Chapter 281: Chapter 1 The Era of Prominent Families

“`

“Congratulations! For driving back the Evil God ‘Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor’!

“Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1, Choice Reward Quantity +1, Existing Base Attributes +1, Existing Additional Attributes +1.”

“Universal Special Skill Card +1, Self-Resurrection Times +1, Lifespan +100, Eastern Peak Tai Shan Mansion’s Divine Imprint +1, Selectable Reward Count +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas Proficiency Gift Pack +1.”

“You may choose any 1+1 items from the following rewards.”

“①Be the Sun once: Transform into the sun, unleashing light and heat that illuminates the entire world, dispersing darkness and evil with the power of pure yang for a duration of fifteen minutes.”

“②One Hit Kill once: Designate any living creature; if struck, it will surely be killed.”

“③Open Door once: Determine a location, you can open a door and return there anytime and anywhere, you can change this place at any time, ignoring any seals, bans, and other obstructions, regardless of any spatial distance.”

A series of reward notifications echoed in his mind, which could be described as another “reward overload.”

However, this was not Zhou Heng’s first experience.

His heart had grown much calmer.

After a brief contemplation, he directly dismissed the second option, choosing the first and third options instead.

The reason was simple—

While the designated one-hit kill looked powerful, in theory, even Divine First Rank beings, and even the legendary immortals, could be killed.

But there was a fatal restriction—it required a hit and connection.

This was practically impossible against enemies far stronger than himself.

It was somewhat of a white elephant.

With that, the multiple-choice question naturally became much easier.

The first option could be used as a last resort against foes head-on.

After all, transforming into the sun and illuminating the whole world with light and heat could not possibly be weak.

Zhou Heng had encountered the third option before, but at the time he felt it overlapped somewhat with the Life-saving Talisman, so he did not choose it.

But being trapped in the Cave Sky world this time made him realize that it was quite different from the Life-saving Talisman.

If he had the Open Door at that time, he could have easily left.

By the time Zhou Heng had chosen his rewards, the power of the Ziwei Star Palace had almost completely faded.

He took advantage of the last bit of energy, transferring people like Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen, who were still in that Cave Sky world, out. He then refined that Cave Sky into a green treasure pearl, capturing it in his hand, and the entire person disappeared without a trace.

The purple qi rising in the sky gradually dissipated, and the bright starlight of the Milky Way also dimmed, and the Zhongzhou Imperial City, which had just experienced a tremendous change, finally regained its former calm.

The multitude of people were in a daze, feeling as if their previous experiences were like a dream.

…

Zhou Heng, using the last of the remaining power of the Ziwei Star Palace, took care of the outside world and then chose to return to the Purple Tenuity Palace.

After all, he was now the mysterious Ziwei Master.

If he were to remove his mask in full view of the public, revealing Zhou Heng’s visage, it would directly announce his hidden identity to the world.

Although it might not cause any significant impact on him now, due to his personal habits, he still felt it was better to remain hidden for as long as possible.

“`

There’s no harm in it.

Upon this return to the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng distinctly felt a difference from before, the starlight passage was wider and smoother, and even the chanting of the treasure decree sounded much clearer.

Especially after stepping onto what was originally the Purple Aura Cloud Platform, this feeling became even more pronounced. The world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resided seemed to have expanded greatly; many things had undergone earth-shattering changes.

No, it should no longer be called the Purple Aura Cloud Platform.

Because the rising purple mist that originally connected to the starlight passage had actually condensed into a real pavilion, suspended in the void, one end connected to the starlight passage, the other to the Starlight Bridge.

And below the Starlight Bridge, it was no longer just emptiness; the majestic river of starlight flowed beneath the bridge, containing countless galaxies within, endless profundities.

It resembled a sea of stars.

This was the evolution of the starlight river that had flowed around the mountains.

Since the starlight river had become a sea, the mountains that were previously surrounded by the star river naturally also expanded into continuous mountain ranges. The continent that supported these mountains was a vast land floating above the sea of stars.

The Purple Tenuity Palace was no longer on the mountain, but rather suspended in the sky, situated within the surging purple mist, guarded by layers of starlight from all sides, appearing even more mysterious and noble.

These changes were really too vast.

If it weren’t for the familiar aura of the Purple Tenuity Palace and the Zhou Tian star chart, Zhou Heng would have doubted whether he had entered through the wrong gate.

At the same time, he realized that in this world, he seemed to possess the ability to harness the heaven and earth’s vital energy and even some of the laws.

What specific level it was, he couldn’t yet determine, but it shouldn’t be less than that of an ordinary Secret Six Rank.

Zhou Heng understood that this was not his own power, but the authority given to him by the position of Ziwei Master.

It could only be used in this world where the Purple Tenuity Palace existed.

However, this made his actions a lot more convenient.

After all, Secret Six Rank individuals were capable of flight, and it was more convenient to fly to the Purple Tenuity Palace, now a floating city.

Just as Zhou Heng was about to fly on the clouds, he found he didn’t know any techniques for soaring through the clouds.

——The ability of a Secret Six Rank martial artist to tread the air and fly was not an innate ability that came with the breakthrough of their realm, but was achieved through various special secret techniques or martial arts, such as Cloud Soaring Technique, Cloud Turning Technique, Rainbow Light Technique, Object Commanding Technique, collectively referred to as “Flying Heaven Technique.”

If one had not cultivated a Flying Heaven Technique, even with the cultivation of Secret Six Rank, they would still be unable to fly.

“Luckily, I’ve practiced the Sword Control Technique before, and I have a Flying Sword Treasure Soldier,” Zhou Heng said to himself.

Zhou Heng opened his mouth and spat out a Purple Sword Pill. Using the Sword Control Technique, he expanded the sword’s radiance, enveloping his entire body, and started to levitate unsteadily into the air.

Authentic sword flight involved using sword light to lift oneself off the ground and at the highest levels one could even unify with the sword light, transforming into it to enter the blue sky.

That method of transforming a treasure sword into the size of a door plank to stand on and fly was actually a form of the Object Commanding Technique.

It just so happened that this “object” was a sword.

Zhou Heng was still very unskilled with the method of sword flight, and it took him a while to steady himself in the air, wavering back and forth.

Purple sword light swirled around his body, accompanied by flashes of electric light.

With a single thought, he soared into the sky and in an instant crossed layers of starlight, passed through the surging purple mist, and arrived in front of the even grander and more splendid Purple Tenuity Palace.

Originally, in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace there was a plaza carved out on the mountaintop.

But now, with the Purple Tenuity Palace enshrouded in purple mist and surrounded by stars, the former rocky plaza had naturally disappeared, yet in its place had formed a spacious purple-golden plaza with stars embedded within, very magnificent.

Especially as Zhou Heng approached, this purple-golden plaza immediately burst forth with brilliance, with each embedded star shining brightly, radiating dazzling, incredibly splendid light.

“`

It was as if they were welcoming Zhou Heng’s return.

Standing before the Purple Tenuity Palace, The Supreme and Celestial Law sensed Zhou Heng’s arrival, both hurried forward.

“Greetings, Master of the Ziwei Star.”

Both The Supreme and Celestial Law bowed respectfully to greet him, their attitude even more reverent than before.

In fact, the two Celestial Men had always been quite respectful towards Zhou Heng, yet this time Zhou Heng clearly felt a change in their demeanor.

“Is it because I previously summoned the projection of the Ziwei Star Palace and possessed the Celestial Power of the Ziwei star energy for a short time, or is it because I brought significant changes to the Purple Tenuity Palace?” Zhou Heng speculated in his heart.

However, outwardly, he remained composed and smiled, “I have seen both seniors, the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resides seems to have become even grander and more wondrous.”

“This is the blessing of the Star Master on the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer,” The Supreme said with some emotion. “Your earlier display of divine might, it overturned heaven and earth here, both Celestial Law and I were inexpressibly amazed.”

“The divine skills of the Star Master are indeed vast.” Celestial Law, typically parsimonious with words, also felt utterly astonished this time; the change in the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resided was well beyond his and The Supreme’s expectations.

“The Purple Tenuity Palace becoming stronger is a good thing for us all,” said Zhou Heng with a slight smile, before adding, “Seniors, actually I do have some doubts I’d like to consult about.”

“Please, Star Master, speak,” both The Supreme and Celestial Law nodded, without refusal or evasiveness.

“What exactly happened during the Battle of Tianyang?” Zhou Heng asked in a deep voice.

This had always puzzled him, why so many forces were so secretive about that battle, and why it was as hard as ascending to heaven for martial artists of the Lower Third Rank to find any relevant information.

“…” The Supreme and Celestial Law fell into a brief silence, exchanging glances before The Supreme finally asked, “What aspect would the Star Master like to know about?”

“Everything you know,” Zhou Heng replied straightforwardly.

“Very well,” The Supreme nodded slightly and said, “Actually, with the Star Master’s rate of progress, you would soon understand on your own. So, it is no harm to tell you now.”

Following this, the Celestial Power began to narrate various pieces of information about the Battle of Tianyang, and Zhou Heng was finally able to unravel some of the mysteries behind this major event.

According to The Supreme’s description—

The cause of the Battle of Tianyang was actually a conspiracy between the Central Dynasty and the Sects, a joint effort to deal with the noble families.

This was entirely unlike any of Zhou Heng’s previous speculations.

After all, whether it be Da Qi or the Southern Jin or Northern Zhou, the power of the noble families was not strong; the vast majority were weaker than the Sects, and even depended on the Empire for support.

Could it be that the noble families before the Battle of Tianyang were so powerful that they required a combined effort from the Central Dynasty and the Sects to confront them?

It was somewhat inconceivable.

Moreover, an esteemed figure had mentioned that after the Middle Ancient period, it should have been an era where the Central Dynasty dominated the world, and the noble families flourished, an era where the collective strength of the Human Race surpassed that of the past.

Could there be a discrepancy in information?

As The Supreme continued, Zhou Heng learned that in the two thousand years between the end of the Age of Saints in the Middle Ancient period and before the Battle of Tianyang, it truly was an era dominated by the noble families.

In the Age of Saints of the Middle Ancient period, amongst the divine ranks of the world, besides the Nine Saints, top Martial Dao Sects like the Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, Jia Ye Temple, and Infinite Temple, there were about fifteen or sixteen Divine First Rank present.

Yet by the end of the Middle Ancient period, three of the Saints went mad mysteriously, losing their reason and wreaking havoc everywhere. The remaining Six Saints intervened to stop them, leading to a grand battle.

This war not only led to the destruction of hundreds of families and the closing of academic institutions but also affected many Sects. Divine First Rank from the Lotus Platform Temple, Jia Ye Temple, and Upper Clarity Dao perished, leading to the sealing of their Sect gates.

The then Tao Lord of the Pure Yang Palace, who was the fourth-generation leader, sustained severe injuries and nearly succumbed to them.

He survived with the help of the third-generation leader.

However, after that, he became disheartened, and after ordering the sealing of the Sect gates, he passed on the position of leader to his disciple, which was Zhou Heng’s nominal master, the fifth-generation leader of the Pure Yang Palace.

“`

After this series of vicissitudes, the number of saints between heaven and earth drastically dwindled.

Only one Dream Saint remained, along with a mere handful of Divine First Ranks from Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, Temple of Heavenly Moon, and the like.

Besides the Dream Saint, the other saintly beings of the various sects had all closed their mountain gates, not setting foot in the mortal world.

Thus, the Dream Saint became the only saint left in the world.

After giving lectures, the Dream Saint entered nirvana, but His disciples did not follow His will to widely spread the divine skills of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints to all living beings; instead, they kept them within their own families, secret and unannounced.

At that time, transmission of numerous lineages ceased, scholastic institutions were destroyed, the great Martial Dao Sects closed off their mountains, and the countries of the world were engulfed in flames of war.

Those who held the core inheritances of the Nine Saints took the opportunity to gather forces, propagate their progeny, and over time, formed one large family after another.

Moreover, within less than a thousand years thereafter, a staggering twelve Divine First Ranks emerged, corresponding to the same number of top-ranking families.

The Twelve Ancient Families suppressed all nations, unified the realm, and propped up a puppet Central Dynasty to act as their common representative.

In truth, the inner circle of the Five Emperors wasn’t wrong; the Central Dynasty did indeed dominate an era because there were twelve Divine First Ranks standing behind it!

This could be called the most powerful force since the ancient times, unparalleled.

Even if significant sects such as the Pure Yang Palace, the Taixu Viewpoint, and the Infinite Temple opened their gates and re-entered the mortal world, they could not compare, and the world truly entered the era of the dominating family clans.

In that era, the grand families truly held everything in their hands.

The situation of the sects was totally different from today; back then, apart from the top Martial Dao Sects that managed to maintain independence, the majority of sects had become nothing more than branches for training or testing the youths of these grand families.

Furthermore, some medium or even weaker sects could only survive by attaching themselves to the grand families, or else they would soon be swallowed by other powers affiliated with these families.

In that era, the descendants of the Twelve Ancient Families were absolute nobility wherever they went, and even when facing disciples from Pure Yang Palace or Taixu Viewpoint, they also maintained their noble demeanor.

Not just the grand families – even the youth from medium or ordinary families dared to be arrogant and flaunt their martial prowess before the disciples of the top Martial Dao Sects.

In the world at that time, it was even said that becoming an ordinary apprentice within the Twelve Ancient Families was better than being a true disciple of a great Martial Dao Sect like Pure Yang Palace or Taixu Viewpoint.

The prevailing attitude of that time was evident.

As for the outwardly glorious Central Dynasty, it was in fact incredibly wretched; every Zhao Family head, each holding the position of emperor in the Central Dynasty, had a very short lifespan.

This was a rule set by the Twelve Ancient Families.

The emperor must die after a reigning for a hundred years, and it was not a charade or pretense, but a true, required death.

No matter their cultivation level or realm.

Even if at the peak of the Fourth Rank, they too had to die after a hundred years.

Because the Twelve Families would rotate the leadership benefits, taking the emperor’s change of terms as the interval.

Every hundred years, a change would take place.

This was genuinely an emperor’s turn to rule, with my family taking over after a century.

Thus, for four hundred years since the establishment of the Central Dynasty, it had seen four generations of emperors, each dying a violent death, with each reign lasting only a century.

Until eight hundred years before the Battle of Tianyang.

The Central Dynasty and the world welcomed a new era, and there appeared a reign name that lasted for eight hundred years without change.

Taiyang!