Chapter 3253: Eternal Continuation (1)

In Zhu Tian, the snow fell pure and white.

The eternal legend remained the most ancient myth.

Ten thousand years had passed, turning seas into fields and mountains into plains.

The snow showed no sign of stopping, and no one knew when it would end.

Zhu Tian was not at peace.

A kind of heavenly tribulation rumbled continuously, one after another. After ten thousand years, the mortal world ushered in another golden age. So many had attained the Dao and become Da Di, with seas of lightning in various colors, like colorful clouds adorning the vast universe, heralding a magnificent era.

"Da Di, it's really become as common as cabbage."

Gui Di sighed, and the once Xuan Huang 130 Di clicked their tongues in amazement. They recalled their own times—achieving Da Di was incredibly difficult, always involving great calamities and invasions from foreign realms. But now, the world was peaceful and prosperous, with those attaining Da Di sprouting up like bamboo shoots after rain, and new generations rising one after another.

The new era had arrived, and times had changed.

Everyone knew that the Da Di of today held a different significance from the supreme beings of ancient times. No matter how dazzling they were, they could no longer stir up massive waves, for the peak cultivation was fixed at Huang Di level. Da Di was no longer enough.

"Time is like a blade; three eras have passed."

The emperors of Tian Ting lamented. Having survived two great destructions, these relics of the old era should have long turned to dust. But ten thousand years of eternity had kept them ageless, unwounded, undying, and indestructible, allowing them to truly experience what eternal life meant.

The cycle of heaven's Dao now rivaled rules beyond Huang Di.

Under its vast canopy, all living beings might achieve everlasting immortality.

Yet, the one who created this myth had still not returned.

Hengyue Zong seemed like a dreamlike illusion, filled with many vibrant young disciples. The diligent ones had already risen, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. Before cultivating, they always did one thing: offer reverence. On every mountain peak, in every pavilion, and in every grand hall, stood a lifelike statue, carved by an unknown hand.

"Senior, we will definitely surpass you."

He was the goal of the younger generations.

"Take those words with a grain of salt."

Xiao Ling Wa sat on the rooftop, crunching on source stones. Even after ten thousand years and becoming a Tian Di, his habit of eating source stones remained unchanged. As for surpassing Ye Chen, it was indeed just something to say. After the heaven's Dao cycle, no one could exceed that holy body—not even the female emperor or Shen Zun. It wasn't that they lacked brilliance; it was the rules that limited them. This damaged universe could no longer produce higher levels; perhaps only mid-tier Huang Di at most. And even that level, Shen Zun and the female emperor had yet to reach.

"Damn it, I've already attained the Dao. When the hell are you coming back?"

Today's Xiong Er woke up early, leading a group of little kids to pay respects to Ye Chen. The once mischievous little fatty had now become more composed. Perhaps it was because Ye Chen had been gone for so long that no one was left to chat with him about life's ideals.

"Xuan Zu, who exactly lives on that mountain peak?"

Many little kids looked up curiously. The mountain they referred to was Yu Nu Peak. From the day they were born, they had been told that no one was allowed to set foot there.

"An ancient myth."

Xiong Er just smiled, and Xie Yun and Situ Nan smiled too.

Whenever the elders were asked about it by later generations, they always gave the same answer.

The graceful Yu Nu Peak had become a forbidden zone.

Even after ten thousand years, no one dared to disturb it. It was as if that mountain peak was a vague, ethereal dream, existing in the world but not of it.

And they lived within that dream.

No one knew when it began, but the wives of the holy body clan had all cultivated the Dao of dreams. In the dead of night, they would weave an eternal dream—one that included him.

This self-deceptive illusion was a solace for their longing hearts.

Unable to wait for him, they preferred to live in dreams, where they would dress him in the most vibrant red wedding attire. Through countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters, they lived like this, as if puppets, existing only for that dream over ten thousand years.

"If you come back, I wouldn't mind showing you the rare edition."

Ming Di carried a wine jug, coming once again to pay respects to Ye Chen. He visited every day.

"Have some shame!"

Dao Zu was there too, though he didn't speak; his expression said it all.

The Chaos Body was also present.

After ten thousand years of the heaven's Dao cycle, he was another one who had been revived and was the fastest and most heaven-defying in advancement among all in Zhu Tian. Now, he was a genuine quasi-Huang Di.

Yet, no matter how astonishing he was, he still couldn't compare to that person.

In this era,

In this epoch,

Even for all eternity, no one could surpass Ye Chen.

The eternal holy body had become a monument.

The tenth emperor of Da Chu was also a symbol, the emblem of the new era. Even as heaven and earth aged, only he remained immortal, standing guard at the end of time.

Suddenly, two rays of light appeared.

It was Di Huang and Yue Shang who had arrived, also to pay respects to Ye Chen.

As they left, they took Ming Di with them.

From that day onward, Ming Di was not seen for several decades.

No one knew why, but the once complete Di Dao F4 group was suddenly missing two members.

Ming Di was gone, and so was Di Zun.

It wasn't until Xuan Di kicked open the gates of Ming Jie that, and Gui Di blew apart the Xian Wu grand hall, that they discovered the two emperors had been hung from a tree, beaten until only a wisp of their souls remained.

"Di Huang and Yue Shang beating Ming Di, I get that."

"But why did that Shen Mingmo guy beat Di Zun? Do they have a grudge?"

"Always sneaking around when people are bathing—who else would they beat?"

The mischievous old folks still loved to gather, hands tucked behind their backs. Every few days, they would answer questions for the younger generations and casually recount Ye Chen's exploits, from his mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to his schemes of deception and trickery—they knew it all.

The eternal myth sounded so impressive just hearing about it.

So, for later generations to surpass the holy body? No hope in this lifetime.

In the ninth year, the female emperor awakened.

Under the moonlight, she stood alone at the mountain peak, bathing in its glow like a beautiful dream. She remained there for ten years, deducing the universe and evolving its rules.

From beyond the universe, Zi Zai Tian returned.

Ever since the heaven's Dao cycle, she went out every ten years.

She was searching for her own universe.

Alas, after a full ten thousand years, she still hadn't found it.

This time, she was badly injured.

Without needing to ask, it was clear she had encountered a terrifying existence, barely escaping with her life. The female emperor understood this all too well—from their past search for the Xing Zi little one with Ye Chen, they had seen far too many unknown life forms, each surpassing Huang Di.

"Has it vanished?"

Zi Zai Tian murmured to herself; the universe seemed to have evaporated from existence.

"Don't go out anymore."

The female emperor spoke softly, waving her hand to send a strand of eternity into Zi Zai Tian's body. She erased the killing intent and healed her imperial form. Unless one reached Huang Di level, it was best not to venture out—the vastness beyond held far too many dreadful beings.

"This universe has reached its peak and is now in decline."

Zi Zai Tian said leisurely, having realized it the moment she returned.

If she could see it, the female emperor certainly could too.

Indeed, beneath Zhu Tian's glorious facade lay a hidden decay. It likely stemmed from Ye Chen's battle against the heaven's Dao ten thousand years ago, which damaged the universe's foundation. That kind of foundation was beyond what she and Shen Zun could reverse or repair.

Ye Chen must have foreseen all of this back then.

That's why this heaven's Dao cycle was imbued with eternity—to buy time and hope that Zhu Tian's Huang Di could find a solution within it.

In reality, she and Shen Zun had disappointed Ye Chen.

The universe was withering, and the eternal continuation was nearing its end.

Perhaps in a hundred years,

Or maybe a thousand,

The civilization of this new era would gradually fade away.