Chapter 850: Goodbye

A hundred years had passed by in the blink of an eye. Looking back, that earth-shattering war was already a century in the past.

A lot of things have happened in the past hundred years. Some of the once-powerful figures still stood on the main stage of the Nine Regions, some had quietly retired, and some others have changed their ambition halfway and began writing off the glory of the first half of their lives.

Standing on the podium on the centennial anniversary, Qiong Hua looked down on the tens of thousands of cultivators gathered below. Suddenly, she felt heartfelt emotion in her heart. Fortunately, at the Supreme level, the Immortal Heart was pure and clean, which allowed her to suppress the throbbing in her heart and play the role of the leader of the Union of Ten Thousand Immortals.

In the eyes of countless people, Qiong Hua opened her mouth and recited the speech that she had prepared.

She reviewed the invasion of the Immortal World one hundred years ago where countless people with lofty ideals threw their blood and lives and finally turned the tide. Among them, there was not only the brilliance of a few heroes but also the silent dedication of many of the people in the Nine Regions.

She had also recited the brilliant achievements of the post-war reconstructions of the Nine Regions in the past one hundred years. The Southern Heaven Region was reshaped, the chaotic spiritual energy veins in various places were reorganized, and the broken mountains and rivers were fixed. The new generation of cultivators had grown up one after another. What was more gratifying was that, over the past one hundred years, talented and outstanding men and women emerged endlessly, which was truly a magnificent and unprecedented event.

After that, Qiong Hua talked about the next century.

The journey to the new world had begun.

Xiaoyao, the pioneer who left the Nine Regions a hundred years ago, successfully left a precious beacon in the Wall of Worlds to guide future generations on the road.

Fifty years ago, Zhan Ziye and Zhou Mumu worked hard to complete the preliminary calculation of the Wall of Worlds.

Ten years ago, the Sect Leader of Spirit Sword Mountain Daoist Master Feng Yin, at the cost of a thousand years’ sleep, led many Immortals to cut a gap in the Wall of Worlds and shed the dawn of the New World, which was known as the Line of Heaven.

Five years ago, Senior Immortal Non-Phase went deep into the endless void alone to widen the gap by ten times, which almost turned it into a smooth road. However, after completing that feat, there was no news from her anymore.

Today, Qiong Hua stood on the podium on the centennial anniversary and announced the official start of the expedition to the new world.

Under the stage, cheers resounded to the sky.

In the past one hundred years, the legend of the new world had been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It was said that outside the Wall of Worlds, there was an ideal place better than the Immortal World, and there were countless resources and wealth that could satisfy all the beautiful fantasies.

The Immortal World was destroyed, but the new world had become a new Immortal World and the supreme place in the people’s hearts.

On the stage, Qiong Hua’s heart was gloomy.

There was no ideal place, and everything in the new world was unknown. At present, there was still no message from Senior Immortal Non-Phase, who was the person whose location was the deepest into the Wall of Worlds. Moreover, one hundred years ago, Senior Immortal Xiaoyao had not seen any beautiful fantasy at the end of the journey.

On top of that, there would be countless difficulties and obstacles before they arrived in the new world. The journey to the new world was not a journey for a few people, but the migration of the entire Nine Regions continent. The need for space was extremely demanding. Even at present in the most mature area of the Line of Heaven, it could only allow the compressed Nine Regions to barely pass smoothly. Once they got through the mature area, the current cultivators needed to overcome more obstacles.

According to the calculation of Zhan Ziye, the ideal result was to maintain the current development intensity for five hundred years, after which, it was eighty percent possible to directly dig a spacious passage. That was, of course, impossible. The Nine Regions had already long been overwhelmed. In the last hundred years, the emergence of outstanding heroes was basically ‘the final radiance of setting sun’ as the surrounding spiritual energy kept on decreasing.

How could a world in decline glow with vitality?

In recent decades, no one had heard of the voice of the land spirit Wang Lu. He was still there, but he was tired and weak, and couldn’t even speak. The reason why Senior Immortal Non-Phase went deep into the void alone was also related to Wang Lu’s decline. Looking at the Spirit Stone statue of Wang Lu in the center of the ceremony platform, Qiong Hua was filled with emotion even more.

A hundred years ago, she motivated herself to move forward with Wang Lu as the goal. Now, Wang Lu seemed to have stopped moving forward, but she felt that she was getting farther away from him.

Looking at the passage leading to the Line of Heaven opened by Daoist Master Feng Yin with many other Immortals, Qiong Hua smiled but her heart was slightly chilled.

Behind this passage, was it a colorful new world or a pitch-black deathly stillness?

Unfortunately, no matter what the answer was, there was no other choice for the Nine Regions now.

　　——

History was probably the most flexible thing in the world.

Even if it was as long as a river, even if it was hundreds of thousands or millions of years, even if it was those brilliant years where outstanding heroes came forth in large numbers, it could still be compressed into a few pieces of thin yellow paper, which would be lamented and commented on by later generations.

The expedition of the Nine Regions to the new world was such a period to history. If the story was to be written in detail, it would be ‘too numerous to write.’ However, if it was compressed down, it could be summarized in a few pages.

“In the spring of the year of 6500 in Nine Regions, the expedition had entered its twentieth year. On the whole, everything is going well—if it weren’t compared with the original plan. The hardships and dangers in the Wall of Worlds are indeed well-deserved. I wonder how Xiaoyao could possibly reach this point while dragging a broken body? We found the last beacon left by Senior Immortal Xiaoyao, as well as the remains of him and his wife.

“They probably experienced considerable torture before they died as their bodies were in a shattered condition. However, we could still see the smile on their faces as they hugged into each other into eternal sleep. Unfortunately, we, as the descendants, could not smile. According to the original plan, we should have reached this point in ten years, but now, it takes twice as much time. I don’t want to criticize anyone because everyone’s efforts are visible, but sometimes, people have to wonder if it’s wrong for the predecessors to pin all their hopes on us?

“If those heroes who turned the tide in that year are still here, perhaps the expedition will not be so difficult. Today, I once again paid homage to the guardian spirit of the Nine Regions and seemed to hear his voice, but my companions laughed at me, telling me I was just hallucinating.”

“In the winter of 6503 of Nine Regions, the temperatures are so cold. When I accompanied Supreme Qiong Hua on a tour of the Nine Regions, I only saw a vast expanse of land covered in snow. Although the silvery-clad scene was gorgeous, it made people feel cold inside. Such a severe winter had never happened in the past thousands of years. Especially after the restoration and reshaping of the Nine Regions, there should be no extreme weather. Cold and heat could not invade the cultivators, and they had no deep feelings for this severe winter.

“However, the mortals suffered a heavy loss. Senior Sister Qiong Hua allocated part of the manpower for disaster relief, but it was like a drop in a bucket. Right now, the opening of the channel is the most important thing, and there is no way to demand more from her. But the cruel scene that fell on the ordinary mortals is like hell, which causes me to have nightmares. Senior Sister said that my cultivation of Immortal Heart is insufficient, I think that’s probably it.”

“In the summer of 6510 in the Nine Regions, after a severe drought and severe winter seven years ago, as well as a flood five years ago, we actually suffered another severe drought throughout the regions. The Nine Regions grain output plummeted by seventy percent, and people died of hunger everywhere. Even the Immortal Cultivation Sects could not help but be affected. Some low-level cultivators even began to starve. Senior Sister Qiong Hua said that this is Nine Regions nearly reaching its lifespan, so it could no longer provide enough nutrients. If we can’t reach the new world as soon as possible and get a new lease on life, such disasters will only increase day by day.”

“In the spring of 6515 in the Nine Regions, the Plate Brocade Sect in Eastern Border Region was destroyed and exterminated by the heavenly tribulation lightning. Not one of its members survived. The heaven and earth laws of the Nine Regions are becoming more and more chaotic, and even the heavenly tribulations are becoming wayward. The Nine Regions is obviously approaching its end, seeing that it has bega to squander what little remaining energy it has. People around me said so. On the contrary, few cared about the casualties in Plate Brocade Sect.”

“In the autumn of 6520 in the Nine Regions, Senior Sister Qiong Hua gave the progress report on the fifty-year expedition. She was really good at talking. In this way, she was able to inspire and motivate people. We have made brilliant achievements in the past fifty years, and a bright future is right in front of us. If it was not for my participation in drafting her speech, perhaps I would have believed it. Everyone said that it was a wise move for Senior Sister Qiong Hua to conceal Zhan Ziye’s calculations fifty years ago. According to the original plan, Nine Regions must break through the Wall of Worlds within forty years, or there would be unforeseen consequences. In the past ten years, Senior Brother Zhan Ziye has stopped doing anything. Maybe he did, but Senior Sister Qiong Hua won’t let him talk.”

“In the winter of 6525 in Nine Regions, Senior Sister Qiong Hua said that we should all prepare for hibernation—the last strong barrier in the Wall of Worlds has finally been broken, but there is still a smooth but long road to the new world. This road was beyond everyone’s expectations, since there’s no such thing in the original plan. It will take at least fifty years for Nine Regions to pass through.

“However, according to the current rate of decline, in ten years at most, the Nine Regions would fall apart and become pieces of dead soil. And those of us who lost our ship would be lost forever in the Wall of Worlds. Thus, entering hibernation is the best choice. We will fall asleep while the Nine Regions continue on its inertia for fifty years until we wake up in the new world. Senior Sister Qiong Hua said that she would be the night watchman herself. Many people came to persuade her otherwise, but of course, they all failed. It was said that after the death of Martial Uncle Hetu, there is only one person in Nine Regions that could persuade her. So, I prayed for a long time in front of his statue… I seemed to hear him saying that he would help me, but when I woke up, I found myself buried in the snow, and it was my seniors who dug me out. Perhaps those words are just illusions.”

“In the winter of 6526 in the Nine Regions, I am among the last group of cultivators to enter hibernation. In my group, there are also Daoist Friends from Spirit Sword Sect. This is the first time that I have met with people of the Spirit Sword Sect in close distance. It feels like I have entered the country of women. Liu Li, Zhu Shiyao, Bai Shixuan, Quan Zou (Fenrir), Yue Xinyao… At present, all the members of Spirit Sword Sect’s Heavenly Sword Hall are all women. I chatted with the Junior Sisters before I went to sleep and everyone guessed that this must be the evil taste of the former lead disciple of Spirit Sword Sect. However, seeing the smile on those members of Spirit Sword Sect, we can’t help but have more confidence in the future. After all, if the guardian spirit of the Nine Regions is here, he would at least protect his fellow members of the same sect, right? Well, I should stop this diary here. I don’t know when I will open it next time, or even who it will be. I just hope that…”

The handwriting stopped abruptly.

—

Many years later.

Closing the thin book, the young man was so excited that he couldn’t help but do dozens of somersaults on the spot and make strange noises of unknown meaning.

When he was exploring the mountains, he got lost by accident and came to a cave in the fog for no reason. There, he encountered an old man in a cloak and hidden facial features. In fact, he could not tell the age of the other party. He just felt the old aura of that person and decided that the person must be an older generation expert. Then, he made small talk with that person and got a thin book. Unexpectedly, there was a priceless treasure in the book!

After some time, he calmed down and scratched his head with shame. Then, he said to the senior expert in front of him, “Thank you for lending me this book. It is of great significance for historical research, enough to fill in the many gaps in the current research! I have said that the miracle expedition must have existed, and this world definitely did not appear out of thin air, but everyone does not believe it. It’s ridiculous to have to talk about the big bang theory! Even if the big bang could create this wonderful world, what about the ruins of the Immortal Path in the various sites? Is it possible that the Thunder Fighting Body Technique was created out of thin air by the big bang?”

After complaining, the young man looked at the book in his hand with some dismay and said, “Old Senior, I don’t know if…”

“Yes, this book is for you. If you are interested in history, I have other things here that may help you.”

As he said that, the old senior took out several withered and yellow ancient books from his cloak, and the young man widened his eyes instantly. Although these books have a long history and he didn’t know how many years that they have gone through, there was a trace of Immortal Spirit left on them, which was unbelievable and could not possibly be forged by anyone.

“T-These are…”

The old senior said, “Just some nonsense left by some old guys. The story in the books is too remote and might not necessarily be useful to you, but it’s also good to read it as a novel.”

The young man took over the books and turned them over. Immediately, he went into a trance.

After no one knew how long, the young man was stimulated by distention from the lower abdomen, and he came back to his senses as if he had just woken up from a dream.

“Ah, I am sorry old senior, I was fascinated by them and unexpectedly fell into a trance… But where did you find these books?”

“It’s in this cave, you just need to go in a few more miles.”

The young man was startled and hurriedly ran inside. However, in front of him was pitch-black, and the cave was so deep that it made people feel cold. The young man tried to get two steps further but was pushed back by an invisible force.

The old senior smiled—although his facial features were hidden behind the cloak, the young man just knew that he was smiling.

“It seems that you and I are destined to meet. After many years, I haven’t even seen a single stranger. During so many years of repeated waking and sleeping, I have missed a lot of opportunities to say goodbye to many old friends. Now that I have enough energy, I saw that my wife had left some books by my pillow, saying that while I was asleep, she had collected enough public grain1 and was going to take the girls out to have fun… I was going to go out to trouble her, but you are the first person that I met. Theoretically, it’s impossible for outsiders to enter this place, except by chance or coincidence; no one really knows.”

The young man swallowed his saliva and vaguely felt that he was going to experience the greatest adventure of his life.

The old senior stood up and waved his hand. All of a sudden, the darkness inside the cave disappeared and was replaced by light. A strong Immortal aura then slowly emerged, which shocked the young man’s spirit. Even though he was a historian and not good at cultivation, he knew that there were countless magical weapons hidden in the cave.

“I’ll leave the things here for you—in any case, all the valuables were already taken by my wife. Alas, after a long sleep, the first thing that I need to do is to collect the debts from someone. Life is so tough. Young man, let us part here.”

The young man couldn’t hear clearly what the old senior was saying. He stood at the entrance of the cave and looked inside, then all he saw was the glimmer from the treasures.

The Immortal Path civilization of this continent was born not long ago, and many things were far from mature. Although the treasures in the cave were only the leftovers, they were still far beyond his imagination. With these, he could practically become an immortal in a single step!

“O-Old senior, what exactly is this place?”

The old senior was about to leave, but when he heard this question, he stopped and replied, “I don’t know what this place is right now. I can’t tell it clearly… but once upon a time, there was a Spirit Sword Mountain.