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

"Elder Zhang, it's been several years! You look even more radiant than before! Congratulations!"

An old prince from an ancient dynasty pulled along an elder from the Daoist sect who had once visited their dynasty, and they began to chat intimately.

It's as if they've been old friends for years, completely forgetting that back then the other person didn't even have the right to enter the main hall of his palace.

The elders were engaged in social interactions while their hearts were filled with mixed emotions.

"Elder Wang, look over there. Isn't that an elder from that great sect on Xuanming Ancient Star? I heard his cultivation method is very special, and he's quite arrogant. Back then, our sect leader wanted to meet him to buy Jiang Hao a suitable cultivation material, but he couldn't even get a glimpse of him... And now, he's actually smiling and nodding at our deacon disciples?"

An elder sighed in a telepathic voice.

"What's this?"

Another elder looked at several figures not far away, who were talking in hushed tones, and said, "..."

"Those people, are they royal envoys from the Heavenly Demon Realm and the Myriad Spirits Realm? They're not from our human race. We used to be very wary of them, never imagining that one day they would be waiting so respectfully in our sect, discussing what treasures would best express their respect?"

As Li Daoran, the sect leader of the Dao Asking Sect, listened to the endless stream of congratulations and looked at the faces before him that he had only seen in ancient books and legends before.

Now everyone wears a kind smile, a surge of pride rises in their hearts, but they are also more clear-headed.

He knew that all these changes, all the respect, enthusiasm, and even fear, were because of one name—Jiang Hao.

It all stems from the Chaos Emperor, whom they watched grow up and who now stands at the highest point of all the heavens.

"When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven..."

The sect leader silently recited these words in his heart, and at this moment he understood them deeply.

These chickens and dogs, because they did the right thing and followed the right people, were lifted up to a height they could never have dreamed of before by this incredible opportunity.

This is not something they could achieve through their own hard work, but it is a truly great fortune.

It is a great fortune that can change the fate of a sect for generations to come.

The entire Dao Seeking Sect, from the sect leader to the most ordinary handyman disciples, was immersed in a complex mix of emotions—ecstasy, pride, shock, and a touch of unease.

They knew that when that figure truly returned, their current glory would only be the beginning.

boom.

At this moment, a majestic, righteous, and domineering imperial aura spread out without warning, yet naturally.

Immediately afterwards, a dazzling golden avenue stretched out from the depths of the endless starry sky, seemingly transcending the boundaries of time and space, and extending directly above the Dao Asking Sect's mountain gate.

Along the golden avenue, the phantom images of the four spirits automatically manifest: the Azure Dragon roars, the White Tiger howls to the sky, the Vermilion Bird spreads its wings, and the Black Tortoise expands the sea, guarding the imperial road.

Golden lotuses of the Great Dao bloomed in the void, slowly rotating and sprinkling drops of sacred light.

A vast and majestic aura enveloped the entire Dao Seeking Sect.

"Your Majesty, the Chaos Emperor has returned!"

One of the disciples shouted excitedly, his voice trembling.

"Imperial might... Is this the might of an unparalleled emperor? Truly terrifying!"

A veteran leader of a great holy realm looked up at the sky, utterly awestruck.

All cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level or origin, subconsciously stopped talking and moving, holding their breath and concentrating.

Looking up at the imperial road that had been paved with imperial power, his face was filled with excitement, awe, and fervor.

The sect leader of the Dao Asking Sect, a middle-aged man who has now entered the Saint King realm, was originally talking with several sect leaders from other great realms with profound auras.

He abruptly stood up, suppressing the surging emotions within him, but his voice still trembled slightly:

"The Emperor's entourage has returned! Ladies and gentlemen, follow me to welcome him!"

Without needing to say more, inside the main hall were various giants, religious leaders, and clan chiefs from all the heavens and myriad worlds, including human and other races.

No matter how high and mighty they usually were, they all stood up solemnly at this moment, straightened their clothes, and their faces showed no trace of arrogance, only respect and excitement.

They knew that what was about to descend upon them was the true ruler of heaven and earth, the invincible Chaos Emperor.

Under the watchful, expectant gazes of countless eyes, at the end of the golden avenue, a figure that was not tall but seemed to support the entire universe slowly emerged.

He was dressed in black, and there was no terrifying divine light around him.

But the supreme aura that naturally flowed out in harmony with the Tao inspired a sense of awe in everyone.

"Welcome, Great Emperor Chaos! Congratulations on your unparalleled attainment of the Dao and your awe-inspiring power throughout the universe!"

Led by the sect leader of the Dao Asking Sect, everyone bowed in unison, their voices converging into a torrent that shook the heavens.

"You all have put in a lot of effort."

Jiang Hao spoke, his voice calm.

"I appreciate your celebration, but I need to go into seclusion to consolidate my cultivation right now. You may all return now; there will be plenty of time in the future."

There were no unnecessary pleasantries; the conversation was straightforward, yet no one found it inappropriate. On the contrary, it only enhanced the emperor's majesty.

"I humbly obey the Emperor's decree!"

All the industry giants responded respectfully and with the utmost humility.

They came here to curry favor and make their faces known, and now that their purpose has been achieved, and they have even heard the Emperor speak in person, they are already extremely honored, so how could they dare to delay in the slightest?

After bowing again, they retreated in orderly streams of light, and in a short while, the once noisy Dao Asking Sect was left with only its own members.

Once all the outsiders had left, the imperial aura emanating from Jiang Hao, which had caused the heavens to tremble, quietly receded.

He stepped down the golden road and landed on the familiar square of the Dao Seeking Sect.

"Xiao Hao!"

"A wise ruler!"

"Senior brother!"

"The Emperor!"

In an instant, the long-suppressed excitement erupted like a volcano.

The sect leader, the elders who watched him grow up, his fellow disciples who were his peers back then and are now the backbone of the sect, and countless young disciples with faces full of admiration and excitement all gathered around him.

Their eyes no longer held the pure awe for the emperor, but rather the ecstatic joy, pride, and deep affection of watching their own child, their senior brother, and their pride achieve unparalleled success.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

The elder with gray hair who had once raised him is now a saint.

Holding his hand, her eyes reddened, she repeated the same four words over and over. All the words she wanted to say were summed up in these four words.

The sect leader patted his shoulder forcefully. This usually composed man's eyes were now slightly moist, and he smiled:

"Good lad! You've truly brought immense honor to our Dao Seeking Sect, to our Ziwei Sect, and to our human race!"

His former playmate, now the sect's punishment elder, squeezed over and punched him in the chest, laughing and scolding:

"You've really become our savior now! From now on, we're all counting on you!"

The young disciples dared not get too close, but cheered excitedly from a distance, their eyes sparkling as if they were watching a living myth.

A genuine smile finally appeared on Jiang Hao's cold and stern face.

He responded to each one in a gentle tone, inquiring about the elders' health, showing concern for his fellow disciples' progress, and encouraging the younger disciples.