Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1925 Chapter 516: No Emperors in the True Realm, Southern Domain Bloodbath (Part 3)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Li Hao finally understood. It was no wonder they were selecting a True King at the pinnacle of Immortal King level.
"Emperor Power will dissipate in the True Realm, and Emperor Artifacts will also lose their effectiveness. If their sharpness is exposed, they will be suppressed and transferred according to regulations."
The Star Empress explained calmly, "However, this does not exclude certain secret techniques that, while unable to unleash Emperor Power, can still pose a threat exceeding that of Immortal Kings. Hence, be cautious if you encounter such situations. We hope you can demonstrate the foundation of all your clans. Should the True Realm fall, it would significantly impact our ongoing battles in the Origin Exotic Realm."
A grimness settled on everyone's faces. They were aware that the true crux of victory rested with the various Emperors, and their role was merely to safeguard the True Realm's clans for them.
The Immortal Immortal Emperor cast a glance at the young man clad in black robes, the reincarnation of the Black Emperor. After a slight nod, he addressed the Emperors lingering in the void:
"It is time to depart!"
"Indeed, those fellows can no longer wait. It has been many years since we last acted, and these Ancient Demons must truly believe the True Realm is devoid of defenders!"
"We shall sacrifice our origins."
As an ancient voice resonated, a majestic pressure emanated from the shadowy forms of the Emperors in the void. Subsequently, a terrifying Emperor Road, forged from origins, materialized and permeated the void, reaching deep into the distant True Realm.
In an instant, a profound and vast power surged from the depths of the True Realm.
Outside the Heaven Tower, in the void, the terrifying gazes that had been scrutinizing the Abyss slowly retracted.
As they traveled together, they observed these True Realm Emperors actively summoning the Heavenly Dao, harnessing its power to propel the Non-Sovereign Order. They knew then that the battle was imminent.
"Yaoyao, I entrust the Yama Clan to your care."
Within the void, an Ancient Demon Emperor Venerable, towering and imposing, lowered his head and spoke gently.
Beside him stood a graceful, slender woman of exquisite beauty, possessing skin as white as snow and eyes of profound darkness.
She slightly tilted her head, drawing her gaze away from the distant expanse of stars, and replied softly, "Father, I shall await your triumphant return."
"You have reached the apex of Immortal King. Let those chosen True Kings witness the supreme royal might of my Yama Clan!"
The Yama Emperor Venerable said with a smile.
Mi Xueyao's eyes flickered. Memories of a secret technique she employed while infiltrating an Ancient Demon's subordinate flashed through her mind – the long-sought hiding place of the prodigies from all clans had been revealed. It was a forbidden Abyssal land, concealed by an Immortal Forbidden Emperor Weapon, rendering it undetectable.
"Understood."
She gave a slight nod of agreement, yet the image of a certain young man surfaced in her heart.
Would we find ourselves on opposing sides this time?
Across various regions of the True Realm, other Ancient Demon Emperor Venerables from different clans also detected the subtle shift in the Heavenly Dao. They had long anticipated and deduced the plan of the True Realm Emperors, accepting it as the only viable course of action. After all, if the Emperor Venerables were to remain absent from the Origin Exotic Realm battles, even if the Emperors triumphed, the entire True Realm would be annihilated along with their respective armies.
It was akin to two colossal elephants engaged in combat, mindlessly trampling the surrounding ants and eradicating entire colonies.
"What is that?"
Among the myriad races residing in the True Realm, countless individuals suddenly witnessed a silver radiance appearing in the heavens, piercing through from the void and manifesting as a brilliant silver ring that swept across the sky.
Following this, chains formed of laws stretched across the firmament, engulfing the entirety of the True Realm and the vast starry expanse!
Irrespective of their location, everyone could bear witness to this magnificent and awe-inspiring spectacle.
"The Non-Sovereign Order... I can already feel the True Realm's resistance."
"Is it time to depart? In the end, we must leave. My children, this home... is now yours to defend!"
Within the various clans, the eyes of certain Quasi-Emperor ancestors reflected a profound calmness. They had long been aware of this turn of events and had made thorough preparations, leaving behind detailed instructions.
"Ancestor! Ancestor!"
Across the lands of each clan, multitudes watched as their ancestral elders, bathed in silvery light, were encircled as if poised for ascension.
"Each individual has their own battlefield; there is no need for tears or lingering attachments."
"Remember, our Jiang family swears to defend the Northern Domain unto death!"
"Guard the True Realm well!"
Quasi-Emperors from every clan were being drawn upwards, a departure long prepared in secrecy by the Emperors. Numerous clan members watched, their hearts filled with sorrowful reluctance, yet also fueled by the righteous anger preceding a final, decisive battle.
Within the abyss, situated inside the Heaven Tower.
Li Hao and the others observed as phantoms of Emperors materialized from the expanse, each bathed in brilliant beams of light—the Star Empress, the Undying Emperor, and more. Their forms began to fade, while a vast, profound aura radiated from the light array, commanding awe and deterring any attempt at contact.
"Beings of the True Realm, the Non-Sovereign Order is now established. Though the catastrophe persists, this realm shall remain without an Emperor for now!"
"For the coming centuries, let the True Kings serve as our bulwark, safeguarding our homeland and repelling the invading demons from beyond!"
"Once we have annihilated the demon sea, we shall return to our home!"
An ancient voice resonated from the void, its might echoing across the entirety of the heavens.
The entire Heaven Tower bore witness to these Emperor's Words, which propagated through the Heavenly Dao Power, permeating the True Realm.
All the Ten Thousand Clans and myriad peoples alike heard the Emperor's solemn, ageless decree. The profound trust embedded within those words brought countless listeners to tears.
This impending conflict would involve every Emperor of the True Realm. Unlike ten thousand years prior, they would not be fragmented and overwhelmed by localized incursions from the Ancient Demons, who had dared to establish strongholds within the True Realm.
"In times of great peril, the Emperor Venerables must step forth..."
Within the Heaven Tower, many individuals clenched their fists, sensing the Emperors' resolute determination to face the impending battle with unwavering conviction.
"As we depart, each of you shall return to your respective domains."
The Star Empress's figure slowly dissolved, appearing to transcend comprehension, yet in reality, she permeated into the Origin Exotic Realm.
Her gaze was serene as she surveyed the assembled multitude. The entire Heaven Tower began to vibrate intensely, and then the surrounding space warped, revealing a profound, dark abyss.
The Heaven Tower transformed into a streak of light, vanishing directly into the Star Empress's sleeve.
Only the Immortal Gate remained, standing resolute in the void.
The light arrays flared brilliantly, exploding with intense luminescence before vanishing in an instant.
The Emperor's Might that had permeated the world faded completely, and the lingering Emperor Dao aura in the air dissipated, leaving the entire abyss in a hushed, eerie silence.
This silence extended beyond the abyss; across all territories of the True Realm's Ten Thousand Races, the figures of Quasi-Emperor ancestors also disappeared. Numerous light arrays ascended skyward, vanishing from the True Realm.
Notably, aside from the Human Race, in the frontier regions where Ancient Demons were entrenched, a multitude of Ancient Demon Emperor Venerables, Quasi-Emperors, and dozens of other figures converged. They seemed fully prepared before also vanishing into the void.
In the Southern Domain, within the Yan and Chu Dynasty.
"I hereby pass the throne to the Crown Prince. Chu Beiming shall ascend!"
Within a dazzling light array, Emperor Chu bestowed the Yan and Chu throne upon the Crown Prince, identified as the most exceptionally gifted and brilliant among his many sons.
He even surpassed Chu Xiangtian and Chu Tianhuang, who had inherited mere fragments of an Emperor Soul.
"As we depart, the Ancient Demons will undoubtedly launch their invasion. You must guard the frontier and await the arrival of the True Kings!"
Uttering these final words, Emperor Chu vanished from the Southern Domain.
Similarly, in the other six Imperial Capitals of the Ancient Immortal Dynasty within the Southern Domain, analogous scenes unfolded. Other Emperors abdicated or temporarily entrusted their reigns to prodigious members of their royal families, handing over the Royal Family's Life Artifacts.
Meanwhile, on the Southern Domain's remote frontier.
Behind the relentless surge of the Ancient Demon Tide, within a towering fortress-like city structure, a contingent of figures emerged.
"The Emperors have departed, leaving the True Realm without its Supremes. Before those so-called True Kings make their return, follow me! Let us attack, and our blood shall cleanse these lands!"
A burly Ancient Demon, his eyes glowing with golden intensity, let out a deep, furious roar.
His voice reverberated throughout his army, quickly met by resounding waves of affirmation.
Inside the Heaven Tower.
Li Hao and the others watched as the Emperors made their exit. Moments later, the Black Emperor was the first to move. He instantly appeared beside Li Hao and declared:
"I shall safeguard the Primordial True Realm and rally the Chaos Ancient Clan. The True Realm itself... is entrusted to your care."
He understood the inherent arrogance and inherent resistance that the Chaos Ancient Clan possessed, a force only he could possibly suppress and command, albeit with considerable effort.
Li Hao responded with a nod and observed as the Black Emperor, accompanied by his deputy and other chosen followers, departed. Li Hao then moved swiftly, stating:
"Let us proceed to the Southern Domain!"
With the Emperors gone, the Southern Domain was left vulnerable. The Ancient Demons were certain to attack, necessitating Li Hao's urgent consolidation of the Southern Domain clans' forces to avert widespread chaos and destruction at the hands of the Ancient Demons.