The black mist receded like a tide.
The ten-thousand-zhang manifestation of the Emperor of Longevity and the red-haired fiend had both vanished.
The imperial city was no longer shrouded in gloom. It had regained its former appearance, though it was now in ruins. The once prosperous, magnificent city looked as though a plow had torn through it.
The bright moon shone through white clouds, spilling its clear light below.
The Devil Lord of All Living asked, "Young friend, what happened to you just now? You suddenly stopped moving."
Only then did you come back to your senses. Meeting their gazes, you thought for a moment and said, "I was taken somewhere else."
Patriarch Dixiang pressed, "What did you see?"
"A ruined Heavenly Palace."
"The Heavenly Palace?!"
You ignored their astonishment and asked in confusion, "What happened just now?"
Otherwise, they would not have been staring at you like that, shock plain in both their eyes.
Patriarch Dixiang stroked his chin. "Nephew, it seems you truly are no ordinary man. Just now, the Emperor of Longevity transformed into a Daoist and lightly patted your shoulder."
The Devil Lord of All Living smiled. "Yes. Neither of us could move. The Emperor of Longevity seemed to..."
He searched for the words. "As though he were brushing dust from your shoulder."
The Emperor of Longevity patted my shoulder?
You had been inside the Heavenly Palace and knew nothing of what had happened outside.
But this legendary Earth Emperor, lord of the netherworld, seemed to bear you nothing but goodwill.
Patriarch Dixiang asked, "Nephew, what did you ask? Did you ask on my behalf, or on behalf of fellow Daoist All Living?"
The Devil Lord of All Living looked at you intently too.
Hesitation showed on your face.
"Young friend, don't worry about us," the