Sweeping across the heavens, starting with the first emperor of the ancient times.

Yun Li and the forbidden zone supreme being who was forced to undergo extreme sublimation and return to the imperial status fought a bloody battle deep in the Meteor Sea.

That battle was so fierce that the heavens and earth collapsed, the starry sea reversed, and countless desolate stars attached to the forbidden zone turned into dust. Chaotic energy permeated the air, as if the world was about to be reborn.

In the end, Yun Li sacrificed herself, her imperial blood spilling into the starry sea, relying on the sharpness of her initial realization of the Great Dao and the profound mystery of the Emperor's Dao of Creation.

They forcefully and completely annihilated that ancient supreme being who had reached the pinnacle of enlightenment, causing the imperial laws to collapse and the supreme being's blood to stain the forbidden zone!

Then, her white robes stained with blood, she drifted away, leaving behind only a ruthless, decisive, and invincible silhouette.

After this battle, the fame of the Creation Emperor Yun Li resounded throughout the heavens, and no one dared to question his imperial might, nor did anyone dare to easily challenge his power.

However, she seemed to accept the status quo of coexisting with other forbidden zones of life, and instead of continuing to sweep through them, she chose to return to seclusion and cultivation.

This performance was not unexpected for the masses, after all, not everyone is like the Chaos Emperor, who could suppress the forbidden zone alone as soon as he attained enlightenment.

In the years that followed, Yun Li did not expand her power like some ancient emperors and celestial beings, nor did she establish an immortal divine dynasty to rule over all the heavens.

She seemed to prefer quiet meditation, simply guarding her own sanctuary, silently studying the Great Dao of Creation, occasionally manifesting miracles, listening to the prayers of all spirits, and protecting the peace of the region.

Another three thousand years have passed.

On this day, Yun Li ended a new round of seclusion and summoned Gu Man and Shi Xuan.

"Come with me to a place," Yun Li said to the two, her beautiful eyes gazing into the depths of the starry sky.

Gu Man and Shi Xuan exchanged a glance. Although they didn't know the exact destination, they trusted Yun Li completely and nodded without hesitation.

Three streaks of light streaked across the universe, eventually stopping in the starry sky beyond the ancient star of Ziwei.

Standing here, gazing at that ancient purple star that exudes a majestic imperial aura and endless vitality, even as the current emperor, Yun Li's eyes still revealed an undisguised sense of emotion and deep awe.

"The Chaos Emperor... is indeed more powerful than imagined." She sighed softly.

Even though she had merged with the will of Heaven, ruled over all paths, and become one of the nominal rulers of this universe, she could still sense it with unparalleled clarity.

The chaotic traces on the outer edge of the ancient Ziwei star seemed to have existed since time immemorial.

This is merely a mark left by that being who once resided here, whose great way naturally permeated the area.

These few marks alone made her feel that compared to them, her imperial path was like a firefly to the bright moon, or a stream to the vast ocean; the gap was still an insurmountable chasm.

Upon hearing this, Gu Man's eyes widened like copper bells as he carefully sensed the sound. His face then revealed a look of shock and admiration.

He scratched his head and said in a muffled voice, "I feel like... it's like an ant standing at the foot of a mountain looking up, unable to see where the summit is at all."

Although he was not good with words, his description was extremely apt.

Shi Xuan also looked solemn, took a deep breath, and sighed:

"Back then, we were ignorant and fortunate enough to receive the Emperor's favor and the opportunity. Now that we have reached this level with you, Yun Li, looking back, we realize how vast the Emperor's realm is, far exceeding our past imagination. It shows how invincible the Chaos Emperor is. If we could meet the Emperor and listen to his teachings, we would have no regrets in this life."

Now, the three of them have long understood the past. The mysterious senior who saved them at Falling Dragon Ridge and then gave them the opportunity to change their destiny was none other than the Chaos Emperor Jiang Hao!

Upon learning this, they were filled with shock and relief, as well as unparalleled gratitude and reverence for that being.

Who would have thought that these three young cultivators, struggling to survive in the desolate star region, would receive a casual guidance from an invincible figure in their childhood?

This cause and effect, this opportunity, is enough to drive all the geniuses of the heavens mad with envy.

"Let's go, let's go pay our respects to the Emperor." Yun Li composed herself and said to the two of them in a solemn tone.

Gu Man and Shi Xuan nodded vigorously, their expressions extremely solemn. They straightened their clothes as if they were going on a pilgrimage.

Deep within the forbidden area of ​​the Dao Seeking Sect on the ancient star Ziwei, in a simple courtyard that is always shrouded in a faint aura of chaos.

Jiang Hao sat on the stone bench under the old tree. On the stone table in front of him, four cups of tea had already been set out.

The tea was clear and hot, exuding a refreshing and pleasant aroma, as if it already knew that guests were coming.

The moment Yun Li and the other two stepped into the courtyard, they saw that figure.

He was still dressed in ordinary black clothes, just as I remembered, with a peaceful expression. His aura blended perfectly with the surrounding world, yet he seemed to transcend it all.

Simply sitting there, one seems to be the source of all paths, the manifestation of all rules.

At this moment, the majesty of the current emperor and the arrogance of a quasi-emperor vanished from the hearts of Yun Li and the other two, leaving only respect and gratitude.

This is not only because of the opponent's unfathomable strength, which even emperors look up to, but also because of the opponent's great achievement in ending the turmoil and sorting out the Great Dao.

The Chaos Emperor blessed all living beings in the universe and indirectly protected them during their formative years.

Without the slightest hesitation, the three stepped forward, bowed in unison, and performed an ancient and solemn salute.

"Junior Yun Li."

"This junior is Gu Man."

"Junior Shi Xuan."

"Greetings, Great Emperor of Chaos!"

The voice was sincere and came from the bottom of his heart.

Jiang Hao smiled slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a gentle yet irresistible force lifted the three of them up: "No need for formalities, please sit down."

His gaze fell on Yun Li, with a hint of approval. "Congratulations, Yun Li, you've taken this step and come this far. It hasn't been easy."

Yun Li and the other two then respectfully sat down on the stone bench at the lower end, their postures upright.

Yun Li looked at Jiang Hao with clear and sincere eyes, and spoke again:

"Your Majesty, if it weren't for your kindness in saving our lives at Falling Dragon Ridge back then, and bestowing upon us unparalleled opportunities and guidance, there would be no Yun Li today. This kindness is like a second birth, and Yun Li will never forget it."

Gu Man and Shi Xuan nodded vigorously, Gu Man's face turning red as he earnestly said, "We will remember the Emperor's kindness forever!"

Jiang Hao shook his head, his tone calm: "The opportunity was given by me, but you all walked the path step by step on your own. Especially you, Yun Li."

He looked at Yun Li and said, "In that situation, you were able to seize that glimmer of hope and prove your Dao ahead of everyone else. Your character, decisiveness, and past experience are all indispensable. You did a great job."

Hearing Jiang Hao's personal praise, Yun Li felt a warm current surge in her heart, but a slightly playful smile appeared on her face: "As long as I didn't embarrass Your Majesty, that's fine."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao couldn't help but smile, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "Of course not, you're already quite good."

Yun Li was very happy to receive Jiang Hao's personal acknowledgment and praise.

She said softly, "Before I attained enlightenment, I thought countless times that if I could reach this level, the gap between me and Your Majesty might be narrowed a little, at least... I could see your back as I chase after you."

She paused, her gaze seemingly piercing through the courtyard, once again sensing the vast chaotic traces of the Dao beyond the Purple Star, her tone filled with deep emotion:

"Until you truly stand at this height, in harmony with the will of Heaven, and govern all paths, then look back and feel the Daoist essence naturally left behind by the Great Emperor of the Purple Star..."

Only then did I realize that compared to the Great Emperor, I was like a firefly to the bright moon, or a stream to the vast ocean—not even a fraction of his greatness.

You have not yet attained enlightenment, and your vision is still narrow. You see me as a frog at the bottom of a well seeing the sun and moon. If you attain enlightenment, you will see me as a mayfly seeing the blue sky.

This is Yun Li's most direct and genuine feeling after seeing Jiang Hao.