"What about the third possibility that might emerge?"

After hearing the first two options, people contemplated and found that both suggestions were quite feasible, so they became even more curious about the third option.

"Ha ha, the third option is something I just casually mentioned. Maybe when I make my next breakthrough, I might be able to arm-wrestle with the Abyss."

Chen Hua laughed heartily; the third proposal was actually something he and Fang Zhi had boastfully discussed in private.

Now, aside from Chen Hua, cultivators like Fang Zhi have also arrived at the Ninth Realm one after another, greatly alleviating the pressure Chen Hua felt when facing the Abyss. Hence, people would now and then contemplate when the next breakthrough might occur during their conversations.

However, they would just casually mention it since real Immortals are nothing but a legend. Even the three Immortals of the Taoist Sect who dominated the world during the First Epoch had only reached the Great Perfection of the Ninth Realm.

It could be that humans are naturally only capable of reaching this height—even the conjectures about breaking through the Ninth Realm to reach the Tenth Realm are derived from observations of Innate Divine Objects.

Isn't it unreasonable that Innate Divine Artifacts can break through and reach a more profound realm, but humans cannot?

But no matter how talented or brilliant a cultivator may be, until the moment of death arrives, no one has taken that step. Therefore, "Heavenly Immortals" remain just an illusory concept, not Immortals of the human world.

"Master, what realm are you at now?"

Liang Yi looked at Chen Hua with some confusion; even with his current realm, he could not see through his master's level. This indicated that at least for now, his master's strength was beyond his reach.

"Barely at the peak of the Ninth Realm, still some way off from Great Perfection."

Chen Hua pondered for a moment and responded with a rather conservative tone.

In fact, even he himself was unclear about his realm. Since no cultivator had reached his level since the birth of the Third Epoch, naturally, there was no benchmark left for him.

And the First Epoch, which once witnessed cultivators of the Ninth Realm, had long been obliterated in the river of history, turned to dust. Even the few records that remain have a hard time describing this mysterious realm. Therefore, Chen Hua could only grope around and make guesses.

Looking at the group of juniors with faces full of amazement, Chen Hua smiled and gave Liang Yi and the others a mysterious and inscrutable smile.

"Master is truly worthy of being a Banished Immortal. Will you become a real Heavenly Immortal one day?"

Su Youyi secretly sighed to herself, feeling that someone like her master was naturally suited to cultivation, or rather, seemed to be born for the path of cultivation.

While everyone was merely marveling at the might of the Banished Immortal, Liang Yi caught a fleeting look of worry in the eyes of the master's wife.

Although the master's wife still sported a gentle demeanor with curved brows and eyes, there was an imperceptible concern when she looked at the master, and sharp-eyed Liang Yi just happened to notice it.

What Chen Hua did not tell these juniors was that he was actually starting to suppress his own cultivation speed.

The closer he got to the Great Perfection of the Ninth Realm, the more emptiness he felt in his heart.

Chen Hua had always been running on the path of cultivation. Even with his eyes closed, he could sense a road ahead of him.

So he was never afraid there wouldn't be a road ahead; his only fear was that the road wasn't long enough to fully realize his potential.

Yet, this feeling was dissipating as he continued to cultivate, as if the road he was to travel was rapidly drawing to an end.

This was a completely different sensation from a previous dead end on his journey.

A dead end means knowing there is a road ahead, but an invisible chasm separates you from it, and no matter how hard you jump, you can't cross it.

However, the appearance of the End of Dao is like a cliff towering ten thousand feet high, obstructing your path and telling you there is no more road ahead, you may stop and rest.

Even if Chen Hua wanted to forge his own path with his sword, he had no direction or clues to do so. He could only suppress his own realm, hoping to trade for more time to explore the reasons behind this.

There might be no path in this world, but he wanted to be the first to forge one.

The fact that there's no path at the End of Dao is too despairing, so he did not wish to let the younger generation know this truth; this pressure should be borne by him alone.

Only Zhou Ruanxian truly understood what Chen Hua was shouldering now, the responsibility of a world on the verge of collapse at any moment, and also the burden of lighting a candle in the dark to illuminate the path.

"So do you all understand your objectives now? Those who wish to stay at the Central Battlefield may do so, and those who want to rush to other battlefields may proceed as they wish. We will buy time for you, but the future is in your hands!"

Chen Hua's words were firm and resounding, this was all they, these old folks, could do for these kids.

Whether it's Liang Yi or He Zhiqing and others, their moods were somewhat heavy after hearing Chen Hua. The urgency of time made them lose even the desire to chat more, simply bidding farewell to Liang Yi and Su Youyi before leaving one after another.

"Master, how bad is the situation now?"

Su Youyi was perceptive, catching a hint of things her master didn't tell them just through his brief remarks.

"The situation might be worse than what you think, but as long as we can get through this period, it will greatly improve."

Zhou Ruanxian sighed softly, explaining to Su Youyi and Liang Yi.

"What about the other forces? Didn't they come with the Super Forces?"

Liang Yi looked at his master; though the world is led by eight Super Forces, there are not a few First-grade forces, not to mention other forces.

But now, the main force against the Abyss is still the eight Super Forces. Although they barely stopped the pace of the Abyss, according to Grandpa Orange, the Abyss Army that appeared on Mystical Mechanism Continent is far from all of the Abyss.

"At least, the number of Cultivators below the Eighth Realm might need to double or triple, meow."

Grandpa Orange conservatively estimated on the side.

This figure was based on the Abyss annihilating two epochs, as for how much more, he was not sure now.

"We have anticipated this situation..."

After everyone left, the courtyard became empty again, and Chen Hua casually found a stone stool to sit on, while Zhou Ruanxian brewed tea for everyone.

"But human hearts are too hard to predict."

Chen Hua drank his tea in one gulp, speaking with a hint of gloom.

"If they don't feel the horror of the Abyss, they won't go all out to fight it. But once they do feel it, it will already be too late."

Chen Hua's words rendered Liang Yi and Su Youyi somewhat silent; even if one cultivated to the Ninth Realm, it was not possible to manipulate the thoughts of billions of Cultivators on Mystical Mechanism Continent.

And when it's time to give it their all, anyone would hesitate, especially those sects and noble families.

"The sky won't fall; there will be tall ones to bear it."

This mentality is very prevalent now, even the Abnormal People keep dying to defend the Mystical Mechanism Continent, but those local powers are still constantly shirking and not willing to send their forces to the battlefield.

This was what made Chen Hua somewhat depressed.

However, thankfully, those leaders still had some insight; even if they didn't lend significant help, they didn't drag Chen Hua and the others down.

Otherwise, with Chen Hua's temperament, even if the frontlines suffered a temporary setback, he would also make time to clean up some trash in the rear!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.