Central Heaven Domain, the Imperial Palace.
Atop a high tower, Taishi leaned against the eaves and gazed down over the nine domains, his eyes distant. Liu Yunzheng stood at his side, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
The sun sank in the west, setting the clouds ablaze as dusk deepened.
"In the past, I could never understand why anyone would cling to the mortal world and yearn to remain in it. Even after living for a million years, they would still do everything they could to prolong their lives, even if it meant abandoning the principles they once held."
Looking down at the land of Shenzhou, Taishi spoke in a distant voice, with a trace of wistfulness he had never shown before.
"Now, I think I can understand a little..."
"People's hearts change. Losing sight of one's original purpose along the Dao Path is only natural." Liu Yunzheng's expression was complicated. "Did you know about the changes in heaven and earth long ago?"
"Yunzheng, do you know why the Lingyang Emperors of old never expanded their territory and extended their lives, as the emperors of the great worlds did?"
Taishi did not answer. Instead, he posed a question of his own.
"Why?" Liu Yunzheng's expression shifted. This had puzzled him for a long time.
In the ancient era, the Lingyang Realm had been at its height. Aside from the most powerful Ancient God Clan, all three clans had had Great Emperors. At the height of the demigod race's influence, nine sages had even stood together beneath the heavens. Yet none of the Great Emperors, whatever their race, had ever thought to expand the Lingyang Realm—not even the demigod race.
"Because they couldn't see a future," Taishi said calmly. "No matter what changes they made, they couldn't alter the greater