Tian Wen had disappeared.
However, the Tian family did not make a fuss, as their circumstances were not good.
And at this moment... within the River of Rules.
"Splash."
The River of the Great Dao flowed.
Tian Wen's figure hovered at the edge of the River of Rules, not falling into it.
Yet, even so, Tian Wen was being eroded by the water of rules.
Her physical body was constantly being corroded by the scattered aura of the Great Dao.
The Great Dao was like a whip, continuously lashing at Tian Wen, causing her body to almost collapse from the pain.
However, her eyes were as brilliant as stars.
Excited.
Tian Wen was incredibly excited.
This was the first time she had ever seen so many rules and Great Daos, and it was... facing the rules directly.
Rules were in the heavens. Only rules and Great Daos that aligned with her own attributes and could be cultivated could be touched and refined by her.
And now, she seemed to see all the myriad Daos of the heavens.
Especially the dense Death Great Dao, which continuously took away her life.
In the river water, Chen Fan bathed within.
He spoke, "To become a Titled Emperor, one must refine at least nine Emperor Qi. Now... I will let you face the River of Rules directly. Your cultivated Life, and now Thunder, has been added. Tell me, what other Great Dao do you desire?"
There were three thousand Great Daos, endless Great Daos.
As long as Tian Wen desired it, Chen Fan could fulfill it.
Tian Wen slowly awoke from her shock.
Her mind was a bit stiff, but she still managed to speak, "City Lord, this subordinate's physical body cannot withstand any more Great Daos."
"Hmm?"
Seeing the City Lord frown, Tian Wen was startled and quickly said, "Life and Thunder are already the limits of what this subordinate's physical body can bear. However, this subordinate can search for Great Daos that resonate with me within the branches of Life and Thunder."
Upon hearing this, Chen Fan nodded.
As Long Ling had said before, within each Great Dao, there were three thousand minor Daos.
For example, Thunder contained the Dao of Killing, Destruction, Piercing...
In short, within each Great Dao, there were countless possibilities.
"You can come down and try," Chen Fan said.
Tian Wen was startled, "This subordinate dares not."
She didn't dare to enter the River of Rules itself, but rather... this place belonged to Chen Fan.
Entering another person's rules was akin to stealing their greatest secrets.
"It's fine."
Chen Fan waved his hand, "The Great Daos here are endless. If you can comprehend them, it will be your fortune. I wish to walk the path of the Lord of All Daos, so naturally, I cannot wield them all myself. If you have the ability, comprehend as you wish."
This was Chen Fan's confidence, and also his Dao heart.
Hearing this, Tian Wen could not help but be shocked by Chen Fan's ambition.
But at the same time, her heart also stirred with excitement.
By submitting to such a powerful being, her own future held infinite possibilities.
"Come."
"Yes."
Tian Wen no longer hesitated.
She leaped down, directly into the Life Great Dao.
"Splash."
The river water flowed, washing over her body.
A portion of this Life Great Dao was based on Tian Wen's own understanding and did not harm her.
But more of the rules of Life were destroying her physical body.
Here, Tian Wen had become an intruder.
"Ah..."
In an instant, Tian Wen's body was cleansed by the rules until only bones remained.
But in the next moment, the power of Life permeated, and her flesh reappeared.
Tian Wen was in pain, yet also in joy.
She endured it, allowing the rules to scour her body, forcing herself to sit in the river.
"Splash."
Facing the rules directly, comprehending the rules.
Her physical body, in its continuous dissolution and reappearance, felt the true meaning of life.
From afar, Chen Fan glanced once and then withdrew his gaze.
He only needed to ensure Tian Wen did not die.
Whether she could comprehend depended entirely on herself.
The Thunder from before was merely an experiment on his part.
Closing his eyes, Chen Fan immersed himself entirely in the Death Great Dao.
The Death Great Dao was the most abundant and the most concentrated.
Now, Chen Fan also needed to consider his own path forward.
"Splash."
The river water continued to flow.
In the tranquil atmosphere, both of them were cultivating and comprehending.
Time passed quickly.
When Chen Fan opened his eyes again, three days had already passed.
"Four more days."
In four more days, it would be the day of the City Lord's succession.
There was little time left for him, and little time left for Tian Wen.
His gaze fell upon the Life Great Dao.
"Huh?"
It was one thing not to look, but looking now, Chen Fan was surprised.
"Six strands of Emperor Qi."
Chen Fan was truly shocked.
At this moment, six strands of Emperor Qi were entwined around Tian Wen.
No, it should be seven, with the Thunder being a gift from Chen Fan.
Within the Life Great Dao, Thunder could not manifest.
Around Tian Wen, six strands of Emperor Qi, all originating from the same source, flowed continuously.
"That is..."
Chen Fan observed Tian Wen's six strands of Emperor Qi intently.
The first strand of Emperor Qi carried a strong vitality, likely for recovery.
The second strand of Emperor Qi seemed to be... lifespan, a path to longevity?
Chen Fan did not fully understand the branches of the Life Great Dao and could only make rough guesses.
But the third strand of Emperor Qi was somewhat different, with a faint sense of separation. Was this... severing life?
The Life Great Dao could not only help people recover but also sever their life force.
"Good heavens."
Chen Fan sighed with emotion, "As expected of a prodigy."
This talent, it had to be said, Tian Wen's ability to withstand both the Thunder and Life Great Daos was not simply spoken of.
The Supremes who had merged into his River of Rules previously had only merged one strand each.
Only Tian Wen had mastered two.
The fourth, the fifth...
"Boom."
As Chen Fan was observing,
The seventh strand of Emperor Qi appeared on Tian Wen's body.
"Not bad."
Chen Fan was very satisfied.
The greater Tian Wen's talent, the greater the help she would be to him.
In just three days, she had grasped so many Great Daos; she was truly monstrous.
Thinking of this, Chen Fan became confused, "With such monstrous talent, Tian Wen is not considered top-tier within the Tian family. Why?"
According to what Tian Wen had said, the most monstrous talents in the Tian family had already refined eight strands of Emperor Qi.
Yet Tian Wen had refined six strands in just three days.
Although it was greatly related to her directly bathing in the River of Rules, the difference should not be so vast.
He looked at Tian Wen again and had an idea.
"This Tian Wen is probably the true prodigy, and the others are bait placed by the Tian family outside," Chen Fan felt his guess was likely correct.
Thinking this, Chen Fan smiled.
Why should he care so much about other people's affairs?
Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it.
As long as it was a good thing, that was enough.
Chen Fan closed his eyes once more.
There were still four days left. Let's see how far Tian Wen could go.
Time flowed again...
The sixth day.
"City Lord."
Tian Wen's voice woke Chen Fan from his contemplation of death, "Are we not continuing?"
Tian Wen said, "City Lord, this subordinate has a request."
"What is it?"
"Please, City Lord, withdraw my Thunder Emperor Qi."
"Hmm?"
Chen Fan was surprised, "Why? Don't you like it?"
He had never heard of anyone disliking having an extra strand of Emperor Qi.