Heaven Slaying Blade

Chu Mo stood quietly in the void, contemplating the Dao of the ancestral realm. Before this, his divine sense, his mental strength, had both touched upon the Dao of the ancestral realm. Even his body, many years ago, had already achieved the state of an ancestral body. Yet, to touch and sense it is entirely different from truly owning it.

It's like seeing a blade from afar—you see its form, understand its shape, and even from its edge, sharp as a cicada's wing, you can feel its cutting force. But until this blade is in your hand, you cannot truly know just how sharp it is. Only when it becomes your blade, only then, will its power in combat reveal itself, and you'll truly understand just how sharp it is!

This was the feeling!

Thus, when Chu Mo truly stepped into this realm, the very first thing he needed to do was to comprehend the strength of his own Dao!

He had already done so.

For at the moment he achieved his Dao, he shattered the head of the Primordial Chaos Patriarch with a single strike!

That attack contained a force that only true Titans could unleash!

In that instant, he understood. Yet, this was far from mastery of the realm, so he still needed to continue comprehending, continue to grasp the Dao at this level of the ancestral realm. Through this ongoing realization, he would also become ever more powerful.

At this moment, Monkey and the six Great Saints flew toward Chu Mo.

As comrades, as acknowledged juniors, Monkey and its brothers didn't just envy Chu Mo's current realm, but more so felt a deep, genuine joy from within.

"Haha! Congratulations to you! That final bolt of Heavenly Tribulation thunder was truly majestic—unprecedented and unforgettable! You've truly broadened my horizons!" Monkey stepped forward, grinning mischievously at Chu Mo.

Chu Mo looked at Monkey and then at the massive iron rod slung over its shoulder, smiling as he said, "Your rod is close to turning golden now…"

Monkey shrunk its iron rod, twirling it a few times in its hand, and cheekily replied, "I've tempered it with the ancestral realm Heavenly Tribulation. It followed me through the Great Saint Tribulation, and now, through the ancestral realm Heavenly Tribulation. It's long since become a true treasure. Now, even against ordinary ancestral realm dharma instruments, it can smash them with a single blow!"

Chu Mo nodded, "In your hands, it's undoubtedly unstoppable!"

Monkey looked immensely pleased with itself.

At this time, the six brothers—Great Saint Kun Fish, Great Saint Snowy Sea Dragon, Great Saint Roc, Great Saint Cat, Fox Heaven Great Saint, and Bull Demon Great Saint—all came forward to congratulate Chu Mo, expressing their gratitude for his earlier rescue.

"We're family, no need for such formalities! We're all friends!" Chu Mo said earnestly.

"Indeed, from now on, we're all one family!" Monkey was exceptionally satisfied with Chu Mo's attitude. To its proud and aloof nature, earning its recognition as a human cultivator wasn't easy. But once Monkey acknowledged someone, that recognition would never waver. Especially because Chu Mo understood how to conduct himself—this was what made Monkey feel most comfortable.

Suddenly, waves of movement rippled through the void—the inherent aura of Titans traveling through space. It wasn't intentional intimidation but rather a natural response of cultivators at the same level sensing each other.

Chu Mo and Monkey lifted their heads and glanced around. Light flickered in Monkey's eyes, while Chu Mo chuckled and shook his head.

If these Titans truly intended to act, they wouldn't wait until now. Their arrival now was certainly not for stirring trouble.

Monkey understood this as well, though its instinctive nature still leaned toward defensive posturing when encountering others.

The first to appear before Chu Mo was Sky Patriarch. This time, Sky Patriarch's demeanor toward Chu Mo was completely different than years ago. "Friend, how have you been? Congratulations!"

Sky Patriarch carried no aura or light this time, appearing as a refined middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing a blue Daoist robe. His face radiated grace and immortal air as he clasped his hands toward Chu Mo. Then he turned to Monkey and offered a congratulatory gesture: "Congratulations, friend, on attaining the ancestral realm!"

Seeing Sky Patriarch, Chu Mo showed genuine gratitude—not from mere politeness, but heartfelt sincerity. If not for Sky Patriarch sparing him once, Chu Mo would not be standing here today as an ancestral realm Titan.

Thus, Chu Mo respectfully saluted Sky Patriarch, saying, "Senior, you're too kind. Your past kindness remains etched in my memory."

Sky Patriarch waved a hand, "It's all in the past now. Today, we are both in the ancestral realm. Let us address each other as friends."

Monkey also saluted Sky Patriarch, "Much obliged!" Monkey didn't feel strongly about Sky Patriarch. It was straightforward in its likes and dislikes. Even stepping into the ancestral realm, its core nature remained unchanged.

From other directions, four more Titans arrived to extend their congratulations.

"Congratulations to the two of you on your Dao attainment. I am named Luo Lan," said an astonishingly beautiful woman approaching Chu Mo. This ancestral realm Titan named Luo Lan seemed ageless, her beauty flawless and her demeanor gentle, exuding warmth and approachability.

Yet Chu Mo knew this was merely a façade. There was no Titan who could reach the ancestral realm that was as pure as a white lotus. Nonetheless, facing the overtures of a peer, Chu Mo naturally didn't decline. He smiled and replied, "Thank you, Friend Luo Lan! I am Chu Mo."

Chu Mo's attitude was calm, showing no trace of shyness. Facing Sky Patriarch, he felt genuine gratitude for the favor of sparing his life—a massive kindness in the unforgiving Cultivation Realm. But with others, Chu Mo maintained composure—not going out of his way to offend nor flatter them.

Before reaching this realm, Chu Mo dared to challenge Titans. Now that he was one himself, he naturally feared no rival.

Although Monkey wasn't fond of dealing with others, considering its six brothers, it made an effort to return Luo Lan's courtesy with a smiling salute.

"Congratulations to the two of you. I am named Qianqiu," said a tall, impeccably handsome youth approaching to offer congratulations. He wore an exquisite black robe adorned with faint, flickering runes of the Great Dao—a supreme battle garment. Qianqiu's demeanor was rather aloof, even in sharing well-meaning words.

"Congratulations, congratulations—I am Qing Gu." Qing Gu was equally handsome, though appearing around his forties. Draped in a blue robe, his scholarly aura could make an ordinary observer mistake him for a teacher rather than an ancestral realm Titan.

"Congratulations, congratulations—I am Xuanxuan." Seeing this Titan, Chu Mo couldn't help but find a hint of amusement.

Because Xuanxuan was a rotund figure, taller than Monkey but immeasurably wider—like a slightly flattened sphere.

Yet Xuanxuan's facial features were sharp and distinct, not squeezed away by excessive fat as commonly seen. However, they seemed strangely mismatched with his unconventional physique, lending him an oddly humorous appearance.

Nonetheless, Chu Mo understood. This corpulent form had to be the result of cultivating a rare and powerful technique—a state Xuanxuan likely embraced. For an ancestral realm Titan, altering appearances to project elegance, like Qianqiu or Qing Gu, would've been effortless.

Chu Mo returned every greeting cordially yet maintained a balance between politeness and accessibility.

Qianqiu remarked, "And let us also congratulate you, Friend Chu Mo, for ranking first on the Top 100 Rankings!"

"Indeed, such combat strength so soon after entering the ancestral realm—truly remarkable." Qing Gu added.

Luo Lan gently commented, "I believe this ranking reflects more upon one's innate talent."

"Agreed, I think so as well," said Sky Patriarch.

At the ancestral realm level, petty disputes and striving for rankings felt trivial. Even Qianqiu's tone carried no condescension.

As a group of destined titans soon to ascend onto the Investiture of the Gods, gathering together was a rare fate. Avoiding unnecessary conflict was simply wise.

"Talent, indeed?" Qianqiu raised his brows indifferently before nonchalantly remarking, "It doesn't matter—let it be as it is. Now, the Top 100 Rankings show… hmm? There are only fifty-one individuals left?"

At his words, everyone's spirits subtly stirred.

Only fifty-one remain!

Years had passed since the Ancient Battlefield was opened. To ordinary people, these years seemed lengthy, but for Titans, it was merely a fleeting moment.

Luo Lan mused, "So quickly… only fifty-one individuals are left? It seems the Ancient Battlefield's pace for determining placements is faster than we expected."

Qing Gu added, "I thought it'd take at least centuries…"

Chu Mo felt a pang of realization: Centuries…? From birth to today, I've only lived for a hundred years! Centuries…how long that is!

This was the stark difference between those born into the secular world versus the Cultivation Realm. Even as a Titan now, some of Chu Mo's mindsets were still rooted in his upbringing.

Sky Patriarch remarked, "The key is that with fifty-one remaining now, as soon as there's one fewer… the Investiture of the Gods will descend. We'll succeed!"

The intensity of their reaction just earlier stemmed from this revelation.

The Investiture of the Gods was about to appear!

Soon, these individuals would transcend to godhood!

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Third night watch, delivered.

End of the month—seeking monthly votes!