Dust Settles, Heaven and Earth Clear

At the edge of the Chaos Ancient Forest, that Independent Heaven and Earth hung like a pure land frozen within the void.

Martial Dao Will flowed slowly within it, like an unceasing river, completely sealing the aura of Chaos beyond its borders.

Xuandu sat cross-legged at the very center of that world, his azure robes draping down as his eyes remained half-closed.

He sensed that the aura of the Great Dao had completely vanished beyond the reach of his perception, like the sea after a storm had passed, returning to its eternal stillness.

He opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the flowing Martial Dao Will and falling upon the figure waiting in the distance.

The Azure Emperor stood upon the branch of an ancient tree, his emerald eyes fixed on Xuandu, complex emotions surging within them unlike any he had felt in countless eras.

Sensing Xuandu's gaze, the Azure Emperor bowed slightly.

"Is it over?"

Xuandu nodded faintly.

"It is over."

"The Great Dao has retreated, and Karma has been severed. It will not return."

"At least, not in that manner."

The Azure Emperor fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"For countless eras, I hid in the depths of this green sea, clinging to life beneath the shell of false death."

"I never imagined that one day, the Great Dao would retreat of its own accord."

"You accomplished this."

Xuandu looked at him, his gaze tranquil.

"This was not one person's doing."

"Without the wills of you nine Chaos Beings gathering together, without Void blocking that strike for me, without Dao Yi's shell serving as the foundation of the barrier..."

"I could not have come this far."

The Azure Emperor did not argue, merely shaking his head slightly.

"But you were the one who took the final