The Imperial Palace was in a state of chaos.
Chen Fan's methods were indeed ruthless; these were his own people, sacrificed without the slightest hesitation.
Tian Zai’s gaze warned everyone sternly.
Then there were the demonic beasts of Sword City who followed the City Lord, along with Huo Xing, Da Kui, and other rogue cultivators.
Huo Xing said, "I know everyone has doubts. You are aware of our fate if the City Lord is killed by the great suns.
For now, everyone stay put. If we win this battle, I will personally seek an answer from the City Lord. But for now, I hope you won't cause trouble."
More warnings, and yet more reassurances.
"..."
Within the great stars, various powerhouses closed their eyes.
Good.
It was good that someone stepped forward.
Afterward, someone would surely seek an answer from the City Lord.
If the City Lord viewed them as disposable pawns, then this world of life and death was not worth entering.
With their thoughts churning, everyone immersed themselves in cultivation.
Huo Xing exchanged glances with Tian Zai and the others, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
City Lord, what exactly are you doing?
...
Outside.
As the great path of life and death collapsed, Chen Fan's physical body also began to disintegrate.
When the Great Path shatters, death is inevitable.
But he still had time...
"Go."
The great seal, formed by the fusion of five divine weapons, once again soared towards the heavens.
Boom.
The two great suns were forced to retreat by the seal.
However, the seal's power was also being continuously depleted.
Several figures now appeared in the surroundings, the Emperors and Heavenly Emperors from both worlds, watching from afar.
Once Chen Fan died, they would unhesitatingly move to seize everything he possessed.
Of course, they wouldn't absorb it themselves, but would present it to the two Realm Lords.
Chen Fan alone controlled life and death, the Great Yu Realm Lord controlled the power of Yang, and the Dark Emperor controlled the power of Yin.
After the battle, all of this needed to be divided fairly.
Chen Fan's defeat was now unavoidable.
"Chen Fan," the Dark Emperor suddenly said, "If you are willing to merge with my Dark Realm, I will spare your life."
The surrender of the Heavenly Emperor of Life and Death held great appeal for the Dark Emperor.
"This Realm Lord is also willing," the Yu Emperor said, unwilling to be outdone. "If you are willing to merge your Dao with my Great Yu Realm, you shall be the foremost person under this Realm Lord."
This was a concrete promise.
As long as Chen Fan was willing to surrender, not only would he not die, but he could also become a figure second only to the leader, commanding immense authority.
Both Realm Lords valued the future of the Heavenly Emperor of Life and Death.
As long as he surrendered, his life would be in their hands.
Perhaps in the future, they could even absorb the Dao of Life and Death.
Both harbored their own plans.
"Heh."
To their surprise, Chen Fan let out a chuckle.
This smile stunned both Realm Lords.
What are you smiling about?
"Do you think you have me cornered?" Chen Fan countered with a smile.
"Don't we?"
The Dark Emperor, while battling Wuji, said remotely, "If you had any other means, why would you kill your own people and detonate your dual Daos of life and death?"
Yes.
In the eyes of the two Realm Lords, detonating one's Dao was a last resort for mutual destruction.
It was a pity that Chen Fan was too weak; detonating his Dao only injured the dual suns of Yin and Yang.
If a fifth-tier Heavenly Emperor were to detonate their Dao of Life and Death, perhaps they could truly destroy the dual suns.
"You are mistaken."
At this moment, Chen Fan spoke again. "There is one method I have never used, a trump card of sorts.
But since things have escalated to this point, whether I want to use it or not, I must."
"Hmm?"
Chen Fan spoke with utmost seriousness.
So serious, in fact, that... the hearts of the two Realm Lords clenched.
There was no need for them to lie or threaten.
"Is it real?"
For some reason, both of them actually believed his words.
"So..."
Chen Fan raised his hand, extending his palm towards the Immortal Realm.
His voice was a low murmur, audible only to himself, "We've been apart for so long, it's time to reunite..."
...
The Lower Realm, the Eastern Lands.
Chen Fan had been away from this land for a long time.
He had risen from this very land, dominating the world without ever suffering a defeat.
The only time was in District Thirteen.
In District Thirteen, there was a King who wielded a divine sword.
On this day, the King of District Thirteen's expression suddenly changed.
Ching.
The divine sword, which he cherished more than his own life, suddenly flew towards the heavens.
The King of District Thirteen's face contorted, then he seemed to realize something.
His domineering pupils turned to a look of dejection. "I knew you would come for the sword. In my hands, it was merely held temporarily... Heh heh..."
Muttering to himself until the end, the King of District Thirteen had found peace.
He recalled that young man back then, so full of spirit.
"To what extent have you... reached?" the King of District Thirteen murmured.
With a touch of longing, he could only shake his head in resignation.
He lacked the courage of that young man to defy the heavens.
...
The divine sword ascended into the sky.
Everyone in the Lower Realm saw the sword light piercing the heavens.
The divine sword flew out of the East, reaching the continent of Dameria...
"It's the City Lord's sword."
Lan Kuang and others sensed the aura of the divine sword and trembled with excitement.
Powerhouses emerged from seclusion, sensing the familiar sword light, their eyes... filled with admiration.
The reappearance of the City Lord's sword, no one knew what had happened.
Until...
Boom.
The sword light directly broke open a gap in the Immortal Gate and disappeared from the Lower Realm.
The broken Immortal Gate could not heal itself.
Ultimately, a permanent rift was left behind.
The divine sword flew out of the Lower Realm, into the Land of Exile... and then upward, into the Immortal Realm, finally... into the chaos, and into Chen Fan's hand.
"Clink."
Chen Fan reached out and grasped the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
That's right, the divine weapon that had flown here was the other half of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi had been split into two in the past, and had never been reunited for so many years.
Today, the time had come.
"Go."
Chen Fan did not hesitate, directly throwing the half of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in his hand into the great seal.
The two trembling halves of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi instantly merged.
Boom.
An infinite, brilliant light, as if the heavens and earth were being split apart, recreating chaos.
The seal emanated a misty glow.
Its aura, at this moment, had grown countless times stronger.
"Kill."
This was Chen Fan's greatest trump card.
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi was finally reunited.
As the foremost divine weapon for offense in the world, its fusion revitalized the entire great seal.
Boom.
The great seal descended upon the dual suns.
The dual suns of Yin and Yang instantly collapsed.
This great seal was now incomparable to its former self.
"Guh."
"Guh."
The two Realm Lords spat out blood.
The collapsing dual suns were their Daos.
Their destruction now was equivalent to shattering the Daos of both of them.
This situation was beyond anyone's prediction.
"How is this possible..."
"Impossible..."
Exclamations echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
The powerhouses of the two great domains sensed the tremor in their Daos.
The power of the worlds was continuously collapsing.
"Retreat."
At this moment, whether it was the Yu Emperor or the Dark Emperor.
Both made the most important decision simultaneously.
Retreat, they must retreat.