Chapter 2017 - 1529–1530: Witnessing the Emperor in Person, War God’s Eighteen Forms! (Monthly Ticket Requested)

Jiang Dali was puzzled. According to his understanding of the Divine Skill "Sunshine Everywhere," the deeper one grasped this art, the more profound and numerous became the time–space mysteries involved; and the Emperor’s "Emperor’s Divine Fist," including the Emperor himself, possessed an unfathomably deep comprehension of time and space. Could there be some commonality between the two?

He immediately pondered aloud, "You mean... the degree to which they understand the mysteries of time and space?"

"It seems... you still haven’t forced the Regent King to that step."

Dugu Qiubai slowly furrowed his brows. "That makes no sense. If you haven’t forced him to that step, then how did you pass his trial?"

Jiang Dali felt slightly embarrassed and was about to change the topic.

But at this moment Dugu Qiubai countered with a question, "I don’t know how you did it, but have you ever heard of the dragon that governs time?"

Jiang Dali was stunned. "You mean the Candle Dragon? Candle Yin? Could it be that the opportunity the Regent King and the Emperor once obtained together is related to the Candle Dragon?"

"Correct."

Dugu Qiubai said calmly, "After my battle with the young Emperor, I also crossed hands with the Regent King, and gradually learned of this matter. Ancient legends say that the Candle Dragon is even mightier than Ying Long; when its eyes open, it is day, when they close, it is night—it controls time.

Its Body can also grow or shrink at will. When great, its eyes are like sun and moon, illuminating the Nine Heavens. Ancient texts record that in a sunless land, there is a dragon that carries a candle in its mouth to light it. When small, it hides within an ant’s nest, unseen by ordinary folk; thus it is also said to be deeply versed in the laws of space.

Back then, the Emperor and the Regent King came to know each other precisely because of this opportunity. The two of them very likely obtained the aid of the Dragon Soul of an Ancient Candle Dragon that had long since perished. Only thus could they later grow strong so quickly, even defeat the Qin State, sweep across the Hundred Countries, and establish the Holy Dynasty.

And because of the aid of the Candle Dragon’s Dragon Soul, after Shattering Void their ability to comprehend time and space far surpassed others. In this regard, it was especially evident in the Emperor, whose talent was even more outstanding..."

Thinking of the terrifying might of the Divine Skill "Sunshine Everywhere," Jiang Dali suddenly understood why the Regent King had taught him this Divine Skill before he entered the Emperor’s Treasure Vault.

It was likely that the other party also wished to prevent him from truly being unable to match the Four Top Families and Ling Yun in alliance, so he transmitted to him "Sunshine Everywhere," this Divine Skill that touched upon deep-level spatial mysteries. In this way, if he were truly trapped within the Twisted Time-Space Corridor, he could at least guarantee his own safety.

His face turned frosty as he said, "All that you’ve said—did the Regent King admit it?"

"Of course not!"

Dugu Qiubai let out a muted laugh, then shook his head and said lightly, "Whether it’s the Regent King or the Emperor, very few know their secrets. To learn their secrets, one must first attain strength that earns their recognition. You, and I as well—until we reach Breaking Realm, we still fall short of that recognition; we are not qualified."

With that, Dugu Qiubai closed his eyes, spoke no further, and focused wholly on restoring his spent energy.

Seeing this, Jiang Dali understood his intent.

To tell him this much now was already in consideration of the strength he had shown by breaking into the seventh floor; but the next step, which was also the final step, was to pass the eighth floor. Otherwise the other party wouldn’t have bothered with so many words.

He likewise closed his eyes at once, rapidly circulating his Power to recover, and at the same time began to sense a disturbance from his panel. The Earth Intent hidden within his Primordial Spirit, which before hardly dared breathe and seemed ready to flee at any time, actually began to stir restlessly, slowly growing stronger.

"The families... have been persuaded by the Divine Fragment? They’ve made a wise Choice. But the pressure of the eighth floor..."

Thirty minutes later.

Jiang Dali and Dugu Qiubai opened their eyes simultaneously, electric light faintly flickering within their gaze. After exchanging a single look, they said nothing, rose, and each chose a Gate to push open and enter.

...

This was a desolate corner where human traces were rarely seen; the rough earth was covered in soil of a dark black hue, as though symbolizing some kind of sin.

A deep, long ravine, pitch black like a festering sore upon the land, tore through the blackened plain, stretching far into the distance. Billowing black mist churned out of the ravine, gradually surging up into the sky, merging with the low-pressure, ferocious storm Clouds piled like Devils overhead—a terrifying sight to behold.

Yet even more horrifying than this world itself was the omnipresent, terrifyingly oppressive aura. It made one feel agitated, uneasy, stifled, as though the entire world was trembling ever so slightly, while all surrounding scenes seemed unnaturally twisted and distorted, occasionally shuddering.

It was as if the entire space stood on the brink of collapse.

"This place is... the Sky!?"

Having entered through a Gate in the Treasure Hall of the seventh floor of the Human Emperor Tower, Jiang Dali found himself, upon reappearing, already within this oppressive heaven and earth. Before he could examine things carefully, the terrifying oppressive aura of this world had already caused all the hairs on his Body to stand on end.

This heaven and earth that trembled from time to time seemed to drag his entire person into trembling and twisting as well, as though he had stepped out of a real world and into a scroll painting, his Body moving in concert with the painting’s shaking and warping.

This was of course no scroll painting, but a space.

An unstable space, like a painting hung precariously upon a wall.

All these abnormal phenomena appeared to be issuing him a warning, making his heart palpitate.

"It has been many years, so many years since anyone last came here. I think... it’s been close to five hundred years."

A flat yet compelling male voice, suffused with a tone that naturally inspired belief, suddenly came from nowhere, falling into Jiang Dali’s ears.

Jiang Dali’s mind trembled, only to be baffled when he found he could not discern the direction from which the voice had come. He immediately entered his Original Mind State, sweeping his gaze in all directions to search.