With the explanation from the Divine Empress, everyone marveled at her extraordinary abilities.
They felt that the Divine Empress was more fitting to be the ruler of the Heavenly Court and to wield the Haotian Mirror.
The Empress of Yaochi's face darkened, remaining silent. In the presence of the Divine Empress, her pride had vanished.
As the Haotian Mirror began to display images, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
After Xiao Fan's body dissipated in the Demon Emperor's relic, both his physical and spiritual forms had indeed ceased to exist. However, his consciousness once again entered that mysterious state he had experienced while comatose.
Without the constraints of a physical body, he found that he could appear anywhere in the world with just a thought.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Everyone was puzzled. Could it be that Xiao Fan had actually died at that time?
The images didn't show Xiao Fan's form. The supreme power of the Haotian Mirror should be able to reveal even his soul. The current images were as if seen through someone's eyes.
Recalling the Divine Empress's earlier statement, they considered that Xiao Fan might no longer exist in a physical or spiritual form. Had he really died?
If so, what form did he exist in now?
Everyone's understanding of existence was thoroughly challenged.
Did all beings continue to exist in some special form after their physical and spiritual bodies were destroyed? Or was Xiao Fan uniquely different?
Gongsun Yarou's heart was in turmoil. Had Xiao Fan truly died for her at that time? She couldn't accept it. Xiao Fan couldn't die without atoning for his deceit!
However, she soon realized that if Xiao Fan had indeed died back then, the current images wouldn't exist.
Was this the world seen through Xiao Fan's consciousness? She couldn't understand.
"No matter the creature, once both body and soul are gone, they should cease to exist," Gongsun Yarou pressed the Divine Empress for an explanation.
"I don't know why his consciousness remains after his body and soul have dissipated," the Divine Empress replied. "Perhaps he is a unique existence."
Unable to get a satisfactory answer, Gongsun Yarou could only continue watching.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Xiao Fan, unsure of his current state, felt a summoning power and knew his time was limited.
In the remaining time, he first returned to his old home, the Xiao family estate, feeling sorrow at the changes.
Then he visited the mountain peak where he had lived with Leng Ruoxue for ten years, finding her there. Now a top-tier cultivator with a renowned reputation, she returned to the mountain every year, waiting for her brother.
Realizing the day marked their separation, Xiao Fan wanted to comfort her but found he couldn't. Leng Ruoxue didn't know he was there.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Northern Sea Empress Leng Ruoxue, tears in her eyes, watched as the image drew closer to her past self. She knew Xiao Fan had tried to comfort her, proving he had never forgotten her.
Her tears flowed uncontrollably, knowing now that her master had come back to see her.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Xiao Fan stayed with Leng Ruoxue for a day before leaving when she did.
He next visited the village where he met Wen Yaxian, finding it desolate. Reflecting on happier times, he felt sorrowful.
He saw the graves of Wen Yaxian's parents and the villagers, clearly tended recently. Waiting a few days, he missed meeting Wen Yaxian and had to leave, his time running out.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Lunar Empress Wen Yaxian looked sad. She had just left the village the day before Xiao Fan visited, missing him by a day. Even if she had been there, she couldn't have seen him, but it was a regretful coincidence.
Heavenly Fire Empress Huo Ling'er watched the Haotian Mirror intently, expecting Xiao Fan to visit her next, unaware of everything at the time.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Xiao Fan visited the Heavenly Fire Kingdom, seeing Huo Ling'er now its queen. Seeing the kingdom thriving after its past disasters, he felt relieved and left.
His greatest worry was Long Xiaoxiao, lost in temporal chaos after the Dragon Clan's secret realm collapsed. Searching for her was nearly impossible. Visiting their valley yielded nothing, and he left disheartened.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Dragon Empress Long Xiaoxiao felt a pang of sadness but remained rational, understanding Xiao Fan had tried to find her but didn't know where to look.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Finally, Xiao Fan visited Gongsun Yarou, seeing her succeed in gaining the Demon Emperor's inheritance and becoming the Great Saintess of the Demon Clan. With his ties severed, he followed the summoning and left the world.
The Haotian Mirror dimmed.
When the image returned, it showed a scene that stunned everyone outside.
Celestial music, pervasive celestial energy, floating peaks, and cranes flying through the clouds. Rare celestial herbs and mythical creatures filled the landscape.
"Is Xiao Fan in the celestial realm?" many exclaimed, the scene breathtaking.
Even the normally serene Divine Empress showed a ripple of emotion, feeling a strange familiarity with the scene. Though she knew she was from the celestial Divine Clan, many of her memories were missing. If Xiao Fan was truly in the celestial realm, he might help her recover her memories.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8