High Martial Arts: Liver Becomes the Master of the Universe

Chapter 383 Celebrating the Clerk, Terra's Sacred Medal! Qin Feng's Path to Sainthood! The Changing Landscape of the Endless Sea!

The grand celebration of a century must eventually come to an end.

The fervent wave that swept across the entire Holy Academy and even the entire human territory, sparked by the return of one person, gradually transformed from outward celebration into a more introspective and profound collective will over time.

But everyone knows that the end of the celebration does not mean the end of the matter.

On the contrary, a more solemn and sacred ceremony, worthy of being recorded in the highest chapter of human civilization's official history, is brewing.

The Holy House, Valhalla.

This is the most sacred and solemn place in the entire holy land of the human race.

It is not a building in the traditional sense, but a spiritual sanctuary independent of the highest dimension, jointly constructed by the heroic spirits and immortal achievements of the ancestors of the human race.

The hall is boundless, and above the dome flows a slowly flowing river of time, in which countless glittering points of light rise and fall. Each point of light represents a hero who shed his last drop of blood for the human race.

The ground is made of pure white jade formed from the power of pure faith. It is so shiny that it reflects the starry sky above the dome, making it seem as if stepping on it is walking on the long sky of history.

Normally, this place is empty and quiet. Only newly admitted members of the Holy Academy are required to come here to pay homage to the sages and remember history upon entering the academy.

Today, this temple, which has been silent for millions of years, is celebrating its grandest and most crowded day in history.

Inside the hall, people thronged, yet you could hear a pin drop.

An extreme sense of solemnity permeated every inch of the space.

Nearly a thousand figures stood silently in front of the main hall.

They are almost all the existing Emperor-level powerhouses of the human race.

The Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor, the Five Elements Emperor... these heroes who have just returned from the bloody battle of Eternal Mountain, the living ancient foundations like the Limit Lord, and those Sky-Supporting giants who have always guarded the various border fortresses of the human race and rarely leave, have all come at this moment.

Nearly a thousand Emperors gathered together; this power was enough to make the cosmic sea tremble.

However, at this moment, they all concealed all their aura and pressure, like silent statues, waiting quietly.

Behind them were hundreds of thousands of equally upright figures.

Those were all the king-level powerhouses of the human race!
They formed a forest of steel, and every face was filled with solemnity and reverence.

The emperor was appointed as a general, and the king was appointed as a soldier.

This is humanity's most advanced, almost complete, violent machinery.

They gathered here not for war, but to... bear witness!
Witness a living legend and receive the supreme glory he deserves.

At the very front of the main hall is a ninety-nine-step awarding platform, formed by the flow of the river of time.

On the high platform, the Lord of Limits stood alone with his hands behind his back, waiting for today's protagonist.

"when--!"

A long and sacred bell rang out once again throughout the sanctuary.

But this time, it's no longer the "Bell of the Holy Spirit," but the "Bell of Merit" that belongs exclusively to Valhalla.

Nine chimes signify that the recipient possesses the unparalleled merit of protecting their people and restoring order to the world!

As the echoes of the ninth bell slowly faded, the grand hall's doors, constructed of light and faith, silently opened.

A figure in black robes, bathed in the dazzling golden light projected from outside the door—a light that seemed to be formed from the very essence of humanity's destiny—slowly walked in, step by step.

Qin Feng.

He changed out of his everyday clothes and into a specially made, jet-black award ceremonial uniform, representing the highest honor of humanity. The uniform had no superfluous decorations, except for a sword embroidered with golden divine thread piercing through the stars on the chest, symbolizing the pioneering, enterprising, and indomitable spirit of human civilization.

His face remained calm.

His eyes remained deep and profound.

But when he stepped into the Hall of Heroes and felt the indomitable will of the ancients permeating the air, his usually calm mind involuntarily stirred with a sense of... solemnity.

He started walking and climbed the ninety-nine steps of the platform.

His steps were neither fast nor slow, each step seeming to land on a historical juncture.

Inside the entire hall, nearly a thousand emperors and hundreds of thousands of kings all had their eyes focused on him.

There was no jealousy or resentment in their eyes.

Only genuine, pure, and heartfelt recognition and respect...

Because everyone knows that without this man, there would be over seven hundred cold memorial tablets standing here right now.

The entire human race will be plunged into a dark abyss that will last for tens of millions of years due to this devastating loss.

It was he who, single-handedly, reversed the tide.

It was he who, with unparalleled divine power, carved out a bright and clear world for the human race!
This achievement is enough to put us on par with the sages of humankind throughout history!
One step, two steps...

Qin Feng walked very steadily.

He walked past the gazes of hundreds of thousands of kings.

He passed by nearly a thousand emperors who had been granted titles of honor.

Finally, he arrived at the foot of that high platform and stood before the Lord of Limits.

The two of them looked at each other.

"Qin Feng."

The Lord of Limits spoke slowly, his voice no longer the usual amiable one, but carrying a sacred and solemn quality representing the will of the entire human civilization.

Do you know why I have summoned you here today?

"Know."

Qin Feng nodded slightly and responded calmly.

"it is good."

The Lord of Limits said no more. He turned around and faced the dark mass of the legion below the platform, representing the highest fighting force of the human race.

His voice, imbued with supreme majesty, resounded through the laws of the Hall of Heroes, reaching every corner of the Holy Academy and even spreading across the entire human realm's network.

"Humanity, born of humble origins, rose from resistance."

“Every inch of starry sky beneath our feet is soaked in the blood of our ancestors.”

"Every ray of glory in our civilization is fueled by the spirit of heroes."

History should be remembered. Meritorious deeds should be celebrated.

"Today, in my capacity as the rotating Speaker of the Human Race Holy Academy, I hereby announce to the entire race... an achievement!"

His voice was strong and resonant.

"At the foot of Mount Eternal Life, all races have laid an ambush, setting up the [Ten Thousand Heavens God Sealing Formation], intending to trap and kill our race's seven hundred and twenty-eight emperors, including the Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor and the Five Elements Emperor, and cut off the future path of our human race."

"This is an unprecedented deadly trap, a crisis that threatens the extinction of our race!"

"However, in times of crisis, heroes return!"

The Lord of Limits suddenly turned his gaze to Qin Feng, and his voice abruptly became louder!

"Ultimate God Emperor, Qin Feng!"

"Arriving alone as the building was on the verge of collapse!"

"To walk alone amidst the encirclement of ten thousand troops, with sword in hand!"

"He single-handedly broke through the ancient killing formation! He slew 2,317 alien emperors! He saved over 700 of his compatriots from dire straits and averted the collapse of the human race!"

"This battle has demonstrated the divine might of our human race and deterred all other races! It has laid an unshakeable foundation for our human race in this golden age!"

Such achievements should be praised for eternity!

"Such a hero deserves... the utmost respect from the entire clan!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Lord of Limits turned around abruptly to face Qin Feng.

In his hand, without anyone noticing, there appeared an antique wooden box carved from the heartwood of the World Tree.

He slowly opened the wooden box.

Om-! ! !
A dazzling golden light, indescribable in words and filled with “sacredness,” “protection,” “courage,” and “unyielding” will, shot into the sky from the wooden box!

The golden light was so pure and so intense that the will of the heroic spirits of all the past sages in the entire Hall of Heroes was stirred at this moment, emitting a resonant hum!

Everyone's attention was drawn to the golden light.

Inside the wooden box, a medal with an antique design and a dark gold color that looked as if it were burning with flames lay quietly.

The main body of the medal is a shield, symbolizing "protection".

Engraved on the shield is a blue planet, Terra, the homeworld of humanity.

Above the planet is a sharp sword that pierces through darkness and chaos, symbolizing "pioneering" and "unyielding".

This is the highest-level symbol of merit for humanity—the [Holy Terra Medal]!
Throughout human history, no more than ten people have ever received this medal!

The previous recipient was the only living human being in existence, the supreme saint who suppressed the fate of the race!
"Qin Feng!"

The Lord of Limits carefully held up the medal with both hands.

His gaze became more solemn than ever before.

"This medal is named [Holy Terra]."

"Its core is the primordial divine metal—the [Courage Divine Metal]—born at the beginning of the universe, embodying the concepts of 'courage' and 'protection.' It was forged over billions of years by the sages of humanity throughout history!"

"It is more than just an honor."

The voice of the Lord of Limits carried a profound meaning that only a few top-tier emperors could understand.

"It is also a... inheritance of power!"

"【Courageous Divine Gold】possesses unparalleled power to unleash potential, dispel all evil, and solidify one's Dao heart. If you can completely refine it and integrate it with your own Dao, it will be enough to take your strength to the next level!"

"Today, on behalf of humanity, I bestow this glory and this power upon you!"

"May you continue to uphold the spirit of this medal."

"For the sake of humanity, we will protect!"

"For the sake of humanity, let us explore!"

"For the sake of humanity... fight to the very end!!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Lord of Limits, holding the medal in his hands, walked step by step to Qin Feng.

He reached out and solemnly pinned the [Holy Terra Medal], which carried the highest honor and endless expectations of the human race, to Qin Feng's chest.

The moment the medal touched the dress.

A blazing, warm current, as if it were igniting the very soul, flowed along the medal into Qin Feng's body.

In that instant, Qin Feng felt that his already extremely solidified [Limit Body] was emitting a series of eager "humming" sounds once again! His calm and unwavering Dao heart became even more crystal clear and untainted under the influence of this pure "courage" will.

He could clearly sense that within this medal lay a vast primordial power that would drive any emperor mad!

Given enough time to completely refine this [Courageous Divine Gold], his strength will definitely experience another leap forward!

"...Thank you."

Feeling the heavy weight and the burning power in his chest, a hint of emotion finally surfaced in Qin Feng's eternally calm eyes.

He raised his head, looking at the Lord of Limits, and at the nearly a thousand emperors and hundreds of thousands of kings below the high platform.

He nodded slowly.

Then, he raised his right hand, clenched his fist, placed it horizontally across his chest, and gently touched the [Holy Terra Medal] that he had just pinned on.

This is a promise.

A silent promise, yet heavier than any vow.

Seeing this, the Lord of Limits smiled with satisfaction.

He stepped back, turned around, and faced everyone again.

He raised his right hand high.

Then, suddenly, clench your fist and place it horizontally in front of your chest!
This is an ancient gesture, originating from the highest level of military etiquette among humans.

One, representing absolute trust, absolute respect, and absolute obedience... a military salute!
Swish-! ! !
Below the high platform, the Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor, the Five Elements Emperor, and nearly a thousand other Emperor-level experts, without the slightest hesitation, simultaneously raised their right hands, clenched their fists, and pounded their chests!

Their movements were synchronized and powerful!
Swish—! Swish—! Swish—! Swish—!
Behind them, the steel forest composed of hundreds of thousands of King-level experts also made the same move at the same moment!
Hundreds of thousands of arms rose at the same time.

Hundreds of thousands of fists pounded on the chest simultaneously.

Those perfectly synchronized movements coalesced into a silent, yet powerful, torrent of steel that seemed to freeze time and space!

At this moment, the entire Hall of Heroes fell silent.

Only those gazes, filled with absolute respect and conviction.

Only those perfectly executed, solemn and dignified military salutes.

In this most traditional and purest way, they faced the man on the high platform, the one wearing the [Holy Terra Medal] on his chest, the leader of their new era of humanity...

With the highest respect!
On the high platform, Qin Feng stood solemnly and dignified.

He met the hundreds of thousands of fervent and convinced gazes, and his chest slowly straightened.

He knew that from this moment on...

The responsibility he shoulders is no longer just his own "path to the limit".

More importantly... a civilized future.

……

The grand occasion of the awarding ceremony is like a brand, deeply engraved in the soul of every witness.

The scene of nearly a thousand emperors and hundreds of thousands of kings bowing together has become an eternal totem in the hearts of the new generation of humankind, inspiring countless geniuses to bravely move forward along the path opened up by that figure in black robes.

As the center of all this, Qin Feng chose to go into seclusion again after the ceremony.

He did not revel in the joy of victory or the reverence of his people.

Because he knew better than anyone else that the battle at Mount Eternal Life, which seemed to be the pinnacle of his glory, was in reality just the starting point for him to truly ascend to the top of this universe.

The evaluation of "Invincible under the Holy One" is certainly the highest honor.

However, the phrase "under the emperor" itself is a kind of constraint.

"Without entering the realm of sainthood, one remains but an ant." This saying resonates particularly deeply with him now.

His current power is enough to easily obliterate any Emperor-level being. But facing a true Saint, he still lacks complete confidence. Saints are beings on another level of existence; they wield the Holy Path, their words become law, and they have begun to transcend the constraints of the universe's laws. This is not a gap that can be bridged by simply adding more power.

Moreover, above that sacred realm, there are even more ancient and terrifying "venerable ones," and even the legendary four evil gods who wield the ultimate power over the universe.

His journey is still long.

The Holy Academy is located within the highest-level cultivation realm—the "Primordial Space"—which was specially created for Qin Feng.

The spacetime flow here has been adjusted to a terrifying ratio of one in ten thousand compared to the outside world.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged in a pure void. There was no energy, no laws, not even the concepts of time and space; it was an absolute place of "zero." Only in this way could an existence of his level prevent the collapse of dimensions due to the dissipation of power when cultivating at full strength.

On his chest, the [Holy Terra Medal], symbolizing the highest honor of humanity, floated silently.

At this moment, it is no longer an ancient, dark gold, but radiates a pure golden light, as intense and brilliant as the rising sun, full of endless "courage" and "protection".

The medal, constructed from the primordial divine metal [Courage Divine Metal], was being refined bit by bit by Qin Feng's Imperial Dao Origin and the [Primordial Furnace] into the most fundamental "concept" particles, and then slowly merging into his [Limit Body], which was silver-white with emerald divine light.

This is an extremely long and extremely painful process.

【Courageous Divine Gold】is a divine object born at the very beginning of the universe, along with the concept of "courage." It is itself a manifestation of the "Tao." To refine it is equivalent to forcibly integrating a "Tao" that does not belong to oneself into one's body and soul.

Any other Emperor, even a peak Emperor, would only be able to carefully absorb the power emanating from such a divine object to temper themselves, and would never dare to hope to completely "devour" it.

Because once one's own "Dao" cannot suppress the pure, almost savage "courage" will within the [Courage Divine Gold], the final result is the collapse of one's Dao heart, being assimilated by the Divine Gold, and turning into a war puppet who only knows how to fight and is fearless of death.

But Qin Feng is different.

His path is [the limit].

It is the Tao that encompasses everything and transcends everything.

His [Primordial Singularity] possesses the supreme characteristic of melting all laws and returning to the origin.

"Om-!"

As the last wisp of golden "courage" concept particles was completely absorbed by Qin Feng's [Limit Body].

His already near-perfect immortal battle body underwent another astonishing transformation.

The body, which was originally a blend of silver and emerald green, now has a faint yet seemingly indestructible dark golden halo.

This halo is neither an energy shield nor a blessing from laws.

It is a manifestation of... "will".

An absolute courage and will to never yield or retreat, no matter what dire situation one faces!

This willpower gave his [Limited Body] an additional, most domineering, attribute on top of its existing "Recovery," "Resilience," and "Creation" attributes—Spellbreaker!
Courage is the sword that cuts through all falsehood and fear.

Once this will is integrated into the [Limited Body], every attack Qin Feng makes will naturally be accompanied by a layer of "conceptual" spell-breaking effect.

No matter how strong the enemy's defenses are, or how ingenious the structure of the laws, they will all waver slightly in the face of his attack due to the impact of his "courageous" will.

For a battle of his caliber, even the slightest wavering could determine life or death!
"call……"

Qin Feng slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air carrying a faint golden light.

He opened his eyes.

Outside, thirty thousand years have quietly passed.

Within the secret realm, three hundred million years have passed.

He looked down at his hands. The dark golden halo had completely receded, giving his skin a warm, jade-like texture.

He could clearly feel that he had become stronger.

A comprehensive and fundamental improvement.

His imperial origin, having absorbed the immense energy of the [Courageous Divine Gold], became even more powerful and refined, its total amount nearly doubling compared to 30,000 years ago!
His [Ultimate Divine Light], after being infused with the will of "courage," has become even more invincible. Now, when unleashed again, the divine light does more than just "erasure"; it "denies" the existence of the enemy with absolute confidence and courage!
His overall strength has undoubtedly reached a new level.

If we say that he was "invincible under the Holy One" 30,000 years ago...

So even now, he remains invincible under the Holy One.

However, the value of this "invincibility" has become even greater. He is confident that now, when facing the more than 2,300 emperors in front of Mount Eternal Life, he will no longer need to spend a hundred years "cleaning up" them.

Perhaps, it will only take ten years, or even less.

however……

"The distance to 'becoming a saint' is still...far away."

A hint of understanding flashed in Qin Feng's eyes, along with a trace of... solemnity.

This 30,000-year seclusion not only made him stronger, but also allowed him to more clearly touch the invisible ceiling that lies between "Emperor" and "Saint".

That's not just a simple accumulation of power; it's a barrier that can be broken through.

Rather, it is a leap in the level of life.

It is a process that requires one to completely "strip" the "Tao" one has cultivated from the myriad laws of the universe and condense it into a unique, complete "Sacred Tao" that can exist independently without relying on the main universe.

This process is mysterious and enigmatic.

It requires great perseverance, great wisdom, and even more so... a great opportunity.

His current strength has reached its limit. To move forward, he must complete this crucial step.

Otherwise, he will be trapped in the realm of "below the saint" forever.

"Perhaps, I should consult the Lord of Limits."

Qin Feng made up his mind.

The Lord of Limits is one of the oldest emperors of the human race, with one foot already in the realm of sainthood. His understanding of "becoming a saint" is far beyond what I can compare to.

With this in mind, he no longer hesitated, took a step forward, and his figure instantly disappeared into the "Primordial Space".

……

The Temple of Limits.

When Qin Feng's figure appeared outside the palace gate, he was slightly taken aback.

Because he sensed that the temple was not just home to the Lord of Limits, but was filled with dozens of equally vast and abyssal imperial auras.

Among them are familiar figures such as the Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor and the Five Elements Emperor.

"It seems they are discussing something."

Qin Feng did not rush in, but stood quietly outside the hall and waited.

However, as soon as he stood still, the gentle voice of the Lord of Limits rang directly in his mind.

"No need to wait outside, come in directly. You are now a member of the human race's decision-making body, and there are some things you should know."

"Yes."

Qin Feng responded and stepped into the hall.

Inside the main hall, as expected, all the top-ranking emperors of the human race who remained at the Holy Academy were present. They sat on either side of a huge round stone table, their expressions somewhat solemn.

Upon seeing Qin Feng enter, all the emperors instinctively stopped their discussion and turned their gazes to him.

There was a hint of barely perceptible awe in their eyes.

Even though 30,000 years have passed, the image of that figure in black robes at the foot of Mount Eternal Life on that day—breaking through an array with a single finger and slaughtering an emperor with a single palm strike—is still deeply imprinted in their souls, indelible.

"sit."

The Lord of Limits pointed to an empty seat next to him, gesturing for Qin Feng to sit down.

This position, alongside the most ancient emperors such as the Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor and the Five Elements Emperor, symbolizes that Qin Feng now holds a supreme status within the human race, on par with them.

Qin Feng did not refuse and sat down calmly.

"We are discussing the current situation in the cosmic sea." The Lord of Limits took the initiative to speak after he sat down, explaining to him, "You have been in seclusion for 30,000 years, and the outside world has undergone earth-shattering changes."

He paused, his expression turning serious.

"Since your victory at Mount Eternal Life, which shocked all races, our human race has ushered in a rare period of peaceful development that lasts for ten thousand years. However, this peace is short-lived."

"Because a grander, more chaotic stage has begun." "—The Endless Sea."

"The Endless Sea?"

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.

He was familiar with this name.

That is located in the deepest part of the cosmic sea, a legendary place formed from the primordial chaos at the beginning of the universe, an eternally chaotic land.

"good."

The Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor, who was standing to the side, took over the conversation. His aura had recovered considerably compared to 30,000 years ago, and his eyes had become sharp again.

"In the last ten thousand years, the Endless Sea has experienced an unprecedented 'explosion'. Countless cosmic wonders, divine materials, and inherited relics that once only existed in legends and had long since disappeared have sprung up like mushrooms after rain."

"There are rumors that this is a sign that the Golden Age is entering its middle stage. The universe is releasing its deepest secrets completely."

"This naturally sparked a frenzied struggle among all races."

The Five Elements Emperor added, with a sigh, "The Endless Sea has now become a... bloody meat grinder. Every day, countless powerful individuals perish, and many weaker clans have been... completely wiped out because they were drawn into this resource war."

"Our human race, naturally, cannot stand idly by."

The Lord of Limits said in a deep voice, "In order to compete for those strategic resources that could affect the future of the race, and in order to seek opportunities for breakthroughs, the three saints of the Holy Academy have personally gone to the deepest part of the Endless Sea."

"Three Saints?" Qin Feng's heart stirred.

He knew that the number of openly recognized saints among the human race far exceeded three.

It seems that most of the saints still choose to remain in their respective clans to guard against unforeseen events.

"Yes."

The Lord of Limits nodded. "Their goal is to seek the opportunity to become a 'Venerable One.' The competition at that level is beyond our reach."

"At the same time, in order to establish a solid stronghold in the Endless Sea and protect the geniuses and strongmen of our race who are searching for treasures there, the Holy Academy also sent seven Saint incarnations, along with hundreds of Emperors, to jointly guard our human race's 'outpost' - the City of Hope."

Qin Feng listened quietly.

He could sketch out a magnificent and bloody picture from these few words.

The situation in the Endless Sea was far more complex and brutal than he had imagined.

"But that's not the focus of our discussion today."

The Lord of Limits changed the subject, his expression becoming even more solemn, "But it is something that is closely related to you... the geniuses walking on the 'Path of God'."

He looked at Qin Feng and slowly said, "According to the intelligence sent back by the three saints from the deepest part of the Endless Sea, those four... beings joined forces to set up a... test in the core area of ​​the Endless Sea."

"Seventy-two Divine Passes".

"Seventy-two Divine Passes?"

"Yes."

A hint of apprehension flashed in the eyes of the Lord of Limits. "It is said that it is their testing ground for selecting the 'representatives' of this era. Each level is filled with incredible dangers and opportunities."

"the most important is……"

The Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor's tone turned somewhat cold, "According to intelligence, our era should have given birth to many 'primordial' objects that could have helped you, the prodigies of the Divine Path, to step into the Saint Realm more quickly—for example, complete 'Primordial Secret Techniques,' more 'Primordial Divine Metal,' and... the legendary 'Primordial Fire'..."

"...They forcibly took them all away with their supreme power and put them into the seventy-two divine passes as...rewards for passing the passes."

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng's eyes narrowed sharply!
The First Fire!

This is the last and most crucial core item he used to perfect the [Path to the Limit], to truly perfect the [Limit Body], and even to glimpse the mysteries of the Holy Realm!
He had thought it would take a long time to find clues.

But I didn't expect...

It was actually located within those seventy-two divine passes!

"so……"

Qin Feng spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable determination, "Does the Holy Academy intend to send human prodigies on the Divine Path to attempt the trial?"

"good."

The Lord of Limits nodded. "This is an open conspiracy. We all know that this is a 'fishhook' set by those four, but we have no choice but to... take the bite."

"Because if you want to become gods in the shortest time, the seventy-two divine trials are the only way to go."

"Currently, apart from you, the few other geniuses on the Divine Path known to our human race have already gone to the Endless Sea."

Qin Feng listened quietly without saying a word.

He had already made up his mind.

"Besides this matter, there is another issue that is becoming increasingly difficult to resolve."

The Five Elements Emperor rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled. "It is... those followers of evil gods."

"As the chaos in the Endless Sea intensifies, the faith of those four beings spreads like a plague throughout the cosmic sea. Many civilizations that have lost out in the struggle for resources, or some races that have always revered chaos and slaughter, have begun to actively embrace them."

"These followers of evil gods are like a malignant tumor in the universe, launching blood sacrifices and creating chaos everywhere. Their numbers are increasing, and their actions are becoming more and more... unscrupulous."

"We must crack down on this severely."

The Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor said coldly, "Otherwise, once they gain power, they will surely shake the foundation of our orthodox civilization."

The meeting lasted for several days.

Qin Feng remained silent and did not offer any further comments.

He simply listened quietly as an observer, as these emperors, who represented the highest will of humanity, discussed a series of major issues concerning the future of the entire civilization, such as resource allocation, battle line deployment, the cultivation of prodigies, and the eradication of cults.

In his mind, he finally had a clear and comprehensive understanding of the current macro situation of this golden age.

confusion.

Struggle.

kill.

This is the main theme of the current universe.

And all the chaos ultimately points to the same place—the endless sea.

All the struggles ultimately point to the same goal—that elusive yet real opportunity for sainthood, and even eternity.

"It seems..."

After the meeting ended and all the emperors left the temple with their respective tasks, a thought slowly surfaced in Qin Feng's mind.

"It's time to decide on my next destination."

……

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, shutting out all the noise from the outside world.

Within the Temple of Limits, the eternal, unchanging absolute tranquility that belongs solely to the concept of "limits" has once again returned.

As dozens of top human emperors departed, the remaining, mixed auras of their respective imperial laws were rapidly purified and assimilated in this tranquility, ultimately returning to nothingness.

Only two figures remained beside the round stone table.

The Lord of Limits, and Qin Feng.

One old and one young represent two peaks of the past and the future.

The Lord of Limits remained silent, but instead picked up the cup of fragrant tea in front of him, which was formed from the divine light of the Holy Academy's origin, and took a small sip, seemingly savoring the complex information from the meeting just now.

Qin Feng didn't rush to speak.

He simply sat quietly, his deep eyes seemingly piercing through the walls of the temple, seeing the ultimate stage of the universe called the "Endless Sea," where endless strife and bloodshed were unfolding.

He witnessed the explosion of resources, and he witnessed the extinction of his people.

He saw the "Seventy-two Divine Passes" hanging high above the endless sea, like shackles of fate.

He also saw the faith in evil gods, which was proliferating like a virus in the shadows of the universe.

A chaotic, cruel, yet infinitely opportunistic golden age, its most authentic and most grotesque side, was finally revealed to him.

for a long time.

"Do you understand?"

The Lord of Limits put down his teacup and slowly spoke, breaking the silence.

His voice returned to its usual gentle tone, like that of an ordinary elder testing his younger relatives.

"I understand now." Qin Feng nodded and looked away.

"What do you think?"

"It's a mess." Qin Feng said succinctly.

"Yes, it's very messy."

The Lord of Limits smiled, a hint of vicissitude flashing in his eyes. "This is the essence of the Golden Age. It is both the best of times and... the worst of times."

"The universe is undergoing a 'metabolism.' It is releasing its accumulated resources from countless eras without reservation, as if hosting a grand 'feast.' All living beings are qualified to take a seat."

"But the 'food' at the banquet is limited."

"If you want to eat your fill, or even eat well, you have to... fight for it."

"The weaker tribes will be devoured along with their 'plates' by the stronger tribes. And the stronger tribes will fight to the death for the best 'ingredients,' resulting in rivers of blood."

Ultimately, only those who survive and eat their fill at this feast are qualified to compete for the final, one and only 'eternity'.

The Lord of Limits used a simple yet cruel metaphor to reveal the truth about the current state of the universe.

Qin Feng listened quietly without saying a word.

Because he understands all of this. He understands it even better than any of the emperors present.

Because he had personally witnessed the final outcome of a "feast".

"So, you've made up your mind?"

The Lord of Limits looked at him and asked.

"Decided."

Qin Feng answered without any hesitation, "The Endless Sea and the Seventy-Two Divine Passes, I must go."

"Ah."

The Lord of Limits seemed unsurprised by this. He nodded. "I knew you would make this choice. There, you will find what you need to perfect yourself."

"only……"

He abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious. "Do you know what the key to achieving sainthood truly is?"

Finally, they got to the core issue.

Qin Feng's gaze also became focused.

This was precisely his ultimate purpose in staying behind.

"I have some vague feelings."

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, sorted out his thoughts, and slowly said, "I can feel that my power, my origin, and my understanding of the laws have all accumulated to a... bottleneck."

"It's like a cup that's already full of water; it's impossible to add any more water."

"unless……"

"Unless, the cup itself becomes larger and stronger. Or even... its capacity becomes 'infinite'."

The Lord of Limits spoke the second half of the sentence for him.

"Exactly that."

Qin Feng nodded, “And this ‘cup’ is our ‘Dao’. In my opinion, the so-called ‘Sainthood’ should be the ultimate sublimation and transformation of one’s own ‘Dao’. Let it leap from the level of ‘Technique’ to the level of ‘Law’.”

"Let it no longer be an 'application' of the myriad laws of the universe, but become an independent rule that can rival, or even surpass, the fundamental laws of the universe in certain localities."

“I call this process…the forging of the ‘sacred path’.”

Qin Feng shared his insights into the Sacred Realm gained during his 30,000 years of seclusion without reservation.

After hearing his words, for the first time, a hint of undisguised admiration and amazement appeared in the Limit Lord's eyes of ultimate light!

"Well done...well done, 'forging the path to sainthood'!"

He clapped his hands in admiration, his voice filled with emotion: "Qin Feng, Qin Feng, do you know that what you just said is a core secret that even many peak-level emperors, after spending tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of years, might not be able to comprehend?"

"You not only understood it, but you also expressed it more clearly and closer to the essence than any of them!"

"It seems I underestimated you before."

The Lord of Limits shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I thought you had only reached the level of invincibility below the Saint realm in terms of 'power.' But I didn't expect that you had also... touched the threshold of the Saint realm in terms of your understanding of 'the Dao.'"

"In that case, there's not much I can teach you."

"Senior has given you too much praise."

Qin Feng's expression remained calm. "Although I have gained some understanding, it is ultimately just a matter of seeing flowers through the fog and engaging in theoretical discussions. As for how to elevate this 'cup' and how to truly take that final step, I still... have no clue."

He looked at the Lord of Limits and asked the ultimate question that had troubled him for 30,000 years and that all the peak-level emperors dreamed of knowing the answer to.

"May I ask, senior, what is... universal recognition?"

"To forge the path to sainthood and gain that so-called 'universal recognition,' to what extent must one understand one's own laws in order to... truly achieve sainthood?"

This question stumped the Lord of Limits.

He did not answer immediately, but fell into a long silence.

Silence returned to the temple once more.

Only his eyes, filled with light, flickered constantly, as if conducting some incredibly complex deduction and recollection.

for a long time.

"This is a very big problem."

The Lord of Limits spoke slowly, his voice becoming unusually solemn.

"So much so that even a true saint might not be able to give a... standard answer."

"Because every living being's 'path' is unique. The paths to the sacred realm are also vastly different, and none of them can be completely replicated."

"But..." He looked at Qin Feng's focused eyes and changed the subject, "After countless eras of exploration and summarization, we have finally found some common, regular things in it."

He held up a finger.

"First, you must understand one thing. The so-called 'universal recognition' does not mean that the universe itself has a 'consciousness' that acts like an examiner to judge whether your 'Tao' is qualified."

"No, that's not the case."

"The universe is impartial. Its operation follows the most fundamental and ruthless rules."

"The so-called 'recognition' is more like... acquiring 'qualification'."

"qualifications?"

Qin Feng's brows furrowed slightly.

"Not bad, qualified."

The Lord of Limits emphasized, “You can think of the entire universe as an… incredibly precise and incredibly vast 'system'. And the myriad Great Daos we cultivate are all 'programs' that already existed within this system.”

"What we call cultivation is learning and mastering how these 'programs' work."

"And 'Sainthood' is about creating a completely new 'subprogram' that belongs solely to you within the framework of this system!"

"This 'subroutine' is your 'sacred path.' It must be unique! It must be compatible with the main system, yet possess independent computing capabilities!"

"And 'universal approval' is the main system's determination of whether your 'subprogram' is qualified to 'run independently'!"

This metaphor is novel, yet incredibly apt.

A flash of understanding crossed Qin Feng's eyes. He instantly grasped the core of the matter.

"Then, what are the 'standards' for this judgment?" he pressed.

There are two standards.

The Lord of Limits extended three fingers.

"Firstly, it is called 'depth'."

"The path you cultivate must reach an unprecedented depth in the realm of laws you are involved in. What does 'unprecedented' mean? Simply put, it means transcending 'control' and reaching the level of 'understanding the origin'."

"For example, the swordsmanship of the Sky-Supporting Sword Emperor. He has now mastered the laws of the sword to the extreme. In the blink of an eye, he can transform all things in the world into swords. However, he is still not a saint."

"Because he was merely 'using' the sword, without truly understanding why the concept of 'sword' exists, or what its origin truly is?"

"Only when you can define the laws you cultivate, instead of being defined by the laws, can you be considered to have reached the standard in terms of 'depth'."

Qin Feng seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing this.

Define the rules.

This coincides with his previous feeling of "creation".

"Secondly, it is called 'breadth'."

The Lord of Limits continued, “An independent ‘sacred path’ cannot be built on a single law. It must be a ‘self-consistent’ and ‘perfect’ system.”

"This requires you to take your own core Dao as the 'trunk' and integrate it with other auxiliary laws as 'branches and leaves'."

"For example, a ruler of the fire element who wants to become a saint must not only understand the fire element to its ultimate depth, but also explore and even master a series of fire-related elements, such as light, heat, destruction, creation, and so on."

“Only when he can perfectly integrate these laws into his own sacred path of ‘fire’ and form a ‘law tree’ that can self-circulate and be endlessly regenerated, can he be considered to have met the standard in terms of ‘breadth’.”

"Otherwise, a single law is like a bare tree trunk, which cannot bear the fruit of the holy way."

“Depth determines the core strength of your holy path. Breadth, on the other hand, determines the stability and growth potential of your holy path.”

As Qin Feng listened, he silently verified his understanding of the "Way of Limits" in his mind.

His "Way of Limits" is based on the "Limited Body," uses the "Limited Divine Light" for attack, and the "Myriad Phenomena" for analysis. It is itself an extremely complete system that integrates offense, defense, and support.

In terms of "breadth," he is confident that he far surpasses his peers.

"Furthermore, one should not practice the same Dharma simultaneously."

"Your path must be unique to become a god; otherwise, you will forever remain at the pinnacle of the universe's ruler..."

boom!
These last words, like a thunderclap at the dawn of the universe, struck Qin Feng's heart with devastating force!

One should not practice the same Dharma!
The battle of the great road!

He finally understood!

Now I understand why the Golden Age was so cruel!

Now I understand why those prodigies on the path to godhood are locked in a life-or-death, irreconcilable conflict!
Now I understand why those four beings set up the "Seventy-Two Divine Barriers" to attract all the geniuses on the path to divinity!

That's not a test!

That was a... well-defined, bloodiest, and most efficient... "race track"!
"Now, do you understand?"

The Lord of Limits looked at Qin Feng's ever-changing eyes and spoke slowly.

"The path to divinity is never something that can be achieved by working behind closed doors or through arduous cultivation."

"It is also a path...forged through bloodshed!"

"You must not only fight against yourself and against heaven and earth, but also... fight against all the other outstanding talents of your time who are on the same or similar paths!"

"Fight! Seize!"

"Seize resources, seize fortune, seize opportunities... and ultimately, seize that one and only 'qualification'!"

Now that things have come to this, there are no more secrets to be had.

The heavy, mysterious gate leading to the sacred realm finally revealed its truest and most cruel form to Qin Feng.

"I see."

After a long while, Qin Feng slowly uttered these four words.

His eyes regained their calm.

But deep within those calm eyes, a sharpness, more resolute and colder than ever before, was slowly gathering.

The Lord of Limits looked at him and nodded with satisfaction.

He knew that his words had not shaken Qin Feng's Dao heart, but instead made his already indestructible "limit heart" even purer and sharper.

"Then, senior."

Qin Feng raised his head, looked at the Lord of Limits, and asked the last question.

"With my current approach, what exactly am I lacking in terms of 'depth,' 'breadth,' and 'uniqueness'?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Limits smiled.

"Your [Path of Limits], named after 'limits', is inherently all-encompassing and transcends all laws. In terms of 'breadth,' you are naturally perfect."

"As for 'the only one'..."

He shook his head. "You're the only one walking this path throughout history. So you have no competitors who share the same path. But that also means you have no predecessors' experience to learn from. Every step you take is...making history."

"So, the only thing you lack is..."

"……'depth'."

The Lord of Limits spoke slowly and deliberately.

“Your path is strong and perfect. But it is not yet 'pure' enough.”

"Your [Ultimate Body] combines the laws of life with courage and willpower, seemingly perfect, but in reality, it is still within the realm of 'addition'."

“The true ‘sacred path’ is ‘subtraction’.”

"It is about stripping away all the impurities and pushing one of the 'core concepts' of your own path to... the absolute, unique, ultimate... pinnacle!"

"And to complete this final step of 'subtraction' and 'purification'..."

The gaze of the Lord of Limits became distant.

"You need a lot of primordial things, to integrate their power and push your limits."

(End of this chapter)