A portal faintly appeared on Chen Fan's brow.
The more death qi merged, the clearer the portal became.
"Presumptuous," the Imperial Corpse roared furiously.
Chen Fan was borrowing its strength to open the dao aperture on his brow.
This was an unforgivable act.
The Imperial Corpse's previous confidence was gone; it knew it had been deceived.
What it had just devoured was merely a clone of Chen Fan.
And its supposed control over the River of Rules was just an illusion Chen Fan had created.
"Hahaha," Chen Fan laughed heartily.
"Boom." The Imperial Corpse attacked.
Death qi, carrying boundless might, punched out.
It blotted out the sky.
The Imperial Corpse's fist instantly pierced the River of Rules and Chen Fan's physical body.
But the next moment, Chen Fan's physical body reappeared.
The Imperial Corpse frowned, "What is this, a clone?"
"No."
Chen Fan shook his head, "This is my rule, my power. As long as one rule exists, I am immortal."
"Though you are an Emperor, you only master one rule."
Chen Fan actually looked down on the Heavenly Emperor.
The Imperial Corpse sneered, "I have one force to break all."
"Nonsense."
Chen Fan scoffed, "What 'one force to break all'? It's useful in the face of absolute strength. But my methods, can you break them with 'one force'?"
Heh, the so-called 'one force to break all' was merely self-consolation for the incompetent in Chen Fan's eyes.
His methods were numerous; what if he was a Heavenly Emperor? I can still fight back.
The time they spent talking was very short. In this brief moment, the Imperial Corpse's Death Dao had already lost half of its power.
Its strength was being devoured by the River of Rules.
"You court death."
The Imperial Corpse was truly enraged, uncontrollably so.
"Kill." Death qi surged, tearing apart the Heavenly Emperor.
This underground space collapsed.
"Rumble."
The Death Dao sought to break through heaven and earth.
But at this moment, a powerful force descended from above.
An ancient celestial crown floated in the sky, rotating slowly.
"Yi Fu."
Killing intent filled the Imperial Corpse's eyes.
"Old friend," Yi Fu's gaze was calm, a smile on his face. "It seems you are in trouble today."
The Imperial Corpse's brow twitched. It wasn't because of you.
"Hoo hoo hoo." The Imperial Corpse took several deep breaths, suppressing the anger in its heart.
Then, its gaze shifted to Chen Fan, then to the River of Rules, and it roared, "Come out."
The River of Rules stirred, and the imprint left by the Imperial Corpse within it appeared.
The imprint was vying for control of the River of Rules with Chen Fan.
"Suppress."
At this moment, four divine weapons floated, suppressing the River of Rules.
With a "boom," the imprint left by the Imperial Corpse shattered.
It was the power of the divine weapons, immensely powerful.
"Wow."
The Imperial Corpse spat out a mouthful of blood.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn't blood at all, but the power of its soul.
The Imperial Corpse was injured.
Its plan for reincarnation was shattered.
"Go."
It had not yet fully reincarnated.
Chen Fan had regained control of the River of Rules, and his mind-world was no longer under its control.
Instead, as the Death Dao was connected to the River of Rules, its power was continuously pouring into it.
If this continued, the entire Dao of Rules would be devoured by Chen Fan.
"Boom." It was a Heavenly Emperor, and it would not hesitate in any decision.
The Death Dao, half devoured, instantly dissipated.
And its own physical body plunged back into the lake, sinking down.
The next moment, the power of a Heavenly Emperor descended, sealing heaven and earth.
"Retreat."
Yi Fu's expression changed, and his celestial crown floated out, carrying Chen Fan away.
As soon as Chen Fan disappeared into the underground space, the entire space vanished without a trace.
It was as if a section of the ground had suddenly become empty, leaving only a dark, gaping hole.
"This is..."
Chen Fan's face changed, "Such powerful might, to cleave space. Is this the technique of a Heavenly Emperor?"
Beside him, Yi Fu nodded, "Indeed, Heavenly Emperors have their trump cards. If you had been accidentally caught in it just now, you would have been instantly cleaved into nothingness by space."
After speaking, Yi Fu smiled, "It's for the best. I didn't expect it to escape on its own. Very good."
"Escape?"
Chen Fan was stunned, "If it could escape, why didn't it do so earlier? Why endure your torment for a hundred years?"
Yi Fu smiled slightly, "Because it also desires Freedom City."
"Hmm?"
Chen Fan blinked, "What do you mean?"
Yi Fu explained, "Freedom City holds the key to becoming an Emperor."
Chen Fan still didn't understand.
Yi Fu said no more, extending his hand forward. The celestial crown slowly descended into his palm, and he then spoke, "Chen Fan..."
Chen Fan seemed to realize something, his body trembling with excitement.
Yi Fu wasted no more words and directly said, "Although our agreement was to kill the Imperial Corpse, since it escaped, I am now free, and the agreement is considered fulfilled. Therefore, the celestial crown is yours."
The celestial crown floated, slowly drifting towards Chen Fan.
Chen Fan quickly reached out and caught it.
"Buzz."
Suddenly, the four divine weapons on his body sensed the attraction of the celestial crown.
The five divine weapons slowly drew closer, and though not yet fused, they rotated and floated together.
"Excellent."
Yi Fu said from the side, "This celestial crown rightfully belongs to you."
Chen Fan quickly bowed and clasped his fists, "Thank you, City Lord, for fulfilling this."
Yi Fu waved his hand, "This item never belonged to me. I was merely keeping it for a senior."
"You mean..."
"Yes."
Yi Fu said in a deep voice, "I believe you already know who that person is."
Chen Fan nodded, "Wuji."
Addressing him as Supreme Wuji was no longer appropriate.
Chen Fan then asked, "Do you know where Senior Wuji is? His son is looking for him."
Yi Fu shook his head, "That little fellow you speak of, I sensed him when he arrived. Unfortunately, even if he is the senior's descendant, I cannot care for him, nor can I reveal the senior's whereabouts."
Chen Fan: "..."
"Why?" Chen Fan asked, puzzled.
Yi Fu did not explain, instead changing the subject, "By entrusting the celestial crown to you, I have fulfilled the senior's request."
So...
Chen Fan looked at Yi Fu, knowing he had more to say.
Yi Fu smiled calmly, "The senior once said that the day I bestow the celestial crown would be the day I become an Emperor."
"Become Emperor?"
"Buzz!"
Yi Fu's figure began to slowly dissipate, like a wisp of smoke.
A smile spread across Yi Fu's face, "I must leave now, the senior is summoning me."
The next moment, Yi Fu's figure vanished before Chen Fan.
Only a voice echoed in Chen Fan's ear, "Chen Fan, you have talent and hail from the ancestral land. If we meet again one day, I hope you too will have become an Emperor. This Freedom City, I bestow it upon you."
Wait, you mean...
Chen Fan was dumbfounded, "What do you mean, 'Freedom City is bestowed upon me'?"