Chapter 415: Divine War Ends, the Journey of the Lord of the Universe

Chapter 415: The Divine War Ends, The Path of the Universe Lord

The Divine Selection Battlefield, the third layer of the Spirit Realm.

The Mirror of Truth was a space of absolute, blinding white.

There was no sky, no earth, only the lake surface beneath their feet, still as a mirror, reflecting two identical figures.

Qin Feng and his reflection—the "Dark Qin Feng"—had stood in a standoff for three full hours.

Neither made a move.

Because, sharing the same realm and the same pattern of thought, any preemptive strike would be perfectly anticipated and countered.

"You are hesitating."

The Dark Qin Feng spoke first, his voice raspy, carrying the stench of blood from one who had crawled out of a mountain of corpses. The God-Slaying Spear (Shadow Version) in his hand pointed directly at Qin Feng’s heart.

"Your Dao heart is currently 'Protection.' But is this truly you?"

"Where has the 'Butcher' gone, the one who slaughtered billions on the battlefield of ten thousand races? Where is the madman who chased Shi Dang across the star seas for revenge?"

"You have locked 'Slaughter' deep within your heart, using 'Protection' to whitewash the peace. But this is merely hypocrisy."

The Dark Qin Feng took a step forward, and ripples spread across the mirror-like surface.

"As long as you resist slaughter, you will never be complete. For I am the sharpest blade you possess."

Qin Feng watched the malevolent version of himself in silence.

It was a microcosm of his past million years. It was the version of himself that had stopped at nothing to survive, the version that had been as ruthless as an Asura demon to grow strong.

"You are right."

Qin Feng suddenly withdrew his God-Slaying Spear.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze as calm as still water.

"I was once a slaughterer. I have killed the innocent, the enemy, and the gods and demons alike."

"That is my past, the bricks and mortar that built the foundation of my Dao today."

Qin Feng looked at his dark reflection, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"But I have never resisted slaughter."

"Protection is not about refusing to kill. It is about—what one kills for."

"To protect the myriad hearths behind me, I am willing to become an Asura and slaughter all the gods and demons of the heavens."

"You are not my dark side."

Qin Feng reached out, his palm facing upward.

"You are the sword in my hand. A sword has no morality; it is the wielder who defines its purpose."

At that moment.

The violent eyes of the Dark Qin Feng froze.

He had expected Qin Feng to retort with "benevolence and righteousness," or to attempt to suppress him with force.

But he had not expected Qin Feng to choose acceptance.

"To acknowledge slaughter and to master it is the essence of protection."

Qin Feng’s voice was grand and solemn.

The Dark Qin Feng remained silent for a moment, then let out a wild, relieved laugh.

"Hahaha... a master of slaughter, indeed!"

"If that is so, then I shall be the sword in your hand! Let us carve out the path that leads to the Supreme!"

Boom!

The body of the Dark Qin Feng disintegrated instantly, transforming into endless streams of black light.

These streams did not dissipate; instead, they surged madly into Qin Feng’s body.

Light and darkness intertwined; Yin and Yang harmonized.

Qin Feng’s aura underwent a qualitative change in that instant.

It was a state of completion. It was no longer a mere "perfection of soul," but the absolute unification of his own will.

[Task Completed: Self-Game.]

[Evaluation: Beyond Perfection (Great Completion).]

As the task ended, the mirror beneath his feet shattered.

A grey orb, radiating an aura of chaos and appearing to contain the birth and death of countless stars, slowly emerged before Qin Feng.

Qin Feng reached out and grasped the grey orb.

[Obtained Final Reward: Chaos Nucleus (Seed of the Universe).]

[Item Description: This is the core blueprint and energy source for constructing a "True Universe." By merging with it, you will gain the qualification for "Creation."]

Qin Feng did not hesitate, pressing it directly into his Dantian.

Rumble—

His internal world underwent a cataclysmic transformation.

The original "Great Sun Aperture" and "Origin Aperture" shattered at this moment, then reorganized. All energy was compressed to the extreme, beginning to rotate around the "Chaos Nucleus."

It was a singularity.

The primordial state before the Big Bang.

Qin Feng closed his eyes, sensing the power within him capable of splitting the heavens and opening the earth.

At this moment, although his realm remained at "Universe Venerable (Mid-stage)," his life level had already stepped halfway into that legendary realm—the Universe Lord.

"Still a little short."

Qin Feng opened his eyes, a flash of realization crossing them.

"I have the Chaos Nucleus, I have the cultivation of a Venerable, and my Dao heart is complete."

"But I lack the most critical 'material'."

"To detonate the singularity within me and evolve it into a real universe, my physical body must be able to withstand the force of a Big Bang. My current 'Primordial Limit Dao Body,' while strong, is not enough."

Qin Feng’s gaze became unfathomably deep.

"I need... a vast amount of Primordial Divine Gold."

"It is the hardest substance from the dawn of the universe, containing countless laws. Only by fusing with it and forging an 'Immortal Universal Body' can I truly ascend to become a Universe Lord."

"Only this final step remains."

Though regretful, this trip to the Divine Selection Battlefield had already granted him the ticket to the ultimate end.

As Qin Feng merged with the "Chaos Nucleus," the entire Divine Selection Battlefield began to tremble violently.

The countdown in the sky reached zero.

The first season of the God-Chosen Battlefield has concluded.

The final tally is currently underway...

Total Leaderboard:

First Place: Humanity (Points: 9,999,999).

Second Place: The Divine Race (Points: 4,500).

Third Place: The Mechanical Race (Points: 3,200).

...

It was a gap of despair. Humanity’s score was not only a landslide victory, but it exceeded the combined total of all other races by a factor of a thousand.

Winner determined: Humanity.

Racial rewards distributed:

Territorial Expansion: Humanity’s current borders automatically extend outward by 100 star sectors (ignoring original sovereignty).

Aura Resurgence: The spiritual energy density within human territory is elevated to "Holy Land" status for ten thousand years.

National Destiny Protection: Granted the protection of the "Golden Dragon of Humanity," rendering the race immune to any form of extinction-level curse.

All God-Chosen will be teleported back to their original universe in 10 seconds.

Qin Feng stood atop the human fortress.

He looked back at the Great Wall of Steel he had forged with his own hands, and at the hundred newborns he had tucked away into his "Portable Void."

These children were the embers of humanity, and the witnesses to his long struggle.

"Time to go home."

Qin Feng whispered.

The aura radiating from his body began to climb, no longer suppressed.

It was the pressure of a Universe Venerable, carrying a terrifying ripple of a "Quasi-Universe Master."

The countdown ended.

A pillar of light, brilliant beyond measure, enveloped Qin Feng.

The God-Chosen Battlefield collapsed, dissolving into nothingness.

The Reality Universe, Human Territory, Holy Terra.

On this day, the entire Terra star system was placed under lockdown.

Hundreds of millions of interstellar warships anchored in orbit, forming an impenetrable dome of steel.

On the ground, a hundred billion citizens took to the streets, holding flowers and flags, gazing up at the sky.

Not just on Terra, but through the quantum network broadcast, the seven hundred cosmic nations and trillions of human subjects held their breath in anticipation.

They were waiting for the return of that man.

The Guardian who, by his own strength, suppressed ten thousand races and led humanity from the brink of obscurity to the pinnacle of existence.

Hum—!!!

The space on the outskirts of the Terra system suddenly shattered like glass. It was not a conventional space gate, but a direct tearing of the dimensional barrier.

A figure stepped out from the void.

He wore simple black robes, his frame slender, his features handsome.

Yet, the moment he appeared, the light of every star in the system dimmed for an instant.

For he was more dazzling than the stars themselves.

Qin Feng.

Behind him, a phantom of a vast universe vaguely emerged (the manifestation of the Chaos Core). Stars were born and perished; chaos flowed in cycles.

He stood in the void, yet it felt as if he were treading upon the very spine of the cosmos.

"Welcome home, Venerable!!!"

The Commander-in-Chief of the Terra System Defense, a white-haired powerhouse of the King-level, wept with joy, dropping to one knee and roaring with every ounce of his strength.

"Welcome home, Venerable!!!"

In orbit, billions of soldiers shouted in unison. The sound waves, amplified by psychic resonance, swept through the entire system.

"Welcome home, Venerable!!!"

On the ground, a hundred billion citizens knelt. This was no submissive gesture, but the highest tribute to a hero.

The sound was like a tide, the faith like an ocean.

Endless golden power of faith converged from every corner of human territory, manifesting as a ten-thousand-mile-long Golden Dragon of Humanity, circling beneath Qin Feng’s feet and emitting a roar that shook the firmament.

Qin Feng looked at the scene before him.

He looked at those faces—fanatical, worshipful, and filled with hope.

A warm current surged through his heart.

This was what he had fought for.

This was the meaning of "protection."

He slowly raised his hand, signaling for silence.

In an instant, the clamorous system fell quiet.

Only Qin Feng’s calm yet powerful voice echoed in everyone’s mind:

"I have not failed the mission."

"Humanity shall rise."

Boom—!

Those four simple words ignited the emotions of everyone present.

Countless people embraced and wept. They knew the days of suffering were over. An invincible spine had risen to hold up the sky for humanity.

Qin Feng descended onto the "Hero’s Plaza" in front of the Terra Imperial Palace.

The ground was paved with white jade brought from the Andromeda Galaxy, and statues of human sages through the ages stood on either side.

Today, at the end of this boulevard, beside the Golden Throne that symbolized the highest power of humanity, all the speakers of the Terra Council, the rulers of the seven hundred cosmic nations, and the ancient human relics who had awakened from their slumber (Saints and Half-Step Venerables) stood in formation to wait.

This level of protocol transcended imperial power and law.

This was the courtesy reserved for a "Savior."

Qin Feng walked step by step along the white jade boulevard.

The honor guard on both sides played the "Humanity’s Triumphant Hymn."

With every step he took, golden lotus flowers bloomed in the surrounding space—a manifestation of the law resonance inherent to a "Quasi-Universe Master."

He reached the end.

The Speaker of the Terra Council—a man who had weathered five millennia—stepped forward, his hands trembling as he cradled a badge.

The emblem was forged from the core of a miniature star, etched with the two characters for "Humanity."

The Supreme Guardian Medal of the Human Race.

Since the dawn of mankind, no soul had ever been deemed worthy of it.

"Venerable Qin,"

The Speaker’s voice choked with emotion, "Humanity has no way to repay all you have done. This medal signifies that you hold... absolute, supreme authority over our people."

"From this day forth, your will is the will of the human race."

Qin Feng took the badge, but rather than pinning it to his chest, he closed his palm around it.

"Power holds no meaning for me."

Qin Feng’s gaze swept across the assembly; those who were once high-and-mighty sovereigns and councilors now stood before him as timid as schoolchildren.

"I only desire peace for humanity."

Following this, Qin Feng turned his eyes toward the Golden Throne.

Though the Emperor had fallen into slumber once more, Qin Feng could sense a faint, gratified ripple emanating from those withered bones.

"I have fulfilled my promise to you."

Qin Feng whispered in the silence of his heart.

"Now, I must borrow your sanctuary for a time."

After the grand welcoming ceremony had concluded.

Deep within the Terra Imperial Palace, in the most secure of chambers.

Only Qin Feng and the three core leaders of humanity were present.

With the clamor of the outside world shut away, Qin Feng’s expression turned grave.

"The celebrations may end here."

Qin Feng sat at the head of the table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface.

"Our victory on the God-Chosen Battlefield has merely bought us a moment to breathe. The myriad races will never abandon their desire to see us perish; while this battle has wounded them, it has also fully exposed our potential."

"The days ahead will be the most perilous of all."

One leader nodded: "The Venerable is correct. Though the God race and the Machine race suffered defeat, their foundations in the physical universe remain unfathomable. If they were to launch an all-out war..."

"They dare not."

Qin Feng interrupted, his tone imperious, "As long as I remain, they dare not."

"However,"

Qin Feng shifted his tone, "I am not omnipotent. As I stand now, I am but one final step away from invincibility."

The three leaders held their breath.

"Venerable... are you saying you must break through once more?"

They could scarcely imagine it. Qin Feng was already a Venerable of the Universe, capable of slaying demigod projections in a heartbeat.

To transcend further? What realm could that possibly be?

A Lord of the Universe?!

Qin Feng nodded, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I have integrated the Seed of the Universe; my soul, energy, and cultivation are all complete."

"Only my physical form lacks a final, vital ingredient."

He looked toward the three, asking in a low voice:

"Utilize every intelligence network at humanity's disposal and help me find something."

"Speak, Venerable! We shall mobilize the entire race to secure it for you!"

Qin Feng slowly uttered four words:

"Primordial Divine Gold."

"Primordial Divine Gold?"

The three leaders exchanged glances, their faces turning pale with shock.

"Find it."

"Once I possess all the Primordial Divine Gold, I shall forge my true form."

Qin Feng stood, and an aura that made the entire Terra star system tremble flickered into existence.

"Then, I shall ascend to become a Lord of the Universe."

"When that day comes, there will be no need for defense."

The night on Terra was ablaze with light.

Qin Feng did not stay in the Imperial Palace, returning instead to his old home on Morning Star—the humble Silver Gull community.

Though it had been converted into the "Qin Feng Former Residence Museum," the moment he returned, every tourist and guard was ushered away by a gentle force.

Qin Feng lay upon his old, worn bed.

Outside the window stretched the familiar starry sky.

He could almost hear the nagging voice of his father, Qin Dahai, echoing from next door.

He produced the Chaos Core, watching it rotate slowly in his palm.

"Only one step remains."

Qin Feng clenched his fist.

This was not merely a pursuit of power, but a declaration of war against fate itself.

From a lowly youth to the Guardian of Humanity he was today.

He had already walked ninety-nine steps.

This final step, even if he had to turn the universe upside down, he would see it through to the end.

"Primordial Divine Gold..."

Qin Feng closed his eyes, and the divine sense of his Eye of Return to Ruins followed the veins of human destiny, spreading out into the endless sea of stars.