Chapter 422: Meeting of the Younger Generation, Greatest Generation in the History of the Mortal World

At this time, in the Central Continent.

Deep beneath the earth, hidden behind layer upon layer of ancient formations, there existed a secret realm that had remained isolated from the outside world for countless years.

The Spirit Qi within this place was exceptionally dense, ancient Dao patterns covered the surrounding walls, and countless restrictions intertwined throughout the void, completely isolating this region from the outside world’s perception.

Even a Half Immortal would have difficulty discovering the existence of this place without deliberately searching for it.

Within the deepest part of the secret realm stood an enormous underground palace.

The main hall stretched across thousands of meters.

Yet, despite its enormous size, the atmosphere inside was incomparably quiet.

Dozens of figures were scattered throughout the hall, some cultivating and some simply pondering in a corner.

They were all extremely young compared to the ancient existences of the Lower Realm, however, every single one of them possessed an aura that could shake the heavens.

Wang Daoyun was sitting near the center of the hall, a sword constantly hovering around him.

His black robes were spotless, and his handsome face carried a calmness that seemed to have been tempered through countless battles.

Beside him sat the Heavenly Feather Crimson Monarch, Jiang Chengxuan, and Jiang Ruyin.

Not far from them were the Unrivaled Fist God, Lin Xiaoxiao, Yao Qiuyue, and several other figures whose names had long since become famous throughout the Second Great Mortal World.

These people represented the supreme geniuses of the younger generation in the current era.

They were the heirs and heiresses of the sixteen remaining major factions, the successors of ancient Dao lineages, descendants of powerful Rogue Cultivators, and the most dazzling prodigies born in the Second Great Mortal World in countless years.

Even the weakest among them had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

As for Wang Daoyun, Jiang Chengxuan, Ying Qingshuang, and the Unrivaled Fist God, they had already stepped into the Immortal Ascension Realm, with Jiang Chengxuan being the strongest among them.

Such cultivation would have been enough to shake the entire cultivation world in any previous era, yet now, none of them possessed even the slightest trace of pride.

The atmosphere within the palace was heavy.

No one spoke for a long time.

The upcoming Cleansing was like an enormous mountain pressing down upon everyone’s hearts.

After a long silence, the Unrivaled Fist God finally broke the suffocating silence.

His massive body leaned against a pillar supporting the hall, his thick eyebrows tightly knitted together.

"What do you all think about the upcoming catastrophe?"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet within the silent hall, it seemed particularly heavy.

No one answered immediately.

The Unrivaled Fist God wasn’t someone who liked beating around the bush.

He had asked the question because everyone present already knew the answer.

They had only fifty years.

Fifty years to prepare for an army of Immortals and Gods descending from the Upper Realm, to grow stronger, and to decide whether they would live or die.

Jiang Chengxuan slowly raised his eyes, speaking in a calm tone.

"We cannot avoid it."

The moment those words fell, everyone’s attention turned towards him.

Although Wang Daoyun had greater talent and background than him, Jiang Chengxuan was the oldest among the younger generation present, and his cultivation was also the strongest currently.

More importantly, his prestige had been accumulated through countless years of battles and experiences, and Wang Daoyun himself considered Jiang Chengxuan an older brother.

Even the other supreme prodigies were willing to listen when he spoke.

Jiang Chengxuan began to speak.

"Whether we flee or remain here, there is only one outcome if we don’t possess sufficient strength: Death."

The atmosphere became even heavier at his words.

He continued.

"Those who intend to flee may perhaps escape the Second Great Mortal World, but where can they go? The Myriad Worlds are vast, but the Upper Realm is even more unfathomable. If the Immortals and Gods truly intend to cleanse the Lower Realm, do you think they will allow us to simply escape?"

No one answered.

They all knew that Jiang Chengxuan was right, undoubtedly so.

The Upper Realm wasn’t merely some powerful faction or foreign world trying to invade them, it was where beings from their own world ascended to after reaching the pinnacle, a world countless times stronger than the Lower Realm.

The beings who resided there had existed for countless millions of years, possessing means that mortals like them could not even imagine.

Even if they escaped into the Myriad Worlds, they could not guarantee that they would remain hidden forever.

Furthermore, their roots were here, their families were here, their sects were here, their ancestors had died here, their Dao had been established here.

Everything they had ever known was in the Lower Realm.

Abandoning everything and fleeing was indeed a viable option.

But... could they really abandon it?

Jiang Chengxuan’s gaze swept across everyone.

"Besides, we are not ordinary cultivators, we are the greatest generation of the Second Great Mortal World, the greatest generation ever witnessed since the Divine Sovereign’s era. We are the future of this world."

His expression gradually became sharper, his words hitting a soft spot inside everyone’s Dao Hearts.

For years, their generation has been called the most brilliant generation in the history of the Mortal World, especially in recent years after the emergence of Tian Yongheng.

They were the most powerful geniuses, the generation with the greatest chance of producing Immortal Gods, and not just any Immortal Gods, but the kind who could stir up waves in the Upper Realm.

"Then tell me..."

Jiang Chengxuan continued speaking, his eyes becoming incomparably solemn.

"Are we going to become the first generation in history to flee before the enemy even arrives?"

The hall became completely silent.

The words spoken were simple, but they struck directly at everyone’s Dao Heart.

The Unrivaled Fist God’s eyes gradually brightened, the Heavenly Feather Crimson Monarch’s fingers clenched her fist, Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze, while Yao Qiuyue’s expression became solemn.

Wang Daoyun remained silent, however, a faint golden light flashed within his eyes, the divine sword by his side letting out a joyful cry.

Jiang Chengxuan slowly stood up.

"We don’t know how powerful the Immortal army will be, whether the Eternal Lord can truly break through before they arrive, or if the Lower Realm can survive even if he does. In fact, we don’t even know whether we ourselves can live another fifty years, but there is one thing we know, and that is, we have to become as strong as possible. We must cultivate as though our lives depend on it, because they literally do."

Jiang Chengxuan’s voice was incredibly firm, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

A profound silence descended upon the grand hall.

Just then, the Unrivaled Fist God let out a small laugh.

"Well said!"

His voice, although not loud, still boomed across the hall like a roar of thunder.

He suddenly stood up, his enormous fists clenched tightly, a terrifying Fist Intent sweeping across the entire secret realm.

"If the Upper Realm wants to kill us, then I’ll first make them see whether their fists are harder than mine!"

Although he was not a reckless person and certainly no fool, this time, this heir of the Hidden Xun Immortal Family was truly angered.

The path of a Body Cultivator was to break all rules with one punch; how could he accept being treated as livestock casually harvested by the Upper Realm?

Even if he had to die, he would die on his own terms, not anyone else’s!

His words seemed to ignite the faltering Dao Hearts of everyone else.

The Heavenly Feather Crimson Monarch nodded, her expression solemn.

"I’m a Vermilion Bird nurtured by Kunlun Divine Mountain, long since considering it my home. If I flee now, how would I face my ancestors who sacrificed themselves for Kunlun, for this world?"

Yao Qiuyue sighed, a complex emotion flashing past her eyes.

"I don’t think fifty years is enough to become an Immortal, but becoming stronger by one realm should still be possible considering the recent changes of heaven and earth."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded.

"Indeed."

One person after another spoke up.

Their voices were not particularly loud, but with every sentence, the oppressive atmosphere inside the palace gradually weakened.

The fear hadn’t disappeared, of course; none of them were fools. They understood how terrifying the Upper Realm was and how insignificant their current cultivation was compared to genuine Immortals and Gods.

Even if they cultivated desperately for fifty years, there was no guarantee they could survive.

But fear was not the same as surrender.

Their Dao Hearts had already been tempered through countless trials.

If they were people who easily surrendered to fate, they would never have reached their current heights.

Wang Daoyun finally spoke.

"We don’t need to think about surviving the Cleansing right now."

His words caused everyone to look towards his direction.

He calmly said.

"We only need to think about becoming stronger. After all, until the day the Upper Realm truly descends, no one can know what will happen. Perhaps, there will be an unexpected variable."

His gaze briefly shifted towards the ceiling of the underground palace.

Although the formations completely blocked their vision, it was as if he could see the endless heavens beyond them.

"The Eternal Lord himself is a variable that appeared in this era. The Cleansing was advanced by seventy million years, and our generation has emerged more brilliantly than ever before. All of these things happening together cannot be a coincidence."

His words caused several people to fall into contemplation.

Indeed, the current era was far too unusual.

The Lower Realm had existed for countless years, yet during this particular era, one extraordinary event after another had emerged.

It was almost as if the heavens themselves were deliberately pushing the entire era towards something.

But what?

No one could answer that question.

Jiang Chengxuan slowly nodded.

"Regardless, we cultivate."

"Yes."

"That’s all we can do."

The others similarly nodded.

At that moment, the Serene Night Sword Saintess, Ying Qingshuang, who had remained silent from beginning to end, suddenly opened her eyes.

Seven black swords constantly orbited around her, exuding a sharp Sword Intent capable of piercing through heaven and earth.

Her eyes were exceptionally calm, but the instant she spoke, the surrounding space seemed to tremble faintly.

"Have we contacted the younger generation of the Eternal Peak?"