Chapter 124: Bearing the Hopes of Friends and Family, This Time I Will Not Lose!

Chapter 124: Bearing the Hopes of Friends and Family, This Time I Will Not Lose!

The final battle after the Imperial Gate had reached its climax, with both sides pushing to their limits.

"You are truly strong. Even with my sister and I working together, we couldn't defeat you", Nán Jǐnpíng said, covering her mouth as she coughed up blood, her voice filled with admiration.

Even with two against one, they had lost the battle. In the struggle for the Imperial Path, they had already been defeated.

"But we still have our reasons for not losing", Lí Xīngruò said, her longsword shattered, yet the sharpness in her eyes only grew stronger.

"This battle is not about proving our path or defeating you; it's about proving ourselves!!"

The two sisters exchanged a look, understanding each other without words. They chanted in unison, unleashing the combined technique they had created.

Don't underestimate the bond between sisters!

Transforming into twin rainbows, they almost merged into one, releasing forty-nine beams of sword light. Terrifying Immortal Sword Array Patterns flooded the vast starry expanse, engulfing everything.

The combination of sword and array patterns bore a resemblance to the Heavenly Treasure Venerable, a technique indeed derived from the Being Formula, which they had refined into a lethal sword formation that covered the heavens and earth.

Luàn Gǔ took a deep breath, suppressing the stirring in his heart, knowing now was not the time to delve into ancient scriptures.

Seeing the other side making their final stand, he soared into the sky, his gaze sharp like a fierce tiger emerging from the mountains, dominating the battlefield with unparalleled prowess.

"Command the myriad swords of the world!"

Nán Jǐnpíng and Lí Xīngruò's voices merged, fully activating the sword formation.

These words were not mere rhetoric. Behind them, in the vast starry sky, countless divine swords appeared, forming a towering wall of swords that spanned the heavens and earth. The ancient swords, resonating and shimmering, cut through the air in unison.

Innumerable sword lights shot up into the sky, like cascading star rivers, their dazzling brilliance illuminating the cold, dark universe, terrifying in their intensity.

Luàn Gǔ let out a long, fierce roar, his disheveled hair dancing wildly, like a lion in a rage.

But in the next moment, he suddenly calmed down, even closing his eyes, transitioning from extreme movement to utter stillness in an instant, as if he were two different people.

The sisters' bond, that genuine emotion, was touching, but he too had his reasons for not losing.

"As long as I am alive, my family, my loved ones, my friends—they all live in my heart!"

Luàn Gǔ's mind was filled with the faces and laughter of those dear to him, the memories of their times together, vivid and etched in his heart.

For a moment, it felt as if he had returned to their side, reuniting with them, those scenes and those lost years, all crystal clear, forever imprinted in his soul.

Luàn Gǔ suddenly opened his eyes, tears streaming down his face. Those he loved and those who loved him were all with him.

"Bearing their hopes, this time, I will not lose!!"

Around him, figures materialized, merging with him, no longer mere phenomena but manifestations of the power within his heart. In an instant, his spirit and energy surged, his Dao techniques reaching their peak, becoming unparalleled and mighty.

The shattered battle-axe transformed into a Dao Talisman, capable of refining the heavens and earth, colliding with the sword formation. The sun and moon dimmed, the star rivers turned to ash, and the Dao itself was ground to dust.

Sháohuá, who had been leaning against the gate, had risen and was gazing into the distance, her eyes flickering with a change in her expression.

Luàn Gǔ's final technique resonated with her Being Formula, though the scripture she had imparted did not include this particular formula.

The scriptures she had created in her second life were passed down in the Jade Pool Holy Land, along with the Eternal Formula and the Vanishing Formula, but few could master them.

The world knew of these two supreme secrets that touched the fabric of time.

But the Being Formula had only been personally experienced by the Immortal Emperor and the four Supremes of the Divine Wasteland; very few knew of this secret.

"Those two have done well enough", Xīhuáng said.

"It's that Li Jiujie who truly grasps your scripture. No wonder you have such a high regard for him."

Xi Kong, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.

He had devoted himself to the study of the Dao of time and space, barely managing to master the Eternal and Vanishing Formulas. Dōnghuáng had once demonstrated the Being Formula before him, but he could not fully comprehend it, lacking the fortune to master it.

"That is his personal destiny. To be honest, even I didn't expect him to reach such a level", Sháohuá's avatar smiled.

The heavens trembled, the great Dao shattered, and the shocking collision came to an end. Everyone thought the battle was over.

But to everyone's surprise, Luàn Gǔ immediately triggered the Emperor Tribulation.

Even Sháohuá and the others, who had been watching, did not immediately notice it, so sudden and unexpected was it.

But upon reflection, it seemed to make sense.

Luàn Gǔ was always unique. In that moment, his heart had been moved, and he had achieved a further elevation and transformation.

There was no need for further accumulation; he could achieve enlightenment right then.

But the question was, did he have the strength to survive the Emperor Tribulation?

"Boom!!!!!"

The universe shook, the ten directions were in chaos, and the boundless divine tribulation erupted immediately after the battle's aftermath. It was a shocking Emperor Tribulation, a sign that someone was about to achieve enlightenment!

Luàn Gǔ staggered, his body drained from the fierce battle with the sisters. Triggering the Emperor Tribulation was an unexpected turn, but he had no choice but to face it head-on.

After all, he had come this far, and the heavenly tribulation wasn't about to turn back.

He used the Eternal Banishment to forcefully send away the sisters, then immediately faced the tribulation. Almost as soon as he made contact, his flesh and blood were torn apart, his bones exposed, and he nearly disintegrated.

Throughout history, many seekers of the Dao have faced different final tribulations.

There was no doubt that Luang Gu's Emperor Tribulation was among the most terrifying.

It seemed as if he truly was a person forsaken by the heavens, and even the heavens themselves were sending the most terrible tribulations to obstruct his path.

"Face the tribulation well. They are still alive, waiting for your return."

At that moment, a clear and resonant voice sounded in Luang Gu's ear. He suddenly turned his head and saw several figures atop the Imperial Gate, finally resolving the doubts that had long lingered in his heart.

He had no time to think further; the Emperor Tribulation had already descended in full force. Thunder rumbled, and chaotic energies surged, overwhelming everything.

"My life, I am no less than any other!"

Luang Gu gathered his thoughts. The auras of his departed loved ones were genuine, and he couldn't help but let out a long roar, his resolve becoming even stronger.

The Eternal Formula activated, and his body glowed, his muscles instantly becoming crystal-clear and even his soul radiating immortal divine light.

"He's almost through it. Such a pure Dao Heart is rare in ancient times. Even I must admit my inferiority. Perhaps he will go further than I ever did." Xukong sighed.

"You don't need to belittle yourself. Among so many ancient emperors, how many have lived through three lifetimes? For you, a fourth lifetime is just a natural progression. You are already ahead of the game." Shaohua said.

"Difficult, difficult, difficult. When I first attained the Dao, I didn't know how high the moon was. Now I realize just how arduous this path truly is."

Xukong sighed again. He had already seen his own endpoint. If he couldn't reverse his fate, he would have to venture into a strange new world to continue his journey.

As they spoke, Luang Gu had already passed the Emperor Tribulation, leaving his mark in the vast universe.

Though severely injured, he was not concerned about the physical wounds.

Shaohua and Xihuang's avatars dissipated, for they had seen what they wanted to see and their mission was complete.

Lanling had already gone to find Nian Jinping and Li Xingruo.

Xukong gestured with his hand and instantly vanished, demonstrating his mastery of the spatial Dao at its peak.

Luang Gu was startled. Seeing that ordinary-looking person, he seemed to realize something and followed the spatial fluctuations, arriving almost simultaneously at the Mythic Shore.

"Such pure faith and willpower. Truly worthy of being the Eastern Emperor. He has gone even further, making it hard to catch up."

Xukong was still marveling when Luang Gu immediately rushed into the chaotic celestial domain.

"You... everyone is still alive!?" His eyes widened in surprise and joy, even a bit bewildered.

There weren't many people, just the loved ones and friends from before he had grown strong. They had just been released from their seals.

After realizing that he brought misfortune to others, he had intentionally avoided forming close relationships, preferring to bear the loneliness himself.

Not to mention, after setting foot on the ancient star path, he had constantly faced various assassination attempts, his Dao Heart shattered, leaving him with no time to think about anything else.

Luang Gu was deeply immersed in the joy of reunions. At his current level, it was easy for him to deduce the sequence of events.

His life had not been manipulated by others. On the contrary, if not for someone secretly helping him, he would never have had the chance to reunite with his loved ones.

This was a great favor, one that even death could not repay.

All the hardships he had endured in the past were now transformed into happiness and joy, even causing his Dao Heart to waver.

After enduring countless trials and tribulations, his shattered Dao Heart had been reassembled, but now, after attaining the Dao, he almost faltered, making him the first in history to face such a challenge.

The only thing that puzzled him was how the other party had predicted that he would make it to the end.

There were many with the potential of an emperor, and his own talents were not particularly high. Why had they chosen him? It was truly baffling.

After some time, the four emperors gathered under the Primordial Tree of Life.

Luang Gu naturally asked the question that had been bothering him, and Xihuang and Xukong were also very curious.

Facing the three of them, Shaohua only smiled, her silence speaking volumes.

Don't ask. You are all mature emperors; you should think more for yourselves.

The three of them immediately understood, looking enlightened.

Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. They understood; it truly could not be said.

"Eastern Emperor, your accomplishments are truly awe-inspiring. I grew up hearing tales of your legend, filled with admiration. I must thank you for your protection. Please accept my deepest gratitude!"

Luang Gu's emotions were genuine, and he was about to perform a grand bow, preparing to kowtow to Shaohua.

Throughout history, emperors and kings were all immensely proud, unparalleled in their realms. Who could make another bow? It was impossible.

Even Xukong, who had received Shaohua's favor, had never performed such a grand bow. This was no longer mere gratitude; Luang Gu was truly kneeling and kowtowing.

Despite his tragic circumstances, he was a man of deep emotion and righteousness. Otherwise, how could those people still think of him even in death, hoping he would continue on?

There is still true feeling in this world. Fewer regrets, that is good.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end