The Ancient Saint Emperor of the Heaven-shading

Chapter 171 Achieving the Great Sage's Dao, The Second Tomb Star

The battle for supremacy on the only true path begins, setting the stage for a grand spectacle.

The nine imperial figures clashed in a tremendous manner, causing changes even within the Imperial Pass. A giant stele slowly emerged from the chaos, the name of the Blood Demon Great Saint disappeared, while the name of Wang Hongwu shone brightly, rising rapidly in rank.

"Someone has perished?! It was that Great Sage from the Underworld!"

"It's only been ten years since we entered the game, and a nominee for Great Sage has already been killed in the very first battle?"

"It seems that it was killed by the Holy Venerable. How ruthless! It killed its opponent first and stood out from the crowd. Its brilliance made others unable to raise their heads."

The saints from all the star realms who were watching this place were discussing it, feeling it was very strange. Just after this battle ended, such a large stele appeared between the nine imperial passes, which was shocking. Many people were puzzled and did not know who erected it.

But now, only eight people remain among those nominated by Jingbei, and it's hard to say how many will ultimately be left.

"I have high hopes for the Holy Venerable. His rapid advancement reminds me of those former emperors." "What? Didn't you used to support the Underworld, calling them a mythical force? This time, you might have pulled out your hidden strength, and you've already switched sides?"

"That's called assessing the situation. Fellow Daoist, you're still too young. I secretly supported the Holy Venerable ten years ago and vowed to never coexist with the Underworld!"

Many others quickly switched sides, disavowing any semblance of justice, appearing as staunch, long-time supporters of the cause, leaving everyone speechless.

At this moment, outside the First Tribulation Star, the opened passage leads directly to the Second Imperial Pass. The magnificent buildings there are breathtaking, stained with blood. The seven heroes who arrived here all felt a sense of grandeur and desolation accumulated over the long river of time. It was an indescribable feeling. Countless heroes throughout history have perished in the passage of time. They once left their names here, fought a glorious battle, and were buried in the past.

This feeling touched them. In the past, there was no shortage of people who could have attained enlightenment, but for various reasons, they failed to make it and perished on the way. The word "luck" is also indispensable. Do the eight of them have this luck?

"The Imperial Pass itself is a masterpiece of history, recording the imprint of the strongest heroes throughout history. Great sages from all races of the myriad realms have come here, and their glory, their blood, and their battles are all deeply imprinted in this city."

The Emperor spoke softly, seemingly thinking of the past, and revealed a look of nostalgia, saying, "These ancient passes were reshaped in the mythological era, but in fact, their prototypes existed even more ancient times. They were the work of an even more ancient Heavenly Emperor, and can be traced back to the unknown chaotic ancient era."

His words made everyone pay attention, because as the Emperor's disciple and the former second-order successor of the ancient Heavenly Court, he must know many secrets and would not lie.

Boom!

At this moment, the Great Sage Tribulation that shook the heavens and the earth became even more intense, causing even the veteran Great Sages who had overcome this hurdle to change color and couldn't help but wonder if anyone could really overcome such an outrageous tribulation.
"There are many outstanding people, but if they can't get past the Great Sage, even if they are geniuses in the early stages, it's all useless, and in the end it will be a tragedy."

"Often, it is the Great Sage who blocks the way for geniuses."

The veteran Great Sages spoke up, and they were indeed qualified to say so, because the Great Sages had all fought their way through countless battles, crossed the single-plank bridge, experienced everything that geniuses have to go through, and ultimately went even further.

However, they also understood in their hearts that this Holy Venerable undergoing tribulation was different from them, stronger and more terrifying. The lightning tribulation could not stop him, and the moment the tribulation clouds dissipated would mean the end of their era.

The trend of the Great Sage will be led by him!

Boom! The lightning tribulation rolled and surged, and there were too many prehistoric monsters there, including great demons, gods and demons, corpse demons, and celestial maidens recorded in ancient books.

Wang Hongwu stepped forward without retreating, his fists pounding, piercing through the great demon, tearing apart gods and demons, cleaving corpse demons with his palms, and smashing celestial maidens with his fists. He slaughtered his way through, and with a tremor of his arms, black and white energies surged up, transforming into a chaotic vortex.

With this single blow, that area vanished, reduced to cosmic dust and ashes. Then, all the mountains, rivers, and creatures of that region disappeared, leaving the universe clear and serene.

"Is it over?" one of the Great Sages asked in surprise. "Wasn't that a bit too fast?"
The Empress shook her head and said, "It's only just begun; those are just the prelude."

This is just the beginning? Upon hearing this, all the saints paused, unsure of what to say. They couldn't even withstand this wave of tribulation lightning!
Under the tribulation of lightning, Wang Hongwu gazed silently at the center of the sea of ​​clouds, which was colorful and varied. These were fragments of time rising and falling, like a long river of time that had been cut off, pierced, and imprisoned here. That area was hazy, as if it were connected to a world from countless years ago, allowing one to go back to that ancient era and world.

Various scenes unfolded within, as if the so-called eternal time and space were being crafted into a single painting. Within it, he heard the sighs of immortals, as if he had experienced a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation, struggling to cross the mortal realm.

This feeling was very strange. In an instant, he saw hundreds of scenes, including some living beings and some battle scenes. In a daze, he saw the sky stained with blood, and the corpses of powerful people falling from beyond the realm and crashing to the ground. The blood stained the mountains and rivers red. There was also a black hand that covered the sky and the sun, and the cold wind howled, as if the Netherworld had appeared in the human world, wanting to turn the whole world into a ghost prison.

These all seem to symbolize some past events, and in that painting, figures begin to emerge, human-shaped lightning, with faces identical to Wang Hongwu, but the power and characteristics they exude are completely different.

There was one with golden light soaring into the heavens, his golden body indestructible; there was one with purple aura stretching ten thousand miles eastward, his bloodthirsty power conquering the heavens; there was one with divine majesty, reigning over the pure lands and divine kingdoms; there was one with surging Yin energy, sitting cross-legged atop the pale, cold moon; there was one with ethereal immortality, his Daoist essence supreme; there was one with primordial wildness, transformed into a great demon... Various physiques and bloodlines appeared, all becoming part of the tribulation lightning!

Even more terrifying physical forms, including a lightning-infused body, are taking shape, possessing boundless power.

"Heh, ten thousand blood rallies, interesting." Wang Hongwu chuckled, and the ten great grotto heavens manifested, with all the celestial beings appearing to fight alongside him.

Boom! The star field trembled violently. The two sides clashed and sparked the most brilliant fireworks from the very first moment, like a magnificent rain shower, dazzling and beautiful. This power was devastating and could kill all living beings.

Blood formed from lightning splattered everywhere. Wang Hongwu shoved through the crowd, smashing the God King's body with a single punch. He then spun around and swept out the Sun King's head with a palm strike. With a flick of his knuckles, he pierced the Dark Night King's throat. With a stomp of his foot, he turned the Azure Body into a pile of mud from head to toe.

All those with royal bodies, dark bodies, light bodies, or underworld bodies were torn apart and shattered by him from the start. They didn't even have the right to fight back. A single punch killed a large number of them, and soon only the powerful bloodlines remained to clash with the nine celestial beings.

The Saint Venerable Zhe wielded the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, battling the Overlord Body Thunder Body; the Overlord Dou unleashed the Overlord Fist, directly confronting the Thunder Body of the Undying Golden Body; it was clearly a grand showdown between sworn enemies; the God Venerable Jie met the Divine Blood Thunder Body, the two gods vying for supremacy, determined to determine the true Supreme God of All Gods; the Immortal Venerable Dao floated up, blocking the Supreme Immortal Body Thunder Body, the two immortals colliding, with endless radiance.

The Demon Lord of the Lin character suppressed all things, punching the Primordial Demon Body and fighting fiercely with it; the Brahma Lord of the Bing character was majestic, radiating crimson and orange immortal light, stepping through thirty-three heavens to suppress the Brahma Battle Body... Various physiques and bloodlines fought in the sky, like a battle between gods and demons, which was shocking. What Wang Hongwu's true body faced was even more terrifying. A platinum figure of supreme god and saint descended, mysterious and holy, dominating all stars and myriad realms. That was the Divine Body!

Behind them, the Holy Body Dao Embryo stepped out, merging with heaven and earth, its power surpassing all others; the Primordial Spirit Holy Body moved through the void, drawing upon the power of the great universe, manifesting a myriad of extraordinary phenomena; and finally, the Chaos Body stood at the center of all paths, surrounded by three thousand chains of divine order, invincible in all directions.

Besides the evolution centered on the indestructible golden body, there are also many fusions based on divine blood, such as the divine demon body fused with the original demon body, the heavenly Dao body fused with the supreme immortal body, and the swastika god body combined with the Brahma battle body. One after another, combined physiques descend. This heavenly tribulation is obviously changing according to his accumulation in the great realm. Because he absorbed the power of other bloodlines, such changes occurred.

He faced off against them one by one, showcasing his perfect battle physique by combining his unique features. He unleashed a furious barrage of punches, striking against the true Chaos Body. His opponent was protected by Chaos, impervious to all laws and blood energy. Any killing move or power was assimilated into the laws. Meanwhile, his killing moves were constantly amplified by countless laws and assimilated by Chaos, making him arguably the most terrifying opponent.

The dragon's horn slammed into the sky and collided with the divine body, with divine light and holy radiance shining endlessly between the dragon and the snake rising from the land; the Kunpeng's wings struck the divine body's Dao embryo, and the physical body and magical power collided greatly; the Qilin's feet trampled the primordial spirit's divine body, and purple flames rolled and burned the heavens and earth; the Vermilion Bird's feathers flew and slashed, and ten consecutive blows shook the divine and demonic bodies, soaring through the kingdoms of gods and the burial ground of ten thousand demons; the Yin-Yang Eyes split into two polarities, silently resisting the three thousand orders controlled by the Heavenly Dao Body, and the light wheels of the ten great cave heavens flew up, and all the venerable ones descended to earth to compete with the myriad gods of Brahma.

"A flawless chaotic body is indeed terrifying." Wuliang Daoist murmured, carefully observing the lightning tribulation incarnation, which gave him a lot of enlightenment. The chaotic laws that protected him and the resonance of three thousand laws were simply invincible. Its own defense was abnormal enough that no one could penetrate it; its attacks had the effect of being blessed by the Heavenly Heart, and it could also assimilate the opponent's power and amplify itself, making it a monster that only takes in and never gives out.

A single strike from the will of Heaven! Wang Hongwu discovered that, apart from this most unique move, all other killing moves and the Nine Secrets were ineffective against the Chaos Body before him. It was not a matter of strength or rank, but rather that this was its inherent nature. Just as the Myriad Fires were ineffective against the Sun Body, this was a profound mystery of the origin. Upon seeing this, he unhesitatingly unleashed the Blade of the End of Dharma and the Extinction of the Path.

Clang! The merciless Heavenly Dao Blade descended from the sky, merging with the Yuanhuang Dao Sword, the Dao-Slaying Blade, the Divine Fire Blade, and the Self-Slaying Chains. It had been sublimated several times, making it truly terrifying and boundless. It was no longer within the realm of supernatural powers and techniques, but rather a phenomenon, an inevitable cycle of the decline of heaven and earth!

Therefore, the characteristics of the Chaotic Body could not stop this attack, and he had no choice but to use his killing move, transforming himself into a Chaotic Furnace to melt all laws and all paths, encompassing everything and not tolerating anything, directly clashing with the Heavenly Will Blade.

"Retreat!" The Great Sage shouted without hesitation and retreated.

Sure enough, the next moment, a surge of powerful energy burst forth, roaring past and affecting the two unlucky guys who were slower to run.

One of them screamed as he was assimilated by the chaos and completely melted into it; the other's hair turned white, his face became wrinkled, his lifespan declined significantly, and his cultivation level plummeted! This tragic scene made everyone pale and retreat repeatedly; even watching the battle was risky!
Meanwhile, Chaos Body and Wang Hongwu were both sent flying backward, their blood splattering across the sea of ​​lightning. Then they were forced to fly back, and a grand voice rang out: "Lin Bing Dou Zhe Jie Shu Zu Qian Xing!"

Nine secrets in one!

Both sides unleashed their ultimate killing moves simultaneously, with eternal immortal light bursting forth, intertwining and swirling wildly, sweeping across the entire tribulation ground.

Under the clash of these immortal techniques, all the surrounding lightning tribulation avatars and Heavenly Venerable battle shadows were annihilated, leaving only the two of them.

The ultimate secret! Wang Hongwu unleashed his killing move, the forbidden power suddenly appearing. Every move he made entered a supreme posture, as if he had ascended to immortality. Every move was perfect, constantly evolving and developing, and even merging with all other laws, possessing the power to break limits. He could ascend to immortality in one strike. The grand feeling of exhausting the ultimate Dao made all the saints take notice, and they were all shocked. They couldn't help but want to bow down and kowtow to the Supreme Dao Heavenly Venerable.

In an instant, the sky trembled and the earth shook, the four directions became unstable, and fire, wind and water appeared all at once, engulfing the chaotic body, as if to create a new world. Chaotic smoke and clouds danced, making it impossible to see clearly.

Only after this strike did everything return to silence, everything faded away, the lightning tribulation dissipated, and it could no longer be stopped.

Only Wang Hongwu remained standing in the starry sky, exuding the majesty of the Great Sage. Various strange phenomena, such as the Nine Phoenixes Paying Homage, the True Dragon Pulling the Chariot, the Bathing in Chaos, and the Blooming of Dao Flowers in the Starlight, kept rotating, shocking the world.

"Great Sage, after a hundred years, we have finally reached this point."

Wang Hongwu took a deep breath. Having survived the Great Sage Tribulation, he was now a true patriarch-level figure, able to look down upon an entire star field.

At only one hundred years old, he became a Great Sage, making him arguably the youngest Great Sage since the beginning of mythology. He is exceptionally outstanding wherever he is placed. Compared to the lifespan of Great Sages, which is often six or seven thousand years, he is really too young. He has only just begun his journey.

"He's become the Great Sage!" "Is he about to become invincible?"

"Without a Quasi-Emperor, who can contend with us?" "Those powerful clans are probably going to panic again. It's terrifying to have such a Great Sage reigning over the world."

All the saints were stunned, feeling a chill run down their spines. They were already so terrifying when they were still in the Saint King realm, and now that they have become this strong, who can defeat them?

In fact, a single Great Sage can sweep across an entire star field, and if a Saint Venerable becomes a Great Sage, sweeping across all realms would probably not be a problem, even without the emergence of Quasi-Emperors.

Wang Hongwu stretched his body, causing the heavens and earth to rumble. A vast ocean of energy entered his body, making him glow. The solar blood within him became increasingly sacred, and purple aura emerged from the red clouds, as if he had embarked on a different path.

"This fluctuation of flesh and blood, his physical body is like a legendary holy weapon!" One after another, the Great Saints were stunned. Every rhythm of the Holy Venerable's flesh and bones was like the soft hum of a Dao weapon.

What kind of powerful physique must this be? It's so terrifying. I imagine that a single spurt of blood would be enough to destroy a piece of the Nine Heavens Divine Jade, and a single punch would be enough to destroy even the most powerful sacred artifact.

In the end, Wang Hongwu broke through the passage and descended upon the Second Imperial Pass. His blood energy was contained, and he regained his composure, but his every move exuded a Daoist aura that commanded the awe of all living beings.

Once you reach this level, you will naturally have an aura of power. Of course, with a little effort and deliberate concealment, you can completely transform into an ordinary person and make yourself undetectable, but there is no need for that.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist." Zhang Bairen cupped his hands in a gesture of respect from afar, offering his sincere congratulations. Among the crowd, he was the most composed, seemingly there to observe rather than compete for supremacy.

Wang Hongwu nodded in acknowledgment, and then stepped onto the ancient road in the city. The Heavenly Empress, Wuliang Daoist and others had already left to seek their own opportunities in the city. The next time they met would obviously be with other calamity stars.

The buildings inside the Second Imperial Pass are ancient and mysterious, suspended in mid-air, filled with purple mist and a peaceful atmosphere. Deep inside, there are eight pillars of light, signifying the residences of eight imperial figures.

Wang Hongwu arrived at his resting place, recuperated for a year, adapted to the various changes of the Great Sage realm, and re-refined his various supernatural abilities before emerging from seclusion.

As soon as he came out, he saw Zhang Bairen, who smiled and bowed, saying, "I apologize for disturbing you, fellow Daoist. I have come here to exchange ideas with you."

Such things rarely happen in this Imperial Pass. People generally don't step into other people's cultivation grounds, as doing so might trigger a battle.

Because everyone who embarks on this path is a competitor, and in the end only one person can stand at the top. If you keep going, there will be a battle sooner or later.

However, Wang Hongwu knew his purpose and temperament, so he smiled and said, "You came to find me because of the ancient method, right? In this world, only the two of us are practicing it. But strictly speaking, there is another person, but his condition is rather special."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bairen smiled and said, "Brother Wang, you are indeed insightful. I have come here to exchange ideas on the old methods with you."

He was born with a mortal body and no special bloodline, yet he was unfathomable, upright and peaceful, without any special charm.

Wang Hongwu also wanted to have a conversation with this orthodox practitioner of the old methods, so he released his two secret realm Dao seeds, revealing the essence of their evolution.

"Oh? So that's how you find another way. Brother Wang is truly talented, grasping the true essence of using one's own body as a seed. It's closer to the most original idea and path. However, it will be very difficult to realize it in this world. Not everyone can access immortal artifacts and the Chaos Divine Land to cultivate." Zhang Bairen was shocked after feeling the power of the Yin-Yang Dao Seed and the Five Elements Dao Seed, and praised them repeatedly. This gave him great enlightenment.

Similarly, he also showed Wang Hongwu his old method route, as well as the various mysteries of the realm of escape, the so-called Great Evolution of Fifty, the escape of one, the old method in this realm is to explain such mysteries.

When the discussion reached a fever pitch, Zhang Bairen also shared many secrets from the ancient times and the end of the chaotic era.

Upon seeing the illusory image of the Six Paths Wheel that appeared during Wang Hongwu's cultivation, Zhang Bairen's expression changed drastically. He cupped his hands and said, "This is an extraordinary thing, involving the Six Paths of Reincarnation. My knowledge of it is also very limited. But if you are interested in exploring it further, you might as well go to the legendary Tongtian Land to search for it. This was told to me by a Heavenly Emperor senior a long time ago."

The Land of Heaven? Wang Hongwu had some recollection of it and secretly memorized it. He would have Duan De dig it out later, as Duan De was an expert in this area.

After another year of communication, the two parted ways and embarked on their own journeys to the Second Calamity Star.

Before parting, Zhang Bairen gave him a drop of immortal spring water, which he had obtained in ancient times. It could be used to nourish the divine seed in Wang Hongwu's hands. It had already been revitalized by absorbing the Heavenly Venerable's Life Spring Liquid, and now, with further nourishment, it could dissolve the stone skin and alleviate its half-crippled state.

The path to the Second Tribulation Star is a stone staircase. Wang Hongwu passed through the Imperial Pass and stepped onto the staircase. All around was desolate, with only this stone staircase leading to the end of eternity and the unknown. Occasionally, chaotic energy would permeate the air, revealing the remoteness and profundity of this place.

Around the stone steps, large stars adorned the area, making him feel as if he had ascended to the heavens and entered the universe. But just as he reached the end of the steps and took another step, the world suddenly changed.

In an instant, the surroundings transformed into a starry sky, revealing an ancient planet inhabited by life. He was transported to the interior of the planet, where there were no palaces or mountains and rivers, only a vast mound of earth.

The dark red earth was barren, with only scattered mounds of earth in front of it. The earth looked as if it had been stained with blood, and the color inevitably evoked associations with the past.

Wang Hongwu carefully examined the hills, noting their strange shapes, which resembled large tombs.
Is this planet, plagued by calamities, filled with graves?
Even more coincidentally, he encountered another figure here, namely the ancient prince of the Light Clan.

"Young man, become my follower."

In an instant, a voice rang in the ears of the ancient prince of the Light Clan, surprising him. When he turned around, his expression changed drastically.

That person was none other than the Holy Venerable!
(End of this chapter)