Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

When Gu Chen and the Eternal Imperial Court re-emerged across the heavens, the entire Upper Realm, after a period of revelry, plunged into an unprecedented cultivation frenzy.

For Gu Chen had proclaimed to the world that, in two thousand years, the final battle would arrive. At that time, the two great macrouniverses of Yin and Yang would merge, and no one could escape from this fate.

Upon learning the truth, every being in the Upper Realm began cultivating with utmost urgency, driven by a profound sense of pressing inevitability.

Within the Eternal Imperial Court's ranks, six Supreme Realm cultivators—led by Gu Qingyan, Bi Yu, Wu Tian, and Emperor Xia, along with Xu Cheng and Wen Qing, two Supremes from the Heavenly Court of old—embarked on delving into the Essence of the Myriad Realms.

The inclusion of Xu Cheng and Wen Qing arose from necessity; at this critical juncture, if the invasion of the entirety of the Netherworld could not be repelled, then all efforts would be meaningless.

Furthermore, the two had committed no grave misdeeds, and after obtaining Gu Chen's approval, they too joined in contemplating the Essence of the Myriad Realms.

Thus, one thousand years slipped away. Through their study of the Essence of the Myriad Realms, Gu Qingyan and the other five Supremes gained boundless insight!

Their cultivation advanced to unprecedented heights, especially Gu Qingyan and Bi Yu, who stood as the strongest of their era among the Supreme Realm. They were but half a step away from a cosmic supreme state wherein they would fully merge the Essence of the Myriad Realms with their very being.

Of course, this half step required one thing: to integrate the Essence of the Myriad Realms into their bodies.

Wu Tian, Emperor Xia, Xu Cheng, and Wen Qing, though not yet achieving the same feats as Gu Qingyan and Bi Yu, had likewise evolved to unimaginable heights compared to a thousand years prior.

If they were to face their past selves in battle, each could secure victory in an instant.

The chasm of improvement was simply that vast!

"The Essence of the Myriad Realms is truly boundless in its mysteries," Bi Yu exclaimed in awe, gazing at the glowing sphere before him, suffused with supreme cosmic Dao Patterns.

A millennium, fleeting as a breath to beings who had lived tens of thousands of years, passed even more swiftly due to their immersion in the profound enlightenment of the Essence of the Myriad Realms.

For Gu Qingyan and the six Supremes, this thousand-year span represented their absolute pinnacle, beyond which no further progress seemed attainable.

"The Lord of the Imperial Court is truly extraordinary, foreseeing our futures even a thousand years ago," Wu Tian spoke with deep reverence in his voice.

Gu Qingyan, Bi Yu, Emperor Xia, Xu Cheng, and Wen Qing nodded in agreement. It was no wonder Gu Chen had set a thousand-year deadline; they had thought it necessitated by the approaching two-thousand-year mark.

Little did they know, Gu Chen had long calculated their cultivation trajectories.

"It is time to return the Essence of the Myriad Realms to the Lord of the Imperial Court," Bi Yu declared resolutely.

Thereafter, led by Gu Qingyan, they approached Gu Chen, who sat within the main hall of the Imperial Court. Bowing deeply, they greeted him, "We greet the Lord of the Imperial Court."

Stepping forward, Gu Qingyan softly spoke, "Elder Brother, the millennium has passed. We are here to return the Essence of the Myriad Realms."

At this moment, Gu Chen, his hair like white silk and clad in profound black robes, sat upon the imperial throne above, nodding slightly.

By now, Gu Chen's age approached thirty thousand years. Across the endless epochs, he had remained unchanged, as timeless as ever.

Swish!

With a wave of his hand, Gu Chen reclaimed the Essence of the Myriad Realms.

Curiosity gleamed in Gu Qingyan's eyes as she inquired, "Elder Brother, what do you plan to do in the coming millennium?"

Hearing this, Bi Yu and the others also turned their gaze upon him, their curiosity evident. Clearly, all were eager to uncover the answer.

Could Gu Chen truly forge more Supreme Realm cultivators for the Eternal Imperial Court in a mere thousand years?

Gu Chen's expression remained serene, his gaze deep as the pair of macrouniverses it seemed to encompass, inspiring awe in all who beheld him.

Glancing at Gu Qingyan and the others, he chose not to conceal the truth and directly replied, "I plan to merge the Essence of the Myriad Realms into the Heavenly Dao of the realms, allowing its supreme patterns to manifest throughout the world, enabling all sentient beings to comprehend it."

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing this, Bi Yu and the others were struck by profound shock, their hearts trembling in disbelief.

What a grand and audacious plan! Truly befitting the greatest power of the Eternal Ages!

They understood the implications: by making the Essence of the Myriad Realms manifest across the heavens, Gu Chen intended to bathe all realms in its divine brilliance.

This would entail embedding the power of the Essence of the Myriad Realms into the bodies of every cultivator across the heavens!

Such an astonishing feat likely lay within reach of none but Gu Chen, a transcendent force of unparalleled heights.

"You may observe from the sidelines," Gu Chen stated calmly.

"Thank you, Lord of the Imperial Court!" Bi Yu and the others beamed with delight, bowing deeply in gratitude.

To witness Gu Chen in action—especially in wielding the Essence of the Myriad Realms and directly contending with the Heavenly Dao itself—was an experience beyond compare, one unattainable throughout history.

Even at their current levels of cultivation, such an experience promised immense insights, likely enabling them to surpass their current limitations and ascend further!

Thus, their joy was irrepressible.

Swish!

In the next moment, Gu Chen's figure vanished, with Bi Yu and the others hastily following, leaving the Origin Isle and ascending to the firmament of the Upper Realm.

Hum!

With a wave of his palm, Gu Chen sent the Essence of the Myriad Realms, shaped like a luminous sphere, soaring skyward. Its radiance intensified, connecting to the vast heavens above.

Soon, uncountable divine chains of laws materialized, shaking the firmament with thunderous roars that reverberated endlessly.

The phenomenon stirred every sentient being within the Upper Realm.

"What's happening? What event is unfolding?"

Countless people were left bewildered.

News quickly spread from the cultivators of the Eternal Imperial Court. Upon learning that it was the Lord of the Imperial Court, Gu Chen, who had taken action, excitement erupted, and fervor reached unparalleled heights.

Those within the Primordial Realm, Enlightenment Realm, and other powerhouses swiftly emerged from seclusion, gathering at the firmament and fixing their gazes upon Gu Chen's form, eager to witness the unmatched prowess of the Lord of the Imperial Court.

For they knew this act by Gu Chen aimed to forge more powerhouses across the Upper Realm—perhaps even Supreme Realm cultivators!

Their fates intertwined with this event, leaving them tense yet exhilarated.

Boom!

In an instant, Gu Chen unleashed his supreme Dao Patterns into the Essence of the Myriad Realms. These patterns, exquisite and beyond articulation, embodied a mystique that eclipsed comprehension—a transcendence unique to Gu Chen himself, above and beyond this universe's limits.

In other words, these patterns were Gu Chen's true Dao!

All who witnessed were deeply entranced, especially Bi Yu and the others, who stared dazedly at the patterns manifesting around Gu Chen, their minds flooded with insights.

Each strand of his Dao Patterns was incomprehensibly intricate, leaving even Bi Yu and the others overwhelmed, unable to grasp more than a fraction of its profundity.

"Is this the gulf between us and the Lord of the Imperial Court?" Their hearts quivered at the realization.

In this moment, Bi Yu and the rest finally grasped just how insurmountable the chasm between them and Gu Chen was, an unbridgeable divide.

Indeed, they were as ants before the divine dragon that eternally reigned above all realms and realities.

This was the distinction between them and Gu Chen—a visceral sensation made utterly clear by their firsthand observation of his Dao Patterns.

Rumble!

At this moment, Gu Chen's unparalleled Dao Patterns surged into the Essence of the Myriad Realms. Instantaneously, countless divine blooms unfurled, golden lotuses burst forth from the earth, and strands of Dao Light swirled out, cascading into a radiant rain that fell upon every living being in the Upper Realm.

"Today, the Essence of the Myriad Realms returns to the Upper Realm, and the Dao of the heavens is entirely restored!" Gu Chen's grand and august voice echoed across the infinite cosmos, resounding throughout all realms and worlds.

Among those on the cusp of the Enlightenment Realm's limits, Gu Chen devoted special attention.

For compared to others, they held the greatest hope of attaining the Supreme Realm.

Soon, the Upper Realm's three thousand six hundred domains were engulfed in boundless Dao Mysteries. Celestial melodies reverberated everywhere, accompanied by endless phenomena that blanketed the skies and earth.

These miraculous occurrences persisted for nine days before gradually subsiding.

In the end, the Essence of the Myriad Realms vanished, fully absorbed into the Daos of the heavens.

"Peerless and awe-inspiring as always—the Lord of the Imperial Court!" exclaimed one enlightened cultivator, his voice trembling as he gazed at the heavens in disbelief.

The cultivator's remark earned universal acclaim.

Across ancient and modern times, never had a single power existed that could match the Lord of the Imperial Court's deeds—bringing blessings to every realm by relinquishing even the Essence of the Myriad Realms. What grandeur and magnanimity!

Dao Light bathed every being, bestowing extraordinary benefits even upon the non-cultivators among them.

For those at the threshold of Enlightenment Realm, the nine days culminated in two individuals breaking through, ascending to the ranks of the Supreme!

Voices proclaiming the name "Lord of the Imperial Court" filled the Upper Realm once more, reaching unprecedented reverence.

Meanwhile, Gu Chen had returned to the main hall of the Eternal Imperial Court, seated cross-legged as a divine radiance shone from his eyes. Without stepping foot elsewhere, he observed and oversaw the entirety of all realms.

"Before the Great Cataclysm descends, the Upper Realm should witness the birth of twelve Supreme Realm cultivators," he murmured softly to himself.

As it stood, counting the original six Supremes under Gu Qingyan and the two newly ascended ones, four more would likely emerge in the next thousand years.

Then, seated within the Imperial Court, Gu Chen began delivery of sermons. His sacred words, imbued with unbounded wisdom, instantly spread across the Eight Desolations and all corners of the heavens.

"The Lord of the Imperial Court bears infinite merit!" The people cried fervently, basking again in the unimaginable blessings Gu Chen had bestowed.

Thus, almost a thousand years passed. As the final hour approached, and the ultimate deadline loomed a mere century ahead, the Upper Realm indeed saw the rise of four additional Supremes, exactly as Gu Chen had foretold!

"The Final Battle draws near," Gu Chen murmured with a slight frown as he sensed how the ghostly aura of the Netherworld pervaded the universe, melding with the Myriad Realms' own.

This convergence confirmed that the fusion of Yin and Yang macrouniverses was in its final stages.

Yet unlike past cataclysms faced by living beings in the cyclical Epoch Eras, this time, no abominable demons or forbidden zones of life had emerged.

All remained calm—or rather, for thirty thousand years, calm had prevailed, with the strength of the Netherworld yet to invade.

"Two realms are about to connect, leaving but a hundred years. You must dedicate yourselves wholeheartedly to your cultivation!" Once again, his majestic voice reverberated throughout the Upper Realm's three thousand six hundred domains.

"Thank you, Lord of the Imperial Court! We shall adhere meticulously!" All living beings of the Upper Realm pronounced with sacred reverence and utmost sincerity.

"My path, my Dao… it should not have reached its ultimate limit yet. Surely, there remains room for one further step." Gu Chen sat cross-legged atop the Eternal Imperial Court's throne, murmuring softly to himself, his sword-like brows furrowed in contemplation.

For nearly two thousand years, this prospect of taking the final step had weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, thus far, his breakthroughs eluded him.

Time flowed on inexorably. The last hundred years vanished like a breeze.

Exactly thirty millennia had passed since the last catastrophic Epoch War.

Boom! A deafening roar echoed across existence. Gu Chen knew—it signaled the complete dissolution of the barrier between the two macrouniverses.

Yin and Yang had merged. At that very moment, the convergence of realms was officially underway!

Gu Chen turned his head and, across the immeasurable expanse of space, locked eyes once more with a pair of immense, icy orbs.

It had been thirty thousand years since Gu Chen had last faced his eternal adversary—the Patriarch of the Netherworld.

The Final Battle was upon them at last!