Chapter 297: Post-Chaotian Calendar, Year 1123
“Boom!”
Amidst a deafening roar.
The entire world seemed to tremble.
In that instant, Lu Qingyang’s figure was completely engulfed by a blazing radiance.
Like a meteor fading into the cosmos, leaving behind only shock and unease.
The power of a Human Immortal’s self-detonation was more than terrifying.
It was earth-shattering!
That force was like a howling gale.
Sweeping across all directions.
The violent currents dragged everything around into endless darkness.
The earth split open, rocks flew, vegetation was flattened. The entire scene was like an apocalypse descending, causing waves of fear to surge in one’s heart.
The entire firmament was torn apart in that moment.
Dark clouds churned, lightning flashed and thunder roared.
As if responding to this catastrophe.
That shining brilliance was like the wrath of a god, illuminating the entire world in an instant.
Even the air was filled with a suffocating heat.
And this self-detonation’s pressure reached the entire Central Region in an instant.
Jiangxin’s Heavenly Dao Body crumbled inch by inch immediately.
Had Lu Qingyang not strenuously controlled the Heaven Shard Blade Horn to carry Jiangxin’s Heavenly Dao Essence away.
Jiangxin would certainly have perished completely.
And though Jiangxin had blocked at least fifty percent of the impact.
The severe injuries Lu Qingyang suffered were unprecedented.
His massive immortal body had completely turned into a mist of blood.
His organs, tendons, bones, flesh, viscera…
Everything was shattered beyond repair, impossible to piece back into its original form.
Even his sea of consciousness had been torn apart in that earlier upheaval.
His soul was so weak it was nearly dispersing.
The cultivation karma of a Human Immortal ceaselessly scoured his will.
His eyes gradually blurred.
The last thing his vision caught was the entire Central Region continent gradually breaking apart.
Like a whole cracker, forcibly snapped into several pieces!
Countless mortals, cultivators, cities and buildings, like sesame seeds on that cracker, drifted and scattered into the distance.
This scene was too spectacular, and too tragic.
And Lu Qingyang finally could hold on no longer, falling into unconsciousness.
In this deep sleep.
He dreamed many dreams.
Each one so real.
Memories from childhood to adulthood surged like a tide.
He seemed to clearly remember his mother gently stroking his cheek, saying: “Yang’er has grown up. Whatever you want to do in the future, go do it. Mama will always support you.”
He also clearly remembered his father smiling brilliantly at himself in the mirror, saying: “My son is so handsome, Dad is so proud!”
He also clearly remembered his mother combing his hair, that voice full of love: “Yang’er, what do you want to learn in the future?”
Finally, after who knew how long.
His world was pitch black……
Post-Chaotian Calendar, year 1123.
In the Hundred Fragments Domain, on a small island no more than several dozen li in length and width.
In a schoolhouse built of thatched grass.
Several wet-behind-the-ears children were listening with relish as the Master lectured.
“The world is vast, endless. The brilliance of the sun and moon is dazzling, yet in the boundless cosmos it seems utterly insignificant.”
The Master stood on the platform, speaking with ease.
“Do you know what the world we live in is called?”
His words sparked a discussion.
Several children clamored to answer, each trying to be first.
“It’s called the Chaotian Realm!”
“That’s right, it’s called the Chaotian Realm. Then do you know why it’s called the Chaotian Realm?”
“Because the Saint Venerable gave it its name!”
The Master smiled faintly and nodded, continuing: “You’re right, it was named by the Saint Venerable.”
“Then do you know what the calendar we use now is called?”
“I know!”
“I know too!”
“The calendar we use now is called the ‘Post-Chaotian Calendar!’”
……
Everyone answered one after another.
The Master laughed and continued: “Since you all know, do you know why it’s called the Post-Chaotian Calendar?”
“Since there’s a ‘Post,’ there should be a ‘Pre.’ Do you know what the Pre-Chaotian Calendar is?”
At those words, the classroom fell silent.
Clearly, these young children had never considered such a question.
After a long while, one finally spoke hesitantly: “Could it be… the previous calendar was used up?”
The Master shook his head with a wry smile, but did not explain.
Instead, he seemed to have sunk into some kind of memory. Only after a long time did he slowly speak: “Actually, it’s said that over a thousand years ago, a great explosion occurred in our world!”
“This explosion not only destroyed the core continent of our world, but also pushed our world’s civilization to a new height.”
“Before that great explosion, the calendar we used was called the Chaotian Calendar.”
“But afterward, it was changed to the Post-Chaotian Calendar.”
“And it’s said that the sea beneath our feet was actually once a vast, boundless continent.”
“The entire continent was called the Central Region, with countless cultivators and powerhouses everywhere.”
“Even many famous Puppet Armor Academies and Cultivation Academies were established on that continent.”
The Master’s words left the children with dazed expressions.
Clearly they had never heard such a rumor.
And this rumor seemed far too outrageous.
“Powerful cultivators?”
“Master, were there powerful cultivators before? Could they be stronger than Puppet Armor Cultivators?”
“How could that possibly be!”
“I don’t believe there were such powerful cultivators. Haven’t you heard those cultivators need to train for decades or even centuries just to fly?”
The children discussed animatedly, clearly not believing the rumor.
The Master smiled faintly and said unhurriedly: “Of course there were!”
“Who?”
“Was it one of the Saint Venerables?”
“It must be the Saint Venerable, otherwise how could they have created such powerful Puppet Armor!”
“Mm!”
The children pressed eagerly, extremely excited.
The Master sighed softly: “You’re right, it was the powerful Saint Venerable. But unfortunately, legend says that a thousand years ago, Immortals from Beyond the Heavens invaded.”
“The Saint Venerable fought them to the death without hesitation. After that battle, the vast Central Region continent was blasted into countless fragments.”
“And from then on, the Central Region was renamed the Hundred Fragments Domain!”
As his words fell, the Master said nothing for a long time.
As if immersed in this epic, glorious ancient myth.
“M-Master, those are all myths and legends, right?”
Suddenly, a timid voice sounded.
“Oh?”
The Master slightly turned his gaze toward the speaker, then revealed a warm smile.
“Yes! They are all legends. But you must remember, this world does have powerful cultivators.”
“Though Puppet Armor Cultivators are now the mainstream of our future cultivation, if you ever encounter a powerful cultivator in the future, you must be humble and respectful, never offend them!”
“After all, a cultivator’s methods are unfathomable, and you must never deliberately make enemies!”
At these words, the children all nodded on the surface.
But deep in each of their eyes flickered a trace of disdain.
As if in their eyes, cultivators were not such remarkable existences.
Even though they were mortals, they seemed to have their own confidence……