Chapter 994: The Long and Steady Road is Truly Like Iron

The Taiqing Realm Dao Sword had achieved the realm of sword art, which differed significantly from the Thirty-Two Heavens Sword Dao that came before it.

The preceding Thirty-Two Heavens Sword Dao had not yet escaped the pattern of Dao-entering techniques, while the Taiqing Realm Dao Sword entered the domain of the sword, somewhat similar to the Supreme Divine Consciousness Domain, thus earning the name "Sword Domain."

However, the Sword Domain was still different from the Supreme Divine Consciousness Domain.

The Supreme Divine Consciousness Domain focused more on the influence of divine consciousness on external objects; upon entering this domain, everything gradually stilled. This was the pinnacle of contemplation.

Emperor Kai's Sword Domain, however, focused more on attack, representing the pinnacle of the sword itself.

For Qin Mu, the Taiqing Realm Dao Sword was already difficult to comprehend and master, yet above this heaven, there was another, causing Qin Mu's scalp to tingle with dread.

Finally, Emperor Kai unleashed his Thirty-Fourth Heaven Sword Domain, the Shangqing Realm Sword Domain. As this sword appeared, Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens nearly erupted.

Old officials from Emperor Kai's era were moved to tears, their voices merging into a torrent as they collectively cried out Qin Ye's name. Their fervor was like a great flood sweeping across heaven and earth, irresistibly drawing in the new generation of gods and devils from Wuyou Township, pulling them into worship of Emperor Kai.

Their shouts were akin to the ancient creators worshipping the Grand Emperor—so fervent, so fanatical, so irrational.

Qin Hanzhen and his wife frowned slightly, watching the irrational crowd around them. This level of fanaticism was something they had never encountered, making them uneasy.

Yan Yunxi also frowned, finding the situation deeply unsettling.

She had never seen Emperor Kai unleash the Shangqing Realm Sword Domain before; it must have been a sword art he created after settling in Wuyou Township. Yet, this was not the crucial point.

The crucial point was that Emperor Kai's old officials and the new generation of gods and devils now regarded Emperor Kai as an omnipotent deity. As Emperor Kai and Qin Mu battled, both employing the Thirty-Three Heavens Sword Dao, the spirit within the sword Dao seemed to awaken the old officials, as if returning them to those glorious, challenging years.

However, the situation was far more complex than she had anticipated.

Qin Ye had not been Emperor Kai from the beginning; he had gradually become the leader of his era through countless battles and life-or-death struggles against his enemies.

He carried too many legendary tales. Unconsciously, he became a symbol of an era, the very backbone of that time.

Towards the end of Emperor Kai's era, even the old officials regarded Emperor Kai as an unbeatable, omnipotent, and supremely wise and brilliant being. They dared not, would not, question any of his decisions.

This was also why the old officials suddenly lost their vigor and spirit upon arriving in Wuyou Township, and it was the root cause of the failure of Emperor Kai's reforms.

They had erected a god in their Dao hearts, and Emperor Kai became this god, transforming into their faith.

When Emperor Kai's image crumbled, their faith collapsed, leaving them dejected and dispirited for twenty thousand years.

Now, the Thirty-Three Heavens Sword Dao seemed to transport them back to that era of blind worship of Emperor Kai.

Yan Yunxi's mind was in turmoil. Re-establishing Emperor Kai as a god in the hearts of everyone in Wuyou Township was absolutely not good!

Qin Mu had used Emperor Kai's Thirty-Three Heavens Sword Dao to awaken the dormant and withered Dao hearts of Wuyou Township's old officials, which was a good thing. Yan Yunxi had even dismissed the idea of letting Qin Mu soundly defeat Emperor Kai.

However, Emperor Kai's charisma was too strong; tying the spirit of an entire era to one person would only repeat past mistakes!

"Emperor Kai must lose—"

Veins popped on her forehead, and she bit her pearly teeth. She now felt a longing for the Woodcutter Wen Tiange, thinking, "If Wen Tiange were here, he would surely have a way to prevent this from happening! Alas, that scoundrel swore never to enter Wuyou Township…"

Emperor Kai's era was not an era of one person, and Emperor Kai's reforms were not Emperor Kai's alone.

Yet now, history was repeating itself, and she was powerless.

The Shangqing Realm Sword Domain displayed astonishing, almost invincible combat power before everyone. Qin Mu struggled to resist, yet he seemed vulnerable against this sword domain!

In a flash, he was covered in wounds.

He recognized this sword domain. In the Creator city within the Primordial Realm, Heavenly Venerate Huo had left his Dao imprint, and at that time, he had faced Emperor Kai. Emperor Kai's sword domain erupted, forcing Heavenly Venerate Huo to elevate his cultivation to its peak, yet Heavenly Venerate Huo was still injured by the Shangqing Realm Sword Domain! Now, facing Emperor Kai's Sword Domain, he exerted his utmost, unleashing various sword techniques, even his Calamity Sword, but ultimately, Emperor Kai's sword pierced him!

At this moment, the cheers of Wuyou Township's populace also reached their peak. Frenzied shouts soared to the clouds, shaking all of Wuyou Township!

Emperor Kai held the Carefree Sword, his expression as calm and unruffled as ever. Nothing could shake his Dao heart.

Yet, at this moment, a touch of desolation, a hint of sorrow, appeared in his eyes.

Just then, rolling yellow sand suddenly swept in, instantly covering the sky. A fierce wind howled, as if an invisible giant were spreading out a vast yellow sand desert, forming the mirage of a thousand-mile desert in the sky.

Emperor Kai stood within the yellow sand desert, holding his sword and looking forward.

*Thump-thump—*

Above Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens, an exceptionally loud horn call rang out, like the eve of war. Giants stirred primordial qi and blew war horns, their stirring sound bringing waves of chilling killing intent.

Ahead, a gale swept the yellow sand, like a sandstorm, burying Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens as well.

Qin Mu's figure emerged from the dust storm. Countless stars shone in the sky, and behind him, a primordial tree rooted and sprouted, branching out and growing at a terrifying speed into a towering tree, as tall as the sun and moon, even extending beyond the heavens.

Emperor Kai looked up and saw Heavenly Duke; he looked down and saw Earth Count.

Around him, celestial palaces emerged from the yellow sand desert. Rolling dust flowed out of the celestial palaces, cascading downwards, while the evil celestial palace floated in the sky, and others sank underground.

Ancient deities presided in various celestial palaces, stationed above this vast Celestial Heavens. Countless ancient gods and devils with colossal and terrifying bodies seemed like the most ancient rulers of this world, controlling the fate of all living beings.

As Qin Mu approached, the entire world moved with him, pressing down on Emperor Kai with supreme pressure.

Starlight shone, and the ancient gods' Dao runes flickered with bright colors, reflecting on his body. Heavenly Duke's Xuandu, Earth Count's Youdu, Earth Mother's Yuandu, the Empress and Consort sisters' Guixu, Heavenly Yin Empress's Heavenly Yin World, the Four Extreme Heavens of the Four Ancient Emperors—all the ancient gods projected their Great Dao onto him, blessing him.

He was like a supreme ancient Heavenly Emperor, possessing unparalleled power, controlling the life and death of everyone!

And Emperor Kai, Emperor Kai's era, Emperor Kai's people—they were all ants that could be crushed with a flick of a finger!

He possessed the strongest power in the world!

Emperor Kai ran madly forward, thrusting his Carefree Sword with all his might. His Thirty-Three Heavens sword strike was like an unparalleled warrior striking at the heavens.

*Boom, boom, boom!*

Southern Heavenly Gates rose from the ground before him. He battled his way through with his sword, and with each Southern Heavenly Gate he passed, his body felt as if it was weighed down by a celestial palace. He passed through fourteen Southern Heavenly Gates consecutively, then leapt up, only to be met by Qin Mu's fist.

The colossal fist contained strength that brought despair, smashing his Thirty-Three Heavens Sword Dao, smashing onto his body, sending him sprawling into the yellow sand.

This scene made the cheers in Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens abruptly cease. Both Emperor Kai's old officials and the new generation of gods and devils stared blankly at this sight, watching their invincible leader struck down with one punch.

Suddenly, Emperor Kai leapt into the air. The Carefree Sword flipped and flew around him, reflecting countless teleportation runes, transforming his figure into a light stream of sword-light teleportation. He flew rapidly around the vast Celestial Heavens, weaving around the immensely colossal Qin Mu, searching for an opening.

Cheers resumed, grand waves of sound rising one after another. It was the people of Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens cheering for Emperor Kai, encouraging him.

Emperor Kai drew his sword again, unleashing the Shangqing Realm Sword Domain. However, what met him was a giant palm, as if swatting a fly, slamming him hard onto the ground!

The cheers stopped again.

Emperor Kai staggered to his feet, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and looked up at the colossal figure in the Celestial Heavens.

He roared, and charged forward with his sword again, fighting with all his might.

He was slammed to the ground again, this time harder than before, leaving his limbs weak and sore. He struggled weakly, trying to get up, but collapsed back onto the ground.

Finally, he rose again, looking at the fist roaring towards him, and barely managed to raise the Carefree Sword in his hand.

*Rumble!*

He was smashed deep into the yellow sand desert, his body tumbling and rolling like a broken sack, kicking up waves of sand.

Qin Mu struck blow after blow. The people of Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens below stared blankly and foolishly at this scene. Qin Mu's punches seemed not to be hitting Emperor Kai, but striking them, smashing their worship, smashing their pride.

"You want to reform?"

Qin Mu's voice, coming from above, was like a deity from beyond the Nine Heavens, high above and utterly cold: "You want to change this world?"

"Just you?"

"Just you alone?"

"What a joke!"

He raised his massive foot and ruthlessly stepped on Emperor Kai, laughing heartily: "The so-called Emperor Kai era never existed! It was always just you alone persevering! Who do you rely on? What Dao friends do you have? You only have a bunch of helpless dependents! They are not your Dao friends; they are merely slaves who worship you!"

"Why didn't you go with the flow? Why didn't you become a Heavenly Venerate Qin who smiled and was benevolent to all? Why do you still raise your head?"

Qin Mu stepped down heavily again, roaring, "Why do you still try to get up?"

Emperor Kai held up Qin Mu's foot with both hands, half-knelt on the ground, staggering, struggling to stand.

"Don't get up!"

A young god and devil cried loudly: "Your Majesty, don't get up! Give up!"

Qin Mu powered his leg, ruthlessly stepping on Emperor Kai into the dust, his face ferocious and menacing: "You owe no one anything; you have failed no one! Just kneel down, and you'll still be Heavenly Venerate Qin! Not the traitor Qin Ye, not Emperor Kai, who is worshipped on a pedestal in Wuyou Township! Kneel down! Be Heavenly Venerate Qin!"

He lifted his foot, and Emperor Kai lay in his footprint.

Qin Mu extended two fingers and pinched him up, as if picking up a tiny ant.

He looked down contemptuously on all living beings and laughed heartily: "Are these people your Dao friends? Are these people the main force of your Emperor Kai's reforms? They are just a bunch of pathetic worms!"

"Qin Ye, surrender! These people aren't worth you fighting for! Shed your garments, come to the Celestial Heavens, kneel before the Ten Heavenly Venerates, and beg forgiveness with thorns on your back. You'll still be Heavenly Venerate Qin, still high above, still admired by countless people, still worshipped by countless people."

Just then, Qin Mu suddenly felt an infinite surge of anger.

Below, in Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens, an old official tore off his upper garments, raised two large hammers, and struck the war drum hanging in front of the Southern Heavenly Gate of Emperor Kai's Celestial Heavens. The thump-thump drum sounds rang out, and a hoarse, ancient voice transformed into a heavy battle song: "Fierce West Wind—"

Fang Youji tore off his clothes, removed his hat, his hair disheveled, set up his coffin, slapped the coffin, and sang a long song: "Fierce West Wind! Wild geese cry in the vast sky, the moon of a frosty morning!"

Yan Yunxi drew her sword, and the long swords clashed, their sound crisp: "The moon of a frosty morning! Hoofbeats fragmented, bugles choked. The long road to the mighty pass is truly like iron!"

From each of Emperor Kai's old officials, waves of spirit from that troubled era erupted, their qi like a long rainbow. Their voices were no longer calls of worship, and their Dao hearts were no longer distorted by placing all hope in Emperor Kai alone.

Their voices were deep, yet full of penetrative power, revealing the suffering and hope of those glorious years to the new generation of Wuyou Township, shaking people's hearts.

"The long road to the mighty pass is truly like iron, but now we stride forward from the beginning!"

"And now we stride forward from the beginning—from the beginning!"