330: Chapter 331 Refining the Emotion-Extinguishing Profound Flame

The news that the war had ended spread like it had grown wings, rapidly reaching every corner of Middle Heaven at a speed incomprehensible to Mortals.

In tea houses, wine shops, marketplaces, and Sects, countless Cultivators, while feeling fortunate to have survived the catastrophe, sank into even deeper anxiety.

“Have you heard? The Western Desert Yao Race is finished! Of the six great Demon Ancestors, four are dead, and the remaining two have become like stray dogs, fleeing back to the Myriad Demon Archipelago with a few remnants of their defeated army!”

“We won, but... our victory was too tragic! The various Holy Lands suffered countless casualties. Even towering pillars like Daoist Venerable Qingxu and Ancestor Fu have... have fallen!”

“Indeed. Now our Middle Heaven's Origin Qi is severely damaged, and our experts have withered away. If that Nine Nether Demon Emperor were to strike again, who could stop him?”

Pessimism spread like a plague.

However, amidst the gloom and misery, there were always some old Cultivators who had lived through long eras and saw further ahead, offering a different perspective.

“What's the panic? If the sky falls, those who are taller will hold it up.”

In an old tea house, an elderly Cultivator who looked like he had one foot in the grave slowly took a sip of tea, his cloudy old eyes flashing with a sharp light.

“The Yao Race caused such a stir, and the Nine Nether Demon Emperor is watching from the shadows like a tiger eyeing its prey. Do you really think those old monsters who have lived for tens of thousands of years, hidden from the world, would just stand by and watch this world crumble completely?”

“Just wait and see. The sky of Middle Heaven is about to change. The truly great figures are about to take the stage.”

...

The storms of the outside world did not seem to affect that small island in the heart of the lake deep within the Eastern Region.

On the island, it was still spring all year round, with cranes dancing and Spiritual Qi swirling in a dense mist.

The moment Gu Changsheng's figure quietly appeared on the island, the originally peaceful island instantly came to life.

Figures flew out from various places, their faces filled with heartfelt joy and relief.

“Welcome back, Young Lord!”

Led by Gu Yi and Mu Shuangyue, everyone bowed in unison.

They didn't ask how the battle went, nor did they ask if the Young Lord was injured.

Because when this man stood here, it meant that all the dust had settled.

Gu Changsheng scanned the crowd and nodded slightly.

With great tacit understanding, the crowd bowed once more and then quietly withdrew, leaving this space to him alone.

Gu Changsheng walked slowly to the lakeside, looking at the sky reflected in the calm water, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Taishang Wuchen.

The Sect Master of Qingxiao Holy Mountain thirty thousand years ago.

A figure who should have died in legend was not only alive but had been lurking behind the scenes, becoming one of the greatest variables in this chess game.

Five hundred thousand luck value, and a cultivation at the Peak of the Return to One Realm.

It seems this person cannot be underestimated.

How could the schemes, the foundation, and the true strength of a person who could endure for thirty thousand years be fully summarized by a few mere numbers?

Peak Quasi-Emperor.

These words flashed through Gu Changsheng's mind.

With thirty thousand years of bitter cultivation and accumulation, the other party's cultivation had likely long been polished to the limit of this world, only one final step away from that legendary Emperor Realm.

With his current strength, although he wouldn't be completely powerless against him, winning would likely be extremely difficult.

Gu Changsheng disliked this feeling of being unable to maintain control.

As for the Nine Nether Demon Emperor?

In his heart, not even the slightest ripple was stirred.

Others might not know, but was he not clear himself?

The current Nine Nether Demon Emperor was, in the final analysis, just an artifact spirit within the Quasi-Emperor Weapon known as the human emperor banner, a Puppet under his control.

The upper limit of his strength depended entirely on Gu Changsheng, his master.

Moreover, he had lost his Origin and was left with only a remnant soul. Using him to deal with a Peak Quasi-Emperor who had lived for thirty thousand years and was in perfect condition?

It would be no different from striking a stone with an egg.

This chess piece was acceptable for throwing the world into chaos and weakening the strength of the various Holy Lands.

But expecting him to arm-wrestle with a true chess player was far from being enough.

Since external forces couldn't be relied upon, he could only find a way through himself.

Before that Taishang Wuchen officially took the stage, he had to raise his own strength to a level sufficient to crush him, along with all his schemes and intrigues, all at once!

With a thought from Gu Changsheng, a crimson-gold flame slowly emerged in his palm.

The Emotion-Extinguishing Mysterious Fire!

The divine object ranked second on the odd fire ranking!

The moment the flame appeared, the surrounding Void Realm began to silently twist and collapse, as if unable to withstand the terrifying temperature capable of incinerating all things.

As long as he completely refined it, he could naturally break through his shackles and truly step into the Return to One Realm.

At that time, his strength would surely undergo an earth-shaking surge. Even if that Taishang Wuchen was truly a Peak Quasi-Emperor, he would have enough to fight him, or even suppress him!

Only...

This odd fire was exceptionally dangerous; refining it normally would take decades.

The current Middle Heaven was full of surging undercurrents and hidden killing intent. Let alone decades, even in just a few years, earth-shattering changes could occur.

That old fellow who had endured for thirty thousand years could never wait another few decades.

Time waits for no one.

Since conventional methods wouldn't work, he could only... take a shortcut.

There wasn't a hint of hesitation on Gu Changsheng's face. With a movement of his Divine Thought, a virtual interface emitting a faint blue glow that only he could see slowly unfolded before his eyes.

The System Mall.