Chapter 761: Fall

At the end of the sixth year of Dading.

Wu Zhi officially built an altar outside Dingshou City to offer sacrifices to Heaven, ascended the throne, and changed the era name to “Dingwu”!

With the enthronement of a new emperor, the entire world naturally trembled.

For instance, Ji Quan, the leader of the thirty-six northern lords, proclaimed loudly that he would launch a southern campaign against the disobedient and at the same time declare himself emperor, but was thwarted due to too many opponents.

In reality, given the current fragmented situation in the northern border, the forces there could barely defend themselves, let alone seek expansion, especially with Wu Zhi’s army controlling the Tianhe River, holding a geographical advantage.

With the establishment of a new dynasty, stability naturally became the top priority.

At the time of Wu Zhi’s ascension, the south indeed experienced repeated unrest. Some loyalists or landowners whose interests had been severely infringed even rose in rebellion. Unfortunately, these uprisings were insignificant in scale, and were suppressed by local militias before the imperial army could even mobilize.

“A new dynasty has indeed brought a completely different atmosphere!”

Wu Ming, still dressed simply, stood alone in the clouds, gazing at the colorful vapors rising from Dingshou City below, observing the transformation of fortune.

Boom!

At the center of a vast jurisdictional network across the south, a red true dragon surged forth, coiling and ascending, resonating with countless stars above and responding to mountains, rivers, and vegetation below. This was the omen of a true dragon recognized by the Heavenly Emperor.

“The true dragon has been decided!”

Beside him, a flash of light appeared, revealing a young man wearing a crown and surrounded by purple aura flowing from the east—the Heavenly Emperor himself.

He now smiled and said, “The arrangements made by Jue Tian managed to deceive even me, but now that the overall situation is settled, even if your lady insists on a northern campaign, she will only suffer minor setbacks. Now, everything is flawless…”

The Heavenly Emperor is impartial, governing the Dao without personal bias, and does not let the rise and fall of any earthly dynasty affect his emotions.

Even if the previous Zhou dynasty had worshipped him for centuries, it was still the same!

All the Heavenly Emperor does is watch the heroes of the world vie for supremacy, and finally recognize the victor.

Of course, in this particular contest, due to the involvement of Immortal Lord Jue Tian, the Heavenly Emperor was forced to personally intervene and tip the balance.

Without the Heavenly Emperor’s recognition, Wu Zhi’s ascension to the throne would have inevitably faced far more complications.

“Now that the new dynasty is established, the most dangerous period has passed. What remains is simply to wait a few years, through several harvests, to gain the people’s recognition in the south…”

The Heavenly Emperor said with a smile.

Once the new dynasty is firmly established, after a few years of bountiful harvests, most importantly, through taxation, the people and aristocracy in the south will come to know who the true ruler is.

Once this is achieved, the rule will be consolidated, gaining the ability to replenish and sustain itself.

In fact, through the imperial examination system and the expansion of education, Wu Zhi has already accumulated a large number of experienced officials, forming a capable administrative team. Wu Ming was not worried about this at all.

“It has been a while since we last met, and I did not expect you to have advanced further in cultivation. Truly awe-inspiring and enviable!”

Suddenly, the Heavenly Emperor turned his head and looked at Wu Ming.

At this moment, the other exuded an indescribable, profoundly mysterious aura, as if he had reached a new level of cultivation, glimpsing a realm the Heavenly Emperor longed for.

“After a few months of retreat and contemplation, I finally grasped a bit of the principles of Daluo.”

Wu Ming smiled slightly and admitted candidly.

“Indeed!”

The Heavenly Emperor nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with envy: “Unfortunately, my foundation has already been set. Even by relying on the Zhou world, I barely attained the rank of Golden Immortal. Unless I encounter a tremendous opportunity, advancing further will be extremely difficult…”

After all, the Zhou world was not one he himself created, which posed certain difficulties.

Once the world’s rank is fixed, even with great achievements, one only receives minor rewards. Without encountering a crisis as severe as the world’s destruction or ascension, improvement is nearly impossible.

Seeing Wu Ming seemingly on the verge of stepping beyond, the Heavenly Emperor felt both admiration and internal caution.

“Your Majesty personally coming to see me must mean there is something important?”

After a brief mention, Wu Ming immediately shifted the topic.

“Indeed!”

At this, the Heavenly Emperor’s expression turned solemn: “After extensive investigation, I have now located Immortal Lord Jue Tian… This was also due to his eagerness to act. This time, when he secretly transmitted the dragon’s qi, he finally revealed his hiding place…”

“Since his hiding place is exposed, then let us erase him…”

Wu Ming sighed: “This will be my final battle in this world!”

“Indeed, Dao You is not a person of this world, and even attained Golden Immortal status without relying on the essence of this world!”

The Heavenly Emperor’s eyes lit up: “Please!”

“Please!”

With a single step, the space before them shattered, revealing endless chaotic currents.

…

Outside the Zhou world, in a certain place within the chaos.

A vast amount of chaotic energy was pushed aside, revealing a small realm.

Various natural and earthly calamities continuously unfolded within the realm, yet they constantly absorbed the surrounding chaos, like grinding, digesting and integrating the chaotic energy to sustain the survival of the small realm.

At the center of the realm, a being surrounded by black and purple energy, exuding a strong aura of calamity, suddenly opened his eyes and sighed softly: “It’s been discovered!”

“Now that matters have come to this, have you not yet admitted defeat, Dao You?”

The void shifted, and the figures of Wu Ming and the Heavenly Emperor appeared side by side in this small realm.

“I have indeed been defeated, but not by you alone!”

Immortal Lord Jue Tian sighed gloomily: “With one Golden Immortal assisting you, this old Taoist naturally has no chance of resistance…”

Golden Immortal is the highest level of power in the Zhou world, originally only two in existence. Now, with the sudden appearance of a third, the balance was inevitably disrupted.

“Dao You is also of the Immortal path, why then side with the Divine path?”

Immortal Lord Jue Tian gazed at Wu Ming, his eyes filled with confusion.

“What is the Immortal path? What is the Divine path? I pursue my own Dao! Dao You, you are too attached…”

Wu Ming shook his head: “Moreover… it was not my intention to oppose Dao You. It was merely a matter of fate and circumstances…”

In fact, initially, he did not necessarily have to be an enemy of Immortal Lord Jue Tian, provided the other party did not target Wu Zhi.

Alas, from the beginning with Golden Feather Heaven Immortal, a series of small incidents eventually pushed him into opposition with the foremost figure of the Zhou Immortal path.

Perhaps this was fate to some extent!

As for why? Because the Heavenly Emperor ultimately held more positional essence than Immortal Lord Jue Tian, causing a tilt!

It is not impossible for a Golden Immortal to go against the great trend of the world, but when the opposing side also has a Golden Immortal resisting, it becomes extremely difficult.

“Never thought you, Immortal Lord Jue Tian, would find such a secluded place near the Zhou world…”

The Heavenly Emperor glanced around this small realm and smiled again: “How about using it as your burial ground?”

Heaven Immortals still need to rely on a world, while Golden Immortals can temporarily leave a world to explore the chaotic sea, though it is like a human swimming, with the danger of exhaustion. They must rely on islands—worlds—for rest, or else risk drowning.

But Great Luo Golden Immortals transcend all this and can roam freely in the chaotic sea.

Immortal Lord Jue Tian’s cultivation was slightly inferior to the Heavenly Emperor’s and was far from reaching the Great Luo realm. The reason he could hide in the chaotic sea was precisely because of this small realm.

“Please, Dao You, proceed to the afterlife!”

With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Emperor’s body radiated a purple aura, transforming into countless bolts of lightning, like heavenly punishment raining down.

This was the killing strike of a Golden Immortal, carrying the fundamental power of the Zhou world. An ordinary Heaven Immortal struck by this would be destroyed utterly, reduced to ashes.

“Ah…”

Facing this scene, Immortal Lord Jue Tian merely sighed softly: “Pity the Zhou Immortal path, flourishing from me, and now perishing by me…”

As he spoke, black and purple radiance overflowed from his body, forming a massive light sphere, continuously radiating outward, as if turning into a star.

The purple lightning struck upon it, barely causing the flames to flicker slightly before vanishing without a trace.

“This is… the positional essence and fundamental power mastered by a Golden Immortal?”

Wu Ming watched this scene with a heavy expression in his eyes: “Directly confronting with positional essence then?”

Clearly, the opponent had abandoned all techniques and methods, resorting to the simplest and most brutal approach—direct consumption.

The only way to counter this move was to similarly reveal one’s own fundamental essence and engage in mutual consumption, a method bordering on mutual destruction.

“Since Immortal Lord Jue Tian is so determined, how can I not accommodate you!”

Seeing this, the Heavenly Emperor gritted his jade-like teeth slightly, let out a clear whistle, and his entire body similarly transformed into a purple light sphere, though compared to Immortal Lord Jue Tian, the purple was purer.

This kind of confrontation consumed the very fundamental essence of the Zhou world, leaving no true victor.

“Ah… Immortal Lord, why must you go to such lengths?”

Wu Ming had not expected Immortal Lord Jue Tian to be so resolute. Judging from the situation, it seemed he had long decided to bring the Heavenly Emperor down with him, no matter what grudge they had borne in the past.

At this point, he could only similarly summon a clear light, radiating purple energy outward, pushing aside the chaotic currents.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, three purple stars shone brightly within the small realm, radiating dark light, devouring each other.

Yet no matter how one looked at it, the star formed by Immortal Lord Jue Tian was the smallest and dimmest, clearly retreating step by step, constantly being devoured, its volume gradually shrinking.

Who knows how long this lasted before a low, mournful sigh from the Heavenly Emperor echoed out:

“Dao You Jue Tian, may you journey well!”

“Your nature returns to the underworld, bones buried in dust, returning to the primordial void…”

From the greatly diminished black-purple light sphere, Immortal Lord Jue Tian’s voice came faintly.

Boom!

Suddenly, the light sphere collapsed, scattering into dozens of purple streaks that fell into the Zhou world beside it, in the lands of the Four Barbarians.

Crack!

At this moment, the entire Zhou world trembled violently, stars appeared in the daylight, blood rain fell, and all living things mourned.

Countless ancient beings looked on in shock at this scene, startled out of their hidden sanctuaries or blessed lands: “The heavens weep blood, and all things mourn… a Golden Immortal has perished… how is this possible?”

Golden Immortals walk alongside the world, seemingly indestructible through countless calamities.

Yet now, Immortal Lord Jue Tian had been forced into mutual annihilation by the Heavenly Emperor and Wu Ming, exhausting his fundamental essence. This meant the loss of his Golden Immortal status, leading to his demise.