Chapter 951: I Will Shoulder the Responsibility!
The development occurred too suddenly. All human cultivators present had been aware that the empress was surely going to do something extremely dramatic, they had assumed it would be a move made against nonhumans. There was no way anyone could have imagined... that the tempest would be aimed at the holy lands! Cries of alarm and surprise rang out instantly.
The holy lands were far, far away from Revered Ancient. But for countless years, the holy lands still held sway. That was especially true for humans.
After all, the most important person in the holy lands, and in fact, their leader, was Ancient Emperor Dark Serenity. Despite the fact that he had been gone for countless years, his name, accomplishments, and majesty were still known throughout all of Revered Ancient. The worse things got for humans, the more they remembered past glories. The more bitterness humankind faced, the more they longed to connect again with the holy lands. The passage of countless years had resulted in the holy lands becoming a symbol of hope for all humans.
Although, it was true that their ultimate ancestor had abandoned them, there were reasons it happened, and humans hadn’t forgotten that. And starting with Emperor Eastglory, humans had used the heavenly sacrifices to maintain that connection with the Dark Serenity holy land, and the humans there.
Most humans weren’t really aware of how much help and hope the holy lands provided. But the top government officials and experts of their level did know. Because of that, the empress’ actions left all of them shaken and numb. There were also traces of anger and fear in them. Their emotional reaction didn’t change anything.
In the dome of heaven beyond the rift that had been torn open, the Dawning Suns that had been revealed within the forty-nine jade seals, all started to glow brightly and heated up. And then, one after another... they detonated.
All of a sudden, the sky over Revered Ancient became incomparably bright. Even distant regions could clearly see the unprecedented event. Blinding light and boundless heat waves spread out from the forty-nine specially-prepared Dawning Suns. And not one bit of light or heat went in the wrong direction.
Shockingly, it all converged to create a massive spell formation.
It had a name: Dawning Formation.
It had two purposes: convergence and attack!
The power of the forty-nine detonating Dawning Suns converged, creating a beam of incredibly intense light and heat. It shot across the silver light, heading with indescribable speed directly toward the Dark Serenity holy land! The pathway of silver light began crumbling.
As the beam of light from the forty-nine Dawning Suns shot forth, the surrounding starry sky shattered, and the universe was illuminated. It was like a long spear, packed with the strength of the empress and the madness of the Dawning Suns, and it was flying right toward the Dark Serenity holy land.
Terrifying rumbling sounds echoed out, like that of some enormous star-faring beast. Crumbling fragments of the silver path fell through the rift in the sky, becoming like bits of light that illuminated the imperial capital. This was a type of light that was foreign to Revered Ancient. It was the light of the holy lands.
The empress’ voice then rang out into the ears of the terrified and confused onlookers. It was a voice that was majestic, but also hoarse, as if it had traveled through countless years and to tell a story of the ancient past.
“Minsters, citizens, and living beings of humankind....
“The ancestral edicts of humankind state that the ruler obeys the orders of the heavens. Those heavens are the holy lands. And all of it traces back to the holy ancestor. The ancestral edicts dictate that the emperor of humankind may not profane the holy lands and may not walk the path of gods. Gods are enemies for all time.
“Those edicts were approved by humans throughout history, and were always respected. People suffered. People died. And no one felt regret. However... there are certain matters that you people aren’t aware of!” The empress’ voice was now trembling.
“When the broken face came, who focused on self-protection? The holy lands. Who benefited from tens of thousands of years of our sacrifices, all while looking down on everyone else? The holy lands.
“In the year 37,938 of the Eastglory calendar, the historical records indicate that Emperor Eastglory sought to achieve extraordinary things. He led our species to war against the Firemoon Darkheaven people, only to meet with a resounding defeat. The resources we humans had stockpiled for tens of thousands of years were lost forever. It came to be called the Darkheaven Rebellion. However, that’s not the truth of what happened![1]
“The truth is that Emperor Eastglory received a mission from the holy lands, calling for him to lead a military campaign against the Firemoons, all with the goal of learning their deepest secrets. After going through countless trials and tribulations, the holy lands abandoned Eastglory and us humans. We had to face the rage of the Firemoons alone, and that was when our downfall began.
“Eastglory did not wish to shame the holy lands, so he accepted it without a word of complaint. After his death and down to this day, he was reviled and cursed. Except who was really responsible? The holy lands!
“When Emperor Sageheaven took the throne, traditions changed. Sacrifices were dutifully offered to the holy lands year after year. We did not plead for the holy lands to help us expand our territory. We only begged that they safeguard humans in times of weakness.
“But the holy lands kept their doors locked! They only took from us. Never did they ask about our safety or concern themselves with our survival. They didn’t care that humans lost thirty-nine regions. They didn’t mind that billions upon billions of commoners became destitute and homeless, and ended up scattered throughout Revered Ancient, where most became slaves to nonhumans.
“Some years later during the Mirrorcloud calendar, humankind had a chance to rise to new heights. Emperor Mirrorcloud was wise and capable. But the holy lands feared him, so they secretly sent agents here to suppress our species.[2]
“After that, Emperor Dao Life continued to carry out Mirrorcloud’s ambitions. He wanted to break ties with the holy lands. However, he unexpectedly died a violent death, a murder mystery that has remained unresolved for tens of thousands of years. Well, who was behind all of that?
“The humans in the holy lands are human. Are we here on Revered Ancient not human?
“Why do the holy lands fear the possibility of the humans in Revered Ancient rising to prominence? Is Ancient Emperor Dark Serenity even present in the holy lands now? Who exactly is in charge of the holy lands nowadays?
“Today, the emperor of the Heaveneaters came with four of his heavenly kings. They shouldn’t have come here, yet they did. To probe for information. Why? Because someone made a pledge to them. But who? Who gave them that pledge?”
All humans present maintained silence.
There were some of the officials who wished to speak, except their words stuck in their throat. There were some things that commoners weren’t aware of, but that they, as aristocrats and important officials, were deeply familiar with. They were just careful to never bring those things up.
“On this day, I am going to violate the ancestral edicts! I will bring down this holy land and walk the path of the gods. I will sever all connections with the holy lands! After I do this, I don’t hope to live for all eternity. I only hope that I can give humankind a chance to flourish. A chance to once again be glorious in Revered Ancient!”
The empress’ eyes shone with bright light and a boundlessly domineering spirit. And her voice echoed to fill the imperial capital. She reached out, and the light of the holy lands that was spilling down toward the imperial capital changed directions and shot toward her. Apparently, the light of the holy lands was important during this key moment of godly ascension. As it descended, it seemed to ignite an opportunity!
Planet Ancient Emperor rumbled loudly as five vortexes appeared around it, slowly orbiting it. Astonishingly, each vortex had a Temple of Heaven in it. Seated cross-legged atop each temple was a figure in an imperial robe. They were the corpses of the past emperors, Dark War included. What had been in the coffins earlier were only small representations of them. The true corpses were now being revealed.
Imperial energy raged to the sky. All had godfire, and with Planet Ancient Emperor forming the nexus, it started burning.
The empress raised both of her hands as if to lift the planet overhead. Then she spoke in a dignified voice that boomed like thunder.
“On this day, I do not seek godly ascension for myself. No, I will take all of these past emperors and reach godly ascension together!
“Going forward, these five emperors will become zombie gods! Though they will lack thinking faculties, they will have godly might. They will possess the will of humankind, and they will follow the direction of human destiny aura. They will protect all of our interests, and strike fear into the hearts of the nonhumans.
“As for me, I will be a human god, ready to safeguard humankind and bring peace for generations to come! My actions will result in karma that will bring catastrophe and tribulation. But as the empress... I will shoulder the responsibility!”
The empress held her head high as she looked into the sky of Revered Ancient, her voice reaching the heavenly daos as she uttered her oath.
An instant later, Revered Ancient began to tremble, and the heavenly daos began to appear. Thunderous booms rang out.
1. Just a quick note to point out that the date corresponds to the historical date mentioned inchapter 401 . ☜
2. As mentioned inchapter 401 and expanded on later in the narrative, Mirrorcloud worked together with the Crown Prince of Violet and Cyan. ☜