Chapter 793: Immortal Dream

Immediately following, ten thousand zhangs of radiant light descended upon one of the Eight Mountain Pillars, falling like a true meteor strike as blazing flames poured from the highest heavens to explode atop the grand peak, causing the very clouds to disperse in a violent ripple.

Simultaneously, another beam of light crashed down, piercing the heavens as purple brilliance triggered rumbling thunder and split open the soaring mountain peak, sending a blast wave into the sky with a domineering, peerless strength that instantly leveled the entire mountaintop.

The newcomer arrived in a flurry of purple robes, casting off a white mask to reveal fierce, sharp brows like carved blades.

An angular countenance emphasized an imposing and unbridled presence, yet beneath half-closed eyelids lay a hint of profound serenity and melancholy: "Eight mountains stand as pillars; the one who falls is the defeated!"

On the opposite summit, Yi Ye Shu maintained a solemn expression, joining his palms in a reverent greeting: "Heaven and earth bear witness; in life or death, there shall be no regrets."

Beneath the peaks lay a sheer cliff thousands of zhangs deep, overlooking a boundless sea of swirling clouds.

Possessing cultivation that verged on the realm of gods, the two men already understood each other completely, and with the very first clash of palms, one of the eight grand mountains immediately sank a hundred zhangs into the earth, while subsequent strikes shattered the peaks and submerged the land.

That colossal mountain, which seemed to prop up the entire heavens, actually split completely down the middle.

Then, it began to collapse continuously.

In an instant, the entire scene turned into an apocalypse of shattering earth and collapsing skies, as the mass of the mountain disintegrated into waterfalls of rubble, shattered trees, and dust, yet amidst this torrential rain of stone, the two figures continued to exchange blows at a terrifying frequency, locked in a chaotic spectacle that left onlookers breathless, though not a single speck of dust could stain their garments.

Exchanging blows as fists and palms vanished into shadows, they simultaneously charged upward against the cascading torrent at incredible speed.

Such absolute mastery caused even Zhuge Qingyun, a master at the peak of the Ascension Realm, to show a look of shock, while the many powerhouses who had attained the Saint Realm at the new Canglan City shop watched in utterly dumbfounded silence.

This seemed completely beyond the scope of mortal capability.

They found it almost impossible to imagine that a combat between human beings could actually...

Reach such an incredible height.

...

And at this moment.

For Owner Fang, having already witnessed it all, he naturally did not share their frantic anxiety.

Within the Breeze and Bright Moon Pavilion.

Owner Fang donned a pair of large sunglasses and chose a secluded seat by the window all to himself: "I've been playing League of Legends all day, I'm absolutely starving..."

"Boss... this is the secret crispy chicken prepared by our chef according to your specific instructions..."

"Paired with the iced black tea you brought yourself, it is truly a rare delicacy!"

After all, Owner Fang ran an internet cafe rather than a restaurant, so the shop could at most manage a simple breakfast or offer a few snacks to scrape by for lunch, but it was already evening.

"What is going on...? Have I been playing too long lately...?" Owner Fang shook his head as a wave of intense exhaustion washed over him, causing his eyelids to grow heavy and sink.

It felt as though... some unseen force in the darkness was continuously pulling at him.

He seemed to fall into a very, very long dream, a scene he had not beheld for a long time, which was once his very own battlefield.

Yes, a battlefield.

Though it was merely a virtual arena, there were always those who refused to lead the same tranquil lives as everyone else; while others diligently read various works of literature and classics, their eyes were captured by the martial world, its heroes, and their swift vengeance, and while those around them wrote answers for their future exams, they were exhilarated by the trials of Mount Hua and the clashes of the supreme masters.

That "fairy tale" belonging to an entire generation had also stirred the hot blood flowing through their veins.

Perhaps precisely because of this, they longed incomparably to gallop across a battlefield of their own.

Regardless of whether that battlefield resembled what they had envisioned.

Looking out, it was an arena packed with a vast sea of people, where countless individuals rose to shout, their cheers rising wave after wave like a tsunami, and upon that stage under the gaze of tens of thousands, familiar yet unfamiliar faces walked past, as countless spectators cheered and the entire world watched intently before their screens, as if witnessing a great victory and watching them lift the championship trophy.

In the arena, the moment the national flag fluttered in the wind, an inexplicable surge of excitement welled up within his heart for some unknown reason.

At that moment, it seemed to touch the deepest, most profound chords of his soul.

He was inherently different from the people of this world.

That was glory... and a chapter of his very own dream.

...

But perhaps... there was one point of similarity.

"This martial arts drama is so amazing..." The Jiuhua City shop, the Half-City shop, the Yuanyang City shop, the Canglan City shop, the new East Continent shop... everyone watched this decisive battle with absolute focus.

In terms of pure power, perhaps... there was no immense gap between them and these Ascension or Saint Realm masters, but those miraculous combat skills and philosophies deeply captivated them.

Particularly when Yi Ye Shu fell into a disadvantage, his mid-battle countering of the Eastern Ocean Martial God's "Return to Nothingness"—which could neutralize all martial arts under heaven—and "Return to One"—which encompassed every variation of martial arts—showed a combat wisdom, courage, and microscopic control that made nearly everyone gasp in admiration.

During tense moments, it felt as though their hearts would leap out of their chests, and when exhilarated, they even wanted to shout aloud along with the show.

And perhaps it was precisely because this was something the audience members lacked and had never even considered before, that it made them feel all the more excited and envious...

The Ascension and Saint Realm masters at the Canglan City shop and the new East Continent shop seemed entirely entranted, watching with rapt attention, experiencing a brilliance they had never felt before in their lives.

"Are there any other television shows like this to watch?!" At the Canglan City shop, a group of elves who had finished watching today's updated episodes practically jumped up in excitement.

The thrill in their hearts was beyond words: "When will we be able to become masters like that..."

The experts and elders at the new East Continent shop also felt unsated, and they... watched it all over again.

Then a group of them rushed over to the counter and asked, "Are there any other martial arts dramas?"

"Yes, 'The Duel on the Peak of the Forbidden City' is also one," Li Lanruo explained.

"Let's go, let's go... keep watching..."

Perhaps they did not yet comprehend the deeper virtue of chivalry, but at this moment, they seemed to understand what martial arts truly meant; here, power was perhaps not the most crucial element.

It was power, it was skill, and it was equally a form of spirit!

Furthermore, it was an ever-breaking... limit and pinnacle.

...

And at this moment...

Fang Qi felt as though he was slowly awakening.

Yet he was not within the Breeze and Bright Moon Pavilion.

In fact, he felt inexplicably that he was no longer even in his original world.

He slowly raised his head and found himself standing before an ancient immortal palace, outside of which a vast sea of clouds surged, while the interior was incomparably grand and vast, resembling a celestial court.

He clearly remembered having dinner at the Breeze and Bright Moon Pavilion just moments before.

He shook his head vigorously: "Is this still a dream...?"

"No need to look around!" Looking in all directions, he saw blurry figures standing tall around the celestial palace, as a cold voice that seemed to descend from the highest heavens echoed from the supreme, magnificent main seat of the grand hall, and in that instant, Fang Qi genuinely felt that this was a true immortal, a true god!

"You may consider this a dream, but do not think that if you die here, your mortal body will be fine."

"You have violated a taboo, mortal!"

"???" Owner Fang was entirely bewildered, wondering how a mere internet cafe owner like himself could have possibly violated a taboo.

"Is it because the internet cafe hasn't opened over at your place yet?"