234: Humane Era, National Carnival

"Haotian..."

Li Chengqian lowered his head, looking at Haotian who had been completely stunned by his crazy plan. The smile on his face became incredibly brilliant.

"You will have the honor of becoming the first cornerstone of this new Heavenly Court."

"You will become the eternal energy core that drives the entire Heavenly Court!"

"You will live forever, but you will also, in eternal darkness and loneliness, personally witness how the Mortals you disdain step on your corpse to establish an unprecedented, glorious and sacred Human Dao era!"

"How about it? Are you... satisfied with this ending I've arranged for you?"

"No... no! You can't do this! You madman! You demon!"

Haotian finally understood Li Chengqian's plan!

He let out a scream more terrified and desperate than any before!

He was not afraid of death.

Because he was indestructible.

But the ending Li Chengqian had arranged for him was ten thousand times more terrifying than death!

It meant that he would forever lose his freedom, forever lose his consciousness, becoming a tool to be driven by others, a pathetic slave who would forever "work" for the Mortals he most despised!

This humiliation, this torment, would be eternal!

"Ah ah ah ah! Li Chengqian! I curse you! I curse you to never be reincarnated!"

Haotian roared madly, his body, made of light, struggled violently, trying to self-destruct his Origin!

He would rather completely dissipate than accept such a pathetic fate!

However.

"In front of me, if you want to die, you need my permission."

Li Chengqian said coldly.

The next second, the God Binding Stake, which was binding Haotian, suddenly erupted with a black light of ten thousand feet!

Countless black and red Devilish Qi chains surged out from the God Binding Stake, like venomous snakes, tightly coiling around Haotian's human form of light, forcefully suppressing his Origin power that was about to self-destruct!

"No—!"

Haotian let out his last wail, filled with endless despair.

Then, his consciousness was completely dispersed by that overbearing Devilish Qi, and he fell into boundless darkness once more.

After finishing all this, Li Chengqian slowly turned around and faced the common people below the God Slaying Platform again.

He raised his right hand high.

The entire world fell silent again.

"I, in the name of the Human Emperor of the Great Tang, hereby declare!"

His voice, like a final judgment, resounded through Heaven and Earth!

"The false god Haotian, his crimes are unforgivable!"

"His crimes deserve execution!"

"But, Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, and I also have the virtue of cherishing life."

"Therefore, I sentence—"

"Abolish the old Heavenly Dao, strip him of his godhead, erase his consciousness, and extract his Origin!"

"Use his body as fuel, his bones as firewood, to forge my Human Dao Heavenly Court, and establish my eternal foundation!"

"This judgment shall be executed immediately!"

"By Imperial Order!"

"This judgment shall be executed immediately!"

"By Imperial Order!"

When Li Chengqian's final judgment, filled with supreme majesty, descended from the top of the God Slaying Platform.

The entire world fell silent.

Below the God Slaying Platform, millions of common people listened blankly to this judgment, which they could barely fully comprehend, yet felt incomparably shocked by, their minds a blank slate.

Abolish the Heavenly Dao?

Forge a Human Dao Heavenly Court?

These terms were too distant, too profound for them.

But they understood the last sentence.

His Majesty the Emperor was going to burn that "Old Heaven" who had done all sorts of bad things, using it as firewood to establish a "new Heavenly Court" for their Human Race!

This realization, after a brief moment of confusion, instantly erupted into an unprecedented ecstasy that pierced their Souls!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Burn it! Burn that damned Old Heaven!"

"Establish our own Heavenly Court! The Heavenly Court of our Human Race!"

"Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long, long live!"

Endless cheers, like a volcanic eruption, burst forth from every corner of Chang'an City. The sound waves were so strong that they even forcibly dispersed the clouds in the sky!

In the sky, the thousands of cultivators who had come to observe the ceremony were all in a state of stupor at this moment.

Li Chungang's mouth was wide open, completely unaware that the wine gourd in his hand had fallen to the ground.

In Deng Tai'a's peach blossom eyes, besides fanaticism, there was an even deeper trace of awe.

Daoist Qingwei and Great Master Qishan and others even directly prostrated themselves in the clouds, constantly kowtowing towards the God Slaying Platform.

They finally understood.

The ambition of this Human Emperor Your Majesty was not to "go Heaven-Defying" at all.

What he wanted was to "change Heaven"!

He wanted to personally shatter this old world, and then, with his own will, create a brand new world completely dominated by the Human Dao!

What a magnificent, what a crazy, and what a... desirable feat!

To personally witness, and even participate in, this great era of old and new world transition, was the greatest honor of their lives!

Above the God Slaying Platform.

Li Chengqian paid no attention to the overwhelming response below.

His gaze calmly fell upon the Haotian light cluster that had been completely suppressed and had lost all consciousness.

"Do it."

He spoke indifferently.

As his command was given.

"Buzz—!"

The entire God Slaying Platform instantly erupted with a golden light of ten thousand feet!

The four Divine Beast totem poles of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise at the four corners of the platform seemed to come alive at this moment, letting out earth-shattering roars!

Four vast forces representing the Origin of the four poles of Heaven and Earth soared into the sky from the totem poles, intertwining above the God Slaying Platform to form an enormous Four Symbols formation, completely sealing off the entire sky!

Immediately after, the large formation composed of countless profound runes in the center of the platform also activated!

An indescribable, terrifying power filled with the meaning of "melting," "forging," and "reshaping" rose from the formation, like an invisible giant furnace, completely engulfing the Haotian light cluster bound to the God Binding Stake!

"Ah ah ah ah—!"

Although Haotian's consciousness had been erased, the intense pain from his Origin still caused silent, mournful screams to emanate from deep within his light cluster!

Under the Calcination of the golden furnace, the pale white runes representing the old Heavenly Dao Law on the surface of Haotian's light cluster were being forcibly stripped away little by little, then turning into dust and dissipating into the air!

This was a "formatting" process!

It was a process of completely deleting the old System!

This process was incredibly painful and incredibly long.

The entire God Slaying Platform was enveloped by the golden divine fire.

Everyone could only see a light cluster violently twisting and struggling in the blazing golden flames, letting out silent wails.

This scene was deeply etched into the Soul of every person.

They personally witnessed the death of a "god."

The end of an "era."

Who knows how long passed, perhaps a day, perhaps a century.

When the golden flames on the God Slaying Platform finally slowly extinguished.

The light cluster that originally belonged to Haotian had completely disappeared.

In its place was a dazzling crystal core, only the size of a fist, entirely of the purest glazed color, as if containing an entire Universe of stars within it!

That was what remained of Haotian after all his Laws and consciousness had been stripped away—the most fundamental Origin, the core of the world!

It was also the most precious treasure of this world!

Li Chengqian slowly walked to the world crystal core suspended in mid-air, extended his hand, and gently held it in his palm.

He could clearly feel the vast energy contained within this crystal core, enough to create a world.

"Very good."

"Server core, acquired."

"Next, it's time to install the new operating System."

A satisfied smile appeared on Li Chengqian's face.

He raised the dazzling world crystal core in his hand high, allowing everyone to see it clearly.

"The old Heaven is dead!"

His voice once again resounded through Heaven and Earth!

"A new Heaven shall be established!"

He suddenly clenched his fist and fiercely pressed the world crystal core against his chest!

"Boom—!"

To everyone's shocked gazes, the crystal core containing the world's Origin actually directly merged into Li Chengqian's body!

The next second!

An unprecedented, supreme aura, surpassing gods, surpassing demons, surpassing all existence in the world, erupted from Li Chengqian's body!

Golden Imperial Dragon Qi, like a tsunami, soared into the sky from his body!

The golden Dragon of National Fortune, hovering over Chang'an City, at this moment, seemed to have achieved its ultimate sublimation, letting out a Dragon roar that shook the Nine Heavens, directly rushing into the clouds and merging with the Imperial Dragon Qi on Li Chengqian's body!

Li Chengqian's figure slowly ascended amidst the golden light of ten thousand feet.

Behind him, an even more magnificent and real phantom of the "Human Heavenly Court" slowly emerged!

That Heavenly Court was modeled after the Great Tang Imperial Palace, adorned with stars of the Heavens, and structured with mountains and rivers as its Veins.

Countless Civil and Military Officials in official robes performed their respective duties within the Heavenly Court.

The Bad People transformed into Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals patrolling the Three Realms.

The Demon Slaying Division transformed into the Righteous Gods of the Thunder Department who slayed demons and evil spirits.

The Ministry of Works, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel... the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, each performing their duties, jointly maintained the operation of this new Heavenly Court!

And Li Chengqian sat at the very center of that Heavenly Court, on the Dragon Throne of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall!

He was the sole Dominator of this new Heavenly Court!

The Heavenly Emperor!

"From today onwards!"

"I am both the Human Emperor and the Heavenly Emperor!"

"Where I am, that is the Heavenly Heart!"

"What I desire, that is the Will of Heaven!"

"The Human Dao shall flourish!"

Li Chengqian's majestic and vast voice exploded in the mind of every living being!

As his voice fell.

The sky, which had been torn apart by the collapse of the Haotian Divine Kingdom, was instantly repaired by an invisible great power at this moment!

The sky returned to its clear blue.

But this time, what illuminated the earth was no longer the cold sunlight.

Instead, it was a golden "Light of Human Dao" that was warmer, and more full of vitality and hope!

Under the illumination of this light, all things revived, and a hundred flowers bloomed.

Countless elderly people who had been bedridden instantly recovered their health.

Countless children born with disabilities had their severed limbs regenerated.

The entire Great Tang, the entire world, at this moment, radiated an unprecedented, vigorous vitality!

The Heavenly Dao is dead, the Human Dao shall be established!

A brand new, glorious era, where humans control their own destiny, officially arrived!

Chang'an City, no, it should be said that the entire Human Realm, was bathed in a warm golden light.

This light, unlike Haotian's cold and indifferent divine light, was full of vitality, full of hope, and full of the sincerest emotions of the human world.

Under the illumination of this light, the long-sick elderly threw away their crutches, feeling twenty years younger. Children born with disabilities grew healthy limbs amidst the joyful tears of their parents. The dry land became moist again, and withered seedlings, at a visible speed, turned green again.

The whole world was cheering, was exulting!

On Chengtian Gate Square, millions of common people were still prostrate on the ground, looking up at the majestic figure suspended ten thousand feet in the sky, integrated with the new Heavenly Court. The fanaticism in their eyes was beyond words.

"Heavenly Emperor! It's His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor!"

"We have our own Heavenly Emperor! The Heavenly Emperor of our Human Race!"

"Wuwuwu... I've lived for sixty years, and I never thought there would be such a day! The Old Heaven, no, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has opened his eyes!"

Countless people sobbed uncontrollably.

They didn't understand Heavenly Dao Law, nor did they understand the world's Origin.

They only knew that from today onwards, the old Heaven, which frequently brought down natural disasters and regarded them as mere grass, was dead.

What replaced it was their own Emperor, a new Heaven who would heal them, grant them bountiful harvests, and lead them to a good life!

At this moment, Li Chengqian's status in their hearts had surpassed faith, transforming into the one and only, supreme God!

In the sky, the cultivators from all corners of the world felt the human Dao light, brimming with vitality and hope, and their shock was beyond measure.

"Is this...is this the Power Of Humanity?"

The old Sword God, Li Chungang, stretched out his hand, feeling the golden light brush past his body. He could clearly sense that the Sword Intent, which had been dormant in him for many years, was once again active, even showing faint signs of a Breakthrough.

"Such a warm power... such a powerful force..."

He muttered to himself, his gaze towards the figure in the sky having transformed from initial inquiry into complete reverence.

He had originally believed that the Dao of the Sword he pursued was the ultimate in the world.

But after witnessing the Human Emperor Your Majesty's methods, he realized that his own perspective was still too limited.

What was opening the Heavenly Gate with a sword, or seeking the Dao from Heaven?

Compared to this Human Emperor Your Majesty's Heaven-Defying feat of "personally changing the Heavens," it was simply not worth mentioning.

"Amitabha." Master Qishan of Lan Ke Temple clasped his hands, his aged face filled with emotion. "This old monk once thought that the Buddha Dharma's salvation of all sentient beings was the supreme Great Dao. Only today do I realize that the Dao followed by Human Emperor Your Majesty is the true Righteous Path of the human world. Taking humanity as the Origin, establishing the Human Dao to replace the Heavenly Dao—this... this is true great compassion and a grand vow!"

Daoist Qingwei of Shu Mountain's Demon Slaying Division even led thousands of his Disciples in a three-kneel, nine-kowtow ceremony towards Li Chengqian.

There was no longer any doubt in his heart, only endless relief.

Fortunately, he had chosen to pledge allegiance to His Majesty back then!

Otherwise, if he had missed such a great era of creating the world and establishing the Human Dao epoch, even if he cultivated into a True Immortal, he would regret it for the rest of his life!

Above the God Slaying Platform.

Li Chengqian felt the endless Power Of Faith converging from all directions of the entire world, and he felt his connection with this world become unprecedentedly close. His heart was filled with heroic pride.

He succeeded.

He truly transformed this world into his own shape.

From now on, he was the only Law, the only will of this world!

He slowly descended from the air, returning to the square in front of the Taiji Hall.

The vast majesty that swept across Heaven and Earth also receded, and he returned to being that handsome and profound young Emperor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live His Majesty, long live, long long live!"

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Li Shimin, Fuzi... all the Civil and Military Officials waiting in front of the hall knelt down again, their voices filled with awe and submission from their Souls.

Their worldview was completely overturned today, and then forcibly reshaped.

"All of you, rise."

Li Chengqian's voice was calm. He walked straight into the Taiji Hall and sat back down on the Dragon Throne, which symbolized supreme imperial power.

This time, he sat more at ease than ever before.

Because this chair was now not only the imperial throne of the Human Race but also the Heavenly Emperor's throne of the newborn Heavenly Court!

"Zhonglou." Li Chengqian's gaze fell on the Demon Lord, who was still immersed in excitement, grinning foolishly.

"Aye! Boss, no, Your Majesty! Your servant is here!"

Zhonglou jolted, immediately stood upright, and bowed respectfully.

Although he was still accustomed to calling him boss, he knew the importance of the situation in such a formal setting.

"Today, you protected the imperial carriage with merit, and later shattered the God Kingdom, achieving great deeds." Li Chengqian looked at him and slowly said, "I previously appointed you as 'Great Tang Demon Subduing Grand Marshal.' Today, I will bestow upon you another divine title."

"From today onwards, you shall be the 'Divine Lord of Battle' of my Human Dao Heavenly Court, in charge of all matters of conquest in the Three Realms, holding the same Rank as the Grand Marshal of Soldiers and Horses. Do you accept?"

"Divine Lord of Battle?" Zhonglou muttered the name, and his eyes instantly lit up.

This name, just hearing it, was full of the aura of battle, practically tailor-made for him!

"I accept! Your servant certainly accepts! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!"

Zhonglou was so excited he almost jumped up, quickly kneeling to express his gratitude.

What was the dignity of a Demon Lord compared to the cool title of "Divine Lord of Battle"? If anyone dared to mention Demon Lord to him in the future, he would get angry! He was now the Divine Lord of Battle of the Heavenly Court!

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Nangong Pu She.

"Nangong Pu She."

"Your servant is here." Nangong Pu She held her two blades, kneeling on one knee.

"You have protected the imperial carriage all the way, and your loyalty is commendable. I appoint you as the 'Heavenly Court Goddess of War,' to lead the Heavenly Court Imperial Guards and protect the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. Do you accept?"

"Your servant, receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty!"

Nangong Pu She's voice was still cold, but her hands, gripping the hilt of her blades, trembled slightly.

Heavenly Court Goddess of War, Commander of the Lingxiao Hall Guards!

This was not just a title, but also a supreme trust!

She knew that from today onwards, she would forever stand behind His Majesty, slaying all invading enemies for him.

Then, Li Chengqian looked at Bai Qi, Yue Fei, and the other heroic spirits summoned from the long river of history.

"Bai Qi, heed my decree!"

"Your humble general is here!"

"I appoint you as the 'Divine Lord of Slaughter,' to oversee the Heavenly Court's punishments and matters of killing!"

"Yue Fei, heed my decree!"

"Your humble general is here!"

"I appoint you as the 'God of War Protector of the Nation,' to oversee the Heavenly Court's soldiers and horses, and matters of protection!"

...Li Chengqian, in one breath, bestowed divine Ranks upon all the summoned civil and military generals.

The entire Taiji Hall shimmered with golden light and divine aura.

Those civil and military generals, who were originally in the state of heroic spirits, instantly condensed true divine bodies upon receiving Li Chengqian's enfeoffment, and their aura became incomparably powerful!

They became the first batch of Gods of this newborn Heavenly Court!

After doing all this, Li Chengqian's gaze finally fell upon the "Mortal" officials like Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Li Shimin.

Everyone held their breath, knowing that the moment that truly concerned their future had arrived.

His Majesty established the Heavenly Court and enfeoffed Gods, so what would become of them, these Mortals?

Li Shimin's heart was a mix of emotions.

He looked at his son on the Dragon Throne, who he could no longer fathom, and his heart was filled with complexity.

What role should he, the Retired Emperor, play in this brand new "Human Dao Heavenly Court"?

Just as everyone was feeling uneasy, Li Chengqian slowly spoke.

His voice was no longer as majestic as before, but carried a hint of gentleness.

"My beloved ministers, you have followed me through half a lifetime of campaigns, and have rendered great service to my Great Tang."

"I will not forget you."

He stood up, descended from the Dragon Throne, and personally helped Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui, who were kneeling at the front, to their feet.

"Today, I establish the Human Dao to replace the Heavenly Dao, and build the Heavenly Court to govern the Three Realms. It is not to emulate Haotian, to be isolated from Mortals and high above them."

"On the contrary."

Li Chengqian's eyes gleamed with an unprecedented light.

"What I want to do is to connect Heaven with Earth! To make the Gods coexist with humans!"

"What I want to establish is a true Human Divine Dynasty!"

"I have a grand vow."

His voice became incredibly impassioned, filled with infinite infectiousness.

"I want to make my subjects, everyone like a Dragon!"

"I want them to break free from the shackles of birth, old age, sickness, and death, and obtain true, eternal life!"

"Immortality!"

When the four words "Immortality" came out of Li Chengqian's mouth.

The entire Taiji Hall instantly fell into a deathly silence.

Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, everyone felt as if they had been struck by a bolt of lightning, standing frozen in place, their minds buzzing.

Immortality?

Everyone like a Dragon?

Your Majesty... what exactly is he saying?!

This... how is this possible?!

Just as everyone was completely stunned and speechless by this grand, almost insane vision.

A cold, emotionless mechanical voice, without any warning, boomed in Li Chengqian's mind!

【Detecting world Rank upgrade, civilization core undergoing leap...】

【Myriad Worlds System, officially activated!】

【Evaluating current world...】

【Evaluation complete.】

【World Name: Great Tang Human Divine Dynasty】

【World Rank: Mid-High Martial World】

【Civilization Potential: Extremely High】

【World Dominator: Li Chengqian】

【Welcome to a wider world.】

【Welcome to a wider world.】

The cold mechanical voice echoed in Li Chengqian's mind.

His face still maintained that calm, world-dominating expression, as if nothing had happened.

But in his heart, monstrous waves were churning.

Myriad Worlds System?

Mid-High Martial World?

What is this?

Li Chengqian's mind was incredibly sharp.

In just an instant, he understood the terrifying, world-shattering information contained within those few sentences!

He had originally thought that by defeating Haotian and replacing the Heavenly Dao, he had become the sole Dominator of this world, reaching the pinnacle of this world.

But now, this sudden "System" told him that the world he was in was merely a "Mid-High Martial" Rank world.

"Mid-High"... these two words were like two sharp thorns, deeply piercing Li Chengqian's proud imperial heart.

I, with my own hands, attacked Heaven, re-established the Human Dao, and created an unprecedented Divine Dynasty era.

And in your evaluation, it's merely "Mid-High"?

Not even considered "Top-tier"?

Then what is above "Mid-High"?

Is it "High Martial"? Is it "Xianxia"? Or... something even more unimaginable, the legendary "Primordial Era"?

Before Li Chengqian's eyes, a vast scroll seemed to unfold.

Countless worlds, like the sands of the Ganges, floated in the endless Void Realm.

In some worlds, Immortals soared through the sky, plucking stars and seizing the moon.

In some worlds, Divine Beasts and Devils danced wildly, destroying Heaven and Earth.

In some worlds, Saints preached the Dao, their words becoming Law.

And his Great Tang, his proud Human Divine Dynasty, was merely an inconspicuous one within this scroll.

This realization made Li Chengqian fall silent.

He felt no fear, nor did he feel discouraged.

Instead, there was a stronger, almost chest-bursting... excitement and ambition!

Good!

Excellent!

He was just worrying that he had already reached the pinnacle of the world, and his future days would become incredibly dull and lonely.

He never expected that the real stage was only just beginning to unfold!

"Interesting..."

A subtle curve appeared at the corner of Li Chengqian's mouth, unnoticed by anyone.

"I want to see just how vast this 'Myriad Worlds' of yours truly is!"

"I even more want to see, how much stronger are the 'Heavens' of those so-called 'higher' worlds compared to Haotian!"

His fighting spirit, his innate desire for conquest, was completely ignited at this moment!

The Heaven of one world was no longer enough to satisfy him.

What he wanted to conquer was these Heavens, these Myriad Worlds!

He wanted the Dragon banner of the Great Tang to be planted in every single world!

He wanted his "Human Dao" to become the only Righteous Path of these Myriad Worlds!

And the grand vow he had just made—"everyone like a Dragon, Immortality"—now had the possibility of being realized!

Relying solely on a "Mid-High Martial" world to sustain the Immortality of billions of subjects was nothing short of a fool's dream.