Crisis.
A crisis unlike any before.
Chen Fan had never imagined he would encounter an Emperor so soon.
As a top-tier existence in chaos, to simply appear in a broken world.
Who could he even complain to about this?
Behind him, Old Demon Chu had already vanished.
The Life and Death Realm was rapidly receding.
"Not running anymore?"
The man arrived, looking down from above.
His gaze was like the sun and moon, the stars, as he stood at the peak of the firmament.
"Not running anymore."
Chen Fan had a resolve to die.
He shook his head and gave a wry smile, "Facing an Emperor, I, a mere Fourth Tier, could escape once, but not a second time."
Upon hearing this, the man became intrigued. He laughed, "You do have self-awareness. Since that's the case, I'll give you a chance. Hand over the world, and I'll spare your life."
"I cannot."
Chen Fan said bitterly, "Though I am not as strong as you, senior, I firmly believe in one thing: what I give you, you can take. What I don't give, you are not allowed to snatch."
The man smiled, "Do you know who you are speaking to?"
"Heh heh."
The atmosphere slowly turned frigid.
The man was not angry. He shook his head, "Since you are unwilling, I will take it myself. There is nothing I desire that I cannot obtain. The Dao of Life and Death, very good, I will take it."
Saying that... he raised his hand.
Above his head, the Star of Annihilation appeared.
This time, he would not give the other party another chance to escape.
"Emperor..."
An excited expression appeared on Chen Fan's face.
He even licked his lips, a flicker of ardor in his eyes, "Let me see, just how strong is an Emperor."
"Heh."
His words were met only with a cold snort from the man opposite him.
"Annihilation."
A simple attack.
The aura of annihilation spread, enveloping the enemy as before.
A Fourth Tier Heavenly Emperor could not escape.
"Buzz."
However, this time, an even more powerful Dao of Life and Death surged from Chen Fan's body.
Within the Dao, the power of the world was contained.
The man raised an eyebrow, "You have actually drawn the power of the entire world. That's good, it saves me the trouble of searching."
The power of the world, the power of the Dao, all appeared on Chen Fan.
This was the foundation upon which the world stood.
Without the power of the world and the Dao, the world would collapse.
Furthermore, with Chen Fan, the World Master, dying, the Life and Death Realm would inevitably be assimilated by chaos.
From then on, there would be no more Life and Death Realm.
"Kill."
Enduring the power of annihilation, Chen Fan attacked.
Leading with Life and Death, a thousand swords emerged...
Slash.
One sword, cleaving the heavens.
The domain of annihilation was torn open by this heaven-splitting sword.
"Oh?"
The man was surprised, "Is this the Dao of Life and Death? Indeed, it lives up to its reputation as the Dao of Polarity. Impressive."
There was no exaggeration in his words.
A Fourth Tier being had shattered the annihilation domain of a Seventh Tier Emperor.
This kind of situation should have been impossible.
Yet, he had done it.
One sword strike, ten thousand Daos shattered.
Boom.
The Dao of Life and Death directly shattered.
The thousand swords shattered.
His physical body shattered.
His soul shattered.
Everything dissipated, leaving only the dispersing power of the world and the Dao.
"Collect."
The man reached out and grabbed all the energy into his hand.
Within the energy, a figure had not yet completely dispersed.
"Any last words?" the man asked.
In Chen Fan's eyes, there was no hatred, only peace.
This was how chaos was.
"May I ask your name, senior?"
"Qingxiao."
"Your cultivation?"
"Seventh Tier."
"Where are you from?"
"Shenxiao Domain, Great World of Qingxiao, World Master of Qingxiao."
The man answered whatever Chen Fan asked.
"Thank you for telling me." Chen Fan cupped his fists.
Qingxiao looked at the small Fourth Tier Heavenly Emperor with interest and smiled, "Are you preparing to seek revenge on me?"
"Yes."
Chen Fan did not hide it.
"You think you can still live?"
"Who knows?"
To be honest, Chen Fan had no confidence at all.
"Heh."
Qingxiao smiled indifferently, "The miraculous Dao of Life and Death, perhaps there is indeed a glimmer of hope. If you can survive, I will await your revenge."
Chen Fan cupped his fists, and the last trace of his soul completely annihilated.
...
Deep within chaos.
A world in constant collapse was breaking free from the chaos.
This was the Life and Death Realm, now reduced to an empty shell.
The boundless surge of world power and Dao power from before was gone, leaving only a hollow shell.
Within the world, natural disasters were erupting incessantly.
"Suppress."
All the strong individuals of the Life and Death Realm were desperately trying to suppress the world that was constantly breaking apart.
"The City Master... is dead?"
Exclamations arose one after another.
Yes, the City Master was dead.
If the City Master were alive, the Life and Death Realm would not be like this.
This world was the City Master's Dao, and when the Dao shattered, the world shattered.
"How can this be?"
The scene, like a natural disaster, brought despair.
But this time, no one retreated.
If someone had severed their Dao and escaped before the world shattered, they could have survived.
But this time, no one fled.
Everyone was united, suppressing the constantly collapsing Life and Death Realm.
Rumble.
A storm of destruction swept across the land.
The massive world was visibly shrinking.
"Buzz."
Suddenly, in the sky above the desolate world, a faint star appeared.
This star had never appeared before.
Now, its first appearance attracted everyone's attention.
Within the star, the last trace of the Life and Death Realm's life and death power was entwined.
Though small, it was strengthening at an astonishing rate.
"City Master?"
At this moment, everyone thought of this.
The collapsing world stabilized.
It moved from collapse towards rebirth.
"The City Master is not dead."
"Long live the City Master, the City Master is still alive..."
"..."
Even though the Life and Death Realm had become an empty shell, it couldn't dampen the cheers of the crowd.
As long as the City Master was still here, they believed in miracles.
From the day they began to follow the City Master, they had always witnessed miracles.
Within the star...
"Buzz."
Six divine weapons suddenly flashed within the star.
The divine weapons rotated, their energies growing stronger.
Finally...
Boom.
The star exploded, and a figure emerged from it.
"City Master..."
Cheers filled the entire world.
The City Master was alive.
Hope remained.
"Heh."
Chen Fan grinned, a smile of relief.
"Fortunately, I calculated my fate before I left." In his hand, the Dragon Pattern Compass spun continuously.
Before going to the Water Realm, Chen Fan had used the Dragon Pattern Compass to divine his fate.
It was all deathly misfortune.
That was why he had left the six divine weapons and a trace of life and death power prepared for rebirth.
"Everyone."
Chen Fan spoke, "This time, our Life and Death Realm has faced an unprecedented crisis. Now is the time for us to work together. The Dao needs more power to replenish it. Starting now, the world will open, and everyone, draw energy from chaos to replenish the world."
"We obey the City Master's command."
With the City Master present, there was hope and confidence.
Energy from chaos continuously poured into the Life and Death Realm, being rapidly refined by everyone.
The Dao net that had previously enveloped the world could no longer purify energy.
Only human effort would suffice.