Chen Fan never forced anyone.
Everyone had their own choices.
The Immortal Emperor, Old Demon Chu, Wusheng, Lie Tian... they were all people, naturally possessing their own thoughts and ideas.
He would not impose his own will upon anyone.
Claiming the final divine artifact was, after all, his own matter.
It was already more than enough that these individuals had followed him and helped him thus far.
He would not coerce them... even if he had bestowed favors upon them.
Even...
*Hum.*
Three wisps of Great Dao origin suddenly appeared in Chen Fan's hand.
Across from him, Lie Tian and the other two changed countenance.
Lie Tian, King Yu, and General Lei... all three had their Great Dao origin held by Chen Fan, serving as hostages.
And now, the City Lord had produced their Great Dao origin.
Under their bewildered gazes, Chen Fan directly released his hold on the three, allowing their Great Dao origin to return to their bodies.
Immediately, ecstatic joy appeared on their faces: "Many thanks, City Lord."
They had thought this would remain in the City Lord's possession forever. None of them had expected the City Lord to so easily relinquish their Great Dao origin.
Chen Fan's state of mind was serene as he explained, "I have observed your actions during this period, your desperate battles time and again. Now that you have completely integrated with the Realm of Life and Death, there is no longer a need for such measures."
"By returning the Great Dao origin to you, I am also giving you the opportunity to choose."
"Everyone is the same. Based on your inner decisions, whether to continue following me, or to remain in the Ninth Land, or return to the Tenth Land... any is acceptable."
Having spoken, he waited for everyone to make their decision.
"Heh heh."
Old Demon Chu chuckled.
Without anyone else needing to speak, he had already made his decision.
Chen Fan also guessed Old Demon Chu's decision, offering a slight smile without saying anything.
This fellow had such a personality; if he were made to enjoy peace in one place for a few years, he would feel compelled to end his own life.
A life of grand adventures was what Old Demon Chu yearned for.
His choice was, naturally, beyond reproach.
"City Lord."
Wusheng's expression was somewhat conflicted. "I wish to..."
His words failed to finish.
"Understood."
Chen Fan proactively spoke to break the awkwardness.
Smiling, he said, "Live well with Luo Ran. When you have offspring, and if you don't like a peaceful life, you can come find me again. Yes... this applies to everyone. If you cannot make a decision for the moment, you may stay temporarily."
"If you later feel that this kind of life is not suited for you, you can still come find me again."
Hearing his words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"I will follow you," the Immortal Emperor stepped forward.
He, too, disliked a peaceful life.
Like Old Demon Chu, he preferred a life of grand adventures.
Chen Fan had said earlier that this parting was not a final farewell; if one had enjoyed a peaceful life enough, they could come find him again.
For a moment, everyone began to make their choices.
Some were willing to follow, while others were willing to stay.
"Long Ling."
Chen Fan stopped Long Ling, who was about to follow him.
This eldest disciple of Yifu had been the first to stand by him after he inherited Sword City.
Long Ling wished to follow but was blocked by Chen Fan: "You should stay. Make sure all your junior brothers and sisters are settled first, then come find me."
Long Ling was indeed conflicted.
Upon hearing the City Lord's words, and thinking of the junior brothers and sisters remaining in the Tenth Land, she could only nod in the end.
Among Yifu's disciples, only she and An An had emerged.
An An was oblivious to the world and recognized no one but her and the City Lord.
Thinking of the junior brothers and sisters left behind in the Tenth Land, Long Ling sighed and joined the group of those who were staying.
Everyone continuously made their choices.
In the end, through Chen Fan's constant counsel, fewer than ten people remained by his side.
The rest, either voluntarily or involuntarily, were kept by him.
At this stage, those at the seventh tier could no longer assist him much. Following him would serve no purpose. Rather than that, it was better to stay.
Lu Qi and the others also understood this point and could only nod helplessly.
It was finally confirmed: those accompanying Chen Fan on his departure were Old Demon Chu, the Immortal Emperor, General Lei, Emperor Kuang, Hegemon King, Seven Killings, Evil Lord... counting Chen Fan himself, there were ten people in total. The rest were to remain in the Ninth Land or return to the Tenth Land.
Soon, the choices were concluded.
Beside them, Dragon King concluded his much faster.
Compared to Chen Fan's discussions, Dragon King directly issued orders.
"Golden Crow, Demon Butterfly, Big Head (unknown chaotic beast), Nine Nether... the four of you follow me. The rest will stay to care for the Chaos Clan."
It was that domineering.
With a single sentence, Dragon King made the decision.
Phoenix Lord and the others were unwilling. They also wished to follow Dragon King, but upon meeting Dragon King's icy gaze, they dared not speak at that moment.
The current Dragon King was already developing towards becoming Dragon Emperor.
Once he entered the ninth tier, he could be called Dragon Emperor.
The people of the Sword Realm all remained, following Sword Lord to govern the Ninth Land.
As for the Yin-Yang Realm Lord, she chose to stay to consolidate her cultivation. She did, however, send one person to accompany Chen Fan.
Shadow.
Skilled in stealth and concealment.
According to Dao Master Yin-Yang, even if everyone else died, Shadow could survive.
Furthermore, Shadow carried her Great Dao power. If Chen Fan and the others were in danger, Shadow could transmit a message, and Dao Master Yin-Yang would arrive to assist as quickly as possible.
"Good."
Chen Fan said nothing.
He spoke again, "Then it is settled. Only the final battle remains. After this battle concludes, we will proceed to the Eighth Land."
This was his plan: to push forward relentlessly.
Nothing else mattered.
Only absolute strength could compel submission.
The final battle...
The Ninth Land fell silent once more.
Everyone was waiting, awaiting the return of the other overlord of the Ninth Land.
Half a year slowly passed...
*Hum.*
One day, half a year later, the barrier of the Ninth Land trembled again.
Following that, a figure drilled through.
"Ugh,"
The moment this person entered, they spat out blood.
The Five Elements power began to dissipate.
*Swish.*
Chen Fan, who was cultivating in the long river, instantly opened his eyes.
Concurrently, many powerful figures opened their eyes.
"They've arrived."
Sword Lord monitored the entire world; nothing in the Ninth Land could escape his perception.
The return of Dao Master Five Elements did not conceal his presence, or rather... he had no intention of concealing it.
Because Dao Master Thousand Threads had returned before him, his return now was certainly without peril.
The powers behind the two were on good terms. While they might contend with each other, they would never engage in mutual destruction.
However...
As Dao Master Five Elements entered the Ninth Land, he suddenly paused.
"What is happening?"
The Five Elements Realm, as perceived by him, had not even the slightest trace of its original aura.
The original Ninth Land was permeated with Five Elements power; but now... it had vanished.
The Five Elements power had not completely disappeared, but it had become very faint.
His brow immediately furrowed: "Did Thousand Threads devour my Five Elements Realm?"
As soon as he thought this, he shook his head and dismissed it.
Impossible.
Thousand Threads might have the desire but not the courage.
The person behind him would not permit it.