"This is the choice I've made by following my heart. No matter the outcome, I will bear the responsibility alone," Xiao Fan declared, his voice firm and resolute. "No matter how the world views me in the future, it won't shake my decision."
His demeanor was calm and determined, free from any hesitation or doubt.
**Outside the Haotian Mirror.**
Upon hearing the exchange between the Immortal Emperor and Xiao Fan, any lingering doubts about Xiao Fan's actions as the Ghostly Demon Emperor were completely dispelled. It was now clear that the sins he committed must have had hidden reasons behind them.
Seeing Xiao Fan's selfless spirit, everyone watching felt a deep sense of shame. Compared to Xiao Fan, they realized just how far they fell short.
At that moment, Xiao Fan's reputation reached an unprecedented height. Whatever the true circumstances behind his actions as the Ghostly Demon Emperor, few cared anymore. It was no exaggeration to say that everyone in the lower realms owed Xiao Fan an enormous debt of gratitude. Even if Xiao Fan had committed some wrongs in the past, they were insignificant in comparison to the great merit of saving the lower realms.
Some even began to propose erecting monuments and statues in Xiao Fan's honor, so that he could be worshipped and revered by all.
**Within the Haotian Mirror.**
After hearing Xiao Fan's response, the Immortal Emperor was momentarily stunned. He suddenly understood why Xiao Fan had been recognized by the Haotian Mirror.
Without further hesitation, the Immortal Emperor began to explain how the lower realms might be saved.
"The destruction of the Immortal Realm is inevitable," the Immortal Emperor began. "But as I mentioned before, being consumed by darkness doesn't mean that everything will be lost to oblivion. Instead, all energy will be condensed into a single point, awaiting a new explosion that will birth a new world."
"Ever since I learned this from the Haotian Mirror, I've been searching for a way to prevent it from happening!"
"Finally, I arrived at a conclusion: the energy of the world is constant. The reason the old epoch will perish is that the energy from its initial explosion has been completely exhausted."
"When that energy is fully depleted, darkness will descend, consuming everything and condensing it back into a singularity, awaiting the next explosion to maintain balance."
"The consumption of the Immortal Realm by darkness is unavoidable. Once it's fully consumed, that darkness will spread to the lower realms!"
"But if we can separate the Immortal Realm from the lower realms and then channel the energy accumulated from the Immortal Realm's destruction into the lower realms, the lower realms would receive new energy, revitalizing them. The darkness would no longer have a foothold to consume!"
At this point, the Immortal Emperor's eyes shone with a rare gleam of excitement.
It wasn't just the Immortal Emperor who was excited; everyone outside the Haotian Mirror who heard this was equally shocked and thrilled!
The energy of the Immortal Realm was thousands of times greater than that of the lower realms. If the energy from the Immortal Realm's destruction could truly be transferred to the lower realms, it would bring about earth-shattering changes!
From that point on, there would be no distinction between immortals and mortals. Both mortals and immortals would coexist in the same world, heralding an era of unimaginable brilliance and splendor!
The mere thought of living in such a world made everyone's hearts race with anticipation. What a wonderful thing it would be to live in a world where immortals and mortals existed together!
But then, what was going on now?
The fact that the lower realms hadn't been consumed by darkness meant that the Immortal Emperor's plan had succeeded, didn't it?
So why did it seem like nothing had changed? There was no sign of immortal energy, and even the concentration of spiritual energy hadn't noticeably increased.
Was the Immortal Emperor's plan a success or a failure?
Everyone was desperate to know the answer.
Xuanwei was also pondering whether the plan had succeeded or failed. But suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.
Could it be that the plan neither succeeded nor failed?
Could it be that it simply hadn't begun yet?
As she looked at Xiao Fan, who stood peacefully within the Primal Emperor City, her eyes widened as she recalled the bold speculation she had earlier.
**Within the Haotian Mirror.**
Xiao Fan fell into deep thought after hearing the Immortal Emperor's plan. The concept sounded simple enough, but the execution would undoubtedly be unimaginably difficult.
"Immortal Emperor, what should I do?" Xiao Fan asked.
"No need to rush. First, I'll take you somewhere," the Immortal Emperor replied.
With a wave of his hand, the surroundings shifted, and Xiao Fan, along with the still-slumbering Xuanwei, found themselves in Xuanwei's residence within the Immortal Palace.
"I'm sure you're curious about the object within the forbidden grounds that summoned you," the Immortal Emperor said with a faint smile.
Xiao Fan didn't respond immediately, instead looking at the sleeping Xuanwei, puzzled. He turned to the Immortal Emperor and asked, "Immortal Emperor, how can you be sure that the special existence summoned by the object in the forbidden grounds would choose to follow your plan?"
"What if that entity refused and chose to become the creator of the new world? Or worse, what if the chosen entity was merely an inanimate object, like the Haotian Mirror itself?"
The Immortal Emperor sighed deeply. "This has always been a gamble."
"Even I couldn't foresee what the special existence chosen by the Haotian Mirror would be."
"But as long as it's a person, there may be something that tugs at their heartstrings."
The Immortal Emperor's gaze softened as he looked at the sleeping Xuanwei.
"If I've gambled wrong, not only will I fail to give Xuanwei a chance to survive, but she'll also endure endless ages of loneliness for nothing."
The Immortal Emperor sighed again.
Xiao Fan suddenly understood. Faces of those he once knew, those he still cared deeply about, began to flash through his mind.
Although his decision was born from following his own heart, was it not also motivated by the desire to protect those he held dear?
Having come to this realization, Xiao Fan smiled at the Immortal Emperor. "Immortal Emperor, don't worry. Since Xuanwei calls me 'Master,' I'll protect her with everything I have, even if it costs me everything."
Hearing this, the Immortal Emperor looked deeply at Xiao Fan, then bowed solemnly. "Thank you!"
In this moment, he wasn't the lofty Immortal Emperor but merely a father who wanted his daughter to be safe and sound.
Xiao Fan understood this well, so he didn't shy away from the Immortal Emperor's gratitude.
After reaching an agreement with Xiao Fan, the Immortal Emperor opened the barrier surrounding the forbidden grounds of the Immortal Realm and led Xiao Fan inside.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8