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

However, the young man refused, his tone calm but firm.

"Thank you for your kind words, senior. The path to enlightenment lies within oneself, not in one's race. I want to walk my own path."

That carefree and confident demeanor surprised Lao Long. Witnessing him actually take that step, he was filled with emotion.

Chen Changsheng certainly has reason to be confident.

What's even stranger is that after Chen Changsheng finished his tribulation, the various forbidden zones seemed somewhat silent, with no supreme beings taking action to stop him.

"This young man has already established his momentum. His foundation is solid and his will is firm, surpassing even those juniors back then. If we make a move now, even if we succeed, the cost will be too high and it won't be worth it."

"With Qiankun and Qilin in front, this child follows closely behind... There are so many freaks out there. Well, it's better to avoid trouble."

"A carp becoming an emperor—it's truly astonishing!"

Perhaps it was the successive births and ascensions of several powerful emperors that caused a subtle change in the mentality of the supreme beings in the forbidden zone.

Perhaps it was the ferocity and potential that Chen Changsheng displayed during his tribulation that made them wary.

In the end, not a single supreme being dared to cause trouble at the last moment.

This surprised many cultivators across the heavens, but they quickly came to understand.

"Even if a Supreme Being intervenes, I doubt one Supreme Being could stop this Demon Emperor, right?"

"His strength is evident to all. The supreme ruler of the restricted area has also learned to assess the situation."

Bathed in the auspicious light of Emperor Cheng and the feedback from the Great Dao, Chen Changsheng's boundless dragon body slowly shrank and transformed back into human form.

The bloodstains on his body had long been washed away by the rain of the lightning tribulation, but the scar on his back, which originated from the pool of ferocious beasts, was still there. He had left it on purpose; it was a medal for creating miracles.

Chen Changsheng felt the immense power within his body, as vast as the sea of ​​stars, but his gaze seemed to pierce through the endless starry sky, falling upon that distant star.

The azure star named Gou Chen fell towards the edge of Qingxi Pool.

Qingwan, I did it. I will make you the most noble girl.

The next moment, Chen Changsheng tore through the void and arrived at the ancient star Gouchen.

This ancient star, his ancestral star, witnessed his initial struggles and warmth, and also buried his deepest longing and worries.

The person he loved most was here.

He still remembered what she looked like when he first saw her. She was wearing a faded light green dress. She wasn't particularly beautiful, and was even a little thin, but in his heart, she was the most beautiful girl.

The first thing he saw after his spirit was awakened was her gentle and caring smile as she approached, and her bright, sparkling eyes.

At that moment, his heart began to pound erratically, and an unprecedented emotion struck him.

Chen Changsheng later learned that it was called being moved.

She was ordinary, with no talent for cultivation and not particularly beautiful, but in his eyes, her smile was more dazzling than the brightest sun in the starry sky.

Her gentleness was more effective than any magic medicine in soothing the wounds in his heart.

He still vividly remembers the scene when the two parted ways.

"Are you really leaving?" The girl looked up, her small hand clutching his sleeve, her face filled with reluctance and hope. She was still wearing that light green dress, which looked particularly thin in the wind.

At that time, Chen Changsheng was a spirited and dashing young man.

His eyes were bright, full of confidence and sharpness, as if even the sun and moon in the sky would pale in comparison to him.

"Yes, I want to become stronger and invincible." The young man was full of vigor and confidence, his eyes shining brightly, exuding the unique spirit of youth. At this moment, even the sun and moon paled in comparison.

"I will walk the ancient path through the stars, defeat all my opponents, become the sole supreme being of this world, and stand at the invincible pinnacle! I will prove to everyone that even a carp can become a dragon, and can attain the Dao and become an emperor!"

The young man spoke with great passion and lofty ambition, but he didn't notice that the light in the girl's eyes dimmed little by little as he spoke.

She didn't understand anything about the ancient starry road or the invincible peak; all she knew was that the person in front of her was leaving.

Go to a place she can never reach, a world full of danger.

"Will you come back?" she asked, fighting back tears, her voice choked with sobs. "Will you... come to see me?"

Upon hearing this, the boy, who had already soared into the air, turned around in the sky and laughed heartily. His confident and radiant laughter seemed to dispel all gloom.

"Of course, when I become emperor, I will let the glory of all the heavens shine upon you, and the whole world will celebrate for you!"

After saying that, the boy seemed to remember something, and suddenly turned back, rushed to the cliff by the lake, hurriedly picked a bunch of blooming purple wildflowers, and stuffed them into the girl's hand.

The petals still held the morning dew.

"wait for me!"

After leaving those two words, the boy dared not look back, fearing that a single glance at those tearful eyes would shake him. He transformed into a streak of light and resolutely rushed into the outer starry sky, embarking on that blood-stained road of no return.

"I'll wait for you, don't forget me, come back!" The girl held the bouquet of wildflowers, her tears finally bursting forth. She shouted and waved her hand in the direction where the boy had disappeared, until the light completely vanished at the edge of the sky.

……

Now, many years have passed, and he has survived the battles of blood and fire, the struggles of life and death.

He really did it. He became an emperor, and the name of the Demon Emperor shook the heavens. He was the only one who reigned supreme in this world!

He stood atop the invincible peak of his dreams.

But now, standing above this familiar ancient star, Gouchen, he felt an unprecedented panic, even more frightened than when facing a deadly situation during the Star Wars.

He feared that time would be too merciless, that the long campaign would cause him to miss the blooming season, and that the promise to wait for him would ultimately become an empty echo.

After leaving Gouchen Ancient Star, Chen Changsheng never dared to return to see Chen Qingwan because he had too many powerful enemies.

He didn't want his beloved to be known by the enemy, because if the enemy found out, it would be a catastrophic disaster.

Therefore, he can only continue to cultivate and become stronger.

Chen Changsheng walked slowly along the path he remembered.

In fact, with his current divine sense as an emperor, he could instantly perceive every minute detail on the entire star.

But he didn't do it because he was afraid; the closer he got, the more afraid he became.

Like an ordinary person, he walked step by step until he arrived at the small lake.

The lake water remained clear, reflecting the sky and clouds.

On the lakeside cliffs, those purple wildflowers are still in full bloom, swaying gently in the wind.

However, the lakeside was empty; there was no figure in the light green dress, no gentle laughter, and no waiting gaze.

"Qingwan..." he called softly, his voice trembling without him even realizing it.

The terrifying divine thought, finally no longer suppressed, rippled outwards like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

It covered the entire ancient star of Gouchen, every inch of land, and every living being.

No, there was nothing. He searched everywhere, but found nothing.

The girl who offered him warmth when he was at his most vulnerable and silently watched over him when he was at his most arrogant vanished without a trace, leaving no trace or scent.

"No...no...you said you'd wait for me...you said you would..."

Chen Changsheng staggered a step; the mighty emperor was now somewhat unsteady on his feet.