CHAPTER 1924: CHAPTER 1925: THE TRUTH OF THE WORLD

Yang Junmo spoke in detail about everything from his encounter with Su Chengyu, their separation, then reunion in this Primordial Land, and eventually the matter with the Demonic Path, sharing it all with everyone.

Several times during the conversation, Xu Nanzhi seemed on the verge of losing her composure, but ultimately did not interrupt Yang Junmo’s narration.

Once Yang Junmo finished speaking, Xu Nanzhi became exceptionally calm.

"So the Demonic Path people aren’t targeting Chengyu directly."

Thinking of this, Xu Nanzhi no longer appeared as tense. Bei Tang Qian Xiao nodded in agreement beside her.

"It seems they’re likely after Su Zhedian who has reemerged."

"No, it’s not only Uncle Su."

Xu Nanzhi denied Yu Shuang’s statement, then glanced around at everything nearby.

"The Demonic Path’s objective is probably this world itself."

"What do you mean?"

Yu Shuang frowned in confusion and asked.

Xu Nanzhi did not immediately explain but instead looked towards Long Xuan at the forefront.

Sensing the gaze from behind, Long Xuan slightly tilted his head and said: "Since you know it too, why not just speak it yourself."

Xu Nanzhi shook her head: "I only know that everything Uncle Su has done was to prepare for the Great Catastrophe of Heaven and Earth, but as for the exact reason, the specific details of the Great Catastrophe—I do not know."

"Great Catastrophe of Heaven and Earth?"

Yu Shuang, who understood the least among them, knitted her brows together as she lived all her life among the Yu Clan and was least aware of these matters.

"As you are aware, all the way since the Remote Ancient Era, several reductions in nature’s spiritual energy have impacted the world, bringing forth the Great Catastrophe. To some cultivators, the so-called catastrophe is merely the continuous reduction of spiritual energy, causing cultivators to vanish completely from this world, provoking their fears. But in reality, it’s not quite so."

"Not quite? Is it possible that the Great Catastrophe will trigger other occurrences? Yet historically, there are no related signs."

The Ancient Clan has existed in Xia Country for an extremely long time, and coupled with the communication between clans, records pertaining to each occurrence of the Great Catastrophe are preserved within the Ancient Clan, hence Yu Shuang’s questioning.

"Indeed, there haven’t been any signs in the past, but the future holds differently. This matter already showed signs a hundred years ago."

"Was the Hundred-Year War related to this matter as well?"

"Su Linyuan assisted the previous emperor in ascending the throne, aiming for a strong nation to stabilize Xia Country and even the entire globe to confront the Great Catastrophe. Of course, what you saw on the surface is merely a fraction; Su Linyuan’s deeds knowing the truth a century ago went far beyond that, such as this place."

Long Xuan looked towards Xu Nanzhi, who nodded and added: "Uncle Su mentioned that he would spend decades here just following the old man’s wishes."

"But what’s the reason behind all this? Does connecting two realms relate to confronting the Great Catastrophe?"

Yu Shuang still couldn’t quite grasp the connections and asked curiously.

"I don’t know either, but it’s likely to seek refuge. After all, if the Great Catastrophe reaches its worst state, the place we are in would be barren and devoid of life."

"How could it be!"

Yu Shuang spoke in disbelief, eyes wide, clearly skeptical about what Long Xuan said.

"I understand it’s hard to accept, but from the results I know, Su Linyuan’s judgment back then wasn’t wrong."

Speaking of Su Linyuan, Long Xuan’s words carried traces of admiration. Throughout his life, hardly anyone had earned his respect, not even his mentor at Mount Longhu, the Grand Celestial Master.

The feelings Long Xuan bore towards him were more respect rather than admiration.

But as Long Xuan gained more understanding of the world’s truth, it became increasingly difficult not to admire Su Linyuan.

"But doesn’t this seem highly unusual? Even the extinction of one realm should occur gradually. My clan has researched earth veins extensively; our world isn’t even near depletion."

"Were previous Great Catastrophes normal then?"

Xu Nanzhi commented nonchalantly, aware that Yu Shuang had read the Ancient Clan’s documents and knew why she concluded as she did. She also understood what the Ancient Clan had been concealing for millions of years.

"Normally, it wouldn’t happen like this. The heaven you are in among the myriad realms holds no particular uniqueness. The uniqueness isn’t the world, but humans themselves."

At this point, Bai Qiu finally spoke up as well, stepping forward to speak.

"When I first landed in this world, I was puzzled why Empress Nuwa brought us here. But with further understanding, I came to realize somewhat. Those above can’t remain seated; you’ve long been targeted by those celestial beings. Heaven is a chessboard, and you are the pieces on it."

"Pieces on the board?"

Long Xuan raised his eyebrows upon hearing this word, realizing something, he opened his mouth: "I suppose several want to wield the pieces?"

Bai Qiu glanced at Long Xuan and replied, "Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that, but indeed besides Empress Nuwa, many Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings, and even the Supreme Immortal Emperor have their eyes on this world. Hence comes the abnormal Great Catastrophe of Heaven and Earth."

"Hmph."

Long Xuan let out a light snort, clearly bearing a grudge over this matter.

Seeing this, Bai Qiu didn’t pursue the matter further, instead took over speaking.

"Others may continue...I will speak from here on. To delay the Great Catastrophe of Heaven and Earth, a small group of cultivators among humanity already started planning to address it a hundred years ago. Su Linyuan was the foremost among them—as you all know, the establishment of Xia Country aligns.

Furthermore, his bringing Su Zhedian here and closing Heaven’s Gate were also steps towards achieving this. It can be said that had he not closed Heaven’s Gate, besides us, more from above would find opportunities to enter this world directly affecting this game, and by that time..."

Bai Qiu left the sentence unfinished, everyone was clear about Bai Qiu’s implication.

The strength of celestial beings entering the Lower Realm might be restricted, but they are beings who have truly become immortals. Once their power is fully restored, it would be devastating to the balance of this world’s strength.

"Aunt Feng told me that Uncle Su connected this world with the heaven we live in precisely to counter the Great Catastrophe. Although I don’t know his exact idea, it seems the real purpose of the Demonic Path is to thwart this plan."

Xu Nanzhi finally revealed why she drew her previous conclusions.

"So you mean, as long as Su Zhedian doesn’t appear, Su Chengyu will temporarily not be in danger?"

"Correct, so we must find a way to contact Uncle Su, under no circumstances should we let him..."

"It’s already too late."

Long Xuan suddenly interrupted Xu Nanzhi, looking to a distant place, eyes narrowed.

"Over there another passage has opened, and many have entered this time."