This time, neither Emperor Ye, Nick Ning, nor Joe Di spoke of continuing along the Nirvana Dao. The three had weathered countless trials, and they knew all too well what embarking again upon the Nirvana Dao would truly mean for them.
Just as Joe Di had previously considered, the best outcome would be the emergence of another Rivergate. Moreover, with Rivergate's Dao intent—Chi Yao—present in this domain, their Daos would scarcely have time to reach completion before Chi Yao would tear them apart.
It was not that their Daos lacked power, but that every rule of their Daos originated from the Rivergate Universe.
Overhead in the gray, misty realm, a series of thunderous booms echoed. Instinctively, Joe Di and his companions looked over. In the distance, golden rays flickered, as if something monumental was about to descend upon this realm.
"Let's go take a look," Emperor Ye said without hesitation.
The three stopped short of the shimmering lights, having already seen what lay ahead—a vast plaza. At its center, shadowy shapes flickered as if countless things were descending. The plaza itself continued to expand.
"Those aren't human figures..." Nick Ning remarked.
Joe Di pushed his spiritual eye to its limit. After a long moment, he said, "They seem to be statues. I wonder if this place is truly the site of the Cosmic Grand Dao Debate—and perhaps, where the contest for the Saint Seat will take place in the future?"
"If this is truly where the Saint Seat will be contested, we have no chance. Only Chi Yao, or perhaps Zachary Zephyr, stand a chance here," Emperor Ye said resolutely.
Joe Di and Nick Ning remained silent, understanding Emperor Ye's meaning. Only those on the same level as Rivergate could vie for the Saint Seat here. Although Zachary Zephyr had also refined his Dao in the Five Elements Universe, this place seemed connected to him as well. If their guess was correct, Zachary Zephyr was likely an existence on par with Chi Yao.
Joe Di’s tone remained impassioned. “If the three of us construct an entirely new Vast Universe, then the origins and boundaries of all things within it will no longer require our intervention. This new Vast Universe will naturally be self-contained, and the threat of Cosmic Tribulation will cease to exist.”
In truth, the three of them understood there was another advantage: in the future, the Vast Universe would be just like the current cosmic domain, no longer under the control of a single individual, and no one would be able to dictate the fate of others.
“The statue is becoming clearer,” Nick Ning sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness.
Not only Nick Ning, but Joe Di and Emperor Ye also saw it. The first statue appeared: “Hyde Saint Seat, founder of the Hyde Universe, Hyde Sage. The Hyde Universe existed for 7,861 eras, 6,007 cycles, and 821 years. After surviving seven Cosmic Tribulations, it was dissolved, leaving behind this Saint Seat.”
Then the second statue appeared: “Unchar Saint Seat, founder of the Unchar Universe, Unchar Sage. The Unchar Universe existed for 4,125 eras, 397 cycles, and 46 years. After surviving four Cosmic Tribulations, it was dissolved, leaving this Saint Seat.”
......
There was no need to look further; their suspicions were confirmed. Even if they stood shoulder to shoulder with Rivergate, their future achievements would only add three more Saint Seats to this golden plaza. Perhaps this was the true Saint Seat Plaza.
“Let’s go. We must make our vision a reality as soon as possible and construct a universe that truly transcends Cosmic Tribulation.” Emperor Ye declared resolutely.
All three understood how precious time was to them now. Fortunately, Joe Di had gravely wounded Chi Yao; otherwise, their time would have been even shorter.
......
Beyond the boundless chaos, with Chi Yao, Zi Xiao, Joe Di, Emperor Ye, and Nick Ning having departed, the tense atmosphere here eased considerably.
The aura of decline at the Saint Seat Plaza threatened to dissolve them, and with no Saint Seat Debate or new seats emerging, what was left for them to compete over?
“Dao Lord Xiang, what do you think is happening over there?” a long-haired man suddenly asked.
Everyone knew the speaker; aside from Chi Yao and the others, this long-haired man’s status and strength were second to none here. Xin Nuo, Dao Lord of the Yaohai Universe. The only one qualified to stand alongside him was Xiang Chenchen of the Eight Origin Universe.
Xiang Chenchen’s gaze remained fixed on the center of the Saint Seat Plaza. When asked, he immediately replied, “That might be where we truly belong.”
Finishing his words, Xiang Chenchen didn’t wait for Xin Nuo’s response. He unfurled his body and, just like the five before him, rushed toward the center of the Saint Seat Plaza and vanished.
“Ha, just as I thought.” Xin Nuo laughed heartily and, in the next moment, followed suit.
Da Ken Daojun, who stood with Joe Di’s faction, chuckled, “I’m going too.”
With that, he followed Xiang Chenchen and Xin Nuo, charging toward the source of the decaying aura.
It was like a chain reaction; after these three, countless cultivators surged forward.
But soon, someone noticed that only a handful could reach the center of the Saint Seat Plaza and be swept away, vanishing. The vast majority were dissolved by the decaying aura, turning to nothing and disappearing.
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)
This strange turn of events immediately caused the cultivators behind to halt their steps. Clearly, leaving this place required true strength.