"Sad?"
Lin Hao's eyes flickered slightly, and he saw through the old man in blue.
This is not the true form, but a lingering remnant of the Azure Emperor left in the world, existing in the Azure Emperor Palace.
"I am the Azure Emperor, greetings to fellow Daoist."
The old man in blue nodded slightly, his tone calm, yet possessing an aura of majesty that seemed to survey the ages.
Snow Empress was startled.
Azure Emperor!
This was the last Great Emperor of the Desolate Ancient Era, a supreme being who suppressed an entire age and was invincible under the starry sky!
Even a lingering regret is enough to command the worship of all living beings.
Lin Hao remained calm and simply asked, "What is it?"
The lingering remnant of the Azure Emperor looked at the Snow Empress, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, before slowly saying, "This young friend possesses my essence and has been recognized as the master of the Azure Emperor Scripture. She is destined to be with me. I wish to bestow upon her the last inheritance of the Azure Emperor Palace. Is that acceptable?"
"Oh?" Lin Hao raised an eyebrow. "What kind of inheritance?"
"Before I became an emperor, I saw a Chaos Green Lotus deep in the starry sky. I comprehended its Dao principles and created the ' Azure Emperor Scripture '. Later, I refined a section of the Chaos Green Lotus's root into a weapon called the ' Green Lotus Sword '."
The lingering remnant of the Azure Emperor reached out and grasped, and a long sword, entirely azure in color and shaped like a lotus stem, appeared from the void.
The sword is three feet and three inches long, with natural lotus patterns on its blade. The hilt resembles an unopened flower bud, exuding a faint aura of chaos.
"This sword accompanied me throughout my life's battles, drinking the blood of Supreme and slaying immortal souls. After my passing, I sealed it deep within the Azure Emperor Palace, awaiting a destined owner."
The lingering remnant of the Azure Emperor looked at the Snow Empress: "Young friend, you possess the essence of the Green Lotus, which is compatible with the attributes of the Green Lotus Sword. If you obtain this sword, you will be able to unleash its full power."
Snow Empress's heart raced.
Emperor Weapon!
This is the Azure Emperor's Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon, the Green Lotus Sword!
A complete Emperor Weapon is enough to ensure the eternal existence of a sacred land; it is an unparalleled treasure.
She looked at Lin Hao, her eyes questioning.
Lin Hao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright."
The Azure Emperor smiled slightly and handed the Azure Green Lotus Sword to the Snow Empress.
"Young friend, take this sword."
Snow Empress took a deep breath and accepted the Green Lotus Sword with both hands.
The sword felt light in her hand, not heavy at all, but rather gave her a sense of intimacy, as if connected by blood. A cool sensation emanated from the blade, echoing the Green Lotus essence within her.
"Buzz--"
The Green Lotus Sword trembled slightly, emitting a joyful sword cry, as if celebrating the birth of its new master.
"Thank you, Senior Azure Emperor." Snow Empress bowed respectfully.
The Azure Emperor waved his hand, "No need for formalities. This sword has been dormant for countless ages, and it is time for it to reappear in the world. However, you must remember that Emperor Weapon possess a spirit, and only those with great fortune and perseverance can wield them. I hope you will use this sword wisely and not fail its reputation."
"I will remember this."
The Azure Emperor's lingering will looked at Lin Hao again, his gaze profound. "Fellow Daoist is no ordinary person. Although I am merely a lingering will, I can still sense the aura of transcendence emanating from you. A great era is about to begin, and darkness is about to descend. I hope you can protect this world."
Lin Hao glanced at him and said slowly, "I have my own reasons for doing things."
"That's enough."
The lingering remnant of the Azure Emperor nodded with a smile, his figure gradually fading until it transformed into specks of azure light and dissipated into the world.
"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Azure Emperor," the Snow Empress said softly.
This last Great Emperor of the Desolate Antiquity has completely disappeared into the long river of history.
Lin Hao looked into the depths of the Azure Emperor Palace, where it was now empty, with only the scent of time flowing through it.
Let's go.
He turned and stepped into the portal of light.
Snow Empress gripped the Green Lotus Sword tightly and followed closely behind.
The portal rippled, and the two figures vanished.
The outer area of Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land.
A portal of light appeared, and Lin Hao and Snow Empress emerged from it.
The fog in the forbidden area was still thick, obscuring the sun, but compared to the core area, the oppressive force here had weakened considerably.
"Your Majesty, where are we going now?" the Snow Empress asked.
Lin Hao gazed into the depths of the forbidden area, his eyes seemingly piercing through layers of mist, revealing that ancient land forgotten by time.
"Go to the deepest part of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land."
"The deepest part?" The Snow Empress was taken aback. "Isn't there an ancient restriction there, preventing even Saint Lord-level experts from entering?"
What is a dead end for others is a perfect place for me to retreat into seclusion.
Lin Hao stepped forward, his voice calm. "Besides, there's something there that might be useful to you."
What is that?
"An emperor's corpse."
Snow Empress paused, her pupils shrinking sharply.
Emperor's Corpse!
The Great Emperor's corpse!
What kind of beings are the Great Emperor? They suppress an era, are revered throughout the universe, and are invincible in the starry sky. Their physical bodies have been tempered by the Great Dao, making them indestructible through countless eons. Even if they pass away after ten thousand years, their corpses remain immortal, containing supreme Dao principles.
The value of an emperor's corpse even surpasses that of imperial scriptures and Emperor Weapon!
Because that is the vessel of the Great Emperor's Dao Fruit, a living "Dao"!
"Your Majesty, Great Emperor corpse is this?" the Snow Empress couldn't help but ask.
Lin Hao didn't answer, only saying calmly, "You'll know when we get there."
Snow Empress dared not ask any more questions, suppressing the shock in her heart, and followed closely in Lin Hao's footsteps.
As the two walked through the forbidden area, the mist parted automatically wherever they went, and the Ferocious Beast and strange creatures lurking in the shadows seemed to sense some terrifying presence, retreating and daring not to approach.
The deeper you go, the stronger the oppressive force of the forbidden area becomes.
Later, even the void became viscous, as if sinking into a swamp, making every step forward incredibly difficult.
Even though Snow Empress had broken through the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm and was protected by the Green Lotus Sword, she still felt immense pressure and had difficulty breathing.
But Lin Hao strolled around as if it were nothing, as if this forbidden land, which even Saint Lord level experts dared not approach, was just an ordinary back garden.
"Stay close to me."
Lin Hao made a gesture, and a golden divine light burst forth, enveloping the two of them.
Instantly, the surrounding pressure lessened, and Snow Empress breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
It's alright.
The two continued on their way.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, a cliff suddenly appeared ahead.
The cliff face was bottomless and pitch black, seemingly connected to the deepest hell. Ancient stone carvings, weathered by time, revealed fragmented runes that exuded a chilling aura.
"This is... the core forbidden zone of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, the Emperor Burial Abyss!"
Snow Empress recognized the place, her voice trembling.
The Emperor Burial Abyss is the most terrifying place in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land. Legend has it that Great Emperor fell here, his remains forever buried in the abyss. Throughout history, countless powerful figures have tried to venture deep into it to search for the Great Emperor's treasures, but none have ever returned alive.
This is a true Life Forbidden Zone.
"Your Majesty, we..."
"Go down."
Lin Hao spoke calmly as he stepped into the abyss.
Snow Empress gritted her teeth and followed closely behind.
The two plummeted rapidly, the wind whistling in their ears, and the surroundings were pitch black, with only the golden divine light emanating from Lin Hao illuminating the small area.
The abyss seemed endless; they had been falling for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, yet the bottom remained unseen.
The deeper you go, the stronger the oppressive, deathly, and icy atmosphere becomes, as if countless eyes are watching you from the darkness.
Snow Empress gripped the Green Lotus Sword tightly; the blade emitted a faint light, dispelling Xu Han.