Chapter 427: Yao Zu Awakens

Chapter 427: Yao Zu Awakens

Chaos shattered.

The Great Dao perished!

After a long while, the power finally subsided.

As the power dissipated, the Black Coffin Emperor had been reduced to ashes, and the Imperial Weapon Black Coffin was utterly destroyed.

"Black Coffin Emperor—"

Gu Qingfeng's eyes flickered, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.

The Black Coffin Emperor was different from other ancient Emperors; at least, he didn't lose the dignity of an Emperor.

But unfortunately, they were enemies.

Since they were enemies, Gu Qingfeng had no choice but to fight to the death.

Killing the Black Coffin Emperor was something he had to do.

Moreover, the Black Coffin Emperor posed a greater threat than even the Black Abyss Great Emperor.

During the Black Coffin Emperor's final moments of ascension, the aura he emitted was almost as strong as that of the Blood Demon Emperor.

This meant that, at his peak, the Black Coffin Emperor was one of the top-tier Emperors.

Then, Gu Qingfeng waved his sleeve, and numerous fragments of the Imperial Weapon Black Coffin gathered from the void.

These fragments came from the Imperial Weapon Black Coffin. Although the weapon was shattered, the Black Coffin's rank was far superior to that of ordinary Imperial Weapons. It had been imbued with the Black Coffin Emperor's boundless power over countless years, containing profound mysteries.

Even a fragment possessed considerable might.

While Gu Qingfeng himself had no use for these fragments, others might find them valuable.

Taking these fragments back would serve a purpose.

With that, Gu Qingfeng took a step and vanished from the Primordial Chaos Realm.

Long after he left, other cultivators finally appeared.

When they saw the shattered and chaotic void and the lingering imperial aura, their expressions changed dramatically.

"Blood rained down; an Emperor must have fallen. The lingering imperial aura here is astonishing, indicating that the combatants were two supreme beings. But who exactly were the Emperors who fought here, and which one fell?"

An aspirant from a different domain looked horrified. The lingering aura here made him feel a deep unease.

If the residual aura was this powerful, how terrifying must a true Emperor be?

Many cultivators present showed varying expressions.

The events that transpired here sparked numerous speculations.

Suddenly, a cultivator noticed a black fragment radiating a terrifying aura and couldn't resist reaching out to grab it.

However, the appearance of the black fragment caught the attention of the other cultivators.

With just a glance, they recognized its origin.

"An Imperial Weapon fragment!"

"This supreme treasure should belong to me!"

"Hmph, you insignificant ants dare to covet an Imperial Weapon fragment? Die!"

"Kill—"

The once peaceful void erupted into chaos as many cultivators, driven by their inner desires, fought over the supreme treasure.

Even a fragment of an Imperial Weapon contained considerable power. The lingering imperial aura within the fragment alone was enough to drive cultivators mad.

Such a rich imperial aura, if comprehended, could lead to a breakthrough in cultivation, even if it didn't immediately advance one's realm.

In the face of such an opportunity, who could resist the temptation? Battles and conflicts were inevitable.

Gu Qingfeng was unaware of these events, and even if he knew, he wouldn't have cared.

After slaying two Emperors, Gu Qingfeng returned to the Ancient Realm.

…

"Father!"

A few days after Gu Qingfeng's return, Gu Yang came to pay his respects.

"You've come."

Gu Qingfeng nodded.

Gu Yang's visit was expected, as his emergence from seclusion was no secret.

Compared to a century ago, Gu Yang's cultivation had improved significantly. In a short time, he had advanced from the Third Heaven of Sage King to the Ninth Heaven of Sage King.

With one more step, Gu Yang would reach the Empire Aspirant Realm.

This astonishing rate of advancement left Gu Qingfeng somewhat astonished.

Breaking through six minor realms in the Saint King Realm and reaching the peak of Sage King in just a century was a remarkable feat.

Throughout the Primeval Era, such a rate of advancement was considered extraordinary.

While Gu Qingfeng's own breakthrough speed was even more heaven-defying, it was due to the attribute panel's influence.

Without the attribute panel, even with the Ancient Immortal Body and improved innate talent, it would be impossible to achieve such a level in a mere century.

If Gu Qingfeng didn't know Gu Yang, he would have suspected that his son had also obtained some heaven-defying opportunity.

This highlighted the heaven-defying nature of the Immortal Forging Court.

Gathering the Mandate of Heaven from the masses was a feat beyond the capabilities of ordinary beings.

The Taiyi Divine Dynasty was the first Mandate of Heaven divine dynasty. After the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, other dynasties of fate emerged, all of which were influenced by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty.

These other empires and dynasties did not create heaven-defying techniques comparable to the Immortal Forging Court's; instead, they inherited the Immortal Forging Court's legacy.

In a sense, all dynasties of fate originated from the Immortal Forging Court.

Gu Qingfeng still found it hard to imagine what kind of existence could create such a technique.

Even with his current cultivation and abilities, he could not gather the Mandate of Heaven from the masses without the appropriate method.

The Mandate of Heaven was a mysterious and unpredictable force.

The Mandate of Heaven from the masses was even more so.

These thoughts flashed through Gu Qingfeng's mind, and he smiled faintly. "It's been a century, and your cultivation has improved significantly. I estimate it won't be long before you break through to the Empire Aspirant Realm."

"The Mandate of Heaven from the subjugated realms is indeed substantial. I thought it would take reaching the Apex Divine Dynasty to use the Mandate of Heaven to break through to the Empire Aspirant Realm.

But now, it seems that even before reaching the Apex Divine Dynasty, I can make significant progress in the Empire Aspirant Realm!"

When discussing his cultivation, Gu Yang's expression was filled with reflection. The benefits of a Mandate of Heaven divine dynasty constantly surpassed his expectations.

Currently, the Divine Martial Empire's Mandate of Heaven was at the Twenty-One-Petaled Azure Lotus stage, still far from the Twenty-Three-Petaled Azure Lotus of the Apex Divine Dynasty.

Gu Yang had a premonition that once the Mandate of Heaven Azure Lotus reached the twenty-second petal, his cultivation would take a significant leap forward.

At that time, it wouldn't just be a matter of becoming an ordinary Empire Aspirant.

Before then, Gu Yang had overestimated the benefits of the Divine Dynasty's Mandate of Heaven, but now he realized he had underestimated its power.

Gu Qingfeng said, "The origins of the Immortal Forging Court are not simple. The existence that created such means cannot be judged by ordinary standards. However, for the human race today, this secret technique is a glimmer of hope in the darkness."

"If this secret technique hadn't appeared, it would be no easy task for the human race to recover its strength!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yang's expression changed.

"Father, are you suggesting that the Immortal Forging Court might be something left behind by other beings on purpose?"

"It's not impossible!"

Gu Qingfeng neither nodded nor shook his head. After realizing the power of the Immortal Forging Court, he sensed that the matter was not as simple as it seemed. The benefits it brought to the human race further confirmed this.

After all, the achievements of the Dynasty of Fate were not limited to its ruler. In fact, once the Mandate of Heaven was condensed from the people, it could bless the entire Dynasty of Fate.

"You should have noticed that, with the rise of the Divine Martial Empire's Mandate of Heaven, the number of prodigies in the world has significantly increased. Even the number of other powerful figures has been steadily growing!"

"That's true!"

Gu Yang nodded. As the ruler of the Divine Dynasty, he couldn't help but be aware of the changes in the world. He had always assumed these changes were related to the Great Strife Era, but now, hearing Gu Qingfeng's words, he realized it wasn't that simple.

"The Immortal Forging Court involves the Immortal Realms. The secrets within are not something we can fully understand for now. However, no matter what, the creation of a Divine Dynasty by condensing the Mandate of Heaven is an opportunity for the human race. If the Immortal Ascension Gate remains closed and we cannot enter the Immortal Realms, eternal life will always be out of reach!"

"We failed in the ancient era; we must not repeat that mistake now!"

"We have at most ten thousand years, or perhaps just a few thousand years. If we fail, the fate of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty will be the same as the Divine Martial Empire!"

As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng's expression became incredibly serious.

On the other side, Gu Yang was also deeply moved.

"Where did those evil deities in the Immortal Realms come from, and what happened to the powerful figures who once entered the Immortal Realms?"

Over the years, Gu Yang had gathered many secrets from the Primeval Era and scattered records about the Immortal Realms. The more he learned, the more he understood the terrifying nature of the Immortal Realms.

Gu Qingfeng gave him a deep look and shook his head. "We will only truly understand these matters once we enter the Immortal Realms ourselves. For now, we must focus on accumulating as much strength as possible to prepare for the upcoming battle!"

After a pause, Gu Qingfeng continued, "Do we have any news about the Youmo Realm?"

Gu Yang's spirit was immediately roused, remembering the true purpose of his visit.

"The coordinates of the Youmo Realm were found by the Divine Martial Empire a hundred years ago. However, the Youmo Realm's strength far surpasses that of the alien forces, and there is more than one You Di. Additionally, the ancient Yao Zu seems to have awakened. Over the years, the Divine Martial Empire has been in constant conflict with the demons, but we haven't gained much of an advantage. Thirty years ago, the Demon Clan's Yao Zu personally intervened, severely injuring Lichen and Lord Xia Tian, and slaying two alien Emperors. I only managed to temporarily repel Yao Zu by using the Azure Ruler left by Father!"

When he mentioned the battle thirty years ago, Gu Yang's expression darkened. Lichen and Lord Xia Tian were severely injured, and two alien Emperors were slain. Although these Emperors were from the alien realm, they were part of the Divine Martial Empire's forces, as the alien realm had long submitted to the Divine Martial Empire. These beings were also the foundation for the Divine Martial Empire's future declaration of war on the Immortal Realms. The loss of two Emperors was a significant blow to Gu Yang.

This was the most severe battle the Divine Martial Empire had faced since ascending to the Ancient Realm. Even in previous conflicts with the alien realm, the Divine Martial Empire had never suffered such heavy losses. Thinking about Yao Zu's strength, Gu Yang felt a deep sense of fear.

Such a powerful being was far beyond the capabilities of other Emperors. If not for the Azure Ruler, Gu Yang might have had to disturb Gu Qingfeng's seclusion.

"Unfortunately, with my current cultivation, I can't fully harness the power of the Azure Ruler. Otherwise, in that battle, Yao Zu would have at least paid a price, even if he didn't fall!"

In the end, Gu Yang said with regret.

"Being able to slay two Emperors and still retreat calmly in the face of the Azure Ruler, it seems this Yao Zu is indeed formidable!"

Gu Qingfeng's eyebrows raised slightly, surprised by Yao Zu's strength. The Azure Ruler was a Cultivation Treasure, far surpassing any Imperial Weapon. Gu Qingfeng had once used the Azure Ruler to remotely subdue other ancient Emperors when he swept through the Ancient Realm's numerous restricted areas. This supreme treasure's power was beyond what any Emperor could withstand.

Even the Blood Demon Emperor, who had reached the peak and even stepped into the half-step Heavenly Sovereign realm, might not have been able to withstand the Azure Ruler's power. This demonstrated the supreme treasure's might.

Now, with Gu Yang using the Azure Ruler and still being unable to subdue Yao Zu, it was clear how powerful the latter was.

"Yao Zu is indeed formidable. I suspect his strength might not be inferior to the ancient Taiyi Divine Sovereign. However, now that Father has emerged from seclusion, I believe a mere Yao Zu will not cause much trouble. I humbly request that Father deal with Yao Zu to ensure the Divine Martial Empire's true unification!"

Gu Yang bowed deeply to Gu Qingfeng, his request clear. He had come as soon as he learned of Gu Qingfeng's emergence from seclusion, hoping to resolve the threat of Yao Zu.

As long as Yao Zu lived, the Demon Clan would not be eradicated, and the Divine Martial Empire would not truly control the entire Primordial Chaos universe. Compared to other alien forces, the Demon Clan, while fighting alone, had a much stronger foundation. Not to mention the number of You Di, even a single Yao Zu was beyond what other alien Emperors could match.

Gu Qingfeng nodded. "Since I have emerged from seclusion, the issue with the Demon Clan must be resolved. I can handle Yao Zu, but the Demon Clan's influence spans many star systems, and it won't be easy to completely eradicate them."

"Father can rest assured. Once the threat of Yao Zu is eliminated, the remaining demon forces can be cleaned up with the Divine Martial Empire's strength. The biggest problem now is the Youmo Realm and Yao Zu. Without these two, the other demons are insignificant!"

Gu Yang's face showed a sense of relief as he smiled faintly. (End of Chapter)

Chapter end