Chapter 1353: The Long Years (1)

Imperial Majesty Nan Guang spotted the Heavenly Imperator waking up in the distance and swiftly flew to his side, his gaze reverent. Despite appearing to have slept for a century, the Imperator's soul aura had noticeably weakened, clear evidence that he had sustained grave injuries.

"I've caused you trouble over these hundred years," the Heavenly Imperator said with a gentle smile, knowing that this subordinate had maintained a vigilant watch over him during his slumber.

"It is my duty," Imperial Majesty Nan Guang replied, his voice solemn. "Protecting the Heavenly Imperator is also my greatest honor."

The Heavenly Imperator acknowledged this with a slight nod, saying nothing more. Among the countless Dao Zenithels of the Immortal Court, many had received his favor, and even more had achieved breakthroughs under his guidance. Imperial Majesty Nan Guang himself had once been a mere Standard True Saint, hunted by Eldritch Court powerhouses before the Heavenly Imperator intervened and invited him to join the Immortal Court, leading to his rise to prominence.

Imperial Majesty Dong Huo had once been a mortal lifeform within the Immortal Court's domain, until the Imperator took notice of him and nurtured him step by step, guiding him to ultimately achieve eternity.

In terms of status, the Heavenly Imperator's position in the Immortal Court rivaled the combined authority of Di Jiang and Hou Tu in the Eldritch Court. His prestige was so unshakeable that he scarcely needed to worry about betrayal from the core Dao Zenithels under his command.

"How has the situation been these hundred-odd years?" the Heavenly Imperator inquired. His consciousness had been trapped, leaving him unaware of external developments.

"A hundred years ago, after Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu unleashed her killing move to trap you, Heavenly Imperator..." Nan Guang began, meticulously recounting everything that had transpired, including intelligence from Wan Yu Tower, the Immortal Court's public declarations, and the Eldritch Court's various responses.

The Heavenly Imperator listened in silence until Nan Guang completed his report.

"It seems Wan Yu is quite dissatisfied with the Eldritch Court," the Heavenly Imperator observed with a faint smile. "After Hou Tu's fall, he immediately spread the news."

"Previously, both sides had competed over a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure outside the Chaos Void," Nan Guang explained.

"It's not that simple. This likely involves deeper interests," the Heavenly Imperator replied calmly. "But it doesn't matter. If they fight, our Immortal Court will stand to benefit."

"Yes." Nan Guang nodded, then hesitantly asked, "Heavenly Imperator, your condition?" He was naturally worried. How could a strike from Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu at the expense of her life be so easily neutralized?

"I’m fine. Hou Tu's killing move was indeed inconceivable. She was truly a rare talent," the Heavenly Imperator sighed, a touch of regret in his voice. "Had I been ambushed in the cosmic sea, I might have faced true danger. But this is the Realm of Destruction—the will of the Original Sword protected me. Now that I've awakened, I'll recover fully after sufficient rest."

"That's a relief to hear." Nan Guang exhaled in relief.

Suddenly, an invisible fluctuation spread through the void, and the projection of a silver-armored figure appeared. It was Imperial Majesty Dong Huo, another leader of the Immortal Court.

"Heavenly Imperator," Dong Huo bowed respectfully, his face alight with excitement. Though not formally the Imperator's disciple, he regarded him as a master in all but name, and seeing him unharmed filled him with joy.

"I've grasped the situation," the Heavenly Imperator stated. "According to Nan Guang, you've prepared various plans. Tell me about them."

"Yes." Dong Huo nodded and quickly outlined his efforts. "After Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu fell, I recognized this as a rare opportunity. Over these hundred years, I've secretly contacted Great Emperor Yan Tuo, Dao Zenithel Wan Yu, the Blood Emperor, Dao Zenithel Bai Lian, White Emperor, the Lord of the Abyss, Dao Zenithel Tuo You, and other faction leaders.

"Among them, Dao Zenithel Bai Lian, the Lord of the Abyss, and Dao Zenithel Jiu Huang have clearly expressed their willingness to stand with us. Dao Zenithel Wan Yu and Great Emperor Yan Tuo remain ambiguous, wishing to speak with you personally. The Blood Dream Alliance's stance is unclear, but they likely favor the Eldritch Court. The remaining major factions, while not committing to an alliance, have all expressed their willingness to remain neutral."

The Heavenly Imperator's expression remained unchanged, while Nan Guang was inwardly shocked. He hadn't realized that Dong Huo had contacted so many powerhouses of the cosmic sea in just over a century, effectively forcing them to choose sides.

"Heavenly Imperator, this is our opportunity," Dong Huo declared solemnly. "It will take at least until the end of this samsara cycle for Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu to revive. We can ignite a decisive war, crippling the entire Eldritch Court, possibly destroying more than half of it."

"Decisive war?" The Heavenly Imperator considered briefly, then shook his head. "No, the time is not yet ripe."

"Not yet?" Dong Huo's surprise was evident.

"In the cosmic sea, Saint Yuan is nearly my equal, and I have not fully mastered the Original Sword," the Heavenly Imperator explained. "If Dao Zenithel Ming Jian and Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang act together, could you stop them?"

Dong Huo's pupils contracted as he suggested, "With Yan Tuo and Wan Yu—"

"Those two old loaches will support whoever appears to be winning," the Heavenly Imperator interjected with a slight smile. "They seem deferential now because they view our side as the stronger one. But if they sense I cannot defeat Saint Yuan, they'll withdraw immediately. What they truly desire is for both of us to be grievously wounded."

Dong Huo fell silent, acknowledging the truth in these words.

"These aren't even the core issues," the Heavenly Imperator continued. "There are two crucial problems. First, if we initiate a great war now, the Eldritch Court can simply avoid direct confrontation. Dao Zenithel Ming Jian stands firmly with them, and you know the Spacetime Dao Master's capabilities. They could evade battle while attacking the Saint Realms of our True Saints, just as we target theirs. And they would move faster through the cosmic sea.

"The result would likely be killing 800 enemies while losing 3000 of our own," he concluded, shaking his head.

In terms of direct combat power, the current Eldritch Court was not inferior to the Immortal Court. In terms of mobility, enhanced by the Spacetime Dao Master, the Eldritch Court currently held the advantage.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"That Dao Zenithel Ming Jian has always opposed our Immortal Court and should be eliminated," Nan Guang said through clenched teeth. "Daoist Tian Xu never showed such hostility when he was the Spacetime Dao Master. I cannot fathom why he would choose Ming Jian."

"Ming Jian's hostility is natural," the Heavenly Imperator replied with a mysterious smile. "As for Senior Tian Xu, he has his reasons. No need to speculate about the old man."

"Yes," both Imperial Majesties responded. While others were unaware, the two of them knew the unique relationship between the Heavenly Imperator and Daoist Tian Xu. They were neither friends nor enemies.

"Second, even if the Eldritch Court meets us in battle, and Yan Tuo and Wan Yu stand with us, we still cannot completely annihilate them," the Heavenly Imperator continued. "Destroying the Eternal Realms of their Dao Zenithels would be extremely difficult. Most crucially, there's the Eldritch Court Universe, plus the two universes that Saint Yuan and Ming Jian are about to control. Can we kill Saint Yuan?"

The two Imperial Majesties remained silent. They had the confidence to defeat the Eldritch Court, but killing Saint Yuan? Even the Heavenly Imperator couldn't accomplish this in the Realm of Destruction. Furthermore, Saint Yuan's ether body was uniquely capable of cultivating an Eternal Psyche, which allowed him to unleash terrifying power.

"So we just give up?" Dong Huo protested. "If we don't fight now, once Hou Tu revives, our position will worsen."

Being the one managing the Immortal Court's affairs, he was filled with worry. The combat power of Saint Yuan and Dao Zenithel Ming Jian was rising too rapidly. If not for the Heavenly Imperator suppressing the cosmic sea with his might and reputation, the Immortal Court's situation would grow increasingly dire.

"Of course we're not giving up. We're not fighting because the time isn't right," the Heavenly Imperator responded calmly. "When the moment comes, I will inform you.

"As for Hou Tu, her revival would require several samsara cycles, if it's possible for her to return at all."

Having personally endured Hou Tu's Six Paths of Samsara, the Heavenly Imperator understood its terrifying nature and the immense price of using such a technique.

Several samsara cycles of heaven and earth? Or perhaps never able to revive? Imperial Majesty Nan Guang and Imperial Majesty Dong Huo were both taken aback.

"Alright. The matter of the decisive battle ends here. Wait for my orders. During this period, unless the Eldritch Court initiates conflict, don't disturb me," he concluded.

"Understood," the Imperial Majesties replied.

Suddenly, the Heavenly Imperator smiled. "You two have been following me for some time now." He waved his hand.

Two invisible streams of light flashed, instantly entering the bodies of the Imperial Majesties, filling their minds with information.

"This? Xuanhuang Dao Treasure?”

“Heavenly Imperator, this!" Both Imperial Majesties were shocked, staring at their supreme leader in disbelief.

How could they not be astonished? Heavenly Imperator had just given them information on the whereabouts of Xuanhuang Dao Treasures!

"It's just a simple guide," the Heavenly Imperator explained. "Xuanhuang Dao Treasures are formed through the fusion of the Order of the Primordial Rules and with Chaos Treasures. The Three Supreme Divine Objects can sense their locations.

"During my battle with Saint Yuan, I gained some insights and mastered the Original Sword to a basic degree, receiving much information. The guidance is vague, not precise. For example, I sensed the Saber of Oblivion long before Saint Yuan arrived, but my control was weaker then, so Nan Guang failed to acquire it in time and Saint Yuan claimed it instead."

Nan Guang nodded, recalling the Saber of Oblivion with regret.

"This guidance doesn't guarantee success, but it offers hope," the Heavenly Imperator said. "If you obtain Xuanhuang Dao Treasures, you'll play greater roles in the final battle."

"Yes!" Both Imperial Majesties were excited, especially Dong Huo, whose strength was second only to the titans. Though he believed himself equal to Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang in power and Dao cultivation, the disparity in artifacts left him at a disadvantage. Now he saw hope of matching his rival.

Soon after, Dong Huo's projection departed, followed by Nan Guang's true self, leaving the Heavenly Imperator alone in the void.

With a sudden shift, the Heavenly Imperator's vital aura turned feeble, like a tiny flame that might extinguish at any moment.

Forcibly using the Original Sword, then being ambushed by Hou Tu, plus Ming Jian's psyche weapon attacks...

He shook his head slightly.

The damage is indeed severe.

His injuries were far worse than they appeared. Despite trusting Nan Guang and the others completely, he maintained a strong facade to avoid displaying any vulnerability.

Hou Tu? Wu Yuan? Ming Jian? I should thank you two.

The Heavenly Imperator murmured, an indescribable gleam in his eyes.

If not for this battle, my advancement would likely have waited until the next samsara cycle. But now...

He stepped forward and vanished into endless darkness. Full recovery would require considerable time.

...

Years passed. The Eldritch Court withdrew completely, preparing for the impending conflict with the Immortal Court. Various cosmic sea factions made preparations in secret, hoping to intervene at the critical moment to gain maximum advantage, all having been contacted by Imperial Majesty Dong Huo.

However, contrary to expectations, the Immortal Court seemed to have lowered their banners and muffled their drums, showing no further movement. At the critical juncture of Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu's fall, an eerie peace had settled between the two Courts.

Not long after, Wan Yu Tower updated its Eternal Rankings. Wu Yuan, previously ranked fourth, leapt over Great Emperor Yan Tuo to claim third place. Moreover, his evaluation stated he was "capable of rivaling the Heavenly Imperator and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu."

This announcement created an uproar, shocking factions throughout the cosmic sea. The ranking and evaluation sparked widespread speculation among Dao Zenithels across the endless cosmic sea, all wondering what had truly transpired during that fateful battle in the Realm of Destruction. Clearly, Wu Yuan must have displayed terrifying power to earn such recognition.

...

Within the River of Universes, in the vast expanse of the Ling Jiang Universe, an incomprehensibly large Eternal Realm stretched beyond understanding. Within it, countless layers of spacetime overlapped, home to innumerable beings.

"Charge" The thunderous roar echoed across dimensions.

"Charge!" The battlefield trembled as countless beings, divided into two opposing forces, clashed in brutal combat. Their war cries shattered the calm of heaven and earth, the slaughter reaching apocalyptic proportions.

Saints led the vanguard of each faction, commanding legions of Perennials. Behind them stretched vast formations of Sovereigns and Overlords, their combined power supporting the elite warriors at the front. For the inhabitants of this spacetime, this truly was a war that could end the world.

Death tolls mounted beyond counting.