Chapter 59

As Star Lord Tianyu spoke, another group of officials approached the Southern Heavenly Gate. Even from a distance, they greeted him with a bow. “Star Lord Tianyu.”
Star Lord Tianyu returned the gesture. “Star Lord Ziyang, Star Lord Fengshuo.”
The attendants behind Ziyang and Fengshuo also greeted Star Lord Tianyu in turn. After exchanging courtesies, Star Lord Ziyang curiously asked, “We heard that Star Lord Tianyu and Star Lord Gu Xing went to Western Sea to suppress a vicious beast. When did you return? And where is Star Lord Gu Xing?”
“Star Lord Gu Xing is escorting the disciples back to their sects, so he’s moving at a slower pace. I needed to report back quickly, so I returned ahead of him.”
The two Star Lords smiled upon hearing this and congratulated him. “Then we must offer our congratulations. Star Lord Tianyu has returned first to deliver his report—this means the mission was successfully completed. Congratulations on another great achievement.”
“You flatter me.” Star Lord Tianyu was a military official, not particularly skilled in pleasantries. But in court, social niceties were unavoidable, so he responded modestly, “It was a joint effort. I contributed little and dare not claim credit.”
“Come now, Star Lord Tianyu, no need for such humility. Since you’ve returned, does that mean the Demon-Suppressing Stone has been dealt with?”
“I have brought the Devourer Beast back. As for how to proceed, that depends on the Star Lords’ decision.”
“You brought the Devourer Beast back?” Star Lord Fengshuo was visibly astonished. “The Devourer Beast is an ancient feral beast with a gluttonous bloodline. Only a spatial formation can contain it. How did you manage to bring it to the Celestial Palace?”
“That’s correct,” Star Lord Tianyu said, gesturing to the side. “But the credit for capturing the Devourer Beast does not belong to me—it was thanks to these young ones.”
At this, Star Lords Ziyang and Fengshuo turned their attention to Ling Qingxiao’s group. They were all visibly young, but when Star Lord Ziyang saw Ling Qingxiao, his expression turned thoughtful. “And this is…?”
Ling Qingxiao lowered his head slightly and cupped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Star Lords. My name is Ling Qingxiao.”
Ling? That surname…
Star Lord Tianyu nodded at the two men and confirmed, “Yes, he is from the Ling family of Zhongshan. The second son of the household. By His Majesty’s decree, he joined the expedition to Western Sea. Capturing the Devourer Beast and retrieving the Demon-Suppressing Stone—he played a crucial role in both.”
Star Lords Ziyang and Fengshuo nodded, understanding dawning upon them. So, he was of the dragon lineage—more specifically, a Zhongshan Azure Dragon. Tracing his ancestry back, his bloodline was not far removed from that of the Celestial Emperor himself…
Star Lord Tianyu proceeded to introduce Luo Han and Zou Jibai. Star Lords Ziyang and Fengshuo nodded approvingly and offered the customary praise: “Such young heroes.” These were merely polite words, of course. Luo Han expressed her thanks and then obediently stood behind Star Lord Tianyu, blending into the background without taking them too seriously.
After exchanging pleasantries, it was clear that the two Star Lords were most interested in Ling Qingxiao.
Star Lord Ziyang, unable to hold back his curiosity, asked, “We’ve heard that the Ling family of Zhongshan has an alliance with Linshan through marriage. Might this young friend be related to the Su family…?”
Ling Qingxiao answered, “Yes, my maternal uncle. My mother, Su Yifang, is from Linshan.”
As he spoke the name, even Ling Qingxiao himself felt a moment of detachment. Mother, Su Yifang...The words felt strangely distant, as if they belonged to another life.
With this confirmation, Star Lord Ziyang’s thoughts became even clearer. So he is of the dragon clan. He has now earned first merit in battle, and behind him stand both the Azure Dragon and the Yinglong lineages...With so many advantages stacked together, the Celestial Palace will no doubt welcome fresh blood.
Star Lord Ziyang looked at Ling Qingxiao and smiled. “A tiger father breeds no dog sons.”
Star Lord Tianyu, who was typically stingy with praise, actually nodded in agreement. That alone spoke volumes of his high regard for Ling Qingxiao.
Star Lords Ziyang and Fengshuo exchanged a glance, already seeing the implications.
This young man is no ordinary fish in the pond—his future may be boundless.
That day, Star Lord Tianyu took Ling Qingxiao to report to the Tianxu Court. Afterward, he gave him a brief tour of Sanqing Heaven. From that moment on, the name Ling Qingxiao officially entered the sight of the Celestial Palace.
Star Lords Ziyang and Fengshuo still had other matters to attend to. After exchanging pleasantries at the Southern Heavenly Gate, they went inside. Star Lord Tianyu, having just returned, also had numerous responsibilities waiting for him. Seeing this, Luo Han quickly said, “Star Lord, you must be busy. We won’t take up your time—please, go ahead.”
Indeed, Star Lord Tianyu had no leisure time to spare. He needed to return to Tianxu Court immediately. The matter of the Demon-Sealing Stone was of utmost importance—they had to organize all relevant details as soon as possible and submit a formal report to the Celestial Emperor.
Before leaving, he instructed, “You will stay in the guest quarters for now. Feel free to look around, but don’t stray too far from Sanqing Heaven. You are the ones most familiar with the Devourer Beast’s condition—Star Lords may summon you for questioning in a few days.”
Luo Han and the others acknowledged his words. Once he had finished giving instructions, Star Lord Tianyu strode swiftly toward Tianxu Court.
Zou Jibai still had a few blank recording stones left. Out of team spirit, Luo Han patiently helped him find good angles for his photos. Recording stones didn’t just capture images; they also preserved the surrounding atmosphere, scents, and even the wind. Calling them “recording stones” was somewhat misleading—they were closer to full projections. While Luo Han took photos for Zou Jibai, Ling Qingxiao stood off to the side, waiting. At one point, Luo Han turned to him and asked if he wanted a keepsake as well. As expected, he declined.
Luo Han was a bit disappointed, but she didn’t dwell on it. After all, she had already taken a candid shot earlier.
What she didn’t know was that her so-called “stealthy” photography had long been noticed by both Ling Qingxiao and Star Lord Tianyu.
After taking their landmark photo at the Southern Heavenly Gate, they wandered around Sanqing Heaven for a while. Ling Qingxiao had already been through the area earlier, so he naturally led the way. However, since they were not officially registered members of the Celestial Palace, Luo Han was cautious about intruding where they shouldn’t. After a brief look around, they returned to their quarters.
For the next few days, Luo Han stayed quietly in the residence, barely stepping outside, fully dedicating herself to cultivation. Speaking of cultivation, she couldn’t help but resent the sheer privilege of the ruling class.
The Celestial Realm was divided into thirty-six heavens. From top to bottom, each layer acted as a barrier, filtering and hoarding resources like a massive funnel. Sanqing Heaven was situated above the Upper Heavens, and the density of spiritual energy here was unmatched by any lower realm. During her stay in the Celestial Palace, every breath Luo Han took felt like inhaling pure spirit stones.
The concentration of spiritual energy in Sanqing Heaven was at least five or six times that of the Middle Heavens. No wonder everyone aspired to climb higher—if one could reside permanently in Sanqing Heaven, even without considering other benefits, the sheer speed of cultivation alone would be five or six times faster than that of an ordinary cultivator.
The spiritual energy was so abundant that even someone as naturally lazy as Luo Han couldn’t resist cultivating. As for Ling Qingxiao—who was already an obsessive cultivator—there was no need to even mention it. For days, their quarters remained eerily quiet. After visiting some old acquaintances, Ye Zinan also settled down in the residence, refraining from going out.
At a critical juncture like this, it was better to keep a low profile.
One morning, Luo Han woke up, opened her eyes, and found herself staring at an elegantly embroidered canopy. She was covered with a blanket woven from multicolored clouds, and beneath her lay a bed carved from a single slab of white spirit jade.
Rubbing her eyes, she got up and stepped onto the white jade floor. The material retained warmth, so even barefoot, she didn’t feel the slightest chill. She pushed open the window, letting in a rush of sunlight and the fresh fragrance of greenery.
Having money was truly wonderful.
The Celestial Palace radiated opulence from top to bottom. Its halls were vast and majestic, its gardens filled with exotic flora. Inside, every table, chair, floor tile, and utensil was pure white. If anything became dirty or worn, it was simply discarded—repairs were never considered. The draperies were changed every season, shimmering like clouds, and in fact, they were quite literally woven from celestial mists.
By the sixth day of her stay in the Celestial Palace, Luo Han found herself thoroughly corrupted by wealth. Deep down, she was beginning to feel an unwillingness to leave.
Although the four of them lived in a shared residence, each had their own separate courtyard, complete with a private garden, main hall, and side rooms—self-contained and undisturbed. The outermost section was a vast garden, filled with trees, ponds, and rock formations, seamlessly connecting their individual courtyards into a cohesive whole.
After finishing her daily musings about the seductive power of wealth, Luo Han freshened up, dressed, and went for a walk in the garden. The communal garden was enormous—one could easily mistake it for a park. As she stepped outside, she happened to see Ling Qingxiao practicing his swordsmanship.
Judging by the timing, he was nearly finished. Ling Qingxiao practiced swordplay for exactly two hours every day, like clockwork. If Luo Han woke up early, she could just catch the tail end of his training.
See, this was the gap between a top student and a slacker.
Luo Han stood under the corridor, watching him practice. His sword was slender and sharp, and his combat style emphasized speed, agility, and force. With a flick of his blade, water from the pond surged upward, forming streaks in the air. In the next moment, the water instantly crystallized into countless shards of ice. The ice fragments hung suspended in midair, as if time itself had frozen.
It looked slow, but in reality, the falling speed of the ice remained unchanged. Ling Qingxiao’s sword swept across, precisely slicing each six-sided ice shard into two symmetrical halves. The fragments landed on the water’s surface, instantly melting back into droplets.
Not only did he have to catch every falling shard, but he also had to cut each one into perfect halves. The level of speed and precision required was remarkable. As Ling Qingxiao sheathed his sword, Luo Han immediately applauded. “Impressive.”
Ling Qingxiao had already noticed her presence. He secured his sword and walked over at an unhurried pace. “You woke up late again today.”
It wasn’t a question—it was a statement. Luo Han exhaled and admitted, “Yeah. There’s nothing much going on lately. Sleeping in until the morning hour isn’t unreasonable, is it?”
A breeze swept through, shaking the branches of a massive glowing tree. Its petals drifted down, and a few landed in Luo Han’s hair. The delicate blossoms twinkled like falling stars, glimmering softly in her dark locks. Ling Qingxiao noticed and instinctively reached out to remove them.
Luo Han reflexively dodged. He murmured, “Hold still.”
But it was already too late—her hair had gotten tangled in the sleeve clasp of his robe. As he moved, she winced from the tug. “Ow.”
She immediately reached up to free her hair, but the more she struggled, the tighter it became. In the end, Ling Qingxiao had no choice but to grasp her wrist and say, “Stop moving.”
Her hair was caught, so she had no choice but to freeze. Ling Qingxiao, afraid of pulling too hard, kept his raised hand still, using his other hand to carefully untangle her strands.
Because of her tangled hair, Ling Qingxiao had to lean in for a closer look. Luo Han, with her neck stiffened, maintained her posture. From a particular angle, it was easy to misinterpret the scene.
Star Lord Tianyu was briefly stunned. He had just stepped through the door and hadn’t even spoken when he caught sight of Ling Qingxiao leaning in toward Luo Han, while she remained still. From his perspective, it looked an awful lot like a kiss.
He froze in place, unsure whether to proceed or retreat.
Ling Qingxiao, ever the swordsman, had incredibly dexterous hands. The moment he sensed another presence, he quickly untangled Luo Han’s hair and took a step back, calmly saying, “Star Lord Tianyu. A flower petal had fallen on her head, I was only helping her remove it.”
Star Lord Tianyu nodded knowingly. “I understand.”
Though unmarried, he was not without experience. Did picking off a flower petal require getting that close? Star Lord Tianyu understood.
Ling Qingxiao sensed the misunderstanding and immediately clarified, “It really was just a flower petal.”
Star Lord Tianyu gave him a look of deep understanding and said nothing. Ling Qingxiao found the silence especially uncomfortable. It really had just been about the petal—what exactly was Star Lord Tianyu misunderstanding?
Luo Han finished straightening the strands of hair that had been pulled loose and greeted him, “Good morning, Star Lord Tianyu.”
“Morning.” Star Lord Tianyu nodded and gestured for them to sit. “Take a seat. I have something to discuss with you.”
Ling Qingxiao abandoned any further attempts at explanation and sat beside Luo Han at the jade table.
Star Lord Tianyu began, “The Tianchu Institute has come up with a solution. Zhenjun combed through the institute’s archives and found a fragment of an ancient array that records a unique formation. This formation harnesses a natural magnetic field that attracts stones, which we believe will work on the Demon-Sealing Stone as well. However, this formation only exists on Huaiyin Island. Therefore, Zhenjun plans to set up the formation there to create a gravitational pull that will induce the Devourer Beast to expel the Demon-Sealing Stone.”
Luo Han nodded. This sounded feasible. The Tianchu Institute’s grandmasters wouldn’t come up with a flawed plan. She understood the implication and asked, “So, we need to accompany the Devourer Beast to Huaiyin Island?”
“Exactly.” Star Lord Tianyu nodded. “The spellwork requires the Devourer Beast’s cooperation, but the beast is...unpredictable. Only when the two of you are present does it behave more stably.”
Luo Han agreed readily. “Understood. It’s our responsibility. We were the ones who brought the Devourer Beast away from Western Sea, so we have an obligation to ensure it doesn’t cause trouble. I’ll go with it to Huaiyin Island.”
Ling Qingxiao added, “I’ll go too.”
“Good.” Star Lord Tianyu said, “The departure is set for five days from now, at the hour of Si. Someone will come to escort you from your courtyard. There’s nothing you need to prepare—just follow their lead.”
Luo Han acknowledged his words.
After finishing his explanation, Star Lord Tianyu glanced around, then suddenly raised his hand and set up a barrier. His expression turned serious. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
Luo Han had already guessed what it was. She straightened up and said, “Please, Star Lord, go ahead.”
“The matter of the Demon-Sealing Stone has been reported to the Celestial Emperor, and he is taking it very seriously. The emperor is currently in seclusion, but once he emerges, he will personally look into this matter. Since the two of you were directly involved in handling the Demon-Sealing Stone, it is likely that someone will come to question you.”
Just as they were speaking, the courtyard’s barrier was gently struck from outside. A group of messengers, all dressed in white, approached and performed a formal bow. “Star Lord Tianyu. Second Young Master Ling. Miss Luo.”
Star Lord Tianyu immediately rose upon seeing them. Luo Han, noticing his solemn demeanor, understood that these people were of significant status and also stood up.
Star Lord Tianyu returned their greeting and spoke respectfully, “Star Lord Bai, I trust you are well. Has His Majesty issued a decree?”
Luo Han was startled. From Star Lord Tianyu’s tone, these people were from the Celestial Emperor’s entourage?
Star Lord Bai maintained a polished smile. “There is no decree—His Majesty merely wishes to have a conversation. No need for concern, Star Lord Tianyu. May I ask, which of you discovered the Demon-Sealing Stone?”
Ling Qingxiao cast a brief, subtle glance at Luo Han. Luo Han slightly shook her head. Ling Qingxiao understood and turned back. “That would be me.”
“So it is Second Young Master Ling.” Star Lord Bai smiled. “His Majesty has a few questions and requests your presence.”
Star Lord Tianyu hadn’t expected the emperor’s summons to come so soon. An audience with the Celestial Emperorwas no trivial matter. He immediately offered, “This is Ling Qingxiao’s first time in the Celestial Palace, and he is unfamiliar with Yuqing Palace. I will escort him there.”
“Hold.” Star Lord Bai’s tone remained pleasant, but his words left no room for negotiation. “His Majesty has only just emerged from seclusion and does not wish for unnecessary disturbances. I will escort Second Young Master Ling myself.”
Seeing this, Ling Qingxiao replied, “I appreciate your kindness, Star Lord Tianyu, but there’s no need to trouble you. I can manage on my own.”
Star Lord Tianyu had no choice but to relent. Ling Qingxiao turned to Star Lord Bai and inclined his head. “I will trouble Star Lord to lead the way.”
Star Lord Bai smiled faintly. “Please, Second Young Master Ling.”
Ling Qingxiao quickly followed him out. Star Lord Tianyu watched their retreating figures and let out a faint sigh.
Luo Han whispered, “Star Lord is worried about Ling Qingxiao?”
Star Lord Tianyu hesitated briefly before answering, “I wouldn’t say worried...It’s just that this is his first time meeting the emperor. I hope he doesn’t make a misstep.”
Meeting the Celestial Emperor—who could claim not to be concerned? Luo Han noticed Star Lord Tianyu’s unease and reassured him, “There’s no need to worry. He is composed, meticulous, and sharp-minded. He’ll be fine.”
At this point, there was nothing else to do but trust in that. However, Star Lord Tianyu was still puzzled by Luo Han’s reaction. “The Celestial Emperor stands at the pinnacle of the Six Realms. You heard that Ling Qingxiao was summoned before him, yet you don’t seem nervous at all?”
If anything, she looked completely unbothered—almost as if she had expected this all along.
Only then did Luo Han realize she had been a little too calm. She knew what heights Ling Qingxiao would one day reach, so to her, a mere meeting with the Celestial Emperor was nothing extraordinary. But to others, it was a different matter entirely.
Luo Han immediately lowered her head, hiding the expression on her face: "It's not that I’m not nervous, I just trust him too much. By the way, Star Lord, there is something I need to discuss with you."
Seeing Luo Han's serious expression, Star Lord Tianyu also became increasingly solemn. Luo Han’s eyes were clear as she stared at Star Lord Tianyu earnestly: "A few days ago, you were busy, so I didn’t want to disturb you and kept it to myself. Now that you have some free time, I would like to take the liberty of occupying a moment of your time, if you allow it?"
"What's the matter?"
"I want to talk to you about Ling Qingxiao and Ling Zhongyu." Luo Han sat down and personally poured tea for Star Lord Tianyu. "You must already know that they were swapped by their father since childhood. What I want to tell you today is about something that happened in the Western Sea. That day, when we were besieging the Devourer Beast, something unexpected occurred..."

Yuqing Palace. Star Lord Bai stood with his sleeves folded, delivering the message: "Your Majesty, Ling Qingxiao has arrived."
After a while, a calm and deep voice echoed from inside the hall: "Enter."
Star Lord Bai stood at the door and motioned for Ling Qingxiao to enter. It seemed that Bai Biao did not intend to enter.
Ling Qingxiao murmured his thanks and stepped into the hall.
Yuqing Palace was the Emperor of Heaven’s residence, vast in size. It was not just one palace but a collection of palaces. After entering, Ling Qingxiao did not look around but, after paying his respects, lowered his gaze and stood quietly at the foot of the hall.
After a moment, the same voice came from above: "You discovered the Demon-Sealing Stone?"
The voice of the Celestial Emperor was not overbearing, but rather very amiable. Ling Qingxiao cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, it was not solely my effort; I must also thank my other three teammates and the assistance from Star Lord Tianyu and Star Lord Gu Xing. The Demon-Sealing Stone is a result of everyone’s collective effort; I dare not take credit."
The Celestial Emperor was quite pleased with Ling Qingxiao’s words. At such a young age, he did not seek personal glory—this was rare. The Emperor asked, "How did you discover the Demon-Sealing Stone? Please explain everything, no matter how trivial."
Although the Emperor requested all details, it was not possible to truly list every little thing and waste the Emperor’s time. Ling Qingxiao condensed the events and recounted their discovery of the Demon-Sealing Stone in Da Ming City. His explanation was clear and logical. In the end, he added his own speculations: "...King Lei Lie intends to join forces with the Red Lotus Demon King. Although the token was swapped this time, the Red Lotus Demon King has changed his mind. He is likely to make contact with the Demon Realm again. I hope Your Majesty will take note and prepare accordingly."
Listening to such a report was very pleasant. Ling Qingxiao laid out the time, people, and causes clearly, which allowed the higher-ups to quickly grasp the key points. The Celestial Emperor already had a plan in mind and looked down at the young man standing calmly before him, becoming more and more satisfied with him.
Perhaps because he had just emerged from seclusion or because it had been a long time since he had seen someone of this age, the Emperor suddenly became interested in small talk: "Your surname is Ling, are you from the Ling Yuan family?"
Ling Qingxiao was also a bit surprised. He didn’t expect the Emperor to suddenly ask such a question. He cupped his hands and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty. I am from my grandfather’s side."
"Grandfather..." The Celestial Emperor murmured. "Lingyuan already has grandchildren. The last time I saw him, he was still a half-grown youth."
The Dragon Clan’s years were long, and the Celestial Emperor, being a supreme being who ruled an era, had an extraordinarily long life. He had lived so long that even the Dragon Clan ancestors, who had passed away many years ago, were mere children in his eyes.
The Celestial Emperor realized more clearly now that so many years had passed. He had lived too long, and his contemporaries had long since become history. His younger generations, too, had all passed away.
The Emperor momentarily lost his focus, but quickly recovered. Looking at Ling Qingxiao, he suddenly asked, "Why is your dragon core missing?"
In front of true power, no secret could be hidden. Ling Qingxiao did not conceal it and said, "Some things happened at home...that caused my dragon core to leave my body. I was fortunate enough to survive, and with guidance from predecessors, I returned to the Heavenly Realm."
The Emperor instantly noticed the absence of Ling Qingxiao's dragon core and saw that it had been replaced with a divine pearl. He sighed and said, "It's been many years since I've seen you. How is the God of Time doing lately?"
It turned out that the missing piece was the God of Time. Ling Qingxiao paused and replied, "He’s still as stubborn as ever."
The Emperor smiled. Although no words were said, it carried deep meaning. The Celestial Emperor seemed to picture how Ling Qingxiao had been manipulated by the God of Time while trapped in the Divine Domain.
After mentioning two mutual acquaintances, the Emperor became much closer to Ling Qingxiao. The Emperor said, "Since this is your opportunity, focus on your cultivation and don’t let the God of Time’s kindness go to waste. However, the absence of the dragon core is not a permanent solution. As you advance, you will need the dragon core to survive the thunder tribulation."
"I understand, Your Majesty," Ling Qingxiao said. "After returning from the Celestial Palace, I will focus on resolving the dragon core issue. I feel ashamed to trouble you with family matters."
Since Ling Qingxiao was already going to deal with it, the Emperor did not press the matter further. He was many generations older than Ling Qingxiao, and looking at this young man, he couldn't help but remember how full of energy and ambition he had been when he had just turned a thousand years old. The Emperor realized that today, he was again lamenting time. It seemed that he had truly grown old.
The Emperor suddenly changed the topic and asked, "Yi Huaxuan was also at the Western Sea, have you met him?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, we have met a few times."
"You are of the same generation, young people. You should spend more time together. Martial arts are honed through sparring, not by shutting oneself off."
Ling Qingxiao agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty. I have already taken up enough of your time. I feel deeply ashamed. I will take my leave now."
After Ling Qingxiao left, the Xiezhi, which had been squatting by the high platform like a stone sculpture, spoke: "Your Majesty, you seem to like this young man."
The Emperor smiled faintly: "We only met once, so it can’t be said that I like him. But when one encounters a promising junior, it’s only natural for an old man to talk a little longer."
Being called a "promising junior" by the Celestial Emperor carried deep meaning, which was very thought-provoking. The Xiezhi was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Your Majesty, you are in your prime years. There is no need to be so pessimistic."
The Emperor shook his head. His tone was slow, but it carried a firm conviction: "The heart demon is hard to overcome. In the end, the enemy is oneself. This time, I couldn’t win."
The only one the Celestial Emperor truly trusted was the Xiezhi. In front of the Xiezhi, he did not use formal titles and was not afraid to show his weaknesses. The Xiezhi wanted to say something, but the Celestial Emperor raised his hand to stop him: “No need to say more. At my level, no one knows the time of my demise better than I do. But even if I’m about to sit into the great void, I can still protect the Heavenly Realm for another hundred thousand years. You need not worry about me. Life, death, sickness, aging, rise and fall—these are the constants of the Heavenly Way. My power comes from heaven and earth, and in the end, it will return to heaven and earth, which is also a good thing.”
The Xiezhi was silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally, he sighed deeply. After the Celestial Emperor had shown this rare moment of vulnerability, he quickly became resolute again, returning to his usual, invincible self, the Emperor without weaknesses or desires: “These words must not be shared with others.”
The Xiezhi helplessly replied, “I understand. After all these years together, you would speak such words to me?”
The Celestial Emperor smiled lightly, “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that the situation is special now. Great chaos is coming. The Demon Realm and the Monster Realm are watching us closely. If the news of the Emperor’s demise spreads at this time, it will be a heavy blow to the Immortal Realm.”
The Xiezhi fell silent. He lay beside the high platform, motionless for a long time, like a stone statue. The Celestial Emperor stood from his throne and slowly walked to the window. He gazed at the swirling wind and dark clouds outside, suddenly sighing: “The wind is rising.”