The Ancient Gods' Whisper

In the world of ice and snow, Gu Jianlin stared blankly at the towering figure that had charged beyond the nine heavens and whispered, "So the figure I saw when I first ascended... was you."

Thinking back now, what an incredible coincidence.

The first person he saw after becoming an Ascender was this towering silhouette.

The first time he studied knowledge about the Divine Path, he encountered this elder's writings.

His very first victory as an Ascender was won thanks to this elder's guidance.

Fate, indeed, is such a wondrous thing.

"There aren't many in this world who can glimpse me on the Inheritance Path."

With his hands clasped behind him, Huai Yin faced away and said with a faint smile, "But I always believed that among the few, you would be one of them. Because in the future, you will surely stand where I stand today—or go even further."

His silhouette grew taller and taller, seemingly breaking through the firmament to stand shoulder to shoulder with the stars of the universe.

As Gu Jianlin looked at his back, it sometimes resembled a Divine surveying the heavens and earth.

And other times, a roaring green Qilin.

Gu Jianlin was flooded with endless confusion and bewilderment, unable to discern who he truly was.

At this moment, Tang Ling gave him a deep look. Beneath her frost-covered lashes, her eyes carried profound meaning.

Perhaps, this is why this Catastrophe is regarded as a lunatic!

"No need to be shocked. Of course, I am human. For humanity has never been a weak race. Selfishness, greed, narrow-mindedness, ignorance, and arrogance—these may be the disgraceful facets of human nature. But equally, tolerance, selflessness, contentment, humility, and kindness—these are the luminous aspects of human nature. Remember your principles and bottom line, and you'll remain human."

Huai Yin cast his gaze toward the three Saints pierced by the Cross Iron Sword and chuckled, "Of course, there are always some fools blind to self-awareness who think someone like me is no longer human. But as long as I uphold my principles and bottom line, then I am human."

He asked earnestly, "What do you say? Am I human?"

Boom!

Ghost Fire rose toward the sky, its pale flames transforming into a hue nearly golden.

As if scorched by the Sun's Yang Flame.

Xingye and Tianzhou, the two young Saints, let out maddened wails. In the face of overwhelming terror, their minds unraveled, their faces twisted like Evil Spirits as they cried out in hysteria, "Ancient God Clan! A Supreme-level Ancient God Clan has appeared! Requesting backup! Requesting backup! A Supreme-level..."

Flames engulfed their bodies, and their screams replaced their incoherent ramblings.

Saints, who in the outside world were majestic and exalted, now revealed their disgraceful appearances.

Like clowns.

After all, they were merely at the Seventh Rank.

The Holy Land of the Seventh Rank may indeed be powerful.

But even power is relative.

Before a Catastrophe, they were as fragile as toys.

Only Li Qingsong remained, his body convulsing in agony under the burning Divine Sacrificial Fire. Despite the pain, he roared at the top of his lungs, "You have violated the taboos! You brought powers alien to humanity into the human realm, and the lives you've taken are no fewer than those devoured by Chi! It is you who have personally pushed this world into the abyss! You are no human at all!"

Huai Yin stared at him silently, then suddenly let out a sigh.

"Li Qingsong, we are from the same era. But have you ever wondered why we could step into the realm of the Demigod Domain and become Catastrophes, while you, after all these years, are still wallowing at the Holy Land Level?"

He paused for a moment. "Because you're an idiot. A Seventh Rank in your two hundredth year—how is that not pathetic?"

Snap!

A gentle snap of the fingers.

The frigid domain of ice and snow collapsed, and the swirling blizzard withered in the ocean breeze. The chill dissolved.

Waves surged toward the sky, the roar of the tides reverberating across the heavens and earth.

Like thunder.

"Evolution was the path to ascension I discovered through the legacies left behind by humanity's ancestors. Indeed, I killed many for it, caused widespread calamity, and nearly destroyed this world."

"But if I could live life over again, I might still make the same choices, for that is who I am."

"In some ways, my junior apprentice and I are alike, but I am somewhat smarter than he."

"I aim to find the true path. I seek to ascend beyond the stars of the universe and search for the origins of all things, the cycle of karma, and the meaning of existence. I love this world, but I refuse to remain as cattle and sheep."

"Throughout my life, I've left behind countless acts of slaughter. You despise or detest me; I don't care. Because I am stronger than anyone else. If I want to kill, I kill. What can you do about it?"

"The only thing that can truly bind me is not any so-called Heaven's Punishment, but my own heart."

Huai Yin said coldly, "Do you truly despise the power of evolution so much, or do you disdain the fact that whoever wields this power—is simply not you?"

For one brief moment, the dark clouds above the sky were illuminated by light—the brilliance of countless stars cascading down. In the night, they were so dazzling, yet they resembled spears of annihilation, cloaked in murderous intent.

Gu Jianlin looked up, and the starlight piercing the night sky stung his pupils.

"Heaven's Punishment."

Tang Ling murmured softly.

·

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"Breaking news: According to the astronomical observatory, on the evening of May 6th at 9:30 PM, a massive meteor shower will appear in the night sky and will be visible across northern regions of our country. This is an incredibly rare occurrence, as the meteor shower was suddenly observed. The reason remains unknown, and experts will provide further explanations shortly."

On the giant display screen in the shopping mall, the female anchor reported this news.