Martial Arts Genius with Proficiency System Chapter 981 - 435: A Millennia of Bloodshed Across the Star River, All for My Disciple’s Return!!

"Rather than watching over the younger generation of our clan, perhaps it would be wiser for you to return and tend to your own descendants. You can strive again when the Ancient Path opens next time."

Elder Zhou's words were utterly candid, presenting a thinly veiled threat masquerading as advice.

Should you harbor any sinister intentions toward the talented individuals of our race, do not hold me accountable for the consequences...

Evidently, Elder Zhou's stern warning carried considerable weight. The foreign powerhouses shifted their gazes, and those who felt affronted let out cold snorts before departing.

Some retreated with grace, offering congratulations to Elder Zhou and uttering a few pleasantries.

However, the sincerity or falsehood of these words was of no concern to anyone.

Elder Zhou then turned and proceeded back into the fortress, after which the Human Race's fortress began its slow withdrawal.

Not long after the Human Race's departure,

the Ancient Path was on the verge of completely sealing itself.

At precisely this juncture!!

Buzz!!

Suddenly, another beam of blood-red light emerged, from which five figures materialized. The foremost among them was devoid of a face, its skin shimmering with dark gold.

The remaining individuals hailed from ultimate civilizations as well, with Long Wang amongst them.

If Lin An and the others had witnessed this spectacle, they would have been utterly astonished. Were these geniuses from the ultimate civilization not already consumed by that monstrous entity, presumed utterly deceased?

How then did they emerge from the Ancient Path!!

Upon their appearance, four of them, excluding Long Wang, were guided and whisked away by an awe-inspiring force.

Long Wang, conversely, was directly seized by the Guardian and vanished via Instantaneous Movement.

The entire sequence occurred without a moment's pause.

Observing this scene, the leaders of various tribes, who were nearly gone, turned back once more.

Perhaps, in a short while, their own prodigies would make an appearance from within.

However, this anticipation was destined to be in vain.

Inside the Human Race fortress.

Zhou Wuliang occupied the Master's Chair, his countenance mirrored by the somber expressions of the leaders surrounding him.

Lin An and the other two occupied their seats, their faces a mixture of profound emotion.

"Envoy of the Ten Celestial Martial Race, could you enlighten me as to the whereabouts of my disciple?"

Elder Zhou inquired calmly.

Upon the emergence of everyone, Elder Zhou had noted Su Tu's absence. Nevertheless, at that moment, with all the tribes congregating on the Star River, Elder Zhou feigned ignorance and facilitated everyone's return.

Beneath the placid surface, a disquiet and sense of dread began to stir.

Zhou Wuliang, standing alongside the Infinite Celestial King and the Heavenly Communication Master at the zenith of the Human Race, could no longer maintain his heavens-like, lofty, and boundless demeanor.

"Su Tu... sacrificed himself for us..."

Simu Jiuchen's voice was strained, as if a lump of charcoal had lodged itself in his throat.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wuliang's body trembled violently, and Principal Situ recoiled as if struck by lightning, rising abruptly.

"What exactly transpired? Would the three envoys kindly provide a clear explanation!"

Lin An and his companions proceeded to recount the events that unfolded after their entry into the True King Competition.

The pandemonium of myriad races, the blood-soaked path to the heavens, the secondary dimension.

With each unfolding detail, the listeners' brows furrowed deeper, having never anticipated the rules of this True King Competition to be so brutally severe.

From the myriad races, only a single victor would emerge.

Yet, the rewards were sufficient to incite madness; ascending to the throne meant the ability to tread the path of divinity!!

This was merely an added bonus for the myriad races, but for the Human Race, it represented a vital lifeline.

As Lin An and the others described Su Tu striking down Long Wang and Shi Kuang with a single punch, even the principals could not help but express awe at the formidable power this Human Race genius had attained.

When they learned that Su Tu had engaged in an even battle with the 'Guardian' that impeded all the tribes outside, even managing to shatter its physical form,

they were all greatly astonished. The accounts provided by Lin An and the others indicated that this formidable being possessed strength at least at the Dao Lord level, yet Su Tu managed to obliterate its body.

This fact alone revealed an incredibly terrifying truth...

Su Tu already wielded combat power equivalent to a Dao Lord!! A nascent Dao Lord, not yet in his twenties!!

Such an individual, possessing such innate talent, had already rewritten the annals of the entire Star River. The Human Race's sole responsibility would be to nurture Su Tu peacefully, and before long, a new dawn would break.

But now....

The word 'sacrifice' echoed like a haunting refrain in everyone's hearts.

"Spare the preamble and tell me why my apprentice met his end."

Zhou Wuliang evinced no interest in these grand narratives; he cared not for Su Tu's strength, his prodigious talent, or the remarkable heights he had achieved.

His sole concern was the reason behind his young disciple's absence by his side at this very moment!

While they focused on Su Tu's innate abilities and might, Zhou Wuliang had long cherished Su Tu as if he were his own grandchild. Even without such exceptional talent, he would still hold him in the highest regard.

Lin An let out a sigh, explaining, "Su Tu ascended the throne, but inexplicably, a hole bloomed from his heart, piercing right through him.

Furthermore, a power beyond our comprehension was actively erasing Su Tu's very existence.

Su Tu possessed a means to preserve himself, yet he chose to expend it to safeguard us. As he vanished, the fabric of space began to twist and fracture, and we were utterly incapable of resistance.

However, Su Tu did leave us a sliver of hope for survival."

Lin An omitted any mention of the Three Talents Array, instead framing it as if Su Tu could have saved himself.

He then reversed his palm, presenting a completely black egg for all to behold.

This obsidian egg was cloaked in the Breath of Chaos. The instant it materialized, everyone present felt an ominous aura of dread coalescing within.

"Senior, this is Su Tu's final bequest."

With deep respect, Lin An presented the Egg of Chaos to Zhou Wuliang.

"As space collapsed, a spirit residing within this dark egg was instrumental in saving us and returning us to the Star River. Our lives were spared by him," Zhao Lanshan chimed in, bowing profoundly to Zhou Wuliang.

Zhou Wuliang accepted the Egg of Chaos without uttering a single word. Though his expression remained stoic, an undeniable weight seemed to settle upon him, making him appear visibly aged.

"Heavy are the words of the Human Race, but do you comprehend, young one, how weighty Su Tu's words are to me, to your senior brothers and sisters, your parents, and your kin..." Zhou Lao murmured softly, taking a deliberate step forward, his form gradually dissolving into the void.

A palpable sense of sorrow descended, enveloping everyone present.

Yet, this was not the time for grief; while Zhou Wuliang might allow himself a moment of indulgence, they could not.

Principal Situ, wrestling his own emotions into submission, pressed onward.

"After Su Tu took the throne, were there any indications of Ascension to Divinity? Did he leave any final words?"

This question held paramount importance; divinity was an invaluable asset for the Human Race at this critical juncture.

"Indeed, a higher-dimensional power manifested upon him, though I cannot ascertain if it was connected to Ascension to Divinity."

"He did, in fact, leave a message..."

"What did he say!!?" a principal interjected, his voice laced with eager anticipation.

If it pertained to Ascension to Divinity, even a single utterance from him would represent an immense opportunity for the entirety of the Human Race.

"He stated..."

"As the Eleventh Celestial, the Supreme Celestial, ensuring the survival of so many Human Race geniuses is hardly a loss."

These words left the assembled individuals momentarily stunned into silence.

"Ha?? Eleventh Celestial?? Supreme Celestial??"

Since when had the Human Race acquired an additional Supreme Celestial?

....

At that precise moment, Zhou Wuliang walked with a vacant expression, clutching the Egg of Chaos. Memories of bygone days flooded his mind relentlessly. He had already come to regard Su Tu as a junior, as family.

But now, all of it was gone... leaving behind only an... egg.

And then...

Buzz~

The Egg of Chaos suddenly pulsed, emitting a gentle ripple of light.

This immediately captured Zhou Wuliang's attention, as this was, after all, Su Tu's ultimate legacy. That brat had survived the cataclysmic explosion of the Star River, so perhaps, just perhaps, a miracle could occur this time as well.

Consequently, a spark of hope, one he dared not fully acknowledge, flickered within Zhou Wuliang's heart.

"Egg, do you wish to convey something?"

Zhou Wuliang's gaze shifted towards the source of the pulsating light, then towards the distant, retreating fortresses of the various alien races.

"Is Su Tu still breathing?"

There was no reply.

"Are these races connected to my disciple's demise?"

Still, no response came.

A frown creased Zhou Wuliang's brow as he tentatively inquired, "Could these races be connected to my disciple's resurrection??"

Buzz~

The Egg of Chaos flashed with light once more. Observing this luminescence, and then glancing at the distant fortresses,

Zhou Wuliang's lips curved into a slight, knowing smile.

"I comprehend now; it truly is... their utmost honor..."

"To have slaughtered their way across the Star River for ten millennia and to have brought back my disciple; it is a worthy endeavor...."