Astral Pet Store Chapter 1580: Epilogue: Welcome Back (3)

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Previously on Astral Pet Store...
Su Ping faced the furious Ultimate Heavenly Dao, declaring himself its equal through the people's prayers and the Chaos Core's allegiance. He overpowered the entity, reducing it to a childlike form and inviting it to witness the world's prosperity. With a contract formed, Su Ping emerged triumphant, his body healing as he reunited with the Mother of Chaos and others, the subdued Heavenly Dao perched on his shoulder as they prepared to depart together.
The Mother of Chaos appeared quite grave.

    

"Ignore his boasting," Su Ping said with a chuckle, "He won't get any opportunity. Even should he verify his guesses, he'll remain fully under my grasp. Have no fears."     

The Ultimate Heavenly Dao growled, "What did you say?"     

Ignoring him with a smile, Su Ping turned to the Mother of Chaos and declared, "I'm departing. Guard chaos in my stead. You made the correct choice; never question it."     

Astounded, she quickly inquired, "Where to? Didn't you already subdue him?"     

The Ultimate Heavenly Dao snorted first, "Humph. After absorbing the people's prayers, he surpassed every Great Dao. Merging with me has elevated him beyond the Dao realm. Such a supreme being is invisible and imperceptible to you."     

Su Ping prodded the childish Heavenly Dao's form softly until it collapsed. At last, he told the Mother of Chaos, "I'm staying right here. From chaos's depths, I'll watch over you. No need to long for me or fret. I'll remain forever at your side."     

Dazed, she pondered: the blend of Su Ping and the Ultimate Heavenly Dao formed something transcending chaos?     

He offered no further details, yet she sensed it reached realms beyond her grasp.     

"From his recollections, I'll pull out every clan he obliterated. This chaos lacks space for them, thus I'll craft another realm. Consider it a parallel universe."     

Beaming at the system, Su Ping continued, "In short, everything's handled. You once handed me the store. Today, I view chaos as our shop; I'll manage it well."     

Tears streamed from the Mother of Chaos's eyes. "What if I yearn to see and sense you?"     

"I'll always be here…"     

Smiling, Su Ping responded, "You'll surely sense me—in the breeze, the downpour, every strand of chaos aura…"     

His figure grew dimmer before her eyes, his strength surging and deepening amid the Heavenly Dao fusion. The evolution tied to his rising power proved unstoppable; his form was elevating.     

"Care for them on my behalf…" Su Ping murmured gently.     

Instantly grasping his meaning, the Mother of Chaos felt sorrowful and asked, "Will you return then? In this state, I mean…"     

"Perhaps, once that matter's settled…" Su Ping replied.     

"Humph." The Ultimate Heavenly Dao suddenly snorted.     

Glancing back, Su Ping extended his power. Within the Ultimate Heavenly Dao's consciousness lay all eradicated races from shattered worlds, dating back to eras teeming with mythical beasts.     

That consciousness resembled the River of Fate flowing across chaos, extending to countless universes.     

In the Heavenly Dao's mind, Su Ping could revisit every age.     

"Farewell, my companions…" Su Ping whispered.     

His form slowly dissolved and vanished.     

In his final instant, he grinned relaxedly before fading like mist before the Mother of Chaos.     

Stunned, she teetered on the edge of weeping. Unfamiliar grief flooded her heart. Perhaps her bodiless state had softened her, filling her with emotions akin to frail mortals.        

    

Sorcerer Ancestor Yin Que and his companions realized the Ultimate Heavenly Dao's barrier had lifted. Freedom was theirs.     

Exchanging puzzled glances, none among them savored joy despite the monumental triumph.     

Shortly, changes swept the Ancestral Land of Chaos; chaos aura surged in abundance.     

The primordial chaos aura birthed all matter and energy, spawning flames, waters, stones, flesh, lives—everything imaginable.     

Like a tempest, the chaos aura raged at that moment.     

Corpses caught in its rush saw flesh regrow on bones; fallen warriors revived.     

Those obliterated beyond ashes emerged from chaos anew. The Ultimate Heavenly Dao's mind served as conduit, fueled by chaos aura.     

"Master…"     

"Boss…"     

Figures materialized one by one. The battle-dead rose sequentially.     

The massive Inferno Dragon scanned the revived crowd but spotted no trace of its desired figure, roaring in profound despair.     

The Vast Sky Thunderous Dragon soared to the Mother of Chaos. Noting her trance, it urgently cried, "Where is our master?!"     

Still fixed on Su Ping's vanishing spot, the Mother of Chaos lingered in daze for ages before stirring. Bitterness welled as she saw the dragon's anguish. She realized their contract had vanished.     

Entering the Chaos Core, he had cut all bonds.     

His sole pet now was the Ultimate Heavenly Dao.     

Su Ping had claimed mastery over the Heavenly Dao.     

"You… sense him no longer?" the Mother of Chaos asked in anguish.     

"Nor you?" The Vast Sky Thunderous Dragon chilled with terror.     

"Has Master truly…"     

"Impossible!"     

A purple bolt streaked as the Lightning Rat bolted over frantically. "He vowed I'd never lose another master! He promised!"