8: Eternal Continent

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon roamed through the vast sea of stars, its golden scales reflecting a brilliant divine light; every dragon scale seemed to contain endless Law.

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon raised its head and roared, its cry vibrating through the nine heavens and causing the stars to tremble.

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor sat atop the head of the golden dragon, his gold-patterned imperial robes rustling in the wind. His brow exuded a majesty that looked down upon all living beings, as if everything in heaven and earth existed at his single thought.

Lu Yufeng stood behind the Eternal Heavenly Emperor, his sleeves fluttering, yet his gaze was as scorching as a blazing flame. He stared at the endless starry sky and asked in a low, firm voice, "Your Majesty, my father... is he still alive?"

A flash of profundity crossed the Eternal Heavenly Emperor's eyes as he slowly spoke, "I do not know." His voice was like the sound of the Heavenly Dao—heavy and unquestionable, yet carrying a trace of ethereal mystery.

Lu Yufeng fell silent for a moment, his fingertips trembling slightly as a wisp of brilliant, eye-catching eternal divine light emerged from his palm. He said in a deep voice, "My father cultivated the Eternal Divine Body, and I... I have also cultivated the Eternal Divine Body. But in one Universe, it is impossible for two Eternal Divine Bodies to exist simultaneously."

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor turned his head slightly, his golden pupils reflecting Lu Yufeng's figure as if thousands of Laws were flowing within them. He said calmly, "Master went to another Universe; he is not in our Universe."

Lu Yufeng gave a bitter smile, his gaze sweeping across the endless galactic river, his voice carrying a hint of coldness. "How many invincible Immortal Emperors have stepped beyond the Universe, yet not a single person has ever returned. Even those who did return failed to Breakthrough to Creation God and instead suffered heavy injuries. Perhaps... this so-called 'another Universe' simply does not exist."

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor did not argue. He simply waved his hand, and in an instant, a rift tore open in the Void Realm, revealing the flickering shadows of five brilliant books.

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor spoke slowly, his tone still indifferent yet containing infinite majesty. "Legend says that by gathering the twelve heavenly books, one can give birth to Creation Divine Power, Cultivate the Creation God Body, condense the twelfth Supreme Heavenly Mandate, and survive the World-Extinguishing Divine Tribulation to Breakthrough as a Creation God. But to this day, no one has ever achieved it."

Lu Yufeng stared at those five phantom images with a solemn expression. "Of the twelve heavenly books, some have never even appeared in the world, and no one has ever seen a Creation God."

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor withdrew his hand, and the Void Realm returned to its original state. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon roared toward the sky, its dragon might vast and powerful, as if proclaiming the supreme Law of heaven and earth. He said calmly, "The path lies ahead."

Lu Yufeng remained silent, a massive wave of emotion surging within him. He knew that this answer was perhaps something he could only seek out himself.

At the beginning of the Universe, when the first ray of immortal light pierced through the Grandmist, the Eternal Continent stood tall and majestic in the Immortal Realm like a divine miracle.

This ancient continent has existed since the birth of the Immortal Realm, and the majesty of the Eternal City's walls is a wonder of the cosmos—the Black Crystal Walls stretch for ten thousand miles and stand nine million nine hundred and ninety thousand zhang high. Every brick is inscribed with primordial divine script, with golden ripples of Law flowing across them under the sunlight.

Bronze statues of the Divine Beasts of the four directions stand at the four corners: the Azure Dragon breathes out clouds, the White Tiger's claws rend the sky, the Vermilion Bird's wings burn the heavens, and the Black Tortoise's shell stabilizes the sea. Their majestic pressure causes the clouds for hundreds of millions of miles around to disperse.

When the Eternal Heavenly Emperor ruled the Immortal Realm, he once used his fingertip's essence blood as ink to write the two characters for 'eternity' in the center of the Eternal City's walls.

These two characters have now become a divine miracle. By day, they are as blinding as red gold; by night, they are like a falling galaxy. Any who look up with ill intentions will suffer the backlash of heavenly might, causing their eyes to bleed. Legend has it that the wall's Foundation reaches the core of the earth, connected to nine Eternal Dragon Veins.

Golden-Armored Heavenly Soldiers patrol the battlements day and night. The Soul-Extinguishing Halberds they hold are wrapped in lightning chains, and every step they take triggers lotus-shaped Dao patterns on the jade bricks.

The twelve heavenly gates are refined from the bones of Ying Dragons, and the door knockers are the heads of Taotie holding the sun and moon in their mouths.

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Ao Fei, Dragon Clan Young Master unfurled his massive golden dragon body, weaving through the vast immortal clouds, his scales shimmering with brilliant light under the reflection of the immortal glow.

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon turned its head slightly, its low voice echoing in the sky like thunder: "Your Majesty, we will arrive at the Eternal Continent shortly."

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor stood with his hands behind his back atop the dragon's head, his purple-gold dragon robe rustling. A faint smile appeared on his majestic face: "Oh? So fast? It seems, Xiao Fei, that your strength has increased quite a bit again."

A flash of gratitude appeared in Ao Fei, Dragon Clan Young Master's eyes as he said respectfully, "This is all thanks to Your Majesty's rewards; otherwise, it would have been difficult for this subject to Breakthrough to such a Realm."

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze looking deep into the distance. "Now, restrain your aura and do not attract attention. I want to see if this Lu Tianchen truly dares to covet the position of City Lord of the Eternal Continent."

Ao Fei, Dragon Clan Young Master gave a low cry, and his massive dragon body instantly shrank, turning into a faint golden light that continued to fly toward the Eternal Continent.

In the blink of an eye, the Eternal Continent was before them. Beneath the mist-shrouded mountains and rivers, a towering giant city stood between heaven and earth—the Eternal City.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived," Ao Fei, Dragon Clan Young Master's voice was low and respectful.

The Eternal Heavenly Emperor's gaze narrowed slightly as he said calmly, "After entering the city, go straight to the City Lord's Manor. Inform me when the residence is in sight."

"Yes," Ao Fei, Dragon Clan Young Master replied, his figure flashing like a stream of light as he traveled through the air above the streets of the Eternal City.

Meanwhile, inside the main hall of the Eternal God Manor, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Seated upon the main throne was a woman of elegant bearing—Zhou Shuhui.

The current ruler of the Eternal Continent and the former Empress of the previous Heavenly Emperor, she wore a pale gold long dress with a jade belt around her waist, which accentuated her full and graceful figure, making her appear all the more dignified and opulent.

Her face was extremely beautiful, her skin as delicate as snow, yet her features held a hint of coldness and majesty. However, at this moment, her gaze was mixed with a trace of anger and resentment.

"Lu Tianchen," she spoke coldly, her voice as piercing as ice, "you have defied my wishes time and again. Just what is the meaning of this?"

In the center of the hall stood a man in ink-colored robes with his hands behind his back; it was Lu Tianchen. He had a handsome face, but his brow carried an air of arrogance, and the corners of his mouth were curled in a slight, disdainful smile.

"Sister-in-Law, do you still not understand my meaning?" he said unhurriedly, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "I want to be the Eternal Lord of the Eternal Continent."

Zhou Shuhui's gaze darkened as she sneered, "You're dreaming. This position of Eternal Lord belongs to me, Zhou Shuhui. In the future, it will also belong to my son, Xiao Feng."

Lu Tianchen let out a mocking laugh, and the aura around him suddenly exploded. Nine Supreme Heavenly Mandates circled his body, and a vast immortal power swept through the entire hall, causing the expressions of many Elders to change slightly.

"Sister-in-Law, your strength is too low; you only have six Supreme Heavenly Mandates. Whereas I..." He slowly raised his hand, brilliant immortal light swirling around his fingertips, "have nine. What do you have to fight me with?"

Zhou Shuhui's face became increasingly unsightly as she gritted her teeth and said, "Lu Tianchen, do not forget how well your brother treated you back then. Without his cultivation, it would have been impossible for you to condense nine Supreme Heavenly Mandates. And now, you want to seize my position as Eternal Lord?"

"I do this for the future of the Lu family," Lu Tianchen said arrogantly, his eyes flashing with ambition. "Only I can lead the Lu family back to glory."

Zhou Shuhui snorted coldly, "Even if I agreed, the Eternal Heavenly Emperor would not. Any continental lord must be appointed by the Eternal Heavenly Emperor."

Lu Tianchen waved his hand dismissively, "As for the Eternal Heavenly Emperor's side, I will go and speak to him myself."

Zhou Shuhui's heart tightened. Her gaze swept over the Elders on both sides of the hall, her voice carrying a hint of entreaty: "Elders, Grand Elder, what about you? What is your stance?"

The hall fell into a dead silence.

Most of the Elders were expressionless and remained silent. Most of them were surnamed Lu and were originally from Lu Tianchen's lineage. To the small number of Elders with different surnames, it did not matter who the Eternal Lord was, as long as they could receive their Spirit Stones on time every month, they would recognize whoever was in charge.

Only a mere few Elders spoke up to support Zhou Shuhui, but their voices were quickly drowned out. Their numbers were too few and their strength too low; they simply could not stir up any waves.

Zhou Shuhui clenched her fists so hard her nails nearly dug into her palms, a deep sense of helplessness rising in her heart.

And right at that moment, outside the hall, a low and majestic voice suddenly rang out—

"The position of Eternal Lord—since when was it your turn to decide?"

Everyone's heart jolted, and they snapped their heads around to look.

Lu Yufeng stepped through the doorway with his hands behind his back, his entire body radiating an unparalleled pressure, as if the entire world was surrendering to his arrival.