**Within the Haotian Mirror.**
As Xiao Fan looked over the list provided by the Heavenly Emperor, his expression grew solemn. "With these individuals, we should be able to buy enough time," he stated.
However, the Heavenly Emperor shook his head and said gravely, "No, this is not enough."
"I have already used the Haotian Mirror to calculate the outcome. The people on this list can only buy the lower realms around five thousand years."
"But to wait for the energy of the Immortal Realm to fully converge into a singularity, we need at least three thousand more years!"
With that, the Heavenly Emperor produced another list.
"These individuals are the true paragons of the cultivation world—masters who care deeply about the fate of the world. I have already informed them about our situation."
"They have made their choice, and when the time comes, you just need to find them according to this list."
Xiao Fan was stunned. He hadn't expected that the Heavenly Emperor already knew everything, nor that he had prepared so extensively. Clearly, during the time Xiao Fan lost his memories, he and the Heavenly Emperor had reached an agreement.
The realization that so many noble souls were willing to sacrifice themselves for the world weighed heavily on Xiao Fan's heart.
As Xiao Fan took the list and glanced at the first name, he was momentarily shocked.
The first name on the list was none other than "Heavenly Emperor Yao Guang."
"Heavenly Emperor, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Fan asked, confused.
The Heavenly Emperor's expression was calm as he replied, "Protecting the heavens and all the realms has always been the responsibility of the Heavenly Court. As the Heavenly Emperor, it is my duty to fulfill this role."
He then looked at Xiao Fan with a serious expression. "Xiao Fan, this task can only be accomplished by you. You will find yourself opposed by the entire world."
"But your current strength is not enough."
"If you absorb my power after my death and convert it into your own, your strength will increase rapidly."
At these words, many of those watching outside the Haotian Mirror began to weep.
So, the Heavenly Emperor had willingly sacrificed himself to protect all living beings. Moreover, the other revered sages and masters had also chosen to sacrifice themselves to buy time for the world.
At this moment, some viewers were moved to tears, unable to hold back their emotions.
Finally, the truth had been revealed. Whether it was the Heavenly Emperor and the self-sacrificing sages of the cultivation world or Xiao Fan, who had quietly borne the burden of all sins to save the world—they all deserved the respect and reverence of the people.
"When I return to my sect, I will erect monuments for Xiao Fan, the Heavenly Emperor, and those who sacrificed themselves, so that all disciples remember their contributions," declared the leader of a sect.
Following his declaration, many others echoed his sentiment, agreeing to build monuments and statues to honor Xiao Fan, the Heavenly Emperor, and the other martyrs.
Meanwhile, Leng Ruoxue and her companions felt their hearts sink. The more they learned, the less hopeful they felt about finding a way to save Xiao Fan.
As the Heavenly Emperor's words echoed within the Haotian Mirror, the Empress of the Jade Pool clenched her fists tightly. Although she had anticipated that Xiao Fan might have had his reasons for killing her father, the Heavenly Emperor, the truth was still difficult to accept.
She had harbored hatred for Xiao Fan for thousands of years, believing him to be her father's murderer. But now she was being told that her father had willingly sacrificed himself for Xiao Fan's mission.
This left her feeling frustrated and helpless. Why could her father, the Heavenly Emperor, choose to sacrifice himself for the world but refuse to support his own daughter's happiness?
To her father, she was nothing more than a puppet groomed to inherit the Heavenly Emperor's position—devoid of personal feelings or desires, expected to follow his plans to the letter.
She resented the Heavenly Emperor. She hated that he cared more about the world than about his own daughter.
When she learned that her father had died at Xiao Fan's hands, she hadn't felt much grief—in fact, she had almost felt relieved. Avenging her father's death had merely given her a convenient excuse to pursue her vendetta against Xiao Fan.
Now that the truth was out, it didn't change her hatred for Xiao Fan. Her only concern now was finding out where the Soul Nourishing Bottle, which held her husband's soul, was hidden.
**Within the Haotian Mirror.**
After hearing the Heavenly Emperor's plan, Xiao Fan felt a deep sense of respect for him. He didn't say much, only nodded solemnly.
Saying anything else at this point would have been a disservice to the Heavenly Emperor's sacrifice. What Xiao Fan needed to do was honor the sacrifice by fulfilling their plan.
After everything had been arranged, the Heavenly Emperor looked at Xiao Fan with a sorrowful expression and said, "Xiao Fan, can I ask you to do something for me?"
Seeing the normally composed and stern Heavenly Emperor displaying such sadness, Xiao Fan knew that this matter must be incredibly important to him. He responded earnestly, "Heavenly Emperor, if there is anything within my power, I will do my utmost to help."
The Heavenly Emperor looked deeply at Xiao Fan before speaking. "Xiao Fan, I would like to ask you to take care of Yao Xi."
"Yao Xi?" Xiao Fan frowned. Although this was the first time he had heard this name, it somehow felt strangely familiar.
"Who is Yao Xi to you, Heavenly Emperor?" Xiao Fan asked.
"Yao Xi is my..." The Heavenly Emperor paused mid-sentence, seemingly hesitant to continue.
After a sigh, the Heavenly Emperor finally said, "Yao Xi is my... adopted daughter."
Upon hearing this, the Empress of the Jade Pool, who was watching from outside the Haotian Mirror, was completely stunned.
Adopted daughter?
What was going on?
The spectators were equally baffled. Hadn't the Empress of the Jade Pool always been considered the biological daughter of the former Heavenly Emperor? How had she suddenly become an adopted daughter?
**Within the Haotian Mirror.**
The Heavenly Emperor, with a sorrowful expression, looked at Xiao Fan.
"Would you like to hear my story?" he asked.
Xiao Fan nodded.
The Heavenly Emperor then began to recount his tale.
It turned out that the Heavenly Emperor was not originally from the Heavenly Court but had been born into a humble mortal family, much like Xiao Fan. As a child, he had been subjected to bullying and mistreatment.
One day, while being bullied, he was rescued by a woman who appeared as a celestial being—a woman named Yao Ling, who happened to be Yao Xi's mother.
Yao Ling was born in the Heavenly Court, possessing unmatched beauty and exceptional talent. She was also kind-hearted and approachable, treating others with warmth and compassion. The young Heavenly Emperor had fallen for her instantly.
He had dedicated himself to cultivating the techniques Yao Ling had given him, hoping that one day he could stand beside her as an equal.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8