The Age of God Slaying

Xiao Zhaolin surveyed Jiang Ruoxu and slowly said, "Does my empire need a lone ghost like you to protect it? You couldn't even protect the Jiang Kingdom, so what right do you have to talk about cooperation with me?"

Jiang Ruoxu said in a deep voice, "How many Ascension Realm cultivators can your Chu Kingdom withstand before it crumbles?"

Xiao Zhaolin waved his hand and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I can give you, Jiang Ruoxu, some face. However, you only have the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If you can't convince me to cooperate with you, then you should leave on your own!"

Jiang Ruoxu chuckled lightly and said, "I've long heard that the Chu Emperor Xiao Zhaolin is incredibly arrogant. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved. Even your father wouldn't have dared to speak to me like this back then."

Xiao Zhaolin's eyelids lifted slightly and he said, "If you're here to rely on your seniority, you can leave now. I'm very busy."

Jiang Ruoxu slowly said, "Inner Demons and the Heavenly Gate are real, but they are also false. Real, because these two things truly exist. False, because these two things are not what the legends say, but are actual living beings."

Xiao Zhaolin finally looked up and said, "Now that's something that interests me. Why don't you tell me about what happened back then? You suddenly suffered a Cultivation Deviation and then died. I've always been a bit confused about that."

Jiang Ruoxu said, "It was about thirty years ago. I can't remember the specifics too clearly. I broke through to the Ascension Realm and saw the Heavenly Gate. So, I left my physical body in the Jiang Kingdom's Imperial Palace, and my Nascent Soul flew towards the Heavenly Gate.

However, when I reached the Heavenly Gate, I encountered an Inner Demon. I don't know how powerful this Inner Demon was, because it had secretly planted something on me when my cultivation reached the point where I could ascend. Therefore, after only a few exchanges, I was defeated.

But, in the final moment, my Jingzhe Sword erupted with a unique power, severing the Inner Demon's demonic energy control and buying me time. I seized the opportunity to rush to the Heavenly Gate and successfully knocked on its door!"

Xiao Zhaolin raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "What did you see?"

"An eye!"

Jiang Ruoxu said, "That wasn't a Heavenly Gate at all, but a giant eye, covered in countless tentacles, extremely disgusting, embedded in the void.

Knocking on the Heavenly Gate simply meant that eye opened. Those tentacles tried to pull me into the eye. I used all my strength and, in that instant, I comprehended a suicidal move from my Overlord True Intent, managing to sever a few tentacles.

Whether it was luck or misfortune, my Nascent Soul still had the restrictions of the White Jade Capital. Just as I was about to be pulled into that eye, the White Jade Capital's restrictions pulled me out.

I fled frantically with the Jingzhe Sword, but the Inner Demon had already locked onto me. I was being hunted so relentlessly that I had nowhere to turn. I had no choice but to become the Sword Spirit of the Jingzhe Sword. Because during our exchanges, I realized the Inner Demon's attacks on physical bodies were very weak, so by becoming the Jingzhe Sword's Sword Spirit, I managed to evade its pursuit.

However, although my Nascent Soul evaded the pursuit at that time, it was still invaded by the Inner Demon's demonic energy. Before long, I began to lose my senses and kill people indiscriminately. You should know what happened after that; I was besieged by all the kingdoms under heaven."

Xiao Zhaolin said in a deep voice, "Even with Battle Qi, the power of the human world has little effect on cultivators in the Ascension Realm."

Jiang Ruoxu said, "That's true. However, in that battle, the elites of all the kingdoms joined forces, encompassing nearly thirty percent of the experts under heaven, along with the armies of various countries. While they couldn't kill me, they brought about immense heavenly phenomena. In the midst of those phenomena, my realm surged, and I actually glimpsed a mysterious hidden cave. I suspect that was the true Heavenly Gate.

But it disappeared in an instant. Fortunately, in that fleeting moment, I managed to grasp a strand of immortal energy, completely suppressing the demonic energy. I also regained my senses, and then, I went with the flow, creating the illusion of my death under heavenly lightning. From then on, I went into hiding and have been researching that strand of immortal energy."

Xiao Zhaolin asked, "Have you reached any conclusions?"

Jiang Ruoxu said in a deep voice, "Naturally. That is power beyond the Ascension Realm."

"Have you mastered it?"

Jiang Ruoxu nodded slightly and said, "Speaking of which, I must thank your current Number One Under Heaven, Gu Mo. If it weren't for that young man, I might have needed another ten or even twenty years to master that strand of immortal energy."

Xiao Zhaolin asked in confusion, "What happened?"

Jiang Ruoxu said, "Gu Mo sank Penglai Immortal Island. You must know about this, right?"

Xiao Zhaolin nodded.

Jiang Ruoxu said, "He sank Penglai Immortal Island with the power of his physical body. He transformed into a dragon. At that moment, I finally understood that all of us in the world had taken the wrong path.

We all pursued Nascent Soul ascension, abandoning our physical bodies, because it was universally accepted that the physical body could not ascend; to ascend, one must shed their mortal form. Yet, Gu Mo maintained his physical body, and his physical body's power reached the Ascension Realm!"

Speaking of this, Jiang Ruoxu sighed and said, "Gu Mo is truly a great man. He is too great. He changed the world. He is unprecedented and unrepeatable.

From this, I understood the true direction of that strand of immortal energy. Afterwards, I used my sword as my body and completely merged with that strand of immortal energy."

Xiao Zhaolin stood up and said, "Just for telling me about physical body ascension, as long as your cooperation request isn't too excessive, I can agree. What do you want to cooperate on?"

Jiang Ruoxu said in a deep voice, "Borrow the nation's fortune, and kill the Heavenly Gate!"

Xiao Zhaolin asked in confusion, "Don't you already possess power beyond the Ascension Realm? Can't you kill that eye?"

Jiang Ruoxu said, "In the heavens, I don't have absolute certainty. If it senses something is wrong and hides, I won't be able to find it at all. Therefore, I can only drag it down to the human world.

I've been researching formations all these years. I created a God Slaying Array. I originally intended to deal with the Inner Demon when I had the chance, but unexpectedly, the Inner Demon disappeared. So, I'll use it to deal with the Heavenly Gate.

My God Slaying Array requires the power of the human world to be mobilized. It can trap the Heavenly Gate, preventing it from returning to the heavens for a short time, allowing me to kill it. And in the current world, the Chu Kingdom has the strongest national fortune, so cooperating with you is the most suitable."

Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and said, "National fortune, huh? Very well, I agree!"

Jiang Ruoxu said, "After I kill that eye, I won't immediately search for the true Path to Immortality. I will first help you unify the world and clear the land. After that, I will go in search of the Path to Immortality.

Now that the Inner Demon is dead, those old fellows who have been hiding will surely be busy recovering their Ascension Realm cultivation, which might cause chaos. You can rest assured, I will help you suppress these old fellows."

Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and said, "Actually, those old fellows aren't important. They were afraid of the Inner Demon and didn't dare to ascend, so their strength is limited. While you help me unify the world, the biggest obstacle is Gu Mo. Can you defeat him?"

Jiang Ruoxu said, "Gu Mo is very strong. Physical body ascension. If I'm not mistaken, he also ascended through his Nascent Soul. His title of Number One Under Heaven is the most well-earned in history. Among Ascension Realm cultivators, he is also Number One Under Heaven. But, unfortunately, I now possess power beyond the Ascension Realm.

A year ago, I was no match for him. Now, he is no match for me."

Xiao Zhaolin looked at Jiang Ruoxu and pondered for a moment, saying, "I'm afraid you're mistaken. Gu Mo definitely possesses power beyond the Ascension Realm as well."

Jiang Ruoxu's pupils contracted slightly and he said, "How do you know?"

Xiao Zhaolin asked, "Do you know about Beyond the Heavens?"

Jiang Ruoxu nodded slightly and said, "One of the Thirteen Taboos. It's suspected to be the Heavenly Realm, but its actual existence is yet to be verified."

Xiao Zhaolin said, "Whether it's the Heavenly Realm or not, I don't know. But Beyond the Heavens definitely exists. The reason I know is that the establishment of my Chu Kingdom was, to a large extent, due to the help of Beyond the Heavens."

Jiang Ruoxu said, "I've heard that legend. It's said that the founding emperor of your Chu Kingdom received the help of a Goddess to establish the Chu Kingdom."

Xiao Zhaolin said, "That legendary Goddess came from Beyond the Heavens."

Jiang Ruoxu said in surprise, "Is there really a Goddess?"

Xiao Zhaolin said, "There really is. Moreover, there are currently two Divine Envoys from Beyond the Heavens in my Imperial City."

A hint of shock flashed in Jiang Ruoxu's eyes.

Xiao Zhaolin continued, "This is why I know Gu Mo possesses power beyond the Ascension Realm. It's because I sought help from those two Divine Envoys earlier. They promised me they would help me eliminate Gu Mo. Not long after, I saw the Inner Demon appear in the Imperial City."

"You can see the Inner Demon?" Jiang Ruoxu asked in surprise.

Xiao Zhaolin said calmly, "I have Double Pupils since birth. These eyes of mine can see many secrets. It's not surprising that I can see the Inner Demon. The reason I could recognize it as the Inner Demon is because its demonic energy was so strong; it's rare to find in the human world.

Of course, I wasn't entirely sure at the time, only having a suspicion. Combined with what you just said about the Inner Demon disappearing, I'm now certain that what I saw that day was the Inner Demon, or perhaps a clone of the Inner Demon.

A couple of days later, the two Divine Envoys had me escort something to the Northern Zhou Kingdom. They said it was a Dragon Scale, specifically brought to help me kill Gu Mo. Afterwards, I heard that Gu Mo had gone to Northern Zhou.

Given all these coincidences, I suspected that those two Divine Envoys were trying to have the Inner Demon kill Gu Mo. And just now, combining your statement about the Inner Demon's disappearance and the fact that the Inner Demon's attacks on physical bodies are not very effective, I can be sure that the Inner Demon died at Gu Mo's hands.

Gu Mo can kill the Inner Demon, which means, doesn't it imply that he, too, possesses power beyond the Ascension Realm? Otherwise, even with his physical body, the Inner Demon couldn't harm him, but it wouldn't just disappear, would it?"

Jiang Ruoxu pondered for a moment and said, "If that's the case, it's highly possible that Gu Mo killed the Inner Demon. However, I'm a bit confused. Gu Mo was able to sink Penglai Island by transforming his body into a dragon. You know about this, right? Why did those two Divine Envoys try to use a Dragon Scale to kill Gu Mo? Didn't you stop them? Killing a dragon with a Dragon Scale is simply laughable."

Xiao Zhaolin sneered, "Because I wanted the Inner Demon to fail."

"Why?" Jiang Ruoxu asked in confusion.

Xiao Zhaolin said, "Two reasons. First, because I later decided that I would defeat Gu Mo personally and honorably. Second, I wanted to use Gu Mo's hands to kill those two Divine Envoys."

Jiang Ruoxu asked, "Why do you want to kill those two Divine Envoys? Aren't they here to help you unify the world?"

Xiao Zhaolin said, "They want to unify the world, but not to help me. They can help anyone because they are supporting puppets. As for their ultimate goal, I don't know.

If it were just that, I could still coexist with them. However, there's one point of conflict that cannot be resolved: they don't allow me to achieve the Ascension Realm. I, as the supreme ruler, am subjected to others even in my cultivation. How humiliating is that?

My achieving the Ascension Realm is a necessity, and they don't allow it, so we naturally cannot coexist. Either I die, or they die."

Jiang Ruoxu pondered, "After all, they are helping you. Perhaps we can negotiate!"

Xiao Zhaolin sneered, "They always act high and mighty, as if without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. But in reality, when the Late Emperor died, the demon concubine colluded with the court officials to kill me and enthrone someone else, and those two Divine Envoys didn't show up.

When I ascended the throne as a child, I navigated the court and gained control, and they didn't help me. Later, when I expanded our territory, they also didn't help me, only intervening in minor matters.

The reason they demand my obedience isn't because of how much they've helped me, but because they claim the founding emperor of Chu was supported by Beyond the Heavens, so my Chu Dynasty must obey their commands for generations. In their eyes, I am merely their puppet, and they can replace me whenever they wish!"

Xiao Zhaolin looked at Jiang Ruoxu with a cold smile and said, "Do you think there's any room for negotiation?"

"No," Jiang Ruoxu said.

"Therefore, this is the reason I want to kill them," Xiao Zhaolin said. "Originally, I intended to have Gu Mo make the move. Since you're here now, I'll entrust this matter to you. If you can't even kill them, then there's no point in talking about killing that eye in the heavens."

"Alright."

Jiang Ruoxu readily agreed and then asked, "However, I'd like to ask, since those two are Divine Envoys, how can you be sure you can kill them? Or what if Gu Mo can't kill them?"

Xiao Zhaolin said, "Over the years, I've subtly questioned them and observed them with my Double Pupils. Those two dare not easily reveal themselves, so it's likely that the power of the human world has some restraining effect on them. As long as their barrier is broken, those two will surely die.

Of course, if I'm wrong, then I'll accept my fate. If I can fight, I will. If I can't, I'll face death calmly. Although I'm only in my early twenties, I've experienced many storms in my life, all through gambling. I'm a very good gambler."

As he spoke, Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and looked at Jiang Ruoxu, saying, "For example, right now, I'm also gambling. I'm betting that you genuinely want to slay gods and aren't here to test me on behalf of those two."

Jiang Ruoxu sighed and said, "You young people nowadays are all more and more remarkable... Well, when do you plan to kill them?"

"Then there's no better day than today!" Xiao Zhaolin said. "Let's go now, how about it?"

"Agreed."

Before his voice even faded, Jiang Ruoxu's figure suddenly blurred, transforming into a wisp of condensed green smoke that silently merged into the ancient and heavy greatsword beside him.

The candlelight in the hall flickered as if blown by the wind. The greatsword let out a low hum, like a fierce beast that had slumbered for eons, slowly opening its eyes.

Immediately, Xiao Zhaolin, holding the greatsword, walked out the door.

Soon, they arrived outside the pavilion that concealed the barrier. He cupped his hands and said, "Disciple Xiao Zhaolin seeks an audience."

The seemingly ordinary wooden door of the pavilion slid open silently, revealing ordinary tables and chairs behind it. However, as Xiao Zhaolin stepped inside, a vortex of distorted light and shadow appeared behind him.

Xiao Zhaolin's expression was blank as he stepped in.

A sense of the world spinning instantly struck him. The next moment, he found himself in a serene mountain valley. The valley was lush and green, adorned with exotic flowers and plants. A clear stream flowed gently, and by the stream, on a smooth giant rock, Master Chen and Master Qiu sat opposite each other, engrossed in a game of chess. The chess pieces landed on the stone board with crisp sounds, intermingling with the sounds of the stream and birdsong, creating an exceptionally peaceful and harmonious scene, a world away from the bustling Imperial Palace.

Xiao Zhaolin's arrival did not interrupt their game. Master Chen, without even looking up, casually picked up a white piece and placed it down, asking indifferently, "Emperor, why are you here instead of attending to state affairs in the court?"

Xiao Zhaolin, carrying the Jingzhe Sword, stopped about ten feet from the stone table. He bowed slightly, his posture seemingly respectful, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, "This disciple does have something unclear, and has come to seek guidance from both of you Esteemed Ones."

Master Qiu slowly placed down a black piece, then looked up at Xiao Zhaolin, his gaze lingering for a moment on the extraordinary long sword in his hand, "Oh? What is it?"

Xiao Zhaolin asked, "This disciple wishes to know the relationship between Beyond the Heavens, the Heavenly Gate, and the Inner Demon."

Master Chen suddenly looked up and said, "Emperor, why do you suddenly ask this?"

Xiao Zhaolin said plainly, "I merely heard by chance that the Inner Demon guards the Heavenly Gate, devouring those who ascend, and that the Heavenly Gate is not a Heavenly Gate, but merely an eye. However, you two Esteemed Ones have always said the Heavenly Gate is the true Heavenly Gate. Therefore, I have reason to suspect that Beyond the Heavens behind the Heavenly Gate is not the Heavenly Realm either, but perhaps a gathering place for demons and monsters?"

"Presumptuous!" Master Chen's beard and hair bristled, his anger erupting. A dazzling white light burst forth from his body, his powerful pressure unleashed without reservation, crushing down like a raging tide. He roared, "Emperor, have you lost your mind today?"

Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and said, "Then let's talk about the second matter. If I insist on breaking through to the Ascension Realm, what will you two Esteemed Ones do?"

"Then we'll find another Emperor!"

Master Qiu placed a piece on the chessboard, and the spiritual energy in the valley instantly became violent.

"Emperor, you have tested us many times. I will not beat around the bush with you today. It is false that you cannot ascend, but it is true that you cannot ascend."

"Why?" Xiao Zhaolin asked.

"Because Innate Sages must die. As for the reason, you are not worthy of knowing," Master Chen said.

"Then there's nothing more to discuss."

Before his voice faded, Xiao Zhaolin suddenly drew his sword!

"Clang—!!!"

A clear, resonant, piercing sword cry suddenly erupted!

This sound seemed to come from the ancient primordial era, carrying a domineering and resolute power that could sever all things. It instantly tore through the valley's tranquility, and also tore through the invisible, terrifying pressure.

The moment the Jingzhe Sword was unsheathed, it was no longer rusty. Instead, it erupted with unimaginable brilliant light.

A golden-green light soared into the sky. On the sword body, a condensed to the extreme, containing power beyond the mortal realm, golden-green sword qi fiercely erupted.

"Screech—!"

Like tearing silk, or like glass shattering!

In the horrified eyes of Master Chen and Master Qiu, that golden-green sword qi fiercely slashed at a certain point in the void.

A grinding sound, as if the entire world was groaning, suddenly rang out!

The transparent barrier that enveloped the entire valley, isolating it from the mundane world, like a glass dome struck by a heavy hammer, was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

Then, with a deafening roar, it completely shattered.

Countless crystalline fragments fell like stars, and as they fell, they quickly dissolved into nothingness.

The barrier was broken, shattered by a single, effortless sword strike.

The scenery of the valley instantly disappeared.

The three of them reappeared in the Imperial City.

A unique "aura" poured in like a bursting flood. It was the most ordinary, most common, yet also the foundational power of the human world – the aura of mortal life!

The hustle and bustle of traffic, the cries of street vendors, the laughter of children, the panting of oxen, the warmth of countless household lights... the myriad worldly auras intertwined, forming a vast, complex, and vibrant torrent of life force, yet also carrying a "turbid energy"!

Master Chen and Master Qiu quickly formed hand seals, and streams of unique airflow enveloped their bodies, resisting the power of the human world.

"Emperor, do you wish for eternal damnation?" Master Chen roared.

Master Qiu, however, stared intently at the sword in Xiao Zhaolin's hand and said solemnly, "Xiao Zhaolin, we can help you break through to the Ascension Realm, but you..."

Xiao Zhaolin directly unleashed two sword strikes, instantly piercing through the airflow around Master Chen and Master Qiu.

"Ah—!!!"

"No—!!!"

Two piercing screams, unlike human cries, sounded simultaneously!

As their bodies came into contact with the surging human aura, their skin, flesh, and blood began to blacken, wither, and ulcerate at a visible speed!

Their originally ethereal and immortal-like faces were instantly covered with hideous black spots, their skin peeling off like scorched paper, revealing the flesh and blood beneath that was also rapidly carbonizing and decaying.

Their bodies convulsed violently, as if invisible flames were burning them from the inside out. Their magnificent robes quickly turned to ashes amidst the decaying flesh and blood.

In just a few breaths, their outstretched arms turned into bare white bones, and in the next moment, they disintegrated along with the bones, falling as grayish-white dust.

"You should have interrogated them for more information," Jiang Ruoxu emerged.

Xiao Zhaolin sneered, "Do you know why many people's meticulously laid plans ultimately fail?"

"Why?" Jiang Ruoxu asked.

Xiao Zhaolin said, "Because they talk too much and don't kill decisively enough, giving their opponents a chance to counter-kill. All unknowns stem from insufficient strength. Once the power is there, all doubts will be resolved."

Jiang Ruoxu nodded slightly and said, "However, these two so-called Divine Envoys are not very strong. They are only at the Ascension Realm. Moreover, their state is very strange, different from Ascension Realm cultivators in the human world. They are... very light!"

Xiao Zhaolin said, "I know."

"You know?" Jiang Ruoxu asked in surprise.

Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and said, "Although I like to gamble, I've never lost. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because every time I gamble, I have absolute certainty." Xiao Zhaolin looked at Jiang Ruoxu and said, "Guess, if you couldn't kill these two Divine Envoys just now, would I have had other ways to kill them?"

Jiang Ruoxu was slightly stunned, then gave a thumbs-up and said, "The young people of your generation are truly becoming more and more remarkable. Cooperating with you now, I'm afraid I might accidentally be killed by you one day."

Xiao Zhaolin waved his hand and said, "You and I have no conflict of interest, so I won't kill you. However, Gu Mo is hunting you. We have a common enemy. He can kill the Inner Demon, and he can kill you!"

Jiang Ruoxu said in a deep voice, "He slew a demon, so I will slay a god. I am quite looking forward to fighting him."

Xiao Zhaolin chuckled and said, "If he kills you, remember to leave your strand of immortal energy in your sword. Then, I'll take your sword to kill some true gods, which will also be fulfilling your wish!"

"It shouldn't be necessary," Jiang Ruoxu said. "I don't think I will die."

Xiao Zhaolin said, "But, in this world, no wanted criminal targeted by Gu Mo has ever escaped."

Jiang Ruoxu was silent for a moment and said, "If that day truly comes, I will leave my sword to you. You can go and kill gods in my stead. Gu Mo will also kill gods. You can usher in an era of god-slaying. I believe the human world should be the world of humans, not a place where gods rule!"