As the aftermath of this battle subsided, the Central Continent gradually returned to peace in the days that followed. Yet, only the numerous Immortal Emperors knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. Once the Heavenly Mandate descended, it would unleash a tempest that would engulf the entire universe.
The struggle for the Heavenly Mandate was not confined to the Eastern Universe; the other three major universes would also participate.
The Eastern Universe was primarily inhabited by humans and demons, while the Western Universe was dominated by angels and vampires. The Southern Universe was ruled by the Five Elements Spirits, and the Northern Universe by the Netherworld and Asura races.
The Heavenly Mandate’s struggle determined whose hands the control of the universe's origin would fall into. Generally, once cultivators reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm, they could mobilize a portion of the universe's origin power. This was why peak Heavenly Dao realm experts possessed the strength to slay Immortal Emperors. However, if one were to seize the Heavenly Mandate's origin, they could command immense origin power. This realm was also known as the Chaos Supreme Immortal, sealing the Chaos Immortal Emperor.
During the universe's peak prosperity, countless cosmic origins would converge into a single Heavenly Mandate origin. Immortal Emperors qualified to contend for the Heavenly Mandate had to at least reach the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm. Currently, in the entire Eastern Universe, only five individuals were qualified to compete for the Heavenly Mandate, Zhang Fan being one of them.
"Master, if controlling the Heavenly Mandate grants such immense power, where did those who controlled it in history go?" Southern Venerable voiced his question, and everyone else was also puzzled.
Controlling the Heavenly Mandate implied being invincible within that universe. Since Immortal Emperors were eternally alive, why had all those who controlled the Heavenly Mandate in history vanished?
"Could they have gone to the legendary Immortal Realm?" Blood Demon Dragon voiced his speculation.
Facing everyone's confusion, Zhang Fan could only shake his head. Even he could not provide a definitive answer. Every time the Heavenly Mandate appeared in history, it attracted Immortal Emperor experts from the four major starfields. The struggle for the Heavenly Mandate often resulted in the demise of numerous Immortal Emperor experts. However, without exception, those who controlled the Heavenly Mandate would disappear within a short period, their whereabouts unknown.
This was one of the primary reasons Zhang Fan intended to participate in the Heavenly Mandate’s struggle this lifetime. This doubt had been embedded in his heart for over a thousand years, and he was determined to unravel it in this life.
In fact, Zhang Fan harbored some speculations about the Heavenly Mandate’s struggle. In his previous life, he had been arguably the closest to obtaining it, yet he was ultimately reborn. This rebirth was undoubtedly connected to the Heavenly Mandate.
"With Master's strength, the Heavenly Mandate in this life belongs to you. The mystery will naturally be revealed then," Blood Demon Dragon roared with laughter.
Although these words were arrogant, everyone felt they were justified. After all, Zhang Fan, upon entering the Immortal Emperor realm, could defeat the peak Heavenly Dao realm expert, Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor. With a few more centuries of cultivation, who in the four major universes could match him?
Several centuries were ample time for Zhang Fan. Therefore, in the ensuing period, he spent half his time accompanying his family and guiding his disciples’ cultivation.
Over two hundred years later, Primal Chaos Immortal Emperor sought Zhang Fan for a spar. Zhang Fan readily agreed. They battled in a region of desolate space. By this time, Zhang Fan had reached the late stage of the Heavenly Dao realm. Without any suspense, Primal Chaos Immortal Emperor was defeated.
"Alas, even with you only at the late Heavenly Dao realm, I have no power to resist. I shall not participate in this Heavenly Mandate struggle," Primal Chaos Immortal Emperor declared with a sigh of relief, then departed to roam the starry expanse.
Five hundred years later, Mystic Dragon Immortal Emperor and Universal Salvation Buddha Lord simultaneously sought him out. However, Zhang Fan had now reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm. Even with their combined strength, they could not withstand Zhang Fan's onslaught and were forced to concede defeat.
"I thought that with my Mystic Dragon True Body, even if I wasn't an opponent to the Ten Severities Immortal Emperor, I could at least remain undefeated. But this divine sword is too powerful. I have forgotten how many years it has been since I was injured," Mystic Dragon Immortal Emperor said with deep emotion.
The Universal Salvation Buddha Lord's nine-zhang golden body and Mystic Dragon Immortal Emperor's Mystic Dragon True Body were the two most formidable divine bodies in this starfield. Even Primal Chaos Immortal Emperor and Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor, who were also at the peak Heavenly Dao realm, could not break through them. Yet, they were wounded by Zhang Fan’s innate divine sword.
After reaching the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm, Zhang Fan refined his innate divine sword into an Immortal Emperor True Artifact. It contained Zhang Fan’s perfected Path of Extremes, making it arguably the most formidable offensive divine weapon in this universe.
"For the Heavenly Mandate struggle, our Eastern Universe needs only the Ten Severities Immortal Emperor," Mystic Dragon Immortal Emperor and Universal Salvation Buddha Lord also announced their non-participation in the Heavenly Mandate struggle.
Zhang Fan did not publicize the outcomes of these two battles. However, Primal Chaos Immortal Emperor, Mystic Dragon Immortal Emperor, and Universal Salvation Buddha Lord successively declared their withdrawal from the Heavenly Mandate struggle, leading various factions to speculate that they had all been defeated by the Ten Severities Immortal Emperor.
After all, centuries ago, when Zhang Fan's strength was not yet at its peak, he could already contend with them. Now, after hundreds of years, who knew how much his power had grown?
Therefore, in the eyes of cultivators in the Eastern starfield, although the Heavenly Mandate struggle had not yet begun this lifetime, its outcome was predetermined. As the time for the Heavenly Mandate’s descent drew nearer, cultivators from the other three universes traversed billions of light-years, moving between the various starfields and proclaiming the renown of their respective races.
"Our Western starfield's Lord of Great Light can dispel all darkness in the universe with a single thought. The power of light can illuminate every corner of the universe. The Heavenly Mandate in this life rightfully belongs to the Lord of Great Light," a Tribulation Crossing Immortal Venerable from the Western starfield said with immense pride when mentioning the name.
"Our Five Elements Spirit race's Venerable Lord has comprehended the Five Elements Origin. Even without the Heavenly Mandate's power, he can mobilize vast amounts of Five Elements origin power, and even Immortal Emperors struggle to withstand his assault. In this era, our Five Elements Spirit race shall reign supreme," a Five Elements Spirit from the Southern Universe, whose body resembled flames, expressed full confidence in their Venerable Lord.
"Our Netherworld race's Lord of Reincarnation has cultivated the six paths of reincarnation to perfection, capable of creating a cycle for beings to be reborn. He once slew an Immortal Emperor using the Dao of Causality, leaving them with nowhere to hide. His power is unparalleled throughout history and should be the Lord of the Heavenly Mandate," cultivators from the Northern Universe declared, unwilling to be outdone.
The other three major universes buzzed with activity, with countless cultivators vying to promote their respective starfields. In contrast, the Eastern starfield appeared remarkably calm.
"Has your Eastern starfield given up on the Heavenly Mandate struggle this lifetime? I heard that the Eastern starfield has a formidable expert named Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor. He reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm after only tens of thousands of years of cultivation, and by integrating seven Great Daos, he cultivated the Dao of Seven Heavens. He might be qualified to contend, yet why is there no movement from your Eastern starfield?" a fiery creature inquired with bewilderment during an exchange with an Eastern starfield expert.
"You speak of Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor? He likely has no chance," a Tribulation Crossing Immortal Venerable from a sect shook his head and replied.
"It seems your Eastern starfield has truly declined this lifetime, lacking even confidence in your own cultivators."
The inquirer from the sect chuckled, "I said Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor has no chance not because our Eastern starfield has declined. Not only Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor, but even the Immortal Emperors from your other three starfields stand no chance."
...