The path of the Human Emperor, only one person in an era can tread this path, possessing innate destiny and unparalleled combat power.
In the beginning of this epoch, the great Emperor Suigu established the path of the Human Emperor, suppressing all races, leading to the prosperity of humanity and overcoming the dark ages.
However, in his later years, Emperor Suigu encountered misfortune, suffered heavenly condemnation, and thus perished.
It was only later inheritors of the Human Emperor's path who learned that possessing innate destiny and unparalleled combat power meant one could no longer covet the position of Emperor.
The subsequent realms of "Martial Dao Mortal Immortal" were then opened.
Secret histories, unknown to countless martial artists, were revealed by Princess Shile.
Chen Jiuyang was deeply shaken.
"When the Human Emperor's path produces another Emperor, even the Heavenly Court of the Immortal Realm cannot descend to obstruct the Three Great Emperors!"
"The initial Heavenly Court of the Immortal Realm was unaware of this matter and prepared to enslave Emperor Suigu. However, they suffered heavy casualties in the lower realm, collapsing the ancient Heavenly Court and severing the passages between the Immortal Realm, Spirit Realm, and Mortal Realm."
"Since then, the Heavenly Court of the Immortal Realm has been unable to control the lower realms. But due to the pursuit of eternal life, many individuals were prevented from ascending to the Immortal Realm, leading to countless brilliant talents engaging in battles with the Heavenly Court since ancient times."
"Your ancestor of the Chongming Sea, Chongming, was once the strongest in an era, commanding all powerful beings in heaven and earth, intending to forcefully ascend to the Immortal Realm. As you have seen, the result..."
"Chongming only managed to seize a spiritual domain from the Spirit Realm for refuge and a sacred land. Later, he was attacked and killed by forces dispatched from the Immortal Realm, forcing him to relocate from Beidou. Even after hundreds of thousands of years, his strength has not fully recovered."
Chen Jiuyang: "..."
The forbidden land of Chongming Sea actually had such an origin.
"Subsequently, inheritors of the Human Emperor's path, generation after generation, achieved a different kind of emperorship, aiming to become Martial Dao Mortal Immortals and then attack the Immortal Realm."
"Otherwise, if your identity as an inheritor of the Human Emperor's path had been discovered, why would the Five Great Sacred Lands not have annihilated you?"
Chen Jiuyang took a deep breath. He couldn't ascend to the position of Emperor? He could only consider an alternative path?
In that case... so many people in the Crippled Old Village, with such combat power... all becoming disabled, perhaps it was a consequence of attacking the Immortal Realm?
Princess Shile continued, "After you destroy the lineages of the Five Great Sacred Lands, you will have settled your karmic debts with the demonic path. You can then retreat into seclusion and regain your freedom, choosing an alternative path to cultivation."
"Among the many inheritors of the Human Emperor's path, you are an exceptionally astonishing one."
"I presume the people from the Crippled Old Village have already advised you."
Chen Jiuyang frowned, his thoughts churning. Memories surfaced, and he suddenly recalled what the armless old sword emperor had said: "It is not yet time for you to come here."
"The timing is not yet ripe."
Chen Jiuyang took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness Princess, then why are so many powerful individuals lying dormant in the world?"
Princess Shile replied, "The heavens and earth are divided into yin and yang. Sixty thousand years have passed since the fall of the supreme Human Emperor. The golden age is about to begin, with countless prodigies emerging to contend for the position of Emperor."
"The position of Emperor is the extreme of yang, the peak of destiny. However, simultaneously, once someone ascends to the position of Emperor, it will attract the extreme of yin. At that time, the heavens and earth will usher in a dark tribulation of all races."
"The position of Emperor can also be considered a trap in terms of cultivation, one that the Immortal Realm cannot tolerate."
"At that time, due to the rules, the Immortal Realm will have a weak point. The powerful figures of various major factions will seize this opportunity to attack the Immortal Realm."
"They are currently lying in wait."
Chen Jiuyang's heart grew cold. This was truly too dark.
Chen Jiuyang continued to ask, "Your Highness Princess, I have now entered the Emperor realm. How should I ascend to the next stage, the Immortal Platform?"
Princess Shile's expression showed a flicker of surprise again. "I am an immortal of the immortal path, and your cultivation methods are entirely different. You should go to the Crippled Old Village and ask those who share your lineage."
"Your talent is good, and you can go further. Perhaps one day you will be able to travel to the Immortal Realm, and I will be able to completely repay my karmic debt to you. That is why I have offered you these few words of advice."
"If you die, my karmic debt with you can only fall upon your descendants. However, looking at your few offspring currently, I observe them... they do not seem like they will achieve anything great. Perhaps because you yourself are too outstanding, you have, in the unseen realms, exhausted the potential of your lineage."
Chen Jiuyang's expression stiffened, and he said, "My descendants have their own fortunes. Fate is unpredictable."
Princess Shile continued, "After you unify the demonic path and destroy its lineages, both the demonic path and I will owe you immense karmic favor. At that time, you can regain your freedom, but you need to prepare your fallback plan in advance."
"Whether you stay with the demonic path or choose a forbidden land to cultivate an alternative path."
Chen Jiuyang's heart sank. "I need to consider this matter carefully."
"Chen Jiuyang, if you do not consider yourself, you must also consider your loved ones... From the moment you were born, your destiny was formed, but those around you will be affected by you. If you do not think carefully..."
"In my eyes, none of your loved ones will have a good end."
"Rumble!!!"
This statement struck Chen Jiuyang like a bolt from the blue.
None of his loved ones would have a good end.
The higher one climbs, the harder one falls – he was not unaware of this principle.
For a moment, Chen Jiuyang began to ponder. Now that he had reached the Emperor realm, after rescuing Zixuan, what else would he seek?
He only wished for his family to live a peaceful life.
Chen Jiuyang took a deep breath, cupped his fists in a salute, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness Princess Shile, for your guidance."
Princess Shile replied, "It is merely karmic debt. I have seen too many inheritors of the Human Emperor's path who, after their loved ones died tragically, vowed to attack the Immortal Realm."
"If you can break free from the fate of the inheritors of the Human Emperor's path, you may have hope of becoming a Martial Dao Mortal Immortal."
"Some things, even if you try to avoid them, you cannot. This is a constant number of yin and yang."
"As you prosper, the extreme of darkness must fall upon your loved ones."
Chen Jiuyang nodded solemnly and said, "I will consider it carefully."
A person lives for a lifetime. If one's own strength is great, but cannot protect their loved ones, what is the meaning of a life lived in arrogance?
"After the lineages of the Five Great Sacred Lands are destroyed, my power will greatly increase. At that time, I will obliterate the dream world, and the myriad races within it, the demons, will return to the world. Before the demon tide returns, you must make your decision."
"In a few days, I will calculate the time and possess you to discuss the Dao on your behalf."
With that, Princess Shile's figure dissipated, and then a wisp of red mist was hidden in her hair.
Chen Jiuyang pondered for a long time. There were still a few days before he would travel to the Tai Xuan Sect. Chen Jiuyang transformed into a streak of light and headed towards the forbidden land of the Crippled Old Village.
...
Outside the Crippled Old Village, rogue cultivators or members of smaller families were always trying to enter the village to plunder resources due to issues with resources.
Similar to the lone cultivators outside the Immortal Falling Cliff.
Chen Jiuyang descended here, still unable to sense the terror within the Crippled Old Village.
Only by stepping into this forbidden land could one comprehend its terror.
"Hmm?"
Within the Crippled Old Village, the armless old sword emperor and others sensed Chen Jiuyang's aura.
"He must be here for the Immortal Platform path technique..."
"It is time."