"No, impossible, this absolutely..."
Shi You hurriedly said, but halfway through his words, he seemed to have thought of something and immediately looked up at Yun Ze, "Wait! Zhou Jue!"
Yun Ze frowned, as if he had also thought of something.
Before, when he scanned the Demon Emperors with his divine sense, he seemed to have sensed something. However, the demonic energy there was too dense, and even he couldn't feel anything wrong.
But the problem itself was a problem!
With his divine sense at the Land Immortal realm, such a problem should not have occurred, yet he genuinely didn't sense any issue.
In such a situation, there could only be one explanation!
Zhou Jue, which represented the power of space, was in the hands of the enemy!
No wonder, no wonder Bu Bu couldn't find Zhou Jue even after waking up his memories and visiting the Xiu family.
No wonder the Xiu family was so passive in the war, so that's how it was...
Yun Ze frowned, cast a thoughtful glance at Xiu Li Tian, and then looked at the other Emperors, "You all take the immortal fruits here first and see if you can touch that layer of constraint. I'll go take a look and come back."
"Wait!"
Shi You quickly stopped Yun Ze, "You're going alone?"
"I am enough. Moreover, if the Nine Nether truly opens, it will be useless for you to go without breaking through to the Emperor realm."
With that, Yun Ze tore through the void and left!
Only the sixteen Emperors around looked at each other in silence.
Now, had the era truly abandoned them?
"Let's break through first."
Shi You was the first to eat the immortal fruit in his hand. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Dan Jing Sheng, "By the way, does Xiao Gong know we are here?"
Dan Jing Sheng knew he was referring to Gong Chi Yi.
He casually swallowed the immortal fruit as well and then sat down cross-legged, "Xiao Gong is intelligent. When she arrives, if she can't find us, she will search the surroundings. She should find us soon."
"That's good."
Shi You replied, then turned to look at the direction Yun Ze had disappeared, sighing inwardly.
Everything he could see had already happened. He just didn't know how the situation would develop next.
Would humanity ultimately be unable to escape its fate of destruction, or... would they make a comeback against all odds?
No one knew.
It all depended on how far this young man could go.
...
...
A few breaths later.
Yun Ze arrived at the Nine Nether he had sensed.
The boundary of the Nine Nether had already been completely breached. Thirty-two Demon Emperor realm experts were prostrate on the ground, as if they hadn't noticed his arrival, only continuing to kowtow.
Extremely devoutly.
Yun Ze frowned, waved his hand, and annihilated all thirty-two Demon Emperors! Endless cultivation poured into his body, transforming into countless immortal fruits!
This was the gap in realms.
But even after these thirty-two were annihilated, the dark pit before him did not stop at all, continuing to expand and swell!
One hundred li, one thousand li, ten thousand li!
In an instant, an abyss appeared!
Yun Ze frowned, vaguely sensing where Zhou Jue was!
It was directly opposite!
He instinctively reached out to touch it, wanting to pull Zhou Jue out, but in the next moment, the endless darkness instantly engulfed him!
"What a wonderful taste."
A woman's voice slowly emerged, "I have finally found you again!"
Before Yun Ze could recover, he saw a woman walking slowly towards him from the darkness.
The other party was clearly hostile, but the moment Yun Ze saw her.
A sense of oppression, suffocation, and a strange feeling of bloodline kinship struck him simultaneously!
"Who are you?"
Yun Ze asked with a frown.
"Me?"
The woman retorted, a smile curling her lips, "Have you forgotten me already?"
"Forgotten?"
Yun Ze frowned, he didn't remember ever seeing her.
"It seems brother was right."
The woman smiled faintly, and then her figure instantly disappeared!
Before Yun Ze could react, he felt something embrace him from behind!
He instinctively tried to break free, but found that in this darkness, he couldn't even mobilize a trace of spiritual energy!
Then, Yun Ze heard the woman continue.
"Don't move, let me hug you."
"You..."
"Shh!"
Just as Yun Ze was about to speak, the woman's voice rang out again.
"Don't speak, I don't have much time. Please be quiet."
Yun Ze was completely stunned.
He knew the other party had no intention of harming him, especially that feeling of bloodline kinship, which made him stop struggling.
One breath, two breaths...
After three breaths.
As the woman had said, she didn't have much time. After only three breaths, she disappeared along with the dark space.
Leaving behind a bewildered Yun Ze, and an Immortal Jade!
Yun Ze quickly put the Immortal Jade into his Qi Sea. After a slight sensing, he could confirm that this was Zhou Jue.
His comprehension and control of space had reached another level.
Now that the Immortal Jade was in hand, and the opened Nine Nether was sealed, but... he was full of questions.
What was going on!
Yun Ze completely didn't understand.
He immediately returned to the campsite and told Shi You and Bu Bu everything, but neither of them had any clues.
However, they did give Yun Ze a clue.
The essence blood of thirty-two Emperors, combined with Zhou Jue, to open the Nine Nether. There could only be one possibility for the being that came out of the Nine Nether.
The Original Primordial Demon!
That was a truly legendary existence, one of the first two beings born in the ancient era.
The other was the Original Primordial Immortal, sealed in the Nine Heavens.
These two beings were the origin of the Demon Clan and the Immortal Clan. All pure-blooded Immortals and Demons were branches of their bloodline, or rather, their avatars.
In ancient times, the ancestors of humanity were able to sever the connection between heaven and earth using the nine Immortal Jades precisely because these two beings had caused a great war, leaving the origins of the Immortal and Demon clans depleted, allowing the human ancestors to seize the opportunity.
Otherwise, humanity would have long ceased to exist.
But the current attitude of that being towards Yun Ze was truly strange.
And with that being's power, since it had already broken the seal and emerged, why would it go back in?
This itself was a question.
Yun Ze didn't know, and Shi You and Bu Bu, who were not involved, understood even less.
"Never mind, let's not think about it. Regardless, at least the eighth Immortal Jade has been recovered."
Shi You said calmly, then took out Yu Jue from his Qi Sea.
He handed Yu Jue to Yun Ze, "Since the Immortal and Demon Immortal Jades have different effects when combined, why don't you try these two?"
"Is there any point?"
Yun Ze didn't take it, but frowned, "The crisis below has been resolved, hasn't it?"
"The crisis below has been resolved, but there is still the one above."
Shi You said, tossing Yu Jue to Yun Ze, "This thing is useless to me anymore. Ever since you reached the Land Immortal realm, I can no longer see what happens next."
"Humanity needs Yu Jue, and you are the only one who can match it."
"Even if it's not to deal with some danger, humanity needs a guide."
"...Alright."
Shi You's words were still as irrefutable as ever.
In that case, let's take a look.
Yun Ze put Yu Jue into his Qi Sea.
Instantly, the usage of the two Immortal Jades reappeared in his mind, just like when he had absorbed the Immortal and Demon Immortal Jades.
Yu Jue could, based on one's cultivation level, slow down or accelerate time within a certain range, creating a time domain.
Just like the space created by Shi You.
Those in the Emperor realm could enter it for a hundred thousand years, while only a few hours would have passed in the outside world.
And as a Land Immortal, he would increase this range by a hundredfold!
Ten million years!
As long as he wished, he could let anyone enter and stay for ten million years, and upon emerging, it would only feel like an instant.
As for the other function, it was to see scenes of future events.
This function depended on the object of Yun Ze's observation.
For example, if he wanted to see Shi You, he could see what would happen to Shi You in the future.
To predict major future events, he would need to observe multiple different individuals and combine them to form a grand era.
Zhou Jue could teleport within a certain range and create a spatial domain where one could teleport at will, mastering the ability of "shrinking the ground into an inch."
As long as he wished, a single palm could cover the entire continent.
When Yun Ze gathered both Yu Jue and Zhou Jue, in addition to their individual effects, there was another function.
He could now create a domain where he could freely control space and time.
The coverage of this domain was also determined by his cultivation.
Now that he was at the Land Immortal realm, it was enough to cover all nine Xuan Heavens!
"Hoo..."
Yun Ze tidied up the information in his mind and let out a long sigh, "The beings who created these Immortal Jades are truly terrifying."
"How terrifying?"
Shi You asked curiously, "Can you beat the Original Primordial Demon now?"
"No."
"...Then what's so terrifying!"
"But there are still two Immortal Jades left, aren't there?"
Yun Ze smiled.
Ever since he obtained Yu Jue and Zhou Jue, he had a feeling that if he could gather all nine Immortal Jades, he would be able to find the answers to all his questions.
"Sen Jue is easy to find. Xiao Gong is already on her way to bring people over. It will only take a few more hours."
*Snap!*
Yun Ze snapped his fingers.
Gong Chi Yi and Yu Xian appeared before him simultaneously.
"They're here now."
Yun Ze smiled, then looked at Yu Xian, "Brother Yu, it's been a long time."
"Xiao Yun!?"
Yu Xian exclaimed, "What are you doing here? Emperor Gong..."
"Xiao Yu will explain these matters to you later."
Yun Ze smiled and extended his hand, "Where is Sen Jue? Is it still with you?"
"It is, but..."
Yu Xian turned to look at Gong Chi Yi and Shi You, clearly not trusting them.
"It's alright, these two seniors are trustworthy enough."
"Alright."
Yu Xian said, then took out Sen Jue and handed it to Yun Ze.
This time, Sen Jue did not resist.
Or rather, the wood spirit didn't dare to approach Yun Ze at all, only curling up on Yu Xian's shoulder.
Yun Ze smiled and used the functions of Yu Jue and Zhou Jue to sever the connection between the wood spirit and Sen Jue with a raise of his hand!
Now, Sen Jue was Sen Jue, and the wood spirit was the wood spirit.
Yu Xian could still keep the wood spirit, and he could continue to possess some of Sen Jue's abilities, while Sen Jue itself would not be harmed.
After all, it was just an avatar or a projection.
"It seems you have exceeded my imagination now..."
Yu Xian couldn't help but say, a smile on his lips, and he placed his hand on Yun Ze's shoulder, "You've grown, kid! But don't forget our promise!"
"I know."
Yun Ze replied with a smile, "Purification, right? Brother Yu, don't worry, this world will surely be renewed from now on!"
"Hahaha, then I'll be waiting!"
Yu Xian said and walked out.
He had already sensed Tan Chen Yu's location, "I'll go find Xiao Yu first. It seems a lot has happened since we last met."
"Farewell."
Yun Ze waved goodbye, then put Sen Jue into his Qi Sea!
One Immortal Jade had returned to its place!
Now, only the last one, Yao Jue, remained.
Yun Ze didn't need to move. With a slight sensing, he knew that Yao Jue was no longer in its original position.
There were no Immortal Jades left in the five forbidden lands, no wonder the Nine Nether was opened by Zhou Jue.
"How is it?"
Shi You couldn't help but ask, "Did you sense the location of Yao Jue?"
"Let me try again."
Yun Ze closed his eyes again.
This time, he didn't choose to use Zhou Jue and Yu Jue. Instead, he closed his eyes and simply used his origin and the four elemental Immortal Jades to sense the location of Yao Jue.
These five elemental Immortal Jades had a mutual resonance. As long as Yao Jue was still on this continent, he would definitely find it!
One breath, two breaths... A full half an hour passed.
Just as Yun Ze was about to give up, a strange sensation suddenly struck him!
That was...
"I found it!"
Yun Ze exclaimed, simultaneously activating Yu Jue and Zhou Jue, and with a claw strike, he summoned something from thin air!
A yellow-brown Immortal Jade appeared in his hand!
Yao Jue!
So it was here!
Just as he was about to give up, a sensation came from his Qi Sea.
That was his Earth spiritual root!
A newly formed spiritual root after becoming a Heavenly Spirit Body.
When he sensed the origin of earth, the origin within his Earth spiritual root seemed to be drawn away by something.
He felt it carefully and discovered that the source came from... the future!
One breath into the future, and the location was right in front of him!
Yun Ze quickly activated the two Immortal Jades and reached out, grasping the yellow-brown object!
Yao Jue!
It was hidden next to his future self!
And this thing seemed to have always been by his side. No matter where he was, Yao Jue would always appear beside him in the next second.
No wonder...
No wonder Tu Xiu had all five elements, but he himself lacked the earth spiritual root!
So the culprit was here all along!
Not only Yun Ze, but Shi You and Bu Bu, who were watching, were also stunned.
Hiding Yao Jue in the future was a technique that required mastering both Yu Jue and Zhou Jue simultaneously. No one else could have done it!
But in history, besides Yun Ze, no one had ever been able to control both of these existences!
No!
There was one more!
The person who created the nine Immortal Jades!
Besides Yun Ze, only he had such ability!
Thinking of this possibility, whether it was Shi You, Bu Bu, or Yun Ze, they were all stunned!
That was the ancient era!
Yun Ze was completely dazed, but now was not the time to be dazed.
He instinctively put Yao Jue into his Qi Sea.
Instantly, all five elemental Immortal Jades gathered and merged into Yun Ze's three Nascent Souls!
The originally transparent glazed Nascent Souls now shimmered with the light of the five elements!
A memory flashed in Yun Ze's mind. He could now be immune to all damage within the five elements and control the spiritual energy of the five elements within a certain range, including extraction, annihilation, and absorption at will!
He didn't even need to care if the spiritual energy was his own or someone else's, it was all the same!
This didn't seem like much.
With his current combat power, whether he had this ability or not made no difference.
But in the next moment, the effect of gathering all nine Immortal Jades also appeared.
Reversal!
Reversal of everything, including... time and space!
Yun Ze seemed to sense something and vaguely heard a voice calling him from afar.
He simultaneously activated the nine Immortal Jades in his Qi Sea and reversed time and space!
Instantly, the scene before his eyes began to rewind madly!
From the Nine Nether, to the Nine Xuan Thunder Tribulation, to the Gate of the Nine Nether, to the Tongtian Academy, to the Zhutian Secret Realm, to the Ascension Assembly, to before Han Shan Village, to a baby's cry upon birth!
Further back, it was the perspective of the nine Immortal Jades.
All the way, all the way, all the way to the chaos before the heavens and earth opened!
There was nothing here, except for Yun Ze.
There was no light, no darkness, only the interplay of mottled light and shadow.
"You're finally here."
A familiar voice rang out.
Yun Ze couldn't sense the other party's presence, so he could only frown and ask, "Who are you?"
"Me? Besides you, who else could come here?"
The voice rang out again, but no figure appeared.
"You... are me?"
After eliminating all impossibilities, only one remained.
Although Yun Ze was unwilling to believe it, there seemed to be no other explanation.
"To be precise, it's you from another time and space."
"I created the current you, and you are responsible for creating the you who will come here millions of years later."
It was convoluted, but Yun Ze understood.
However, he couldn't understand.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why should I agree? I can leave now, can't I? Why do I have to stay here for millions of years?"
"If you leave now, the cycle will not be established, and both I and you will dissipate because of it."
"But... I understand."
Yun Ze frowned, he now understood everything, "So... I am the one who created the Immortal Jades?"
"No, the Immortal Jades in your body were created by me, and what you need to create are the Immortal Jades in another you."
The voice rang out again, "The things are in this space. You can go and find them. If you're bored, don't forget to create a couple of small things to keep you company."
"I'm leaving, I've been away from that world for too long."
"Hey, wait..."
Before Yun Ze could finish speaking, he sensed that the existence had disappeared.
Two small things?
No wonder.
He now understood why the Original Primordial Demon had said that to him.
Indeed, it had been a long time.