Translator: Fate Translation Checker: Silavin Ah Da stood tall and muscular, exuded a terrifying and ferocious energy. He stood before the ancient battleship like an undefeated war god, slicing his spear across the air. Wide cracks formed in the void which stretched tens of thousands of kilometres away while the Sword Qi approaching Gu Xianer all got destroyed by him. Nevertheless, he had to get close to protect her. His Quasi-Nirvana Realm aura spread in the air, pressing down the night sky. All the ancient beings were shocked as they sensed Ah Da’s power. The younger ones, meanwhile, looked enviously at Gu Xianer since they did not have a Quasi-Nirvana Realm expert like that protecting them in secret. After all, Zhao Yunze’s strike had humiliated them and expended one of their protective amulets. “I have my orders to protect Lady Xianer.” Ah Da’s reply was short and curt like he did not have any emotions. “I don’t need your protection.” The corners of her mouth tilted up in a knowing expression. To her, Gu Changge was a dishonest man who would belittle her mercilessly but would protect her in various ways when she was in danger. [It would be best if I get to bully him.] Ah Da stood before her silently like a giant ancient demonic mountain, looking extremely intimidating. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunze stood far away in the Space Tunnel, his entire being glowing while exuding powerful surges of energy. Every strand of his hair shone brightly like blades. His expression darkened after seeing that his attack had failed, but he didn’t linger any longer and turned to step into the Space Tunnel. Terrifying energy rose and fell in the atmosphere, causing mist to swirl from the air currents elicited. “No! Are we going to let him escape now?” The ancient beings looked unhappy as they couldn’t stop him even with their attacks. This made them angry and frustrated since Zhao Yunze could never be so flagrant before a True Daoist of the Upper Realm. Boom! Strong overwhelming energy began to exude from the deepest part of the universe nearby, causing the world to collapse and transform. Stars began to shake, nearly cracking and forming ashes due to the impact. The people of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, who had been escaping via the Space Tunnel, turned pale at once. “It’s his aura. He is back, the leader of the Upper Realm Army…” Someone’s voice shook, a look of fear on his face. The sight of their supreme experts grievously injured had been so shocking that they shivered at the memory. Many others had turned pale due to their terror as well. The crowd quickly transformed into divine rainbows and fled into the Space Tunnel. “The leader of the Upper Realm Army is back? Just in time!” Zhao Yunze’s expression shifted as he sensed the approaching energy. A bloodthirsty aura began emanating from him. “Come fight me! I would like to see how strong this man can be!” He roared, pausing in his retreat. His figure reappeared in the sky instantly. Everyone watched in shock, not expecting him to desire a fight with Gu Changge instead of fleeing. His bravery was admirable! Si! Si! Si! Beams of sword light appeared and illuminated the ruined universe, their energy enough to shake the heavens. Each one was as thick as a mountain range, rising into the clouds while emitting multicoloured light. As Zhao Yunze released his attack, the millions of beams of Sword Qi clinked together. The world vibrated loudly while the universe seemed to split from the impact. Such a strike seemed to be powered by the force of the world which condensed into a destructive Sword Qi within him. Everyone began to quiver, feeling like their lives could easily be cut short at that instant. However, the glimmer of another blade appeared within the universe like the sun rising. It contained an inconceivable strength, illuminating the entire world as it appeared. Its glitter was enough to strike fear in the hearts of countless worlds! It was much more domineering and made everyone feel anger, happiness, pain, or other emotions. Boom! The two sword beams clashed in the depths of the universe with a sound resembling that of collapsing universes and mountains. It was like the eternal divine light had shone into the world and destroyed everything. Principles fell into chaos while the Great Dao collapsed, and great clouds of Chaos Qi surged towards every direction. Ancient battleships shook above, emitting innumerable runes into the void which then disappeared to counter the shockwave. Everyone did not dare look directly at the source, afraid that the brilliant light would wipe out their souls. Even Sacred Emperor Realm experts couldn’t discern what had happened, grunting as their eyes glowed brightly before bleeding. The force eventually dissipated along with the light, cracks forming in the star-studded sky to reveal nothingness like it had been pierced. “What terrifying shockwaves! It’s only their first clash. This man from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains is powerful.” Someone’s voice shook with fear. “Young Master Changge doesn’t seem okay. Is he wounded?” Ancient beings of the Upper Realm frowned, sensing that something had gone wrong. Judging by the sheer strength Gu Changge had displayed before, he would have easily injured Zhao Yunze seriously. This might mean that he wasn’t in a good condition. They sighed at that before the realisation struck them and made them feel relieved instead of surprised. They would be more doubtful had he been unharmed after battling the three True Daoists. His injured condition reassured them since that was normal. [He’s really injured…] Gu Xianer frowned deeply, hand clutching at her dress unhappily. Gu Changge had feigned injury to trick her before, but he might be truly injured now and wasn’t faking it. After all, he had fought three True Daoists. This made her despise her insufficient strength, which prevented her from helping him. [He even sent his Quasi-Nirvana Realm subordinate to protect me…] “The Young Domain Ruler Yunze is truly the champion of his peers six hundred million years ago! He managed to match Gu Changge’s strength during an exchange!” Young prodigies of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, watching this from the golden Space Tunnel, felt exhilarated as they watched this scene. Lin Wu, Xiao Yang, and the others began to gain respect for Zhao Yunze since he managed to counter Gu Changge in an effort to turn the tide. “Don’t look so gleeful yet. Gu Changge is of a similar age as you, so this isn’t something to rejoice over. If the two had been of the same age, the Young Domain Ruler would have been killed with a palm strike!” Someone quickly rained on their parade with a grave expression and cold words. The strongest amongst his peers six hundred million years ago could only manage to block Gu Changge’s strike in time, which made them sober up. Given more time, even the barriers of Sky Deer City wouldn’t be able to hinder Gu Changge. This monstrosity was formidable enough to make anyone lose their will to fight! “Besides, didn’t you notice? Gu Changge is clearly much weaker than before. He probably isn’t in a good condition after fighting with the three True Daoists, or he would have defeated Young Domain Ruler Yunze easily. I’m not sure if this is something to be happy or worried about.” Several Elders stared sharply at the white-clothed man walking from the faraway depths of the universe, their eyes flickering with light. Their voices sounded sombre. The words made many experts of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains fall into an uneasy and troubled silence. Their realm didn’t have the upper hand in the war against the Upper Realm, and now here was a monstrosity like Gu Changge. This man’s presence made the situation much more difficult for them. Thump! Thump! Gu Changge walked from the depths of the universe. He looked very young, extraordinary, handsome, and refined, with a celestial aura he exuded. His movements could elicit earthquakes; while he looked like any other mortal, his footsteps seemed to resonate in the universe. Everyone present felt their heart squeeze tightly as if grabbed by a pair of enormous hands. Zhao Yunze hovered in midair like an unrivalled sword deity, glittering brightly as he stared at Gu Changge, who was shining equally brilliantly. However, his entire body shook as he groaned and spat out a mouthful of blood, while his energy quickly faded. “What!?” This sudden twist shocked the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains Army, who looked on in disbelief. Why had Zhao Yunze suddenly spat blood when he looked fine just a moment ago? Had he been hurt before this but then forced down the feeling? The two sides had battled after all. Why else would he suddenly spit blood? “We may have underestimated Gu Changge’s strength. Even injured, Young Domain Master Yunze is still inferior to him.” The crowd from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains looked more grave than before. “You’re certainly powerful.” Zhao Yunze looked pale after spitting blood but quickly recovered. His voice was wary as he watched Gu Changge approach. “I don’t think I need you to say that.” Gu Changge was still smiling serenely, giving off an aura of the spring wind. No one would have believed he was injured if they hadn’t sensed him being weaker. “But you are also injured.” Zhao Yunze looked at him coldly, Life Force starting to expel from him to heal his wounds. “Yes, what a pity. That’s how I allowed them to escape.” Gu Changge didn’t deny it, sounding open yet regretful. Everyone from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains froze. So the three True Daoists had escaped after fighting with Gu Changge. However, they wouldn’t have ignored everyone here if they were unharmed after the shockwaves from before. “You cannot stop me.” Zhao Yunze looked cold as he estimated how much strength Gu Changge had left. He was very certain that Gu Changge could never stop him if he wanted to flee. “Flee if you want. I truly don’t have enough strength to kill you, so you better pray that you will never see me again.” Gu Changge was still smiling mildly as if he already knew what the other man was thinking. In truth, it wasn’t difficult to kill Zhao Yunze, but now wasn’t the time since he was supposed to be injured to the point he had less than ten percent of his strength left. He wasn’t worried about the other side sensing that the three True Daoists had died. Even if they did, they wouldn’t suspect him. Instead, they would think it had been a secret plot by others from the Upper Realm to kill off the three fleeing True Daoists. Zhao Yunze’s expression turned frigid as he sensed Gu Changge’s calm yet undisguised intention to kill, then snorted. “You can try.” The others behind him looked pale and afraid, yet concerned. Zhao Yunze would be in danger after being targeted by Gu Changge. Encountering such a terrifying and unimaginable man would make anyone else anxious since even Young Domain Ruler Yunze was weaker than Gu Changge in his prime. “Let’s hope you don’t plead for mercy when I see you again.” Gu Changge was still smiling. Zhao Yunze’s expression darkened and he turned away without another word. Waving his arm, he stepped into the golden Space Tunnel behind him where the army had amassed in preparation to leave. The Space Tunnel had been built and stabilised by a supreme expert from a faraway land and thus was difficult to destroy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so confident. Soon, the Space Tunnel began to close as the great army of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains left. Gu Changge remained standing, his expression unchanging as he watched them disappear without doing anything. The Upper Realm army behind him did not dare speak out of turn and remained silent. If not for him, Zhao Yunze would have put them through much more. The Upper Realm army had already won this battle, so they shouldn’t pursue a desperate enemy who might fight back and cause them further losses. The other side had already suffered a powerful blow, with only less than one-tenth of their army successfully escaping. When their enemies were all gone, several ancient beings from other sects went up to him and asked him respectfully, “Young Master Changge, can you explain the army in the Aether Abyss?” This was something that had puzzled them. They didn’t expect him to place military forces of the Upper Realm within the depths of the Aether Abyss, whose sudden charge had taken the other side by surprise. They wanted to know if he knew the right path through the Aether Abyss. Gu Changge glanced at them and nodded slightly. “As you have seen, I’ve already known of the correct path through the Aether Abyss.” He didn’t say anything about how he had obtained it, though. “I see. You are truly admirable since you have done something we all couldn’t. We are truly astounded.” Many ancient beings became shocked after obtaining a clear answer, yet did not dare enquire further. Gu Changge would never conceal such a thing when the Upper Realm would gain so much from it, but this looked to be connected to the extinction of the Nine Great Mountains. Many youths looked conflicted as they remembered that while they were fighting with the younger cultivators from the other side, Gu Changge had scared an entire world with his mere presence. The Upper Realm Army soon began their victorious march back, enormous clusters of ancient battleships, flying boats and demonic mountains moving across the universe back to their camp. Now that they knew the right way inside the Aether Abyss, the next course of action was to discuss how they could invade Sky Deer City. It was their final obstacle after dealing with the Nine Great Mountains and the Aether Abyss, which made them feel motivated. Every being and cultivator looked excited and overjoyed since this battle had been the fastest and easiest one in the countless years of war between the two sides. Gu Changge’s reputation in the Upper Realm was now at an all-time high, with many of the young generation discussing him reverently and feverishly at nearly every moment. Colourful fog swirled in the majestic palace as Gu Changge sat on his bed within, strands of Chaos Qi floating and weaving around him faintly. The scene made him resemble a young Immortal Emperor. “Are you badly injured?” Gu Xianer’s voice rang out suddenly. Her skirts fluttered as she walked, making her look slender, while her eyes held a cold yet ethereal aura. She was one of the very few who could enter his palace without her visits being reported to him. She went up close to the man who appeared to be recuperating and couldn’t help asking him a question. Sensing a light and fresh fragrance entering his nostrils, he opened his eyes and glanced at her. “Why are you here?” It was like he wasn’t happy to see her, which made her want to roll her eyes at him since she was there to express concern for him. However, she had gotten used to his behaviour and wasn’t surprised by it, choosing to retort, ” Of course, I’m here to visit you. Your wounds don’t look too bad so you won’t die that early.” “So you are here to mock me?” he asked with interest, grabbing her face which was close to his. “Let me go. I’m here because I was worried.” She was annoyed since this bastard loved to bully her when he got the chance. [How infuriating!] “Isn’t it obvious?” He smiled at her. Seeing her all puffed up with anger delighted him because she acted like a cold and proud goddess who refused to mix with mere mortals with others and even talked back to him mercilessly whenever she wanted. “How can I help you? You cannot utilise the healing items I have.” She was displeased since his current strength enabled him to battle with True Daoists. Normal healing items wouldn’t be effective on him. How could she find such items? “Is that your excuse for coming empty-handed?” Gu Changge raised his eyebrows. Gu Xianer choked on her breath since that wasn’t her intention. It wasn’t really her fault though. She could ask several Elders about it had she been in the Peach Village, but it was hard to find healing items here. Anyone else possessing them would hide them carefully too; having one such item during the fight between the two realms would be equivalent to gaining another life. “I didn’t come empty-handed,” she muttered stubbornly. “So, did you send yourself as a gift?” He eyed her empty hands meaningfully. She glared at him. “Shouldn’t you be happy that I’ve come to see you? You can heal faster because of that feeling of happiness, which is much more effective than any healing item.” “Wow. How did I not know you are such an expert in logic?” He felt amused by her.