Chapter 1389: Chapter 1390: The 500-Year Golden Age
This situation persisted for 250 years.
Every year, a clone would appear as promised, performing such feats. However, since that incident, no one dared to provoke them again—partly out of reverence for Senior Li’s power, and partly out of remembrance for him.
Until all 250 clones completely vanished, one after another stepping onto the grey staircase.
In the blink of an eye, 500 years passed.
This was the true golden era. For 500 years, the war between immortals and gods had always been a widely celebrated topic. Ancient texts and historical records described it with utmost awe: his peerless divine might, his act of slaying immortals and gods, becoming the first god-slayer in the long river of history!
The conspiracy of the Immortal Gods Realm had been exposed 300 years ago, inciting fury throughout the Central Origin Realm. Slaying immortals and striking down gods became a symbol of rebellion for the lowly beings of the realm. The resounding successes marked their transformation from mere livestock in a pigsty to truly standing upright as humans!
The golden era unfolded.
Countless prodigies rose, traversing the Central Origin Realm with unrestrained freedom!
This was both a great era and a flourishing one. After the chaos, the major sects regained their vitality, geniuses emerging like bamboo shoots after spring rain.
The Central Origin Realm underwent immense change, with oceans transforming into mulberry fields and its structure shifting drastically. Legends spread of an ancient Divine Fire Rhino rising from a volcano spring, of human cultivators battling sea dragons in the depths of the sea, and of rumors claiming an ancient-era giant had sealed their cultivation level and lived to the present, now emerging to compete with the heroes of the world.
The war between immortals and gods remained an enduring topic, but the mythical aura surrounding Li Xiaobai was fading little by little as time passed.
There were too many prodigies now, unprecedentedly powerful, exceeding the capabilities of any era’s beings. Although Li Xiaobai had the merit of slaying gods, they firmly believed they were the strongest of their time. Had they lived in that era, they too could have been rebels, defying the heavens, cleaving the firmament, and even shattering the void to ascend to the Upper Realm!
But at this moment, these young elites were all heading toward one place: the Villain’s Guild!
Three days ago, news broke that the statue of Li Xiaobai atop the peak of the Second Mountain had cracked. This was a major event. The foundation of the Villain’s Guild was far more profound than any sect; it was indisputably the foremost sect of the age. Moreover, Li Xiaobai’s reputation was so immense that none—neither elder cultivators nor the younger prodigies—had not heard of his name.
Now that his statue showed this anomaly, it possibly heralded something extraordinary. Countless people flocked, eager for a closer look.
“Have you heard? The statue atop the Second Peak of the Villain’s Guild cracked. They say someone might’ve acted in secret.”
A cultivator questioned.
“How is that possible? Who would dare target the Villain’s Guild? Besides, Senior Li is the faith of the Central Origin Realm and our object of pursuit. Who would dare desecrate him…”
“That’s incorrect. In recent years, there’ve been more and more dissenting voices. The major family forces are growing restless, wanting to challenge the authority of the Villain’s Guild. Perhaps this statue cracking really was caused by someone!”
The cultivators murmured among themselves, speaking in hushed tones.
“Just watch. I’ve heard quite a few sect masters have arrived today, aiming to challenge the top experts of the Villain’s Guild.”
“I fear they’ll use this opportunity to shake the foundation of the Villain’s Guild!”
“The peak experts of the Villain’s Guild are no ordinary individuals. Led by Ma Niubi, there are over a hundred first-rate masters. Who would dare to act recklessly?”
Talking and debating, the cultivators headed straight toward the foot of the Second Peak. The Villain’s Guild had always been unguarded, allowing free entry and exit for any cultivators or sect disciples without restrictions. This was the confidence stemming from its status as a great power.
To be honest, they were equally puzzled about the statue cracking. The material wasn’t the kind to deteriorate under wind and sun—it was made from authentic treasure-grade materials, rare resources. How could it crack so suddenly?
But claiming it was sabotage seemed even less plausible. Those who could ascend the Second Peak were all recorded by Steward Chen Yuan; each person’s daily itinerary was meticulously planned. In the morning, they cleaned latrines; at noon, soaked in baths while puffing on a Huazi pipe; at dusk, bathed in dragon’s blood; and at midnight, immersed themselves in the Blood Pool for refinement. There simply wasn’t time for anything else. Should anyone miss or disrupt any step, they’d be excluded from subsequent activities.
Moreover, the Second Peak was crowded with masters, with countless Saint Realm cultivators residing there. If anyone dared secretly tamper with the statue, how could they possibly remain undetected?
All signs indicated that the statue had naturally cracked, with no external interference involved.
At the mountain peak, a large crowd gathered in an uproar, surrounding the fragmented remnants of the statue and studying it attentively.
“People from the outside are coming. How should we respond?”
A proud, young cultivator carrying a golden book frowned and asked.
“They’re just here to watch the spectacle—foxes paying respects to chickens with no good intentions. Why don’t we just carve a new one to replace it? It’s all the same!”
Chen Yuan shook his head. Hundreds of years had passed, and his youthful black hair was now white. Yet these young ones all maintained ageless appearances, a puzzling phenomenon. Some claimed their profound cultivation was the reason; but Chen Yuan knew that even someone like Yitilou Yan Zuzi, an apex figure, grew old and withered. This only served to highlight the extraordinary nature of those children Li Xiaobai had brought back years ago.
His suggestion was simple: create a replacement statue to appease the visitors for now, and investigate the matter further later.
“Who are you calling a chicken?”
A young girl carrying a massive wooden chest stared directly at him, her aura concealed yet exuding a chilling sense of dread.
“Ahem. It’s just an expression… Little Princess, what do you think?”
Chen Yuan awkwardly chuckled.
“There’s no need to ask. I’ve heard someone intends to use this opportunity to challenge our Villain’s Guild cultivators. Naturally, we should meet them head-on, and help relieve Madam’s burden!”
The wooden-chested girl spoke coldly.
“But we’re all 500 years old now. Those who’ve come are prodigies under a hundred years old. It wouldn’t be appropriate to act personally. How about letting the disciples under our sect spar with them?”
Chen Yuan scratched his head.
“Does that matter? Age is irrelevant. Who said older individuals can’t be prodigies?”
“Five hundred years is still young!”
The wooden-chested girl replied indifferently.
“Sister Tian Tian is correct. In the Cultivation World, everyone stands on the same arena—there’s no notion of who comes first or last. We’re simply part of the rushing tide, striving forward!”
The proud young man carrying the Golden Divine Tree nodded in agreement, showing no sign of embarrassment.
“The thoughts of geniuses are always so impenetrable!”