The Universe fell silent. No one spoke. Every eye remained fixed on the place where Ruthless and the others stood.
Moments ago, that place had held a God who towered above the ages, the unfathomable Six Paths of Reincarnation, and a miracle on the verge of being born.
Now it was empty. Nothing remained but the Dao Realm Emperors standing motionless beneath a heavy silence.
"Where was the Heavenly Emperor taken?" The Great Accomplishment Sacred Body sounded grave, worry threaded through his voice.
He might trade barbs with Meng Chuan and make barbed remarks, but in his heart, Meng Chuan was someone deeply important to him.
"This tribulation didn't go quite as the Heavenly Emperor expected. Something changed."
"What happened? Is the Six Paths of Reincarnation truly a taboo no living being may touch?"
"Is the Heavenly Emperor safe?"
The Emperors discussed it among themselves. Before acting, Meng Chuan had told them he would surely face a tribulation, but it should have been within his ability to endure.
Now, though, some unforeseeable change seemed to have occurred.
"Quiet." The Female Emperor's voice was soft, yet it stilled the Emperors. They turned toward Ruthless.
"Whatever happens, believe in him," Ruthless said coolly.
"He is the Heavenly Emperor."
"Send word through the Two Realms: the Heavenly Emperor seeks to establish reincarnation and enable rebirth. He is now facing the final tribulation." The Female Emperor gave her orders.
The Emperors nodded. There was nothing wrong with putting it that way.
In truth, All Living Beings had more faith in Meng Chuan than the Emperors did.
In their eyes, the Heavenly Emperor could do anything. Nothing could happen to him.
They had merely been startled to see him disappear.
In the Calamity Land, Shi Hao's eyes flew open. The Great Thousand revolved within