Chapter 293: Eternal Ancient Mountain Eternal Ancient Mountain! Located in the Northern Region, this divine mountain stands as a colossal pillar, seemingly supporting the heavens and earth itself. Occupying one percent of the Northern Region’s vast territory, the mountain spans a domain greater than most mountain ranges and even surpasses the size of certain forbidden zones. It soars into the skies, piercing through the clouds, and its presence can be glimpsed even from the vast starry heavens above. Renowned as the most majestic and mysterious divine mountain in the Nine Heavens Realm, it holds unparalleled significance. This is because it was left behind by the Eternal Ancient Emperor. The Eternal Ancient Emperor was a peerless and enigmatic figure, whose origins remain unknown. Initially, he seemed ordinary, but later rose to dominate all eras. There are rumors claiming he hailed from the Northern Region, while others suggest he originated from the Eastern Wilderness or even the Western Desert. Regardless, these tales appear to glorify their respective lands without any factual basis. Only the Eternal Ancient Emperor himself would have known the truth. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his origins, the fact that he left behind the Eternal Ancient Mountain in the Northern Region has led many to believe that he belonged to this region. If not, why would he leave such a monumental legacy here? The Eternal Ancient Emperor remains an extraordinary and mysterious figure. His birthplace, fate, and even his ultimate demise are unknown. After sealing the Heavenly Demons, he persisted for millennia, eventually leaving behind the Eternal Ancient Mountain before vanishing from the world without a trace. Unlike other emperors, the Eternal Ancient Emperor left no sects, immortal forces, or imperial weapons. From beginning to end, he journeyed alone, maintaining a solitary path that mirrored his isolated and divine existence. Although no sect was established in his name, the Eternal Ancient Mountain itself holds vast remnants of his legacy. Within the mountain lies an array of inheritances from countless sects and forces, including those of immortal factions and even the Heavenly Demons. These treasures and legacies remain, awaiting those who are destined to claim them. Aside from these inheritances, the mountain also preserves three distinct legacies of the Eternal Ancient Emperor. These can only be unlocked using the Eternal Tokens. Each token grants a unique legacy, yet all of them include the Emperor’s insights into the Emperor Realm and the Immortal Ascendant Realm. The Immortal Ascendant Realm is an exceptional stage of cultivation. Normally, one advances from the Emperor Realm by comprehending and mastering the Dao, ascending to the True Immortal Realm to achieve immortality. However, due to the fragmented Dao and incomplete laws of the Nine Heavens Realm, ascension to the True Immortal Realm is impossible. As a result, countless geniuses, capable of swallowing stars and dazzling their eras, find themselves halted at the threshold of the Emperor Realm, unable to advance further despite a lifetime of effort. Some cultivators, unwilling to accept this limitation, sever their cultivation and await changes in the heavens, hoping for the emergence of the Immortal Domain and a breakthrough in their path. These individuals are known as the Ancient Emperors. Others, refusing to compromise, ultimately perish in their pursuit, dissolving into the Dao itself. The Eternal Ancient Emperor, however, forged a path that defied convention: the Immortal Ascendant Realm. Through experiencing the mortal world and understanding its myriad facets, he achieved enlightenment across a hundred lifetimes, ultimately proving the Dao and attaining transcendence. This realm surpasses the True Immortal Realm, albeit with far greater difficulty and risk. The journey requires a cultivator to immerse themselves in the mortal world, forgetting all and experiencing every aspect of life. However, this path is fraught with peril; one can easily lose themselves in the mundane and face the collapse of their Dao. This arduous path is rarely tread. To date, only the Eternal Ancient Emperor and the Heavenly Fox Empress have ventured upon it. The Heavenly Fox Empress, after ten millennia, now stands at the precipice of her ultimate breakthrough. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩 With the help of the Supreme Soul Jade, her soul has reached perfect harmony, and she is poised to become the second Immortal Ascendant after the Eternal Ancient Emperor. Of the three Eternal Tokens, one is held by the Heavenly Fox Empress. Another, originally in the possession of the Ye Clan, was later acquired by Jiang Chen. However, the location of the Eternal Ancient Emperor’s legacy remains unknown, rendering the tokens seemingly useless. Despite countless attempts over millennia, none have succeeded in activating the tokens within the Eternal Ancient Mountain, leading many to speculate that the Emperor’s inheritance lies elsewhere—or perhaps does not exist at all. Jiang Chen, however, is aware of the whereabouts of the third token. It resides with the Star Palace, a power beyond the starry skies that seldom ventures into the Nine Heavens Realm. When they do appear, especially during the opening of the Emperor’s Path, their prodigies shine with such brilliance that they arouse the caution of all major forces. The Star Palace operates from outside the Nine Heavens Realm and rarely interferes with its affairs, leaving them largely unnoticed. Yet Jiang Chen knows their strength is immeasurable, with even a perfected Star God Physique among their ranks. Despite their secrecy, the Star Palace contributed significantly during the era of dark chaos, earning them a reputation as a righteous faction. Though their presence in the Nine Heavens Realm is sparse, their influence runs deep, as evidenced by their control over the Void Palace, a faction rooted in this realm for countless years. The relationship between the Void Palace and the Holy Lord of Primordial Origin is cordial, further strengthening ties between the Star Palace and the Primordial Holy Land. As the foremost divine mountain of the Nine Heavens Realm and the treasure trove of the Eternal Ancient Emperor, the Eternal Ancient Mountain stands as a beacon of intrigue, power, and untold mysteries. Where there are people, there is conflict, and within this grand stage, struggles and aspirations abound. Even after millions of years, countless beings from every corner of the Nine Heavens Realm continue to journey to the Eternal Ancient Mountain. They seek powerful inheritances, supreme secret techniques, and unparalleled mystical treasures. Above all, they pursue the elusive legacy of the Eternal Ancient Emperor. Although no one has ever discovered the Emperor’s legacy in all this time, and many have concluded that it does not reside here, some refuse to believe it. They argue that the Eternal Ancient Emperor, who left behind this foremost divine mountain and its immense opportunities, could not have failed to place his personal legacy within it. In truth, they are correct. The Eternal Legacy does lie within the mountain. However, merely possessing the Eternal Tokens is not enough to unlock it—special methods are also required. At the base of the mountain lies Eternal Ancient City, a vast metropolis that originally belonged to the Gu Clan. Following the Gu Clan’s downfall, ownership passed to the Yin-Yang Holy Land, the sole immortal force in the Northern Region. Eternal Ancient City, the most magnificent settlement in the mountain’s vicinity, exudes grandeur and majesty. Its vast expanse resembles a coiled dragon, with clusters of palaces, majestic towers, and countless pavilions thriving within. The streets teem with life, hosting beings from every corner of the Nine Heavens Realm: ancient imperial clans, humans, and the myriad races, including many strange and exotic creatures. Amid the bustling crowd, two unassuming figures moved inconspicuously, blending seamlessly into the throng like grains of sand in an ocean. The man wore a simple green robe. His plain features bore a warm and inviting smile, like the morning sun, radiating kindness and serenity. Yet, hidden within his brows was an almost imperceptible pride, a lofty demeanor that seemed to stem from his very essence. The woman, clad in a pristine white gown as pure as snow, had a similarly unremarkable face. Her gaze was as calm as a still pond, devoid of emotion, as if the heavens themselves had stripped her of all sentiment. Her aura was slightly hollow, distant, and ethereal. “You brought me here for something important?” the woman, Zi Qingyan, asked in a calm tone, her confusion evident. “Surely, you’re not planning to explore the Eternal Ancient Mountain for treasures?” Her companion, the man who had defeated Ancient Emperor’s and humbled immortal forces—known throughout the Nine Heavens Realm as its most formidable being—smiled faintly. His renown had inspired both reverence and fear, yet his current actions perplexed Zi Qingyan. She had assumed his notion of “something important” would match his legendary status. Instead, for three months, they had done nothing but journey leisurely from the Eastern Wilderness to this place, wandering without aim or purpose. Zi Qingyan, initially hopeful, now felt thoroughly puzzled. “This is what you consider important?” she asked incredulously. “Why not?” Jiang Chen replied with a gentle smile. “Everything is part of the Dao. Immersing oneself in the understanding of heavenly truths is certainly one aspect of it, but experiencing the myriad flavors of the mortal world is no less important.” He continued, “Comprehending the myriad paths of heaven and earth is valuable, but it does not mean we should forsake our humanity. The Dao of Heaven is the Dao; the mortal world is also the Dao.” “Both are means of understanding the grand path. If you immerse yourself entirely in heavenly truths, one day you might lose yourself and become nothing more than an embodiment of the Dao.”