Chapter 335

"Fifteen years ago, you traversed time and space, interfering with the long river of time in the Five Directions One Realm. At that time, you probably didn't take it to heart."

"But once something has been done, no matter who knows about it, the traces of its existence cannot be erased. The causes and effects of the past will eventually manifest at some point in the present or future."

"Now, it is time for you to respond to the causes of your past..."

The Emperor's voice was ethereal and indifferent, seemingly devoid of any emotion, like grass, wood, or limestone, devoid of any vitality.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang fell into deep thought.

She could sense that the Emperor did not seem to share the same purpose as True Martial Earth Immortal, as she had initially imagined.

However, she also understood that whether it was the Emperor or the True Martial Earth Immortal, they were all taking action against her because of the Epochal Annihilation.

"Does Your Majesty mean that my interference with the river of time led to the Epochal Annihilation?"

Xiao Minghuang voiced this question.

"The cause and effect of things are all predetermined. Whether it is true or not, whether we know it or not, it doesn't affect the final outcome, so why dwell on it?"

Having had enough of the tedious riddles, Xiao Minghuang asked directly, "Your Majesty, did you tacitly approve of True Martial Earth Immortal's plot against me?"

Seemingly surprised by her directness, the Emperor fell into a brief silence.

A moment later.

"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang sneered, "If that's the case, then there's nothing more to talk about between us. If not, then I'll grant your wish and go to the Southern Wilderness. As for what happens there, that's none of the Emperor's concern!"

After saying this, she added, "The Way of Heaven is impartial and selfless. It may not reveal everything to all beings, but it will answer every question, and it will not lie or say anything wrong. I think Your Majesty would be best to consider this carefully before answering my question."

"..."

Faced with this sudden and inexplicable question, which seemed to be far beyond the Emperor's expectations, his face remained calm, but he was deep in thought.

"This little girl, did she guess the path I'm taking now?"

Now, the Emperor has embarked on a path that no one has ever walked before.

That is, to Replace Heaven's Will with My Own Dao!

Therefore, if he wants to practice the Way of Heaven, he cannot have any selfish desires, and every word and deed must be in accordance with the Way of Heaven.

What I just said was all ambiguous.

Useless, but not bad.

Heaven has no selfish motives, and Heaven makes no mistakes.

But Xiao Minghuang now made him admit his mistake.

If he admits that he True Martial Earth Immortal Dixian to plot against Xiao Minghuang, then he has undoubtedly made a mistake.

Heaven does not err; how could it collude with outsiders to harm its own creatures?

But if he doesn't admit it, then he's lying.

Because it is a fact, even if no one can prove it.

The Way of Heaven is different from that of living beings.

Only the words and actions of living beings can serve as evidence; the injustices and errors of the Way of Heaven cannot be proven by words, actions, or the existence of things.

All that's needed is a personal conviction.

That is, people believe, or know, that the way of Heaven is unjust, or even just suspect that the way of Heaven is unjust.

Then the way of Heaven is unjust.

Therefore, Xiao Minghuang's question stumped the Emperor!

Moreover, the more important issue at the moment is that if she tells the truth, Xiao Minghuang will not go to the Southern Wilderness willingly, which will be a major blow to the subsequent plans!

For a time, the Lord of the Central and Eastern Poles was caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat!

After a long while.

Given the current situation, he had no choice but to change the subject.

This will certainly slow him down, but it's better not to break him.

"The sun at its zenith begins to decline, the full moon begins to wane, and everything at its peak declines—this is the natural order." The Emperor looked around and changed the subject. "The way of Heaven is such, and so are human affairs."

As he spoke, his gaze became incredibly distant, as if he were traversing time and space, returning to the endless, distant past.

"Do you know why, after me, if the Origin of the World merges again, it will lead to the Epochal Annihilation?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang secretly curled her lip. Judging from the tone of her words, it was clear that she didn't want to answer her question and was starting to change the subject.

However, she actually had no way to force the Emperor to tell the truth.

Seeing that Xiao Minghuang did not respond, the Emperor spoke to himself, "Human lifespan is predetermined, and so is the destiny of Heaven. The destiny of a living being is determined by its realm, that is, its relationship with the Dao. The destiny of Heaven is determined by its relationship with the living beings within a realm."

"The Way of Heaven and the common people are interdependent. When the living beings prosper, the Way of Heaven prospers, and when the Way of Heaven prospers, the living beings also prosper."

"The Five Directions One Realm originally consisted of only the Eastern Pole Realm, which was also the original source of this realm. The beings it could support were only those of the Eastern Pole Realm. The source of the Eastern Pole Realm could only reunite five times at most before it would face the Epochal Annihilation. This realm would then be like the setting sun, never to rise again, descending into desolation and death!"

"But later, Zhongtian, Nanhuang, Xitu, and Beihai drifted from the universe and merged with Dongji. This strengthened the source of Dongji, allowing it to merge seven times, continuing to this day, and is now at the end of the sixth time."

The Emperor's gaze fell on Xiao Minghuang, and a slight ripple appeared in his usually indifferent expression.

445. To Replace Heaven's Will with My Own Dao.

"Logically, there should be another opportunity to reunite the source of the realm in the future, so the Epochal Annihilation shouldn't have come so quickly... However, you previously disturbed the river of time, causing the tides of the Sea of Boundaries to break through the boundary wall and impact the Heavenly Dao of this realm."

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly. She knew that the Emperor was blaming her... or rather, blaming her for the Epochal Annihilation.

If what the Emperor said is true, then why did he help her go to the Southern Wilderness in the first place?

Wouldn't this just be pushing her towards the Epochal Annihilation?

Xiao Minghuang always felt that things weren't that simple, and that the Emperor must not have told her the truth.

Or perhaps... they only told part of the truth.

"I don't know if what you're saying is true or false, but I don't believe those small actions could cause such a big reaction!"

Xiao Minghuang did not deny it, but she firmly believed that the Epochal Annihilation was not because of her.

Even if it really is because of her.

But so what?

She didn't care.

After their conversation, the Emperor seemed to have regained his confidence. His expression returned to its majestic and solemn state, and he said calmly, "Whether you believe it or not, just try it and see for yourself."

"Now, a chance to make amends is presented to you. Will you accept it?"

Xiao Minghuang looked at the Emperor, waiting for his next words.

"I will tell you when you return from the Southern Wilderness."

"... What if I refuse?"

"You won't refuse; there are many people who love this world and don't want it to end... so many, so many people, you can't even imagine... even if you go to sea, you can't escape."

These words were spoken lightly, seemingly without any emotion.

After speaking, the single drop of purplish-gold water exploded and vanished into the clouds.

The sky returned to calm.

Listening to the howling winds of the heavens rushing past her ears, Xiao Minghuang pursed her lips and remained silent. She knew perfectly well who the people the Emperor was referring to as those who loved this world.

These words are a blatant threat!

However, since he had told her so much, the Emperor's purpose was different from that of the True Martial Earth Immortal.

True Martial Earth Immortal unleashed a deadly move the moment they met, determined to kill her!

But the Emperor's words seemed to imply that he didn't want her to die, but rather...

Puppet!

Suddenly, this word came to mind.

Perhaps, from the very beginning, the Emperor had set a trap, waiting for her to step into it.

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do with me?!"

Deep within the sacred academy, in a magnificent and incomparably luxurious palace, a man clad in Dragon Robe stood atop the main hall, hands clasped behind his back, overlooking the entire imperial city, his indifferent face revealing not a trace of emotion.

Beside him stood an elderly man, his breathing somewhat weak.

"Your Majesty, that Princess Xiao is truly despicable. Why are you so lenient with her? If we don't make an example of her, won't everyone dare to disobey your orders in the future?"

The old man was none other than the former Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master, who had returned severely injured. His tone was full of resentment and unwillingness.

"Do you think she's a prostitute?" the Emperor suddenly asked, his tone unfathomable.

The old man was taken aback by these words, then said in a deep voice, "Of course not!"

"She is Phoenix," the Emperor uttered slowly.

"Your Majesty is joking," the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master shook his head.

"I never joke." The Emperor glanced coldly at the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master: "If it weren't for that, do you think I would be sitting here discussing with you whether she's Phoenix or a chicken?"

These words immediately silenced the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master.

There's really no need for the Emperor to waste his breath on him.

But his will does require someone to step forward and carry it out publicly.

Although the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master was old and arrogant, he was loyal enough to him.

"Once everything is ready, I will sever the source of the boundary, Dao Integration, and replace the Heavenly Dao."

"As the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, I can no longer 'act'. At that time, Xiao Minghuang will become a sword that embodies the will of the Heavenly Dao, expanding its territory. With her talent and strength, she will surely make this world prosperous and eternal!"

"In the future, it is not impossible that we may even transcend the mortal world, ascend to the heavens, and join the ranks of all the gods!"

At this point, the Emperor's gaze sharpened further. "What do you think of this arrangement?"

"Your Majesty's foresight and vision are truly admirable."

The old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

Such ambition is too high.

He had once imagined what the Emperor's goal was. Perhaps it was to prolong life and live a second life, or perhaps to sacrifice an entire realm to become nourishment for himself and enter the immortal realm with the help of the Epochal Annihilation.

But he never expected that the Emperor's ambition would be so great.

They actually want to Replace Heaven's Will with My Own Dao, and on this basis, they want to continuously expand the boundaries of the world and transcend all the heavens!

What an insane idea!

Once this thought arose, it was like a malignant tumor taking root in the mind of the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep.

At that moment, he realized that the Emperor's ambition was far more terrifying than he had imagined!

"Alright."

At this moment, the Emperor withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "From now on, I will focus my energy on the forbidden zones of life and the other three realms. The affairs of the Holy Academy, including the affairs of the Eastern Pole of the Central Heaven, will be entrusted to you. Don't let anything go wrong."

Upon hearing this, the old Hundred Inquiries Pavilion Master immediately bowed and paid his respects:

"Your subordinate will certainly do everything in his power to assist the Emperor."

Coastline of the Endless Sea.

Xiao Minghuang stood by the sea, gazing at the misty ocean in the distance, her eyes shining with divine light, as if she could see through the vast sea of clouds.

Further east from here lies the boundless, endless sea.

The Mist Hidden Sea has no fixed location; it wanders in the endless sea and its appearance is unpredictable.

Immediately, she took out a talisman and quickly contacted Ye Ruoshui and the other sisters.