Chapter 197: Fleeting Lights in the Cosmos

In the vast cosmos, the rise and fall of a star system is nothing more than a transient display of mottled light. Gazing up at the stars fills one with the melancholy of inevitable endings—centuries from now, where will you and I be? Our homelands, the sparks of civilization, even Earth, are merely tiny specks in the endless void. A fleeting moment for the stars, a thousand years for humanity. The chirp of insects lasts only an autumn, yet we all struggle against the march of time. As for the adversaries of the Way, to Li Hao, birth and death are routine—only the power of one’s fist matters.

He turned his head to look at Chaos.

At this moment, Chaos had slain several Ninth-Rank clones and many formidable Eighth-Rank warriors. The intensity of battle only grew, and he even seemed to hold the advantage. Clearly, the arrival of this Ninth-Rank original, combined with the strength of Time, was overwhelmingly powerful.

Yet Li Hao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Time, oh Time!

Time, oh Time!

Sometimes, it truly brings nothing but pain.

Just like when he first encountered Time—the feeling was mesmerizing, almost irresistible. Relying on its power, he defeated countless foes, though he paid a price: enduring four cycles of life and death.

Without those cycles, Li Hao would have already perished, lost within the depths of Time.

Chaos, you’re no longer in your prime!

A million years ago, these warriors were already at Ninth-Rank.

They’re not exactly young anymore!

Time pressed relentlessly forward, unstoppable and mighty, slaying Ninth-Rank clones one after another. But tell me—do you really have an endless lifespan?

He had pushed the force of Time almost to an Eighth-Rank level.

Each activation drained an immense amount of his life essence.

Yet Chaos barely felt it; only those who have wielded Time understand the sensation of drifting along its endless river, as if granted immortality.

In his early days, Li Hao had only summoned Time a few times—each use depleting one cycle of his life.

And each time, it brought him perilously close to death.

Chaos, can you truly defy the natural order of life and death?

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If you can’t sustain this relentless battle, how long can you really last?

How long can your Ninth-Rank power truly endure?

Two million years?

Three million years?

Or perhaps even longer?

Time sealed the heavens and the earth, causing each Ninth-Rank clone to crumble. Ferocious as they appeared, haven’t you noticed your hair turning white?

How many can resist the allure of Time’s temptation?

In truth, Li Hao never could.

In his early days, he repeatedly called upon Time—borrowing strength from the future, journeying into the past.

When did he awaken?

Only after dying several times in succession!

When his life essence was nearly severed, memories erased, and emotions dulled—only then did he realize that Time had lured him into the abyss.

Even mighty kings dare not embrace Time, for they know they’d likely collapse under its seduction.

He excelled in one thing—refusing to engage with it altogether!

I know I can’t withstand it, so I simply refuse.

At first, Li Hao lacked the capital to fight it; later, when clarity finally struck, he chose denial, which led to Chaos mastering Time today. Perhaps this is Chaos’ most brilliant moment yet!

Over twenty Ninth-Rank clones and dozens of Eighth-Rank emperors—aside from Dragon War, who fell along with several others—he had already struck down seven or eight more!

Such a pinnacle even surpassed the moment he first ascended to Ninth-Rank.

“Hahaha!”

A burst of laughter and a thunderous impact—Emperor Chaos once again smashed a Ninth-Rank emperor clone, panting and roaring with mirth. At that moment, he had truly reached a zenith.

Invincible!

Surrounded by attackers, the once arrogant warriors—though merely clones, each embodying their true selves—now fell one after another before him.

Even when real Ninth-Rank fighters were slain amidst the onslaught, their numbers dwindled as Chaos decimated them all!

Time is overwhelmingly powerful!

Yet he needed only two techniques to prevail.

First, Freeze Time and Space.

Second, Traverse the Long River.

The first immobilized his foes, while the second propelled his speed to its utmost. Slaying foes, defeating powerhouses—it was that simple.

At that moment, Chaos seemed to understand exactly why Li Hao had been undefeated in battle!

With such abilities on his side, who could resist?

Opponents of his own rank were practically being eliminated in a single moment!

Whew!

The sound of his exhalation echoed all around.

Each warrior was bloodied and strained, their faces etched with grim determination.

Even the Tianfang Lord could be heard, gasping for air.

Though they were just clones, they still possessed a body of flesh and blood.

With the power of Time at his command, Chaos relentlessly sliced through them. When he descended, over twenty Ninth-Rank clones remained—but now only half survived.

The reinforcing Eighth-Rank warriors were also cut down by Chaos, with many casualties.

At this moment, were it not for the formidable might of Hun Tian and his Nine-Layer Guards sealing in Chaos, he might have already broken free!

But…

Several Ninth-Rank powerhouses seemed to sense something amiss; their eyes subtly shifted.

That jet-black hair of Chaos was now streaked nearly with white!

A faint aura of decay began to emanate from him.

Murmurs rippled through the onlookers—someone even turned to glance at Li Hao, as fleeting thoughts flickered in their minds.

This…

Chaos may wield Time with astounding might—but why does it seem to be decaying?

Someone’s gaze fell upon the Tianfang Lord.

In that moment, the Tianfang Lord, as if having foreseen everything, merely glanced at Li Hao without uttering a word.

Time can kill.

Time cultivators who traverse past and future, who can freeze time and space—using another’s Time inevitably brings trouble, depleting vast amounts of life essence. In his later years, Li Hao rarely resorted to Time in battle.

It was mostly relegated to supportive roles.

In earlier days… Li Hao had gone through countless cycles of life and death.

Yet Chaos does not concern himself with the realm of life and death.

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Even if it could reverse them, it never summoned the resolve of life or death. Regardless of whether Chaos could defy fate, does he even have the strength for another cycle?

After all, he is a Ninth-Rank Emperor!

The Tianfang Lord fixed his gaze on Li Hao, his eyes shifting—this guy surely knew the pitfalls of Time, though Li Hao had never mentioned them. Now, as Chaos fought his way out, surrounded on all sides…

In the vast cosmos, the rise and fall of a star system is nothing more than a fleeting display of mottled light. Gazing at the stars always fills one with the sorrow of inevitable endings—centuries later, where will you and I be? Our homelands, the sparks of civilization, even Earth, are merely dust in the void. A fleeting moment for the stars, a thousand years for humanity. The chirp of insects lasts only an autumn; we all struggle against time. What lies beyond the infinite void?

Download the app to read the full story for free.

In the vast cosmos, the rise and fall of a star system is nothing more than a fleeting display of mottled light. Gazing at the stars always brings the melancholy of fated endings—centuries later, where will you and I be? Our homelands, the sparks of civilization, even Earth, are merely dust in the void. A fleeting moment for the stars, a thousand years for humanity. The chirp of insects lasts only an autumn; we all struggle against time. What lies beyond the infinite void?