The Great Ruler: Starting from the Dark Ages

Chapter 145 Returning to the Immortal Ancient Times
The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward.

This was the first time Xu He had examined something so closely.

Every wave is a piece of the history of the star field, and every spray is a lost ancient star.

What is deposited at the bottom of the river is not silt, but endless remnants of the world.

Compared to the path to immortality that leads from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths to the Immortal Realm, there is far less bloodshed and violence here.
But it has been enriched by the passage of time and the weight of sorrow.

The journey of each generation forms history.

One historical record after another forms the long river of time.

The river is wide and boundless, with no beginning and no end. Even the true immortals would get lost here, and only cultivators at the Immortal King level can set foot here.

Only when several immortal kings invaded last time was this vast and boundless river of time crowded.

Xu He continued walking, and by this point, he had lost track of how long he had been walking.

Each step represents ten thousand years; before him, time is like a film playing backwards, born from death.

From ruin to rise, from annihilation to revival.

Gradually, he also felt tired.

But his steps remained steady, and the fighting spirit in his eyes never faded.

Step by step, leading straight to eternity.

He could feel that the current flow of time was like a baptism for him, and with each step forward, his inner strength was deepened.

This blessing was so terrifying that Xu He felt disoriented.

If the river of time were to further refine me, I would then enter the realm of the Immortal King.

"The laws of existence, past and present, test themselves. Now it is the test of time, which is somewhat similar, except that a great calamity has not yet descended."

In the boundless river of time, only the surging waters and Xu He's voice echo.

He saw it all: the rise of Wushi, the tears of the ruthless one, the destruction of the ancient Heavenly Court, and the ascension of the Desolate Heavenly Emperor to immortality…

Finally, he stopped going.

We have found the place we sought: the Immortal Ancient Era!

“I have arrived… Let the rumors of disaster and calamity begin from the ancient times.” Xu He’s gaze became more determined, and all his fatigue vanished.

In the brief instant that the vortex gate appeared, he took a step out and completely set foot in the nine heavens and ten earths!

A young man arrived in the Immortal Ancient Era.

Someone who doesn't belong here has arrived.

The spiritual energy here is abundant, the laws are extremely perfect, and divine springs can be seen gushing everywhere.

Xu He didn't know which region this was, but he could tell it was extraordinary from the presence of supreme beings of the human realm everywhere and the gathering of beings from the immortal realm.

Xu He pondered for a moment, and then his figure disappeared from the spot.

His appearance and disappearance went unnoticed by anyone in the area.

Within a temple in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, a monk-like cultivator opened his eyes and looked at another man in the main hall, who had also opened his eyes.

"You noticed it too?" the monk asked.

The person opposite nodded, somewhat doubtfully: "The aliens have attacked? That's strange; they wouldn't have done this before."

Both of them were filled with doubt, and finally looked at a person not far away.

The man sat cross-legged with his back to the two men.

After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"They are friends, not enemies."

As soon as the words were spoken, both cultivators raised their eyebrows, somewhat surprised.

"Friends, not enemies? Then why are you acting so suspiciously?" The monk-like cultivator's lips twitched. "When did the Immortal Kings of the Immortal Realm learn to infiltrate the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?"

The figure with its back to the crowd stirred slightly, its eyes filled with unprecedented confusion.

"It's not another realm, nor is it a celestial realm..."

"Human cultivators are more like the native cultivators of my Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."

Both the Immortal Monk King and the Six Paths of Reincarnation Immortal King sensed that aura.

Extremely powerful, yet utterly unfamiliar—that was all fine. What struck them as most strange was the faint, elusive aura of the River of Time.

"Where did this Celestial King come from?" the Celestial Monk King asked in bewilderment.

The Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King stood up and said, "It is a bit strange. Logically speaking, even an Immortal King would not dare to truly step into the past and future. I will go and meet him."

Just as the Six Paths of Reincarnation Immortal King was about to leave, he was stopped by the Endless Immortal King, who solemnly said:

"They are friends, not enemies, and the foreign army is about to attack. It would be unwise to divide our forces at this time."

Thinking of that aggressive foreign land, the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King also sat down at this moment.

Previously, the alien army had twice attacked the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, both times without success. Everyone knew that with the alien army's ferocious nature, the current calm was only brewing the next storm. The Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King just did not expect it to come so quickly this time.

"Will this battle be difficult?" Immortal Monk King walked over and looked at Wuzhong Immortal King, whose brows were furrowed.

The Immortal King Wuzhong remained silent for a long time. In fact, everyone understood some things, but this time it was really difficult.

"The Immortal Realm may not intervene in this battle." In the end, he explained everything to the two of them.

As soon as the words were spoken, both the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King and the Immortal Monk King were startled and exclaimed in unison:
"Impossible! Although the Immortal Realm is arrogant, surely it understands the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'? If my Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are destroyed first, how can the Immortal Realm survive?" the Immortal Monk King said indignantly.

Although he didn't believe any of this, he had no choice but to believe what the Immortal King Wuzhong said.

As the undisputed leader of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, his words are by no means baseless.

The Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King rose angrily and roared:

"Are they really so cold-hearted? Do they have no regard for our past alliance? Do they really want me to attack the Immortal Realm?"

At this moment, both of them could glean from the Immortal Realm's attitude the alien realm's determination to conquer the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

But I just couldn't calm my anger.

"It's just the coldness of human nature," the Immortal King Wuzhong said slowly. "What else can we do now? It's just another battle. But fortunately, my Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are not weak and incompetent."

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths of today are actually quite powerful in some respects.

The Nine Heavenly Lords are all unparalleled powerhouses, all at the pinnacle of the True Immortal Realm. Among them, the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord and the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Lord are even quasi-Immortal Kings. There are also the Seven Kings of the Borderlands, the Ten Ancient Fiends, and several of them are indeed Immortal Kings. There is also the mysterious Ancient Immortal Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit.

If you really count them, there are at least two Immortal Kings.

However, the other realm is simply too powerful.

The Immortal King Wuzhong knew that the other realm seemed to possess some kind of magical artifact that could facilitate the leap of True Immortals and Immortal Kings to higher levels of life.

As a result, their strength in other realms continued to rise, until they were no longer afraid of the combined forces of the Immortal Realm and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Although the final outcome of the battle will most likely still be that the enemy is defeated, there is absolutely no precedent in the world for surrendering a country so easily!

The Celestial Kings all understood this.

"There's no need for everyone to be so pessimistic. I've already foreseen the changes that might occur." The Immortal King Wuzhong recalled his recent enlightenment: "This battle will take a turn for the better someday, and now, I can feel that turning point drawing ever closer."

Both the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King and the Immortal Monk King were startled upon hearing this, not believing that the Endless Immortal King was trying to comfort them. They all knew, especially the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King, who had considerable knowledge of reincarnation, was particularly familiar with the matter.

Long ago, after a period of seclusion, the Immortal King Wuzhong said that Wuzhong was not the true end, but Wushi was the true end.

Therefore, there is a rumor that the Immortal King Wuzhong wants to change his name to the Immortal King Wushi.

He had a good understanding of reincarnation and had once joked with the Immortal King Wuzhong, but now it seems that he has really come to some enlightenment.

"A turning point?" the Immortal Monk King murmured at that moment.

In the minds of the three, the recent events had actually come together.

A strange immortal king, imbued with the aura of the long river of time, was neither a cultivator from another realm nor an enemy; he was a friend, not a foe.

Could that turning point be him?
All three of them were pondering this.

After a long while, the Immortal King Wuzhong observed Xu He for a long time before finally making a decision: "No one should disturb him. I can sense that he is currently in a strange state. Even if it is not a turning point, it can be a great help in this battle."

As soon as the words were spoken, both the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King and the Immortal Monk King abandoned their idea of ​​discussing the Dao with Xu He.

A young Celestial King is extremely valuable to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths at present. If a united front is ever formed, he will surely become a surprise force.

They knew that Xu He was currently in the Great Red Heaven.

The Great Crimson Heavenly Lord was preaching, and not far away, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass stood guard (sunbathing).
Immortal Kings and Quasi-Immortal Kings often exchange insights and gain more understanding, which nourishes their own Great Dao. In their view, Xu He may have gone to preach to the Great Crimson Heaven Lord.

"I have a feeling that the alien realm is about to attack." The Immortal King Wuzhong looked up at the border: "Tell the Seven Kings to be on guard, and also tell those Ten Fiends not to go into seclusion."

A storm is brewing, a calamity is about to unfold, and a chapter of blood and tears is about to begin...

Great Red Sky.

Xu He finally figured out his location: Da Chi Tian.

The fact that supreme beings are now everywhere and immortal spirits are flying all over the place is not simply due to the overwhelming power and resources of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Instead, it was the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord preaching the Dao in the heavens, and countless cultivators went there with devout hearts seeking the Dao.

Of course, the "heaven above" of the Great Crimson Heaven is not the heaven that Xu He is familiar with, but a place of quiet cultivation opened up by the Lord of the Great Crimson Heaven, located high in the Great Crimson Heaven, with an incomparably magnificent aura.

"So, by accident, you actually benefited?"

Xu He murmured, knowing that he was currently in the Immortal Ancient Era, but not the exact time he would arrive here. In any case, he chose to arrive before the foreign lands opened their gates.

But in the long river of time, a single step can span ten thousand years, and he truly cannot grasp the exact span of time.

Anyway, his previous thought was that if he had arrived earlier, he would have tried to break through to the Immortal King realm in this world, or try to open up the sixth secret realm.

The preaching of the Great Crimson Heaven Master is truly a gain.

Xu He knew that the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord was not a true Immortal King, but he was the one among the nine Heavenly Lords who was closest to the Immortal King level. Given enough time, he could truly step into the realm of the Immortal King.

If a celestial being were to deliver this sermon, then they would inevitably have some knowledge of the path to becoming a Celestial King.

Learning from others' paths to improve one's own is Xu He's consistent practice, and many cultivators follow the same approach.

Having made his decision, Xu He vanished in a flash, quickly leaving the area.

The next moment, he appeared in the Great Crimson Heaven.

His appearance went unnoticed by anyone; having reached the pinnacle of immortality, he feared no ordinary immortal king.

Although he couldn't escape the detection of Immortal King level cultivators, Xu He had been there for so long that, apart from Immortal King Wuzhong and a few others observing the situation, he was also waiting for the attitude of several Immortal King level cultivators.

By not appearing or contacting anyone, they were, to some extent, tacitly approving of their actions and adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

In that case, Xu He would not be polite at all.

He desperately wanted to break through to the Immortal King realm and also desperately wanted to open up the sixth secret realm.

Learning from others' paths will undoubtedly accelerate this process.

The Great Crimson Heavenly Lord preaching was a rare occurrence, especially since this was his first sermon after emerging from seclusion. Many sensed that he would impart something truly valuable.

Therefore, many figures appeared in the Boundless Heavenly Lord, the Pure Subtle Heavenly Lord, the Yu Yu Heavenly Lord, as well as in the Ten Lands, the Land of Rising Demons, the Land of Slaying Immortal Emperors, and the Three Thousand Dao States.

At a glance, there were no fewer than a hundred supreme-level figures.

There are only a handful of True Immortal Realm experts.

Its scale and momentum far surpass those of the past.

"Is the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord really about to break through to the Immortal King realm? This aura is too powerful, too sacred." A Supreme-level cultivator's eyes revealed envy.

Even True Immortal Realm experts who knew the difficulties involved were full of admiration:
"With the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord laughing like this, I'm afraid another Immortal King will emerge in our Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. In the future, the Immortal King Wuzhong will face less pressure in the struggle against the foreign realms."

"Forget about those things. The sermon has begun. How much of it we can truly glean from it is what matters." One of the cultivators quickly sat down cross-legged.

Xu He was also among them, taking in everything.

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are not as divided as they were in the chaotic ancient times; at least on the surface, they are still quite united.

Xu He may not know about other things, but one thing is certain.

They would never betray their own prodigy to sign a "peace agreement" that's not even worth as much as toilet paper.

This is not only due to the overall strength of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, but also highly related to the effective governance of the Immortal King Wuzhong and the Immortal King Liudaoshen.

"It is truly an honor for my humble abode to have fellow Daoists grace us with their presence," said the Lord of the Great Crimson Heaven with a smile.

This is the same old opening line, but Xu He never thought that this kind of social etiquette could be passed down for thousands of years, and he doesn't know who started this precedent.

Faced with the polite greetings of the Great Red Lord, all sides were equally polite.

"I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I'll share my insights on the journey from Supreme to True Immortal, Quasi-Immortal King, and beyond to the Immortal King realm. I hope this will be helpful to you all."

As soon as the Great Crimson Lord finished speaking, he raised his hand and a Daoist diagram appeared.

That was not some kind of magic weapon, but rather a manifestation of the fruits of one's cultivation.

The moment the Dao diagram appeared, the Golden Lotus of the Great Dao bloomed, gradually spreading throughout the entire Great Crimson Heaven.

This is the Great Red Heavenly Lord demonstrating the fruits of his life's path; one could say he is extremely selfless and possesses great courage.

Endless Taoist and Zen chants emanated, affecting the entire heavens and earth.

Countless cultivators were invigorated at this moment, and admired the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord even more. They realized in time that all the gains ultimately depended on how much they could comprehend themselves.

In the fickle weather of early spring, the Daoist spirit causes the grass to turn green and flowers to bloom, and divine springs to gush forth.

The boundless Daoist essence can benefit anyone, whether they are a supreme being of the human realm, a true immortal, or even a cultivator at the quasi-immortal king level.

Even Xu He, in his sermons, also made up for any omissions or deficiencies.

He felt that his Dao and Dharma were constantly being perfected, and that the ancient immortal Dharma and the Dharma of the present world were colliding and merging. Perhaps he could really glimpse the Dharma of the Immortal King from it.

Some time passed, and then the sermon ended.

Countless people were still eager for more and wanted the Great Red Heavenly Lord to continue preaching, although this was highly unlikely.

Everyone believed that this provincial capital event would end at this moment.

But to everyone's surprise, the Great Crimson Heavenly Lord suddenly changed the subject, looked at Xu He in the crowd, and said with a smile:

“My friend, Celestial King, you have been observing here for quite some time. Why don’t you come up and have a chat?”

(End of this chapter)