Chu Yang slowly crawled out from the ruins, his gaze sweeping over the devastated landscape. Now, all his formidable cultivation had dissipated like a flood, leaving him once again an ordinary person.
He had no strength left in his body.
This made Chu Yang feel lost and somewhat bewildered.
He didn't know what to do or where to go. Originally, his ability to cultivate again was thanks to the cultivation methods left on the Mountain and River Scroll by Manager Chen. Now, having abandoned all his heavenly fortune and severed his foundation completely, it was clearly impossible to cultivate anew.
Burdened with overwhelming vengeance, yet without the corresponding strength or cultivation, where should he go, and what should he do? Chu Yang was utterly confused.
His mind wandered, and in his eyes, Xiao Qi's beautiful face seemed to reappear, her sweet voice echoing in his ears.
The words she had spoken to him back then were vivid in his memory.
"No matter what happens in the future, don't give up on yourself!"
Those familiar words seemed as if they were spoken just yesterday, stirring a tremor in Chu Yang's heart.
Yes!
He hadn't yet reached the worst possible outcome. As long as he was alive, there would still be a day of hope.
No matter how difficult the process, even if the ending might not be perfect, he couldn't give up.
Though he had lost all his cultivation, the invincible Dao heart buried deep within him remained.
It still beat, still radiated a burning heat.
Since that was the case, he needed to pursue his true path! Xiao Qi's voice echoed once more, resonating in his heart.
"Chu Yang, where will you go from here?"
"To the human world, to attend the dazzling banquet!"
As the sun set.
Chu Yang's figure seemed somewhat desolate and lonely.
Yet he was also high-spirited and vigorous.
Under the glow of the setting sun, he walked farther and farther away until he disappeared.
Now, Chu Yang was once again alone, embarking on his journey by himself.
Outside the Heavenly Emperor's Mirror.
Seeing Chu Yang's slightly desolate silhouette, the cultivators felt a sense of sorrow.
What kind of ending could match the tumultuous life of the Emperor?
What sort of unexpected event could turn an Emperor, so resolute in nature, into what he later became?
They couldn't fathom it.
Their hearts were filled with both hatred and pity for the Emperor.
From his childhood, the Emperor had dug out his supreme bone to save his sister, destroying his unparalleled foundation.
Later, he became famous in his youth, practicing the way of the sword with a demonic talent, becoming a supreme swordsman.
Finally, to save his brother, he chose to destroy his sword heart, abandoning his invincible swordsmanship.
And now, even his invincible Emperor cultivation had dissipated.
With his heavenly cultivation lost and his great fortune dissipated, the cultivators couldn't fathom what else the Emperor could offer.
His life had been filled with suffering.
Despite being only a twenty-year-old youth, the hardships he had faced surpassed those of some cultivators who had lived for centuries, experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions.
If they were in his place, their hearts would have long succumbed to despair.
There would be no rekindling of hope.
One cultivator, almost in despair, asked, "How did the Emperor rise again later?"
Throughout the Continent of Ten Thousand Spirits, across the long river of time, any cultivator who could walk far enough down a single path could become a legendary figure.
To attain the title of Emperor through one path alone was already an extraordinary achievement, a testament to unparalleled talent that would be remembered through the ages.
But the Emperor had walked three paths so far.
Each one displayed the potential of an Emperor, overshadowing his peers.
And then, he rose again, embarking on a fourth path. Who else on the Continent of Ten Thousand Spirits had such an experience? The cultivators were filled with emotion.
They began to understand why the Emperor, after many years, could attain the position of Emperor and suppress all the powerful beings of the heavens with his strength alone.
With his extraordinary talent, such as had never been seen before, the Emperor made all the powerful beings on the Continent of Ten Thousand Spirits feel suffocated.
And Bai Xiaoqi's eyes were dim, her heart filled with complexity.
Now that the little fox's memories had fully returned, she understood the Emperor's character even more. She could better appreciate the hardships and loneliness behind his dazzling feats.
For the Emperor, not only had he lost all his cultivation, but he also had to endure the malicious curses from the Empress, bearing the immense burden of endless karma.
These were shackles on the Emperor's path, which would bind him for life.
It was evident how difficult and painful his later life must have been.
Yet, despite this, he still became an Emperor, wielding power that dominated the heavens.
No one knew what the Emperor had gone through.
Bai Xiaoqi was filled with remorse and murmured to herself, "If he hadn't saved me, maybe he wouldn't have suffered so much…"
Her heart was full of sorrow and guilt, but deep down, she still couldn't understand the Emperor's actions.
At this moment, she was like a contradiction, her body housing two souls with different thoughts. One urged her to love him unconditionally, even if it meant opposing the world.
The other warned her that the Emperor had later become ruthless, losing his humanity and committing unforgivable acts against the demon clan and her mother.
He must be slain!
Therefore, her heart was filled with immense conflict and pain.
Seeing this, Ye Fan also felt uncomfortable. The cultivators around them now had a significantly better view of the Emperor.
Many cultivators even began to praise the Emperor.
This filled his heart with hatred.
Stepping forward, he patted Bai Xiaoqi's shoulder and said calmly, "Empress Bai, don't blame yourself too much. After all, the Emperor later brought disaster to the world, targeting not just your demon clan but us humans as well."
"He later massacred countless lives, causing the deaths of many ordinary people."
"How could such a great villain be forgiven? He doesn't deserve your sympathy or guilt!"
After speaking, he looked at the surrounding cultivators.
With a face full of anger, he scolded, "All of you are truly ridiculous!"
"How can such a bloodthirsty monster be forgiven or pitied by us?"
"As the saying goes, pitiful people often have something detestable about them. Don't forget what the Emperor has done to all of you and to the world!"
Ye Fan spoke righteously.
He had to change the attitude of these cultivators. If the Emperor were to be forgiven, their long years of planning would be in vain.
Hearing Ye Fan's words, the cultivators suddenly understood.
Although the Emperor's current deeds were praiseworthy and moving, that was only the present.
The later Emperor was indeed reprehensible, committing acts that outraged both gods and men.
At this moment, all the cultivators' eyes filled with murderous intent, wanting to personally kill the Emperor in the mirror.
Even Empress Yao Guang, standing aside, had a frosty expression on her pretty face, her beautiful eyes icy cold.
The Emperor, such a heartless man, did not deserve sympathy!