they become enraged, annihilating millions and causing several clans to perish is not impossible. For the peace of the world, for this hard-won tranquility, it’s better they all focus on their own cultivation.”

Great Sage Huntuo paused, then smiled and said, “We must always give the younger generation a chance, mustn’t we?”

Elder Gai Jiuyou squinted his eyes and said, “Ancestral Kings and Saints have cultivated for many years, climbing out of mountains of corpses and seas of bones. Engaging in so-called life-and-death battles for breakthroughs now would be of little use. Haven't the strongest bloodlines of the Ancient Emperors all revived in this era? I eagerly await them. Aren't the most astonishing prodigies of all races also full of vigor? They all need a stage. Let the world be theirs.”

“Indeed, there are several ancient imperial bloodlines; a single year of their cultivation equals a hundred years for others. Their talent is rare through the ages. The human emperor's sons weren't all exhausted during the dark ages, were they? In such a grand era, the Ancient Emperor’s path, paved with blood and bones, is truly cruel,” Great Sage Huntuo mused.

The Central Emperor watched Gai Jiuyou depart and disappear, falling silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. Though they were old acquaintances, he did not step forward to meet him, merely letting them pass by each other.

Everyone has their own unique path. Life's encounters differ, and so do their trajectories. As long as life has not reached its end, all sorts of possibilities exist.

Everyone is the sole protagonist of their own life, while also being a supporting character and a passerby in the lives of others, thus weaving together the human world.

Ye Fan sat quietly in the Jade Lake, waiting for a long time but never seeing the old woman from the Madman's generation appear. He sighed; an era had ended.

Such a Saint had ultimately perished, dying in the birthplace of the Arctic Immortal Light, yet no one knew. That a Saint's twilight years could be so desolate, without even someone to bid farewell, was truly sorrowful.

Decline, and an end!

The wind rose, and fallen blossoms drifted down, carrying a faint fragrance, yet appearing tragically beautiful—the end of an era.

The wind grew stronger, and various petals fell and withered. Ye Fan sat alone for a long time, feeling a chill.

At the Myriad Races Grand Assembly, ultimately only Saints and Ancestral Kings were in deliberation. Outsiders didn't know how they were arguing, only that occasional bursts of anger and suppressive aura erupted, indicating the scene was far from peaceful.

“Kid Ye, you’re here! I’ve been looking for you for ages. Come on, let’s go drink.” Li Tian walked over, his eyes constantly sizing up the various beauties, chuckling.

“Little Yezi, let’s go! Let’s drink to our hearts’ content today. The future is finally peaceful. Then, damn it, let’s go kill that Emperor’s Son, kill that loser Yuangu!” Li Heishui also walked over, clutching a wine jar and constantly burping.

Ye Fan smiled and walked back with them. Ahead, a lively group of brilliant young talents—including Nan Yao, Qi Huoshui, the Central Emperor, Ji Ziyue, the Saintess of Jade Lake, Ji Haoyue, the Monkey, and the Divine Silkworm Daoist—were toasting each other.

Duan De was acting as a shady strategist, haphazardly offering advice to Dongfang Man. He instigated Dongfang Man to challenge the Emperor’s Son, hoping to lure him into a group ambush to avenge his brother.

As soon as they returned, Li Tian was filled with all sorts of envy, jealousy, and hatred. He saw his senior brother Yan Yixi distantly raising a cup with a daughter of an ancient imperial clan.

“Damn it, a true primordial goddess! My senior brother, a person like him, deserves to be struck by lightning. With him here, I lack presence.” Li Tian grumbled indignantly.

“She is Huo Qilin’s sister,” Yan Yixi said nonchalantly, delivering this piece of news. Dressed in white, he was as handsome as jade, possessing an otherworldly elegance.

“What?! An ancient imperial bloodline! Best not provoke her!” Li Tian's expression changed. Then he said, “From now on, leave her to me.”

Everyone was speechless.

In the distance, a purple-robed maiden walked by, and Duan De immediately nudged Ye Fan. He said, “The Saintess of Purple Mansion, a congenital Dao body! This is a great opportunity. Just knock her out with a stick and carry her off; in the future, she could cultivate a second Wushi.”

Everyone rolled their eyes at him in unison.

Suddenly, outside the Jade Lake Pure Land, there was a great commotion, a pandemonium, with curses heard, and faintly, the sound of a dog barking.

At this moment, Ye Fan abruptly stood up, his expression incredibly excited. He exclaimed, “It’s… the Black Emperor!”

“How is that possible? I saw it die with my own eyes back then, killed for our sake.” Li Heishui’s spirits instantly sank.

“It’s him, there’s no mistake!” Ye Fan dashed outside. Seeing this, everyone else stood up and followed.

Outside the Jade Lake, a large black dog, its red tongue lolling out, was as sturdy as a bull. Its black fur was glossy and shimmered like silk.

“Black Emperor!” Ye Fan exclaimed excitedly. It really was him!

“You… you’re still alive!” Li Heishui, also excited, rushed over.

Everyone was dumbfounded. That dog truly hadn’t died; it was back, lively and energetic, proving its incredible tenacity!

“Why do you cause such a ruckus whenever you show up?” Someone behind them laughed, very excited.

“Who am I? I am the Emperor, the focus of all eyes! Wind and clouds move for me, heaven and earth resound for me! Wherever I am, there will be splendor!” The big black dog declared haughtily and unashamedly, its face unbelievably thick.

Boom!

Inside the Jade Lake, another wisp of Saintly aura erupted. Loud arguing could be heard, and many overheard the Ancestral Kings’ meeting.

“No, absolutely not! Why can't figures at the Saint level take action?”

“On what grounds?!”

People were startled. Evidently, a stalemate had occurred in the meeting.

Upon hearing these shouts, the Black Emperor, who had just arrived at the Jade Lake, immediately assumed a solemn, majestic appearance, glowing all over.

“This Emperor is about to do something significant.” With that, it spat out a golden paper scroll shining with myriad lights, from which an aura of a supreme Great Emperor surged forth.

“What is this?” Ye Fan asked, astonished.

“The Decree of Emperor Wushi!” the Black Emperor declared solemnly.

“What? Is this really…?”

“Indeed, it truly is!” The Black Emperor nodded seriously.