Chapter 605 - 375: Innate Golden Dew, One God Across the Sky Severs 100 Lifetimes

Hearing Yi Beidou's words, the Jade Emperor fell into a long silence.

He was right. Only those who needed to flaunt their power and realm felt the need for a lofty title to distinguish themselves from others, believing they had reached the highest, most illustrious state in the world.

Without a kasaya, how is anyone to know I've severed my worldly ties?

The very title of "Immortal" was that kasaya—that attachment.

But true seekers and enlightened ones, those who pursued higher realms, would never care for such empty titles.

Yi Beidou would always be "human," because in his eyes, there was no highest realm—only a path ever-forward.

At this point, the Jade Emperor understood the determination and will of the young man before him.

It was no coincidence that this man had created an unprecedented miracle for humanity in a mere thirty years.

"So, you are just like them, waiting for that so-called new era? Also waiting for a 'True Immortal' who can lead you forward?"

Yi Beidou pressed on before the Jade Emperor could answer, turning the question back on him.

The words struck at the core of his being, leaving the Jade Emperor with no way to evade the question.

"That is indeed so."

The Jade Emperor finally nodded, admitting it.

He had done many things in the past few thousand years.

He founded All the Sons, which to some extent restrained the Ancient Ones on the Donghua Land, preventing them from having too great an influence on the mortal world.

He studied every era, witnessing the gradual advance of human civilization, all while continuously researching and perfecting his own Magic and Divine Powers.

As times changed, he secretly approved of and pushed for the schism within All the Sons.

Persuaded by Hong Datong, he helped him glimpse the secrets of the Ancestor Realm and the Human Dao River.

But these were all just investments, made on the condition that they didn't harm his own interests. He never truly committed himself, never plunged into the torrent of the new age.

He had always been waiting, waiting for what he considered the right era to arrive.

"What's past is past, but now you must make a choice."

"Will I be the one to send you back to the past forever, or will you choose to abandon the dust of bygone ages, merge with this era, and advance alongside it?"

"This era, this land, no longer needs an 'Immortal' who sits high above, detached from the world, untouched by mortal concerns, looking down on all creation."

"But I would welcome another person—one who understands both past and present, a person of extraordinary talent."

Yi Beidou said, his gaze fixed on the Jade Emperor.

FWOOSH!!

As if a third eye were opening on his brow, a mark of Black Flame, like a shard of jet-black amber, coalesced there. A faint Black Flame then began to burn around his body.

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavy.

"You certainly don't pull any punches."

After a brief silence, the Jade Emperor couldn't help but shake his head with a wry laugh.

"What I'm doing isn't some friendly dinner party; it's a life-or-death struggle."

"Anyone who stands in my way will be given the same two choices."

Yi Beidou stated, his expression calm.

"Truthfully, you shouldn't have chosen me first. My significance is too great. The moment I sever my ties to the past, every Ancient One in the world will feel it. Certain Root Sources will be like birds startled by a bowstring; they will awaken from their slumber. If they become dead set on simply moving and hiding, it will cause you a great deal of trouble."

"What's more, they will most likely unite against you."

the Jade Emperor said, his tone sincere.

"That is not your concern. In fact, if they truly unite, I would be pleased. It would save me a lot of trouble. As for hiding... that is unavoidable. But the ones I'm looking for? Even if they hide in the Earth Immortal Realm, I will drag them out."

Yi Beidou said.

"Very well. Let's begin."

"Six thousand years... perhaps I have been waiting for this very moment."

The Jade Emperor said no more. He lowered his gaze and sat cross-legged on the ground.

He had observed this era from on high for many years, and his resolve had long since wavered. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily persuaded by Hong Datong to lend his aid.

And now, this meeting with Yi Beidou had solidified his decision.

Besides, it wasn't as if he had any other choice.

The oppressive aura radiating from the young man before him was no weaker than that of the fully descended true form of a Celestial Monarch he had once witnessed.

Even with the support of this Immortal Palace, a fight seemed utterly meaningless.

FWOOSH!!

In the next instant, a torrent of Black Flame surged forward, completely enveloping the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor's flesh began to twist and writhe, and a look of pained struggle crossed his face.

It was as if a mass of jade-like flesh was being torn from his body, a process that inflicted immense damage on his original form.

However, seven long needles formed from jade-like Immortal Talismans had pierced his body. They pulsed with a terrifying vitality capable of reviving the dead and growing flesh on bone. As his body was being damaged, they rapidly repaired the injuries, sustaining his life.

Unlike stripping the Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood from the bodies of Sleepers, the complete Immortal Corpse within a Root Source possessed immense resistance, having integrated far more perfectly with its human host.

Destroying a Root Source was easy; separating one from their Earth Immortal Flesh and Blood was incredibly difficult.

Even a true Earth Immortal would likely find it difficult to accomplish this without harming the original body.

In this world, perhaps only Yi Beidou possessed such an ability.

The extraction continued for nearly two days.

A massive jade stone appeared in the great hall. The Jade Emperor's body sat cross-legged beside it. His eyes were closed, and his skin was no longer translucent as it had been. Instead, it now held the ruddy complexion and vitality of a mortal.

"I have placed my Free Demonic Flame Seven Stars upon you. If you can undo it on your own, you will have earned the right to walk in this world. Perhaps it may even help you advance one step further."