Time flows like sand between fingers, slipping away quietly, drawing nearer to the epochal catastrophe.

The spiritual qi of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths is no longer as abundant as it once was.

The spiritual mist that once enveloped the immortal mountains has thinned like gauze, the once ceaselessly surging spirit veins gradually dry up, revealing the cracked earth veins beneath.

In many lower realm planes, the preliminary cycles of renewal have already commenced, mountains and rivers collapse, seas turn into mulberry fields.

Countless beings struggle on the verge of the power of destruction, a desolate sense of apocalypse pervading the world.

Chen Sheng’s many incarnations are scattered across various lower realms at this moment, amidst scenes of annihilation, watching as beings perish, civilizations crumble.

...

In a Small Thousand World on the brink of annihilation, the sky tears open with a massive chasm, chaotic air spills down with irresistible power, instantly devouring an incarnation of Chen Sheng draped in a green robe.

That incarnation did not struggle in the slightest, and as it dispersed into specks of spirit light, countless insights into the Dao of Endings flowed like a stream into the origin of Chen Sheng’s divine soul.

After innumerable incarnations perishing, his understanding of the Dao of Endings had already seeped into his bones.

The comprehension of "end" and "beginning," "annihilation" and "life" became increasingly transparent, his state of mind ever more calm like an ancient well, without a ripple.

...

Years passed by, finally arriving at the last Peach Banquet.

The palace of Yaochi had long lost its former splendor, the glazed tiles dulled by the erosion of the power of destruction.

The origin of the Ten-Direction Earth Immortal Realm is collapsing, the Ninefold Heavenly Skies teeter on the brink of collapse, seemingly ready to crumble at any moment.

The power of destruction, rooted in the cycle of epochs, weaves an invisible giant net, draping over the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Countless lower-level immortals wore expressions of despair, some huddled and shivering in the corners of the palace, some attempted to ride the escape light to flee, only to be torn into fragments by an invisible force, dissolving into scattered particles.

The celestial music ceased, the songs and dances vanished, leaving only deathly silence and despair in the air.

In contrast, those Immortal Kings and Immortal Sovereigns, though in dire straits, still maintained a peaceful state of mind.

They have cultivated for countless years, their hearts uncommon, though they dare not laugh in the face of death, they could face the end with equanimity.

Immortal King Shanyuan held the jade cup in his hand, the nectar within long devoid of spiritual qi, yet he still drank it in one go, a certain relief visible on his face.

Immortal Sovereign Fuhai gazed at the collapsing skies outside the hall, with no fear in his eyes, only a reminiscence of bygone years.

Li Xuan, clad in a moon white Daoist robe, gently tilted the jade cup in his hand, toasting towards the figure seated at the center.

His face warm, his tone calm and unruffled, as if merely attending an ordinary banquet:

"Senior Brother, should there be a next life, I wish to serve at your side."

The other eight disciples also stepped forward in unison, bowing deeply to Chen Sheng:

"To be accepted as disciples under the Master in this life, to be taught the Great Dao, what a fortune it is; today we perish together, no regrets in this life."

Before the words were finished, the power of destruction suddenly intensified, a force indescribable, irresistible.

"Senior Brother, we shall go ahead!"

"Master, we shall first..."

As the words just fell, Li Xuan and the others’ figures dissolved like melting snow, successively turning into specks of light, dissipating into the air.

At the same time, the figure of Chen Sheng seated on the chariot also began to gradually dissipate.

The twelve patterns on the emperor’s robe lost their luster, the jewels on the crown ceased to sway, the Emperor Dao Profound Light around him receded like a tide.

Yet, as he wielded control over the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, his origin yet to be exhausted, his rate of disintegration was relatively slower, still maintaining a seated posture, expression calm, devoid of any ripple.

At that moment, the Gate of the Heart Realm suddenly emerged from nothingness, levitating in the center of the hall.

The portal shimmered with light, and a figure in white clothing gracefully stepped out, robe fluttering, surrounded by a faint Dao rhyme of the Heart Realm.

Chen Sheng’s gaze fell upon him, his tone serene:

"Daoist friend, not perished? Hidden within the Gate of the Heart Realm, not even I could detect it, quite a feat."

Ta Hao sighed gently, his voice carrying a touch of forlornness and fatigue, yet also a sense of release:

"The road of proving the Dao, nine deaths and one life; I meticulously arranged, thus the Dao perishes but the spirit remains, this is the tribulation avoidance technique I spent tens of thousands of years’ effort to create."

He raised his hand to gently stroke the Gate of the Heart Realm, the portal quivered slightly:

"The Heart Gate’s status is extremely high, difficult to completely refine, and being my true form, should I wish to hide, naturally even Daoist friend would not detect."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, yet he had not expected Ta Hao to be the incarnate spirit of the Heart Gate, his tone remained calm:

"Daoist friend, hidden until now, what do you seek?"

The Heart Gate is truly the supreme treasure of this realm; under its protection, Tai Hao’s figure also dissipates slowly.

He gazes at the completely collapsed sky outside the hall, revealing a hint of self-mockery in his eyes:

"I created this generation’s evasive method for avoiding tribulation, initially believing there was a thirty percent chance to escape this epoch’s destruction, and once the next cycle begins again, I would seek opportunity for transcendence..."

"In the end, it seems I was nothing more than a frog in the well, underestimating the power of epochal cycles."

Chen Sheng suddenly understands and says no more, merely listens quietly.

However, Tai Hao turns his gaze towards him, carrying a mix of curiosity and confusion in his eyes:

"Daoist friend has asked me two questions; I also want to ask Daoist friend one question: why do you not merge with the Dao?"

Chen Sheng gently shakes his head and only utters two words, his tone flat yet carrying undeniable firmness: "I am unwilling."

Tai Hao Clearly did not expect such a simple answer. He pauses for a moment, then lets out a hearty laugh, laughter carrying a bit of relief, a bit of wistfulness, ultimately transforming into a long sigh:

"Calculated to the end, all becomes empty, so be it, be it, Daoist friend, I shall take my leave first."

As he speaks, he no longer borrows the Heart Gate’s protection, willingly loosening the bond with his true form.

Under the erosion of the Power of Destruction, his figure quickly dissipates, transforming into scattered light specks that merge into the chaos.

Chen Sheng raises his hand to guide, absorbing the faint remnant thought that dispersed from Tai Hao.

The flow of information within the thought quickly passes, and a flicker of understanding flashes in his eyes, then he regains his calm:

"Truly worthy of being a Great Success of Destiny, indeed a multilayered plan."

The Integration Secret Skill left by Tai Hao was not merely a legacy, but a meticulously crafted plan.

Tai Hao hoped Chen Sheng would merge with the Dao of the world, thereby replacing the Heart Gate in suppressing the universe; this was his true "Seeking Reduction, Making Empty"—to borrow the merging power of others to alleviate the pressure on his own true form, seeking a sliver of chance for survival.

This is also the fundamental reason Tai Hao himself does not merge with the Dao; if someone else merges with the Dao, there may still be a glimmer of opportunity for transcendence, but his true form is the Heart Gate of Mind, deeply connected to the source of this realm.

Once merged with the Dao, he would completely become part of the world, losing all possibility of transcendence, only able to entirely sink into oblivion.

In Tai Hao’s plan, if Chen Sheng attempts transcendence after merging with the Dao, regardless of success or failure, it would cause a disturbance in the order of the heavens and earth.

And he could take advantage of the chaos caused by this disturbance to break free from the restraints of the Heart Gate, even if transcendence is not achieved, there would be some hope to escape the control of this realm, finding another path to life.

Chen Sheng gently shakes his head, feeling no ripples in his heart.

In his view, Tai Hao’s plans seem overly idealistic; under the mighty power of the Tribulation Crossing Daoist Monarchs, the probability of success is minuscule.

Yet the path of cultivation itself is about fighting for a chance at survival amidst desperate situations; for Tai Hao to reach this step is already considered remarkably exceptional.

"Daoist friend, travel well."

Chen Sheng murmurs quietly, his voice dissipating in the air.

The moment the words fall, the source of the nine heavens and ten lands completely collapses, emitting a thunderous explosion reverberating through the chaos.

The powerful force of destruction sweeps everything away, and Chen Sheng’s figure finally transforms completely into scattered light points, perishing with the heavens and earth.

...

Meanwhile.

In the Nine Suns Realm, within the source volcano, the lava churns, flames soar skyward.

A Golden-Winged Roc spreads its wings covering the sky, its body enveloped in brilliant golden plumage.

Every feather appears forged from millennia of Gold Essence, reflecting the fierce light of the nine suns, dazzling and radiant.

Its hooked beak is as sharp as a Divine Weapon, gleaming with a cold brilliance, while its golden eyes remain tightly shut with faint black runes circulating in the gaps.

At this moment, the aura surrounding the roc’s body abruptly changes!

The rampant energy of fire attribute that once encircled it seems pulled by an invisible force, frantically rushing into its body as the golden plumage instantly erupts with blinding golden light.

The lava in the pool churns violently, surging fire waves dozens of yards high, yet when close to three feet of it, it is forcibly annihilated by a finely condensed End Dao Domain.

"Boom!"

The tightly shut golden eyes of the Golden-Winged Roc suddenly open!

In an instant, two golden beams shoot from its eyes, piercing the sky, and where the beams pass, the Void Sword is instantly incinerated, causing ripples to spread through the void.

"End of the Fifth Volume, it’s done!"

Chen Sheng’s voice rolls through the space like thunder, carrying an indescribable sense of exhilaration and certainty, yet not losing the calmness of days gone by.

As the words fall, the End Dao Principle surrounding him fully erupts, forming a vast black domain with him at the center.

Within the domain, all energy rapidly annihilates as the lava ceases to churn, the flames cease to burn, and even light is forcibly ended, leaving only pure annihilation and void.