The Beyond's Finest Gather — The Most Correct Decision of His Life
The Beyond’s Finest Gather — The Most Correct Decision of His Life
One ancient battleship after another streaked across the sky, heading toward the Aether Abyss, which was shrouded in endless fog. Behind them came the vast and mighty army of the Beyond.
The beings of the many Daoist traditions and great sects of the Beyond had already gathered at this place, and were now handing over duties with the forces that had been stationed here before.
The boundless fog surged and billowed, as if blowing in from another world, accompanied by a vast, rumbling sound.
This place was composed of many shattered universes, along with all manner of chaotic Great Dao storms. It was incomparably dangerous—one could be bathed in blood and perish at the slightest misstep.
Without the correct route, even a True Daoist would not dare set foot here lightly.
At this moment, ancient battleships and celestial vessels stood arrayed across the firmament, letting down vast, endless chains of divine law that blotted out the universe, like stretches of ancient, immortal divine mountain-continents.
Aboard these ancient battleships were prodigies and powerhouses who had rushed over from all the heavens of the Beyond. Their blood qi surged to the heavens, like roaring furnaces—none dared take them lightly.
From time to time, spatial fluctuations rippled out as figures transformed into divine rainbows and sped away, hurrying toward the encampments of their respective clans or Daoist traditions.
“Greetings, Young Master.”
The many knights clad in battle armor, wielding heavenly daggers, war spears, long sabers, and other weapons, all stood before Gu Changge at this moment, their expressions incomparably respectful.
Though what dominated was awe and fervor.
Behind them were the young prodigies of the Longevity Gu Family.
There were also disciples of the Primal Celestial Temple—all of them the finest of their generation, matchless among those of the same cultivation realm.
Campaigning across the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains was, for them, a rare opportunity for tempering and experience.
And now, with Gu Changge presiding over this place, they felt all the more at ease, with no fear for their lives.
“How many clansmen has the Gu Family sent this time? And what of my mother’s side?”
Gu Changge nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dense, endless, flood-like army behind him as he asked.
“Reporting to the Young Master: the clan has sent thirty million troops. The Madam’s side has sent ten million. The various subsidiary forces and Daoist traditions have also sent fifty million troops.”
“Among them are nine Quasi-Nirvana Realm experts, thirty of the Sacred Emperor Realm, one hundred of the Sacred King Realm, and those of the Sacred and Enlightenment Realms are beyond counting.”
The powerhouse who had just reported spoke respectfully.
Because of the Boundary Marker Sea, True Daoists found it difficult to cross over, so only their Dharma Bodies had descended on this side.
Gu Changge nodded, his gaze sweeping once more over the many members of the younger generation. Every one of them gazed at him with fervent, worshipful expressions.
His brow suddenly furrowed—he noticed that someone seemed to be missing.
“Where’s that girl Gu Xianer?” he asked.
“Miss Xianer is not with the clan. She’s over at the True Immortal Academy,” his subordinate reported.
“The True Immortal Academy? Is she planning to represent the Academy in battle against the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow.
I’m not worried about anything happening to Gu Xianer. It’s just that when I didn’t see her in the crowd earlier, I thought she’d broken off from the clan and gone to war alone.
That girl came all the way here and didn’t even come see me first.
Looks like she’s gotten bold and is itching for a beating.
The edge of the Aether Abyss was vast, shrouded in boundless fog. From time to time, one could hear the terrifying roars of ferocious beasts from within—deafening, ear-splitting sounds.
Every clan and every Daoist tradition had its own station here, their territories covering a radius of several hundred thousand kilometers.
One could see terrifying auras spreading out from each, soul-stirring and dreadful.
Within the True Immortal Academy’s encampment, quite a few Elders were briefing the disciples on this affair and what they needed to watch out for.
After all, the environments of the two worlds were different. The prodigies of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains employed methods utterly unlike those of the prodigies here.
The ways they cultivated and the techniques they honed differed enormously.
Still, the Elders were quite at ease, for every disciple admitted into the True Immortal Academy was among the finest of their peers.
In the Beyond, they could already reign supreme among their generation; in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, they would be all the more invincible.
“The Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains place greater emphasis on excavating the power of one’s own bloodline. What we call divine abilities, they call bloodline arts...”
Gu Xianer stood outside the crowd, aloof and proud, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
She listened very attentively. She took every matter concerning cultivation seriously, never allowing herself the slightest slack or contempt.
Not far from the True Immortal Academy’s encampment, members of the older generation were also giving instructions. From where she stood, she could see that side clearly.
The Sky Demon Tower, the War Immortal Manor, the Holy King Palace—like the True Immortal Academy, these powers all cultivated the most outstanding prodigies of this generation.
Here, one could see many young beings who had formed their own circles.
On the True Immortal Academy’s side, the Phoenix Lady, the King of Six Crowns, and the Saintess of Mortal Palace, Wang Zijin, stood at the head, with the many disciples following behind them.
The likes of Jiang Chuchu and Yue Mingkong had their own affairs to attend to and could not get away, so they could not come here.
Thus, the Phoenix Lady and the others were practically the leading prodigies of the True Immortal Academy’s current generation.
As for Gu Changge, he had not appeared at the True Immortal Academy in a long time.
Of course, his status and strength had long since reached a level the younger generation could not compare to—whether he showed up or not made no difference.
On the Sky Demon Tower’s side, the leading figure of this generation was a young being called the Sky Demon Sovereign.
He was said to be an ancient freak, possessing the bloodline of a Demon Immortal as its descendant, with astonishing might and numerous followers.
As for the War Immortal Manor, it was actually somewhat similar to the Mortal Palace—except that unlike the Mortal Palace, which had only one Mortal One, the War Immortal Manor existed solely to cultivate War Immortals. It required its disciples to reign supreme among their peers, with battle power that surged to the heavens and crushed all before them.
Otherwise, they had no qualification to be called a War Immortal.
And the previous War Immortal was said to have reappeared in the world some time ago—only to be slain by Gu Changge in the Heavenly Tide Realm.
This matter caused quite a sensation. Whether it was true or not was unknown, but it led the War Immortal Manor to harbor no small resentment toward Gu Changge.
However, Gu Changge’s status and strength were what they were. The War Immortal Manor could only endure it, swallowing their broken teeth down into their stomachs.
The current Successor of War Immortal Manor, known as the Young War Immortal, had also been appearing in various places during this period.
Very few had seen his true face. He was said to have fought the King of Six Crowns, but no one knew the outcome.
Because of Gu Xianer’s relationship with Gu Changge, the Successor of War Immortal Manor also held considerable hostility toward her.
Beyond that, the Successor of the Holy King Palace was also extremely powerful. Though he had never made a name for himself, he was said to have once stumbled into the Time Shoal by chance, where he had battled a young True Dragon from ancient times and obtained a heaven-defying fortune.
None of these were people to be underestimated.
“These are all people I must defeat, one by one.”
Thinking of this, no small amount of fighting spirit rose in Gu Xianer’s heart.
She couldn’t beat Gu Changge, but if she couldn’t even beat these Young Prodigies, that would be far too embarrassing—she’d probably earn Gu Changge’s disdain and mockery.
And just as all these thoughts flashed through Gu Xianer’s mind, a huge commotion suddenly erupted not far away.
Many cultivators and beings turned to look in shock.
“H-he... he’s Young Master Changge?!”
“It’s really him! What’s he doing here?”
“Could he be here to rally morale or something?”
Someone cried out in surprise, their face filling with delighted shock, hardly able to believe it—they had never imagined Gu Changge would descend upon this place in person.
Then someone remembered Gu Changge’s former status: he, too, was a disciple of the True Immortal Academy.
His coming here didn’t seem improper at all.
Of course, some instantly guessed that Gu Changge’s arrival had to do with Gu Xianer, standing outside the crowd, and their gazes couldn’t help but turn toward her.
Given that man’s temperament, there was practically no possibility other than that he’d come to see Gu Xianer.
After all, in his eyes, whether the True Immortal Academy existed or not made no difference.
“What are you all staring at?”
“Why does this guy always have to be so high-profile?”
Gu Xianer was very unaccustomed to this sudden feeling of being the center of attention.
Though her expression remained cold and proud, she couldn’t help grumbling inwardly.
At that moment, in the encampments of the Sky Demon Tower, the War Immortal Manor, the Holy King Palace, and other powers, young beings all grew solemn, focusing their gazes. Divine light blazed in their eyes as they employed various techniques, seeking to see clearly the young figure walking toward them.
He merely walked down from the firmament, utterly hazy and indistinct, as if endless divine light shrouded his body, three thousand ancient worlds revolved around him, and countless gods bowed in worship, emitting vast world-sounds and sacrificial chants.
This sight left everyone solemn. Many of the older generation were shaken to the core—they actually felt an impulse to prostrate themselves and kowtow to this young man.
Clearly, his mastery of the Dao had reached an unfathomable, unimaginable level.
“What terrifying strength. He may have already surpassed the Sacred Emperor Realm.”
“But it’s just as he predicted—Gu Xianer is truly special to him.”
In the distance, a tall, silver-haired young woman stood atop a mountain peak, a strange light flickering in the depths of her eyes as she gazed at the scene from afar.
The Beyond and the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains would hold their training battle at the Aether Abyss half a month from now.
Once this news spread, it quickly set off enormous waves in the hearts of countless cultivators and beings of both worlds.
For the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, this news was a bolt from the blue, smashing directly onto many people’s heads and leaving them dazed, unable to react for a long time.
Because it meant that many of the younger and older generations alike would take to the battlefield to fight and kill.
That meant casting life and death aside—a journey from which there might be no return.
Their forebears had fought the Beyond to the death in this manner, and the losses could only be described as catastrophic.
For one in a hundred to return was already considered good fortune, something to be grateful for.
Many of the cultivators who participated died miserable, bloody deaths on the battlefield, never to return—their corpses could not even be found.
Some clans of the Beyond would even devour the slain beings of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains as blood food—truly cruel methods.
But this matter had already been decided by the supreme beings of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, and they had even accepted the War Declaration before the Aether Abyss.
Even if the rest wanted to refuse, they could not.
Of course, there were those who clung to life and feared death.
But at a time like this, there was no shortage of hot-blooded members of the younger generation who wished they could charge into battle right now and slaughter every last invading cultivator of the Beyond.
The older generation had long since seen through it all: the Beyond was merely using this opportunity to buy time, waiting for the rest of their armies to arrive and assemble, so as to launch the final decisive battle.
So whether the Beyond won or lost, the Beyond would profit in the end.
The Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had no choice from the very beginning.
Refusing to fight would also be an enormous blow to morale.
“Perfect—let’s take this chance to have a good slaughter with those damned bastards from the Beyond. Let them learn what we’re made of. Let’s see who dares invade us again after this!”
“That’s right! Now that we’ve accepted the War Declaration, we have every justification to fight the Beyond. We’ve cultivated all these years just waiting for this moment!”
Within Sky Deer City—majestic and grand, like an ancient divine city.
Stars rose and fell, astral rivers cascaded down—a sight of boundless grandeur.
At this moment, inside a pavilion wreathed in white mist and rosy clouds, a group of young men and women had gathered together to discuss matters.
Their cultivation was formidable, their talents outstanding. Astonishing radiance swirled around their bodies, and their eyes gleamed brightly—far surpassing their peers.
Among them were prodigies of the current generation, as well as ancient freaks who had slumbered in seal since previous epochs, only reviving in this one.
Hearing the news sent back from the Aether Abyss frontline, everyone was roused rather than discouraged.
On the contrary, their hearts surged with excitement—they wished they could charge into battle right now.
They had wanted to go to war for a long time.
It was only that the families behind them felt their strength was still too weak and had kept them within Sky Deer City, which was why they hadn’t gone to the frontline.
Now that the Beyond had issued a War Declaration, the time for them to act had come.
Everyone rubbed their fists and palms, tremendously excited—they had been waiting for this opportunity all along.
“Do you think we’ll run into that rumored leader of the Beyond?”
“I really want to fight him at the same cultivation level!”
A young man with an extremely burly build, like a Black Tortoise, suddenly spoke, his expression full of confidence.
His name was Xuan Tian. He possessed the Black Tortoise bloodline and was the successor of the Black Tortoise War God Clan.
His strength ranked among the very best of his generation—he had never known defeat.
In the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, there were four great clans possessing mysterious bloodlines.
These included the Black Tortoise War God Clan, the Blood Dragon War God Clan, the Vermilion Bird War God Clan, and the White Tiger War God Clan.
Legend had it that their ancestors were true divine beasts incarnate, possessing the power of immortals.
Although the passage of ages had caused their bloodlines to gradually thin, no longer comparable to ancient times,
in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, they remained illustrious great clans of exalted status.
“Xuan Tian, you’ll have to ask Lin Wu about that. He’s personally witnessed that leader of the Beyond. Just how strong that person is—Lin Wu should know best.”
“But if that person takes action, it’ll probably be the Sacred Emperor Realm elders of our world who answer. His strength is no longer something the likes of us can contend with.”
Hearing this, many of those present turned with strange looks toward Lin Wu on the other side.
Lin Wu sat alone in a corner, deeply silent, not uttering a word.
Ever since he fled back from the shores of the Boundary Marker Sea last time, he had seemed like a man who had suffered a crushing blow.
Many felt he had lost his former vigor, that confident steadiness—his whole being somewhat dispirited.
Some supreme beings had personally examined his body, worried he had been struck by some technique at the Boundary Marker Sea.
What they found was only that he had suffered a blow—his Dao Heart was somewhat damaged.
Or rather, having personally witnessed the annihilation of the clansmen he had led there, he had sunk into self-blame and guilt.
It was a pity—a fine young seedling, ruined just like that.
In the eyes of many, it was because of Lin Wu that the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ Supreme Treasure, the Immortal-Killing Gourd, was lost and fell into the Beyond’s hands.
His beloved had also been captured, her fate unknown.
This left him drowning in self-reproach and guilt, unable to walk out of the shadows.
During this time, Lin Wu had fallen from a dazzling, peerless young prodigy to his current wretched, dispirited state. It was truly lamentable.
“Brother Lin is the successor of the Blood Dragon War God Clan—how can he let himself fall like this?”
“This War Declaration from the Beyond is the perfect chance to wash away his past shame.”
Seeing Lin Wu in such a state, Xuan Tian couldn’t help shaking his head, seemingly somewhat disappointed.
Once upon a time, he had regarded Lin Wu as a worthy rival.
He never imagined Lin Wu would end up like this.
The other prodigies wore varied expressions—some regretful, some gloating, some coldly indifferent.
There were many young prodigies in the pavilion, many whose strength was no weaker than Lin Wu’s. They came from all corners of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, all elites who had swept their regions undefeated, each harboring ambitions of contending for supremacy among the younger generation.
Now, they had gathered here to discuss the war between the two worlds half a month hence.
However, unlike the confident, high-spirited younger generation, some of the older generation who had dealt with the Beyond wore heavy expressions.
All of Sky Deer City was enveloped in an atmosphere like the wind filling the tower before the storm.
The older generation had dealt with the Beyond the most and knew its power and terror—especially its innate advantage at equal cultivation levels.
“Since even the youngsters feel this way, what do we old bones have to fear?”
“We accept this battle. It’s time these old bones of ours were put to use. The future should be left to the younger generation.”
Boom!
But just then, from the depths of Sky Deer City, auspicious light shot into the sky and immortal qi gushed forth.
A great crowd of reclusive old antiques and old monsters emerged, their vital essence surging like mountains roaring and seas howling, forming a terrifying field.
This was absolutely a group of supreme experts who ordinarily cultivated in seclusion.
Hearing the words of the younger generation at this time, they all revealed themselves, glowing with vigor, eager to battle the Beyond.
Many young powerhouses suspected their own blood qi couldn’t even match these old antiques—it was too vigorous, like great furnaces one after another, ready to smelt all things in heaven and earth.
This also let many see hope.
Soon after, ancient battleships and War Forts rose into the sky one after another, breaking through the spatial barrier and leaving Sky Deer City, carrying the many members of the younger and older generations who would join the war.
“There’s still a few months left...”
Amid the crowd, Lin Wu’s heart was heavy, even somewhat despairing.
Gu Changge gave me half a year to find Sky Deer City’s Formation Core.
But to this day, I still haven’t found the slightest way or method.
On one hand, I don’t want to become a sinner for all ages; on the other, I don’t want Lu Luo, the Sky Deer Goddess, and the others to come to harm.
He was trapped in a dilemma, caught between two impossible choices.
Could it be that in the end, I really can only abandon one side?
“No... there has to be another way.”
Lin Wu’s expression was somewhat twisted—he had no mind at all for fighting the Beyond.
But just then, his gaze suddenly sharpened, fixing on someone not far away.
It was a woman of moving beauty and slender figure, radiant and dazzling, standing amid the crowd like the moon surrounded by stars.
Many of the prodigies beside her treated her with great respect.
“That woman who was beside the Sky Deer Goddess that day—why is she here too?”
“No wait... she should be the Sky Deer Goddess’s disciple.”
Seeing her, Lin Wu thought of something and suddenly grew excited—in a flash, he thought of a solution.
This sinner for all ages... doesn’t necessarily have to be me.
“So this is the younger generation of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains?”
“Doesn’t look like much.”
Meanwhile, on the other side, a man clad in golden armor, gleaming with divine light like a god,
was surveying the many young prodigies, accompanied by several old antiques.
It was none other than Gu Wudi, who had escaped from the Nine Great Mountains.
He was now in high spirits, and many old antiques treated him with great reverence.
“Reporting to the Chosen One: the younger generation of today has simply cultivated for too short a time. Give them a few hundred more years, and perhaps things would be different.”
One of the old antiques beside Gu Wudi couldn’t help smiling bitterly at his words, though there was more regret in it than anything.
In terms of cultivation time, the younger generation of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains was simply too young.
“The odds of winning this battle are not high.”
Hearing this, Gu Wudi seemed to sigh, a trace of pity on his face.
The several old antiques all fell silent in unison.
Although the Nine Great Mountains behind Gu Wudi had been destroyed by the Beyond, his status as the successor of the Nine Great Mountains was beyond question, and they needed to honor him accordingly.
Moreover, Gu Wudi only looked young—his true age was about the same as theirs.
“There’s no helping it. The Beyond comes with overwhelming force; this battle was forced upon them.”
“When the time comes, we hope the Chosen One can lend a hand.”
The several old antiques sighed.
A strange light flickered in Gu Wudi’s expression as he glanced at Xiao Yang in the distance, sneering inwardly.
These Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains will fall sooner or later.
After fleeing the Nine Great Mountains, he had worried that the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains might possess some powerful means to forcefully reverse the tide of battle.
But after observing these past days—with just this manpower, they couldn’t even compare to the Nine Great Mountains.
If not for their geographical advantage, they would likely have long since been conquered and overrun by the Beyond.
This put him even more at ease. Submitting to Gu Changge would probably be the most correct decision of his entire life.