The Protagonists' Chat Group: Beyond the Boundaries — Chapter 388

Chapter 388: Liu Shen Breaks Through to Quasi-Immortal Emperor, Heading to the End of the World Sea

Shi Jian and Shi Hao returned to Perfect World to prepare for the final, cataclysmic battle.

Shi Jian was already fully prepared, his power consolidated, while Shi Hao was meticulously preparing to forge his own ultimate weapon.

Shi Hao’s current Realm had already surpassed that of an Immortal King, officially reaching the Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm. If he could forge a Magical Artifact that also surpassed the Immortal King level, his combat strength could be further enhanced to an unimaginable degree.

Previously, when Shi Jian swept through the Foreign Realm and the Immortal Realm, he obtained an astronomical amount of supreme Materials.

All kinds of rare Materials were available in abundance, the looted wealth of countless ages. There were even World Stones and crystallized Chaos Immortal Marrow in the collection.

These were the supreme, primordial Materials needed for forging weapons that transcended the King Realm.

Flames soared into the sky as Shi Hao began the forging of a peerless Magical Artifact. Just as his future self did, he intended to forge a pond—a vessel to contain all Laws and suppress everything under heaven!

Countless World Stones were melted into one, coalescing to form the powerful prototype of a pond. This was the nascent form of a Divine Weapon embryo, and it immediately erupted with astonishing, boundless Divine Might!

Shi Hao threw all sorts of Heaven And Earth Treasure into the molten pool—a single treasure from which would be enough to forge a standard Immortal King Magical Artifact. This was an act of incredibly luxurious, unprecedented extravagance, pouring the wealth of nine vanquished Immortal Kings into a single creation.

A full hundred years passed in focused seclusion. Only then did Shi Hao finally finish forging the Law Pond embryo.

Even in this embryonic stage, once the vessel appeared, it was already powerful enough to instantly suppress any other Immortal King Magical Artifact, containing astonishingly complex Dao runes within its form.

Shi Hao named this magnificent Magic Treasure the Law Pond. This was his ultimate defensive Quasi-Immortal Emperor Divine Weapon.

After perfecting the Law Pond, he immediately began forging a secondary weapon. He used his own essence Blood and countless melted down Immortal King Magic Treasures to smelt a sword embryo imbued with terrifying, pure Killing Intent.

This sword embryo was extremely brilliant, filled with a destructive Killing Intent, awe-inspiring to the entire world.

The Law Pond was strictly responsible for absolute defense and protection. The sword embryo was consecrated for world-shattering attack. Both were brilliant and magnificent, their powerful, coalesced strength shaking the heavens and the cosmic void.

Shi Hao held the sword embryo in his hand, and the Law Pond floated securely above his head, dropping millions of golden chains of order that firmly protected him. All Laws were deemed impenetrable to him.

With the two Divine Weapons empowering his already transcendent form, Shi Hao’s strength underwent a fundamental transformation, leaping toward the absolute peak of the Quasi-Immortal Emperor rank.

Shi Hao and Shi Jian now both possessed supreme Quasi-Immortal Emperor level combat power. They often sparred in the Immortal Realm’s chaotic voids, testing the limits of their new Divine Weapons.

When the Immortal Kings of the Immortal Realm saw the terrifying, unrestrained strength Shi Hao displayed, they were once again profoundly shocked.

Another Quasi-Immortal Emperor level combat power had appeared!

Quasi-Immortal Emperor—from ancient times until now, this rank had been unprecedented. For countless eons, none had ever appeared. But now, two appeared directly.

The Arrogant Heaven Emperor and the Myriad Law Heaven Emperor. It was truly shocking, and even more terrifying was the realization that these two Quasi-Immortal Emperors were blood brothers. It was simply unbelievable.

While Shi Hao was busy forging his ultimate Quasi-Immortal Emperor Divine Weapon, Shi Jian also busied himself, forging a new suite of powerful Immortal King Divine Weapons to govern his realm, such as the Mixed Yuan Gourd and the Five Elements Flag.

He forged these weapons specifically to guard the Myriad Law Palace, solidifying the defense of his central seat of power.

By the time the two brothers had finished forging their Divine Weapons and perfectly arranged all administrative matters in the Immortal Realm and the Foreign Realm, a thousand years had already passed in preparation.

On this momentous day, Liu Shen (Willow Deity) finally emerged from her long seclusion.

After long years of intense cultivation, coupled with the generous help and supreme resources provided by Shi Jian and the others, Liu Shen finally broke through that absolute barrier and successfully achieved the supreme Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm.

Her powerful figure, now cloaked in vibrant green light, appeared directly in the Myriad Law Palace.

“Liu Shen!”

Now, the raw combat power of Shi Jian and Shi Hao was likely even stronger than Liu Shen’s, yet they still regarded her with the deepest respect and gratitude as their eternal mentor.

Liu Shen looked at the two magnificent brothers before her, a hint of profound complexity flashing in her ancient eyes.

Who would have thought? The peerless and dominant Myriad Law Heaven Emperor and Arrogant Heaven Emperor of today—the rulers of the Myriad Realms—were, just a few thousand years ago, two children from the Great Wilderness of the Lower Realm?

One, Shi Hao, was always exposing his ‘little bird’ while drinking milk. The other, Shi Jian, was only slightly better, barely at the Blood Moving Realm!

At that time, Stone Village, in its earnest belief, specifically offered sacrifices to her shattered form for Shi Jian’s cultivation. Seeing the young Shi Jian and his cultivation close to the extreme of Blood Moving, she felt a slight, genuine appreciation for his hidden talent.

Therefore, she passed the Original True Understanding to Shi Jian. And with that single, profound transmission, the wheel of destiny began to turn with cataclysmic speed. A mere thousand years later, three Quasi-Immortal Emperors were now created and ready to face the darkness!

“Now that matters here are irrevocably settled, let us proceed immediately to the deepest parts of the World Sea to finally end the dark turmoil!”

Liu Shen spoke, getting straight to the point, her voice clear and decisive. She knew the two brothers had broken through long ago but had not gone to the World Sea, precisely because they were waiting for her to join them as a peer.

“That’s exactly what I intended, Liu Shen!” Shi Jian responded with a satisfied smile.

Shi Hao also rubbed his hands together, his face alight with anticipation. “After waiting for what feels like an eternity, I can finally show my true, unrestrained capabilities against a worthy foe!”

The perilous situation at the end of the World Sea was well known. Shi Jian had already told Liu Shen and Shi Hao about the four hostile Quasi-Immortal Emperors residing there.

There were four powerful enemies, but here, they had three equally powerful Quasi-Immortal Emperors. Three against four—with their level of individual power and synergy—the advantage was undeniably on their side!

“First, we must clear the last remaining, lurking obstacles, and then we head to the World Sea!”

Shi Jian’s immense Divine Might spread out, his gaze fixed on a specific location in the Void Realm. He reached out and grabbed forward, then pulled out a deceptively simple wooden box.

This was the infamous Origin Ancient Artifact of the Foreign Realm.

Previously, he hadn’t fully decided to start the final war, so he hadn’t directly destroyed this Origin Ancient Artifact; he had only sealed its power. He was afraid that if he acted prematurely, the four Emperors at the World Sea end would notice and prepare.

But now, they had already decided to launch the final, grand assault. This Origin Ancient Artifact naturally had to be dealt with and neutralized.

“Suppress and Shatter!”

Shi Jian pointed a finger, his Divine Might unparalleled, striking directly at the sealed box.

Crack.

The wooden box instantly shattered, revealing its contents: a bone staff, as white as jade, but enveloped in an incredibly dense, malevolent dark Origin power.

It struck aggressively towards the three of them. This was a true Quasi-Immortal Emperor weapon, possessing the concentrated power and will of a hostile Quasi-Immortal Emperor.

Shi Hao also made his move, his newly forged Law Pond vibrating with defensive power, intending to collect the bone staff into its containment field.

Suddenly, another box appeared from a different axis, then descended rapidly into the Immortal Realm.

It trembled gently, then opened with a terrible aura. This was the second Origin Ancient Artifact, belonging to the ancient Burial Ground.

This was also a fearsome Quasi-Immortal Emperor weapon: a bone crown, the very crown of an ancient Emperor. It floated continuously in the Void Realm, occasionally transforming into a terrifying snow-white skull, dreamlike yet utterly destructive.

The two boxes successively bloomed, reaching their utmost brilliance, both erupting with devastating Quasi-Immortal Emperor level Divine Might.

These two hostile Divine Weapons deliberately intended to cast their destructive light upon the Immortal Realm below them. If their dark light were to fully illuminate the Immortal Realm with their destructive Divine Might, everything in the Immortal Realm would likely be annihilated under this Quasi-Immortal Emperor’s destructive influence.

Liu Shen also made her formidable move, a vibrant green light permeating the void as countless immortal willow branches wrapped around the newly manifested bone crown.

The bone crown transformed into a humanoid form, as if a living, hostile being had suddenly descended. It then held the bone staff, erupting with focused Quasi-Immortal Emperor level Divine Might.

“Two mere, puppet weapons dare to be so arrogant!”

Shi Jian snorted coldly at the sight, then also attacked with his full power. With one strike, the sun and moon lost their light, the very World Sea collapsed, shaking the heavens themselves.

Liu Shen and Shi Hao assisted him, their combined might easily suppressing both hostile Quasi-Immortal Emperor Divine Weapons.

If it were only Shi Hao alone, like in the original work, he might have found these two Divine Weapons a bit troublesome, potentially allowing them to destroy parts of the Immortal Realm before he could defeat them.

However, now, with three great Quasi-Immortal Emperors acting together, even if the four great Quasi-Immortal Emperors from the end of the World Sea came, they might not be their collective match.

Let alone just their two automated Divine Weapons?

With the Origin Ancient Artifacts suppressed, Shi Jian held both the Origin Ancient Artifacts in one hand, then unleashed the terrifying power of his Hell Furnace.

“Refine and Kill!”

His magic power was boundless, and his infinite Dao cultivation surged out madly. The Hell Furnace was fully activated, pushed to its absolute limit to annihilate and refine the hostile will within the two Quasi-Immortal Emperor Divine Weapons.

He held one weapon in each hand, grabbing the two Quasi-Immortal Emperor Magical Artifacts, and the Hell Furnace completely enveloped them, furiously refining away their dark essence.

By the time the black mist dispersed completely, the dark Origin within the weapons was revealed to be annihilated. The two cold, malevolent wills were utterly wiped out by Shi Jian’s refining power.

After successfully suppressing and refining the two Quasi-Immortal Emperor Divine Weapons, Shi Jian and Liu Shen set off.

They had already arranged everything: the defense of the realm, the disposal of the ancient weapons, and the final strategy. With no further worries or distractions, they prepared to embark.

All the remaining Kings of the Immortal Realm came to the Dam of the World Sea to see them off, watching with awe as the three figures walked purposefully towards the terrifying World Sea.

Seeing Liu Shen among them, the Kings were especially shocked. Shi Jian and Shi Hao were rising stars, Heaven-Defyingly rising to achieve the Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm. They were, arguably, variables.

However, Liu Shen was familiar with some of them—a figure from the ancient past. Unexpectedly, she had also broken through to the ultimate Quasi-Immortal Emperor level.

“I am completely powerless to help you in this ultimate journey, but I wish you absolute success and a swift victory…” King Shi (Shi Ziling, the Stone King) spoke softly, gazing at the three figures.

Through the power of the Great Bloodline Art, King Shi was himself lifted in power, and he had now become a true Immortal King giant. However, he was still far from the Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm. Therefore, Shi Jian and the others did not plan to wait for him but entrusted him to guard the realm and ensure stability in the rear.

“This journey, we will surely win! There is no other outcome!”

Shi Jian responded calmly, his voice vibrating with imperial certainty. Then, the three final figures embarked on their monumental journey.

“What is that…”

Watching the three figures depart, everyone present was shaken, their Divine Souls trembling.

On the embankment, three faint sets of powerful footprints instantly appeared. Clear and dazzling, they were left by Shi Jian and the other two. They walked straight ahead, directly into the endless expanse of the World Sea.

“So that’s the truth…”

“Only Quasi-Immortal Emperors can leave such indelible traces on this sacred Dam!”

Countless Kings stared blankly at the three distinct sets of footprints left by the departing figures.

Not far away, on the other side of the embankment, there was another faint, single set of footprints, whose origin had been unknown for eons. This had once been the primary focus of discussion and speculation among the strong of the heavens.

Those faint footprints had become the motivation for generations of cultivators to move forward. People ventured deep into the World Sea, hoping to find the maker’s traces.

Over countless eons, people speculated that the person who left the footprints might have become an Emperor. But those were all just guesses.

But now, people finally understood how truly strong the owner of the earliest set of footprints had been. A Quasi-Immortal Emperor.

People’s hearts couldn’t help but sink into a cold fear. If that ancient being was a Quasi-Immortal Emperor, was he going to the depths of the World Sea to quell the turmoil?

Yet, for so many years, the dark storm still erupted and raged. Even a Quasi-Immortal Emperor was seemingly helpless against this dark turmoil! Could it be that the person who left these original footprints died at the very end of the World Sea? Died in the dark Land of Darkness?

Such devastating speculation made many people feel heavy-hearted and profoundly uneasy.

However, seeing Shi Jian and the other two, everyone felt a renewed, powerful sense of confidence.

This time, three Quasi-Immortal Emperors were heading to the end of the World Sea: the Arrogant Heaven Emperor, the Myriad Law Heaven Emperor, and Liu Shen, the Willow Deity.

Looking back through the ages, billions of years flowed by, and eon after eon passed, and finally, three saviors of this ultimate rank had appeared. Especially the two brothers, whose cultivation was unfathomable. They were truly unparalleled masters.

If they also failed, then there would truly be no hope left for the world.

“You must hold on and return victorious…”

An old Immortal King spoke softly, his voice trembling as he gazed at the receding figures of the three.

Waves surged with chaotic power. The three walked purposefully on the waves of fragmented realities, entering the deep World Sea.

Along the way, they saw many legendary Kings—figures who had left a significant, powerful mark in ancient texts. Along their path, the legendary Kings of all past generations were retreating, moving backward.

They were fleeing because the greatest dark storm in history was brewing. But Shi Jian and the other two went against the chaotic current, charging forward.

Boom!

In the depths of the World Sea, dark, malevolent power erupted, terrifying and boundless, like an ocean of destruction rolling back and sweeping in.

Shi Jian gently waved his sleeve. The storm, which could easily annihilate Immortal King giants, was instantly cut open, revealing a clear, calm passage straight ahead.

In the deepest parts of the World Sea, magnificent palaces appeared one after another, descending into the Void Realm. Between these palaces, divine rainbows connected them like permanent roads, forming a pathway composed of countless palaces.

Aside from these magnificent, glowing palaces, the other areas were pitch black, terrifyingly boundless, and impossible to see through.

“The Guiding Ancient Palaces, appearing in clusters!”

Shi Jian, Liu Shen, and Shi Hao exchanged glances, then unhesitatingly stepped onto this strange path. A divine light flashed, and the figures of the three disappeared from that location.

They charged directly toward the absolute end of the World Sea.

Endless darkness permeated the World Sea. On the surface of the fragmented realities, only those magnificent palaces glowed with guiding light. Other than that, nothing could be seen; it was pitch black like ink.

That was the pathway of the Guiding Ancient Palace.

A dull gray embankment stood ahead—the final boundary. Shi Jian and the other two walked on this grand path. Their movements did not appear fast, yet each stride covered hundreds of millions of miles.

The Grand Dao rumbled around them. Laws suppressed this entire space, bending to their collective will. The end of the darkness seemed to be rapidly approaching.

This place was incredibly special. Space was chaotic, and time shifted violently, as if it did not belong to the mortal world. Traces of the past flowed. Lights of the future shimmered. Past, future, and present intertwined in an unimaginable nexus of existence.

With a heavy thud, a great road broke through the darkness, appearing ahead. It was pitch black there, a void of absolute non-existence.

Even as Quasi-Immortal Emperors, the three could only see a blurry, ominous outline of the destination.

Shi Jian seemed to sense something. He looked toward the distant islands, where some massive islands and giant rocks stood firmly on the World Sea. There were living beings—powerful, ancient Cultivators—there.

“What era’s expert is this, possessing such a trembling sense of oppression?”

The beings on the island opened their ancient eyes, their faces filled with profound shock. The powerful beings capable of surviving on these isolated islands were terrifyingly ancient; they had sat there for several eons.

But now they were awakened and alarmed. Because the strength of Shi Jian and the other two, who came through the ancient palace, was too terrifying. It gave them an overwhelming, heart-pounding sensation—awe-inspiring and utterly unparalleled.

Suddenly, the sky collapsed and the earth split, and ghosts cried and gods howled, as if this place had violently fallen into a doomsday storm.

Black chains of order transformed into a raging, annihilating storm. This was a physical Law in motion. Runes rippled, converging, surging wildly, sweeping across the heavens and earth. Forbidden power was brewing in its core.

Within the black storm, sounds of shattering could be distinctly heard. This was the sound of actual Immortal King weapons breaking.

This was the terrifying, self-generated storm that arose at the edge of the World Sea. This kind of Dao storm was incredibly terrifying; even the weapons of Immortal King giants could not withstand it, and the flesh and blood of mere Kings were even less able to bear its force.

Even Shi Jian and the others felt as if their bodies were being cut by ethereal knives, feeling a slight, momentary pain, but they were entirely uninjured.

Shi Hao raised a hand, then gently pressed it down with the ultimate authority of his Law Pond. The storm, which could annihilate even Immortal King giants, was instantly, quietly extinguished.

The ancient beings on the island, whose faces had been pale with fear of the storm, watched Shi Hao raise his hand to suppress it. One after another, their faces were filled with utterly profound shock.

“This… is this actually true?”

“An Emperor? A full three Emperors?”

“Among the later generations, when did someone actually reach such a terrifying level, truly possessing Immortal Emperor-level strength, not mere speculation?”

Many old antiques were greatly surprised. Among them, not a few had great, desperate ambition. They had come here to permanently eradicate the source of the Land of Darkness. But they were utterly blocked by this ceaseless, deadly storm.

Only upon reaching here did they realize that they were truly powerless to defy the ultimate power of Heaven and Darkness. But now, three powerful latecomers who had reached the Emperor Realm had arrived here?

How could this not be astonishing—the dawn of a new, final era?