The Sword Venerable departed, intending to eliminate the other Sword Venerables of Bai Di Mountain.
Yet, Chen Fan did not agree immediately. He continued to transmit his voice, "Why should I believe you are not going to kill my people?"
He did not trust him.
"My Master is Wuji."
Only these four words.
Not much was needed; the two words, Wuji, were the greatest assurance.
"So that's how it is."
Chen Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
The Sword Venerable had mentioned Wuji. Wuji was a true name, not to be uttered lightly by anyone but those of the same cultivation tier.
The Sword Venerable was merely a third-tier Emperor Venerable, yet he dared to invoke the name Wuji, proving his words were truthful.
Sometimes, the name of a powerful being was the greatest guarantee.
Chen Fan withdrew his gaze. He chose to believe.
Bai Di Mountain was close at hand.
Hidden within the clouds, Bai Di Mountain resembled a celestial palace.
"Bai Di, did you see the Sword Venerable betray us?" Chen Fan murmured to himself.
If Bai Di were not blind, he must have seen it.
Yet, he had allowed Bai Di to leave and remained indifferent.
What was Bai Di waiting for?
Whoosh.
The River of Life and Death appeared, its dao traces unfolding, carrying Chen Fan as he ascended towards the heavens.
Bai Di Mountain, Bai Di... I am coming.
...
Eastern Continent.
"Haha."
The Supreme Lord continued to laugh heartily, "Ling Yang, I have returned. Are you happy? Haha..."
His laughter echoed through the heavens and earth, his surging vital energy transforming into blood dragons that drilled into his body.
In an instant, his physical form was restored.
His domineering aura surpassed all under the heavens.
"My Lord."
From afar, calls of reverence arose.
Emperor Venerables from the Northern Continent knelt in the air, crying out, "Greetings, my Lord."
The figure that dominated the world did not turn back.
His gaze remained fixed on the Azure Emperor, "Ling Yang, I have returned."
"Ye Guangji."
The Azure Emperor spoke, uttering the name.
The so-called twelve Palace Lords were indeed Ye Guangji.
The one who had been ambushed by them and nearly perished years ago.
For so many years, he had operated under the guise of the Second Palace of the Twelve Palaces, dwelling in the darkness, and now... he had finally returned.
"I am very curious..."
The Azure Emperor did not attack directly. "How did you escape back then? And what was the matter with your body previously?"
"Heh heh."
With matters having reached this point, the Black Emperor no longer felt the need to rush.
Having prepared for thousands of years for his return, he wished to converse with his old friend for a while longer.
He had returned, and no matter how intense his hatred, it would find its resolution today.
There was no need to rush this moment.
The Black Emperor spoke, "Ling Yang, do you truly believe you are invincible in this world?"
"I understand now."
As the Black Emperor spoke, the White Emperor instantly understood. "Wuji... Wuji saved you."
"Clever."
"Where is he?"
"Don't be impatient."
A hint of mockery played on the Black Emperor's lips. "He has returned, and he will be coming to find you all soon. The Yellow Emperor, the Scarlet Emperor, the will of the Immortal Realm... they are enjoying the show immensely. There are always things to do, aren't there?"
Whether these words were spoken to the Azure Emperor or to the three figures on the River of Origin, it was impossible to know.
"Sigh."
The Azure Emperor sighed. "Trouble."
The Root of Immortality swayed gently, dragging the Emperor's Palace along like a scene from a fairy tale.
Killing intent spread from the Root of Immortality.
"I merely wished to devour the River. Why must there be so many complications?" the Azure Emperor stated.
His calm voice was like a thunderclap.
"What?"
The will of the Immortal Realm, located by the River, changed color drastically.
At this moment, he could no longer bear to remain a spectator.
Hum.
A sky-obscuring face appeared in the heavens.
The will of the Immortal Realm had manifested.
The colossal face roared with accusation, "Ling Yang, you intend to devour me?"
"Fool."
The Azure Emperor scoffed. "You are merely a wisp of spirit nurtured by the River. What right do you have to collaborate with us? Our cooperation was merely to facilitate your eventual devouring."
The Azure Emperor revealed everything.
He subtly curled his lip. "Watching the show is not enough. Do you think it's fair that only I and Bai Di face trouble? Let's all join in. No one shall escape unscathed."
...
The will of the Immortal Realm fell silent.
At the edge of the River of Origin, the will of the Immortal Realm gazed grimly at the two figures beside him. "So, you two have been plotting against me all along?"
The Scarlet Emperor shrugged, offering no reply.
The Yellow Emperor remained silent as well.
Their silence was the most eloquent answer.
"You..."
At this moment, the will of the Immortal Realm deeply felt the treachery of hearts.
Wasn't this a collaboration?
Hadn't they agreed that the River of Origin would be mine to devour, and then I would be allowed to leave?
Why?
"Heh heh."
The Scarlet Emperor smiled slightly. "Did you believe the words of a cornered dog?"
I believed.
The will of the Immortal Realm's face turned terrifyingly grim.
He had harbored suspicions before, and now, it seemed his suspicions had come true.
Everyone harbored their own hidden agendas.
What he hadn't expected was that their true target was himself.
"Sigh."
The Yellow Emperor sighed. "How could such things be spoken aloud?"
He had admitted it.
The will of the Immortal Realm's face changed instantly.
Whoosh.
The will of the Immortal Realm fled at lightning speed.
Run, away from these two.
The Yellow Emperor cast a helpless glance at the Scarlet Emperor, then extended his right hand.
Hum.
His hand reached out towards the direction the will of the Immortal Realm had fled.
Boom.
A portion of the entire River of Origin suddenly collapsed.
The collapse of the River triggered turmoil in the heavens and earth.
At this moment, a colossal river materialized in the sky of the Immortal Realm.
The water flowed, representing infinite rules.
And a significant portion of it instantly crumbled.
The moment the rules shattered, countless beings in the Immortal Realm let out piercing screams.
The rules within their bodies had been broken.
This scene occurred too suddenly.
"Ah..."
The will of the Immortal Realm let out a pained cry.
He was the spirit of the River, and as the River collapsed, he would inevitably be injured.
"You..."
Terror filled the eyes of the will of the Immortal Realm. "You actually left a contingency in the River of Origin."
The Yellow Emperor did, and what about the others?
As expected...
The Scarlet Emperor raised his hand and made a similar gesture.
Boom.
Another section of the River collapsed.
With two collapses, a tenth of the entire River's length was gone.
"Ah..."
The will of the Immortal Realm cried out even more tragically.
As the River shattered, his form began to become ethereal. He was the spirit of the River, without a physical body.
"Return."
The Yellow Emperor and the Scarlet Emperor spoke in unison.
The already heavily injured will of the Immortal Realm struggled to resist.
Alas, these were the actions of two Celestial Emperors.
Hum.
His body was enveloped by two beams of light, one red and one yellow, dragging him towards the two Celestial Emperors.
The will of the Immortal Realm was terrified.
He felt the clash of two forces; both of these individuals wished to devour him.
He was powerless to resist when two Celestial Emperors acted in concert.
But let's not forget, he was the will of the Immortal Realm, a spirit born from the River of Origin.
This world contained a part of him.
"You forced my hand."
A flicker of madness flashed in the eyes of the spirit of the Immortal Realm. "Do you truly believe I have made no preparations?"