The Spirit Void Immortal Domain, Nine Directions City.
Lu Fan hovered in mid-air, his green robe soaked with demonic blood.
He had just survived a fierce battle, with the shattered corpses of three demon generals at his feet. The surviving Human Race in the city were looking up at him from the ruins, their eyes filled with almost devout gratitude.
He circulated the " Mystic Heaven Chaos Primordial Beginning Scripture," and the Chaos energy flowed around his body, rapidly repairing his injuries.
His original purpose for this expedition was to consolidate the Great Dao passed down by Han Xuanji and, incidentally, to eliminate several demonic dens that were causing havoc in the region. Unexpectedly, he encountered an elite squad of Devil Race here.
Just as he was about to leave, a spatial fluctuation suddenly came from the horizon.
Three auras, ten times stronger than the demon general's, suddenly descended. The leader was clad in dark red bone armor and wielded a demonic blade wreathed in wailing, resentful spirits.
"To be able to kill three of my men, you do have some skill."
The demon general grinned maliciously, wielding his demonic blade, instantly staining the vast sky crimson.
"But this is the end!"
Lu Fan's pupils shrank sharply. This was actually Devil Race general comparable to Late-Stage Mystic Immortal, someone he could not possibly defeat.
However, looking at the terrified and helpless people in the ruined city behind him, he gripped his sword even tighter.
As a disciple of the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, he could not simply run away; that would be a disgrace to the sect and to his master.
Without hesitation, he unleashed his full power, and with a roar, a hazy gray Sword Qi met his attack.
This sword was a top-grade immortal sword bestowed upon me by Han Xuanji. Its quality was extraordinary, but the difference in cultivation level was too great, so I still had a lot of trouble blocking it.
In the critical moment, he roared loudly, urging the survivors in the city to flee immediately.
"Overestimating yourself!"
The demon general grinned maliciously, his demonic runes lit up, and his figure swelled up as he slashed down with his second blade.
This strike was even more terrifying; before the crimson blade even arrived, the chilling killing intent nearly froze the entire city.
Lu Fan's tiger's mouth split open, the immortal sword wailed, and his body flew backward, crashing heavily into the distant city wall.
He took a deep breath and leaped into the air again, setting up layers of defense around himself, but blood kept spilling from the corner of his mouth.
An elderly monk with white hair spoke in a hoarse but firm voice:
"Gentlemen! Are we just going to stand by and watch our benefactor die for us? I have cultivated for thousands of years, and today I am willing to use this crippled body to repay this kindness!"
Count me in!
A burly man repaired his severed arm, picked up a long knife, and his eyes burned with determination.
"Me too!"
"I'm going too!"
In an instant, amidst the ruins, countless figures struggled to their feet.
Their cultivation levels were low; most were only Earth Immortal or True Immortal, and some were even ordinary beings who had not entered the path of Immortal Dao.
But at this moment, there was no fear in their eyes, only a resolute determination to live and die with Lu Fan.
A surge of indomitable will rose from their bodies, converging into a vast golden torrent that surged toward the blood-stained figure in the air.
The demon general, who was about to deliver a fatal blow to Lu Fan, suddenly froze, looking down in surprise.
He sensed a strange power gathering; it wasn't strong, but he found it extremely repulsive.
"This is... the Human Dao Power of Faith?"
The Mystic Immortal general was filled with doubt and surprise.
Lu Fan himself was stunned.
He had a sudden inspiration and no longer simply activated his magical Law Power, but instead immersed his mind in resonating with these wishes.
My path does not lie in self-cultivation...
He murmured to himself, and the " Mystic Heaven Chaos Primordial Beginning Scripture " within his body began to operate on an unprecedented trajectory.
His eyes seemed to burn with flames, like the light of Ancient Emperor Lamp of the Passing Flame, illuminating the smoke from countless homes.
His body seemed to become a vessel for the wishes and aspirations of all living beings.
"Cut!"
Lu Fan pointed forward with his fingers like a sword.
This time, there was no sharp Sword Qi, only a vast golden ocean, formed from the prayers of countless living beings, surging forward.
The Mystic Immortal Demon General's expression changed drastically, and his demonic energy surged wildly around him, yet it appeared utterly insignificant in the face of the golden ocean.
"No!!!"
Amidst the Demon General's unwilling roar, the golden power of will completely engulfed him.
At the same time, a clear and melodious bell suddenly rang out from the heavens.
Two figures dressed in dark sacrificial robes broke through the clouds, the Human Emperor Palace tokens hanging at their waists gleaming.
The leading elder stared intently at the golden willpower emanating from Lu Fan, which had not yet fully subsided, his voice trembling with disbelief:
"The people pray for self-protection, and the flame of civilization follows voluntarily... This is an extraordinary phenomenon that only those who truly bear the great destiny of Human Race can trigger!"
His companions were even more excited and could hardly contain themselves:
"After searching for so long... the ninth Human Emperor Candidate is actually here!"
The two envoys exchanged a glance, then bowed to Lu Fan simultaneously, their tone more solemn than ever before:
"The Imperial Envoy of the Human Emperor Palace respectfully invites you, fellow Daoist, to inherit the throne of the Human Emperor and protect our Human Race for eternal prosperity!"
"Ah?"
Lu Fan was shocked.
Is he even qualified to be the Human Emperor?
He's no longer the greenhorn who just entered the Immortal Realm; he knows the weight of those two words!
Upon learning that he had the potential to become the Human Emperor, Lu Fan was naturally tempted.
If he could become the Human Emperor, he felt he wouldn't bring shame to Han Xuanji.
Myriad Phenomena Garden
Lu Fan's return did not spread the news that he had become Human Emperor Candidate.
The two angels allowed him to handle his business first before going to the Human Emperor Palace.
The people in the garden were still practicing or chatting. Su Ming was arguing with Jiang Hao about a certain move, Li Taiqing was stroking his sword under a tree, and Nangong Wenjian was sitting quietly to the side.
Upon seeing Lu Fan return, Su Ming was the first to look up. Before he could even utter a teasing remark, he keenly noticed the strangeness in Lu Fan's expression.
"Junior Brother Lu, what's wrong with you...?"
Li Taiqing sheathed his sword, stood up, and asked with concern.
Lu Fan opened his mouth, but his gaze involuntarily turned to the secluded place where Han Xuanji was cultivating.
He knew that nothing could be hidden from Han Xuanji.
Sure enough, after a short while, Han Xuanji's calm voice came through. "Come in, all of you."
Everyone gathered in the courtyard.
Lu Fan stood in the center, took a deep breath, and recounted in detail what had happened in Nine Directions City, the appearance of the two Human Emperor Palace Guards, and his status as the ninth candidate for the Human Emperor.
The room fell silent. Su Ming closed his folding fan, Jiang Hao's eyes widened, and Li Taiqing and Nangong Wenjian exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
After Lu Fan finished speaking, he lowered his head, his hands clasped nervously in front of him, not daring to look at Han Xuanji's expression.
He was filled with unease. His journey had been fraught with danger, and he had been drawn into the struggle for the Human Emperor. He wondered if Han Xuanji would think he was causing trouble, and he was even more afraid that Han Xuanji would stop him out of concern for the perilous road ahead, or even... be disappointed in him.
"Um."
Han Xuanji simply nodded upon hearing this, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, showing little surprise.
Lu Fan looked up in surprise, only to see that Han Xuanji's eyes held no blame, but rather a faint sense of relief.
"Master... you don't blame me? And... you didn't stop me?"
Lu Fan whispered.
"Haven't you already made a decision?"
"The path to becoming the Human Emperor is fraught with thorns; it is both fortuitous opportunity and a calamity. How far you go depends on your destiny."
Han Xuanji said calmly.
The Human Emperor Palace must not mistreat my disciple.
He wouldn't feel good if Lu Fan suddenly died.
However, it seems possible to simulate the other party's future?