Xiao Fan felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He had never seen the Haotian Mirror before, only heard tales of its legendary existence.
There was no connection between him and the Haotian Mirror—none whatsoever.
So why did the Haotian Mirror choose him?
Xiao Fan voiced his doubts to the Immortal Emperor.
The Immortal Emperor, upon hearing this, pondered for a moment before slowly responding, "The Haotian Mirror is the arbiter of the Heavenly Dao's laws in this era. The concept of time holds no significance for the Haotian Mirror."
"Whether it is the past or the future, it all lies within the control of the Haotian Mirror. Perhaps something in the future has linked you to the Haotian Mirror, earning its recognition and designating you as the one to initiate the next era."
"The future..." Xiao Fan's expression tightened, his thoughts swirling.
If indeed something in the future caused the Haotian Mirror to choose him, then there was no point in agonizing over it now.
Outside the Haotian Mirror, the Jade Pool Empress bit her lip, her hand trembling slightly.
Her face was grim.
Since ancient times, the Haotian Mirror had always been under the control of successive Heavenly Emperors.
Even when Xiao Fan killed her father and usurped the Heavenly Emperor's throne, the Haotian Mirror never fell into his hands.
If there truly was a connection established between Xiao Fan and the Haotian Mirror, there was only one possible explanation.
That was because she had used the supreme divine power of the Haotian Mirror to trace back through Xiao Fan's entire life.
Everyone could see the images displayed within the Haotian Mirror.
Naturally, the Haotian Mirror itself had a thorough understanding of Xiao Fan's life.
Could this be the reason the Haotian Mirror ultimately chose Xiao Fan?
Did she inadvertently pave the way for Xiao Fan's rise?
The thought filled her heart with bitterness.
Although she never cared about being the one to open a new era, as the actual controller of the Haotian Mirror, the fact that she wasn't chosen, while instead enabling Xiao Fan to succeed, was a cruel irony.
Her original intent was to expose Xiao Fan's crimes to the world, leaving him in disgrace for eternity.
Yet, Xiao Fan repeatedly shattered her perceptions.
Now, he had even gained the recognition of the Haotian Mirror.
She felt like a complete fool.
"Haotian Mirror! Why? Why would you choose someone as ruthless and unscrupulous as Xiao Fan?"
The Jade Pool Empress could no longer maintain her composure, angrily questioning the Haotian Mirror, "Xiao Fan killed my husband to seize the Heavenly Court, imprisoning his soul."
"How could someone so despicable and shameless gain your approval?"
"I refuse to accept this!" The Jade Pool Empress's eyes burned with fury, her voice filled with a deep sense of injustice.
As the Jade Pool Empress voiced her accusations against the Haotian Mirror, the crowd finally began to understand.
They had been pondering when Xiao Fan had forged a connection with the Haotian Mirror and earned its approval.
But upon closer reflection, wasn't it right now?
The moment the Haotian Mirror started retracing Xiao Fan's life, it must have gained an intimate understanding of it.
Up to this point, it was clear that the alleged crimes of Xiao Fan had deeper, hidden reasons.
For the sake of the Empress of the Northern Sea and her disciples, Xiao Fan silently bore all the sins.
Such self-sacrifice and love were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
At the very least, it made them feel a sense of inferiority.
Moreover, if Xiao Fan could gain the approval of the Haotian Mirror, it suggested that even those later accusations of slaughtering countless beings might have deeper, more justifiable reasons.
Perhaps it was Xiao Fan who saved the beings of the lower realms, allowing them to survive in peace to this day.
It might be this selfless, sacrificial love that ultimately earned him the recognition of the Haotian Mirror.
With this thought, everyone's mindset began to change.
Xiao Fan was no longer seen as the Sinful Underworld Demon Emperor, but as a solitary warrior who silently bore the sins of the world to save all living beings.
It was no surprise that their attitudes shifted so quickly.
After all, humans could lie, and even immortals might deceive.
But the Haotian Mirror, a creation artifact that established the laws of the Heavenly Dao, could not be swayed. Xiao Fan's recognition by the Haotian Mirror undeniably proved his innocence.
Even the Jade Pool Empress, the current controller of the Haotian Mirror, had not gained its approval, which only underscored the mirror's absolute impartiality—no external force could influence its judgment.
In an instant, Xiao Fan's reputation was completely transformed.
Some even began to speculate that the Jade Pool Empress's husband must have been a vile and despicable character.
Xiao Fan likely killed him to rid the world of such a scourge.
Upon hearing these slanderous remarks about her husband, a towering rage ignited within the Jade Pool Empress.
She could not tolerate any insult to her husband.
At this moment, she had completely lost her reason.
She cared nothing for her identity or status anymore.
All who dared to slander her husband deserved death!
The Jade Pool Empress's eyes turned vicious, as terrifying power began to gather in her hands.
Boom—
With a single palm strike, the heavens darkened.
It was as if the sky had collapsed.
The surrounding space began to contract.
The world now resembled a cage, trapping everyone inside.
A wave of death instantly engulfed the crowd.
Their faces turned ashen with fear, their eyes filled with terror, unable to utter a single word.
Was this the price of speaking too much?
Many people felt a deep sense of injustice—they had not even mentioned the Jade Pool Empress's husband.
Now the Jade Pool Empress was indiscriminately killing innocents!
"Stop!"
The Goddess Empress Xuanwei intervened, blocking the Jade Pool Empress's attack.
"Jade Pool Empress, do you even know what you're doing?" Xuanwei's expression grew serious as she questioned her.
Truth be told, even she was shocked by how deranged the Jade Pool Empress had become.
Previously, the Jade Pool Empress had been very mindful of her position as the ruler of the Heavenly Court.
But now, the Jade Pool Empress seemed intent on mass slaughter, clearly having lost her mind.
"Anyone who insults my husband deserves to die!"
The Jade Pool Empress's eyes were bloodshot, filled with murderous intent. She no longer cared about her title as the ruler of the Heavenly Court.
Since the Haotian Mirror was so unjust, there was no need for the Heavenly Court to exist!
With that, the Jade Pool Empress charged straight toward the Haotian Mirror.
As its controller, she believed she could still alter the Haotian Mirror's decision.
She channeled all her power, trying to forcibly manipulate the Haotian Mirror's choice.
However, just as she began to exert her strength on the Haotian Mirror, she was instantly met with a violent backlash.
Boom!
The Jade Pool Empress's body was sent tumbling through the air like a broken kite.
"Why?" The Jade Pool Empress barely managed to steady herself, her eyes filled with disbelief and unwillingness.
Why had she suddenly lost control over the Haotian Mirror?
And then—
"Pfft!" A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and the Jade Pool Empress's face turned deathly pale.
The backlash from the Haotian Mirror had severely injured her, draining her of vitality.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8