Chapter 1072: Contest of the Hundred Races, Battlefield of the Heavens (I)

While Shi Feitong’s words brought the pressure of the six divine region delegations, they also deepened Chen Chu and the others’ understanding of the mythical world, especially regarding the shackles of life.

Although the Federation had already discovered the issues with the New Humans of the mythical world—slow in cultivation, struggling to practice true martial arts compared to body enhancement arts—they had assumed it was the same as with the mutated beasts of the mythical world, a problem of genetic stability. They hadn’t expected it to be caused by the assimilation of time.

As Qian Tian and the other three grew solemn, Chen Chu thoughtfully said, "Since there’s a rule forbidding humans from killing each other, we don’t need to worry too much. This problem is easily handled. The Solar System is vast. If they act, they could simply transform Saturn or Jupiter, enough to house hundreds of billions, even a trillion people. If that still isn’t enough, they could gather asteroids and open up some space continents. For an ancient civilization, reshaping the environment and condensing an atmosphere should be child’s play. Of course, if the decision makers of the six divine regions become too domineering and forbid the Federation’s people from even surviving, then I won’t hesitate to sever the passage between the Solar System and the mythical world."

His gaze became chilled. "I could seal the Solar System for a few years. Once I reach the primordial level, I’ll settle the score then."

Qian Tian nodded slowly. "When the time comes, you’ll decide this matter, Chen Chu."

The Primordial King chuckled. "I have no objections."

Zhenwu also smiled faintly. "Chen Chu, you’re now the Federation’s strongest. In this kind of confrontation on a grand stage, only you can hold the line."

At present, only Chen Chu had reached the true spirit level, qualified to speak as an equal to those of the divine regions.

Shi Feitong confidently said, "Big Brother Chen, rest assured. I’ll help you. I have my master’s decree. Even the envoy of the Flamewheel Divine Region must obey my command. As for the other divine region envoys, my sister can exert pressure. We absolutely cannot allow them to bully Chen—the Federation. The exchange must be on equal and friendly terms."

Chen Chu looked surprised. "What cultivation level is Feirou at now, that her standing is so high?"

Shi Feitong’s expression lit with admiration. "My sister is far stronger than me. A thousand years ago, she had already broken through to the late stage of the true spirit level. She’s one of the five palace masters of the empire, second only to the Flamewheel Emperor himself. And unlike me, an ordinary true spirit, my sister gained a fortune beyond the chaotic heavens and already possesses a primordial foundation. She is one of the ten emperors of the six divine regions most likely to break through to the primordial level. On top of that, as the personal disciple of the true emperor, her status is no lower than that of the Flamewheel Emperor."

"...That impressive." A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Chu’s eyes.

In truth, Shi Feirou’s talent indeed far outshone Shi Feitong’s. After all, in over ten thousand years Shi Feitong had only reached the beginning stage of the true spirit level. For Shi Feirou to reach the late stage of the true spirit level seemed only natural.

But Chen Chu failed to notice the strange look that flashed across the faces of the Primordial King and Zhenwu.

They had assumed Chen Chu merely knew a divine region's true spirit. They had not expected yet another, one far stronger, possessing the primordial foundation, with status rivaling an emperor. Judging by the two sisters’ actions over the past millennia, their involvement with Chen Chu was clearly not as simple as surface-level gratitude.

The Primordial King’s eyes glimmered with a smile as he glanced at Zhenwu. "Chen Chu’s cultivation talent was one thing, but it seems he’s gifted in ‘living off women’ as well."

"

Haha

... I’ve long said the Federation’s rise rests on Chen Chu. Was I wrong? He’s our lucky star." Zhenwu’s eyes also curved with amusement.

"Isn’t that obvious? Who doesn’t know Chen Chu is the Federation’s future." The Primordial King rolled his eyes.

As the two supreme powerhouses sat exchanging sly looks, Qian Tian’s voice transmitted into their minds. "You two, mind your image."

Cough! Cough!

They straightened up, returning to the proper discussion. Zhenwu politely asked, "Vice Palace Master Shi, may I ask, what exactly sets the divine regions apart?"

"What sets them apart..." Shi Feitong thought for a moment before answering. "As I mentioned before, the vast world is like an immense colossal beast, and within its body, all life breeds and thrives. But when a cultivator breaks through to the primordial level, it means transcendence, rising above heaven and earth, and being qualified to step into the chaotic void.

"A divine region is a world opened by primordial powerhouses. The passages link to chaos itself, allowing experts all the way down to the mythical level to enter the outer heavens.

"The chaotic void, aren't its resources richer?" Chen Chu mused.

After condensing the true form of an Innate Demon God, his body had connected with the chaotic void, faintly drawing in purer energies to strengthen himself. After the Destructive Dragon Emperor’s bloodline advanced to the heavenly tier, it not only connected to the chaotic void, but absorbed its energy in quantities thousands of times greater than Chen Chu.

No wonder that the heavens called out to him so strongly after he reached the semi-primordial level during Divine Fusion. Clearly, the environment there was more suited to primordial beings. The mythical world’s ceiling was at the true spirit level; once there, resources were sparse, and progress could only be ground out slowly.

Shi Feitong nodded. "Yes, the chaotic void’s resources are far richer. Many chaotic divine objects can even shatter life’s limits, allowing one to condense various innate divine bodies. That is why, whenever the gates to the outer heavens of the six divine regions open each year, countless powerhouses gather and enter in a grand tide. Thus, whether or not one possesses a divine region is the mark of a top-level civilization. Only with ample resources can a civilization flourish and grow strong. Otherwise, if a race is forced to endlessly kill others over scarce resources, it can never rise."

"Indeed." Chen Chu and the others nodded in agreement.

Were resources important? Of course they were. Without those natural treasures and divine objects, neither Chen Chu nor the Dragon Emperor would have been able to grow and advance so quickly. The supreme treasures especially, which could break life’s limits, were incomparably precious.

After all, cultivation could be accumulated slowly over time, but the upper limit was a huge obstacle. If it couldn’t be broken, one would remain trapped at a single realm for thousands or tens of thousands of years, just like those veteran cultivators on the Blue Planet who had remained at the Eighth or Ninth Heavenly Realm for countless years.

Was it because they didn’t try hard enough, because they had no desire to break through to the king level? Of course not. It was simply that their ability was too weak to go further. Otherwise, if living long and having ample resources were enough to become stronger without limit, then everyone in the six divine regions would already have broken through to the true spirit and primordial levels.

The Primordial King sighed with some envy. "No wonder there are so many true-spirit-level experts. Cultivators in the divine regions can already enter the outer heavens at the mythical level."

"It isn’t that simple. Risk and reward have always been proportional." Shi Feitong bitterly smiled. "The chaotic heavens are far more dangerous than the vast world, filled with all kinds of forbidden lands. Ordinary mythical experts can only linger at the edges; only primordial-level true emperors can venture deeper. Beyond that, the environment is extremely harsh. Laws are incomplete, and the violent chaotic energy can only be absorbed by true-spirit-level powerhouses. Others cannot remain long.

"According to my master, the chaotic void is actually a vast colossal beast roaming in chaos, and when it flickers and exhales chaotic power, the surrounding turbulence leaves behind calmer belts of space. That makes it broader and more boundless than the vast world. No one knows how many divine regions connect to the outer heavens, nor how many strong cultivators exist. In the chaotic void, one might encounter other top-level civilizations, peak alien races, or because of twisted space-time, unknown life from temporary linkages to foreign planes.

"This is why the area beyond the chaotic heavens is also called the Ancient Battlefield. Each year countless strong cultivators from the six regions perish while exploring it. In fact, back then, when the seven emperors joined forces, they entered that precise battlefield of the chaotic void. Later, by slaying a primordial powerhouse together and seizing the divine region’s passage, they entered the vast world."

After Shi Feitong spoke, the Primordial King’s face lit with excitement. "So that’s it. This is the truth of that ancient expedition."

Zhenwu’s eyes gleamed with fighting spirit. "A hundred races contending, battlefield of the heavens... This makes my heart race."

Flames of nothingness burned in Qian Tian’s eyes, the golden cube spun endlessly, and even Chen Chu was stirred with yearning. They hadn’t expected the mythical world to be far vaster and more mysterious than imagined, its billions of civilizations on the surface no more than a beginner’s village. On top of that, the Ancient Battlefield was strewn with opportunities and powerhouses without end.

Chen Chu and the others then asked further about the six divine regions, their structures, and their powerhouses. According to Shi Feitong’s explanation, the six divine regions were scattered far apart, each with its own distinct culture.

One of the seven emperors, Lun, the current True Reincarnation Emperor and master of the Mark of Temporal Reincarnation that Chen Chu had obtained, created the Reincarnation Divine Region, which was exceedingly mysterious and said to be divided into sects. Its population was smaller than other divine regions, and many geniuses and powerhouses preferred seclusion and quiet cultivation, rarely leaving their doors.

Then there was Xu, the emperor who left behind the Secret Sea of the Void, now the True Void Emperor. The Void Divine Region he opened existed between the void and the material world. That region was dominated by clans, with single families ruling territories. Their cultivation leaned heavily toward the void, and many cultivators even allowed themselves to be contaminated, turning into void creatures.

Another was Zhan, now the True Slaughter Emperor. The Slaughter Divine Region he created was filled with cultivators more belligerent and aggressive, endlessly hungry for power. Once they fought, those from the Slaughter Divine Region became frenzied and bloodthirsty, growing stronger the more grievously they were injured. They were complete madmen.

Compared to these three, the divine regions of Huang, Jian, and Gu were far more normal. Huang, the True Radiant Sky Emperor, created the Flamewheel Divine Region. Jian, the True Silent Sword Emperor, established the Thousand-Sword Divine Region. Gu, the True Ancient Emperor, created the Chaotic Ancient Divine Region.

The Chaotic Ancient Divine Region was sect-based, but all kinds of cultivation systems coexisted: body enhancement, qi refinement, artifact forging, sword cultivation, beast taming, bloodlines, and more.

The Thousand-Sword Divine Region and the Flamewheel Divine Region were standard imperial dynasties. For example, the Flamewheel Empire ruled from its imperial capital, controlling 5 great divine palaces, 15 domains, and 297 provinces, with a population exceeding 1.3 trillion.

The Thousand-Sword Divine Region was similar, except its cultivators were entirely sword cultivators. Their attacks were stronger, though they were weaker in other aspects. Its population also exceeded a trillion. Together, the two regions accounted for nearly half the population of the ancient human race. The reason, naturally, was stability. Compared to the other four divine regions, which were chaotic or strange, the structures of these two imperial divine regions were more complete, organized, and suitable for living.

From the time of the Ancient Civilization’s expedition until now, over thirty thousand years had passed. By the Blue Planet’s measure, it had been nearly a hundred thousand years. In all that time, the population of the ancient humans only reached a little over five trillion. It didn’t sound like much, but these were not ordinary people. Every newborn was a transcendent lifeform, and reproduction was therefore more difficult than on the Blue Planet.

The most critical issue, however, was unwillingness. For cultivators, especially advanced female cultivators, childbirth consumed life's vitality and disrupted their cultivation, while dividing already insufficient resources.

For those with lifespans of tens of thousands of years or immortality, whose cultivation was above the mythical level, their desire to have descendants was even lower, for they had no need of inheritance. They themselves could exist eternally. This was one of the reasons the human population hadn’t grown higher.

As for the precise number of powerhouses within the six divine regions, even Shi Feitong didn’t know, for each region was its own independent world, and some were very closed off. She only knew that within the Flamewheel Empire, all fifteen domain lords, as well as the five great palace masters, were true-spirit-level existences, with the five palace masters being stronger. The master of Jiantian Palace, Shi Feirou, was a late-stage true-spirit-level powerhouse.

Every governor of the 297 provinces was an ancient-titan-level cultivator, and all of them belonged to the stronger end of that realm. Those too weak had no right to govern even a single province.

One of the mightiest figures of the empire was the Flamewheel Emperor, descendant of the True Radiant Sky Emperor. His cultivation was at the semi-primordial level, and he wielded a world-creation divine weapon bestowed by the True Radiant Sky Emperor himself. His strength was terrifying beyond measure.

These were only the powers that stood openly. After so many years, who could say how many true-spirit-level experts had retreated to the outer heavens for hidden cultivation, never to show their faces again? Not to mention the titan-level and ancient-titan-level monarchs lying in seclusion within the vast divine region.

The True Radiant Sky Emperor was counted among the stronger echelon of the primordial level, though even Shi Feitong didn’t know how powerful he truly was. After all, the primordial level was far too distant from her, and such an existence would never show off in front of her.

When Shi Feitong finished, the entire meeting room fell silent. The faces of Qian Tian and the others were filled with shock. They hadn’t realized the six regions possessed such overwhelming strength. Previously, their focus had been on the six true emperors, so they had completely overlooked the sheer number of experts beneath the primordial level.

With six powerful primordials suppressing all, and tens of thousands of years of accumulation, the divine regions that expanded into the chaotic heavens had hoarded endless resources, producing countless powerful cultivators. Over time, the massive base of mythical experts had built up an astonishing number of ancient-titan-level monarchs and true-spirit-level emperors.

Compared to the ancient human race, the Purgatory Demon Clan was utterly insignificant. The power of just one palace under a single empire would have been enough to suppress it completely.