Immortal Realm.
Inside the Emperor's Palace.
The Emperor's Palace, with a diameter of one hundred meters, was situated within a magnificent golden hall.
This place was deserted.
"Buzz."
Suddenly, space began to distort as the will of the Immortal Realm arrived.
It had personally come to the Emperor's Palace.
"You have arrived."
A voice emanated from within the Emperor's Palace.
Immediately, the Emperor's Palace opened, intending to welcome the will of the Immortal Realm inside.
"Heh heh."
The will of the Immortal Realm let out a cold laugh, not entering the Emperor's Palace.
"Fellow Daoist remains as cautious as ever." A calm voice sounded from within the Emperor's Palace.
It was clear that the entity inside had anticipated this.
"What brings you here, fellow Daoist?"
"Wuji has reappeared."
The will of the Immortal Realm stated directly, "That fellow, along with the Lord of Sword City, has entered the River of Origin."
"Oh."
The voice from the Emperor's Palace was chillingly indifferent.
The meaning was clear... if he entered, what concern is it of mine?
The will of the Immortal Realm was enraged. "Yellow Emperor, do not forget the relationship between us."
"Of course."
The Yellow Emperor remained unmoved. "You swallowed the River, becoming its master. The Dark Realm desires world origin. As for us, we refine billions of sentient beings in the Immortal Realm into blood pills."
If this were to be heard, it would surely cause immense shock.
No one knew that, behind the scenes, their plans were so ruthless.
Speaking of which, a light chuckle came from the Emperor's Palace. "However, do you truly believe the Lord of the Immortal Realm has perished? To dare swallow its River of Origin?"
"...I don't care."
The will of the Immortal Realm's face turned grim. "When I awakened from the River, I had not seen him. Whether he perished or not, I have been imprisoned here for countless eons. I wish to leave this realm and see for myself."
"Heh heh."
His explanation was met with the Yellow Emperor's cold laugh. "Is that truly all?"
"Hmm?"
"You merely do not wish to die."
The Yellow Emperor ruthlessly exposed the will of the Immortal Realm's intentions. "The Dark Realm is about to descend. Once the Immortal Realm is sacrificed, the River of Origin will inevitably be devoured. You merely wish to refine the River before the Dark Realm's descent and escape."
The will of the Immortal Realm's pupils constricted. "You... how do you know?"
"I'm not an idiot."
The Yellow Emperor continued, "Not only me, but the Green Emperor, the White Emperor, and the Red Emperor also understand your thoughts."
"Then what do you plan to do?" the will of the Immortal Realm asked, somewhat worried.
If the four of them were to collectively hinder him, he would certainly be unable to refine the River.
"What does it have to do with me?"
The Yellow Emperor was indifferent. "My sole objective is the billions of sentient beings in the Immortal Realm. I will refine blood pills to advance to the Sixth Order Heavenly Emperor, and then depart..."
At that time, he would take the Emperor's Palace and leave.
Whether it was to wander the chaos or live freely, it was all the same.
Returning to the Dark Realm was also an option. At that point, with his powerful Sixth Order Heavenly Emperor status, even upon returning to the Dark Realm, he would be among the top three individuals.
Over the years, he had gained some understanding of the Dark Realm.
The Lord of the Dark Realm was merely a Sixth Order Heavenly Emperor. Besides the Lord of the Dark Realm, there was only one other Sixth Order Heavenly Emperor.
This was the Dark Realm.
The Emperor Realm, every step was a chasm.
For ten thousand years, the Yellow Emperor had remained at the Fifth Order Heavenly Emperor position, never progressing.
After speaking, the Yellow Emperor added, "As for what the other three wish to ask, you can inquire yourself. Since fellow Daoist has no intention of coming in for a sit, I will not accompany you. I am going into seclusion."
The Emperor's Palace completely closed, leaving the will of the Immortal Realm with a grave expression.
He and the four had cooperated a long time ago.
The will of the Immortal Realm wished to refine the River, become its master, and thus be free and escape the Immortal Realm.
The Yellow Emperor wished to reach the Sixth Order.
As for the other three Heavenly Emperors, they had previously discussed only wishing to return to the Dark Realm.
However, upon closer thought, this reason did not hold up.
In the Immortal Realm, these individuals were like overlords. Why would they merely wish to return to the Dark Realm and become someone else's subordinate?
With these thoughts in mind, coupled with their past actions, everything became suspicious.
The will of the Immortal Realm's mind was in turmoil.
In the end, he could only sigh and leave the Emperor's Palace.
He had originally planned to visit the other three after meeting the Yellow Emperor.
But now, he had abandoned that idea.
None of these individuals were to be trifled with.
...
Meanwhile, in the River of Origin.
Chen Fan and Wuji drifted within the River.
Chen Fan's eyes closed once more. In his hand was a drop of water, and he was comprehending the life of another.
After a long while, his eyes opened.
The drop of water fell, returning to the River.
"How was it?"
"A Half-Emperor."
Chen Fan sighed. "He was tricked to death like this."
What he had just witnessed was the memory of a Half-Emperor.
The demise of this Half-Emperor seemed to have no issues.
However, Chen Fan had witnessed his entire life from beginning to end, and there were only two words for it: too smooth.
Wherever he went, he found treasures, and his cultivation increased continuously.
But when he attempted to break through to the Emperor Realm, his luck did not hold.
Instead, he encountered one misfortune after another.
Ultimately, he perished under a lightning tribulation.
The last glance he caught before his demise was of a fiery silhouette.
It was useless to be clear-headed at the last moment, but Chen Fan had seen it.
"Was it the Red Emperor?" This was Chen Fan's guess.
The last glance he caught before his demise, Chen Fan had seen it.
Just a single glance had made his eyes bleed, inflicting an injury.
The final fragment of memory, that person's gaze had injured him.
If it wasn't the Red Emperor, Chen Fan couldn't think of anyone else in the Immortal Realm who could possess such a method.
"Mmm."
Wuji nodded. "Let's continue."
"Alright."
Chen Fan said nothing more.
He also wished to continue.
Moments later, he entered the memory of another person.
...
While Chen Fan was comprehending within the River of Origin.
In the Eastern Continent, a desolate small mountain.
This place was named Liangshan.
On this day, the Angler, the Overlord, and the Dream Monk arrived together.
Only the three of them remained.
It was the seventh day after the battle in the East.
The Son of Heaven was no longer present, but no one mourned.
They were already content to have fought one last battle with their former comrade.
"This is it." The Overlord stopped.
"Amitabha."
The Dream Monk chanted a Buddhist phrase and stepped back.
He made way, and the Angler stepped forward.
"Buzz."
The lantern hanging from the fishing line lit up.
Subsequently, a key flew out from within.
"Swish."
The key instantly disappeared, piercing into Liangshan.
"Go."
The three quickly followed.
The key seemed to have a sense of direction, and soon, it found its destination.
A pair of intertwined trees, a husband and wife tree. The key was inserted into the trunk of the tree.
Seeing this, the Overlord threw a punch.
*Bang.*
The trunk of the tree exploded.
A small glowing box lay quietly within the heart of the tree.
"Finally found it." The Overlord reached out to take it.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, a strong sense of crisis appeared.
This crisis came inexplicably, but it caused the Overlord's expression to change.
At this moment, the treasure box glowed.
"Boom."
The treasure box exploded directly.
The exploding treasure box transformed into a source of destruction.
This explosive force surpassed the Half-Emperor realm.
"Ah..."
The Overlord bore the brunt of it, his entire body being obliterated.
The Dream Monk and the Angler, standing slightly further back, managed to avoid the most terrifying power.
However, the condition of both was extremely tragic, half of their bodies having disappeared.