Chapter 1 The Perfect World

Perfect World.

Since the Human Emperor severed the connection between the celestial realm, the netherworld, and the mortal world, ending the disasters of immortals, gods, demons, and devils, the world was unified, and peace and tranquility reigned.

Although the Human Emperor slumbered, under the leadership of Cangsong, the Grand Chancellor and Grand Marshal of the new dynasty, the new dynasty was prosperous and stable. The radiance of the Human Emperor and the National Preceptor still revolved around the entire mortal realm, and their brilliance, comparable to the solar river, was enough to deter any disloyal subject.

But even so, the new dynasty of the perfect world had not achieved complete peace.

Because, there were still ‘demons and monsters’ in this world.

Since the celestial realm and the netherworld fully engaged in battle, and the new dynasty's National Preceptor, Su Zhou, awakened the ancient Nether Lord 'Hongming' to confront the Heavenly Emperor, and ultimately led many immortals and gods to the solar river, the mighty divine power dormant beneath the earth began to slowly release and erupt.

And after the Five Virtues Sage Emperor, His Majesty the Human Emperor, presided over the Severing Heaven and Earth Formation, sealing the passages between the celestial, human, and demon realms, the disturbances beneath the earth became more frequent.

But because of the Nether Lord's revival, from the deepest part of the world, due to 'death' temporarily dormant, the undying and indestructible evil spirits, the true undying demonic abominations born from the accumulated curses of the netherworld itself for countless years, also revived.

Originally, with the power of Hongming suppressing them, these demonic abominations would only slumber along with Him, but now that Hongming had awakened, His power had become part of the Severing Heaven and Earth Formation, and these demonic abominations naturally surfaced as well.

The new dynasty's court, in addition to trying its best to improve everyone's lives, also had to deal with the demonic abomination calamities originating from the curses in people's hearts and the disasters of heaven and earth.

Originally, the demonic abominations that randomly appeared and attacked from all over the world should have been a great trouble for the new dynasty, enough to make everyone feel overwhelmed and helpless.

However, due to the widespread adoption of the Revolving Undying Method and the Five Virtues Qilin Method, everyone in the new dynasty had the power to protect themselves. At the very least, they wouldn't die in natural disasters like collapsing houses, earthquakes, blizzards, and floods, so the damage caused by the demonic abominations was unexpectedly small.

Moreover, there were also experts among the common people, those who called themselves heroes, martial artists, and swordsmen who were willing to stand up were the main force in combating the demonic abominations in various places. Although their strength might not be very high, they could definitely hold off the demonic abominations, allowing the new dynasty's army specializing in dealing with demonic abominations to arrive.

As a result, the overall situation was chaotic but orderly. Although demonic abominations were blooming everywhere, basic stability could be guaranteed.

The demonic abominations even played a reminder role. People everywhere diligently cultivated, and the heroes, martial artists, cultivators, and swordsmen who were willing to fight against the demonic abominations gained respect and glory, and their names spread far and wide. This was also a kind of guidance and driving force – the more people who do good things, the better, even if it was initially a group of saints doing it spontaneously, but if you want more and more saints, you can't be stingy with rewards for the saints.

Therefore, even though the demonic abominations were undying and indestructible, they simply couldn't affect the new dynasty, where heroes and virtuous people emerged in endlessly.

But, even so.

Now, the highest power holder in the empire, the Grand Marshal and Grand Chancellor who was better than the emperor, the de facto prime minister Cangsong, always felt exhausted.

Emperor Zhengde of Ming did not leave any descendants... Firstly, he didn't have the time, and secondly, he really didn't have the desire.

After all, he didn't even know if his undertaking would succeed. If he didn't sever the connection between heaven and earth, who would be willing to leave their children in a world destined to be treated as objects by immortals, gods, demons, and devils? So, Emperor Zhengde of Ming had no children along the way, and for a dynasty and empire with transcendents who could live forever, whether the emperor had children was not important at all.

After all, even an emperor like the Five Virtues Sage Emperor could die... So, whether the prince could become emperor was really hard to say.

Cangsong didn't worry about any imperial relatives or heirs, because Emperor Zhengde of Ming hadn't died, he was just sleeping in his throne, the central hub of the Severing Heaven and Earth Formation, and he didn't have any thoughts of rebelling or usurping the throne. Since that was the case, then let the other rumors go.

But even so, he wasn't the Five Virtues Sage Emperor. Faced with various unexpected events and enemy invasions, Cangsong would also be troubled and worried.

Just like now.

In the hollow world beneath the earth, the lair of many evil spirits and demonic abominations, there were various underground fortresses built by the new dynasty's rulers. For many years, Cangsong had been coordinating and planning, steadily and surely blocking the demonic abominations from the underground at the underground fortresses, preventing them from passing through the fortresses and coming to the surface to cause trouble.

Although not all, Cangsong's plan did block the vast majority of demonic abominations. The new dynasty had once again become stable, and all cultivators and martial artists took pride in entering the underground cave to eliminate demonic abominations.

However, there is victory and defeat. After all, who can claim to be invincible, who dares to say they never lose?

The young-looking prime minister lowered his eyes to look at the underground. There, an elite unit of the new country had encountered an encirclement by demonic abominations in the underground cave.

They were originally tasked with conquering a fragment of the netherworld and completely purifying a source of demonic abominations, but because the demonic abominations detected this plan, they turned around and trapped them in a desperate situation.

Cangsong was not omnipotent. Although the new dynasty was powerful, it couldn't save their warriors at this time. Even though the new dynasty's prime minister had ordered the most powerful cultivators under his command to try their best to salvage this failure, destined death would still befall most of them.

"How can I save them..."

Taking a deep breath and thinking calmly, Cangsong raised his head to look in the direction of the imperial throne and muttered to himself, "If His Majesty were still here, what would he do..."

And at this very moment.

A light lit up.

This light carried compassion, generosity, righteousness, love, and faith. The divine light of the five virtues was born from nothing, shining eternally.

Cangsong's eyes widened. He didn't react for a moment, but then he saw that an invisible spirit had returned from the void, and on the long-dormant central throne, it seemed as if someone had slightly opened their eyes.

Therefore, a voice rang out, piercing through heaven and earth.

At the same time, in the underground cave.

The soldiers who were fighting with many demonic abominations and evil spirits were also astonished to see this light.

"No retreat! No defeat!"

Wearing sturdy armor and wielding a light sword made of scorching fire, the new dynasty's soldiers shouted loudly and fiercely slashed their weapons at those formless and intangible demonic abominations that could transform into billions of shapes.

These soldiers were all cultivators of the new era. They used the Revolving Undying Method and the Five Virtues Qilin Method left by Su Zhou as their foundation, and also cultivated various immortal and god-level cultivation methods. If they were to be ranked, each one was at least level sixty, and the strong were elite among the elite at level seventy or eighty... After all, in the hundred-level god-becoming method set by Su Zhou, a terrestrial immortal was only level ninety-nine at Great Perfection, and now all the soldiers were at the commander level, and the strong even had the strength of terrestrial immortals.

But even such an army of strong individuals still needed to fight and retreat when faced with the endless encirclement of demonic abominations.

Demonic abominations were the materialized product of endless curses, the true evil spirits that were indestructible and undying. As long as humans still existed, and there were still extreme emotions and curses, then demonic abominations would never disappear.

And what could fight against them was only the 'Five Virtues of the Human Heart', goodness and the power of vows.

"Advance, we charge!"

The face of the leading general was already covered in his own blood, his throat was hoarse, and his breathing was rapid. Every breath put a heavy burden on the meridians in his body, but he still roared, "Even if we die, we must complete the mission – charge into the netherworld fragment and purify that cursed land with our souls!"

"Charge!" "No regrets even in death!" "For peace!"

The shouts of support rose one after another. None of the soldiers who could stand here were cowards. They were not afraid of death or the erosion of demonic abominations in the slightest, because in the final analysis, demonic abominations were just the materialization of curses. And after their death, they would surely be able to transform into the light of the Five Virtues Vow and continue the eternal struggle with the demonic abominations that they failed in life, but might not fail in death.

However, just as the breeding demonic abominations were laughing wildly, intending to envelop all the soldiers, the light lit up.

The leading general suddenly felt that he was enveloped in light. Mysterious patterns lit up on his armor, and it seemed as if a grand encouraging spirit sounded. The dark curses of the demonic abominations screamed and evaporated before him, and his sword burst into flames, like the fire of a phoenix.

With divine inspiration, the general roared and swung his sword, slashing at the endless sea of demonic abominations before him.

In that instant, dazzling light erupted. An incredible divine light of the five virtues was born out of thin air. In that moment, the general seemed to see his hand being held by a spirit, the spirit's appearance was extremely familiar, and his eyes were full of encouragement and expectation.

[Well done]

He said: [But next time, remember not to put yourself in danger]

Boom! The brilliant light pierced through the darkness of the underground, penetrating the endless earth, rocks, and earth veins. Demonic energy and curses, raging flames burned everything, but did not damage the slightest bit of matter. Only those formless demonic abominations dissipated into nothingness in the midst of intense pain and tearing, and this time's mission objective, that fragment of netherworld demon soil, had been completely purified.

Even, outside the Severing Heaven and Earth Formation, the netherworld demon realm itself was trembling, shuddering, and in pain.

"Your Majesty!"

A warm sun illuminated this new dynasty's soldiers, causing them to kneel halfway to the ground involuntarily, trembling and remembering to salute: "It is Your Majesty who has sheltered us!"

And the spirit smiled and dissipated.

New Dynasty Capital, Prime Minister's Residence.

Cangsong saw a spirit walk out of the light.

The will of Emperor Zhengde of Ming manifested before his best friend.

[Cangsong!]

He laughed loudly, joyfully wanting to embrace his friend.

"Zhengde... You're back?"

And Cangsong also completely put down his official position at this moment. He embraced his childhood playmate and friend with tears in his eyes, but soon, because of his professional habit, he quickly thought of the worst possibility: "Could it be that there is a problem with the Severing Heaven and Earth Formation? Are immortals, gods, and demons about to return, so you've come back?"

[No]

Emperor Zhengde of Ming was not unhappy because of this speculation. In fact, he was very gratified that his friend still had such a sense of crisis, because this multiverse would never give people absolute peace of mind.

Therefore, the spirit said: [I was originally immersed in the perfect reincarnation, saving every one of my phantoms... And in the process, I was summoned by my friend, that is, our National Preceptor, to a rather interesting universe]

[That was a rather wonderful journey, transcending time, karma, and fate. I took in a very good disciple there. The love and compassion in her heart can even be purer than mine. She has also revolved countless times in endless reincarnation]

[I witnessed many correct things there, as well as many mistakes... Cangsong, now, I have even more confidence in our cause]

Under the watchful eyes of his friend, Emperor Zhengde of Ming laughed loudly, and then his expression gradually became serious.

The spirit of the Human Emperor raised his head and looked at the high heavens sealed by him. He slowly said: [At the very least... The past Heavenly Emperors of our world were all pursuing perfection]

[Even if they did bad things, walked the wrong path, at the very least, they had perseverance, had conviction, had their own beliefs, and were willing to die for them...]

[And in those universes filled with mistakes... Those enemies have nothing to commend them except for power. It is only natural to defeat them]

Cangsong didn't understand Emperor Zhengde of Ming's sigh, but he could understand the confidence in the other party's words.

That was enough.

The two of them had a long talk, exchanging the current situation and their respective family situations. They discussed the future development of the new dynasty. Emperor Zhengde of Ming told Cangsong to let go and do it, and not to worry about imperial power, because this world might need a symbol of the Five Virtues Sage Emperor, but most of the time, it didn't need a truly perfect, powerful, and flawless Sage Emperor to govern all things.

[Don't wait for me]

In the end, Emperor Zhengde of Ming said calmly: [I will return to that universe, to witness Su Zhou's final victory, but even if I return, I will not descend into the mortal world again, unless peace is overturned, and benevolence and righteousness are spurned. Only at that time will I awaken]

[Everyone's perfection needs to be pursued by everyone. I can't overstep my bounds]

"I will wait for you." And Cangsong said seriously.

[There's no need] Emperor Zhengde of Ming wanted to explain, but Cangsong shook his head: "It's not just me, little sister is also waiting for you."

"Zhengde, you are not just a Sage Emperor, you are also a person, my friend, my sister's brother, and my parents' son."

He said this, gazing at the spirit's eyes, which were as bright as stars.

"You have to come back, otherwise, how can this world be called perfect?"

——A perfect world where no one will shed tears, you are an indispensable element of such a world.

Emperor Zhengde of Ming blinked. He was stunned for a moment, sighed, and then slowly smiled: [Yes... I am Ming Zhengde, but I am also Ming Zhengde.]

[How can I let you cry?]

[But now] Saying this, the smiling Sage Emperor raised his head and looked at the distant end of the universe: [I still have to go and witness first]

[Witness the correct]

At the same time.

The Great Orchestra Universe.

——Above the firmament, at the top of the starry sky, on the side of time, outside of darkness and light——

Under the gaze of the gods, the true form of Zhuzhou is manifesting.

That is a divine bird with its wings spread, covering the starry sky. The divine light of the five virtues circulates around him, covering all things, returning all possibilities to infinity, and gathering all the light to forge miracles that can achieve perfection.

That is a divine dragon that winds around the universe, splitting time and space. He denies the destiny from beyond the heavens, scolds meaningless contradictions. The dragon opens his eyes to become bright, and closes his eyes to become dark. He denies the authority of the god-kings, and makes an agreement with everyone to pave the way to achieve infinity.

That is a divine dragon that faces time. There are infinite worlds spreading on the dragon's scales. He leads all living beings to their respective paths, promising all things the power of life and death and choice. The dragon's power is infinite, allowing this correct will to stretch between heaven and earth.

Three of the four eras have already been obtained by Zhuzhou.

Now, only the last one remains.

The youth holding the sword slowly walked forward. Behind him, rounds of different images manifested. Zhuzhou's incarnations were like his shadows, extending backward in endless light, transforming into endless shapes.

"And you, the last era."

Saying this, Zhuzhou's hand pressed on the hilt of the sword. He gazed at the giant god of the sky before him, the giant of clouds and mist, the last of the god-kings, "The Raging Deus, the last of the god-kings."

"What other means do you have to face me?"