"The price?"
Hearing those words, everyone was stunned.
They were in excellent condition, without any backlash or discomfort whatsoever.
"Feel your life force," Jie Tianran said again.
The moment those words left his lips, every face in the crowd changed drastically.
Though their current condition was excellent, their lifespans had been drastically reduced.
By their estimation, none of them had more than ten years left to live.
With less than ten years remaining, what meaning was there in even the most powerful cultivation?
"Master Mansion Lord..."
All eyes turned to Jie Tianran.
Whether it was the Lord of the Spirit Clan, or the Sacred-level Elders, or even the Six Shadows — the most loyal leaders of the Sacred Mansion's Shadow Bureau — they all wanted to know why this had happened.
"The Era of the Gods is about to fully awaken. Setting aside the ancient forces that have been eyeing us hungrily, even among the current powers, there is already an overt enemy like the Prison Sect."
"When the power of the Era of the Gods truly manifests, no one will be able to resist its lure. It is destined to become a war of survival — a battle where only one side can endure."
"And that power of the Era of the Gods must belong to our Seven Realms Sacred Mansion."
"However, our opponents are formidable. This old man alone cannot shoulder such a responsibility. I will need all of you to lend me your strength," Jie Tianran said.
"Your subordinates are willing to give their lives for the Mansion Lord."
The Six Shadows of the Sacred Mansion's Shadow Bureau knelt in perfect unison, expressing their resolve without fear of death.
Seeing this, the thirty-six Sacred-level Elders also bowed deeply in salute.
Only the Lord of the Spirit Clan spoke up: "Mansion Lord, I am already at an age where I do not fear death. But I would like to know — just what kind of power does this Era of the Gods truly hold?"
The implication was clear: I am willing to die for this, but at least let me know what exactly we are fighting for.
The Era of the Gods had been spoken of in the most mythical of terms, and Jie Tianran's return had indeed brought some benefits. But what that power actually was, they still had no idea.
"What specifically it is, this old man does not yet fully understand either."
When Jie Tianran said this, everyone felt a twinge of bitterness. After all, they were all going to die.
Ten years — for beings like them, that was impossibly brief.
"It can now be confirmed that the current world of martial cultivation is incomplete. What limits our cultivation is not talent, but the environment itself."
"We must follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and step into the Ninth Heavenly River. Only by entering that place can we break free from these shackles and reclaim the cultivation that truly belongs to us."
"But before we can do that, we must obtain the power of the Era of the Gods."
"It can also be confirmed that the Era of the Gods contains power that the ancient powerhouses yearned for — yet none of them ever managed to obtain."
"If our Seven Realms Sacred Mansion succeeds where all those ancient powerhouses failed..."
"It will surely elevate our Seven Realms Sacred Mansion to the very pinnacle of the martial cultivation world."
At this point, Jie Tianran looked over the assembled elders and continued: "You need not worry. This old man will not lead you to ruin."
"Though I do not yet know the full scope of the Era of the Gods' power, based on what I know so far, it possesses the ability to extend one's lifespan — and this extension can override all constraints."
"As long as we obtain that power, the negative effects on you can be undone."
"At that point, your Fifth Rank Heavenly Dragon cultivation will remain intact, and your lifespans will be restored."
"Even if the Era of the Gods cannot directly enhance your cultivation, the mere fact that it can extend your lifespans would already be the greatest benefit."
"After all, Fifth Rank Heavenly Dragon is a realm that most will never reach in their entire lives. And once you enter the Ninth Heavenly River, you will be able to advance even further."
When Jie Tianran finished speaking, the expressions of everyone in the crowd softened considerably.
So there was still a way to extend their lives — the Era of the Gods.
"The only thing is, the power of the Era of the Gods will not be easy to obtain. The overt forces can be dealt with, but the hidden ones — those we must be wary of."