I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2257 - 2256: Body Melting into Heaven and Earth, Heaven Challenge Begins

Empress Hongtian was quite accustomed to Xu Zimei's bewilderment.

"This is my Dao," she declared, "to become one with the heavens and earth."

Xu Zimei lightly shook his head. "I don't quite grasp it."

Historically, those who dared to challenge the heavens, whether himself or figures like the True Martial Great Emperor and the Primordial God-King, their objective was typically to oppose the Heavenly Dao.

With sheer might, they sought to obliterate the Heavenly Dao, initiating a profound transformation.

This would liberate them from the constraints of the Nine Domains World, allowing for unrestricted personal development.

However, Empress Hongtian's chosen path was not opposition, but rather integration.

In simpler terms, it embodied the strategy of "if you can't beat them, join them."

Or perhaps, it was akin to "swapping a prince for a cat," a puzzling exchange.

The creation of a world can fundamentally be categorized into two distinct types.

The first category comprises worlds that form naturally through the processes of heaven and earth.

Such worlds exist free from any external interference.

Initially, these nascent worlds might be inhospitable to life.

Over time, they evolve organically, eventually giving rise to humans or other sentient races.

Should the world possess abundant spiritual energy, it would gradually blossom into a realm of immortal cultivation.

Conversely, a lack of spiritual energy would steer its development towards a technological civilization.

These naturally formed worlds are inherently uncontrollable.

Their ultimate fate, whether destruction or continued existence, remains undetermined.

Beyond naturally occurring worlds, there exists a second category: those that are artificially created.

The Nine Domains World and the Divine Continent serve as prime examples of such meticulously crafted realms, brought into being by the powerful.

These man-made worlds possess a greater degree of predictability.

For instance, the creator preordains the world's future trajectory from its very inception.

This is precisely the situation Xu Zimei encountered with the Divine Continent, where the path of immortal cultivation was initially emphasized, followed by the subsequent introduction of technology.

This dual approach, like walking on two legs, dictates the overall developmental direction of the world.

From the outset, the creator guided the world onto a predetermined course.

Even providing covert assistance along the way.

Unlike naturally formed worlds, whose inhabitants experience slow development and constantly waver between right and wrong, Xu Zimei's creation offered a more focused progression.

While worlds born from heaven and earth may lag in developmental speed compared to their artificially crafted counterparts, they possess distinct advantages.

These worlds lack the presence of a Heavenly Dao, granting individuals complete autonomy over their destinies.

Upon reaching a certain level of cultivation, one can freely depart the world without impediment.

Thus, each type of world presents its own set of merits and drawbacks.

Regarding the dichotomy, naturally formed worlds are left to their own devices, whereas creator-made worlds are subject to the Heavenly Dao's influence.

All inhabitants are bound by its decree.

The prevailing method of dealing with these immutable bonds involves striving for liberation.

However, Empress Hongtian's chosen path is to embrace and embody this very bondage.

Her aim is to merge with the Great Dao itself.

The Dao of Body Integration seemingly signifies this profound endeavor.

Empress Hongtian began her explanation: "When I first arrived in the Nine Domains World, I once engaged in a profound discussion of the Dao with my friend True Martial."

"At that time, the True Martial Great Emperor had already attained the pinnacle of enlightenment."

"He imparted to me many secrets concerning the Nine Domains World."

True Martial Great Emperor, standing nearby, gracefully continued Empress Hongtian's narrative.

"Our True Martial Holy Sect has been graced by the ascendance of five Great Emperors, including yourself, Empress."

"Before your emergence, you were the one I held in highest regard, Hong Tian."

"While individuals like Three Blades or Divine Movement may leave an indelible mark on an era," he mused, "to truly lead an era, to ascend through the Heaven Challenge, is a feat far beyond their current reach, in my estimation."

"Only Hong Tian, upon my first encounter with her, captivated me with her unyielding Daoist Heart."

"In my considered opinion, should I falter in my Heaven Challenge, she stood as the most probable successor to tread in my footsteps."

"So, you have been guiding Hong Tian all this time?" Xu Zimei inquired.

"It wasn't guidance in the traditional sense; I merely acted as a mentor," True Martial Great Emperor clarified. "Once my friend Hong Tian charted her own course, I ceased any further intervention."

"What I aim to replace is not the Heavenly Dao itself, but the will governing the Heavenly Dao," Empress Hongtian elaborated.

In the beginning, the Heavenly Dao operated without any consciousness. It functioned like a neutral mechanism, strictly adhering to its predetermined programming.

However, following the departure of its creator and the absence of oversight, the Heavenly Dao began to experience an increasing sense of awareness.

This led to the autonomous development of its own thoughts and sentiments.

It started to perceive the entire world as its personal dominion.

Consequently, any attempt by individuals to depart from the Nine Domains World was met with absolute prohibition.

"To supplant the will of the Heavenly Dao, I fear it is an endeavor of extreme difficulty," Xu Zimei voiced his concerns.

"A single misstep could precipitate a fate worse than annihilation."

"While this may be true for ordinary individuals, Hong Tian is of a different caliber. Her Daoist Heart is unshakeable, impervious to all external influences."

"She possesses an ample reserve of time to meticulously execute her plans."

"Neither tens of thousands nor millions of years can sway her resolute mental fortitude; she is undeniably the most fitting candidate."

True Martial Great Emperor stated their conviction.

Xu Zimei found himself in agreement with this assessment.

He recalled hearing tales of Empress Hongtian during his time on the Yuan Central Continent.

At that juncture, among the four Great Emperors of the True Martial Holy Sect, Empress Hongtian's innate talent was widely considered to be the most inferior.

During the recruitment period for the True Martial Holy Sect, Empress Hongtian's mediocrity in talent prevented her from even entering the sect, resulting in her immediate rejection.

Subsequently, she positioned herself at the sect's gates, remaining there for a full seven days and nights, enduring without sustenance or hydration.

With a grim acceptance of her potential demise, she implored only for sanctuary within the Holy Sect.

Later, an Elder, moved by her sheer tenacity, took her in as an unacknowledged disciple.

Empress Hongtian's arduous journey was never once dictated by raw talent.

The significance of talent has always been vastly overstated.

Possessing a singular Daoist Heart, she dares to provoke the heavens themselves.

With an indomitable Daoist Heart, she is destined to ascend as the supreme being across the eons.

"At that time, after conferring with my friend Hong Tian, we resolved to pursue divergent strategies. After all, it is unwise to place all our hopes in a single venture," True Martial Great Emperor chuckled.

Xu Zimei was deeply impressed by their foresight and strategic thinking.

He couldn't refrain from inquiring, "What is the current status? Has the subtle corrosion of the Heavenly Dao's will yielded any effect?"

"Undeniably, there has been an impact, yet the will of the Heavenly Dao is formidable; it consistently exerts pressure upon me," Empress Hongtian replied.

"I suspect that under normal circumstances, directly seizing the will of the Heavenly Dao is an impossibility."

"This is precisely why we must initiate the Heaven Challenge."

"When my friend True Martial is locked in the most intense confrontation with the Heavenly Dao, I shall exert my full influence upon the Heavenly Dao's will. That pivotal moment will be our chance to seize victory."

"I have meticulously orchestrated every aspect to ensure optimal conditions. The ultimate outcome will then be determined by fate."

Xu Zimei was genuinely astonished by the extensive preparations True Martial Great Emperor had undertaken.