Chapter 479: A gathering of heroes from the Upper Realm, The best decision in this life (1)

Fleets of battleships traversed the sky, heading straight for the massive mist-enveloped Aether Abyss, and behind them was the mighty Upper Realm Army. Many people from the various forces from the Upper Realm had assembled and were currently moving to join up with those already stationed there.

 The vast mist came with a thundering noise like it had been blown over from another world. This place was formed from multiple broken universes and various chaotic Dao Storms. It was so dangerous that anyone could die at any time. 

 Without the right route, not even a True Daoist would dare to easily set foot in this place.

 Right then, fleets of ancient battleships hovered above the sky as vast divine chains flowed down, covering the world like pieces of ancient, immortal mystical lands. On those ancient battleships were high-spirited Upper Realm young prodigies and experts that no one would dare cross.

 Space rippled every now and figures transformed into divine rainbows to return to the camps of their own force.

 "Greetings, Young Master Gu." Many armoured soldiers with various weapons in their hands stood before Gu Changge with absolute reverence.

 Standing behind them were young prodigies of the Immortal Gu Family and the disciples of Primal Celestial Temple, all peerless champions of their generation. That said, conquering Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains was also an invaluable chance for them to hone their skills, and now with Gu Changge taking charge, they felt even more assured, not worrying for their lives.

 Gu Changge dipped his head in reply, then swept his gaze across the countless soldiers behind him, asking, "How many from the Gu Family had come. Likewise, for those from my mother's side?" 

"Thirty million soldiers from the Gu Family and ten million from your mother's side have come, Young Master. The other forces under you had also dispatched a total of fifty million soldiers, with nine Quasi-Nirvana Realm experts, thirty Sacred Emperor Realm experts, a hundred Sacred King Realm experts, as well as countless in the Sacred Realm and Enlightenment Realm," answered the expert who led the greeting.

Because of the Boundary Marker Sea, it was nearly impossible for True Daoists to cross over. Thus, they only showed up in their Dharma Bodies.

Gu Changge nodded in acknowledgement as he swept his gaze across the countless young prodigies again while they all stared at him deferentially and fanatically. Suddenly, he frowned, seemingly having discovered a person missing. 

"Where's Gu Xianer?" he asked. 

"Lady Xianer chose not to stand with us. Rather, she is sticking with the Immortal Academy," a subordinate reported. 

"The Immortal Academy?" Gu Changge quirked a brow. "Is she intending to represent the Immortal Academy in fighting against the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains?" 

It wasn't that he worried his little cousin would be in any danger. He just wondered if she had left the others in the Gu Family and went off to battle alone when he didn't see her standing with the others.

[To think that wench didn't come to me first when she had come all the way here. Looks like someone needs to be put in her place again.]

The edge of the Aether Abyss was massive, and thundering roars of terrifying beasts could be heard coming from within the massive mist. Each force had set up camps within a few hundred thousand kilometres, where one could find countless bone-chilling auras emitted from there.

Meanwhile, outside of the Immortal Academy's camp, many Elders were briefing the disciples and what they needed to take note of. After all, the environment of the two realms was different. Thus, the training and cultivation methods those from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains used were starkly different from those of the Upper Realm. 

That said, the Elders were still confident, as all who could join the Immortal Academy were elites of their generation. Since they could already triumph over their peers, then those of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains would have nothing on them. 

"Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains focuses more on tapping into the power of their own bloodline to call upon techniques and spells…" 

Meanwhile, Gu Xianer stood haughtily outside the crowd with slightly furrowed brows, taking the speech seriously. She never overlooked whatever had to do with cultivation.

From where she was standing, she could make out that many other Elders happened to also be informing their young ones a distance away from the Immortal Academy's camp.

Sky Demon Tower, War Immortal Manor, Holy King Palace… 

Like the Immortal Academy, these forces had nurtured the best talents of this generation, and one could find these young prodigies had formed their own circles. 

At the Immortal Academy camp, many disciples followed the lead of the Phoenix Lady, Jun Yao, and Wang Zijin.

As the likes of Jiang Chuchu and Yue Mingkong were busy with other things and couldn't show up. Thus, it was the Phoenix Lady and the others who became the leading figures of the current Immortal Academy.

Gu Changge, on the other hand, hadn't shown himself in the Immortal Academy for ages. Then again, nothing would change even if he did show up, as he was already in a league his peers could only dream of matching.

Meanwhile, at Sky Demon Tower, they had a leading young prodigy titled the Sky Demon Sovereign. Word was he was an ancient monster with a demonic fairy bloodline, and he had a significant influence and a large following.

As for War Immortal Manor, they were rather similar to Mortal Palace, with the difference of only having one Mortal One 

The War Immortal Manor's existence was actually to develop War Immortals, and they'd require their disciples to be the champions of their generation. Thus, those without monstrous power and unbeatable records had no rights to the title of a War Immortal. 

There were rumours that the last War Immortal had made themself known some time ago but had been killed in the Heavenly Tide Realm by Gu Changge, causing a major uproar. Though no one could validate the authenticity of the news, it still caused the War Immortal Manor to hold a sizable grudge against Gu Changge.

That said, everyone knew how powerful and influential Gu Changge was. So the War Immortal Manor could only suffer in silence no matter how much they wanted to retaliate.

At the same time, the current Successor of War Immortal Manor—also known to many as the Young War Immortal—had also been making his presence known everywhere lately. However, very few knew what he looked like. Word was that he had duelled the King with Six Crowns once, but no one knew the result. 

Also, because of Gu Xianer's connection to Gu Changge, the Successor of War Immortal Manor extended the grudge towards her.

Meanwhile, the Successor of Holy King Palace was also a powerful presence. Though he still hadn't made a name for himself, word was that he obtained a great opportunity after slaughtering an ancient young true dragon when he came across a Time Shoal by accident. 

These were all characters one shouldn't underestimate. 

"These are all characters I have to defeat…" Gu Xianer's fighting spirit burned as all that crossed her mind. She admitted that she was no match for Gu Changge, but if she couldn't even defeat these young prodigies, then it'd be inexcusable, and her 'beloved' cousin might even despise and ridicule her for it. 

While Gu Xianer was deep in her own world, a great commotion travelled from a distance away, and many looked in the direction reflexively out of shock. 

"I-It's Young Master Changge!" 

"It's really him! What's he doing here? 

"Is he here to inspire us?" 

Some exclaimed with elation and incredulity, surprised that Gu Changge would show himself here. At the same time, a few recalled the man was also once a disciple of the Immortal Academy. So it shouldn't be surprising that he would make an appearance.

There were also others who assumed he had come because of Gu Xianer and thus looked in her direction. Of course, given the big shot's temperament, it was improbable he would show himself for any reason other than to see Gu Xianer. After all, it didn't matter to him what would become of the Immortal Academy.

[Why is everyone looking at me? Can this guy not make a grand entrance for once?] Despite still looking lofty, Gu Xianer couldn't help mumbling to herself, not used to suddenly being the centre of attention. 

At the same time, young prodigies of other forces like Sky Demon Tower, War Immortal Manor, and Holy King Palace turned grim as they stood inside their camps. Divine lights shone within their eyes as they tried using various abilities to make out who the approaching young figure was. 

He had merely descended from the sky, looking incredibly obscure as countless divine lights shrouded him. Furthermore, his presence alone made everyone gravely silent, and many Elders were even shaken, actually having the urge to worship the young man. 

It was evident his understanding of the Great Dao had reached an unfathomable level. 

"What incredible power! He might have even surpassed the Sacred Emperor Realm, but… Just as I suspect. Gu Xianer means a lot to him," commented a tall, silver-haired young woman as she watched the scene with profoundness on a mountain peak afar.

…

News of the Upper Realm and Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains battling out in the Aether Abyss half a month later instantly caused a massive commotion between all of both realms.

Of course, to the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, the news was a bolt from the blue, reeling them so shocked that it took them a long time to recover. After all, it meant that not only the youth but also their Seniors and Elders had to step into the battlefield, and it would be a fight to the death.

Their Ancestors had suffered a disastrous defeat when they used this method to fight the Upper Realm, and they could already consider themselves lucky when one out of a hundred returned, as most cultivators died on the battlefield. Unfortunately, some of their remains couldn't even be found.

Not only that, some Upper Realm races would even kill them as sacrificial food. It could be said that this was beyond brutal. Even so, since the experts of their realm had already accepted the declaration, the others couldn't say no even if they wanted to. Of course, there were those scared to die, but their fighting spirits were still burning ablaze even at this moment, wanting nothing more than to charge into the battlefield and slaughter all the young prodigies from the Upper Realm.

Meanwhile, the Elders had long seen through the whole thing. The Upper Realm was merely stalling, waiting for the rest of their army to assemble so that they could initiate the ultimate battle. Thus, no matter what became of the battle, the one who'd benefit would ultimately be the Upper Realm.

There was only one choice the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains could make from the start. But they could turn the challenge down, couldn't they? one might ask. They could. But that was only if they wanted to give their soldiers' fighting spirit a massive blow.

"This is the perfect chance to tear those Upper Realm bastards apart and let them know we're not to be messed with!"

"Yeah! We have a justifiable reason to fight the Upper Realm now that we've accepted the declaration of challenge! I've been cultivating all these years just for this very moment…"

Many stars floated in the majestic, ancient immortal city-looking Sky Deer City as the galaxy descended, looking incredibly magnificent. Right then, a group of powerful, peerless young men and women with impressive auras gathered inside a misty, aura-dense pavilion, discussing something.

Among them were young prodigies of the current age as well as ancient monsters who had only awakened in this era after being sealed into slumber for the last. After hearing the news from the Aether Abyss, they were all exhilarated and wanted to charge to the frontline right away. They had long wanted to step into the battlefield, but because their Families thought they were still far too weak, they remained inside Sky Deer City.

But now that the Upper Realm had delivered a written declaration of challenge, it was time for them to come into play! All of them began gearing up, beyond exhilarated as they had been waiting for this moment for a long time. 

"Say, do you guys think we'll get to see that rumoured strongest of the Upper Realm? Man, I really want to fight him!" said a burly young man with confidence. 

He was Xuan Tian, a progeny of the Black Tortoise Bloodline and the Successor of the Black Tortoise War God Clan.

There were four great clans with mysterious bloodlines in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains: Black Tortoise War God Clan, Blood Dragon War God Clan, Vermilion Bird War God Clan, and the White Tiger War God Clan. Legend had it that their Ancestors had powers belonging to Immortals, transformed from genuine mythical beasts.

Though their bloodlines had thinned with time, no longer as powerful as they used to be in ancient times, they were still revered clans in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.

"You're going to have to ask Lin Wu about that. After all, he had seen the so-called strongest of the Upper World himself. He should know just how powerful that man is. That said, if he were to step in, our Sacred Emperor Realm Elders will probably be the ones to fight him. We're no match for him, after all." 

At that, many looked enigmatically at Lin Wu, who had been sitting in the corner silently by himself. Since returning from the Boundary Marker Sea, he had been looking defeated. It was so apparent that many found him looking rather dead, no longer as confident and composed as he used to be. 

Some supreme experts even inspected his body, worried he might have been hit by some kind of curse at the Boundary Marker Sea. 

Soon after, they realised it was just that his Dao Heart had suffered some damage from being defeated, or perhaps it was that he watched the clan members he brought die before his eyes that he fell into deep guilt and self-reproach.

Alas, a promising young one, was gone just like that.

In the minds of many, Lin Wu was stuck blaming himself because he was the reason the Upper Realm managed to take the Immortal-Killing Gourd—a treasure of Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains—for themselves. Furthermore, his beloved was also captured with her fate remaining unknown. 

It really was a pity to see a brilliant, promising young prodigy end up in shambles like this. 

"As the Successor of the Blood Dragon War God Clan, how can Brother Lin succumb to failure just like that?" Xuan Tian couldn't help shaking his head, seemingly rather disappointed to see Lin Wu like this. There was a time he saw Lin Wu as a worthy opponent, but who'd have thought the man would one day end up like this!? "The Upper Realm's declaration of challenge is our best chance at redeeming ourselves!" 

The others were feeling multitudes as well; some bemoaned, some gloated, and others remained impassive. 

There were many young prodigies here in the pavilion, and many were as powerful, if not even better, than Lin Wu. And these shrewd, formidable, power-hungry ones from all over the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had gathered here on this day to discuss the battle of the two realms, which would be happening in two weeks. 

However, unlike the confident, high-spirited youths, the Elders, who had interacted with the Upper Realm were looking grim. To them, the entire Sky Deer City was shrouded in a looming dark storm.

As Elders had more interaction with the Upper Realm, they knew just how terrifying and powerful the latter was, especially when they had an inherent advantage over those of the same cultivation level. 

"Why should geezers like us fear when our young ones are so full of spirit!? We will accept the challenge. Time for us to prove our worth and leave the future to these kids."

*Rumble!* Just then, auspicious light and celestial essence burst out from the depths of Sky Deer City, and a large group of Elders emerged invigorated from their retreat, forming a terrifying field. 

These were most certainly a group of peerless experts. They just normally stay in retreat. But now that they have heard the opinions of their young ones, they emerged from their retreat invigorated, wanting to take part in fighting against the Upper Realm.

Meanwhile, many young experts began questioning if their blood was as pumped as these Elders, who were so exuberant that it was as though they were massive furnaces that wanted to smelt everything. Nonetheless, this exuberance gave them hope. 

Subsequently, fleets of ancient battleships and war forts lifted off and broke through the space barrier, leaving Sky Deer City with many experts and cultivators of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains eager to join the battle.

"A few more months left…" mumbled Lin Wu as he stood heavy-hearted, somewhat hopeless even, amongst his people.

Gu Changge had given him half a year to find an Array Core in Sky Deer City, But even now, he still hadn't a clue how to get a hold of it. Furthermore, he didn't want to become a traitor for all eternity, However, he truly didn't want Lu Luo, the Sky Deer Goddess, and the others to die either. Sadly, he had fallen into a grave dilemma. [I can't possibly have to give one side up at the end of the day, do I?]

[No, there must be a way! There must be!] Lin Wu grimly repeated, having no care for the battle with the Upper Realm.

Just then, his gaze landed on someone not far away. She was a stunning, slender woman that stood out from everyone else, and many around here treated her with great respect.

[She's that woman next to the Sky Deer Goddess the other day. What's she doing here? No, wait, she's probably the goddess' disciple.] Lin Wu suddenly became excited as a thought hit him after seeing her as he had found a solution. [I don't have to be an eternal traitor, do I?! 

Meanwhile, a god-like man in golden armour was sizing the young prodigies up by a few Elders' sides. "So these are the young prodigies from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains? Doesn't seem like much to me." 

He was none other than the man who had escaped from the Nine Great Mountains—Gu Wudi. He was now in high-spirits, as even many Elders showed him respect. 

"It has only been a few years since they began cultivating, Chosen One. Perhaps things will look different if they have another few hundred years," commented an Elder next to Gu Wudi while smiling wryly. 

The cultivation period of the current younger generation of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had been genuinely far too short. 

"The chances of us winning is very low…" Gu Wudi sighed with compassion.

The Elders, too, fell silent. 

Though the Upper Realm had obliterated the Nine Great Mountains, Gu Wudi's identity as the Chosen One, the Successor of the Nine Great Mountains, was indisputable, and they had to treat him with respect. Not to mention, he was actually about their age despite looking much younger.

"What can we do? The Upper Realm is coming at us with full force. We have no choice but to accept this battle, don't we? We hope you can lend us a helping hand by then, Chosen One," sighed a few Elders.

A hint of profoundness laced Gu Wudi's eyes, and he sneered while taking a gander at Xiao Yang, who stood afar. [The Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains will be compromised sooner or later.]

He was rather worried that the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had some sort of powerful means to forcibly turn the tides when he first fled the Nine Great Mountains. But after spending some time here, he discovered that these people were not even a match for the Nine Great Mountains!

If it weren't for the fact that they had a geographical advantage, they'd probably have long fallen into the Upper Realm's hands, and the revelation put him at ease. 

[Surrendering to Gu Changge is most likely the best decision I have ever made!]