The Steward Demonic Emperor Chapter 1344: Epilogue

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Writer: StarReader

Proofreading: Silavin

Where exactly do you think you are headed? A womans sharp voice pierced the quiet void surrounding the floating courtyard nestled among the stars.

It is the cultivators night out! Zhuo Fan called back from the doorway, with Yongning trailing behind him, looking peeved as she cradled an infant only a few months old.

If anyone around this place deserves a break, it is us. Lei Yuting emerged carrying another baby, being careful not to awaken the infant in her grasp, despite glaring daggers at their husband for leaving them to shoulder the burden of parenting alone.

I handle this every single day, and we all remember what transpired the last time Yuting attempted to venture out alone. Zhuo Fan spoke with a sage-like air, cleverly disguising his desperate need to clear his head—or perhaps to escape the chaotic energy of the incessant demands and cries of human babies.

[Chaos, what in the world was I thinking when I took them all in?] That was not the first time he had pondered this, and it certainly wouldnt be the last. [They say a childs laughter brightens a home.] Thus far, all he had witnessed in this endless abyss was the opposite.

Lei Yuting shuddered at the memory of being consumed by the rampant, wild energies outside their doorstep; she remained amazed she had kept her sanity. The unexpected jolt of terror startled the baby awake and induced a wail, which triggered the other infants resting in nearby rooms to begin crying in sequence.

Could you not have kept the noise down? Chu Qingcheng walked over with a weeping girl in her arms, casting an accusatory look toward them. Just let him leave. He is not going to be gone for long anyway.

Seizing the opening, Zhuo Fan slipped past them. Yongning and Lei Yuting watched the door with visible longing, desiring their own escape; however, despite both having attained the Supreme Stage, they understood that they needed to grasp the Dao if they ever hoped to stand beside Zhuo Fan and step outside. The surrounding chaos provided them with power, but it simultaneously forced them to stay trapped.

Zhuo Fan drifted amidst the stars, which shimmered as mere points of light, some dim and entirely black. He performed his duty by snuffing out the darkened ones, returning them to the chaotic energy that composed the universe.

Hours later, he reached a structure that could only be classified as a tavern. Its facade was weathered, featuring ancient timber beams, a thatched roof, and a sign swinging above the entrance that displayed shifting text over an image of a spilling tankard.

When he went to walk inside, the writing materialized as Chinese, displaying the words Worlds End. Ignoring the rowdy crowd huddled in a corner, he stepped up to the counter where a hulking man adorned with bull horns wiped a small tankard in his massive palms. An observer would assume the item should have been crushed into dust by now, yet it remained perfectly intact.

Hey, Mino! The usual, if you would. Zhuo Fan said with a wide smile.

Will you stop using that name? I have a real name, you know. The giant grunted, finished scrubbing the mug, and grabbed another from under the counter that swirled with vibrant colors before sliding it toward Zhuo Fan.

Just as he reached for it, the giant pulled it back. Are we forgetting something vital?

The massive man loomed over the man half his size, yet Zhuo Fan remained completely unfazed. Do you not trust me yet, Mino? Zhuo Fan gave a look of feigned innocence, but seeing the mans unrelenting glare, he eventually sighed. Fine, fine, take it.

Only after he produced a flawless white sphere, its sheer presence distorting the surrounding energy, did Mino hand over the drink. Excellent work, as usual. Among all those in my employ, you are the most adept at extracting the purest essence from a dying world.

Is that not the truth? Zhuo Fan muttered.

In the two years following his ascension from the Sacred Domain, he had realized he was far from the only expert of worlds. In reality, they were countless. However, much like any civilization, they gravitated toward settlements, Sects, or, in this instance, a unique type of tavern.

He noted that among all the cultivators present, he was the rare individual who had achieved his stage through personal insight into the Dao. The rest merely exploited the nature of their home worlds to reach this tier, making it simple to recycle defunct worlds back into chaotic energy and gather their residual aspects. These aspects represented the primary way to advance, though one could return to their home world to further comprehend its heaven—at the risk of causing the world to crumble.

Hearing that the World Stage was not the ultimate point of Cultivation was not particularly shocking, but it was eye-opening to learn how spiritual energy manifested differently for others, appearing as Qi, nen, chakra, mana, and a myriad of other forms.

Why do you insist on calling me Mino? What part of me looks cute? the beastly man inquired.

Zhuo Fan answered casually: Since you are a bull demon turned human, I dubbed you Xiao Ni, or Mino, for short. Blast this automated translation; it ruins the punchline of my jokes, he complained.

Mino commiserated, having suffered his own share of humor lost to the chaotic energy. Since our power originates from the chaos that birthed our respective worlds, our languages are automatically translated into whatever we are most familiar with, regardless of their origins.

I am aware, but it is still irritating. Zhuo Fan grumbled as he sipped the vibrant drink, feeling the rainbow-colored flow slide down his throat before vanishing within his stomach. That really hits the spot. Also, thank you for that array flag. Without it, who knows how many baby bottles would have gained sentience? My wives cannot bring themselves to feed my children with them.

In this vast, empty void, anything infused with primordial chaotic energy would soon develop a consciousness unless someone intervened to prevent it.

No trouble at all. Although, why did you decide to make your life difficult? Is one wife not suffice? I learned that lesson when my own wife discovered our maid hitting on me and nearly had her executed. Mino shivered. Women are terrifying, especially when they congregate in groups.

I was in a difficult situation back then, but I am confident it will all work out, Zhuo Fan said before glancing at the door as someone approached. Well, look what the wind blew in.

Not funny, Fanny. The black panther-humanoid snapped back as he marched toward a table.

Zhuo Fan ignored the creature. I was not speaking to you, was I, elder brother?

As the panther retreated, a gentleman dressed in Daoist robes came into view, bearing an unmistakable resemblance to Zhuo Fan. He remained unmoved by the greeting and settled into the seat beside him.

How long has it been? Two years? Zhuo Fans grin was insufferable.

Try two million years. Leaving me stranded there felt like living in a cage. Watching the world progress without being able to participate in it was absolute torment, though it was precisely the experience required to reach your current state. You knew that, did you not, little brother? The Heavenly Sovereign replied in a hollow tone.

I was still finding my footing with my new world powers, he remarked with a chuckle, but it turned out well in the end, and here you are now. Please tell me you are not still bitter about how things ended.

I did stop by your residence at one point, contemplating taking your family hostage, but I figured it would have been a reprieve for you. You would likely be skipping away in joy while I dealt with the task of keeping the hostages fed and healthy. The Heavenly Sovereign smirked.

How generous of you. Zhuo Fan replied with a weary look. Parenthood was simple, provided you did not have to handle the diapers or coax them to sleep. Using magic was not feasible at such a delicate age.

Zhuo Fan, is he actually your brother?! Mino bellowed in total shock. Both brothers finally took note of the chilling silence hanging in the air.

Is that a problem? Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.

It is a massive problem when the two of you are world experts stemming from the same home world. Plenty of others would kill to discover how you achieved it, hoping to build their own factions or Sects here. Without an expert sharing a home world, nobody trusts anyone enough to combine their power, which is why this tavern maintains its peace—by destroying remnant worlds and promoting stillness. But you have just shattered the equilibrium of this entire universe! Mino shouted as he flung the tavern doors open and shoved both men out, seeing the other patrons rising with lethal intent.

I want no part in this! You are on your own! Mino slammed the doors shut, abandoning the two in the black void of the stars.

Well, brother, does this not evoke a sense of nostalgia? Zhuo Fan smirked.

The Heavenly Sovereign observed the approaching mob, evidently alerted by the taverns patrons, and spoke with solemn gravity: Indeed, unfortunately. I remember this being around the same time you betrayed me last time.

Ha-ha, that is all in the past. Today, it is us against the universe. Back then, our home world was the stake. Shall we? Zhuo Fan arched a carefree eyebrow, entirely unconcerned by the growing opposition closing the distance.

For the first time, the Heavenly Sovereign broke into a grin and replied, Let us!

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