Ch. 151 - Different Paths

The Peacock Monarch’s eyes were as clear as water, his hair soft and light, strands gently fluttering. He looked like a snow lotus blooming on an icy peak, graceful and refined. He said, “Join forces to enter the Bronze Immortal Palace? To walk into death? I haven’t lived enough yet.”

Nangong Zheng stood tall, his silver hair dancing as he hovered mid-air, surrounded by a rain of flowers. The plants around him were vibrant and lush, radiating vitality. He said, “Don’t you want to glimpse the opportunity for immortality? After eight hundred years of seclusion, didn’t you re-emerge for this?”

The Peacock Monarch sneered, “Since ancient times, how many peerless masters has that bronze palace claimed? I’ve never heard of anyone becoming immortal through it. It’s not a palace of immortals, it’s a mausoleum, a graveyard for Eastern Wilderness’ overlords.”

“To become immortal is to defy death itself,” Nangong Zheng said solemnly. “Throughout history, even sages and paragons sighed in vain. You and I, should we not seize this one fleeting chance to fight for eternity, rather than wither in obscurity?”

The Peacock Monarch stood with hands behind his back. “I’ve roamed the world, challenged Sacred Lords, lived freely. Where is the obscurity in that? Even if I die, so what?”

“You once blazed brilliantly, but are you not also subject to the melancholy of fading glory?” Nangong Zheng said. “In the end, all of it, your fame, your power, becomes a dream. Who will remember you in a thousand years? Without immortality, all is dust.”

“What others think, what comes after death, none of it concerns me,” the Peacock Monarch replied. “I know only that the present is real. To pursue immortality all one’s life, only to end up with nothing, is the saddest fate of all.”

Nangong Zheng shook his head. “To shed mortal flesh and gain eternal freedom, this is our true aspiration. Why deceive yourself?”

The Peacock Monarch laughed loudly, his voice shaking the heavens. “Let me ask you: since the dawn of history, has the Eastern Wilderness ever truly produced an immortal? Don’t talk to me about those few names in ancient texts, their disappearances are too suspicious to trust.”

“Of course there are immortals,” Nangong Zheng countered. “The one sealed beneath the Desolate Tower, was that not an immortal?”

“Did you see him yourself?” the Peacock Monarch challenged.

“No.”

“Then immortality may well be an illusion. Still, I’ve soared across the world. Even without becoming a god, I am still a force to be reckoned with, I need no self-deception.”

Ye Fan, standing to the side, found the Peacock Monarch’s attitude refreshing, he didn’t obsess over becoming immortal. Yet Nangong Zheng’s words were also weighty, clearly not an ordinary man. He lived up to his title as one of humanity’s great beings.

Ji Ziyue’s big eyes sparkled as she muttered, “This is so unfair… Legends say they’re both hundreds or thousands of years old, yet they look so young, and even more handsome than my brother…”

“Enough talk, Nangong Zheng,” the Peacock Monarch said coldly. “All of that is meaningless. Do you intend to intervene and stop me?”

“The Ji Clan’s Patriarch told me that if I saved either of the Ji siblings should I cross paths with them, they’d become my disciple and inherit my legacy,” Nangong Zheng replied. “I’m going to enter the Bronze Immortal Palace and haven’t chosen a successor, so I’d like to fulfill that promise.”

Around Nangong Zheng, blossoms bloomed, his appearance ethereal, almost divine.

“You truly intend to interfere?” the Peacock Monarch’s eyes turned sharp, and a surge of terrifying power burst forth like a volcano, roaring into the sky.

“As an old acquaintance, I urge you: give this up. Come with me instead, and seek immortality. If not, your glorious life may end in darkness.”

“What a grand tone,” the Peacock Monarch said icily. “Are you trying to tell me the Ji Clan’s Patriarch is nearby, ready to assist you in crushing me?”

“He doesn’t know you’re here,” Nangong Zheng said. “But not only is he searching for you, so is the Lord of Radiant Light. He has emerged from seclusion.”

“As I expected,” the Peacock Monarch sneered. “Let’s see what they can do. They’ve harmed my people. As a Supreme Giant of the demon race, if I don’t act, I’m unworthy of the title.”

“Those ancient clans inherited from the Desolate Era and have unimaginable depths. Someone may well rise up and suppress you themselves…”

“Unless they dig up their ancestors and resurrect the God Kings, I fear no one!” the Peacock Monarch’s eyes sparked like lightning, his demeanor transforming. “If anyone wants to stop me, they’ll have to do it with strength!”

Fragrant petals filled the air, drifting in waves. The sky bloomed with dazzling color. Nangong Zheng stood like a serene deity plucking a flower. Behind him, a towering ancient tree grew from nothing, reaching into the heavens.

“If that’s how it is, then forgive me.”

“We should’ve fought long ago,” the Peacock Monarch replied. Though he looked like a seventeen-year-old youth, his aura now felt like an unsheathed divine blade, cutting, overwhelming, warlike.

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, the Peacock Monarch opened his Divine Eye, and a beam of godlight shot from his forehead directly into Ji Ziyue’s body.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” Ji Ziyue yelped.

“Nothing serious,” Nangong Zheng said calmly. “He just left a mark so he can find you later. Now go, quickly.”

“Let’s go!” Ye Fan grabbed Ji Ziyue and soared into the sky. The two Supreme Giants were about to clash, it would surely shake the heavens.

Even after flying far away, they still felt the violent shockwaves, like a vast sea churning. It was awe-inspiring.

Looking back, Ji Ziyue gasped. “Heavens! There are so many suns!”

In the far-off sky, multiple blazing suns hung in the air, dazzling and blinding.

Which one was the real sun? Which were illusions from the mighty ones? It was impossible to tell.

“There’s an extra layer of sky!”

There, the heavens had split, two layers of brilliant blue.

“This is… ‘Stars Illuminate the Blue Sky’!”

The Peacock Monarch’s Celestial Phenomenon, Stars Illuminate the Blue Sky, appeared, and each star shone like a sun. It was otherworldly.

Under this blue sky, the stars were massive, like mountain ranges, bright and trembling, shaking the world.

Suddenly, a giant ancient tree burst from the earth, piercing the sky, its crown so vast it blocked out the sun.

“That’s the legendary World Tree, Nangong Zheng actually manifested it!” Ji Ziyue was wide-eyed in disbelief.

The World Tree, according to legends from both this world and across the starry heavens, was the sacred tree worshiped by ancient peoples, said to stand at the center of the universe, bridging heaven, earth, mortals, and immortals.

To manifest such a Celestial Phenomenon, and to split the sky with it, yes, it was possible!

Around the tree were many divine herbs and rare plants, trembling with life force. It looked like a living tapestry of rivers and mountains.

This was an unknown Celestial Phenomenon. Nangong Zheng truly lived up to his title as one of humanity’s most powerful Supreme Giants, his presence was awe-inspiring.

Buzz!

Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue felt dizzy. A roar from the battle sent their blood boiling, throwing them backward.

In that distant sky, blurred and shining, more visions emerged as the two mighty ones clashed, unleashing their ultimate techniques. The battle had begun.

“There are more Celestial Phenomena…” Ji Ziyue’s eyes sparkled. She wanted to keep watching but knew survival came first.

Clashes between Supreme Giants were world-shaking, unseen in a lifetime.

Regretfully, Ye Fan used his mysterious footwork and didn’t look back. He pulled Ji Ziyue and vanished into the horizon.

They sped away without pause. Only after several hundred miles did they exhale, but they didn’t stop, choosing a new direction to keep fleeing.

“I really wanted to see the Peacock Monarch roar and shake the land, pluck stars and seize moons…” Ye Fan muttered. Just from Ji Ziyue’s descriptions, he knew how terrifying that being was.

“Better not,” Ji Ziyue shivered. “He shattered Ji Clan elders with a single roar… Just thinking about it gives me chills. I’d rather watch that silver-haired hunk…”

“Seriously?” Ye Fan teased.

Just then, a cold voice echoed ahead. On a mountain peak, a man in coarse robes rose into the air, holding a five-tier silver tower, blocking their path.

At the same time, silhouettes appeared in all directions, surrounding them.

“Hiss, ”

Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue gasped. Six cultivators, all powerful, had surrounded them.

These were the same people who had pursued them through the domain gate. Their faces were obscured by mist, but from their voices, they sounded like formidable middle-aged experts.

“Not even the Phoenix-Crested Lightning Bird could finish you off… You’re lucky,” Ji Ziyue sneered.

Except for the man holding the silver tower, the other five were battered and burned, clearly suffering greatly.

“Kill them,” the robed man said with a wave, decisive and ruthless.

Powerful waves surged from all sides. The attackers unleashed weapons and techniques, launching deadly strikes.

Ji Ziyue was still weak, unable to fight.

Ye Fan relied on his speed, dodging left and right as he dove toward the ground. These people were beyond the Other Shore Realm, he couldn’t fight head-on and could only flee.

“Don’t think you can escape,” the robed man said. “Next year, we’ll burn paper for your graves.”

He personally struck. The silver tower in his hand rapidly expanded, it’s five floors glowing dimly, like a mountain crashing down.

Ji Ziyue whispered into Ye Fan’s ear, “Quick, channel your godpower into me. I have a hidden treasure that can get us out.”

Ye Fan didn’t hesitate and poured power into her. She suddenly radiated sacred light, emitting rainbow-colored brilliance that blocked the tower’s pressure.

“Whoosh!”

In the next instant, the two became streaks of flashing light, dodging attacks and bursting out of the encirclement.

Like lightning weaving through storm clouds, they flickered a few times and nearly escaped the net.

Buzz!

A piercing hum followed. The robed man spread his fingers, each as large as a mountain, and instantly reached them, warping the very space.

Ye Fan turned pale. This man was terrifying!

Ji Ziyue also looked grim. This opponent was too powerful, she couldn’t shake him. Anxiously, she sent Ye Fan a mental message: “Little rascal, listen carefully. I’ll now teach you the complete incantation for the Grand Void Art, use it to hide in the dimensional gap!”

Comments