Chapter 370: Sitting and Sensing the Vastness of Ancient Times

Chapter 370: Sitting and Sensing the Vastness of Ancient Times

"Mu Qing, Liao Dong, and Luo Qingjue, these are three Celestial Kings! Is a new conflict about to begin?"

"Hehe, what are you thinking? They are just newly ascended Celestial Kings and don't represent their respective factions. Besides, these newly ascended Celestial Kings might not even stand a chance against those Divine Prohibitions."

"True, for example, Chang Sheng from Wude Palace, who has five Great Dao Artifacts protecting him. What can a Celestial King do to him?"

"Then there's Wutian Daoist, who reached Heavenly Man Perfection twenty years ago. With his formidable accumulation and position as the founder of a sect, he easily dealt with and expelled a newly ascended Celestial King from a new Saint King's divine system three years ago."

"Yuan Emperor from Sanyuan Cave was very low-key before, but he emerged from seclusion at the beginning of the year, opened a Dharma Realm, and stepped one foot over the Heaven King Threshold. With his supreme law protecting him, it's no wonder he surpasses ordinary newly ascended Celestial Kings."

Someone hiding in the shadows sneered, "A bunch of Celestial Kings who have been stuck at Heavenly Man Perfection for who knows how many years, only managing to ascend due to the loosening of the Great Universe Rules, how can they compete with these people? Who holds the advantage is obvious at a glance!"

This comment immediately caused many to frown. Even if they admitted that those Divine Prohibitions were indeed extraordinary, they wouldn't accept such a statement.

After all, each faction had newly ascended Celestial Kings in recent years, some of whom were their own elders.

Moreover, at the Celestial King level, there were no weaklings, capable of overseeing an entire world.

Someone said coolly, "Don't be so sure. If it weren't for the right timing, these Divine Prohibitions, no matter how talented, wouldn't have broken through so quickly. History is not without Divine Prohibitions."

"Even the most talented need to accumulate and lay a foundation at the Heaven King Gate. How else could they open the Great Dao? Take Ji Jingqiu, a Heavenly Genius; he hasn't broken through yet."

At this moment.

Despite the presence of multiple Celestial Kings, standing in one place with a tense atmosphere that seemed ready to erupt into a battle at any second, a large number of martial artists still gathered around, watching the scene.

There was no other reason, purely out of curiosity.

To put it bluntly, they were disheveled and unkempt, but to put it more tactfully, they were carefree and unpolished. The Four Absolute Sword, Mu Qing, glanced around and sighed, "In any other domain, these young ones would have run away long ago, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire and die for nothing. They wouldn't dare stay to watch the show."

"Sometimes, I really can't tell if your Yanhuang Federation's approach is right or wrong, but it feels... pretty good."

Mu Qing's expression was somewhat complex. If his world of origin had such laws, perhaps his parents wouldn't have died by the roadside so many years ago.

Luo Qingjue, who had lost his younger brother, looked coldly at the crowd. "A bunch of vermin who aren't even Heavenly Men, what if they die?"

His gaze swept over the onlookers, and even without attacking, the ripples in his Qi Aura were nearly catastrophic for those martial artists.

The one who stopped him this time was still the imposing man in imperial robes.

"Liao Dong, do you want to fight me?"

Luo Qingjue looked at the imposing man who ruled a small world, his voice cold and stern.

This man was named Liao Dong, and his ranking on the Xuanji Stele's Celestial King list was even higher than his.

But the key was that Liao Dong was just an Independent Heaven King, unlike him, who came from Sanyuan Cave, so he wasn't afraid.

"I just can't stand you picking on ordinary people", Liao Dong said coolly. "A proper Celestial King, attacking a bunch of juniors to show off your power, I'm ashamed to be your companion."

"I think you're asking for death!" Luo Qingjue said coldly. "Do you really think reaching Celestial King means you can't die?"

In the Sanqian Yafuti, as long as the Heavenly Venerables don't appear, Celestial Kings are the rulers of a world, able to dominate multiple domains, but they aren't invincible.

A major True Saint Daochang that rules dozens of large and small worlds can still field two or three dozen Celestial Kings.

For an ancient dao field like Tian Sheng Lake, which governs over fifty worlds, this number doubling wouldn't be surprising.

Generally speaking, the number of Celestial Kings depends on how many worlds and resources each faction can control.

An Independent Heaven King?

Once Liao Dong's world is taken over by Sanyuan Cave, he'll see how long this stray dog can survive the Celestial King tribulation without the nourishment of world power!

At this moment, someone stepped between Liao Dong and Luo Qingjue, interrupting their confrontation.

"Both of you, though we serve different masters, our purpose here should be the same."

This person wore a green robe, stood tall and straight, appeared calm and reserved, and was courteous, but there was a hint of madness in his eyes.

"Qi Tian... you're here too?" Luo Qingjue's gaze sharpened. The other person, like him, came from the same True Saint Daochang and held the same rank.

Qi Tian's words made Luo Qingjue retract his killing intent, his eyes deep as he glanced at Liao Dong.

This person has also joined one of the Five Divine Systems?

He came here because he had achieved a new level of divine power and was ready to challenge Ji Jingqiu before he broke through the Heaven King Threshold.

But he was also here to gather information on Ji Jingqiu's current strength for certain people.

But from Qi Tian's words...

Those people didn't just find him?

"To gauge one Ji Jingqiu, mobilizing so many Celestial Kings, quite a grand effort."

A laugh echoed, causing Gu Chensha to raise an eyebrow.

Walking into the center was a handsome young man, smiling lightly, his figure slender.

Gu Chensha said calmly, "I didn't expect you, Brother Gu, to dare show up."

The handsome young man, named Gu Shou, smiled insincerely.

He once had a confrontation with Gu Chensha, but the outcome was unknown to outsiders.

However, from the current conversation, everyone felt they could guess the answer and couldn’t help but look at Gu Chensha with some trepidation.

This person’s ranking on the Xuanji Stele was not high, but he didn’t engage in many battles, making it difficult for the Xuanji Stele to collect data on him.

The most critical point was that Gu Chensha not only chose the path of opening a way but also decisively self-sacrificed due to the imperfections in his path!

The Heaven King Threshold, how could it be a place for anyone to come and go freely?

One self-sacrifice, and the next breakthrough would only make it exponentially harder to gain the recognition of the heavens and the Great Dao.

Yet, Gu Chensha actually managed to break through and enter the Heavenly King realm in a short period of time!

Qi Tian said in a gentle voice, "Brother Gu, we came here to meet Daoist Ji. Could you please introduce us?"

Gu Chensha replied calmly, "You are too late. Junior Brother Ji is not in Donghuang Heaven now; he has already left."

"Did he really leave, or is he just afraid to see us?" Gu Shou smiled brightly.

Qi Tian pondered and said, "Brother Gu, rest assured. I can guarantee that everyone here is reasonable and won’t cause trouble."

Suddenly, Luo Qingjue spoke up, "Didn’t he, Ji Jingqiu, say that martial artists are not allowed to act recklessly in residential areas and harm ordinary people, and those who violate this rule will be executed?"

"Then let’s force him out! I want to see if he, Ji Jingqiu, can still hide and avoid us!"

Gu Chensha’s gaze instantly turned cold and filled with killing intent.

"You can try."

He said each word deliberately.

At the same time, several figures quietly entered the scene. Two of them stood behind Gu Chensha, while another stood behind Luo Qingjue and the others.

The latter smiled slightly, "Brother Gu, you can’t suppress this situation today. Please introduce us to the person involved."

In the scene, there were only three on Gu Chensha’s side, while the other side had a full six.

The Qi Auras clashed, and cracks appeared in the void, with ripples spreading outward.

Gu Chensha waved his sleeve, absorbing all the ripples, and said calmly, "If you really want to die, there’s no need for Junior Brother Ji to take action. I will kill each of you today."

Luo Qingjue said coldly, "Ancient surname, who do you think you are? Even Ji Jingqiu wouldn’t dare to say such things after breaking through to the Heavenly King realm!"

Gu Chensha looked at him and said seriously, "Junior Brother Ji breaking through to the Heavenly King realm, killing someone like you would probably take just one blade."

"You..."

"Enough", Qi Tian’s tone grew heavier, and a hint of madness appeared in his eyes. He said coldly, "The Sanyuan Cave, surely, wouldn’t want to be enemies with the current Flame Splendor Federation."

Luo Qingjue suppressed his killing intent and said coldly, "I’m only here for Ji Jingqiu!"

Qi Tian turned to look at Gu Chensha and said calmly, "Brother Gu, please show us the way. If he has left, we can find Daoist Ji on our own."

At this moment, Gu Chensha received a message from Ji Anquan, fell silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Junior Brother Ji has achieved his Great Dao, and he can come and go freely. I don’t know where he has gone. If you don’t believe he has left, I can take you to the place where he has been in seclusion these years."

Qi Tian’s eyes flickered, and he smiled, "That’s fine. We have no other intentions; we just want to see how far Daoist Ji has progressed."

Gu Chensha looked deeply at this person. Among these few, only this one was interesting, and he couldn’t quite see through him.

"Follow me."

Gu Chensha turned and led the way.

The Heavenly King realm’s complete elevation to Omnipresence meant that no matter how far the destination, it was just a thought away.

However, the group now followed Gu Chensha obediently.

This was because Donghuang Heaven, being one of the Ascension Platforms, connected to various realms, and the void was chaotic. A slight misstep could lead them into a void rift, and they would be teleported to an unknown place.

Seeing the rare gathering of several Heavenly Kings, the onlookers nearby felt a mix of regret and relief.

They had almost thought that these people would ignore the rules and engage in a fierce battle.

Someone whispered, "Is Ji Jingqiu really not in Donghuang Heaven?"

"Heh, as long as he hasn’t gone to Sanqian Yafuti, and is still within the Great Universe, with the Omnipresence characteristic, isn’t it just a thought to return?"

"The atmosphere seems a bit off. Six Heavenly Kings gathered to find Ji Jingqiu... Is someone setting up a trap?"

"Just watch the show."

...

On the way, in response to Qi Tian’s inquiries, Gu Chensha, following Ji Anquan’s instructions, revealed some information.

"Junior Brother has been thinking about the path of Fate and Cause and Effect."

Just this one sentence made Luo Qingjue and the others frown deeply.

At the Heavenly King Realm, one could be considered to have achieved longevity, but Heavenly Kings still faced celestial disasters and needed to transcend them.

Especially for those Heavenly Kings without the nourishment and protection of world power, not only was their progress difficult, but they also constantly experienced the erosion of the Great Dao, with the intervals between tribulations continuously shortening.

For Heavenly Kings, Unifying with a World was also a way to seek protection within a world.

At this level, these beings were so powerful that they could easily weaken a world to strengthen themselves, stirring up countless Cause and Effects and destinies, ultimately being backlashed by the ripples in the River of Fate.

Moreover, opening up an Illusory Great Dao and integrating it into the heavens was an act of defying the heavens and would be targeted by the invisible Great Dao.

In short, although Heavenly Kings seemed to be able to roam freely within a world and go anywhere, they still lacked true freedom.

To initially break free, one must penetrate their own Heavenly Destiny, no longer drifting aimlessly in the River of Fate, constantly influenced by Cause and Effect.

This is the exclusive domain of the Heavenly Venerable.

Once a martial artist reaches the Eighth Realm and attains the Heavenly Venerable Position—

The heavens and earth will follow their will, all things will align with their nature, all desired things can be achieved, and all detested things will not reappear.

Furthermore.

The Heavenly King possesses the trait of Immortality, making it exceedingly difficult to truly kill them, even when facing someone of the same realm and several ranks higher.

Only a Heavenly Venerable can use the power of the River of Fate to thoroughly kill a Heavenly King who has left behind numerous life-saving measures.

What does this Ji Jingqiu want to do, daring to explore his true destiny through the path of Cause and Effect before even breaking through the Heavenly King Gate?

"…Apart from that, my junior brother has mainly focused on exploring the Misty Sea."

At this point, even Gu Chensha couldn't help but show a complex expression.

His junior brother Ji Jingqiu is not only a Heavenly Genius, but his courage is as vast as the heavens.

No one knows where this junior brother has reached in the past twenty years.

Heavenly King?

It has long ceased to be his goal.

Gu Chensha slowly said, "Junior Brother Ji Jingqiu believes that the path of the Heavenly King in this world is not complete. The reason why one must be nurtured by the world's power at the Heavenly King stage is precisely because the realm is incomplete."

The madness in Qi Tian's eyes subsided, replaced by curiosity and exploration. He stopped, clasped his hands, and said, "If Junior Brother Ji Jingqiu dares to say this, he must have made some discoveries. I wonder if Brother Gu Chensha can share them?"

In the vast universe, the Sanqian Yafuti, the five divine systems, the various True Saint Daochang, the ten directions of sects, and the myriad civilizations…

Each cultivation system may have its unique characteristics, but in the end, they often converge on the same Great Dao.

Some extremely special paths, such as those that Qi Tian has seen, like purely technological and mechanical civilizations, cannot reach the ultimate end.

No matter how much of a Heavenly Genius Ji Jingqiu may be, can he really open up a new path for all beings?

Gu Chensha nodded, seemingly without any intention to hide, causing even Luo Qingjue to perk up his ears, eager to hear what insights he has.

"It is Sitting in Oblivion."

Gu Chensha sighed,

"Junior Brother Ji Jingqiu believes that the Fetal Breath Mental Realm cannot support the Illusory Great Dao of the Heavenly King. When one's mental cultivation lags behind the enhancement of the 'self,' it results in 'Illusion.'"

"If one can achieve Sitting in Oblivion at the Heavenly King stage, they can be fearless of calamities and immune to the targeting of the Great Dao, even without being sheltered by a world."

Upon hearing these three words, everyone fell into a collective silence, feeling somewhat insulted.

Penetrating Sitting in Oblivion, and then breaking through Heavenly King?

Who doesn't want that?

This is the proof of a Heavenly Venerable!

"Seeking fame and reputation." Luo Qingjue said expressionlessly.

He only managed to penetrate Sitting in Oblivion at the Heavenly Person stage because of the favor of the universe. Does this child really think it's his own ability?

The favor of the heavens has likely already faded, and this Ji Jingqiu has probably been reduced to his original form.

Gu Chensha did not argue with him.

What Junior Brother Ji Jingqiu has been exploring these years is a relatively traceable path to Sitting in Oblivion, with the key being the Misty Sea.

He believes that the Misty Sea, which countless strong figures avoid, is the key to the future Great Dao and the essence of mental Sitting in Oblivion.

Most importantly, Junior Brother has already found the path.

The reason I re-severed myself was to verify one of Junior Brother's conjectures.

Of course.

Gu Chensha naturally wouldn't reveal these details to these few people.

"We've arrived."

Under Gu Chensha's lead, they came to a courtyard.

Facing them, they saw Yun Jinghe and Luo Yan walking out, seemingly about to leave.

Everyone's gaze fixed on Luo Yan's arms.

"Is this… a Heavenly King reincarnated for cultivation?"

"It's more than that…"

Everyone's gazes were shaken.

The woman in her arms seemed to be the reincarnation of a Heavenly Venerable?!

Those who had previously seen Luo Yan and her companion, including Luo Qingjue, looked extremely serious.

Previously, there was no one in Luo Yan's arms. Did she pick them up from here?

What kind of place is this?!

Luo Qingjue suddenly looked up. This seemingly inconspicuous and ordinary courtyard is where Ji Jingqiu has been in seclusion for twenty years?

A martial artist's long-term seclusion inevitably leaves many traces.

Especially at their level, staying in one place for a long time naturally leaves corresponding Dao Rhythm.

If not intentionally erased, others can easily discern the truth from these traces.

One by one, they passed by Gu Chensha and entered the courtyard, unable to resist giving a few more glances at the Heavenly Venerable reincarnation in Luo Yan's arms as they passed.

The difference between a Heavenly King and a Heavenly Venerable is only one realm, but that realm is like the difference between heaven and earth.

A Heavenly Venerable who has penetrated their Heavenly Destiny can easily crush any Heavenly King!

For a Heavenly Venerable to willingly re-sever themselves for cultivation is simply inconceivable!

Luo Yan and her companion stopped at the courtyard entrance, originally preparing to leave, but they didn't expect Gu Chensha to lead this group here.

What is he planning to do?

Soon, everyone in the courtyard began to make their own discoveries, finding traces left by Ji Jingqiu during his cultivation.

"Is this a blade mark?"

Luo Qingjue found a stone stele with chaotic Sword Marks and couldn't help but reach out to touch it, sensing the Blade Intent it contained.

"Dao Trace?"

Qi Tian saw a blurry figure in the Pavilion, confirming it was a major Dao Trace.

"Interesting."

Qi Tian followed the Dao Trace, sensing the Dao Rhythm within, trying to find the root of this Dao Trace.

Soon, he found an inscription on the pillar of the Pavilion.

"Sitting and Sensing the Vastness of Ancient Times..."

Qi Tian read it aloud, then narrowed his eyes without comment.

"What a grandiose statement!" The handsome young man, Gu Shou, sneered.

Where did he get the sense of ancient times?

This guy had been in seclusion for at most twenty years. In the eyes of a Heaven King, who can live for tens of thousands of years, it was just a blink.

Mu Qing suddenly said, "That Hesheng's Lifebound Technique has a technique called Ancient Blade."

Everyone frowned.

So, this phrase might be Ji Jingqiu's insight from practicing this technique?

At that moment.

The world suddenly darkened, and something subtle changed.

"This is..."

Qi Tian turned abruptly, his gaze landing on Luo Qingjue, who stood in front of the stone stele.

A glint of blade light appeared, silently.

Luo Qingjue stood motionless, a thin Blade Intent mark appearing between his eyebrows, extending from top to bottom. The mark deepened, slowly descending, revealing his internal organs.

He seemed completely unaware, standing there blankly, his eyes vacant.

Everyone watching felt a chill but had no intention of coming to his aid.

"Wake up!"

The final stern shout was like a thunderclap, restoring Luo Qingjue's consciousness. He was shocked to realize the abnormality in his Dharma Body.

He was stabbed?

When?!

He turned sharply and saw that it was Liao Dong who had awakened him!

Ignoring him, the others focused intently on the Blade Intent mark on the stone stele.

The madness in Qi Tian's eyes surged, and he said slowly:

"Seated Oblivion!"

The residual mental power in the Blade Intent mark must be at least of the Seated Oblivion level to temporarily suppress Luo Qingjue's mind.

At the same time.

Qi Tian scanned the area. Was Ji Jingqiu truly gone?

If he wasn't mistaken, this place was Ji Jingqiu's Inner World, giving him the home-field advantage to easily mobilize the power of the world and cut through Luo Qingjue's Dharma Body.

Given the Heaven King's characteristic of Immortality, this strike couldn't kill Luo Qingjue.

But the news that a Heavenly Person's Blade Intent mark had nearly split him in two would be a great humiliation!

Qi Tian's gaze hardened, suspecting it was a trap and that Ji Jingqiu hadn't left but was hiding behind the scenes.

"I'll take a look."

The handsome young man, Gu Shou, stepped forward, his Divine Lord consciousness probing the stone stele.

In an instant.

The scene before his eyes changed. Thunderbolts illuminated the chaos, and he saw an endless cycle of creation and destruction in the universe. A figure walked through the world, ethereal and indistinct, exuding an ancient and weathered aura.

Sensing Gu Shou's "gaze", the figure walking through the world swung a blade.

The blade light fell, and the sun and moon sank, with the vastness of ancient times flowing through it!

Under this blade, nothing—be it the changing tides of the world, the vast cosmos, or the boundless universe—could withstand this blade that condensed the vastness of ancient times, spanning the past, present, and future!

In an instant.

Gu Shou felt his body about to tear apart, his bones trembling.

Everyone's expressions changed. The Blade Intent mark seemed fully triggered by Gu Shou, its momentum overwhelming the world, with the Dao Rhythm surging like a tidal wave!

At that moment, the world seemed to freeze, with only this blade slowly descending!

One blade, and the world fell silent.

"Ah!"

In a roar of rage.

Gu Shou revealed his true form. His body was a vast and majestic Blue Dragon, but it was forcibly shrunk and trapped in this world, unable to escape, and ultimately cut in half, bursting into a cloud of blood!

"This time, it's really Gu Shou without a tail..."

Luo Yan, holding her Master, murmured, feeling a sense of relief.

The Blade Intent mark she had triggered was in the Pavilion, but the one triggered by the other on the stone stele was a hundred times more powerful!

When Gu Shou reappeared, his body had already recovered, thanks to his Immortality characteristic.

His Dharma Body could recover, but the severed dragon tail in front of the stone stele twisted his face with rage, dark shadows spreading from behind him, covering the world.

The others were all solemn.

For a moment, they felt as if they had seen a towering figure, overlooking the ages and the world, with an invincible aura.

The blade fell, and the Blade Intent was vast and ancient, as if from the depths of time, coexisting with the universe.

The Blade Intent also seemed to carry a sense of decay that was hard to describe.

Gu Chensha remained calm, as if he had expected this, but the decay in the Blade Intent made his eyes ripple.

This isn't Junior Brother Ji's martial intent.

Junior Brother Ji's departure was related to this matter.

"Sitting and Sensing the Vastness of Ancient Times."

Mu Qing murmured.

This time.

The same words gave everyone a different feeling.

It was as if they were in a different position.

Not a group of Heaven Kings examining a Heavenly Person's Blade Intent mark,

But a group of Heavenly Persons looking up at a Heaven King's Blade Intent and Dao Trace.

The madness in Qi Tian's eyes was suppressed by the vastness of ancient times in the blade, and he was shaken.

Could this person have truly found another path to become a Heaven King?!

Chapter end