Guarding the River of Time

As soon as the words fell, a person crawled out of the mud.

A tall figure, standing at nine feet, his upper body bare, with thick, purple-black hair flowing like a cloak down his back, broad shoulders, and abdominal muscles as defined as dragon scales, exuding an intense pressure.

On his forehead grew a pair of coral dragon horns, gleaming in a violet-gold hue, flickering with tiny sparks of lightning.

His pupils seemed like a deep abyss, unfathomable, as calm as ancient waters. In his eyes, there appeared to be no other emotions, just strength, calmness, pride, and independence.

This was Su Mu's first impression of this man, a sense of mystery, strength, and stability, like a giant sword standing fiercely in the sky, radiating an aura of majesty.

The man with dragon horns meticulously observed this man before him, the legendary River Guardian, the keeper of order, whose renowned name had struck awe in countless worlds and top warriors.

It was said that the great extinction that swept across the All Heavens and Myriad Realms was thwarted by this Guardian of the River of Time.

Thus… he wanted to witness this for himself.

...

He hailed from a world where "Gu" was the path of the Immortal Dao, honored by the people as Long Gong.

Long Gong, a man with only a progress bar and no health bar, an invincible legend, whose greatest regret in life… was never truly tasting defeat.

He yearned for an opponent who could thoroughly defeat him, making him genuinely experience failure.

Now he had cultivated the most perfect Immortal Body, surpassing the Ninefold Gu Lord, achieving the Supreme Realm Beyond the Tenth Transformation, he could step onto the River of Time.

Moreover, he broke through the boundaries of "Gu," establishing a new path of cultivation, refining Gu, refining Heaven and Earth, refining destiny…weathering several eras, creating a "Forbidden Area" of perfection.

In the River of Time, his "Forbidden Area" manifests as this marshland. Though the marshland appears to be less than a kilometer in size...

In the true space of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, it is vast, encompassing over a thousand Great Worlds.

He had now reached the limit of his cultivation, with no room for significant improvement.

Thus he traversed countless worlds in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, seeking to challenge the strongest of worlds.

Many in the Middle Lower-Rank Immortal Realm, even several of the strongest in the Upper-Rank Immortal Realm, had been defeated by him.

Upon slaying the strongest in an Immortal Domain, he would refine everything within, having already broken the constraints of "refining Gu."

The mud in this marshland bears the mark of a shattered Immortal Domain, refined by him into part of his "Restricted Area."

Creatures within the mud, like crocodiles, crabs, black ants, yellow eels, have been successfully refined from beings and powerhouses of the Immortal Domain…

Several eras ago, while challenging the sovereigns of the Immortal Domains, Long Gong unintentionally discovered...the existence of the River of Time in the Ten Thousand Realms.

This River of Time represented the highest order in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, the ultimate law.

It is said that even the extraordinary Spring and Autumn Cicada can be spotted frequently on the River of Time.

So, upon learning of this river's existence, it struck him with awe as if he'd found a greater goal.

He sought to refine the River of Time!

Pursuing this goal, he insane in rigorous cultivation and relentless strengthening for many eras.

Eventually, as his "Restricted Area" expanded step by step, he reached the River of Time.

Later, he heard of a great extinction in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, which perished many worlds, said to have been stopped by the Order River Guardian.

Thus, his goal shifted...to defeat the Guardian of the River of Time and gradually refine the River of Time.

To find the River Guardian, he planned for a long time, expending immense effort, trapping Nannan's boat, confining the Little Tiger Whale within his restricted area, aiming to create a commotion on the River of Time to lure the River Guardian.

And now, he successfully met Su Mu.

The ultimate goal was to meet Su Mu, challenge him, and seize control of the River of Time!

.....

"State your purpose."

Su Mu looked at Long Gong coldly and asked.

Facing this dragon-horned man, Su Mu had no interest in knowing who he was as he already regarded him as a dead man.

Nannan was Su Mu's greatest reverse scale. Once touched, it challenged his bottom line, not to mention turning the Little Tiger Whale into this state.

Before taking action, Su Mu wanted to probe his purpose, understanding why he had orchestrated this elaborate scenario.

"My purpose is simple."

"To challenge you… and then kill you."

Long Gong, hands clasped behind his back, looked fiercely at Su Mu, coldly laughing word by word.

Having obtained this answer, Su Mu knew there was no need for further inquiry.

"Challenge me?"

Su Mu inquired with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Come then."

"I'll stand right here."

"Attack me."

Long Gong was taken aback; this was the first time he had faced such a brazen provocation. A nameless fury surged through him as horrifying veins stood out on his body, his powerful aura blooming.

"You better be prepared for this!"

With that, Long Gong clenched his right fist and launched a punch toward Su Mu's chest, intending to finish him off in one blow.

Boom——

When this solid punch landed on Su Mu's chest, Long Gong's pupils contracted sharply. He didn't expect...this man would indeed not dodge!

Accepting a direct punch like this, without any defense.

Suddenly, a formidable counterforce surged through his fist, destroying the tendons in his hand, sending him flying backward, swaying, his face turning pale.

"Again."

Su Mu gazed at Long Gong and spoke with utter calmness.

Upon hearing this, Long Gong activated his Cultivation Technique, harnessing all his Spiritual Power to punch at Su Mu once more.

Just as he was about to strike, this time...he didn't even touch the other's body before being sent flying, spewing blood, clutching his chest in disbelief.

"One more time, try again."

Upon hearing this exceedingly calm tone, Long Gong was utterly enraged, burning his life force. He waved his hand, and a dramatically exaggerated black giant blade appeared.

This strike, Long Gong unleashed his full power, his strongest attack directed at Su Mu.

Just as he was on the verge of obliterating Su Mu.

Su Mu slowly stretched out his right hand, catching Long Gong's giant blade with a single hand.

"Is this all of your strength?"

Su Mu raised his head slowly, looking at the stunned Long Gong coldly and spoke.