Jiang Wuji remained on his knees.
He did not even dare lift his head.
Not until the Progenitor Emperor's chilling, maniacal laughter stopped.
"Wuji."
The Progenitor Emperor suddenly spoke from inside the Ice Coffin.
Jiang Wuji trembled.
"Your son is here."
"You're over six thousand two hundred years old now, aren't you?"
The Progenitor Emperor asked.
Jiang Wuji paused.
Then he nodded.
"Yes, Father. Six thousand two hundred and seventy-two."
Silence lingered inside the Ice Coffin for several breaths.
"So many years have passed."
The Progenitor Emperor's tone softened.
"Back then, I wanted to hand this empire over to you, but you refused."
Jiang Wuji lowered his head even further.
He said quietly, "That was not my ambition."
"I know."
The Progenitor Emperor chuckled.
"What you want is to reach the heavenly human sacred realm, to walk the great path of immortality."
"You're a clearheaded man. You know that worldly power is not worth mentioning before the heavenly human sacred realm, before the great path of immortality."
Jiang Wuji opened his mouth.
"Father, I..."
"Enough."
The Progenitor Emperor interrupted him.
"Wuji, I've seen everything you've done for me all these years. My child, thank you for all your efforts."
The Progenitor Emperor's voice became incredibly gentle.
At that moment, he was like a kindly old father.
Jiang Wuji hurriedly said, "It was all my duty as your son."
"Duty..."
The Progenitor Emperor paused.
"Not everything has to be a duty."
"Wuji, I will help you."
Jiang Wuji abruptly raised his head.
He stared fixedly at the half-open Ice Coffin.
Something lit up in his clouded old eyes.
"Once I become a Celestial Person."
"Once I break the shackles of this world."
"I will take you with me when I ascend."
Hearing those words, Jiang Wuji felt-
His mind simply buzzed.