Deep within the Underworld.
The two had officially finished expounding the Dao.
All the extraordinary manifestations vanished, and the many rules concealed themselves once more.
Qin Shujian's aura had not changed much. Lady Pingxin's, however, fluctuated slightly, as though she had gained something different.
"Discussing the Dao with Emperor Qin has been most rewarding."
Lady Pingxin smiled.
Had an ordinary person seen that perfect face, too exquisite for the mortal world, they would have instantly fallen into a daze.
Qin Shujian's expression remained unchanged as he said with a faint smile, "I, too, have gained much from discussing the Dao with you, Lady Pingxin. Now that we have finished, I must take some time to digest what I have learned."
Then.
The smile faded from his face, replaced by a solemn expression.
"We have little time left. In another two or three years, the power of reality will likely invade in force. When that happens, we will either fall into the mortal dust or reign over the Nine Heavens."
"What fate do you think awaits us, Emperor Qin?"
Lady Pingxin posed a question in return.
At her words.
Pride appeared on Qin Shujian's face. "I am the Heavenly Emperor. Naturally, I shall reign over the Nine Heavens and look down upon all living beings!"
With that.
He left the Underworld.
Reign over the Nine Heavens!
Lady Pingxin murmured the words, her expression shifting slightly.
"Though I do not aspire to reign over the Nine Heavens, neither do I wish to see all living beings perish here like so much grass."
She gazed across the vast Underworld.
Billions of living beings dwelled there.
And above the Underworld lay the Great Thousand World, home to countless trillions more.
Standing by and watching those countless trillions perish was not what she wanted, after