Chapter 21: Eclipse of Heaven and Earth: Dawn of a new age
Jiang Ping found himself immersed in an awe-inspiring spectacle, as if he had stepped into a mesmerizing cinematic masterpiece, the likes of which only a masterful author could conceive. The world unfurled before him like the blockbuster "2012" or "Clash of Heaven and Earth, a tapestry of breathtaking struggle for survival, surpassing the bounds of mortal imagination.
The Earth's tumultuous crust unleashed an unrelenting onslaught of volcanic eruptions, shattering the very foundation of the land. Enormous chasms yawned open, and the boundless ocean surged into the newly formed rifts, evoking the image of ferocious Leviathans, lashing out with unbridled fury and widening the abyss between fragmented landmasses.
Amidst this cataclysmic upheaval, countless creatures succumbed to the colossal waves, swallowed by the unforgiving ocean in mere moments. In the face of impending catastrophe, the emperor and queen united, their determination unwavering as they confronted the dire threat looming over them.
Yet, even the mightiest of powers proved futile against the overwhelming forces at play. The five surviving Wardens swiftly rallied around the queen ant, their unwavering loyalty a testament to their unwavering dedication.
Behind them, the vast armies were consumed by the relentless deluge, resulting in innumerable casualties and an atmosphere of mourning that permeated the ravaged earth. The gravely injured emperor, his face pale with desperation, issued the order for the human race to seek refuge. However, the cataclysm struck with such suddenness and ferocity that escape seemed nearly impossible.
Within a mere half hour, the loss of life reached staggering proportions, claiming the lives of tens of millions, including many of the world's most extraordinary individuals. Each passing minute added hundreds of thousands to the grim tally, leaving no room for contemplation or hesitation.
"Emperor, we must depart immediately! There is no time to spare!" urged a resolute human warrior, keenly aware of the urgency of the situation.
With unwavering determination plastered on his face, the Emperor summoned his last vestiges of strength, fully aware that his departure at this critical moment would result in the instantaneous disintegration of the Earth, dooming all who remained. With utmost care, he entrusted the sacred relic, the Spear of Destiny, to the warrior, instructing, "Take this revered artifact and lead our people to safety!" Despite the pleas of others, the he remained steadfast in his decision, for the unfolding scene allowed no room for hesitation. Lives were being lost at an alarming rate, and the survival of their race depended on immediate action.
On that fateful day, Wang Qi, a member of the Ninth Generation, valiantly held the crumbling earth together with his grievously wounded body for two arduous hours. Eventually, he transformed into an monument of flesh and stone, petrification by the scorching magma as he sank deep into the Earth's core.
The coarse mineral aggregate of lava covered his entire framing, leaving him ensconced in with the earth.
Jiang Ping observed with profound awe that this latest emperor who possessed a formidable strength that rivaled even his illustrious predecessors. Even in death, he stood tall amidst the fiery red magma ocean and the floating fragments of the Earth, his proud posture refusing to yield.
The ocean, now forcibly cleaving the land, tore Pangea asunder, plunging the world into a tumultuous state of chaos and disarray. Many races descended into obscurity, and the remaining survivors scattered across the globe, isolated by impassable oceans. Communication between these disparate remnants became nearly impossible, leading to a regression of civilization and the emergence of a new era.
Jiang Ping firmly closed the Genesis records, the sound echoing amid the shriek of countless beings. He closed his eyes, allowing the grandeur of that era to permeate his thoughts. There was no denying that the 'Middle Ages' had been an epoch of unparalleled splendor, surpassing the accumulated magnificence of all preceding eras. The elixir of life, the three preeminent cultivation methods, and the lingering magic energy feedback—the gains he reaped from this era far exceeded even his wildest dreams.
Though his experience in that era had been fleeting, Jiang Ping felt as though he had borne witness to the magnificence of an entire epoch. Overwhelmed by a kaleidoscope of emotions, he closed his eyes and embarked on a profound sense of sorrow.
Gradually, he slipped into a dream where a younger Wuma stood before him once again. Brimming with vitality after receiving divine enlightenment, Jiang Ping had often pondered whether Wu ma, the legendary emperor of the First Generation and a revered hero of his time, would eventually seek guidance on the path to longevity in his later years. However, in this dream encounter, Jiang Ping realized that Wu ma sought nothing more than to express his gratitude and inquire whether his entrusted task had been fulfilled.
Gazing at the ethereal figure before him, Jiang Ping nodded with a gentle smile and replied, "You have surpassed all my expectations. I merely planted the seed, but it was your achievement that allowed it to blossom into a towering tree. The lineage of humanity was never meant for you to bear alone."
Upon hearing Jiang Ping's response, Wu Ma spirit seemed to find solace, dispersing into countless luminous specks that gently dissolved into the darkness.
Subsequently, Jiang Ping encountered visions of Lian Shan and other monarchs from myriad races. Most of them embodied extraordinary strength during there time or held esteemed positions as sages in their respective fields, leaving indelible imprints upon history.
Jiang Ping observed the struggle of the venerable ant queen, Bertha, and within him swelled a profound amalgamation of sympathy and admiration. Despite her advanced age and the relentless erosion of her physical condition, she steadfastly resisted the inexorable pull of mortality. Her unwavering determination to survive, defying all odds, bore testament to the indomitable spirit residing within her immense frame.
As Bertha succumbed to slumber, Jiang Ping delved deep into his mind and within the world of immortality and the limits imposed upon longevity. He discerned that even with the ceaseless march of progress and the zenith of civilization, certain boundaries persisted, immutable and unassailable. Death, with all its stark inevitability, was an intrinsic facet of life's journey, intricately woven into the very fabric of existence.
With these ruminations suffusing his consciousness, Jiang Ping shifted his gaze toward the expansive vista unfolding before him—the fragmented continents scattered like forgotten relics, giving birth to isolated civilizations. The remnants of once-proud races stood as testament to the trials that lay ahead, for the grandeur of Pangea had receded into the annals of myth and legend, their vibrant hues dulled by the ravages of time.
The disappearance of the Spear of Destiny, an emblem of unyielding power and ancestral legacy, had cast a shadow of skepticism upon the minds of modern humans, leaving them bereft of faith in the distant echelons of history. Yet, privy to the knowledge of its clandestine whereabouts, Jiang Ping chose not to intervene. He sensed that the spear's resurfacing in the world would incite a symphony of awe and curiosity, enabling it to fulfill its profound historical purpose.
In the course of his extensive exploration, Jiang Ping's unwavering gaze alighted upon the Stone Slate of Truth, unveiling the tireless endeavors of the resolute ant queen, Bertha. Weathered by time's relentless passage, she clung tenaciously to the pursuit of life's elongation, relentlessly seeking the elixir of eternal life. Her spirit, resolute and unyielding, resonated deeply within Jiang Ping, evoking a profound recognition of the universal yearning for immortality coursing through the veins of every sentient being.
Yet, as Jiang Ping beheld Bertha's futile struggle, he was confronted by an immutable truth—death, the inexorable companion of life, ever-present in its ultimate design. No matter the intensity of her efforts, the specter of mortality loomed indomitable, a poignant reminder that even the most extraordinary lives were finite, bound by the fleeting grasp of time.
With a sense of reverence transcending the boundaries of mere mortality, Jiang Ping gently closed the Stone Slate of Truth, allowing the ant queen to surrender herself to a peaceful slumber. He discerned that the passage of time and the acceptance of mortality were inextricable components of of nature's grand design.
Enlightened, he embarked upon his ongoing journey, carrying within his being an enriched appreciation for the transient beauty and exquisite preciousness bestowed upon the universe by life, however transitory it may be.