# Chapter 4204: Yan Tingqiu
The star sea was tranquil, as if all sounds had vanished.
The gazes of the gods were fixed on the rapidly growing Time Jade Tree, as if it truly possessed life. Its white branches were so supple and slender. Upon closer inspection, one would discover that each branch was a Time Divine River stretching billions of miles, dense with rules and abundant with energy. One could truly hear the gurgling sound like flowing water. It was the tangible manifestation of time.
Above the jade tree hung the Ink Moon, enormous beyond measure, seemingly bearing the weight of billions of stars—capable of crushing all material things in the world if it fell. It absorbed the dark energy of heaven and earth, constantly emitting a heart-stopping aura.
Such was this tree, such was this moon, containing the origin of cosmic laws, pressing the Yellow Spring Star River back to its original spatial position.
The magnificent spectacle stirred the hearts of every cultivator.
"Whoosh!"
The Illusory Extinction Star Sea did not possess the sacred Dao charm of the Jade Tree and Ink Moon, but it was incomparably vast, forming a universe in its infancy, with countless massive and blazing stars flickering within.
Multicolored star mists drifted about, truly resembling a magnificent ocean.
The spatial fissures and spatial holes of the Yellow Spring Star River were being repaired as the star mist filled them, like stains being wiped away from paper and wrinkles being smoothed out.
This was a star sea derived from divine abilities—how could one not marvel, not be shaken, not bow in worship? The Second Confucian Ancestor looked down at his feet, finding himself already within the Illusory Extinction Star Sea. Lifting his head, he saw star mist swirling before him, dreamlike and illusory.
This star sea interfered with his spiritual connection to the outside world, blocking his progress in activating all the Heaven and Earth Altars.
The Second Confucian Ancestor was in no hurry to break through the Illusory Extinction Star Sea to continue activating the Heaven and Earth Altars. His gaze pierced across the star sea to the opposite shore.
The Life and Death Heavenly Venerable, clad in a Daoist robe, stepped on the void, slowly passing through the Jade Tree and Ink Moon, advancing step by step across the Illusory Extinction Star Sea.
His form and appearance changed accordingly, gradually returning to his original features. Still wearing that Daoist robe!
At this moment, he appeared so young, so robust, his gaze calm as an ancient well, yet conveying an unshakable will. How could such an immortal exist in this world? Only the term "Peerless Great Emperor" could describe him.
Behind him, within the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable's twenty-seven layers of heavenly realm worlds, an uproar had erupted, with excited and frenzied howls ringing out. The voices included Golden Lion Ancestor, Zangjin Baihu, Void Kun War God, and Xiao Hei.
Seemingly influenced by the atmosphere, Jie Tian also let out a roar, almost taking out that suona divine artifact to play.
These shouts and cries vented the joy and elation in their hearts, elevating morale to its peak.
If before this, they had harbored concerns and hesitation about fighting to the death against the Divine Realm, now, with just one word from Zhang Ruochen, even facing an Ancestor, they would charge forward fearlessly, ready to die.
Their blood had boiled; their battle intent had been ignited.
Even Murong Zhuzai had not anticipated such a situation, but he quickly made a decision, sending a telepathic message for the Divine Talisman Army and the Star Knight Legion to control the lit World Tree and move toward Zhang Ruochen's rear.
This was the true great enemy of the Divine Realm, a veritable Little Nether Ancestor. He must be stopped here today.
The moment the two World Trees showed movement, shouts of slaughter erupted from the twenty-seven layers of heavenly realms. Divine artifacts were activated, and the Chaos River surged, as if a horde of mad demons had been unleashed.
Such momentum and emotion were too intimidating; the two divine armies dared not act rashly for the moment.
Heavenly Mother had long since stabilized her form in the starry sky, gazing at the tall figure that had transformed back into Zhang Ruochen's appearance. Her expression shifted from surprise to gradual relief, and then a smile appeared on her face, which had been as unmelting as an iceberg for ten thousand years.
Thirty thousand years ago, she had been aware of Zhang Ruochen's plan to feign death and escape the chess game of the Immortal.
But how could Zhang Ruochen have had a hundred percent certainty back then? The danger involved was certainly a matter of life and death.
When Zhang Ruochen reversed his Dao techniques and self-destructed, the fluctuation was immense, witnessed by many powerful figures. At that time, although Heavenly Mother harbored a glimmer of hope and expectation, she felt more sorrow than anything else.
Thus, for thirty thousand years, the pressure on her had been enormous, and she had shouldered the heaviest burden. Otherwise, how could she be worthy of the Houtu wedding robe Zhang Ruochen had given her?
This era needed an Ancestor. With Zhang Ruochen and Hao Tian falling one after another, only she remained in the world!
Even when the Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm was taken, she still prioritized cultivation and breakthrough in realms above all else.
Until this moment, Heavenly Mother finally felt her shoulders lighten, as if a massive boulder pressing down on her had been mostly removed. The thin ice beneath her feet had become thicker, and she no longer had to worry about falling into a deadly ice cavern at any moment.
Heavenly Mother had never feared pressure, nor had she ever dreaded powerful enemies.
But who would refuse another person to share the burden?
Especially someone like Zhang Ruochen, who liked to share others' burdens.
Chi Yao walked past her, heading toward the Illusory Extinction Star Sea.
Within the twenty-seven layers of heavenly realm worlds, several others wanted to go together, but Yunshen Daozhu shouted them back.
Ancestor-level combat was no joke. Chi Yao could go because she possessed the strength to survive an Ancestor-level battle and would not become Zhang Ruochen's burden.
The Second Confucian Ancestor felt Zhang Ruochen's unparalleled aura—one that only those of the same level possessed. Admiration flickered in his eyes as he said, "So, the so-called death was a scheme set up by you and the Nether Ancestor faction?"
The Second Confucian Ancestor would naturally think this way.
Because Zhang Ruochen's death must have been carried out by the Nether Ancestor faction.
With the Corpse Demon's cultivation and wisdom, since they had made their move, how could they leave any hidden danger? How could they give Zhang Ruochen a chance to revive?
The only explanation was that Zhang Ruochen had cooperated with the Nether Ancestor faction! The goal was to lure the Divine Realm into the game.
Zhang Ruochen said, "If I, this Emperor, had truly cooperated with the Nether Ancestor faction, then the Minor Calamity launched by the Nether Ancestor at Biluo Pass would have already succeeded, and he would not have died in the Di Huang Universe. Confucian Ancestor, you only regard the Immortal as your opponent, believing that aside from the Immortal, all others are on the chessboard, everything under your control."
The Second Confucian Ancestor shook his head with a light sigh: "You are quite right. This old man underestimated the heroes of the world. Since it was not a joint scheme with the Nether Ancestor faction, then it must be the Wuji Divine Dao! What kind of Dao is your Wuji Divine Dao? Can it achieve immortality and eternity?"
"Immortality and eternity? It is merely... bearing the thoughts of all, not daring to die."
Zhang Ruochen's expression carried a hint of bitterness, as if recalling past events, then his gaze became resolute again, and he continued, "You speak of eternity, then let it be eternity. If I am not eternal, who is?"
At this moment, his aura and state of mind rose another notch. It was not because he had comprehended something new.
Rather, it was because he could finally return to his original appearance, finally stand in the world as "Zhang Ruochen," no longer fearing any existence.
From the day he obtained the Time-Space Divine Martial Mark, he had been different from others, always living on the edge of death.
Decades of bitter cultivation were merely for today—to live uprightly, to face all challenges and dangers openly.
This was a complete transformation of his state of mind, removing all shackles and returning to his true self.
Chi Yao arrived beside Zhang Ruochen, gazing at the opposite shore of the star sea, seemingly nonchalant: "Heavenly Venerable Zhang, do you think I, this Empress, should be angry or happy? Forget it, after this battle, we will discuss this matter slowly."
Zhang Ruochen could understand Chi Yao's feelings and knew that there would be many troublesome matters after this battle.
The Second Confucian Ancestor nodded slightly: "Well said—'If I am not eternal, who is?' Ruochen, you are now also an Immortal! Has your attitude toward the Immortal changed?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "If this world does not require me to be eternal, I would be willing to grow old with those I love and cherish, finding peace in familial joy, without giving rise to delusions. But if people like you grow old without dying, stirring up trouble, then naturally I will not be at peace, my heart will not rest, and I will struggle with you until death."
The Second Confucian Ancestor said, "Earlier, I asked the Life and Death Heavenly Venerable what he fought for. Now, I also want to ask you: will we continue to fight? Have you thought about the meaning of continuing to fight? Does Zhang Ruochen have a different answer from the Life and Death Heavenly Venerable?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Before I answer this question, can Confucian Ancestor answer me: what is the purpose of the Divine Realm building the Heaven and Earth Altars? Is the Divine Martial Mark a gift from the Heavenly Dao? Or is someone using heaven and earth to command all living beings? Is the Divine Realm truly leading all creatures to resist the Great Calamity together?"
"Confucian Ancestor need not answer immediately; you may think carefully before enlightening us. I ask this on behalf of the Fourth Confucian Ancestor. Before his death, he said that you were the wise man he admired most. He believed in all your decisions, believed in your determination to bring peace to ten thousand generations, believed in your character and the righteousness integrated into your self-spirit."
"He said that you entered the Dao through chess, with brilliant methods, stopping at nothing to win, and that no one could ever guess your true thoughts."
"The Fourth Confucian Ancestor, at the moment of his death, kept muttering that he could not see the truth, could not distinguish right from wrong, could not see the path ahead, like a puppet lost in the fog."
"Yan Tingqiu, the Fourth Confucian Ancestor died with his eyes open in the Gray Sea, his incarnation becoming vast righteousness, only seeking clarity for the world. Clarity for the world! Remember, this was the supreme realm of the Righteous Divine Dao he comprehended at the moment of death, and also the answer he most wanted to know at that moment."
Zhang Ruochen's words echoed through the universe, stars trembling.
The Second Confucian Ancestor was most skilled in debate. At this moment, his gaze remained calm, but this time, he could not speak for a long time.
After an unknown period, he finally said, "Born in this era, what clarity for the world is there? What emptying of hell? What embracing of all rivers? You are all too idealistic. Cruel reality will not become lovely and romantic because of your sentiments and bold words."
"Ruochen, do you know how terrifying the Great Calamity is? Do you know how to resist the Great Calamity?"
"The Great Calamity is not far off! When it arrives, when you yourself can only turn to ashes, when you can only watch helplessly as those around you die one by one, does clarity for the world matter? Does emptying hell matter? Do all rivers and myriad forms still exist?"
"The answer is: nothing remains!"
"In this world, everyone raises questions, but who solves the problems? Those who raise questions know nothing, merely echo others, yet stand on the moral high ground to criticize those who solve problems. This is not something you should do. At your current level of cultivation, you should think about how to solve problems!"
"Under the Calamity, all are equal."
"What this old man wants to do is break this damned equality, at least letting a few survive. For this, nothing is beyond sacrifice!"
"On the chessboard, even if only one piece remains alive, it still counts as victory."