Chương 119: Witness of the Era (Part 16)

The top powers of the Central Continent naturally refused to surrender any portion of their interests. Equal division of the five domains sounded simple enough—the other four would gain enormous benefits—but what about Central Continent? It was precisely because of its position at the heart of heaven and earth, drawing in the qi of fortune from all five domains, that so many powerhouses had emerged and allowed it to stand unshakable through the great era.

Every major force in the Central Continent rejected the demand outright. Though Su Chen had once reincarnated across the other four domains in past lives, in this one he stood as the Wang family patriarch and could never agree to such a proposal. The meeting ended in acrimony. Storm clouds now gathered over the entire Heavenly Profound Domain.

"Hold the four domains' powerhouses back!" At the command of a supreme being from the Central Continent Emperor Palace, the experts of various forces struck as the four domains' representatives attempted to withdraw. Since the facade had been torn away, the Emperor Palace acted without hesitation. Deeper within Central Continent, an ultimate powerhouse personally intervened, intent on slaying the Northern Domain's ancient Great Saint and cowing the entire Heavenly Profound.

Just as the old Great Saint teetered on the edge of death, golden outlines suddenly flared across the sky—like an ancient scroll unfurling across time and space. Then, in the void, a black-gold scene materialized: a tall, long-haired man stood proudly atop the firmament. Behind him rose countless divine kingdoms, ancient gods emerging one after another, wreathed in sacred patterns and radiant light, as though an unparalleled divine sovereign had stepped forth from legend.

That terrifying aura seemed capable of crushing the Central Continent itself. At that moment, a figure emerged from the depths of the Emperor Palace—immensely tall, encircled by endless rivers of stars. The ancient face gazed at the newcomer and spoke calmly: "You've finally returned." Su Chen stared at the two figures. Two words surfaced in his mind: Quasi-Emperor. These two terrifying existences were both legendary Quasi-Emperors.

No wonder the four domains had the courage to challenge Central Continent—in this era, a Quasi-Emperor had actually appeared. As he sensed the familiar presence radiating from the newly arrived man, a name rose in Su Chen's thoughts: Li Shenhua! The ancient ancestor of the Li family! So much time had passed that Su Chen retained only the faintest impression of him. Once hailing from a remote corner of the world, Li Shenhua had created the terrifying scripture known as the Imperial Apex Shock-the-World Technique.

Across several lifetimes, Su Chen had heard no news of him—whether he lived or died remained unknown. After all, the world had never lacked dazzling geniuses. Yet now it seemed Li Shenhua had not only survived but ventured deep into the starry expanse to become one of the absolute pinnacle prodigies. Li Shenhua spoke indifferently: "The era of Central Continent… is coming to an end. This is an irreversible tide." The old Quasi-Emperor of the Emperor Palace laughed heartily.

"Wrong! The era of Central Continent is only just beginning!" The two Quasi-Emperor powerhouses faced off. The trajectories of sun and moon in the heavens were forcibly shifted by their terrifying power, giving rise to the anomalous sight of sun and moon rising together. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Su Chen watched the departing group from the Eastern Wasteland.

He understood clearly: the next time they met, they would already be mortal enemies. Li Shenhua clashed with the old Quasi-Emperor of the Emperor Palace, then withdrew unscathed. But this great war had only just begun. Central Continent knew the other four domains also had Quasi-Emperors guarding them. They would never accept defeat quietly. Central Continent formed the Central Continent Alliance with the Emperor Palace at its head. The four outer domains formed the Four Domains Alliance.

An unprecedented war erupted and lasted for a full century. Even from the depths of the starry void, powerhouses continuously returned to the Heavenly Profound Domain to join the conflict. Mountain ranges shattered. Vast seas overturned. More and more powerhouses perished in battle. Su Chen led the Wang Clan to defend a place known as Divine Nether Ancient City. He gave a wry smile in his heart. Though the four outer domains were far inferior to the Central Continent, their foundations were still deep.

Ancient existences sealed away for ages now emerged one after another. They must have learned that the life of that "Emperor" was nearing its end. A dark turmoil was approaching. They had no choice but to seize Central Continent's fortune at any cost, so they could establish a firm footing in the coming great era. Otherwise, when the scattered forbidden zones erupted, without sufficient strength, countless orthodoxies would face total annihilation. The four domains marched on the Central Continent!

Yet the war lasted a full century—until one person's arrival finally brought it to an end.

"A decree from the Great Emperor: The Central Continent of the Heavenly Profound Domain shall have half its fortune and be divided among the four outer domains. The struggle among the five domains of Heavenly Profound ends here. Cease all hostilities!" A familiar figure appeared above the Heavenly Profound Domain. His overwhelming aura pressed down so heavily that every living being in the domain could not lift their heads.

Even the old ancestor of the Emperor Palace and the former Li Shenhua had no choice but to bow in reverence.

"We obey the Emperor's command." Fang Bubai held the imperial decree. Even a Great Emperor on the verge of sitting down and passing away could not be defied by anyone present!

"Know the will of the Emperor." Fang Bubai coldly swept his gaze across the assembled crowd. This war had even drawn in beings from deep within the ancient paths. The number of prodigies who died in the conflict was beyond counting. Fang Bubai had never expected these people to be so audacious. If he had not entered the service of the Emperor and still belonged to the Heavenly Profound Domain, what arrived might not have been merely an imperial decree.

All living beings in the Heavenly Profound Domain faced the Great Emperor's decree. No matter their past grievances, they could only bow in submission. No matter how unwilling the Central Continent forces were, they had no choice but to obediently shatter their spirit veins, divide their fortune, and cede half to the four outer domains. Such was the deterrent power of a contemporary Great Emperor! A single decree suppressed the entire cosmos. The myriad races dared not disobey. The war among the five domains ended.

Su Chen clearly sensed that the Central Continent's vital qi had declined sharply. Even breaking through realms had become noticeably more difficult. Many forces were bound to decline in the aftermath. Time passed in a flash. Five hundred years went by. Su Chen continued to serve as the head of the Wang Clan. Then, one day, a sudden, piercing grief tore through his heart—as though the entire universe were weeping blood.

"The Great Emperor's life… has reached its end!" Su Chen's body soared out of the Heavenly Profound Domain. In that moment, he saw countless figures just like himself flying out from their respective domains and heavens, gathering in the starry void. There were innumerable points of light—each at least a Saint—crossing countless star systems. At the distant end sat a withered figure upon an boundless Dao Precipice. His qi and blood were feeble; his hair was white as snow.

That invincible Emperor was no longer invincible. The Dao that once suppressed all living beings had finally reached its conclusion.

"Divine Evolution Great Emperor!" Su Chen knew this Emperor's title. From the end of the ancient era until now, thirty-three Emperors had appeared. Divine Evolution Great Emperor was the contemporary one, yet among the thirty-three, he could only be considered average. After achieving the Dao, he had not—like those peerless Emperors who covered the ages—devoted himself to pacifying the forbidden zones. Nor had he—like those fallen Emperors—degenerated and treated the living beings of the world as livestock.

Su Chen vaguely sensed that one terrifying figure after another lurked in the darkness, eyeing this aged Great Emperor, waiting for the moment of his death. Boom. It was as though something in the entire cosmos had shattered. Countless Saints turned toward that distant figure and bowed deeply from afar.

"We respectfully send off the Great Emperor!"