Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 1034: Chapter 1033: [He Gave Up Becoming Immortal?]

”Master, this is...” Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but speak up. Even though he had already guessed who the voice belonged to, he was still very shocked.

Master Fang Yi knelt on the ground, devoutly putting his hands together, as if worshipping the Buddha. The expression, the feeling it gave off, was both solemn and sacred, with absolutely no hint of desecration, for it came from deep within his heart.

After a while, Master Fang Yi rose from the ground, and the mysterious aura disappeared, vanishing along with the calm yet authoritative voice.

”Amitabha Buddha, if my guess is correct, this voice was left by that eminent monk who reached the Emperor Realm in our Buddhist Sect back then. Unexpectedly, he left a sentence explaining why he chose self-immolation,” Master Fang Yi remarked with some emotion.

An eminent monk of the Emperor Realm, anyone who can reach the realm of Emperor is among the best under the heavens, throughout history, those who achieve the Emperor Realm are few and far between. Millions of cultivators vie to cross the river to become Emperor, but how many succeed? Most perish on this path, and those who truly become Emperor are rare indeed. Yet, like this high monk of the Buddhist Sect, self-immolating out of guilt after exterminating an ancient race is likely unprecedented. This encapsulates the compassion of the Buddhist Sect—death is insignificant to those at such a realm, especially for the high monks of the Buddhist Sect who have long seen through life and death. However, Ye Tianchen still discerned a hint of unwillingness in the high monk’s words, signaling his unwavering belief in the path to eternal life.

”All beings are equal, wisdom appears foolhardy, transcending life and death, yet still harboring regrets on the path to eternal life...” Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but mutter to himself.

”So, this high monk from our Buddhist Sect, because of his guilt for having his hands stained with blood after exterminating an ancient race, chose self-immolation in the world. Such determination and compassion are worthy of eternal praise,” Master Fang Yi said with sincerity.

”Master, shall we take a look at the paintings left on the eighteen humanoid steles, learn about the deeds of this Buddhist Sect high monk, and also examine this ancient fierce bird race to see what kind of formidable presence it truly was,” Ye Tianchen suggested.

”Hmm, but I have come here many times with Brother Fang Zheng, hoping to glimpse the paintings on the eighteen humanoid steles, yet we’ve gained nothing, as there is nothing on them...” Master Fang Yi shook his head and said.

”Nothing? Isn’t there supposed to be paintings?” Ye Tianchen asked in surprise.

”Indeed there are paintings, but we don’t know how to unlock the seal, allowing the paintings on the eighteen humanoid steles to appear. Perhaps Master Ye has the opportunity, as your presence has caused the words left by the high monk of the Buddhist Sect to resonate. I suspect it might be due to your cultivation of the Yijin Jing, hopefully, enabling the activation of the paintings on the eighteen humanoid steles,” Master Fang Yi speculated.

Ye Tianchen nodded, walking towards the eighteen humanoid steles while chatting with Master Fang Yi. The Buddhist Sect has an ancient and formidable legacy, emerging quickly during the End of Ancient Times to become one of the most powerful heritages in the Martial Arts World. The founders of the Buddhist Sect are indeed powerful.

”Master, I heard that from the Late Ancient Times to the Ancient Early Stage, it was a prosperous era of cultivation, spanning a billion years. I wonder if the Buddhist Sect has left any information about this period; I want to know more...” Ye Tianchen asked.

The reason for asking was because Ye Tianchen understood that the Buddhist Sect’s legacy was ancient and strong, enduring over billions of years without decline. Even now, on Earth, which is no longer suitable for cultivation, the Buddhist Sect’s heritage remains formidable and is respected by other major powers, cautiously avoiding provocation. Gradually, the Buddhist Sect proved its strength. Such a profoundly ancient legacy, possessing knowledge about many secrets from Ancient and Ancient Times, would be relatively accurate; otherwise, Ye Tianchen would not have asked.

”The question you asked is actually one I am eager to know as well. However, I might understand a bit more than you because the Buddhist Sect’s legacy is ancient. It has never declined to this day, originating from the End of Ancient Times and Ancient Early Stage. There is substantial information left by the Buddhist Sect about this era,” Master Fang Yi nodded and said.

”I hope the master can enlighten me and tell me a thing or two,” Ye Tianchen said earnestly.

”Certainly, you have a deep connection with our Buddhist Sect, and these matters I’ll tell you...” Master Fang Yi paused momentarily before continuing: ”It is said that during the period from the Late Ancient Times to the Ancient Early Stage, it was a rare prosperous era of cultivation in the Martial Arts World...”

”A prosperous era of cultivation? Master, I indeed heard people say that during ancient times, there was a period of prosperity in cultivation with myriad clans standing tall, geniuses emerging, countless prodigies born, voices from hundreds of schools, powerful heritages appearing one after the other—a truly magnificent era of cultivation. I didn’t expect this prosperous era to occur during the Late Ancient Times to Ancient Early Stage,” Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but say.

”A prosperous era of cultivation many have heard of, yet none can accurately pinpoint the timeframe of such an era. Such an era was truly enviable; living in that time was a lucky chance but also an unfortunate fate. Still, one would want to gaze upon it...” Master Fang Yi smiled slightly and said.

Ye Tianchen nodded in agreement, Master Fang Yi’s words were insightful and indeed true. The Late Ancient Times to Ancient Early Stage was a prosperous era of cultivation. In such an era where geniuses abound and strong men were numerous, the diversity of myriad clans and voices from hundreds of schools made for quite a lively scene. However, with too many extraordinary talents, those martial artists without outstanding gifts and intellect were doomed to be eliminated, destined to be stepping stones or white bones under the feet of other prodigies on their path to greater power. The grander the era of cultivation, the more numerous the strong ones, hence more competition, more bloodshed, and more death. Thus, living in such an era is both fortunate and unfortunate, with a significantly higher probability of dying.

”Such a prosperous era of cultivation must have ended tragically, for countless prodigies, regardless of being from Ancient Aliens, Demon Clan, or Human Clan, would vie for the throne of the strongest. How fierce must that struggle have been? Just thinking about it makes one’s head spin...” Ye Tianchen shook his head and said.

”Master Ye also possesses a compassionate heart, yet you made one error: within this prosperous era of cultivation, there were no strong individuals from the Ancient Alien Race. When that era arrived, the Ancient Alien Race almost vanished completely. Whether they went into hiding or were not suitable to the Magic Law of this Martial World, they gradually disappeared. Only the Demon Clan and Human Clan prodigies remained, fighting fiercely, ultimately leading one young prodigy of the Human Clan to victory, becoming the ruler of this Martial World, respected by later generations as... Overlord Immortal King!”

Overlord Immortal King!

Ye Tianchen heard those four words for the second time, carrying a sense of heavy age, seemingly possessing oppressive power over the Heavenly Vault, capable of sweeping through the mysteries of the universe. The first time Ye Tianchen heard it was from the mouth of the Ice and Fire Dragon, and this time from Master Fang Yi, it was even more shocking.

Overlord Immortal King, an entity rumored to be the first Emperor Realm strongman born among the Human Clan. To reach such a level meant to be the strongest existence in the eyes of martial artists, even those of Emperor level were likely to bow in submission. To attain Emperor Realm truly meant becoming the ruler of this Martial World, the one who could truly sit atop the Heavenly Vault. His strength was indisputable, reaching the peak of martial artist cultivation during that period. Despite the absence of emerging Ancient Alien Race prodigies competing against him, there were many existing among them. Even powerful clans bowed to the Overlord Immortal King, this Human Clan prodigy, achieving the respect of myriad clans—what formidable prowess was this? Especially considering the time when Human Clan appeared in the Middle Ancient Times, suffering an era of oppression, providing hope and a place for the Human Clan within the Martial Arts World.

”Overlord Immortal King, so powerful, he should have already attained eternal life...”

Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but think of the eternal life concept—a puzzle surrounding martial artists for billions of years. Since the formation of this Martial World to the present, there hadn’t been a true instance of attaining eternal life, but reaching the realm of Overlord Immortal King, respected by myriad clans, invincible across the universe, without adversaries, thus becoming the master of the world. Be it in strength or sight, beyond any martial artist’s capabilities. If even he did not attain eternal life, is there still hope?

”Unknown, he is the most powerful existence in Human Clan history, respected by myriad clans. Perhaps only he could achieve this. There are legends that he has become immortal, and others that he hasn’t. The most widespread legend speaks of him forsaking immortality, self-immolating in the vast universe...” Master Fang Yi gazed at the sky as if admiring the silhouette of this supreme strongman.

”Forsaking immortality, self-immolating in the world, why?” Ye Tianchen whispered to himself. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)