Karma from a Past Life

The hall was gloomy and cold, yet it burned with a strange incense that soothed the soul and steadied the spirit.

"Back then, the Saint Emperor foresaw that the human race would suffer calamity. His True Spirit scattered into reincarnation—one of the Prehistoric World's great regrets," Lu Pan said with a sigh. "Empress Houtu once said that the Saint Emperor would one day return. To witness it today proves the Empress's prophecy was not false! It's just..."

He looked at Zhou Qing, then at the God-Beating Whip, and said hesitantly:

"Since the Saint Emperor has awakened to his origins, why not swiftly merge with the Dao Fruit of your previous life?"

"Saint Emperor, you attained sagehood through merit. Though you are not a Heavenly Dao Sage, you are a genuine Earthly Dao Sage. Your Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin Dao Fruit is still being nurtured in the depths of the Netherworld.

"If you merge with it, you can return to the sage's throne on the spot and wield the authority of the Earthly Dao. Why bother..."

"Return to the Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin?" Zhou Qing shook his head lightly, cutting Lu Pan off. There was little longing for sagehood in his eyes, only clarity and heaviness.

"Lu Pan, do you think regaining the Primordial Dao Fruit can change the situation before us?"

Lu Pan froze.

Zhou Qing looked out beyond the hall toward the Netherworld that seemed boundless and slowly said, "Before Senior Yun Zhongzi's incarnation dispersed, he said that the Prehistoric World had shattered, powerful enemies surrounded us, false gods had stolen names, and the great sects had collapsed."

"That hidden hand can imitate the great teachings of sages and infiltrate the Earth Immortal Realm. Its ability is terrifying.

"Even if I return to the Origin