NOVEL WEB Chapter 386: The Coming of the Immortals
Chapter 386: The Coming of the Immortals
Alongside Time Supreme, Xu Lian observed the situation across the lands. At this point, his strength was comparable to that of a Supreme, and if he were to utilize the ascension and descent rules of the Divine Kingdom’s laws, he could ascend even further. He had already become an invisible “Number Two” figure within the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. With his power came the responsibility to share the burden of leading the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands alongside Time Supreme.
After reviewing the state of affairs across the world, Xu Lian felt a chill run down his spine. The entire world had descended into utter chaos, like a boiling pot of porridge!
Almost every top tier power was either actively or passively involved in the conflict. It seemed to have become a kind of “trend.” All the major powers were stirring up trouble, trying to keep up with the times… If they didn’t cause some commotion, it felt as though they were falling behind.
If any major power remained neutral, it would actually seem out of place.
“I can’t help but feel that the top-tier powers are deliberately pushing for an age of chaos,” Xu Lian said, voicing his strange suspicion.
Time Supreme replied, “Your intuition is correct. The top-tier powers are indeed deliberately promoting chaos.”
Xu Lian was taken aback. “Why would they do that?”
Time Supreme explained, “There are multiple reasons.
The first reason is competition for cultivation resources. In ancient times, the environment was rich, with abundant spiritual energy and cultivation resources. Cultivators practiced in peace and minded their own business, and there was no need to fight for resources. However, after the consumption during the Primordial Era and the Ancient Epoch, spiritual energy became increasingly scarce. By the time of the current Strange Era, it has grown extremely deficient. All the top-tier powers are going through hard times with limited cultivation resources.
If this continues, no one will be able to break through to the Supreme Realm, let alone ascend the ladder of immortality. Rather than slowly fading away together, it’s better to plunder each other’s cultivation resources. The victors will have enough resources to reach higher realms, while the losers will be wiped out by the passage of time.
The second reason has to do with eerie transformations. Once a cultivator ascends to become a Supreme, they begin to undergo these eerie transformations. All the Supreme-level experts from the top-tier powers have suffered greatly because of them. They want the world to descend into chaos in order to lure out the source of these eerie phenomena so that they can destroy it and bring an end to the Strange Era.”
Xu Lian’s eyes gleamed. “It seems that all the top-level powers have been tormented by these eerie transformations for a long time. The source of these phenomena has incurred the wrath of everyone.”
Then he frowned and asked, “But what if the source of these eerie transformations never appears?”
Time Supreme responded, “It’s impossible for it not to appear. Once the supreme powers push the chaos to a certain point, all of their hidden powers will come into play. At that point, the entire world will be turned upside down, and the source of the eerie transformations will have nowhere to hide.”
Xu Lian nodded. “Yes, when the top tier powers are locked in a bloody conflict, whether it’s dangerous lands or forbidden zones, every place will be dragged into the fray. The source of the eerie transformations will no longer be able to remain hidden.”
Time Supreme continued, “There is another reason why the top-tier powers are pushing for chaos – it is related to a prophecy. At the end of the Strange Era, we will meet the Immortals. Therefore, all the top-tier powers are intentionally hastening the end of the Strange Era. After all, who wouldn’t want to become an immortal?”
A prophecy?
A meeting with the Immortals?
Xu Lian was stunned. He couldn’t help but remember what Shui Yingyue had said about the fortune-telling books in the Shui family’s library.
It was during the time when Shui Yingyue invited him, Ye Beining, and Xiang Chengxing to participate in the Hundred Boats Secret Realm. She had talked about a prophecy regarding a humanoid monster that had been banished into the spatial turbulence. It stated that when the Divine Kingdom returned, when the Blood Sea completely dried up, when the Yi Sect’s identity was revealed, and when the Mian Pavilion no longer remained hidden… among other conditions, the humanoid monster would pierce through space and return to this world.
Xu Lian asked, “Where did this prophecy come from? Is it recorded in the divination books?”
Time Supreme was slightly surprised. “You know about the divination books?”
Xu Lian was a bit embarrassed. It seemed that in the other’s eyes, he was truly ignorant. “I heard about it from the Shui Family. Their library contains divination books.”
Time Supreme replied, “These divination books aren’t exclusive to the Shui Family. Our Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands’ library also holds them. In fact, this prophecy is recorded in the divination books.”
Xu Lian said, “So it seems that the top-tier powers believe in these divination books?”
Time Supreme responded, “The divination books are an ancient text passed down through the epochs. Every prophecy recorded in them has come true. Why wouldn’t the top-tier powers believe in them?”
Xu Lian couldn’t help but be astonished. Every prophecy had come true and they were confirmed by reality. It seemed that there really were prophets in this world who could predict the future.
Time Supreme then went on to tell him about the outcome of several conflicts that had erupted decades ago, giving him a clearer understanding of the situation. Xu Lian now held the hidden second seat of authority in the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, and there was a high possibility that he would eventually take over the leadership. He needed to understand the state of affairs in the entire world.
In one instance, three Supremes of the Yin Dynasty defeated three Supremes of the Yu Dynasty, forcing the latter to cede a cultivation resource zone that was exclusive to Supremes and another that produced Metamorphosis Elixir. Even under such dire circumstances, the Yu Dynasty didn’t dare to use its hidden strengths recklessly. After getting what they wanted, the Yin Dynasty retreated without driving the Yu Dynasty into desperation.
In another case, the Supreme of the Blood Sea Holy Land took advantage of the aging and weakened state of the old Supreme of Fire God Mountain. They attacked Fire God Mountain and looted many Fire God Flowers. After achieving their goal, they retreated back to the Blood Sea without completely destroying Fire God Mountain, still wary of the mountain’s hidden depths.
In Pingyang County and Green Bamboo Town, the red-robed female ghost had gathered an increasing number of ancient corpses and already occupied a vast expanse of Taizhou Prefecture’s territory. However, she had yet to clash with the surrounding top-tier powers. These powers seemed uncertain about her strength and origin and preferred not to provoke her, choosing instead to turn a blind eye to her territorial expansion.
The battle between the Peerless Heavenly Demon and the Five Supremes continued unabated, dragging on for decades without a decisive outcome. It seemed that both sides were exercising restraint and caution… neither willing to go all out.
“Could it be possible that the Yin Dynasty and the Yu Dynasty are actually part of the same faction?” Xu Lian mused with a hint of amusement. Ever since he learned that the Divine Thunder Sect and the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands were secretly allied, he began to suspect that everyone might be connected in some way.
Time Supreme simply replied, “I don’t know.”
Well… Xu Lian hoped that the Yin Dynasty’s strength would prove superior, given that they were his double “father-in-law”.
“The Blood Sea didn’t raid Fire God Mountain’s cultivation resources, but instead targeted the Fire God Flowers. What’s so special about them?” Xu Lian found the actions of the Blood Sea Holy Land somewhat strange.
Time Supreme explained, “The Fire God Flower is a unique spiritual treasure of Fire God Mountain. It’s said to allow the dead to ignite divine flames, thus enabling resurrection. The Blood Sea probably sought the Fire God Flower to revive one of their ancestral masters. Personally, I believe that the dead should remain dead; resurrection is impossible. Even if someone were to return briefly, it would only be temporary. After all, life and death follow a natural order-that’s the Heavenly Dao. How could the dead really come back to life?”
Igniting divine flames to resurrect the dead? Xu Lian was startled, remembering the glowing skeleton that Qin Liu had once taken him to excavate in the outskirts of Pingyang County. That skeleton had been seized and taken away by a powerful figure from the Blood Sea. Could the Blood Sea be trying to resurrect that skeleton?
It was possible. Or maybe they were trying to resurrect an ancestor. After all, that skeleton belonged to an outsider. What if, upon resurrection, it refused to obey the Blood Sea Holy Land’s commands?
“Reporting to the Nine Heavens Supreme, a Supreme from the Shui Family has arrived,” the Heavenly Mystic Holy Lord announced.
In truth, the moment the Shui Family Supreme descended outside the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land, both the Time Supreme and Xu Lian had sensed their presence.
“Please, invite them in.”
Time Supreme waved her hand, opening the barrier that led to the thirty-third stage of the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land. A path of radiant white light extended before the Supreme of the Shui Family.
“Thank you,” the Shui Family Supreme smiled, stepping onto the glowing path alongside the Shui Family Elder and Shui Yingyue. In an instant, they ascended to the thirty-third stage.
Xu Lian glanced at the Shui Family Elder and Shui Yingyue who were both shrouded in mist. He knew these two women all too well, perhaps too well. Each had borne him a child, though the children did not carry his surname and remained within the Shui family. Xu Lian didn’t mind this arrangement as long as the children were happy. Where they lived made no difference to him.
The Supreme of the Shui Family addressed the Supreme of Time: “I’ve come to visit the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands today, primarily to offer an explanation regarding the Eight Directions War Art.
Decades ago, the Supreme of the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury visited our Shui family and exchanged some cultivation resources for the Eight Directions War Art. At that time, we had no idea that the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury intended to use our art against the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. Had we known that, we would never have handed it over.
After all, at that time, the relationship between the Heaven’s Treasury Sacred Land and the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands appeared to be amicable on the surface. How could we have anticipated that the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury and the Divine Thunder Sect would collude to oppose the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands?
I wanted to clarify this matter to avoid any misunderstanding on your part.”
Time Supreme responded indifferently, “I also didn’t expect the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury to act this way. Esteemed elder of the Shui family, there’s no need to dwell on it. The Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands will not hold a grudge against your family because of this incident.”
The Supreme of the Shui Family chuckled, “That’s good to hear. If we’re being honest, the relationship between the Shui Family and the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands is relatively close. Two direct descendants of the Shui Family have become consorts of the Nine Heavenly Divine Son and had two children. These children have now grown up, married, and started families within the Shui Family. In the future, the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands and the Shui Family should maintain closer ties.”
Time Supreme remained silent, casting a meaningful glance at Xu Lian, implying that this was his matter to resolve.
“…” Xu Lian quickly interjected, “Since everything has been clarified, if there’s nothing else, esteemed elder of the Shui Family, please feel free to take your leave.”
The Supreme of the Shui Family was momentarily speechless. Was this a polite dismissal?
Not wanting to overstay his welcome, he flipped his hand and produced a jade slip, and placed it on the sole stone table in the room. “Although the Shui family was unaware that the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury used the Eight Directions War Art against the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, it undoubtedly posed a certain threat and caused trouble. This scroll containing the secrets of the Eight Directions War Art is our token of apology to the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands,”
Xu Lian gestured to take out the jade scroll. “In that case, the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands cannot refuse such a gift… we’ll accept it.”
The Shui Family Supreme said nothing further, departing with the Shui Family Elder and Shui Yingyue.
Xu Lian reviewed the contents of the jade slip before passing it to Time Supreme.
Time Supreme declined, “Keep it for yourself. The Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands has no need for it.”
Xu Lian had no choice but to pocket it. “The Shui Family’s combined techniques are indeed formidable. They are even effective against Supremes. Take, for instance, the joint attack by the eight Supremes against the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands.
When they unleashed the Eight Directions War Art together, their overall combat power increased significantly. If the three Supremes of the Divine Thunder Sect weren’t secretly aligned with us, the situation could have been perilous-not accounting for my use of the Divine Kingdom’s ascension and descent rules, of course. It was quite dangerous.
Such a powerful combined technique-why doesn’t the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands want it? And why haven’t other top-tier powers tried to trade for the Shui Family’s combined techniques?”
Time Supreme asked, “What do you think?”
Xu Lian pondered carefully and soon grasped the key question. “If the Shui Family dared to release the Eight Directions War Art, they must have a method to counter it, right?”
Time Supreme confirmed, “Precisely. That’s why the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands cannot accept it. Imagine using the Eight Directions War Art in battle only to have it suddenly countered, that would be truly perilous.”
Xu Lian immediately realized that the Eight Directions War Art, much like the Four Symbols Battle Tactics he had previously studied, was now rendered useless. It couldn’t be trusted. Who knew whether the Shui family might share the counter method with the enemies of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands? In these chaotic times, no top-tier power could be considered benevolent.