Chapter 118: Fate's Turn, The Grand Sovereign's Remarkable Journey

Chapter 118: Fate’s Turn, The Grand Sovereign’s Remarkable Journey

Whether it was the ancient Emperors or the imperial rulers of the distant past, most were born in what were known as great or golden ages.

In those times, countless prodigies emerged, heroes rose, and they vied for the Emperor’s Ascension, fighting until no one could stand against them, and one Emperor’s rise meant countless others fell.

After someone ascended to the Dao, they alone stood supreme, and all other paths converged. Even after their passing, their Dao would endure for millennia, often making cultivation increasingly difficult.

Thus, it was only after the ancient Emperors and Sovereigns had passed and their residual Dao had completely dissipated that a new Emperor could be born.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Shao Hua, for instance, had broken through all the paths and ascended to the rank of Emperor against all odds.

Now, Kong Xu was still alive, and it was his second life at its peak. The turmoil of the past had significantly reduced the essence of the world, making cultivation less viable in all realms.

Despite this, someone had risen against the tide, advancing rapidly and stunning the world. He even boasted of challenging the Emperor Kong Xu.

Everyone said he was born in the wrong era, in a time destined to never produce an Emperor. A single imperial star, shining alone, was a tragedy indeed.

"Pity."

Kong Xu, naturally, had also taken notice of the young man surnamed Xia, who had already broken through to the Quasi-Emperor stage. He could only sigh deeply.

"You mean he’s surnamed Xia?" Shao Hua was slightly taken aback, a hint of realization flickering in her beautiful eyes.

After over ten thousand years of self-struggle, she had almost forgotten about the Grand Sovereign who should have ascended to the Dao right after Kong Xu.

To ascend immediately after a ten-thousand-year period of arduous cultivation was no small feat, if not outright miraculous.

Given that the young man was surnamed Xia, it was almost certain who he was.

Kong Xu’s life had been hard enough. He had lived for seven thousand years after consuming the Elixir of Immortality, and the subsequent ten thousand years of arduous cultivation had led to this moment.

Kong Xu was puzzled as to why the Eastern Sovereign would care about the young man’s surname. He didn’t delve into it further, only sighing and saying:

"Like Chuan Ying in the era of the Imperial Sovereign, or Ning Fei in the era of the Immortal Heaven Sovereign, they were all born in the wrong times. I never thought I would meet another Xia Tian."

"If he hadn’t been born in this era, he would have surely ascended to the Dao and become an Emperor!"

Kong Xu’s high praise for the young man indicated that he had either met him or observed him closely.

Shao Hua nodded in agreement with Kong Xu’s words.

While the chances of Chuan Ying and Ning Fei ascending to the Dao were high, they were still just possibilities. But the young man surnamed Xia was a certainty.

The former two had a ninety-eight percent chance, but the latter had a one hundred percent chance of becoming an Emperor.

"What do you plan to do, seal him away for future generations?" Shao Hua asked leisurely.

She gazed through the heavens and casually took a piece of Divine Jade from the mountain, shaping it into a teapot and teacup.

With a wave of her hand, the ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree shook its branches, dropping nine leaves of various shapes into the teapot.

The Divine Spring in the Immortal Range had been taken, but there was still one in the Divine Abyss, which had previously been used to water the Peaches of Immortality Elixir. Now, it was claimed by the ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree.

Shao Hua lit a Dao Flame and personally brewed a pot of Enlightenment Tea, pouring some for Kong Xu.

"Thank you." Kong Xu quickly accepted the tea, not daring to be disrespectful, even if he was the current Emperor. In front of the Eastern Sovereign, he was still a junior, far inferior in age, cultivation, and achievements.

Moreover, the Eastern Sovereign had taught him and protected the world at an unimaginable cost. Such a predecessor deserved respect.

"There’s no need to be so formal here", Shao Hua said.

Kong Xu took a sip of the Enlightenment Tea and then explained his plan: to seal the young man away and let him re-emerge in a future era when no one could ascend to the Dao.

His visit to the Immortal Range was mainly to check on the Eastern Sovereign, and the young man was just an additional topic. He couldn’t just ask for advice after a ten-thousand-year gap without some preliminary pleasantries; it would be too abrupt.

But to his surprise, the Eastern Sovereign offered an alternative method.

"There is a way, but it will have a significant impact on you."

"What way?"

Shao Hua pointed to the sky and said, "It’s simple. I will break through all the paths and pierce your Dao, allowing him to seize the opportunity to ascend to the Dao."

Kong Xu: "..."

No wonder she said it would have a significant impact. It wasn’t just significant; the Heavenly Will Insignia might shatter into pieces, and it would be a tremendous test for his Dao heart.

"The Eastern Sovereign truly commands the workings of the cosmos", Kong Xu couldn’t help but marvel.

Shao Hua raised an eyebrow, sensing the meaning behind his words. Kong Xu was indeed selfless, willing to sacrifice his own Dao to help others, not wanting to hinder future generations.

"I’m just suggesting another method. This isn’t just your decision. Don’t make it for him."

She suddenly remembered something and a faint, mischievous smile appeared on her flawless face as she instructed Kong Xu:

"Oh, right. You can tell him that in a hundred thousand years, there will be a most brilliant Golden Age. Ask him if he’s interested in vying for the Emperor’s Ascension then."

Kong Xu’s pupils dilated, and then a bitter smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Compared to having someone break through the myriad paths and then suppressing the opportunity to ascend, leading to the emergence of two emperors, this choice sounded unreliable and hurt one’s pride.

That young man, who hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle but was extremely proud, would find it hard to accept and would likely choose the other path.

First, young people are always arrogant and self-assured, believing they are invincible. Even if someone has already ascended, they would still want to give it a try. The world is never short of those whose ambitions soar higher than the sky.

Especially after Shao Hua successfully ascended against all odds, many believed they would be the next Eastern Sovereign.

Second, this era is one where a solitary star shines, a single individual radiates brilliance, and no one can rival them. Life is truly as lonely as snow, and the only thing to do is to challenge the Kong Xu Emperor, who stands atop the mountain.

For such a person, it’s easy to imagine how much a rare Golden Age would attract them.

Kong Xu soon returned, this time bringing a young man who looked sharp and confident.

“Junior Xia Tian, paying respects to the Eastern Sovereign!”

Xia Tian, the young man, dared to boast that he would challenge the Kong Xu Emperor one day, but he dared not be the slightest bit disrespectful in front of Shao Hua.

Though the Kong Xu Emperor was strong, he was still within reach, and Xia Tian firmly believed he could ascend and become an emperor.

But the Eastern Sovereign had resided in the Mortal Realm for a hundred thousand years, and he had grown up hearing her legends. The world had always been filled with tales of her breaking Celestial Artifacts barehanded and slapping to death the Four Supreme Sovereigns with a single palm.

And more importantly, the Eastern Sovereign was truly beautiful!

He had never seen anyone so beautiful, not even a celestial fairy could match her!

Looking at the Kong Xu Emperor, he sighed; there was simply no comparison.

Kong Xu: “.”

He felt this young man was thinking about something very impolite.

“He should have told you, but I’ll repeat it. You have three choices now.”

“First, I can help you break through the limitations of this world, allowing you to ascend in this era, and two emperors will emerge, leaving a legacy for the ages.”

“Second, you can cultivate to the peak and then seal yourself away, waiting for an era when no one ascends, then easily claim the emperor’s throne.”

“The third choice is to seal yourself away now and wait for the Golden Age to contend for the emperor’s throne with the other greats, which is very risky.”

“Which one you choose is entirely up to you,” Shao Hua said earnestly.

“Of course, you can also try to defy the odds. I won’t stop you. As long as your resolve is firm and you have the will to fight again when the time comes.”

This was the fourth choice: not giving up until he hit the wall, defying the Celestial Dao of Kong Xu, breaking the ancient taboo, and creating the myth of two emperors in one era.

“Without trying, how will I know?” Xia Tian said after a moment of thought.

“Young people are full of vigor. If that’s what you want, go ahead and try. If anything goes wrong, I’ll save you,” Shao Hua smiled.

She didn’t say the rest: when the time comes, you’ll have to follow my arrangements.

“Junior has one more request, to see the Eastern Sovereign’s sword,” Xia Tian took a deep breath and made his request, his eyes burning with anticipation.

The Lifebound Artifact he had forged was also a sword, a Dragonsteel Blade.

And according to legend, the Eastern Sovereign’s Imperial Weapon was a supreme Celestial Sword!

This was the main purpose of his visit.

To observe the sword was also to question it.

If he could witness the Eastern Sovereign wielding her sword, even dying here would be worth it!

“Such pure and clear battle intent, I have no reason to refuse.”

Shao Hua truly began to appreciate this young man, not because he was the Great Sovereign of her memories who would inevitably ascend.

She stood up, and a simple, ancient sword appeared in her hand. She pointed it at him, and the sharp killing intent that leaked out made the world dim instantly.

“A Celestial Artifact!” Kong Xu was speechless. After more than ten thousand years, the Eastern Sovereign’s sword had actually become a Celestial Artifact, which was simply unbelievable.

It was hard to imagine how high the Eastern Sovereign had reached, truly ready to become a celestial in the Mortal Realm.

Xia Tian’s eyes showed understanding; the rumors were true, the Eastern Sovereign’s sword was indeed a Celestial Artifact.

He let out a long, fierce roar, his battle intent soaring to the heavens. He tightly gripped his Dragonsteel Blade, with a dragon’s head as the tip, the dragon’s body as the blade, and the dragon’s tail as the hilt. Mustering all his courage, he swung the sword with all his might.

A great dragon appeared in the sky, its killing intent so thick it couldn’t be dispelled, its offensive power shocking and unparalleled, exceedingly sharp!

“Clang!!”

Shao Hua also raised her hand, thrusting the Worldly Sword forward, slow but swift, striking precisely at the young man’s greatest weakness when he swung his sword.

“Crack.”

As expected, the dragon-shaped sword broke in two.

“Your courage in challenging a stronger opponent is acknowledged,” Shao Hua said, each word deliberate.

Young people need encouragement, not too much discouragement.

Xia Tian picked up the broken sword, his eyes brightening as he looked at the undying sword intent still lingering on the blade. He bowed respectfully to Shao Hua and then turned to leave.

In the following centuries, the young swordsman’s brilliance grew even more intense. He challenged and defeated many powerful figures from various races across the universe, and finally, he challenged the Kong Xu Emperor.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end