As the Empress had said.
He had come to the Immortal Realm out of necessity.
If it weren't to retrieve Nangong Wan's physical body.
He wouldn't have traversed the black hole to the Immortal Realm.
Now.
Nangong Wan's physical body had merged with the rules of the Immortal Realm.
It could be considered a less-than-perfect but complete ending.
As for truly reviving her, that would have to wait until the Heavenly Court was rebuilt.
Therefore.
It was time to leave.
------
Snow Country.
The Imperial Palace.
Chen Nan, holding the Empress, instantly appeared in Ling Yanran's bedroom.
Upon seeing Chen Nan, Ling Yanran's eyes lit up: "Brother-in-law, you're finally back."
The next second.
She saw who Chen Nan was holding.
Her sister, on the verge of death, her pupils trembled violently: "My sis... what happened to my sister?"
She was in Snow Country.
A million miles away from Human Emperor City.
Yet, she had heard the sounds of the fierce battle earlier.
She had also seen a large hole ripped in the sky.
She knew that battle had been incredibly brutal.
While she was happy Chen Nan had returned.
Looking at her sister's ashen face, on the verge of death.
Tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.
"I'm fine, just injured and needing a long period of recovery." The Empress forced a smile, not revealing her true condition.
Ling Yanran thought of her sister's mastery of the Great Dao of Life.
And breathed a sigh of relief.
The Empress said weakly, "I'm going back to Earth with your brother-in-law."
"From now on, you will be the new Empress of Snow Country."
"I want to go to Earth with you too," Ling Yanran pouted.
There was something she didn't say.
Whether or not she went to Earth was irrelevant.
As long as she could be a maidservant to warm her brother-in-law's bed.
The Empress said, "If you go, what about Snow Country?"
"I..."
Ling Yanran was speechless.
Chen Nan glanced at his daughter sleeping on the bed.
With a thought.
His daughter floated into his arms.
Then.
Nie Yao, Bai Jie.
And that Dragon Hound appeared before him.
He had promised Nie Yao that he would take her to wander the world.
He had also promised Bai Jie that he would show her his hometown.
Therefore.
This departure.
Was destined to be with them.
As for the Dragon Hound.
It didn't know the meaning of its existence.
It had lived in Snow Country in a state of confusion.
Taking it back to Earth this time was for its reunion with its father and daughter.
Afterward.
Chen Nan tore open the sky and flew towards Earth.
In reality.
He didn't know Earth's coordinates.
However.
There was a summoning force beckoning him from the darkness.
He knew.
Following this summoning force would not lead him astray.
"My daughter will be stunning when she grows up." The Empress looked dotingly at her daughter in Nie Yao's arms. "I truly want to know, to what extent she will grow in the future."
Chen Nan had no answer in his heart.
His daughter was a congenital Dao embryo.
If nothing unexpected happened.
She would become a Saint.
The strongest Saint.
The Empress looked at Chen Nan and couldn't help but ask, "Do you have many women on Earth?"
"Although I don't object to that."
"I hope you can handle your relationships with them."
"Don't let our daughter suffer any grievances."
Chen Nan looked down at the Empress in his arms, hesitated, and said, "Are you still not going to die?"
"Are you saying too much with your dying words?"
Chen Nan felt these words were impolite.
However.
The Empress gave him the feeling of being on death's door, yet she kept chattering.
This was a bit torturous.
"Do you want me to die, or live?" The Empress revealed a sly, strange smile.
Chen Nan frowned.
There was more to her words!
Seeing Chen Nan's anger.
The Empress knew she couldn't hide it any longer.
She gestured for Chen Nan to release her.
Then, she transmitted soulfully: "I don't want this either, but the secret of the Divine Talisman is known to everyone."
"Therefore, some secrets are better left unsaid."
"Do you think obtaining the Divine Talisman allows you to control a complete Great Dao?"
Chen Nan: "Isn't it?"
The Empress: "Of course not."
"Obtaining the Divine Talisman only means there's a chance to control a complete Great Dao."
"But to control this Great Dao, there is a trial."
"A trial of selfless devotion, disregarding life and death."
Chen Nan frowned: "Break and then establish?"
"Yes," the Empress said. "When I used my soul power to activate the Great Dao of Life and heal Yan Emperor and the others, I thought I would surely die."
"But the voice of the Ancient Saint of Life echoed in the depths of my mind."
"She told me."
"Only by breaking and then establishing can one truly activate a complete Great Dao."
"Only then can the Divine Talisman truly recognize you."
Chen Nan understood.
Indeed.
If one could control a complete Great Dao by obtaining the Divine Talisman.
Wouldn't that mean any Tom, Dick, or Harry could control a Great Dao and become a Saint?
The Empress continued, "Many powerful beings in the Immortal Realm know about the existence of the Divine Talisman."
"They also know that obtaining the Divine Talisman provides an opportunity to become a Saint."
"If nothing unexpected happens, someone will surely try to seize the remaining Divine Talismans."
"Therefore, I must pretend to be on the verge of death."
"They must not know that becoming a Saint requires breaking and then establishing."
"It's not that I intentionally deceived you."
"So, please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Hearing her say this.
The displeasure in Chen Nan's heart vanished.
Actually.
As long as the Empress could live.
Even if it wasn't about the secret of becoming a Saint.
Even if it was just a prank.
He wouldn't be angry.
In his opinion.
There was nothing happier than a family living together.
"I see Kunlun Xu."
The Dragon Hound Cang Zhong's excited voice rang out.
Chen Nan looked forward.
A blue planet appeared before his eyes.
It looked so unremarkable in the vast universe.
However.
It contained mystery and antiquity.
It was the birthplace of the Three Realms.
"This is home!" Chen Nan smiled.
As bright as a child.
"I sense Cai Yan's aura." Cang Zhong let out a low bark, then soared into the sky, ignoring Chen Nan, flying towards Kunlun Mountain at the fastest speed.
Chen Nan didn't stop it.
After all.
With its strength as a ninth-level Demon Emperor.
It could roam the mortal world at will.
Nie Yao said softly, "Brother Chen, you've been away for so many years, you must have many things to do when you get home."
"We won't go home with you for now."
The Empress nodded slightly: "She's right. Let's find a mountain to settle on first, and then come to find you later."
She was a very independent woman.
Although she had come to Earth with Chen Nan, she didn't want to rely on him for everything.
If that were the case.
Where would the Empress's dignity lie?
"Alright."
Chen Nan knew the Empress was proud.
They parted ways in the air.
Then.
His gaze locked onto a very small city below.
Jizhou!
The place where he was born and raised.
He landed in Jizhou amidst the thunderous roar.
He landed at the villa on the mountainside.
This was his home.
It was already night.
However.
His parents and two younger sisters were not at home.
"Fortunately, I was only away for two years."
Confirming he had been gone for two years, Chen Nan's worried heart settled.
Just then.
A respectful voice reached his ears: "Miss Jian Ning, there is one hour left until the engagement ceremony. How are you preparing? Can we depart?"
Chen Nan's expression changed drastically.
Jian Ning was getting engaged?