Long River Eternity

Nian Zhong Sheng floated above the nine heavens, the giant phantom behind him turning into specks of golden light that slowly dissipated. The golden light permeated Nian Zhong Sheng's body, as if he were radiating a divine light.

He turned his back to the sun, hiding his face in the shadows, so his expression was not visible. He said softly, "I don't understand your Heavenly Way, your laws. I only know that in this world, nothing can be above all living beings."

"All living beings, not just humans, whether it's the Northern Frost Demon Alliance or your ancient demon race, as long as you abandon your plans for war, I am willing to discuss with you how humans and demons should coexist in the future."

"Coexistence? It's nothing more than like in ancient times, where the demon race lived in a corner of the world, lacking cultivation resources, and had to act as the first line of defense against sea demons for the human race."

"If that's the case, what has everything we've done over the past billions of years meant?!" Kunpeng shouted angrily.

“Now that the Northern Frost Demon Alliance has agreed not to set foot in human territory again, do you think you, who have survived since ancient times and whose cultivation has not yet recovered, still have any hope of winning, since even you, who are known as the strongest demon general, have lost to me?” Nian Zhong Sheng did not explain further, but coldly questioned.

"If we wait until we recover our strength, how can we allow you to be so arrogant?!" Kunpeng's angry roar was filled with resentment.

"Restore your cultivation level? If you don't agree today, is there any hope of ever seeing that day again? This is the price you pay for underestimating the human race and rashly launching a war," Nian Zhong Sheng said in a deep voice.

Just then, a large shadow suddenly appeared above Nian Zhong Sheng's head, enveloping him.

The shadow continued to expand, as if something was falling from the sky and crashing down on sentient beings.

Faced with this shadow of unknown origin, Nian Zhong Sheng did not choose to fight it head-on, but disappeared from the spot. When he reappeared, he was already in front of Lin Ding and the others, protecting them behind him.

At this moment, the shadow finally revealed its true form, which turned out to be a huge ancient bronze bell.

The bronze bell, its mouth facing downwards, did not change direction despite the people's attempts to avoid it. Instead, with a humming sound, it continued to fall rapidly from the sky in its original direction.

"Oh no, his target is Nightmare!" Only then did Nian Zhong Sheng realize the ancient bronze bell's target from the direction it fell, and he immediately rushed towards the deep pit.

However, by the time he tried to take action, it was too late. The ancient bronze bell crashed heavily into the bottom of the pit like a meteorite, enveloping the entire pit, including the enormous nine-headed serpent body of Jingyan. The sound of the bell as it landed spread out like ripples, repelling the rushing Nian Shengzhong.

"Finally here." Upon seeing the bronze bell, Bai Ze breathed a sigh of relief and muttered to himself. Then, looking at Nian Zhong Sheng, his eyes blazed with renewed fighting spirit. "It seems you underestimated the demon race."

Before long, the ancient bronze bell resounded with Jingyan's heart-wrenching screams. At the same time, the bell continued to emit earth-shattering crashing sounds as Jingyan inside repeatedly pounded against the bell wall, trying to escape. However, the ancient bronze bell remained unmoved, and even with Jingyan's severely injured body, it could not be shaken in the slightest.

Upon seeing this, the sentient beings' eyes blazed with boundless fury, and they charged toward the ancient bronze bell once more, recalling the events that had just transpired between the heavens and the Nightmare.

Half an hour ago, Nian Zhong Sheng and Jing Yan were engaged in a fierce battle in the sky. Various spaceships, satellites, and space stations from ten thousand years ago were floating around them, constantly exploding and dissipating.

The hundreds of kilometers of space were filled with void rifts due to the fierce battle between the two, as if the universe was about to be completely torn apart.

At this moment, the two exchanged blows, retreated, and stood at opposite ends of a huge space station, facing each other in a standoff.

"I never imagined that you would break through to the peak of the Tianxuan Realm in just a hundred years. It's simply a miracle," Jingyan exclaimed in admiration.

"I never expected that even though I'm now at the peak of the Tianxuan Realm, you could still fight me to a standstill," Nian Zhong Sheng replied calmly.

"If I relied solely on myself, I certainly couldn't have achieved this. It was Ancestor Xiang Liu who used a drop of his essence blood to allow my bloodline to revert to its ancestral state, enabling me to possess a nine-headed body in the Tianxuan Realm. He also infused all the spiritual power within his body into mine, allowing me to simultaneously possess the dual cultivation of the Tianxuan Realm and the Sovereign Realm." Jing Yan casually revealed the secret to his rapid growth.

Nian Zhong Sheng was utterly baffled by Jing Yan's actions: "You just revealed your trump card like that? Are you that confident in this duel?"

Jingyan smiled, not responding to Nian Zhongsheng's question, but continuing, "Do you still not understand how I managed to turn the tide in that battle a hundred years ago, when we were destined to lose?"

Nian Zhong Sheng was increasingly baffled by Jing Yan's behavior, so he chose to remain silent, frowning and staring at him.

Jingyan didn't wait for Nian Zhongsheng's reply, but said to himself, "Back then, it was my ancestor Xiangliu who separated a wisp of his soul to enter my sea of ​​consciousness and control my body to fight you."

"With my cultivation level, which was already comparable to yours, plus his combat experience spanning billions of years, I thought I could easily defeat you. I never expected you to win by half a move in the end. I truly have to admire you."

"No wonder you seemed like a completely different person towards the end of the battle; it turns out the one I fought was Xiang Liu." Nian Zhongcheng suddenly realized, the question that had troubled him for a hundred years finally being answered. "But what exactly do you want to do by telling me all this now?"

"Don't rush. We're in outer space now; no one can detect us. We don't usually have this opportunity." Jing Yan remained calm and composed, then pointed to the surrounding mechanical debris. "Do you know what these are?"

“Some machines made by humans ten thousand years ago were used to explore outer space,” Nian Zhong Sheng replied briefly.

"I once obtained some books describing humans from 10,000 years ago, including their technology, lifestyle, and diet, which are completely different from your lives now."

Back then, the prosperity of any medium-sized city could rival that of your Zhongzhou City today. It filled me with longing. Jingyan recalled the contents of the book, his face full of yearning.

"If it weren't for your frequent invasions of the human race by demonic beasts, our technology and living standards might have already recovered to the level of ten thousand years ago," Nian Zhongsheng said indignantly.

“Yes, according to records, humans ten thousand years ago achieved that kind of life in just a thousand years. With the current capabilities of the human race, they might be able to do it even faster,” Jingyan agreed.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Jingyan's words gave Nian Zhongsheng a bold guess, but also made him feel that it was utterly absurd.

"Do you think this battle is meaningful?" Jingyan asked, then paused and changed his words, "Or rather, if you win, have you thought about what the consequences will be?"

"No matter the outcome, all I know is that I cannot lose this battle," Nian Zhongsheng said firmly.

Jingyan smiled helplessly and shook his head, saying, "You don't need to be so wary of me. I'm not trying to trick you into saying anything. We've been fighting for over a hundred years. Knowing you as I do, I don't believe you haven't thought about how to clean up the mess after the great war."

Since you don't want to say it, I'll say it for you. Even if you win this battle, you'll be severely weakened, or even both of you will be seriously injured, and then you'll be surrounded and killed by the ancient monsters below. So, regardless of whether you win or lose this battle, the first problem you need to face is how to get back to Zhongzhou City alive.

"How will you know if you don't try?" Upon hearing this, Nian Zhong Sheng assumed that Jing Yan was prepared to fight to the death. Immediately, golden light surged around him as he warily watched his opponent, ready to make a move at any moment.

"Knowing the hope is slim, why make a pointless attempt? Don't you want a win-win outcome?" Jingyan shrugged and asked with a smirk.

"The outcome is already at this point, and there's no way to achieve a win-win situation unless you admit defeat and give up the fight. Do you really think you'll admit defeat?" Nian Zhong Sheng sneered and questioned.

"I'm willing," Jingyan replied with a wicked smile.

"What did you say?" Nian Zhong Sheng's face was full of disbelief, and he immediately became extremely vigilant. "What trick are you trying to pull?"

Jingyan sighed softly and said slowly, "As the leader of the human race, you are unwilling to see the human race sacrifice themselves in the war. Although I am only the leader of the Northern Frost Demon Alliance and cannot represent the entire demon race, I also do not want to see a large number of demon beasts lose their lives in vain in the war with the human race."

As Jingyan spoke, he simply sat down and looked at the blue planet below. He said in a deep voice, "Whether it's my ancestor Xiangliu or those ancient demon beasts that have just awakened, in the end, they don't belong to this era at all. They have no feelings for the current demon race. They just use them as pawns to achieve their goals. Whether a hundred or ten thousand, a hundred thousand or even more die, it's all the same to them."

Hundreds of years ago, our Hydra demon clan found a ruin, and unexpectedly discovered our ancestor Xiangliu inside.

A few years later, he awoke and founded the Northern Frost Demon Alliance. His purpose in establishing the alliance was simple: to gather demon beasts to help him find people, in exchange for some advanced cultivation techniques. After arranging everything, he fell into a deep sleep once more.

Our Hydra lineage benefited the most, and soon after, I broke through to the Heavenly Pivot Realm. At that time, I was not yet the leader of the Northern Cold Demon Alliance. In order to find the Holy Maiden mentioned by Xiang Liu, I left Hanzhou for the first time and saw the scenery beyond the icy snowfield for the first time. This made me fall in love with this world instantly.

At that time, due to the mission of finding the Holy Maiden, the demon beasts would often clash with the human race. Back then, I was arrogant and proud, and since ordinary humans at the Heavenly Pivot Realm were no match for me, I had the idea of ​​competing with you humans for this world.

However, as I learned more about you humans, I witnessed many of the weapons you created, the technologies you developed, your social systems, and so on. In the meantime, a large number of monsters died at your hands.

At that time, I gradually realized that forcing the demon race to go to war with the human race was just making pointless sacrifices.

I also understand now that the demon race's failure was not due to a lack of strength, but because the demon race never truly united. Even if the Northern Cold Demon Alliance could unite all the demon beasts in the Nine Provinces, it would still be a disorganized mess and might not be able to completely annihilate humanity.

Therefore, I temporarily put aside the idea of ​​competing with humans for this world. As I became the leader of the Northern Frost Demon Alliance, I only sent out a small number of demon beasts to continue carrying out Xiang Liu's mission in secret.

At the same time, I will devote most of my energy to how to organize the world of monsters into an orderly society like human society, only in this way will I have a chance to truly defeat you.

But when Xiangliu awoke once again a hundred years ago, everything changed.

Xiang Liu forcibly took over the entire Northern Cold Demon Alliance, and flew into a rage after learning that we had still not found the Holy Maiden's whereabouts after hundreds of years.

After learning that the strongest human being was only at the Tianji Realm, he decided to lead the Northern Cold Demon Alliance to completely defeat the human race.

As you know, our plan failed, and while his soul was controlling me, it was also injured by your forbidden blood-burning technique, forcing him to fall into a deep sleep again, only to awaken a few years later.

Upon hearing this, Nian Zhongsheng suddenly realized: "No wonder there was no news of the Northern Cold Demon Alliance after that battle. I was worried that you didn't take the hundred-year agreement seriously at all, and that you dragged your seriously injured body to persist in the Tian Shu Pavilion for more than ten years, but we haven't heard any news about the Northern Cold Demon Alliance since."

I thought you demons were so loyal to your agreement, but it turns out it's because you've run out of your biggest trump card.

Jingyan smiled helplessly: "Xiang Liu really didn't take the hundred-year agreement seriously. A few years ago, as soon as he woke up, he asked us to continue searching for the Holy Maiden. However, he may also be a little wary of your strength, so he didn't make a big fuss like before, but carried it out in secret."

After searching for so many years, all the demons had long given up hope of finding the Holy Maiden. Unexpectedly, Wuxiang actually brought her back some time ago.

Just when we thought that the Holy Maiden whom Xiang Liu was so fond of must be some extraordinary person who could lead our demon race to create glory, we never expected that this would be the final blow that plunged the Northern Cold Demon Alliance into the abyss.

Not long after the saintess left, Xiang Liu suddenly found me and said he would help me improve my strength in a short time to prepare for the hundred-year agreement.

At that time, I had a bad feeling, but with my strength at the time, I had no ability to refuse and could only let Xiang Liu do as he pleased.

A few days later, I went into seclusion. When I emerged, the spiritual energy had already recovered, and Xiang Liu had decided to cooperate with the ancient demon race in order to continue the ancient war between humans and demons.

Later, when Xiang Liu met with Bai Ze and other powerful demons, I was present. From their words, it was clear that they didn't care how many demons would die or how the world would be turned upside down; their only concern was victory.

At this point, Jingyan stood up excitedly, looked at Nian Zhongsheng, and roared, "But this kind of victory is not what I want to see. What I want is to share this beautiful world with the brothers in the Demon Alliance, and let the demons who have been trapped in Hanzhou for many years see that this world is not just white."

If in the end all you win is a ravaged world, with no one left behind, then what is the point of such a victory?

"If you can promise not to harm humans, we can let you leave Hanzhou, and even designate an area in Zhongzhou for monsters to live in, without having to start a war."

Moreover, with the resurgence of spiritual energy and the discovery of a nuclear reactor dating back ten thousand years, if we can successfully replicate it, future cultivation resources will be no problem at all, and humans and demons will no longer need to fight over resources.” After hearing Jingyan’s heartfelt words, Nian Zhongsheng no longer harbored any hostility towards him, and his tone was now full of sincerity.

Upon hearing this, Jingyan smiled, a smile that carried a hint of relief and resolve: "That's exactly what I've been waiting for."

After saying that, Jingyan's body shone with black light. In the light, his entire body began to expand continuously, and finally manifested as a nine-headed serpent that was more than a thousand meters long.

The massive body landed on the wreckage of the space station. The once magnificent space station now looked like a toy beneath the Hydra.

When Nian Zhong Sheng saw Jing Yan reveal his true form, he immediately retreated several kilometers away, looking at Jing Yan with a puzzled expression, not understanding why he would reveal his true form if he had already admitted defeat.

At this moment, Jingyan's deep voice rang out: "As I just said, even if you win against me, so many ancient demonic beasts at the Sovereign Realm below will not let you go. Although they are not at their peak right now, with their numerical advantage and combat experience, you will still have a slim chance of survival."

However, these old monsters are cunning and calculating. Their only chance now is for you to defeat me decisively, making them believe your strength has reached an unfathomable level. If you can fool them, you'll have a chance to escape.

As soon as the words were spoken, two of the Nightmare's heads began to bite at the other two, tearing them off instantly and spraying blood everywhere.

At the same time, the other two heads gathered energy in their mouths and then shot out two beams of light at the remaining three heads.

After a violent explosion, the three heads, bleeding profusely and cracked, hung limply to the ground.

Such a horrific scene left even the most knowledgeable and experienced beings speechless with astonishment.

At this moment, the severely injured Jingyan gasped for breath and said weakly, "Now, my status in the demon race is insignificant. You are the only one who can save the Northern Cold Demon Alliance. I hope you will not disappoint me."

Jingyan was already swaying precariously, her voice growing weaker and weaker: "Also, be careful of my eldest son, Wuchang. He is Xiangliu's most steadfast supporter, and his talent surpasses mine. If it's not absolutely necessary, spare his... life..."

Having said that, Jingyan could no longer hold on. His body went limp, and he plummeted from the heavens toward his beloved blue planet below.