Villain : After Slacking Off, The Protagonist Collapse-Chapter 303

Chapter 303

The void rumbled, and a massive portal emerged. Jiang Chen stepped out, dressed in snow-white robes, their brilliance rivaling freshly fallen snow.

His aura was ethereal, giving the impression of a celestial being descending into the mortal realm. He exuded an unmatched grace, his figure both otherworldly and heroic.

He moved with unhurried grace, each step silent and ripple-free, seemingly devoid of any threat. To onlookers, he appeared like an ordinary mortal.

However, to the Great Saint of the Star Palace, the sight was utterly shocking. He could sense nothing from Jiang Chen—no aura, no fluctuation. This was what made it so terrifying. Such an absence of presence indicated power that far exceeded his comprehension.

A suffocating sense of danger emanated from Jiang Chen, as though facing an incomprehensible predator or an unfathomable being. The sheer oppressive force made the Great Saint’s hair stand on end, sending chills down his spine and filling his heart with boundless fear.

“The Primordial Holy Son has grown even stronger!” he thought, his expression pale. “I might not even be a match for him now.”

Instinctively, the Great Saint took a few steps back, trying to distance himself from Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen noticed this and couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. ‘I’m not here to kill you. Why retreat like that?’

In truth, the Great Saint’s reaction was purely instinctual. Jiang Chen was an immense threat to him, even without emitting any killing intent.

“Have they come out yet?” Jiang Chen asked calmly, glancing at the Great Saint.

“They haven’t come out yet,” the Great Saint replied, hesitating before continuing, “The Holy Son emerged earlier than the Starry Saintess and Zi Qingyan.”

His tone was respectful, even carrying a trace of deference. Despite being far older and more experienced, the Great Saint dared not show any arrogance. This wasn’t due to Jiang Chen’s status but rather his strength.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen nodded lightly and stayed to wait for Zi Qingyan and the Starry Saintess.

After several days, the void trembled again as another portal appeared. The Starry Saintess and Zi Qingyan flew out, their figures distinct yet striking.

Zi Qingyan’s aura had grown more enigmatic, making her increasingly unfathomable. In contrast, the Starry Saintess appeared somewhat sullen. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Although her own gains had been significant, they paled in comparison to Zi Qingyan’s. Zi Qingyan had obtained the true inheritance of the Eternal Emperor, while she had not.

‘The token was supposed to belong to our side, yet Zi Qingyan was the one who reaped the greatest reward. No matter how I try to suppress my feelings, I can’t find peace. I feel like a fool who has been used,’ the Starry Saintess thought bitterly.

Jiang Chen noticed her dejection but paid it no mind. Without a word, he turned and left with Zi Qingyan.

Watching them disappear into the distance, the Starry Saintess sighed deeply, “They say the Primordial Holy Son is unparalleled, standing above all others, but I think Zi Qingyan deserves to be added to that statement,” she murmured.

“Though she may not surpass him, she’s still leagues above the rest of this world’s heroes.”

“If she lived in another era, Zi Qingyan would likely be as invincible as the Holy Son—unmatched and unrivaled,” she continued, her tone filled with both admiration and regret.

While the Starry Saintess marveled at Zi Qingyan’s strength, she couldn’t help but feel pity. Had Zi Qingyan lived in a different time, she might have reached the peak of cultivation.

“Will the Starry Saintess choose to retreat into seclusion?” the Great Saint of the Star Palace asked.

“It’s rumored that many prodigies have already chosen to hide themselves, waiting for the next era to compete again. The Holy Son’s dominance has driven too many into despair.”

Recalling the overwhelming aura of the Holy Son, the Great Saint couldn’t imagine anyone challenging him. Although the Emperor Road had yet to open, it already felt as though it had been decided.

This was Jiang Chen’s era—one where no one could stand against him. Even those capable of opposing him were aligned with his side, leaving no hope for resistance.

“Seclusion?” the Starry Saintess repeated quietly. It was a thought she had never entertained before.

Yet after witnessing Zi Qingyan’s immense power and remembering the even greater strength of Jiang Chen, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

Could she truly reach the summit in this era? Could she surpass them?

“Let’s wait and see,” she said, sighing heavily. “A grand era is upon us, and the world is changing. Opportunities may still arise.”

She added thoughtfully, “Besides, it’s uncertain if we’ll even have the chance to retreat into seclusion.”

The changes in the heavens and earth warned her that the world would not remain peaceful. The opening of the Emperor Road and the impending Immortal Path would undoubtedly bring unprecedented chaos to the Nine Heavens Realm.

Ancient beings who had slumbered for countless eras would awaken, their resurgence heralding a cataclysmic upheaval.

These ancient emperors wouldn’t merely appear and vanish; their return would bring drastic changes, reshaping the balance of power and possibly plunging the Nine Heavens into ruin.

Even mighty factions like the Star Palace might not survive the coming storm.

As she gazed in the direction Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan had taken, the Starry Saintess murmured, “Perhaps I should speak with my master about forming an alliance with the Primordial Holy Land.”

“Even though we have a Great Accomplishment Physique holding the fort, capable of facing almost any threat, I can’t shake this sense of unease.”

Despite their current dominance, the Starry Saintess couldn’t help but worry. The heavens and earth were shifting, and the power dynamics of the Nine Heavens were changing rapidly.

Once, Great Saints could roam freely, their strength unmatched. Now, even they had to act cautiously. She wasn’t sure if a Great Accomplishment Physique would retain its deterrent power in the future.

As these thoughts consumed her, the Starry Saintess sighed deeply.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chen and Zi Qingyan tore through the void and disappeared into it.

The Eternal Mountain’s peak returned to its serene state, silent and desolate, as if untouched for a million years.

Time flows like a fleeting shadow.

A decade passed in the blink of an eye.

Since Jiang Chen’s battle with the Ye Family’s Emperor, the Nine Heavens Realm experienced a rare period of ten years of relative peace. Various factions used this opportunity to recuperate and secretly strengthen themselves, refraining from the widespread conflicts of the past.

Though minor skirmishes and disagreements still occurred, they were insignificant compared to the cataclysmic battles that once swept across the entire Nine Heavens Realm, resulting in the fall of immortal-level factions.