Empress Hongtian explained her unique path of integrating her Dao with the heavens and earth, a stark contrast to typical Heaven Challenges that seek to destroy the Heavenly Dao. She revealed her intention to replace the Heavenly Dao's will, not the Dao itself. True Martial Great Emperor affirmed her suitability for this monumental task due to her unwavering Daoist Heart and long-term planning. He also disclosed his own ongoing struggle against the Heavenly Dao's will, hinting that Empress Hongtian's decisive move will coincide with his fiercest battle.
The Yuan Central Continent, and even Empress Hongtian herself, were encompassed by this. It appears the True Martial Great Emperor has meticulously prepared for this Heavenly Conquest. To be frank, his preparations are demonstrably more thorough and formidable compared to any previous Heaven Challengers; he’s made the absolute best of his capabilities. "The Dao of Body Integration, this path is truly intriguing; it's likely no one has ever conceived of it before," mused Xu Zimei. "I do hope you achieve true success this time," he added. "Then I shall gladly accept your kind words," the True Martial Great Emperor responded with a smile. "I intend to depart in a week. Since Tiandao has issued a challenge, we cannot evade the battle." "I am ready, at any moment," Empress Hongtian declared with conviction. Afterward, Xu Zimei did not linger, leaving Empress Hongtian to her thoughts. Possessing a resolute and unshakeable Daoist Heart, she endures solitude and withstands loneliness. For Xu Zimei, after all, remaining stationary for tens of millions of years is not his chosen path; even he would likely find such stagnation unappealing. Upon departing the Original Point of the World, Xu Zimei and the True Martial Great Emperor went their separate ways. The True Martial Great Emperor undoubtedly faced a period of immense busyness ahead, with the subsequent tasks for preparing the Heavenly Conquest proving quite hectic. Xu Zimei, in contrast, found himself the most at leisure among them. Having left the Heaven Extreme Realm, his plan was to journey upwards to the Netherworld Realm, the domain of the Lord of the Dead Spirits. Xu Zimei actually shares a certain connection with the Lord of the Dead Spirits; they are, in fact, somewhat acquainted. Traversing the Hundred Million Daos is no simple feat. However, in his gradual ascent toward the Holy Court, Xu Zimei utilizes these challenging encounters as a means to build momentum. Each battle serves as a stepping stone to accumulate that force, until he can finally engage the Holy Court in full-scale war with an aura of invincibility. ... In the ensuing days, the atmosphere within the True Martial Holy Sect underwent a noticeable transformation. The participants selected for the Heavenly Conquest were nearly finalized. The True Martial Great Emperor and Empress Hongtian were, of course, definite choices and would certainly be participating. The Divine Travel Great Emperor would also join to perfect his Dao, as his path involves imprinting the entire world and journeying to its farthest reaches. The only realm he has yet to visit is the very one where the Great Dao resides. Therefore, even if it meant facing death, the Divine Travel Great Emperor was determined to go. Perhaps this embodies the spirit of a true idealist, driven not by the Heavenly Conquest itself, but by devotion to his Dao. The Great Emperor of the Three Blades also expressed a desire to go, but considering the necessary hậu cần work for the True Martial Holy Sect, it was decided otherwise. If all the powerful figures were to suddenly depart, the vast and prosperous True Martial Holy Sect would inevitably become a target for many. Thus, someone needed to remain and protect it, and the Great Emperor of the Three Blades was deemed the most suitable candidate. Xu Zimei, being set to leave the Heaven Extreme Realm, could not stay behind. The Great Emperor of the Three Blades' path was approaching its twilight; he was not ideally suited for the Heavenly Conquest, but rather for finding a secluded place to retire. There, he could slowly contemplate his blade path and see if, within his remaining lifetime, he could achieve further progress. At present, the Great Emperor of the Three Blades had reached a point where his future prospects were limited. Alongside these few formidable individuals, several other scattered strong figures from the True Martial Holy Sect were also slated to go. Secretly, the True Martial Great Emperor had also fostered a dedicated Heavenly Conquest army. This contingent, known as the Azure Dragon Army, clad in resplendent Azure Dragon Battle Armor and exuding a powerful aura, had been nurtured by the True Martial Great Emperor. They were destined to blaze the trail in this grand Heavenly Conquest. The Azure Dragon Army possessed a formidable presence; they practiced a unique body unity cultivation technique, presumably a singular creation by the True Martial Great Emperor. Though numbering ten thousand strong, each member's movements, bearing, breathing, and gaze were remarkably synchronized, creating an illusion at times that they were all a single entity. Their magnificent aura, upon its manifestation, seemed to subdue the vast expanse of the void, and their appearance sent a palpable wave of immense power, felt by countless beings below. ... A week later, the True Martial Great Emperor convened all the assembled forces. With potent energy surging from his hands, amidst a cacophony of power, the True Martial Great Emperor’s conquest weapon, the True Martial Sword, cleaved towards the heavens, striking the Gate of Heavenly Start. The challenge issued by Tiandao was, as expected, accepted by the True Martial Great Emperor. "Today marks the commencement of my True Martial's Heavenly Conquest; let every realm across the Nine Domains remember this day." At that very moment, the True Martial Great Emperor's voice resonated throughout the entirety of the Nine Domains World.
Numerous potent individuals turned their attention to this location. Within the hallowed confines of the Holy Court, divine power surged, and assembled powerhouses exerted an immense, cloud-like pressure. Seated within the grand hall, the Holy Ancestor's gaze swept across the Nine Domains, seemingly fixed upon the True Martial Great Emperor.
"Holy Ancestor, should we not intervene?" inquired one of the formidable figures present.
"Heed the guidance of Tiandao; refrain from rash actions and arrogance," the Holy Ancestor responded with composure. He understood he was a puppet nurtured by Tiandao, yet he found contentment in this role. After all, aside from Tiandao itself, he stood as a supreme existence, unmatched by any other. Surely, countless beings would readily vie for his position.
"After millions of years, the established equilibrium is once again disrupted by these unforeseen variables," the Holy Ancestor mused to himself. Initially, he had perceived the previous Demon Lord as the ultimate adversary. Following that individual's demise, Tiandao had issued instructions, foretelling the emergence of a new Demon Lord. He had presumed this newly birthed Demon King to be the greatest threat. Unexpectedly, the anomaly that was the True Martial Great Emperor arose. Surpassing even Xu Zimei, he had, against all expectations, opened the Gate of Heavenly Conquest. This development startled many, catching the Holy Court entirely off guard.
They had made no preparations for such a contingency, as their focus remained solely on the Demon Lord. "The legacy of the Ancient God is deeply concealed; if the Demon Lord seeks the Ancient Demon Cave, he will undoubtedly make his way here," the Holy Ancestor decreed. "Rest assured, unless we all perish, he will never attain it," a voice replied from nearby. Beyond the Holy Court, a multitude of powerhouses from other realms also directed their focus toward the Heaven Extreme Realm. These included the Lord of the Dead Spirits from the Netherworld Realm, the Candle Dragon from the Blazing Flame Realm, the Thousand Calamities Doomsday from the Ghost God Realm, and even the Sixteen Monster Race from the Cangxuan Realm. Within these domains, each entity represented the zenith of combat prowess. They desired to observe this new Challenger of the Heavens. In truth, they harbored their own ambitions of challenging the heavens, having already reached the pinnacle of their respective journeys. However, none dared to truly take that momentous step. Such an endeavor demanded immense courage. Should one's strength not equate to that level, an attempt at Heavenly Conquest might result in Tiandao completely disregarding the aspirant. The Holy Court itself would then directly eliminate them. But the True Martial Great Emperor was different; his power had been acknowledged by Tiandao. The Gate of Heavenly Start had opened specifically for him.
At this very moment, within the True Martial Holy Sect, the True Martial Great Emperor, clad in white robes and wielding the True Martial Sword, ascended towards the firmament. With each step he took, a formidable momentum reverberated. Each stride was accompanied by the roar of a force capable of shattering heaven and earth. In the face of such overwhelming power, no obstacle could stand in his way.
