At the depths of the imperial tomb’s center, above the firmament.
A tall man, shrouded in a dark purple aura and with a phantom-like figure, was overlooking the vast imperial tomb.
He exuded a vague aura, his eyes cold, as if the very spacetime around him was about to freeze under his gaze.
"The Cangyan Continent, nurtured for many years, yet its living beings are still so pathetic."
The man’s indifferent eyes swept across the world, as if looking at a swarm of ants.
His gaze lingered slightly on Tianhuang before he casually looked away.
It seemed that even Tianhuang was no more significant in his eyes.
"After being eroded by darkness for so long, to still have so many living beings, the Cangyan Heavenly Dao is indeed formidable."
At this moment, the man who arrived stepping on a sword from where Su Changqing was, spoke with a smile.
His body was surrounded by a faint red glow, as if enveloped by boundless overlapping illusionary realms, making it hard to see clearly.
These two were precisely the natural sword spirits Amir spoke of, the benevolent spirit Trapped Immortal, and the malevolent spirit Absolute Immortal.
With the opening of the imperial tomb, they too awakened from their slumber.
The two understood that the era of decisive battle was approaching.
"The three thousand outer world Heavenly Daos, for Cangyan Continent to persist until now, it’s only due to the ’Azure Emperor’ and ’Flame Emperor’."
"With their talents and brilliance, had they not taken the wrong path, could the Great Emperor be the end?"
Absolute Immortal looked at the firmament with dark purple eyes, speaking lightly:
"This Heavenly Dao was also ungrateful, Flame Emperor should have cut it down with one sword back then."
"Had it not been for the Flame Emperor’s old sentiment, just for daring to expel him, it would be a path of death."
Trapped Immortal shook his head upon hearing this: "Don’t blame the Heavenly Dao, the Flame Emperor’s transgressions... were indeed too great."
"Hmph! Transgressions?"
Absolute Immortal snorted coldly, "As long as one is strong enough, the crime does not exist, rather it’s the one who sets the ’crime’!"
"In the end, it’s because the Flame Emperor abandoned collaboration with the Azure Emperor, otherwise darkness would envelop all."
Trapped Immortal frowned upon hearing this, "If that’s truly the case, wouldn’t it be akin to those demons controlled by desire?"
"Demons? How do you know that’s not a complete path?"
"Absurd! A world devoid of conscience also deserves to exist?"
Absolute Immortal and Trapped Immortal argued endlessly as a terrifying Sword Intent gradually permeated around.
It seemed like if they continued speaking, they would soon come to blows.
And they seemed unfazed by this.
Among the four great sword spirits, there’s truly no distinction between good and evil, just differences in ideology.
They each held their beliefs, certain that their path was without error, thus leading the world to perceive a distinction between good and evil among the sword spirits.
What they were discussing were secrets so ancient that even tracing back to the distant past, few knew of them.
The name of the Cangyan Continent wasn’t ordained by the Heavenly Dao.
It was because, at the dawn of the continent’s birth, two terrifying beings, Cang and Yan, were born.
These two were the origin of the Great Emperor, existing at the opening of the heavens and the earth, the most ancient Great Emperors.
In the initial days of the three thousand outer worlds, each realm was governed by a Heavenly Dao, teeming with countless living beings.
The Heavenly Dao was neither strong nor weak, so why has the Heavenly Dao of Cangyan Continent survived till now?
All of it is owed merely to those two beings.
However, the Heavenly Dao of the Cangyan Continent eventually stood in opposition to those two.
"Forget it, I can’t reason with you."
After a brief discussion, Trapped Immortal frowned helplessly, "Even Eradicating Immortal couldn’t convey the logic to you, why should I waste my breath."
"Can’t convey it, just as expected."
Absolute Immortal spoke calmly, "Don’t even think about Executing Immortal, even if Eradicating Immortal suppresses him for thousands of years more, there will be no change."
Trapped Immortal felt a headache upon hearing this.
Long ago, as natural sword spirits, they sensed the great catastrophe approaching.
They discussed that before the catastrophe arrived, it was best to unite the four spirits as one.
This way, even if the Heavenly Dao collapsed, and the world ceased to exist, they would still remain unharmed.
The four great sword spirits were inherently one yet possessed distinct thoughts and intelligence, causing them never to unite since birth.
Even with the impending catastrophe, none of them compromised due to differing ideologies.
Therefore, the four great sword spirits engaged in a great battle, Eradicating Immortal suppressed Executing Immortal, attempting to force him into submission.
Meanwhile, Trapped Immortal and Absolute Immortal, after countless eras of conflict, couldn’t overcome each other and thus started reasoning.
This reasoning lasted countless ages.
During this period, they encountered a promising young man to whom they imparted some wisdom.
Years later, the young man became the contemporary Great Emperor and invited them to guard the imperial tomb.
They waited here for hundreds of thousands of years, until now when the great catastrophe is on the brink.
"There can be no more delays."
Trapped Immortal looked up at the firmament, his eyes flashing red, "The calamity has reached its peak, the great catastrophe is upon us!"
As he spoke, he looked to Absolute Immortal, speaking coldly:
"The Heavenly Dao has accumulated power for countless eras, even this generation’s ’Ancient’ has emerged!"
"Are you sure you won’t stand on the continent’s side?"
Absolute Immortal shook his head without hesitation, "Ancient? Are you speaking of that emerald lotus?"
"That emerald lotus is strong, but the darkness has already devoured ninety percent of the outer worlds."
"Even the Martial Ancestor and Daoist Venerable couldn’t overcome the darkness, so even if that emerald lotus is stronger, it’s futile!"
As he spoke, he looked at Trapped Immortal, "Knowing it’s a lost cause, why seek death?"
"Aiding the darkness, devouring everything, thereafter roaming the heavens and the earth, wouldn’t that be delightful?"
Trapped Immortal was already tired of speaking further.
After pondering for a moment, as if struck by an idea, he spoke:
"Since neither of us can change the other’s mind, how about a gamble?"
Interest piqued on Absolute Immortal’s face upon hearing this, "How to gamble?"
"A sword duel!"
Trapped Immortal pointed to the distance, speaking: "With the imperial tomb open, there are humans, demons, and devils here."
"We share one body, having fought for so long without a winner."
"Why not each choose a person, teach them sword techniques, and use the outcome of their duel to decide future choices?"