Chapter 41: The Human Emperor's Inheritance (Part 2)

From the ninefold heavens above down to the blazing earth below, the Nine Sovereigns of Humanity endure, and their legacy continues once more.

Fierce gales raged, whipping up torrents of yellow sand into twisting, dragon-like columns that danced wildly through the air, emitting a deafening roar. Teeming with battle intent, it seemed as though the very earth possessed an endless, fighting spirit.

The yellow sand surged like billowing waves, blotting out the sky.

All around was a barren wasteland, utterly devoid of any trace of life. Only the endless yellow sand and the firmament reflected one another, weaving a desolate yet magnificent tapestry.

High above, the countless stars shone with dazzling brilliance. Like ancient guardians, they looked down in silent watch over this dormant land, radiating a mystical and profound light.

Beneath the feet, the yellow sand was fine and soft, leaving deep footprints with every step, only for the howling winds to instantly erase them. It was as if time had lost all meaning here, and everything had fallen into an eternal cycle of reincarnation. The air was filled with a distinct earthy scent—the intertwined aroma of the earth and the gale—which stimulated the senses and involuntarily drew one into this desolate yet breathtaking scene.

In this barren realm, the stars and the yellow sand jointly wove a picture that was both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring.

Beneath the desert, an aura of dead silence quietly spread, like a silent whisper of nature, while the sky overhead resembled a sea of hope, studded with sparkling and glowing stars.

Stars streaked across the upper firmament, each passage accompanied by an incomparable shock and power. That force spiraled through the air like a giant dragon, its scales flashing with a cold glint. Though no dragon roar could be heard, its majestic momentum was enough to shake the human soul. And those stars were like the giant dragon’s eyes—deep and bright—watching every inch of the land below, bearing witness to the changes and eternity of this place.

Just then, a gale of unprecedented magnitude surged from the edge of the horizon. Carrying the dust-filled sky, it raged recklessly across the vast, boundless desert like a roaring beast.

At the center of the storm, an invisible force guided a series of distant, ancient bell chimes. The chimes crossed the howling winds and the sand that veiled the heavens.

The tolling was deep and solemn, carrying a majesty hailing from antiquity that brooked no resistance. It was not merely the transmission of sound, but rather a call of the soul—a power capable of piercing through the shackles of time and space.

Wherever the chimes reached, the fierce winds seemed to tremble, and the yellow sand gradually subsided, as if all dust was purified in that single moment. Even the air became imbued with a fresh and sacred aura. It not only awakened the slumbering nature spirits of this barren land, but also touched the most primitive awe and yearning deep within every living creature's heart.

As the bell chimes continued to echo, the previously rampaging yellow sand all around began to slowly coalesce in an incredible manner. Smoothed as if by an invisible giant hand, they gradually revealed their true forms: one after another, ancient and mysterious dune statues quietly took shape under the starlight.

These statues varied in form: some resembled majestic deities holding scepters with profound gazes; others were like docile beasts crouching on the ground, their eyes revealing endless piety; and still others looked like ancient warriors clad in battle armor, with their swords pointing toward the firmament, as though ever ready to fight in defense of this land.

"The Five Saints gather, holding sacred artifacts high in the air, their gazes converging on the grand hall."

"This... this is the mausoleum of the Human Emperor!"

"Human Emperor... the Ninefold Severity."

Lisa retreated step by step, staring at Ye Zhong in sheer disbelief. For she knew well that the lineage of the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity had been severed way back before the pre-era of the Dragon Kingdom. Yet now, it had been found by her teacher. That disbelief, cold and heavy as a sudden hailstone in the dead of winter, crashed fiercely against her heart, leaving her barely able to breathe.

"How can this be?" Lisa repeated the question countless times in her mind. According to the ancient history she knew, the name of the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity had long been sealed away alongside the pre-era of the Dragon Kingdom.

Yet, Ye Zhong presented her with an unquestionable truth—the tomb of the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity had actually been found by him.

Furthermore, the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity stood at the very pinnacle of the Human Emperors, ranking as the foremost of the Six Ancient Emperors. He was the supreme powerhouse who single-handedly governed the Northern Mausoleum Divine Prefecture. His light-attribute martial divine power was one of the purest among the Human Emperors, second only to the Dragon Emperor himself.

The Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity—this name was not merely an echo of history; he was the supreme existence standing at the summit among the Six Ancient Emperors. He was the peerless expert who swept across the Northern Mausoleum Divine Prefecture by his own might, making countless powerhouses bow in submission. He was the legendary great figure capable of shaking the heavens and earth and rewriting destiny by himself. His existence was like a deity in ancient mythology—distant and mysterious, inspiring awe in all who heard of him.

The metal-attribute and light-attribute martial divine powers he possessed were strengths that countless martial artists dreamed of. That was a power pure to the extreme, almost capable of touching the origin of heaven and earth. It was the purest Human Emperor power beneath the Dragon Emperor, warm and powerful like the first ray of dawn, capable of banishing darkness and illuminating the path forward, while also capable of erupting with world-destroying might at critical moments.

What was even more astonishing was that his mastery over the metal-attribute martial divine power had reached the realm of perfection. He could freely condense it into weapons of various forms—whether it was a razor-sharp golden sword or a thick and sturdy metal shield, they took shape instantly at his will, adding a few points of extraordinary combat flair to his demeanor.

In Lisa's mind, vivid images involuntarily surfaced: Back in that distant ancient era, the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity donned golden armor, wielding a dazzling divine weapon, moving through millions of troops as if entering an uninhabited realm. Every sweep of his sword was accompanied by a metallic, booming resonance, and every step he took made the mountains and rivers tremble. What a magnificent and heroic posture, what an awe-inspiring might across the lands!

A complex smile appeared on Ye Zhong's face, carrying both helplessness and deep expectations. He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "As your master, I understand the doubts and reluctance in your heart. But how could the matter of this inheritance be easily accomplished? It is not a simple handover ceremony; rather, it requires the inheritor to possess sufficient strength, wisdom, and indomitable will. The position of the Human Emperor symbolizes supreme glory and power, but it also bears heavy responsibilities and sacrifices."

His emotions gradually turned heavy, his brows locked in a deep frown as if the weight of the entire world rested upon his shoulders: "Even so, we cannot abandon hope. The current situation is fraught with danger, with alien races stirring restlessly, and the human race teetering in the storm. With every additional Human Emperor, there is an extra measure of strength to guard our homeland, an extra glimmer of hope to combat the darkness. Even if this attempt might end in failure, even if this path is filled with unknowns and hardships, as your master, I am willing to risk everything. Even if it costs me all I have, I will protect you and grant you the chance to touch that seemingly out-of-reach dream."

Lisa listened quietly to Ye Zhong's words. In her eyes, there was no resentment, no grievance—only profound understanding and steadfastness. She knew that the Human Emperor inheritance was not merely the transfer of power, but the continuation of responsibility and mission. That experiment back then had injected Human Emperor genes into human bodies, bringing mortal physique infinitely closer to that of the Human Emperor to make the inheritance process smoother. Yet, how could the physique of a Human Emperor ever be something mere mortals could easily touch? It could be said that everyone involved in that experiment back then went into it with a fatalistic resolve, because the success rate of that experiment was a mere 0.01%.

She softly said, "Master, I have never blamed anyone. From the moment I stepped onto the path of cultivation, I knew this road was destined to be rugged. No matter how perilous the path ahead, I will walk it without looking back—for the sake of the human race, and for the conviction burning in my heart. If this is destiny's test for me, then I am willing to accept it. No matter the outcome, I will give it my all."

"Although that experiment ended in failure, the genes of quite a few Human Emperors miraculously took root and sprouted within my body, endowing me with extraordinary potential and power. This power is both a blessing and a responsibility. It has made me even more steadfast in my path, vowing to contribute everything I have to the future of the human race."

"Should I fail once more, I shall have no regrets."

Ye Zhong nodded slightly in agreement, then took steady, unhurried steps toward Lisa. When he finally stopped right in front of her, he extended his right index finger and gently touched the center of Lisa's jade-white forehead. A faint glow flickered at his fingertip, followed by the gradual emergence of a mysterious and intricate rune, which branded itself deeply into the center of her forehead.

Lisa widened her eyes, watching in utter astonishment as the wondrous changes unfolded within her body. She felt an incomparably powerful force surging through her entire being like a roaring torrent. At the same time, she clearly perceived that her previously tranquil mental sea began to churn violently, expanding and extending outward. Within a mere fleeting moment, it had expanded by more than three times!

This sudden surge of formidable power left Lisa both excited and somewhat uneasy. She couldn't help but ask, "What on earth is this? Why do I suddenly feel my whole body brimming with such astonishing power? And why has my mental sea expanded by this much all at once?"

Facing Lisa's gaze, filled with doubt and curiosity, a gratified and gentle smile slowly bloomed on Ye Zhong's weathered face. Leaning slightly forward, he lowered his voice to a mere whisper, as if fearing someone nearby might eavesdrop:

"I have intentionally carved the Human Emperor Mark into your body. This miraculous mark is no ordinary thing! It serves a vitally important purpose. When you undergo the Human Emperor inheritance, the surging, boundless torrent of immense power might prove a bit too much for you to handle. But with this Human Emperor Mark, it is entirely different. It will help you shoulder a very substantial portion of that pressure, preventing your body and soul from suffering damage due to an inability to bear the immense load. Moreover, anyone bearing a Human Emperor Mark—regardless of which Human Emperor left it behind—will inherently possess a much higher probability of being chosen as the inheritor of a new generation of Human Emperors compared to those without it. Additionally, there is one very special aspect: your body already contains the genes of the Human Emperor Shenhe. According to ancient records, the Human Emperor Shenhe and the Human Emperor of the Ninefold Severity were once an enviable, divine couple. Therefore, this Human Emperor Mark, combined with your Human Emperor genes, is truly a most precious and rare gift for you!"

With these words, Ye Zhong smilingly raised a hand and gently patted Lisa's slightly slender shoulder, as if wishing to offer her further encouragement and support through this small gesture.

Deeply moved by Ye Zhong's sincere and fervent intentions, Lisa nodded and then took a firm step forward, walking deeper into the realm.

However, as she ventured further in, she discovered that it was completely devoid of the gloomy, terrifying, and hair-raising atmosphere she had imagined. Instead, what met her eyes was a scene of dazzling splendor! Brilliant, captivating light shone from all directions, adorning the entire space like a fantastical palace. The exquisite decorations and magnificent furnishings all conveyed an incomparable sense of luxury and nobility.

Lisa could not help stopping in her tracks with a start of surprise. Opening her eyes wide, she carefully took in the sight before her. At that very moment, the fear that had previously filled her heart had vanished entirely, replaced by boundless strength and infinite hope for the future.

At this critical juncture, Lisa's heart stirred sharply. As if guided by an invisible force, she subconsciously turned her head, her gaze piercing through countless rays of golden light as she eagerly searched for that familiar and warm figure. Finally, she saw Ye Zhong, who had always silently guarded her from behind.

At this moment, Ye Zhong was standing not far away, the golden light washing over him to outline a golden silhouette. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly in a faint smile—a smile as genial as a spring breeze and as warm as the winter sun, bringing a profound sense of reassurance and comfort. He raised his hand and gently waved at Lisa, his gesture soft yet resolute, as if transmitting silent encouragement and support.

Lisa gazed quietly at Ye Zhong's smiling face, while a nameless, poignant ache welled up unbidden in her heart. This sensation surged like a tide, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

"Master..." Lisa murmured softly, the endearment slipping easily from her lips. Though her voice was so low only she could hear it, at that moment, it felt as though countless words were clamoring to burst forth from the depths of her heart, striving to express the unique and complex emotions she held for her master.

Within this emotion lay gratitude for years of guidance, reverence for his care, and that lingering trace of reliance and attachment. It was like a colorful piece of candy—sweet yet intoxicating.