Chapter 197: Chapter 196: The Mysterious Dead (Part 2)
Great Teaching Territories from as far as the Southern Red Land and the Northern Ocean arrived bearing coffins. Naturally, even more came from the Middle Grand Realm, which was much closer to the Ancient Sky Corpse Land. Someone did a rough count and found that, regardless of a sect’s size or a country’s strength, over a hundred coffins were carried into Celestial Ancient City in a single day, with those from the Middle Grand Realm making up the vast majority.
Even a lineage like the Treasure Pillar Saint Sect was no exception to this trend. They, too, had a coffin brought into Celestial Ancient City, which was personally received by their heir, Saint Child Bao Zhu.
"A coffin made from Divine Wood..." a cultivator murmured upon seeing the Treasure Pillar Saint Sect’s casket. "Who are they trying to send onto the Netherworld Ship?"
The mere mention of the Treasure Pillar Saint Sect made many people’s expressions change. Though the sect had never produced an Immortal Emperor and was not an Emperor Immortal Gate, their lineage had produced the most Sacred Bodies in the Middle Grand Realm—perhaps even in the entire Human Emperor Realm. Rumor even had it that one of their members once cultivated an Immortal Body and came infinitesimally close to Great Success.
"The Treasure Pillar Saint Sect has the corpses of several Elder Ancestors who achieved the Great Perfection Holy Body," a Sect Leader said with great apprehension. "I wonder if they’re trying to send one of them onto the Netherworld Ship this time!"
Everyone knew that in the current era, the Treasure Pillar Saint Sect no longer had a living Great Perfection Holy Body. However, several of their ancestors who had achieved it had passed on within the sect. If they were to send one of these bodies onto the Netherworld Ship and that ancestor was successfully revived to live another life, the consequences would be terrifying.
If a Great Perfection Holy Body were to be revived—especially since the Treasure Pillar Saint Sect’s were all existences who had reached the Peak of Great Sage—it would be a truly terrifying prospect. In a world without an Immortal Emperor or someone with a Great Success Immortal Body, it was feared that no one would be able to suppress such a being!
"Nantian Country brought a coffin too." Compared to the many sects that made no secret of their actions, Nantian Country was behaving differently this time. They had brought a coffin, but no one had seen it. Outsiders only knew that in addition to the Elders of Nantian Country guarding it, Young Emperor Nantian was also in the procession.
"It’s rather strange for Nantian Country to be so low-key this time," someone remarked. Their secretive behavior, escorting a coffin without revealing it, truly puzzled many, sparking widespread discussion.
"According to legend, the coffin Nantian Country is guarding doesn’t hold one of their ancestors or an Elder Sage," a well-informed cultivator shared, having picked up some gossip. "The rumor is that their Guardian National Divine Beast is on its last breath, so they want to send it onto the Netherworld Ship."
The title "Guardian National Divine Beast" sent a chill through many hearts. A Sect Leader added, "Legend says this is Nantian Country’s second-generation Guardian National Divine Beast!"
"That legend does exist," replied a major figure knowledgeable about Nantian Country. "Their first-generation Guardian National Divine Beast is said to have died ages ago. This one is rumored to be a Spirit Beast brought back by Immortal Emperor Feiyang, and it has remained in seclusion ever since. Even though the Immortal Emperor once preached the Dao to it, allowing it to seize creation itself, it has simply lived for too long. Now, it’s only hanging on by a thread!"
At this news, the Great Teaching Territories—especially those with conflicts against Nantian Country—grew vigilant. To any cultivator, a being like a Guardian National Divine Beast was an object of extreme terror.
Nantian Country’s Guardian National Divine Beast was rumored to be shrouded in mystery; its appearance had rarely been recorded throughout the ages. However, the fact that Nantian Country *had* a Guardian National Divine Beast was not some earth-shattering secret.
Nevertheless, every Great Teaching Territory and every lineage was deeply wary of Nantian Country’s Guardian National Divine Beast. A being that had survived for countless ages was certainly no pushover.
"If it really is the Guardian National Divine Beast, then it’s understandable why Nantian Country is being so low-key," someone murmured.
Nantian Country had stood strong for millions of years, its heritage even more ancient than that of the Qingxuan Ancient Country or the Xiyan Ancient Sect. Its continued prosperity was, to a great extent, thanks to its Guardian National Divine Beast.
If Nantian Country’s Guardian National Divine Beast were truly about to die of old age, it would be a massive blow to the nation. It might even attract the covetous gazes of others.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM— In stark contrast to Nantian Country’s subtlety, the Jiangzuo Family arrived with immense fanfare. Iron-armored cavalry filled the sky, their advance accompanied by a ceaseless roar. Squad after squad streaked across the heavens like a mighty army, a veritable torrent of steel. As they thundered over Celestial Ancient City, a shiver went down countless spines.
Six divisions of the Jiangzuo Family’s iron cavalry tore across the sky, scattering the clouds. Six Princes led the way, their imposing aura blanketing the heavens in a display of sheer dominance.
"The Jiangzuo Six Emperors! Descendants of Prince Hengjiang!" someone exclaimed. Seeing the cavalry’s tyrannical advance across the sky, many were inwardly displeased. However, upon spotting the sigil on their banners, no one dared to voice their resentment.
The Jiangzuo Six Emperors were the absolute pillars of the Jiangzuo Family. A saying within the family went, "Without the Six Emperors, the great house will fall." This phrase alone was enough to illustrate their standing. When the Six Emperors acted in unison, they could even overrule the decisions of the Jiangzuo Family Patriarch!
Moreover, the Jiangzuo Six Emperors were all descendants of Prince Hengjiang, and each commanded their own branch of the family. More terrifying still, the Worthy King Six Vibration Array they formed together was hailed as invincible, capable of slaying even a Saint Venerable!
Prince Hengjiang had once been a terrifying figure. During the war for the Celestial Mandate, he had even defeated a young Mingren Immortal Emperor. Although Mingren eventually shouldered the Celestial Mandate and achieved invincibility, Prince Hengjiang’s fame still resounded throughout the Nine Realms.
Prince Hengjiang created the Worthy King Six Vibration Array, and its true secrets were jointly held by the six family branches. Who knew how many times more powerful the array was when formed by the Jiangzuo Six Emperors compared to the version once used by Marquis Jiangzuo!
As the Jiangzuo Six Emperors arrived, an ancient chariot appeared, bearing an ancient coffin. The coffin was so heavy that the six flying elephants pulling the chariot panted heavily, their breaths misting in the air.
"Who are the Jiangzuo Six Emperors planning to send onto the Netherworld Ship?" Seeing this ancient coffin, someone murmured, "Could it be their ancestor, Prince Hengjiang?"
At the mention of "Prince Hengjiang," even the representatives from powerful lineages and ancient countries paled. Prince Hengjiang was an absolutely terrifying figure. If he were revived, he would pose a great threat to every Great Sect and every country!
VMMMM— Later that day, a verdant aura suddenly filled Celestial Ancient City. The surging green energy enveloped the entire metropolis, shrouding it in a gossamer-thin veil.
The sudden change stirred the many Great Teaching Territories within Celestial Ancient City. To envelop the entire city in a single move... wasn’t that too grand a display? Wasn’t that too arrogant?
However, when the crowds saw a verdant path stretch across the sky and powerful experts walking upon that green rainbow, any anger they felt was immediately suppressed.
"Qingxuan Ancient Country," someone murmured, watching the experts on the verdant rainbow.
Countless Great Teaching Territories and innumerable powerful experts and heroic figures had gathered in Celestial Ancient City. For any single sect or lineage to envelop the entire city with a single move was a blatant disregard for all the other powers present—an act of unparalleled arrogance!
But upon seeing that it was the Qingxuan Ancient Country, even those who were annoyed by their arrogance could only choose silence.
Qingxuan Ancient Country—one gate, Twin Emperors! In the Middle Grand Realm, they were a leviathan, a giant beast crouching over the vast continent. Any lineage, any country, that wished to provoke the Qingxuan Ancient Country had to first measure its own strength. Even an Immortal Sect Emperor Lineage was no exception.
The foundation left by two Immortal Emperors gave the Qingxuan Ancient Country more than enough right to be arrogant. Its disciples had always considered themselves a cut above everyone else. Many might have been displeased with them, but they had to admit that Qingxuan truly had the capital to back up its pride. With two Immortal Emperors in its history, it would be harder for such a country *not* to be arrogant!
No one knew how many experts the Qingxuan Ancient Country had brought, but many people saw from afar four True Masters shouldering an ancient coffin. To think that within the Qingxuan Ancient Country, even True Masters were reduced to being pallbearers!
Undoubtedly, the Qingxuan Ancient Country also intended to send one of its esteemed ancestors to the Netherworld Ship. For a time, Celestial Ancient City was abuzz with discussion as many major figures speculated on who, exactly, was in that coffin.
The Qingxuan Ancient Country was a lineage of Twin Emperors. While they didn’t dominate every single era, they had produced a Great Sage in each generation. Since they were now sending a coffin to the Netherworld Ship, the person inside must be an extraordinary figure.
"It’s most likely the Nine Ancestors of Qingxuan," a Demon Emperor familiar with the ancient country speculated.
"Qingxuan the Ninth!" At the mention of this name, everyone from Sect Leader-level figures to Elder-level existences couldn’t help but gasp.
"Qingxuan the Ninth..." someone said with a sigh. "Though he was the last of the Nine Ancestors, he was the strongest. He was a being who once challenged Immortal Emperor Ta Kong!"
Qingxuan the Ninth was also known as the ninth of the Nine Ancestors of Qingxuan. He was born in the era *after* Immortal Emperor Ta Kong, beginning his cultivation only after the emperor had shouldered the Celestial Mandate. Yet even in the age when Immortal Emperor Ta Kong reigned supreme over the universe, Qingxuan the Ninth was still incomparably tyrannical. His cultivation advanced at a meteoric pace as he swept aside all obstacles in his path.
Legend says that upon achieving great success in the Dao, Qingxuan the Ninth challenged the already invincible Immortal Emperor Ta Kong. However, he was sent flying with a single flick of the emperor’s finger and suffered grievous, lasting injuries as a result.
Even though Qingxuan the Ninth was soundly defeated, there was honor in his loss. For any cultivator, simply having the right to challenge an Immortal Emperor was an insurmountable peak in itself!
"Qingxuan the Ninth..." In the end, someone could only sigh softly.
The appearance of the Qingxuan Ancient Country in Celestial Ancient City placed even greater pressure on the lineages hoping to resurrect their ancestors. This meant they would have to compete with the Qingxuan Ancient Country for a spot on the Netherworld Ship.
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