Chapter 104: Immortal Path Cataclysm, Celestial Carnage

Chapter 104: Immortal Path Cataclysm, Celestial Carnage

The Veil Heaven Bracer manifested in the sky, magnified countless times, enveloping the entire Immortal Mountain in darkness. Only patches of white starlight filtered through, guiding the great path that Shaohua had once imprinted upon the world.

"Hmph, just a secret artifact, and you dare to trap me in the Immortal Mountain? Let the Eastern Sovereign come and try!" the Stone Emperor said coldly.

In the next moment, he truly broke through the immortal source and emerged. The Dragon-Emblazoned Great Axe sliced through the sky, ascending and cleaving through the vast night.

The world was stunned; an ancient supreme being had returned. The masses trembled in fear, unsure of what he intended, dreading the dark turmoil that might follow.

In the Nectar Lake, Shaohua rose to her feet. Her gaze, however, did not linger on the Stone Emperor but instead turned toward the distant Verdant Mars Star.

The Immortal Ascension Path had also opened there.

This was why she had told Ji Xukong earlier that it was time to pursue the Dao. This was the best and last opportunity, but also the worst moment.

"Hmph, the Immortal Ascension Path has opened; consider yourselves lucky."

The Stone Emperor wielded his great axe, striking the Nectar Lake and Ji Xukong, who was undergoing the tribulation, each with a powerful blow. Then, without hesitation, he rushed toward the fully opened Immortal Ascension Path.

Shaohua's eyebrows arched, and the Immortal Tear Viridian Tower descended from the heavens, its immortal radiance shielding her from the Stone Emperor's attack.

Another blow that had plunged into the cosmos was intercepted by the Perfect Saint Physique.

Most eyes were drawn to Ji Xukong, who was enduring three consecutive tribulations, momentarily overlooking the situation of the Immortal Ascension Path.

The Stone Emperor did not attack the aspirants but instead stepped onto the Immortal Ascension Path, choosing to make a final stand in this world.

Of course, this was understandable. Having emerged several times with little remaining lifespan, he had already planned to instigate the dark turmoil. But with the Immortal Ascension Path now open, the prospect of direct immortality far outweighed merely extending his life.

Even if he failed, he could always turn back and hunt the Cosmic Dragon to prolong his existence.

The Perfect Saint Physique, after all, was not a true emperor or sovereign. Such a vigorous and robust physique, the killing of just one could compensate for the losses of eons.

And Ji Xukong, who might become an emperor, had just survived the imperial tribulation. How much imperial might could he possibly have left? He was likely on the brink of death.

"Boom!!!"

The Verdant Mars Star awoke from its silence, its brilliant light shining and its radiant beams dancing. On the surrounding celestial bodies, various saintly auras surged, and cries of surprise echoed.

Most of them were already elderly, not particularly concerned about who would become an emperor. They had long been waiting by the Immortal Ascension Path.

"The Immortal Path has truly opened, the Heavenly Gates are wide open, manifesting in this world", an ancient supreme being emerged from the Immortal Mountain.

"Let us all venture into the Immortal Ascension Path!" The Imprisonment Sovereign's eyes flashed with an indescribable expression as he glanced at the Immortal Mausoleum before following suit.

"We are going too!"

Two supreme beings from the Karmic Sea, who had taken refuge in the Immortal Mountain, stepped out in unison, as if their actions had been premeditated, and the restricted area of the Immortal Mountain was almost completely deserted.

However, the last two to emerge did not rush to the Immortal Ascension Path. Instead, they first attacked Ji Xukong, who was undergoing his tribulations.

Their goal was not to stop Ji Xukong from achieving the Dao but to test the strength of the Perfect Saint Physique.

Killing Ji Xukong was less effective than letting him succeed. In his current state, he would be extremely weak after the tribulations, making him easy prey.

If he fled, they would instigate the dark turmoil, sacrificing countless lives; if he did not, they would hunt the Cosmic Dragon.

As for the Perfect Saint Physique, he was not yet a true Daoist. The supreme beings did not truly regard him as a threat. At best, he could hold off one of them.

None of them believed that one would be themselves. Even if they did encounter him, they were confident they could defeat him, not be defeated by an unascended being.

This was the pride of ancient emperors. An unascended being was not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as them, merely a bit more robust.

If they could truly elevate themselves and reclaim their Dao fruit, they were confident they could contend with anyone. Killing the Perfect Saint Physique would not be difficult!

Seeing the Immortal Ascension Path nearly dominated by the Immortal Mountain, others in the restricted area could no longer remain idle.

From the Primordial Ancient Mine and the Celestial Burial Isle, two more beings emerged, their lifespans also running low. They chose to attempt the Immortal Ascension Path.

If they failed, they could always return and instigate the dark turmoil to extend their lives. They had done it before.

"Roar!!!"

The Immortal Path resounded with the roars of living beings, dragon roars and phoenix cries filling the air. The Immortal Realm Rift released dazzling light, and a White Tiger appeared, as if carved from white jade, radiating overwhelming power.

"These are the immortal spirits descending; this is truly the Immortal Ascension Path!"

"I have witnessed the opening of the Immortal Path; even if I die now, I will have no regrets!"

An old cultivator, nearly unable to walk, shouted with tears in his eyes, feeling content to die.

"This is the best opportunity in this world; fellow Daoists, let us all venture into the Immortal Path!" the Stone Emperor laughed, casually slaying a group of old saints and absorbing their remaining life force.

"Advance into the Immortal Realm!" another supreme being from the Immortal Mountain shouted, causing the heavens and stars to tremble, and many celestial bodies to shatter.

The Imprisonment Sovereign remained silent, his gaze dark and inscrutable.

Then, the two supreme beings from the Primordial Ancient Mine and the Celestial Burial Isle entered the Immortal Path Rift. However, they suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Could the Immortal Path in this world be a fake, leading nowhere to the Immortal Realm?

"It's our turn to enter", the two supreme beings from the Karmic Sea spoke softly.

They broke free from the Perfect Saint Physique, seeing no one else emerging, and finally stepped into the Immortal Path Rift, blocking the way back.

The sights within the Immortal Ascension Path were unknown to outsiders. The arrays and prying eyes were all obliterated by the ripples of the great battle, and some mysterious force seemed to be blocking everything.

Several Supreme Beings had plunged deep into the Immortal Ascension Path, and the outside world had no idea what was happening. Only intense tremors and earth-shattering booms kept echoing out, but in the end, a voice of discontent and shock roared out.

A strange aura emerged in the universe, wisps of immortal qi rising and spreading from the Immortal Realm Rift, always giving one a sense of unease.

No one knew how long it had been, but the rift was beginning to heal, gradually closing. Inside, it was eerily quiet, as if something unpredictable had occurred.

"It’s a good deed, removing two Supremes. Five against two is truly cautious, but is it enough to share?"

At first, Shaohua hadn’t expected so many people from the Immortal Mountain to come out, almost as if the entire nest had been emptied. She thought it was because of the impact of her own battle.

But then she reconsidered; this was probably just the beginning. The real show hadn’t even started yet.

On the other side, Ji Xukong, though looking on the verge of collapse, as if he could fall at any moment, remained standing. He had endured the great heavenly tribulation for half a day.

The Lifeblood Secret and the Eternal Formula were both at work, barely sustaining his life. His ability to hold on was entirely due to a firm will and the constant depletion of his life essence.

"I must achieve enlightenment; even the heavens cannot stop me!"

Ji Xukong let out a long, earth-shaking cry, his eyes radiating a world-shaking brilliance. Everyone could feel his resolve, a rarity in ancient times, dazzling through the ages.

The ultimate transformation was finally upon him. The Boundless Imperial Tribulation was coalescing, the heavens using their ultimate power for the final obstruction.

With his hands forming seals, he moved them through the air, the sound of a river of time rushing by. The heavens and earth blurred, the universe overturned, and the cosmos trembled.

This was a force that could destroy everything, time was disordered, space shattered, and everything was being overturned.

Ji Xukong had almost exhausted everything. With this move, he was about to disappear, using all his strength to face the final heavenly tribulation.

"Crazy, crazy! To fight like this, isn’t he afraid of dying directly?" Jiang Hengyu couldn’t help but climb out of his coffin, standing on the holy mountain of the Desolate Ancient Prohibited Land, exclaiming in shock.

"Such a brutal battle, even if he succeeds in enlightenment, he will only be a crippled emperor, strong for a moment but then what?" He sighed at last.

"He reminds me of the Battle Saint Emperor who tried to become a War Immortal at the end of the ancient era. He was just as fierce. Such a person is destined not to live long, but the brilliance they emit far surpasses the ordinary!" Xiao Zicheng sighed.

"I thought he would meet the Eastern Sovereign and know of our existence, and he wouldn’t have to push himself so hard." Xiao Yan said.

"On the contrary, I think he knows everything and that’s why he’s doing this. This is his resolve. The Eastern Sovereign cannot and will not forcibly stop him." Ning Fei had a different opinion.

If this was the path he chose, others had no right to interfere.

Whether he lived or died, one must respect others’ choices.

"Almost there!" Lin Dong took a deep breath of the essence of heaven and earth, the aura of the great tribulation stimulating his mind.

No matter what happens next, achieve enlightenment first.

Enlightenment was almost complete, but Ji Xukong was also at his weakest, his entire body on the verge of collapse, with no strength left. Crossing the tribulation was a life-draining process, using his own life essence to fill the void.

"Heh heh heh, a newly enlightened emperor, the most exquisite blood meal in the world. What a pity I can’t partake."

"Stop wasting time, use the new emperor’s blood to sacrifice the immortal artifact!"

Suddenly, a mighty aura surged, a black light burst forth from the Immortal Mausoleum. It was a Great Dao Wheel, emitting a faint immortal aura, nearly becoming an immortal artifact. The terrifying aura pressed down like an ocean.

Countless strands of immortal light bloomed, sudden and sharp, filled with boundless killing intent. They chose this moment to strike, aiming to strangle the new emperor at the last moment, preventing him from truly achieving enlightenment.

Dawn was just ahead, but darkness enveloped the heavens and earth, trying to swallow that last ray of light.

This was a great Dao law, slaying gods and destroying bodies, a blood sacrifice to the dark artifact, terrifying to the extreme.

The Perfect Saint Physique’s eyes nearly bled, trying to block the attack but encountering a formidable enemy.

Most terrifyingly, it wasn’t just one Supreme Being. Two massive beams of light swept from the direction of the Northern Dipper.

Ji Xukong, dragging his battered and injured body, barely moved half a starfield to avoid the Heaven-Swallowing Death Relic but was still unable to dodge completely. He was struck by a wave of Dao energy, instantly shattering into pieces.

A large hand reached out to grab him, and the Heaven-Swallowing Death Relic approached again. However, the two forces collided, giving him a moment to catch his breath.

He quickly reformed his true body, bit into a medicinal king plant, drank the divine spring from the Nectar Lake, and swallowed the half of the Immortal Peach he had hastily picked up earlier.

But such an opportunity would only come once. Another incarnation of a Supreme Being appeared, blocking the earlier large hand, and the Heaven-Swallowing Death Relic was activated again, heading towards him to crush him.

"No, I can’t stand it anymore, it’s time for me, Emperor Hengyu, to make my move!" Jiang Hengyu gritted his teeth.

"Clang~~~"

At that moment, the peach pit in Ji Xukong’s hand suddenly exploded, a deep, resonant bell sound echoing, deafening and stunning. The Heaven-Swallowing Death Relic was immobilized.

It was nearly an immortal artifact, but not quite. The difference between the two was vast.

Time and space froze in that moment, only the sound of the immortal bell echoing through the heavens, annihilating everything around. The incarnation of the Supreme Being was instantly destroyed, and the Heaven-Swallowing Death Relic was shaken with many cracks.

By the time Jiang Hengyu arrived to save the day, only a surging Primordial Chaos Qi remained at the scene, and the immortal bell had already taken Ji Xukong away.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end