The Azure Emperor personally spoke, wishing to take Chen Fan as his direct disciple.
At this moment, countless people were filled with envy.
The resounding announcement was made without any concealment, in full view of everyone.
"Heh."
A chuckle echoed in the sky.
Just a light laugh, nothing more.
In the distance, the Heaven and Earth Divine Root slowly receded.
Simultaneously, a voice entered Chen Fan's ear.
This time, only he could hear the voice, as it was the Azure Emperor's telepathic transmission.
"Become my disciple, and all that has passed will be forgiven."
With that, the voice vanished.
No one else heard it.
Chen Fan remained composed, gazing towards the direction where the Heaven and Earth Divine Root had disappeared, silent for a long time.
...
Now was not the time to discuss other matters.
He looked up, and life and death pierced through the heavens and earth.
The myriad paths surged skyward, converging within a colossal sphere, transforming into great stars, dotting the void above the stone sphere.
Life and death formed the boundaries, while the myriad paths became the night stars.
Sun and moon shone together.
"Rumble."
Dense purple energy was drawn from the chaos and injected into the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace was taking shape.
The world knew that the world itself was the product of the Imperial Palace's evolution.
At this moment, Chen Fan was like a deity spanning life and death, his pupils opening and closing, his left eye bringing forth revival, his right eye witnessing the fall of gods and demons.
Life, death.
Thump.
At a certain point, the Imperial Palace was completely formed.
The Imperial Palace, adorned with myriad paths, exuded vibrant life force.
With a diameter of a hundred meters, it floated above Sword City.
"Congratulations, City Lord."
Someone, at the opportune moment, shouted out.
The next instant, everyone reacted.
Roars and shouts that shook heaven and earth resounded.
"Congratulations, City Lord."
"Congratulations, City Lord..."
"..."
The voices merged, transforming into rolling thunder.
All those who had once integrated into the River of Rules felt the summoning of the Imperial Palace.
The River of Rules had vanished, transforming into the Imperial Palace.
As long as they willed it, they could enter and exit the Imperial Palace at any time.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Figures soared into the sky.
They bowed before the Life and Death Emperor Venerate.
This bow was in reverence to the City Lord, this salute was to the Emperor Venerate.
"Rise."
He looked up silently.
At this moment, every movement of Chen Fan was imbued with the power of the Great Dao of Life and Death.
As a first-tier Emperor Venerate, he now possessed the power to control his surroundings.
He then spoke, "The Imperial Palace has just been formed. Those who are willing can enter the Imperial Palace at any time to comprehend the Great Dao. The current Imperial Palace is adorned with great stars, and you can find your own Dao stars within to gain insight."
"Many thanks, Dao Master."
This was an immense opportunity.
The Imperial Palace was equivalent to a newly emerged minor world.
When a world is newly formed, its rules are at their most concentrated, making it a place filled with opportunities.
And now, the City Lord had achieved the fruit of Emperor Venerate, and the limits for them, the Dao integrators, had also been raised. It was not impossible for them to step into the Emperor Venerate realm through this.
At this moment, no one could resist.
Zhao Kai, the Dao of Death; Tian Wen, the Dao of Life; Lü Feng, the Dao of Physique; Long Ling, the Dao of Dragon; Tian Zai, the Dao of the Sky-Drilling Rat...
One by one, powerful figures, unable to wait, entered the Imperial Palace.
Even Xi Qiu, who was on the verge of recovering to the Half-Emperor realm, could not hold back.
"Whoosh."
The Mad Emperor appeared before Chen Fan, "I want to integrate with your world as well."
"Hm?"
This was an unexpected joy. "You wish to enter my world?"
"That's right."
The Mad Emperor nodded, giving a definitive reply. "You tread the path of life and death, and in the future, you may become a Dao Master. Following a future Dao Master of Life and Death is also an opportunity for me."
"But you were once a Heavenly Emperor."
Chen Fan asked in confusion, "Also, what is a Dao Master?"
"Life and death are opposites, Yin and Yang, light and darkness... all have the potential to later become Masters of the Great Dao controlling chaos and life and death. Of course, water and fire do not, due to the Five Elements."
"So..."
A divine light flickered in the Mad Emperor's eyes. "If you, City Lord, enter the Great Emperor realm in the future, and if I were to perish in battle, you could pull me out of death and return me to the world."
"Hm?"
At this moment, even Chen Fan was surprised. "You are thinking quite far ahead."
The Mad Emperor shook his head. "Those who do not plan for the long term are not qualified to plan for everything. I have already died once. Being able to live is a stroke of luck. If I integrate with your world, even if I perish in the future, you can pull me out of death."
As he spoke, he pointed to the sky and said, "Chaos also has life and death."
Emperor Venerates are no longer bound by the world.
Their life and death are controlled within chaos.
A Great Emperor of Life and Death could absolutely retrieve someone from the River of Chaos Death.
This heaven-defying act was the reason for the appearance of the chaotic lightning.
"Good."
The integration of a former Emperor Venerate's world into both of them would be beneficial.
There was no reason to refuse.
"Many thanks, City Lord."
The Mad Emperor cupped his fist and, without hesitation, severed his Great Dao.
His Great Dao was already rootless.
For he had left the Immortal Realm, it was the Dao of the Mad Realm.
But the Mad Realm had collapsed, so he could only absorb power from chaos.
This was also why the Mad Emperor remained at the Half-Emperor realm until now.
"Boom."
The Mad Emperor's power directly entered Chen Fan's Imperial Palace.
In an instant, the Mad Emperor's figure appeared within the Imperial Palace.
In the sky, a dim star was instantly illuminated.
Destruction, the world of life and death did not have it before.
But now it did.
The Great Dao was connected, and the great star lit up and shone at a visible speed.
It instantly surpassed everyone.
Except for the primary star representing life, the star of destruction was the most brilliant.
Rumble.
The Mad Emperor's power and comprehension merged into the Imperial Palace.
The world within the Imperial Palace began to rapidly expand.
This was the power of a former Emperor Venerate.
Evolution was an inevitable path for the Imperial Palace.
And Chen Fan continued to watch all of this.
Outside.
Old Demon Chu arrived.
"You are not suitable."
Before the other could speak, Chen Fan said first.
"..." Old Demon Chu.
"Your path is not here."
Chen Fan added, "Your talent is no less than mine. Follow your path of demonic cultivation, and the Emperor realm will be within reach."
He had great expectations for Old Demon Chu.
Wu Sheng was the same.
Among the few people he brought up, Wu Sheng and Old Demon Chu were the ones he held the greatest hopes for.
As for Tian Zai and Huang Die, it was unavoidable.
And there was another person... Hong Si.
As the only person from the Qin family army who followed him up, there had been no news of him until now.
He didn't know where he had gone.
Old Demon Chu thought for a moment, not dwelling on it. "Then I will not integrate with your world, City Lord."
"Mm."
Nodding, Chen Fan said no more.
His gaze swept over the still-present Emperor Venerates of the Azure Emperor Palace who were unwilling to leave, then he withdrew his gaze.
In the central thatched hut.
Chen Fan summoned Di Long. "Please invite Senior Angler here."
"Yes."
Di Long left.
Not long after, Angler arrived.
He came alone.
Upon meeting, he cupped his fist and said, "Emperor Venerate..."
"Still call me City Lord."
He rather liked that title.
*Hoo*.
Angler breathed a sigh of relief.
Before a Life and Death Emperor Venerate who might become a Dao Master, he felt pressure.
Still being called City Lord proved that Chen Fan had not changed; he was still the person he knew.
"City Lord..."
Angler said, "I am very sorry for bringing trouble to Sword City."