The All Saints Era, opening the Near Ancient Era, left a deep and lasting influence on the present world.

The so-called “unified thought” doesn’t mean making everyone’s thoughts and ideas consistent. The differences between people are precisely the embodiment of the human race’s vitality.

The All Saints sought to use a sufficiently vast knowledge system to encompass the ideas of all schools of thought, eliminate internal conflict, and synthesize everything, thereby completely explaining all problems in the universe and exploring higher realms.

Ultimately, they failed.

The All Saints Era has already become historical smoke and clouds.

Jiang Wang vaguely felt that the All Saints Era was an era very much worth studying.

After all, it was the first act of the Near Ancient, a new chapter for the human race after the Human Emperor.

It’s a pity it’s too far from the present world now, and can only be recalled in fragments.

“The Ancient Human Emperor and the Upper Ancient Human Emperor both died from great wars injuring their origins, only the Middle Ancient Human Emperor’s cause of death was different.

“After killing the Dragon Emperor’s nine sons to refine the nine bridges and expelling the Dragon Emperor to the vast sea, the human race then unified the present world, becoming the only voice in this world, having reached the peak of the era. But because of the era’s limitations, they could advance no further. As the common lord of the world, enjoying the honorable title of Human Emperor, if they could not lead the human race forward, they would instead devour the human race’s destiny.

“The great Lie Shan Shi performed divination on heaven and obtained the hexagram saying—’A group of dragons without a head, the world is greatly auspicious.’

“Thus, he self-dissipated.

“The death of a True Monarch greatly benefits heaven, the death of a Human Emperor nourishes the human race. So when the Near Ancient opened, heavenly talents shone throughout the world.

“A great era thus ended, the legends of the Middle Ancient and the Lie Shan Human Emperor together became the past.”

Kou Xuejiao slowly said: “After the Middle Ancient Human Emperor’s death, the human race lost its common leader, but still had to move forward. The predecessors of the Near Ancient attempted to explore a more supreme path. The Hundred Schools Contention’s All Saints Era thus opened.

“That was an incomparably brilliant era, the radiance of wisdom flashing through the nine heavens. It perfectly inherited the Middle Ancient era and opened up infinite possibilities for later generations.”

“The last wish of the Human Emperor Lie Shan Shi was ‘generation after generation of the human race, surpassing the previous; world after world of the human race, again opening new heavens.'”

“The entire Near Ancient era can be said to be a great exploration based on the Human Emperor’s ideal. For example, the All Saints Era, the Myth Era, the Immortal Era…”

“The state system after the new opening of the Dao Calendar, in some aspects, can actually be considered an echo of the All Saints Era.

“The unification of thought gives birth to saints.

“The unification of material gives birth to emperors!”

The reason why monarchs can also be called ‘saints,’ and ‘saint emperors,’ is precisely this. They can originally be considered two sides of the same body.

No wonder Kou Xuejiao said that the Great Accomplishment Supreme Saint was similar to the Six Harmonies Emperor.

This is indeed two similar paths, even overlapping in certain times. Different paths leading to the same destination, directly pointing to the strongest.

The All Saints Era, the Myth Era, the Immortal Era, one great era after another’s attempts and failures, only then did this abnormally complex but also full of vitality new era emerge after the new opening of the Dao Calendar.

And tracing back to the source, it is still the gift of the Lie Shan Human Emperor to the human race.

History is grand!

The vast and mighty calamity water also seemed to respect the greatness of this period of history, being abnormally peaceful at this moment.

“So these…” Zhu Weiwu asked: “What connection do they have with the calamity water?”

Kou Xuejiao said: “The ultimate ideal of the All Saints Era was to achieve Great Accomplishment Supreme Saint, reaching the great realm of being both transcendent and invincible.

“They failed.

“But they also almost succeeded.

“At the time closest to success, the present world expanded outwards, simultaneously launching wars against the demon race, the devil race, the sea race, and the asura. The All Saints suppressed the calamity water, almost completely cleansing this evil sea!”

Jiang Wang’s heart stirred.

The great blueprint of the All Saints Era was actually to sweep away all existences that could be called threats to the human race.

And they were close to succeeding!

Almost cleansing the evil sea, what is this concept?

Having once witnessed the Bodhi Evil Ancestor and personally seen the death of Huo Shi Ji, Jiang Zhenren could fully imagine that kind of difficulty.

And as early as the All Saints Era, those great predecessors had almost achieved this unimaginable great feat.

“Their method is related to lotus seeds?” Jiang Wang asked.

Kou Xuejiao nodded: “According to the saying circulated in the All Saints Era, ‘Make the calamity water nurture the true world, just like a lotus pod gives birth to lotus seeds.’ In the most prosperous time of the All Saints Era, the All Saints collectively descended into the calamity water, spread out their dao fields in the evil sea, and discussed dao for ten years. During this, the All Saints even used their own power to transform those bubble worlds, educate the beings within, turn them into reality, and thoroughly implement the thought worlds of the All Saints, called ‘evil lotus gives birth to seeds, emerging from mud but not stained.’ Then, relying on these lotus seed worlds, they continuously absorbed the evil force and continuously purified the calamity water.

“At that time, the evil sea was a scene of prosperity, with true worlds like lotus seeds and pure water like green lotus. It was called ‘bubble shadows become lotus reality, millions on the sea.’

“In that era, the clear water domains we could see were far more than the ten thousand li of today, but vast as far as the eye could see, and the calamity water almost became an inner sea!”

That was indeed a scene that made people yearn.

But appearing in a place like the evil sea made Jiang Wang feel a kind of sorrowful and illusory feeling—the more thoroughly you see reality, the harder it is to be satisfied. Because happiness is mostly illusory.

Jiang Wang murmured: “But the calamity water can never be completely purified, because the evil force is always being born.”

“That is the reason. But the All Saints actually thought it could be eternal.” Kou Xuejiao’s voice was inevitably tinged with regret: “So after the All Saints life-transformed, those green lotus seeds were dyed black one by one. Today’s lotus seed worlds are all like this. Among them, those that are decayed and dead are countless, becoming trap killing fields. Former lotus realities have mostly become absolute realms, burying unknown numbers of people from ancient times to the present. I am more familiar with the calamity water, so I dare to delve deep here to seek lotus seeds.”

Zhong Xuan Zun had been silently listening until this moment, only then saying: “Kou Zhenren has found the lotus seed world where the Qiong Qi is hidden?”

“Not in this piece of water domain.” Kou Xuejiao held the Three Thousand Red Dust Sword in her hand, radiating a killing aura: “The history of the Blood River Sect indeed has records about Qiong Qi; it exists in several lotus seed worlds. But so many years have passed, and many worlds have changed. I am not sure if it still exists, and I don’t know how many days it will take to find… perhaps we have to go a little further.”

“If it is convenient, Kou Zhenren can provide me with the materials of the corresponding lotus seed worlds.” Zhong Xuan Zun said: “I will go a little further myself.”

“How can I do that? I said I would bring you to find Qiong Qi, so I must bring you to find it.” Kou Xuejiao said: “Giving up halfway, how is that the Blood River Sect’s way of treating guests?”

Jiang Wang actively invited: “How about going together? Anyway, we are also here to train in the calamity water and have no temporary goal. Helping you find Qiong Qi is also good.”

He hadn’t even discussed compensation with the noble Champion Marquis yet! Kou Xuejiao had already refused: “Perhaps it’s not suitable, lotus seed worlds are generally hidden quite deep, and also quite dangerous correspondingly…”

“Someone in Dou loves danger!”

Dou Zhao was originally not interested. The team already had so many people, what’s the point of adding two more? It wasn’t for setting up arrays. The evil views along the way were not enough for him to kill alone! Helping Zhong Xuan Zun was even more impossible. But when Kou Xuejiao said it was dangerous, he became interested— “Zhong Xuan Zun can go, why can’t I!?”

Kou Xuejiao was speechless for a moment.

Are the young true persons nowadays all this assertive?

Do these young people actually know what kind of place the calamity water is?

Zhong Xuan Zun smiled faintly: “If people gather together, won’t the target be too big? This is calamity water after all, attracting derived dao level evil monsters is not optimistic.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say.” Kou Xuejiao said seriously: “The winds and waves beneath the calamity water are far more terrifying than you imagine. Jiang Zhenren is experienced, but he has only seen the tip of the iceberg… you yourselves should also pay attention to movement when slaying evil monsters. Just now, Dou Zhenren came all the way with a golden rainbow, splitting the sea, who knows if he has already alarmed certain existences.”

“Then farewell.” Jiang Wang also did not waste time, casually waved his hand, turned and walked away.

The Bodhi Evil Ancestor had already been sealed back, according to Wu Zongshi and the others, it would not come out again unless there was an evil tribulation. And with the power of this current group, as long as they didn’t encounter a derived dao level evil view, they could basically sweep through the calamity water.

But the appearance of derived dao level evil views had no regularity—in fact, the biggest danger of the calamity water lay precisely in this. Even the most experienced evil view hunting teams, once they encountered an evil view far surpassing their level, would have no ability to resist at all.

Even strong as these heavenly talents, if they truly ran into a derived dao level evil view… they could only try to find a way to escape. After all, evil views have no intelligence or knowledge, perhaps they could be deceived.

The two teams separated, one to the left and one to the right.

Dou Zhao’s eyebrows slightly furrowed: “Those two have a little problem, they both seem not to want to be with us.”

You really can’t treat this guy as a brute!

His brain is still very good, just covered up by his usual overbearing performance.

“Is it possible they just don’t want to be with you?” Jiang Wang analyzed seriously: “I don’t know about Kou Xuejiao, but Champion Marquis has fought side by side with me many times, and we stood guard in the Purple Extreme Hall one on the left and one on the right, very symmetrical. He has no reason not to want to act together with me.”

Dou Zhao waved both hands, saying very magnanimously: “Fine, it’s all my fault! We cultivators can bear all responsibilities!”

But at the same time, he transmitted a message: “Surname Jiang, you just used me as a bet, I still haven’t settled the score with you. You also don’t want Ning Shuangrong and the others to know about that evil view you secretly reinforced, right?”

“Fifty-fifty.” Jiang Zhenren divided with pain.

Dou Zhao laughed heartily, his martial clothes fluttering in front: “Everyone follow me, what are Zhong Xuan Zun and Kou Xuejiao! We’ll also pick a few of those so-called lotus seed worlds!”

The All Saints once used the calamity water to nurture the true world, truly their divine powers covered the world, having that meaning of turning calamity into blessing.

At that time, the lotus seed worlds were not exaggerated to say that they were the essence of the entire calamity water.

After Cave True, Jiang Wang increasingly saw the importance of “name.” “Name” is sometimes a kind of explanation, sometimes a kind of definition—a definition of “true.”

Take calamity water for example, calamity water, evil sea, rootless, evil lotus, these four names represent four kinds of “true.”

There is no right or wrong, only perspectives.

So name and tool are for establishing rules, the state system is thus applying rules!

Every time a bit of ignorance is swept away, cultivators move forward a bit. The joy of Wandering World Cave True lies precisely in this.

With the reminder from Kou Xuejiao of the Blood River Sect, Jiang Wang’s group’s actions were much less ostentatious next. Especially Dou Zhao, who no longer made a big show of force, but chopped silently.

This hastily assembled team finally had a goal beyond cultivation at this point—to also seek those lotus seed worlds.

It would be best to find Qiong Qi ahead, seize its essence blood, and then let someone from Dou make a big request to Zhong Xuan Zun, with everyone sharing.

At this time, the merit turned to Ji Li, or more accurately, the merit was in her fox cat.

She only described to the fox cat a bit of the intelligence about the lotus seed worlds recorded in the Evening Drum Academy—how the lotus seed worlds exist, what they generally look like, and what is special about them.

The white fox cat seemed to hear, and seemed not to hear, shrinking motionless in Ji Li’s embrace.

Jiang Wang had already classified this cat with the stupid gray one in his heart.

As a result, half a quarter of an hour later, it suddenly leaped out of Ji Li’s embrace, treading waves and rushing forward, its long beautiful white fur dancing like down feathers in the air.

“Follow it, it can find a lotus seed world!” Ji Li said only this sentence, then flew to catch up.

The crowd naturally followed.

Zhuo Qingru was after all careful, and while flying, she remotely pointed: “Decree, prohibit harm!”

A wisp of clear light fell on the white fox cat’s body, turning into a prohibition of not harming anything.

In an instant, the white fox cat stopped in the air, and let out an extremely light and soft meow.

“Just in this piece of water domain.” Ji Li said: “There must be a lotus seed world here.”

Dou Zhao rushed forward, a flash of golden light hidden in his eyes.

“Found it!”

He then descended and landed, stepping on the water. Without any showy actions, he saw a pitch-black, lotus seed-shaped light ball soaring high into the sky, falling into the middle of the crowd. Its outer layer had a faint light, half virtual and half illusory, with indistinct light shadows rotating chaotically.

Just like that, he squeezed the lotus seed world out of the vast turbid water domain with one foot without any harm, especially since this piece of water domain had not yet been cleared and still had many evil views.

Dou Zhao’s control over power had truly reached perfection.

But everyone also took it for granted.

It was not surprising for the first heavenly talent of Great Chu to have such performance.

Jiang Wang praised the white fox cat endlessly: “This cat is truly spiritual, like a dog’s nose.”

But then he thought, his own stupid gray one didn’t seem very spiritual either. He hadn’t heard it bring any treasure back for An An, instead it freeloaded every day.

So he added: “Much more spiritual than a dog’s nose!”

The white fox cat’s pupils shook violently, and it buried its head in Ji Li’s embrace, no longer showing its face, only leaving a long tail like down feathers, gently swaying outside Ji Li’s arm.

“Don’t praise Snow Explorer like that, it’s quite shy.” Ji Li reminded tactfully.

This fat cat was originally called this name.

Jiang Wang said: “It seems to be overwhelmed by flattery.”

They chatted among themselves, while Zhu Weiwu held his spear and walked, already fighting with the surrounding evil views that surged towards them.

His Exhausted Xin spear brought out lines of golden fire, Zhu Weiwu’s quick steps were like flying, walking circle after circle in this piece of water domain… finally, only circle after circle of golden flames were left burning on the water, and no evil views were seen.

“Let’s go, enter and see.” Dou Zhao led the way, stepping into the light shadows of the lotus seed world.

The crowd followed one after another, and what they saw was full of desolation.

The entrance was a lotus pond, but the lotus leaves were all withered and rotten into clumps of black, gently swaying with the water waves, like constantly spreading ink.

The water here was not as turbid as the outside, but it had a decayed stench.

Perhaps it was once a vibrant small world, but along with the life transformation of the saints, it had withered, and there was no breath of life to be felt.

Jiang Wang and Zhu Weiwu exchanged a glance, and the next moment Zhu Weiwu rose up, turning into a brilliant golden crow, flapping its wings across the sky, patrolling the high heavens.

Its body seemed like a fierce sun, shining in all directions, melting and warming.

The stench in the air was all driven away, and the distant gloom was swept clean.

And that sunlight falling down, yet mixed with three colors of gold, red, and white, dyed all the withered and fallen things… with brilliant colors, making this world show a cruel and gorgeous beauty.

The cooperation between the Sun True Fire and the Three Flavors True Fire was seamless, quickly seeing through this square world.

In a flash, the golden crow fell down, turning back into the sharp-browed Zhu Weiwu.

The red-gold color in Jiang Wang’s eyes gradually receded, and finally he said: “This lotus seed world is about to die, there is nothing here. Only a skeleton that uses a sword, I don’t know how long it has been dead, but the sword intent is still… at the God Approach level. In front of the lake heart island, inside a pavilion. Daoist friend Ning can go and try a few hands, see if there is any harvest.”

Ning Shuangrong then ascended with sword light, following his words.

When she saw that skeleton, she understood Jiang Wang’s unfinished words.

It was a set of decayed bones, seemingly bitten by insects, with dense fine holes. The skeleton sat neatly in the center of the pavilion, and before its body, the stone steps were engraved with a line of small words, with sword qi vertical and horizontal.

The words said—

Sword Pavilion official Chang Qing.