Though their pace was slow, the journey wasn't long, so it didn't take many days to arrive.
However, they hadn't reached the frontlines of the celestial realms, but rather the logistics area behind the front lines of the battlefield. They waited there for their identities to be verified before gradually entering the battlefield.
There were many cultivators in the logistics area, mostly alchemists of the Heaven Mending Realm, tasked with the responsibility of healing and helping repair the injuries of sages returning from the front lines.
Chen Xia and his group stood outside the logistics area, waiting for a Great Emperor to come verify their identities before they could enter.
Chen Xia absentmindedly touched his ears, his gaze wandering aimlessly.
This logistics area was composed of over a dozen star regions connected together, sprawling across one direction. It was said that the front line battlefield was even more vast than this logistics area, truly spanning the entire heavenly reckoning.
Chen Xia finished touching his ears and began to scratch his head, while casually chatting with the Heaven Mending Realm cultivators beside him, discussing the structure of the logistics area and the cultivators passing by.
"Senior Chen, look inside. That's the Water Moon Sword Immortal, a Great Saint of Second Dao who has comprehended the Way of the Sword. He's incredibly powerful, with a renowned name throughout the Great Heaven."
Chen Xia frowned, "A Great Saint of Second Dao can be that famous?"
He was already a Great Saint of Four Dao, yet nobody had heard of his reputation.
"This is no ordinary Great Saint!" the Heaven Mending Realm cultivator exclaimed excitedly. "This is a Sword Dao Great Saint, and of the Second Dao at that. He's considered top-tier among Great Saints!"
"Hmm." Chen Xia offered no comment, continuing to wait for the Great Emperor to come and verify them.
The group waited for half a day on the outskirts before a Great Emperor descended.
This Great Emperor wore pure white armor stained with intense bloodstains. In his hand, he held the severed head of a Great Saint corrupted by darkness. Looking at the crowd, he casually tossed the severed head into the void and smiled lightly at everyone.
"My apologies, I've been fighting on the front lines for too long and arrived a bit late. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
The Great Emperor's body was filled with killing intent, as if he hadn't yet left the state of battle.
Great Saint Xuanguang hurriedly replied with a smile, "It's our honor that you've come to receive us."
"Mm." The Great Emperor responded noncommittally, wiping the blood off his hands. He looked towards the crowd of cultivators, briefly surveying them before asking,
"Who is Chen Xia?"
The cultivators were startled for a moment, then all turned their heads, focusing their gazes on Chen Xia.
His cyan robes fluttering, Chen Xia stepped forward with large strides.
Chen Xia stood out, raising his hand and smiling lightly as he said, "That's me."
The Great Emperor didn't respond immediately, but instead scrutinized Chen Xia for a long while before shaking his head slightly and saying,
"I can't tell."
"Not everything needs to be seen. Facts speak louder," Chen Xia said with a light smile.
"What facts could you possibly have?" The Great Emperor narrowed his eyes, lightly flicking his finger. The remaining blood instantly evaporated, vanishing without a trace.
The atmosphere seemed to grow tense, with the first hints of conflict arising.
"We'll see in the future, unless you want to fight me right now?" Chen Xia tilted his head and frowned.
The crowd of cultivators behind him wore worried expressions, silently marveling at Chen Xia's audacity to speak so bluntly to a Great Emperor.
Unexpectedly, the Great Emperor laughed and nodded.
"I've heard of your reputation before. I was curious if you could handle such a heavy responsibility, but since you speak with such confidence, I'll believe for now that you have the ability. You may enter first."
The implication was that Chen Xia could proceed without verification.
The Great Emperor didn't explain why, and neither did Chen Xia. He simply stepped forward calmly and walked in.
The crowd of cultivators were dumbfounded, then wondered if this Great Emperor favored those who were defiant and unruly. Was he himself a rebellious cultivator who appreciated such attitudes?
Hmm, very possible!
Next came the identity verification for the others. Before the Great Emperor could speak, a Great Saint stepped forward and questioned him.
"Why didn't Chen Xia need to be verified earlier, but now we do?"
His expression was haughty, secretly pleased with himself. He thought his words must have sounded impressive, and perhaps the Great Emperor would see him as someone with a strong backbone, surpassing Chen Xia.
"I'll give you three breaths to come over for verification," the Great Emperor said expressionlessly.
The Great Saint swallowed hard. Having already drawn his bow, there was no turning back. He could only continue stubbornly.
"What do you mean three breaths? Do you want to fight me too?"
He imitated Chen Xia's tone, thinking this would surely win over the Great Emperor.
Then he was truly beaten. The Great Emperor stomped him underfoot, rendering him immobile.
The Great Emperor placed his finger on the Great Saint's brow, verifying him without issue before tossing him into the logistics area like a dead dog.
"Next," the Great Emperor's calm voice sounded again.
The starry river stretched endlessly, but human figures were scarce.
Chen Xia had already reached the logistics area. He stood there motionless, able to faintly see the distant frontlines.
That place was blood and fire, where countless sages fell.
After standing for an unknown time, Chen Xia turned his head. The Great Emperor was already standing beside him, smiling lightly.
"An impressive sight, isn't it?"
"Mm." Chen Xia nodded, then added, "This might be the last time, and the only time."
The Great Emperor crossed his arms, his pure white armor faintly resonating as he continued, "The front lines are struggling to hold now, which is why we need to summon cultivators from all across the Great Heaven."
"The Great Emperors were all very pleased to find a Great Saint of Four Dao like you. They hope to develop you into a trump card, such as changing your title from Great Saint to Quasi-Emperor."
A Quasi-Emperor of Four Dao would already be equivalent to a top-tier Great Emperor.
If Chen Xia took one step further and became a Great Emperor of Four Dao, he could become one of the final trump cards.
Moreover, Chen Xia's Four Dao couldn't be considered ordinary.
If Tian Sen the Great Emperor's report was correct,
Chen Xia possessed both the Time Dao and the Way of the Sword, two top-tier Great Daos, along with the unknown Flood Dragon Dao and Thunder Dao.
This meant Chen Xia would be the pinnacle among those with Four Dao.
He could already represent the upper limit.
And there was a rumored lower limit among the Four Dao as well - the Flora Dao.
Yes, the Four Dao of flowers, grass, trees, and woods.
If a Great Saint of Four Flora Dao were to battle Chen Xia, they might not even withstand a single sword strike from Chen Xia's Way of the Sword.
It just goes to show that even within the Four Dao, there are vast differences.