"My child, I am sorry."
After a long silence, the Heavenly Emperor could only sigh helplessly.
Even as the strongest existence throughout eternity, capable of severing the ages, suppressing all heavens, and slaying Supreme Ones, when facing his daughter, he was filled only with boundless guilt and tenderness.
Ruoxi's eyes were misty with tears as she gently shook her head. "No, I don't blame you, Father. Brother said that if you acted this way, you must have had great reasons for it. Now I understand too. You faced the supreme horrors of each epoch alone, which must have been extremely perilous. What you did back then was born of necessity."
The Heavenly Emperor chuckled, though his figure was extremely hazy, impossible to see clearly. Yet his light laughter drifted out slowly.
"That kid..."
He indeed owed a favor to that little fellow from the Battle Saint lineage.
His gaze then fell upon the pure, innocent white little beast Yiyi in Ruoxi's arms, its large, dark eyes wide open. It showed no reverence even before him, the Heavenly Emperor, and instead revealed a hint of childlike surprise. "A member of the Heaven-Defying Race has also come to the Pangu Universe. Truly, it is fate."
"Perhaps one day, that ancient path may truly be traversed."
"If one could obtain the power of that Heaven-Defying Race, perhaps staining the future with blood would not be so simple."
His words seemed to hold considerable esteem for the Heaven-Defying Race behind Yiyi.
Ruoxi opened her bright eyes, also very curious about Yiyi's origins. She had even learned to some extent that during the Great Mythical Destruction of old, the Heaven-Defying Race behind Yiyi had participated, aiding the Pangu Universe.
But before Ruoxi could ask, the Heavenly Emperor soon spoke again with guilt. "My child, my daughter, I am sorry. The time I have left is short; I cannot converse with you for long."
"No, Father, I don't blame you." Ruoxi smiled through her tears, a very moving sight.
There was regret, there was pity, but she also understood that her father's true self was not here.
"Believe in your father. It won't be long before I return to personally welcome you."
As his words fell, the Heavenly Emperor's light rain completely dissipated, ceasing to exist. Only his voice echoed between heaven and earth.
Ruoxi cried and laughed, but with joy.
She believed her father would not break his promise.
Inside the Huangji Lingxiao Hall, after the Heavenly Emperor turned into light rain, the Eternal Crown, Chaos Thunder Source, and Chaos Water Source that had flown out earlier slowly descended, returning to Ye Chen's body.
Seated upon the Supreme Throne, Ye Chen was silent, having naturally witnessed everything.
Ruoxi was indeed the Heavenly Emperor's daughter.
This point had long been suspected; now that it was confirmed, it was not surprising.
Yet he couldn't help but marvel at the bizarre twists of fate. Who would have thought that in the small mountain region of the Little God Realm back then, picking up a little sister and depending on each other for years, her true identity would turn out to be the daughter of the Pangu Universe's number one figure, the Heavenly Emperor.
He couldn't help but smile slightly. Regardless, Ruoxi's reunion with her kin was ultimately a good thing.
Ye Chen felt relieved and joyful for Ruoxi.
Although for so many years, Ruoxi had always called him brother, they were not true blood relatives. He had silently watched her gain recognition from her blood kin in this life; it was impossible not to feel some envy in his heart.
Although she was also considered a daughter by Ye Chen's parents, there was ultimately a slight difference. At times, Ye Chen could sense Ruoxi's slight melancholy.
He didn't know how to comfort her, nor could he. Now, seeing his little sister finally reunited with her kin, he was naturally happy.
Moreover, he clearly sensed the aura within Ruoxi's body exploding in a meteoric rise. Upon recognizing the Heavenly Emperor, in just a short time, she had directly reached the level of an Eighth Heaven Peerless Sovereign. Even with his mental fortitude, he couldn't help but feel stunned and deeply sigh with a bitter smile.
It must be known that although Ye Chen's life of cultivation spanned only a thousand years—not long, but not short either—he had experienced countless trials and tribulations, large and small, along the way before finally reaching his current step. His true self could rival a Ninth Heaven Sovereign, truly worthy of being called a peerless powerhouse.
The hardships along the journey were not something easily spoken of to outsiders.
But his achievements were ultimately glorious and brilliant. Looking across the Pangu Universe, across the Chaos Sea, how many of his peers could reach such a realm at this age?
None!
Perhaps only the most outstanding few figures throughout history could rival Ye Chen at such an age.
Yet his little sister Ruoxi, merely by awakening the Heavenly Emperor Bloodline within her, instantly leaped several heavens, advancing from an early-stage Sovereign directly to the Eighth Heaven Peerless Sovereign level.
One must know, this was not the Demigod Realm, nor low realms like Transformation God or Saint Vault, but the Primordial Sovereign Realm, where each heaven was said to be a world apart.
Generally, for a Primordial Sovereign to advance a single heaven required an unknown amount of time. Even unparalleled geniuses like the Tai Chu Emperor Lord and the Formless Sovereign in their sovereign eras spent unknown lengths of time to ascend to the next heaven.
Now, Ruoxi, in less than half an hour, explosively crossed this gap. It must be said, such a speed of advancement was enough to shake the Chaos Sea, even shatter the promotion records of all ages without exaggeration.
If that were all, it might be acceptable, as such radical advancement speeds often represented an unstable Dao foundation, requiring long ages of cultivation to solidify.
But Ye Chen observed Ruoxi's aura and found it remarkably solid, as if cultivated step by step through endless ages of bitter training. He couldn't help but sigh at the importance of one's birth.
Some people were indeed destined from birth to stand at the finish line countless others sought.
And Ruoxi's true starting point was a height unreachable by countless others.
Merely truly awakening the Heavenly Emperor Bloodline under the Heavenly Emperor's dominion, she instantly reached such a state, indicating that proving the Dao to become a Supreme One was truly within reach.
At the same time, he marveled at the heaven-defying nature of the Heavenly Emperor Bloodline, for Ye Chen clearly sensed that the Heavenly Emperor Bloodline within Ruoxi was still continuously awakening. Reaching the Eighth Heaven Peerless Sovereign was clearly not the limit; there was still room for further advancement, though it had currently slowed.
The power of that Heavenly Emperor Bloodline was so immense that even someone as powerful as him felt as if an Ancient Emperor slumbered within.
Perhaps one day, at the moment of complete and thorough awakening, proving the Dao to become a Supreme One might not be impossible.
This thought inexplicably surfaced in his mind, startling him.
Because such a thought was too frightening.
But then he remembered this was the Heavenly Emperor, one of the strongest few throughout eternity in the Chaos Sea, rumored to have slain Eternal Giants. As his offspring, inheriting the most powerful Heavenly Emperor Bloodline, for Ruoxi to reach this step was not impossible.
After all, he hadn't heard of the Heavenly Emperor having other offspring. Inheriting the most powerful bloodline force of all ages, her potential could be described as infinite and boundless; proving the Dao to become a Supreme One was almost inevitable.
Of course, regarding this, Ye Chen did not feel particularly envious, but was mostly happy for Ruoxi.
Similarly, this was also not the path he needed to walk.
Ruoxi's Heavenly Emperor Bloodline was indeed extremely powerful, but he believed his own Chaos Supreme Body bloodline was not inferior to any bloodline in the world, and moreover possessed infinite possibilities.
He believed that one day, he would reach heights rivaling the Heavenly Emperor, the Primogenitor, and the Universe Emperor. If possible, it might not be impossible to ascend to the legendary Eternal Realm.
Silently withdrawing his gaze, seated upon the Supreme Throne, he quietly sensed the legacy left by the Heavenly Emperor.
The moment the Heavenly Emperor vanished, the Huangji Lingxiao Hall, this main hall of the Ancient Heavenly Court, also lost its master.
Ye Chen attempted to refine it and found everything happened naturally, without any resistance.
Moreover, when he imprinted a portion of his origin mark into the Heavenly Dao Sun, it was similarly effortless and natural.
Silently, he sensed his connection to the Heavenly Dao Sun and felt its majestic power. He could mobilize the infinite power of the entire Primordial Heaven Realm at any moment, even drawing upon the strength of the entire Myriad Realms Eight Realms.
"Is this the power of the Heavenly Dao Sun? Truly worthy of being the origin of the Primordial Heaven Realm!"
Ye Chen pondered slightly, his gaze blazing and piercing.
That level of power, with every move, was boundlessly majestic.
It even made him feel that without the Great Emperor Reincarnation Body, without reviving the two Supreme Emperor Weapons, he could contend against a true Supreme One.
Moreover, Ye Chen had a feeling that such power was likely far stronger than an ordinary Supreme One.
Because earlier, the Heavenly Dao Sun, initially fused from the Ten Great Dao Suns, could rival a Supreme One. Now, after devouring so many alien Emperor remains, Dao Shishi, and numerous alien Sovereigns, it had become much more powerful.
What puzzled him somewhat was why the Heavenly Emperor had allowed him to master such peerless power.
Because mastering such infinite power would allow him to directly oppose Great Emperors and Ancient Emperors, making him disinclined to continue cultivating, which would hinder his path of cultivation.
He felt the Heavenly Emperor must have had a deeper meaning behind this.
Soon, Ye Chen had an epiphany, understanding the Heavenly Emperor's intention.
It was highly likely that the Heavenly Emperor was using the infinite power of the Primordial Heaven Realm to temper his mental state, making his Dao heart more resolute.
After all, mastering such invincible power could make even cultivation seem tedious and undesirable. Only by truly settling down would his Dao heart become firmer.
"Truly worthy of being the Heavenly Emperor. This intention is not simple. However, I still firmly believe in my own invincibility; the self is eternal!"
Ye Chen declared firmly, the divine light in his eyes unwavering!
Of course, although he did not need to rely on external objects, the Heavenly Dao Sun, as the origin of the Primordial Heaven Realm, even formed from a remnant part of the ancient Primordial God Realm, contained the origin of that ancient Primordial God Realm and involved a small part of the Pangu Universe's origin. For him, it held immense benefits, capable of greatly assisting his Origin Universe in further expansion and enhancement.
At the same time, the Faith Power collected by the Lord of the Heavenly Ruins over endless ages surged into the sky one after another.
The amount of Faith Power was so vast it could be described as infinite, more profound than the starry sky.
It could be said that the Faith Power the Lord of the Heavenly Ruins had mobilized not long ago was less than half of this total.
When Ye Chen saw all the Faith Power being drawn over, its boundless, sea-like immensity, even someone as experienced and knowledgeable as him couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
"From ancient times until now, spanning most of an epoch, I never imagined so much Faith Power had been gathered."
Ye Chen sighed, his eyes shining. But only a special super-great realm like the Primordial Heaven Realm, with its extremely strong cultivation culture and overall power far greater than the Myriad Domains of a thousand years ago, could accumulate such a terrifying amount of Faith Power.
Similarly, this could be considered a gift left by the Heavenly Emperor for him, the key figure.
The overall power of the Faith Power was comparable to an Ancient Great Emperor, even somewhat stronger.
If Ye Chen wished, relying on this infinite Faith Power, he could directly ascend to the Supreme One Realm in a short time.
After all, Faith Power, to some extent, was also a form of power that could aid in advancement.
But he would not do so, nor would he entertain the thought.
Faith Power was, after all, an external force, not cultivated by oneself. Although historically there had been those who proved the Dao and became Emperors through Faith Power, it was not the path he wished to walk.
Of course, such immeasurable Faith Power, if utilized well, was also a tremendous fortune.
He suddenly remembered Yan Wushuang, the Crown Prince of the Seal Kingdom from the Nine Colors Emperor Clan's ancient star on the Ultimate Ancient Path, his personal disciple, who aimed to walk the path of proving the Dao through Faith Power to become an Emperor.
Hundreds of years had passed since they parted; he wondered how this disciple was now, whether he had become the ruler of the Nine Colors Emperor Clan's ancient star.
He thought that this disciple Yan Wushuang was more suited than him to cultivate Faith Power. This Faith Power should be enough for him to prove the Dao and become an Emperor.
"Today, I shall become the Heaven Realm Ruler!"
Seated upon the Supreme Throne, Ye Chen's voice shook the entire Primordial Heaven Realm, even resonating through the Myriad Realms Eight Realms.
Boom—
Billions of auspicious colors bloomed, illuminating all heavens and myriad realms.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!—
Throughout the lands of the Primordial Heaven Realm, all divine statues belonging to the Lord of the Heavenly Ruins shattered one after another. In their place, formless power condensed into statues of Ye Chen.
He had become the new generation Heaven Realm Ruler, the true Heaven Realm Ruler, surpassing all previous Heaven Realm Rulers. He obtained control over the entire Primordial Heaven Realm, all power now under his command.
"We pay homage to the Heaven Realm Ruler!"
In the Primordial Heaven Realm, the Six Mythical Emperor Clans, the Hundred Nations and Myriad Sects, and even the various powerhouses who had come from the other seven realms, all knelt and performed grand bows.
Heavenly Kingdom Ruler, Heaven Realm Ruler—a single character difference, but a vast distinction.
If the Heavenly Kingdom Ruler was merely the ruler of the Heavenly Kingdom, one of theOverlord forces of the Desolate Realm.
Then the Heaven Realm Ruler was the absolute master of the entire Primordial Heaven Realm.
Above all others!
Supreme and peerless!
The five Forbidden Zone Rulers, the previous five generations of Heaven Realm Rulers, sighed softly, their expressions complex. Yet they understood that compared to Ye Chen, this true Heaven Realm Ruler, they of the past were merely puppets before the Lord of the Heavenly Ruins, never truly rulers.
And from now on, they would completely submit and assist this Heaven Realm Ruler.
The Primordial Heaven Realm, billions upon billions of living beings, roared in acclaim!
Instantly, Faith Power surged. Billions upon billions of strands of Faith Power flew from all directions of the Primordial Heaven Realm, merging into the ocean of Faith Power.
The Hundred Nations and Myriad Sects, all submitted!
Thus, this was true dominion!
Smiling slightly, Ye Chen then sensed everything within the Huangji Lingxiao Hall.
The Heavenly Emperor had left a legacy for him; naturally, he could not ignore it.
Moreover, this was specifically left for him, the key figure, and was especially important.
"Come forth."
Ye Chen uttered a light cry. Upon the Supreme Throne, a ray of dawn light appeared, carrying threads of origin power.
The Heavenly Emperor's legacy!
Ye Chen proceeded to refine it, succeeding naturally. After completely refining it, even with his current mental state, he couldn't help but laugh heartily, filled with joy.
This origin was different from the origin of the Primordial Heaven Realm; it was a portion of Universe Origin.