Thunder cracked high above the nine heavens, its roar pouring into every ear. Countless living beings across countless stars were cowed by Heaven's might and fell to their knees, bowing their heads.
At the sight of the figure emerging from the Heavenly Demon Mirror, Gu Ye, standing before the annals of the human race, fell silent. Invisible strings tightened in the void; the slightest disturbance could split the earth and shatter the sky.
"Great Emperor Beichen!"
The Devil Lords who had been suppressed were all aghast. Even now, this Devil Race emperor from the primeval era still commanded a fearsome reputation. What shocked them even more was Di Luosha's use of the word "father."
Among all the Devil Lands, only the Purple Cloud Demon Venerable and those close to her knew that Di Luosha was the emperor's blood kin.
This was undoubtedly a world-shaking secret.
Whoosh—
A torrent of ancient god blood surged through the spatial rift opened inside the Heavenly Demon Mirror. Emperor Beichen's desiccated body filled out at a visible speed.
Behind him, the phantom of a river of time appeared. A power mighty enough to swallow mountains and rivers crossed the ages from the distant past and descended into his ruined body.
"It's been a long time, Gu Ye."
Brilliant divine radiance bloomed deep in his eyes, veiled in purple qi. His dim pupils filled with unmistakable signs of life. He glanced at the Heavenly Punishment clouds above, then turned toward the figure not far away and gave a low chuckle.
"You turned your remnant soul into a spirit and eked out an existence in this world. Are you still too afraid to go to the underworld?"
When enemies from the primeval era met again, there was not a trace of resentment or anger in his expression—only