Time flew by, and three years had passed.
During these three years, the Nine Heavens continued to revive, with various powerful forces and experts reawakening, sweeping across the realm.
The forces emerging during this stage were no longer the small fry of the past. Instead, they were entities that had once held some renown in the former Xuanhuang Heaven.
Moreover, the Qingye Tianzong (Green Leaf Heavenly Sect) had also shown signs of activity. Some powerful figures from the sect had been unsealed, including a former elder!
This elder had once transcended the "Nine Heavenly Refinements" and was an incredibly powerful being, now among the most fearsome entities of this era.
The current Nine Heavens had become riddled with danger, with terrifying creatures awakening in various corners.
And Qin Chuan? He had disappeared!
Many of the reawakened gods had thought to defeat Qin Chuan to make a name for themselves, but he seemed to have vanished from the world. Despite provocations and insults from these powerful figures, he never appeared.
As a result, rumors began to circulate, suggesting that Qin Chuan might have fallen behind, unable to keep up with the growing powers, and so he had chosen to hide.
This belief was somewhat understandable.
After all, it was difficult for contemporary powerhouses to compete with the reawakened ancient figures. There was simply no comparison.
The ancient beings were already immensely powerful before they were sealed away, and now, with the world reviving, they were regaining their strength far faster than those who had to cultivate from scratch.
Although the current environment had improved, these ancient powerhouses had once cultivated in the prime era of the Xuanhuang Heaven, where resources and conditions were far superior to what they were now.
Suddenly...
Boom!
Crack!
On this day, the world shook violently. Countless people looked up in horror, witnessing the sky splitting open as lightning crackled like wild serpents, tearing a massive rift in the heavens.
This was no ordinary spatial rift but rather a tear in the very fabric of the world, opening a gateway to the outside.
"Are those... other worlds?"
"There are so many of them..."
Through the rift, the inhabitants of the Nine Heavens could see scenes beyond their realm—numerous glowing orbs floating in the vast vacuum, like bubbles in water, rising and falling endlessly.
However, these "bubbles" were enormous, their colossal presence palpable even from a great distance.
The worlds were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River!
"What is that?!"
Someone suddenly shouted in alarm as a massive, hazy mountain appeared beyond the rift, forcefully pushing its way in.
It seemed to be the very thing that had torn the rift open.
"Is this... another Forbidden Divine Mountain?"
"There's actually another one?! These heaven-defying objects—there's more than one?!"
Many contemporary experts were stunned and filled with awe, for it was the appearance of the first Forbidden Divine Mountain that had triggered the world's revival.
The ancient figures, however, were less surprised but equally excited, their eyes burning with fervor.
"It's returned, it's really returned!"
"In the past, the great leaders of the Xuanhuang Heaven declared that when the Forbidden Divine Mountains return, it will mark the resurgence of the Xuanhuang Heaven!"
"Now, the first has returned, and so has the second. Soon, there will be more, until they've all returned."
Their excitement was palpable.
They were eager to reclaim the glory of the past and to avenge old grievances, though they knew they couldn't do it alone.
Because when the sky falls, it takes a giant to hold it up.
Boom!
The second Forbidden Divine Mountain, wreathed in lightning, descended rapidly, crashing into a desolate plain.
The earth shook violently.
Dust and debris filled the air as the vast plain transformed into a basin, with its center sinking into a deep black abyss.
The devastating shockwave spread across much of the Nine Heavens, flattening mountains and even triggering massive tsunamis.
"Floodwaters! Run!"
"Help us!"
"Dear, it's the immortals! The immortals are here to save us!"
In every corner, human tragedies and moments of human resilience played out, though none of it affected the grander movements of the heavens and earth.
History moved forward like a surging river, unstoppable. The countless ants swept away by the flood were powerless, their struggles insignificant.
"I remember hearing that our great leaders left countless legacies and opportunities within the Forbidden Divine Mountains for those with the fate to claim them."
"I heard that too!"
"Back when the heavens collapsed, there was a voice echoing throughout the world, saying the same thing. But… is this particular Forbidden Divine Mountain the one they mentioned?"
"It should be about the same. After all, they were all leaders of the Xuanhuang Heaven. Their spirit and vision wouldn't be that different, right?"
"If that's the case, then..."
Soon, many ancient powerhouses silently rose and swiftly flew toward the Forbidden Divine Mountain.
The first Forbidden Divine Mountain was already sealed off, inaccessible to anyone. So now, their only choice was to focus on this new one.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless figures soared into the sky from all directions, their numbers uncountable, like a swarm of locusts.
Sensing the overwhelming power emanating from these beings, many contemporary cultivators were filled with shock and dread.
They never imagined that so many ancient powerhouses had reawakened, leaving them at the very bottom of the power structure.
"Hmph! I need to seize this chance! I've barely reached the Heaven Gate realm. If I don't push my luck now, my strength might soon be irrelevant."
"The beastmen will never be slaves!"
"I am the ancestor of the demons! If even I fall into obscurity, who will protect our race? I have to take a gamble!"
Even some of the strongest contemporary figures decided to act, quietly blending into the ranks of the ancient powerhouses.
While the modern powerhouses couldn't compare to their ancient counterparts in terms of foundation, they weren't entirely without their advantages. In areas like disguise, they were on par, if not better, than the ancients.
Many of these modern experts successfully infiltrated the ranks of the ancient powerhouses. Although a few were crushed to death, most remained unnoticed, like a husky mixing in with a pack of wolves—suspicious, but ultimately safe.
At this moment...
In a mountain concealed by both treasures and formations, Qin Chuan woke Qin Zi, who had been diligently cultivating.
"Zi, the second Forbidden Divine Mountain has descended. Powerful forces are clashing from all sides. It's time for you to step out and experience the world."
Qin Chuan smiled.
"Alright!"
Qin Zi nodded.
Since his marriage, he had been focused on dual cultivation and would've stayed hidden had his father not encouraged him to go out and explore.
After experiencing Shui Qingrou's cultivation technique, his own cultivation level had soared, and he had reached the Lingxiao (Soaring Heaven) realm.
He admitted that his rapid progress was somewhat aided by external factors, but regardless, he was now qualified to step out into the world!
"Father, I've heard that an elder from the Qingye Tianzong who recently revived seems to be hunting me down for some unknown reason. Is it safe for me to go out like this?"
Qin Zi suddenly asked.
Qin Chuan pondered for a moment before saying, "No matter where you are, just keep moving forward. As for anything that comes after... your father is here."
Hearing this, warmth filled Qin Zi's heart.
However, he still asked, "Father, I've heard that this elder is incredibly powerful. Are you sure you can handle him?"
"I can't."
Qin Chuan shook his head, speaking honestly. "But if he dares to harm you, then he will die."
His tone was firm and filled with confidence.
Hearing this, Qin Zi felt reassured and set out from their secluded mountain, heading toward the Forbidden Divine Mountain.
Before he left, he reminded Shui Qingrou to release the day's tadpoles back into the water to set them free.