I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2259 - 2258: The Era of True Martial Arts Begins, Some Can't Hold Back Anymore

The True Martial Great Emperor was amassing his formidable presence.

Momentum, though intangible and difficult to define, undeniably exists.

Since antiquity, the notion of overwhelming opponents with sheer momentum has been a recognized concept.

As the True Martial Great Emperor ascended, his imposing aura permeated the entire world.

A single sword strike unsealed the Gate of Heavenly Start.

Within this gate, an unending void stretched out, resembling the desolation of the cosmos—a profound, black abyss.

With the emergence of the True Martial Great Emperor, the solemn sound of war drums erupted from the True Martial Holy Sect.

Boom boom, boom boom.

Each beat resonated as a defiant challenge to the heavens, stirring souls and disrupting the natural order.

Accompanied by the tempestuous war drums, the Azure Dragon Army took to the skies, forming a protective cordon around the True Martial Great Emperor.

Shortly thereafter, Empress Hongtian, the Great Emperor of the Three Blades, and other venerable ancestors followed, rising into the air.

"The battle commences today," the True Martial Great Emperor declared.

"Following the Empress, I alone dare to challenge the heavens; should I succeed, the world will be transformed. If I falter, it signifies another advancement for all sentient beings."

"Today, my name, True Martial, shall be revered across all the heavens."

He extended his mighty hand towards the firmament.

At this precise moment, the image of the True Martial Great Emperor materialized across the Nine Domains.

Whether one resided in the Heaven Extreme Realm, the Robbery Immortal Domain, or any other corner of the Nine Domains.

A mere glance upwards would reveal the presence of the True Martial Great Emperor.

Innumerable souls felt a profound stirring within them.

"After all these years, a new Heaven Challenger has finally appeared."

"To challenge the heavens, why undertake such a perilous feat? Is this life not sufficient?"

"Ever since the Empress' failed heavenly conquest in the ancient past, no one has possessed the audacity to challenge the heavens.

Our era has endured a prolonged silence, with no ruler from any domain daring to step forward.

Unexpectedly, a new epoch dawns with the arrival of a Heaven Challenger."

"A new era has been initiated, and regardless of the True Martial Great Emperor's success or failure in his heavenly challenge, he will be the harbinger of this new age."

The True Martial Great Emperor, positioned high above, remained remarkably composed.

As the designated Heaven Challenger, he was poised to inaugurate the new era.

He proclaimed with resounding authority, "The new era shall bear my name, True Martial—this is the True Martial Era."

This proclamation was met with widespread anticipation.

Just as the Primordial God-King presided over the Primordial Era.

And the Demon Lord heralded the Demon's Advent Era.

The Empress marked the Middle Ages.

The succession of eras is not determined by temporal passage alone; no individual possesses the authority to unilaterally alter an epoch.

Only a Heaven Challenger holds this prerogative.

Upon the emergence of a Heaven Challenger, they gain the right to conclude the preceding era and inaugurate their own.

The period prior was reckoned by the Middle Ages Calendar.

Since the Empress initiated the Heaven Challenge, ushering in the Middle Ages, no subsequent Heaven Challengers had emerged.

Consequently, later generations continued to exist within the framework of the Middle Ages.

For the sake of historical distinction, people eventually divided the Middle Ages into two segments: the early and the late calendar periods.

However, both remained intrinsically part of the Middle Ages.

Now, the appearance of the True Martial Great Emperor signaled the definitive end of the Middle Ages.

The new era was to be known as True Martial.

The True Martial Era!

A hushed murmur arose from the crowd.

The designation of True Martial would accompany them throughout their lives.

Irrespective of his success or failure in challenging the heavens, the name of the True Martial Era would remain unchanged.

Only when the next Heaven Challenger appears would a new era and its corresponding name come into being.

"My name shall be extolled among all heavens." This, perhaps, was the ultimate meaning.

After the True Martial Great Emperor had officially ushered in the new era.

He moved towards the Gate of Heavenly Start without the slightest hesitation.

Under the resounding shock of the war drums, the footsteps of the Azure Dragon Army echoed like thunder.

Step by solemn step.

With profound gravity.

Finally, as the True Martial Great Emperor fully crossed the threshold into the Gate of Heavenly Start.

The immense gate began to slowly recede and close.

The assembled multitude could no longer perceive the events unfolding within, nor could they ascertain the outcome of this pivotal battle.

Yet, every soul present understood that a conflict with the power to shape the future had commenced.

"Will he succeed?"

Someone whispered the question into the air.

"He ought to succeed; the True Martial Great Emperor is not prone to recklessness. He must have made thorough preparations."

"The Heavenly Dao is insurmountable. No one can defy it; this path leads only to self-destruction."

A wave of discussion swept through the onlookers.

Some held optimistic views, while others harbored doubts.

Regardless of individual perspectives, the destiny of the True Martial Great Emperor had irrevocably begun its unfolding.

Xu Zimei lowered his gaze, withdrawing his attention from the celestial expanse.

Contests of such magnitude rarely reached a conclusion in a brief span of time.

Whether it is defeat or victory, both require time.

He lowered his head and observed an ancient jade in his hand.

This artifact was bestowed upon him by the True Martial Great Emperor upon his departure.

“If… I mean, if the Heaven Challenge falters, I will endeavor to send you some news.”

These were the exact words uttered by the True Martial Great Emperor.

He made preparations for every eventuality, including the possibility of failure.

...

For the subsequent period, Xu Zimei did not hasten his departure from the True Martial Holy Sect.

With the True Martial Great Emperor now absent, the True Martial Holy Sect found itself in a state of considerable weakness.

Approximately ninety percent of its formidable forces were no longer present.

The sole remaining high-tier power was the Great Emperor of the Three Blades.

Xu Zimei recognized the necessity of aiding in the stabilization of the situation.

Although he would not reside within the True Martial Holy Sect indefinitely, if one were to speak of a home.

Then the True Martial Holy Sect represented his solitary home.

Therefore, irrespective of unfolding events, Xu Zimei was determined to prevent its descent into chaos.

He intended to signal to the world that despite the True Martial Great Emperor's absence, the True Martial Holy Sect was not a prize for any to covet.

...

Over the ensuing days.

Xu Zimei maintained his presence at the True Martial Holy Sect.

He found himself engaging in occasional debates on the Dao and sharing drinks with the Great Emperor of the Three Blades, living a rather tranquil existence.

Across the firmament, frequent thunderous detonations echoed.

While direct observation was impossible, all understood that the conflict had commenced.

And they gradually grew accustomed to its presence.

A month later, the former Sect Master of the True Martial Holy Sect relinquished his position, and the incoming Sect Master, Nine Secrets Taoist, prepared for his inauguration.

In truth, such transitions in leadership within a Sect are quite routine.

The preceding Sect Master had presided over the sect for an extensive duration, and his desire to step down was understandable.

Nine Secrets Taoist stood as the most accomplished and potent elder of his generation, meticulously groomed as a successor.

With the new Sect Master assuming command, the True Martial Holy Sect was poised to issue a formal declaration to the entirety of the Heaven Extreme Realm, thereby orchestrating a grand banquet and extending invitations to dignitaries from all quarters.

This occasion served as a pivotal moment for a major power to conspicuously display its might.

The event unequivocally demanded a display of magnificence.

“Some individuals are becoming restless,” the Great Emperor of the Three Blades remarked with a smile to Xu Zimei.

“During this Sect banquet, certain parties will undoubtedly attempt to disrupt the proceedings.”

The Great Emperor of the Three Blades appeared composed as he meticulously polished his blade.

“Which factions are you referring to, those from within the Heaven Extreme Realm, or external entities?” Xu Zimei inquired.

He bore little concern for such matters.

After all, besides the pursuit of Cultivation, worldly affairs held little significance for him.

“Certain local factions that have secured external backing,” the Great Emperor of the Three Blades responded.

“The Heaven Extreme Realm was originally under the dominion of ten great families.”

“That constituted a rather substantial prize!”

“Following our vanquishing of the ten great families, numerous entities sought to extend their influence into the realm.

However, True Martial’s authority was too absolute; no one dared to challenge him.

“Now that True Martial is no more, naturally, some cannot restrain their ambitions.”