The moon rose to the zenith, its chilly moonlight casting over the desolate desert.

The howling wind, so different from the daytime, lifted flying sand, bringing with it coldness.

A lone figure stood atop a dune, his presence akin to bearing the azure sky, the vast and boundless aura making the desert’s clamor seem like another world, exceedingly distant.

Though he was amidst the human realm, he seemed to stand in the firmament, overlooking the earth.

Behind the dune, Elder Kaiyang Guan Wuyang gazed at the figure’s back, feeling as though observing the universe; the infinite creation made his perception unable to bear, eventually bowing his head.

’His cultivation is truly terrifying.’

This thought had barely flashed through his mind before being concealed, Elder Kaiyang gathered his thoughts to avoid this fearsome person detecting his inner disturbance.

Just then, the ethereal True Void Home appeared, and a white-robed Great Master emerged, accompanied by a Daoist with a pale complexion.

"Heavenly Monarch."

The two bowed in unison, then the white-robed Great Master spoke, "The Great Sun Tathagata covertly intervened, causing Guanyin to be captured by Karma Tathagata. I only managed to escape with Lingxuzi using an avatar as bait."

This white-robed Great Master was indeed Tan Wuwei, and the Daoist was naturally the Upper Pure Sect Leader Lingxuzi.

The person they were bowing to was none other than the Heavenly Monarch who should have shattered his physical body.

The Heavenly Monarch atop the dune, upon hearing Tan Wuwei’s report, did not immediately respond, merely gazing at the sky.

In the next moment, a phantom scene materialized in the sky, gradually becoming more real, as the realm of the Heavenly Palace evolved, yellow clouds billowed, and an eye-shaped boat appeared in the sky.

At the same time, a towering tree descended upon the desert, its vibrant vitality adding a touch of greenery to this barren land out of thin air.

The Heavenly Monarch’s gaze met the vertical eye, a cloud-like aura flew out, carrying pieces resembling mirror fragments. They combined mid-air, forming a phantom silhouette that slowly descended, merging with the Heavenly Monarch’s image.

Only then did the expressionless Heavenly Monarch seem more human, his vast sky-like aura restrained, as if descending from heaven to earth, losing that non-human quality.

Tan Wuwei and Lingxuzi recognized the essence of that phantom silhouette; it was the previously shattered physical body of the Heavenly Monarch. Due to the unfathomable mystery of the Heavenly Monarch’s "Yin Talisman Scripture," which could transform the human body into Cave Heaven, it was bloodless, making the reabsorption into his body more convenient.

In other words, the Heavenly Monarch indeed had sustained damage to his physical body, but he still possessed another body, and furthermore······

This body compared to the previous Heavenly Monarch actually made the two third-grade individuals feel more awestruck; the current Heavenly Monarch was definitely stronger than before.

This body might be the Heavenly Monarch’s true form.

"It was merely a trade-off of interests, it’s only natural for deceit to occur, just unfortunate for Guanyin."

The Heavenly Monarch spoke blandly, extending his right hand, revealing a small infant upon his palm, "Just unfortunate for my physical body cultivated over many years."

The tiny infant appeared as if newborn, suspended on the palm, motionless, exuding immense vitality and Wood Spirit Energy. Upon closer examination, it was unmistakably a ginsengfruit.

Originally, Jiang Li and others had entered Treasure Extreme Cave Heaven and taken all the ginsengfruits from the ginseng fruit tree, using them individually. Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Monarch still possessed a ginsengfruit.

Naturally, he was indeed the true owner of the ginseng fruit tree······

Tan Wuwei and others eyed the ginsengfruit, their minds flashing with such thoughts.

Although the ginsengfruit cannot last long once removed from the tree, if it’s the Heavenly Monarch, surely he has methods to preserve them.

When this idea emerged in their minds, Tan Wuwei suddenly appeared dazed, as if witnessing an extraordinary scene.

In the next moment, the other two witnessed it as well.

The Heavenly Monarch raised his hand, the infant-like ginsengfruit flew upward, rapidly enlarging visibly, as if traversing twenty years of time within moments, transforming from a baby into a youth, donning purple robes.

Within a few breaths, another Heavenly Monarch appeared before them.

The Heavenly Monarch’s method of preserving ginsengfruits was astonishingly refining them into reserve physical bodies. When needed, they could be directly taken out and cultivated.

If Jiang Li saw this scene, he would immediately recall the scenario he had witnessed before.

——Back then, Ji Jiji had left his original body, employing the "Golden Cicada Shedding" technique, transforming the ginsengfruit into a new body, now merely repeating his past actions.

Two hundred years had passed, the Heavenly Monarch’s craftsmanship evidently became more skilled, having swiftly cultivated another avatar in a short span. However, compared to the physical body shattered by Jiang Li and the Great Venerable siblings, it was far inferior.

Even if the new body was completed, it still required spending time and resources for repeated cultivation.

"Go."

The Heavenly Monarch softly uttered, and this body flew into the vertical eye, vanishing.

Subsequently, the ginseng fruit tree entered within the Heavenly Monarch, while the vertical eye descended behind the Heavenly Monarch carrying the heavenly realm.

"Guanyin fell into Karma Tathagata’s hands, he should already know my plan, seems like I must contend with my apprentice-nephew once more." The Heavenly Monarch spoke blandly.

Tan Wuwei, hearing this, his heart moved, already realizing the Heavenly Monarch had not abandoned the ascension plan.

The plan’s leakage not only failed to delay the Heavenly Monarch’s intent but instead made his desire more urgent.

Karma Tathagata had already ascended to second grade, though there remained the lingering issue of True Spirit of Bo Xun, but with Karma Tathagata’s displayed capability, suppressing the True Spirit of Bo Xun should not be a problem. Another factor included a certain Jiang Sikong······

Jiang Li has now become a Supreme, his Realm has caught up with the Heavenly Monarch. Even if the Heavenly Monarch wants to endure, Jiang Li will not be willing. He is destined to have a life-and-death struggle with the Heavenly Monarch, and now that Jiang Li has such an enemy, he cannot bear it.

The era is changing, even if one is a Supreme, if they do not enhance their power, they may be abandoned by the new era.

Rather, it is precisely because one is a Supreme, one of the great figures who decide the world’s trend, that they absolutely cannot be abandoned by the era. Once they fall behind, death will not be far off.

"But, King Shu is already dead, even his Dao Fruit has fallen into the hands of the Gongsun Family Master, it seems difficult to find someone to replace him..." Tan Wuwei hesitated to say.

However, what answered her was the seemingly smiling expression of the Heavenly Monarch.

"A replacement, can’t you see it, Wuwei?"

The vertical eye behind the Heavenly Monarch slowly lifted, and beneath multiple Heavenly Realms were several large cauldrons gradually taking shape.

"Zhuanxu killed Gonggong and obtained the Water Virtue, which is the manifestation of an emperor’s conquest and plunder, I obtained the Black Emperor Dao Fruit, and can also acquire part of the divine skills from those conquered."

The person to replace King Shu is the Heavenly Monarch himself!

"Wuwei dare not use divine skills to presumptuously judge the Heavenly Monarch," Tan Wuwei said with lowered brow and eyes.

To this, the Heavenly Monarch merely gave a faint smile, neither affirming nor denying it.

"I had intended for King Shu to bear the karma, but unfortunately King Shu died at the hands of Tianxuan, so now I have to personally take action."

The Heavenly Monarch looked up at the sky and said, "The tide of the era is coming."

It remains unknown whether after this tide, the Supreme beings can still decide the world’s trend?

Or whether the Supreme beings are still supreme.

Tan Wuwei and Lingxuzi remained silent, Elder Kaiyang also bowed his head, resembling a divine statue.

Yet in his heart, a thought gradually solidified.

The Heavenly Monarch actually has a means of creating avatars, if one cannot eliminate all of his bodies, then even if the Heavenly Monarch is slain, he may return once again.

······

······

"The world is ever-changing, a new round of changes is coming."

Also under the bright moon, the Daoist Lord sat sloppily on the back of the Green Bull, slowly saying, "Disciple, do you know why I initially made you wait for three years?"

The young Daoist followed the Green Bull, his steps steady, yet he always followed behind the Green Bull.

"I don’t know," Taibai True Monarch replied shortly.

"After experiencing the great battle of the Buddha Country, the Gouchen Dao Fruit should have also absorbed a lot of the Qi of warfare, you should have sensed the presence within that Dao Fruit."

The Daoist Lord said, "If you were to contend with the True Spirit of the Dao Fruit, what are the odds of winning?"

"At most just ten percent, right?"

The Daoist Lord answered for Taibai True Monarch, "Even with the Realm of an Awakened, one dare not say there is more than fifty percent chance of victory, one must merge with Karma Tathagata to have a chance. You are not a Supreme, the odds are even smaller, and considering a ten percent chance is optimistic."

"Waiting... can increase the odds?" Taibai True Monarch couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and asked.

He naturally understood what the Daoist Lord meant, waiting until three years later... according to the current time, it would be about a year and a half from now, the chances of success would increase.

But the question is, where does this increase in odds come from?

The Daoist Lord nodded, and gave an unexpected answer, "Since the End of Dharma, nearly two thousand years have passed, over time, the Five Vile Qi has gradually not been as rampant. If it were a few hundred years ago, the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique would not have easily converted the Five Vile Qi."

"And a year and a half later, the Five Vile Qi will enter a period of peace, the closer to that time, the faster the progress of the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique. If you can improve your Cultivation Realm during this time, with the help of One Qi to Three Pure Ones, you can increase the odds by thirty percent. The True Spirit within the Second Grade Dao Fruit has also greatly diminished after being eroded over the years."

The Daoist Lord whispered this secret, revealing a deep understanding of the Five Turbid Evil World.

And upon hearing this, Taibai True Monarch also realized that this indeed could increase his chances.

"This disciple understands," he said solemnly.

"After witnessing this great battle, you have restrained your sharp edge somewhat, understanding is best." The Daoist Lord laughed heartily, saying.

"Master will no longer prevent my promotion to the Third Grade?" Taibai True Monarch asked, pausing for a moment.

"Stopping is still necessary, but this poor Daoist cannot casually kill as I did in the past. After Karma Tathagata advances, this poor Daoist should also advance."

The Daoist Lord said this, yet did not show any sign of dejection, only said: "Moreover, after so many years of erosion, the True Spirit within the Second Grade Dao Fruit has reached a low point. Even the best-preserved Buddha Fruit can be suppressed by Promoters, the other Dao Fruits should be even weaker. The era of the Immortal Gods may indeed be coming to an end."

The Buddha Fruit relies on the guidance of Incense Fire Thought Power, and its True Spirit has weakened the slowest. But the Tathagata Fruit is the pinnacle of the Buddha Second Grade Dao Fruit, if even the True Spirit within the Tathagata Fruit can possibly be suppressed, there is no need to think much of the other Dao Fruits.

Although not everyone is an Awakened, at least compared to the past, the probability of success is much higher.

Evidently, the Daoist Lord even knew the secrets of the Buddha Fruit, thus he spoke these words.

’The wish of this poor Daoist may not be far from being fulfilled, and the era before the End of Dharma is also a completely new era...’