Emperor Zun!
Undying Heavenly Emperor!
Ruthless Great Emperor!
The Great Emperor Wushi!
Azure Emperor!
Heavenly Emperor Ye!
God Emperor!
"After the Chaotic Ancient Era, this universe gave birth to seven supreme beings!" Li Qingshan was solemn; this was an acknowledgment of true power.
Perhaps, we should also include the brilliant and extraordinary Heavenly Venerable Lingbao from the Mythological Era, who blazed a trail on the path to Red Dust Immortal Path. As Heavenly Emperor for Lifetime, he might be qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
Those who truly reach the pinnacle must share a common essence.
What is it about these seven or eight figures that sets them apart from other " Great Emperor "?
The answer still lies in that " Heavenly Heart Imprint ".
What was that thing to them?
It's a tool. A useful tool. But that's all it is—a tool.
It's something that adds to the beauty of life, or a stepping stone at a certain stage. It's by no means a fatal flaw, nor a shackle!
The Wu Shi Undying Heavenly Emperor reside in Strange World, without the Heavenly Heart Imprint of this realm. How could they be weaker in the slightest? Their strength remains undiminished, and their Great Dao endures alone.
In his later years, the Azure Emperor dispersed himself into fragments, imprisoning himself in Desolate Pagoda, intending to evolve Immortal Domain. The traces of his Heavenly Heart Imprint in the records of the outside world naturally dissipated. Did he ever fall? Within the Desolate Pagoda, the Green Lotus sways, evolving endlessly. His path has never been interrupted for even a moment!
The Ruthless Great Emperor, whose talent surpasses all ages, had long ago comprehended the mysteries of life and death and reincarnation in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, and had long ago "abandoned" the Heavenly Heart Imprint. The result? She transformed herself Lifetime after Lifetime, living out an astonishing Feng Cai, so powerful that even the river of time would give way, and all the Great Daos of the Heavens would bow their heads before her!
Heavenly Emperor Ye Fan, the Heavenly Emperor, disdained such a path. He became an emperor in Lifetime, but never fused with the Heavenly Heart Imprint. Instead, he used his domineering " Heavenly Emperor Fist " and " Cauldron of All-Things Mother Qi " to forcefully pierce through all paths and surpass them! In the struggles of the mortal world ever since, Lifetime after Lifetime, when has he ever suppressed his successors to fuse with that mark? His path has always belonged only to himself. The mark? It is not worthy to be ranked with him.
"In their eyes," Li Qingshan's gaze pierced through the ancient mists, revealing the truth, " the Heavenly Heart Imprint is no different in essence from a handy divine weapon or an ancient scripture worth studying. It can be used, or not. Using it won't make you much stronger; not using it won't make you weaker."
His mind raced, and a cold yet clear metaphor naturally emerged:
It's like a "final test" for all living beings.
Ordinary Great Emperor, giving their all and burning their last drop, ultimately achieve a perfect score: 100. Because their life's limit was precisely reached, marking the perfect score on this exam.
These six supreme beings, and the realm that Li Qingshan was gazing upon, represented a level where his own strength had already reached 120 points.
One hundred and fifty points, or even higher. The exam paper is only out of one hundred points, so they answer the questions with ease, and may even feel that the questions are simple and the paper is thin.
That 100 points wasn't their limit, it was just the upper limit of the rules.
"The fundamental goal of every so-called enlightened being who aligns with it is nothing more than to use this thing to most directly and brutally steal the operating laws of a complete universe in order to fill the gaps in their own Great Dao and solidify the foundation known as 'using the Body as the Seed '."
To align with the Heavenly Heart Imprint is tantamount to forcibly seizing the "supreme administrative authority" and the "complete underlying structural blueprint" of this universe.
The mysteries of birth and death of a world, and the countless enigmas of intertwined laws, are like a puppet disassembled and laid out for you to observe, analyze, and replicate.
This is undoubtedly a shortcut—a highly efficient and straightforward path that saves one from endless trial and error and avoids countless deductive fallacies.
"However, if you take shortcuts for too long, your legs will forget how to traverse muddy paths. If you become dependent, your soul will find it difficult to remember where your Present Self should go."
"Once you fully comprehend the true essence of your own path, and your foundation is as solid as Mount Buzhou," his tone suddenly rose, carrying the resolute determination to break free of shackles, "Then you shall break free from this 'authority' and 'pattern'! And kick away this auxiliary wheel!"
"At that time, the laws will arise naturally within oneself, and Fortune unfold on its own, without relying on external forces or depending on others!"
"This is the true Emperor! Great Emperor Body as the Seed nascent seed, capable of shaking the Immortal Gate!"
This is the essential difference between the few who have transcended all ages and are revered as " Heavenly Emperor " after the Chaotic Ancient Era, and other " Great Emperor "!
Piecing together clues scattered throughout the original work, we can deduce that this level of existence is Heavenly Abyss apart from ordinary Union with the Dao. It cannot be bridged by numbers, nor can it be erased by the passage of time.
They are able to withstand the erosion of time in the mortal world, living out Lifetime extraordinary Lifetime. With Lifetime rebirth, their resistance to the years increases, and their self-cultivation approaches perfection.
When they cultivate this " Great Emperor " realm to true perfection amidst the bustling world, and their resistance to time rises to a certain threshold, they undergo an ultimate transformation, becoming immortals in the mortal realm!
That's at least on par with the " Quasi-Immortal King " level of the Immortal Ancient Method!
The ultimate goal of the True Immortal path is to become Quasi-Immortal King.
Ye Hei accumulated power through nine lifetimes, becoming an immortal in the mortal world. Strictly speaking, he only pushed the " Great Emperor " realm to its extreme, but he did not break through the Immortal Platform Secret Realm and leap into a completely new and higher system.
This in itself is enough to explain everything.
Therefore, within the cold yet clear framework of the system that Li Qingshan has rebuilt at this moment:
Ordinary Union with the Dao, relying on the Heavenly Heart Imprint, can hold the titles and positions of "Emperor," but their Dao Fruit is flawed and not yet perfect.
At the level of Heavenly Emperor, one breaks free from the shackles of the mark, and one's own Great Dao is perfectly harmonious and without flaw.
Li Qingshan's thoughts drifted to Ye Fan, the future Heavenly Emperor Ye. "If it weren't for the heaven-defying opportunity of the Divine Flower, which allowed him to glimpse the profound mysteries of the immortal path at the peak of the Quasi-Emperor and accumulate extraordinary foundations, when he attained enlightenment, he would probably have had to first bow down and 'align' with that Heavenly Heart Imprint before making any further plans."
It was thanks to the gift of the Divine Flower that he felt a little disdain for the "assistance" of the Heavenly Heart Imprint and gained a lot more confidence.
Therefore, he can be so domineering, using his own path as a hammer to pierce through all paths and rise above them! This makes the Heavenly Heart Imprint unable to suppress him, but instead it is trampled into the dust and becomes a kind of "usable or disposable" resource.
This brings us to the pitiful figure of the one known as the " Golden Crow Great Emperor ".
When Ye Fan attempted to defy all paths and achieve his own unique path, and fiercely pierced through the Heavenly Heart Imprint, the Golden Crow Great Emperor's merged path wailed, the mark connecting him to the universe almost collapsed, and his imperial throne teetered on the brink of collapse!
If the Heavenly Heart Imprint were not a collection of all concepts of the universe, and the mark would not exist as long as the universe exists, the Golden Crow would probably have become the shortest-lived " Great Emperor " in history, deposed the moment it ascended the throne.
"My path,"
Li Qingshan slowly raised his eyelids amidst the chaos.
"Boom!!"
In that instant, the entire Chaos Dao Platform erupted with light that tore through Eternal! The countless law runes that floated and disappeared in the Void suddenly solidified, as if captured and nailed to the spot by an invisible giant hand! The concepts of time and space, and all flowing concepts, were forced to "hold their breath" the moment he opened his eyes.
The depths of his pupils no longer reflect the birth and death of stars, the changing of mountains and rivers. Only an ultimate "emptiness" and "purity" remain there.
Emptiness can contain the origin of all things; purity can illuminate the essence of all phenomena.
"No need for compatibility."
He spoke, his tone steady, yet as if engraved by the Heavenly Dao, carrying an absolute majesty that seemed to reconstruct the laws and overturn history.
"Direct transcendence."
" The Heavenly Heart Imprint?" A faint, yet chilling smile curved his lips. "It can serve as a mirror for reference, a stone for learning. But it is by no means an essential step!"
He controls the Stone Gate, which connects all the heavens and witnesses the birth, death, and evolution of countless universes. This in itself is a "frame of reference" that is far more vast and higher-dimensional than the Heavenly Heart Imprint of a mere universe!
He has begun to consolidate his " Other Selves " and refined the characteristics of the Dao Fruit from different worlds. The strength of his own foundation and the depth of his potential have already surpassed all deductions and imaginations in this world!
Most importantly, he possessed this "understanding," this "Dao Heart" that dared to question the Ancient Emperor's redefinition of the Emperor Realm and measure the heavens with his own heart!
"A true Heavenly Emperor -level being," Li Qingshan heart was as clear as crystal, illuminating the past and future. "The day he attains enlightenment will be the day the Heavenly Emperor descends upon the mortal realm!"
"Their imperial thrones are the natural result of their own cultivation, overflowing naturally, and certainly not titles bestowed upon them based on synergy with some external force!"
"My path," he slowly looked inward, gazing at the new Dao foundation within his body, where the four qualities were perfectly fused and constantly rising in dimensionality, feeling the boundless power that seemed about to burst forth from his body, "It should be like this."
"Others see the mark as a boat, pouring their hearts and souls into it, only to cross the Bitter Sea and, by sheer luck, become emperors."
Li Qingshan slowly rose, his black robes fluttering without stirring up any air currents, yet causing the very "existence" of the entire Chaotic Blessed Land to groan under unbearable pressure.
I will offer myself as a torch.
He took a step forward.
Just one step.
The platform beneath his feet trembled violently, and countless chaotic energies, like billions of startled serpents, fled wildly in all directions, clearing out an absolute "domain." Within this domain, he stood alone.
"Illuminating the ancient fog."
He took another step.
The Void began to crack, a sign that the density of his own "existence" was beginning to oppress the structure of reality.
"Take one step, and you'll Other Shore."
The third step is to land.
The entire Qingwei Blessed Land, with all its immortal mists, spiritual springs, ancient medicinal arrays, and patterns, solidified simultaneously! The light dimmed, the sounds vanished, as if the entire secret realm was bowing to him, awaiting the final pronouncement.
Li Qingshan stood still, hands behind his back, his gaze seemingly piercing through the Jade Pool, shooting towards the Big Dipper, towards the Cosmic Frontier, and towards that magnificent ancient history.
He spoke, his voice not loud, yet it was like the first axe light cleaving through the Heaven-Opening, slicing into reality. "I am the Heavenly Emperor."
He raised his right hand extremely slowly.
Her fingers were long and slender, with a subtle, shimmering sheen beneath her skin.
He simply made a grasping motion towards the churning, chaotic mist ahead.
"Disperse."
A Daoist voice, uttered with utmost tranquility yet imbued with supreme will, emerged from his mouth.
Words spoken become law.
"Boom!!"
Li Qingshan withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on the "nothingness" he had created. His eyes held neither sorrow nor joy, only an eternal tranquility.
"I have seen clearly the so-called path of the Great Emperor."
"Next step,"
He slowly closed his eyes, and his aura began to collapse and condense inward at an even more terrifying speed.
"Let me, the ' Heavenly Emperor,' measure this ancient history and weigh these heavens."
Chaos slowly surged in again, attempting to fill the void.
But no matter how turbulent it became, it dared not approach within a hundred feet of the Daoist platform again.
It was as if that place had become a forbidden zone.
The emperor was already formed before he even left his domain.
Beyond the Jade Pool Pure Land, in that golden age boiled with bloodshed and war, the battles of the younger generation have reached a frenzied climax.
Bones pave the road to fame, blood irrigates the flowers of ambition. Countless geniuses rise amidst roars, and fall under even more dazzling light.
All this clamor and life and death, in the depths of that pure land shrouded in chaos and absolute will, are nothing more than insignificant background noise.
In the " Holy City " of the Northern Region, in a private room on the second floor of a tavern.
Outside the window, leaden clouds hung low, as if they might crush the banners atop the city walls at any moment. Inside, however, the lights were bright and the atmosphere warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the desolate scene outside.
Three cultivators, each dressed differently but exuding an extraordinary aura, sat around a table. Spiritual wine rippled slightly in the jade cups before them, emitting a refreshing fragrance.
Seated at the head of the table was an elderly man with white hair and beard, his face gaunt, and his eyes sparkling with a hint of starlight. He was Ji Xuanming, an elder of the Ji Family. He picked up his jade cup, took a sip, and slowly said, "Half a year has passed. The scorched earth of Blood Moon Ridge, exposed to the wind and sun, has lost its stench of blood, but its awe-inspiring presence grows stronger every day."
Seated to the left was a burly middle-aged man with bronze skin and bulging muscles, seemingly brimming with explosive power. He was Jiang Wu, an elder of the Jiang Family responsible for affairs in the Northern Region. Upon hearing this, he coldly snorted, his voice like muffled thunder. " The Blood Moon Clan deserves its fate. They kept my human ancestors as food and used the skulls of sages as weapons. Such a blood feud deserves to be avenged even with the extermination of the entire clan!"
On the right stood a scholar dressed in a simple blue robe, his face refined and scholarly. His fingertips tapped rhythmically on the table. He was Wang Yan, an elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land renowned for his wisdom and strategy. He set down his jade cup and said softly, "The destruction of the Blood Moon Clan is certainly gratifying. However, the actions of that Eastern Exalt of Jade Pool were far too cruel. To slay six saints and slaughter an entire royal clan's ancestral land in a single day—such methods are beyond what the word 'establishing authority' can describe."
Ji Xuanming put down his jade cup and cast the light towards the gloomy sky outside the window. "Ku Lie? Elder Wang, do you know how many human cities and villages have been secretly slaughtered, enslaved, and imprisoned since the awakening of the Primordial Myriad Races? Have you ever seen the envoys of the Ancient Races arrogantly step into my human holy land, ordering them to relocate and exterminating entire families at the drop of a hat? If there were no thunderous measures to deter them, would those Primordial Beings, whose very bones are engraved with the law of the jungle, have restrained themselves even slightly?"
Jiang Wu chimed in, his voice firm and resolute. "Indeed! In the past six months, overt conflicts in the Northern Region have decreased by more than half, and even the most vocal royal envoys have become much more restrained. Why? Because they're afraid! They're afraid of becoming the next Blood Moon Clan!"
Wang Yan shook his head with a wry smile, "What you two fellow Daoists say is true. However, such actions have ultimately pushed Jade Pool and that Eastern Exalt into the eye of the storm. The Primordial Royal Clan is no benevolent force; they may temporarily avoid the limelight today, but they will surely seek revenge in the future. Moreover, it is still unknown whether the royal family's attitude is involved in the destruction of the Blood Moon Clan."
Ji Xuanming remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The royal families, the Fire Qilin Cave, the Myriad Dragon Nest, and the Divine Silkworm Ridge —these major royal families have yet to make a clear statement. They seem to be observing the situation."
"Watching and waiting?" Jiang Wu scoffed. "The royal family has its own arrogance. They may disdain associating with the royal family, but they would never want to see a powerful figure rise among the human race who could threaten their position. That Eastern Exalt, with his Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, possesses Great Emperor scriptures and has a deep connection with two Emperor Weapon. How could the royal family not be wary of such an existence?"
Wang Yan stopped tapping, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "This is exactly what I'm most worried about. The destruction of the Blood Moon Clan has shocked the royal family, but it has also alarmed the imperial family. Once the major imperial families reach a consensus and join forces to exert pressure, or even secretly push for them to unite, how will Jade Pool resist?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Only the howling wind outside the window, whipping up sand that pelted against the windowpane with a soft, rhythmic "pat-pat" sound.
After a long silence, Ji Xuanming sighed softly, "Things have come to this point, and further words are useless. My Ji Family and the Jiang Family have secretly contacted several holy land families to discuss countermeasures. The Primordial Myriad Races are coming with overwhelming force; this is by no means a matter for Jade Pool alone. The human race can no longer remain a disorganized mess."
Jiang Wu nodded emphatically. " God King Jiang has already made contact with several reclusive Ancient Saint. If it really comes to that, our human race will also have the resources to overcome them!"
The worry in Wang Yan's eyes lessened slightly, and he cupped his hands, saying, "If it can truly be so, the Yaoguang Holy Land is willing to do its utmost."