Three eras passed slowly in the Earth Immortal Realm. The traces of the Hunyuan War had been completely covered over, and the Great Thousand World had mostly repaired itself.
Li Fan and his group paused at the edge of the Southern Heavenly Realm, their gazes crossing layer upon layer of clouds toward where Yunxiao was.
Within the Yantian Realm, Yunxiao stood atop a floating immortal island, gently kneading a soft mass of cloud qi between her hands. She seemed to be emptying her mind, yet also seemed to be enjoying these long, tedious years.
Having endured the recent ancient kalpa, she had attained Hunyuan. Her Divine Position was secure, and she possessed authority, power, and peace—everything. There was nothing she lacked now.
"Heavenly Emperor, you've come."
When she turned back with a smile, it could stir a thousand autumns.
Li Fan nodded slightly.
"After all these years, you truly haven't changed at all."
Yunxiao rolled the cloud qi into a ball and casually tossed it away, allowing it to drift into the Sea of Clouds. Her brows and eyes were filled with serenity.
"Protecting this Heavenly Realm is enough for me."
Goddess Wangshu shook her head gently, her tone carrying a hint of seriousness.
"With the Heavenly Emperor serving as the Heavenly Realm's shield, Yunxiao, aren't you being a little too idle?"
Yunxiao sighed softly and looked toward the endless Prehistoric Universe.
"I am the Heavenly Realm's shield, but within the Primordial Three Realms, who is the shield of all beings?"
Nuwa gave a soft laugh, her tone leisurely yet certain.
"Naturally, the Heavenly Emperor."
Li Fan carried the detached indifference of one who had seen through the world.
"I stand too high—so high that I cannot look after every person in the Mortal World. In this End of Dharma