While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 448 The New World

The clouds in the sky resemble white robes, but in an instant they transform into greyhounds.

Thousands of years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The world remains vast and boundless, teeming with myriad races and countless powerful beings.

The catastrophe caused by the extraterrestrial evil race that swept across the world back then has long since become ink marks in history books, and has become a topic of conversation for later generations.

However, whenever that era is mentioned, no matter who the powerful are, a hint of respect will always appear in their eyes.

For those sages who fought and bled, and for the Zixiao Palace that has always stood above the sea of ​​clouds, overlooking all living beings.

Deep within the Lingxi Mountains, in the Eastern Xuan Continent, Eastern Xuan Domain.

The morning mist, like a veil, entwines the verdant mountains that stretch for thousands of miles.

As the sun rises, it dyes the sea of ​​clouds a golden-red hue, and occasionally a crane soars across the sky, its clear cry echoing through the valleys.

Lingyue Academy is located here.

With a history of 1,300 years, Lingyue Academy has become the premier academy in the Eastern Xuan Region.

Legend has it that this spiritual academy once had a fortuitous opportunity, receiving a casual remark from a powerful figure in the Purple Cloud Palace, after which its path became smooth and its fortune soared.

Over the past thousand years, no fewer than ten Earthly Sovereigns have emerged from this place, and hundreds of Sovereigns have also emerged. Looking across the entire Eastern Xuan Continent, there are only a handful of forces that can rival it.

At this moment, the air inside the Hall of Enlightenment is filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood.

Thirty-six young men and women sat cross-legged on prayer cushions, some nervous, some expectant, and some feigning composure.

They are all students who just entered the Spirit Academy this year. They come from various regions of the Eastern Xuan Continent and have not yet been exposed to cultivation. Today is their first class, and the chief enlightenment elder will personally teach them the basics of cultivation.

On the high platform, a figure in black robes stood with his hands behind his back.

He was an elderly man with white hair and beard, a gaunt face, gentle features, and eyes as bright as a mountain spring, seemingly able to see into the depths of people's hearts.

He didn't deliberately release any pressure; he simply stood there quietly, yet the young men in the hall involuntarily held their breath.

"I am Tengshan."

The old man spoke, his voice gentle and clear, like a spring breeze caressing the strings of a zither.

"The chief enlightenment elder of Lingyue Academy has been cultivating for thousands of years."

boom!

A suppressed gasp suddenly rose from below.

For these young people present, whose lives are at most a dozen years, thousands of years is an unimaginably long period of time.

The old man smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the young faces, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

"Today is your first lesson since you entered the academy. I will not ask about your background or your talents, but only one question—"

He paused, his voice soft yet clear, reaching everyone's ears.

"Why do you practice?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, a chubby-faced boy raised his hand first, his voice booming, "Elder, I want to become stronger! Strong enough that no one dares to bully my parents!"

The old man nodded slightly.

A girl with her hair in two buns said timidly, "I—I heard that if you cultivate to a high level, you can go to many, many places. I want to see what the world is like."

Another person said, "I want to become a powerful figure like those great people in Zixiao Palace!"

"I want to bring honor to my ancestors!"

"I want to protect my sister!"

A cacophony of voices gradually rose, and the atmosphere inside the hall became lively.

The old man listened quietly, and only after everyone had finished speaking did he raise his hand and gesture as if to press down.

"Very good," he said.

"No matter what one's purpose in practicing, as long as one has the heart to pursue the Way, one has already taken the first step."

He turned around and lightly tapped with his finger.

In the void, spiritual light gathered and condensed into ancient characters, which floated in mid-air, shining brightly.

"If you want to enter the gate of spiritual practice, you must know the path of spiritual practice."

"The seven realms of Sensing Realm, Spiritual Realm, Spiritual Wheel Realm, Divine Soul Realm, Heavenly Fusion Realm, Heavenly Transformation Realm, and Heavenly Connection Realm are now collectively referred to as the Mortal Realm, which is the foundation of cultivation. A tall building rises from the ground; the stronger the foundation, the farther the road ahead."

He explained each stage in detail, outlining its characteristics, key points, and essential breakthroughs in a clear and concise manner.

The children listened intently, and when someone asked a question, the old man patiently answered them without getting annoyed.

By the time the Seven Realms were finished being explained, the sun was already near its zenith.

"Once you have mastered the Seven Realms, you can begin your ascent to the Supreme Realm."

"The Supreme Little Tribulations—"

"Supreme Nine Ranks, each rank representing a different realm—"

After the old man finished speaking, a young man couldn't help but ask, "Elder, what about above the Supreme Being?"

Above the Supreme Being is the Supreme Being of Earth.

The old man lightly tapped his fingertip, and the three characters "Earthly Supreme" appeared in the void, shining with golden light.

The boys' eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Tengshan's voice deepened, and his eyes became more serious.

For children just beginning their cultivation journey, the realm beyond the Supreme Being is indeed too distant. But times have changed, starting hundreds of years ago. Everyone feels that cultivation has become much easier, and the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand Worlds has increased several times over, as if it had ascended overnight.

Therefore, despite the distance, Tengshan explained everything in detail.

However, it is not as detailed as the seven realms of the mortal realm.

After Tengshan finished speaking about the Holy Rank Heavenly Supreme, the hall was completely silent, with only the faint scent of sandalwood incense wafting through the air.

After a long silence, a young girl asked softly, "Elder, what about above the Saint-grade Heavenly Supreme?"

Teng Shan remained silent for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed to the sky above.

"Above the Saintly Rank lies the Sovereign Realm. Sovereigns control the power of an entire realm, capable of determining the rise and fall of dynasties with a single thought. This realm has a more formal title: Great Realm Lord!"

The boys and girls all looked up, as if trying to see through the roof of the palace to the clouds.

"And what about above the ruler?" the chubby-faced boy pressed.

Tengshan smiled, a smile that held a hint of unfathomable depth.

He paused, his gaze distant, as if piercing through a thousand years of time.

"Of course it exists. Cultivation has no end, and in this vast world, there are still many people pursuing that path."

"However, pursuing does not mean arriving, and no one knows who will ultimately take over that position."

These things were too fantastical and abstract; while the children were amazed, what truly piqued their interest was—

"Then—who is the strongest in the world right now?" a young man asked.

Upon hearing this, all the students in the hall perked up their ears.

Tengshan remained silent for a moment, then looked out the window at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance.

"It's hard to say who the strongest being in the Great Thousand World is right now. It could be that Mr. Bodhi, or it could be the two Palace Masters, Qinghuan and Xingyao—"

He shook his head slightly, "But the strongest force is undoubtedly the Purple Cloud Palace."

"Zixiao Palace?" a young girl repeated softly, curiosity rising in her eyes.

"The Purple Cloud Palace stands on the Purple Cloud Continent." Teng Shan's tone was calm, yet every word was clear. "The palace is filled with powerful figures, and there are countless Heavenly Sovereigns, but what truly commands the respect of all races is not just its strength."

"What is that?" the boys asked in unison.

Tengshan's gaze was distant, as if piercing through time and space, seeing that era that had gradually faded into obscurity.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, an extraterrestrial evil race invaded the Great Thousand Realms, causing immense suffering and occupying half of its territory. Ultimately, it was the appearance of one person—"

"After that battle, the world returned to peace, and thousands of years have passed since then."

The hall was so quiet that you could hear each other's heartbeats.

"What's his name?" the boys asked impatiently.

Tengshan shook his head: "His name is no longer something the world dares to mention easily. Everyone respects him as the True Emperor."

"True Emperor————"

The children murmured the words over and over, as if those two words weighed a ton.

"Is he still in Zixiao Palace?" the chubby-faced boy asked.

Tengshan remained silent for a moment, then looked out the window at the leisurely white clouds and said softly, "They're not here."

"Not here?"

"Thousands of years ago, the True Emperor left the Great Thousand World with his seven mistresses and a host of children, heading to the depths of chaos. Some say they went into seclusion in a great world unknown to anyone, while others say they have transcended this chaotic universe and gone to a faraway place."

"But in any case, Zixiao Palace still stands, and it is now under the command of the two disciples of the True Emperor."

Skipping over the rest stops along the way, Tengshan continued talking until evening before leaving the Enlightenment Hall and heading straight to the back mountain of the academy.

At the top of the cliff, an old man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the depths of the sea of ​​clouds, exuding an indescribable mysterious aura.

"Elder Hai." Tengshan bowed respectfully.

"What do you mean 'sea'? I've already told you, within the Spirit Academy, call me the Dean!"

The old man turned around, his brows and eyes still retaining some of the arrogance of his youth, yet also possessing a gentleness tempered by thousands of years of experience.

This is a modern city.

Skyscrapers rise like a forest, piercing the clouds; steel bridges span the river; traffic flows like a river; lights shine day and night. There is no surging of fighting spirit, no supreme pressure; only the bustling and vibrant human life.

Chen Xiao, accompanied by Cai Lin, Xun'er, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, Cao Ying, and Qing Yan Jing, walked slowly down the street.

Dressed in simple casual attire, they shed the glamour of the world, yet their ethereal气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance or otherworldly charm) remained undeniable. Wherever they went, they attracted frequent glances from passersby, who mistook them for film crews shooting scenes or stunning beauties who had descended from the heavens.

For them, this bustling metropolis was both unfamiliar and novel.

To be more precise, this is how the world is. There is no fighting spirit, and no extraterrestrial evil races. There is only peace, tranquility, and warmth within reach.

"Let's settle down here first, so Chen Yao and the others won't have to run around everywhere."

Chen Xiao turned his head and looked at the seven women beside him, his voice soft and gentle, carrying the tenderness that comes with the passage of time.

Upon hearing this, all seven women's eyes flickered slightly.

And so, after some planning, the group purchased a large estate on the outskirts of the city.

With its white walls and black tiles, deep courtyard, lush ancient trees, winding flower paths, swimming pool, pavilion, flowerbeds, and bamboo groves, the garden offers a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

And so they lived there for a full seventy years.

Seventy years is but a blink of an eye for them, who once roamed the world and dominated chaos.

Chen Xiao shed his imperial majesty and transformed into a gentle and refined man in the mortal world. He would spend his days reading and sipping tea in the courtyard, or strolling through the city streets with others, watching the everyday life and listening to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Cai Lin has long since abandoned her aloofness and become dignified and composed. She spends her days brewing tea and tending to the courtyard. The once ruthless Medusa now only has gentleness and tranquility in her eyes.

Xun'er remained gentle and quiet, preferring stillness to noise. She often browsed through mundane books in her study or accompanied Chen Xiao to watch the sunset on the terrace. The elegance of the ancient noblewoman was now hidden in the ordinary years, and every move she made was a picture of tranquility.

Little Fairy Doctor runs a small traditional Chinese medicine clinic in the city. She doesn't use any strange fire or poison techniques, but only her herbal medicine to help people. Her afflicted poisonous body has long since transformed into a source of life-saving vitality. Returning from her daily consultations brings her the most fulfilling happiness.

Zi Yan's personality remained unchanged. She loved taking Chen Yao and the other younger generation through the city streets, eating all kinds of delicious food, and browsing countless shops. Since coming to this world, she was undoubtedly the happiest person.

Qinglin remained quiet and gentle, silently guarding the manor, managing the internal affairs, and taking care of everyone. The faint blue scales on her fingertips were no longer marks of suffering, but rather intentionally left behind, a gentle testament to the passage of time.

Her world was very small, so small that it consisted only of this manor and the people in it.

Cao Ying was obsessed with the science and chemistry of this world, combining the alchemy of another world with modern knowledge. She even set up a laboratory and spent her days studying in it, occasionally concocting novel incense and medicine, which became a little fun in everyone's lives.

Qing Yanjing loved mountains, rivers, and tranquility the most. She often took Chen Xiao to the suburbs, mountains, lakesides, and riverbanks to watch the clouds drift by, listen to the wind and birdsong, and experience the everyday life of the world. This was more moving than the eternal glory of the ancient Futu clan in the vast world.

In the early morning, there are birdsong and the aroma of breakfast in the courtyard.

During the day, there is the hustle and bustle of the city and the tranquility of each individual.

At night, there is laughter and lights from a family sitting together.

There are no extraterrestrial evil races, no conflicts, no separations of life and death, no worship of all spirits, and no burdens on the common people—

Yes, it's just the mundane daily routine of ordinary people, spending their days and nights together, and living peacefully year after year.

Seventy years have passed in a flash, and people have long since grown accustomed to this peaceful world. In many ways, they have even gradually forgotten that they were once...

The emperor and empress, who were powerful and influential throughout the world.

Until this day, a family of more than ten people were having a drink in the courtyard.

Without warning, Chen Xiao paused slightly in his wine glass.

Cai Lin, Xun'er, Qing Yanjing, Xiao Yixian, Cao Ying, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and even Chen Yao all stopped moving at the same instant.

The sounds of laughter and conversation quietly fell silent, and everyone slowly raised their heads to look at the seemingly calm night sky above.

Their gaze was no longer that of ordinary mortals, but rather pierced through the atmosphere and the dust of nebulae, directly reaching the cold and vast depths of the universe.

The next moment, everyone felt a vast, ancient, and extremely cold aura, like a tide that had crossed eternity, silently approaching.

Those were nine dragon corpses, each a hundred meters long, as if cast from molten iron, exuding a shocking sense of power.

Their scales gleamed with a cold, mysterious luster, and their five claws were ferocious and terrifying. Although they were no longer alive, they still exuded an indescribable sense of power.

Bound by black iron chains, they dragged a massive bronze coffin covered in ancient patterns, gliding silently through the dark universe.

The coffin was ancient, heavy, and silent, having drifted in the dark universe for countless years, carrying an aura that seemed capable of crushing an entire epoch.

The vicissitudes of the Yuan Dynasty.

Nine dragons pulling a coffin!

And that coffin, that dragon, that terrifying trajectory across the starry sky—

Their target was none other than this blue planet they were on!

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