The Human Emperor was high above, a god in the hearts of the countless people of the Central Continent, the one and only true god. Even though Chen Nan's lone foray into the demon realm to ensure everlasting peace spread throughout the Immortal Realm, and even though the citizens of many nations erected merit monuments for him, no one on the Central Continent did so. They respected Chen Nan's selfless sacrifice and were grateful for his contributions to humanity. But they were grateful only in their hearts; no merit monument was ever erected for him. All of this was because the Human Emperor was the god they revered most deeply. Erecting a merit monument for Chen Nan would have been the ultimate disrespect to the Human Emperor.
But now, as Ao Ping's voice echoed through heaven and earth, the countless citizens of Human Emperor City fell silent. Many wept. Was what the Dragon Clan expert said true? Did the Human Emperor truly abandon their lives for a sacred medicine that held no value to him? Many refused to believe it. In their hearts, the Human Emperor was an embodiment of justice and compassion, a divine being. He would never forsake the lives of his people for a mere sacred medicine.
“Who does Chen Nan think he is?” the Human Emperor scoffed. “What right does he have to be compared to me? I am the ruler of the world.”
Ao Ping’s soul power burned even brighter, like a blazing sun illuminating the night sky, turning darkness into day. He then flew towards Human Emperor City, using this tactic to prevent the Human Emperor from reaching the Spirit Medicine Garden. If the Human Emperor truly cared for his people, he would surely intervene. In that case, the ancestor would undoubtedly be able to harvest the sacred medicine. Conversely, if the Human Emperor disregarded the lives of the citizens, it would undoubtedly damage his standing in their hearts. Regardless of his choice, the current situation was disadvantageous to the Human Emperor.
A hint of ferocity flashed across the Human Emperor’s face, his anger ignited: “Do you think I, Bai Li Aotian, can be coerced? Threatening me with the lives of the entire world? Do you think I am a compassionate person like Chen Nan? If you think so, you are gravely mistaken! What do the lives of the world’s people have to do with me?”
Without looking back, he abandoned the lives of the citizens of Human Emperor City and resolutely headed towards the Spirit Medicine Garden. His words, however, spread throughout the entire Human Emperor City, plunging countless people into despair and agony. They could not fathom that the god they worshipped would utter such words. It made them feel utterly abandoned.
“I am sorry!” Ao Ping’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. “I thought… the Human Emperor would intervene. But I never expected he would abandon your lives for that sacred medicine. Although I am not human, I cannot aid evildoers.”
His soul power surged like a rocket, but with a blinding flash, Ao Ping's soul exploded in the air, like a colossal firework. Although it did not fall upon the residential areas, the destructive power of a level nine Demon Emperor's soul self-destruction turned one-fifth of Human Emperor City into ruins. It was fortunate that Human Emperor City possessed protective formations; otherwise, the self-destruction of a level nine Demon Emperor's soul would have been enough to reduce the entire city to rubble, annihilating billions of its inhabitants in an instant.
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Ao Quan was locked in a fierce battle with three level nine Immortal Emperors. However, even the strongest fists cannot defeat four hands. He had only recently ascended to the level of a level nine Demon Emperor. Although he had mastered the Azure Dragon's Roar and the Azure Dragon's Seal, he was still no match for the three level nine Immortal Emperors. Severely wounded, he was directly slain by them.
At the same time, the Human Emperor appeared in the Spirit Medicine Garden. He saw the Azure Dragon, but it was now a three-year-old male infant, plump and fair, wearing a red bellyband and sporting a topknot, resembling Nezha. Seeing the Azure Dragon, who had just harvested the sacred medicine, the Human Emperor’s eyes held a hint of ruthlessness. “It seems I overlooked your existence.”
The Azure Dragon slung the sacred medicine over its shoulder, a look of disdain on its face. “Keep up the act. Did you truly overlook my existence? Hmph! You never even accounted for me.”
The Human Emperor remained silent for a long time before speaking. “You are right, I did not account for you.”
Azure Dragon: “In truth, it doesn’t matter whether you accounted for me or not. What matters is that you will lose this battle. Although your strength is indeed terrifying, even Chen Nan would face a near-certain death if he met you. But… there is one aspect where you are inferior to him. He has a compassionate heart and cares for all living beings. Of course, having a compassionate heart and caring for all living beings is more than just empty words. He has demonstrated it through his actions. Furthermore, he possesses a magical charm, an inexplicable charisma that commands respect wherever he goes, making people willing to befriend him. Can you compare to him? You constantly claim to be the ruler of the world, the Child of Destiny… Hmph! Do you even understand what heaven is? Should I call you Bai Li Aotian, or Tai Yi Xuan Tian?”
The Human Emperor’s eyes showed a flicker of reminiscence. “Tai Yi Xuan Tian… that name feels both strange and familiar!”
The Azure Dragon's voice was filled with anger. “You were once a heavenly prodigy of the human race, the first sage to control the Great Dao and achieve sainthood after the Investiture of the Gods. I truly never imagined that when that catastrophe descended, you would not step forward to defend the peace of the Three Realms, but instead chose to reincarnate and cultivate at a critical juncture.”
A trace of bitterness appeared in the Human Emperor’s eyes. “Even if I hadn't reincarnated, would that battle have been won?”
The Azure Dragon sneered. “And that, my friend, is the difference between you and Chen Nan. Before he undertakes something, he never considers the outcome. Because no matter what he does, he will give it his all. He faces even death with a calm and serene heart. Even if you are right, the Human Emperor sighed, “what you say no longer matters now. You should know… I will soon become him.”
Azure Dragon: “Tai Yi Xuan Tian, you are too arrogant. You believe that you are the only one in existence capable of controlling the complete Great Dao and becoming a sage. You have no understanding of the terrifying power of the Child of Destiny, nor of the Ancient Sages. Chen Nan was chosen by numerous Ancient Sages to rebuild the Heavenly Court. How can you possibly contend with him?”
The Human Emperor chuckled softly. “Ancient Sages? Hmph, even if the Ancient Sages were powerful, did they not all perish in that battle? Speaking of which,” he extended a palm, “the sacred medicine is mine. No one can snatch it away.”
The void was sealed. A colossal hand reached out, directly towards the Azure Dragon. The Azure Dragon transformed into an azure dragon tens of thousands of meters long, its massive body writhing in the air. It blotted out the sun and moon, instantly shattering the Human Emperor’s seal. Even the Human Emperor appeared as humble as an ant before it. It opened its cavernous maw and let out a deafening dragon roar! That roar echoed deep within the souls of countless powerful beings in the Immortal Realm.