In the chaos, a warship traversed.
This Immortal King-class warship wasn't very large, not even comparable to the Sky-Gathering Warships crafted by the Seven Stars Sword Sect, but its interior held a different world.
Inside the warship was a miniature universe, complete with all the necessary laws. It was forged by a powerful figure from a newly formed world. Given enough time, it might even grow into a great world.
At the heart of this miniature universe stood a colossal city, its walls a hundred zhang high. The sword marks and bullet holes that remained on the walls testified to the city's incredibly long history.
Above the city gate, two large characters were inscribed in extremely ancient script.
"Azure Flame!"
Inside a lavish palace within the city, there were two figures. One was a middle-aged man with Supreme cultivation, while the other was a young man whose cultivation surpassed the middle-aged man's, radiating a faint aura of kingly dominance, like a king among immortals.
This was an Immortal King powerhouse.
The middle-aged man respectfully bowed to the young man and said, "Father, we'll arrive in two days."
The young man, who had been closing his eyes, opened them upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, a hint of vicissitude flashing within.
He spoke, "I know."
The middle-aged man, hearing this, didn't leave. The young man asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Father, I don't understand. Why are we going to such a backward world?" the middle-aged man inquired.
"Backward?"
The young man's body trembled, a trace of displeasure flickering in his eyes. He said in a deep voice, "Do you know how powerful this so-called backward world once was?"
The middle-aged man was immediately startled. Although his father was usually extremely strict with him, he had never shown such an expression before.
Seeing his son's shock, the young man's expression softened considerably. He said, "You are not from that era, so I don't blame you. But you only need to know that Azure Flame Immortal Venerable is bringing us back to the mortal realm this time to restore its former glory."
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable!
The middle-aged man's expression instantly became incredibly respectful upon hearing this name.
The city was named after Azure Flame, which showed how high her status was. She was the master of this miniature universe, and their supreme king!
"You may leave!"
The young man said.
"Yes, Father!" The middle-aged man respectfully departed.
Just after he left, a phantom image appeared in the hall. The image was indistinct, but its graceful figure and peerless temperament could be discerned.
The young man immediately stood up upon seeing the phantom image and respectfully bowed.
"Your subject greets Princess Royal!"
"Uncle Qi Zhao, haven't I told you not to be so formal?" The phantom image spoke, a clear and ethereal female voice. Even without seeing her true appearance, just hearing her voice made people's minds wander.
Wei Qi Zhao, addressed as Uncle Qi Zhao, shook his head and said, "There is a distinction between ruler and subject; the necessary etiquette must be observed."
"A distinction between ruler and subject... Uncle Qi Zhao, Father has fallen for countless years. I am no longer a princess," the phantom image said with a wry smile. She broke through the void and stepped out, wearing a long dress the color of azure flames, exuding a noble and dignified aura, her beauty unparalleled.
Few men could see such a woman without being moved, but Wei Qi Zhao's eyes held only respect.
"Even if the Heavenly Emperor has fallen, the princess is still the princess. At least, in my eyes, you are still the princess," Wei Qi Zhao said seriously.
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable shook her head. She deliberately changed the subject, not wanting to discuss the issue of "distinction between ruler and subject."
"According to my calculations, the Sign of Heaven's Will that will appear in the mortal realm this time will be the last one, and also the strongest in history. Anyone who can obtain this Sign of Heaven's Will will easily become an Immortal Emperor, given time."
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable said softly.
"Princess, since the Sign of Heaven's Will is so magical, why don't you take action yourself, instead of letting these young people who haven't yet matured compete for it?" Wei Qi Zhao asked in confusion.
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable shook her head and said, "Although we are beings of the mortal realm, we have been separated from it for countless years. The stronger we are, the more our own Dao and laws become incompatible with the laws of heaven and earth in the mortal realm. The Sign of Heaven's Will can only be integrated at the moment of proving the Dao to become Supreme. We have no chance."
Wei Qi Zhao nodded and then smiled, "But Princess, are you bullying the people of the current mortal realm a bit by having our excellent young people compete with them for the Sign of Heaven's Will?"
"Uncle Qi Zhao, what's there to bully? Treasures belong to those who are capable. This is a universal truth. I won't use my power to suppress others, but if they can't win, would you have me give it to them?"
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable said.
"It's good that the Princess thinks this way. Your subject is just afraid that you will feel bad, after all, that is the mortal realm. The beings of the mortal realm should be the Heavenly Emperor's subjects, which means they are also the Princess's subjects," Wei Qi Zhao said.
"But the beings of this universe are also my subjects," Azure Flame Immortal Venerable responded with a smile.
Not to mention how young she was when she left the mortal realm, not even having formed the concept of "ruler and subject" and "subjects," but even now, she has been separated from the mortal realm for countless years. Her only connection to the mortal realm is her father and mother, but her parents have fallen for countless years. She has no connection with the beings of the mortal realm after its destruction, and there is no such thing as "subjects."
Even if there were, she would prioritize the beings of this universe, because of the difference in closeness!
"But since I have chosen to return to the mortal realm, I will do everything in my power to transform it and restore its former glory, which can be regarded as a kind of compensation to the beings of the current mortal realm," Azure Flame Immortal Venerable said.
The battle hasn't even started yet, and she already believes that victory is in her grasp.
This is not without reason. If the mortal realm had always been in the era of decline after its destruction, then no one would be able to compete with her. But even if she exhausted all of her power, Azure Flame could not have calculated that an anomaly like Gu Changsheng would be born in the mortal realm.
The reason why anomalies are called anomalies is that anomalies themselves are not bound by any rules, nor can they be predicted by anyone.
And not only Gu Changsheng, but aside from Hou Tu, who was in seclusion, and Yun Wuyue, whom Gu Changsheng abducted from the Demon Realm, even Gu Sheng, who had just returned to the mortal realm, was beyond their comparison.
It can only be said that they were blinded by a leaf and could not see Mount Tai. Azure Flame Immortal Venerable was too confident in herself.
However, as the only daughter of the Mortal Realm Heavenly Emperor, it would be unreasonable not to be confident.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
The warship docked outside the boundary wall of the mortal realm, and Azure Flame Immortal Venerable was somewhat taken aback.
"The origin of the Great Dao of the mortal realm has recovered?"
"I'm afraid so!" Wei Qi Zhao said from behind.
Behind Wei Qi Zhao were several Immortal Kings and dozens of True Immortals.
"Since we're here, let's go in!"
Azure Flame Immortal Venerable waved her jade hand, and the warship emitted a burst of azure light, broke through the boundary wall, and rushed in.
...
