Chen Jiuyang spoke, "City Lord Sui, this is a martial dao divine ability, not an immortal dao manifestation."
This time, it was Sui Lan's turn to look horrified, "Martial dao… have later generations reached this stage?"
Chen Jiuyang asked in confusion, "Did Qi Degui not display such martial dao divine abilities?"
Sui Lan slowly shook his head, "No."
Simply put, humanity had three major mainstream orthodoxies: first, the martial dao; second, the immortal dao; and third… was Chen Jiuyang's path of the Human Emperor. It was close to martial dao but not entirely, with only one person per era. It was more overbearing than the martial dao, and could not be imparted through sudden enlightenment or direct teaching.
For ordinary martial dao practitioners to display divine abilities like his would consume an unimaginable amount of energy.
Sui Lan's next words shocked Chen Jiuyang. Sui Lan said, "However, my grandson once proposed divine ability ideas similar to those of strong warrior Chen."
"Hmm?" Chen Jiuyang immediately wanted to say 'impossible,' but after considering the era, he asked, "Really? What is your grandson's name?"
Sui Lan chuckled, "My grandson's name is Sui Gu."
Chen Jiuyang's expression suddenly trembled.
At the dawn of Sui Gu, who lit the torch of the dark age, illuminating humanity's future?
This was a saying that children of humanity knew well later on.
Because Sui Gu was a legendary Human Ancestor in mythology, and the first Human Emperor recorded in the Minor Immortal Realm to ascend to the Great Emperor realm through the martial dao!
That was an era of unfathomably long time, but Sui Gu being the first Human Martial Emperor was an undeniable fact.
This Great Emperor Sui Gu was astonishingly talented. Although he did not create the martial dao, he reached its pinnacle in this dark and wandering era, giving humanity hope and a future. From this, the later prosperity of the martial dao emerged, allowing humanity to pass through another difficult era and flourish in fortune.
And now, Sui Lan, an immortal dao cultivator in the Dao Integration stage, told Chen Jiuyang that the first Human Emperor, Sui Gu, was his grandson. How could this not move him?
Then Sui Lan spoke, "However, although this martial dao path is quick for killing demons, the path ahead has not yet been illuminated… The appearance of strong warrior Chen has truly shaken me."
At the dawn of Sui Gu, who was preaching the Way? Who lit the torch?
This was the darkest era of the immortal dao's decline and humanity's turmoil.
Chen Jiuyang's heart stirred, "Where is City Lord Sui's grandson now?"
Sui Lan replied, "He was taken by our Human Immortals to the front lines for battle and tempering. That is where all of humanity's strength is concentrated."
Immortal dao cultivation stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Void Returning, Dao Integration, Mahayana, Loose Immortal, Mystic Immortal, Golden Immortal, Grand Unity, Immortal Lord, Immortal King, Immortal Emperor, Epoch.
The title of Human Immortal, at the very least, was Loose Immortal cultivation. He hadn't expected that in this era, besides the Immortal Realm, there were still true Human Immortals remaining here.
Peak Venerable Realm could shake Dao Integration stage immortal dao cultivators.
Emperor Realm martial artists were equivalent to Tribulation Crossing cultivators and Mahayana cultivators.
As for Emperor Realm martial artists, they were even comparable to Mahayana, and even Loose Immortals in the Immortal Realm!
However, based on Chen Jiuyang's current combat perception, the peak Emperor Realm peerless mighty beings could be compared to the Tribulation Crossing stage, the Saint level cultivation was equivalent to Mahayana, Great Saint cultivation was equivalent to Loose Immortals, and the combat power of Human Emperors was at least at the Mystic Immortal level.
But… the martial dao was more special. Great Emperors could dominate an era, and there must be secrets unknown to others.
Everything he knew now was passed down by later generations, and might not be the true benchmark comparison.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "The front lines? Humanity's strength concentrated? What place is that?"
Sui Lan replied, "The demon race invades, and the immortal dao is declining. To preserve humanity's existence, all factions put aside their previous conflicts, established the Sacred City, and pioneered the martial dao. All talented youngsters with martial arts aptitude were brought there. Don't you know?"
Chen Jiuyang slowly shook his head, "I did not know."
"It is better to dredge than to block. Only by severing the source can the demon race be completely suppressed from killing humanity. We can only protect ourselves in the rear and ensure logistical support for the Sacred City's consumption."
Chen Jiuyang said, "...So, the various regions are fighting, diverting the demon race's strength, sacrificing some to preserve others."
Sui Lan nodded with difficulty, "There is no other way. This way, we can increase our chances of survival and buy more time."
Chen Jiuyang understood the simple principle that eggs should not be put in one basket.
However, witnessing humanity being slaughtered by the demon race, how could Chen Jiuyang and Qi Degui, who came from a peaceful era, endure it?
Sui Lan said, "Thank you, strong warrior Chen, for resolving the crisis this time. Human prodigies like you and strong warrior Qi should go to the Sacred City to unleash your greatest strength and strive for a better future for humanity."
"Sacred City?"
Chen Jiuyang was silent. It seemed this should be the checkpoint of the Human King's City.
That was the city of humanity's torch in this era.
Chen Jiuyang stood in the air, looking at the city filled with people, and asked Sui Lan, "If we leave, how will you survive?"
Sui Lan replied, "With the formation, ordinary demonic beasts cannot break through it. Only some demonic beasts with special bloodlines can ignore formations and spells. At that time, we will use the teleportation array to call for reinforcements from the Sacred City."
Chen Jiuyang said, "If the Sacred City could send reinforcements, why would my brother Qi Degui be fighting here until his strength was exhausted?"
"Alas…" Sui Lan said, "Strong warrior Chen, humanity is in decline now. Someone must make sacrifices to fight for humanity's future and illuminate the path ahead."
"I will open the teleportation array shortly to send you two strong warriors to the Sacred City. Strong warrior Chen, you must consider the bigger picture."
"What use are a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand demonic beasts here?"
Sui Lan's words were calm.
But Chen Jiuyang's heart was heavy. Even in the dark age of humanity, cultivators at the Dao Integration stage were willing to be pawns and cannon fodder.
There is no perfect solution in the world; ultimately, it is about making choices.
Chen Jiuyang was conflicted. After a long silence, he said, "I understand. Please trouble you, City Lord Sui."
This was, after all, a corner of the dark great era, a fleeting scene. Their ascent on the path of the Human King was to forge the martial dao furnace, preparing for their ascension to the Imperial Dao.
The Sacred City was the checkpoint. If they were held back here, they would, like those skeletons, remain here forever.
But Chen Jiuyang could not. He still had to rescue his wife, and his family, young and old, were waiting for their reunion.
The era he came from was, after all, not plagued by demon tides; it was not a dark era.
With the infusion of numerous divine medicines, Qi Degui's emaciated body quickly returned to normal.
After he woke up, he remained silent for a long time.
A peaceful golden age? Internal strife within humanity? In this dark era, it seemed too absurd and laughable.
The final city on the path of the Human King, the checkpoint was to contend against the great era.
Chen Jiuyang carried him to the teleportation array, then cast a final glance at the wandering people living in this dark era. With a flash of white light, he left.
"Young people, struggle, shout, and fight for a glimmer of dawn for our humanity."
Chen Jiuyang could never forget the gazes, eyes, and expressions of these people. It was a resonance from the depths of their bloodline, a profound sorrow.
A parting meant forever!