Emperor’s Domination

North Kun God, Tenacious, and Fairy Companions stood at the top of Old World. They walked farthest on their chosen path, only behind Everlasting Jiang and Fardao.

Although some might be stronger than them - Dugu Yuan being one - he walked the fleshed-out imperial path.

Today, Everlasting Jiang and Fardao wanted to unravel the mysteries of the return. Thus, the four exited their meditation and wanted to see the key to reaching the next level.

“Rumble!” Detonations came from afar. The ancient battlefield was a vestige of the wars and has been separated from Old World. Nevertheless, their powers still reached through the dimensions.

The faint waves suffocated everyone but they couldn’t look away, hoping to know the result.

“Can they do it?” Desolate gods couldn’t stand still.

“I hope so.” A heaven-slayer eagerly waited. Even those from the imperial branch couldn’t help being immersed in this event.

Becoming a heaven-slayer was impossible enough, let alone entering the return stage to ascend. Nevertheless, the crowd understood today’s importance.

If Fardao and Everlasting Jiang could do it, the path ahead would be bright and a new realm comparable to overlords would appear. If they were to fail, all cultivators of this path would be drowned in despair. Both had traveled on the path for eras. If they couldn’t do it, no one else could.

“Boom!” A supreme power surged through the dimensions and made it to Old World.

This sweeping power scared the soul out of everyone. The ancient battlefield was flipped over, akin to the sun being pushed to the bottom of the ocean. Black clouds dispersed instantly from this wave of power.

Despite the distance, a radiance from the battlefield still temporarily blinded everyone in Old World.

Primal ancestors could see a primitive law emerging within this light, opening a new path. An unprecedented dao power and runes appeared in Old World.

Desolate gods and heaven-slayers sensed it clearly; their dao harmonized with this primitive and simple power.

“They’re doing it, the new path!” A desolate god shouted excitedly.

“Success!” Emperors and primal ancestors became ecstatic as well.

“The desolate god path can have supreme overlords too now?” Another said.

“Boom!” The radiance suddenly detonated without warning.

Powerful cultivators could see flames igniting in the ancient battlefield. The new power surged like a tsunami but also receded just as quickly.

Black clouds returned to the battlefield and the world became silent again.

“Was that tribulation flames?” A desolate god felt something ominous.

“I think so, a tribulation.” Someone said.

“This is terrible.” One emperor remarked.

The duo fought to the limit, wanting to develop something new. Therefore, a tribulation was expected.

“Can they survive?” Everyone became anxious.

It didn’t take long for the shocking result to come - the duo pushed it to the limit but died to the tribulation.

“What?!” Listeners became emotional.

“Everlasting Jiang and Fardao died at the same time.” Some sighed in lamentation since the two pioneers didn’t survive the tribulation.

“That’s it, the path can’t be extended.” Primal ancestors and heaven-slayers said with despair.

However, Tenacious, North Kun God, and Fairy Companions immediately left and entered isolated training.

“Looks like they saw something worthwhile.” Someone commented.

“It is up to them now.” Another said.

***

Deeper in Old Ruin, Bronze-blade and Coldblade kept up with the event. Coldblade was stricken with grief after losing an ancestor.

“Why’s everyone just standing here?” Someone landed on the peak and smiled at them.

“Young Noble!” Li Xian was ecstatic and shocked to see him perfectly fine.

The other youths couldn’t believe their eyes.