Qi Yuan stood upon the empty Visualization Mountain, his thoughts tangled. He had a faint sense that the God Visualization Art was far from simple. Neither was this mountain.

In other worlds, he had never seen nor even heard of anything like a Visualization Mountain.

Withdrawing from the mountain, he murmured, "The Primordial World... What exactly makes it different?"

***

At the same time, within a stretch of endless mountains, Dong Jianghe's gaze drifted as he sighed. "I really abandoned my Mythic art to defect to Qiyuann Sovereign, huh...? I've sacrificed too much."

Shengmiao shot him a look. "Stop obsessing over your broken Mythic-tier art! Don't you know? Ever since the Heavenly Sovereign arrived, they aren’t worth a dime anymore!"

In the past two days, Qi Yuan’s new followers had learned why Thunder and the others were so powerful. It was due to the God Visualization Arts, and not merely any of them. Qiyuann Sovereign had returned to the past just to visualize them!

However, Dong Jianghe was puzzled as he stared at Thunder in front. He wondered, Doesn't Great Venerable Thunder already have a visualization art? Why is he here again? 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Heilong said meaningfully, "It’s not just him. The other ancient gods and villagers who already have visualization arts have come too."

Dong Jianghe gasped. If his guess was right, it was terrifying. It meant that Qiyuann Sovereign didn’t lack God Visualization Arts, only evil god spiritual power. Dong Jianghe’s pride shattered once more.

He declared generously, "What if I give up the title of Young Celestial Emperor to Qiyuann Sovereign?"

Shengmiao wordlessly shot a sideways glance at him.

Just then, Qi Yuan’s calm voice echoed. "I possess countless arts. I can unravel the mysteries of all beings, comprehend the principles of yin and yang, and behold the cycles of life and death! Today, I shall bestow my grace upon you!"

A dark-robed man appeared, surrounded by God Visualization Arts that shimmered like constellations. Everyone who beheld those arts felt an inexplicable urge to worship.

Hiss!

Even Thunder, who had maintained composure before, lost his calm. "There are so many stronger than mine?"

After obtaining the Thunder Ancestor, Thunder had been rather smug. He assumed it was Qiyuann Sovereign’s strongest method. After all, the god’s might exceeded his comprehension, commanding all the lightning in heaven and earth, stretching across the Thirty-Three Heavens above and the Nine Nether Springs below.

However, the visualization arts orbiting Qiyuann Sovereign radiated terrifying auras. Even Thunder felt an unfathomable mystery as he looked at them, especially the three at the very top.

They appeared simple but seemed to be the origin of all things. Just gazing upon them filled him with the impulse to kneel. And these were to be bestowed upon them!

The ancient gods were solemn and thrilled.

"Many thanks to the Heavenly Sovereign for granting the arts!"

"I shall place the Heavenly Sovereign's will above all. Should I betray this vow, may heaven and earth condemn me!"

Everyone gazed devoutly at Qiyuann Sovereign. Dong Jianghe finally admitted that his so-called Mythic art was worthless. Lishan's eyes even grew moist. He felt as though he saw hope for the world. Lingzhong remained silent, as though understanding something.

At that moment, Qi Yuan's gentle voice echoed. "Once, the War God contended with the emperor for divinity. The emperor severed his head, yet the War God did not perish. With breasts as eyes and navel as mouth, he danced with shield and axe!"

Lingzhong felt something stir within him. Soon, his gaze settled upon a certain visualization art. At that moment, he seemed to picture the scene Qi Yuan had just described. Even after losing his head, the War God remained unyielding, brandishing his weapons in defiance!

A deep stir arose in Lingzhong’s heart. He recalled the Mortal Heart World and the ancient gods who had perished in battle.

With the collapse of the Heavenly Pillar and the death of all Mythics, the world’s backbone was ultimately shattered. Yet the ancient gods continued to resist the evil gods without pause. After the Hongtang War, though no grand war erupted, there were skirmishes left and right. Nearly two-thirds of the ancient gods perished. Even those who chose the Mythic Plan merely placed hope upon the younger generation. The elderly gods chose to carve a path with their own bodies. Was the War God not as indomitable as the Mortal Heart World itself?

All the ancient gods gazed upon the War God's visualization art, as though witnessing his defiant battle against heaven.

One sighed. "If every god were like the War God, even in defeat, we would regret nothing!"

"If such a great deity can fall, what of us?"

"Heavenly Sovereign..."

Murmurs filled the air. His followers looked upon him with even greater reverence.

The War God's art descended before Lingzhong. He drew a deep breath. "Thank you, Heavenly Sovereign. I shall eradicate the evil gods!"

Qi Yuan's gaze shifted to Twilight, who sensed it and grew solemn. "God of Water contended with Zhuanxu for the throne. In a rage, he struck Mount Buzhou, breaking the Heavenly Pillar and severing earth's tether!"

Within the art, they saw a majestic water deity crashing into a mountain far grander than the Heavenly Pillar. Having already received a Calamity-Dispelling Art, Twilight now obtained the God of Water! He bowed deeply.

Qi Yuan kept chanting. Li Jing the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Red Boy, Star Lords, the Ten Kings of Hell—one Mythic after another stepped forth from his memory, each legend a dust-sealed story.

Thus, each follower received a deity suited to them. Shi Zhongshan obtained Erlang Shen, his gaze profound. Thunder's heart was shaken as he obtained the Great Emperor of the South Pole of Longevity, one of the Six Imperials. One mighty deity after another seemed to be reborn among them

At last, three visualization arts remained beside Qi Yuan. The Three Pure Ones. Everyone had received an art, nearly achieving a dragon-like state.

When Qi Yuan attempted to bestow the final arts upon those he deemed worthy, none of them could visualize them. In the end, he even allowed all the ancient gods to attempt it, but not a single person succeeded. Everyone was shocked.

A Great Venerable said solemnly, "Heavenly Sovereign, these three exalted beings are of far too high a rank. We cannot visualize them."

Such a thing had never happened before, but it was the only way to explain it. The ancient gods grew even more certain of Qi Yuan's supreme status. If their visualized gods were already beyond imagination, then what kind of beings were these three?

At last, Thunder suggested, "Why not let the Heavenly Sovereign visualize them himself?"

All the gods nodded. Their rank was insufficient, but surely Qiyuann Sovereign's was not?

Qi Yuan blinked. "You have a point."

***

Thunder roared. Rain lashed down. Feiwu City lay in silence.

After an unknown time, Qi Yuan opened his eyes. His once ancient, profound gaze now appeared utterly tranquil, akin to an ordinary mortal’s. "As expected of the Three Pure Ones... Have I reached the pinnacle of Mythic?"

His strength had surged—enough to suppress a Marshal with a single glance. Even No-Food Goddess, at her peak, wouldn’t survive a single blow. Qi Yuan felt like he could slay Blood Sun Great Sage’s projection in the mortal realm!

His power had increased by at least tenfold, or perhaps even a hundredfold. He had never known a Mythic stronger than himself. And yet, he remained at Seventh Step.

To become a Yang Spirit, one would have to complete all seven steps. Yet they felt endless, with no road ahead. As others had said, he stood at the peak of the Mythic realm, unable to advance further. A flicker of contemplation passed through his calm eyes.

At that moment, Qi Qi’s elegant, tranquil, almost mysterious voice sounded. "Godfather, an envoy of the evil gods has arrived."

Clad in a brown dress, her aura was heavier and colder, a stark contrast to her former mischievous self. She had visualized Empress Earth, one of the Six Imperial Lords with unmatched nobility.

Qi Yuan was surprised. "An envoy of the evil gods?"

He had not expected them to send one. Since war loomed, why not let them meet?

***

A while later, Qi Qi led Marshal Wukui before Qi Yuan.

For some inexplicable reason, he felt a powerful urge to kneel upon seeing Qi Yuan. He hadn’t felt such desire even when facing a Yang Spirit. Even though they were both Seventh Step Mythics, why was the gap so immense? Moreover, from the moment he stepped into the remote Feiwu City, his divine power trembled, as if some terrifying god or demon slumbered within.

Seated high above, Qi Yuan glanced at him and sighed. "Last time I let you escape. Quite a pity. But no matter, if fate allows, we shall meet again."

He regretted not being able to eliminate the remaining Marshals before.

Marshal Wukui's heart tightened. Still, recalling his lord's command, he said in a deep voice, "Greetings, Qiyuann Sovereign. By my lord's order, I have come to negotiate peace."

As soon as he said this, those serving Qi Yuan nearby were stunned. Even Qi Qi's eyes flickered.

The evil gods seeking peace? Once, such a thing would have been unimaginable. Yet now, they were the ones bending themselves to negotiate.