With the ranking of the heavens and the myriad worlds nearing its climax, the top three were finally unveiled. The entire realm was stirred with waves of undercurrents, and countless beings turned their eyes toward the list as it refreshed once more.
Before the screen even lit up, a majestic and overwhelming piece of music echoed across heaven and earth. The sound of gold and iron horses, vast and desolate, surged like a tide, pressing down upon all with an overwhelming atmosphere.
Then came the impassioned voice-over:
"A grain of dust can fill up the sea. A blade of grass can sever the sun, moon, and stars. The world can be overturned with the flick of a finger. Cultivating through the chaotic ancient era, enlightening oneself in the age of the end of law—his entire life was born for the Tao. He responded to calamity, dazzling with brilliance, and was truly without equal. The world dances at his will. He moves freely across the ages. No one dares contend with his glory. He is destined to be invincible, that is his belief. In the future, he becomes a variable. He stands alone across all time—immortal!"
The screen hadn't even activated, yet the voice shook countless experts across all realms.
"Whoa! This one must be another terrifying king at the top!"
"The top three! Even the narration this time is filled with reverence and awe."
"Destined to be invincible! The only one throughout time! What kind of terrifying existence is this?"
"He's free, breaks through ages, and no one dares contest his supremacy. This is overwhelming power!"
"Who is it?!"
The powerhouses from across the heavens and myriad worlds debated endlessly. Although the actual image had yet to appear, the voice-over alone left them in suspense.
In the world of Shrouding the Heavens, under the canopy of a lone leaf, Jiang Buxu, the white-robed God King, narrowed his eyes.
"Enlightenment during the age of chaos and the end of law? Born to cultivate the Tao and respond to calamity?"
Jiang Buxu's eyes lit up with an incredulous glow. Beside him, Ye Hei, the Big Black Dog, Ji Mingyue, and others looked at him with astonishment.
"Senior Jiang, do you know who this is?"
Jiang Buxu did not immediately respond. His gaze drifted toward the last remaining Death Forbidden Land that hadn't fallen, his expression solemn.
"If I'm not mistaken... it should be him—the former Lord of the Heaven Court, the Great Wilderness Emperor."
"Great Wilderness?"
Ye Hei, Ji Mingyue, the Big Black Dog, and the many disciples of the Jiang family were stunned.
"Senior Jiang, wasn't the Lord of the Heaven Court the one who initiated the Great Mythical Age, when all emperors coexisted in glory?"
"Emperor?"
Jiang Buxu shook his head slowly.
"No. That emperor who created the Heaven Court during the Mythical Age came after. In truth, the one who first created a precedent, the original founder of the Heaven Court, was the Great Wilderness Emperor."
"You're all too young to know, but our Jiang family ancestors passed down stories of the Great Wilderness Emperor. Among all emperors in ancient history, his talent was the most dazzling, and his power unmatched."
"In one lifetime, he was truly invincible—sweeping through eras and towering above all."
Jiang Buxu let out a faint sigh.
"Unfortunately, his era is too distant. Even our ancestors don't know much about his exact deeds."
"But one thing is certain—the Great Wilderness Emperor's style was unmatched! Records indicate that the Five Secret Realm cultivation method we use today was likely pioneered by him!"
His words stunned everyone present.
Ye Hei, Pang Bo, the Big Black Dog—all were overwhelmed.
"Our current cultivation framework... was created by the Great Wilderness Emperor?"
What an inconceivable notion.
How many eras had passed? How many prodigies had dominated an age?
Many had spent their lifetimes crafting powerful techniques and creating world-shaking supernatural powers. But none had ever established a foundation as enduring and universally followed as the Five Secret Realms.
It could be said—every cultivator in the Shrouding the Heavens world followed the path created by the Great Wilderness Emperor.
Instantly, Ye Hei and the others stared at the heavenly rankings, eager to witness the Great Wilderness Emperor's story.
Elsewhere, within the Immortal Ascension Road of Shrouding the Heavens, in a mysterious realm, two figures sat in silent meditation across from each other for hundreds of thousands of years.
One of them had black hair and eyes, wearing a purple robe embroidered with celestial patterns. His gaze was calm, deep, and awe-inspiring.
He was the Wu Shi Great Emperor.
At the end of the Immortal Path, who remains standing? When Wu Shi appears, all others become nothing.
This was the Wu Shi Great Emperor—the one who once defied the heavens and suppressed the seven Forbidden Death Lands alone.
"Chaos Era, End of Law Era... Enlightenment? Could it be him?" he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had guessed the identity already.
Opposite him sat a figure shrouded in bloody mist, revealing only a pair of bewitching eyes. A sinister chuckle escaped his lips.
"Someone who disappeared long ago. What's there to admire?"
Wu Shi answered calmly.
"Oh? Aren't you afraid he might return from the Immortal Domain? Considering your sins, it wouldn't be surprising if he slaughters you a hundred times over."
The shadowy figure sneered.
"What should I fear? I admit he was peerless, outshining past and present. But the Immortal Domain is no paradise. He could have died there long ago."
Wu Shi gave a cold smile.
"Then why don't you dare call him by name along the river of time?"
The figure stiffened slightly, then erupted.
"Wu Shi! How long will you continue blocking this emperor's path?"
Farther off in the void of the same world, another figure stood tall and broad, wearing a golden dragon robe, radiant and regal. His hands were clasped behind his back as he gazed upon the rankings, eyebrows rising.
"Oh? It's him? Then let this emperor see whether the first Heaven Court Lord was stronger, or whether I, the second Heaven Court Lord, surpass him."
The emperor's smile was calm, but sharp.
While Shrouding the Heavens trembled, the rest of the heavens and worlds followed suit.
Finally, the screen on the rankings slowly illuminated.
The skies poured down a light drizzle. In the heart of a vast black palace complex stood an immense and solemn altar.
Surrounding it were ceremonial guards in royal garb—some held true dragon horns, others raised black-and-yellow banners, and some clenched mighty drums. Their expressions were reverent and grim.
A massive 'Stone' character fluttered atop the banners in the wind, rippling with power.
"Commence the sacrifice—!"
At the sound of the herald's cry, the dragon horns blared.
Woooooo!
Their deep echo rolled across the lands.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The drums roared like thunder as the ritual began.
The sounds of music and solemn chants followed, resonant like bronze bells and ancient temples.
A dignified middle-aged man wearing a golden dragon robe with nine claws slowly walked toward the altar that seemed to pierce the heavens.
His expression was calm. His steps were steady. His eyes shone with divine brilliance.
He was the King of Stones.
He ruled over hundreds of millions of miles of rivers and mountains. The world trembled at his command.
All beings now watched—
What came next would shake eternity.
{Welcome, Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 50+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
patreon.com/Oreski}